Invisible War World End? the Philadelphia August 2011 | Thetrumpet.Com Trumpet

The When will the Invisible War world end? The Philadelphia August 2011 | thetrumpet.com Trumpet

Found! The inspiring discovery of Solomon’s wall August 2011 Front cover: Eilat Mazar stands Vol. 22, No. 7 before a wall that was constructed Circ. 327,731 during the reign of King Solomon. Here: Mazar (front center) joins her excavation crew, including T two Herbert W. Armstrong College students (back left and back right) at the dig site.

COVER 10 | Archaeology Found! King Solomon’s Wall Remarkable archeological discoveries in Jerusalem are challenging critics of the Bible’s account of 10th-century Israel.

16 | Worldwatch The birth of a dictatorship answer illuminates a crucial end-time prophecy. Six Days Shall You Labor courtesy • Look out—they’re cooperating • Eager to show 34 | LETTERS

America the door • Dumping U.S., one dollar at dr . a time • One ridiculously tall stack of dollars 35 | commentary When eilat

Will the World End? mazar 22 | What Really Happened in Bosnia 36 | television log FROM THE EDITOR GERALD FLURRY The U.S. Constitution Is Over 95 Percent Destroyed! A fanatical statement? Our Founding Fathers prophesied it would happen if our “religion and private morality” grossly degenerated. That has happened. Still, almost nobody heeds the warning of the Founding Fathers. That lack of response reveals how little the Constitution means to us.

he U.S. Constitution is the supreme law of the The War Against the Constitution land. When the people no longer keep that law, a crisis The Greek Empire tried to establish the rule of law. It failed and will hurl us into violent anarchy and destructive chaos, so the empire collapsed. The Roman Empire also tried to build a prophesied our Founding Fathers. Unless our Constitu- society based on law. It was unable to do so, and it too fell. Many Ttion is based on biblical religion and biblical morality, it will not other empires experienced the same failure. work, so stated the Founding Fathers. The famous British historian Paul Johnson wrote an article Time magazine recently wrote a cover article about how the titled “No Law Without Order, No Freedom Without Law.” It was U.S. Constitution was under siege, but not in a crisis. I totally printed in the Sunday Telegraph, Dec. 26, 1999. In it he wrote, disagree. The Constitution is on its deathbed. But almost nobody “The rule of law, as distinct from the rule of a person, or class or understands or knows why. people, and as opposed to the rule of force, is an abstract, sophis- Will we allow the Founding Fathers to tell us why? ticated concept. It is mighty difficult to achieve. But until it Christianity today has become an empty ritual. What does is achieved, and established in the public mind with such vehe- America’s Christianity do to stop us from flooding the world mence that masses of individuals are prepared to die to with family-destroying pornography? No other nation even uphold it, no other form of progress can be regarded as secure. comes close to what we produce! The Greeks had tried to establish the rule of law but failed. The What does that say about our religion and private morality? Romans had succeeded under their republic but Caesar and his Anybody who understands the Bible knows how it condemns successors had destroyed it. The essence of the rule of law is its such sick, moral depravity! impersonality, omnipotence and ubiquity. It is the same law for New York was the sixth state to approve homosexual “mar- everyone, everywhere—kings, emperors, high priests, the state riage.” Marriage is a type of the firstfruits marrying Jesus Christ itself, are subject to it. If exceptions are made, the rule of law (Revelation 19:7). That is the beginning of all mankind being led begins to collapse—that was the grand lesson of antiquity” (em- into the Family of God forever. That is also the gospel, the good phasis added throughout). news of the coming Family or Kingdom of God. Yes, “that was the grand lesson” of history. But have we learned that lesson? Failure to do so means we pay the supreme sacrifice: loss of our republic. The Constitution is on its deathbed. But almost The continual problem of man has been his failure to learn nobody understands or knows why. Will we from history. Are “masses of individuals … prepared to die” to uphold Amer- allow the Founding Fathers to tell us why? ica’s rule of law? Mr. Johnson states that this is our only security! Do you feel secure? Those who promote homosexual “marriage” try to redefine what marriage and family are. It is an abominable attempt to Our Forefathers’ Goal destroy the heart of the biblical message of good news Early immigrants who came to this land were often persecuted for all mankind! (Request our free booklets Why Marriage! in the countries they left. They usually lacked religious freedom. Soon Obsolete? and The God Family Vision for more information.) “[B]oth in Virginia and in New England to the north, the col- The main cause of homosexuality is the breakdown of the onists were determined, God-fearing men,” Mr. Johnson wrote, family. Instead of changing broken families, we approve of ho- “often in search of a religious toleration denied them at home, mosexual “marriages” and add to our heinous sins. who brought their families and were anxious to farm and es- Where are the Christian leaders today who will even label tablish permanent settlements. They put political and religious homosexuality a sin? The Bible is Jesus Christ in print. A true freedom before riches …. Thus took shape the economic dynamo Christian is one who follows Christ. The Bible labels homosexu- that eventually became the United States—an experiment de- ality an abomination. signed to establish the rule of God on Earth …” (ibid). Where are our leaders who will speak out against fam- What a goal. They planned to establish the rule of God on ily breakdown, pornography, U.S. drug usage and the crime it Earth! That means they had the goal of each person keeping the causes? Our drug addiction has turned Mexico into a war zone. Ten Commandments of God—the basis of all righteous law. The Constitution won’t work for such biblically immoral peo- How many Americans are willing to face that reality? ple! Who is willing to hear what our own Founding Fathers proph- Not many. Because then we would have to admit that we esied? All political parties are guilty of rejecting their warning. often fight not to establish law, but to promote lawlessness! 1 Consider some statements from the Found- Will we have to experience indescrib- ing Fathers. In his first inaugural, President able tribulation before we can appreciate our George Washington said, “The foundations freedom, which is given to us by the of our national policy will be laid in the pure rule of law? and immutable principles of private morality.” And in his famous Farewell Address, he said, Seeking Lawlessness “Of all the dispositions and habits which lead When Robert Bork was appointed to the U.S. to political prosperity, religion and morality Supreme Court by President Ronald Reagan, are indispensable supports.” Without re- it created a firestorm in Congress, and he ligion and morality, Washington knew failed to get confirmed. Shortly thereafter, the American experiment was doomed he wrote The Tempting of America, which I to fail. John Adams backed him up: “States- believe is the best book about constitutional men may plan and speculate for liberty, but it law in a century—perhaps ever. is religion and morality alone which can The founders of the Constitution put in establish the principles upon which freedom place the walls, roof and beams of our Consti- can securely stand.” Religion and morality are tution, as Mr. Bork said. The judges’ purpose firmly rooted in divine law. is to preserve the architectural features—add- In 1954, Supreme Court Chief Justice ing only filigree or ornamental work. Instead, Earl Warren wrote, “I believe the entire Bill the lawyers and judges are changing the very of Rights came into being because of the “Of all the dispositions structure of our representative democracy. knowledge our forefathers had of the Bible and habits which lead The Constitution is being altered dramati- and their belief in it.” cally. And it is the foundation of our What political or religious leaders would to political prosperity, republic! We are experiencing a constitu- make such statements as these men did? religion and morality are tional earthquake, and most of our people Even the politicians who established don’t even know it—yet. Your future is being our republic were more spiritual than indispensable supports.” changed for you, and often you have no input. most of our religious leaders today! This process is sure to lead to anarchy! That The Constitution is the foundation George washington is why you and I should be deeply concerned. of our republic. And the Ten Command- Why did our Founding Fathers work so ments were, in many ways, the foundation of hard to establish the Constitution? Because the Constitution. Our forefathers believed that if we didn’t keep it was to be the supreme law of the land. God’s Ten Commandments, our republic would collapse! “A well-known Harvard law professor,” Mr. Bork wrote, It was much harder for our Founding Fathers to spill “turned to me with some exasperation and said, ‘Your notion streams of blood winning our freedom, and to create that the Constitution is in some sense law must rest upon an ob- and establish our constitutional law, than it is for us scure philosophic principle with which I am unfamiliar.’” just to maintain it! So we ought to respect our Founding Fa- But notice what the Constitution itself states: “This Consti- thers above ourselves. But we are too vain and arrogant to see tution, and the laws of the United States which shall be made in how profoundly strong they were and how pathetically shallow pursuance thereof; and all treaties made, or which shall be made, and weak we are. under the authority of the United States, shall be the supreme law of the land; and the judges in every state shall be bound Noble Constitution thereby, any thing in the Constitution or laws of any state to the The Constitution was based to a great extent on God’s law. That contrary notwithstanding. is why I believe it is the noblest document ever written by a gov- “The senators and representatives before mentioned, and ernment of this world. the members of the several state legislatures, and all executive and What a rare document it is. Our forefathers had the awesome judicial officers, both of the United States and of the several States, opportunity to establish the rule of God in the wealthiest coun- shall be bound by oath or affirmation, to support this try ever. So they established a Constitution to protect all of us Constitution; but no religious test shall ever be required as a from the extremes of human reason. Tyrants, unjust judges and qualification to any office or public trust under the United States.” biased leaders were controlled by this law. A Harvard law professor is actually stating that the Constitu- Did our Founding Fathers know that the Bible interprets it- tion is not even law! That view comes from our most prestigious self? To some extent, I believe they did. And they probably pat- university. The very fact that he would even make that statement terned the Constitution after the Bible, in that sense. The Con- shows that we are already getting into extreme lawlessness! stitution is a document that interprets itself probably better than The majority of our leaders now agree with the Harvard law any book or document, other than the Bible. professor. He made a statement that shows we are failing to estab- We see indescribable confusion about the Bible today. Why? lish the rule of law. The real issue here is lawlessness. Because people won’t let it interpret itself! Cal Thomas wrote in the March 8, 2000, Washington Times, We received some foundational direction from Britain’s Mag- “In the final Democratic debate before the Super Tuesday elec- na Carta. But Britain has no constitution. tion, Vice President Al Gore responded to a question about the Our persecuted forefathers wanted their protection spelled type of Supreme Court justices he as president would select: ‘I out in detail. They had suffered intensely at the hands would look for justices of the Supreme Court who understand of tyrants. Such tribulation deepens a people’s under- that our Constitution is a living and breathing document, that 2 standing about the value of freedom. it was intended by our founders to be interpreted in the light of the constantly evolving experience of the in America. Like the Founding Fathers, Toc- American people.’ … queville acknowledged that religion and mo- “Mr. Gore’s view of the Constitution, rality were indispensable to the maintenance shared by most political liberals, is one of of the American republic. Why indispens- the most dangerous philosophies of able? He said that while the constitutional our time. It establishes a class of philoso- law of liberty allowed Americans complete pher kings who determine the rights of the freedom to do as they pleased, religion pre- people and shreds the Constitution as a vented them from doing that which was document that conforms people to un- immoral and unjust. In short, Tocqueville changing principles that promote their surmised, liberty could not be governed apart own and the general welfare. from religious faith, lest there be anarchy. “A ‘living’ Constitution, notes constitu- Without the moral restrictions of tional attorney John Whitehead, means the a higher spiritual law, the liberty af- Constitution is ‘up for grabs,’ and it becomes forded Americans in the Constitution whatever the justices decide, not the people would be abused. George Washington knew through their elected representatives …. that! So did the rest of the Founding Fathers. “The founders never intended the That’s why they kept harping on religion and courts to be supreme. Their intention morality. They did not want to see the United was that the law, rooted in objec- States of America self-destruct. tive and unchanging truth, would be “It is religion and morality The success of our Constitution does not preeminent.” alone which can establish depend on which political party we belong to— Law scholars today don’t believe the Con- it depends on how biblically spiritual we are! stitution was “rooted in objective and the principles upon unchanging truth”—that is, they don’t which freedom can America Today believe our founders established the rule of Today, Americans have departed from the law. But that’s just what the founders did. securely stand.” ideals of our forefathers. We reason that reli- And now most lawyers and judges reject gion and morality are nice, but certainly not their foundational work. John Adams necessary for the overall wellbeing of the na- Douglas Cox worked in the Office of Le- tion. We have been led to falsely assume that gal Counsel for Ronald Reagan and George private morality and public duty are separate Bush. Here is what he stated in the Wall Street Journal, Feb. 2, issues. George Washington would have been appalled by such 1998: “The entire justice system is predicated on the theory reasoning. And he was the father of our nation. that witnesses will tell the truth. Permitting a culture of ly- Times have certainly changed in the United States of Amer- ing to take root in the justice system would ultimately ica. Imagine a fornicator or adulterer being publicly ridiculed destroy the system.” because of his sin. For that matter, imagine a public official even He believes a lying culture would ultimately destroy our jus- calling those acts sinful. Does it seem old-fashioned? It wasn’t 200 tice system! (Or has it already?) years ago. Our views today reflect a deadly degeneration into lawlessness! Let’s look at what our first two presidents believed about the family. “In short, the founders’ generation believed that men’s Why Religion and Morality and women’s interests were complementary, and they saw mar- In 1776, the year Thomas Jefferson drafted the Declaration of riage as the divinely ordained, naturally good way to organize Independence, John Adams wrote to his cousin, “It is religion life. George Washington had started his presidency by pointing and morality alone which can establish the principles upon out that public life must be grounded on private morality. His which freedom can securely stand.” There it is again. Why did successor, John Adams, devoted husband of Abigail, was even the Founding Fathers keep pointing back to these fundamen- more specific: the ‘foundation of national morality must be laid tal building blocks? Adams himself answered that question in in private families.’ He went on to say that children learn the 1798, while serving as president: “Our Constitution was made meaning of morality, religion, and respect for law from only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inad- the habitual fidelity of their parents to one another” equate to the government of any other.” (Angelo Codevilla, The Character of Nations). There is the answer! They kept referring to religion and moral- This is the only way to remove the sin of homosexuality! ity because, as Adams said, our Constitution was made only When Americans go from proclaiming that a free society can for moral and religious people! Now the question is, why? only exist when founded on private morality to thinking that Why was the Constitution written only for moral and religious character just doesn’t matter, it is time to ask some hard ques- people? Why was it inadequate to the government of any other? tions about the future of this nation. Alexis de Tocqueville’s 19th-century observations on the The American people’s response is a frightening portent of American republic answer this critical question. After tour- our nation’s future. If we fail to understand, that doesn’t make ing America for two years in the early the bad news go away. 1830s, he returned home to France and Are you willing to heed the dire prophecy of your own Found- wrote his political classic, Democracy ing Fathers? n

