JERUSALEM: RUMORS OF WAR

As threats of a U.S. war against Iraq heated up this week, the lone ally of America in the Middle East prepared for the worst. Israel, according to a report in World Tribune.com, “…has determined that Iraq is preparing a missile strike that could be launched at any time.”

This article continues, “The officials said Iraq could decide to preempt any U.S. attack on the regime of Iraqi President Saddam Hussein with a missile barrage against Israel. They said such an Iraqi attack could be aimed at foiling U.S. plans to use Jordan and the Gulf states as launching pads for a military campaign against Baghdad.”

Also, “Officials said authorities have tested masks for the protection of Israeli civilians against Iraqi chemical weapons attacks.” Similar frightening preparations were reported by the Jerusalem Post Internet Edition: “Fifteen thousand emergency personnel will be vaccinated against smallpox, security officials decided Wednesday, fearing that Iraqi President Saddam Hussein could use the deadly virus as a biological weapon should the US attack Baghdad.”

News reports in the U.S. have mentioned that Israel is also now taking steps to prepare its citizenry for the real possibility of nuclear attack! All of these very ominous events were forewarned. The prophet Zechariah records that Jerusalem will eventually become the caldron of trouble that will bring all nations of the earth against it (chapter 12, verse 3). The good news is that very soon these troublesome times will end, and Jesus Christ will establish God’s righteous government on this earth–an earth now suffering from “wars and rumors of wars!”

FLOODING IN GERMANY

The unprecedented flooding in Germany has prompted STERN magazine to publish a remarkable editorial in this week’s issue. We are translating portions of this editorial, as follows:

“In the Bible, in the book of Genesis, God let it rain for 40 days and 40 nights, to extinguish all life and all sins on earth. Only Noah and his arc survived the flood. Also, the flood catastrophe at the Elbe and Danube rivers seems to be a consequence of human sins: Through the unrestrained consuming of energy, we have accelerated the change of our climate. We have changed beautiful brooks… into threatening rivers. And, through construction in endangered regions, we have ignored the forces of nature in a criminal way… Let us not return to our daily affairs, but let us talk about the consequences… All of us will soon have to pay as dearly for the sins of the past , as the people in Bavaria and Saxony have already paid.”

We are soberly reminded of a warning in Revelation 11:18. We are told there that God “will destroy those who destroy the earth.” Rather than beautifying this planet, mankind has been guilty of polluting and destroying it. But, there will come a time of reckoning. The recent flooding in many parts of the world is just a prelude of what is soon going to occur in a much greater way.

TAKE-OVER OF IRAQI EMBASSY IN BERLIN

As USA Today reported on August 20, “masked German police commandos freed two senior diplomats from armed men who stormed the Iraqi embassy Tuesday, bringing a bloodless end to a five-hour hostage drama by a previously unknown group opposed to Saddam Hussein.” The newly-founded group, calling itself “the Democratic Iraqi Opposition of Germany,” stated that they had taken over the Embassy to bring attention to the need of liberation in Iraq.

The Embassy seizure came, “as Germany expresses opposition to any U.S.-led military action to remove Saddam… The German position has stoked a rare open spat between Washington and one of its chief European allies,” according to the newspaper.

The United States denied any prior knowledge of, or contacts or involvement with the seizure. The Bush administration declared that the siege did not help in the goal to overthrow Saddam.

In light of biblical prophecy, we can expect the friendship between the United States and Germany to cool off. The difference in positions as how to deal with Saddam could very well contribute to such an alienation.

RUSSIA IN THE NEWS

Yahoo! News reported on August 21, that the United States is concerned about Russia’s plan to build nuclear reactors in Iran and a proposed economic agreement with Iraq. Iran and Iraq are both part of what President Bush has termed the “axis of evil,” along with North Korea, because of their efforts to obtain weapons of mass destruction.

Washington fears that by helping construct nuclear reactors in Iran, Moscow is helping Tehran develop nuclear arms. In addition, the United States expects Russia to continue to abide by United Nations sanctions against Iraq. Moscow, however, has taken the position that the proposed economic cooperation program with Baghdad, which is reportedly worth $40 billion, would not violate sanctions.

Biblical prophecy reveals that Russia will play an important role in future events — but not in the way, which many expect today. The Bible does not predict any major war between Russia and the United States prior to Christ’s return — but it does predict another war between Russia and continental Europe, following the establishment of some kind of a confederation between Europe and the Iraq.

AL-QAEDA VIDEOTAPES

The world was shocked this week to learn, what the Washington Post of August 21 described in this way: “A trove of videotapes unearthed in Afghanistan and spirited out recently by CNN confirms in graphic detail what U.S. intelligence officials have been saying over the last several years: that al Qaeda was learning how to make and use toxic chemical agents and that it has a disciplined, trained cadre of militants willing to kill, bomb and kidnap to meet its goals.”

The most graphic tape, according to the newspaper, “involves the apparent death of dogs inhaling a white vapor, which CNN commentators said they believe to be sarin or other poisonous gases.” This tape was so graphic that at least one local station in San Diego refused to air it. Many of those who did see it broke out in tears.

We must realize that we are living in a time, where Satan’s wrath is very great (Revelation 12:12). He is in the process of influencing people to develop a cruel, unloving, and hateful attitude unparalleled in the annals of mankind. Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 3:1-3, “But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves…, proud, blasphemers…, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving…, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good…”

The coldness, brutality and cruelty portrayed in those tapes show without any doubt Satan’s influence and inspiration. To cause a dog to die in pain, and to laugh about it, as some of the al Qaeda observers were heard to do on the tape, portrays an ungodly spirit beyond belief. Indeed, perilous times have come upon us.

