Vladimir Putin: Lord of the world? Prince of Rosh?
PCG booklet
Various ones have made false predictions related to Russia’s President Vladimir Putin. Notice the following:
Blind Mystic Baba Vanga, Who Predicted Covid, Says Putin Will Become ‘Lord of the World’
March 28, 2022
Known as the Nostradamus of the Balkans, Baba Vanga, who died 25 years ago in 1996 aged 84, predicted in a 1979 interview that Russia was to dominate the world.
She also made a frightening prediction about World War III and the use of nuclear weapons.
During the interview with writer Valentin Sidorov, she said Putin’s ‘glory‘ will remain ‘untouched‘.
‘Too much is brought in a victim. Nobody can stop Russia,‘ BirminghamLive reported.
‘All will thaw, as if ice, only one remain untouched – Vladimir’s glory, glory of Russia.
‘All will be removed by her from the way and not only will be kept, but also becomes the lord of the world.’ …
Vanga’s devoted followers say 85 percent of her predictions are accurate, but according to experts, who have researched her prophecies, say only 68 percent are.
One of the prophecies which didn’t come true was that the 45th president of the United States was to be ‘faced with a crisis‘ that would ‘bring the country down’ – but America is still standing … https://newspunch.com/blind-mystic-baba-vanga-who-predicted-covid-says-putin-will-become-lord-of-the-world/
No, Vladimir Putin is NOT about to become the Lord of the World. That is a false prophecy. Baba Vanga has a history of false predictions and the idea that Vladimir Putin is to be the Lord of the World is also false.
As far as false prophecies about the USA goes, PCG’s Gerald Flurry made one related to the 2020 presidential election where he repeatedly asserted that Donald Trump would remain in office and that Joe Biden would not take office (e.g. PCG says expect a miracle: Joe Biden will not be president of the USA).
Furthermore, last month Gerald Flurry “doubled-down” to continue to promote prophetic error concerning his views of Vladimir Putin. Here is something from that post:
Vladimir Putin’s dramatic invasion of Ukraine is not surprising. How and when will it end?
February 24, 2022
Russian missiles are striking targets across most of Ukraine. Artillery shells are raining down on towns, cities and key infrastructure. Buildings are on fire and there are already multiple civilian causalities. Russian paratroopers have captured an airfield near Kyiv, Ukraine’s capital city. Meanwhile, Russian tanks and soldiers continue to roll into Ukraine.
World leaders are aghast. “Peace in our continent has been shattered,” said North Atlantic Treaty Organization Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. “We now have war in Europe, on a scale and of a type we thought belonged to history.” The Drudge headline this morning encapsulates what many are thinking: “Countdown to WW III.” …
God … has much to say about Russia and Vladimir Putin!
Ezekiel 38 is an especially important passage about Russia. Verse 8 uses the phrase “the latter years.” This is referring to the time just before the return of Jesus Christ. This whole chapter contains staggering understanding about the powerful Russian empire and its widely feared “prince.”
“And the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, Son of man, set thy face against Gog, the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him” (verses 1-2). The “son of man,” God’s human messenger, is responsible for identifying this “chief prince.”
I strongly believe this “chief prince” is Vladimir Putin, and I have explained why many times over the past 20 years. The alarming and sobering scenes coming out of Ukraine today dramatically prove that this understanding is right. Bible prophecy is being fulfilled this very moment in Ukraine!
The correct translation of Ezekiel 38:2 is “the prince of Rosh, Meshech and Tubal.” In Assyrian and Greek histories, Meshech appears as Musku, Muski or Mushki—all names related to the Russian spelling of Moscow. What about Tubal? On the eastern side of the Ural Mountains lies the city of Tobolsk, named after the Tobol River, a name derived from Tubal. Tobolsk was once the seat of Russian government over Siberia and was basically considered Russia’s Asian capital.
Rosh was the ancient name of Russia, once called Rus. Many encyclopedias and commentaries (such as the Jamieson, Fausset and Brown Commentary) recognize this. So who is this “prince” of Russia, Moscow and Tobolsk?
