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WorldWatch |
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Vol. 1, No. 8 Published by the Garner Ted Armstrong Evangelistic Association |
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WHY THE INTERIM PEACE
AGREEMENT by Garner Ted Armstrong When I last interviewed the late Yitzak Rabin, he was running for another term as Israel's Prime Minister. He outlined for me his "incremental" plan for gradual pullback from some of Israel's captured territories during the 1967 six-day war, and spoke of eventual Palestinian statehood. That policy resulted in his brutal murder at the hands of a right-wing Israeli fanatic. Immediately in the wake of the much-vaunted "Clinton foreign policy success" and the hoopla over the formal signing of yet another Mideast Peace Agreement, cries of outrage and threats of violence were heard from extremists on both sides. Settlers from villages on the West Bank blocked many West Bank intersections to Arabs, and shut down two major routes into Jerusalem, angrily demonstrating against the agreement, until dispersed by police. As one of the headlines in this issue proclaims, right-wing members of the Israeli government have threatened to leave the government, and a leader among West Bank settlers, Aharon Domb not only accused Netanyahu of "treason," but darkly warned he would "face the gravest consequences" when he returns to Israel. While Benjamin Netanyahu parleys with Arafat about Israeli security, he would do well to insure that his own bodyguards are on a very high state of alert. The same could be said of Yassir Arafat. Arafat, while leader of the former "PLO" (standing for "Palestine Liberation Organization"), does not control the many radical Islamic fundamentalist fringe groups who are dedicated to the total destruction of Israel. The founder of "Hamas," one of the most vicious terrorist organizations, Sheik Ahmed Yassin, complained, if illogically, "our people are paying more than they are getting from this agreement." An unbiased look at the terms of the agreement make his words seem incredibly obtuse. Major ingredients of the interim agreement are: (1) The Israeli government would agree to release hundreds of Palestinians arrested for terrorist activities, called "political prisoners" by Arafat. (2) The CIA would assist in arresting terrorists and confiscating illegal weapons in the hands of Palestinians, but only according to a "timetable." (3) Israel would redeploy its troop positions on the West Bank, relinquishing a further 13% of the land to the Palestinians. (4) A joint Israeli-Palestinian committee would be formed to discuss a third troop withdrawal. (5) Two roads would be designated as "safe passage" for Palestinians moving back and forth between Gaza and the West Bank. (6) An airport would be opened in Gaza. (7) Gaza would be allowed to build port facilities. (8) The PLO would eradicate from its charter phrases calling for the destruction of Israel. To the average American, it might seem that Israel is giving, giving, giving, and getting little in return. But to the leader of Hamas, it is precisely the opposite. As the Communist manifesto states, "Promises are like pie crusts —made to be broken." Does anyone seriously believe that, just because the PLO drops a few words from its charter, it will undergo a change of heart, and a change of its goals and objectives, which include Palestinian statehood, and the annihilation of Israel? Many have scorned the interim agreement as a Clinton ploy to divert attention from domestic scandals and impeachment proceedings, and appear as a leader. Such opinions are not the exclusive domain of American conservative talk show hosts, but voiced world-wide. Look at a map of Israel from 1948 until the 1967 6-day war. Jordan possessed the West Bank, and the old city of Jerusalem. Egypt possessed the Sinai, and the Gaza strip. Syria possessed the Golan Heights, where snipers could shoot at Israeli farmers, who were forced to arm their tractors to protect themselves. Israel had successfully defended itself against a combined attack from six Arab armies, representing Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, and Iraq. Then, Israel's tiny waist from Latrun to the Mediterranean was a mere 12 miles—a span easily negotiated by an armored column of tanks in little more than half an hour. For 700 years, from the time of the Caliphate of Baghdad until the period following the second World War, there was never a suggestion by any of the major Arab states that a "Palestinian State" be created. When the allied powers presented BOTH the Jews and Arabs with a partitioning plan for Palestine, the Arabs rejected it—wanting NO territory given to the Jews. The Jews accepted it—and unilateral declaration of independence, and the creation of the State of Israel followed. From that time until the 6-day war, neither Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan, Syria, Iraq, or Saudi Arabia agitated for the creation of a Palestinian State. Palestinians were not allowed to be assimilated into the populations of such nations, but were forced to remain in "refugee camps," where millions have grown to adulthood, and have been turned into terrorists and potential suicide bombers. An understanding of the history of the region lends a large dose of skepticism to