Church of God News

Typical B vitamin supplement tablets (Ragesoss)

COGwriter

The BBC put out a report out about the dangers of the typical vitamin supplements that many people:

Why Vitamin pills don’t work and may be bad for you

We dose up on antioxidants as if they are the elixir of life. At best, they are probably ineffective. At worse, they may just send you to an early grave.

9 December 2016

For Linus Pauling, it all started to go wrong when he changed his breakfast routine. In 1964, at the age of 65, he started adding vitamin C to his orange juice in the morning. It was like adding sugar to Coca Cola, and he believed – wholeheartedly, sometimes vehemently  – that it was a good thing. …

Pauling was awarded a Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his insights into how molecules are held together. As Nick Lane, a biochemist from University College London, writes in his 2001 book Oxygen, “Pauling… was a colossus of 20th Century science, whose work laid the foundations of modern chemistry.” …

Since the 1970s, there have been many trials like this trying to figure out what antioxidant supplementation does for our health and survival. The results are far from heartening.

In 1994, for example, one trial followed the lives of 29,133 Finish people in their 50s. All smoked, but only some were given beta-carotene supplements. Within this group, the incidence of lung cancer increased by 16%.

A similar result was found in postmenopausal women in the U.S. After 10 years of taking folic acid (a variety of B vitamin) every day their risk of breast cancer increased by 20% relative to those women who didn’t take the supplement.

It gets worse. One study of more than 1,000 heavy smokers published in 1996 had to be terminated nearly two years early. After just four years of beta-carotene and vitamin A supplementation, there was a 28% increase in lung cancer rates and a 17% increase in those who died. …

“The idea that antioxidant [supplementation] is a miracle cure is completely redundant,” says Enriquez. Linus Pauling was largely unaware of the fact that his own ideas could be fatal. In 1994, before the publication of many of the large-scale clinical trials, he died of prostate cancer. Vitamin C certainly wasn’t the cure-all that he cantankerously claimed it was up until his last breath. …

“Diets rich in fruits and vegetables have been shown generally to be good for you,” says Lane. “Not invariably, but generally that’s agreed to be the case.” Although often attributed to antioxidants, the benefits of such a diet, he says, might also hail from a healthy balance of pro-oxidants and other compounds whose roles aren’t yet fully understood. http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20161208-why-vitamin-supplements-could-kill-you

Why did I refer to this as ‘fake news’?

Several reasons, including the fact that it did not explain the truth about synthetic vitamins and was highly misleading about Linus Pauling.

First. let’s address Linus Pauling, and my own indirect connections to him.  Although we never met, Linus Pauling and I were both on the same editorial review board decades ago (for the Journal of Optimal Nutrition), plus he specifically wrote in support of my efforts to not restrict nutritional advice to two groups who wanted to make it a felony for others to provide nutritional advice in the State of California. Also, although I do not believe in certain aspects of ‘orthomolecular medicine,’ after Dr. Pauling died, the Society for Orthomolecular Health Medicine, which was part of the legacy of the Linus Pauling Institute of Science and Medicine, gave me the “Ortholmolecular Leadership Award in 2002 for my work on nutrition and Down syndrome (they published two of my studies in editions of their Journal of Orthomolecular Medicine that year).

Now while it is true the Linus Pauling died in 1994, this in no way suggests that vitamin C was harmful.  What the BBC article neglected to say is that Dr. Pauling was told he would die in 1964, so that is why he began to supplement with vitamin C. And the BBC article neglected to state that Linus Pauling was born in 1901, and hence died at age 93. To imply, like BBC did, that vitamin C proved to be dangerous and ineffective for Linus Pauling is ‘fake news.’

Sadly, the average reader of the BBC article will not realize this. While the BBC ran articles decrying ‘fake news’ at least twice this week (see The city getting rich from fake news and Hillary Clinton warns of ‘fake news epidemic’), it sadly perpetuates it.

Furthermore, the BBC article was misleading about more than Linus Pauling.

The article neglected to say that it was mainly reporting about ‘fake vitamins.’

The PLAIN TRUTH is that the studies which supposedly show that vitamins are dangerous are studies that are pretty much always involving synthetic vitamins. The article never mentioned that. Hence BBC was reported ‘fake vitamin news.’

Many of the chemical compounds found in typical vitamin supplements are not the same as vitamins found in food. They are more like vitamin analogs than the real thing.

For example, whether one believes that God created everything or that life somehow (illogically) evolved, the reality is that neither God nor evolution per se made folic acid. Folic acid is a synthetic substance that is related to a form of vitamin B-9. It is not naturally found in food (foods contain folates, NOT folic acid).

Despite what some supplement labels may state, there is NO SUCH THING AS ‘NATURAL’ FOLIC ACID. Folic acid is unnatural, folic acid is synthetic, and that the body cannot properly convert much folic acid into a usable folate form. Furthermore, concerns about folic acid feeding cancer are now a real concern in the 21st century—too much folic acid may kill you.

Folic acid is a synthetic folate form” and was not developed until the 20th century. Folic acid is chemically known as pteroylglutamic acid (PGA) and is a crystalline substance (no food vitamins are naturally crystalline in structure). Folate, once also known as vitamin B9, exists in foods, yet crystalline folic acid does not. Folates also differ from folic acid “in the extent of the reduction state of the pteroyl group, the nature of the substituents on the pteridine ring and the number of glutamyl residues attached to the pteroyl group. (Hendler SS, Rorvik D, eds.  PDR for Nutritional Supplements.  Medical Economics, Montvale (NJ), 2001)

Several studies have reported risks associated with taking it (see also my paper Folic Acid is Hazardous to Your Health).

While it is good that the BBC suggested that eating foods which contain antioxidants can be helpful, it failed to let its readers know that all the negative studies it referred to used isolated synthesized ‘vitamins’ (see also my paper The Truth About Food Antioxidants are Superior to Isolated Antioidants).

In nature, there is no such thing as a vitamin isolated from food compounds. Plus many of the isolated forms are not in the same chemical configuration as vitamins found in foods (see my paper Natural vitamins may be superior to synthetic ones). Let me also add that when it comes to minerals, foods contain substances to prevent toxicity and improve delivery that the typical mineral salt formulas most Americans take do not (see also my paper The Truth About Minerals in Supplements).

For decades the ‘natural’ health industry has been touting thousands of vitamin supplements. The truth is that most vitamins in supplements are made of or processed with petroleum derivatives or hydrogenated sugars hence they are synthetic. Even though they are often called natural, most non-food vitamins are isolated substances which are crystalline in structure. Vitamins naturally in food are not crystalline and never isolated. Non-food vitamins are isolates, which means that they are individual chemicals lacking substances that real foods contain. Vitamins found in any real food are chemically and structurally different from those commonly found in ‘natural vitamin’ formulas. Food vitamins contain a matrix of substances which improve bioavailability and safety. Since they are different, naturally-oriented people should consider non-food vitamins as vitamin analogues (imitations) and not actually vitamins. Whether sold retail or wholesale, nearly all companies sell synthetic vitamins.

A ‘dirty little secret’ of the so-called natural health industry is that nearly all vitamins sold are synthetic isolates often made of petroleum derivatives.

Although many mainstream health professionals believe, “The body cannot tell whether a vitamin in the bloodstream came from an organically grown cantaloupe or from a chemist’s laboratory,” this belief is quite misleading for several reasons. First it seems to assume that the process of getting the amount of the vitamin into the bloodstream is the same (which is frequently not the case). Secondly, scientists understand that particle size is an important factor in nutrient absorption even though particle size is not detected by chemical assessment. Thirdly, scientists also understand that, “The food factors that influence the absorption of nutrients relate not only to the nature of the nutrients themselves, but also their interaction with each other and with the nonabsorbable components of food.” Fourthly, “the physiochemical form of a nutrient is a major factor in bioavailability” (and food and non-food vitamins are not normally in the same form). Fifthly, most non-food vitamins are crystalline in structure.

Natural food vitamins are nutritionally superior to synthetic ones. Synthetic isolates are crystalline in structure and are often in chemical forms that are foreign to the human body.

I have known for years that synthetic vitamins are dangerous and have had papers published about this (e.g. Thiel R. Natural vitamins may be superior to synthetic ones. Med Hypo 2000 55(6):461-469).

As far as what most people take as vitamins goes, it does NOT matter if the label says ‘natural’ as there is no government standard of what that means in most supplements.

Notice the following (bolding in source below):

Some ‘natural’ products are anything but

Vitamin pills can be synthetically, and legally, produced in a lab. Synthetic ingredients are even allowed in multi-vitamins that bear the Department of Agriculture’s “Organic” seal…

“Vitamins can be synthetic because, by definition, a vitamin does not have to come from nature,” says Fabricant at the FDA. (Vitamins & supplements. Consumer Reports, September 2012: 18-23)

Most people who take vitamin supplements falsely believe that what they are taking is ‘natural,’ but that is not the case. Isolated vitamins simply do NOT NATURALLY EXIST in nature. Foods are a complexed matrix of many substances and vitamins are never isolated in foods. I would also add that most so-called ‘antioxidant’ vitamins that people take DO NOT HAVE PROVEN SIGNIFICANT ANTIOXIDANT EFFECTS IN THE HUMAN BODY, but only are ‘antioxidants’ in test tubes (Hendler S, Rorvik D, editors. PDR for Nutritional Supplements. Medical Economics, Montvale (NJ), 2001 ). But people mislead themselves about this all the time.

Even foods “fortified” with synthetic vitamins, like folic acid may cause serious neurological problems in patients deficient in vitamin B12 (Carmel R. Folic Acid. In Modern Nutrition in Health and Disease, 10th ed. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Baltimore, 2006:470-481). Furthermore, “no folic acid dose can be considered as truly safe in the presence of untreated cobalamin deficiency” (Carmel R. Folic Acid. In Modern Nutrition in Health and Disease, 10th ed. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Baltimore, 2006:470-481).

Thousands of years ago, God inspired one of his prophets to pen the following, which encourages people to eat what is good:

2 Why do you spend money for what is not bread, And your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, And let your soul delight itself in abundance. (Isaiah 55:2)

Intentionally eating synthetic vitamins is not good. Real science supports this view.

But the BBC did not point out the full truth about why ‘vitamins’ did not work.

Despite the truth, most people (over 98%) who take typical vitamin supplements believe that the whatever they take is actually natural and does not have the risks that researchers keep finding that typical vitamin supplements have. This is a false belief. The truth about vitamins in supplements can be known (see The Truth About Vitamins in Nutritional Supplements), but most do not want to learn and then act on the truth.

It is a lot like religion. False religion DOES NOT BRING salvation, despite what ecumenical and interfaith religious leaders have indicated.

Because of tradition, family influence, and/or social pressures, most people (over 99%) have a faith (religious, atheistic, or agnostic) that is based upon false belief.

Ignoring eastern faiths which do not even claim Jesus, let’s simply state that those who have studied early Christianity and the Bible honestly realize that what is practiced by the Roman Catholics, Protestants, and Eastern Orthodox is in massive contradiction to the “faith once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 3). The same can also be said of the Jehovah’s Witnesses, Messianic Jews, Seventh-day Adventists, and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormons).

The reality is people in those religions tend to have a false understanding of salvation and do not understand God’s plan. The truth about the early Christian church and what happened to it can be known (see Continuing History of the Church of God). Where the most faithful Christian church is can also be determined (see Where is the True Christian Church Today?).

Jesus said:

23 But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. 24 God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth. (John 4:23-24)

8 “These people draw near to Me with their mouth, And honor Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me. 9 And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men. (Matthew 15:8-9)

21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’ (Matthew 7:21-23)

Most WILL NOT WORSHIP GOD IN TRUTH, but instead cling to falsehoods and false traditions. Many use Jesus’ name, but He says He will say to many that He does not know them.

Like those who swallow synthetic vitamins, nearly all take false beliefs into their hearts and minds all the time. They hope, despite the truth, that salvation will come from faiths built upon falsehood.

Consuming large amounts of synthetic vitamins can increase the risk of cancer and other diseases. Being a consumer of false religion does not lead to salvation in this age.

It is not that some cannot get any benefit from synthetic ‘nutrients’ or false religion, but neither are optimal.

Anyway, in my view, the BBC report was false news.

Relying on a media that is biased is dangerous not only for your physical health, but your spiritual health as well.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

The Truth About Antioxidants Most ‘antioxidant supplements are not effective for humans.
The Truth About Vitamins in Nutritional Supplements Nearly all vitamins people take are synthetic.
The Truth about Minerals in Nutritional Supplements Nearly all mineral supplements people take consist of industrially processed ground up rocks.
GMOs and Bible Prophecy What are GMOs? Since they were not in the food supply until 1994, how could they possibly relate to Bible prophecy? Do GMOs put the USA and others at risk? Here is a related YouTube video GMO Risks and the Bible.
Chimeras: Has Science Crossed the Line? What are chimeras? Has science crossed the line? Does the Bible give any clues?
Physical Preparation Scriptures for Christians. We all know the Bible prophecies famines. Should we do something? Here is a version in the Spanish language Escrituras sobre Preparación física para los Cristianos.
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?
Universal Offer of Salvation: There Are Hundreds of Verses in the Bible Supporting the Doctrine of True Apocatastasis Do you believe what the Bible actually teaches on this? Will all good things be restored? Will God call everyone? Will everyone have an opportunity for salvation? Does God’s plan of salvation take rebellion and spiritual blindness into account? Related sermon videos include Universal Offer of Salvation I: God is love and Universal Offer of Salvation II: The Age to Come and the ‘Little Flock’ and Universal Offer of Salvation III: All Are to Know Jesus, But When? and Universal Offer of Salvation IV: Will the Guilty be Pardoned? and Universal Offer of Salvation V: All Israel Will be Saved? A version of the main article was also translated in the Spanish language: Oferta universal de salvación: Hay cientos de versículos en la Biblia que apoyan la verdadera doctrina de la Apocatastasis.
Tradition and Scripture: From the Bible and Church Writings Are traditions on equal par with scripture? Many believe that is what Peter, John, and Paul taught. But did they? A related sermon is titled Tradition and Scripture.
COGwriter Position on Other Churches and Religions What is the fate of those who do not know Christ? What about those who profess Christ outside the Church of God?
Hope of Salvation: How the Continuing Church of God differs from most Protestants How the real Church of God differs from mainstream/traditional Protestants, is perhaps the question I am asked most by those without a Church of God background. As far as some changes affecting Protestantism, watch the video Charismatic Kenneth Copeland and Anglican Tony Palmer: Protestants Beware! [Português: Esperança do salvação: Como a igreja do deus difere da maioria de protestantes]
Beware: Protestants Going Towards Ecumenical Destruction! What is going on in the Protestant world? Are Protestants turning back to their ‘mother church’ in Rome? Does the Bible warn about this? What are Catholic plans and prophecies related to this? Is Protestantism doomed? See also World Council of Churches Peace Plan.
Similarities and Differences Between the Jehovah’s Witnesses and the Continuing Church of God Both groups claim to represent the original Christian faith.  Do you know much about them? Both groups have some interesting similarities, but many major differences. Would you like information on how to deal with Jehovah’s Witnesses? A related sermon is also available: Jehovah’s Witnesses: Right and Wrong Teachings?
Messianic Judaism Beliefs Differ from the Continuing Church of God Both groups keep the seventh-day Sabbath, but have important differences in doctrines and practices. Here is a link to a related sermon: Messianic Jewish Beliefs.
SDA/CCOG Differences: Two Horned Beast of Revelation and 666 The genuine Church of God is NOT part of the Seventh-day Adventists. This article explains two prophetic differences, the trinity, differences in approaching doctrine, including Ellen White. Did Ellen White make prophetic errors? Did Ellen White make false prophecies? Here is a version in the Spanish language: SDA/COG Diferencias: La bestia de dos cuernos de Apocalipsis y 666. Here is a sermon in the English language: CCOG and SDA differences and similarities.
Some Dissimilarities Between The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (LDS) and the Continuing Church of God The genuine Church of God is not related to the Mormons and this article explains some differences and a couple of similarities. Also, might certain LDS prophecies apply to Mitt Romney?
What Do Roman Catholic Scholars Actually Teach About Early Church History? Although most believe that the Roman Catholic Church history teaches an unbroken line of succession of bishops beginning with Peter, with stories about most of them, Roman Catholic scholars know the truth of this matter. Is telling the truth about the early church citing Catholic accepted sources anti-Catholic? This eye-opening article is a must-read for any who really wants to know what Roman Catholic history actually admits about the early church. There is also a YouTube sermon on the subject titled Church of God or Church of Rome: What Do Catholic Scholars Admit About Early Church History?
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?
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.

