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The International Prophetic Voice for the Endtimes

NOVEMBER 2008—$4.75

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

• 666 • Democracy and Antichrist • Spiritual Gifts
Pg. 42

Midtribulationism
Pg. 19

What Chances a Global Financial Apocalypse Now?
Pg. 29

C O N T E N T S
COVER STORY

8 Bible Prophecy for Our Time
By Arno Froese
Second Peter 3:8 reads: "But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day." When we speak of Bible prophecy for our times, we are always right on target, as the Word of God is timeless. Neither our earthly measurements, nor our earthly time is decisive in our understanding of God's eternal plan of salvation.

34 USA
America Takes WindPower Lead

35 GERMANY
1,600-Year-Old Version of Bible Goes Online

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Midtribulationism
by Dr. Ron J. Bigalke Jr.
Midtribulationism is one of the primary views concerning the timing of the rapture in relation to the seven-year tribulation. Midtribulationists are premillennialists who believe the church will experience the first half of the seventieth week, and that the rapture will occur at the midpoint of the eschatalogical tribulation. Such teaching clearly denies the imminency of the rapture.

37 BAHRAIN
Pope Invited to Visit Muslim Country

38 EU
Slovak Mint Starts Production of Euro Coins

$ 29 Money: Ends and Trends

What Chances a Global Financial Apocalypse Now? - Part I
By Wilfred Hahn
Much of the high-income region of the world has been gripped in a growing anxiety. Global financial markets have encountered unsettling volatility, and more worryingly, the integrity of global financial and credit systems has been threatened. Are America's troubles a catalyst for the final global collapse?

40 WORLD
Study Says Young People More Religious Than Assumed

41 INDIA
DEPARTMENTS AWACS With Brazilian Jets and Nuclear Submarine From Russia

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Editorial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .By Arno Froese NAHUM 2:2 Letters to the Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .By Arno Froese 666..DEMOCRACY AND ANTICHRIST...SPIRITUAL GIFTS

Midnight Call
NOVEMBER 2008

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“Thou hast multiplied thy merchants above the stars of heaven:
the cankerworm spoileth, and flieth away” (Nahum 3:16).
B y A r n o F r o e s e

t may seem strange that we use Nahum 3:16 as our text for the December issue Editor’s Note, since this is the month of Christmas. But this was not planned. Our study of the Twelve Minor Prophets and Nahum chapter 3 just happened to fall on December 2008. Yet there is a message that is fitting for this time of the year. When we take a closer look at the above Scripture, we realize that materialism is the key issue being addressed. It does not mean that material things are bad or sinful in and of themselves, yet while studying the various prophets, including Nahum, we realize that the blessing of material things leads to the denial of the God of heaven, Who created the materials. This has been true throughout the ages. Follow Israel’s history, and you will learn that at the climax of material blessings, Israel fell into idolatry. We cannot deny that today’s world is possessed with this spirit of desire to accumulate riches, and that at any cost, way, shape or form. To possess things is considered success, and is often identified with the word “bless4
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ing.” Quite a number of books have been published by respectable authors, who bluntly claim that material riches are the result of the Lord’s blessing; thus, we should strive to accumulate more. What does the Bible say? Here are the words of the brother of our Lord, James; “Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you. Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are motheaten. Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days” (James 5:1-3). We note the last two words, “last days.” Most of us will agree that we are in “the last days.” The type of judgment described in these verses is coming to planet earth. It is not yet, but it is not too far off, either. The worst part is that when judgment comes, humanity collectively will not repent. This is documented in Revelation 9:20-21, “And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not

worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk: Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts.” With these things in mind let us now study the last chapter of the book of Nahum. “Woe to the bloody city! it is all full of lies and robbery; the prey departeth not” (Nahum 3:1). We must point out that at the time of that prophecy Nineveh was doing rather well. They were living in peace and prosperity, and had nothing to fear. The message, therefore, fell on deaf ears, just as is the case today. Nahum’s message is of war, destruction and death. “The noise of a whip, and the noise of the rattling of the wheels, and of the prancing horses, and of the jumping chariots. The horseman lifteth up both the bright sword and the glittering spear: and there is a multitude of slain, and a great number of carcases; and there is none end of their corpses; they stumble upon their corpses” (Nahum 3:2-3). Again, we have to keep in mind that when these words were proclaimed, Nineveh, the capital of Assyria, was a powerful institution. It had accumulated great riches. Prosperity was evident everywhere, and its armed forces had conquered all the neighboring countries. They were safe and secure—so they thought. Next the prophet uncovers the center of the sin of Nineveh, “Because of the multitude of the whoredoms of the wellfavored harlot, the mistress of witchcrafts, that selleth nations through her whoredoms, and families through her witchcrafts” (verse 4). Note the words whoredoms and witchcrafts mentioned twice in this verse. This does not only apply to Nineveh per se, but it is a prophecy of the future; that is, our days. Read the proclamation in Revelation 18:3, “For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies.” Riches are accumulated by way of fornication, and that leads to idolatry. A few months back in September of this year, shockwaves rattled the world as banks went bankrupt, others had to be rescued by the government, and the stock market went into a semi-depression. These are just signs of things yet to come. The prophet proclaims judgment, “Behold, I am against thee, saith the LORD of hosts; and I will discover thy skirts upon thy face, and I will show the nations thy nakedness, and the kingdoms thy shame. And I will cast abominable filth upon thee, and make thee vile, and will set thee as a gazingstock” (verse 5-6). The truth is being revealed. Truth that does not spare, but exposes all. There will be no cover-up, no hiding and no camouflaging. Blessed is he who permits the Word of God to judge him now, “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12). For Nineveh there is no hope, and no comfort, “And it shall come to pass, that all they that look upon thee shall flee from thee, and say, Nineveh is laid waste: who will bemoan her? whence shall I seek comforters for thee?” (verse 7).

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The Prophetic Voice for the Endtimes PRINTED IN 12 LANGUAGES

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NOVEMBER 2008

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In light of the times, News From Israel is
a necessary monthly magazine that will keep you updated on breaking developments throughout the Middle East.
News From Israel uncovers hidden information the news media leaves out!
To start or renew your News From Israel magazine subscription, please use the order form on insert, or call 800-845-2420 and have your credit card ready.

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By Arno Froese

• 32 pages • $ 14 for a one-year subscription • 12 issues

Next an important question is being asked, “Art thou better than populous No, that was situate among the rivers, that had the waters round about it, whose rampart was the sea, and her wall was from the sea?” (Verse 8). The name “populous No” identifies the city of Thebes, in Egypt. It was built on the east bank of the Nile River and was totally destroyed. Only archaeological remains testify to the former glory of that city. The prophet even enumerates the strong allies to this city kingdom: “Ethiopia and Egypt were her strength, and it was infinite; Put and Lubim were thy helpers” (verse 9). But nothing helped: “Yet was she carried away, she went into captivity: her young children also were dashed in pieces at the top of all the streets: and they cast lots for her honorable men, and all her great men were bound in chains” (verse 10). In view of the demise of other mighty powers and kingdoms, God makes this declaration to His prophet Nahum: “Thou also shalt be drunken: thou shalt be hid, thou also shalt seek strength because of the enemy. All thy strong holds shall be like fig trees with the firstripe figs: if they be shaken, they shall even fall into the mouth of the eater. Behold, thy people in the midst of thee are women: the gates of thy land shall be set wide open unto thine enemies: the fire shall devour thy bars” (verses 11-13). Note the words “shall” and “shalt.” It is yet to come. Verse 11 is significant: “Thou shalt also be drunken.” This is a definition of irresponsible behavior. We already read in Revelation 18:3: “For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.” This is utter deception; it is the accumulating of riches without realizing the source of them. Verse 23 in Revelation 18 emphasizes, “…for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived.” As far as defense is concerned, we know that the fig tree is not a robust tree. One cannot use its wood for anything strong to build. When the tree is shaken, the fruit quickly falls off. This indicates no strength. How about the mighty soldiers? Luther’s translation may help: “Your people have become like women.” Women were not to fight. Defense and attack were the tasks designated to men. Mockingly, the prophet gives advice to the Ninevites on how to defend themselves: “Draw thee waters for the siege, fortify thy strongholds: go into clay, and tread the morter, make strong the brickkiln” (verse 14). But there is no hope. Again, note the three-fold “shall”: “There shall the fire devour thee; the sword shall cut thee off, it shall eat thee up like the cankerworm: make thyself many as the cankerworm, make thyself many as the locusts” (verse 15). Now we come to our introductory verse: “Thou hast multiplied thy merchants above the stars of heaven: the cankerworm spoileth, and flieth away” (verse 16). In today’s language, the economy, the financial institutions, and the central banks will be of no help. The entire leadership—the nobles, the wise, and those in authority will vanish: “Thy crowned are as the locusts, and thy captains as the great grasshoppers, which camp in the hedges in the cold day, but when the sun ariseth they flee away, and their place is not known where they are. Thy shepherds slumber, O

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king of Assyria: thy nobles shall dwell in the dust: thy people is scattered upon the mountains, and no man gathereth them” (verses 17-18). Final judgment is declared, ending with a profound question: “There is no healing of thy bruise; thy wound is grievous: all that hear the bruit of thee shall clap the hands over thee: for upon whom hath not thy wickedness passed continually?” (verse 19). We note the word “continually.” During Noah’s time, the condition of the world was revealed with the words, “And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually … The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence. And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth” (Genesis 6:5, 11-12). In view of this shocking pronouncement of judgment upon the power of Nineveh and the fact that it was destroyed, we may ask the question, “What about our world, our country? Will the same judgment come upon this world?” The answer is no. Why not? Because it is going to be a lot worse. Jesus said: “For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be” (Matthew 24:21). Here is the pronouncement of judgment by the Lord Himself: “For as Jonas was a sign unto the Ninevites, so shall also the Son of man be to this generation. The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with the men of this generation, and condemn them: for she came from the utmost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here. The men of Nineveh shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and, behold, a greater than Jonah is here” (Luke 11:30-32). At the coming of Emmanuel, “God with us,” Whose name is Jesus—Israel rejected repentance. John the Baptist, who prepared the way for the Lord, had a very short gospel message: “Repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 3:2). In the next chapter, we read of Jesus repeating the message, challenging Israel, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 4:17). Israel did not repent. Isaiah’s prophecy was fulfilled; “Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed” (Isaiah 6:10). What about today? Based on the clear documentation we have in Scripture, it is going to be worse. This world does not have a future. But blessed is he who has separated himself from this world and trusts exclusively in the redemption Christ accomplished on Calvary’s cross. Such a one is practicing Titus 2:13: “Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ.” Now is the time to reserve these dates for this tour of a lifetime, discovering Israel, seeing prophecy being fulfilled, and hearing the proclamation of the prophetic Word, according to Scripture. For details, write to us or call 1-800845-2420. MC

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NOVEMBER 2008

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BY Arno Froese

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“And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever” (Daniel 2:44).
Advent is the time leading up to Christmas. The forerunner of Jesus, the herald of His coming, and the man of Advent was John the Baptist. He rejected the comparison with Christ. He only wanted to be a pointer to Him. We read in Luke 3:15-16, “And as the people were in expectation, and all men mused in their hearts of John, whether he were the Christ, or not; John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire.” Jesus Christ came and will come again Like John the Baptist, the believers of the new covenant are also called to be pointers to Jesus Christ. It is our task to be bearers of the Gospel, and therewith forerunners of His return, as He said in John 14:3, “…I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” Today our world is also in expectation, in the advent preceding the return of the Lord. Joy and gladness We can learn from John the Baptist what it means to be a pointer to Jesus Christ. Before he was born an angel of the Lord appeared to his father, Zacharias, in the temple, and told him a few things concerning the future of his son, “And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth” (Luke 1:14). Do you spread joy or sorrow? Do you help depressed people to rejoice again? As our lives always leave a trail behind them, I also have to John the Baptist was the cause of joy and gladness. Why? From the beginning, John’s whole life belonged to the Lord; his life was dedicated to Him, and this in itself brings joy. Whoever you dedicate your life to, and put your life at the disposal of, will leave his mark on your life. If it belongs wholly to the Lord Jesus, He will make your joy complete, “These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full” (John 15:11). If you are still living in sin, however, you are the servant of sin, “Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin” (John 8:34). This affects your whole behavior and your words: hypocrisy, speaking evil of others in order to put yourself in a better light, lying and deceiving, etc. C.S. Lewis writes in Mere Christianity, “If you are thinking of becoming a Christian, I warn you, you are embarking on something which is going to take the whole of you, brains and all.” Only a person who has joy in his or her own heart can bring joy to others. John the Baptist was guided by this joy in the Holy Spirit. We cannot divide his devotion to God and the joy that he radiated.
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ask myself what trails I have left behind today. Were they trails of joy, gladness and content? Or do the people I meet turn up their noses when they think of me? When I think of my father-inlaw, who is with the Lord now, I only have happy memories of him. I have seldom seen such a contented, grateful, polite man, who radiated such love. He left a “sweet savor” behind him. Everything we do or do not do, whether we speak or are silent, leaves a trail behind us. When the name of a person is mentioned, we can often tell from the expression on a person’s face what they think of the other person. Our behavior, as well as our words, always has an effect.