Palestinian assertions that trading "land for peace" will bring a true and lasting peace. Bible prophecy DOES NOT PROMISE peace for Jerusalem! Instead, Jesus Christ foretold a coming time when "not one stone would be left atop another" in the city; when massive DESTRUCTION would occur (Matthew 24:1-22). Today, the future of JERUSALEM is very much in the forefront of all the minds of Islamic states. The Palestinians have adamantly proclaimed that JERUSALEM is to become the capital of their new state! Yet, since the 1967 6-day war, Jerusalem has been in possession of the Israelis, who moved their government from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. When I asked long-time mayor of the city, Teddy Kolleck, if they would ever be willing to give up the old city, he adamantly said, "NOT ONE INCH! NOT ONE INCH!" As we have reported previously, Israel has exchanged ambassadors with the VATICAN in recent years. The pope has repeatedly called for Jerusalem to become a corpus separatum, or an "open city," internationalized, belonging to no state. It has been openly discussed in Israel that a kind of "second Vatican" might be established there! Such a move would definitely lead toward the fulfillment of the prophecy of 2 Thessalonians the 2nd chapter, which says that a great false prophet would ensconce himself in a "holy place," claiming to be God Himself! God's Word says, "Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah and against Jerusalem. "And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it" (Zech. 12:2, 3). Yet, knowing nothing of God's plan, or His prophecies, humanleaders triumphantly speak of "PEACE"! Jeremiah prophesied, "They have healed also the hurt [national iniquities; wounds; distress] of the daughter of my people slightly [glossing over it; not speaking the truth, crying aloud, sparing not], saying `PEACE, PEACE'; when there is no peace" (Jer. 6:14). Land for peace? If Israel retreated to its 1948 borders, it would not result in lasting peace! There was no peace then, and there will not be peace now. As God says, "He that hideth hatred with lying lips is a fool," so it would be absolutely foolish to Israelis to believe a few cosmetic changes to the PLO charter mean a true change of heart and attitude on the part of millions of Palestinian Arabs. r
LAND FOR PEACE? by Garner Ted Armstrong For decades, the Jews in Israel have said, "Every time we defeat the Arabs in war, the big powers jump in and turn our victory into a defeat." A review of the wars of 1967 and 1973 is instructive in this regard. When Israel defeated the combined attacks of five Arab armies in the "six-day war" of 1967, it emerged victoriously in possession of the entire Sinai peninsula from Sharm el Sheik to the Suez Canal; the Gaza Strip, the West Bank of the Jordan River, and the Golan Heights, overlooking the Sea of Galilee. From that time to this, over 31 years ago, all the Islamic states, joined by the big powers, have been trying to force the Israelis to give everything back. Little by little, they have made almost unbelievable concessions. Example: When Israel found itself in possession of the Sinai, it was viewed as a Godsend. Now, the massive Egyptian army was much, much further away, behind the Suez Canal, and the other side of the Gidi and Mitla passes. Now, instead of the Gaza strip being occupied by the Egyptians, protruding like a dagger into the underbelly of Israel, there was a massive "buffer zone" which would give Israel much more advance warning in the event of another Egyptian attack. Now, instead of Syrian soldiers occupying bunkers overlooking farmers on the land around the Sea of Galilee (Kinneret today), Israeli armor took up defensive positions along the Golan. Now, instead of a narrow waist of only 12 miles from Latrun to the Mediterranean, Israel occupied the entire West Bank, and Jordanian, Saudi, or Iraqi tanks would have to first cross the Jordan river and rumble through the West bank before threatening Tel Aviv, Lod, or Jerusalem. Then came the "Yom Kippur war" of 1973, which saw Israel retreating for a time on both fronts, then halting the massive Syrian armored columns in the Golan, and managing a flanking attack across the Suez into Egypt, trapping the Egyptian Third Army inside the Sinai. You will perhaps remember it was several days after fierce fighting, and after the Israelis had turned the tide, that President Nixon approved the transfer of American arms from forward NATO bases in Germany and elsewhere, and American transports began landing at Lod. The Arabs, furious over American help, promptly clamped down an oil embargo, resulting in a world oil shortage, skyrocketing prices, and long, long lines at the pumps. The big powers intervened. Russia threatened to send massive "Antonov" troop-carrying aircraft to Syria, and enter the fighting. The U.S., compromised by dependence on Arab oil, and knowing such a move would mean the beginning of World War III, demanded the Israelis halt their advance. In the ensuing months and years following the 6-day war, Israel had developed the oil-producing areas of the Sinai, thus becoming self-sufficient in oil, and even an oil exporter. But when Sadat flew to Jerusalem to see Begin, and the Camp David accords followed, Israel GAVE BACK the ENTIRE SINAI; abandoned their famous "Bar-Lev line" of fortifications built