Church of God News

Huts in Fiji (photo by Merbabu)

COGwriter

Have you wondered where the safest place to be is in turbulent times? A while back, a secular source claims the following nations are the safest:

The 10 safest countries if World War Three breaks out

Following a string of terror attacks and violence, we take a look at the safest places if another world war broke out

1. Fiji:

The remote island nation of Fiji lies within the vast expanse of the Pacific Ocean.

It keeps Fiji isolated from potential invaders.

It’s small in population, neutral in foreign affairs and does not have any resources to justify invasion.

2. Ireland …

3. Malta …

4. Denmark …

5. Iceland …

6. Chile …

7. Bhutan …

8. New Zealand …

9. Tuvalu …

10. Switzerland … http://pulse.com.gh/travel/revealed-the-10-safest-countries-if-world-war-three-breaks-out-id4438918.html

The above list is interesting as some of those lands and islands initially would not be impacted by World War III, but ultimately they would get affected.

Why?

Well, for one, the Bible warns that islands and coastal regions will end up with problems, so that eliminates or at least reduces the safety factors for many on that list. Consider that the Bible teaches the following:

11 And there will be great earthquakes in various places, and famines and pestilences; and there will be fearful sights and great signs from heaven. … 25 “And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; 26 men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. (Luke 21:11,25-26)

12 I looked when He opened the sixth seal, and behold, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became like blood. 13 And the stars of heaven fell to the earth, as a fig tree drops its late figs when it is shaken by a mighty wind. 14 Then the sky receded as a scroll when it is rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved out of its place. (Revelation 6:12-14)

17 Then the seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air, and a loud voice came out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, “It is done!” 18 And there were noises and thunderings and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such a mighty and great earthquake as had not occurred since men were on the earth. 19 Now the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell. And great Babylon was remembered before God, to give her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of His wrath. 20 Then every island fled away, and the mountains were not found. (Revelation 16:17-20)

It will not only be the islands and coastal regions that are affected by these events, as even inland areas apparently will have flooding too (the Netherlands, a very low lying country, comes to mind as does the Florida Everglades). Chile, Bhutan, and Switzerland are mountainous and thus subject to being leveled. Iceland is sort of like a large mountainous island, so it is also at real biblical risk.

Because Denmark, Switzerland, and Ireland have many descendants of Israel, they are prophesied to be negatively affected, and will face issues from the coming Beast of the Sea of Revelation 13 (see Ezekiel 5:4 and the article Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel).

New Zealand, being inhabited by descendants of Ephraim, will be among the earlier casualties of World War III (see also Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel). It will NOT be a place of safety.

The author took a secular, carnal approach. The Bible warns:

6 For to be carnally minded is death…(Romans 8:6)

As Christians, we are to “walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7). So, we look to the Bible for comments about protection and safety. Here are some:

22 But the Lord has been my defense, And my God the rock of my refuge. (Psalms 94:22)

25 The fear of man brings a snare, But whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe. (Proverbs 29:25)

15 He who walks righteously and speaks uprightly,
He who despises the gain of oppressions,
Who gestures with his hands, refusing bribes,
Who stops his ears from hearing of bloodshed,
And shuts his eyes from seeing evil:
16 He will dwell on high;
His place of defense will be the fortress of rocks;
Bread will be given him,
His water will be sure. (Isaiah 33:15-16)

Interestingly, the descriptions in the Bible of a place of safety during what some might refer to as WWIII refer to a rocky place in the wilderness in a location like part of southern Jordan (see There is a Place of Safety for the Philadelphians. Why it May Be Petra).

Of course, certain Protestants instead believe that they will be ‘raptured’ away from the earth prior to the start of the Great Tribulation. While that is their professed hope, the idea is NOT supported by the Bible and is in error (for many biblical details, check out the article Is There A Secret Rapture for the Church? When and Where is the Church Protected?).

It should probably be noted that although many in the COGs believe that they will either be protected where they are at, this is NOT what the Bible teaches (cf. Revelation 12:14-16). Most in the COGs will NOT be protected at all (Daniel 7:25b; Revelation 12:17)–only the remaining Philadelphian remnant will be (Revelation 3:10; see also There is a Place of Safety for the Philadelphians. Why it May Be Petra).

Christians do need to pray to be accounted worthy of the end time protection according to Jesus:

35 For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. 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 21:35-36)

Jesus also said Christians needed to have the proper spiritual focus:

24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. 25 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. (Matthew 16:24-25)

Consider also that Jesus rebuked most of the Christians in the second and third chapters of the Book of Revelation, indicating that they did not always have the right focus in supporting His work. Also, notice the following which clearly shows that not all Christians will be protected in the end:

17 And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. (Revelation 12:17)

Sadly, even most Christians will not do what they should in the end. That is why Jesus rebuked the Laodiceans and told them to change (Revelation 3:14-21). Laodicea is basically composed of two words which mean “people decide” and in these end times, most Christian people have decided not to support proper biblical church governance (see The Bible, Peter, Paul, John, Polycarp, Herbert W. Armstrong, Roderick C. Meredith, and Bob Thiel on Church Government) and doing the work of God in truth (Psalms 33:4; see also The Final Phase of the Work).

Anyway, some are claiming that Donald Trump’s election is triggering WWIII:

Nostradamus, a “seer” and French physician, well known for his large and famous collection of prophecies, is now believed by many to have predicted the rise to power of Donald Trump, along with his surprise victory in the 2016 U.S. presidential election. But sit tight. Because it’s not just a seat in the Oval Office for Trump that Nostradamus has predicted. He has also indicated that this could all end very badly for us indeed. How bad, you ask? Bad enough that it could trigger The End – World War III and a catastrophic nuclear holocaust.

So, where does Nostradamus make his bold predictions for the years 2016 and 2017? His followers claim that Donald Trump’s presidency is foretold in Quatrain 81, over 400 years ago.

“The great shameless, audacious bawler. He will be elected governor of the army: The boldness of his contention. The bridge broken, the city faint from fear.”

Does this sound like Trump? Many people believe that it does, and that his frequent attacks on Twitter, where he can often be found on ranting crusades are extremely similar to the character described in Quatrain 81. (Moore K. Nostradamus Shock 2016 And 2017 Predictions: Donald Trump Wins And World War III Begins. Inquistr, December 2, 2016. http://www.inquisitr.com/3762481/nostradamus-shock-2016-and-2017-predictions-donald-trump-wins-and-world-war-iii-begins/#dFKP32234KTWslab.99)

The reality is that although steps Donald Trump has and will take will help lead to World War III, WWIII, if WWIII is considered to be the start of the Great Tribulation it is not yet (watch also Will the Great Tribulation Start in 2017?).

Here is something about WWIII from the late Herbert W. Armstrong:

We’re in the rest period between world war two and world war three now, and everyone knows that world war three is coming. Next are to come the famines and the pestilences; we’ve been going into that. That is the next thing now to happen, and then:

The Great Tribulation, but just before the Great Tribulation, is going to be a flight of the people of God that are watching and praying always. In the book of Revelation in the second and the third chapters, you find the prophesies of the church of the God; …

Now we come down to the end of it, picturing the church as it is in our time and we have three of these churches that carry on and live until the end.

(5) SARDIS ERA

The first of those three, the Sardis church. That is the church that had the name that it was alive and the Church of God, they had the name The Church of God and yet it said ‘Thou art dead’. And of course speaking spiritually, it was dead spiritually. Be watchful and strengthen the things that remain and are ready to die, for I have not found thy works perfect before God. That is at the very beginning of the Sardis church, the good things aren’t said there because this is a puny, weak insignificant church that is spiritually dead.

And Jesus said, repent or I’ll come on you as the thief and you shall not know at what hour I shall come. When you read that my friends, that language ties in with what you will find, let me see, the seventeenth chapter of Luke and the twenty-fourth of Matthew and other places showing very well and very perfectly that it is referring to the second coming of Christ. So, there will be, the latter generation of that church (Sardis) in existence at the time of the second coming of Christ.”

(6) PHILADELPHIA ERA

“Now next however came the Philadelphia Church which does carry the mission of God to the world. Here’s a church from a physical point of view and physical power and strength is the weakest of all them. It’s the smallest. They have only a very little strength, the church at Philadelphia. So, He says, these things saith he that is holy [that is Christ] and he that is true, and he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth; I know thy works. [Now here was a church again that He could complimented on their works.] I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: [Now if you’ll check through your Bible in how God opens a door, He opens a door for the Apostle Paul to go to Europe and preach the Gospel. It is an open door, opening up the door to facilities, to methods, to opportunities to carry the Gospel. Here is the church that carries the Gospel of the Kingdom.., that had been hidden from the world. That carries it to the world.

For He says that thy hast a little strength. Yes, they have some strength but it’s little. They’re small, from a physical or human point of view, and have kept my word, there faithful and they keep his word and they obey God. And has not denied my name. Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, [It’s speaking spiritually, He is a Jew, said the Apostle Paul, who is one inwardly, and salvation is to the Jew first and then to the Gentile. So, it’s merely referring to those that say, they are Christians. When you get the real meaning of it.] And, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.”

“Now listen to this: (Rev 3:10) Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I will also keep thee from the hour of trial, [the word in the KJV is temptation but your margin will say trial, and it’s the time of Great Tribulation. I will keep you then from this time of The Great Tribulation] which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.”

(Rev 3:11) Behold, I come quickly: [There again, it is a church that is right near the end of this age and the second coming of Christ and it is existing and doing its work before the coming of Christ.] He says, behold, I come quickly: hold fast to that which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. He that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is the new Jerusalem. [That for the church, called the one of Philadelphia].

(7) LAODICEA ERA

“Now here comes the last one of all. And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write: These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God.” [That doesn’t mean he was the first thing that God created or the first person. But it means that God created everything by and through Him if you get the words of the Bible. That He was the beginning of the creation because He did begin it and it was begun through Him.]