NATO in Green; Russia in Orange

COGwriter

A reader tipped me off to some of the following:

Trump’s election ‘could spell the end of NATO’ claims former chief in chilling warning

THE days of Nato could be numbered if member states do not start contributing more to the alliance as Donald Trump prepares to become the next US President, a former commander has warned.

9 December 2016

General Sir Richard Shirreff, Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe 2011-14, said if Trump decides not to come to the aid of another Nato member under attack then the alliance is effectively dead, in a shocking new claim.

Speaking on Newsnight, he said without US intervention, “there will continue to be doubts about America’s willingness to do that under President Trump, and that will strike right at the heart of Nato’s founding principle of collective defence. …

With EU states consistently underspending on defence, the President-elect has put his foot down and demanded other Nato members contribute more. …

Around three-quarters of Nato’s defence spending is funded by the US and the Republican has repeatedly claimed he is not willing to continue meeting the demands of the alliance if other states do not start providing more funding.All 28 Nato members are committed to reaching target of spending two per cent of their GDP on defence by 2024, but with just five members – the US, Greece, the UK, Poland and Estonia – spending the minimum two per cent on defence at the moment, there are fears the US could pull the plug and withdraw their contributions. http://www.express.co.uk/news/world/741556/Donald-Trump-end-Nato-Newsnight-EU-Richard-Shirreff-Alexander-Vershbow-Boris-Johnson

Alexander Vershbow, an American career diplomat who was Nato’s Deputy Secretary-General from 2012-2016, says the election of the new president sends a clear signal to European members of the pact who have been under-investing in their defence.

“This was a change election in the United States,” Mr Vershbow told the BBC, “so there will be change and I think allies have to be prepared to adapt.”

During the campaign Mr Trump said of unspecified Nato allies: “They’re not paying their way”. He suggested that, if one of them was attacked, the US would be entitled to ask “have they paid?” before deciding to go to their assistance.

The use of this language has caused alarm in many Nato capitals.

There is also concern about suggestions that Mr Trump, as part of a rapprochement with Russia, might be prepared to concede a “zone of influence” to the Kremlin in former Soviet republics, or to reduce pressure over the issue of Ukraine.

“Ratifying the results of Russian aggression in Ukraine would buy you some short term stability,” said Mr Vershbow, when asked about the possibility that Mr Trump might accept the Kremlin calling the shots in eastern Europe in return for better relations.

“But I think it would create a much more unstable situation in Europe, encourage the Russians to continue to press forward for some kind of Yalta 2 with a new division of Europe into spheres of influence, which I think would bring back some of the instability we saw in previous decades.” http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-38258052

From the perspective of American taxpayers, the USA is clearly disproportionately paying for NATO. The other 27 member nations (all but Canada, Greenland, and Iceland are in Europe) have a combined economic output greater than the USA, yet the USA spends more than double of what all of them combined do on the military.

The comments by Donald Trump are likely to get other NATO nations to spend more on their militaries. Notice something about him, NATO, and Russia:

Russia, Putin Testing Donald Trump On NATO?

9 December 2016

President-elect Donald Trump, his transition team and the North Atlanta Treaty Organization (NATO) are reportedly being tested by Russia and its President Vladimir Putin as it continues to reinforce troops and missile systems in the Kaliningrad exclave in the Baltic region …

Trump’s campaign rhetoric regarding NATO will again take center stage as Putin and his government feel out the first-time elected official. During an interview with the New York Times, Trump was asked what he would do if Russia crossed over into NATO allies and said he had reservations about coming to the aid of countries who “aren’t paying their bills.”

“I don’t want to tell you what I’d do because I don’t want Putin to know what I’d do. I have a serious chance of becoming president and I’m not like Obama, that every time they send some troops into Iraq or anyplace else, he has a news conference to announce it,” Trump said. “We have many NATO members that aren’t paying their bills.”

Trump added: “You can’t forget the bills. They have an obligation to make payments. Many NATO nations are not making payments, are not making what they’re supposed to make. That’s a big thing. You can’t say forget that.” http://www.ibtimes.com/russia-putin-testing-donald-trump-nato-us-troops-head-eastern-europe-january-russia-2457870

From a military perspective, it is often wise not to tell the other side what you might do.

However, in the case of Donald Trump, this has caused uncertainty within NATO.

Notice also the following:

9 December 2016

The issue is so secret that it isn’t even listed on any daily agenda at NATO headquarters. … The discussion surrounds nuclear deterrent. …

In European capitals, officials have been contemplating the possibility of a European nuclear deterrent since Trump’s election. The hurdles — military, political and international law — are massive and there are no concrete intentions or plans. Still, French diplomats in Brussels have already been discussing the issue with their counterparts from other member states …

“It’s good that this is finally being discussed,” says Jan Techau, director of the Holbrooke Forum at the American Academy in Berlin. “The question of Europe’s future nuclear defense is the elephant in the room in the European security debate. If the United States’ nuclear security guarantee disappears, then it will be important to clarify who will protect us in the future. And how do we prevent ourselves from becoming blackmailable over the nuclear issue in the future?”

An essay in the November issue of Foreign Affairs argues that if Trump seriously questions the American guarantees, Berlin will have to consider establishing a European nuclear deterrent on the basis of the French and British capabilities. Germany’s respected Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung newspaper, meanwhile, even contemplated the “unthinkable” in an editorial: a German bomb. …

In an interview that gained attention internationally in mid-November, Roderich Kiesewetter, the chairman for the conservative Christian Democrats on the Foreign Policy Committee in German parliament proposed a French-British nuclear shield in the event Trump calls into question American protection for Europe. “The US nuclear shield and nuclear security guarantees are imperative for Europe,” he told Reuters. “If the United States no longer wants to provide this guarantee, Europe still needs nuclear protection for deterrent purposes.” …

Wolfgang Mischnick, parliamentary floor leader of the Free Democratic Party, which shared power with Kohl’s Christian Democrats at the time, publicly clarified what that meant during a session of the Bundestag on February 20, 1974: “It is still possible to develop a European nuclear power,” he said.

Forty years later the issue is actually now being raised for the first time. http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/europe-responds-to-trump-win-with-nuclear-deterrent-debate-a-1125186.html#ref=nl-international

Germany is now contemplating the “unthinkable’ because of Donald Trump. Europe is now publicly stating what some of us were pretty sure some leaders believed. Things will change with Europe.

Since Donald Trump’s election, Europe has takensome  steps and agreed to take more responsibility for defense (e.g. Europe moving towards its own army ‘Europe may soon produce its own Trumps’ and European Commission unveils some of its military plans).

Many see this as reasonable and logical.

Yet, while Europe may appear to be more financially supportive of NATO, in the end will betray the NATO members of the USA, Canada, and UK:

21 And in his place shall arise a vile person, to whom they will not give the honor of royalty; but he shall come in peaceably, and seize the kingdom by intrigue. (Daniel 11:21)

39 Thus he shall act against the strongest fortresses with a foreign god, which he shall acknowledge, and advance its glory; and he shall cause them to rule over many, and divide the land for gain. … the king of the North (Daniel 11:39, 40)

23 “And in the latter time of their kingdom,
When the transgressors have reached their fullness,
A king shall arise,
Having fierce features,
Who understands sinister schemes.
24 His power shall be mighty, but not by his own power;
He shall destroy fearfully,
And shall prosper and thrive;
He shall destroy the mighty, and also the holy people.

25 “Through his cunning
He shall cause deceit to prosper under his rule;
And he shall exalt himself in his heart.
He shall destroy many in their prosperity. (Daniel 8:23-25)

The above leader is the final European King of the North Beast power. He will eliminate the USA and the UK. It is likely that he may attack under the guise of a NATO exercise and/or otherwise feign military support for the USA and the UK. Regular readers of this page realize I have been warning about this for many years.

By pushing the Europeans to spend more on their militaries, the USA and UK are ‘sowing wind,’ but will reap the whirlwind:

6 … But the calf of Samaria shall be broken to pieces.

7 “They sow the wind,
And reap the whirlwind.
The stalk has no bud;
It shall never produce meal.
If it should produce,
Aliens would swallow it up.
8 Israel is swallowed up;
Now they are among the Gentiles
Like a vessel in which is no pleasure.
9 For they have gone up to Assyria,
Like a wild donkey alone by itself;
Ephraim has hired lovers. (Hosea 8:6-9)

The reference to ‘Samaria’ above refers to the USA and the reference to Ephraim above refers to the UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand (for biblically-related details, check out the article Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel). Assyria is a reference to a European power based out of central Europe (for biblically-related details, check out the article Germany in Biblical Prophecy).

Lest there be any doubt, the Bible is clear that Europe will have a ‘great army’ in the end per Daniel 11:25.

Yes, Europe will need to reorganize, but the Bible tells of at least two more reorganizations to come in Europe in Revelation 17:2-13 (see also Must the Ten Kings of Revelation 17:12 Rule over Ten Currently Existing Nations?).

Europe is moving in the military direction and Donald Trump is encouraging it. While Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton also encouraged this, their presence and rhetoric simply did not resonate with the Europeans as much as Donald Trump’s has.

American politicians consider that the Europeans are friends, but the Bible teaches that peoples like the USA will be betrayed by friends (see Lamentations 1:1-2).

Europe has already taken concrete steps, not so much because of Barack Obama, but because of Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin (see also Russia and Ukraine: Their Origins and Prophesied Future).  And Europe will take more steps.

While some do not believe that Europe wants to do this or is capable of rising up to take over the USA, Canada, and the UK, consider the following two portions of scripture:

5 “Woe to Assyria, the rod of My anger
And the staff in whose hand is My indignation.
6 I will send him against an ungodly nation,
And against the people of My wrath
I will give him charge,
To seize the spoil, to take the prey,
And to tread them down like the mire of the streets.
7 Yet he does not mean so,
Nor does his heart think so;
But it is in his heart to destroy,
And cut off not a few nations.
8 For he says,
‘Are not my princes altogether kings?
9 Is not Calno like Carchemish?
Is not Hamath like Arpad?
Is not Samaria like Damascus?
10 As my hand has found the kingdoms of the idols,
Whose carved images excelled those of Jerusalem and Samaria,
11 As I have done to Samaria and her idols,
Shall I not do also to Jerusalem and her idols?'” (Isaiah 10:5-11)

2 Now the beast which I saw was like a leopard, his feet were like the feet of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. The dragon gave him his power, his throne, and great authority. 3 And I saw one of his heads as if it had been mortally wounded, and his deadly wound was healed. And all the world marveled and followed the beast. 4 So they worshiped the dragon who gave authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him? (Revelation 13:2-4)

The Bible shows that the European power (called Assyria in Isaiah 10; see also Germany in Biblical Prophecy) does not think it intends to be militaristic, but that it will and will conquer. The Bible shows that the world will marvel that Europe was able to be such a military power as Europe basically had been dismissed as irrelevant.

It is quite likely that some version of NATO will survive, but that Europe will use NATO as a shield from Russia, and eventually turn against the USA and its Anglo-Saxon descended allies.

For those that think this could not happen to the USA, recall that Daniel 11:39 shows that a European power will destroy the ‘strongest fortresses’–which in the 21st century, this shows that the USA will be defeated, despite its military strength (see also USA in Prophecy: The Strongest Fortresses).

Because few politicians truly understand much about biblical prophecies, they will, basically unknowingly take further steps that will lead to their fulfillment. This includes not only Donald Trump, but leaders in Europe and elsewhere.

Archbishop Fulton Sheen

COGwriter

Catholic Archbishop Fulton Sheen died on December 9, 1979. He was known for his preaching and especially his work on television and radio. He is someone that is a candidate for Roman Catholic ‘sainthood.’

Years ago, Zenit.org, a pro-Vatican website, reported:

The “World’s Preacher” Remembered

… Archbishop Sheen’s Death

I have sometimes mentioned Fulton Sheen in articles at COGwriter. Here is a quote from him:

Archbishop Fulton Sheen (1950) We are living in the days of the Apocalypse–the last days of our era…. The two great forces of the Mystical Body of Christ and the Mystical Body of Antichrist are beginning to draw up the battle lines for the catastrophic contest. (Flynn T & L. The Thunder of Justice. Maxkol Communications, Sterling (VA), 1993, p. 20)

When he stated that, the Philadelphia era of the Church of God had already started to rise up (the most faithful representing the “body of Christ”), the Vatican had officially come out against the millennial doctrine, and the one who is likely to be the final Antichrist may have been born (and one who was going to, in a major way, support a doctrine of Antichrist had certainly been). The stages for the final confrontation, which should occur in the 21st century, had taken place.

Here is a quote that mentions Archbishop Sheen:

Father O’Connor quotes from Holy Scripture, the stunning prophecies of St. Vincent Ferrer, Pope St. Pius X, St. Francis of Assisi, St. John Eudes, Sr. Lucy of Fatima, Pope Pius XII and Bishop Fulton J. Sheen. Father explains how God will and is punishing the world for sin, and that the Fathers of the Church all wrote that the False Prophet would be a Catholic Bishop who will become an invalid anti-pope while the real Pope dies a cruel death in exile. (REIGN OF THE FALSE PROPHET. Catholic Treasures. Audio ITEM #20104. http://www.catholictreasures.com/cartdescrip/20104.html 03/02/09)

Notice that the Catholic source above indicated that Archbishop Sheen supported the idea that an anti-pope would rise up.

And that is a position that I too share.

And if the 12th century Malachy prophecies about the remaining popes was complete and correct, then the current Pope Francis would be the anti-pope (there were 112 on that list and Pope Benedict XVI was number 111)–but because the Malachy prophecies cannot be trusted and Pope Francis is old, the final antipope could be a later pontiff. It should be noted that Malachy’s list contains anti-popes according to Catholic scholars (and they have none for centuries by their count). At least one Cardinal (Australian Cardinal George Pell) has seemingly indicated that Pope Francis could be an antipope (for some details, watch the video Anti-Pope Francis?).

Because of his ecumenical, economic, and inter-faith agendas, Pope Francis may well be the antipope that Catholics have worried about. Both biblical (Revelation chapters 17 and 13) and Catholic prophecies teach of a leader based out of the city of seven hills which will be unfaithful. Pope Francis has taken steps that various people wonder about (see also Why Should American Catholics Fear Unity with the Orthodox?).

Irrespective of the status of Pope Francis, we are living in the last days. And although the Great Tribulation is not yet, events aligning with the Apocalypse are occurring regularly and are often reported at the COGwriter website. Stay tuned for more updates.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

The Malachy Prophecies and “Peter the Roman” An Irish bishop allegedly predicted something about 112 popes in the 12th century. Pope Benedict XVI was number 111. Francis would be number 112–if he is that one–and if so, he is to reign until Rome is destroyed. May he be an antipope/final Antichrist?
Could Pope Francis be the Last Pope and Antichrist? Former Argentinian Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio is now Pope Francis. According to some interpretations of the prophecies of the popes by the Catholic saint and Bishop Malachy, Pope Francis is in the position of “Peter the Roman,” the pontiff who reigns during tribulations until around the time of the destruction of Rome. Do biblical prophecies warn of someone that sounds like Peter the Roman? Could Francis be the heretical antipope of Catholic private prophecies and the final Antichrist of Bible prophecy? Could a Jesuit be “the black pope”?
Anti-Pope Francis? Some cardinals and other members of the Roman Catholic clergy are concerned that Pope Francis has deviated from its traditional positions on matters such as homosexuality, salvation, fornication, remarriage, and other doctrines. Australian Cardinal George Pell even mentioned ‘antipopes’ when discussing Pope Francis. North American Cardinal Raymond Burke has raised many concerns about Francis’ pontificate. Did Catholic saints teach that popes could become heretics? Will the final pope not be Catholic? Is an ecumenical pontiff possibly the final Antichrist? What do both biblical, and even Roman Catholic, prophecies warn about? Could Pope Francis be an antipope and final Antichrist?
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?
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.
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?
Two Horned Beast of Revelation and 666 Who is 666? This article explains how the COG views this, and compares this to Ellen White. Here is a link to a prophetic video Six Financial Steps Leading to 666?
The Mark of Antichrist What is the mark of Antichrist? What have various ones claimed? Here is a link to a related sermon What is the ‘Mark of Antichrist’?
Mark of the Beast What is the mark of the Beast? Who is the Beast? What have various ones claimed the mark is? What is the ‘Mark of the Beast’?
The Antichrist Quiz Do you really know much about the Antichrist?
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.
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? Catholic writings indicate this, but what does the Bible show?
Catholic Prophecies: Do They Mirror, Highlight, or Contradict Biblical Prophecies? People of all faiths may be surprised to see what various Roman and Orthodox Catholic prophets have been predicting as many of their predictions will be looked to in the 21st century.
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
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?
Does God Have a 6,000 Year Plan? What Year Does the 6,000 Years End? Was a 6000 year time allowed for humans to rule followed by a literal thousand year reign of Christ on Earth taught by the early Christians? Does God have 7,000 year plan? What year may the six thousand years of human rule end? When will Jesus return? 202x? There is also a video titled The 6000 Year Plan: Is the end of humanity’s reign almost up?
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: Can the Great Tribulation Start in 2016?