For further study on this subject, order free copies of our booklets August 2011 No Freedom Without Law and Character in Crisis. THE PHILADELPHIA TRUMPET 3 n June, hackers took down cia.gov, compromised the main site of the United States Senate, and shut down an Atlanta- based website devoted to tracking cybercrime. The same month, hackers released Ipersonal information—names, addresses, phone numbers, complete online details—for Arizona police officers, paint- ing a target on men serving in one of the the most dangerous parts of the country. By comparison, the tens of thousands of online passwords and bank accounts compromised this year might seem less important, but these could still have both societal and military implications. Millions of computers have been compromised and are sometimes used by hackers without their owner’s knowledge or permission to launch attacks. It was Invisible this sort of blunt attack that crippled Es- tonia in 2007—proof positive that an entire nation can be brought to its knees by even a crude cyberattack. Then there is Stuxnet, perhaps the most frightening and effective digital weapon to date. Now, just months after it crippled Iran’s nuclear program, this ul- tra-sophisticated computer worm is open source and available to any teenager in his basement as a play toy. Add them all together, and you have a war—maybe several wars. But who are its fighters? How does cybercrime change the traditional nature of warfare? And how do you fire back when you don’t know who are shooting or where they are located? In 1992, Joseph de Courcy wrote in In- telligence Digest: “Computer dependence A determined, dangerous army is working is the Western world’s Achilles heel, Wto take down the mightiest nationar on Earth— and within a few years this weakness could be tested to the full” (March but nobody even knows who the soldiers are. 20, 1992; emphasis added throughout). We are now seeing the evidence of BByy MMarkark JeJenkinsnkins these tests almost every day. The Great Equalizer In previous years, the vast majority of cy- in the first concerted attack on an entire of it returns in every form of cybercrime: bercrime stories in the news were about nation’s computer systems. At the height Its nature made it impossible to positively blunt attacks: lots of compromised com- of Estonia’s weakness, ambulance and fire identify the attacker. Was it the Russians? puters overwhelming a network with too services were down. The attack affected the Probably—but how can a nation respond much data. Though this requires little so- websites of the presidency, the parliament, based on probabilities? And was it the phistication, its effectiveness as a military almost all of the government ministries, Russian government, or rogue hackers in device is proven. political parties, news organizations and their basements? There’s no way to know. This was what crippled Estonia in 2007, banks. It is possible that more than a mil- New technologies coming online make it lion computers were on the attacking side. virtually impossible to trace attacks back August 2011 Though the details of the Estonia at- to their point of origin. 4 THE PHILADELPHIA TRUMPET tack were somewhat unique, one aspect The Pentagon recently formed a new Hotz—known in the hacking anyone else it deemed as an enemy of community as “Geohot”—in Janu- WikiLeaks (an organization that, itself, ary compromised the Playstation 3 has made its name by profiting from gross (ps3), giving users complete access examples of cybercrime). to the video game console. Just an- By February 6, the ceo’s Twitter ac- other video game device? No. The count was under some hacker’s control, ps3 is a computer—a supercomput- and his mobile number and Social Security er, by some definitions. In 2009, number had been published. By February 7, the U.S. Department of Defense Anonymous had “exposed Social Security bought 2,200 ps3s to supplement numbers, publicized private e-mails, delet- its supercomputer cluster, which ed company files, replaced the phone sys- itself was implemented on 336 ps3s. tem, and attacked the LinkedIn accounts Long story short, these are power- of employees …” (PCMag.com, February the ful machines. A couple of months 7). The security company’s reputation was later, Sony was briefly in danger of crushed. One report said that even the losing control of all its consoles. company backups were deleted. But again, In April, after penetration by no one knows who carried out the attack. hackers, Sony took down its en- If angry hackers can humble Sony and tire ps3 network for more than a security professionals, don’t think govern- month, leaving its customers un- ments are immune. Since June, there has able to play games or music on- been a major cyberattack on the Interna- line. Why? A primary reason had tional Monetary Fund, a defacement of to be this: Sony didn’t want to be the cia website that led to the publishing Invisible responsible for the largest botnet of its member database, and a penetration the world has ever seen. Hackers of Senate e-mail. These hacks all made the might have used Sony’s own up- newswires. But we should hardly believe date mechanism to take over mil- that governments and corporations feel lions of consoles—many times the a duty to report to the public anytime a computational power that took breach occurs. down Estonia. Sony has sold over 50 million Stuxnet ps3s, and these machines are all The sophistication of the previous exam- over the world. “With an army of ples is like children in a muddy sandbox literally millions of zombie ps3s compared to the development of Stuxnet. under their control, hackers would In June 2010, Stuxnet was found infect- own a supercomputer at par or su- ing computer systems around the world. It perior to those possessed by most had an array of capabilities including the nation-states, and they wouldn’t ability to shutdown oil pipelines, cause even have to foot the power bill” industrial equipment to overheat, and (Register, April 29). even turn up the pressure in nuclear pow- It may seem to some that the er plants. Even though Stuxnet quietly losses corporations have suffered in the last year are simply a matter New technologies War of poor security that needs to be corrected. Make no mistake: Se- coming online make it curity lapses do account for almost every successful hacking attempt, virtually impossible to whether it’s Sony, Paypal, Apple, or trace attacks back to the security specialists themselves. But no computer is totally secure. their point of origin. “The only secure computer,” wrote policy: Cyberattacks can be met with tra- former hacker Paul Day, “is one that is dis- spread to thousands of industrial comput- ditional warfare: “If you shut down our connected from the Internet, turned off er systems in almost every major country, power grid, maybe we will put a missile and locked away in a cupboard.” At times, it remained dormant until its code came down one of your smokestacks,” one mili- the hackers even hack each other. into contact with a very specific target: the tary official described a potential response. On February 4, the ceo of HBGary centrifuges at Iran’s nuclear enrichment But whose smokestack? Can you fire a Federal—a highly respected security facilities. missile at a group named Anonymous? firm—announced that he could identify Once infecting Iranian computers, it the leaders of several founding members began to systematically destroy not only Humbling Sony of Anonymous, a group well known for software, but the industrial ma- One of the highest-profile hacks in the going after the Church of Scientology, chines the software operated last year was when 21-year-old George as well as hacking MasterCard, Visa and as well—all the while telling 5 “They have blown the trumpet, even to make all ready; but none goeth to the battle: for my wrath is upon all the multitude thereof.” Ezekiel 7:14

Iranian engineers that everything was of man-hours and resources to create. It These types of breaches have already operating as designed. The Institute for is thought to have had millions of dollars occurred. In 2010, the U.S. military Science and Technology reported that in support. Although no one has taken bought 59,000 microchips that turned out Stuxnet ruined 1,000 Iranian centrifug- responsibility for it, it is clear that one to be counterfeits from China. In 2008, es before the virus was impeded. sovereign government attacked another. the most significant breach of U.S. mili- This was an example of what is called It was an act of war—but because of the tary computers ever occurred. U.S. Dep- a “zero day attack”—an exploitation of anonymity of the cyber-realm, like in the uty Secretary of Defense William Lynn flaws in a system no one knew existed earlier cases, no one knows for sure who explained it: “The flash drive’s malicious and therefore had zero days to prepare for. actually fired the shot. Was it America? computer code, placed there by a foreign “Our largest fear … is the zero day attack,” Israel? Germany? intelligence agency, uploaded itself onto said Sherrill Nicely, the cia’s deputy chief And though the resources needed a network run by the U.S. Central Com- information officer. “It’s very, very, very to design Stuxnet were immense, now mand. That code spread undetected on difficult to protect oneself from an attack it is out there for anyone to tweak. Just both classified and unclassified systems, that you did not know was coming or the months after its successful implementa- establishing what amounted to a digi- vulnerability that you did not know exist- tion, Stuxnet was decompiled and put on tal beachhead, from which data could ed.” Reports say Stuxnet used anywhere the Internet for any government, hacker be transferred to servers under foreign from 4 to 20 separate zero day attacks and or teenager with a laptop to download control. It was a network administrator’s had a legitimate security clearance. and manipulate. What will it be aimed at worst fear: a rogue program operating si- Experts estimate Stuxnet set the Irani- next—and who is most vulnerable? lently, poised to deliver operational plans an nuclear program back two years. And into the hands of an unknown adversary” it heralds an evolution in the way warfare The Achilles Heel (Foreign Affairs, September/October 2010). is conducted around the world. It revolu- When the U.S. military created the arpa- We now see frequent cyberattacks on tionizes modern war. net, predecessor to today’s Internet, the government facilities. Pentagon comput- idea was to create communications that ers are probed 250,000 times per hour for could not be disrupted, even if large por- vulnerabilities, according to the head of “It’s very, very, very dif- tions of the network were destroyed by the U.S. military’s Cyber Command. ficult to protect one- war or natural disaster. But now everyone Mr. Flurry also wrote in May 2005: uses the Internet, and the thing that made “Exploiting this vulnerable point could self from an attack it so appealing—its broad-based struc- trigger the greatest shock in the history ture—has become its greatest weakness. of warfare! … I believe one key end-time that you did not know Disruption of the Internet can upset ev- Bible prophecy could well be fulfilled was coming or the eryone’s way of life, our communication through [cyberwarfare]: ‘They have blown systems, our financial systems. And the the trumpet, even to make all ready; but vulnerability that you military may be the most vulnerable of all. none goeth to the battle: for my did not know existed.” In his June 1999 Trumpet personal, edi- wrath is upon all the multitude thereof’ tor in chief Gerald Flurry warned about (Ezekiel 7:14). The trumpet of war is to “America’s Achilles heel”—the vulner- be blown in Israel—mainly America and Sherrill Nicely, ability of our computer systems. Britain. (If you would like more informa- cia deputy chief “One of the main reasons we won tion, request our free booklet on Ezekiel. World War ii was because the British All of our literature is free.) It seems ev- information officer broke German radio code. We knew about erybody is expecting our people to go into most of their war plans in advance! Quite battle, but the greatest tragedy imagin- Ralph Langner, a German cyberse- a gigantic advantage. Some experts think able occurs! Nobody goes to battle—even curity researcher, called Stuxnet “a pre- we would have lost the war without that though the trumpet is blown! Will it be cision, military-grade cyber missile.” It knowledge,” he wrote. “We could lose the because of computer terrorism?” was “a 100-percent-directed cyberattack next war before we even begin, if some- We have reached the stage where com- aimed at destroying an industrial process body breaks our military codes.” puters are used to fight against corpora- in the physical world,” he said. “This is not Clearly the United States is at terrible tions, against police officers, against our about espionage, as some have said. This is risk because of its technological depen- military. We have witnessed a demon- a 100 percent sabotage attack.” dence. Military codes, the U.S. power strated capability to take out industrial Stuxnet should be a giant warning shot grid, the systems that keep Hoover Dam facilities with weapons like Stuxnet. If across the bow of modern, technology- and other dams from releasing a flood— we couldn’t clearly see the danger posed dependent America. even nuclear power plants—all rely on by our technological dependence 20 years According to officials, Stux- computer systems that are vulnerable to ago, we should certainly see it today. It is 6 net required massive amounts cyberattack. all around us. n NATO Unraveling— What Does It Mean? By Jeremiah Jacques