“Now, of this church, God says ‘I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot:’ [Here’s the lukewarm church ‘I would thou wert cold or hot.’ Now here are people that know the truth. Here are people that think that they have everything spiritually that they could want.] ‘So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.’ Says Jesus Christ. ‘Because thou sayest,’ [This is what the people of this church thinks.] Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, [in other words spiritually rich, we have knowledge that the people have not had before.]”

“You know, at the end time, knowledge is to increase. And the wise are to understand but none of the wicked will understand. If these people were not people that were obedient to God, and that have repented of sin which is the transgression of God’s laws, of God’s rule, God’s sovereignty, they would not be His church!”

These are commandment keeping people or they wouldn’t be called the church of God in the first place. But, these are the lukewarm commandment keepers, these are the people that have known the truth, they are the people that realize that knowledge is being revealed today that was not known by the Apostles, and just as Jesus said to them when they were just disciples, students or learners, He said, “many of the prophets of old have desired to know,” to have knowledge of the things that I am revealing to you, the things you can know now and they could not know them, they were hid from them. Now, technological and scientific, mechanical knowledge is being increased today but also, so is spiritual knowledge.”

And then in the twelfth chapter of Daniel, the angel said this: Many shall be purified and made white and tried. It’s a time of trial. Yes, and with the ‘Great Tribulation’ coming we are certainly in that time. …

Now, in concluding this prophecy, Jesus said, as you find recorded in verse thirty-six:

“Watch ye therefore, and pray always,” In other word, don’t be lukewarm, but you better be really hot, spiritually and in your zeal for THE THINGS FOR GOD AND THE WORK OF GOD “that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.”

(Armstrong HW. History of the True Church, Part 7. http://www.hwalibrary.com/cgi-bin/get/hwa.cgi?action=getbroadcast&InfoID=1332783803)

Most Christians will not be protected.

The top ten list will not provide real safety between the start of the Great Tribulation and the return of Jesus.

Because of a coming peace deal (see Daniel 9:27 and also The ‘Peace Deal’ of Daniel 9:27), it is likely that more Christians will become complacent and not believe that the end will be near, when in fact it will be the closest it has ever been and will be imminent.

Those without a COG background, as well as some of those with one, may find the following from the late evangelist Dr. Herman Hoeh of interest:

IF WORLD WAR III COMES – There Is a Way of Escape

You need to be prepared. …

Jesus’ Amazing Prophecy

Let’s notice Jesus’ prophecy of the “times of the Gentiles” in Luke 21:24.

When speaking of the Jews, Jesus told His disciples that “they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations, and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.”

This prophecy is not speaking of a period of peace, but of war. It is a message for our day — a time when the Gentiles are conquering and destroying, when they are ruling themselves contrary to the way of God who is Creator and RULER. …

Remember what Jesus said in Luke 21:24? That Jerusalem would be trodden down of the Gentiles until the very completion of the times of the Gentiles!

Since Zechariah 14:1-3 shows that Jesus Christ will return in order to deliver Jerusalem from the Gentiles, it is plain that THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST WILL PUT AN END TO THE TIMES OF PUNISHMENT ON THE GENTILE BABYLONISH SYSTEM! (Isaiah 27:13; I Cor. 15:52.) Then God will send His Son to rule the world!

As Christ said, of the second coming, “But of that day and hour, knoweth no man!” But … world-occurrences warn us that … it is very near! …

Way of Escape

But in this end-time of turmoil there is a place of safety-if you heed-until Christ does bring us peace.

It’s a vital part of the gospel of the soon-coming Kingdom of God! Jesus said, ” … except those days were SHORTENED, there should no flesh be saved!” (Mat. 24:22.) But He went on to say that God would supernaturally cut short the days, for the sake of the ELECT!

That is our only real hope for survival!

The intervention of God! Jesus Christ promised protection to His own elect! He PROMISED they would survive the prophesied holocaust to strike this unsuspecting world!

WHO are the Elect?

He said, “FEAR NOT, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom” (Luke 12: 32).

He promised that somewhere on this earth, right now, there would be His own WORK! That work would be faith· fully performed, He promised, by His own true followers, who KNOW HIS VOICE, who would be preaching…”the Gospel of the Kingdom” as a WITNESS TO the WHOLE WORLD!

They would be preaching it, chapter- by-chapter, verse-by-verse, word-by-word, just exactly as it really IS, not as they might interpret it to be, or any man, woman, or organization of men or women would like to have it preached!

You NEED TO FIND WHERE THAT WORK IS BEING CARRIED ON! Why? Because it is ONLY THOSE who have an absolute guarantee of safety! The very elect are those who are the called and chosen, who have truly RE-PENTED of their own carnal ways, and have accepted the Holy ways of God! They are the ones who have been made members of the very BODY of Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 12:13) performing HIS WORK! Jesus speaks of these faithful ones, in the Book of Revelation.

“And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia [the prophesied end-time Church of God, doing the work of God) write: … ‘I know thy works , behold, I have set before thee an open door II (Rev, 3:7-8).

The Apostle Paul spoke of a door flung open before him to PREACH THE GOSPEL (II Cor. 2:12). Remember, Jesus promised, “This Gospel of the Kingdom SHALL be preached in all the world . .. ” (Mat. 24:14), and promised to make a way for that message of hope and good news to go-by flinging open the massive DOORS of radio, the printing press, television, and personal evangelism. He promised those doors would remain , …. and no man can shut it, for thou has a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name” (Rev, 3:8), Yes, the very elect would NEVER become corrupted by false doctrines, or be muzzled by boards of men-it would not deny the name of Jesus Christ, or His true doctrine! (Hoeh H. If World War III Comes–There is a Way of Escape. Plain Truth, June 1963)

Let me interject here that the Continuing Church of God is now getting that gospel out over the printing press, radio, YouTube television videos, personal evangelism, and the internet. We represent the remnant of the Philadelphia portion of the Church of God that Dr. Hoeh mentions below:

Later, Jesus gave the exhilarating GOOD NEWS to those faithful ones who put the WORK of God far above their own personal considerations. He said “Because thou hast KEPT the word of my patience, I ALSO WILL KEEP THEE FROM THE HOUR OF TEMPTATION [TRIBULATION) WHICH SHALL COME UPON ALL THE WORLD, TO TRY THEM THAT DWELL ON THE EARTH!” (Rev. 3:10) . Yes , Jesus promised SAFETY. He promises supernatural PROTECTION to His own elect.

On the Wings of an Eagle

Eagle God brought the ancient Israelites out of Egypt on symbolic “eagles’ wings.” This symbolizes the loving care and protection of God for His own children. Notice, now, an amazing prophecy. It is about the same Church of God addressed in the promise of protection we have just read in Revelation 3.

“And to the woman [the Church) were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time from the face of the serpent” (Rev. 12:14), In this end-time prophecy, John writes of the last, end-time REMNANT Church which is to ESCAPE the terrible WAR and tribulation that will soon strike our heedless people, They are, just as the ancient Israelites, carried to a place of SAFETY … in the wilderness by the supernatural power of Almighty God, their Banner, their Shield, their Prorector!

Where Will They GO?

Now notice another amazing prophecy. Daniel was inspired to write of this impending nuclear war, and its immediate aftermath. He describes the rising BEAST power in Europe, a coming resurrection of the ancient ROMAN EMPIRE, symbolized as the “King of the North.” But the European power crushes and occupies these poorly equipped up-start countries.

“And at the time of the end [NOT back during the days of the Seleucidae of Syria)… the king of the north shall come… like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships, and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass over.

“He shall enter also into the glorious land [Palestine], and many countries shall be overthrown, but these shall escape out of his hand, even Edam and Moab and the chief of the children of Ammon” (Dan. 11:40-41).

Why are these areas spared?

For a very special reason!

A PLACE of Protection

God promises His people will be flourished, provided for, in the “wilderness”! He will supernaturally protect them, carrying them safely there on symbolic “eagles’ wings. ” They may be taken by air, sea or land-the Bible doesn’t sayBut where is this “wilderness” place God is readying?

Many Bible statements indicate it is in the areas anciently occupied by the Edomites, Moabites, and Ammonites, southeast of Jerusalem, in the rugged, barren mountains beyond the Dead Sea — the modern country of Transjordan (Dan. 11:41 and Isaiah 16:4-5).

Regardless of WHERE the “place” is that God’s Church is nourished and protected during these perilous times described in so many dozens of prophecies — the way to make sure you are going there is clear!

To those who will truly repent of wanting their own way, and who will come to God through Jesus Christ and His sacrifice, He promises spiritual, supernatural, MIRACULOUS shelter!

Does this sound fantastic? Does it sound incredible? Have we strayed so far from our RULER and our SAVIOUR that we think Him UNABLE to save us? Is it ridiculous to most today to really believe in God above and His supernatural protection — His divine INTERVENTION in our own personal lives?

Of course not!

He is our Fortress! He is our Rock! He is our GOD! He will supernaturally bring His people to a place of safety! (Hoeh H. If World War III Comes–There is a Way of Escape. Plain Truth, June 1963)

Let me add that there are also other reasons that those regions will be spared as it is likely that they will work with the the King of the North against the final King of the South (cf. Daniel 11:25-26).

More on this place of protection can be found in the article There is a Place of Safety for the Philadelphians. Why it May Be Petra; there is also a video on the subject: Might Petra be the Place of Safety? Here is something related in the Spanish language: Hay un lugar de seguridad para los Filadelfinos. ¿Puede ser Petra?

There will be a place of physical protection during the Great Tribulation and the Day of the Lord for the Philadelphian remnant of Christians, but it will not seem to be in any of the top ten nations that some believe would be safest.

Cartogram by Ali Zifan

COGwriter

The Electoral College of the USA votes Monday:

December 18 2016

The 538 members of the Electoral College will meet in their state capitols Monday, almost assuredly sealing President-elect Donald Trump’s victory.