BIBLE PROPHECY FOR OUR TIME

When Jesus returned from Egypt, it was fulfillment of prophecy: “And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son” (Matthew 2:15).
I once read in a daily newspaper that a young pop star said at the end of the year: “I am looking forward to the new year, new music and a new me.” When I read these words I thought to myself, “Do we get a new ‘me’ in the new year, or do we take the old one with us?” This pop star expressed the wish of so many people, to have a new “me.” But almost all of them are looking in the wrong place, which is why nothing changes in their lives. They take their old “me” with them into the new year.

We hear this man who prepared the way for the Lord say, “Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him. He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled” (John 3:28-29). Recently I heard someone say, “Those who don’t read the Bible any more, soon stop believing.” I would add to that, “…and will soon stop rejoicing”! A man by the name of Wolfgang Bühne wrote in a commentary on John Piper’s book, The Dangerous Duty of Delight, “John Piper is completely convinced that we honor God the most when we rejoice in Him and are content in Him. Without this joy, a characteristic sign in the Lord’s service is lacking.” Only with the One in our hearts who created joy, and is Himself the origin of all joy and happiness, can we bring true joy to others.

Great in the sight of the Lord The angel prophesied further of Zacharias’ son, “He shall be great in the sight of the Lord” (Luke 1:15). What a testimony that is, what a divine stamp on John’s life! All others in this world pale in comparison. John the Baptist would one day be great, not in the sight of men, but in the sight of the Almighty. In this world there are many great people, with title and honor, but “great in the sight of the Lord” is so much more. Frieder Burda, an art expert and shareholder in a large German media organization, stated in resignation, “I bought myself a large ship to sail on the seas. What a bore! I never had a happy day on this ship. Only to spend money, meaningless, soulless and without a goal, is no life.

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A number of items have been found confirming that the temple was a reality on Mount Moriah some time ago, but that is not sufficient to overwhelmingly convince, for example, the Muslims, who outrightly reject that a Jewish temple ever existed on Mount Moriah.
The Mosque of Omar from Mount Moriah, Jerusalem

This is sheer boredom.” Poet Kathe Walter, on the other hand, wrote, “Only this is the meaning of life on earth, to live to the praise of God and to illuminate the way for others with the light from eternal sources.” I recently heard in a song the words, “You are not dead, but ask yourself if you are alive!” What is true greatness? What is the utmost a person can achieve? What greatness counts in the end? We are living at a time in which people have lost the art of wanting to be great in the sight of the Lord; the spiritual desire is no longer there. Today people want to be something in the world, in the sight of men. They want to achieve great things in order to receive recognition. When Nebuchadnezzar wanted to find an elite team of young men, it was of utmost importance that these should be “…of the king’s seed, and of the princes; children in whom was no blemish, but well favored, and skillful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability in them to stand in the king’s palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans” (Daniel 1:3-4). Moreover these young men were to eat “…a daily provision of the king’s meat, and of the wine which he drank” (verse 5) throughout the time of their education, for three years. But Daniel and his three friends wanted to please God in the first place, “Now among these were of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah … But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself … Now God had brought Daniel into favor and tender love” (verses 6-9).

The names of all others who wanted to be great in Nebuchadnezzar’s kingdom are not even mentioned. Daniel, however, became a great man of God, who is still remembered today. Moses could have been great in Egypt. But we read in Hebrews 11:24, “By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter.” Who was greater: Caesar Augustus of Rome, or Mary, the young country girl? Herod and his magnificent buildings, or the wise men from the East? The emperor Nero, or Paul? We all know the answer. The greatest thing is to be called by the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God, and to follow Him—like Peter, the fisherman, Levi (later on called Matthew), the publican, or Paul the tentmaker. Among these, Paul was certainly the most educated, but he tells us in the first letter to the Corinthians that this is not important at all, “For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: but God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to conNOVEMBER 2008 11

BIBLE PROPHECY FOR OUR TIME

How about earthquakes? Do we need to enumerate the many earthquakes that happened recently? When we read these prophecies, we are struck by the fact that they are not really prophecies at all. Jesus is not telling us any news; He is simply stating how it was in times past, and that it will remain the same in the times to come.
found the wise; and God must not be so important to hath chosen the weak us that it obstructs our view things of the world to conof Jesus. It is of primary imfound the things which are portance what we seek first, mighty; and base things of “But seek ye first the kingthe world, and things dom of God, and his rightwhich are not, to bring to eousness; and all these nought things that are: that things shall be added unto no flesh should glory in his you“ (Matthew 6:33). It is presence. But of him are ye not so important what mateA massive earthquake killed more than 8,500 people and in Christ Jesus, who of God rial things we possess, but trapped more than 900 under debris in China in May. is made unto us wisdom, what possesses us! and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: that, according as There are poor people who are striving after it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the earthly things and cling to the little that they Lord” (1 Corinthians 1:26-31). have. Then there are rich people who strive first after spiritual things. It is not important whether Great and approved in the sight of the Lord is we are rich or poor, but what we are striving afnot “…he that commendeth himself, but whom ter; what determines our lives. We should not the Lord commendeth” (2 Corinthians 10:18). ask ourselves, “What would I do if I had…?” but Paul said a true, born-again Jew is one “…whose rather, “What am I doing with that which I praise is not of men, but of God” (Romans 2:29). have?” The following is a little example of this: Material things are of secondary importance Two men were talking about their friendship. One of them asked the other, “If you had five TV Of the future life of John the Baptist, it is said sets, would you give me one?” “Sure!” said the further, “…and shall drink neither wine nor other. The first man then asked, “If you had five strong drink” (Luke 1:18). cars, would you give me one?” “Certainly!” his friend replied. “If you had five shirts, would you Nobody has to follow John the Baptist and eat give me one?” the first man asked. The other locusts and wild honey, or walk around dressed man shook his head, “No.” His friend wanted to in camel’s hair. No, born-again people can be know why, and he said, “I have five shirts!” statesmen such as Joseph, Daniel and Nehemiah; Filled with spiritual wisdom or be rich like Abraham, Job, or King David. But we must get our priorities right! Zacharias was told concerning his son, “He We do not want to be more pious than the shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his Bible. The Word of God does not teach us to be mother’s womb” (Luke 1:15). poor and to forgo all luxuries. We may enjoy everything the Lord puts at our disposal, but it
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If the Europeans had stayed home and not traveled the two continents, America and Australia would not have been discovered. People have always traveled and they will continue to do so.
It is not predominant for the Lord’s work whether we have the Holy Spirit, but that the Holy Spirit has us. Only in this way will we be able to do God’s work in God’s way. Hudson Taylor, the great missionary to China, once said at a missionary conference, “Take a cannon. The cannon is nothing in itself; the cannon ball and the gunpowder are harmless. Then the spark comes, and the gunpowder becomes lightning, the cannon ball a thunderbolt, the cannon barrel a tube of fire. We have everything the mission needs today, but often the spark from above is lacking.” The human striving to be great in this world, also in Christian circles, has brought spiritual poverty to many. There are impressive cannons, cannon balls and gunpowder, but the spark of the Holy Spirit is lacking. For this reason Paul had to admonish Timothy, “Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands” (2 Timothy 1:6). The New International Version translates this, “For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God….” God wants people who are filled with the Holy Spirit – this is sanctification. He does not want people who merely obey a list of commandments and are proud of themselves for doing so. No, the Lord wants our whole lives to come under the lordship of the Holy Spirit. With many people, however, this is a sore point. Most believers confuse earnestness with holiness. They think that if they are earnest enough they will be holier. This is not so. The Holy Spirit leaves the personality of the individual child of God as it is, but He sanctifies his character. The holiest people that I have known have been happy, uncomplicated, big-hearted people. People who are not filled with the Holy Spirit are like electronic devices whose batteries have run down. It is no use having your mobile phone with you at all times so that you can be reached, if you do not make sure that the battery is charged. God’s signposts Because John the Baptist would be filled with the Holy Spirit, it was also prophesied of him, “And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God” (Luke 1:16). What a relief it is when on a long trip to see a sign like “Gas station one mile ahead,” or “Restaurant,” or the name of our destination. Such signposts never point to themselves, but always to something else. What would you think of a signpost that said, “Here I am!”? This is of no use to anyone; it brings them no nearer to their destination. John was a true signpost who determinedly pointed away from himself and to Christ, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight …John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire … I am not the Christ” (Luke 3:4 & 16 and John 1:20). There are not a few “servants of God” who only point to themselves today, or are convinced that only their church or ministry can save people. This is in itself a pointer to the fact that they are not led by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit identifies Himself with the Word of God, the “sword of the Spirit” (Ephesians 6:17).
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Prophecy for today is the prophecy of warning. The Lord Jesus Christ used both instances—the judgment of water in Noah’s time and the judgment of fire in Lot’s time—to show that normal people doing their day-to-day chores, loving their family and being responsible citizens, may be honorable people, but they could not stand before a righteous God.
(Compare also John 1:12, 3:16, 5:24, 14:6, Acts 4:12 and 1 Corinthians 3:11.)

Noah's Ark Giclee Print by Gustave Dore

The greatest and best thing a person can be is a signpost pointing to Jesus Christ, in the place where God has put him. There is no more fulfilling task than this. The fulfillment of the Word of God It was further prophesied of John the Baptist, “He shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord” (Luke 1:17). In the book Malachi the same thing is said of Elijah, as the angel prophesies here concerning John the Baptist, “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord: and he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse” (Malachi 4:5-6). This statement concerning Elijah was applied prophetically to John the Baptist. Through this it becomes clear that John came in the spirit and power of Elijah. This is why the Lord Jesus said of John, “And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come” (Matthew 11:14).

There is nothing better than when the Word of God is realized in and through us. It takes place when we live out the Word of God—when we are not on our way in our own power, but in the power of the Word of God and the Spirit of Jesus; that is, in the power of His name. Prophetic direction Zacharias was also told by the angel that the ministry of his son John would one day serve “to make ready a people prepared for the Lord” (Luke 1:17). John the Baptist, as a man, did indeed appear on the scene in the spirit and power of Elijah, to be a forerunner of Jesus, “to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” He did this at a time when only few were expecting the coming of the Messiah in Israel. Is it not similar today? We are expecting the return of Jesus for His Church (the Rapture),

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“Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time” (Revelation 12:12).
which will take place without warning. We are Advent people. John the Baptist went before the Lord and made ready “a people prepared for the Lord.” This is also the task of Midnight Call Ministries. The last book of the Bible begins with the words, “The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to show his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John” (Revelation 1:1). Two verses later it says, “Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand” (verse 3). In the last chapter of the Revelation it says, “And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to show unto his servants the things which must shortly be done. Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book” (verses 6-7). True faith changes society John was to turn the “…disobedient to the wisdom of the just,” in order to “make ready a people prepared for the Lord” (Luke 1:17). As born-again Christians, we have a societychanging task in this world. This does not mean that we take part in all their activities, but that we point to the Lord Jesus and the Word of God, so that the “disobedient” are changed into “the wisdom of the just,” so that they bring “fruits worthy of repentance” (Matthew 3:8 and Luke 3:8). Daniel and his three friends are a good example of this (compare Daniel chapters 3 & 6). It is God’s aim that people are changed for eternity. This transformation can only take place, however, when we ourselves are transformed through the Word of God and put our Christianity into practice. Swiss businessman Henry Dunant was the first man to receive the Nobel Peace Prize, in the year 1901. In 1855 he founded the Swiss chapter of the YMCA, and in the 1860s the Red Cross—today the most recognized and respected organization in the entire world. He trusted in God and practiced Christian brotherly love, which transformed the society of that time. Everywhere Christians took the Word of God to heart, gave up their indifference and became fervent followers of Jesus, society was transformed (think of Luther, Moody, Peter Marshall,
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“And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other” (Matthew 24:31).
and George Müller). They followed the One who transformed the world as no other before Him: Jesus Christ. The Lord expects that as born-again Christians we do our part out of love for Him to improve human lives without thinking of the profit. Christmas – the time of presents John the Baptist pointed in a unique way to the heavenly gift in Jesus Christ, by saying of Him, “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). The Lord Jesus does not want to take anything from you except your sins, but He gives you everything that is good for you and your family for time and eternity. Concerning the first coming of Jesus to this earth, the apostle Paul wrote, “For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich” (2 Corinthians 8:9).

and is alive forever. As the Risen Lord He says to you now, “Fear not; I am the first and the last: I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive forevermore” (Revelation 1:17-18). 316/MR1207

The best Christmas present for God is… …when Jesus is born in the heart of a person. He saw the lost condition of every person who goes to eternity without forgiveness of his sins. Out of pure love, therefore, He became man in Jesus Christ (John 1:14). He was born as a baby in Bethlehem, and as a man He went to Calvary, where He was crucified in our place for our sins (1 Peter 2:24), “…that whosoever believeth in him [Jesus] should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). But Jesus did not remain on the cross or in the tomb, but He rose again
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Thus, the fig tree symbolizes the covering of sins. We can rightly say the whole Old Testament is a testimony to the covering of the sins of the people of Israel. That is the entire law.