This is what I wrote four years ago in my booklet The Prophesied ‘Prince of Russia’: “The use of all three names shows that this is an individual ruler of all the peoples of Russia, from the west to the east. The reference to the cities of Moscow and Tobolsk helps us see how vast Russian territory is in these latter days. This giant swath of land indicates the prince will probably conquer more nations of the former Soviet Union. When you study these scriptures alongside current events revealing modern Moscow’s imperialist direction, you see that Russian President Vladimir Putin could well be the prince of Rosh.” https://www.thetrumpet.com/25279-bible-prophecy-comes-alive-in-ukraine
NO! Vladimir Putin is not the prophesied Prince of Russia/Rosh of Ezekiel 38.
Vladimir Putin’s possible prophetic role has long been misinterpreted by Gerald Flurry. Notice something his PCG group posted before:
February 18, 2020
Trumpet editor in chief Gerald Flurry has identified Vladimir Putin as the man who will lead an end-time Asian military force that Bible prophecy calls “the kings of the east” (Revelation 16:12) and says will have a force of 200 million soldiers (Revelation 9:16). …
In his booklet The Prophesied ‘Prince of Russia,’ Mr. Flurry shows that Ezekiel 38:2 describes the leadership of this Asian bloc: It will be led by “the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal” (New King James Version). Meshech and Tubal, he explained, are early names corresponding to modern Russian cities, and Rosh is a variation of an ancient name for Russia. …
“We need to watch Vladimir Putin closely,” Mr. Flurry writes. “I believe he is almost certain to be the ‘prince of Rosh’ whom God inspired Ezekiel to write about 2,500 years ago!” https://www.thetrumpet.com/21946-will-chinas-coronavirus-make-vladimir-putin-king-of-the-east/print
While Ezekiel 38 is an endtime prophecy, it is not to be fulfilled until well AFTER Jesus returns.
To suggest that Vladimir Putin has actually fulfilled parts of the Prince of Rosh prophecy in Ezekiel 38 is wrong. While Gerald Flurry asserts that Vladimir Putin is the prophesied ‘Prince of Rosh,’ I am totally and absolutely certain that he is NOT!
Notice also that in the September 2014 Trumpet, Gerald Flurry wrote:
I strongly believe Vladimir Putin is going to lead the 200 million-man army. Just look at the power he already has. Can you think of any other Russian politician who could become so powerful and have the will to lead Russia into the crisis of crises? I see nobody else on the horizon who could do that. And only a tiny few years remain for the prince of Rosh to appear! … This much is absolutely certain: The restoring of Russia’s power by Vladimir Putin—the prince of Russia—was prophesied! He has already solidly allied Russia with China. The prophecy about the prince of Russia includes that main alliance.
There is more.
PCG‘s Gerald Flurry claimed in 2014 to have a message from God for Vladimir Putin. Here is some of what he wrote in an article titled “A Message to the Prince of Russia—From God“:
A MESSAGE TO THE PRINCE OF RUSSIA— FROM GOD
Russia’s President Putin is making some bold, dangerous moves. Does God have a specific message for him?…
Ezekiel 38:2 describes a vivid personality to appear on the scene in this end time: “the prince of Rosh, Meshech and Tubal” (New King James Version). In modern terms, this is the prince of Russia (article, page 10; see also my February cover story, “Is Vladimir Putin the Prophesied ‘Prince of Rosh’?” theTrumpet.com/go/11228). There is also another personality in these verses that we have not talked about as much. Yet this man has a stronger message with more power behind it than Vladimir Putin can even imagine! Notice who that same passage in Ezekiel 38 addresses: “And the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, Son of man ….” This shows that God uses a man.
There is a latter-day fulfillment as well. This person, a type of Ezekiel, is receiving a message, and God commissions him to prophesy against the prince of Russia in this end time. God doesn’t come down and deliver this message Himself. He has a man do it. …
The Prince of Rosh
It is easy to prove that Ezekiel is an endtime book. Ezekiel 38 is clearly an end-time prophecy. Verse 8 specifically mentions its setting in the “latter years”; verse 16 talks about the “latter days”— such statements are made throughout Ezekiel’s book.
Can you think of a politician who could fulfill the role of the prince of Russia? One, and only one, comes to mind: Vladimir Putin.
God’s Power
The book of Joel describes an army called God’s army (Joel 2:11, 25). The context shows that this is the same army headed by the “prince of Rosh.” That means that even though God commands His servant to prophesy against him, God is actually using this “prince of Rosh” for His own purpose.