Trump won 306 electoral votes on Election Day, crossing the 270 electoral vote threshold needed to clinch the presidency and surpassing Hillary Clinton’s 232 electoral votes. Monday’s results are expected to match those figures almost exactly.

Even though the frantic push to exert pressure on the Republican electors isn’t expected to change the outcome, it’s still put the Electoral College under an unusual spotlight. http://thehill.com/business-a-lobbying/310814-5-things-to-watch-for-when-the-electoral-college-votes-monday

Here is information from the US government about the Electoral College:

The Electoral College is a process, not a place. The founding fathers established it in the Constitution as a compromise between election of the President by a vote in Congress and election of the President by a popular vote of qualified citizens.

The Electoral College process consists of the selection of the electors, the meeting of the electors where they vote for President and Vice President, and the counting of the electoral votes by Congress.

The Electoral College consists of 538 electors. A majority of 270 electoral votes is required to elect the President. Your state’s entitled allotment of electors equals the number of members in its Congressional delegation: one for each member in the House of Representatives plus two for your Senators. Read more about the allocation of electoral votes.

Under the 23rd Amendment of the Constitution, the District of Columbia is allocated 3 electors and treated like a state for purposes of the Electoral College. For this reason, in the following discussion, the word “state” also refers to the District of Columbia.

Each candidate running for President in your state has his or her own group of electors. The electors are generally chosen by the candidate’s political party, but state laws vary on how the electors are selected and what their responsibilities are. …

Most states have a “winner-take-all” system that awards all electors to the winning presidential candidate. However, Maine and Nebraska each have a variation of “proportional representation.” Read more about the allocation of Electors among the states and try to predict the outcome of the Electoral College vote.

After the presidential election, your governor prepares a “Certificate of Ascertainment” listing all of the candidates who ran for President in your state along with the names of their respective electors. The Certificate of Ascertainment also declares the winning presidential candidate in your state and shows which electors will represent your state at the meeting of the electors in December of the election year. Your stateÂ’s Certificates of Ascertainments are sent to the Congress and the National Archives as part of the official records of the presidential election. …

Each state’s electoral votes are counted in a joint session of Congress on the 6th of January in the year following the meeting of the electors. Members of the House and Senate meet in the House chamber to conduct the official tally of electoral votes. See the key dates for the 2016 election and information about the role and responsibilities of Congress in the Electoral College process.

The Vice President, as President of the Senate, presides over the count and announces the results of the vote. The President of the Senate then declares which persons, if any, have been elected President and Vice President of the United States.

The President-Elect takes the oath of office and is sworn in as President of the United States on January 20th in the year following the Presidential election. https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/electoral-college/about.html

Some are concerned that the Electoral College will  not vote as the general electorate did this time. At least one Republican delegate from Texas has stated he will not vote for Donald Trump, despite being put in a position to vote for him.

CNN reported the following:

What happens in the extremely unlikely scenario the Electoral College goes rogue?

Donald Trump is busy building his Cabinet and planning his agenda, but he isn’t really, officially going to be President quite yet. One of the peculiarities of American democracy is that it’s a group of 538 “electors” — members of the Electoral College — in this nation of 318 million who actually pick the president.

They’ll do it, meeting in their respective states, on December 19. The outcome is a foregone conclusion, but there is room, however small, for a surprise: an uprising, as called for by some Democrats and even some Republicans, of “faithless electors.” …

Though there is nothing in the Constitution or federal law that prevents “faithless electors” from voting for a candidate who did not receive a plurality of the popular vote in their state, 29 states do have laws to discourage potential rogues. Among the punishments are potential fines or the threat of being replaced with another elector.

But these laws have rarely been tested, and there is little the state can do to prevent a defection by an elector who is willing to accept the penalty. So what happens if the “faithless” scuttle the results and effectively deny both Trump and Clinton a clinching 270 votes? …

So if the deadlock holds and the House can’t vote on a winner — even more unlikely considering 33 state delegations are controlled by the GOP! — then the new Vice President, as selected in the Senate (with a potential deciding vote from a familiar face), would become the acting President. http://www.cnn.com/2016/12/16/politics/clinton-trump-electoral-college/

If Donald Trump does  not win in the Electoral College, expect complaints.

If Donald Trump does win in the Electoral College, next month expect to see protests (and there could be some this month).

More civil unrest is coming to the USA (cf. Deuteronomy 32:25).

Some items of related interest may include:

Should a Christian Vote? This article gives some of the Biblical rationale on this subject. Would Jesus vote for president/prime minister? Is voting in the Bible? This is a subject Christians need to understand. A video of related interest is available titled: Should Christians Vote?
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: Are Chinese threats against Australia for real?
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? 2017, 2018, or 2019? 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 videos: The Great Tribulation from the Mount of Olives and Can the Great Tribulation begin before 2020? A shorter video is: Will the Great Tribulation Start in 2017?
Donald Trump in Prophecy Prophecy, Donald Trump? Are there prophecies that Donald Trump may fulfill? Are there any prophecies that he has already helped fulfill? Could a Donald Trump presidency be apocalyptic? A related video is titled: 13 Ways President-Elect Trump is Apocalyptic.

COGwriter

Donald Trump’s pledge to relocate the US Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem is expected to provoke trouble:

Trump Plan to Move Embassy From Tel Aviv to Jerusalem Poses Challenges

December 18, 2016

Donald Trump’s pledge to move the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem poses monumental challenges in one of the world’s most tense environments, according to experts.

Relocating the diplomatic outpost to the holy city is “a very big priority” for the president-elect, aide Kellyanne Conway told radio host Hugh Hewitt earlier this week.

David Friedman, Trump’s pick for ambassador to Israel, reinforced this commitment Thursday, saying he looks forward to serving “from the U.S. Embassy in Israel’s eternal capital, Jerusalem.”

Trump is not the first president to make this promise. But if he follows through where others have reneged, he would please some Israelis who have long since been frustrated with the international community for not recognizing Jerusalem as their capital city.

It would also likely enrage the Arab world, largely because the Palestinians see East Jerusalem as the capital of their future state.

“This could set off demonstrations in Arab cities and capitals throughout the Middle East and the Muslim world beyond,” according to Professor Chuck Freilich at the Interdisciplinary Center Herzliya, an Israeli university. http://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/trump-plan-move-embassy-tel-aviv-jerusalem-poses-challenges-n696396

It was wrong for other US Presidents to break their promise to relocate the US Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem. And while Donald Trump should keep his promise that he made, there will be issues.

Here is a related report:

JERUSALEM/WASHINGTON – A senior Palestinian official warned on Friday that implementation of Donald Trump’s pledge to relocate the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem would destroy any prospects for peace with Israel, even as a spokesman for the U.S. President-elect said he remained committed to the move.

Saeb Erekat, secretary-general of the Palestinian Liberation Organization, issued the grim prediction just a day after Trump announced his decision to nominate as ambassador to Israel David Friedman, a pro-Israel hardliner who supports continued building of Jewish settlements and shifting the embassy from Tel Aviv. 12/16/16 http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/trump-embassy-israel-jerusalem_us_5854971ee4b08debb78964cc

The Bible shows that Jerusalem will be an issue:

1 The burden of the word of the Lord against Israel. Thus says the Lord, who stretches out the heavens, lays the foundation of the earth, and forms the spirit of man within him: 2 “Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of drunkenness to all the surrounding peoples, when they lay siege against Judah and Jerusalem. 3 And it shall happen in that day that I will make Jerusalem a very heavy stone for all peoples; all who would heave it away will surely be cut in pieces, though all nations of the earth are gathered against it. (Zechariah 12:1-3)

Jerusalem is already considered burdensome by much of the international community.

Jesus spoke of ‘troubles’ as part of the ‘beginning of sorrows’ (Mark 13:8)–these sorrows precede the Great Tribulation.

Expect more problems, more terrorism.

December 18, 2016

There were almost 500 attacks against U.S. diplomatic facilities between 1987 and 2013, according to a report issued last week by the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, which criticized the cost of building modern embassies. …

Trump’s plan appears to be in its very early stages, and the current U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv would not give NBC News any information regarding its size or number of employees.

“It will be very, very costly to build and very, very costly to defend,” according to Jane Loeffler, an architectural historian and author of “The Architecture of Diplomacy: Building America’s Embassies.” http://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/trump-plan-move-embassy-tel-aviv-jerusalem-poses-challenges-n696396

Notice the following prophecy which indicates Palestinian terrorism:

8 The Lord sent a word against Jacob, And it has fallen on Israel. 9 All the people will know — Ephraim and the inhabitant of Samaria — Who say in pride and arrogance of heart: 10 ‘The bricks have fallen down, But we will rebuild with hewn stones; The sycamores are cut down, But we will replace them with cedars.” 11 Therefore the Lord shall set up The adversaries of Rezin against him, And spur his enemies on, 12 The Syrians before and the Philistines behind; And they shall devour Israel with an open mouth. (Isaiah 9:8-12)

The Bible shows that terrorism is prophesied:

14 ‘But if you do not obey Me, and do not observe all these commandments, 15 and if you despise My statutes, or if your soul abhors My judgments, so that you do not perform all My commandments, but break My covenant, 16 I also will do this to you: I will even appoint terror over you, wasting disease and fever which shall consume the eyes and cause sorrow of heart. And you shall sow your seed in vain, for your enemies shall eat it. 17 I will set My face against you, and you shall be defeated by your enemies. Those who hate you shall reign over you, and you shall flee when no one pursues you. (Leviticus 26:14-17)

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

12 “Cry and wail, son of man; For it will be against My people, Against all the princes of Israel. Terrors including the sword will be against My people; Therefore strike your thigh. (Ezekiel 21:12)

12 Behold, these are the ungodly,Who are always at ease; They increase in riches…19 Oh, how they are brought to desolation, as in a moment! They are utterly consumed with terrors. (Psalms 73:12,19)

25 Because you disdained all my counsel, And would have none of my rebuke, 26 I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your terror comes, 27 When your terror comes like a storm, And your destruction comes like a whirlwind, When distress and anguish come upon you. (Proverbs 1:25-27)

5 Also they are afraid of height, And of terrors in the way (Ecclesiastes 12:5).

Moving the US Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem is expected to spark terrorism–presuming such a move occurs.