No on Italy’s Constitution Change committee logo

COGwriter

Italians may take steps against immigrants:

Italy Opposition Looks to Exploit Migrant Crisis After PM Resignation

December 8, 2016

LONDON —Italy is gearing up for possible fresh elections following the resignation of Prime Minister Matteo Renzi after the “no” vote in a referendum on constitutional change. Economic and political factors drove voters to punish Renzi, but analysts say Italy’s migrant crisis also played a role, and the issue is likely to feature in forthcoming election campaigns.

More than 176,000 migrants are being housed in reception centers spread across Italy, and prior to his loss in a referendum Sunday, outgoing Prime Minister Matteo Renzi threatened to veto the EU budget in a bid to force Europe to share Italy’s burden.

Renzi said, “The international scene is in chaos and Europe is struggling,” adding the countries most recently brought into the European bloc are those that dream of building walls.

The appeal was too little, too late, says Eurasia Group analyst Riccardo Fabiani.

“Many people think he was too weak towards Europe and particularly northern Europe. There was a perception in Italy the government should have been harsher with Germany, and with the migrants as well,” said Fabiani.

Every day, hundreds, sometimes thousands, more migrants arrive on Italy’s southern shores. By far, the majority comes from Libya, where the political chaos allows people smugglers to profit from the endless human cargo.

Europe supports the internationally recognized Libyan national unity government; but, that support has failed to stem the flow of migrants, says Fabiani. http://www.voanews.com/a/italy-opposition-looks-to-expliot-migrant-crisis-after-pm-resignation/3628091.html

Because biblical prophecies, many of which seem to be confirmed in non-biblical ones, I have expected a deal to change the influx of Arabic and African Muslims into Europe.

Notice three Catholic and two biblical prophecies:

St. Francis de Paul (1470):…From your lordship shall be born the great leader of the holy militia…the Great Monarch…He shall be a great captain and prince of holy men, who shall be called ‘the holy Cross-bearers of Jesus Christ,’ with whom he will destroy the Mahometan sect and the rest of the infidels … By force of arms he shall take possession of a great kingdom. He shall destroy the sect of Mahomet…There will be one fold, one shepherd. He shall reign until the end of time. On the whole earth there will be twelve kings, one emperor and one pope. (Culleton, p. 157-161).

Pseudo-Methodius (7th century): Muslims will be killed and they will know the tribulation…The Lord will give them to the powers of the Christians whose empire will be elevated above all empires…The Roman King (Great Monarch) will show a great indignation against those who will have denied Christ in Egypt or in Arabia (Araujo, Fabio R. Selected Prophecies and Prophets. BookSurge LLC, Charlestown (SC), 2007, p. 103).

Rudolph Gekner (died 1675). “A great prince of the North with a most powerful army will traverse all Europe, uproot all republics, and exterminate all rebels. His sword moved by Divine power will most valiantly defend the Church of Jesus Christ. He will combat on behalf of the true orthodox faith, and shall subdue to his dominion the Mahometan Empire.” (Cited in Connor, Edward. Prophecy for Today. Imprimatur + A.J. Willinger, Bishop of Monterey-Fresno; Reprint: Tan Books and Publishers, Rockford (IL), 1984, p.36).

40 “At the time of the end the king of the South shall attack him; and the king of the North shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter the countries, overwhelm them, and pass through. 41 He shall also enter the Glorious Land, and many countries shall be overthrown; but these shall escape from his hand: Edom, Moab, and the prominent people of Ammon. 42 He shall stretch out his hand against the countries, and the land of Egypt shall not escape. 43 He shall have power over the treasures of gold and silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt; also the Libyans and Ethiopians shall follow at his heels. (Daniel 11:40-43)

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

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

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

6 “‘This is what the LORD says:

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

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

The attack in Daniel 11:40 happens during the Great Tribulation (Matthew 24:21) as that begins in Daniel 11:39 (see also When Will the Great Tribulation Begin?).

The ‘Great Monarch’ also called the ‘great prince of the North’ that is spoken of above is quite similar to the final King of the North that the Bible warns against. Both Catholic and biblical prophecy teach that this leader will be a European, probably at least partially of German heritage and he will fight those of the Arab/African lands. As I have written before, do not be surprised that Islam will be pushed out of Europe to a major degree (Daniel 11:36-38; Revelation 13:4,8,11-17).

The Bible also tells of a leader called the King of the South. The lands listed that are associated with him in Daniel 11:40-43 as well as Ezekiel 30:1-9 are lands that are currently dominated by Islam. Both the accounts in Daniel and Ezekiel show that this leader will be defeated.

Notice that the ‘great prince of the North’ is expected to subdue an Islamic Empire. Notice that the Bible teaches that the ‘king of the North‘ will go into the Middle East and North Africa and eliminate the leader called the ‘king of the South.’

Although we need to rely on the Bible, and not ‘private Catholic prophecies,’ notice the way some of them mirror the Bible. This should give us pause to consider that some who claim Catholicism will point to them as part of their justification for actions they may take in the future.

All across Europe there are concerns now about Islamic migrants. More and more steps are being taken. Let me add that the Bible also shows that terrorism is prophesied from the Syrians and others (for details, see Why Terrorism? Is Terrorism Prophesied?).

Even before the increase of Islamic migrants and the recent sexual assaults, there were protests in various parts of Germany, including Cologne, against Islamic immigration (see Dresden anti-Islamization rally hits record). And back in October 2010, Chancellor Merkel herself declared that multiculturalism in Germany had been a “total failure” (see Germany’s Merkel: Multiculturalism a Total Failure). Multiculturalism is not something that Germany wants.

Many in Europe have realized that the Islamic refugees do not want to integrate into European society. Many immigrants want to impose Islamic culture, and that scares a lot of Europeans.

More and more in Europe want to do something about the Islamic situation. Angela Merkel’s statements a while back that Germany plans to send many back after the wars in Syria and Iraq are over (see Germany’s Merkel says that refugees must go back after the war is over), will reassure many Germans that something is at least planned to be done. She also commented this week that Germany will not tolerate Islamic sharia law (see Germany’s Merkel want to ban the burqa and not tolerate any version of sharia).

Despite Angela Merkel’s pledge to send Syrian refugees back, many of the Muslims will not want to go home. Home to lands that are often more dangerous and whose economies are not as productive. This will lead to conflict as well as change in Europe.

The Bible assures us that Europe will one day reorganize (Revelation 17:12-13; see also Must the Ten Kings of Revelation 17:12 Rule over Ten Currently Existing Nations?).

There will be conflict between the Europeans and the Arabs (watch also the video sermonette War is Coming Between Europeans and Arabs).

And the Islamic power will be defeated per Daniel 11:40-43 and Ezekiel 30:1-9.

Despite migrant troubles, the Bible shows that the Europeans will dominate the world economy for a time (Revelation 18). The Europeans are taking steps now to make this happen, but they are generally ignored by the mainstream press (see also European Technology and the Beast of Revelation and World War III: Steps in Progress).

Italy is not the only nation in Europe concerned about this.

What is happening with migrants is setting the stage for the fulfillment of some end time biblical prophecies.

COGwriter

Are there things to look out for in 2017?

And what do swans have to do with anything?

Swans are birds. Generally speaking, birds with white feathers.

A ‘black swan’ event is supposedly a major event that occurs that was not considered possible or predictable.

For 2017, the Japanese financial holding company Normura came up with a list of ‘grey swan’ events. Essentially meaning that they are possibly predictable.

CNBC reported the following related to this:

Nomura: Beware these grey swan risks for 2017

December 8, 2016

While black swans are inherently unpredictable, Nomura has pointed to 10 potential grey swans to worry about for 2017.

The black swan concept was popularized by finance professor Nassim Nicholas Taleb’s book “The Black Swan: The Impact of the Highly Improbable.” The book, noting that it was widely assumed all swans were white until the discovery of black swans, highlighted that outlier, or previously unthought-of, scenarios can some to pass with extreme economic impacts.

But Nomura pointed to what it called the black swan’s cousin, the grey swan.

“These are the unlikely but impactful events that, in our opinion, lie outside the usual base case and risk scenarios of the analyst community,” it said in a note Wednesday, noting it was avoiding the more usual, well-discussed outliers such as a euro-area breakup, a Donald Trump impeachment or a China implosion. http://www.cnbc.com/2016/12/08/nomura-beware-these-grey-swan-risks-for-2017.html

Below is a list of the ten Nomura mentioned, in bold (as reported by CNBC), with my comments below, plus four other events not specifically in Nomura’s ten:

Potential shock 1: U.S. productivity might boom

Chapter 9 of my latest book was titled “Immorality, Donald Trump, and Prophecy.” Is states:

There are some reasons to have some temporary optimism. The longer there is some economic stagnation, the more demand tends to build up, and an increase in demand may prolong the economy. In addition, technological and other developments may temporarily support the U.S. economy.

Some policies of Donald Trump, and even Hillary Clinton, may help.

In addition, because of improvements in various aspects of energy technology (some of which Hillary Clinton supports and more of which Donald Trump seems to support), the U.S.A. may experience even more of an energy export boom, such as with oil and natural gas, etc. that may prolong its days of economic prosperity. But prolonging is likely all that is possible (cf. Daniel 4:27). (p. 105)

Donald Trump’s energy statements are consistent with what I wrote about. It has long been my position at this website that there were carnal steps that the USA could take to improve its economy. Notice something from back in 2012:

Now, on the one hand, the USA has the resources to cut its trade deficits by getting more serious about the use of coal, nuclear power, oil production, shale, natural gas etc., on the other hand, it shackles itself to barely taken advantage of that. But if it did, it carnally-speaking, has a chance to change its position more positively (Norway, for example, owes part of its ranking because of its oil and nuclear energy supplies.) (Thiel B. USA Drops Out of Top Ten Prosperous Nations. COGwriter, November 5, 2012)

Infrastructure, trade, and other policies of the Trump Administration may improve USA productivity. The generally positive direction of the stock market after Donald Trump’s election suggests that many investors are leaning to believing that.

Potential shock 2: China might float its currency

This is something that Donald Trump has essentially called for. This could cause problems for China if it does this as well as problems with trade with the USA if it does not. Despite the ambitions of certain ones for China to lead the world economically in the 21st century, biblically, that role will be assumed by the final Babylonian European power per Revelation 18.

As the Bible teaches:

2 … Babylon the great… 3 … the merchants of the earth have become rich through the abundance of her luxury (Revelation 18:3)

China is NOT Babylon the great, so expect it to have problems that will prevent it from attaining top world leadership (see also Asia in Prophecy).

Potential shock 3: The European Union (EU) could reform, leading the U.K. to re-join

The Bible shows that Europe will reform:

12 “The ten horns which you saw are ten kings who have received no kingdom as yet, but they receive authority for one hour as kings with the beast. 13 These are of one mind, and they will give their power and authority to the beast. (Revelation 17:12-13)

But that reformation is opposed to what those in the UK want.

The UK wanted less control from Europe, less integration in Europe, and did not want Europe to develop its own army. The prophesied reorganization of Europe, thence, is the opposite.

Now this does not mean that the UK may not make any deals with Europe (and the Bible teaches that it will try to because of disaster), but despite what it may look like to some, Europe will get together and become a militarily (Revelation 13:4; Daniel 11:39-43), religiously persecuting (Revelation 13:4-18), and economically (Revelation 13:16-18; 18:1-20) dominant player in the world.

The election of Donald Trump has pushed the Europeans to take steps to increase their military and even consider ‘the unthinkable’–a German nuclear weapon (see NATO, Europe, Russia, and Donald Trump).

The combination of the election of Donald Trump and the Brexit vote is moving Europe closer together in a military fashion. This is something to watch in 2017.

Potential shock 4: Japan inflation might surge

Japan has a lot of debt and this could happen. Japan may need to reassess at least part of its relationships with the USA as well as China (see also Japan, Its Biblical Past and Future, Part 1: Any Witness? and Japan, Its Biblical Past and Future, Part 2: Prophecy).

Potential shock 5: The U.S. Federal Reserve could be muzzled

Nomura noted that some have viewed President-elect Donald Trump’s loud disapproval of the Fed as a potential attack on the central bank’s independence and potentially opening it up to political meddling.

There was an outside possibility of radical changes, potentially including altering the Fed’s mandate, such as changing the inflation-targeting basis, Nomura said.

More radically, Nomura noted that Trump has “expressed sympathy” for returning to a gold standard. http://www.cnbc.com/2016/12/08/nomura-beware-these-grey-swan-risks-for-2017.html

A Republican Congress, along with Donald Trump, could devastate the US Federal Reserve. We will see.

The problem is that the USA has more debt than any other nation in the history of the world. Donald Trump is expected to increase that debt. Plus, even possibly default on some of it as he has suggested. The Bible warns that a heavily indebted nation will not do well in the end times:

6 “Will not all these take up a proverb against him,
And a taunting riddle against him, and say,
‘Woe to him who increases
What is not his — how long?
And to him who loads himself with many pledges’?
7 Will not your creditors rise up suddenly?
Will they not awaken who oppress you?
And you will become their booty.
8 Because you have plundered many nations,
All the remnant of the people shall plunder you,
Because of men’s blood
And the violence of the land and the city,
And of all who dwell in it. (Habakkuk 2:6-8)

While the above destruction will NOT occur in 2017, ‘pledges’ are expected to increase then. Thus, making the final fall great.

Potential shock 6: Russia may flex its muscles

Yes, Russia may flex itself in Ukraine and elsewhere (see also Russia and Ukraine: Their Origins and Prophesied Future). This flexing, along with the fact that many in Europe are using the election of Donald Trump as an excuse to push for a European army, is likely to be a factor in Europe getting its army.

The Bible teaches that European King of the North, called “He” below, will have a massive army:

25 He shall stir up his power and his courage against the king of the South with a great army. (Daniel 11:25)

Steps moving ultimately towards that army will occur in 2017 (see also Europa, the Beast, and the Book of Revelation).

Potential shock 7: A clearing house may fail

This is also possible. It is also possible that a financial crisis of a great magnitude will occur in Europe. Financial matters will be a factor in Europe ultimately reorganizing and rising up.

The Church of God has taught that for a long time. Notice the following from the late Pastor General Herbert W. Armstrong a sermon on July 7, 1984:

And I can see now, the event that is going to trigger the formation of the reunification in Europe; the resurrection of the medieval Holy Roman Empire that we’ve been looking forward to that is prophesied to come…

But I believe that some event is going to happen suddenly just like out a blue sky that is going to shock the whole world and is going to cause the nations in Europe to realize they must unite! … Well now I think I can see what may be the very event that is going to trigger…that is the economic situation in the world.

While a strong collapse that will quickly unite Europe is not expected in 2017, some steps that way may occur. The election of Donald Trump, also, has been a shock that seems to be leading in the direction of European unity–though expect some problems (cf. Daniel 2:41-43).

Potential shock 8: Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe loses power

In a system like Japan, this may happen. But it may not be that much of a shock (see also Japan, Its Biblical Past and Future, Part 1: Any Witness? and Japan, Its Biblical Past and Future, Part 2: Prophecy).

Potential shock 9: Emerging market capital controls may return

If “Trumpflation” causes higher U.S. yields and a stronger dollar, emerging markets could face even more pronounced outflows, Nomura noted.

“Countries with very high levels of foreign portfolio investment ownership, particularly volatile currencies, low rates and low foreign-exchange reserves would be at most risk from capital controls,” Nomura said. “They would also be the ones that markets would look to for more disorderly devaluations either before capital controls were tried or after if they failed.” http://www.cnbc.com/2016/12/08/nomura-beware-these-grey-swan-risks-for-2017.html

The Bible prophesies a time of financial controls (Revelation 13:16-18).