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Israel as a visible reality in the Promised Land is the greatest end time sign for the Church. Now is the time for us to lift up our eyes, for our redemption draweth nigh.

MC

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by Dr. Ron J. Bigalke Jr.

NOVEMBER 2008

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M
The term midtribulationism, however, is an accurate classification for the belief of Harrison. For example, the entire seven years of the seventieth week can be rightly classified as the tribulation period.

idtribulationism is one of t h e p r i m a r y v i e w s concerning t h e t i m i n g o f t h e r a p t u re i n re l a t i o n t o t h e s e v e n y e a r t r i b u l a t i o n . Midnight Call affirms pretribulationism as the biblical view. Midtribulationists are premillennialists who believe the church will experience the first half of the seventieth week, and that the rapture will occur at the midpoint of the eschatological tribulation. The second half of the seventieth week encompasses the wrath of God, so the midtribulational view will have the church removed from earth before God outpours His wrath. In contrast to God setting the stage for prophetic fulfillment,1 midtribulationism can allow for fulfillment of certain prophecies in the current age prior to the timing of the rapture, while holding simultaneously to the blessed hope of the church, which posttribulationists deny entirely by having the church experience the entire tribulation period (i.e. the seventieth week). The view is relatively new, and gained some prominence in 1941 with Norman B. Harrison’s The End: Rethinking the Revelation. Although other premillennialists refer to the view as midtribulational, midtribulationists do not use the term in reference to themselves. They prefer to classify themselves as pretribulational (or the midweek view)2 since they believe the church will be raptured prior to the great tribulation—the wrath of God—, which is the last half of the seventieth week. Harrison wrote that he taught the “pre-Tribulation coming” of Christ.3 The term midtribulationism, however, is an accurate classification for the belief of Harrison. For example, the entire seven years of the seventieth week can be rightly classified as the tribulation period. Pretribulationists would agree with midtribulationists

that only the last half of the seventieth week is the great tribulation, but since Harrison would argue that the church is present during the first half of the tribulation period, this would mean it is correct to classify the position as midtribulationism despite Harrison’s objection.

DEFINING CHARACTERISTICS
Midtribulationism differs both exegetically and theologically from pretribulationism. The essential characteristics for this view are sixfold. First, the sounding of the last trumpet of 1 Corinthians 15:52 is taught to occur at the midpoint of the tribulation. The last trumpet in 1 Corinthians 15:52 is regarded as the same as the seventh trumpet of Revelation, which will begin the great tribulation.4 Second, the seventh trumpet of Revelation is interpreted as the last trumpet (mentioned in 1 Cor 15:52) for the church. Third, the church is only exempted from the wrath of God during the great tribulation (Rev 11:2; 12:6), which is the last half of the seventieth week. The last half of the seventieth week is regarded as more severe than the first half. Fourth, the resurrection of the two witnesses in Revelation 11:11 is regarded as a picture of the rapture of the church. Since this event occurs at the midpoint, then the rapture is thought to be midtribulational. Fifth, God’s program for Israel and the church are interrelated to each other. The reason for this overlap is due to belief that the church will experience at least one half of the seventieth week, the time of Jacob’s trouble, but not the last half (and most severe) of the seventieth week. Sixth, the doctrine of biblical teaching concerning the imminency of the rapture is denied. In terms of basic chronology of events, premillennial midtribulationism is similar to pretribu-

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lationism. The obvious contrast with midtribulationism is that it requires a radically different interpretation of the Scriptures regarding the coming of Christ for His church, as opposed to His coming with His church to earth to establish the Davidic (Messianic) kingdom. Midtribulationism does have some similarities to pretribulationism in some fundamentals, such as the eschatological character of the seventieth week. However, midtribulationism places the rapture at the midpoint of the tribulation, and not prior to the beginning of it. Of course, the chronological placement of the rapture at the midpoint distinguishes midtribulationism also from posttribulationism. It is best to understand midtribulationism as an intermediary of pretribulationism and posttribulationism. The adherents of midtribulationism are found generally to have abandoned pretribulationism or posttribulationism. For instance, Van Kampen was pretribulational and sought to find “the common denominator that made the biblical truths of pretribulationism and posttribulationism come together perfectly.”5 Although no mention was made of midtribulationism within the so-called “new” view of pre-wrath rapturism, it is quite similar to that system. Indeed, it is best to regard the pre-wrath view as a variation of midtribulationism.6

The Last Trumpet and Seventh Trumpet
Harrison understood the sounding of “the last trumpet” of 1 Corinthians 15:52 to occur at the midpoint of the tribulation. The last trumpet in 1

Corinthians 15:52 was thought to be the same as the seventh trumpet of Revelation 11, which midtribulationists believe will commence the great tribulation. Therefore, the seventh trumpet of Revelation would be the last trumpet for the church. The identification of the last trumpet in 1 Corinthians 15:52 with the seventh trumpet of Revelation 11 is essential for the midtribulational view to be correct. Midtribulationism requires the seventh trumpet to begin the great tribulation. Therefore, the church will experience the first half of the tribulation, but not the great tribulation. The seven seals and the first six trumpet judgments occur in the first half of the seventieth week, which means they do not occur during the great tribulation.7 Pretribulationists would generally agree that the last half of the tribulation could be designated the “great tribulation” (cf. Matt 24:21); however, the midtribulationist’s conclusion that the last trumpet of 1 Corinthians 15:52 and the seventh trumpet of Revelation 11 are the same would be strongly opposed as a false interpretation, in addition to the midtribulational understanding of the wrath of God during the entire seven years of tribulation. Harrison wrote, “‘Wrath’ is a word reserved for the Great Tribulation—see ‘wrath of God’ in [Rev] 14:10, 19; 15:7; 16:1, etc.”8 Harrison cited Revelation 11:18 (“Your wrath came”) as proof that the wrath of God will not be associated with the seven seals and first six trumpet judgments. Of course, he did not reference 6:16-17 or 7:14 in his lists of “wrath” references in Revelation, since they obviously ar-

Harrison understood the sounding of “the last trumpet” of 1 Corinthians 15:52 to occur at the midpoint of the tribulation. The last trumpet in 1 Corinthians 15:52 was thought to be the same as the seventh trumpet of Revelation 11, which midtribulationists believe will commence the great tribulation.

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gue against the seventh trumpet beginning the time of divine wrath.9 There is also a problem of context with midtribulationism in arguing that God connected the last trumpet of 1 Corinthians 15:52 with later revelation. The Corinthians would have understood Paul as speaking of an imminent return (“in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye”) of their Lord “at the last trumpet.” There is nothing in the context of 1 Corinthians that would indicate a time of intense tribulation upon the whole world that would precede the return of their Lord. The interpretation of the last trumpet in 1 Corinthians would be changed by the revelation of the seventh trumpet in Revelation. Moreover, a primary matter is whether or not “last” is limited only to a given chronological sequence. Indeed, the usage of the word “last” is not limited to the last in a given chronological sequence; it can also refer to the end of a specific period (or epoch).10 Therefore, “last” can refer to the end of something chronologically, as in the seven trumpets of Revelation, or to the end of a specific period (e.g., the dispensation of the church). Gerald Stanton rightly stated, “the fact of subsequent trumpets is no problem” for a pretribulational interpretation of 1 Corinthians 15:52.11 Even amillennialist Barnes noted, “The word ‘last’ here does not imply that any trumpet shall have been before sounded at the resurrection, but is a word denoting that this is the consummation or close of things; it will end the economy of this world; it will be connected with the last state of things.”12 Although God’s programs for Israel and the church are distinct, both programs appear to end with the sounding of a trumpet. However, these trumpets are not identical. The “last trumpet” of 1 Corinthians 15:52 is not a reference to the last in any preceding sequence, but is related to the end of a specific age; namely, the dispensation of the church. The significance of the “last trumpet” in verse 15:52 may be twofold. First, the “last trumpet” may be a technical phrase denoting the end of the dispensation of the church. The word “last” is quite common when referring to events surrounding the end of the church age (Acts 2:17; 2 Tim 3:1-5; Heb 1:2; Jas 5:3; 1 Pet 1:5, 20; 1 John 2:18; Jude 18). Second, “last trumpet” may also be a technical phrase indicating the gathering together of the church. E. Schuyler English noted that the sounding of a trumpet in Numbers 10 was to gather an assembly of the people. Therefore, last trumpet would be a “rallying call” indicating that the church is changing locations, much like Israel changed camps in the wilderness (1 Cor 15:23).13 The resurrection of Christ made Him the “firstfruits,” the first resurrected from the dead. Christ’s resurrection is the firstfruits of many to be raised. The seventh trumpet of Revelation 11, however, announces the kingdom reign of Jesus Christ, which is why there is mention of the resurrection of the righteous dead from the Old Testament economy (11:18; cf. Dan 12:2, 13). With the announcement of the kingdom in Revelation 11, the remaining bowl judgments will immediately precede the establishment of that kingdom.

First, the “last trumpet” may be a technical phrase denoting the end of the dispensation of the church. The word “last” is quite common when referring to events surrounding the end of the church age.

The Wrath of God
According to the midtribulational view, the church is only exempted from the wrath of God during the great tribulation (Rev 11:2; 12:6), or the last half of the seventieth week. Midtribulationists regard the last half of the seventieth week as more severe than the first half. Indeed, Harrison described the first half as “‘sweet’ anticipation to John, as it is

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to them [Israel] under treaty protection, they will be ‘sitting pretty,’ as we say. But the second half— ‘bitter’ indeed.”14 Pretribulationists could agree that the first half of the Tribulation will be relatively peaceful for Israel, since this will be a time of protection for the nation (albeit deceitful). However, if midtribulationists intend to argue that the seven seal judgments and the first six trumpet judgments occur in the first half (i.e., because the seventh trumpet announces the rapture), it would be difficult indeed to imagine John thinking of the prophecies in 6:12–17, 8:11, and, 9:1–10:11 as “‘sweet’ anticipation.” Buswell believed that the first half of the tribulation would be characterized by general trials and troubles that the church would experience. He understood the first half to depict the wrath of man and not the wrath of God. Concerning “Jacob’s trouble” in Jeremiah 30:7 (Buswell correlated Dan 11:31 and 12:1–2, 11 with this reference), he wrote:
This most terrible time of trouble is not to be identified with the wrath of God. Both Matthew and Mark record the words of the Lord predicting cosmic upheavals “immediately after the tribulation of those days…” (Matthew 24:29; cf. Mark 13:24, 25; Luke 21:25, 26). The Lord proceeds to enumerate as definitely coming “after that tribulation,” signs and portents which should be identified with the events which take place at the pouring out of the vials of God’s

Pretribulationists could agree that the first half of the Tribulation will be relatively peaceful for Israel, since this will be a time of protection for the nation (albeit deceitful).
wrath (Revelation 16:1–21). I take the reference to these portents, coming “after the tribulation of those days,” to mean that the pouring out of the vials of God’s wrath (a time which is commonly, but mistakenly, identified with “the great tribulation”) will be definitely subsequent to this very brief but very intense time of trouble. Tribulation is the common lot of the church in every age. Tribulation is, generally speaking, from the wrath of man, and to undergo tribulation is the common lot of the church in all ages. But the wrath of God is not for the church….15 The fact that unbelieving kings and rulers, rich and strong men as well as slaves, seek to hide “from the face of Him who sits upon the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb,” and that these unbelievers say, “The great day of His wrath has come,”—these reactions of unbelievers do not prove that the sixth seal is the day of wrath. This is but a reaction of the ungodly to cosmic disaster. 16

Buswell attempted to make an artificial distinction (in opposition to Rev 4–5) between the wrath of man and the wrath of God by citing passages like Acts 14:22 and 1 Thessalonians 3:3–4 as proof that “tribulation is the common
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lot of the church in all ages.” Therefore, he argued, the first half of the tribulation cannot be identified as the wrath of God. As evident from the previous quotation, Buswell did not even regard the bowls of God’s wrath as components of the great tribulation. He reare a reference to the great tribulation that commenced in 24:15. Buswell regarded the cosmic signs in Revelation 16 (cf. 11:13) as part of the bowls of God’s wrath. However, Buswell argued that special cosmic signs follow the great tribulation and herald the wrath of God. Whereas Buswell used the cosmic signs resulting from the opening of the bowls in Revelation 16 to argue for the time of the wrath of God, Harrison related the time of the wrath of God with the seventh trumpet in Revelation 11. Both Buswell and Harrison ignored the unequivocal references to divine wrath in Revelation 6:16–17 and 7:14. For instance, Buswell disregarded the aorist (elthen) in 6:16–17 as “but a reaction of the ungodly to cosmic disaster.”18 Instead, he understood the seventh trumpet as the beginning of the wrath of God.
But not only does the seventh trumpet announce the beginning of the earthly reign of Christ, the voices of the twentyfour elders further announce, ‘The nations were angry and Thy wrath has come and the time … to destroy those who are destroying the earth.’ These words, I believe, refer to the outpouring of the vials of the wrath of God, and the destruction of the Beast and the False Prophet, and of the armies of the Beast. 19

However, Buswell argued that special cosmic signs follow the great tribulation and herald the wrath of God.

lated the commencement of the millennial kingdom and the wrath of God (associated with the bowl judgments only). Commenting on the sounding of the seventh trumpet in Revelation 11:14–17, he wrote, “What has taken place is that He who is eternally and continuously the King of kings and Lord of lords … has now ended the time of His ‘longsuffering….’ True, He allows the Antichrist to continue for three and one half years, but his continuance on earth is under the outpouring of the vials of the wrath of God.”17 Matthew 24:29 was cited to indicate the time of the wrath of God. In that verse, Jesus stated that cosmic signs would follow “immediately after the tribulation of those days.” “Those days”
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The promise of rewards for the saints in 11:18 was correlated with 1 Corinthians 15:51–52:20

From the point of view of God’s own people, the most important announcement of the words of the twenty-four elders is, ‘The time has come for the dead to be judged, even to give the reward to thy servants the prophets and to the saints and to those who fear thy name, to the small and to the great.’ In other words, the seventh trumpet announces the time of rewards for the righteous dead. 21

tion on page 117 primarily confused the pretribulational rapture in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 with the resurrection of the two witnesses in Revelation 11. Harrison wrote, “all the elements of Coming are here.” 22 Likewise, Buswell identified the rapture with the resur-

Scripture, however, does not teach that the seventh trumpet begins the wrath of God. The truth of the biblical teaching is that the tribulation commences with the outpouring of God’s wrath in the seal judgments, followed by the trumpet judgments, and concluding with the bowl judgments. The judgments are sequential and progressive, which means there is no break in the outpouring of God’s wrath, and as they are cast upon the earth, they intensify. This is in keeping with the analogy of birth pangs, since such pains do not occur at the beginning of pregnancy, but at the end.