GOVERNMENTAL PERSECUTION OF WHITE FARMERS IN ZIMBABWE

As Yahoo! News reported on August 15, Zimbabwean police have summoned six white farmers to appear in court on Friday to face charges for defying a government eviction order by President Robert Mugabe. The order gave the 2,900 white farmers an August 8 deadline to hand over their farms to landless blacks. Nearly 60% of the farmers are expected to defy the order. Again, we see, as prophesied for these end times, the decreasing influence of the descendants of Ephraim in that part of the world.

RELIGIOUS PERSECUTION IN THE UNITED STATES?

As the Associated Press reported on August 14, a federal judge has struck down a religious exemption to a state statute of Arkansas, requiring vaccinations before children can attend public school. The judge ruled that the exemption, which was only granted to members of “recognized churches,” violates the establishment and free association clauses of the First Amendment. The suit came about, as a student, who is not a member of a “recognized” religious group, believed that vaccinations are “against the will of her God.” The unfortunate and undesirable present result of this ruling is, however, that, unless the ruling is overturned, no religious exemption exists at all, and that all students will now have to be vaccinated in Arkansas.

NUCLEAR WAR IN THE MIDDLE EAST?

WorldTribune.com reported on August 12 that Israel has determined that Iraq is preparing a missile strike that could be launched at any time. Israeli officials said that the government has prepared a series of plans to defend against and retaliate for any Iraqi missile attack. They said the plans were endorsed by the United States. Bild Online reported on August 15, that the Israeli newspaper Haaretz stated that Israel would be willing to use nuclear weapons against Iraq in case of an attack with nuclear, biological or chemical weapons. The report stated that in this case, Iraq could be wiped out from the map.

FLOOD WATERS IN EUROPE AND ASIA–WARNING FROM GOD?

Torrential rain has wreaked havoc across Central and Eastern Europe in the past week, causing floods across Russia, Romania, Austria and Germany that have killed more than 80 people.

As Yahoo! News reported on August 15th, Dresden, Germany, suffered its worst flooding in more than a century. About 3000 residents have been evacuated. Tens of thousands more Germans were moved from other towns along the Elbe and Mulde rivers. A second wave of water from the Czech Republic is expected to hit soon. Further evacuations are going to be needed. The Elbe is expected to reach a level of 27 feet by Thursday night, its highest since March 31, 1845. German officials estimated damage would cost billions of euros.

Other areas, which were hit hard by the flood in Europe, were regions in Bavaria and Prague, the Czech capital, and the entire Czech Republic. Authorities there moved more than 20,000 people to escape “the worst floods since records began over a century ago.” According to Der Spiegel of August 14, the flood, destroying parts of Prague, occurred exactly 660 years after a devastating flood during August of 1342, which became known as the “flood of the century.” A Czech chemicals factory leaked poisonous chlorine gas after flood waters damaged the building.

Austria, too, was hit hard. 10,000 homes are thought to have been left uninhabitable “by floods that have been described as the country’s worst disaster since World War II.”

Yahoo! News also reported on August 14th “hundreds more have died in seasonal floods in South Asia and Iran. The chaos has been blamed by some on changes to the global climate wrought by man-made pollution.” Der Spiegel asked on August 14 whether this present chaos is only “a foretaste” of worse things to come.

Almost 900 people died so far in Asia because of floods. Nearly 1 Million people in 200 villages have lost their homes or went to higher ground to escape flooding from six major rivers in India. The floods, caused by 2 months of torrential monsoon rains, are described as the worst in three decades.

Is God in the process of giving a warning to this world, that worse things ARE going to occur, unless man repents? Notice Christ’s warning in Luke 21: 25-26, “And there will be… on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; men’s hearts failing them from fear and expectation of those things which are coming on the earth…”

GLOBAL PROBLEMS

An article from The Associated Press reports on this month’s Earth Summit–a United Nations event in which more than 100 world leaders will participate.
What they will deal with is “…a planet in peril.”

Quoting from the article: “According to its findings (U.N. report), forests are being destroyed, drought is becoming more intense, sea levels are rising, agricultural production can’t keep up with the demand for food, many plant and animal species are at risk of extinction and air and water pollution are killing millions of people.” (Source: as reported in The Coloradoan, 8/14/02.)

These planet wide concerns echo the biblical warnings of an earth on the brink of chaos such as forewarned by Jesus Christ in Matthew 24. Further examples of a rapidly changing global existence are highlighted by the West Nile virus that is sweeping across the U.S. First detected in New York City in 1999, this disease is carried to new locations by birds, then through mosquitoes the virus is passed to people or horses. It is estimated that nearly 40 percent of horses infected with this disease will die! There is, however, a vaccine that may prove partially effective for horses. Stringent warnings for people concerning avoidance of mosquito bites are now the only real preventive action to be taken. The West Nile virus tends to make people sick while some, such as the elderly or infirm, are at much greater risk.

WIDENING DROUGHT

Sobered by the reality of drought, state and local officials are making bleak plans for next year’s water supply in the Western U.S. Many are already predicting that watering of lawns–along with other severe restrictions–may be totally forbidden. Others are scrambling to implement the new reality of life in a period of sustained and deepening drought.

A national perspective on the drought was issued this week: “Persistent and worsening drought has spread to nearly half the contiguous United States, the government reported Wednesday. The National Climatic Data Center said that, as of the end of July, 49 percent of the 48 contiguous states were affected by moderate to extreme drought.” (The Coloradoan, August 15, 2002)
 

CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE – U.S.

Questions and much doubt remain concerning the outbreak of chronic wasting disease (CWD) among deer and elk in increasing areas of the western U.S. At an international conference held in Denver, Colorado, the critical issue of whether this disease would cross over into human populations or into cattle herds was discussed. The experts cautiously say “no,” but candidly admit that they simply don’t know.

CWD is compared to mad cow disease that recently took such a financial and human toll in Great Britain. Quoting from The Coloradoan, August 8, 2002, the stark seriousness of this disease comes to light: “Hunters in areas where wasting disease is found are advised to wear gloves while field dressing, to not consume any portion of the central nervous system or meat from a positive-testing animal and to not shoot any animal that appears sick or abnormal.” Many areas such as New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming and Montana depend heavily on the out-of-state hunters who pay high licensing fees, thus providing bountiful tourism money to these areas.