Potential shock 10: Paper money may disappear

“We are on the threshold when secure decentralised electronic money and payments systems could replace notes and coins in circulation,” Nomura said, noting that Sweden has already been discussing the prospect.

Nomura said policy makers in developed markets with negative monetary policy rates, such as Europe and Japan, may push in that direction.

In those regions, “people can simply withdraw their money and put it under their mattress to avoid incurring negative rates,” it said. But with “e-holdings,” negative-rate policies can be transmitted to “e-wallets,” encouraging increased consumption, Nomura said.

That could elicit a sharp negative reaction from the public, Nomura noted. http://www.cnbc.com/2016/12/08/nomura-beware-these-grey-swan-risks-for-2017.html

It would cause massive civil unrest if all paper currency were to leave the USA or Europe. India had major problems this Fall when it partially did that. This is not something that the USA or the Euro zone will do in a major way in 2017.

Yet, the prospects of this much control is too appealing to politicians. And yes, Sweden and some other places may first do this. The Europeans have already decided to phase out the 500 euro note (see ‘The End of the 500 Euro Note Could Lead to a Cashless Economy’) and some have wondered if the USA should faze out its $100 bill (Harvard economist advises elimination of the one hundred dollar bill).

In time, Europe will be mainly cashless.

Why can we be certain of that?

Because the Bible has an end time prophecy related to financial controls of the coming European Beast power:

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

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

The above prophecy was written over 1900 years ago. It was not possibly able to be fulfilled until the 21st century. We are now in a century where cash is being replaced by electronic currency that can be fully tracked.

Thus, to a major degree, a cashless society will be implemented. But not fully in 2017.

Potential shock 11: Civil unrest in the USA and/or Europe

The Bible prophesies “There shall be terror within” (Deuteronomy 32:25).

The mainstream media has been disappointed by the election of Donald Trump. So have various others. Expect to civil demonstrations and civil unrest in the USA. Back in September I predicted this would happen if Donald Trump were elected:

For years I have warned that more civil unrest was coming to the USA. We have already seen a re-emergence of civil unrest already in 2015 and 2016.

That does not mean that I agree that globalists will necessarily trigger it etc. But the media certainly has fanned the flames in the past and I expect them to do more such fanning in the future if Donald Trump were to win.

The USA did have civil unrest for about a week after Donald Trump’s election. Expect the media to be dismayed by some future decisions by the Trump Administration, and expect it to provide ‘moral’ support to protesters. We could see this in 2017.

Potential Shock 12: Change in the Islamic World

Expect the Islamic world to change. Donald Trump has said that he wants to change the nuclear deal with Iran, plus Donald Trump has put forth anti-Islamic State and anti-Islamic immigration statements. He has also suggested that the Islamic world to try to get together to solve its issues.

The Bible prophesies that a power in the lands currently dominated by Islam in North Africa and much of the Middle East will get together and form a confederation led by one called the “King of the South” (Daniel 11:40-43). Steps towards that are expected to occur in 2017.

Furthermore, since the Bible prophesies terrorism from Palestinians and Syrians (cf. Isaiah 9:8-9, 11-12; see also Why Terrorism? Is Terrorism Prophesied?), do not be surprised to see that in 2017.

Nomura mentioned Donald Trump a couple of times and alluded to items related to his expected policies in others.

Expect Donald Trump to cause a variety of shocks in the world. Donald Trump is apocalyptic (watch 13 Ways President-Elect Trump is Apocalyptic).

His election has already affected financial markets, Europe, and other parts of the world and he has not taken office yet.

Jesus said:

33 Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is. 34 It is like a man going to a far country, who left his house and gave authority to his servants, and to each his work, and commanded the doorkeeper to watch. 35 Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming — in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning — 36 lest, coming suddenly, he find you sleeping. 37 And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch! (Mark 13:33-37)

34 “But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. 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 21:34-36)

Watch. Watch and pray!

UPDATE 12/11/16: We just put together and uploaded a related video: Twelve ‘grey swan’ events to watch for in 2017?

Some 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)?
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?
America’s Day of Reckoning 2017 Dollar Collapse? Economist James Dale Davidson says that a financial bloodbath will hit the USA and there is nothing that Washington can do to stop it. He claims that at least 57 nations have gotten together to dethrone the US dollar as the world’s reserve currency. He claims this can happen any day or in a few months. He mentions China, Russia, the AIIB, and gold. He claims his track record in predicting massive shifts in the past should assure people that he is right about this. He claims that there will be massive unemployment, near elimination of social security benefits, and more. Is James Dale Davidson possibly right on any of this? Dr. Thiel goes over many of his claims and explains what the Bible shows related to the coming collapse of the US dollar. This is a video.
Collapse of the Euro and Dollar? War in 2020? Larry Edelson of Money and Markets described aspects of current economic difficulties and explained why he felt matters would get a lot worse. He said war, like World War III, could break out as early as 2020. What did he call the ‘granddaddy of all cycles”? Will matters go as he said? What does the Bible teach? Dr. Thiel provides biblical insights that secular sources often miss. This is a video.
Europa, the Beast, and Revelation Where did Europe get its name? What might Europe have to do with the Book of Revelation? What about “the Beast”? Is an emerging European power “the daughter of Babylon”? What is ahead for Europe? Here is a link to a video titled: Can You Prove that the Beast to Come is European?
European Technology and the Beast of Revelation Will the coming European Beast power would use and develop technology that will result in the taking over of the USA and its Anglo-Saxon allies? Is this possible? What does the Bible teach? Here is a related YouTube video: Military Technology and the Beast of Revelation.
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?
Two Horned Beast of Revelation and 666 Who is 666? This article explains how the COG views this, and compares this to Ellen White. Here is a link to a prophetic video Six Financial Steps Leading to 666?
The Mark of Antichrist What is the mark of Antichrist? What have various ones claimed? Here is a link to a related sermon What is the ‘Mark of Antichrist’?
Mark of the Beast What is the mark of the Beast? Who is the Beast? What have various ones claimed the mark is? What is the ‘Mark of the Beast’?
Must the Ten Kings of Revelation 17:12 Rule over Ten Currently Existing Nations? Some claim that these passages refer to a gathering of 10 currently existing nations together, while one group teaches that this is referring to 11 nations getting together. Is that what Revelation 17:12-13 refers to? The ramifications of misunderstanding this are enormous. A related sermon is titled Ten Kings of Revelation and the Great Tribulation.
World War III: Steps in Progress Are there surprising actions going on now that are leading to WWIII? Might a nuclear attack be expected? What about WWIV? Does the Bible promise protection to all or only some Christians? How can you be part of those that will be protected? A related video would be Is World War III About to Begin? Can You Escape?
Does God Have a 6,000 Year Plan? What Year Does the 6,000 Years End? Was a 6000 year time allowed for humans to rule followed by a literal thousand year reign of Christ on Earth taught by the early Christians? Does God have 7,000 year plan? What year may the six thousand years of human rule end? When will Jesus return? 2024 or 20xx? There is also a video titled The 6000 Year Plan: Is the end of humanity’s reign almost up?
USA in Prophecy: The Strongest Fortresses Can you point to scriptures, like Daniel 11:39, that point to the USA in the 21st century? This article does. A related sermon is titled: Do these 7 prophesies point to the end of the USA?
The Plain Truth About Gold in Prophecy. How Should a Christian View Gold? What do economists and the Bible teach about gold? Gold and silver may drop in value. Inflation/deflation? What do Christians need to know about gold?
Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel Are the Americans, Canadians, English, Scottish, Welsh, Australians, Anglo-Saxon (non-Dutch) Southern Africans, and New Zealanders descendants of Joseph? Where are the lost ten-tribes of Israel? Who are the lost tribes of Israel? What will happen to Jerusalem and the Jews in Israel? Will God punish the U.S.A., Canada, United Kingdom, and other Anglo-Saxon nations? Why might God allow them to be punished first? Here is a link to the Spanish version of this article: Anglo-América & las Tribus Perdidas de Israel. Information is also in the YouTube sermons titled Where are the Ten Lost Tribes? Why does it matter? and British are the Covenant People. A short YouTube of prophetic interest may be Barack Obama and the State of the Apocalypse.
Are You Being Called by God? Norman Shoaf wrote various points to consider.
Is God Calling You? Alfred E Carrozzo wrote this.
What Did Christ Mean – Many Are Called, But Few Are Chosen? This article was by Raymond McNair.
Christian Repentance Do you know what repentance is? Is it really necessary for salvation? A related sermon is also available titled: Real Christian Repentance.
When You Sin: Do You Really Repent? This is an article by Charles F. Hunting. A related sermon is Confess to God and truly repent.
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.
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.

Ken Westby from Godward.org

COGwriter

Received a report today from Dixon Cartwright, editor of The Journal: News of the Church of God, that Ken Westby died:

Our good friend Ken Westby died this morning, Thursday, Dec. 8, 2016, at 3:50 Pacific time. He had been under hospice care at home for about a week. He passed peacefully with JoAn and their two daughters there with him.

There will be a private committal service for the family within a few days. Then JoAn is planning a celebration-of-life service for sometime in March.

–Dixon

Ken Westby was a staunch unitarian that often advertised in The Journal: News of the Church of God.

(Over the years, I have challenged Ken Westby’s positions related to unitarianism; see Was Unitarianism the Teaching of the Bible or Early Church?).

Anyway, I am sad for his family’s loss.

His family is in my prayers.

Hungary 1946 sweeping up hyperinflation currency notes

COGwriter

Zero Hedge reported the following:

Here’s What Happens When A Currency Completely Breaks Down

December 8, 2016

In Venezuela, hyperinflation has become so pitiful that shopkeepers are no longer bothering to actually count money.

Instead, they’re weighing it…

… as in literally pulling out a scale and weighing giant stacks of money. Do you want to buy a bottle of Coca Cola? That’ll be 1 kilo of currency please.

One shopkeeper interviewed by the Guardian newspaper said he’s piling up bricks of cash so quickly he feels like Pablo Escobar.

And yet Venezuela’s hyperinflation continues growing worse; those bricks of cash are buying less every week. … Venezuela’s example shows how quickly that very thin veneer of trust and confidence can shatter, plunging a country into chaotic hyperinflation. …

Venezuela is the prime example: cash can lose value VERY quickly.

Modern money is nothing more than a mirage conjured out of thin air by central bankers– unelected bureaucrats who are awarded free reign over the monetary system. http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2016-12-08/heres-what-happens-when-currency-completely-breaks-down

FOX News also reported about Venezuela:

The economic situation in Venezuela has grown so dire that women are selling their hair to make enough to buy basic necessities.

In a trend that has gained momentum in recent weeks, the women are thronging to a bridge that connects Venezuela and Colombia, and selling their locks to self-appointed brokers who then sell the hair as extensions to Colombians.

It is the latest desperate measure to stem from the crisis that includes shortages of such things as food and medicine, as well as an inflation rate that now ranks as the highest in the world.

In an interview with Reuters, Celina Gonzales, 45, said she turned to selling her hair to buy medicine to relieve pain.”I suffer arthritis and I need to buy medicine,” Reuters quoted Gonzales as saying, adding that she did not tell her family about what she had opted to do.

“This won’t be much, but at least I can buy painkillers.” Gonzales waited in a long line for an hour to sell her hair for 60,000 Colombian pesos, or $20. That is about a month’s salary, Reuters said.

“Venezuela has gone from being one of the most prosperous countries in the hemisphere to one where people are crossing the border to sell their hair,” said John Polga-Hecimovich, a political science professor and Latin America expert at the United States Naval Academy, in an interview with FoxNews.com 12/06/16 http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2016/12/06/in-venezuela-women-selling-hair-to-make-ends-meet.html

The African nation of Zimbabwe also is experiencing hyperinflation. When it was called Rhodesia, Zimbabwe was one of the most prosperous nations in Africa.

If you think that printing excess currency is limited to places in South America and Africa, you would be mistaken. The European Union and the USA have both been producing extra ‘money’ essentially out of thin air.  This will last for a time, but eventually will not work.

And actually, the USA has done this more than anyone else on the planet that we know of.

The Bible has an end time prophecy that those who read it may want to run:

2 Then the Lord answered me and said:

“Write the vision
And make it plain on tablets,
That he may run who reads it.
3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time;
But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. (Habakkuk 2:2-3)

What is this end time prophecy about that should cause people to run? It is a prophecy about debt accumulation:

6 “Will not all these take up a proverb against him,
And a taunting riddle against him, and say,
‘Woe to him who increases
What is not his — how long?
And to him who loads himself with many pledges’?
7 Will not your creditors rise up suddenly?
Will they not awaken who oppress you?
And you will become their booty.
8 Because you have plundered many nations,
All the remnant of the people shall plunder you (Habakkuk 2:6-8)

The USA is believed to be the most indebted nation in the history of the world. Habakkuk’s prophecy is for the end time and cannot be directed towards the tiny nation called Israel. Israel simply does not have enemy creditors. But the USA has actual, past, and potential enemies as creditors.

Furthermore, consider that while the USA has been accumulating pledges in the form of US Treasury bonds and notes, the Chinese have been accumulating gold (see China, Gold, and the AIIB). Various ones in Europe have been repatriating gold from the USA, like the Germans (see Germany is repatriating and accumulating gold–why?). Germany is getting more gold.

The Bible teaches that the final King of the North will accumulate gold and take it from Egypt in Daniel 11:40-43; cf. Revelation 18), thus we know that it will have some value at least into the first couple of years of the Great Tribulation–though gold will not save in the end (James 5:1-3).

The diluting of the value of currency (called ‘dross’ anciently), which Venezuela, Zimbabwe, Europe, and the USA have done, is condemned in the Bible.

4 Take away the dross from silver (Proverbs 25:4a).

22 Your silver has become dross, Your wine mixed with water. (Isaiah 1:22)

25 I will turn My hand against you, And thoroughly purge away your dross, And take away all your alloy. (Isaiah 1:25)

18 “Son of man, the house of Israel has become dross to Me; they are all bronze, tin, iron, and lead, in the midst of a furnace; they have become dross from silver. 19 Therefore thus says the Lord God: ‘Because you have all become dross, therefore behold, I will gather you into the midst of Jerusalem. 20 As men gather silver, bronze, iron, lead, and tin into the midst of a furnace, to blow fire on it, to melt it; so I will gather you in My anger and in My fury, and I will leave you there and melt you. 21 Yes, I will gather you and blow on you with the fire of My wrath, and you shall be melted in its midst. 22 As silver is melted in the midst of a furnace, so shall you be melted in its midst; then you shall know that I, the Lord, have poured out My fury on you.’” (Ezekiel 22:18-22)

Although the Bible warns against using dross and diluting the money supply, modern ‘experts’ have a different view. The wrong views on economics will lead to economic problems and ultimately the total crash of the dollar of the USA. China and others see some of this.

There are disastrous changes that will come to the USA (Daniel 11:39; USA in Prophecy: The Strongest Fortresses)–and its debt practices–which one day will cause massive hyperinflation–will be a cause (cf. Habakkuk 2:6-8).

Seeing what Zimbabwe and Venezuela have faced should get American politicians and economists to take note and recommend biblically-responsible fiscal policies.

But since many leading so-called ‘economists’ are political hacks and/or have a political agenda, do not expect too many prominent ones to have sufficient influence to resolve the problems in the USA.