Harrison made the assertion that the resurrection of the “two witnesses” in Revelation 11:11 is a picture of the rapture of the church.

rection of the two witnesses, which was thought to occur after the seventh trumpet.
In the Olivet discourse Jesus said that “immediately after the tribulation of those days” (Matthew 24:29; Mark 13:24,25) the cosmic disturbances, which I have sought to identify with the outpouring of the vials of God’s wrath (Revelation, chapter 16), will occur. But Christ added, “And at that time (I understand this to mean, at the time of the conclusion of the terrible tribulation which He had described), there will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven, and at that time all the tribes of the land will mourn because of Him and they will see the Son of Man coming upon the clouds of heaven with power and great glory, and He will send forth His angels with a great trumpet and NOVEMBER 2008 25

The Two Witnesses
Harrison made the assertion that the resurrection of the “two witnesses” in Revelation 11:11 is a picture of the rapture of the church. This interpretation would require the ministry of the two witnesses to occur in the first half of the tribulation for the resurrection to occur at the midpoint. His tabula-

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they will gather His elect from the four winds, from corners of heavens to corners thereof (Matthew 24:30,31; cf. Mark 13:26,27). It is my opinion that in the coming to life and Rapture of the two witnesses (Revelation 11:11 ff.) we have an exact synchronization of events. The two witnesses are caught up into heaven “in the cloud” at the same moment that the elect of God are caught up together in clouds to the meeting of the Lord in the air (I Corinthians 15:52; I Thessalonians 4:1318). 23

Midtribulationists erroneously conclude the “loud voice from heaven saying to them, ‘Come up here’” is the rapture of the church. Nothing in the context supports the conclusion that Revelation 11:12 is the rapture; rather, only the two witnesses are resurrected.

The seventh angel does not sound the seventh trumpet until after the resurrection of the two witnesses. However, in 1 Corinthians 15:52 the trumpet for the rapture sounds “in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye” (cf. 1 Thess 4:13-18). In the sense that the seventh trumpet is the seven bowls of wrath, the seventh trumpet sounds for a continuous period of time. (The Greek word esalpisen in Rev. 8:7 indicates the trumpet will begin to sound.)

Apparently, the church remains in the clouds with Christ to view the unfolding of the tribulational events.
“John says [in Rev 19:11-16], ‘I saw heaven standing open.’ Literally, the perfect passive participle, ‘having been opened,’ is harmonious with my speculative suggestion that Christ is visible with His glorified saints in heaven throughout the three and one half year period during which the Antichrist is allowed to prevail upon the earth.” 24

God’s Purposes for Israel and the Church
The midtribulational view interrelates God’s program for Israel and the church with each other. The reason for this overlap is due to the belief that the church participates in at least one half of the seventieth week, “the time of Jacob’s trouble,” but not in the last half (and most severe) of the seventieth week. Both Harrison and Buswell force the church into the context of the Olivet Discourse. Harrison argued that the existence of the Temple until AD 70 (i.e. for approximately forty years of church history) is proof that God’s program for Israel and the church overlap. Buswell’s overlap of the programs for Israel and the church is obvious in his understanding of the Olivet Discourse, as the following quotes demonstrate.
The next section in the Olivet discourse begins again with tote, “at that time.” This word does not mean “then” in the sense of “subsequently.” That meaning would be indicated by eita or epeita. Tote means “then” in the sense of “at that time.” In other words, the rapture of the church is not said to come subsequently to the time of the wrath of God, but is said to come “at that time.” This particular section of the Olivet discourse is given almost identical words in Matthew and Mark, and in almost iden-

Midtribulationists erroneously conclude the “loud voice from heaven saying to them, ‘Come up here’” is the rapture of the church. Nothing in the context supports the conclusion that Revelation 11:12 is the rapture; rather, only the two witnesses are resurrected. Furthermore, Revelation 11:14-15 places the seventh trumpet after the events of 11:3-14 when “the second woe is past.” The second woe is still the sixth trumpet opened in 9:13. If Revelation 11:12 is the rapture, then midtribulationists would have to accept the opinion that the rapture occurs at the sixth trumpet as opposed to the last trumpet in Revelation. The seventh trumpet actually occurs near the time of the end of the tribulation, somewhat prior to the second coming of Christ.

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tical words in Luke as far as Luke goes in this section. Matthew says, “And at that time there will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven and at that time all the tribes of the land will weep [Zechariah 12:10-14; cf. Revelation 1:7] and they shall see the Son of Man coming upon the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And He will send forth His angels with a great trumpet [I Corinthians 15:52; I Thessalonians 4:16; Revelation 11:15-19] and they will gather together His elect from the four winds from corners of heaven unto corners thereof” (Matthew 24:30,31). I have indicated above that the Apostle Paul alludes to these words of Christ in II Thessalonians 2:1 taking the noun, “gathering together,” in the phrase, “our gathering together unto Him,” from the very verb which Jesus used in saying, “They will gather together His elect.” Luke (ch. 21:27,28) uses the same words employed by Matthew and Mark in reference to the coming of the Son of Man “in a cloud,” “with power and great glory.” Luke does not include the statement with reference to the great trumpet and the angels and the gathering together of the elect, but Luke adds, “When these things begin to come to pass, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is near.” In my opinion, the words, “these things” refer back to the material in Luke 21:25,26, namely, the cosmic disturbances that are to come after the brief tribulation. In other words, although Luke does not specifically refer to or describe the rapture, yet his words, “your re-

The dispensation of the Law ended with the crucifixion of Christ (2 Cor 3:11; Gal 3:25; Col 2:14) and the dispensation of the church began at Pentecost (Acts 2).
demption draweth near,” are the equivalent of it.

Midtribulationists ignore the obvious by forcing the church into the Olivet Discourse, and hence, the first half of the tribulation. The tribulation is the seventieth week of Daniel, the period with which the Olivet Discourse is largely concerned. The dispensation of the Law ended with the crucifixion of Christ (2 Cor 3:11; Gal 3:25; Col 2:14) and the dispensation of the church began at Pentecost (Acts 2). Since the sixth-ninth week was fulfilled prior to the crucifixion of Christ, and the church was not instituted until Pentecost, then God’s program for Israel has been postponed until the dispensation of the church is completed. Once the rapture occurs, God will begin His program again with Israel as a nation, which will begin the seventieth week. The overlap of the two programs is not a biblical teaching, but it is a necessary teaching for midtribulationism.

The Doctrine of Imminency
Midtribulationists vigorously deny the biblical teaching concerning the imminency of the rapture. MidtribulaNOVEMBER 2008 27

MIDTRIBULATIONISM
tionists must deny imminency. If the rapture is midtribulational, then it is possible to set a date for its occurrence. Indeed, date setting is quite characteristic of HarriRapture: Pre-, Mid-, or Post-Tribulational? (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1984), 115-45. 3 Norman B. Harrison, The End: Re-thinking the Revelation (Minneapolis: Harrison Services, 1941), 118. 4 It would be best to understand Scripture to teach that the sixth seal occurs at the midpoint of the tribulation. See Ron J. Bigalke Jr., “A Comparison of the Synoptic Eschatological Discourses and Revelation 6—20,” Chafer Theological Seminary Journal 13 (Spring 2008): 60-78. 5 Robert D. Van Kampen, The Rapture Question Answered (Grand Rapids: Revell, 1997), 47. 6 Mike Stallard, “An Analysis of the Use of Cosmic-Sign Passages by Propo-

This brief examination of midtribulationism has demonstrated that the essential characteristics of the view are contrary to the true interpretation of Scripture, and should therefore be rejected as false.

son.26 If the rapture occurs at the midpoint of the tribulation, then believers would merely count three and one half years from the signing of the peace treaty with Israel, which surely will make international news. Such teaching clearly denies the imminency of the rapture. Christians are not to look for the Antichrist, but the imminent appearing of Jesus Christ. God provided Israel with numerous signs that would precede the second coming. In light of such signs, Israel was to live in expectancy of the coming of Messiah to fulfill the biblical covenants and establish His millennial reign.

nents of the Pre-Wrath Rapture Theory” (paper presented at the Pre-Trib Study Group, Dallas, TX, 2002). 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Harrison, The End, 54. Ibid., 91. Ibid., 91, 120. When he did interpret 6:16-17, Harrison regarded it as a future tense. J. Dwight Pentecost, Things to Come (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1964), 189. Gerald B. Stanton, Kept from the Hour (Miami Springs: Schoettle Publishing, 1991), 194-195. Albert Barnes, Notes on the First Epistle to the Corinthians (London: Gall & Inglis, 1847), 386. E. Schuyler English, Re-Thinking the Rapture (Neptune, NJ: Loizeaux Brothers, 1954), 109. Harrison, The End, 111. J. Oliver Buswell, A Systematic Theology of the Christian Religion (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1962; repr., 1976), 2:389. 16 17 18 19 20 Ibid., 2:435–36. Ibid., 2:457. Ibid., 2:436. Ibid., 2:457. Ibid., 2:457–58. Ibid. Harrison, The End, 117. Buswell, Systematic Theology, 2:456. Ibid., 2:483. Ibid., 2:398-99. Harrison, The End, 20, 42-43, 218.

CONCLUSION
This brief examination of midtribulationism has demonstrated that the essential characteristics of the view are contrary to the true interpretation of Scripture, and should therefore be rejected as false. MC

ENDNOTES
1 Thomas D. Ice, “Stage-Setting of the Last Days,” in Revelation Hoofbeats, gen. ed. Ron J. Bigalke Jr. (Longwood, FL: Xulon Press, 2003), 283-300. 2 Gleason Archer, “The Case for the Mid–Seventieth‑ Week Rapture Position” in The

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MONEY: ENDS & TR ENDS

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For more perspectives and resources on world economic and financial trends of interest to Christians, visit Wilfred’s website “http://www.eternalvalue.com” for additional resources and subscribe to the free newsletter Eternal Value Review: World Review and Market Monitor.

What Chances a Global Financial Apocalypse Now? – Part I
B y W i l f r e d H a h n

Over the past year or so, much of the high-income region of the world has been gripped in a growing anxiety. Global financial markets have encountered unsettling volatility, and more worryingly, the integrity of global financial and credit systems has been threatened. To date, financial institutions at large—whether smaller or greater—have sustained losses now exceeding $500 billion.
pecifically, the nations that we have dubbed the Top-10X in past research—these being the 10 highest-income and economically largest nations in the world of dominant Christian heritage1— seem to be on the horns of a brewing financial catastrophe. Given their heavy reliance upon debt-based monetary systems, as well a high level of “financialization,”2 their financial institutions—banks, insurance companies, investment brokers, hedge funds, etc.—have been particularly vulnerable to bursting asset bubbles. There is real fear that a global financial meltdown might yet ensue.

S

Could this happen? Closer to home, in North America, such fears are even greater. The “perfect storm” of falling real estate prices (some regions in the US even experiencing near collapses) higher energy prices, the high debt-servicing costs of many households due to over-indebtedness, and now an economic slowdown compounded by a reluctance to lend, has the doomsayers in full bloom. Indeed, housing markets are falling the fastest since the Great Depression, and more banks are expected to fail over the next several years than in that prior, infamous time. Even some Christian ministries have seized on these fears, contriving such emotional themes as
NOVEMBER 2008 29

MONEY: ENDS & TRENDS

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By Wilfred Hahn

The questions beckon: Will there yet be a total financial collapse? If so, just what will happen to America’s economic position in the world? And, surely a question on the lips of many: Is the financial security of our own families at risk?