The Ezekiel 38 commission continues: “And say, Thus saith the Lord God [not man], Behold, I am against thee, O Gog [Russia], the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, And I will turn thee back, and put hooks into thy jaws” (verses 3-4). These verses reveal something extraordinary. This prince of Russia is clearly a man with a lot of power…
Vladimir Putin is a sign, literally a SIGN that Jesus Christ is about to return! This is one of the most inspiring messages in the Bible…
Once Christ returns, He will destroy the military power of Russia and China and other nations once and for all. He will show the world what power really is! “And they that dwell in the cities of Israel shall go forth, and shall set on fire and burn the weapons, both the shields and the bucklers” (verse 9). This is what will happen to all those military armaments at the start of the Millennium (described in Revelation 20:4, 6). (Flurry G. A Message to the Prince of Russia—From God. Philadelphia Trumpet, May 2014)
The return of Jesus is inspiring, and because of his role in the world, Vladimir Putin has and probably will take more steps that will align with biblical prophecy, but no, the idea that Vladimir Putin is the “prince of Rosh” of Ezekiel 38 is absolutely not true.
While the “latter days” is a prophetic term, Ezekiel 38 is talking about a time well after Jesus has returned. But Gerald Flurry is teaching that many verses in Ezekiel 38 happen before Jesus returns–this is in error.
Here are some positions from the old Radio Church of God (bold italics mine):
Perhaps no prophecy has received more widespread interest and attention than that of Ezekiel 38 and 39. As usual there are various interpretations. Those most popularly believed and expressed are: I) That the prophecy pictures “Armageddon”-with Russia the aggressor in this final “Armageddon” battle…The word “Armageddon,” believe it or not occurs only once in all he Bible. It is in Rev. 16:13-16: “ARMAGGEDON is the place of the “BATTLE” of that Great Day of God Almighty, which is “the Day of the Lord.” This is the coming time of God’s WRATH, climaxing in the seven last plagues and the Second Coming of Christ. The Battle at Armageddon is pictured in Rev. 20:19-20 and Rev.17:14. It is a battle in which European AXIS powers, symbolically represented as “The BEAST” and ten federated European dictatorships wive the Roman Empire, which fight against Christ and His Angels, contesting HIS right to rule the world. But Ezekiel 38 speaks of a different power altogether-“GOG’ in the land of ‘MAGOG’, numerous Allies – all descendants of JAPETH, father of the yellow races…
And now we come to chapter 38!…The TIME of this prophecy is AFTER–not before, but AFTER–the second coming of Christ…The 39th chapter shows in more detail the RESULT of this great battle, in which Christ, with supernatural power, causes five-sixth of these heathen armies to be slain in this battle. (What’s Prophesied About RUSSIA! The Plain Truth. November-December 1943, pp. 5, 7, 12)
(Ez. 38: 12). It is now, after the second coming of Christ, with Israel obeying God in the land of Palestine, that Russia and her oriental hordes come to take a prey from defenseless cities. (Does Ezekiel 38 and 39 Mean An Invasion of Canada and the United States by Russia? Good News, June 1951, p. 11)
Does Ezekiel 38 and 39 Refer to Russia?
Nearly all Bible students believe that Ezekiel’s amazing prophecy refers to Russia. Yet they totally misapply the time of its fulfillment. It is referring to an invasion of Palestine after Christ has restored His people Israel to Palestine. This has been amply proved in articles in The PLAIN TRUTH…Notice that it is Gog and Magog (Ezek. 38:2) which will come against the nation in which Christ’s capital will be located (verse 16). Notice again that Gog and Magog come “out of the north parts” (verse 15 ) where Russia is today. (Does Ezekiel 38 and 39 Refer to Russia? Good News, August 1954, p. 5)
Despite claims from Gerald Flurry, it is not the case that Ezekiel 38:1-7 is fulfilled prior to the return of Jesus. Certainly, there will be a 200 million man army, but that is not what Ezekiel 38:1-7 is talking about.
The fact that although PCG says it holds to what the old Radio/Worldwide Church of God taught, it clearly disagrees on the timing of Ezekiel 38.