Hyperinflation will hit the USA and it will be worse than what Zimbabwe and Venezuela have experienced.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

America’s Day of Reckoning 2017 Dollar Collapse? Economist James Dale Davidson says that a financial bloodbath will hit the USA and there is nothing that Washington can do to stop it. He claims that at least 57 nations have gotten together to dethrone the US dollar as the world’s reserve currency. He claims this can happen any day or in a few months. He mentions China, Russia, the AIIB, and gold. He claims his track record in predicting massive shifts in the past should assure people that he is right about this. He claims that there will be massive unemployment, near elimination of social security benefits, and more. Is James Dale Davidson possibly right on any of this? Dr. Thiel goes over many of his claims and explains what the Bible shows related to the coming collapse of the US dollar. This is a video.
Collapse of the Euro and Dollar? War in 2020? Larry Edelson of Money and Markets described aspects of current economic difficulties and explained why he felt matters would get a lot worse. He said war, like World War III, could break out as early as 2020. What did he call the ‘granddaddy of all cycles”? Will matters go as he said? What does the Bible teach? Dr. Thiel provides biblical insights that secular sources often miss. This is a video.
Mexico, Central America, South America, Brazil, and the Caribbean in Prophecy [Español: México, América central, Suramérica, Brasil y el Caribe en la profecía] [Português: México, América Central, Ámérica do Sul, e Brasil na profecia] What will happen to those of Latin America? Will they have prosperity? Will they cooperate with Europe? Will they suffer in the future? What role might the various Caribbean nations/territories play?
Africa: Its Biblical Past and Prophesied Future What does the Bible teach about Africa and its future? Did the early Church reach Africa? Will God call all the Africans?
Europa, the Beast, and Revelation Where did Europe get its name? What might Europe have to do with the Book of Revelation? What about “the Beast”? Is an emerging European power “the daughter of Babylon”? What is ahead for Europe? Here is a link to a video titled: Can You Prove that the Beast to Come is European?
European Technology and the Beast of Revelation Will the coming European Beast power would use and develop technology that will result in the taking over of the USA and its Anglo-Saxon allies? Is this possible? What does the Bible teach? Here is a related YouTube video: Military Technology and the Beast of Revelation.
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?
Two Horned Beast of Revelation and 666 Who is 666? This article explains how the COG views this, and compares this to Ellen White. Here is a link to a prophetic video Six Financial Steps Leading to 666?
The Mark of Antichrist What is the mark of Antichrist? What have various ones claimed? Here is a link to a related sermon What is the ‘Mark of Antichrist’?
Mark of the Beast What is the mark of the Beast? Who is the Beast? What have various ones claimed the mark is? What is the ‘Mark of the Beast’?
Must the Ten Kings of Revelation 17:12 Rule over Ten Currently Existing Nations? Some claim that these passages refer to a gathering of 10 currently existing nations together, while one group teaches that this is referring to 11 nations getting together. Is that what Revelation 17:12-13 refers to? The ramifications of misunderstanding this are enormous. A related sermon is titled Ten Kings of Revelation and the Great Tribulation.
World War III: Steps in Progress Are there surprising actions going on now that are leading to WWIII? Might a nuclear attack be expected? What about WWIV? Does the Bible promise protection to all or only some Christians? How can you be part of those that will be protected? A related video would be Is World War III About to Begin? Can You Escape?
Does God Have a 6,000 Year Plan? What Year Does the 6,000 Years End? Was a 6000 year time allowed for humans to rule followed by a literal thousand year reign of Christ on Earth taught by the early Christians? Does God have 7,000 year plan? What year may the six thousand years of human rule end? When will Jesus return? 2024 or 20xx? There is also a video titled The 6000 Year Plan: Is the end of humanity’s reign almost up?
USA in Prophecy: The Strongest Fortresses Can you point to scriptures, like Daniel 11:39, that point to the USA in the 21st century? This article does. A related sermon is titled: Do these 7 prophesies point to the end of the USA?
The Plain Truth About Gold in Prophecy. How Should a Christian View Gold? What do economists and the Bible teach about gold? Gold and silver may drop in value. Inflation/deflation? What do Christians need to know about gold?
Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel Are the Americans, Canadians, English, Scottish, Welsh, Australians, Anglo-Saxon (non-Dutch) Southern Africans, and New Zealanders descendants of Joseph? Where are the lost ten-tribes of Israel? Who are the lost tribes of Israel? What will happen to Jerusalem and the Jews in Israel? Will God punish the U.S.A., Canada, United Kingdom, and other Anglo-Saxon nations? Why might God allow them to be punished first? Here is a link to the Spanish version of this article: Anglo-América & las Tribus Perdidas de Israel. Information is also in the YouTube sermons titled Where are the Ten Lost Tribes? Why does it matter? and British are the Covenant People. A short YouTube of prophetic interest may be Barack Obama and the State of the Apocalypse.
Are You Being Called by God? Norman Shoaf wrote various points to consider.
Is God Calling You? Alfred E Carrozzo wrote this.
What Did Christ Mean – Many Are Called, But Few Are Chosen? This article was by Raymond McNair.
Christian Repentance Do you know what repentance is? Is it really necessary for salvation? A related sermon is also available titled: Real Christian Repentance.
When You Sin: Do You Really Repent? This is an article by Charles F. Hunting. A related sermon is Confess to God and truly repent.
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 and Dibar Apartian

COGwriter

Dibar Apartian died on December 8, 2010. For those unfamiliar with him, he had been an evangelist in the Church of God (COG) for decades.

He was born of Armenian parents and his family had to flee when he was quite young because of persecution from the Turks (known as the Armenian genocide). He ended up in the French-speaking portion of Switzerland. During World War II he worked for the US Embassy there and then later came to the USA. In the USA, he met and married his wife Shirley.

Dibar Apartian lived into his mid-90s (there were debates about the year he was born and he himself did not seem to be certain as his early documents were lost). As many know, he was responsible for the French language work in the old Radio Church of God which became the old Worldwide Church of God (WCG), then he was in the old Global Church of God (GCG), and then the Living Church of God (LCG). He also handled other aspects of Church Administration in and out of the USA for LCG.

For decades, he also taught French at the old Ambassador College (Pasadena, California campus). He loved the French. He loved the French language, he loved French food, and he loved the French people.

His voice was well known throughout much of the French-speaking world as he did a radio program for decades in the French-language that was heard in several French-speaking nations. He used to sometimes write articles that went into the English language publications and sometimes gave sermons in English.

While my wife Joyce and I were familiar with that, we started to become more familiar with him in the 1980s. As WATS line volunteers for the old Worldwide Church of God in Pasadena, sometimes his Friday night Bible studies were played and we would watch them.

After the apostasy in the old Worldwide Church of God, Dibar Apartian did not run immediately to Dr. Meredith and the new Global Church of God as he was unsure where to go. After a couple of years, he ended up with the Global Church of God mainly because of doctrinal issues he had in discussions with the then emerging United Church of God (UCG).

Within a year or less of that, Dibar Apartian and I met. We later counted each other as friends. We would spend time together when my family and I used to visit the Garden Grove congregation of the old Global Church of God in the mid to late 1990s.

Prior to the GCG split in 1998, Dibar Apartian expressed his opinion about various actions and decisions he had issues with that its then presiding evangelist Roderick C. Meredith made. He personally told me in late 1998, that he told Dr. Meredith if he ever did something like this again that he would not follow him into another organization. This clarified, for me at least, some of his views of Dr. Meredith.

Through the years, Dibar Apartian and I worked together on many matters, including when I was looking into a variety of allegations against the late Herbert W. Armstrong (see 15 Accusations and Truthful Responses About Herbert W. Armstrong) as well as the Elijah issue (see The Elijah Heresies).

When some claimed that the proclamation work of Matthew 24:14 was completed, he strongly disagreed. Dibar Apartian was an evangelist who was preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom in the French language over radio while Herbert Armstrong was alive, and he did so after some improper believe that Matthew 24:14 had been fulfilled in total.

Dibar Apartian continued to preach the Gospel until shortly before he died. When I asked him if Herbert Armstrong ever told him to stop doing this in the event of his (HWA’s) death, Dibar Apartian responded, “To the contrary, he told me he wanted me to go on more stations.” This ended up being reported in the article Should the Church Still Try to Place its Top Priority on Proclaiming the Gospel or Did Herbert W. Armstrong Change that Priority for the Work?

We had various discussions about the Bible and Bible study. Dibar Apartian used to teach that the Bible was not like other books–you do not simply read it, you need to truly study it and live by it (see Read the Bible). And that is true (Matthew 4:4; Luke 4:4).

Dibar Apartian and I worked together on how to reach people better in the third world, including places like Nigeria. Neither of us cared for how the then LCG director of Church Administration handled some of those matters (note: this is NOT a reference to Dr. D. Winnail, who did not hold that office when the Nigeria issue arose), and he made suggestions on how to work to support Matthew 24:14; 28:19-20 without getting some things stopped by that director (who was later removed from that position).

Dibar Apartian had a keen interest on prophecy, as well as history. Notice three items he wrote:

This soon-coming union of ten nations or governments prophetically represents the last “head” of the resurrected “beast”-the revival of the “Holy Roman Empire” (Rev. 17 :9- 1 2). But contrary to what you may think, it wiIl NOT consist only of Gentile nations. It will INCLUDE a group of ISRAELITISH nations. “Come out of her , my people,” says God in Revelation 18:4. “My people” means Israelites in Bible prophecy. Yes, once again, Joseph’ s own brothers will sell him to the Gentiles!

Once again REUBEN (the first-born of Jacob who anciently conspired with his brothers, will “act” in terms of saving him, but end · up by compromising with his brothers to send him into CAPTIVITY. (Apartian D. De Gaulle and the Next World War. Plain Truth, September 1964, p. 11)

This Union of 10 Kingdoms is already in formation in Europe. In fact, France is at present one of its key members. As this prophecy reveals, this union will receive authority “for one hour” only-that is, a short time-because it is like “iron mixed with miry clay” (Dan. 2:43) …

During the last two WORLD WARS France was at the side of her natural allies, the Anglo-Saxons. They are, indeed, her natural allies because the French people, in turn, are the modern DESCENDANTS of one of the twelve tribes of Israel, namely REUBEN! The situation, however, will be quite different during the next WORLD WAR, France will no longer fight at the side of her former allies; she will turn AGAINST them. The descendants of Reuben will play their part in selling into slavery their brother Joseph – just as Reuben did some 3700 years ago. You are now beginning to see why the relations between the United States of America and France are gradually deteriorating. (Apartian D. France: The Enigma of our Time. Plain Truth, August 1966, pp. 11-12)

On September 3, 1939, the Allies declared war against Germany after its invasion of Poland, and all stores and restaurants were closed. Some did not heed. Some had even scoffed at the warning. As a result, they suffered the consequences. How about us, today? What is our attitude as we see dark clouds hovering over our heads? Recently, the United States, as well as the rest of the world, has gone through unparalleled calamities. How many more wake-up calls do we need before we heed and prepare for the calamities ahead? The Bible tells us, “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but he who heeds counsel is wise” (Proverbs 12:15). (Apartian D. World Ahead Weekly Update, September 8, 2005)

Many are becoming perplexed and wondering what’s really happening to this world? When will earthquakes, tsunamis, and hurricanes end? When will wars and cruelty among human beings come to a halt? We, as God’s people, know the answers but we must constantly be strong and vigilant to help others in the world turn to God, submit to His will, and observe His commandments. That’s our mission. Are we doing our part—zealously? Are we ourselves submitting to God—totally? Hurricane Katrina is one of the wake-up calls, not only to Americans but to all mankind. The question is: Will mankind wake up? And will all of God’s people around the world wake up? Each of us, individually, holds the answer. Remember Christ’s words, “And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!” (Mark 13:37) (Apartian D. World Ahead Weekly Update, September 1, 2005)

He and I often discussed prophetic, historical, doctrinal, and administrative matters.

Many members in LCG were unaware that Dibar Apartian had issues with LCG’s Tomorrow’s World magazine. He stated it lacked interest, depth, and relevance. In 2007 and 2008, he pushed Dr. Meredith to agree to have articles in it from me as he told me that my articles were what LCG needed. Dr. Meredith agreed, at least at that time. I agreed, but only under the proviso that LCG would first fix errors in its booklet on church history. Although LCG, numerous times agreed to do that and told me numerous times that it was working on doing that, it never happened as various ones promised. The reality is that one of the top people did not want the magazine changed and prevented the booklet changes apparently as a reason to not have me submit articles.

Dibar Apartian frequently used to urge me to try to get the other leaders in LCG to correct doctrinal, prophetic, and literature errors. Although I tried to get him to do more of that himself, he always instructed me to not only do that, but to remind other leaders in Charlotte to keep their promises to fix errors, literature, etc.

But we did have an incident where he got quite angry with me. It was related to something that started on October 3, 2008 when Dr. Roderick C. Meredith (Presiding Evangelist of the Living Church of God) called me and said to me, “God may consider you to be a prophet.” Dr . Meredith and I discussed this in depth as Dr. Meredith was the one who brought the topic up.

Dibar Apartian shown sitting between COGwriter and my wife Joyce, along with his wife Shirley and our sons Michael and Brian (David is in between them, but hard to see) in Evian, France

Later that month, my family and I went to the Feast of Tabernacles in Evian, France. The conversation with Dr. Meredith weighed on my mind, so I asked Dibar Apartian (who was the Feast site coordinator) and Dr. Jeff Fall (who was my pastor then, and who also attended there that year) to meet with me before services one morning. I told both of them about the conversation with Dr. Meredith.

Upon hearing this, Dibar Apartian got upset. He told me that Dr. Meredith did not say such a thing and I assured him that he had. His emotions got the best of him and he walked out of the meeting and I completed it by discussing what happened in more depth with Dr. Fall.

A couple of days later, after Dibar Apartian calmed down, he came up to me and said that I was either “the one” or the “biggest threat to the church.” He also came up to me shortly thereafter and told me how much he appreciated a sermonette I later gave during that Feast.

We continued to speak over the telephone. I would bring up issues and Dibar Apartian continued to press me to bring the subjects up to other leaders in Charlotte. So, I did. He told me that I needed to remind those in Charlotte about errors they were making and truths that they were not teaching, so I did.

In the Summer of 2009, Dibar Apartian told me, in quite a positive tone, that Dr. Meredith had been stating in meetings that “Bob Thiel may be a prophet.” He seemed very excited. I reminded him that I had told him that in October 2008, and he said yes he knew, but essentially the forthright way Dr. Meredith brought it up struck him in a very positive way.

Anyway, we continued to work together and I would bounce doctrinal, historical, and prophetic issues off of him and as far as I recall, he always agreed with what I was advocating. He kept telling me to remind Dr. Meredith and others of issues there, despite the fact that they often would not resolve matters.

In the late Summer of 2010, I asked Dibar Apartian if he still thought I was “the greatest threat to the church or ‘the one.’ “ He said I was not the threat and said that he would try to talk to Dr. Meredith about my prophetic role, but it is not clear how, or even if, he did before he died later that year. But what was appeared clear was that Dibar Apartian believed then that God had a top/prophetic role for me.

Dibar Apartian got ill at the Feast of Tabernacles in Martinique in late 2010, and never truly recovered from that bout of illness. Here is something he wrote in November 2010:

Dear brethren in Christ: Since the Feast of Tabernacles, my life has known many changes. Humanly speaking, one wonders if the hardship that follows is worth it. The answer is simple: God knows. He knows what every one of us goes through in life and how much we can each take. This has been my strength. Without such hope, life would be worthless. During the last few weeks, while lying in my bed, I have come to understand more and more that God is in control of everything. You and I are simple servants. We should do what He leads us to do. At times, all seems dark. But just like night and day, the light of the day overshadows the darkness of yesterday.

Dibar Apartian was buried at Forest Lawn cemetery in Weddington, North Carolina.

In one of our last conversations, he concluded with the words, “I love you.” I was emotionally touched.

It should be noted that Dibar Apartian had major issues with LCG in general and Dr. Meredith in particular. And I was not the only one who knew this. Someone once in the employ of LCG in Charlotte sent me the following:

I just wanted to write you about Mr. Apartian and what he REALLY felt about LCG and its leaders.

I know that Dibar Apartian expressed serious concern for the LCG brethren, as he made comments about the “true colors” of LCG’s upper leadership would come out after his death-which is exactly what happened.

Mr. Apartian told several LCG members, whom he trusted, that LCG was no longer God’s true Church, and was no longer even a Godly church.

Mr. Apartian was against the “falling away” doctrine, just as John Ogwyn was against it also.

Mr. Apartian also knew that Herbert W. Armstrong was vehemently against Rod Meredith being the human leader of the church. Mr. Apartian always felt uneasy about following Rod Meredith, since he knew HWA’s feelings about that.

Mr. Apartian was also having private meetings, near the end of his life, with ministers of different Church of God groups-one of those ministers, whom Mr. Apartian met with, told me about their meetings in person. Those private meetings were about Mr. Apartian leaving LCG.

However, due to his rapidly failing health and a few other reasons, he stayed with LCG.

He did make it very clear though, that LCG was heading the wrong direction, in terms of doctrine and other major decisions as well.

Mr. Apartian was also very upset about Rod Meredith’s lack of compassion and concern for him, while he was near his death.

Rod Meredith had heard about some of Mr. Apartian’s revealing comments about LCG, and Meredith was not happy.

Therefore, Rod Meredith did not visit much with Mr. Apartian towards the end, and Meredith even discouraged other LCG members from visiting with Mr. Apartian-worried that more negative facts about LCG would “get out.”

I hope this info is helpful-God’s people need to know the truth about LCG and about Rod Meredith

. . .

Mr. Apartian actually said that LCG was no longer a Godly church!

