Afghan Taliban Militants
The Obama Administration has apparently decided to keep more US troops in Afghanistan:
Obama to Reverse Course on US Military Posture in Afghanistan
October 15, 2015
U.S. President Barack Obama is expected to announce Thursday that he will slow down the planned withdrawal of American military forces from Afghanistan scheduled for next year.
An unnamed senior administration official said the president will maintain the current number of troops in the war-torn country at 9,800 through most of 2016, before trimming that number to 5,500 by the time he leaves office in January 2017.
Obama made the pledge last year to remove all U.S. forces from Afghanistan by the end of 2016, with the exception of a small contingent of 1,000 troops based at the U.S. embassy in Kabul. He said it was time for the U.S. to “turn the page” on a war launched in 2001 in response to the terrorist attacks on the United States.
Obama Slows US Troop Withdrawal From Afghanistan
October 15, 2015
WHITE HOUSE—
For an American president who came into office with a promise to end U.S. wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the announcement to slow the withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan was likely not an easy one.
“I do not support the idea of endless war,” President Barack Obama said. “I repeatedly argued against marching into open-ended military conflicts that do serve our core security interests.”
Flanked by Defense Secretary Ash Carter, Vice President Joe Biden and the Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Joseph Dunford, Obama announced Thursday he will maintain the current number of American troops in Afghanistan at 9,800 through most of 2016, before trimming that number to 5,500 by the time he leaves office in January 2017.
Afghan President Ashraf Ghani welcomed the decision Thursday, saying in a statement that it followed “several months of continued talks between the two Presidents.” http://www.voanews.com/content/obama-to-reverse-course-on-us-military-posture-in-afghanistan/3007275.html
When George W. Bush was president, the USA kicked the Taliban out of the top leadership of Afghanistan. Yet, the Taliban still remain in that nation. Islamists figured out some time ago that they can often outlast the USA if they wait long enough. Although President Obama said before that the Taliban was defeated, his public statements about that were overly optimistic.
I have warned for some time that the situation in Afghanistan was not going as well as the USA has publicly declared or hoped.
For example, on October 26, 2014 (see USA and UK cease combat operations in Afghanistan: What’s next?), I wrote:
The ceasing of combat operations by the UK and USA is not a victory in Afghanistan. It is a pause so that troops can be pulled out. It will not bring real peace to the region. At least some in Afghanistan will likely support the rise of a leader that the Bible refers to as the final King of the South.
On March 9, 2013 (see Taliban suicide bombing in Afghanistan: Considered to be a warning?), I wrote:
Unless the USA keeps enough troops in Afghanistan (which it is not intending to do), the situation there will change to something that the USA has claimed that it does not want. The Taliban, other Islamic groups, and tribal leaders will pretty much insure that.
The USA did not defeat the Taliban in Afghanistan–it basically ‘kicked the can further down the road.’ After seeing what happened to Iraq after the USA ceased ‘combat operations’ this should make it clear that Afghanistan is not secure. Afghanistan needs the Kingdom of God.
All the fighting, killing, and terrorism in the Middle East and North Africa are getting political and religious leaders to rethink their approach to the region. But not to turn to the Bible.
The time will come when a confederation of nations from North Africa and the Middle East will form, which the Bible refers to as the finalKing of the South (Daniel 11:40-43). Political leaders outside of the region apparently will support this. Though this will not end well for the participants (cf. Daniel 11:39-43; Ezekiel 30:2-8).
The Obama Administration’s latest announcement shows that the USA did not get the political solution it wanted in Afghanistan...