“Christians and high oil prices” or “the falling dollar.” Fanning these fears, secular analysts now forecast that total losses amongst all financial players could yet broach $2.5 trillion and more. The questions beckon: Will there yet be a total financial collapse? If so, just what will happen to America’s economic position in the world? And, surely a question on the lips of many: Is the financial security of our own families at risk? This latter question, of course, is the most anxietyridden. No matter that such worries are also exaggerated due to our society being amongst the most materialistic of any in the world. Financial well being—the comfort of wealth in our Global Age of Capital—is popularly seen as the top priority. We’ll stop with the questions and next attempt some answers. Foundational here is a premillennial perspective on global collapse. Scripture provides clear guidance on this topic. While this perspective will likely not provide the nearterm reassurance that most North Americans are looking for, the Bible does not fail to provide us with reasons for an attitude of contentedness, peace as well as hope. America: What Vantage Point to Adopt? Without a doubt, America’s current troubles “have not been sleeping” (2 Peter 2:3). These are the product of choices … those of corrupt leaders as well as households and individuals. A progressive slide toward materialism, various kinds of idolatry, and greedy lawlessness has been documented for many decades. In fact, this beginning slide was already
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detected by both Christian and non-Christian writers 150 years ago and more. So why should there be surprise that finally the “chickens have come home to roost”? The Bible clearly says, “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows” (Galatians 6:7). Of course, there has been a long line of false prophets and soothsayers that have popularized the ideas that there are no consequences of revelry, “that you can eat your cake and have it, too,” and that there is no such thing as sin and wrongdoing. This message offered pleasing license to complacently rush down the broad road to the difficulties that America and the world are experiencing today. That being so, wouldn’t it be reasonable to see America’s troubles as a catalyst for the final global collapse? We argue, not at this time, for several reasons. In answering this question, let’s first focus on America’s perceived role in this regard. Here, a number of religious persuasions color the view. For example, US economic and financial challenges of late—deserved as they are—are commonly being seen as divine intervention in Christian circles, or as prophetic fulfillment and validation of other interpretational systems of Scripture. For example, Dominion Theology theorists (also called Reconstructionists), who, among other beliefs, hold that Christians will yet reform the entire world before Christ returns, are a group gaining in influence. They are feeling triumphal at present. Various proponents of this view have long predicted that a global financial and economic collapse will occur. Recent financial tremors—as already

The Most Abused Brand Name in the World

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mentioned, in some ways already exceeding conditions of the Great Depression of the 1930s—are taken as evidence that such predictions are finally coming true. The problem here is not so much that these predictions will not prove true eventually. It is that the Reconstructionists generally take an amillennial or post-millennial stance, and therefore are waiting for the collapse to occur so that they can seize supremacy over world systems that have proven themselves to be morally bankrupt. Not surprisingly, they are known to display glee at every hint of financial crises. Also, the lately re-proliferating offshoots of British Israelism (or Armstrongism) are also feeling strengthened in their views. Many of the organizations in this varied movement that are quite prolific in disseminating their beliefs (for example the Philadelphia Church of God, and the Living Church of God, among others) take the view that America and other Celtic-related nations are really offshoots of the supposedly long-lost tribes of the House of Israel. These groups take differing stances on the Rapture, Historicism (the belief that some historical events during the Church Age are literal prophetic fulfillment of Bible prophecy … i.e. the identity of the 7 heads on the beast, the 10 kings, etc.) and various ordinances. Yet, their interpretation of Bible prophecy generally produces the view that all the members of the House of Israel (United States being the modern manifestation of the Manasseh branch of Ephraim) will face a severe disciplining and weakening prior to the Tribulation and the return of Christ. As such, recent financial troubles to them are further proofs of America’s prophesied decline on the world stage.

America to Face the Same Prophecies as Israel? In addition to the above-mentioned theological interpretations, there has been a long-running tradition for America to see itself as a modern-day parallel to old Israel, either in terms of experiences or destiny (also including prophetic influence in the world). This already began with the early Puritans, who saw themselves as Israel going to a new land, and subduing Canaanites in the form of North American Indians. Even connected global policy analysts are aware of this. Walter Russell Mead, a member of the Council on Foreign Relations (whose father was an Episcopal priest)3 recently writing in Foreign Affairs, comments:
“The United States’ sense of its own identity and mission in the world has been shaped by readings of Hebrew history and thought. […] From the time of the Puritans to the present day, preachers, thinkers, and politicians in the United States—secular as well as religious, liberal as well as conservative—have seen the Americans as a chosen people, bound together less by ties of blood than by a set of beliefs and a destiny. Americans have believed that God (or history) has brought them into a new land and made them great and rich and that their continued prosperity depends on the fulfilling their obligations toward God or the principles that have blessed them so far. Ignore these principles—turn toward the golden calf—and the scourge will come. Both religious and nonreligious Americans have looked to the Hebrew Scriptures for an example of a people set apart by their mission and called to a world-changing destiny.” 4

...there has been a longrunning tradition for America to see itself as a modern-day parallel to old Israel, either in terms of experiences or destiny (also including prophetic influence in the world).

This perspective that Mead describes is still quite strong today. Troubles and disasters—from the 9/11 attacks in 2001, the effects of Hurricane Katrina upon New Orleans, to economic troubles—are
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MONEY: ENDS & TRENDS

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By Wilfred Hahn

Actually, whether the US may possess a manifest destiny or not, financial troubles on this continent do not necessarily mean that the entire world must be fated for immediate collapse.

popularly seen as direct divine interventions of warning. Moreover, America’s fate is seen as either dominating or determining the fate of the world. All the same, while many may be inclined to take the perspective that Mead describes, it doesn’t provide any specific insight to the question of premillennial global collapse. Yet, all of the above views intermingle with the bated question of whether indeed a global collapse has now started. Global Financial Apocalypse Now? We can state our view clearly at the outset: The great global collapse (and its various subsidiary judgments) that is prophesied in the Bible is not yet unfolding at present. The Bible has the final say as to when this collapse occurs, and that is yet in the future, as we will later show in detail. That said, it remains true that at this time globalism and the vulnerabilities of the world’s systems continue to build toward that ultimate outcome (and in that way could be viewed as prophetic fulfillment). But the final collapse is not yet. Not only can this view be proven from Scripture, it can also be logically deduced. After all, a functioning global financial and trading system is essential to bring the world to the apex of the Antichrist’s reign inside the Tribulation period. As prophetic events of the Great Tribulation are yet to occur, a widespread global collapse now would be before its time. As such, we can know that a crippling global financial collapse is not going to unfold at present. But what do we make of America now? America’s Role in Global Collapse There are at least two other conclusions we can settle upon that are of potential interest to North Americans. For
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one, America and other countries facing similar difficulties—such as Britain, Spain, and Australia, to name the major ones in this group—could very well face a long phase of decline and financial hardship … even to the point of being eclipsed economically by other nations in the world. Even respected secular analysts and mainstream publications are of the opinion that this is occurring, should trends not change. Therefore, though we can be sure that the final collapse is not yet upon the world, this offers no assurance for America and other affected countries over the near-term. But what would happen to the world if the financial systems of the afore-mentioned bloc of nations were actually to collapse, as some observers fear? Isn’t America so large and economically influential that such a development would spell certain doom for the entire world … in other words, be sure to trigger the prophesied global economic breakdown? Actually, whether the US may possess a manifest destiny or not, financial troubles on this continent do not necessarily mean that the entire world must be fated for immediate collapse. There are some persuasive arguments supporting this view, which we will present in Part II. Thoughts to Ponder We have only scratched the surface of what the Bible says about the great economic collapses that lay ahead for the world during the Tribulation period. There are different types of collapse, and the consequences are yet future. For example, the judgment befalling the wealth of Babylon the Great is different than that of the deceitful trading systems of Tyre and other wealthy nations throughout history, or the more general judgments mentioned by Isaiah (chapter 24) that apply to all nations.

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There is much detail in this regard that we will yet examine. However, for now, we can draw some key conclusions. First, the world’s systems are certainly and indelibly proceeding to an endpoint. In that sense, many of the trends that we are witnessing today (globalism and globalization, for example) could be viewed as prophetic preparation, in that they play a role in the continuing process towards the ultimate and literal events that are yet to come. Overall world financial systems will not “melt down” before their time. They may suffer tremors, hair-raising crises, temporary panics and so on, but not incapacitating meltdown. Why? It stands to reason that they must remain operational for at least the early stages of the Tribulation period. That said, collapses of lesser types have occurred and can occur any time. In fact, this has been the normal course of history. Some nations have risen in power; others have fallen or been overturned. There have been recessions, even world-shaking depressions, as in the 1930s and countless currency crises and individual country disasters. Yet, the world’s systems, though battered, were patched together only to advance to a more heightened state of globalization. It does not counter Scripture nor violate the immediacy of Christ’s return to conclude that this pattern will continue. Even should the US experience near calamitous conditions, an analytical argument can be made to support this view. As anticipated at the outset, our conclusions are likely to disappoint some readers. We can provide no assurance that individuals or specific countries such as the United States might not face even tougher

times ahead. Yet, such a conclusion is entirely in alignment with Scripture, for we are counseled to place our entire hope in our Lord. That does not mean that we are to abdicate common sense or any responsibilities of stewardship, but simply not to fear other things more than God. “[…] do not fear what they fear, and do not dread it. The LORD Almighty is the one you are to regard as holy, he is the one you are to fear, he is the one you are to dread, and he will be a sanctuary […]” (Isaiah 8:12-14). (In Part II, we will conclude on the question of America’s role in a pre-millennial global collapse.) MC ENDNOTES
1 The group of the 10 richest Christian nations, accounting for 10.7% of the world population and 60% of world annual income, are comprised of Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, United Kingdom and the United States. The criteria used by the author to define this group are three: 1. The majority of the country’s population declaring an affiliation with a Christian faith; 2. Total population greater than 10 million; and 3. Average annual gross national income (GNI, Atlas Method, World Development Indicators) of greater than US $20,000 per annum. There are 10 countries that qualify under this definition. 2 Financialization embodies the concept of financial activity and obligations as a relation to overall economic life. For example, a country that has a high level of debt, money stock, complex layers of financial obligations and so on, would be said to be more “financialized” than a country with a lower level. 3 4 Walter Russell Mead, biographical information. Wikipedia. Accessed Sept. 2, 2008. Walter Russell Mead, The New Israel and the Old: Why Gentile Americans Back the Jewish State. Foreign Affairs, Volume 87 No. 4, July/August 2008.

Overall world financial systems will not “melt down” before their time. They may suffer tremors, hair-raising crises, temporary panics and so on, but not incapacitating meltdown.

NOVEMBER 2008

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USA

The US rush into wind power has enabled the country to pass Germany to become the world’s biggest generator of such energy, according to estimates for the first half of 2008 from the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA).
GERMANY

America Takes Wind-Power Lead

Top of World’s Solar Power League
Germany has reinforced its status as the world leader in solar power generation, after less stringent cuts in renewable energy subsidies than had been anticipated. Germany boasts more than 50 percent of the world’s installed solar power capacity, thanks to the subsidies, known as feed-in tariffs that give households with solar panels a fixed income for 20 years from electricity sold to the national grid.

Solar Power
Share of global installed solar power capacity, 2006 (%)
Germany Japan US Spain Rest of Europe
Source: IMU/Otto Brenner Foundation, Frankfurt: Photon International magazine

0 10 20 30 40 50 60
-Financial Times, 28 July 2008, pg. 3
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The US had not been expected to reach this milestone until the end of next year. It achieved this early, while still running behind Germany in total installed capacity, because its average wind speed in significantly stronger. The total capacity of wind installations in Germany was 22,000 megawatts in 2007, compared with 17,000mw in the US. Nonetheless, with growing attention on wind energy in the US, the AWEA says the country could well take the world lead in installed capacity as well by the end of this year. Texas gave approval for a $4.9 billion plan to build transmission lines to channel wind energy from the plains of west Texas to large cities, such as Dallas. T. Boone Pickens, the veteran Texan oilman and latter-day wind advocate, unveiled the “Pickens Plan,” which calls on the US to use wind power to generate the 22 percent of its electricity now drawn from natural gas—freeing that fuel to be used for transportation. Mr. Pickens is now spending billions of dollars to build the world’s largest wind farm in Texas. Despite the growing interest and milestones passed, wind meets only about 1 percent of the current US energy demand. Mr. Pickens says building wind facilities from Texas to North Dakota could produce 20 percent of electricity used by the US at a cost of $1,000bn.
-Financial Times, 22 July 2008, pg. 3

The first time the word “wind” is mentioned in the Bible is in Genesis 8:1: “And God remembered Noah, and every living thing, and all the cattle that was with him in the ark: and God made a wind to pass over the earth, and the waters assuaged.” This wind served to prepare the world for Noah and his family. The last time wind appears is in Revelation 7:1: “And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree.” The purpose of the wind here is to prepare divine protection for the 12 tribes of the children of Israel. In the meantime, wind is being utilized for its energy, and energy is translated into benefit for modern mankind. Such is the case also with solar and fossil fuel. All is there, provided for man, but in the end, man will use his accumulated riches to oppose the living God: “And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk: Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts” (Revelation 9:20-21). 3346