He also said that we would all see LCG’s “true colors” after he died.

He made these statements to several LCG members, but most of them are still working at HQ, so they just keep quiet and don’t say a word.

After Dibar Apartian’s death, certain problems with LCG became clearer and certain ones accelerated. Many of those have been documented at the COGwriter.com website. The “true colors” are out there for those who really will love and believe the truth. But sadly, most seem to not understand the depth of the integrity issues, etc.

Some have attempted to discount and discredit what happened between Dibar Apartian and myself, but what is reported here is true.

In a post shown on the Banned by HWA site oddly last March, its webmaster Gary Leonard oddly posted:

Several LCG asked me if I had any information on Dibar Apartian and his belief that LCG was no longer God’s church.  This was posted in December of 2015.  You can see it between snarky comments about Bob and his self righteous grandeous image he tries to portray of himself.  

The only version of this story is coming from Bob Thiel when he tried to use it to smear Meredith whom he is angry with for refusing to listen to him. and incorporate changes he felt LCG needed.

Gary Leonard then made some more attacks against me and included some information I posted.

Yet, if Gary consulted comments at his own blog, he would realize that I am not the only one to post comments related to Dibar Apartian’s views of the Living Church of God (and I posted none at Gary Leonard’s blog). Here are some comments from others at his Banned by HWA site:

The sad part of the story about Mr. Apartian is that. When he was dying, Mr. Ames actually stood up giving the announcements and said “that you should not go see Mr. Apartian anymore. They said it was because he had CDiff. But you only get CDiff if your immune system is weak or you are in a nursing home or hospital. The truth of the matter is they knew that he was telling people the Living was no longer the Church of God. And they had to stop people from seeing him. March 3, 2016 at 2:50 PM

I stood by and heard Mr. Ames himself say the Matt. 18 does not apply to the ministry… I about fell on the floor! They really believe they are above the law and doing what God says… but heaven help the sheep if they don’t follow it. March 3, 2016 at 2:45 PM

Mr. Apartian told anyone who was willing to discuss it with him in the last year of his life that “LCG was no longer the church of God”. It is common knowledge that he was talking to the leaders of several other groups and planning to remove his support from RCM. Unfortunately,he got sick at the ripe old age of 90 something and never had a chance to complete his transition.

March 3, 2016 at 6:30 AM

This is all true… I have heard Mr. Apartian myself say all of this and more. He was dead set against the upgrades…Marriage Supper (Rapture), and Dr. Winnails Falling Away from the Truth theory. And Dr. Merediths false Gospel… This was all suppose to be never brought up again in the Council of Elders meetings. But when Mr. Apartian died, he was barely in the grave before they changed it all.

I heard Dr. Meredith say that the widows of Mr. McNair, Mr. Ogwyn, and Mr. Apartian say that their husbands would have been right on board with these changes…How can that be when they were the ones stopping it. They fought it in Global and Living.

There is nothing Dr. Meredith won’t lie about…”I knew Mr. Armstrong better than anyone…” What a bunch of Horse Manure, he never did know Mr. Armstrong. He always thought Mr. Armstrong was wrong about so much and actually said “I had to keep Mr. Armstrong on track, and I had to correct him all the time.” Anyone who believes that is certifiable.
Mr. Apartian, Mr. Ogwyn, and Mr. Carl McNair did not follow Rod Meredith….they followed God only. And their works and lives prove it. You can not change what they believed just because you want to. All you have to do is listen to their sermons and you will know were they stand. and I stand with God and them.

December 9, 2015 at 10:04 AM

Even though many of us in LCG know that Mr. Apartian no longer supported RCM toward the end of his life, RCM uses his name TO THIS DAY as evidence that LCG God’s true church.

RCM will name drop in the middle of some boring sermon about how the greatest, most faithful men followed him out of WWCG like Dibar Apartian, Carl McNair and John Ogwyn.

It gives RCM credence and validation with a portion of brethren.

Having known all 3 of the above mentioned men, I seriously doubt any of them would be in the current version of LCG.

But they are dead and their widows are on the LCG payroll so RCM can safely use their names to his advantage.

December 9, 2015 at 7:24 AM

Say what you will about Thiel…, but the facts of the Mr. Apartian story that he broke we all true. I heard Apartian say those exact words almost verbatim. He was not shy about his beliefs and was willing to share them with anyone who cared to discuss the state of LCG during the last few years of his life. It’s not an elite group of confidants but includes LCG ministers, non-LCG ministers and brethren a like.

Apartian did not approve of all of LCG’s “doctrinal upgrades”. Nor did he approve of RCM’s lying, greed and nepotism.

One of the last things Dibar ever said to me was, “I fear I have made a terrible mistake”.

December 9, 2015 at 7:16 AM

The ‘terrible mistake’ involved not insisting that LCG correct certain errors (though that is something that Dibar Apartian often insisted that I personally do) as well as not acting on some things he told me and/or we discussed.

Anyway, what I posted about Dibar Apartian before was accurate and there were others that knew about it. Furthermore, in the Summer of 2016, I was told that at least one LCG evangelist admitted what I reported about Dibar Apartian was true in a deposition related to the, now-dismissed, Patrick and Elizabeth Scarborough vs. LCG slander case.

Since Dibar Apartian died, LCG changed several doctrines. As many know, LCG now teaches that the ‘falling away’ is for the world (and not for those claiming to be COG) and that it specifically identifies its uniqueness by this heretical doctrinal change. Details of their position and why it is in error are in the article The Falling Away: The Bible, WCG, and LCG Teachings.

I left LCG because it had serious integrity matters and that it would not correct errors its top leaders had acknowledged (see Why Bob Thiel Left the Living Church of God). Dibar Apartian realized LCG had them as well. The integrity matters also spill into matters of doctrine and LCG has made many improper changes since Dibar Apartian’s death.

Many have asked me for a list of doctrinal differences between LCG and the Continuing Church of God. As far as doctrines, unlike the Charlotte-based Living Church of God, the CCOG believes:

1. That the word of God and not Protestant commentaries should be the basis for changing doctrine (it remains my view that LCG’s “falling away” logic was primarily based upon Protestant interpretations, overlooked a lot of what HWA’s church actually taught about it, and was not consistent with many scriptures in the Bible).  See also The Falling Away: The Bible and WCG Teachings.
2. The Falling Away on 2 Thessalonians 2:3 mainly has to do with those affiliated with the COG (see also The Falling Away: The Bible and WCG Teachings).
3. That the leader of CCOG keep his word, as should the leader of LCG–really (see Why Bob Thiel Left the Living Church of God and Response to a Letter from Dr. Roderick C. Meredith Dated December 28, 2012).
4. That since a prophet is higher in “spiritual authority” than an evangelist, that those who believe in hierarchical governance would support a prophet of God over an evangelist, irrespective of how long he has been an evangelist (see also The Bible, Peter, Paul, John, Polycarp, Herbert W. Armstrong, Roderick C. Meredith, and Bob Thiel on Church Government and How To Determine If Someone is a True Prophet of God).
5. That faith is not the first step towards salvation, but that God calls and send out His messengers to teach the word of God (Romans 10:14-17), and then comes faith (the Official Statement of Fundamental Beliefs of LCG differs; see also proposed changes to LCG’s Official Statement of Fundamental Beliefs).
6. That it is inappropriate to suggest that those that do not agree to an unscriptural doctrinal change have somehow been led by or blinded by Satan (this is related to statements in two sermons by Dr. Douglas Winnail; see also The Falling Away: The Bible and WCG Teachings).
7. That it is not necessary to rebuild a Jewish Temple in Jerusalem before Jesus returns (both a TW telecast and one or more LCG sermons have stated a view that disagrees with that; see also Why is a Jewish Temple in Jerusalem Not Required?) and that we should not insist that the “Bible clearly states” that the holy place of Matthew 24:15 is the area commonly called “the Temple Mount” (see Church of God on Jerusalem’s Western Hill).
8. That literature corrections and/or retractions should be made when known. The work of God MUST be done in truth (Psalm 33:4).
9. That the COG must be bolder in certain areas if it wants to fulfill Matthew 24:14 (see also The Final Phase of the Work).
10. Matthew 18:15-17, about going to your brother to try to resolve a matter before going public with it, applies to leaders and members.
11. That institutional idolatry is still wrong and that proper church governance does not include being loyal to a church or leader’s teachings which contradict scripture (see also The Bible, Peter, Paul, John, Polycarp, Herbert W. Armstrong, Roderick C. Meredith, and Bob Thiel on Church Government).
12. That it is wrong to knowingly send out tens of thousands of booklets with admitted and known errors for several years (tens of thousands of the GCA booklet have gone out, despite LCG being told that they contain known errors years ago and that they perpetuate certain Catholic myths (consider also Psalm 101:7); on 10/18/12 I was informed that over 20,000 incorrect booklets remained and were expected to be sent out; see also October 2012 Emails Related to GCA Booklet).
13. That it is wrong to continue to have one or more known errors/contradictions in an Official Statement of Fundamental Beliefs, but still keep it unchanged for years after learning what they are (one is a seeming contradiction within the Statement, and the others are covered in points 4 and 18, though point four I had not brought that up before, but wanted to when I first noticed it). (See also December 2011 Proposed changes to LCG’s Official Statement of Fundamental Beliefs.)
14. That Philadelphians should expect persecution (Daniel 11:28-35; Revelation 12:13-14; see also Persecutions by Church and State) and not excessively pull-back proclamation to avoid it (I was specifically told that some, who I will not mention now by name, were afraid I, Bob Thiel, could trigger end time persecution, despite the fact that they in LCG also specifically realize that the Philadelphians will be persecuted).
15. That improving literature and doctrinal errors will greatly assist in the final phase of the work. (Briefly, what this refers to is when the COG publicly identifies the King of the North and media coverage gets generated, the Catholic scholars will tear through COG literature and find many, many simple to fix errors that will hurt the COG’s credibility. LCG Evangelists agreed to fix many of them with me over the years, but often have yet not done so. My being distant from LCG assists as I will not have to apologize for why a group that supposedly has enough of the “love of the truth” kept publishing known and serious errors. And several of those errors perpetuate Catholic myths. This could greatly damage the credibility of God’s work.)
16. It has a better grasp of The Final Phase of the Work. (Briefly, basically this begins no later than when the King of the North is identified and continues until Jesus returns–it has multiple parts including fulfilling Matthew 24:14–which may happen because of related media attention, persecution, the angels’ messages of Revelation, the two witnesses, and supporting those witnesses. If John Ogwyn was correct about the “short work” on Romans 9:28, this could possibly, temporarily swell the ranks of the COG prior to the persecution.)
17. Jesus is present at Passover (Matthew 18:20; 26:26-27; John 6:51,53; 1 Corinthians 11:24-25; LCG’s Passover DVD for 2012 stated that Jesus was not present).
18. People should be more loyal to the word of God and leaders that God appoints than a corporation (see also The Bible, Peter, Paul, John, Polycarp, Herbert W. Armstrong, Roderick C. Meredith, and Bob Thiel on Church Government).
19. Ignatius’ writings did not do away with the Sabbath (see Another Look at the Didache, Ignatius, and the Sabbath) as that is a mistranslation (the God’s Church Through the Ages’ booklet has this and many other errors as does the book LCG printed and gave to all in the Fall of 2014 by Ivor Fletcher).
20. Various divorce and remarriage (D&R) matters. Though since I have only been married once (we have been married for 34 plus years, and are not planning on divorcing), this was not a major personal item, but has long been a concern as LCG seemed to allow remarriage where the Bible did not.
21. That adultery, does not mean multiple adultery, as far as Jesus’ words about divorce go (Dr. Meredith has said in sermons that adultery here means multiple violations. That is not how I read this and I called Charlotte about it in 2012, with no satisfactory resolution.)
22. Marriages performed by the ministry are not to include believers to unbelievers per 2 Corinthians 6:14-18 (unless certain other biblically-sanctioned reasons are present; e.g. Deuteronomy 22:28). See also the 2015 post, NBC: ‘Exposed in Ashley Madison Hack? Here’s What to Do Now’.
23. That the Great Tribulation, the time of Jacob’s troubles, does not start at Daniel 11:40 when the King of the South pushes at the King of the North–it starts the prior verse (this is something that still needs to be corrected in the LCG Official Statement of Fundamental Beliefs; this is something many have known about for years and had promised to address; see also When Will the Great Tribulation Begin?).
24. That the King of the North attacks the USA and its Anglo-Saxon allies (Daniel 11:39) before he attacks the King of the South (Daniel 11:40; LCG teaches both versions of this and leans towards the wrong one; LCG’s Fourteen Signs booklet, for one example, teaches that Daniel 11:31 comes AFTER Daniel 11:40-43 and that the USA and Anglo-Saxon nations are destroyed afterwards–this means LCG WILL NOT KNOW WHEN THE GREAT TRIBULATION WILL BEGIN AND THOSE THAT PREFER TO SUPPORT LCG WILL NOT FLEE TO BE PROTECTED WHEN IT IS TIME).
25. That Daniel 11:31 is fulfilled prior to Daniel 11:40-43 (LCG’s Fourteen Signs booklet teaches the opposite order).
26. That since the ten kings have not yet received their kingdoms, that the ten kings mentioned in Revelation 17:16 are not limited to 10-11 currently existing nations (LCG sometimes takes a different view, which will mean that they will not realize when the Beast power is at the end stage of its rising up, see also LCG and PCG insisting on 10 or 11 ‘nations’ for the Beast? What does the Bible teach?).
27. Do not believe that any in the ministry should promote the sport of American tackle football (the Bible, in Romans 13:9-10 clearly teaches “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 10 Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law”). HWA also specifically warned against this violent sport (see Is American Football Evil?). There are also other “love” issue matters.
28. We do not believe that we should encourage the pagan sun-god (Shamash 888 B.C.) worship practice (cf. Deuteronomy 12:29-32) of praying with clasped hands (see our booklet Prayer: What Does the Bible Teach?), whereas LCG has published photos promoting this.
29. While the Bible seemingly allows for eating out while traveling (Matthew 12:1-8) and certain emergencies (Luke 6:3-5), that it does not condone regular eating out in restaurants on the Sabbath for those who are simply at their homes (cf. Nehemiah 10:30-31; watch also The Christian Sabbath and How and Why to Keep It).
30. That the “mark of the Beast” includes idolatry and likely a physical object, and is not limited to Sunday worship (see Mark of the Beast and The Mark of Antichrist).
31. That the “word of the law” needs to be preached as part of the Feast of Tabernacles every seven years (Deuteronomy 31:10-13; cf. Nehemiah 6:73;7:1-3,8,13-17; Joshua 8:34; see also The Feast of Tabernacles: A Time to Learn the Law). This was conveyed to those giving sermons at the CCOG Feast of Tabernacles’ Sites for 2013.
32. That Habakkuk 2 clearly is referring to these end times and thus has prophetic applicability to the Anglo-descended nations (LCG has ministers and at least one evangelist who believe Habakkuk 2 was fulfilled in its entirety and does not have end time applications, even though it clearly does–see also Habakkuk: His message is for us now).
33. Some of the prophecies in the Bible (e.g. Isaiah 10:5-11) seem to use the term ‘Samaria’ to refer to the modern United States of America (see also Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel). Although one LCG leader seemed open to this when told in 2012, LCG does not seem to formally teach this.
34. France will support the Beast power (LCG is no longer certain; see Must the Ten Kings of Revelation 17:12 Rule over Ten Currently Existing Nations? And this disagrees with the late Dibar Apartian’s position as shown in The ‘Lost Tribe’ of Reuben: France in Prophecy?).
35. That Matthew 28:19 is part of the Bible and needs to be part of the baptismal ceremony (see also Is Matthew 28:19 in the Bible?). Evangelist Richard Ames personally expressed his doubts to me once about whether Matthew 28:19 was scripture or not–he, at that time at least, was not convinced that it was. Although the Bible teaches, “one Lord, one faith, one baptism” (Ephesians 4:5), in late June 2013 I was told by someone else who inquired that LCG has two different baptisms because some do not believe that Matthew 28:19 applies. Although it ends with an option for an appropriate ceremony, LCG’s L049 letter specifically states, “Is Matthew 28:19 the only commanded formula that must be used in a baptism ceremony? Again, we say no, it is not, based on the actual procedures the early church used in baptizing,” which seems to substantiate what I was told about more than one baptismal option.
36. That the man of sin in 2 Thessalonians 2 is the first beast, the final King of the North, and not the second beast, the false prophet (see also Who is the Man of Sin of 2 Thessalonians 2?; or, in English, see the You Tube video Who is the Man of Sin?). In his co-worker letter dated, April 17, 2013, Dr. Meredith indicated that not agreeing with his improper assertion about this individual means that one does not understand biblical prophecy–since Dr. Meredith is not correct on this, but CCOG is, those in his church should realize that LCG has major problems in understanding various parts of prophecy. This will not bode well for any who will believe LCG over CCOG in the future.
37. It is wrong to tell members that “the end” is closer than the leadership believes (LCG has done this repeatedly as I tended to find out when I checked with its top leadership).
38. That 1 John 3:9 is referring to those born of God not sinning, not those begotten of God not being in a ‘state of sin’ as Dr. Meredith has stated (see also Perfection? Does God have faith in humans?).
39. That it is not necessary that a red heifer be sacrificed as part of the final end time sequence (LCG has published that “those who are watching end-time prophetic events know that the slaughter of the red heifer is one of the first major milestones in this final sequence of end-time events”; see The Red Heifer, Jewish Beliefs, and the End of the World).
40. That God is restoring “all things” (Matthew 17:11; Jude 3). While both CCOG and LCG believe that there has to be some type of an end-time Elijah, LCG has not specifically taught that it has been restoring what needs to be restored (the church history book it distributed at the Feast of Tabernacles in 2014 perpetuated Catholic and other myths and DID NOT restore ‘apostolic Christianity.’ Furthermore its Dr. Winnail has also taught that the final Elijah could be the church and not a person. Yet CCOG does teach that there is a final person coming in the spirit and power of Elijah, (see Statement of Beliefs of the Continuing Church of God and The Feast of Tabernacles: A Time to Learn the Law), that it is in the process of restoring all things, and the final Elijah will come from it (see the sermon Elijah, Herbert W. Armstrong, and CCOG).
41. That Jesus is NOT the one who will “will turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers” (Malachi 4:6) as LCG taught in 2015, but that this is part of the work of the final Elijah (Malachi 4:5-6; details on LCG’s and CCOG’s positions are in the article The Elijah Heresies).
42. The EU will NOT collapse like the old Roman Empire as LCG asserted in December 2015 as the LCG view is contrary to prophetic scriptures (some details on LCG’s and CCOG’s positions are in the article Must the Ten Kings of Revelation 17:12 Rule over Ten Currently Existing Nations?).