These kinds of problems were once only thought to occur in third world populations. As God withdraws His blessings to the descendants of Abraham, more–not less–bad news will erode the pride of our nations — nations who have forgotten their God, and who even now are NOT turning to Him in humility and repentance and in reliance on Him for deliverance.

UPDATE ON PINES FIRE – NEAR JULIAN, CALIFORNIA

As of August 6, the Pines Fire near Julian had burnt over 48,000 acres and destroyed 19 houses and 25 other buildings. By that time, it was 48% contained. High winds of 24 miles an hour and dry weather have made the fight against the fire very difficult. The costs of fighting the fire, excluding damage on the burned structures, have already exceeded 11.5 million dollars.

WESTERFIELD TRIAL – SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA

As USA Today reported on August 8, the jurors began deliberations in the trial of David Westerfield, a man accused of kidnapping Danielle van Dam from her home and subsequently killing her. The dead body was later found along a rural road east of San Diego. Westerfield lived two houses away from Danielle. The entire trial, which had lasted for several weeks, had been broadcast on local television and attracted nationwide attention. If convicted, Westerfield could face the death penalty.

Defense attorney Steven Feldmann claimed that the prosecution had only presented circumstantial evidence and never proved that Westerfield was in the victim’s home. He stated that no fingerprints or other traces of Westerfield had been found in the van Dam home. He maintained, based on expert testimony, that Westerfield, due to the time that Danielle’s body had been exposed to the environment, could not have disposed of the dead body, as he was at that time under constant surveillance by police or the press. He finally suggested that the lifestyle of the girl’s parents, which included drug use and spouse swapping, might have exposed strangers who could have harmed her, pointing out that unidentified finger prints and blood found at the van Dam home suggested some other, unknown suspect.

Prosecutor Jeff Dusek argued that Danielle’s DNA, fiber, hair and fingerprints in Westerfield’s motor home and Danielle’s blood on Westerfield’s jacket prove that Westerfield had kidnapped the girl, killed it in the motor home and later disposed of the dead body.

The televised trial revealed the difficult task the jurors will have to face, in reaching a just decision. Many times, the jury was not allowed to hear evidence, due to sustained objections from the attorneys. Undoubtedly, emotions will have a part during deliberation, as they had been in the closing arguments of both attorneys, accusing each other of misrepresentations and worse.

Viewing the Westerfield case strictly on the basis of God’s laws, as revealed in the Old Testament, the accused could clearly not be convicted, as God had required at least the testimony of two witnesses confirming the commission of the crime (Numb. 35:30; Deut. 17:6). God had given those laws to prevent that an innocent person would be convicted and executed.

The laws of this world are not in harmony with God’s. That is one reason why we should not participate as jurors in jury trials. How thankful can we be, that God will send His Son Jesus Christ soon to establish true justice on this earth.

MIDDLE EAST

As NEWS-Networld reported on August 8, the peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians, relating to the conditions of Israel’s withdrawal from occupied territory, have failed. Jordan has issued an alarm of high alert to its citizens at the border between Jordan and Israel. Reputedly, Israel has also lounged another attack on Gaza.

WAR WITH IRAQ?

Der Spiegel reported on August 7 that both Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder and Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer have warned President Bush, not to attack Iraq. They have made it clear that Germany would not participate in military actions against Iraq. Mr. Schroeder also declared that an American attack on Iraq might destroy the International Alliance against Terrorism, and it would worsen the economic situation worldwide. Mr. Fischer warned that such a war would have dangerous consequences for Europe, and would constitute an incalculable risk.

Developments like these might very well lead to further alienation between the United States, Great Britain, and continental Europe, as predicted in the Bible.

AUSTRIA

Joerg Haider has threatened to resign from his party and create instead a European party, consisting of right-wingers. He stated, according to NEWS-Networld of August 8, that a “European right” would be better equipped to be victorious against the left, which “believes that they can prohibit us what to think.” Mr. Haider also defended his visits with Saddam Hussein of Iraq. He stated that former Austrian Chancellor Bruno Kreisky had visited, too, radical leaders like Libya’s Muammar al-Qaddafi, and that present Chancellor Wolfgang Schuessel has declared that he, too, was desirous of a better relationship with Iraq.
 

PINES FIRE NEAR JULIAN, CALIFORNIA

Following the devastating fires in Colorado and Arizona, this week has seen the beginning of what might turn out to be the worst fire ever in an area near Julian, California, which is situated 25 miles east of Ramona (where the San Diego church meets for Sabbath services). As of noon, Thursday, the fire, which is also referred to as the “Pines Fire,” is only 25% contained. It has already burned 17,500 acres, including at least five houses. The damage so far is estimated as $1,9 million. 500 people were evacuated from their houses. The loss of wild life can’t even be estimated. Almost 2,000 firefighters are battling the blaze, including personnel from as far as Sacramento and Arizona. The cause of the fire has not been officially determined yet, but there is a great likelihood that a forest helicopter caused the fire, when disconnecting a power line.

The bible predicts that we will be observing more and more of these kinds of fires in the years ahead. God is trying to warn and shake up this nation.

CHILD AND TEEN ABDUCTIONS ON THE RISE

We have recently seen an unprecedented rise in the abductions, kidnappings and murders of young children and teenagers. Especially shocking is the brutality and “in-your-face” attitude, with which the perpetrators have conducted their crimes, including the breaking and entering into homes to kidnap a child or teen. The most recent case in these bizarre series of appalling events happened early Thursday morning in Lancaster, California (which is 60 miles northeast of Los Angeles). A man kidnapped two teenage girls (16 and 17) at gunpoint from lovers’ lane in a remote area. The girls were sitting in separate cars with male friends, when the gunman approached them and tied up the male friends, before leaving with the girls in a car which belonged to one of the males.