Now, let’s notice what Ezekiel 38 actually says:
1 Now the word of the Lord came to me, saying, 2 “Son of man, set your face against Gog, of the land of Magog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal, and prophesy against him, 3 and say, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “Behold, I am against you, O Gog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal. 4 I will turn you around, put hooks into your jaws, and lead you out, with all your army, horses, and horsemen, all splendidly clothed, a great company with bucklers and shields, all of them handling swords. 5 Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya are with them, all of them with shield and helmet; 6 Gomer and all its troops; the house of Togarmah from the far north and all its troops — many people are with you.
7 “Prepare yourself and be ready, you and all your companies that are gathered about you; and be a guard for them. 8 After many days you will be visited. In the latter years you will come into the land of those brought back from the sword and gathered from many people on the mountains of Israel, which had long been desolate; they were brought out of the nations, and now all of them dwell safely. 9 You will ascend, coming like a storm, covering the land like a cloud, you and all your troops and many peoples with you.”
10 ‘Thus says the Lord God: “On that day it shall come to pass that thoughts will arise in your mind, and you will make an evil plan: 11 You will say, ‘I will go up against a land of unwalled villages; I will go to a peaceful people, who dwell safely, all of them dwelling without walls, and having neither bars nor gates’ — 12 to take plunder and to take booty, to stretch out your hand against the waste places that are again inhabited, and against a people gathered from the nations, who have acquired livestock and goods, who dwell in the midst of the land. 13 Sheba, Dedan, the merchants of Tarshish, and all their young lions will say to you, ‘Have you come to take plunder? Have you gathered your army to take booty, to carry away silver and gold, to take away livestock and goods, to take great plunder?’”‘ (Ezekiel 38:1-13)
Verses 1-7 talk about a group getting ready to battle. Vladmir Putin has not fulfilled this.
Pay close attention to verses 7-13. It is against a ‘peaceful people’ in unarmed villages that the prince of Rosh is going against. This cannot happen until AFTER the return of Jesus. Hence this is not possibly a prophecy about Vladimir Putin.
Gerald Flurry also wrote the following:
A prophecy in Ezekiel 38 gives us some of these important details. “And the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, Son of man, set thy face against Gog, the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him” (Ezekiel 38:1-2). These verses begin in the latter days (verses 8, 16) before the Great Tribulation, the Day of the Lord and Christ’s Second Coming. (Flurry G. Vladimir Putin Is the Prophesied Prince of Russia. Philadelphia Trumpet, September 2014)
Ezekiel 38:16 is not possibly for any period prior to the start of the Great Tribulation. Notice what God inspired Ezekiel to write:
14 “Therefore, son of man, prophesy and say to Gog, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “On that day when My people Israel dwell safely, will you not know it? 15 Then you will come from your place out of the far north, you and many peoples with you, all of them riding on horses, a great company and a mighty army. 16 You will come up against My people Israel like a cloud, to cover the land. It will be in the latter days that I will bring you against My land, so that the nations may know Me, when I am hallowed in you, O Gog, before their eyes.” (Ezekiel 38:14-16)
So, a power from the far north, which would seem to have to be Russian-led as it is the only major military power in the far north now, and may be the only one also in the future, will come. Yet, notice that this happens when Israel is “dwelling safely.” While Ezekiel 38 does mention Russia and Iran, the tiny nation of Israel is NOT now a “land of unwalled villages” with “a peaceful people who dwell safely” as other verses in Ezekiel 38 point out (see Ezekiel 38:10-11).
Can anyone seriously believe that Israel is a nation of peaceful people dwelling safely? It has walls and many enemies.
Despite what Gerald Flurry and certain others believe, we are not particularly close to the fulfillment of Ezekiel 38. Those who believe otherwise are in error.
To compound PCG error, Gerald Flurry also wrote:
A prophecy in Ezekiel 38 gives us some of these important details. “And the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, Son of man, set thy face against Gog, the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him” (Ezekiel 38:1-2). These verses begin in the latter days (verses 8, 16) before the Great Tribulation, the Day of the Lord and Christ’s Second Coming…One other Russian people is mentioned in Ezekiel 38:2. There is controversy over how the Hebrew word rosh should be translated in this verse. The King James Version uses the adjective “chief.” But the correct rendering (used by the Moffatt, New King James and others) uses the word not as an adjective, but as a proper noun: Rosh. Thus, that verse should read, “the prince of Rosh, Meshech and Tubal.”…
The restoring of Russia’s power by Vladimir Putin—the prince of Russia—was prophesied! He has already solidly allied Russia with China. The prophecy about the prince of Russia includes that main alliance.