ONLINE RADIO
MOBILE RADIO
From sunset the 20th of September through sunset the 21st of September is the Day of Atonement for 2026. On the Day of Atonement, the Bible says to “afflict your souls” (Leviticus 23:32). In Isaiah
Various ones have attempted to calculate the amount of time from Adam to present. But, by failing to take into consideration how the ancient Israelites counted personal ages and the reigns of kings
“Stronger together” was an official campaign slogan for Hillary Clinton’s 2016 presidential campaign as well as the title of her official campaign platform book. Canada’s Prime Minister is using that
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen gave her annual State of the European Union message: State of the Union … 16 September 2026 “It was the best of times, it was the worst of
Israel365 News posted the following: For the first time in thousands of years, the shofar sounds on the Temple Mount September 15, 2026 Hundreds of Jews stood on the Temple Mount before dawn
The BRICS group of nations has been meeting in New Delhi, India: Global interest in BRICS keeps growing – Putin 13 September 2026 International interest in BRICS “continues to grow” as the
Saudi Arabia has experienced additional Houti attacks, along with disappointment with the USA: Trump confirmed on Saturday that he had spoken to the crown prince, and said the Houthis had
Many see risks with Artificial Intelligence. Back in 2018, Elon Musk warning of AI danger and the Continuing Church of God (CCOG) put out following video on our Bible News Prophecy YouTube
Germany’s Alternative for Germany (technically Alternative für Deutschland or AfD) party scored a major political victory. The mainstream in Germany and elsewhere in the EU are concerned:
Central banks have been increasing their purchases of gold: Central banks continued their gold accumulation in July with net buying reported at 23t. Emerging markets have also continued to
An Israeli official wants Palestinians out of Gaza: Far-right Israeli minister outlines plan for removal of all Palestinians from Gaza Itamar Ben-Gvir claims proposal for illegal forced displacement of 2
Israel has made threats: Israel ratchets up anti-Iran rhetoric amid rising tensions Defence Minister Israel Katz said that if attacked, Israel would return Iran deep into the Stone Age and darkness.”
EuroNews posted the following: 11 EU countries demand end to ‘obstructive’ vetoes on foreign policy 1 September 2026 A group of 11 European Union countries has joined forces to demand an end to
Calling it ‘safety,’ the European Commission has taken more steps towards digital control: EU places ChatGPT, Reddit and Roblox under strictest digital safety rules 31 August 2026 Brussels has
Will most people that profess Christ recognize Jesus when He returns? World Net Daily editor Joseph Farah, correctly, seems to doubt that: When the Jewish people finally received their
The USA is taking steps to “punish” those who it feels have too close economic ties to Iran In addition to the tweet above that mentions the UAE, notice the following related to Egypt:
Extreme weather has hit many parts of the world. Notice the following related to Nepal and Tobet: Hundreds killed in Nepal flood as fears grow of secondary disasterAugust 27, 2026
Which verse in the 11th chapter of the Book of Daniel better points to the start of the Great Tribulation? might it be the 39th or 40th verse? PCG’s Gerald Flurry wrote the following in his Daniel
Do Christians actually go to heaven when they die? While most who profess Christ think so, that simply was not what early Christians believed. Certain scholars who have looked into the Bible and
Religious Jews continue to take steps in Israel. Israel365 News posted the following: The battle to open the Temple Mount on Shabbat and the High Holidays August 26, 2026 Assaf Fried has spent
CBS reported the following: Iran War Updates: U.S. unveils new sanctions after Trump threatened “economic D-Day” August 24, 2026 President Trump said Monday that Iran was “collapsing”
A reader sent me a link to the following 9 days ago: The US national debt is … likely to hit $50 trillion soon In the coming days the U.S. national debt is set to breach $40 trillion for the first time.
A new Steven Spielberg movie was released earlier this year called Disclosure Day. One of the aspects of the movie was the view by a Roman Catholic nun that the belief in aliens from outer space
Jesus prophesied: 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.
The push towards a digital euro continues: Broader geopolitics strengthen case for digital euro 20 August 2026 The ECB aims to be ready for a potential first issuance of the digital euro during 2029,
A reader sent me a link to the following: Muslim kingdom prepares to celebrate baptism of Jesus 18 August 2026 Jordan wants to attract more Christian pilgrims for the 2,000-year anniversary in 2030
Science Alert posted the following: Venting Doesn’t Reduce Anger, But Something Else Does, Study Says August 6, 2024 Venting when angry seems sensible. Conventional wisdom suggests
In various ways, Iran has felt it has been winning against the USA. One is shown in the tweet above. Notice also the following: Iran’s top diplomat says war with U.S. has “completely eliminated”
Aeon put out an article that Pocket recommended that contains the following: Does life have a purpose? Nobody expects atoms and molecules to have purposes, so why do we still think of
Israel365 News reported the following: A Third Red Heifer Is Born: Rabbis Race to Examine the Herd Israel Has Waited 2,000 Years to Raise August 14, 2026 A calf was born in a dairy barn in the Jordan
What is the connection between the Day of Atonement and the Jubilee? How often was a Jubilee year to be proclaimed? Has the Jubilee to involve release from debt and bondage? Was the Jubilee
Should an offering be taken up on the Day of Atonement? What does the Bible teach about that? Steve Dupuie discusses this.