Fortunately, only hours after the abduction, the two teenage girls were found alive and the man suspected of kidnapping them was shot and killed by police.

This most recent event shows the kind of world in which we are all living. The bible warns all of us to show great caution in how we are to conduct ourselves, and to stay away from dangerous situations or locations. God-fearing parents need to take extra efforts to supervise their children and teens.

GERMANS BUY MANHATTAN?

In an interesting article of BILD Online, August 1, it is suggested “the New York Skyline becomes German.” More and more high-rise buildings are in the hands of Germans, according to the newspaper, including the Chrysler Building and the Seagram Building. One is somewhat reminded of God’s prediction in Deuteronomy 28:43-44, “The alien who is among you shall rise higher and higher above you, and you shall come down lower and lower. He shall lend to you, but you shall not lend to him; he shall be the head, and you shall be the tail.”

MIDDLE EAST

A bomb exploded this week in a cafeteria of the Hebrew University, killing four students, including Americans, and injuring more than 80. The terrorist group Hamas claimed responsibility and stated that the attack was “intended to avenge the July 22 killing of its leader, Salah Shehada.”

President Bush, meeting on Thursday with Jordan’s King Abdullah, stated that he was furious over the attack, but he expressed at the same time his belief that peace is still possible. Observers are expecting, however, a serious act of retaliation from Israel, which would make any peace prospects in the region more and more illusory.

EASTERN EUROPE

Zenit News Agency reported on July 26, that a church-state treaty was signed between the Czech Republic and the Vatican. The treaty must still be ratified by the Parliament. 39.2% of the Czechs are Catholics, while 39.8% are atheists. The article pointed out that all the other Eastern European countries have already signed similar agreements with the Vatican. The treaty recognizes the civil effects of a marriage conducted by the Catholic Church, and it treats Catholic schools like public schools. It also permits and regulates the teaching of Catholic religion in public schools. The article continued that the “thorny questions relating to Church property expropriated by the communist regime” would still have to be resolved.
 

As we attentively watch world events with the portent of ushering in the traumatic end-time calamities mentioned throughout the Word of God, several interesting trends continue to subtly nudge themselves into play:

ECONOMIC CONFIDENCE SHIFT

The first one is the economic body blow dealt by United States mega corporations as their corrupt practices have now caused bankruptcies of historic proportions. This week it was WorldCom–a company whose debts are virtually global. German banks in particular were hard hit. The “Humpty-Dumpy” world of U.S. prominence and leadership may never fully rebound. Waiting in the wings is the European, German-led euro which has emerged as a potential option for the badly battered dollar. The corrupt business practices which have toppled–and continue to weaken–so many formerly dominant American industrial giants have caused a perceptible sea-change in global dominance. Watch as these events continue to restructure the centers of economic confidence!

NEW RELIGIOUS LEADER

The second trend is highlighted by the appointment of Rowan Williams as Archbishop of Canterbury. His appointment this week brings to the Church of England’s leadership a man noted for liberal views and strong criticism of U.S. foreign policy. His spiritual voice echoes much of the sentiment of continental Europe. Hand in hand with this change is the current Papal visits–this time to Toronto, Canada, for the Church’s World Youth Day. His frail and failing health gives rise to ongoing speculation about the next Papal appointee. Europe and other Catholic countries are anticipating strong Papal involvement as the Catholic Church seems to have weathered the fading scandals of pedophilia in the U.S. Watch as religious influence becomes more outspoken and dominant in a world that seems on the verge of pulling away from the influence of a United States that has stumbled in its world role!

MIDDLE EAST

Earlier this week, the international press reported that the Israeli media and politicians criticized the most recent Israeli military attack on Gaza. During the raid, Hamas leader Salah Schehade was killed, but also 15 Palestinian civilians, including nine children. The United States, the United Nations, and many European and Arab governments condemned the strike as well.

Yahoo News published on Thursday an article, titled, “Sharon goes too far, again.” It stated that Sharon boasted that Thursday’s strike was “‘one of the biggest successes.'” It continued, “The incident is another tragic example of Sharon’s long history of violently overstepping reason in Israel’s struggle with the Palestinians. And his assessment of the attack shows why progress towards a peace settlement has unraveled under his rule. Each time Sharon overreaches, his country pays a heavy price. This time, the terrorist group Hamas… has vowed to kill Israeli children and target bus stops, restaurants and other public places. Before the strike, Hamas had hinted that it might end its attacks on Israeli citizens.”

Shortly thereafter, Yahoo News ran another article, informing its readership that “Palestinians shot dead a rabbi from a Jewish settlement in the West Bank Thursday in what militants called the first response to an Israeli air strike that killed 15 Palestinians.”

When will this world learn that nothing is gained by violence and war, and that war only breeds more war? The history of man has been written in blood. Man has proven that he is totally incapable of bringing peace to this world. But thankfully, man’s misrule over this planet is about to end. Very soon, Jesus Christ will return to establish the Kingdom of God on this earth and bring real and lasting peace to this world.

CHINA

As if a foretaste of bigger things to come, Reuters reported on July 20 that “a downpour of giant hailstones, some of the size of eggs, killed 15 people and left hospitals overflowing” in central China. “Locals described it as the worst hailstorm in at least half a century.”

This may remind us of the hail that God sent to ancient Egypt, and it may also bring home the warning of a prophecy in the book of Revelation, that “great hail from heaven fell upon men, each hailstone about the weight of a talent. Men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail, since that plague was exceedingly great.” (Revelation 16:21).

INDIA

God’s Church is commissioned to preach the gospel in all the world. And we can be thankful, that this can be done from the Western world where we do enjoy relative religious freedom. Imagine we had to operate from India, for example. Zenit News Agency reported on July 24 that a Catholic nun “charged with converting Hindus remains in prison after her arrest in India last week,” as bail was denied her. The nun is accused of converting 94 Hindus to Christianity in 1988 (!), although conversion of people from one religion to another is prohibited without the “administration’s permission.”

