Church of God News

COGwriter

Michael Snyder posted the following:

Why Do So Many Bad Things Keep Happening To Us?

December 26, 2022

I suppose that this is a fitting way to end the year.  2022 has been a year of war, plagues, natural disasters, shortages and severe economic troubles, but up until this month we had not been able to add “an apocalyptic winter storm” to the list yet.  Unfortunately, what we have just been through over the last week definitely qualifies.  A “monster storm” that covered almost the entire country at one point brought blizzard conditions to much of the U.S. over the past several days.  …

As I have said so many times before, the thin veneer of civilization that we all depend upon on a daily basis is rapidly disappearing.

If a truly horrific long-term disaster were to erupt that causes law and order to break down on a widespread basis, we will devolve into a “Mad Max society” very quickly.

Speaking of crime, someone just attacked four more electrical substations in Washington state…

Thousands of homes were left in the dark after four electrical substations in western Washington were vandalized on Christmas Day, local authorities said on Sunday, adding that it was unknown if the incidents were connected.

The attacks on Sunday cut power to more than 14,000 utility customers in south Pierce County, near Tacoma, the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office said.

The burglaries were reported at two substations belonging to Tacoma Public Utilities and two belonging to Puget Sound Energy.

In a previous article, I discussed the fact that the number of these attacks has reached an all-time record high this year, and they are happening all over the nation.

Utility companies are going to have to start hiring 24 hour security to guard their equipment, because this is a problem that isn’t going to go away.

And that will mean even higher utility bills for all of us.

I truly wish that our society was not coming apart at the seams all around us. http://theeconomiccollapseblog.com/why-do-so-many-bad-things-keep-happening-to-us/

The USA is on its way out.

As far as part of “why,’ notice something from my book;

Why America and its Anglo-Saxon Allies?

Why would Europe ultimately destroy the U.S.A. and its Anglo-Saxon allies?

There are several reasons.

One would seem to be because it is the nominally Protestant and religiously diverse/independent U.S.A. that most stands in the way of the goals of a future single ecumenical religion in Europe to dominate the world.

Only by eliminating the vast bastions of Protestantism, independence, and other “heresies” (which several other Greco-Roman prophecies seem to show is a goal) that are present in the U.S.A. and its Anglo-Saxon-Celtic allies, can such an ecumenical domination be attained in those lands.

Notice what one Roman Catholic priest has written:

Priest G. Rossi (19^th century):  But boastful pride and presumption always go before a fall. With her large share of guilt, America cannot avoid her due share of punishment … If the world is not yet entirely converted to Christianity, the blame is not on the head nor in the conscience of the Catholic Church … Ah! wretched Protestantism shall have to answer for the loss of faith … English schism and heresy have squandered their treasures and abused their great temporal power, not only in persecuting-the faith in Great Britain and Ireland, but also in banishing the true religion of Jesus Christ from their vast American possessions … Their long-deserved punishment, however, is approaching from the North![i]

So, at least one respected Roman priest published that a northern power (the King of the North?) will punish Britain, and its descendants, including the U.S.A. and Canada, for their “pride” and Protestantism.

But why would God allow some of these nations to be destroyed, given that the Anglo-Americans have been in the forefront of distributing Bibles, helping in humanitarian matters, assisting with international disasters, etc.?

Because of their rebellion against Him (Hosea 13:16), their deep corruption (Hosea 9:9), and their refusal to repent (Hosea 11:5).

Notice a reason that God gives:

¹⁴ All your lovers have forgotten you; They do not seek you; For I have wounded you with the wound of an enemy, With the chastisement of a cruel one, For the multitude of your iniquities, Because your sins have increased. ¹⁵ Why do you cry about your affliction? Your sorrow is incurable. Because of the multitude of your iniquities, Because your sins have increased, I have done these things to you. (Jeremiah 30:14-15)

As far as being apparently the first to be hit with the great tribulation, note that the Old Testament talks of “the time of Jacob’s trouble” (Jeremiah 30:7), and the New Testament clearly teaches:

⁴⁸ For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required (Luke 12:48).