Other nations are leaning toward an alliance with Russia. Several of them are prophesied to join.
The only question is whether or not Putin personally finishes the entire prophecy.
The ending of that mighty “kings of the east” powerhouse is also prophesied. (Flurry G. Vladimir Putin Is the Prophesied Prince of Russia. Philadelphia Trumpet, September 2014)
I bolded the sentences above as they clearly contradict what PCG declared almost nine years ago. Notice what PCG used to teach back in 2011:
One reason Rosh is typically not translated as a proper noun is that scholars believe Rosh, unlike the other names listed in Ezekiel 38, was not a known land or a name of a person…
Why Our Forecasts Are Accurate
The change in the translation in Ezekiel 38:2 was done in disbelief that a prophecy in Ezekiel’s time could so obviously and clearly name a nation, its people, rivers and major cities, a thousand years before it was formed! But the meaning of this prophecy and the identity of the people contained in it is not hidden to those who will believe what the Bible says.
Mr. Armstrong simply believed what was revealed in the Bible, and that is why he could so boldly predict that Russia would not attack America!
The Trumpet follows in the tradition of Mr. Armstrong. By believing what the Bible has to say, this magazine makes strong forecasts concerning the major world powers that have proven accurate and will continue to be proven true.
What does Ezekiel 38 say will happen to the Russian people? “Son of man, set thy face against Gog, the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him” (verse 2). This prophecy for the Russians and Chinese will occur after the great and terrible events that lead to Jesus Christ’s return—events recorded in the book of Revelation.
Revelation 9:1-12 describe a European beast power, after occupying Jerusalem and enslaving the end-time nations of Israel, preemptively attacking Russia and China out of fear. Then Russia, China and other Eastern powers, collectively called “the kings of the east,” amass a 200 million-man army and counterstrike the European army. This clash kills one third of mankind! (verses 13-21).
Then what is left of these armies will gather in Armageddon to challenge and attack Christ in Jerusalem upon His return! Christ will utterly destroy these armies and begin His reign by gathering the scattered descendants of Israel around Jerusalem.
This is when the prophecy of Ezekiel finally occurs: after Christ’s return, when the descendants of Israel have been resettled. The remnants of the Russians and Chinese, evidently still too proud to be ruled by Christ, attempt to spoil the obedient and prosperous Israelites. Ezekiel 38:14-16 describe this attempt to overthrow Christ’s rule. In this attack, they are defeated in one final statement to mankind that He is the Eternal! (You can read a more detailed explanation of this prophecy and the future of Russia and its allied nations in our free booklet Russia and China in Prophecy.)
What is in store for Russia in the meantime? Nearly 60 years later, will Mr. Armstrong’s prediction continue to be proven true?
Today, the world is in an even worse condition than when Mr. Armstrong printed that headline. The threat of nuclear war is even higher than in the peak of the Cold War. Several rogue states have acquired or are acquiring the means to wipe whole nations off the map. America’s global dominance is again being challenged, not just by one nation but by many different major powers. Major powers all over the world such as China, the European Union and Iran are increasing their military capabilities, while a debt-burdened U.S. is shrinking its own.
Now, more than ever, it is vital to know what will happen in world affairs in the near future. Who will strike whom? You will know only if you believe your Bible! (Vejil D. The Origins of Modern Russia (Part 5). Philadelphia Trumpet, July 2011)
I bolded the paragraph above as it clearly contradicts what Gerald Flurry (self-appointed and false prophet of PCG) now teaches. PCG used to teach that Ezekiel 38 was fulfilled AFTER Jesus’ return, yet now it teaches that it is fulfilled BEFORE Jesus returns.
If PCGs forecasts are so accurate (e.g. PCG says expect a miracle: Joe Biden will not be president of the USA), why did Joe Biden taken office on January 20, 2021?
Furthermore, notice PCG had the audacity to state that this explanation of Ezekiel 38, which they have since contradicted, was an example of why their forecasts were supposedly right. PCG’s forecasts are not always accurate. They are often wrong, and those who rely on them above the Bible will not possibly know when the Great Tribulation will begin.