GERMANY

The Economist.com ran an article on July 19, titled, “Schröder in trouble.” It pointed out, “Much of the German electorate is still undecided, according to polls, about which way to vote in September’s general election. But Chancellor Gerhard Schröder and his Social Democratic Party [SPD] are in trouble. Like so many other European countries, Germany may be about to move to the right…” It continued, “In no other post-war election have voters found it so hard to make up their minds; one in three still have not done so.” We most certainly need to watch the events taking pace in Germany. The bible prophecies that Germany and continental Europe will play a dominant role in the near future, and the entire world will be affected by it.

WORLD NEWS HEADLINES

MIDDLE EAST

As Yahoo! News reported on July 18, any “hopes for reviving peacemaking” were shattered after almost simultaneous Palestinian suicide bombings in Tel Aviv on Wednesday night, killing three people. These attacks followed a bus ambush on Tuesday that killed seven Israelis near a Jewish settlement in the West Bank. Political leaders were quick to condemn these violent acts. President Bush stated “peace could not be built on a platform of violence against innocents.” The article continued,” …at least 1,447 Palestinians and 558 Israelis have been killed since Palestinians began their revolt after negotiations for a final peace treaty envisaging a Palestinian state stalled.”

The events in the Middle East show us that we are living in a violent world. Although some political leaders are earnestly searching for peace, they will not find it, since man, cut off from God, does not know the way to peace (Romans 3:17). In fact, when they think that they have reached a peaceful and safe solution, “sudden destruction will befall them.” (1 Thessalonians 5:3). The bible suggests strongly that the United States or Great Britain will not be able to bring about peace in the Middle East. It will be an emerging power in continental Europe which will militarily enforce very temporary “peaceful” conditions. When we see this occurring, we know that the time of Christ’s return is very near (Luke 21:20, 28). Only He can bring lasting and true peace to this violent world.

INDIA

USA TODAY reported on July 18 that India elected a missile scientist, A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, as its new president. Mr. Kalam advocates nuclear weapons as a war deterrent. Although the office of president is largely ceremonial, the president can play a crucial role. If Parliament is deadlocked, his verdict is final. He can also call elections.

To see an outspoken advocate for nuclear weapons in a leadership position in India might have a wide-ranging and devastating effect on the current ongoing problems between India and Pakistan. This conflict is only one of several hotspots in the world, which could ignite the flames of a nuclear war. The bible clearly reveals that nuclear war is coming!

GERMANY

As Der Spiegel Online reported on July 18, Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder (SPD) fired his minister of defense, Rudolf Scharping, only nine months before the next parliamentary elections. Never before has a minister been dismissed so close to a parliamentary election, according to Der Spiegel. In an accompanying commentary, the magazine points out that the damage for Schroeder and his party (SPD) is incalculable, stating that if this event leads to a defeat of the SPD during the parliamentary elections, Schroeder’s party might go into “opposition” for many years to come.

The bible predicts that a very powerful Europe under the leadership of Germany will emerge on the world scene very soon. It is highly improbable that Germany will be led at that time by a person belonging to one of the established major German parties. It is much more likely that someone from the right will gain sudden power and influence. It is critical that we watch the events, which are happening in continental Europe and especially in Germany.

DROUGHT DEEPENS!

Riveting headlines summed up a bleak outlook for the drought that is slowly but steadily devastating farmers and unsuspecting city dwellers. According to The Associated Press, “More than one-third of the contiguous states (US) face severe to extreme drought…” The same article goes on to show that all-time records for heat and lack of rainfall are striking major segments of the American West and parts of the Southeastern seaboard.

Added to theses dismals statistics is the frightening specter of insect infestations eating away at already stricken crop yields. The Coloradoan, a newspaper covering northern Colorado, this week ran a thorough article reporting the “biggest grasshopper infestation since WWII” in the Midwest. This explosive outbreak of grasshoppers and Mormon crickets is a direct result of the sustained drought conditions in the infected areas.

The stern warnings of national punishment on the modern descendants of Israel such as found in Leviticus 26 and Deuteronomy 28 suddenly are finding alarming relevance as the United States and Canada suffer the curses that are now undermining our national strength. Note the timely warning of Deuteronomy 28, verses 38 and 42, in which God warns that locusts will eat up crops and trees. Again in Joel chapter 1, God uses the plague of locusts to humble His nation–just as He did to ancient Egypt!

WORLD NEWS HEADLINES

CATHOLIC CHURCH AND ITALY
Zenit News Agency, an independent service in support of the Catholic Church, reported on July 1, 2002, that Pope John Paul II insisted that ecumenical talks and a theological dialogue between Rome and Constantinople must continue and move forward. He added that he does not rule out the hope for unity in the future. He stated that in order to change the world, by reinforcing or bringing peace to it, “we must join forces, be together, act together.” He concluded that we must nourish the commitment to overcome theological obstacles that still divide the Roman Catholic and the Greek Orthodox Churches.

Zenit News Agency reported on July 3 that the Vatican offered a symbolic contribution to the Trust Fund set up by the United Nations to support the establishment of the International Criminal Court. The U.N. adopted the statute creating this court in 1998 in Rome. The United States and Russia are the only two main powers opposing the creation of the Court, as they don’t want their soldiers, diplomats or others caught up in politically motivated persecutions, according to Zenit News Agency.

The San Diego Union Tribune reported on July 10 that Italian police closed down five U.S. based Web-sites that were charged with “blaspheming Catholicism and especially the virgin Mary.” Zenit News Agency added on July 10 that the action came about in response to a denunciation of one of the Web-sites by the Vatican’s semiofficial newspaper, the L’Osservatore Romano, in October of 2000.

