Letter to the Brethren: January 22, 2026

Dear Brethren and Co-Workers in Christ:

Greetings.

We have continued to have massive issues affecting our ccog.org and other sites. Basically, we have been hit with malware as well as the fact that transferring server locations has affected posts. In addition, the transfer, which we were forced to do, messed up posts and other things at the cogwriter.com website.

One of the many frustrations is that even when we have recreated/replicated lost content, it has gone missing again.

We had to hire another firm to assist with some of this, which is an expense we did not want, but hope will help end some of this.

Satan does not want us to proclaim all the truths that we do and has his minions affect us in many negative ways (Ephesians 6:12).

Bible News Prophecy International

On a more positive note, we have made progress in getting our messages out in other languages using Artificial Intelligence software.

Here is some information now at our Bible News Prophecy International radio website:

Bible News Prophecy International

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And, as mentioned earlier this month, we are pleased that the quality of the audio translations.

We intend to reach people in as many languages as we can and are pleased to go through this new door.

European Union nations in Green
(Map from Wikipedia)

Mercosur nations in dark blue are full members.
Red: suspended members.
Blue: associated members.
Cyan: observers.
(Map by Chase1493 via Wikipedia)

While many people are familiar with the European Union (EU), a lot less are familiar with the Mercosur group of nations.

Its full members are Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay. Venezuela is a full member but has been suspended since 1 December 2016. Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Panama, Peru, and Suriname are associate countries. (Mercosur/ Wikipedia. accessed 01/14/26)

A massive trade deal involving them and the EU was signed in South America last Saturday:

17 January 2026

The EU and Mercosur signed a landmark free trade agreement on Saturday in Asunción, Paraguay – the largest deal Brussels has ever concluded – covering 700…. million citizens.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen received the green light on 9 January to sign the deal, more than 25 years in the making. A majority of EU countries backed the agreement – despite opposition from France and Poland.

“We choose fair trade over tariffs, we choose a productive, long-term partnership over isolation, and above all, we intend to deliver real and tangible benefits to our peoples and companies,” she said at the signing ceremony.

Von der Leyen stressed the geopolitical importance of the agreement. “When two regions like ours speak with one voice on global issues, the world will be listening.”

The agreement was sealed at the Banco Central del Paraguay, the same location where the Treaty of Asunción was signed in 1991, establishing the creation of the Mercosur bloc between Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay. European Council President António Costa also attended the ceremony. https://www.cogwriter.com/news/wp-admin/post.php?post=99118&action=edit

This is a big deal.

17 January 2026

foreign policy analyst Andres Malamud says …

“Twenty-six years ago, this was an agreement about leadership, about setting rules for trade in the world,” he told DW. Now, … “it’s about resilience.”

Malamud described the deal as an EU attempt to re-assert rules-based order and norms https://www.dw.com/en/not-just-trade-the-eu-mercosur-megadeal/a-75507665

Last week it was claimed:

Paraguay  … President Santiago Peña described the pact as ”the largest free trade agreement in the history of humanity,“ emphasizing that it represents an ”enormous opportunity“ for Paraguayan industries to gain global scale. https://en.mercopress.com/2026/01/09/eu-mercosur-deal-to-be-signed-in-asuncion-on-jan.-17?utm_source=chatgpt.com

I said “claimed” is because that does not seem to be a precise quote. Yet, this is a prophetically important deal.

The Associated Press reported the following:

Forget tariff wars: The EU and Mercosur build one of the world’s biggest free-trade zones

January 14, 2026

Talks on a landmark free trade deal between the European Union and four South American countries started so long ago that the euro wasn’t even in circulation, …

But against a starkly different geopolitical background and tough odds — including backlash from powerful protectionist lobbies — the EU and the South American alliance known as Mercosur are expected to formally sign their quarter-century-in-the-making trade pact this Saturday at a ceremony in Paraguay.

This is the first major trade agreement for Mercosur, …

The trans-Atlantic trade deal — lifting tariffs on products ranging from Argentine steaks and Brazilian copper to German cars and Italian wine — still has to be ratified by the European Parliament.