ar in Libya has exposed a Gates called today’s nato a “two-tiered Visegrad Group announced the formation major problem: The North At- alliance,” with the U.S. footing 75 percent of a ‘battle group’ under the command of lantic Treaty Organization— of its bills and the other 27 member na- Poland. The battle group … would not be the alliance that has defined tions paying the rest. nato’s membership part of nato command. … Since the fall of Wsecurity in the Western Hemisphere for rules say a country must spend 2 percent the Soviet Union, the primary focus of all around 60 years—no longer works. of its gdp on defense in order to be part of of the Visegrad nations had been member- nato started off strong enough. After the alliance, but only France, Greece, the ship in the European Union and nato. … the Cold War, the military organization was UK and Albania reach this target. [T]hey believed that membership in nato, dubbed “the most successful alliance in his- The U.S., by contrast, spends a startling with strong U.S. involvement, would pro- tory” because it had prevented the Russian 4.7 percent of its gdp on defense. Gates tect their strategic interests. Of late, their Army from crossing into Western Europe. called the disproportionate spending “un- analysis has clearly been shifting” (May 17; Post-Cold War realities, though, have acceptable,” and cautioned Europe that emphasis added throughout). raised existential questions about nato. the disparity is whittling away at Wash- This shift stems from the Visegrad na- The last few years have revealed deep fis- ington’s willingness to keep nato afloat tions’ doubts about nato’s ability to protect sures in its integrity. And, most recently, financially. Washington is fed up with them. The Visegrad Group is becoming its ongoing involvement in Libya has shouldering the responsibility for Eu- more focused on defense in response to plainly shown that in some fundamental rope’s defense. It wants European nations those doubts. Its decision to form a battle ways, it is a fictitious organization. to bolster their group, Friedman said, illustrates how Eu- Outgoing U.S. Defense The mightiest ropean nations perceive the “status of gates Secretary Robert Gates said military alliance in history nato, the U.S. attention span, Eu- on June 10 that nato risks is only 11 weeks into an operation ropean coherence and Russian “collective military irrel- against a poorly armed regime in a power.” “It is not the battle group evance” because most of its itself that is significant,” he wrote, members put so little toward sparsely populated country—yet “but the strategic decision of these defense spending that the or- many allies are beginning to run powers to form a sub-alliance, if ganization is not even able to short of munitions. you will, and begin taking respon- defeat a tin-pot dictator like sibility for their own national security Libyan leader Muammar …. [I]t is significant that they felt com- Qadhafi. The heart of nato’s defense capa- pelled to begin moving in this direction.” problem, according to Gates, bilities so debt-ridden America He called the creation of the new battle is a staggering imbalance in the defense can put those billions of dollars—which it group “a punctuation mark in European contributions of the member states. doesn’t have anyway—somewhere else. history.” (Read more about this develop- “The mightiest military alliance in Europe has heard, and dismissed, such ment in the story on page 8.) history is only 11 weeks into an operation warnings before, but now things are dif- The nato alliance, a long-lasting pillar against a poorly armed regime in a sparse- ferent. EU nations are witnessing China’s of Western security, is unraveling. ly populated country—yet many allies are rapid rise, intensifying volatility in the America’s complaints about bearing beginning to run short of munitions, re- countries around the Mediterranean the bulk of Europe’s defense burden were quiring the U.S., once more, to make up and Middle East, and the inevitability of once driven by annoyance. Today, though, the difference,” Gates said in his speech a nuclear Iran. The multiplying threats they are driven by necessity and despera- to the Security and Defense Agenda think may persuade EU states to take America’s tion. The U.S. no longer has the economic tank in Brussels. warning more seriously. strength to project the power required to While all 28 nato members voted in The uncertain future of Washington’s defend Europe, even if it desired to. Euro- favor of the Libyan operation, less than financing has already prodded some Eu- pean nations can plainly see that the U.S. a third of them have participated in the ropean states to devote more resources is a bankrupt nation with a broken will. strike mission. Gates explained that it’s not and effort toward building a European If Eastern European countries have necessarily because they don’t want to par- military alliance—one that is not depen- picked up on America’s fading capability ticipate, “but simply because they can’t. The dent on the U.S. and have taken drastic measures to com- military capabilities simply aren’t there.” In May, Stratfor’s George Friedman pensate for it, surely Western European Even some nations that are contrib- wrote about “a new European military nations like Germany will soon do the uting to the campaign, like France and force” that consists of Poland, Slova- same. Germany taking drastic measures Britain, are quickly exhausting kia, the Czech Republic and Hungary. to project European power independently their munitions supplies. He wrote the following: “On May 12, the will be bad news for all involved. n

To understand where this is leading, and how it is connected to the most inspiring news in August 2011 history, request a free copy of Germany and the Holy Roman Empire. THE PHILADELPHIA TRUMPET 7 world And Then There Were As tensions within Europe give rise to regional blocs, an age-old prophecy springs to life! By Ron Fraser

ead verses 12, 13 and 18 of Rev- separate regional groupings. Though10 seeds were sown for the creation elation chapter 17. This seemingly European nations face intense economic of regional European battle groups a de- mysterious prophecy is speaking pressure from the current euro crisis. At the cade earlier, that treaty provided the impe- of a political power to rise in the same time, in today’s volatile world they see tus for them to evolve into “the creation of endR time: in Europe, 10 national group- mounting threats to their own national se- sub-regional armed forces” (ibid). ings, under one overarching political curity. The combination of their perceived Political tensions within Europe are leader, inspired by a single spiritual power. need to elevate their defense capacity, along now accelerating this process. The com- Believe it or not, the euro crisis is stim- with their constricting capital and resourc- bined forces of economic and financial cri- ulating the formation of this very scenario. es, is leading these nations to consider more ses, progressive invasion by immigrants, As Marko Papic of Stratfor observed, seriously a novel solution: The EU could the creeping Islamization of European “It is important to understand that the break up into regional battle groups cen- society, perceived security threats to its crisis is not fundamentally about south resulting from this year’s Greece or even about the indebted- force European “Arab Spring”—plus increas- ness of the entire currency bloc. … troops, ready for ing disinterest in European af- [T]he real crisis is the more funda- action fairs by its traditional military mental question of how the Euro- savior, the United States—have pean continent is to be ruled in the all combined to hasten the di- 21st century” (June 28; emphasis vision of Europe into regional added throughout). battle groups, enabling better The answer to that question has field command and control been embedded in the book of Rev- among nations with common elation for almost two millennia. interests to protect. It is now coming to fruition. But this process should not Since the great prophecies of be viewed as the disintegration Daniel and the Apostle John were of the EU. Rather, it is but part revealed to Herbert Armstrong in of a continuing effort by Euro- the early phase of his ministry, we pean military elites who have have understood that a postwar one goal in mind: “The final united Germany would emerge over time tered around EU member nations having goal is to put European armies within a to lead a federation of European nations, particular security interests in common. harmonized framework” (ibid). Such a comprising 10 regional national group- Like many of the initiatives that EU framework will involve what has become ings under 10 individual leaders, under the elites have developed to further their impe- known as “networked security.” As the dominating religious hegemony of Rome. rialist dream, the battle groups concept has quoted white paper indicates, “EU armed That’s how the European Union will be developed over time. Initially put forward forces in the 21st century should be able to ruled in the 21st century. The question that at the December 1999 European Council defend EU member states’ interests. They remains is, just how will that come about? summit in Helsinki and then launched in have to be expeditionary and be sustain- 2003, the concept entailed setting up rapid able, joint and interlocked with civilian The Answer May Be Coming Clear response regional battle groups of 1,500 crisis management.” The Trumpet has carefully watched and reg- personnel, deployable within 5 to 10 days. The paper’s authors comment that “To ularly reported on developments in Europe Fifteen such groups, both national and achieve this does not necessarily require since the fall of the Berlin Wall. Our online multinational, exist today. significantly more financial resources, but archive at theTrumpet.com is filled with The driving force behind the develop- political will.” articles giving a blow-by-blow description ment of these battle groups is the Lisbon Does Europe have that “political will”? of this emerging geopolitical phenomenon. Treaty/European constitution. As a Janu- Even a cursory glance at Europe today Now, the reality of the changing nature ary 2010 European Union Security and gives the impression that here is a con- of the European Union is starting to be Defense White Paper makes clear, the Lis- tinent of tremendous potential, of sig- understood by the better observers of the bon Treaty demands that all EU countries nificant economic clout, being the single European scene. One of the best, and one improve their “military capabilities and greatest trading entity in the world. Yet, as we often quote, is Stratfor. Marko Papic’s put them at the service of the esdp/csdp”— the dithering over the euro crisis demon- incisive analysis considers an ex- that is, the European Security and Defense strates, the EU lacks that strong collective tremely interesting prospect: that Policy (esdp), also known as the Com- political will to realize the destiny its post- 8 of European nations dividing into mon Security and Defense Policy (cdsp). war founding fathers envisaged. And Yet … empowered to develop a united military seriously by their neighbors. We therefore As Marko Papic rightly observed, “This force supported by a consolidated Euro- see Europe evolving into a set of regional- is ultimately the source of the current pean armaments industry. ized groupings. … [R]egional organiza- sovereign debt crisis, the lack of political An interesting development, however, tions of like-minded blocs is the path that oversight over economic integration gone occurred about the time the Lisbon Treaty seems to be evolving in Europe, especially wrong. The eurozone’s economic crisis was ready to pass—one that points to the if Germany decides that its relationship brought this question of Europe’s political future of how this military force will be with core eurozone countries and Central fate into focus” (op. cit.). directed. Europe is more important than its rela- This is why we at the Trumpet see the Before the Lisbon Treaty was ratified, tionship with the periphery” (ibid). eurozone crisis as more of a catalyst to the Germany’s Federal Constitutional Court It’s a feasible argument based on cur- fulfillment of the prophecies of Daniel determined that, unless a contrary law rent observations, and certainly some- and Revelation than the opposite. was enacted first, that treaty would strip thing to watch closely. Whether the re- Papic correctly asserts, “On the secu- the German parliament of its sovereign gionalization of the European Union rity front, we already have our answer: the right to govern the deployment of German takes place according to such a pattern regionalization of European security or- military forces. The court quickly acted to and under such conditions is uncertain. ganizations. nato has ceased to effectively ensure that German law would override However, one overarching fact remains respond to the national security interests EU law. It determined that the Bundestag clear. Bible prophecy foretells that this of European states. Germany and France must have ultimate say as to whether the great northern power will be administered have pursued an accommodationist atti- German Army participates in any EU mil- by 10 leaders led in turn by one outstand- tude toward Russia, to the chagrin of the itary operation. ingly dominant leader, who will bring the Baltic States and Central Europe. As a re- Germany is the only EU member na- combined economic, military and politi- sponse, these Central European states have tion to act to preserve this right. cal power of that 10-group combine to the begun to arrange alternatives.” Note this! The remarkable upshot of this trick is point that it will have devastating effect for “The four Central European states that that Germany, alone of all EU member a short time on the whole globe. This sce- make up the regional Visegrad Group— nations, can decide whether or not to sup- nario certainly suggests regional groupings. Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and port any military initiative put forward by The dividing of EU military power into Hungary—have used the forum as the other EU member nations. Since the EU specific regional battle groups to more ef- mold in which to create a Central Europe- member nations are bound by treaty to ficiently and rapidly project EU power an battle group. Baltic States, threatened by come to each other’s defense when faced beyond the Continent appears to align di- Russia’s general resurgence, have looked to with a security risk, no EU military action rectly with the prophecies of Revelation 13, expand military and security cooperation can proceed without the specific consent 17 and 18, especially when compared with with the Nordic countries, with Lithu- of the German parliament! the geopolitical considerations involv- ania set to join the Nordic Battlegroup, of So, the effective deployment of any EU ing the great prophesied northern power which Estonia is already a member. France battle group must be ultimately at the be- in the book of Daniel. This then is also and the United Kingdom have decided to hest of Germany! worth watching closely. enhance cooperation with an expansive Yet, ultimately, current tensions in Eu- military agreement at the end of 2010, and What to Watch rope will soon reach the point that will London has also expressed an interest in What should we now watch for as Ger- force the invitation of a prophesied charis- becoming close to the developing Baltic- man imperialist elites contemplate their matic political and military leader to come Nordic cooperative military ventures. next move? to the fore, no doubt with the backing of “Regionalization is currently most evi- Marko Papic observed that “Taxation Europe’s most prominent and traditional dent in security matters, but it is only a mat- is one of the most basic forms of state sov- spiritual guide, Rome (Daniel 11:21-34). ter of time before it begins to manifest itself ereignty, and one does not share it with Until this happens, the degree of union in political and economic matters as well.” countries that do not share one’s politi- within Europe required to bring this proph- Europe is on course to divide into 10 cal, economic and security fate. … [T]he esied power to daily headline status will not distinct regional groupings, each under a interests of the integrating states have to occur. But it will happen, for the Scriptures dominant political leader, yielding their be closely aligned on more than just eco- cannot be broken! (John 10:35). n combined economic and military strength nomic matters” (ibid). to one predominant imperial leader. There is an interesting phrase in the This is precisely what biblical prophecy prophecy of Daniel that may indicate the directs us to be watching for within Eu- prospect of fiscal union of the prophesied rope today. northern power (Daniel 11:20). That is certainly something to be watching for in the This man Positioned to Gain Control continuing wake of euro crisis contagion. said this The concept of Europe’s security and de- Greece is the front-runner and test case would fense evolving into a strategy entailing a for EU-German elites in their efforts to number of regional battle groups under enact centralized control over budgetary happen a central command structure is not new. and taxation matters in EU member states And he said it decades ago. But his insight It is embraced and endorsed by the esdp, seeking bailouts. is still ahead of the trend in 2011. Who and enabled by the Lisbon Treaty/EU But as Papic mused, “Control over bud- was he? How did he know? Find out! constitution; it came into being on Jan. 1, gets goes to the very heart of sovereignty, Request your free copy of He Was Right! 2010. Although it cooperates with nato, and European nations will not give up the esdp falls under the jurisdiction of the that control unless they know their secu- August 2011 EU. Under the Lisbon Treaty, the EU is rity and political interests will be taken THE PHILADELPHIA TRUMPET 9 Found! King Solomon’s Wall Archeology