along 100 miles of the Suez; abandoned control of Sharm el Sheik, overlooking the southern approaches to the Red Sea; abandoned their military encampments along the rocky passes at Gidi and Mitla, and handed the oil producing facilities in the Sinai over to Egypt. Then came Israeli withdrawals from the Gaza strip, and, incrementally, from up to 27% of the West Bank. The Western media and the Clinton administration seems heavily inclined toward Yassir Arafat, and the Palestinians. Does anyone seriously believe that a "Palestinian State," consisting of two separate enclaves, and looking on the map for all the world like a distorted gerrymander, will bring PEACE? Does anyone believe that a formal changing of the PLO charter, in which they abandon their written call for the destruction of Israel, will change their minds and hearts? Eventually, Israel may hand over up to 50% or more of their hard-won gains in the West Bank. If and when they do, will PEACE break out all over the region? Here is a portion of an E-mail I received from a friend of Ms. Betty Dunlap, via Mr. Tom Griffith, who manages a "Prayer Site" web page for the church. lt came from a family who live in the West Bank: "Urgent prayers needed! Pray for me! My town and my neighbors in the mountains above us are separated by Arab villages in the valleys. If this area is given to the PA (Palestinian Authority), it will be safe haven for terrorists to flee to after they attack us and our neighbors with impunity, knowing that the Israeli Army will not be able to enter these areas to pursue the terrorists." That sums it up very succinctly. Will the PA truly crack down on terrorists? Will they agree to extradite terrorists to Israel for prosecution? Or will they continue to harbor, and release those who have murdered helpless civilians? For a complete background on the entire Middle East problem, be sure to read my booklet, Mideast Strife — Will It Lead To Armageddon? r
WILL RUSSIA SLIP BACK Is a new "Cold War" in the offing? With the implosion of the Soviet Union, and disastrous attempts at privatization, the old guard Communists are becoming ever more visible. After Yeltsin, what? by Garner Ted Armstrong When Boris Yeltsin was handed a stinging defeat by Communist leader Gennady Zyuganov in August, forcing Yeltsin to withdraw his nomination of Viktor Chernomyrdin as his choice for Prime Minister, it was for all practical purposes the end of Yeltsin's power. Yeltsin has tried, in typical Russian fashion, to carry on with the process of moving the Russians into a free market economy; with democratic reforms of a stifling, totalitarian government. Now, analysts point out that little by little, perhaps beginning with Yeltsin's dismissal of Sergei Kiriyenko as Prime Minister, nearly all the pro-western "reformists" have departed from the government, and, waiting in the wings are the former old guard Communists. As one important news source said, "Their [the Communists'] growing power amounts to nothing less than a creeping coup." Russia is in trouble. Millions of retirees, depending on government pensions, government workers, and soldiers have not been paid. Soldiers are seen begging on the streets, and there have been cases of soldiers stealing from civilians at gunpoint. Alcoholism is a national disease; a massive black market is the vibrant economic force, and organized crime is growing exponentially. Those with enough money are getting out. A new wave of Jewish immigrants have gone to Israel. When the economy crumbled, thousands of Russians who were involved at various levels in the "privatization" process quickly learned where the real rubles lay. Third world nations, including many virulent Islamic states whose aim is the destruction of Israel, were in the market for an entire panoply of weapons; chemical, biological, conventional, and nuclear. Security in Russia was virtually nonexistent. Horror stories emerged in the Western press of nuclear materials being stored in sheds protected only by a rusty padlock; of Russians being arrested in eastern Europe or Switzerland, trying to sell nuclear components. There was big money to be made, if one had the right connections. Today, Russia wrestles with legislation needed to find and bring back to Russia all the many defectors who made serious money selling various kinds of plans, components, or weapons to nations such as Iran, Iraq, Libya, Pakistan, Egypt, Indonesia, Syria, or others. Hundreds of millions were made by illegal arms dealers in this fashion. It is not reassuring to see the incredible amount of dislocation, confusion, uncertainty and fear in a nation possessing about 30,000 nuclear weapons. Now, with the new Prime Minister, Yevgeny Primakov, having been confirmed by the Duma — Primakov who is a former head of the KGB, and a friend of Saddam Hussein, and no friend of Israel or the West—and with the mayor of Moscow, Yury Luzhkov seemingly tilting toward the Communists, there is even more concern. Your news lately has shown huge demonstrations in Red Square (downplayed by the Western media, which insisted the crowds were "smaller than expected") and in the streets of cities all over Russia, accompanied by the same old revolutionary anthems. What you probably did not notice was that the foreign minister was threatening the U.N. Security Council with a return to the old Soviet