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GERMANY

1,600-Year-Old Version of Bible Goes Online
More than 1,600 years after was written in Greek, one of the oldest copies of the Bible will become globally accessible online for the first time.
Sections of the Codex Sinaiticus, which contains the oldest complete New Testament, will be available on the Internet, said the University of Leipzig, one of the four curators of the ancient text worldwide. High-resolution images of the Gospel of Mark, several Old Testament books, and notes on the work made over centuries will appear on www.codex-sinaiticus.net as a first step towards publishing the entire manuscript online by next July. Ulrich Johannes Schneider, director of Leipzig University Library, which holds part of the manuscript, said the publication of the Codex online would allow anyone to study a work of “fundamental” importance to Christians. “A manuscript is going onto the net which is like nothing else online to date,” Schneider said. “It’s also an enrichment of the virtual world—and a bit of a change from YouTube.” Selected translations will be available in English and German for those not conversant in ancient Greek, he added. Dating from around 350, the document is believed by experts to be the oldest known copy of the Bible, along with the Codex Vaticanus, another ancient version of the Bible, Schneider said. The vellum manuscript came to Europe piece by piece from Saint Catherine’s Monastery by Mount Sinai after German biblical scholar Konstantin von Tischendorf found a number of folios there in 1844. He was allowed to take some to Leipzig. Tischendorf returned to the monastery in 1859 with Russian backing and acquired the biggest section of the Bible for his imperial sponsors. It remained in St. Petersburg until the Soviet Union sold it to the British Museum in 1933. “The first section was clearly a gift to Tischendorf, but that’s not so clear in the case of the second portion. The monks all signed a contract at the time, but the rumor persists that they were given a raw deal,” said Schneider. “And there is probably some truth to this.” Subsequent discoveries meant that the original Codex, missing roughly half the Old Testament, is now housed at four locations in Europe and the Middle East. The project, launched in cooperation with the Russian National Library, the British Library and Saint Catherine’s Monastery, also details the condition of the Bible, believed to have been written by early Christians in Egypt. “I think it’s just fantastic that thanks to technology we can make the oldest cultural artifacts— ones that were once so precious you couldn’t show them to anyone – accessible to everyone, in really high quality,” said Schneider.
-msnbc.com, 21 July 2008

Ancient: The Codex Sinaiticus marks one of the first attempts to define Christianity

JAPAN

New DNA Technology Identifies Disease Risks
Japan’s Matsushita Electric Industrial Company said that it had developed a new way of predicting from a person’s DNA their response to medication and risk of developing disease. Matsushita, which is best known for its Panasonic brand, said it had developed a technology to electronically identify sequence variations in DNA, called single nucleotide polymorphisms, or SNPs. It described the technology as a “world-first” that uses artificial DNA dissolved in a solution instead of being attached to an electrode. “This technology makes it possible to predict individuals’ responses to drugs and their risk of developing disease,” said the company, which collaborated with Konan University on the project. “In the future, this technology is expected to enable hospitals or clinics to provide patients with treatments and drugs tailored to their individual physical characteristics,” it said.
-news.yahoo.com, 20 August 2008

To be able to read a copy of the oldest available manuscript of the Bible is certainly fascinating. This time it’s worldwide on the internet and can be accessed by literally billions of people. But there is one problem, and that is “faith.” Without faith it is impossible to please God, and without faith we can’t come to Jesus and understand the message of salvation. We may admire these old manuscripts from a historical and archaeological point of view, but that won’t help anyone. The Bible is a book of faith. First John 5:13 reads: “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.” For those who don’t believe, it is foolishness, just as the Scripture states: “For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God” (1 Corinthians 3351 1:18).

There is no end in sight for new discoveries to fight various diseases and illnesses. That fact, however, does not change prophecy. When Jesus says there will be pestilences, then they will continue regardless of scientific achievements. Besides, no one can change what is written: “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27). 3335
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CHINA

China Reverting to Form as the World’s Workshop
China is set to overtake the US next year as the world’s largest producer of manufactured goods, four years earlier than expected, as a result of the rapidly weakening US economy. The great leap is revealed in forecasts for the Financial Times by Global Insight, a US economics consultancy. According to the estimates, next year China will account for 17 percent of manufacturing value-added output of $11,783bn and the US will make 16 percent. As recently as last year, Global Insight economists predicted that the US would retain the top position until 2013, but a large downward revision in likely output this year and next is expected to cause the US to slip more quickly than had been expected. The data underline the surge of China’s manufacturing-led economy in the past 20 years. In 1990, before economic reforms began to work, it accounted for a meager 3 percent of global manufacturing. Manufacturing accounted for just 17.5 percent of global gross domestic product in 2007, but much activity in the considerably larger area of services, for instance in retailing, distribution, transport and communications, depends on it. The expected change will end more than a 100 years of US dominance. It returns China to a position it occupied, according to economic historians, for some 1,800 years up to about 1840, when Britain became the world’s biggest manufacturer after its Industrial Revolution.
-Financial Times, 11 August 2008, pg. 1

EU

Euro MPs Target Hidden Costs in Airline Advertising
Laws banning hidden air fares costs are expected in force by the end of the year following final approval from Euro-MP’s.
The move means airlines must include all airport taxes, fees and charges in the basic ticket price advertised to travelers. All costs known at the time of publication must be clearly set out, making plain the total price customers will pay. The new rules had already been agreed by EU transport ministers but needed today’s goahead from MEPs in Strasbourg. The aim is to end misleading promotions in which ultra-low air ticket prices are highlighted, leaving out extra unavoidable costs which travelers must pay. A European Parliament report on transparent air fares said air passengers have as much right as any other consumers to clear and comprehensive information about the price they actually have to pay—including online. Conservative MEP Timothy Kirkhope commented: “This adds much needed transparency for passengers. It means that website prices and brochure prices will become open and clear. It is the right approach to ensure that price risers are not hidden any longer.” Labour MEP Robert Evans said: “The European Parliament is protecting British citizens. The days when airline advertisements can be a con are over.” Fellow labour MEP Brian Simpson said holidaymakers would welcome the new clarity, adding: “When you spot a bargain flight online you’ll be able to see the real price up front. “It is time that consumers were clearly informed about the choices they make. When booking a flight online the price they see must be the price they pay.” The new rules follow a crusade by the European Commission which warned that one in three European consumers were still being misled when buying plane tickets. The problem has soared thanks to increasing internet sales, particularly as online booking is often the only possibility with low-cost air carriers. A simultaneous “sweep” of nearly 400 air travel websites based in most EU countries was organized by the commission last September—although the UK did not take part as the Office of Fair Trading was already involved in action against at least a dozen airlines for misleading advertising. Quoted fares “addressed directly to the traveling public” must include “all applicable taxes, nonavoidable charges, surcharges and fees known at the time of publication (eg, taxes, air traffic control charges or duties, surcharges or fees, such as those related to security or fuel, and other costs of the airline or the airport operator).” Optional price supplements must be “communicated in a clear, transparent and unambiguous way at the start of any booking process and their acceptance by the consumer must be on an ‘opt-in’ basis.”
-eturbonews.com, 9 July 2008

This report confirms China as the new arising economic power structure; in this case, manufacturing. What is hidden in this report is the ability of China to invest globally. With this process going on, China will be forced to adapt even more to European (and American) business practices, and thereby will be integrated even more into 3339 the family of global nations.

Protecting the consumer is one of the EUs main objects. Although prices for all products advertised throughout Europe are final, there are countries such as the UK which lean toward the American promotional system; that, too, will come to an end. The price you see is the price you pay, no more and no less. Doubtless, this is popular with the public and will serve as a model for the rest of the world.
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N O R WAY

Radical Islamist Seeks Aid in Court of Law
The founder of a radical Islamist group, deemed a security risk to Norway, has complained to a European human rights court that Norwegian authorities are violating his rights, Norwegian media reported.
Najmuddin Faraj Ahmad, also known as Mullah Krekar, founder of the Iraqi Kurd Islamist group Ansar al-Islam.

Mullah Krekar, born Najmuddin Faraj Ahmad, is an Iraqi Kurd and founder of the radical Islamist group Ansar al-Islam. Norway’s Supreme Court upheld a ruling to expel him last November, saying he posed a security risk to the country. But he cannot in practice be deported because Norway does not send anyone to a country where they could risk facing the death penalty. Krekar is now taking his case to the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg and says he has been forced into internal exile in Norway. “He has been robbed of all basis rights, something that cannot be accepted in a state founded on legal protection,” his attorney, Brynjar Meling, told public broadcaster NRK. “He has no freedom of movement,” Meling said. “He is not here because he wants to be but because he has to be. He has no possibility to leave the country, to work, to study or to have a bank account.” Krekar arrived as a refugee in Norway with his family in 1991, but officials say he has repeatedly returned to Iraq to organize a militant movement in Kurdish areas of northern Iraq aiming to establish an Islamic state. The island nation has a population of about 760,000, about 290,000 of which are foreigners. Although the country is mostly Islamic, King Hamad said he is proud of the religious diversity of his country. “Bahrain is proud of its 1,000 Bahraini Christian citizens, who are well-integrated in public life,” the king said after his meeting, “Many of them are even holding high positions, including in the legislature.” The king said that his talk with Pope Benedict XVI focused on increasing religious dialogue in his country and between nations. “We stressed the importance of promoting bilateral co-operation and building bridges of tolerance, moderation and peace,” he said. “Bahrain hosts the Sacred Heart Church, the oldest Catholic church in the Gulf, as it dates back to 1940.” The king also said he thought the Vatican holds an important role in promoting international peace.

He says he quit leading the group years ago. The Norwegian authorities first warned that they would expel him in 2002. “I am suing Norway to ensure that I get all the rights I am entitled to,” Krekar, whose wife and four children are Norwegian citizens, told the daily Verdens Gang. Meling said the court in Strasbourg cannot overturn the verdict of the Norwegian court but that Norway is obligated to listen to its opinion on how to treat him.
-Yahoo.com, 5 August 2008

Norway is considered one of the super rich nations. Presently, it is not a member of the European Union, yet as this report indicates, “Norway is obligated to listen to [the EU’s] opinion.” The extent of human rights in Europe is unprecedented. An Iraqi Islamist who has proven to be a security risk to Norway is being granted to option to go to the court of the European Union in Strasbourg, France. This type of dealing with radicals will in the long run prove that Europe can accommodate virtually everyone. Subsequently, a new model is being established that will have to be followed by the entire world. 3348 “Such lofty values would only preserve international security and stability and enable all nations to live in a peace-loving world,” he said.
-The Bulletin, 4 July 2008, pg. 8

B A H R A I N

Pope Invited to Visit Muslim Country
King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa of Bahrain, a small Islamic nation in the Persian Gulf, invited Pope Benedict XVI to visit his country during his recent visit with the pope at Castel Gandolfo. “In the course of the discussions, which took place in a cordial atmosphere, the Vatican authorities had the opportunity to thank the king for the welcome he has shown to many Christian immigrants,” the Vatican said in a statement. The meeting emphasized the importance of “intercultural and inter-religious dialogue, and the importance of collaboration between Christians, Muslims and Jews for the promotion—in the Middle East and throughout the world—of peace, justice and spiritual and moral values.”