Remarkable archeological discoveries in Jerusalem are challenging critics of the Bible’s account of King David and King Solomon. By Brad Macdonald

round the world, people remains, touch the stones, enjoy and study More Evidence love to have their minds stirred about yet another period of the archeology Visit the Ophel and you will see more by humanity’s ancient edifices. of the city of Jerusalem,” announced Jacob than just Solomon’s wall. Dr. Mazar and Be it the Parthenon in Greece, Fisch, executive director of the Friends her team have also discovered other ar- built 2,400 years ago for the of the Israel Antiquities Authority. The tifacts, including pottery shards, many goddessA Athena, China’s Great Wall, opening of the Ophel site was a big deal for of which date to the First Temple period Rome’s famous Coliseum, the Vatican’s Jerusalem. Though the city is packed with (10th to 6th centuries b.c.). Like Solomon’s Basilica of St. Peter or the Taj Mahal, these historic sites and incredible artifacts, tour- wall, these finds confirm the biblical nar- iconic structures capture imaginations ists haven’t been able to explore the history rative of the presence of a major Israelite and have become gateways into history. of the First Temple period—until now. kingdom. The Ophel site includes a large In June, another imagination-stirring The wall has been dated to the 10th gatehouse, royal edifices, a number of edifice was added to that list. century b.c., and all evidence indi- This structure is not only older, but cates that it was built by King Solo- prime real estate more remarkable and more inspiring than mon and is the one mentioned in 1 In this view looking north toward any of the others. Situated just outside the Kings 3:1. This scripture speaks of Jerusalem’s Temple Mount, the dig Old City in Jerusalem, the Ophel City Wall Solomon building his own palace, site is indicated with a dotted line. site sits between the City of David and the “and the house of the Lord, and the southern wall of the Temple Mount. Now wall of Jerusalem round about.” It’s open to the public, the Ophel Wall features pretty incredible, when you think ancient artifacts dated to the 10th century about it—being able to reach out b.c., a period during which the ancient and touch a wall that King Solo- kingdom of Israel experienced extraordi- mon himself strolled by daily three nary expansion under King David and his millenniums ago! son and heir, Solomon. Among the Ophel Importantly, this gigantic wall discoveries is an impressive edifice—a not only confirms the presence of 70-meter-long and 6-meter-high wall— Solomon in Jerusalem, it also con- constructed during King Solomon’s reign. firms the biblical narrative of an- Unfortunately, Solomon’s towering cient Israel as a large and advanced wall hasn’t captured enough imagina- kingdom. “The city wall that has tions. Not yet anyway. been uncovered testifies to a ruling presence,” Mazar told the Trum- Now Open to the Public! pet soon after its discovery in 2010. Archeological digs on the Ophel have oc- “Its strength and form of construction in- ritual baths (called mikvaot) and a dozen curred on and off since the early 20th cen- dicate a high level of engineering.” clay jars, called pithoi. Engraved on one tury. It wasn’t till January 2010 that the Speaking at the official unveiling cer- of the remnants of the pithoi was a partial most spectacular discovery was made. Un- emony, Dr. Mazar stated again that the Hebrew inscription indicating that it be- der the direction of Dr. Eilat Mazar, an es- “reality was that a very highly skilled for- longed to a high-level government official. teemed archeologist who has a rich history tification and sophisticated fortification The 6-meter-high gatehouse was a par- of digging on the Ophel, the excavation was was built by King Solomon.” The wall con- ticularly stunning discovery. Constructed carried out with assistance from the Israel tains the largest hewn stones from the First in a style typical of the First Temple pe- Antiquities Authority, the Israel Nature and Temple period ever found in Israel. Only a riod, and much like others uncovered in Parks Authority, the Hebrew University of thousand years later, with the construction Megiddo, Beersheva and Ashdod, Dr. Jerusalem and volunteer students from undertaken by Herod the Great, did great- Mazar believes the gatehouse is actually Herbert W. Armstrong College in Edmond, er-size building blocks appear in Jerusalem. the “water gate” mentioned in Nehemiah Oklahoma. On June 21, after months of pre- Bible critics take pleasure in ridicul- 3:25-26: “Pedaiah … and the temple ser- paring the Ophel Wall site and its artifacts ing Scripture’s account of King David vants living on Ophel repaired to a point for tourists, Dr. Mazar, together with Jeru- and King Solomon. They believe these opposite the water gate on the east and the salem Mayor Nir Barkat, announced that it men were mere chieftains of an obscure, projecting tower,” she points out. was officially open to the public. primitive tribe of sheepherders tucked More proof that archeology and the Bi- “Beginning today, visitors will actu- away in the hills of Judea. These critics ble, as Mazar states, “connect one to one.” mazar ally be able to walk through First Temple need to visit Jerusalem and stand beneath Another thrilling find, though eilat . . Solomon’s towering edifice. As they gaze slightly less imposing than the colos- dr at its impressive size and sophisticated en- sal wall or gatehouse, was a fragment touchstone This gatehouse complex gineering, they ought to realize that such courtesy

was uncovered at the Solomonic excavation a wall couldn’t have been patched together August 2011 photos site on the Ophel in Jerusalem. by a few hillbilly sheepherders. THE PHILADELPHIA TRUMPET 11 The Philadelphia Trumpet of a 3,000-year-old clay tablet covered monarchy is exaggerated or a fallacy. The T with cuneiform script. Discovered in the Ophel discoveries, as Jonathan Tobin ac- Ophel dig and currently on display at the curately pointed out in Commentary, are Davidson Center in Jerusalem’s Old City, a “standing rebuke to those who refer to experts say the thumb-size splinter is the parts of Israel’s capital as ‘traditional Pales- Goals & oldest written document ever found in tinian’ or ‘Arab East Jerusalem’” (June 21). Jerusalem. With this in mind it was telling that, at Of course, the Ophel discoveries are least from the articles I read and the foot- Purposes only the latest in a long line of archeologi- age I viewed, there was no indication that cal finds proving accurate the biblical ac- Israeli officials at the inauguration bran- ublished in the public interest, the count of ancient Israel’s presence in the dished the Ophel finds as a political in- Trumpet deals with matters of social, Holy City. In recent years, archeologists strument. This was an ideal opportunity have made spectacular discoveries all for the Jews to politicize the archeology, family and environmental concern. P over the city—bullae and coins, pottery, to unsheathe these stunning artifacts and It includes articles on international news, walls and gatehouses, tunnels—proving wield them as a weapon to dismember the politics, philosophy, religion and education, the Jews’ historic link to Jerusalem. Since left’s false narrative. They didn’t. Instead, especially where these have a bearing on 2005, Dr. Mazar has uncovered many Dr. Mazar, Mayor Barkat and the other Is- the quality of life. fascinating items in and around the City raeli officials who attended looked beyond The magazine is not a political publica- of David, including King David’s palace, the politics and concentrated on the lesson tion and is not backed by any political party bullae (clay discs used to seal scrolls) in- that is truly the most important: They cel- or pressure group. scribed with Hebrew names mentioned in ebrated the fact that these ancient edifices The publication rights of the magazine the Bible and the wall around Jerusalem and artifacts prove the veracity of the Bible! constructed by Nehemiah, recorded in the This site “shows that the Bible is real,” are owned by the Philadelphia Church of book of Nehemiah. Mr. Barkat stated. “It shows that 2,000 to God, and the purpose of the Trumpet is to in- 3,000 years ago, Jerusalem was the form and educate, putting world events into evidence These jar center of the world. And we love to true perspective and creating an awareness handles were found share that with the world.” of the seriousness of the times in which we at the site. Dr. Mazar, a lady with an in- live. Direct emphasis is placed on the values fectious passion for Jerusalem of Christian morality and the social results archeology, emphasized the same of the increasing rejection of these values. theme: “So many people in the world appreciate historical sourc- Space is at times given to controversial ideas, es, from the Bible, including in which may help clarify to readers the differ- the New Testament. The thing is, ent aspects of essential issues. when it becomes tangible, it makes The Trumpet carries no subscription it easy to understand. People be- price. It is supported entirely by voluntary lieve, in their ways, that which contributions from readers. The financial These archeological discoveries rank is written in the Bible, but they have no support of the magazine comes from read- among the most important ever made. idea that sometimes, lots of it, can really ers who have become convinced of its Not because they prove the Jews’ historic be seen. And can be touched.” That’s a value and want to ensure that the Trumpet connection to Jerusalem, but rather, be- neat observation: When you walk through cause they prove the Bible accurate! the Ophel Wall, it’s like you’re walking be made available free of charge to an in- through the pages of the Bible. creasing number of readers. Your contribu- But Where Is the Media Coverage? Sadly, too many are blinded by preju- tions are welcomed and gratefully received. Tragically, most people ignore or reject diced politics and are missing out on the In a world continually confronted by this inspiring reality. June’s official in- inspiring truths embodied in this dig. problems and crises, the Trumpet strives to auguration of the Ophel City Wall, for Nevertheless, it is becoming increasingly give reasons for the bad news and answers example, came with a regrettable, shame- difficult to reject the biblical account of to life’s dilemmas that, if applied, could bring ful side story: the virtual blackout in the a formidable Israelite kingdom during good news and right results. This magazine Western media. Outside of a few Israeli the 10th century b.c. reigns of King Da- outlets, the inauguration of one of the vid and King Solomon. Not because of also seeks to make plain the only option most remarkable archeological discover- any elaborate Jewish spin campaign, or left to mankind if we are to survive. We an- ies in recent history was met with shock- crafty maneuvering by Israeli politicians, nounce that when mankind fails to avert the ing silence! or the work of prejudiced historians and lmlk ultimate disaster, it will take a divine plan to The reason, in large part, is that the archeologists. / sasson save this Earth and establish a new order discovery of a significant Jewish presence Rather, rejecting this history is made

where all living will be able to enjoy lasting in Jerusalem as early as the 10th century more difficult by the continual surfacing tiram

b.c. undermines the popular leftist narra- of hard, quantifiable, even touchable, , peace, happiness, security and prosperity. istock tive that the biblical account of a Davidic evidence proving the Bible true! n

August 2011 12 THE PHILADELPHIA TRUMPET T Visit trmpt.co/Israel for coverage of the latest news about archeology and other events impacting Israel. living Keep Your Word By joel hilliker “there is no variation or shadow due to change” (Revised Standard Version). “I am God, and there is none like me,” He assures us: “Declaring the end from ut Daddy, you said we the beginning, and from ancient times the would play soccer when you things that are not yet done, saying, My got home from work!” counsel shall stand, and I will do all my Guilty. pleasure” (Isaiah 46:9-10). “BTrouble is, when I said that, I didn’t “For the gifts and the call of God are know about the unplanned meeting that irrevocable” (Romans 11:29; rsv). got me home 20 minutes later than usual. We fathers, we parents, must strive to Plus I just didn’t feel like running around teach our children this quality of God by at the moment. living it. When we say we’ll do something, Ever happened to you? This is a crucial they should be able to count on us to fol- moment of decision for a dad. And the low through. implications of our choice here might be It’s tough sometimes. It takes sacri- bigger than we think. fice (though not nearly as much as God How important is it for a child’s par- has made for us). But remember the goal: ents to be true to their word? Enormously Matthew 5:48. I call it the father’s motto: important, when you consider that in the “[Become] ye therefore perfect, even as eyes of a small child, a parent stands in the your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” place of God. We equip our children to Not only does our success here build a understand how dependable, how trust- foundation for our children’s faith in God, worthy, how consistent God is by how well it gives them a model to emulate. I’ve talk- we exhibit those qualities. ed with my children about the importance Fathers in particular must give this se- of keeping your word. If I expect them to rious thought as we lead our families. follow through with the things they Imagine the man who wants to say they will do, I have to make take his family on a trip and an- sure I’m setting the example. nounces it. The whole family is excit- One last thought about my ed. But as the date of departure nears, promise to play soccer after get- obstacles arise—unexpected costs, unfore- ting home from work. seen snags. Other things take precedence. I recently attended the wedding of the The trip doesn’t seem as important. The daughter of one of my good friends. When father cancels the trip. 4:13-15). Nevertheless, the basic point he spoke at the reception, he brought me Commenting on this hypothetical situa- stands. How much does our dependabil- to tears as he reminisced about how, just tion in Man of Steel and Velvet, Aubrey An- ity as fathers and mothers influence our yesterday, this radiant woman in white delin writes, “The lack of follow-through on children’s faith? The correlation is prob- was his sweet little “pumpkin,” running to the part of the father can have a dishearten- ably stronger than we would like to admit. greet him when he got home from work. ing effect on the family. Not only is there a Wouldn’t it be harder for a person to I still have three of those pumpkins in loss of enriching experiences that could just learn to trust God’s Word, if his or her dad my house. But, as my friend told me when as well have been had, but the family suf- never kept his word? we spoke afterward, just blink and they’re fers a certain lack of security, especially if it And wouldn’t it be easier to simply be- grown and gone. happens often. They will come to distrust lieve God, if Dad was always trustworthy? “When my kids were growing up,” he their father’s word. When new plans are In some vital ways, dependability is a said, “I always made sure I made time for presented, there will be doubt concerning defining characteristic of godly fatherhood. them right when I came home from work. the outcome. The family will lack faith that The very foundation of our faith is Every day, my son would greet me with a the plans will materialize, and disillusion- God’s dependability. When our heavenly ball in his hand. ‘Dad—can we play?’ A lot ment will set in” (emphasis added). Father makes a promise, it’s as good as of times I wouldn’t feel like it. But my wife The author concludes, “Considering done. “God is not a man, that he should reminded me, ‘You’d better take the op- these doubts, it appears it would be best to lie; neither the son of man, that he should portunity while you’ve got it.’ So I always follow through even if it may not be quite repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? did. Even if it was for five minutes, I never as prudent as originally thought.” or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it told him no.” Obviously, we are human, and unsur- good?” (Numbers 23:19). We can count on Great advice. I know at least three passable obstructions can arise; it is cer- Him to fulfill His every word. We can de- children who deserve to be tainly wise to state plans as probabilities pend on Him to follow through every time. able to count on their dad like rather than absolute promises (James James 1:17 says that with our Father, that. n 13 Teach Your Children How to Handle Money It’s pretty clear: Most parents aren’t passing on this vital skill! By Robert Morley

he average college freshman planning our offerings and calculating will receive eight credit card offers our tithes, how can we expect our chil- during just his first week of school. dren to value these biblical commands? Across the national student body, Teach your child to budget and plan 76T percent of enrollees carry at least one ahead for these opportunities to give. credit card and on average owe a balance The skills they will learn from this ef- of $2,200. fort alone—working hard, saving, sacri- Last year, 1.6 million students gradu- ficing, contributing to something bigger ated from college—and 1.55 million people than themselves—will help them for life. filed for personal bankruptcy. Plus, the same scripture that commands Meanwhile, the percentage of “very hap- tithing promises blessings when we obey. py” Americans peaked in 1957. Since then God loves a cheerful giver (Malachi 3:10; the figure has steadily declined despite 2 Corinthians 9:7). most people consuming twice as much. It is never too early to establish good Here are two more startling facts. Fif- financial habits. ty-two percent of teens say that when they I was startled a couple of months ago want or need something, they simply ask when my son—not quite 3 years old—be- for money from their parents or guardians. gan asking me about money. My wife and And 41 percent of teens get an allowance I had been teaching him the Ten Com- regardless of whether they do any chores. mandments and were explaining what Can we connect the dots? An alarm- stealing meant. We told him that if you ing number of “highly educated” adults want something you need to save up mon- struggle to manage their money—simply ey and pay for it. because, when they were young, no one A couple weeks later, the money ques- taught them how. tions came. I explained that I earn money Proverbs says to train up a child in the because I go to work. And that people way he should go, and when he is old he at stores need money too, so they trade will not depart from it. Teaching youths things like food and clothes for money. I money. It is a truth that people don’t value how to handle money is not the school’s tried to show him the difference between things that come easily. If you give your or the government’s responsibility—it is nickels, dimes and pennies and how it children whatever they want, not only will yours. The Bible commands parents to takes different amounts of each to add up. they become spoiled, but they will fail to educate their children. It should be an ev- His excited response? “I want to buy make the connection between earning eryday routine (Deuteronomy 11:19). something.” money and being able to have things. We can help our children learn impor- On Mom’s next trip to the grocery This is why giving allowances has been tant personal finance concepts that will store, she let him buy something, and harmful to so many children. Children pay dividends for the rest of their lives. helped him count out the quarters. He was don’t understand how much hard work thrilled to be such a “big boy.” is required in the real world to earn those What to Teach? There’s something addictive about buy- green pieces of paper. Money expert Dave First, teach them to give. ing things with other people’s money. He Ramsey says that the concept of paying This may seem counterintuitive, but naturally wanted to do it again. But the commissions for specific work is better the way of give is the foundation of God’s next time we went shopping, he got a differ- than giving allowances. But this too can way of life that leads to physical and spiri- ent response: “No.” Disappointed, he said be dangerous if your children begin to be- tual prosperity. something along the lines of, “But I want lieve they should be paid to do jobs that One of the best ways to teach your chil- it!” and “Dad, couldn’t you just buy it?” are just a part of being a family. dren about this way of life is through tith- Time to teach him “delayed The point is that at a young age, children ing and giving offerings. Don’t just show gratification.” need to learn to appreciate money, as well up to church and hand your child a couple Too many people have never learned as the hard work associated with earning it. of bucks to give as you are walking in. He self-control. The “I want it now” mental-

must know how important giv- ity has caused untold financial problems. Practical Pointers istock

ing and paying tithes is to you. Plus, saying “no” to your children’s wants With small children (younger than 5), (2) 14 If we don’t spend time and effort can be a good way to teach the value of teach about saving money using clear jars 41 percent of teens get an allowance regardless of doing chores.