The U.S.A. and its British-descended allies have been given much—and were given Jacob’s name (Genesis 48:16).

Yet, the three “most sinful nations” according to a 2010 BBC report based on the classic ‘seven deadly sins’—lust, gluttony, greed, sloth, wrath, envy and pride’— were Australia, the United States, and Canada.[ii] The United Kingdom was 6^th on that list. And while one can argue if other nations should be ahead of them on a sin-list, the reality is that the Anglo-nations promote a lot of sin. And they accept more and more sin.

Consider the following about American society in 2021:

Never before in our lifetime have we seen such an abundance of widespread corruption, treacherous behavior, and blatant hypocrisy within our government. Its ruling mandate has now become, “Do as I say, not as I do”. [iii]

The Bible also teaches that the Assyrians will be used to punish “an hypocritical nation” (or hypocritical people, as the Hebrew can be translated) that refuses to repent:

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

¹ … Israel … ³ … Ephraim ⁵ … the Assyrian shall be his king, Because they refused to repent. (Hosea 11:1,3,5)

Christians all need to recall that when Jesus came, He clearly condemned the hypocritical religious leaders of His day (e.g. Luke 11:44), more directly than he condemned the physically more obvious sinners (Matthew 9:10–13).

This is not to say that non-Anglo-Saxon-Celtic nations do not have sin or that they will not be punished. The European Assyrians will clearly also be punished, per Isaiah 10:12-19, but the punishment will begin first on those who should have known better. That is, the punishment will begin on those who have claimed to live rightly, but have repeatedly failed to do so. Those who were the people of the covenant with Israel should have striven to be faithful. Those who receive biblical blessing should not be surprised when they receive biblical curses for disobedience (cf. Deuteronomy 28:1-68).

While the gospel warning message will be made fairly clear to the English-speaking peoples by the “Philadelphia Christians,” prior to Daniel 11:39, because the British-American nations are not likely to heed that warning, they will have to answer for their relative lack of response (cf. Ezekiel 33:7-9) and their survivors will be taken captive (cf. Habakkuk 2:7).

[i] Rossi, pp. 16, 255

[ii] ‘The Most Sinful Nation on Earth,’ February 2010, p. 30

[iii] Gendon M. God’s Prophetic Word Encourages Believers. PTG Newsletter, January 1, 2021

As far as “when,” ZeroHedge had the following:

Will the American Empire Collapse in Our Lifetime?

All good things must come to an end.

Even the greatest of civilizations has an expiration date. …

The Founding Fathers of the American Republic made sure to learn the lessons of Greece and Rome and create a system of government that would prevent many of the fatal mistakes these civilizations previously made.

While the American experiment has largely been successful, it is starting to go through a predictable phase of civilizational decay.

The past century has witnessed the American political class pursue policies that go against the very nature of the founding of the American Republic. …

It will take a massive awakening of the American populace to reverse course and prevent the country from falling down the predictable route of civilizational collapse.

The US will be no exception to this trend if things don’t reverse course anytime soon. https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2022-11-15/will-american-empire-collapse-our-lifetime

The USA needs national repentance–without it is is doomed–and it will end fairly soon.

Now, many will say that the US has been promoting sin and increasing debt for decades, without problems, thus since it has the strongest military, etc., nothing will change.

Consider the following scriptures:

11 Because the sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil. 12 Though a sinner does evil a hundred times, and his days are prolonged, yet I surely know that it will be well with those who fear God, who fear before Him. 13 But it will not be well with the wicked; nor will he prolong his days, which are as a shadow, because he does not fear before God. (Ecclesiastes 8:11-13)

Yes, under the Obama and Trump Administrations, total US debt greatly increased.