practice of obstructionism; a veto, and a minister of defense actually threatening that if NATO bombs Russian friends and allies in Serbia, a "new cold war" would result! Will Russia dissolve into Civil War? Is martial law ahead? Can the world bank and the IMF bail out the desperately sagging Russian economy? The new Russian economic planner says that the IMF was partly responsible for Russia's economic collapse, and said it was "OBLIGATED" to give Russia another infusion of money! Don't bet that General Alexander Lebed, widely hailed as a possible president of Russia, will not come to power. If Russia continues to disintegrate, we may see the red army impose martial law, and a dictator seize power. For decades, I have warned that a rise of dictatorships would occur in the wake of a global economic collapse! Witness the incredible roller-coaster stock markets the world over; the economic crises in Asia, Central and South America. Then crank in the possibilities of the Y2K chaos which may strike Russia, the third world, and eastern Europe much harder than the U.S. Then think about Germany, wrestling with double-digit unemployment, a new prime minister taking over just as the "Euro" is launched (in January, 1999), and ponder the tensions between Israel and the Palestinians, and between Pakistan and India. Not a nice place, this tense, shaky, uncertain world. No wonder Jesus Christ warned of "wars and rumors of wars," and massive troubles all over the world just as we enter the time of the "Great Tribulation." How far ahead, now, is the time Christ described in His famous Olivet prophecies of Matthew 24 and Luke 21? Jesus Christ said, "Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man" (Luke 21:36). r
"BEST FEAST EVER!"—an oft-repeated comment from all three of the U.S. festival sites attended by members and visitors to the recently-concluded Feast of Tabernacles for the Intercontinental Church of God. The same sentiments were expressed from Scotland to Australia, as members of the ICG celebrated the fall festival of the church. An aggregate of over six hundred attended the Feast in the sparkling new "Boardwalk Convention Center" in Panama City Beach, Florida. The high ceilings, spectacular lighting fixtures, comfortable chairs, tasteful appointments, spacious lobbies and gracious staff all combined with powerful, inspiring sermons to produce a feast unparalleled in recent times. Hundreds spoke of the enthusiastic zeal; the outpouring of love and joy that pervaded the Feast. Visitors were struck by the warmth and genuine happiness of God's people; many commented on the atmosphere of the Feast. Commencing on Monday, October 5th, and continuing through the "Last Great Day" the following Monday, October 12th, the Feast featured at least one preaching service each day, with dozens of scheduled activities for all age groups. Activities included skating parties, beach parties and barbeques, the family night "fun show", as well as a series of Bible studies and leadership seminars. Dr. James Ricks, Festival Coordinator for the Feast held in Kimberling City, just south of Branson, Missouri, said more than four hundred attended there. City officials attended on the fourth day of the Feast, to hear Garner Ted Armstrong speak. Branson, with its many theaters featuring big-name stars such as Andy Williams, Bobby Vinton, Roy Clark and others, is a popular U.S. tourist town, rivaling Nashville as a country music center. Feast-goers enjoyed a dinner cruise on Lake Taneycomo, family fun show, trips to nearby "Silver Dollar City" with its curio shops and rides, and a trip through the "talking cave." Mr. Phill Dunagan, Festival Coordinator for King's Beach, California, reported 138 registered at the site on the shores of pristine Lake Tahoe. Speakers included Garner Ted Armstrong and Dr. David Antion, Mr. Chris Cumming, who manages the web site office. Mr. Cumming was ordained as a minister of Jesus Christ by Mr. Armstrong and Mr. Dunagan on Friday morning, October 9th. Mr. Cumming also pastors the Seattle church. The weather was bright and clear, with temperatures in the `70s, enhancing the dry, pine-scented mountain air and the spectacular vista of snow-peaked mountains rimming the turquoise-blue lake. Among the many highlights of the feast was the salmon and steak barbeque at the Cumming's condominium at Incline, set among tall Ponderosa pines and cedars. Mr. Bob Kluin had brought a large number of fresh Pacific salmon for the occasion. The ladies laid out a fabulous buffet, and all gathered around as Phil Dunagan and Bob Kluin conducted a sing-a-long with their guitars. More details about all Feast sites will be upcoming in the special souvenir issue of "The Intercontinental News" in about a month. r