Anyway, while there are others issues, the above gives some reasons why those who wish to truly be part of the Philadelphia remnant would want to consider supporting the Continuing Church of God.

Jesus said:

“If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.  32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:31-32)

The truth is that some time ago, LCG ceased to have the ‘Philadelphia mantle‘ (proper leadership authority for the true and faithful church). It seems that Dibar Apartian realized this would happen, though even today, most within LCG (including those who know about the integrity and other issues) do not wish to take the biblically appropriate steps about that.

Though this is not a total surprise as Jesus prophesied that most in the end would not see the need to change as they should per His comments in Revelation 3:14-21.

Anyway, I considered Dibar Apartian as a friend and still miss him.

For those that prefer to read an earlier version of this post in the Spanish language, here is a link: http://www.cdlidd.es/dibar-apartian/.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

Why Bob Thiel Left the Living Church of God Several have speculated reasons, but here is the truth. (En el idioma español: ¿Por qué Bob Thiel dejó la Iglesia del Dios Viviente?)
The ‘Lost Tribe’ of Reuben: France in Prophecy? What is the origin of this in France? What is prophesied to happen to them? A two-part sermon related to history and prophecy is available online: The ‘Lost Tribe’ of Reuben and France and Prophecy.
Dreams, the Bible, the Radio Church of God, and the Continuing Church of God How has God used dreams in the past? Does God still use dreams? Did He use any involving those in the Continuing Church of God? A related sermon is also available: Dreams, COGs, and One Man Rule.
Banned by HWA and Ambassador Watch There are various ones that oppose the Church of God, but they will not prevail (Matthew 16:18). This is an article about some anti-Church of God tactics.
Journal Report on Continuing Church of God Leader Bob Thiel Bob Thiel was interviewed by The Journal News of the Churches of God related to him being a prophet, the proclamation goals of the Continuing Church of God, and why he left LCG.
Response to a Letter from Dr. Roderick C. Meredith Dated December 28, 2012 In violation of Matthew 18, Dr. Meredith publicly sent out a letter that forced Dr. Thiel to conclude that the Continuing Church of God must be formed. Here is that letter and some of Bob Thiel’s comments about it. Here is a version in the Spanish language Respuesta a una carta del Dr. Roderick C. Meredith fechada el 28 de diciembre, 2012.
What About the Living Church of God? Are there Doctrinal Differences with the Continuing Church of God? This article explains some information and doctrines of the Living Church of God as led by Roderick C. Meredith and some concerns about them. (En el idioma español: ¿Qué hay acerca de la Iglesia de Dios Viviente? ¿Hay diferencias doctrinales con la Continuación de la Iglesia de Dios?)
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 Philadelphia Church Era was predominant circa 1933 A.D. to 1986 A.D. The old Radio Church of God and old Worldwide Church of God, now the remnant of that era is basically the most faithful in the Church of God, like who hold to the beliefs and practices of the Continuing Church of God.
The Laodicean Church Era has been predominant circa 1986 A.D. to present. The Laodiceans are non-Philadelphians who mainly descended from the old WCG or its offshoots. They do not properly understand the work or biblical prophecies and will face the Great Tribulation if they do not repent.

(Source: http://masterinvestor.co.uk/category/brexit/)

COGwriter

The Parliament of the United Kingdom gave tacit endorsement to triggering Article 50 for the departure of the UK from the European Union:

7 December 2016

MPs have voted to back the government’s plan to start formal talks on Brexit by the end of March next year.

They also supported a Labour motion calling for Parliament to “properly scrutinise” the government in its proposals for leaving the EU.

The votes followed a compromise between Labour and the Conservatives, who had argued over the questions to be put.

The House of Commons’ decisions are not binding on ministers.

MPs backed Labour’s motion, saying the government should publish a plan and it was “Parliament’s responsibility to properly scrutinise the government” over Brexit, by 448 votes to 75 – a margin of 373.

This followed another vote over the government’s amendment to the motion, which added the proviso that its timetable for triggering Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty, getting formal talks with the EU under way, should be respected.

MPs backed this by 461 votes to 89 – a margin of 372.

Within minutes of the vote, one dedicated Brexiteer had labelled it an historic moment. Iain Duncan Smith said for the first time the majority of parliamentarians had voted to leave the EU.

Technically MPs have only backed the government’s plan to start the process of leaving by the end of March next year. Nonetheless it is a statement of Parliament’s intent.

Some have accused pro-remain MPs of wanting to backtrack on Brexit, but tonight’s result shows most parliamentarians are willing to respect the result of the referendum. http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-38243500

(For those not particularly familiar with this, Brexit stands for BRitish EXIT from the European Union. On June 23, 2016, contrary to the views of the pollsters, the citizens of the UK voted to leave the European Union.)

Since the Brexit vote on June 23, 2016 and the election of Donald Trump in the USA on November 8, 2016, more of those in the UK are seeing that Europe’s goals are not the same as many of the British, so this may be a reason why so many in the UK Parliament have decided to vote to start the talks.

British Prime Minister Theresa May once indicated that triggering Article 50 should be done in late 2016, then by the end of 2017. European Union leaders have been pressing for a sooner date.  Theresa May then seem to settle on March 2017, which is what was approved today.

Theresa May and others in the UK seemingly have wanted to delay the triggering of Article 50 to give them more time to plan the departure as well as more time to actually transition out of the EU.

Waiting until late March 2017 gives Europe notice, plus it gives the British government a chance to establish some type of relationship with the next US Executive Branch to be led by Donald Trump. The UK will want to know more of how that will work with the USA when it is negotiating with the EU.

So what is Article 50?

It is part of the Lisbon Treaty that went into effect in late 2009. The Lisbon Treaty essentially was the groundwork to work towards a more united European Union. And about 52% of voters in the UK decided on June 23, 2016 that the amount of unity , the price, and the benefits of that union were no longer in the their best interest.

Here are articles 49 and 50 from the Treaty of Lisbon:

49 Any European State which respects the values referred to in Article 2 and is committed to promoting them may apply to become a member of the Union. The European Parliament and national Parliaments shall be notified of this application. The applicant State shall address its application to the Council, which shall act unanimously after consulting the Commission and after receiving the assent of the European Parliament, which shall act by an absolute majority of its component members. The conditions of admission and the adjustments to the Treaties on which the Union is founded, which such admission entails, shall be the subject of an agreement between the Member States and the applicant State. This agreement shall be submitted for ratification by all the contracting States in accordance with their respective constitutional requirements. The conditions of eligibility agreed upon by the European Council shall be taken into account. http://www.lisbon-treaty.org/wcm/the-lisbon-treaty/treaty-on-european-union-and-comments/title-6-final-provisions/136-article-49.html

50 1. Any Member State may decide to withdraw from the Union in accordance with its own constitutional requirements.

2. A Member State which decides to withdraw shall notify the European Council of its intention. In the light of the guidelines provided by the European Council, the Union shall negotiate and conclude an agreement with that State, setting out the arrangements for its withdrawal, taking account of the framework for its future relationship with the Union. That agreement shall be negotiated in accordance with Article 218(3) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. It shall be concluded on behalf of the Union by the Council, acting by a qualified majority, after obtaining the consent of the European Parliament.

3. The Treaties shall cease to apply to the State in question from the date of entry into force of the withdrawal agreement or, failing that, two years after the notification referred to in paragraph 2, unless the European Council, in agreement with the Member State concerned, unanimously decides to extend this period.

4. For the purposes of paragraphs 2 and 3, the member of the European Council or of the Council representing the withdrawing Member State shall not participate in the discussions of the European Council or Council or in decisions concerning it.

A qualified majority shall be defined in accordance with Article 238(3)(b) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.

5. If a State which has withdrawn from the Union asks to rejoin, its request shall be subject to the procedure referred to in Article 49. http://www.lisbon-treaty.org/wcm/the-lisbon-treaty/treaty-on-european-union-and-comments/title-6-final-provisions/137-article-50.html

It is provision 3 of article 50 that specifies that the transition from the time of departure from notification is two years. That is actually not a lot of time considering the complicated nature of the EU and trade agreements. So, we may see that the UK will be out of the EU by the Spring of 2019.

At that time, it will be free to have its own deals with other nations, like the USA. Donald Trump called for direct deals with the UK within hours of when the Brexit results were known.

The departure of the UK from the EU is beginning to move the UK closer to the USA on more trade matters. I also believe that one-day it will come back to haunt the UK. The EU leadership is not pleased that the UK will be leaving the EU. One-day, sadly, it will seek and gain revenge (Daniel 8:24; 11:39).

While interim years will vary, this will not turn out well for the UK, nor ultimately the USA (see also Will the Anglo-Saxon Nations be Divided and Have People Taken as Slaves?).

Some items of related interest may include:

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. This is a video.
Collapse of the Euro and Dollar? War in 2020? Larry Edelson of Money and Markets described aspects of current economic difficulties and explained why he felt matters would get a lot worse. He said war, like World War III, could break out as early as 2020. What did he call the ‘granddaddy of all cycles”? Will matters go as he said? What does the Bible teach? Dr. Thiel provides biblical insights that secular sources often miss. This is a video.
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?
British are the Covenant People What do ‘British’ and ‘Britain’ mean in Hebrew? Are the descendants of the Anglo-Saxons people of the covenant? Does the British royal family connect to the throne of David? What does the Bible teach? What does history show us? Is there any DNA evidence related to British-Israelism? When did Christianity make it to the British Isles? Could Jeremiah have made it to the British Isles? What type of Christians made it to the British Isles? Did the last King of England believe in British Israelism?
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.
USA in Prophecy: The Strongest Fortresses Can you point to scriptures, like Daniel 11:39, that point to the USA in the 21st century? This article does. A related sermon is titled: Do these 7 prophesies point to the end of the USA?
Europa, the Beast, and Revelation Where did Europe get its name? What might Europe have to do with the Book of Revelation? What about “the Beast”? Is an emerging European power “the daughter of Babylon”? What is ahead for Europe? Here is a link to a video titled: Can You Prove that the Beast to Come is European?
European Technology and the Beast of Revelation Will the coming European Beast power would use and develop technology that will result in the taking over of the USA and its Anglo-Saxon allies? Is this possible? What does the Bible teach? Here is a related YouTube video: Military Technology and the Beast of Revelation.
Must the Ten Kings of Revelation 17:12 Rule over Ten Currently Existing Nations? Some claim that these passages refer to a gathering of 10 currently existing nations together, while one group teaches that this is referring to 11 nations getting together. Is that what Revelation 17:12-13 refers to? The ramifications of misunderstanding this are enormous. A related sermon is titled Ten Kings of Revelation and the Great Tribulation.
Who is the King of the West? Why is there no Final End-Time King of the West in Bible Prophecy? Is the United States the King of the West? Here is a version in the Spanish language: ¿Quién es el Rey del Occidente? ¿Por qué no hay un Rey del Occidente en la profecía del tiempo del fin?
Who is the King of the North? Is there one? Do biblical and Roman Catholic prophecies for the Great Monarch point to the same leader? Should he be followed? Who will be the King of the North discussed in Daniel 11? Is a nuclear attack prophesied to happen to the English-speaking peoples of the United States, Great Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand? When do the 1335 days, 1290 days, and 1260 days (the time, times, and half a time) of Daniel 12 begin? When does the Bible show that economic collapse will affect the United States? In the Spanish language check out ¿Quién es el Rey del Norte? Here is a link to a video titled: The Future King of the North.
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. A video of possible interest may be Will Will USA Spying Help the Beast Power?.
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.

Ancient text of the Book of Amos

COGwriter

Major internet players have agreed to more censorship:

This Is the Purge We All Knew Was Coming: “Shutting Down Extremist Content”

December 7, 2016

 The potential to reach a global audience with important information, and the idea that it could be in the hands of anyone is just too big.So it is no surprise that many corporate giants from Silicon Valley are now putting forward a unified front to silence free speech on social media.

Hashtags, keywords and flagged accounts, logged in various databases, will be shared and enforced across the web. Shutting down content identified as unacceptable will now be streamlined, and leave unpopular posters with fewer places to peddle their extremist, outside views.

According to Yahoo! News:

Web giants YouTube , Facebook , Twitter and Microsoft will step up efforts to remove extremist content from their websites by creating a common database.

The companies will share ‘hashes’ – unique digital fingerprints they automatically assign to videos or photos – of extremist content they have removed from their websites to enable their peers to identify the same content on their platforms.

“We hope this collaboration will lead to greater efficiency as we continue to enforce our policies to help curb the pressing global issue of terrorist content online,” the companies said in a statement on Tuesday.

[…]

The European Union set up an EU Internet Forum last year bringing together the internet companies, interior ministers and the EU Counter-Terrorism Coordinator to find ways of removing extremist content.

Many current incidents are being used to push the idea that a new online policing – and a pulling of the weeds – is now necessary.

The “fake news” purging campaign has reached across the blogosphere and alternative media and punished websites that have dared to report on such taboo topics as Pizzagate, Wikileaks email dumps, any controversial aspects of the Syrian war and many other serious topics which these agenda-driven companies have opted to suppress.

While these platforms offer the opportunity to reach a wide audience, the centrality of ubiquitous platforms like Facebook, Google and Twitter is, obviously, that they have the power to delete accounts and drive down audience response by tweaking the algorithm.

They can make you invisible.

That is the state of free speech in 2016. It can be eradicated at a moment’s notice, and perhaps for reasons you aren’t even aware of. http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2016-12-07/purge-we-all-knew-was-coming-shutting-down-extremist-content

The European Commission urged the biggest U.S. technology companies — like Facebook, Twitter, Microsoft, YouTube and Google — to crack down on online hate speech themselves Sunday, or it will enact legislation forcing them to do so.

Several corporations in the tech industry agreed to remove content that incites hatred or is terrorist-related, after voluntarily signing a code of conduct earlier this year, according to Reuters.

The European Commission (much like the U.S. government, including President Barack Obama) are constantly worried that vitriolic posts on the internet helps terrorists’ recruitment efforts.

Many of the tech companies already have protocol for ridding of certain posts it deems dangerous. …

Famous actor James Woods decided to boycott Twitter in November due to this new pattern of censorship.