James Martenet gave this sermon about love and who is your neighbor. In addition to living in such a way as to let your light shine, Christians should also take actual physical steps. That includes obeying
This is a September 2026 sermon related to the Feast of Trumpets. On the Feast of Trumpets in 1979, the late John Ogywn gave a sermon titled 'The Meaning of the Feast of Trumpets.' But this was
Did ancient Israelites take give an offering, or at least a portion, on the Feast of Trumpets? Are God's leaders to lift up their voices like a trumpet and decry the sins in their land? Has the Continuing
Is there a coming 'King of the North'? If so, is the King of the North from Europe or Russia? What does the Bible show? What are some connections with this Beast and the European Union? Did Jerome
This is the third part of a three-part sermon series covering the letters, also called epistles, of 1, 2, & 3 John. In this sermon, Dr. Thiel goes over every verse in 2 John and 3 John, as well as the portions of 1
This is the second part of a three-part sermon series covering the letters, also called epistles, of 1,2, & 3 John. In this sermon, Dr. Thiel goes over every verse in 1 John chapters 4 and 5. Topics include
John is believed to have written this book, also called a letter or epistle around 90 A.D. This is the first part of a three-part series by Dr. Thiel where he intends to go over every verse in 1, 2, & 3 John.
Would you like 18 tips on prayer? In this sermon, Dr. Thiel goes over the following 18 tips on prayer (tips 1-10 were covered in his previous sermon): 11. Praying Positions from the Bible 12. Pray Every
What is prayer? Would you like 10 tips on prayer? After his introduction, Dr. Thiel plays a 20th century radio broadcast by the late Herbert W. Armstrong who spoke on prayer (as well as healing). Dr. Thiel
Are you familiar with Judas Kyriakos? He reportedly was the grandson named of Jude and the great grandnephew of Jesus. What does Kyriakos mean? According to Eusebius, he was the 15th bishop of
The Eastern Orthodox Church claims that Mark/Markus/Marcus of Jerusalem was the 16th bishop of Jerusalem with true apostolic succession. While the Roman Catholic Church and the Continuing
For this sermon, Dr. Thiel uses much of the Jim Rector information, but adds many scriptures and points that were not part of the original one. Are Christians supposed to be spiritual soldiers? The
The late deacon Richard Close was working on a sermon for the CCOG based on one about 'Gideon's Army' given by the former WCG minister Jim Rector who died in 2006. For this sermon, Dr.
In this sermon, Dr. Thiel goes through each and every verse of the Book of Jonah. He answers questions such as when did the events happen, what was the relative importance of Ninevah, was
For this sermon, Dr. Thiel addresses questions on a variety of doctrinal, historical, and prophetic matters. Topics covered include: Do we know what the message of the seven thunders are?
Nearly every generation has had people who believed they were living near the end of the age. All who have prior to now were wrong. Yet Jesus Christ did not tell His followers to ignore world events.
Jesus said His followers would face persecution and should pray that their fleeing would not be on the Sabbath. The Bible clearly teaches that those who keep God’s commandments will be
What is predestination? What does the Bible teach about it? When was predestination done? Are people predestined to be saved? Is the majority of humankind predestined to be lost? Are the
While Greco-Roman Catholics and Protestants acknowledge Pentecost of Acts 2, they do not seem to realize God's plan related to firstfruits and the harvest of the latter rain. Do you have to be called by
What is Pentecost? Is it also known as the Feast of Firstfruits and the Feast of Weeks? Did the apostles keep it after Jesus' resurrection? Are offerings commanded in the Bible for that day? What is
Pionius was a presbyter in Smyrna of Asia Minor. He is believed to have written down, or more likely simply copied, a document called 'The Life of Polycarp' which showed that the Apostle Paul and
The Apostle Paul wrote: 15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15) 6 Let your speech always be
The prophet Isaiah wrote: 9 "Whom will he teach knowledge? And whom will he make to understand the message? Those just weaned from milk? Those just drawn from the breasts? 10 For
The Apostle Peter wrote: 15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: (1
There was an article on MSN by Lisa O titled '15 questions that religious people struggle to answer.' Yet, while the world's religious struggle with them, we in the Continuing Church God have long had answers to them.
In this sermon, Dr. Thiel goes over each and every verse in the Apostle Paul's letters (also called books or epistles) to Philemon. He provides some background on when and where they were written
In the Book of Exodus, God unleashed ten plagues on the land of Egypt. Is there any possible relationship between the plagues of Egypt in the Book of Exodus and the apocalyptic plagues of the
The word of God commands eating unleavened bread for seven days? Why might that be? Are Christians supposed to strive for perfection? Are God's commandments righteousness? If salvation