41% 52%

52 percent of teens, when they want something, just get money from their parents.

I remember the students in high school whose parents bought them a car when they turned 16. Inevitably, they became the ones who had to buy the bigger, fancier-than-they-could- afford cars or trucks later—on credit. As a parent, it is our job to help our children avoid the pitfalls of life. At Imperial Academy—a grade school and secondary school run by the Phila- delphia Church of God, which publishes the Trumpet magazine—grade 11 and 12 students take a personal finance class. One of the assignments they receive is to or a piggy bank. Let them see their money If you have teenagers, help them open a interview someone from a previous gen- grow as they add coins to the jar. Visual savings and checking account. Teach them eration about their money habits. How reinforcement can be a powerful tool. Be how money in a savings account earns a did Grandpa or Great-grandma handle excited for them when they add the quar- return, and how interest compounds and money? What was it like back then? What ter they found on the street, or the dollar grows your savings over time. Also teach money advice would they offer? What do or two that Grandpa gave them. about the dangers of debt and having to they think about credit cards and borrow- When they are older (perhaps 5 to 12), pay interest on borrowed money. Make ing money? How much money did they consider the envelope system to teach sure they know how credit cards work and get paid? Did they ever receive an allow- them about giving, saving and spending. how they can get hit with fees, penalties ance? What did they spend it on? Have four envelopes labeled “tithes,” “of- and high interest rates. If you don’t under- You might be shocked at how much ferings,” “savings” and “spending.” When stand all these concepts yourself, the In- America has changed over the past few they receive a gift of money for excep- ternet contains valuable resources to help generations. It is obvious that many tional grades, or they shovel the neigh- (and write for our free booklet Solve Your Americans have not taught their children bor’s driveway, teach them to divide their Money Troubles!). Show why a debit card to manage their finances. With each gen- money up into the proper categories. is different from a credit card. Another eration, we seem to be departing further And remember, there must be some good exercise is to teach your children from basic, sensible financial principles. spending to keep it fun and fulfill short- how to balance a checkbook and to keep Whether you realize it or not, your term goal setting. But when the spending tabs on their account. children are learning from you. So make envelope is dry—and depending on the With older teens, especially those with sure to set a good example, which is the child, that might not take long—there jobs, make them pay for some things them- most important teaching tool of all. Lead should be no pilfering from the savings selves. Help them set long-term savings by example—and teach them! n envelope. That is for long-term goals, and goals. Teach them that not all expenses are for teaching the value of having an emer- things you look forward to, and show them August 2011 gency savings that you never touch. that paying for others can be rewarding. THE PHILADELPHIA TRUMPET 15 europe no matter the result of the vote” (ibid). worldwatch Thus, voters could no longer decide on the matter: Whoever was elected would Eurocrats in action: the be beholden to Frankfurt. powerful European In Finland too, the ecb is flexing its Central Bank. muscles. In order to satisfy his Euro- pean masters, the prime minister elect was forced to eschew forming a durable governing coalition in order to cobble together a parliamentary coalition certain to pass the bailout. The Observer reported, “Parliamentary historians have searched in vain to locate a prec- edent whereby a majority has been formed in a chamber for just one vote, rather than to build a government.” And with each success, the European overlords are gaining confidence. The most remarkable example is what the Eurocrats have done to Greece. “[T]he experts [require] that the country give up all remaining vestiges of its sovereignty, and, if necessary to win such national unity, even the office of the The birth of a dictatorship prime minister is negotiable,” the Ob- server wrote, accusing these “experts” uropean Union democracy has parties they couldn’t renegotiate the of being “addicted to the ease of being large, dangerous cracks, according bailout or opt out—essentially depriving able to force through what they want Eto a June 17 EU Observer article. In Irish voters of any choice in the matter. without heed of democratic norms.” In essence, the EU has gone from trying to The implication was, even parties that order to receive a second bailout, Greece coerce the public, to autocratically con- campaigned on renouncing the bailout is being forced to sell off tens of billions trolling the Union’s political parties. would not be allowed to do so. The mes- of euros’ worth of public assets (some “Europe seems to have slipped al- sage from the EU was: Take the bailouts, say as much as €300 billion) under the most imperceptibly in the space of further indebt your country, or we will scrutiny of “eurozone overseers.” only a few months into an electoral crash you ourselves. Clearly, a European monster is ris- interzone, a crack in the pavement of This dictatorial ap- ing. But even more astounding, though democracy,” EU Observer said. “The proach was repeated unelected officials in Brussels and else- formal trappings of clean elections—in with Portugal. It is be- where are forcing their agenda on the which political parties with competing coming clear that EU Greeks, Irish, Portuguese and Finns, manifestos contest a ballot free of voter nations are not as sov- many people are actually craving an intimidation—are all still there, but ereign as they thought autocratic “strongman” to come and set they were. things right. someone else has decided in advance sÓcrates what the result will be.” EU Observer then In Greece, a recent Kappa Institute With EU member states Ireland, Por- showed the absolute power of the Eu- poll showed that 30 percent of the peo- tugal, Finland and Greece having al- ropean Central Bank (ecb), which is ple actually want the country to be led ready fallen victim to this “post-political largely controlled by Germany. It liter- by “a group of experts and technocrats.” phenomenon,” the article said more are ally brought down the Portuguese gov- Less than a quarter believe a democrati- sure to follow. Even without military ernment. “After months of [Portugal’s] cally elected government can solve the maneuvering, it said, “a junta has in- prime minister, José Sócrates, refusing to nation’s economic problems, and a full stalled itself nonetheless, a junta of ‘ex- acquiesce to pressure to accept a bailout 22.7 percent want “a strongman” to solve kimmo perts,’ technocrats, those educated in the for the sake of the wider eurozone, the the crisis. The Observer commented, mantyla knowledge of What Needs to Be Done.” European Central Bank simply pulled “When the experts who give lip service / Having seen “how easy it is to intimidate the plug on his economy.” It did this by to how much they believe in European afp / democracy,” these experts “have now giving the head of Portugal’s banking democracy treat it so cheaply, they getty gone so far, it appears, as to be on the association what he later called “clear in- should not be surprised when the real images verge of decapitating a government.” structions” to ensure Portuguese banks junta, the real colonels, take command.” , European officials forced Ireland would stop buying government bonds if Democracy is dying in Europe. Na- jose into bailing out its banking sector, put- Lisbon did not seek a rescue. tional sovereignty is being washed away. sena ting taxpayers on the hook. Then when After that, the same day Portugal And Europe is being primed for a “strong- goulao

Ireland held elections, the EU and the agreed to the deal, “EU and ecb experts man” to come to the forefront with solu- / afp

demanded that even though the parties tions to its economic crisis. To see where / International Monetary Fund told all getty were in the middle of an electoral cam- the Bible says it is all heading, read Gerald

images August 2011 paign, all main parties sign an accord Flurry’s February cover story, “A Monu- 16 THE PHILADELPHIA TRUMPET endorsing the bailout memorandum, mental Moment in European History!” numbers Unemployment rate Days Europe has Number of brand-new among 16-to-24- been bombing Leopard battle tanks Germany 45 year-olds in Spain 104 Libya, as of June 30 200 agreed to sell Saudi Arabia 1 | germany 2 | russia Saudi policemen crack 1 down to prevent a “Day 2 Look out—they’re cooperating of Rage” against the 3 6 regime. 4 erlin and Moscow are collaborating to formally 5 resolve the continuing frictions between Moldova and its Bbreakaway region of Transnistria. These efforts mark the first demonstrable indication of Russo-German collaboration to resolve European security problems. German Chancellor Ange- la Merkel and Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin agreed on the resolution on June 14 when they met in Switzerland. Waking up to Ever since the region of Transnistria gained de facto independence from Moldova shortly after the Soviet Union’s fall, a religious war tension has thrived. Moscow has propped up the breakaway Over 105,000 territory, in part by stationing 500 Russian soldiers there. Mol- Christians are mar- dova leans toward Europe in its politics, but Transnistria is a tyred every year, staunch Russian ally. The new resolution is expected to grant 1 | germany 5 | saudi arabia Italian sociologist Transnistria representation in Moldova’s parliament and allow Massimo Intro- European security forces to help Russian troops there. Making friends in the Mideast … vigne said at the However, Stratfor notes, “The specific details of the agree- German federal police have been training International Con- ment are far less important than the fact that this is the first Saudi Arabian forces in how to deal with ference on Inter- concrete instance of Russia and Germany working jointly to protests, according to a report by Fakt religious Dialogue dictate the terms of key European security issues” (June 17). shown on German television on May 30. between Christians, The real significance is that Berlin and Moscow hope Officially, the police officers are aiding in Jews and Muslims, the agreement will convince the world that rising German- border security, but classified documents which concluded Russian cooperation is not a threat. Berlin wants to convince and anonymous German police revealed on June 3. Cardi- other European nations, that their job goes beyond the official nal Péter Erdo of especially in Central Eu- government description. Watch for Saudi Budapest stated: rope, to view the coopera- Arabia to increasingly reach out to Ger- “Europe should be tion as a force for peace; it many for protection. preparing for a new is willing to see Moldova move toward Russia in or- wave of emigra- | tion, this time of der to sell this idea. 6 iran … as well as enemies Christians fleeing Germany and Russia Flying to India on May 31 and about to persecution.” The When Russian soldiers don’t have have been at odds with each cross Iranian airspace, a images conference was Germany to worry about, how other throughout history. plane carrying German

getty hosted by Hungary The periods of coopera- Chancellor Angela Merkel

/ might they be put to use? afp

/ as the highlight tion between them, such as received a message that of its presidency those initiated by the 1922 Treaty of Rapallo and the 1939 Mo- Iran had rescinded its per- of the EU. Watch lotov-Ribbentrop Pact, have been based on mutual strategic mission for the plane to nureldine for Europe to forc- necessity in the lead-up to major conflicts. History is consis- traverse its territory. The fayez , , ibly confront this tent on this point: Germany and Russia are not close friends, incident instigated a dip- merkel images persecution. and any appearance that they are is a harbinger of conflict. lomatic row and showed

a growing rift between Germany and getty / Iran. Despite U.S. and EU sanctions, until afp / | | recently Germany was one of Iran’s most 3 spain 4 greece No job? Take to the streets important trade partners. Now, German macdougall

The financial crisis is fueling unrest across the Continent. The politicians are cracking down on Iran. Gi-

john most dramatic has been in Spain: With the jobless rate now ant German corporations such as Siemens , , at more than 45 percent for 16-to-24-year-olds, tens of thou- and ThyssenKrupp are moving out of images sands of Spanish youths have taken to the streets to protest. Iran, and Merkel recently announced that getty

, , Greece’s youth unemployment rate is also high, at 33.5 percent; the Hamburg-based European-Iranian Ireland’s and Italy’s are both 28 percent, and Portugal’s and Trade Bank (eih) would be shut down. The images France’s are above 20 percent. This mass unemployment and U.S. Treasury Department’s Stuart Levey getty