Twitter, like other tech companies, are hard-pressed to balance out the wishes of users who want to exercise their free speech rights, with governments and organizations that want certain language and content to be silenced due to its potential to stir hate. http://dailycaller.com/2016/12/05/eu-threatens-massive-internet-censorship-if-big-tech-wont-come-to-heel/#ixzz4SAEPdnWu

Last December Facebook censored radio talk show host Michael Savage for posting photos that had been in the news a couple of years earlier (see Facebook censors Michael Savage for showing photos of Islamic demonstrators).

How does it try to justify it?

By pointing to its ‘Community Standards’ guidelines.

Here are some of Facebook’s policies from its Community Standard’s pages:

We remove content, disable accounts, and work with law enforcement when we believe there is a genuine risk of physical harm or direct threats to public safety. …

People use Facebook to share their experiences and to raise awareness about issues that are important to them. This means that you may encounter opinions that are different from yours, which we believe can lead to important conversations about difficult topics. To help balance the needs, safety, and interests of a diverse community, however, we may remove certain kinds of sensitive content or limit the audience that sees it.

While the above may seem reasonable to many, the reality is that internet censorship is a real threat as how the above is interpreted can lead to inappropriate censorship. Facebook used to allow COGwriter Church of God News page items to directly go to my page as part of an RSS feed, but stopped that a few years ago.

Twitter still carries the headlines of the posts from the page, but one day it may declare that this is either “alt-right” or “religious extremism” or whatever else it may chose to use as ‘justification’ to stop it.

This censorship issue on social media is so serious that we in the Continuing Church of God decided, because of an incident with YouTube, to come up with an alternative to YouTube if we were seriously faced with its censorship again (a sermon by Steve Dupuie allegedly violated ‘community standards’ essentially because he said that Christians needed to obey God’s written word–I filed and appeal to YouTube and they decided they should not have censored that sermon).

The USA no longer has the type of ‘freedom of religion’ or ‘freedom of speech’ its founders envisioned. And while neither Facebook, Twitter, or YouTube are part of the government of the USA, they do not support the agenda or the morality of the Bible.

The time will come when the USA, and likely some private companies, will apparently stop the efforts of websites like this one. As well as our numerous video channels on the internet.

The world is getting less tolerant of speech that does not conform to what governments find ‘acceptable.’

Consider the following prophecy:

13 Therefore the prudent keep silent at that time, For it is an evil time. (Amos 5:13)

The above indicates that even those that are doing nothing wrong will need to be silent at the coming evil time.

Yet, currently, it is still time to:

1 Cry aloud, spare not;
Lift up your voice like a trumpet;
Tell My people their transgression,
And the house of Jacob their sins. (Isaiah 58:1)

Which is what we in the Continuing Church of God are doing. We have denounced, not only sins that the world sometimes seems to consider politically correct, but also sins that many claimed COGs will not do, because of their own concerns about their political fates (watch CCOG, a corporation sole, not a 501(c)(3)) and/or fates that could happen if they offended their financial supporters if they told the truth to truly fulfill Isaiah 58:1 (e.g. Are Violent Sports Evil?).

Many in and out of the government have plans and are watching the internet with plans to deal with materials that they some day hope to silence.

Notice the following from the Bible:

1 Hear my voice, O God, in my meditation;
Preserve my life from fear of the enemy.
2 Hide me from the secret plots of the wicked,
From the rebellion of the workers of iniquity,
3 Who sharpen their tongue like a sword,
And bend their bows to shoot their arrows — bitter words,
4 That they may shoot in secret at the blameless;
Suddenly they shoot at him and do not fear.

5 They encourage themselves in an evil matter;
They talk of laying snares secretly;
They say, “Who will see them?”
6 They devise iniquities:
“We have perfected a shrewd scheme.”
Both the inward thought and the heart of man are deep. (Psalms 64:1-6)

And while you might think that if you have done nothing wrong, you have nothing to fear from surveillance, consider that many in the government of the USA consider that not supporting homosexual marriages, etc. are extremist. I also saw someone once on a documentary that stated that people who believed in the millennium could not be trusted and should be considered as potential terrorists. The fact that we in the Continuing Church of God would be considered pacifists, does not change the fact that since we hold to millennial and other biblical views that we will not be improperly classified by government employees with various agendas.

The Prophet Amos was inspired to record the following:

11 “Behold, the days are coming,” says the Lord God,
“That I will send a famine on the land,
Not a famine of bread,
Nor a thirst for water,
But of hearing the words of the Lord.
12 They shall wander from sea to sea,
And from north to east;
They shall run to and fro, seeking the word of the Lord,
But shall not find it. (Amos 8:11-12)

Notice that the Bible tells of a time that will come when the word of God will not be found. And that would seem to be because truth from it will be taken off the internet. In the 21st century, the internet is accessed by people in every country, and thus some type of internet restriction/suspension/site removal is coming.

We are getting closer to this time. More and more are starting to see that their are plans to censor speech from the internet.

That is part of why we in the Continuing Church of God are preparing for the ‘short work’ (Romans 9:28) and the coming ‘famine of the word.’

One of the ways we are preparing for the ‘short work’ (Romans 9:28) is by working behind the scenes to have materials available in over 100 languages so that the ‘short work,’ which will fulfill Matthew 24:14 will happen.

Here are some words from Jesus that all should take note of regarding the time period of the end:

14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached to all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then the end shall come. 15 “Therefore when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place” (whoever reads, let him understand), 16 “then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 17 Let him who is on the housetop not go down to take anything out of his house. (Matthew 24:14-16).

The end has not yet come (Matthew 24:6)–the final phase of the work is not over. People have not needed to flee related to this. Materials need to be available to more people and in more languages.

It is my belief that after the peace deal in Daniel 9:27/11:23 has been made and/or confirmed by “the prince to come,” that the group that best represents the “sect of the Nazarenes” (the remnant of the Philadelphia era of the church per Revelation 3:7–11, as led by the Continuing Church of God) in the 21st century will begin to publicly identify the person who confirmed the deal (“the prince”) as the one who fulfilled Daniel 9:27/11:23-24.

This apparently enrages the King of the North so much that he initially tries to eliminate these people through political pressure and selected persecution.  Internet censorship, at least in Europe, will likely be occurring related to this.

When the more faithful in the COG (which will, as it now looks, be the Continuing Church of God, and others who may somewhat follow that lead) publicly identifies the King of the North as well as keeps reporting about the final Pope/Antichrist  this would be expected to result in massive media coverage. This magnification of the true Church will help fulfill Matthew 24:14 as the media and others will pour through CCOG literature. Catholic scholars (probably getting some direction from the last pope) and others will tear through COG literature and attempt to challenge the credibility and the integrity of the COG message–this will initially cause “vigilante-type” persecution, but will also be followed by more institutionalized persecution (Matthew 24:-10; Daniel 11:28-35; 7:25)–as well as internet censorship. Notice that Matthew 24:14 shows that the “end shall come” after the gospel of the kingdom has been proclaimed to the world as a witness. Media spotlighting of what we the Continuing Church of God will thus get a witness into many lands that otherwise may not have realized much or anything about the gospel of the kingdom. But YouTube could start by removing ‘extremist’ sermons, etc.

It may be that prior to going to a place of protection (please see There is a Place of Safety for the Philadelphians. Why it May Be Petra), some Christians will flee out of the European (and certain other) lands dominated by the rising King of the North (and/or his sympathizers) prior to him moving into Jerusalem. This probably will be during verses 28-30 of Daniel 11 as this is when the King of the North begins his anger against God’s most faithful (and I believe that since God’s faithful will understand these passages in Daniel 11 by then, some will not wait until verses 30 or 31 to flee from the north–and will most likely go to Judea).

Now at “the appointed time” (again PRIOR to going to the place of protection) something will trigger the King of the North going towards the south:

29 At the appointed time he shall return and go toward the south; but it shall not be like the former or the latter. 30 For ships from Cyprus shall come against him; therefore he shall be grieved, and return in rage against the holy covenant, and do damage. So he shall return and show regard for those who forsake the holy covenant (Daniel 11:29-30).

Note: the Hebrew term translated as “Cyprus” in the NKJV is a mistranslation. The KJV uses the term Chittim which can mean “Western lands.” Hence the King of the North will apparently be temporarily stopped by a Western naval power (this also parallels Numbers 24:24 which also uses the term Chittim and is talking about an Assyrian/European power being troubled by a naval power).

Notice that the King of the North will be even further enraged by the people of the “holy covenant” and most likely try to stop the supporters of it from proclaiming the truth about his intentions and the gospel of the kingdom (c.f. Matthew 24:14).  This would seem to result in internet censorship in Europe and pressure on the USA for it to push for internet censorship as well.

The King of the North will probably attempt to learn more about how to eliminate the Philadelphian faithful by being nice to apostate members (those who “forsake the holy covenant”)–apparently he attempts to get them to betray true Christians (Matthew 24:10). It strikes me as important that although a naval power stops the King of the North momentarily, the King of the North becomes apparently more enraged with the people of the holy covenant than the naval power.

Why would this be?

Most likely this occurs because the people of the holy covenant are proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom (Matthew 24:14, as that immediately precedes “the end”) and teaching that the King of the North is fulfilling prophecies in Daniel 11. This will likely be considered as ‘extremist content’ and/or ‘hate speech.’  In the USA, proclaiming that an ally with some type of alliance connection (like perhaps NATO) may be considered to be ‘treasonous’ or somehow in violation of the so-called ‘Patriot Act.’ The USA will apparently support censorship then or shortly thereafter.

Notice that after the King of the North returns home, he decides to come back to the Jerusalem area, but this time with a much more determined military presence:

31 And forces shall be mustered by him, and they shall defile the sanctuary fortress; then they shall take away the daily sacrifices, and place there the abomination of desolation (Daniel 11:31).

The above event, which apparently will involve the King of the North sending in forces into Jerusalem, was spoken of by Jesus (Matthew 24:15) as a warning of the final end time. So after the gospel has been preached enough to the world as a witness (Matthew 24:14), Jewish sacrifices are stopped (Daniel 9:27), the abomination is set up (Daniel 9:27; 11:31), and a decree is issued (Zephaniah 2:1), the most faithful Philadelphians will flee per Jesus’ statements in Matthew 24:15-16.

And during this time, the northern King will apparently corrupt the corruptible and continue to be responsible for persecuting the people of God:

32 Those who do wickedly against the covenant he shall corrupt with flattery; but the people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits. 33 And those of the people who understand shall instruct many; yet for many days they shall fall by sword and flame, by captivity and plundering. 34 Now when they fall, they shall be aided with a little help; but many shall join with them by intrigue. 35 And some of those of understanding shall fall, to refine them, purify them, and make them white, until the time of the end; because it is still for the appointed time (Daniel 11:32-35).

It is likely that it is the remnant of the Philadelphians are the ones who are strong, they will instruct many, and will carry out something important–and that will be part of the final phase of the work. This could also include members doing miracles (Acts 2:17-21). And this seems to have to be led by the Continuing Church of God as we are the ones who are willing to be properly bold, while also actually reaching millions. It should be noted that the words great exploits  in the NKJV (Daniel 11:32) do not literally appear in the Hebrew text; but perhaps these faithful Christians have the types of signs that Jesus mentioned in Mark 16:15–18, in addition to the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23), as well as the prophesied work of martyrdom (cf. Revelation 6:11). Fruits, in terms of numbers of believers, will also apparently become more evident (cf. John 15:5-17).

This gospel proclamation success, combined with the martyrdom associated with it, will result in the opening of the fifth seal of Revelation, the start of the Great Tribulation, and the King of the North (the “he” in Daniel 11:39) invading the those with the strongest fortresses (which in the 21st century is the USA and its Anglo-Saxon descended allies):

9 When He opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held. 10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” 11 Then a white robe was given to each of them; and it was said to them that they should rest a little while longer, until both the number of their fellow servants and their brethren, who would be killed as they were, was completed. (Revelation 6:9-11)

39 Thus he shall act against the strongest fortresses with a foreign god, which he shall acknowledge, and advance its glory; and he shall cause them to rule over many, and divide the land for gain. (Daniel 11:39).

The end of the USA is coming (see USA in Prophecy: The Strongest Fortresses) and some will one day consider that to be ‘extremist speech’ or a ‘conspiracy theory’ that must be censored. But the message will go forth by the end time Philadelphian Christians.

The Philadelphians are the only ones that Jesus promises protection from this coming hour of trial:

7 “And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write,

‘These things says He who is holy, He who is true, “He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens”: 8 “I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name. 9 Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie — indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you. 10 Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. 11 Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown. 12 He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name.

13 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”‘ (Revelation 3:7-13)

Jesus praised the Philadelphians for doing the work and warned them not to let any man take their crown. Because of actions of men such as Joseph Tkach, Gerald Flurry, David Pack, and/or other apostates, many are letting a man take away their crown as many will no longer support the work, and deceive themselves that it is through and that they do not need to do anything but take care of their lives spiritually–that is scripturally in error. Not producing because of overbearing men is NOT a valid excuse per Jesus:

20 “Then another came, saying, ‘Master, here is your mina, which I have kept put away in a handkerchief. 21 For I feared you, because you are an austere man. You collect what you did not deposit, and reap what you did not sow.’ 22 And he said to him, ‘Out of your own mouth I will judge you, you wicked servant. You knew that I was an austere man, collecting what I did not deposit and reaping what I did not sow. 23 Why then did you not put my money in the bank, that at my coming I might have collected it with interest?’

24 “And he said to those who stood by, ‘Take the mina from him, and give it to him who has ten minas.’ 25 (But they said to him, ‘Master, he has ten minas.’) 26 ‘For I say to you, that to everyone who has will be given; and from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him. (Luke 19:20-26)

Jesus condemned the one who felt it was safer NOT to support the work that was to be done.

7 “And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write, ‘These things says He who is holy, He who is true, “He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens”: 8 “I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name. 9 Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie — indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you. 10 Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. (Revelation 3:7-10)

Philadelphian Christians want to respond to the doors that Christ opens to proclaim the gospel (2 Corinthians 2:12; 1 Corinthians 16:8-9; Colossians 4:2-4). We will stand up for the truth, despite realizing that the ‘famine of the word’ that the prophet Amos referred to is coming. We must do the work and persevere to the end.

The world is changing. Internet censorship is becoming more normal. Things are NOT going as they have been. Do not deceive yourself.

In time, the ‘famine of word’ will hit. But Jesus’ message of the Gospel of the Kingdom of God will reach the world as a witness.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

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 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.
The Gospel of the Kingdom of God was the Emphasis of Jesus and the Early Church Did you know that? Do you even know what the gospel of the kingdom is all about? You can also see a YouTube video sermons Why Teach the Kingdom of God? and The Gospel of the Kingdom.
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.
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.
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. A video of possible interest may be Will Will USA Spying Help the Beast Power?
Leading the Final Phase of the Work Matthew 24:14 teaches “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come ” will be fulfilled and RCG is not the group doing this. Who is leading the final phase of the work? What did Herbert Armstrong and the old WCG teach about that and about prophets? Does Bob Thiel meet the criteria that the Bible and the old WCG set? What is the proof? What has the Continuing Church of God been doing? This is a sermonette length video.
Hope of Salvation: How the Continuing Church of God differ from most Protestants How the real Church of God differs from mainstream/traditional Protestants, is perhaps the question I am asked most by those without a Church of God background. As far as some changes affecting Protestantism, watch the video Charismatic Kenneth Copeland and Anglican Tony Palmer: Protestants Beware! [Português: Esperança do salvação: Como a igreja do deus difere da maioria de protestantes]
Internet Control, Famine of the Word, and 666 On October 1, 2016, the USA officially relinquished control over the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), despite objections from certain political leaders and former military officials. Might this lead to more censorship, imposition on non-biblical ‘community standards,’ and loss of first amendment rights? Could this transfer of control have any prophetic ramifications? Will the internet be a factor in the ‘short work’ of Romans 9:28 and the coming ‘famine of the word’ that the Prophet Amos warned about? Will internet control be something that the 666 power will have? Dr. Thiel addresses these matters and more in this video.
USA in Prophecy: The Strongest Fortresses Can you point to scriptures, like Daniel 11:39, that point to the USA in the 21st century? This article does. A related sermon is titled: Do these 7 prophesies point to the end of the USA?
Who is the King of the West? Why is there no Final End-Time King of the West in Bible Prophecy? Is the United States the King of the West? Here is a version in the Spanish language: ¿Quién es el Rey del Occidente? ¿Por qué no hay un Rey del Occidente en la profecía del tiempo del fin?