As far as Palestinian support of terrorism, notice the following:

A new generation of angry, disillusioned Palestinians is driving the current wave of clashes with Israeli forces . . . some say they want to emulate those killed or wounded in confrontations or attacks on Israelis – like Mohannad Halabi, the 19-year-old law student from the West Bank who stabbed to death two Israelis in Jerusalem’s Old City on the weekend before being shot by police.

“We are all impressed by what he has done,” said Malik Hussein, the 19-year-old friend and fellow law student at Quds University near Jerusalem. “The day after the attack, university took to the streets and clashed with Israeli soldiers. Mohannad’s way is the only way to liberate Palestine.” (Daraghmeh M, Laub K. Disillusioned Palestinian youth drive unrest. National Post, October 7, 2015, A1)

Of course, the solution to Palestine and Jerusalem is not war and terrorism, but the return of Jesus Christ and the establishment of the Kingdom of God.  Malik Hussein and others should, “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem” (Psalm 122:6).

As far as Jerusalem goes, check out the article Jerusalem: Past, Present, and Future; there are also two related YouTube videos you can watch: Jerusalem To be divided and eliminated and God’s and Satan’s Plan for Jerusalem.

Some 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 are also two related YouTube videos you can watch: Jerusalem To be divided and eliminated and God’s and Satan’s Plan for Jerusalem.
Why Terrorism? Is Terrorism Prophesied? What does the Bible teach? Which nations may be affected? Here is a link to a related sermon: Terrorism, Christianity, and Islam.
Gaza and the Palestinians in Bible Prophecy What does the Bible teach about Gaza and the fate of the Palestinians? Here is a link to a related video: Gaza and Palestine in Prophecy.
The Gospel of the Kingdom of God This free online pdf booklet has answers many questions people have about the Gospel of the Kingdom of God and explains why it is the solution to the issues the world is facing. Here are links to three related sermons: The World’s False Gospel, The Gospel of the Kingdom: From the New and Old Testaments, and The Kingdom of God is the Solution.
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: Are Chinese threats against Australia for real?
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? 2017, 2018, or 2019? 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 videos: The Great Tribulation from the Mount of Olives and Can the Great Tribulation begin before 2020? A shorter video is: Will the Great Tribulation Start in 2017?
Donald Trump in Prophecy Prophecy, Donald Trump? Are there prophecies that Donald Trump may fulfill? Are there any prophecies that he has already helped fulfill? Could a Donald Trump presidency be apocalyptic? A related video is titled: 13 Ways President-Elect Trump is Apocalyptic.

COGwriter

The Continuing Church of God is pleased to announce the following video on our Bible News Prophecy YouTube channel:

22:40

COGwriter

The head of the UN wants world leaders to support a climate change agenda:

No turning back on combating climate change: Ban Ki-moon

17 December 2016

Asserting that there is no turning back on combating climate change, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has urged world leaders to support and nurture the landmark Paris Agreement.

“Climate action means jobs, growth, cleaner air and better health. Leaders from across the globe and on every front understand this — from Fortune 500 CEOs (Chief Executive Officers) to Governors and Mayors,” he said in his last press conference as the UN Secretary-General here yesterday.

He expressed continued support for the global momentum behind the Paris Agreement on climate change.

“The Paris Agreement on climate change is a precious achievement that we must support and nurture. There is no turning back,” Ban said.

“Difficult as it may sometimes be, international cooperation remains the path to a more peaceful and prosperous world,” he said.

Ban also pledged to continue to spare no effort to urge world leaders, long-standing or newly-minted, to recognise and embrace that preeminent 21st-century fact. http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/no-turning-back-on-combating-climate-change-ban-ki-moon/story-NsAdpAejw4kctOxn5CnHcK.html

In December 2015, a major international agreement was announced in Paris in the COP21 meeting (Conference of the Parties, 21st meeting). The United Nations’ Ban Ki-moon pushed for this agreement and succeeded. The Vatican had done work for this as well, but mainly behind the scenes in Paris (see Role of Pope Francis ‘transformative’ for COP21 climate change conference). US President Obama attended the first part of the conference and pushed for this global climate deal (see Ecumenalists push for COP21 ‘climate change’ agenda: a solution for terrorism? Barack Obama seemingly wants to stay the course). Then in September 2016, he and the Chinese formally agreed to it (see China and Barack Obama sign off to accept UN’s COP21 climate agreement for ‘wellbeing of mankind’).

This COP21 Paris agreement is consistent with the Pope Francis’ Laudato Si encyclical in areas of international cooperation, climate matters, and forced wealth redistribution in the Spring of 2015.

The accord is basically a move towards socialism and world governance. Many want more of both.

Some believe that the next USA Administration will not support the Paris Agreement:

December 17, 2016

President-elect Donald Trump this week told Fox News that “Nobody really knows if climate change is real.”

I’m going to let that sink in for just a moment. The President-elect of the United States, a country which is the second-largest climate polluter in the world, is going against what 97 percent of scientists are in agreement on. …

Just look at what Anthony Scaramucci, a lead member of Trump’s transition team executive committee, said on CNN on December 14, 2016. Scaramucci told New Day co-host Chris Cuomo the following.

“I know that the current president [Barack Obama] believes that human beings are affecting the climate. There are scientists that believe that that’s not happening. There was an overwhelming science that the Earth was flat, and there was an overwhelming science that we were the center of the world. We get a lot of things wrong in the scientific community.”

Yes, a primary advisor to Trump likened climate change to the flat-earth theory. …

Of course, Trump’s beliefs about climate change aren’t anything new. When he was campaigning, he said that climate change was a hoax that was pushed by China.  http://www.inquisitr.com/3804937/donald-trump-climate-change-and-you/

In recent weeks, President-elect Donald Trump has nominated a growing list of Cabinet members who have questioned the overwhelming scientific consensus around global warming. His transition team at the Department of Energy has asked agency officials for names of employees and contractors who have participated in international climate talks and worked on the scientific basis for Obama administration-era regulations of carbon emissions. One Trump adviser suggested that NASA no longer should conduct climate research and instead should focus on space exploration.

Those moves have stoked fears among the scientific community that Trump, who has called the notion of man-made climate change “a hoax” and vowed to reverse environmental policies put in place by President Obama, could try to alter or dismantle parts of the federal government’s repository of data on everything from rising sea levels to the number of wildfires in the country. 12/13/16 https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/energy-environment/wp/2016/12/13/scientists-are-frantically-copying-u-s-climate-data-fearing-it-might-vanish-under-trump/?utm_term=.d59d85404b87

Earlier this year, candidate Donald Trump said he would “cancel” the Paris climate deal (http://www.bbc.com/news/election-us-2016-36401174).

Of this agreement, last December, US President Barack Obama said:

“This agreement represents the best chance we have to save the one planet that we’ve got.” http://www.jpost.com/Breaking-News/Obama-calls-Paris-climate-pact-best-chance-to-save-the-planet-437130

COP21 WILL NOT SAVE THE PLANET. IT IS NOT THE ‘BEST CHANCE’ to change the planet. IT WILL FAIL TO SAVE THE PLANET–the Great Tribulation will still come (cf. Matthew 24:21-22; watch also Will the Great Tribulation Start in 2017?). God will have to intervene to stop the world from destroying all life on it (Matthew 24:22; Revelation 11:18).

Barack Obama calls himself a Christian, but does not believe it will take Jesus in the millennial Kingdom of God to really solve the problems that are facing humanity. He has a false hope that humanity will solve problems on its own (cf. Psalm 146:3).

This COP21 agreement is likely to greatly benefit Germany. Germany is a world leader in developing cleaner types of engines. Germany also appears to be in the lead to produce energy via helium fusion, and hence reduce the need for fossil fuels (see Germany’s functional stellarator, Donald Trump, and ‘the unthinkable’).

Disagreements over climate change are likely to set up some type of issue between the USA and Europe. Europe will tend to see the USA as an irresponsible polluter of the planet, while Europe will claim to be the protector that the world needs.

Furthermore, Donald Trump’s focus on fossil fuels is coming at a time when Europe seems closer to having its own type of energy production.

For example, last week it was reported that:

German researchers confirm that the experimental Wendelstein 7-X (W7-X) stellarator is indeed producing magnetic fields that make controlled nuclear reactions possible, and with a high degree of accuracy and incredibly low error rate. With these test results, new confidence and hope are spreading through the renewable energy industry, as nuclear fusion could be the key to ending fossil fuel dependence worldwide. (DiStasio C. Germany’s massive nuclear fusion reactor is actually working. Inhabitat, December 8, 2016)

Stellarator technology has massive international potential (see Germany’s functional stellarator, Donald Trump, and ‘the unthinkable’). Europe may become a net energy exporter because of this and/or other projects which would enhance the economic and diplomatic power of Europe.

Without going into the pros and cons of COP21, let me state that energy and climate policy differences between the Europeans and Donald Trump are expected to increase the negative view many in Europe already have about the USA. This will not end well for the USA (cf. Daniel 11:39).

The Bible prophesies that an economically-powerful Europe will arise (cf. Revelation chapters 13 and 18). The COP21 accord, along with stellarator and other European technologies, may help pave the way for Europe to become the wealthy trading end time power connected with Mystery Babylon the Great (Revelation 17:1-5), until it falls (Revelation 18:1-3).