Yahoo! News reported on July 11 that the Italian parliament gave final approval to lifting a constitutional ban that kept the male descendants of Italy’s last king out of their homeland, opening the way for their return after 56 years of exile. The male members of the House of Savoy were exiled after World War II as punishment for royal support of Fascist dictator Benito Mussolini. Victor Emmanuel, son of Italy’s last king, Umberto II, was only nine years old when he left the country. His 30-year-old son, Emanuel Filiberto, was born and raised in Switzerland and has never been in Italy. Victor Emmanuel expressed his and his son’s thanks to the government and lawmakers from all parties for “this brilliant success.”

MIDDLE EAST
World Tribune.com reported on July 4 that, according to a United States Air Force report, Israel is building a nuclear naval force meant to respond to any nuclear strike by such countries as Iran or Iraq. It is believed that Iran will have the capability to produce a nuclear warhead by 2004. The report allegedly asserts that Israel possesses 400 atomic and hydrogen weapons, which number is twice as high as what was previously assessed. The missiles could have a range of 350 kilometers.

Yahoo! News reported on July 11 that Amnesty International condemned Palestinian suicide bombings and other attacks on Israeli civilians as “crimes against humanity” and unjustified by Palestinian political grievances. The London-based human rights organization had previously accused Israel of violating Palestinian rights in the Mideast conflict. The most recent lengthy report stated that Palestinian violence killed about 350 Israeli citizens, describing those acts as possibly constituting “war crimes.” Palestinian officials dismissed the report as biased and unbalanced.

IRAQ AND JOERG HAIDER
As Yahoo! News reported on July 10, the United States is capable of launching a rapid attack on Iraq by marshaling 50,000 troops at the Kuwaiti border in roughly a week, airlifting them in and bringing their tanks and heavy equipment on ships through the Strait of Hormuz. That would give Saddam Hussein just a few days’ notice. It might also eliminate America’s need to rely on bases in neighboring countries like Saudi Arabia or Jordan. The article continued, “A risk is that Saddam would still have time to launch missiles – perhaps carrying poison gas or anthrax – toward U.S. troops in Kuwait or civilians in Israel.”

The Jordan Times and Spiegel Online reported on July 3 and July 5 that Iraqi Foreign Minister Naji Sabri met with Austria’s Joerg Haider in the absence of any foreign ministerial official. Haider had visited Iraq earlier this year in February. Sabri described Haider as “one of Iraq’s best friends.”
The BBC News Online had quoted on June 28 from an interview, which Joerg Haider gave last week, while in London. He stated that Tony Blair’s stance on issues like immigration and crime make him a right-winger. He added, “I was accused and attacked and labeled a racist and a fascist, but now the EU has taken the stance and taken a similar idea [on immigration] which I maintained 10 years before. It’s a satisfying event for me.” He also added, according to the article, that left-winged politicians could not survive in Europe unless they accepted right-wing ideas.

UNITED EUROPE
Washingtonpost.com  reported on July 5 about an anti-Europe 90-second commercial which is being aired in Great Britain, causing anger and an uproar there and abroad. The commercial depicts an actor and comedian, Rik Mayall, appearing twice as Adolph Hitler, giving the Nazi salute and shouting, “Ein Volk! Ein Reich! Ein Euro!” [“One people! One state! One euro!”]. Jewish officials condemned the commercial as “absolutely tasteless” and “as an insult of Holocaust-victims,” according to Spiegel Online of July 4. The magazine added, “The historian Andrew Roberts argued in ‘Daily Mail,’ that Hitler’s plans for a European economic society show alarming parallels with today’s EU.”

WORLDWIDE TERRORIST ATTACKS IN SEPTEMBER ?

Spiegel Online and Bild Online reported on July 7 that several secret agent services fear a series of spectacular attacks against American, Israeli and British targets. It is feared that those attacks by Osama bin Laden’s terrorists will occur on September 11, 2002. One of the targets is allegedly the Statute of Liberty in New York, according to Bild Online. The secret agent services also believe, according to Spiegel Online, that bin Laden lives in a mountain area close to the border between Afghanistan or Pakistan, while many of his followers are operating from Pakistan.
 

World News Headlines

UNITED STATES

The ongoing fight against terrorism was highlighted this week in frightening scenarios.

Earlier this week, the American military fired on and killed numerous civilians in Afghanistan, who, according to Afghan reports, were celebrating a wedding and who were mistakenly identified as members of the Taliban. As Yahoo! News reported, “mounting anger about the civilian casualties could undermine the Western-backed government of President Hamid Karzai, and complicate American efforts to track down Taliban and al Qaeda fugitives in the country… Experts say Karzai’s government will have to deal with a lot of ant-American feeling as a result of the tragedy… Although Karzai has not condemned the attack in person, he has asked the Americans to inform Afghan authorities about future operations, something the U.S. military may be reluctant to do.” The American military defended the deadly attack, saying it believed senior Taliban leaders were sheltering in the village and that its planes had received anti-aircraft fire from several locations close to the houses. Afghans maintain the villagers were merely firing in the air to celebrate the wedding of the son and daughter of two tribal leaders, with 500 guests assembled for a five-day party.

Der Spiegel commented on the affair with strong words against the American warfare, reminding its readership that this is by no means the first time that innocent civilians, including women and children, were accidentally killed in Afghanistan by the USA. The magazine pointed out that in December, 150 civilians were killed in a village by the American military, and additional 14 civilians died in March. It concluded its report as follows, “Marc Herold, Professor at the University of New Hampshire, published a document at the beginning of the year, stating that more than 4000 civilians have been killed from October 7, 2001, until January 4, 2002.”

In a tragic twist of events, a shooting took place on the fourth of July at the Los Angeles International Airport, during which three people, including the gunman, were killed. According to the FBI, there is no proof for a terrorist activity, although the government of Israel claims otherwise. The gunman, who is originally from Egypt, shot at and killed an employee of an Israeli airline.