Here we see the old Roman political, religious philosophy at work—unity at any cost. The melting of religion with politics has been practiced for millenniums, but the last few decades have seen the direct political involvement of religions. What is the goal? To “preserve international security and stability and enable all nations to live in a peace-loving world.” That is what man wants, and that is what he gets, but we need to emphasize here, this development is outside the Prince of Peace. It will not be lasting. 3347
NOVEMBER 2008 37

EU

Slovak Mint Starts Production of Euro Coins
Slovakia's mint has started manufacturing euro coins as the country prepares to join the 15strong monetary union on 1 January 2009.
Some 500 million coins weighing 2,406 tonnes began to be produced at a speed of 750 coins per minute at the Mint in Kremnica, in a run to last till the end of the year, the state company's spokesman, Jaroslav Setnicky, told reporters. The quota is the prescribed amount that needs to be delivered to banks and be available for general distribution. Altogether, Slovakia will need to hold 188 million euro notes worth € 7 billion, and 500 million euro coins—among them, the highest amount of 230 million will be of one cent coins. The euro will be the sixth currency in Slovakia's history and will replace the Slovak koruna which was introduced in 1993 as the then Czechoslovakia split into the two states of the Czech Republic and Slovak Republic. As he was watching the formal launch of Slovak euro coin production in Kremnica, the Slovak finance minister, Jan Pociatek, suggested that the euro would serve Slovaks "longer and better than the previous currency," the Slovak daily SME reported. The Slovak one and two-euro coins will feature a cross planted on top of a mountain with three hills, which is a national symbol also featuring on the country's flag. It is the first time that the Christian crucifix will be included on the side of a euro coin whose design the individual member countries can decide over, although Spain and Portugal have images of famous cathedrals on some of their coins. The 10, 20, 50-cent coins will feature Bratislava Castle, while the one, two and five-cent coins will show Mount Krivan, a symbol of the nation's sovereignty. The 5.3 million-people strong Slovakia will join the eurozone as the second country of the former eastern bloc, after Slovenia. The move comes just as the euro celebrates the 10th anniversary of its original introduction in 11 states in 1999. During the evaluation process, the longterm prospect of the country's price stability caused the biggest doubts over its readiness to join the club. But despite recording the highest economic growth rates across the EU, Slovakia managed to keep inflation below the required threshold.
-euobserver.com, 21 August, 2008

Slovak euro coins are being produced at the speed of 750 coins per minute starting this week (Photo: European Commission)

In spite of many setbacks and disappointments, slowly but surely the euro is becoming the officially recognized currency for Europe, and in due time, for the rest of the world. In the early stages there was much doubt about the success of a unified currency. Today, it is no longer a question. New member states are waiting to change their traditional national currency to the euro. Doubtless, this 10-year-old currency will serve as a model for the rest of the world, particularly South America, Africa, and Asia. One thing we can be sure is that unity at all levels of society will continue to progress until a truly united world is established. 3341

INDIA

Indians Will Buy Up Half of London by 2017
Globe-trotting Indians could spend as much as Rs 128,000 crore or £15 billion on residential property in the UK in the next decade, one of the world’s leading real estate companies has predicted in the first tabulation of its kind.
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The estimate of 21st century Indians’ buying power comes from Jones Lang LaSalle Meghraj (JLLM), the Indian wing of the multi-national property management firm named by Fortune and Forbes magazines as one of the world’s 100 and 400 best big companies. Times of India has learned that JLL is among a growing band of high-end property companies in the UK and elsewhere to believe Indians will regard

property as their main investment asset even as their disposable income rises. The perceived level of Indian purchasing power can be gauged from the starting prices of £235,000 or Rs 2,006 crore and
(continued next page)

WORLD

A Tendency Toward Rome
When, after the failed assassination attempts against President Ronald Reagan and Pope John Paul II, the Soviet Union and its evil empire collapsed instead, some thought they saw a sign.
Perhaps it should not go unremarked, therefore, that we are about to see a similar sign: the return of a significant portion of the Anglican Church into the fold of the Roman Catholic Church. Similar tendencies toward Rome are evident in the Orthodox Churches, the Chinese Patriotic Church in Communist China and the schismatic Pius X Society. One thing driving this, of course, is the ecumenical dialogue, which began 40 years ago under Pope Paul VI. Another is the fact that, thanks to our modern popes, the prestige of the papacy is at a level not seen in centuries. Still another is the contrast between the worldwide growth of the Catholic Church and the disintegration (not to say, disappearance) of many main-line Protestant communions, both here and in Europe. Only the evangelicals, the Catholics and the Orthodox are prospering. As Bishop David Moyer, SSC, an AngloCatholic leader of the Traditional Anglican Communion and pastor of the Church of the Good Shepherd in Rosemont, said, it’s now clear that the only way Christianity will survive in Europe will be through the Catholic Church. Whether Rome’s response to the British Anglo-Catholics will be framed in such a way as to create a precedent for other Protestant ministers and congregation to join the Catholic Church is
(continued from page 38)

presently unknown. Personally, I hope it is sufficiently broad to enable American Anglo-Catholic to return home. Finally, about the Tridentine Mass. While ordered, certainly for the reasons set forth in Pope Benedict’s decree and in his book on the liturgy, it is striking how this papal initiative carries the side-benefit of potentially opening doors to two other ingathering of Christians who are presently in schism with Rome. One, of course, is the bishops, priests and faithful of the Pius X Society who reject the Second Vatican Council and all its works. The other is the Patriotic Catholic Church in Communist China, which is controlled by the Chinese government. It is not much known in the United States that the Chinese Catholic Church does not follow Vatican II and use the Tridentine Mass. As much as the papacy itself, it is the use of the same Mass in the same lan-

guage throughout the world which symbolizes the unity of the Church. The Orthodox Patriarch of Constantinople participated in a service at St. Peter’s celebrating the beginning of the year dedicated to the Apostle Paul. There they were, the symbols of the “left and right lungs of the Universal Church,” as Pope John Paul II called them, praying together in St. Peter’s. Who knows?
-The Bulletin, 11 July 2008, pg. 23

The Roman Catholic Church, as a religious political institution, is here to stay. As a matter of fact, the power of Rome will increase substantially in the near future. While the article concludes, “Only the evangelicals, the Catholics and the Orthodox are prospering,” the author James G. Wiles fails to mention that the evangelical movement is strongly united with the Vatican when it comes to opposing gay marriage, gay clergy, women bishops, etc. The points of agreement are the points that will lead towards Rome. The religious, moral and political power of Rome is vastly underestimated. Thus, we can rightly say, Rome ruled when Jesus came the first time, and Rome will rule when Jesus returns physically and literally to planet Earth. 3350

£399,950 or Rs 3,424 crore quoted for The Berkeley Group’s India launch of two developments. The new research points out that London is increasingly becoming the international hub for higher educational learning and the number of Indian students studying in the British capital has quadrupled since 2005 to nearly 20,000. This trend can only continue, it predicts, with an increased thrust towards collaborative programs between Indian and London universities.

The research says that 1.9 million Indian households are expected to have wealth above US$500,000 in the next 10 years, giving globe-trotting and globally engaged Indians the money to buy property overseas, mainly in London. Indians could own 20,000-30,000 UK residential properties by 2017, predominantly in and around London, it says.
-Times of India, 22 July 2008, pg. 17

While much of the news is bleak about Europe and the United States, the Asian gi-

ants are awakening in contrast. This should not be surprising since a global world requires global mobility for those who travel; subsequently, real estate becomes an attractive investment for those who have a great volume of cash at hand. The so-called first world, Europe, will not lose its dominant position, but those who were considered “third world” will arise to the camp of the elite and be com3338 petitive. Welcome to the One World.
NOVEMBER 2008 39

WORLD

Study Says Young People More Religious Than Assumed
Three out of four young adults pray at least once a day, says a study across 21 nations by a German research agency, adding that GenY is more religious than is being assumed. Surveying 21,000 people in 21 nations, the study by the German Bertelsmann Foundation found that around 85% are religious and 14% are deeply so. Only 13% aren’t religious. Martin Rieger, project leader of the Bertelsmann Foundation’s Religion Monitor said: “The assumption that religious belief is dwindling continuously from generation to generation is clearly refuted by our worldwide surveys— even in many industrialized nations.” The study found that 90% of young adults in countries like Nigeria and Guatemala pray at least once a day, while three out of four do the same in India, Morocco and Turkey. It also found that there are many more religious people in the US than in most other western countries. Fifty seven percent of young Americans pray daily, the study notes. However, there is difference between individual countries and denominations. Young adults in Islamic states are deeply religious whereas young Christians in Europe are not.
-Sunday Times of India, 13 July 2008, pg. 22

unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?” That means they worship the devil and the one who is inspired by the devil, the Antichrist. The foundation for this type of worship is being established by 3344 the power of religion.

CANADA

A Brave Little Voice Highlights Anti-Jewish Incitement
Canadian Member of Parliament Irwin Cotler, a Liberal party representative, has stated that the Palestinian Authority, including its Chairman and Fatah leader Mahmoud Abbas, is guilty of purveying hatred of Jews. He also lamented that the official PA incitement is being ignored by Western governments and media outlets.

PA government outlets and officials, as well as by Arab academics. “People don’t realize that Abbas signed a law, on the very day there was a suicide terrorist attack in December 2005 against Israel, providing monthly stipends for the families of suicide bombers. In January 2007, Abbas addressed a large crowd that was estimated as being over 100,000, in which he said “the sons of Israel are mentioned in the Koran as those who are corrupting humanity on Earth.” According to the Canadian MP, “Abbas has never recognized Israel’s legitimacy as a Jewish state.” The official PA media, meanwhile promotes anti-Israeli libels and “breeds hatred and contempt for Jews.” Cotler said that he was working on a draft legal indictment of Iranian leader Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, which he’d like to present to the United Nations this year. He would like to see Canada, the US, the UK, Australia, France and Israel, among others, work together to bring Ahmadinejad to an international court for Iran’s domestic human rights abuses, support of international terrorism, and incitement to genocide against Israel.
-virtualjerusalem.com, 21 August 2008

Religion is not only here to stay, but will increase. After all, Revelation 13:4 must be fulfilled: “And they worshiped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshiped the beast, saying, Who is like

Unfortunately, this courageous voice Saying that Hamas, with their charter’s of a noted politician will not be heeded be“genocidal objective, anti-Semitic ideology cause it is politically inopportune. Enormous sums of money are being and terrorist instrumentality,” is not Mahmoud Abbas donated to the muchalone in its incitement in the PA pubpraised Palestinian cause, lic sphere. “I’m talking about the yet a large part of it is being Palestinian Authority,” said the used to fuel the unbridled Mount-Royal MP at a press conferhatred against the State of ence. He added that the “culture of Israel and the Jewish peoincitement” harms not only Israel, but ple. This article really exalso the PA Arabs themselves. poses the “despiteful Cotler recently returned from a minds” of many Arabs and fact-finding mission to Israel, where he also met with PA officials and told them that their leaders as recorded in Ezekiel 36:5: “hate breeds hate. If you have a culture of incite- “Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Surely ment and hate, you’re going to create a culture of in the fire of my jealousy have I spoken hate that is pervasive in a Palestinians society it- against the residue of the heathen, and against all Idumea, which have appointed my self.” Cotler cited several examples of anti-Jewish in- land into their possession with the joy of all citement in the PA. Among the most egregious of- their heart, with despiteful minds, to cast it 3336 fenses, he noted, were those promoted by official out for a prey.”

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EU

The European Union has announced it will boost its financial aid to the Palestinian Authority by €40 million in a bid to secure salaries for government workers.
“This extra package is a clear indication that we are continuing and reinforcing our commitment to the Palestinian people,” EU’s external affairs commissioner Benita Ferrero Waldner said in a statement. The financial injection comes on top of €256 million provided so far by the EU this year by other instruments. It follows an international conference last December, where various donors pledged €5.2 billion in aid to the Palestinians over three years. But most of the package was earmarked for long-term projects while many Arab donors have not met their commitments, leaving the Palestinian government struggling to pay public employees over recent months. The Palestinian Authority employs some 160,000 public servants and their salaries cost €82 million monthly—covered by foreign aid. While part of the EU cash should be spent on salaries, pensions, social aid to the poorest families and fuel for Gaza’s electricity power plant, part of it has already been earmarked for priority projects such as the construction of new security forces headquarters in Nablus. The EU, as the biggest donor to the Palestinians, pledged €440 million at last year’s conference and extra cash comes on top of that sum.
-euobserver.com, 21 August 2008

EU to Pay Palestinian Authority Wages

The difference between Israel and Arab Palestinians becomes clearer day-by-day. Israel has received large amounts of aid from Europe and the United States, but has used the funds to develop a vibrant economy, a model for many countries, particularly developing ones. Aid to the Palestinians Authority in contrast seems to be falling into a bottomless pit. What is the reason, we may ask? The Arab Palestinians, although many have resided in the land of Israel for hundreds of years, are nevertheless guests of the land and not the owners. The Bible insists on the covenant

EU has decided to add extra €40 million on its aid cheque for Palestinians (Photo: European Commission)
of God with Abraham: “In the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates” (Genesis 15:18). 3337

INDIA

AWACS With Brazilian Jets and Nuclear Submarine From Russia
Even as India awaits the delivery of the first of the three Israeli “Phalcon” AWACS (airborne warning and control system) later this year, it has signed a $210-million deal with Brazilian firm Embraer for three aircraft for its own indigenous miniature AWACS project.
The indigenous AEW&C (airborne early warning and control) systems being developed by DRDO will be mounted on the three Brazilian Embraer-145 jets, with the delivery of the first one slated for July 2011. India’s longstanding quest to have a viable nuclear weapon triad—the capability to fire nukes from the air, land and sea—will finally take a big leap towards completion when it takes a Russian nuclear submarine on lease next year. This morale-boosting news for the country’s strategic establishment comes with the fact that the 12,000-tonne Akula-II nuclear-powered at-

tack submarine, which was being built at the Komsomolsk-on-Amur shipyard in Russia, began shore-based trials recently.
-The Times of India, 4 July 2008, pg. 11

With the explosive growth of India’s economy, the military is keen not to lag behind. Here we see an apparent controversy. On the one hand, the powerful nations of the world are at relative peace with growing prosperity; on the other hand, the weapons industry is still a vital part of most nations. What is the future of the military according to the prophetic Word? “And he shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more” (Micah 4:3). 3343
NOVEMBER 2008 41

LET TER S TO THE ED ITOR
Address letters for publication to: Letters to the Editor, Midnight Call, P.O. Box 280008, Columbia, SC 29228. Include full name, address, and daytime phone number. Without name and address, letters will be discarded unread. All material is subject to editing. Midnight Call assumes all publishing rights on letters sent to the Editor.