The significance of creating one of the world’s largest free-trade zones — home to more than 700 million people and accounting for a quarter of global gross domestic product — while President Donald Trump yanks the United States out of the international economy is not lost on the signatories. …

“EU leaders decided that the deal is so important at this moment, it’s worth it.” https://apnews.com/article/argentina-mercosur-european-union-trade-lula-milei-trump-china-c61f55cd655fd8695f3edcd6ee5a5b9e

While this deal reportedly involves at least 700 million people, if you add, in addition to the people in the actual EU and Mercosur nations, those in nations that are associate members, true prospective members, and similar, then this is over 1 billion people.

This type of deal has long been anticipated and predicted by Church of God writers.

Consider the following from 1971:

ENVISION the startling future of … Europe. … controlling perhaps half of all world trade, by exclusive arrangements with dozens of nations who produce raw materials.

A “United States of Europe ” possessing one single currency … A United Europe developing great military strength …

Such a European powerhouse is now just over the horizon. …

The nations of Latin America also are edging close to some sort of arrangement with Brussels. (Hogberg G. Rising World Colossus. Plain Truth, May 1971)

Europe now does have its own currency. And finally, it has made a major Latin American trade move.

Back in 2008, I posted the following:

The EU will decide that Mexico and the rest of Latin America are in more agreement with it and thus make some type of serious trading agreement with most (or all) of Latin America. The Vatican will also have influence here as Latin America is highly Roman Catholic.

The Europeans and Americans, however, will continue to have military agreements, though many will be tense about them. (Thiel B. A Combined EU & North American Trade Block Coming? COGwriter.com, March 3, 2008)

In 2014, I posted the following:

Some believe the group Mercosur is more of the answer than the Pacific Alliance.  We may see that the two groups grow and perhaps will work together or merge in the future.

For years I have written that I felt that those of Latin America would ultimately align with the upcoming European Beast power against the USA and its Anglo-allies (watch also Can You Prove that the Beast to Come is European?).   The European Union has been negotiating trade arrangements with many of the countries in Mercosur and the Pacific Alliance, as well as others in Latin America not affiliated with those groups.

The Bible shows that the world will prosper for a time because of a coming European Beast power, but that power will be short-lived (Revelation 18).  Thus, because of current and expected trade alliances, I remain of the view that nearly all (if not all) of Latin America will end up supporting the Europeans in the future. (Thiel B. Pacific Alliance: Another Latin American Group. COGwriter, February 18, 2014)

Note that all the nations in the Pacific Alliance are already associate members of Mercosur, except Mexico, which is an official observer to Mercosur.

In 2018, I wrote:

The Europeans have been working with Latin America, China, Russia’s Eurasian Union, and other areas of the world to try to set up its dominance of world trade as well as standards for world trade. (19 items to prophetically watch in 2019)

The late evangelist John Ogwyn wrote (prior to his death in 2005):

 In alliance with a religious leader who will ignite an emotional mass hysteria through what the scripture terms “lying wonders” (2 Thessalonians 2:9), this military-political leader will use deceit to achieve great power. He will lead a revived Holy Roman Empire, called in Scripture “Babylon the Great” (Revelation 17; 18).

This European union of church and state will promise universal prosperity and will exercise worldwide economic dominance for a short while. Ezekiel 27, using the figure of the ancient commercial city of Tyre, speaks of this global economic combine, which will include nations of Europe, Africa, Latin America, and Asia … in Revelation 18 where the end-time system, called Babylon the Great, is described. (Ogwyn J. The United States and Great Britain in Prophecy. USP Edition 1.3 September 2015, LCG)

The Bible prophesies the following in Ezekiel 27 related to trading with the Tyre (Ezekiel 27:1-3):