Many world leaders believe that it will be international human cooperation that will bring a clean environment, peace, and prosperity. The Bible says they will fail to do so (cf. Revelation 11:18). Few, sadly, understand it will take the Kingdom of God to make that happen.

The time will come when world leaders will fight against the MILLENNIAL KINGDOM OF GOD MESSAGE as it is not consistent with their agendas (e.g. Daniel 11:29-35). Many will even fight against Jesus when He returns, but will misidentify Him (see Do Certain Catholic Prophecies About Antichrist Warn Against Jesus?) and will lose (Revelation 19:11-21).

But that is not how they see it.

The type of human-government many are unwittingly pushing towards will happen for a time (cf.. Revelation 13:10). But, it will be destroyed and replaced after the return of Jesus (Revelation 11:5; 19:11-21).

Ban Ki-moon will push for his agenda, but it will not go as he hopes.

Some items of related interest may include:

United Nations: Humankind’s Last Hope or New World Order? Is the UN the last hope for humanity? Or might its goals end up with sinister results? Two related videos include UN’s ‘New Universal Agenda’ is a False Gospel! and United Nations and Vatican Are Planning the New World Order.
Laudato Si: Pope’s Agenda or Kingdom of God? Pope Francis’ 2nd encyclical is titled ‘Laudato Si.’ In it, he goes over his views related to environmental, economic, social, moral, agricultural, and spiritual issues. He advocates international cooperation to solve various problems he believes are affecting humanity. Is that Pope’s agenda the solution? What about the Kingdom of God? does the Bible teach? Two related articles include Laudato Si: Will Pope Francis’ economic actions match his words? and Laudato Si: A call for a one-world government?
Do You Know That Babylon is Forming? How is the final Babylon forming? Are Protestants such as Joel Osteen and Kenneth Copeland are endorsing something dangerous? Could Pope Francis be the ‘False Prophet’ that the Bible warns against? Is an antipope expected to endorse a one-world religion? Here is a link to a related written article In Vatican City: New Babylon more openly forming!
The Gospel of the Kingdom of God This free online pdf booklet has answers many questions people have about the Gospel of the Kingdom of God and explains why it is the solution to the issues the world is facing. Here are links to three related sermons: The World’s False Gospel, The Gospel of the Kingdom: From the New and Old Testaments, and The Kingdom of God is the Solution.
Christian Repentance Do you know what repentance is? Is it really necessary for salvation? A related sermon is also available titled: Real Christian Repentance.
Christ or Antichrist? 1961 article by David Jon Hill, originally published in the old Good News magazine.
Will You Be Deceived by Antichrist? 1964 article by David Jon Hill, originally published in the old Good News magazine.
Satan’s Plan Does Satan have a plan? What is it? Has it already been successful? Will it be successful in the future? Here are links to a two-part sermon series: What are Some of the Parts of Satan’s Plan? and Satan’s Plan is More Dramatic than Many Realize.
Do Certain Catholic Prophecies About Antichrist Warn Against Jesus? Will the final “Anti-Christ” be Jewish, insist on Saturday, be opposed to the trinity, and bring in the millennium? Certain Catholic writings indicate this, while others take a different view, but what does the Bible show?
Why Should American Catholics Fear Unity with the Orthodox? Are the current ecumenical meetings a good thing or will they result in disaster? Is doctrinal compromise good? Here is a link to a related video Should you be concerned about the ecumenical movement?
Will the Interfaith Movement Lead to Peace or Sudden Destruction? Is the interfaith movement going to lead to lasting peace or is it warned against? A video sermon of related interest is: Will the Interfaith Movement lead to World War III? and a video sermon is also available: Do You Know That Babylon is Forming?
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.
Prophecies of Barack Obama? Reasons why Barack Obama is apocalyptic and reasons why Barack Obama is not the Antichrist. This article includes many biblical and non-biblical prophecies, from around the world, that seem to discuss Barack Obama. Did Nostradamus predict Barack Obama dealing with the Antichrist? Might Barack Obama set the stage for the kings of the North and South as at least one Shiite prophecy suggests? Read it and decide for yourself if President Obama seems to be fulfilling various prophecies. Watch also the YouTube Barack Obama and the State of the Apocalypse.
When Will the Great Tribulation Begin? 2017, 2018, or 2019? 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 videos: The Great Tribulation from the Mount of Olives and Can the Great Tribulation begin before 2020? A shorter video is: Will the Great Tribulation Start in 2017?
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?
Europa, the Beast, and the Book of Revelation discusses the largest church since the second/third century, which in a real sense is the eighth church mentioned in the Book of Revelation (it also endorses “eighth day” worship). What church would support the Beast? Here is a link to a video titled: Can You Prove that the Beast to Come is European?
Did The Early Church Teach Millenarianism? Was the millennium (sometimes called chiliasm) taught by early Christians? Who condemned it? Will Jesus literally reign for 1000 years on the earth? Is this time near? A related sermon is titled The Millennium.
Donald Trump in Prophecy Prophecy, Donald Trump? Are there prophecies that Donald Trump may fulfill?  Are there any prophecies that he has already helped fulfill?  Could a Donald Trump presidency be apocalyptic?  A related video is titled: 13 Ways President-Elect Trump is Apocalyptic.

Destruction in Aleppo

COGwriter

The Syrian city of Aleppo has been reduced to ruins and rubble in many parts:

December 17, 2016

An agreement was reached Saturday to resume the evacuation of Syria’s eastern Aleppo. The evacuation was suspended Friday due to demands from pro-government forces who wanted two villages — Foua and Kfarya — evacuated. Residents of the villages will be included in Saturday’s exodus, which has yet to begin.

The Syrian government suspended the evacuation Friday after blasts and gunfire were heard in Aleppo. Both rebels and government forces accused the other of breaking the fragile cease-fire agreement.

U.N. refugee agency commissioner Filippo Grandi warned Saturday that the violence in Aleppo could spread to other areas if the war in Syria isn’t immediately brought to a halt. …

Syria’s government said the rebels broke the agreement by trying to smuggle heavy weapons and hostages out of Aleppo. However, the rebels accused the government of suspending the evacuation as a way to pressure them into releasing civilians from Foua and Kfarya, the two government-held Shi’ite villages under siege by the rebels.

The government said the evacuations in the villages had to coincide with those in eastern Aleppo, but the rebels had said the two are unrelated. …

The conflict in Syria, which began nearly six years ago as a protest against the government, has so far killed more than 310,000 people and forced millions of people to flee their homes.

Kerry said the United States is going to work to save lives and continue pushing all parties in Syria toward a resolution and allow full access by humanitarian groups throughout all of Syria.

U.S. President Barack Obama has denounced the “horror” in Aleppo and warned Syrian President Bashar al-Assad he cannot “slaughter his way to legitimacy.” http://www.voanews.com/a/aleppo-evacuation-to-resume/3640086.html

To a degree, the US sadly contributed to this by supporting Syrian rebels, and not following through after chemical weapons were used (see Barack Obama softening ‘red line’ about Syrian chemical use? and Syrian rebels feel abandoned by the West as Russian military actions affect them). Some time back, I also wrote the following post Obama Administration considered to be a facilitator of ‘Christian’ persecution.

The conflict in Syria has been a disaster for Syrians, as well as fall-out from the refugee situation it has spawned. The Los Angeles Times put out the following report:

The slow, painful fall of Aleppo will not, unfortunately, mean the end of war in Syria. It won’t even mean the end of the slaughter of helpless civilians. Still, as Samantha Power, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, told the Security Council on Tuesday, Aleppo will stand with the 1994 genocide of Tutsis in Rwanda, the 1995 siege of Srebrenica and the 1988 gas attacks against Iraqi Kurds in Halabjaas events in world history that  “define modern evil, that stain our conscience decades later.” And it will in all likelihood go unpunished.

Since the Arab Spring protests in Syria descended into civil war more than five years ago, the number of atrocities there has been stunning, from the use of chemical weapons by the regime of President Bashar Assad, to the targeting of civilians by nearly all combatant armies (though overwhelmingly by the Syrian government forces), to the unforeseen rise of the Islamic State with its barbaric executions of innocent people. Since the war began, an estimated 400,000 people have been killed, some 4.8 million have fled the country and 6.6 million more have been internally displaced.

The siege of Aleppo has come to symbolize the Syrian civil war’s numbing brutality. The city had served as a main base for rebel forces since just after the war began, and it became Assad’s prime target after Russia entered the war on his behalf. Pro-Assad forces, including Iranian-backed militias, surrounded Aleppo in July, shut off supply and escape routes for the rebels (who were lumped together under a broad “terrorist” label), and, with the help of Russian jets, have turned rebel-held sections of the city to rubble. A Turkey-brokered ceasefire fell apart this week almost before it started. And as the pro-government forces advance, international monitoring groups say, civilians have been murdered indiscriminately.  …

No one knows what approach President Trump will take, but we hope that his planned re-start of diplomatic relations with Putin will not mean acquiescence. Unless Assad and Putin plan on killing every single person opposed to the Syrian regime, the only solution to this debacle remains a political one.  12/15/16 http://www.latimes.com/opinion/editorials/la-ed-aleppo-syria-russia-putin-obama-20161215-story.html

The situation in Syria has been horrible. I have been praying for those affected in Syria for some time and again ask others to also do so. As Christians, we should be concerned about the people in Syria.

Consider that Jesus taught:

4 Blessed are those who mourn,
For they shall be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek,
For they shall inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
For they shall be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful,
For they shall obtain mercy. (Matthew 5:4-6)

Notice the following from the Old Testament:

3 Now the glory of the God of Israel had gone up from the cherub, where it had been, to the threshold of the temple. And He called to the man clothed with linen, who had the writer’s inkhorn at his side; 4 and the Lord said to him, “Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and put a mark on the foreheads of the men who sigh and cry over all the abominations that are done within it.”