MIDDLE EAST

As Yahoo! News reported this week, Danish Foreign Minister Per Stig Moeller, whose country took over the presidency of the EU on Monday, urged the United States to work with the European Union to start a new, concrete and realistic peace process for the Middle East. Moeller said the Palestinians must keep their promise to hold elections soon, but Israel should withdraw its forces from Palestinian self-rule areas if elections are to take place. Moeller said the EU would continue to back Yasser Arafat as long as he remained the democratically elected leader of the Palestinian Authority. Referring to President Bush’s speech on June 24, outlining his vision of a Mideast peace, Moeller said too much attention had been paid to Arafat’s future and not enough to Bush’s commitment to establishing a Palestinian state. Although Arafat has dismissed a senior Palestinian security official this week, he has given no indication that he will step down, and while many Palestinians have complained about their leaders, Arafat’s position still appears solid.

While Syria has offered help in the U.S.-led fight against terrorism, they will not cease supporting the Lebanese terrorist organization Hezbollah — which has been linked to the deaths of hundreds of Americans. As Yahoo! News pointed out, Hezbollah was linked in the 1980s to a series of suicide bombings and kidnappings of Westerners that killed more than 260 Americans. Today, besides a guerilla army, Hezbollah runs schools, hospitals and media outlets. It has nine members in the 128-seat legislature of Lebanon.

WORLD NEWS HEADLINES

UNITED STATES — PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE UNCONSTITUTIONAL?

A federal appeals court of the 9th Circuit ruled Wednesday that saying the Pledge of Allegiance in public schools is unconstitutional because the “under God” portion added by Congress in 1954 improperly endorses religion. The 9th Circuit includes Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon and Washington state. Judge Alfred T. Goodwin, an appointee of President Richard M. Nixon, wrote for the three-judge panel, stating that this phrase, as adopted by Congress, amounts to an official endorsement of “a religious orthodoxy” of monotheism over atheism or a belief in certain non-Judeo-Christian religions or philosophies, and is therefore impermissible. Judge Stephen Reinhardt, an appointee of President Jimmy Carter, joined Goodwin. Judge Ferdinand F. Fernandez, who was appointed by President George H.W. Bush, dissented.

The decision does not become effective until all appeals have failed. It is almost viewed as certain that the decision will be overturned, either by a full appeals court of the 9th Circuit, or, if the full court of appeals refuses to change the decision, by the United States Supreme Court, most likely sometime in 2003.

Most politicians condemned the decision. President Bush called it “ridiculous” and “out of step with the traditions and history of America.” He promised to appoint judges who affirm God’s role in the public square, stating that this country needs “commonsense judges who understand that our rights were derived from God.”

The U.S. Senate voted 99-0 on a resolution condemning the ruling. Attorney General John Ashcroft said “this decision is directly contrary to two centuries of American tradition.” Senator Joe Lieberman called for a constitutional amendment to enshrine “under God” in the Pledge. “There may have been a more senseless, ridiculous decision issued by a court at some time, but I don’t remember it,” he said.

Many newspapers across the nation condemned the ruling as well. The New York Times and The Washington Post said that the ruling was more misguided than incorrect, calling it “well-meaning” but lacking in “common sense.” The Los Angeles Times stated references to the Almighty have long been an integral part of everyday American life.

Some legal experts were not convinced that the decision was stretching the United States Supreme Court’s past cases. Washington lawyer Christopher Landau, former clerk to Justice Antonin Scalia, stated that he did not think “this is necessarily a wacko 9th Circuit result… This is the Supreme Court reaping what it sowed.” Eugene Volokh, a specialist in church-state law at UCLA Law School, concurred. “It is eminently defensible,” he said. “I’m not sure it’s ultimately the right result. But the court is applying principles the Supreme Court has established.” He continued that he expects that the U.S. Supreme Court will uphold the Pledge, as the words “under God” qualify as “‘ceremonial deism’ — traditional references to a higher power so frequently invoked that they have lost any specific religious meaning.”

The Pledge of Allegiance was written in 1892 by Francis Bellamy, a 37-year-old Baptist minister from New York, for the observance of the 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus’ landing. It was not exclusively for the flag of the United States, but it was intended to be an international peace pledge. In 1923-24, the American Legion and the Daughters of the American Revolution changed the words “to my flag” to “to the flag of the United States of America.” Congress added the words “under God” in 1954 after a two-year campaign begun by the Knights of Columbus, a Roman Catholic service group. Alfred Goodwin writes in his majority opinion that “the purpose of the 1954 Act was to take a position on the question of theism, namely, to support the existence and moral authority of God, while ‘deny[ing]… atheistic and materialistic concepts.'”

(Sources: Newdow v. U.S. Congress, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit (2002), pp. 9105-9136; USA Today; Washington Post; both as of June 27, 2002)

UNITED STATES — DROUGHT WATCH

The city of Denver, Colorado, has now imposed water restrictions because of ominous lack of rainfall and lower than normal water reserves. Now into a two and three year impact from low snowfall and precious little rain, the state of Colorado along with the greater Southwestern United States is beginning to implement plans for an ongoing drought that will only worsen.

Agricultural businesses now wonder if many farmers will even plant seed next year. Cattle herds are already being sold down in reaction to lack of irrigation water or timely rains to grow hay. Privately, some individuals are considering the reality of rationed drinking water–much less restricted lawn watering in the coming year.

MIDDLE EAST — NEW PALESTINIAN LEADER AS A REQUIREMENT FOR PEACE?

In a 15-minute speech on Wednesday, President George W. Bush expressed his vision that the state of Israel will live side-by-side in peace with a state of Palestine, fighting together against terrorism. He asked the Palestinian people to elect new leaders who are not tainted by terrorism, and to create a functioning democracy. Although never mentioning Arafat by mane, it became clear that Bush was advocating a new Palestinian leader other than Arafat.

Both Israel and Arafat reacted positively to Bush’s speech. Israel’s minister of defense, Benjamin Ben Eliser, stated that the speech was an “historical event”, and Arafat welcomed Bush’s “ideas,” stating that their expression showed a “serious effort.”