Sadly, in that respect, PCG is not the only claimed COG that will not know–a list of dozens of errors in prophetic understanding that various ones who claim to be COG is in the article: Do You Hold to Any of These Laodicean Prophetic Errors?
Let me emphasize that Gerald Flurry did NOT base his position that Vladimir Putin would be the prince of Rosh of Ezekiel 38 from the Bible. He claimed to get some type of message from a supernatural source (see Teachings Unique to the Philadelphia Church of God). And that source was NOT God’s Holy Spirit.
Because Armageddon may very come by 2031, it is possible that Vladimir Putin would lead the 200 million man army.
But as far as being the ‘Prince of Rosh,’ that prophecy cannot possibly be fulfilled by Vladimir Putin.
I consider that Gerald Flurry is a false apostle and a false prophet. The Apostles Paul and Peter warned:
12 But what I do, I will also continue to do, that I may cut off the opportunity from those who desire an opportunity to be regarded just as we are in the things of which they boast. 13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. 14 And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works. (2 Corinthians 11:12-15)
1 But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. 2 And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed. 3 By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words; for a long time their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction does not slumber. (2 Peter 2:1-3)
Because of relying on Gerald Flurry’s improper prophecies and error-prone prophetic interpretations, those in PCG will not understand world events at the end.
Hopefully, those in PCG will not consider that the referendum in Russia proves that Gerald Flurry’s “prince of Rosh” role for Vladimir Putin is right.
It is not.
Gerald Flurry has clearly been wrong on many of his prophetic interpretations.
While Christians should heed true prophets, understand they were expected in the last days (see Does the CCOG have the confirmed signs of Acts 2:17-18?), and not despise prophecies (1 Thessalonians 5:20), the fact that Donald Trump is the FORMER PRESIDENT shows that he did not remain as president and PCG’s Gerald Flurry again was been proven to have spoken presumptuously.
Those who have enough of “the love of the truth” (2 Thessalonians 2:10) should clearly be able to see that Gerald Flurry is NOT God’s prophet, but a false one.
Hopefully, you, whether or not in PCG, will not be among those that hold to various Laodicean Prophetic Errors.
Vladimir Putin is NOT fulfilling Ezekiel 38 nor can he possibly be one to do so in the future.
The Apostle Peter declared:
1 But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. 2 And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed. 3 By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words; for a long time their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction does not slumber. (2 Peter 2:1-3)
Gerald Flurry is one who is fulfilling the above.
Sadly, most who realize that in the COG world fall into another ditch.
They think it is “safer” not to accept that God could have any proper prophets now. That is a wrong-headed and lukewarm approach. Jesus warned against that in Revelation 3:14-19.
They are like the “rebellious children” who do not want to hear “right things” from a prophet, but “smooth things” (Isaiah 30:9-10) as they do not want to have to “rock the boat” or otherwise change as they should. Many who think they believe scripture tend to rely more on “feelings’ than scripture when it comes to prophets.
Furthermore, not accepting any prophets goes against something else that the Apostle Peter declared:
17 ‘And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your young men shall see visions, Your old men shall dream dreams. 18 And on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days; And they shall prophesy. (Acts 2:17-18)
The Apostle Paul warned:
19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not despise prophecies. 21 Test all things; hold fast what is good. 22 Abstain from every form of evil. (Thessalonians 5:19-22)
Most Christians are not properly testing all things and holding fast what is good. Instead, they seem to discount parts of the Bible, while telling themselves that they really believe all of it. That is evil” “every form of evil” includes laxness and disregard of God’s word on matters including God’s use of dreams and prophets. More on how God’s Spirit has been working in this century can be found in the article: Does the CCOG have the confirmed signs of Acts 2:17-18?
Many in various COGs appear indignant/dismissive of the very idea that God would use dreams or prophets. Many do not understand what the Bible or what certain leaders have taught about prophets (for some details, see Church of God Leaders on Prophets). Part of the reason for this is pride, but also that the self-proclaimed ‘prophets’ outside of the Continuing Church of God have tended to have proven to be false (see also Why Be Concerned About False and Heretical Leaders?).
When the Bible says to “test the spirits” (1 John 4:1) related to prophets, the proper implication is that there can be prophets from God to be listened to. Not that all are safer to ignore.