5 To the others He said in my hearing, “Go after him through the city and kill; do not let your eye spare, nor have any pity. 6 Utterly slay old and young men, maidens and little children and women; but do not come near anyone on whom is the mark; and begin at My sanctuary.” (Ezekiel 9:3-6)

God expects His people to sigh and cry about the abominations we see–it is those that have that concern that were chosen for mercy above.

While the Los Angeles Times considers that the only solution in Syria is political, the problems there are related to problems that are spiritual as well as religious. The Assad regime is basically Shi-ite Muslim, whereas most of the Syrians themselves are Sunni Muslim. This is part of why Shi’ite Iran has been supporting the Assad regime in Syria.

The situation in Syria will one day change.

Solutions that will be picked/imposed will not turn out well.

Despite current ties to Iran, one day Syria’s capital Damascus will be destroyed and become a “ruinous head” (Isaiah 17:1).

Bible prophecy also indicates that Syria will one day be part of the coming King of the South (Daniel 11:40-43; Ezekiel 30:2-8). As most nearly all the lands in the prophecies about the King of the South are currently dominated by Sunni Muslims, and most in Syria are Sunni Muslims, look for a change to ultimately come to Syria.

According to biblical prophecy, the confederation that the Arabic Syrians will be in will end in destruction:

5 Cush, and Put, and Lud, and all Arabia, and Libya, and the people of the land that is in league, shall fall with them by the sword. (Ezekiel 30:5, ESV )

Those in Syria need our prayers and the Kingdom of God.

Jesus expects His people to pray for it:

 9 In this manner, therefore, pray:

Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
10 Your kingdom come. (Matthew 6:9-10)

Have you prayed for those in Syria?

Items of possibly related interest may include:

Prayer: What Does the Bible Teach? This free booklet contains 28 biblically-based tips on improving the effectiveness of your prayers. This is a pdf. A related two part sermon is available: What Does the Bible Teach About Prayer? and What does the Bible Teach About Prayer (& Healing)?
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 Muslim Brotherhood and the Rise of the King of the South The Bible tells of the formation of a power of nations that are in the Middle East and North Africa that are part of the final “King of the South” (Daniel 11:40-43) The Muslim Brotherhood wishes to have an Islamic empire with basically the same nations. This YouTube video explains what to expect from such a confederation.
Why Terrorism? Is Terrorism Prophesied? What does the Bible teach? Which nations may be affected? Here is a link to a related sermon: Terrorism, Christianity, and Islam.
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.
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?
Libya, Algeria, Morocco, and Tunisia in Prophecy What is ahead for North Africa? What does the Bible teach?
Gaza and the Palestinians in Bible Prophecy What does the Bible teach about Gaza and the fate of the Palestinians? Here is a link to a related video: Gaza and Palestine in Prophecy.
Damascus and Syria in Prophecy Will Bashar Assad hold power as he has it? Does the Bible show that Damascus, the capital of Syria, will be destroyed? What will happen to Syria? Will the Syrians support the final King of the South that the Bible tells will rise up? Which scriptures discuss the rise and fall of an Arabic confederation? Does Islamic prophecy predict the destruction of Syria. This is a YouTube video.
Egypt in Prophecy Does Egypt have a special role in end time prophecy? Will Egypt rise up and then be defeated. What does God teach will happen to those in Egypt? Here is a link to a YouTube video titled Egypt and End Time Prophecy.
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.
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 related YouTube video titled Iran In Prophecy.
Jordan in Bible Prophecy What does the Bible show will happen to the inhabitants of Jordan? Will they escape and then be punished? A related video is titled Jordan, Petra, and Armageddon.
What Should You Know About Turkey in Prophecy Do you know the Turkish people descended from? Did the Ottoman Empire possibly fulfill a promise in Genesis? Will Turkey support the European King of the North or Arabic King of the South? Will it betray one of them? Will Turkey be involved in the encouraging the destruction of Israel? Is Turkey going to become Catholic? Is Turkey mentioned in Psalm 83, Daniel 11, and elsewhere in the Bible? This video provides answers.
Persecutions by Church and State This article documents some that have occurred against those associated with the COGs and some prophesied to occur. Will those with the cross be the persecutors or the persecuted–this article has the shocking answer. There is also a YouTube video sermon you can watch: The Coming Persecution of the Church. Here is information in the Spanish language: Persecuciones de la Iglesia y el Estado.
When Will the Great Tribulation Begin? 2017, 2018, or 2019? 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 videos: The Great Tribulation from the Mount of Olives and Can the Great Tribulation begin before 2020? A shorter video is: Will the Great Tribulation Start in 2017?
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.
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?
Donald Trump in Prophecy Prophecy, Donald Trump? Are there prophecies that Donald Trump may fulfill?  Are there any prophecies that he has already helped fulfill?  Could a Donald Trump presidency be apocalyptic?  A related video is titled: 13 Ways President-Elect Trump is Apocalyptic.
The Gospel of the Kingdom of God This free online pdf booklet has answers many questions people have about the Gospel of the Kingdom of God and explains why it is the solution to the issues the world is facing. Here are links to three related sermons: The World’s False Gospel, The Gospel of the Kingdom: From the New and Old Testaments, and The Kingdom of God is the Solution.

COGwriter

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

1:14:47

Living as a Christian: Pure Milk of the Word

Vladimir Putin and Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill

COGwriter

The Russian Orthodox Church has increasing influence in Russia:

December 16, 2016

MOSCOW (AP) — The Russian Orthodox Church is expanding its influence in what was once an officially godless state – and President Vladimir Putin appears eager to harness that resurgent power of faith to promote his own agenda. …
“Any freedom has another dimension: responsibility,” Putin told arts and entertainment figures gathered this month in St. Petersburg. “There is a very narrow edge between dangerous buffoonery and freedom of expression.”

The moral authority of the Orthodox Church has grown steadily under Putin, who sides with the church in promoting traditional family values and opposing gay rights. He, in turn, cites Russia’s Christian roots to justify the annexation of the Crimean Peninsula from Ukraine, noting that a prince of medieval Russia was baptized there more than a millennium ago.

Analysts say Putin sees an alliance with church interests as a way to bolster nationalism with belief. They say the approach seeks simultaneously to fill the ideological void left by the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union and to block any inroads by Western liberalism. …

Faith is growing in national image if not personal practice. A 2013 poll found that nearly 70 percent of Russians identify themselves as members of the church, a 14-point gain from the early days of Putin’s reign. The same polling recorded weekly church attendance at a static 14 percent.

Putin this summer put a more openly Christian veneer on his government by promoting two figures who wear religion on their sleeve.

Education Minister Olga Vasilyeva has publicly allied herself with the Orthodox primate, Patriarch Kirill of Moscow, meeting him soon after taking office in August. The new commissioner for children’s rights, Anna Kuznetsova, is married to an Orthodox priest, a first for a senior government official in Russia. …

Putin in 2013 signed two bills making so-called “gay propaganda” and actions that “insult religious feelings” both crimes. A crackdown on gay rights protests and online support groups has followed.

One of the country’s highest profile activists, Yelena Klimova, has been charged three times with violating the law as authorities seek to block her website, Children-404 , where gay teens are encouraged to discuss their experiences of homophobia. The site still can be accessed outside Russia, but inside the country the site displays an October closure order. …

When a private Moscow art gallery in September opened an exhibition on New York photographer Jock Sturges, lawmakers protested in the Duma and vandals operating under the banner “Officers of Russia” stormed the building, dousing framed black-and-white images with a bottle of urine. The children’s rights commissioner, Kuznetsova, called for an investigation into why the gallery featured “immoral” images of naked teenagers. http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/E/EU_RUSSIA_RELIGIOUS_RIGHT?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2016-12-16-04-10-57

I, too, agree that what passes for ‘art’ should not include showing the nudity of children, or adults for that matter (see also Pornography: A scourge on society).

Irrespective of what people may think of him, Vladimir Putin is the most powerful political leader in the world to take a stand against parts of the homosexual agenda, vulgarity (see Russia’s Vladimir Putin takes a stand against vulgar language), and some other sins that plague Western society.

I will also add that Vladimir Putin seems to be more sincere about his Russian Orthodox faith than US President Barack Obama is about his claimed ‘Christian’ faith.

Vladimir Putin has long wanted to be the ruler of his version of the Russian side of the ‘Holy Roman Empire’ (Putin claimed to be re-establishing ‘Third Holy Roman Empire,’ but that is happening elsewhere). Notice also:

As Putin slowly expands the borders of the Russian Federation and recovers ancient territory of imperial Russia, he believes he is expanding the Third Holy Roman Empire. http://www.westernjournalism.com/onward-christian-russian-soldiers-putin-believes-resurrecting-third-holy-roman-empire/#Cp5aggpzGoQqYEwJ.99

While some in the West are looking askance at Russia’s support of Assad’s regime in Syria, seeing only the realpolitik of Russian expansionism, others who are concerned about the eradication of Syria’s ancient Christian community tend to see as legitimate Putin’s concern that the Christian minority in that country will be persecuted if Assad is toppled. The beleaguered Christians in Syria and elsewhere in the Middle East doubtless see the very recent Russian bombing of ISIS headquarters as a gift from God, and Putin as their potential deliverer from martyrdom.

Is there more to Putin’s intervention in Syria than the desire to save Christians?

Of course. Even Putin admits that, characterizing his policies as having a heavy dose of “common sense” plus faith. Nor should anyone discount his immersion in the deadly and murky politics of the Kremlin.