/ dissatisfaction with the political system risks sending nations in a called the eih one of the “few remaining afp / radical new direction. Even moderate citizens of several EU nations have recently voted access points to the European financial for parties with an extremist past, militant rhetoric and a dubious political agenda. In system.” Its closure will be a blow to Iran. France, Jean-Marie Le Pen, leader of the National Front, is leading in the polls. In Ger- Expect Iran to lash out in re- kolesnikova many, genuine fears exist concerning the possible emergence of a nationalist party. This sponse—and push the limits of natalia growing discontent could well lead to the ascension of a new Charlemagne in Europe. European patience. 17 worldwatch middle east 5 | libya Where jihadists are the ‘good guys’ The Iraqi Sadr movement’s Mahdi A report by two French think tanks indicates that the West is on Army marches in Sadr City. the side of Islamic terrorists in the war against Muammar Qad- hafi in Libya. Six experts who consulted with representatives on both sides of the conflict concluded that jihadists have played a predominant role in the eastern Libyan rebellion and that “true democrats” represent only a minority. They also found that the justifications given for Western military intervention in Libya were largely based on media exaggerations and “outright disin- formation.” It appears the current military campaign in Libya may well facilitate that country falling to Islamists and into the Iranian orbit—an outcome prophesied by the Prophet Daniel. “No one can deny that the Libyan rebels who are today supported by Washington were only yesterday jihadists killing American GIs in Iraq.” | | | | 1 iran 2 iraq 3 afghanistan 4 pakistan the International Center for Research and Study on Terrorism and Aid to Eager to show America the door Victims of Terrorism, and the French Center for Research on Intelligence ranian leaders are working to solidify ties with Af- ghanistan, Pakistan and Iraq in a move that highlights Iran’s 6 | turkey Islamist revolution by stealth Igoal of taking a lead role in the region, the Wall Street Journal reported on June 27. At a meeting in Tehran on June 24, for ex- Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development Party (akp) won a ample, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad spoke to the resounding victory in parliamentary elections on June 12 with presidents of Afghanistan and Pakistan about issues relating to 50 percent of the vote. This means the status quo in Turkey will the departure of nato forces from Afghanistan. remain, with the Islamist-rooted akp staying in power. Economic In Iraq, tens of thousands of supporters of anti-American growth under the akp has been largely credited for the party’s Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr marched through Baghdad success. However, two other important factors on May 26 in a warning that they would restart the Shiite contributed just as much to its win: the appeal of insurgency if U.S. troops do not leave Iraq by the end of the the akp’s Islamic orientation to Turkey’s Muslim year. Sadr is backed by Iran and enjoys considerable sup- population, and the anti-Western and anti-Israel port among Iraqis. His party’s support of Nouri al-Maliki direction the akp has taken Turkey’s foreign pol- was critical to the prime minister gaining a second term and icy. Since Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan forming a government last year. first came to power in 2002 elections, he has tak- This public protest is a complication for America. Outgo- en the secularist country in a more religious di- erdoğan ing U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates has asked Baghdad rection, seeking to bring Islamic culture into the to host American troops in Iraq past the end of the year, the political sphere. Political analyst Barry Rubin says the June elec- deadline stipulated in the current agreement between the two tions mark an Islamist revolution by stealth. The Trumpet wrote countries. While some Iraqi political groups support such an back in November/December 2007: “Any shift within Turkey away extension, it is widely opposed by Iraqi citizens—and Sadr. from secularism and toward Islam could help alter the balance of America wants to stay in Iraq longer in order to maintain power in the Middle East—most notably, in favor of Iran.” stability and counteract Iran. “The Iraqi Security Forces will ahmad

not be able to defend Iraq’s sovereignty, independence from al - Iran, and internal stability without American assistance, in- ru b

| aye cluding some ground forces, for a number of years,” defense 7 lebanon Hezbollah coup complete / afp

analyst Frederick Kagan argued in a paper released in May. Five months after Hezbollah brought down the Lebanese gov- / getty Washington is trying to delay the inevitable. As the Trum- ernment, Prime Minister Najib Mikati announced his new cabi- pet has long said, Iran will cement its takeover of Iraq once net on June 13. Unsurprisingly, it is dominated by allies of Hez- images

the U.S. leaves. bollah. Most cabinet posts are held by the Hezbollah-led March , adem 8 coalition, which helped bring the government

down in January when its members quit in pro- altan / And don’t forget its ‘peaceful’ nuclear program test of a UN-backed tribunal investigating the afp / Iran has worked on technology to place nuclear material on a murder of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri getty missile and detonate it, the International Atomic Energy Agency (a tribunal expected to indict several Hezbollah images wrote in a nine-page report May 24. The report cited evidence members). Five months later, the Shiite terrorist , that Iran had begun “experiments involving the explosive group’s coup was complete. Hezbollah and its wael compression of uranium deuteride to produce a short burst of Christian and Druze allies secured 18 posts in hamzeh neutrons.” This type of device would be used as a trigger for a mikati the new government—up from 11 under the pre- / afp

nuclear bomb; Harold M. Agnew, former director of the Los Al- vious coalition—enabling them to pass or block decisions more / getty amos weapons lab, said, “I don’t know of any peaceful easily. In holding majority sway within parliament, Hezbollah

uses” for it. The evidence discredits Iran’s claims that it is now freer than ever to pursue its terrorist agenda within the images 18 is developing nuclear power for peaceful purposes. bounds of democratic rule in Lebanon’s government. asia 11 9 | india 6 8 Talking again 5 7 2 1 An eight-member 3 4 9 10 Indian military delegation arrived in China on June 19 to begin a six-day visit with Chinese military officials, mark- ing a return to defense coopera- A boom in security cooperation tion between the The Shanghai Cooperation Organization two Asian behe- (sco), a regional security bloc dominated moths that was at by China and Russia, celebrated its 10th a stalemate for a At a bank in anniversary in Kazakhstan on June 15. year. The two sides Guangzhou, Over the past decade, sco member na- made the decision a man holds a tions have signed over 100 cooperation to resume military stack of euros. agreements and have greatly expanded ties during the cooperation in economics, security and most recent brics 8 | china 11 | russia culture. Now the sco is on the verge of summit in April. further expansion, with observer states Mongolia, Iran and Pakistan all seeking Dumping U.S., a dollar at a time membership. India has also expressed oscow is likely to continue lowering its holdings its desire to gain full membership, an 10 | philippines of U.S. debt as Washington scrambles to boost its ane- addition that would bring a further 1.19 Mmic economic recovery, a top aide to President Dmitry billion people into the sco’s area of influ- U.S.: Don’t Medvedev said on June 18. U.S. Treasury figures show that ence. Although China and Russia are the count on us! Russia’s holdings of American debt fell from $176.3 billion in regional behemoths driving the unifica- Tensions in the October 2010 to $125.4 billion in April 2011. Russia’s financial tion of the East, the sco may well be a South China Sea reserves, totaling $528 billion as of June 10, are the third largest vehicle they use to reach that destination. have been escalat- in the world, after those of China and Japan. ing since June. China is following the same pattern, no longer buying dol- The Philippines lars, but favoring euros instead. Premier Wen Jiabao visited appealed to the Germany for the first-ever German-Chinese joint cabinet meet- A worker mans a U.S. for help in ing on June 27, where he said he will continue to back purchases Chinese natural the event of a mil- of European debt. Because China has around 26 percent of its gas plant. itary conflict with currency reserves in euros, Beijing is committed to the cur- Beijing, express- rency’s stability. Wen also underscored the important role con- ing confidence fidence can play in helping the EU to correct its sovereign debt the U.S. would crisis. As Athens convulses, Beijing knows that holding euros is honor the Mutual risky, but clearly it sees that holding dollars is far riskier. Defense Treaty it In a further move to decrease their dependence on the dol- | has held with Ma- lar, Beijing and Moscow signed an agreement on June 26 per- 8 china Hungry for energy nila for 60 years. mitting their bilateral trade to be conducted in their national A surge in energy consumption last year However, U.S. currencies. Russian and Chinese companies will now be able bumped China ahead of the U.S., making press attaché Re- to settle their business in rubles and yuans, and it is viewed it the world’s biggest consumer of energy. becca Thompson as a consequence of rising bilateral trade between the two According to a report published June responded that Asian giants. Last year, bilateral trade between them soared 8, for the year 2010, China’s consump- America would 50 percent to reach $59 billion, making China Russia’s biggest tion accounted for 20.3 percent of global not side with any trading partner. Earlier in the month, Chinese President Hu demand compared to 19 percent for the party. As Amer- Jintao visited Russia and set the goal to increase Russo-Chi- U.S. China’s consumption grew by 11.2 ica’s willpower nese trade to $100 billion by 2015 and $200 billion by 2020. percent over the previous year, more than and financial re- Watch for more nations to dump dollars as the U.S.’s eco- any other nation. As China’s consumption sources wane, ex- nomic fissures grow deeper. grows, other nations, especially in Europe, pect Asian nations will assume a more combative stance in to abandon the “The share of our portfolio in U.S. instruments has securing resources for themselves. When sinking U.S. ship gone down and probably will go down further.” images more than one power aggressively pursues and resolve their Arkady Dvorkovich getty the world’s wealth, intense competition intercontinental aide to Russian President August 2011 , , afp results and eventually gives way to war. skirmishes. Dmitry Medvedev THE PHILADELPHIA TRUMPET 19 worldwatch Latin america, africa

7 6 | south africa Strengthening China’s foothold 4 8 The government of South Africa agreed in early June to closer 5 relations with China in an effort to combat crime. South Afri- 6 can Police Minister Maggie Sotyu met with the Chinese vice 3 1 2 minister of public security on May 30. “Our main relationship with China is trade,” said Sotyu. “They are our number one 2 | UNASUR trade partners, but China felt that we needed to go beyond trade A continent and we needed to deal with the issues of crime.” Cooperation 1 | argentina with regards to police training and the possibility of exchanging unites information between the police forces of both countries formed U.S. snubs UK over Falklands The Union of the basis of the talks. Expect China’s interest in South Africa to The United States has once again sided South American magnify Beijing’s voice in sub-Saharan affairs. with Argentina, along with Venezuela, Nations (unasur) against the UK over the Falkland Islands. has made prog- On June 7, America signed on to a draft ress in becoming declaration that calls for Britain to nego- more like its EU tiate with Argentina over the sovereignty role model. un- of the Falklands. This comes as Argen- asur leaders met tina has been increasing its aggression in Lima, Peru, in against the islands, and despite the fact May and issued a there is nothing to negotiate: Argentina’s declaration calling claim to the islands is tenuous at best, for the region to and its inhabitants want Britain to retain pursue a common sovereignty. The incident shows that de- methodology in spite President Obama’s words of support monitoring de- during his visit to Britain in May, the fense expenditures special relationship between these two among member countries is dead. Britain, certain to get nations. Latin One of South Africa’s no help from the U.S., is prophesied in America remains many criminals is Scripture to lose the Falklands. a major customer caught stealing in for global defense Johannesburg. The Falklands flag may soon suppliers and there lose the Union Jack. are now calls for unasur to become more militarily 7 | somalia 8 | kenya integrated. Expect Dry run South America New wrinkle on Horn of Africa The Horn of Af- to continue look- Kenya is preparing to recognize Somali rica is engulfed ing to Europe for land’s independence from Somalia, which in a devastating guidance as it in- would create another new country in the drought. The UN tegrates economi- Horn of Africa, according to claims made reported in June cally, politically on May 22 by the Somaliland Press. Ke- that more than and militarily. nyans who are calling for their government 20,000 Somali to recognize Somaliland argue that its in- refugees had ar- dependence would help stabilize the region rived in the Dadaab and stop Somalia’s dreams of expansion refugee complex 3 | chile 4 | colombia 5 | peru into Kenya and eastern Ethiopia. Expect in northern Kenya violence in the Horn of Africa, however, over a two-week Look out, Mexico: New stock exchange in town to push the region period. More than istock ,

The stock exchanges of Chile, Colombia and Peru officially further into the 50,000 refugees are getty combined into a new South American Stock Exchange on May arms of Iran and living in makeshift

30. This new market, called the Integrated Latin American radical Islam. Bible shelters outside the images ,

Market (mila), will start with a listing of 560 companies and prophecy predicts structured camp. a b will overtake Mexico as the largest stock market in Latin Amer- that Ethiopia will Expect droughts to durashid ica. The launch of the new market doesn’t mean the disappear- soon be allied with increase in frequen-

A policeman a b ance of each country’s local exchange, but rather the creation of Iran, the end-time supports a Somali cy and severity as dulle a new multi-border stock exchange that will provide an addi- “king of the south” the world nears the / demonstration. afp tional platform for companies to access investor capital. (Daniel 11:40). end of this age. / getty

images August 2011 20 THE PHILADELPHIA TRUMPET T Visit theTrumpet.com for ongoing coverage of the latest news and trends around the world. Anglo-america Tide of war ‘recedes’ in time for election Why Empire President Obama announced June 22 that he will bring home 10,000 U.S. troops from Afghanistan by the end of 2011 and died 23,000 more by next summer, a withdrawal window that will con- At the end of June, clude two months before voters decide whether to give him a sec- Empire, Nevada, ond term. “Tonight,” the president said from the East Room, “we became a ghost take comfort in knowing that the tide of war is receding.” Earlier town. Gone is in the month, Obama emphasized that America would be work- one of the biggest ing closely with Germa- mines in Amer- ny and other nato allies One ridiculously tall ica—and along in empowering Afghans with it the mineral in their political and eco- stack of dollars production, jobs nomic efforts to forge a he United States hit its legal and families it sup- lasting peace. Watch for borrowing limit on May 23. The ported. After more Germany and the EU to TTreasury Department said Congress than 100 years and step up efforts to stabilize must raise the debt ceiling by August 2 if two world wars, the Middle East region as Soldiers leave one of the the government is to avoid a default. The the Empire gyp- America withdraws into bases that will be abandoned. Obama administration is trying to ham- sum mine is eerily geopolitical isolation. mer out a deal with lawmakers to cut fed- silent—not because eral spending in exchange for a debt-limit the gypsum ran increase. The federal debt currently stands out, but because at $14.5 trillion. If such an amount were America is no lon- To raise a family, don’t come here made into a single stack of $1,000 bills, ger growing like it Britain is the third-least family-friendly country in Europe, ac- it would be more than 900 miles tall. If once was. Gypsum cording to a study by the Relationships Foundation, a UK-based the pile were made with $1 bills, it would is the primary in- think tank. Its study looked at 25 indicators showing financial stretch to the moon and back twice. gredient in drywall pressures, work pressures, caring and parenting pressures, and The world is starting to wake up to and other masonry living environment. Only Romania and Bulgaria did worse in the magnitude of the American govern- products. If homes this study. It found that 20.9 percent of UK households with ment’s debt. On June 10, a Chinese rat- are not being con- dependent children experienced “difficulty” or “great diffi- ings agency accused the U.S. of default- structed and of- culty” in making ends meet. Fourteen percent of households in ing on the massive debt it owes China. fice complexes no the UK, as well as in Germany, suffered under “highly critical” On June 13, pimco bond manager Bill longer being built, debt burdens (versus only 1 percent of Swedish, Finnish and Gross said America’s financial condi- who needs wall- Norwegian households). The study also found that Britain has tion was worse than that of Greece and board? Empire is the third-worst living environment in Europe. other debt-saturated European nations. the latest victim in Then, the following day, a Gallup poll a country that has was published showing that Americans’ stopped building confidence—the only thing keeping the and expanding. Why gamblers always lose beleaguered dollar afloat—was plum- Australians last year lost close to $1,300 on gambling for every meting. If you are following economic resident (not including tourists) age 17 and over, according to developments closely—payrolls, railway international gaming industry consultants H2 Gambling Capi- loadings, the housing market, banking tal. This statistic places Australians in the lead as the world’s sector, foreign exchange markets and biggest gamblers. The Australian gambling industry, with clubs, gold price—you know America is head- Ghostly Empire hotels and casinos, employs about 160,000 people. “Problem ing back into a recession. gamblers routinely lose everything, including their jobs, family and friends, homes, minds and sometimes even their lives,” said Tasmanian Independent mp Andrew Wilkie. This problem is having a devastating effect on thousands of people across the A ‘brotherhood’ fraught with sibling rivalry social spectrum. The bottom line is that any and all forms of The United States hosted Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Ne- gambling corrode our character to one extent or another—and tanyahu for six days in May. Setting the stage for tension, Presi- that is why, even when money is won, gamblers always lose. dent Obama, in a State Department speech just prior to the visit, explicitly endorsed a Palestinian state along the 1967 lines and images stated that such a state must be “contiguous.” On May 22, Ne- getty / tanyahu met with Obama at the White House and two days later afp