Subsequently, Bush emphasized in Canada that Israel has a right to defend itself. At the same time, he asked Israel to withdraw its army from areas that were occupied subsequent to September 2000. He also stated that Israel must cease from building Jewish settlements in Palestinian territory.

The White House also clarified that Bush’s demands towards Israel and the Palestinians were to be understood “simultaneously,” that have to be accomplished hand-in-hand. According to the White House, Mr. Bush did not want to imply a certain order of actions. It was not meant to convey that Israel could sit back and wait what will happen.

Sources: Bild, June 25; Der Stern Online, June 26

GERMANY — REMARKABLE COMMENTS FROM FORMER GERMAN CHANCELLOR

This week, former German Chancellor Helmut Schmidt (83) gave an insightful interview to BILD-Online, discussing the problems of present-day education in Germany. We feel that his worthwhile analysis applies equally to the Western World as a whole. The following are excerpts from the interview:

Question: “What values are missing in today’s education?”
Helmut Schmidt: “Virtues such as the feeling of responsibility for oneself and others…”
Question: “Which virtue played a predominant role in your education?”
Helmut Schmidt: “Bravery… If it does not work out in your job, don’t give up, but press on, even if it is difficult….”
Question: “Can young people be trained to accept those values?”
Helmut Schmidt: “Lectures don’t help. They have to experience those values in school, in a club, in the company, but mostly, in the family.”
Question: “Is television responsible for violence…?”
Helmut Schmidt: “Yes, in part… Our children and teens see daily on the TV screens murders, wars, and blood. The media supports this, as they want to make money. And our children finally begin to think, this is reality…”
Question: “Can teachers work against those developments?”
Helmut Schmidt: “This would require first that they will be respected. But the generation of the late 60’s glorified for the young people the vice of lack of respect for age … What an insanity…”
Question: “How did family life change since you were young?”
Helmut Schmidt: “Not as much, as many think. There are still intact families in Germany. But problems increase: More and more children grow up with divorce. Some remain single kids,
becoming more egoistic and self-centered…. Others are handed over far too early to pre-school or kindergarten, instead of staying with their parents. I know that more and more mothers want to work, but I do not think that this is a good development. ”
 

WORLD NEWS HEADLINES

COLORADO DISASTER AREA

This has been a long, long week for the fire ravaged west–especially Colorado. As new fires sweep up acres of wilderness in Arizona, California and the state of Colorado, the up close and personal cost is settling in as families numbering in the thousands first evacuate their homes then anxiously await the outcome.

Words such as apocalyptic are being used to describe these out of control fires. There is even talk of these fires lasting for months with the only hope for dousing the flames being from snowfall! This week has seen a few welcomed rainfalls, but most of the moisture was falling only on the exterior boundaries of the largest fires. Continued low humidity and historic dryness throughout western forest areas portends even more sweeping destruction during the summer ahead.

HOME GROWN TERROR

A stunned public learned that the so-called Hayman Fire in Colorado was started by a U.S. forest Service employee. Motives as to why she did this have become the grist mill of the media while angry and displaced home owners in the affected area voice outrage and a deep loathing for the actions of one who should have been the first to protect the public.

This tragic occurrence magnifies poignantly the utter breakdown in societal traditions and values. More and more, societies are not only suffering wrath from outside their own borders, but now terror reigns from within national confines. Expensive and devastating acts have whole populations reduced to shocked awareness that we are now living in a very different kind of world than the more comfortable times of the recent past.

ANTI-ISRAELI VIEWS IN GERMANY

Germany’s “spokesman” and Second-in-Command of the Free Democrats, Juergen Moellemann, does not seem to give in to pressures to retract certain of his statements which have been interpreted by some as anti-Semitic. He continued his criticism this week of Ariel Sharon, stating that Sharon should not be surprised when Palestinians retaliate, even with suicide bombings, for Israel’s attacks on them. Der Spiegel ran an analysis on June 7, 2002, pointing out that, although the official figures show a decline of popularity of the FDP, there remain concerns that a majority might agree with Moellemann, but remain silent during polls. Allegedly, Moellemann received 11,000 email messages supporting his policy and position. Scientists were quoted by Der Spiegel, stating that up to 30% of the German population might be supporting anti-Semitic concepts and might therefore vote for Moellemann and the FDP in September. Others feel that this figure is far too high, as it is based on studies in the 80’s.

US HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS?

In an unusually strong article, Der Spiegel accused the United States on June 20 of engaging in violations of human rights of its citizens and legal residents in its fight against terrorism. In citing several examples, the German magazine concluded that flagrant constitutional violations might lead soon to a new form of civil resistance in the U.S., even though 64% of the U.S. population are presently willing to give up individual liberties, and 80% would be willing to endorse detentions of U.S. citizens (without the benefit of granting them certain constitutional rights) in order to gain security. At the same time, according to Der Spiegel, Amnesty International speculated that the U.S. participates in or at least tolerates torture in foreign countries in their fight against terrorism, stating that Egypt, Syria, Morocco and Pakistan do use torture in order to obtain confessions from prisoners.

ASTEROID FLY-BY

As pointed out in the booklet, Evolution – A Fairy Tale for Adults, this world will soon experience devastating collisions with asteroids, meteors or comets. Now, perhaps as a warning and a foretaste of what could have been a terrible disaster, an asteroid, approximately a hundred meters in size, almost hit the earth on June 14. It came within 120,000 kilometers of Earth. According to Der Spiegel in its on-line article of June 20, scientists tell us that if there had been a “deep impact,” devastating damage would have been the result. It is almost certain that the effect would have been at least the same as if an atomic bomb had exploded. Especially discomforting and frightening is the fact that the asteroid was only discovered on June 17 — three days AFTER the impact almost took place.

More information on the asteroid can be found at http://skyandtelescope.com/news/current/article_641_1.asp