And yes, this is an evil that many think has no cost.

The Bible says that is a wrong view to take (cf. Habakkuk 2:6-8). It also shows that the power in the end time with the strongest military will be taken over (cf. Daniel 11:39; see also USA in Prophecy: The Strongest Fortresses).

The Biden-Harris Administration has increased debt.

We are now seeing inflation, which is something I have warned for years would happen.

The USA WILL NOT LAST LONG!

Do not think that the USA will continue as it has.

The Apostle Peter warned:

3 knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, 4 and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.” 5 For this they willfully forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water, 6 by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water. 7 But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.

8 But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:3-9)

Yes, there are reasons for the delays, but the end is coming (cf. Matthew 24:46-51).

As far as a so-called “perfect storm” goes, notice something from my book Biden-Harris: Prophecies and Destruction:

Like many politicians, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, do not meet the following leadership criteria:

²¹ Moreover you shall select from all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; (Exodus 18:19)

³ The God of Israel said, The Rock of Israel spoke to me: ‘He who rules over men must be just, Ruling in the fear of God. (2 Samuel 23:3)

This does not bode well for the U.S.A.

Furthermore, the Bible warns against the type of moral decline that is occurring in the U.S.A.:

¹² Therefore thus says the Holy One of Israel: “Because you despise this word, And trust in oppression and perversity, And rely on them, ¹³ Therefore this iniquity shall be to you Like a breach ready to fall, A bulge in a high wall, Whose breaking comes suddenly, in an instant. (Isaiah 30:12-13)

But how can this happen to the U.S.A.? It will likely happen with a combination of events. Notice:

⁵ “Moreover the multitude of your foes Shall be like fine dust, And the multitude of the terrible ones Like chaff that passes away; Yes, it shall be in an instant, suddenly. ⁶ You will be punished by the Lord of hosts with thunder and earthquake and great noise, With storm and tempest and the flame of devouring fire. (Isaiah 29:5-6)

The debt situation of the U.S.A. is putting it at risk of being unable to recover should it be hit by weather problems, terrorist acts, war, riots, solar flares, severe earthquakes, civil unrest, devastation of their genetically-modified food supplies, food shortages, and/or various pestilences–an intensity of “sorrows” such as Jesus discussed in Matthew 24:4-8 leading up to the time of the Great Tribulation. Political issues, climate change, trade policies, communication’s deals, and other events are pushing the U.S.A. to a position that will encourage its takeover someday. Disasters, especially if there is an ElectroMagnetic Pulse (EMP) attack, a severe solar flare storm, devastating hurricane (s) something like a massive volcanic eruption and/or massive earthquake could be part of a so-called “perfect storm” of events that could set up the U.S.A. for destruction.

Consider the devastation of New Orleans by Hurricane Katrina. Multiply that by other disasters. The U.S.A. is at risk. Notice, also, the following related to Dr. Michio Kaku’s assessment of Yellowstone:

Scientists assure us that one day the absolutely massive Yellowstone supervolcano will once again experience a Category 8 eruption, and if it happened today it would “literally tear the guts out of the United States of America” … “Instead of having 50 states of the Union, we would have 30 states of the Union.” (Snyder M. As Yellowstone Awakens, Dr. Michio Kaku Warns That It Could “Literally Tear The Guts Out Of The United States Of America”. Economic Collapse Blog, February 2019)

A ‘perfect storm’ of disasters, internal strife, and misplaced confidences will make the U.S.A. a nation that can be defeated.

Many sorrows that the U.S.A. will face, like severe weather problems, diseases and earthquakes, will happen in the future, irrespective of who is in the White House (Amos 4:7-10; Luke 21:11). Joe Biden and Kamala Harris look to hasten the day of destruction. (Thiel B. Biden-Harris: Prophecies and Destruction. Nazarene Books, January 2021)

While we are not to that point yet, there are prophecies that point to the USA being gone by 2028. Related to that, we put out the following video:

Here is a link to the video: Is the USA prophesied to be destroyed by 2028?