Anyway, related to Ezekiel 38 and Vladimir Putin, we put together the following BibleNewsProphecy video:
Gog, Magog, Vladimir Putin, and Ezekiel 38?
On February 24, 2022, Russia’s President Vladimir Putin announced a ‘special military operation’ into Ukraine. Are Jewish sources correct that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is the start of the Gog and Magog war of Ezekiel 38? Are Protestant sources, and people like Trumpet editor Gerald Flurry right that Vladimir Putin is the ‘prince of Rosh/Rush? Does Ezekiel 38 include Russia? What are some of the other nations involved in Ezekiel 38? Does this battle happen BEFORE or well AFTER Jesus returns? Can you know the answer from the actual passages in Ezekiel 38? Dr. Thiel answers these questions and more.
Here is a link to our video: Gog, Magog, Vladimir Putin, and Ezekiel 38?
God is working in the 21st century, but was not working through the Baba Vanga in the past or Gerald Flurry in the present.
Some items of possibly related interest may include the following:
Ezekiel 38: For Russia & Iran in Our Day? Is Ezekiel 38 about to be fulfilled? A related video is available titled Ezekiel 38: For Russia, Ukraine, & Iran Now? Another could be Russia, Iran, Syria, & the Bible (Code).
Russia and Ukraine: Their Origins and Prophesied Future Russia in prophecy. Where do the Russians come from? What about those in the Ukraine? What is prophesied for Russia and its allies? What will they do to the Europeans that supported the Beast in the end? There is also a video sermon available: Russia in the Bible and in Prophecy as are two video sermonettes Russia, Ukraine, Babylonian Europe, and Prophecy and Ukraine in Prophecy?
PCG: Teachings Unique to the Philadelphia Church of God Simply calling oneself ‘Philadelphia’ does not make one so (see Revelation 3:7-9), nor does Gerald Flurry calling himself “that prophet” make it so. This article provides many quotes from this group which tries to look faithful.
Why Be Concerned About False and Heretical Leaders? There have been many false leaders–here is some of why you should be concerned about them. Here is a related article in the Spanish language ¿Por qué estar preocupado acerca de falsos y heréticos líderes?
Does the CCOG have the confirmed signs of Acts 2:17-18? Does any church have the confirmed dream and prophetic signs of Acts 2:17-18? Should one? Here is a link in the Spanish language: ¿Tiene la CCOG confirmadas las señales de Hechos 2: 17-18? Here is a link in the French language: Est-ce que l’Église Continue de Dieu confirme les signes d’Actes 2:17-18? A related sermon in the English language is also available: 17 Last Days’ Signs of the Holy Spirit.
Church of God Leaders on Prophets Have there been prophets throughout the church age? Are any supposed to be around in the last days? What have COG leaders stated or written about prophets? Here is a link to a related sermon: Church of God Leaders on Prophets.
How To Determine If Someone is a True Prophet of God There are many false prophets. How can Christians determine who is a true prophet? There is also a sermon-length video titled How to determine if someone is a true prophet of God. Here is a related link in Spanish/español: ¿Cómo determinar si alguien es un verdadero profeta de Dios?
Herbert W. Armstrong, the Philadelphia Church, & the Mantle Herbert Armstrong claims God had him raise the Philadelphia up. Are there reasons to believe that the Philadelphia mantle in now within the CCOG? Here is a link to a related sermon: Herbert W. Armstrong and the Philadelphia Mantle.
6. 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.
7. 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. One video of related interest is 17 Laodicean Errors in Prophecy. See also Do You Hold to Any of These Laodicean Prophetic Errors?
Who is the Man of Sin of 2 Thessalonians 2? Is this the King of the North, the ten-horned beast of Revelation 13:1-11, or the two-horned Beast of Revelation 13:12-16? Some rely on traditions, but what does the Bible teach? Here is a related link in Spanish/español: ¿Quién es el Hombre de Pecado de 2 Tesalonicenses 2?; here is a link to a video in Spanish: ¿Quién es el ‘hombre de pecado’? Here is a version in Mandarin: N;ÿ Œf/’Y’jNº’ÿ Here is a link to a related English sermon video titled: The Man of Sin will deceive most ‘Christians’.
Is Russia the King of the North? Some claim it is. But what does the Bible teach? Here is a link to a video, also titled Is Russia the King of the North?
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