/ “The net worth of Bill Gates, roughly around $56 bil- e b spoke before a joint session of the U.S. Con- alji gress, rebuffing the U.S. president’s stated lion, could only cover the deficit for 15 days. The net ted , , policies. The trip demonstrated that the worth of Warren Buffet, roughly around $50 billion,

images Netanyahu-Obama relationship is at a low could only cover the deficit for 13 days.”

point. We could soon witness the proph- getty Jason Peuquet , , esied breaking of the historic brotherhood policy analyst with the Committee istock between America and the Jewish state. for a Responsible Federal Budget 21 THE REST OF THE STORY A Serbian soldier stands beside the graves of fellow troops killed in a Croatian ambush.

What Really Happened in Bosnia One massacre was exaggerated. Another went unreported. The reason for the double standard is shameful. By Richard Palmer

t was genocide. Charles Kraut- region of Krajina in Croatia. Croatian rights, etc., have gushed forth from all lev- hammer called it “the largest ethnic troops forced an estimated 200,000 Serbs els …. However, Serbian homes and lands cleansing of the entire Balkan wars.” to flee (National Post, March 13, 2004). … continue to be torched and looted. A March 1999 New York Times article “A war that begins with civilian areas “Contrary to official statements blam- agreed with him. being shelled at 5 a.m. when women and ing it on fleeing Serbs and uncontrollable I“Investigators with the war-crimes tri- children are asleep in their beds and elements, the crimes have been perpetrated bunal in the Hague have concluded that ends with a massive exodus of more than by the HV Croatian Army, the CR Croatian this campaign was carried out with bru- 100,000 people is surely tantamount to police and CR civilians. There have been tality, wanton murder and indiscriminate ethnic cleansing,” said UN spokesman no observed attempts to stop it, and the in- shelling of civilians,” Krauthammer wrote Chris Gunness. dications point to a scorched-earth policy.” (Time, April 5, 1999). According to Robert Fisk, writing in Two senior Canadian military officers Is this the dreaded Srebrenica “massa- the Independent, the European Union’s present in Croatia at the time testified that cre,” commonly referred to in the media confidential assessment from Krajina in the Croatians attacked indiscriminately as the “worst atrocity in Europe since the 1995 stated the following: “Evidence of and targeted civilians. Second World War,” perpetrated by the atrocities; an average of six corpses per One of these officers, Maj. Gen. An- “evil” Serbs led by Ratko Mladic, who has day, continues to emerge … the corpses; drew Leslie, estimated that around 500 ci- now been arrested to be brought to justice? some fresh, some decomposed, are mainly vilians had been murdered. “In the hospi- No. This genocide was carried out by of old men. Many have been shot in the tal itself, there were bodies stacked in the the Croats—the “good guys”—and thus, it back of the head or had throats slit, oth- corridors,” he said. “There were bodies in was encouraged and praised by the West. ers have been mutilated. Isolated pockets almost every hospital bed. And there were of elderly civilians report people recently bodies lying in the foyer, the reception The Krajina Massacre gone missing or detained …. Endless area and some of the corridors” (National The massacre Krauthammer Croat invitations for Serbs to return, guar- Post, Dec. 9, 2005). 22 was describing occurred in the antees of citizens’ rights and property Yugoslav envoy Vladimir Pavicevic claimed that 15,000 Serbs were dead in was every reason for intellectuals and Jew- only 5 percent in Belgrade. Stavrou’s anal- Krajina, and that this total included slain ish organizations to be hostile towards the ysis cited ethnic stereotyping, with Serbs refugees and soldiers who had already Croats and Bosnians.” referred to as primitive ‘remnants of the surrendered (Deutsche Presse-Agentur, Harff used a couple of reports in the Ottoman Empire’ and Yugoslav Army of- Aug. 14, 1995). The International Commit- New York Newsday about Serbian con- ficers described as ‘orthodox communist tee of the Red Cross reported that 10,000 centration camps to persuade Jewish generals’ … while newspaper photographs to 15,000 refugees were still missing over groups to demonstrate against the Serbs. neglected to show suffering or dead Serbs three weeks after the initial attack (Sun “This was a tremendous coup,” said Harff. or destroyed Serb churches and villages” Herald, Aug. 27, 1995). “When the Jewish organizations entered (emphasis added throughout). Why is Srebrenica everywhere, yet the game on the side of the Bosnians, we Foreign Policy pointed out that news Krajina barely gets a mention? On April could promptly equate the Serbs with the outlets published many photos they said 15, Croatian Gen. Ante Gotovina was Nazis in the public mind.” showed victims of Serbian persecution. found guilty of war crimes and crimes He continued: “By a single move, we But the captions were wrong. In many against humanity by the International were able to present a simple story of good cases, the victims themselves were Serbs. Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugo- guys and bad guys which would hereafter It is little wonder, then, that the events slavia (icty) for what he did in Krajina. It play itself. We won by targeting Jewish au- that took place in Srebrenica have been was hardly mentioned in the press. When dience, the right target. Almost immedi- horribly twisted by the media. Yes, the Ratko Mladic was captured on May 26, it ately there was a clear change of language Serbs killed Bosnian Muslims whom was all over the papers. in the press, with the use of words with they had taken prisoner. But the context The double standard on display here is high emotional content, such as ‘ethnic in which this occurred is vital to under- a monumental story—when you under- cleansing,’ ‘concentration camps,’ etc., standing this event. stand who, ultimately, was really behind it. which evoked inmates of Nazi Germany and the gas chambers of Auschwitz. The The Truth About Srebrenica Manipulating the Media emotional change was so powerful that The story portrayed in the media is that Serbia’s earliest defeat came in the PR war. nobody could go against it.” Bosnian Serbian forces under Ratko Early on, Serbia’s enemies engaged Ruder Western reporting of the Balkan wars Mladic and Radovan Karadzic invaded Finn, an American public relations firm, became spectacularly biased. Consider the the UN “safe haven” of Sarajevo. Here to get their message out. James Harff, di- statements at the bottom of the page, most they let the women, children and elderly rector of Ruder Finn’s Global Public Af- of which are from people who were actually escape before massacring all the men. fairs section, boasted about his success in the Balkans during the wars. What is mentioned less often is that the against Serbia. Foreign Policy magazine reported, “De- Bosnian Muslims were using the UN “safe “Nobody understood what was go- spite steady reports of atrocities commit- haven” as a base for attacks on Serbian ing on in (former) Yugoslavia,” he said in ted there by Croatian soldiers and para- civilians. an October 1993 interview with French military units against Serbs, which some The UN admitted that Bosnian forces journalist Jacques Merlino. “The great Belgrade correspondents were later able to were violating the no-fly zone around majority of Americans were probably ask- confirm, the stories that reached the world Srebrenica and were smuggling weapons ing themselves in which African country talked only of Serb abuses …. In a three- into the area (icty testimony by David Bosnia was situated.” month study of news reports, Howard Harland, civil affairs officer and political Ruder Finn took advantage of this ig- University Professor of International Rela- adviser to the unprofor commander in norance. Its first goal was to persuade the tions Nikolaos Stavrou detected ‘a disturb- Bosnia and Herzegovina). Jews to oppose the Serbs—not an easy ing pattern in news coverage.’ He claimed In charge of the Muslim forces in task. “The Croatian and Bosnian past most of the stories were based on ‘hearsay Srebrenica was Naser Oric. Here is how was marked by a real and cruel anti-Sem- evidence,’ with few attempts to show the French Gen. Philippe Morillon, com- itism,” said Harff. “Tens of thousands of ‘other side’s perspectives.’ Ninety percent mander of the UN troops in Bosnia from Jews perished in Croatian camps. So there of the stories originated in Sarajevo, but 1992 to 1993, described him in his icty

“Those of us who served as UN commanders in Bosnia real- “I’ve worked with the press for a long time, and I have ized the majority of the media reports were biased, to say the never seen so much lack of professionalism and ethics in least. Whenever we tried to set the record straight we were— the press. Especially by the American press, there is an and continue to be—accused of being ‘Serbian agents.’” extremely hostile style of reporting.” Lewis MacKenzie anonymous UN official images former UN Protection Force (unprofor) general in former Yugoslavia and commander of the Sarajevo sector getty “I was shocked when a relative read a story to me over / afp / “[T]he reporting and commenting of some members of the the telephone. My byline was on top of the story, but I couldn’t recognize anything else.” guyot

press corp in Sarajevo became close to becoming identified to the propaganda machine of the Bosnia government.” anonymous American correspondent in Belgrade pascal , , Gen. Sir Michael Rose “There is hypocrisy in the current outrage of Western

images unprofor commander in Bosnia journalists, politicians and voters. And perhaps even a getty / “The American press has become very partisan and strain of racism.” afp / anti-Serbian. They are very selective and manipulative Charles Lane ouys b with the information they use.” Newsweek

riel anonymous UN official August 2011 b ga THE PHILADELPHIA TRUMPET 23 world The Serbs finally reacted to Oric’s Germany and certain other European provocations: When they took Srebrenica governments “made it sure there was go- testimony: “Naser Oric engaged in attacks far more easily than they thought they ing to be a conflict” in the region. during Orthodox holidays and destroyed would, they took their revenge on the men The European Community (precur- villages, massacring all the inhabitants. they found there. But, unlike Oric, they let sor to the EU) was almost unanimous in This created a degree of hatred that was the women and children go. agreeing that the best way to avoid a war quite extraordinary in the region ….” When asked by the judge if what the in Yugoslavia was for it to remain one na- Serbs did in Srebrenica was a natural re- oric action to what happened under Oric, Mo- rillon answered: “Yes. Yes, Your Honor. I am convinced of that. This doesn’t mean to pardon or diminish the responsibility of the people who committed that crime, but I am convinced of that, yes.” The full context presents a very different picture of Srebrenica. It was not a cold- hearted, Nazi-style final solution for Bos- nian Muslims. Instead it was a crime of passion—still a crime, but one provoked by crimes on the other side. Morillon still held Mladic responsible for what happened in Srebrenica because he didn’t follow through on international agreements made two years earlier. But there is a big difference between a military mladic leader who doesn’t trust the other side In another part of his testimony, Mo- enough to make peace and, say, an Adolf tion. Member states voted 11 to 1 in 1991 to rillon stated, “There were terrible mas- Eichmann. support a resolution stating that “the best sacres committed by the forces of Naser “All the horrors of all the ages were way of achieving stability in the Balkans Oric in all the surrounding villages.” brought together, and not only armies but was for Yugoslavia to remain united, al- He also stated: “I think you will find whole populations were thrust into the beit in a revised, looser federal form.” this in other testimony, not just mine. Nas- midst of them,” wrote Winston Churchill The one ended up overruling the 11. er Oric was a warlord who reigned by terror after World War i. “The mighty educated Here’s how T.W. “Bill” Carr, associate in his area and over the population itself. I states involved conceived—not without publisher of Defense and Foreign Affairs’ think that he realized that those were the reason—that their very existence was at Strategic Policy, described what happened: rules of this horrific war, that he could not stake. Neither peoples nor rulers drew the “Germany, despite its current problems, allow himself to take prisoners. According line at any deed which they thought could remains the strongest economy in Europe. to my recollection, he didn’t even look for help them to win. Germany, having let During the Maastricht negotiations, a re- an excuse. It was simply a statement: One hell loose, kept well in the van of terror; united Germany used that power to fur- can’t be bothered with prisoners.” but she was followed step by step by the ther what appeared to be its historical stra- Naturally, Oric’s actions infuriated the desperate and ultimately avenging nations tegic objective to control the territories of Serbs. “They were in this hellish circle of she had assailed. Every outrage against Croatia, Slovenia and Dalmatia, with their revenge,” said Morillon. “It was more than humanity or international law was repaid access to the Adriatic and Mediterranean. revenge that animated them all. Not only by reprisals—often of a greater scale and “During protracted negotiations, Ger- the men. The women, the entire popula- of longer duration.” many wore down the other EC mem- tion was imbued with this. It wasn’t the “When all was over, torture and canni- bers and eventually, at 0400 hours on sickness of fear that had infected the en- balism were the only two expedients that the morning of the debate, the 11:1 vote tire population of Bosnia-Herzegovina, the civilized, scientific, Christian states had to hold Yugoslavia united turned into a the fear of being dominated, of being been able to deny themselves: and they were unanimous vote to recognize Croatia as eliminated, it was pure hatred.” of doubtful utility,” concluded Churchill. an independent state on the grounds that It was this hatred and hunger for re- Does his description of World War i the right to self-determination overruled venge that led to the Srebrenica massacre. sound any different from what happened all other criteria.” Continuing with his testimony, Gen- in Srebrenica? That doesn’t make it right, “In order to maintain its own unity, the eral Morillon stated that Oric pulled out of course. But the real blame for Srebreni- EC sacrificed the unity of Yugoslavia, and of Srebrenica a week before it fell. “I said ca lies with those who started the war. with it, the stability of the Balkans,” Carr that Mladic had entered an ambush in wrote. Srebrenica, a trap, in fact. He expected Who Started the War? This was more than merely the EC try- to find resistance, but there was none. Western media blame the “evil” Serbs for ing to preserve unity. In reality, it was a He didn’t expect the massacre to occur causing war by trying to grab as much ter- stunning example of Germany bullying its but he completely underestimated the ritory as they could while Yugoslavia fell own way and forcing the rest of Europe to amount of hatred that accrued. I don’t apart. The facts show a different picture. fall in step. believe that he ordered the mas- Lord Peter Carrington, former chair- “Germany had won round one,” Carr sacres, but I don’t know. That is man of the peace conference on Yugo- continued. “Shortly after, Germany won 24 my personal opinion.” slavia, stated that the actions of the U.S., round two when Bosnia-Herzegovina was the mig-21 airplanes used by the Croatian Air Force “demonstrably came from Ger- AUST R IA HUNGA R Y many, were given a complete overhaul in the former Soviet Union and delivered to Croatia via Hungary.” The program also stated, “Combat helicopters, tanks, artil- VENIA SLO lery—many of the weapons that decided r o MANIA the outcome of the war—had been deliv- c r o ATIA ered with the help of the bnd [Germany’s a Federal Intelligence Service], according to