But again, Putin’s historic view is long. For him, Moscow is the second seat of Eastern Orthodoxy, the first having been Byzantium under the rule of Emperor Justinian. He will not have forgotten that the Byzantine Empire, which was profoundly informed by Christianity, at one time straddled two continents, Europe and Asia. He will also will not have forgotten that the Syrian Church, marked for extinction by ISIS, has been led by the Syriac Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch – Antioch, the apostle Paul’s home base for his missionary journeys and the first place disciples of Christ were called Christians. In other words, Putin’s view, shaped by Eastern Orthodoxy, is Eurasian, not just Russian. Putin sees a geographic component to Christian Orthodoxy that includes the Middle East. …

Putin, likewise, has spoken of the need for religious revival and the valuable role that the Orthodox Church plays. Says Putin: ‘The Russian Orthodox Church plays an enormous formative role in preserving our rich historical and cultural heritage and in reviving eternal moral values. It works tirelessly to bring unity, to strengthen family ties, and to educate the younger generation in the spirit of patriotism.’

Has anyone yet heard Barak Obama speak in similar terms about the Christian church in America? Has anyone noted him speaking about “preserving our rich historical and cultural heritage and reviving eternal moral values?” To ask the questions is to answer them. http://www.americanthinker.com/articles/2015/10/who_will_save_middle_east_christians_obama_or_putin.html#ixzz3qLWJGjYK

Vladimir Putin maintains a close working relationship with the Russian Orthodox Church.

Perhaps it should be mentioned that Vladimir Putin’s Eurasian Union officially began on January 1, 2015.

Vladimir Putin wants his version of the ‘Holy Roman Empire’ and is working on it. And Bible prophecy shows that Russia will lead a massive empire in the time of the end (Jeremiah 50:9,11,41-43; Isaiah 13:1, 17-19). Russia is also developing more powerful weapons (see Will Russia’s ‘Satan 2’ destroy Texas or France?).

The Bible also shows that the USA and its closest allies will fall, but not by Russia (cf. Daniel 11:39; see also USA in Prophecy: The Strongest Fortresses).

But that does not mean that Russia will not have a place as a military power–it will–and it will help defeat the Beast power in Europe that will arise and one day takeover the world (Jeremiah 50:9,11,41-43; Isaiah 13:1, 17-19; cf. Daniel 11:44).

COGwriter

U.S. President Barack Obama says he plans to take action against Russia and perhaps other nations:

December 16, 2016

U.S. President Barack Obama says the United States will take action against Russia or any other foreign government that tries to meddle in U.S. elections.

“I think there is no doubt that when any foreign government tries to impact the integrity of our elections … we need to take action. And we will,” the president told National Public Radio in an interview to be broadcast Friday morning.

“Some of it may be explicit and publicized, some of it may not be,” he said.

The CIA has concluded that Russian hackers broke into the Democratic Party computers to leak potentially embarrassing emails about the Hillary Clinton presidential campaign with the apparent aim of helping Republican Donald Trump win last month’s election.Officials: Putin knew

Top White House officials say such a thing could not have happened without Russian President Vladimir Putin’s involvement or direct knowledge. Moscow called the allegation “laughable nonsense.”

Obama told NPR there is still a “whole range of assessments” going on among U.S. intelligence agencies, and he is waiting for a final report on exactly who was involved and why they did it.

“But that does not in any way detract from the basic point that everyone during the election perceived accurately that in fact what the Russian hack had done was create more problems for the Clinton campaign than it had for the Trump campaign,” Obama said.

Trump, however, has asked in a Twitter comment, “If Russia, or some other entity, was hacking, why did the White House wait so long to act? Why did they only complain after Hillary lost?”

Obama declined to say whether he thought the Russian computer hacking cost Hillary Clinton the election. He said many factors can make the difference in a presidential vote, but there was no doubt it had an impact. …

White House spokesman Josh Earnest, speaking with reporters, pointed to the U.S. intelligence community’s October assessment that “only Russia’s senior-most officials could have authorized these activities.” He said the reference to “senior-most officials” wasn’t supposed to be subtle. “It’s pretty obvious,” he said. …

The White House has not suggested Clinton would have won the election absent the Russian hacking. However, the vast array of U.S. intelligence agencies have concluded that Moscow hacked into computer accounts at the Democratic National Committee that helped oversee Clinton’s unsuccessful campaign and the computer of Clinton’s campaign chief, John Podesta, to help Trump win.

WikiLeaks, without citing its source, released thousands of Podesta’s emails in the last month of the campaign, many of them revealing embarrassing in-fighting among Clinton aides, without any corresponding disclosures about the Trump campaign from accounts allegedly hacked at the Republican National Committee. http://www.voanews.com/a/obama-we-will-take-action-on-us-election-meddling/3638684.html

Before going further, realize that WikiLeaks has publicly and repeatedly stated that Russia was not the source of the materials it leaked.

Donald Trump tweeted this today:

Are we talking about the same cyberattack where it was revealed that head of the DNC illegally gave Hillary the questions to the debate?

Notice also the following:

December 16, 2016

(CNN)The United States must either stop accusing Russia of meddling in its elections or prove it, a spokesman for Russian President Vladimir Putin said Friday. http://www.cnn.com/2016/12/16/europe/russia-us-hacking-claims-peskov/

It should also be noted that the White House is not saying that the allegedly hacked and released documents were false. But it wants to retaliate against Russia.

The Bible teaches:

23 … be sure your sin will find you out (Numbers 32:23)

1 In the meantime, when an innumerable multitude of people had gathered together, so that they trampled one another, He began to say to His disciples first of all, “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.  2 For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, nor hidden that will not be known.  3 Therefore whatever you have spoken in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have spoken in the ear in inner rooms will be proclaimed on the housetops.  (Luke 12:1-3)

Is the government of the USA practicing hypocrisy about all this?

Notice the following article:

The CIA Is Accusing Russia Of Doing Exactly What The CIA Does

December 16, 2016

There’s a grim irony to this. The CIA is accusing Russia of interfering in our free and fair elections to install a right-wing candidate it deemed more favorable to its interests. Yet during the Cold War, that’s exactly what the CIA did to the rest of the world. …

In the post-World War II years, as Moscow and Washington jockeyed for global influence, the two capitals tried to game every foreign election they could get their hands on.

From Europe to Vietnam and Chile to the Philippines, American agents delivered briefcases of cash to hand-picked politicians, launched smear campaigns against their left-leaning rivals, and spread hysterical “fake news” stories like the ones some now accuse Russia of spreading here.

Together, political scientist Dov Levin estimates, Russia and the U.S. interfered in 117 elections this way in the second half the 20th century. Even worse is what happened when the CIA’s chosen candidates lost.

I don’t raise any of this history to excuse Russia’s alleged meddling in our election — which, if true, is outrageous. Only to suggest that now, maybe, we know how it feels. We should remember that feeling as Trump, who’s spoken fondly of authoritarian rulers from Russia to Egypt to the Philippines and beyond, comes into office. http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2016-12-15/cia-accusing-russia-doing-exactly-what-cia-does

Let me also add that I have been indirectly told by a former US Navy Seal, in this decade the that he was involved in a variety of covert operations which greatly meddled in the affairs of foreign governments.

Furthermore, as most everyone knows, the USA has been highly engaged in cyber warfare. Notice a story from back in 2013 from the Washington Post as well as a story posted last year from Time:

U.S. intelligence services carried out 231 offensive cyber-operations in 2011, the leading edge of a clandestine campaign that embraces the Internet as a theater of spying, sabotage and war, according to top-secret documents obtained by The Washington Post.That disclosure, in a classified intelligence budget provided by NSA leaker Edward Snowden, provides new evidence that the Obama administration’s growing ranks of cyberwarriors infiltrate and disrupt foreign computer networks.

Additionally, under an extensive effort code-named GENIE, U.S. computer specialists break into foreign networks so that they can be put under surreptitious U.S. control. http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/us-spy-agencies-mounted-231-offensive-cyber-operations-in-2011-documents-show/2013/08/30/d090a6ae-119e-11e3-b4cb-fd7ce041d814_story.html

June 4, 2015

The Justice Department was looking for evidence of computer hacking schemes

The Obama administration expanded warrantless surveillance of Americans’ Internet searches, according to new National Security Agency documents released by Edward Snowden.

According to ProPublica, which obtained documents from Snowden, in 2012 the Justice Department authorized the NSA to search Internet cables on American soil without a warrant for evidence of computer hacking schemes originating abroad. http://time.com/3909293/edward-snowden-obama-nsa-spying/

So, the USA basically violated its Constitution to conduct more warrantless surveillance of Americans’ Internet searches related to hackers as well as many international hacks.

Since in addition to the CIA and NSA, the USA has a ‘Cyber Command’ which has long been engaged in cyber warfare, it should come as no surprise that others are involved in such activities.

It should also be stated that US President Barack Obama, himself, directly attempted to publicly interfere with the Brexit vote in the United Kingdom earlier this year when he threatened to put the UK at ‘the back of the queue’ for trade talks if it voted for the Brexit (see BBC: What is the future for UK-US trade?).

Is not a threat against foreign voters more egregious as an alleged release of unclassified documents?

There certainly is hypocrisy in the USA regarding attempts at hacking and influencing elections.

As quoted earlier, Jesus condemned the Pharisees for their hypocrisy. The KJV has the following end time prophecy:

5 O Assyrian, the rod of mine anger, and the staff in their hand is mine indignation. 6 I will send him against an hypocritical nation (Isaiah 10:5-6, KJV).

It is important to note that on many matters, including its espionage, the USA is considered to be a hypocritical nation by the many, including many of the Europeans (see, for example, Germany most upset by USA espionage; there is also a related video Will USA Spying Help the Beast Power?) and others. Throughout the gospels, Jesus repeatedly condemned hypocrites (Matthew 6:2,5,16; 15:7; 16:3; 23:13-29; Mark 7:6; Luke 11:44; 12:1, 56).  Hypocrisy was also condemned by various apostles (Romans 12:9; Galatians 2:13; 1 Timothy 4:2; James 3:17; 1 Peter 2:1).

Destruction will come to the hypocritical (Isaiah 10:6, KJV).