666.. Democracy and Antichrist... Spiritual Gifts
666 Dear Midnight Call Ministries, You’re the guys that offered a book on prophecy that claimed (in the ad) that you would tell how to avoid the Mark of the Beast. That’s why I subscribed. Then, the book came and I went right to the chapter on the Mark of the Beast. It said that there are two levels of commitment to the Beast, there is the name of the beast and there is the number of the name. The advice the book gives is, do not take the name or the number. Wow. And just how do I avoid the taking of either one? Your book is silent on that. Big help you are! That borders on false advertising. Your scholarship is a bit weak as well. You see, the original copy of the book of
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MIDNIGHT CALL

Revelation is a very old document that is literally falling apart with age. There are pieces missing. One of the pieces missing involves the middle number in the sequence “666.” So, the scholars made an “educated” guess to be able to complete the translation. Thus, the number has been translated ever since as “666.” But, a few years ago, another ancient copy was found and carbon-dated to the same era as the first, and it was also literally falling apart with age and commensurate decrepitude. But, it had different pieces missing, and so, the scholars and translators got to see a fuller, more complete “original.” The middle number was NOT a SIX. I believe (if I am remembering correctly) it was an eight or a nine. I could go back

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Ever since I received my first issue, I’ve been reading every section. I enjoy it because it feeds my spirit with sound doctrine. I say this because here in prison we all share one chapel along with Catholics, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Muslims, Mormons, Hindus, and even Satanists. Not to mention the many Protestant denominations: Pentecostals, Charismatics, Lutherans and Reformers, etc. But somehow in your “Letters to the Editor” section you always seem to clear some type of question in regard to all these faiths that surround me.
–--CHUY ESTRADA, BLYTHE, CA

and look it up if you’d like. The problem seems to be that the sequence “666” has become so ingrained in the social mythology of the modern world (and I mean cross-culturally), that nobody is rushing to make the correction a matter of public information. The weekly news magazine (phenomenon) The Week had a blurb about it a while back. You might want to check on that. You are advertising a book, How Democracy Will Elect the Antichrist. I find this fascinating because one of my sisters-in-law thinks that Barack Obama just might be the Antichrist. I am intrigued because I think he might be the Antichrist’s predecessor. But, I am not buying the book, because now, I do not trust you. Just thought you ought to know.
-David P. Hogan, Dorsey, IL

Answer: Quite obviously, you are looking at alternative sources and do not accept the Bible as being the

full counsel of God to man. You will have to supply proof of your claim that “666” does not mean what it says and should be replaced with a different number. Also, regarding the sensational discovery, “another ancient copy was found,” some research is needed as to who found it—his name, address, where is it recorded, etc. When you do proper research, you will find it’s just a hoax. The most important thing for anyone on planet Earth to do is to make a decision about whether the Bible presents truth or not, whether Jesus Christ is the Son of God or not, whether He has poured out His life in His blood on Calvary’s Cross or not. The Bible says, “whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:15). That’s the only way to escape the Mark of the Beast. If you doubt these things, then you do not believe, and your destiny is with those who are unbelievers. For that purpose, I enclose a simple tract entitled The Greatest Tragedy. Please read it.

Democracy and Antichrist Dear Mr. Froese, Over the years, our family’s problems have kept me quite busy, but yesterday, I went to the bookcase and took out your book to help me with all that’s going on in our confusing world. I’ve become so upset with the thought of BHO becoming our president that it has not been good for me in any way. It is so frightening. Well, I couldn’t put down your book, which I’d already highlighted and underlined. It has encouraged me to stop being so unhappy with what I cannot control, and let God go ahead with His plans. What I want to know is whether you have written a more recent book on prophecy, regarding what we see with the Muslims beginning to settle in so many countries. If you have written another book on the subject, Please let me know how I can obtain it.
NOVEMBER 2008 43

LE T TE RS TO TH E E DITOR

Many thanks, and great thanks for the book I have.
-Imogene Maelhorn, Havertown, PA

Answer: The book in question has been updated and reprinted with an additional chapter. It’s available from our ministry. Glad to hear that you have been encouraged about the political process. When we follow the Lord, we are always on the right track and do not need to worry about the things which belong to this world. This also applies to the much over-emphasized Muslim threat. Please keep in mind that all countries are subject to Satan, the god of this world, but he controls only to the extent God permits. In the meantime, we are living in the time of grace, so we can call loudly and clearly that only Jesus saves, and that He is coming again!

Charismatics, Lutherans and Reformers, etc. But somehow in your “Letters to the Editor” section you always seem to clear some type of question in regard to all these faiths that surround me. There is one question I have, if you can please shed some light. There is a lot of focus among some brethren on spiritual gifts: which are still operational and which aren’t, or are they all in operation? Thank you so much for allowing me to grow in the understanding of the Scripture through your magazine. May God continue to give an increase in your outreach through these magazines to us behind bars. Blessings in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.
-Chuy Estrada, Blythe, CA

Spiritual Gifts Dear Brothers in Christ, Greetings in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. I’m writing to thank you so much for keeping me on your subscribers list, freeof-charge, even though I’ve been incarcerated for three years. I was referred to your magazine of a prophetic voice from one of my brothers in Christ. Ever since I received my first issue, I’ve been reading every section. I enjoy it because it feeds my spirit with sound doctrine. I say this because here in prison we all share one chapel along with Catholics, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Muslims, Mormons, Hindus, and even Satanists. Not to mention the many Protestant denominations: Pentecostals,
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Answer: First Corinthians 12 and 14 speak of spiritual gifts. Note in chapter 12 verse 8: “to one is given by the Spirit….” That means God gives; man cannot take. While chapter 14 seems to indicate that we should seek gifts, it is helpful to read Luther’s translation: “Be diligent in spiritual gifts, particularly prophesying.” Keep in mind that during those days, the New Testament was not complete; prophesying was an important item in establishing the church. These extraordinary gifts were necessary to confirm fulfillment of Bible prophecy, which led to the completion of the entire New Testament under the authority of the Holy Spirit. Believers who insist that it is necessary for these spiritual gifts to be demonstrated often point to Mark 16:17-18: “And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall

they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.” Reading the Acts of the Apostles, we find that these five gifts were demonstrated in the beginning of the Church. The attempt to force spiritual gifts is quickly answered by the devil himself. That is why the Apostle Paul warns: “And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light” (2 Corinthians 11:14). Second Thessalonians 2:9 says, “Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders.” In Revelation 16:14 we read of evil spirits, “working miracles.” Genuine faith always targets Jesus Christ and Him crucified. Imitation faith seeks visible manifestation of signs and wonders. Abraham is called “the father of all them that believe” (Romans 4:11). What’s so unique about his faith? No signs and wonders. He believed the Word of God, left his own country and went to one he did not know about. When God spoke, he immediately acted. That is genuine faith. Today, there is much talk about faith healers, but none of them has ever produced a scientific, medical case of supernatural healing. Stick to the faith defined in Hebrews 11:1: “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

Truth to the World? Dear Sir, Do you realize that Jesus cancelled the “homeland contract”

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

the Hebrews had with God? It was recorded by the only Gentile writer of the Gospels, in Luke 19:41-46. This prophecy is eternally effective because of the phrase, “your children within you.” The Jews were promised a homeland if they walked upright before God. Genesis and Exodus are primarily examples of punishment that will be delivered in the case of sin. Christianity got off on the wrong foot when the leaders at Rome decided that Matthew 16:19 was only for Saint Peter and his successors. The Jewish Zealots tried to use force against the Roman army in 70 CE. The Romans prevailed, tearing down the walls and crushing many Jews in the process. Thus began the final Diaspora. The Holocaust would be a part of Jesus’ prophecy. Saint Paul also fell guilty of the verse above. He committed the same sin as Lot’s wife when he returned to the Temple in Jerusalem. He was arrested and remained under arrest for the rest of his life. I am very cautious about his writing. Congregational and temple worship were also banned by Jesus in His prophecy. The book of Revelation is someone’s daydream. The United States as an ally of Israel is in danger of falling. The invasion of Iraq was done as a favor for Israel, and the threat to Iran confirms the relationship between Israel and us. Could we be next?

Please join me in bringing truth to the world.
-Bob Robinson, New Sharon, IA

Answer: If you do not believe Scripture, you cannot debate Scripture. A stargazer cannot debate science. Obviously, you have forgotten that God made an unconditional covenant with Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and his descendants. From God’s side, it’s already a done deal, according to Genesis 15:18. Have you never read that God promised He would regather Israel back to their country? I will let you do the homework. If you use Scripture to support your argument that Israel is banned from the land of Israel, then you must likewise accept Scripture that clearly teaches they shall return. Isn’t it amazing that they did return, continue to return, and the whole world protests, precisely and exactly as written in the Holy Scripture? Please don’t be naïve; America is not an ally of Israel, nor does the U.S.A. stand behind the Jewish nation. It’s just politically opportune at this moment. Joel: 3:2 makes it clear that “all nations” stand in opposition to Israel.

What a Fool I Have Been Dear Editor, After gleaning in the recent July Midnight Call Magazine article, “Hunger that Cannot Be Satisfied” by Marcel Malgo, I believe there may be an error in the text. The portion in the article mentions Winston Churchill’s last words as being, “What a fool I have been!” These last words may have been misconstrued with Charles Churchill, an Eng-

lish poet and satirist who died in 1764. Winston Churchill’s last words may have been, “I am bored with it all” prior to slipping into a 9day coma before dying. I was under the impression that Winston Churchill was a Christian; that means nothing, I know. There are a lot of Christians by name only, but few in truth and deed. The last words is an exciting thing to look into; this is why I possess a book on the topic of last words of saints and sinners. I am convinced that a Christian comes to faith through the cross of Christ, by grace not by works, and is saved by the blood of Jesus Christ. This does not negate the fact of failures of those who were notable believers while here on earth—the values of God’s Kingdom are not according to man’s value system. Example: humility versus believing in self, which is popular among many young North Americans. Even many Christians today believe in their own selves—that’s an enemy of the cross of Christ. We should follow Christ, Who “made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross” (Philippians 2:7-8). We (my family) appreciate your ministry efforts and enjoy your magazine articles. I have read and enjoyed them since 2003.
-Bradley Fox, Spiceland, IN

NOVEMBER 2008

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LE T TER S TO THE ED ITOR

Answer: Now that you mention it, I have read several times during my lifetime that some famous person said, “What a fool I have been.” In this case, Marcel Malgo, a Dutchman living in Germany, obviously received a translation, and that translation was retranslated into English, so “I am bored with it all” is probably the original. Thank you for sharing.

Only One Church Dear Editor, Why doesn’t the world take the Bible seriously? Because it doesn’t take Christ seriously! Why doesn’t the world take Christ seriously? Consider our Lord’s own words: “That they all may be one; as thou, Father [art] in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast love me” (John 17:21-23). Our Lord founded one Church, and on the night before He died, prayed that His flock would be one in that Church as proof to the world that God had sent Him. I don’t know which of the 34,000+ different “Christian” denominations you might belong to, but if it isn’t the one Church that Christ established nearly 2000 years ago, then you’re contributing to the scandal of division, giving the world
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all the reason it needs to disbelieve Jesus’ words “That thou has sent me.” The 34,000+ other denominations hold only one thing truly in common, “of one accord”— that they’re proudly and obstinately not part of “that” Church! If you still believe unity in Christ’s Church is somehow secondary or ethereal and abstract, then ponder carefully the first 2 words our Blessed Lord uttered when asked, “Teach us how to pray.” The world will take Christ seriously when Christians are “one”! Your magazine sounds fascinating, but I have to ask, “What is your authority?” After all, Scripture says, “Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation” (2 Peter 1:20); and, “As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction” (2 Peter 3:16). Our Lord did not leave us orphans or to be blown about by every wind of new doctrine. He gave us an authority to pass on His words and interpret Scripture. One of my favorite questions to ask of “Bible Christians” is, what is the pillar and bulwark of truth? From my Protestant friends I haven’t gotten the right answer yet. For the answer see 1 Timothy 3:15.

God bless. I admire what you’re trying to do. I just question your authority to be infallibly interpreting Scripture. Is it any better than mine?
-David H. Cote, Princeton MA

Answer: Read Acts 9:31: “Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria.” The word “churches” occurs 37 times in the Bible. Read also Revelation 2:7: “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.” These churches consist of born-again people who are perfectly united in the Lord. They have no headquarters, no mother church, no successor of any apostles. They are a small flock to be found all over the world, and they are subject to the authority of the Holy Spirit. Their doctrine is exclusively established upon the Jewish book—the Bible, Old and New Testament. Of the 34,000+ denominations you mentioned, there are probably many which contain some of such believers who are born-again, and they alone constitute the Church. What is my authority? Exclusively, the Holy Scriptures, as written down by Jewish men. My Jewish books says, “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him” (John 3:36). Your book says, “For it is through Christ Catholic Church alone which is the universal help toward salvation that the fullness of the means of salvation can be obtained” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, item 830). Take your pick of which you choose to believe. I choose the Bible. MC

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While people can only speculate about the details of what it will be and how it will be implemented, there is no disputing at least one fact: The execution of the mark described in Revelation 13 will be an unprecedented landmark event in human history. Did you know that the world is being prepared now for its implementation? In every aspect of life on this earth—from economy and government to religion—there are strong indications that we are closer than ever to the time when a worldwide identification system is a likelihood rather than a wild impossibility.

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