2012: What to Expect and What Will Not Happen

COGwriter

What can Christians expect will and will not happen in 2012?

Let’s start off by looking at how Jesus answered some questions about the end times.

3 Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?”

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

9 “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake.  10 And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another.  11 Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many.  12 And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.  13 But he who endures to the end shall be saved.  14 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.  (Matthew 24:3-14)

For 2012 we can expect the type of sorrows that Jesus referred to as continuing to happen and likely increasing.  But the end will NOT be in 2012.  The Great Tribulation cannot start in 2012 (see also When Will the Great Tribulation Begin? 2012, 2013, or 2014?).

The end, meaning the actual beginning of the Great Tribulation, does not happen in the sequence until verse 19, which is AFTER Matthew 24:14 has been fulfilled to God’s satisfaction.

In yesterday’s announcements, the Living Church of God update had the following:

As we turn the page on another year, what a year it has been! Sweeping political upheaval in North Africa and the Middle East, Germany taking the lead in demanding stricter fiscal union in Europe, and continued spiraling debt in the United States while political aspirants jostle to position themselves for the 2012 elections. Plus some of the wildest weather on record! Tighten your seat belts─2012 will not be the “end of the world,” but it is certainly shaping up to be another turbulent year as we hurtle towards the dramatic end of this age!…

We continue to pray that God will bring more of His scattered flock together with us to continue in the Work.

In 2012, we in LCG will likely reach millions with the gospel message.  This should be the top priority for the most faithful Church of God (see also 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?).

In 2012, there will be economic concerns, weather concerns, earthquakes, food concerns, disease concerns, ecumenical issues, military concerns, and other “troubles” (Mark 13:5-8) in 2012.

Events will align for the Arab world to put together a confederation, ultimately led by one the Bible refers to as the King of the South (Daniel 11:40) that will have gaps in it (Daniel 11:41), and that will ultimately have parts that will betray itself (Daniel 11:26,41)–none of this will be completed in 2012, but strides towards the Islamic confederation will be made this year (even if not completely obvious).

Israel, Iran, Syria, and others may engage in a regional conflict.  If it is severe enough, Damascus (Syria) may be destroyed (Isaiah 17:1).  Iran has indicated that it may take steps to cause conflict by late 2012 (see The Arab and Islamic World In the Bible, History, and Prophecy) and it may have nuclear weapons this year (see Iran Denies Israeli Involvement in Bomb Blast, But 2012 May Be a Different Matter).

In 2012, the USA will continue to increase its debt and put itself closer the the fulfillment of being taken after creditors rise up per Habakkuk 2:6-8).  Unless its leadership repents, it will continue down the path towards amorality and destruction–though 2012 will NOT be its end.

In Europe, there will be troubles and likely civil unrest.  Such unrest may turn into rioting and possibly civil war.  Europe will continue to make inroads with areas of the world such as Africa and South America.

Asia, including Russia, will look towards forms of cooperation, even though there will also be areas of conflict.  China may have some problems that the world in general has not expected it to have.

The Vatican will continue to work towards its version of ecumenical unity, though it will not have ultimate success in 2012.  But this unity it is working towards will be disastrous (see Why Should American Catholics Should Fear Unity with the Orthodox?).

Karl zu Guttenberg will likely be in the news, though he will not be the actual “king” of the North in 2012–but as he has taken steps like that individual would be expected to take, he may take additional steps and possibly have some setbacks in 2012 (see also Might German Baron Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg become the King of the North?).

Contrary to certain interpretations of Mayan records, the world will not end in a flood (cf. Genesis 9) nor will Jesus return in 2012 (see End of Mayan Calendar 2012–Might 2012 Mean Something? and When Will the Great Tribulation Begin? 2012, 2013, or 2014?)

Because of publicity and emphasis of some related to the Mayan, etc. 2012 matter, there will be many scoffers who will discount all prophecy when the world still exists on December 22, 2012.  Yet God’s promises are reliable and He wants humans to repent, despite the complaints of scoffers in the last days (2 Peter 3:3-9).

Because the world will not end in a flood or other form of destruction in 2012, some associated with the New Age Movement will claim that they are the ones who understood Mayan and other prophecies and that humankind is transitioning from an age of war to an age of peace.  But this will be a false belief in peace (cf. Ezekiel 13:3-12).

When I wrote the book , 2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect, my primary focus was on what would likely happen during the years 2012 through 2020. But of course, for many of the events to occur, other world events need to align themselves for them to come to pass.  Since it came out in late 2009, world events have aligned with at least 20 predictions in it.  Many more will in 2012, and more for the period after 2012.

If you believe the Bible (or wonder how many of its prophecies are expected to be fulfilled) and/or wonder how non-biblical prophecy has been planted to mislead many, 2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect lays out a well-referenced roadmap with specific events to expect and to watch out for.

If you have not already done so, you should consider acquiring the book, 2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect. It is available in several languages, as well as through Kindle and Barnes&Noble.com.

2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect This is a link related to a book by Bob Thiel (COGwriter). This link also has YouTube videos. This book documents and explains hundreds of prophecies. And since it was published, world events have aligned with at least 20 predictions in the book and many more will to come to pass.
2012 y el surgimiento de la secta secreta 2012 libro del Dr. Thiel en Español.
2012 und das Auftreten der geheimen Sekte (German Edition) 2012 Buch von Dr. Thiel in deutscher Sprache. 2012 und das Auftreten der geheimen Sekte (German Kindle Edition)
2012 e o Surgimento da Seita Secreta (Portuguese Edition) 2012 livro do Dr. Thiel em português. Este livro documenta e explica centenas de profecias. E desde que foi publicado pela primeira vez, pelo menos 20 já começaram a acontecer.
2012 e o Surgimento da Seita Secreta (Brazilian Portuguese Edition) 2012 livro do Dr. Thiel.  Edição em português do Brasil. Este livro documenta e explica centenas de profecias. E desde que foi publicado pela primeira vez, pelo menos 20 já começaram a acontecer.



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