TEMPLE MOUNT FAITHFUL TURNED BACK About a month ago, I reported that Gershon Solomon, of the "Temple Mount Faithful," intended laying a corner stone for the third temple on the temple mount. For the eighth time, he and his followers were turned away by police. by Garner Ted Armstrong When I reported to you that another attempt would be made to "lay a symbolic corner stone" on the temple mount, I related how such an attempt, many years ago, had resulted in riots in which several youthful Palestinians were killed, and the Intifada (boycott) of Israel began. I had sent an E-mail to Gershon Solomon, asking if he had police or IDF protection, which was not answered. For some time, his web page was unobtainable. Now, however, comes a lengthy report from Solomon, and an article in The Jerusalem Post. Solomon wrote, "The Temple Mount and land of Israel Faithful Movement brought the cornerstone for the third temple to the gates of the Temple Mount and the City of David in a very exciting and historical event. "Days before, the Arabs, who still control the Temple Mount (but do not have sovereignty over the Temple Mount), put pressures on the Israeli authorities not to allow the Faithful to lay the cornerstone...they threatened to cause a violent riot if it took place. Unfortunately the Israeli authorities decided to give in to the threats and they closed the gates of the Temple Mount." Then follows a lengthy and detailed account of the event; of the truck, festooned with Israeli flags and the stone; the march around the city, and around the stone, the blowing of shofars, the prayers, and the reciting of King Solomon's prayer at the dedication of the original temple. The rabbis in Jerusalem do not recognize Gershon Solomon's organization. He is to Israel what any independently organized religious groups would be in the U.S., having no official sanction, and no recognition from orthodox Jews, or the government. When Solomon and "about fifty" of his followers attempted to enter the Mugrabi Gate, about a dozen "haredim" (of the Orthodox Jews) taunted the Temple Mount Faithful group. A rabbi from Jerusalem shouted, "Fool, leave this place!" The Jerusalem Post said a "scuffle" broke out, but gave no details. The paper's October 17th edition reported that this marked the eighth year the group had brought the cornerstone to the gate; that it was carried on a ton flatbed truck, and weighs 4.5 tons. The paper reported that Solomon said, "I am not tired of this...we will not stop the struggle until the flag of Israel waves over the Temple Mount." Amy Klein, a reporter for the Post, said there were a "number of Christian women visiting the Feast of Tabernacles annual convention who accompanied the group," and said one woman from Tennessee said, concerning Solomon and his followers, "Maybe they are a forerunner of things to come." As I warned, both in sermons and a previous issue, the whole thing might "fizzle" and come to nothing. However, according to 2 Thessalonians 2, a temple must be built prior to the emergence of the great false prophet who will become ensconced within. Paul warned, "...be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. "Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; "Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God" (2 Thessalonians 2:2-4). When Paul wrote those words, the temple still stood. Therefore, there is no doubt whatsoever what Paul had in mind. Based upon this, and other scriptures concerning Christ's prophecy of an "abomination of desolation standing in the holy place" (Matthew 24:15), it appears a temple WILL BE BUILT just prior to the Great Tribulation. Whether it will be built by an independent group, or by Orthodox Jews, or by the government itself, remains to be seen. An Associated Press article released on October 18th indicated that groups advocating the rebuilding of a temple have "increasingly moved into the mainstream," and said some such groups are "winning support from some rabbis and prominent politicians." Christ warned, "When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) "Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains" (Matthew 24:15), and said through Luke, "And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh" (Luke 21:20). The Bible does not prophesy a time of unending peace for modern Israel and Jerusalem in the near term. Rather, the prophecies show that Jerusalem will be the center of conflict and war — that the "King of the North" (the "Beast" of Bible prophecy) will invade Palestine and the entire Mideast, including Egypt (Daniel 11:40-45). For decades, I have known we should watch happenings in Jerusalem, for the two events Christ predicted; the "abomination of desolation" in the temple, and "Jerusalem surrounded with armies" signal the beginning of the GREAT TRIBULATION. Christ 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. "And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved [alive!] but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened" (Matthew 24:21, 22). In a world possessing tens of thousands of nuclear weapons; in a Mideast festooned with chemical, biological and nuclear weapons, the horrifying scenario of the possibility of the annihilation of all human life on this planet looms as a very real threat. In just the past few months, the world has seen both Pakistan (an Islamic nation) and India (largely Hindu) explode nuclear weapons in underground tests. We know that Saddam Hussein was on the verge of producing nuclear bombs; that Iran is working toward that goal. It is quite possible that a Jewish attack on the two mosques atop the temple mount could trigger a massive war in the Mideast which would bring big power intervention in the form of a huge army from Europe occupying the region, as is strongly indicated in Daniel 11:40-45. Remember, the prophecy is "for the time of the end," and not in the ancient past. Again I say, "Watch Jerusalem!" r