12 “Tarshish was your merchant because of your many luxury goods. They gave you silver, iron, tin, and lead for your goods. 13 Javan, Tubal, and Meshech were your traders. They bartered human lives and vessels of bronze for your merchandise. 14 Those from the house of Togarmah traded for your wares with horses, steeds, and mules. 15 The men of Dedan were your traders; many isles were the market of your hand. They brought you ivory tusks and ebony as payment. 16 Syria was your merchant because of the abundance of goods you made. They gave you for your wares emeralds, purple, embroidery, fine linen, corals, and rubies. 17 Judah and the land of Israel were your traders. They traded for your merchandise wheat of Minnith, millet, honey, oil, and balm. 18 Damascus was your merchant because of the abundance of goods you made, because of your many luxury items, with the wine of Helbon and with white wool. 19 Dan and Javan paid for your wares, traversing back and forth. Wrought iron, cassia, and cane were among your merchandise. 20 Dedan was your merchant in saddlecloths for riding. 21 Arabia and all the princes of Kedar were your regular merchants. They traded with you in lambs, rams, and goats. 22 The merchants of Sheba and Raamah were your merchants. They traded for your wares the choicest spices, all kinds of precious stones, and gold. 23 Haran, Canneh, Eden, the merchants of Sheba, Assyria, and Chilmad were your merchants. 24 These were your merchants in choice items — in purple clothes, in embroidered garments, in chests of multicolored apparel, in sturdy woven cords, which were in your marketplace. (Ezekiel 27:12-24)

Argentina exports wheat and meat. Bolivia exports tin. Brazil and Columbia iron. Brazil, Argentina, and Columbia export steel. Mexico exports tin. Peru and Mexico export lead. Peru exports a lot of bronze. Chile is one of the leading producers of copper, the main element in bronze.

As far as cane goes, if that includes sugar cane (and the Berean Study Bible translates this as “sweet cane”), then it should be noted that the leading producer in the world is Brazil, with Mexico 7th, Guatemala 9th, and Columbia 15th. Places like Paraguay are major exporters of stevia (it is number 2, with China 1), another sweetener.

As far as embroidered garments and chests of multicolored apparel go, I have seen this is in places in Latin America such as Mexico and Guatemala (see http://www.worldstopexports.com/sugar-exports-country/ accessed 12/04/19).

On November 6, 2024, the day after Donald Trump’s re-election I posted:

Donald Trump’s pointing to tariffs as the answer for US trade imbalances and manufacturing decline will incense the Europeans. Some type of trade war is coming. Europe will get more serious about trade deals with others internationally, such as being more motivated to approve the trade deal with the Mercosur block of South America. (Thiel B. Media declares Donald Trump won the election–now what? y Donald trump y eventos para observar. COGwriter, November 6, 2024)

When I wrote the above, it was not at all certain to political analysts that the deal between the EU and the Mercosur block would ever get approved.

There was major opposition to this by France, Poland, Austria, Ireland and Hungary. They all voted against the deal, while Belgium, whose Flemish and French-speaking regions disagree, abstained (see https://www.euractiv.com/news/eu-countries-endorse-mercosur-trade-deal/). There have also been large protests against this deal in Europe in 2026.

Yet, biblically, such a deal made sense.

Anyway, according to numerous news report, it was primarily because of Donald Trump that the EU accelerated the process and revived the stalled agreement:

Trump’s trade war fast-tracked the EU–Mercosur agreement

the European Commission put forward the signing and adoption of the EU–Mercosur Agreement, paving the way for the creation of the world’s largest free trade area. But why now — and how could this reshape the game of international trade? …

Donald Trump …

what strategic international interactions might the EU and Brazil (via Mercosur) adopt to mitigate Trump’s tariff shock? The fact is that a window of opportunity has opened.

While the US seeks to maximise gains through unilateral tariffs, the EU and Brazil (via Mercosur) perceive that, faced with a common rival, the EU–Mercosur Agreement ceases to be merely a trade treaty and becomes a strategic response to a more hostile international environment. 09/23/25 https://www.brusselstimes.com/1761329/the-european-commissions-approval-has-raised-hopes-for-the-final-signing-in-december-game-theory-sheds-light-on-the-strategic-response-to-donald-trumps-trade-policy

The EU-Mercosur Deal Is a Hedge Against the Donroe Doctrine

Mercosur … The deal has become about much more than trade: It is a sign that Europe and much of South America are pursuing strategies to increase their economic and strategic autonomy in the face of U.S. protectionism and military threats. https://foreignpolicy.com/2026/01/14/eu-mercosur-trade-deal-trump-donroe-doctrine/

There have been, and will be more, unintended consequences of the Trump presidency.