Some items of related interest may include the following:

The Snowden Leaks are Leading to the Destruction of the USA Can what happened with the leaks of what the NSA has done help the USA to be taken over? What does the Bible teach that seems to be related to this? Here is a related YouTube video titled Are the Snowden NSA leaks leading to the destruction of the USA?
Preparing for the ‘Short Work’ and The Famine of the Word What is the ‘short work’ of Romans 9:28? Who is preparing for it? Here is a link to a related video sermon titled: The Short Work.
The Final Phase of the Work What is the final phase of the work? Who will lead it? Do you have the courage to support it? Here is a related YouTube video titled The Final Phase of the Work. The written article has been translated into Spanish La Fase Final de la Obra.
Will USA Spying Help the Beast Power? Various allegations have surfaced about the United States government spying on its own citizens as well as its supposed allies in the European Union. Whether or not all the espionage allegations are true, and the main ones have not been publicly denied by the government of the USA, the reality is that this does have prophetic ramifications and will help the Beast of Revelation. This video provides quotes from the Bible showing how this is so. The USA is placing itself in a position to be taken over and its response to the allegations will make it easier for the Europeans to do so.
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 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 are links to two sermon videos Germany in Bible Prophecy and The Rise of the Germanic Beast Power of Prophecy.
Russia and Ukraine: Their Origins and Prophesied Future Russia in prophecy. Where do the Russians come from? What about those in the Ukraine? What is prophesied for Russia and its allies? What will they do to the Europeans that supported the Beast in the end? There is also a video sermon available: Russia in the Bible and in Prophecy and a video sermonette available: Ukraine in Prophecy?
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?
Ezekiel 38: For Russia & Iran in Our Day? Is Ezekiel 38 about to be fulfilled? A related video is available titled Ezekiel 38: For Russia, Ukraine, & Iran Now? Another could be Russia, Iran, Syria, & the Bible (Code).
Asia in Prophecy What is Ahead for Asia? Who are the “Kings of the East”? What will happen to nearly all the Chinese, Russians, Indians, and others of Asia? China in prophecy, where? Who has the 200,000,000 man army related to Armageddon? A YouTube video of interest may be Is China THE Threat to the United States of America?
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: Are Chinese threats against Australia for real?
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?
Donald Trump in Prophecy Prophecy, Donald Trump? Are there prophecies that Donald Trump may fulfill?  Are there any prophecies that he has already helped fulfill?  Could a Donald Trump presidency be apocalyptic?  A related video is titled: 13 Ways President-Elect Trump is Apocalyptic.
Forbes’ Brexit Monster is the Beast of Revelation Various ones have been properly convinced that there is a plan for a European superstate. Forbes’ writer Tom Worstall wrote that the Brexit vote was about the United Kingdom “not joining the monster of the European Union to come.” The Bible tells of a Beast monster that will arise in the end times in Europe. Dr. Thiel cites news reports, as well as the Old and New Testaments, to show that the monster many fear will arise in Europe, despite the vote by the British to exit the European Union.
Post Brexit Prophecy On June 23, 2016, the voters of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (UK) chose to leave the European Union. Now with this BRitish EXIT (Brexit) vote, what is prophesied to happen to the UK? Will the UK do well or be taken over and made slaves? Dr. Thiel explains from biblical prophecies what is ahead for the UK, Europe, and even the USA, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. This is a video.
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.

Mummers Parade (Tyler McHenry)

COGwriter

Are you familiar with Mummers parades? Here is some information about them:

The 2017 Mummers Parade kicks off on January 1, 2017 in Philadelphia PA. http://www.mrmummer.com/2017-mummers-parade-route/

National Geographic lists Philadelphia’s Mummers Parade on New Year’s Day atop its list and writes:

The costumed revelers of this unique New Year’s Day tradition have paraded the streets of Philadelphia since the 1800s and trace their roots back to even older European traditions. Elaborately costumed dancers, drillers, and musicians entertain onlookers en route to City Hall, where judges select the best Fancies, Wenches, Comics, and String Bands…

The Philadelphia Beginnings…

In the late 1700’s. When the Swedes came to Tinicum, just outside of Philadelphia, they brought there custom of visiting friends on “Second Day Christmas”, December 26. Later they extended their period of celebration to include New Year’s day, and welcomed the new year with masquerades and parades of noisy revelers. The traditions of other nationalities were also present. The use of masks and different costumes were carried over from the Greek celebrations of King Momus, the Italian-feast of saturnalia [Saturnalia was an ancient Roman festival in honour of the deity Saturn held on December 17 of the Julian calendar and later expanded with festivities through December 23], and the British Mummery Play. http://www.philly.com/philly/living/travel/20131201_Fall_in_line_for_nation_s_best_parades.html

Christmas “Mummer’s Festival”…the 5th Annual Mummer’s Festival in St. John’s, Newfoundland, a festival based on English and Irish traditions that involve people dressing in disguises and visiting homes in their communities during the 12 days of Christmas…Davis, who said this year’s festival will include costume workshops, history lectures and a Dec. 14 Mummer’s Parade… http://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2013/11/29/Canadian-Mummers-Festival-seeks-bra-donations/UPI-95791385759253/#ixzz2mEffoqEu

Though it looks more like a scene from a horror movie than the age old Christmas tradition it is, mummering is coming to Fort McMurray, but rest assured, the seemingly maligned masses are filled only with lumpy pillows, grain alcohol and the holiday spirit.

Shaun Majumder, a Newfoundland-born comedian and veteran cast member of This Hour has 22 Minutes, will hit the ground running Saturday in Fort McMurray, camera crew in tow, as he films a segment for the CBC-based sketch news show’s hour-long holiday special, set to air Dec. 10 at 8 p.m.

The Christmas tradition, sometimes known as “janneying,” dates back to the 1800s in England and Ireland. It was, and still is, embraced in parts of Newfoundland. http://www.fortmcmurraytoday.com/2013/11/27/going-mummering-with-22-minutes

“Mummers and “guisers” (performers in disguise) can be traced back at least to the Middle Ages, though when the term “mummer” appears in medieval manuscripts it is rarely clear what sort of performance was involved. A key element was visiting people in disguise at Christmas. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mummers_Play

From what I have been able to tell, the Mummers event is becoming a bigger and bigger deal in Philadelphia. Many practices associated with the pagan Saturnalia are retained in modern ‘Christmas’ celebrations.

While researching Mummers, I ran across an article titled Christmas’ Pagan Origins that had the following:

In ancient Babylon, the feast of the Son of Isis (Goddess of Nature) was celebrated on December 25. Raucous partying, gluttonous eating and drinking, and gift-giving were traditions of this feast.

In Rome, the Winter Solstice was celebrated many years before the birth of Christ. The Romans called their winter holiday Saturnalia, honoring Saturn, the God of Agriculture. In January, they observed the Kalends of January, which represented the triumph of life over death. This whole season was called Dies Natalis Invicti Solis, the Birthday of the Unconquered Sun. The festival season was marked by much merrymaking. It is in ancient Rome that the tradition of the Mummers was born. The Mummers were groups of costumed singers and dancers who traveled from house to house entertaining their neighbors. From this, the Christmas tradition of caroling was born. In northern Europe, many other traditions that we now consider part of Christian worship were begun long before the participants had ever heard of Christ. The pagans of northern Europe celebrated the their own winter solstice, known as Yule. Yule was symbolic of the pagan Sun God, Mithras, being born… http://www.essortment.com/christmas-pagan-origins-42543.html

Of course, those who have looked into the whole ‘Christmas/New Years’ season realize that Jesus was not born on December 25th and that the dates and many observances were modifications from pagan practices. Mummers parades seem to be an offshoot of that.

Those who have looked into the Bible realize that neither Saturnalia, Mummers, Mithras, or Christmas observances are biblical. Because of their connections to paganism and distortions to God’s plan as revealed in His Holy Days, they should not be kept by Christians.

Early Christians did not even celebrate birthdays of any type, and certainly none to honor sun-gods or other pagan deities.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

What Does the Catholic Church Teach About Christmas and the Holy Days? Do you know what the Catholic Church says were the original Christian holy days? Was Christmas among them? Is December 25th Jesus’ birthday or that of the sun god? Here is a link to a related sermon: What do Catholic and other scholars teach about Christmas?
How did December 25th become Christmas? Was Jesus born then? If not, why December 25? Here is the article translated into Mandarin Chinese 12月25日最后是怎么被许多基督的信仰者采纳的.
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?
Was Jesus Born in the Grotto of the Nativity? Was Jesus born in a below ground cave? Was Jesus born below the “Church of the Nativity”? Were the wise men there?
Is Keeping Christmas a Sin? Is keeping Christmas acceptable for true Christians? What are some scriptures to consider?
Mardi Gras: The Devil’s Carnival? Is Mardi Gras Christian? Do you know that in Bolivia the carnival/Mardi Gras time is part of a celebration known as the Devil’s Carnival? Where did it come from?
Is There “An Annual Worship Calendar” In the Bible? This paper provides a biblical and historical critique of several articles, including one by the Tkach WCG which states that this should be a local decision. What do the Holy Days mean? Also you can click here for the calendar of Holy Days. (Here is a related link in Spanish/español: Calendario Anual de Adoración –Una crítica basada en la Biblia y en la Historia: ¿Hay un Calendario Anual de Adoración en la Biblia?
Did Early Christians Celebrate Birthdays? Did biblical era Jews celebrate birthdays? Who originally celebrated birthdays? When did many that profess Christ begin birthday celebrations?
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 and Continuing History of the Church of God: 17th-20th Centuries. The booklet is available in Spanish: Continuación de la Historia de la Iglesia de Dios, German: Kontinuierliche Geschichte der Kirche Gottes, French: L’Histoire Continue de l’Église de Dieu and Ekegusii Omogano Bw’ekanisa Ya Nyasae Egendererete.
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?