In Germany—Where Is The New Era? German voters were tired of Helmut Kohl. For the past 16 years, the stout, determined Kohl had led the Germans through trying times, not the least of which was the attempt to absorb poverty-ridden, chaotic East Germany when the wall came down, and German reunification occurred. Plagued by massive unemployment, Germans decided a time for change had come. But all is not well as Chancellor-elect Gerhard Schroeder tries to put together a new government. by Garner Ted Armstrong "Where is the new awakening, the new era?" asked one of the leading weekly news magazines, "Der Spiegel." The publication is often compared to "Time" in the U.S. In an article summing up the public mood following the German elections, the magazine opined, "The formation of the red-green [meaning socialists and environmentalists] government has run smoothly, but there has been no sparkle." Actually, this should be no surprise to most Germans, since one of Chancellor-elect Gerhard Schroeder's oft-repeated campaign slogans was "We won't everything differently—but a lot better." Many in Germany want to do things different, not the least of which are millions in the poorest part of Germany, the former East German "People's Republic," where raging unemployment (20 per cent), poverty, and a growing number of neo-Nazi incidents have been of grave concern. Many foreigners have been targets of skinheads and other youths, who blame the government for importing thousands of Spaniards, Arabs, Poles, Slavs, Vietnamese and other nationalities to snap up jobs. Decades ago, when unemployment was at a flat "zero", and Germany had more jobs than those to fill them, this seemed to make sense. Now, those on the right are reacting angrily. Perhaps ominously, at least to right-wing hotheads in the east, the new coalition government intends to reform citizenship laws so those same "guest workers" (and there are millions of them!) can at last obtain a passport, and even be able to vote, just like other German immigrants who have gone back to Germany from places like the former Czechoslovakia (now the Czech Republic and Slovakia), Yugoslavia, and Hungary. How long will the new government last? A tenuous coalition of the "Greens" (environmentalists), who demanded, and got a pledge from the SPD to "phase out nuclear power" over a period of many years, and "Reds," the Social Democrats, is already being viewed with no small degree of apathy by millions of Germans. Only 15 percent, according to recent polls, really expect Schroeder to fulfill even the most modest promises, such as tax reform. For decades, I have warned that any dramatic economic plight in Germany could very quickly lead to the emergence of another "Strong Man"; a new "Fuhrer," and the imposition of martial law. For decades, I warned millions in this country that the "last chapter of European history has not been written," predicting the reunification of Germany, and the eventual uniting of many Eastern European countries into a huge power bloc in central Europe which might be called a "United States of Europe." Even during the darkest days of the "Cold War," I continually said war between the USSR and the US was not indicated; that the time would come when the US might find itself once more ALLIED with Russia against a powerful enemy in central Europe! Many times, I named the countries which became a part of this new power bloc; speaking of East Germany, Poland, Hungary, Rumania, Czechoslovakia, Bulgaria, and Austria. Will the World Bank and the IMF be able to "bail out" Russia? Will the global economic crisis be solved? Look at the HEADLINES in this issue, and watch your news! The U.S. is in serious financial trouble—the trade deficit soaring to RECORD levels! The crisis in Japan and Asia has dragged world markets down with it, and the tottering economies in Mexico, Central and South America threaten the further weaken an already beleaguered American market. Keep your eyes on developments in Germany! Germany will most probably be the leading nation in the prophesied 10-nation BEAST power to arise in central Europe—in the "heartland" of Europe, which was the seat of the "Holy Roman Empire." If you have not yet read it, write or call immediately for my free book, Europe and America in Prophecy! r
HALLOWE'EN—What's It I noticed a skeleton hanging in a tree during my morning walk the other day. At first, I thought maybe I should go up, ring the bell, and inform the occupants that some poor guy had died, and been left hanging in their tree. Not really—it took only a microsecond to recognize the ghastly spectacle as just another "harmless" attempt at spooky Hallowe'en humor; the neighborhood decorations everyone expects. Harmless? Humor? Hallowe'en, with an apostrophe? Have you ever wondered WHY you do the things you do—WHY people celebrate death, demons, Satan, witches, ghouls, monsters, ghosts, goblins, poltergeists, skulls and skeletons, spells, the occult, spooks, creeps, black cats, jack o' lanterns and Samhain, "Lord of the dead"? "Oh, it's just harmless fun!" they say. First, though, about that apostrophe. Most people spell it "Halloween," dropping the apostrophe. The apostrophe belongs there, because the word comes from two words, "Hallowed evening," or "The Evening of All Hallows," or "all saints." You see, the ancient Roman Catholic Church "canonized" hundreds of "saints." Actually, the term means nothing more than any person who is a Christian; in the Bible, all Christians are called "saints," but the term was perverted by ancient clerics to mean a really specially RIGHTEOUS Christian; an elevated rank of "holiness" that was usually never conferred or recognized until after the death of the so-called saint. Each saint was given a day; or the day was named after the saint. Many Catholics do not celebrate their own birthday, but the day of the birth of the "saint" after which they may have been named. When the calendar finally filled up (for example, Pope John Paul II has "canonized" 280 people as "saints" during his reign alone), and there were no more days which could be named after "saints," the Catholic church decided to pick a day which was already widely known, and celebrated, as a special harvest festival to the pagan god of fruits and nuts, Pomona, which fell on November 1st. This was common practice—to select a date on the pagan calendar which was already a well-known pagan celebration, and then "adapt" to it some alleged "Christian" custom, which pagans could readily accept. That day became "All Saints Day," or the day of "All Hallows." But back then, just as in the Hebrew calendar of today, the days began at the previous sunset. So the "evening," or the beginning of "All Saints Day" became the "Evening of all hallows," or, for short, "Hallowe'en." The apostrophe has been dropped in recent times. Why do many Baptists, Methodists, or Episcopalians celebrate purely Catholic customs, which antedate Christianity itself by thousands of years? To most, it simply does not make any difference. Millions see no harm in cavorting about dressed like a demon, or a mummy, or a skeleton; see no harm in celebrating so-called "Christian" holidays with all the accoutrements of paganism. One might as well ask why people keep Christmas, with its symbols of tree worship, eggs and orbs, the holly wreath and mistletoe. Actually the Word of God condemns both. Hallowe'en has its origins in purely pagan mythology. No wonder it is the most important day to Satanists and those dabbling in the occult. First, it is based entirely on the notion that Satan, or "Samhain," as the pagan Druids called him, who was "Lord of the dead," and who had consigned the "departed souls" of the loved ones of the celebrants to inhabit, say, the body of a mouse or a rat during the past year, could be induced into giving the soul of the loved one a "lighter sentence" in the ensuing year, say, in the body of a cat! Since the Druids taught that the night of the eve of Pomona, or Hallowe'en, was the one night of the year when spooks, goblins, demons, ghosts, ogres, poltergeists, witches and the like were most likely out and about, they sought to spook them away by lighting "bonfires" (the "bon" in "bonfire" just as in "hot cross bun" comes from bous originally; Horus, or Nimrod—the sun god), or by carving a leering face in a pumpkin, placing a lighted candle inside, and placing it in a window. Offerings of food were left outside, hoping to placate wandering demons. So, today, "Christian" people allow their children to dress up like any of the hideous caricatures of demons (or perhaps a Nixon or Reagan mask), and act out the parts of the demons by chirping "trick or treat" to residents in their homes. The vernacular is "Pony up, or I wreck the joint!" Thus, children are taught extortion and blackmail at a very early age; the childish "protection" racket is alive and well. In past years, parents have been warned to carefully inspect the "treats." Demonic, calloused individuals have placed needles and razor blades inside of apples; have put LSD or "angel's dust," powerful hallucinogens which are capable of destroying brain cells, in candy; have even laced candy with arsenic or strychnine. Last year, a nurse working in a Nashville hospital said kids were going to ever more bizarre extremes in order to "feel the thrill" of Hallowe'en. Throwing rolls of toilet paper into a neighbor's trees, defacing homes with spray paint, or setting fires was not enough. Now, the kids are deciding to get serious. Commenting on how hospitals see more admissions over Hallowe'en because of "devil-worship kind of activities," she said "You see cases of self-mutilation, particularly newcomers to the occult who have participated in some kind of initiation." Perhaps many have forgotten the kidnap-murder of several students who ventured into northern Mexico some years ago—Satanists had used them as victims in their satanic rituals. Horror stories of animal evisceration and even human sacrifice have hit the news in recent times. So why do professing "Christian" people indulge in such a ghoulish, obviously pagan practice? Actually, most excuse it as "just harmless fun," and justify festooning their homes with symbols of devils and demons on the basis of culture—isn't everyone doing it? In his book, Hallowe'en Through Twenty Centuries, Ralph Linton said, "The American celebration rests upon Scottish and Irish folk customs which can be traced in direct line from pre-Christian times. Although Halloween (sic) has become a night of rollicking fun, superstitious spells, and eerie games which people take only half seriously, its beginnings were quite otherwise. The earliest Halloween (sic) celebrations were held by the Druids in honor