Regarding trade, now notice something from my free eBook titled Unintended Consequences and Donald Trump’s Presidency: Is Donald Trump Fulfilling Biblical, Islamic, Greco-Roman Catholic, Buddhist, and other America-Related Prophecies?:

Trade …

One of the unintended consequences of Donald Trump’s threats of tariffs and other trade matters is that it is motivating nations he has threatened to look to trade more with each other.

Europe will get more serious about trade deals with others internationally …

• Pushing tariffs and other policies that foreign nations do not like is contributing to other nations looking to bypass the USA dollar, as well as trade more with each other and less with the USA. This will further push various globalist’s moves forward without the USA. This is also helping set the stage for the coming European Babylonian Beast to dominate international trade.

Such moves are happening around the world. The EU-Mercosur deal is proof of that.

In December of 2025, I wrote the following in the article 26 items to prophetically watch in 2026:

For a time, Babylon will dominate world trade:

2 And he cried mightily with a loud voice, saying, “Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and has become a dwelling place of demons, a prison for every foul spirit, and a cage for every unclean and hated bird! 3 For all the nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth have become rich through the abundance of her luxury.” (Revelation 18:2-3).

While ‘Babylon’ will not fully reign in 2026, with the USA pulling out of trade deals and/or wishing to change them, steps are occurring that are pushing Europe to dominate trade (watch Trade Wars: Are COG warnings coming to pass?).

Expect Europe to reach out to various Gentile nations in Asia, Africa, South America, and elsewhere to make trade deals.

The final time of the Gentiles is approaching. We are seeing BRICS, the Global South, the EU, and others working on ways to trade and not have to deal with the descendants of Ephraim (UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand) and Manasseh (the USA).

The Europeans will work with many nations to secure stronger trade agreements.

In order for Europe to become the dominate world trading power that the Bible points to, deals such as one with the Mercosur alliance have long been expected.

That is why we have specifically pointed to the Mercosur deal with Europe. While it is facing legal challenges and delays, Europe wants this and other trade deals.

Related to future trade, we put together the following video,which is recommended for the sermonette this Sabbath:

14:38

EU-Mercosur Trade Deal: Babylonian Beast Prelude!

The European Union just signed a trade deal (January 17, 2026) with the Mercosur block of countries. Is this a big deal? This is the largest trade deal Brussels or Latin America has ever concluded and it involves all the nations in the European Union six (including Venezuela)and all the nations in the Mercosur block of nations covering 700 million people. Yes. This is a big deal. This deal has been over 25 years in the making. EU President Ursula von der Leyen said, “We choose fair trade over tariffs, we choose productive, long-term partnership over isolation, and above all, we intend to deliver real and tangible benefits to our peoples and companies. What was the driving force behind concluding a trade deal that was in the making for over 25 years? Donald Trump! But are there any downsides to the trade deal? Are there any Biblical prophecies that are being fulfilled right now, before our very eyes, at least partially? Spoiler alert – yes. Dr. Thiel brings the world news of this trade event into the light of Bible prophecy. How so? The time is getting short. Babylon is beginning to rise. As far back as 2008 Dr. Thiel’s revealed understanding of Biblical prophecy has inspired him to warn of the soon coming Beast dominating world trade. This is one of the pieces falling into place. Watch this video as Dr. Thiel shines the light of Biblical prophecy on world events and where they are leading!

Here is a link to our video: EU-Mercosur Trade Deal: Babylonian Beast Prelude!

Suggested Sabbath Services

Here is a suggested Sabbath day service for our scattered brethren and other interested people for the Last Great Day Sabbath service:

• 2-3 hymns (our songbook, The Bible Hymnal, contains the materials from the 1974 Bible Hymnal from the old WCG with new covers, plus ten additional hymns; there is also some Choral Accompaniment online).
• Opening prayer.
• Sermonette: EU-Mercosur Trade Deal: Babylonian Beast Prelude! Other sermonettes are available at our Prophecy channel on BitChute https://www.bitchute.com/channel/prophecy/
• Announcements (if any; though for many it will be this letter) and one hymn.
• The suggested sermon is: It’s All About Love & The Philadelphian Remnant. Other sermons are also available at the COGTube channel on BitChute https://www.bitchute.com/channel/cogtube/
• Final hymn.
• Closing prayer.