One thing that Michael Snyder did not mention had to do with immoral political moves, such as abortion funding and the LGBTQ+ agenda, which will end in destruction per Habakkuk 2:6-8 and Romans 1:18-32 respectively.

Yes, the days of the USA are numbered–the USA may well no longer exist as a nation before the end of 2027. For prophesies related to that, check out the video: Is the USA prophesied to be destroyed by 2028?

Regarding the end times, Jesus warned:

12 And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. (Matthew 24:12)

Yes, lawlessness and hypocrisy is abounding without real love.

After warning about lawlessness and the love of many growing cold, Jesus said:

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 24:13-14)

So, faithful Philadelphian Christians need to endure to the end (cf. Revelation 3:7-13).

Furthermore since, “this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations,” before the end comes, consider also something that the Apostle Paul wrote:

14 How … shall they hear without a preacher? 15 And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written:

“How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things! (Romans 10:14-15)

Yes, Christians need to support the work of preaching the gospel to the world as a witness.

The truly faithful understand that and will not mainly be focused on themselves, but supporting the preaching of the gospel to the world as a witness.

That is needed before the end comes. See also 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?

If you think that God will take care of it without your help, you are right.

Jesus said:

42 … Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his master will make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of food in due season? 43 Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. 44 Truly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all that he has. (Luke 12:42-44)

While that does include providing physical food for the poor, it is actually a parable about supporting the work of God which involves getting spiritual food to the world.

Some who claim to be Church of God Christians think that the two witnesses are the ones to fulfill Matthew 24:14 and other aspects of the work. And while the two witnesses have a job to do, their 3 1/2 years begins shortly AFTER Matthew 24:14 is fulfilled.

Hence it IS NOT the two witnesses that do that, but the Philadelphian Christians, those whose work Jesus praises in Revelation 3:7-13 that are supporting that work.

God does not need your help for Matthew 24:14 to be fulfilled, but to develop the right type of loving character, you do need to support it–unless you prefer to be Laodicean (cf. Revelation 3:14-18).

But if you think that not supporting it because you have other issues, worries, or priorities is acceptable in God’s eyes, you are wrong (cf. Matthew 25:24-30; Revelation 3:14-18).

Consider also the following from the Apostle Paul:

11 And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. 12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. (Romans 13:11-12)

The USA and the world is changing–and not for the better.

The type of ‘normal’ its leadership wants to implement will end in destruction.

Do not think you can wait to the last minute to do what needs to be done.

The prophet Zephaniah warned:

1 Gather yourselves together, yes, gather together,
O undesirable nation,
2 Before the decree is issued,
Or the day passes like chaff,
Before the Lord’s fierce anger comes upon you,
Before the day of the Lord’s anger comes upon you!
3 Seek the Lord, all you meek of the earth,
Who have upheld His justice.
Seek righteousness, seek humility.
It may be that you will be hidden
In the day of the Lord’s anger. (Zephaniah 2:1-3)

Will YOU heed those scriptures?

Notice the following:

15 Good understanding gains favor,
But the way of the unfaithful is hard.
16 Every prudent man acts with knowledge, (Proverbs 13:15-16a)

Do YOU have a “good understanding”?

Are YOU “prudent”?

If so, act with knowledge.

The time for you to take action is now.

See also the article:There is a Place of Safety for the Philadelphians. Why it May Be Near Petra and/or watch the video Zephaniah’s ‘Gather Together’ Prophecy.

Will you heed the warnings?