of Samhain, [Satan] lord of the dead, whose festival fell on November 1st" (Ibid. p. 4). God commands His people, "There shall not be found among you any one that makes his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that uses divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, "Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer [one who supposedly foretells the future by consulting with the dead]. "For all that do these things are an abomination unto the Lord..." (Deut. 18:10-12). "Learn NOT the way of the heathen," God commands. He says, "Come out from among them, and be ye separate," and "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him" (1 John 2:15). No true Christian with common sense, and a desire to OBEY God, would ever be involved in a hideous "celebration" of Satan, demons, witches, and death. Of course, if there is no God, it doesn't make any difference. But God does exist, and God clearly labels indulging in such demonic, evil, Satanic practices as a heinous sin. No wonder Hallowe'en is the most important day of the year to the various Satanist organizations in the U.S. and around the world. Witches gather in their "covens"; animal eviscerations occur, and, horribly, it is known that some kidnapped children have been used as human sacrifices by devil worshipers. Hallowe'en is condemned by God, and should be avoided by anyone who truly believes in the sacred Word of God, and who worships Jesus Christ as the Savior. r
Y-2-K
Death Cult? When I last wrote on the approaching "Y-2-K" (the year 2,000) computer crisis, I also explained that there is nothing significant about the date. It is not truly the end of 6,000 years of man's existence on earth, nor is it the date marking the beginning of the millennial reign of Christ. It IS perhaps an important date to much of the third world, eastern Europe, Russia, and other countries, because of the millions of computer chips inside of millions of computers which run the global financial system, the military, vast electrical grids, air and surface transportation, telecommunications, and millions of small businesses. Those old main frames and computer chips are not designed to recognize the year "00" as 2000, but will interpret it as 1900, or simply go crazy and begin spewing out false data. Unless millions of computers are made "y2k compatible" by that time, massive problems can occur. However, the date has absolutely no spiritual, Biblical, or prophetic significance. I predicted there would be some wierdos out there who would very likely urge their followers to commit mass suicide with them at precisely that moment. Sure enough, as my wife and I stopped through Denver recently during our Feast travels, a local paper shouted out the bizarre news that a cult leader and his followers had disappeared, and were thought to be heading for Jerusalem! As I write, they are in hiding somewhere; some observers of the group say they are in Mexico, trying to find a way to get into Israel. Then comes an article in the London Times for October 22nd, saying Israeli police are on the alert to "prevent the entry of 60 members of a doomsday cult who disappeared in Denver, Colorado, last week, and may be on their way to the Holy Land in an attempt to commit mass suicide before the new millennium." The cult leader, Kim Miller, 44, thinks he is one of the two witnesses. I have probably met, in the aggregate, about 47 of the two witnesses. Hardly a week goes by but that someone calls me, or writes to me, and announces that he (or she) is one of the two. Miller claims he is scheduled to "die in the streets of Jerusalem," and that he will be dead only three days and three nights, and be resurrected. Miller's followers had sold all their earthly possessions, apparently, and left clandestinely, because Miller had promised them Denver would be destroyed by an earthquake on Saturday, the 10th of October. The Times article also said two "Christian pilgrims" had been deported after they landed at Tel Aviv a week ago, intent on carrying out an attack on Jerusalem's temple mount; destroying the Dome of the Rock and the Al Aksa mosque, two of the "holiest" sites to all Islam. Israel is bracing itself, because probably between 4 and 5 million "Christian Pilgrims" will be thronging the "holy city" when the year 2000 dawns, and it is not known how many of them will be standing around wide-eyed, expecting to see Christ return on that date. Just how they arrive at such nonsensical notions is a bit obscure, but then, officials in Jerusalem have long known that any number of American evangelicals have gone to the Holy Land in order to lend a taste of "authenticity" to their teachings (if they can say something from the Mount of Olives, for example, it carries more weight than saying it from some little hill in Oklahoma or somewhere), and that many of them experience the "Jerusalem syndrome," in which they begin to believe they have some special place in the prophetic scheme of things. Experts on cults would advise the Israeli immigration officials, "Don't let anyone in without a round-trip return ticket, and a place to stay," believing a huge number may simply throng the Mount of Olives, and, when they are disappointed on the 2nd of January, 2000, simply "dig in" like squatters, and wait it out. r
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