Some items of related interest may include the following:

Lost Tribes and Prophecies: What will happen to Australia, the British Isles, Canada, Europe, New Zealand and the United States of America? Where did those people come from? Can you totally rely on DNA? What about other peoples? Do you really know what will happen to Europe and the English-speaking peoples? What about Africa, Asia, South America, and the Islands? This free online book provides scriptural, scientific, historical references, and commentary to address those matters. Here are links to related sermons: Lost tribes, the Bible, and DNA; Lost tribes, prophecies, and identifications; 11 Tribes, 144,000, and Multitudes; Israel, Jeremiah, Tea Tephi, and British Royalty; Gentile European Beast; Royal Succession, Samaria, and Prophecies; Asia, Islands, Latin America, Africa, and Armageddon; and When Will the End of the Age Come?
Biden-Harris: Prophecies and Destruction Can the USA survive two full presidential terms? In what ways are Joe Biden and Kamala Harris apocalyptic? This book has hundreds of prophecies and scriptures to provide details. A Kindle version is also available and you do not need an actual Kindle device to read it. Why? Amazon will allow you to download it to almost any device: Please click HERE to download one of Amazon s Free Reader Apps. After you go to your free Kindle reader app (or if you already have one or a Kindle), you can go to: Biden-Harris: Prophecies and Destruction (Kindle) to get the book in seconds.
Might the U.S.A. Be Gone by 2028? Are there prophetic reasons to believe that the USA will not last two complete presidential terms? Yes. There is a tradition attributed to the Hebrew prophet Elijah that humanity had 6,000 years to live before being replaced by God’s Kingdom. There are scriptures, writings in the Talmud, early Christian teachings that support this. Also, even certain Hindu writings support it. Here is a link to a related video: Is the USA prophesied to be destroyed by 2028?
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? 2031 or 20xx? There is also a video titled 6000 Years: When will God’s Kingdom Come? Here is a link to the article in Spanish: ¿Tiene Dios un plan de 6,000 años?
When Will the Great Tribulation Begin? 2022, 2023, or 2024? 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 la Gran Tribulación comenzar en el 2020 o 2021? ¿Es el Tiempo de los Gentiles? A related video is: Great Tribulation: 2026 or 2027? A shorter video is: Can the Great Tribulation start in 2022 or 2023? Here is a video in the Spanish language: Es El 2021 el año  de La Gran Tribulación o el Grande Reseteo Financiero.
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. Two related sermon are available: Identifying the USA and its Destruction in Prophecy and 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? A related sermon is also available: The Bible, the USA, and the King of the West.
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? Some say the Church should mainly feed the flock now as that is what Herbert W. Armstrong reportedly said. Is that what he said? Is that what the Bible says? What did Paul and Herbert W. Armstrong expect from lower level leaders? Two related sermons are available The Work per HWA and the Bible and Priority of the Philadelphia Work.
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.
There is a Place of Safety for the Philadelphians. Why it May Be Near Petra This article discusses a biblical ‘place of safety,’ Zephaniah 2 to ‘gather together,’ and includes quotes from the Bible and Herbert W. Armstrong on fleeing to a place–thus, there is a biblically supported alternative to the rapture theory. Two sermon-length videos of related interest are available Physical Protection During the Great Tribulation and Might Petra be the Place of Safety? Here is something related in the Spanish language: Hay un lugar de seguridad para los Filadelfinos. ¿Puede ser Petra?
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.

Tweet

This entry was posted on Tuesday, December 27th, 2022 at 8:00 am and is filed under Prophecy.

• ‘What Are Viruses Anyway, and Why Do They Make Us so Sick?’ And where do they come from?
• What Did Jesus teach in the Gospel according to Mark?
• Seth Forrestier: Why Work?
• What Jesus Taught in Mark’s Gospel Account
• ‘Really Bizarre Things Are Happening All Over The Globe’
• FT: The dollar can only escape bad US policy for so long
• BibleNewsProphecy: Bizarre Things are Happening: Beginning of Sorrows?
• UCG’s approach to the gospel on the internet
• LCG: Fasting to Do the Work and for Others to be Called
• MS: How Many “2 Minute Warnings” Do Americans Need?