r information of the American Defense In- K BOSNIA AND HERZegovina telligence Service (dia). This is also con- Srebrenica firmed by the internationally acknowl- S e r BI a edged military expert Paul Beaver.” The Aug. 11-25, 1995, issue of Intel- ligence Digest stated that German pilots mont. trained the Croatian Air Force. BULGARIA A T I kos. The February 1997 Monitor program

A also stated, “Without the German intelli- L gence service, the smuggling could not have BANIA macedonia L been accomplished.” The allegations caused Y an uproar in the German parliament, but as Britain’s Telegraph reported, “For many German politicians, however, the nub of the r e e c e g problem may not be the bnd’s operations at all—rather that it appears to have been caught out” (April 20, 1997). Crucially, German and U.S. help won the Croats the media war. Little Croatia This map highlights former Yugo- scene of the crimes and Bosnia could not have won over slavia, which has since dissolved into several states. Bosnia is col- the entire Western media without help. ored, and the site of the Srebrenica massacre noted; also highlighted Sanctions placed on Yugoslavia meant and enclosed in a dotted line is the Serbian-proclaimed Krajina it was unable to hire Western PR firms. region within Croatia, where Croats massacred Serbs. (In Bosnia, the Serbia’s enemies were able to get their northwest area within the dotted lines is the Krajina region in that message out unopposed. country, and the darker shaded area is the Republic of Srpska.) “The media,” Karadzic stated, “did more damage to us than nato bombs.”

also recognized, despite EC negotiator to secure strategic access for themselves Just the Beginning Lord Carrington’s advice that such a step through Slovenia and Croatia to the Adri- As horrific as the events in the Balkans would result in a civil war.” atic Sea, as it had a preference for a group were, they are just the start of an even big- America, too, allowed itself to be led of small countries in the European Union ger, far worse conflict. As Trumpet editor by Germany into pushing Yugoslavia into instead of a big one” (May 2011). in chief Gerald Flurry writes in his book- civil war. That is the reality behind the wildly let The Rising Beast—Germany’s Conquest But Germany wasn’t alone. Carr wrote, uneven treatment the Croats and Serbs of the Balkans, “Yugoslavia is in fact the “The German/Croatian axis and expan- received from the rest of the world. It had first victim of World War iii.” sionist Islam are the key players in the re- its genesis in the German-Vatican plot to “The first blow of World War iii has al- gion, along with the very real interest and smash Yugoslavia to pieces, particularly to ready been struck,” he writes. “That is be- role played by the Vatican and the Croa- eliminate the Serbian threat that created cause this same nation—Germany—will tian Catholic Church.” problems in the previous world wars! continue this aggressive war spirit until These forces conspired to cause a war The Germans aggressively backed Ser- the whole world is dragged into a nuclear in Yugoslavia so Germany could regain its bia’s enemies. In 1996, the German tv World War iii! So says history and Bible influence in the Balkans. program Monitor unearthed evidence of prophecy.” Here’s how Karadzic made his case in German intelligence agents smuggling War means events like the Krajina eth- a recent interview for Politics First: “The weapons to the Bosnian Muslims. Oper- nic cleansing, and Srebrenica. As Churchill Germans wanted to take revenge on Yugo- ating under the guise of neutral EU moni- described, war means man unleashes all slavia for its involvement in World Wars i tors, Germany smuggled arms to Serbia’s the destructive forces he has available. To- and ii on the side of the anti-German co- enemies. Other monitors confirmed that day, man has more destructive power at alition; to support their allies German EU monitors made these ship- his fingertips than ever before. in Slovenia and Croatia as well ments through Croatia and Bosnia. The truth is that Bosnia is already a as the Bosnian Muslims; and On Feb. 27, 1997, Monitor reported that victim of World War iii. n

For a detailed account of Germany’s war, and Britain and America’s betrayal of their historic allies the August 2011 Serbs, request our free booklet The Rising Beast—Germany’s Conquest of the Balkans. THE PHILADELPHIA TRUMPET 25 The Best Seller Nobody Reads Buying it is all the rage. Using it … well, that’s another matter. By Dennis Leap

odom and Gomorrah states. “That was an increase of more than Considering all this poll data, Timothy were husband and wife.” 26 percent since 2005, which saw sales of Beal concludes: “The Bible appears to be When graduating high about $609 million …. Even during the the most revered book never read.” That school seniors were quizzed high point of the economic crisis in late is a truly sad bit of humor. “Sabout the Bible, this was the answer a 2008, when other book sales were hurting So why do people buy Bibles if they large number of them chose. badly, Bible sales continued to boom, with are not going to read them? The fact that Less than half of all adult Americans an estimated $823.5 million that year.” Rupert Murdoch’s media empire owns can name the first book of the Bible or the Beal reports that Bible sales remain high Zondervan should give us a clue. four Gospels of the New Testament. Al- during times of war and financial crisis, In May, Time ran a short article in its most two thirds of Americans can’t name which means that the most current sales “Culture” section on books congratulat- at least five of the Ten Commandments. figures likely are still soaring. ing the King James Bible for reaching its One in 10 adults who participated in a Yet, the paradox doesn’t stop here. 400th anniversary. Rather than relating Bible literacy poll believe that Joan of Arc the history of the book, the article focused was Noah’s wife. The Book to Buy on who has used or is using a King James All of these incredible facts are men- Twenty years ago, a Gallup poll reported Bible, including King James, Abraham tioned by Timothy Beal in his book The that only 35 percent of Americans believed Lincoln, Barack Obama, Prince William Rise and Fall of the Bible, published earlier that “the Bible was totally accurate in all and Kate Middleton. this year. The sad fact is, biblical literacy is of its teachings.” This was a saddening but A sidebar discussed the kjv’s offshoots, at an all-time low. In fact, it may be low to not surprising report at the time: Ameri- or progeny. The Green Bible, for example, zip, as Beal points out in his book. cans’ close relationship with the Bible had released in 2008, is “Published on re- There is a real paradox here. The Bible is been in decline for decades. But more re- cycled paper with soy-based ink. Instead a top-selling book in Western society, espe- cent polling data from the Barna Group of Jesus’s words appearing in red, verses cially in the United States. The Bible is big reveals that now, about half of Americans on caring for the earth are highlighted in business. Bible publishing is a highly com- agree with that statement. soothing green.” The sidebar also featured petitive and lucrative industry. Few realize At the same time, a recent Gallup poll The One-Minute Bible, for really busy peo- that Bible publishing companies are not found 65 percent of Americans believe ple, and The Extreme Teen Bible, for teens necessarily owned by the deeply religious. the Bible “answers all or most of the basic who love living on the edge. Zondervan, which sells over 500 different questions of life.” Is it possible that rever- Are you beginning to understand? kinds of Bibles, was purchased in 1988 by ence for the Bible is up from 1991? Some Bibles are big business. Costly market sur- HarperCollins, a part of Rupert Murdoch’s experts think so. Yet the pervasive Bible veys are conducted regularly to uncover media empire News Corporation. illiteracy within all age groups in the U.S. what causes a person to buy a Bible. Why? Bible sales figures are a highly guarded causes religious theorists to question what We are a nation of consumers. If the fig- secret, but numbers that are available are the polls are actually saying. ures on Bible literacy are any indication, interesting to study. “Reliable industry The Pew Forum on Religion and Public we can safely assume that many people buy sources estimate that 2007 saw about 25 Life has found that 78 percent of Ameri- Bibles simply because it is the thing to do. million Bibles sold, generating cans say the Bible is the “Word of God,” The stark reality is that just having a istock

revenues of about $770 million and of those, almost half believe “it is to Bible doesn’t do a thing for anybody. Many photo 26 in the United States alone,” Beal be taken literally, word for word.” people refer to the kjv as a cultural icon. Unfortunately, what that actually means their national slavery in Egypt through So many sincere—but deceived— for most people is that the Bible has become Joshua settling them in the Promised teachers have misled millions by limiting a religious statue or symbol—some leather- Land. We are given details of the king- religious instruction on a subject to one covered god gathering dust on a shelf. doms of Israel and Judah from their gold- or two verses. That kind of misuse of the en years with David and Solomon to their Bible leads to spiritual destruction. The Misunderstood Book demise and captivity. The New Testament Understand, it is not our intention to Think about and consider your own ap- gives us the history of Judah under the point fingers at any human being. The proach to reading and studying the Bible. Roman conquest at the time of Christ. real culprit is Satan the devil. This once It is the unique book. There is no other Bible prophecy primarily concerns awesome and righteous angel came to hate book like it on Earth. The Apostle Paul itself with the end-time events involv- God, God’s truth and the awesome plan wrote: “For the word of God is quick, and ing the modern nations of Israel and the God has for all mankind. It is his ardent powerful, and sharper than any two-edged Gentile nations that come in contact with desire to spiritually destroy you. How? sword, piercing even to the dividing asun- Israel culminating with Jesus Christ’s Our adversary has set out to take eternal der of soul and spirit, and of the joints and Second Coming. Request your free copy life away from every man, woman and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts of the book The United States and Britain child through religion. and intents of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12). It in Prophecy for a full explanation of the The devil began this effort with Eve by is a living, active book. You must interact identity of the modern nations of Israel. talking to her directly. However, today, he with it to get true value out of owning one. The Bible’s religious instruction is a thor- has organized his own brand of Christi- Yet the Bible cannot be read like any ough listing of the God-inspired doctrines. anity, leading it with his own ministers (2 other book. It is this fact that gives people It provides instruction for daily living. It Corinthians 11:13)—a carefully thought- so much difficulty. You cannot read the out and well-planned counterfeit of Bible from beginning to end and come For most people, the Bible has become a God’s Church. to an understanding of it. A close friend The Bible reveals that Satan dis- once said to me, “I’ve read and studied religious statue or symbol—some leather- guises himself as an angel of light the Bible for hours and I cannot under- covered god gathering dust on a shelf. (verse 14). He has successfully palmed stand it, so what makes you think you himself off as God, making himself can?” This is the typical complaint of the explains the biblical way of salvation. It appear to be God to this whole world (2 majority of people who own a Bible. People provides wisdom to meet life’s challenges. Corinthians 4:4). This being is so crafty have been told they should read it to be spir- It emphasizes God’s incredible law codified and powerful he has (because God has al- itual. They have heard emotional-sounding in the Ten Commandments. lowed it for His own purpose) been able to talk about how inspiring Bible reading and Basically the Bible’s history and proph- deceive the entire world (Revelation 12:9). studying can be. However, most have not ecy reveal the painful outcome of disobedi- How has he done this? Paul tells us that he been taught what is recorded on its pages ence to God’s laws. Only those people will- “hath blinded the minds of them which be- or how to read it. Then, after buying several ing to listen to, learn from and obey God lieve not, lest the light of the glorious gospel versions thinking that will help their un- can understand the Bible. The Bible states, of Christ, who is the image of God, should derstanding, many frustratingly put their “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of shine unto them” (2 Corinthians 4:4). Bibles (most American homes have more wisdom: a good understanding have all Satan wants unsuspecting humans to than one) permanently on their bookshelf they that do his commandments” (Psalm have religion—just not God’s way! This and attempt to live life without the Bible. 111:10). Concerning unlocking the code is the only valid explanation for the wide- Your experience with the Bible can be of the Bible, Herbert Armstrong wrote in spread confusion being broadcast from the very different. Mystery of the Ages, “Then the picture be- world’s various religions. And it is the only In his groundbreaking book Mystery comes crystal clear to the one willing to logical explanation for the huge doctrinal of the Ages, Herbert W. Armstrong, one of believe what God our Creator says.” division within modern Christianity. the most important Bible educators of our Understanding the Bible is the most in- Be warned. Satan knows Scripture, time, wrote: “I found the Bible to be a cod- credible blessing bestowed on those willing and he will twist it to trip you up. Mat- ed book, with answers to the paramount to read, study and do what the Bible says. thew 4 shows that he tried that trick on mysteries confronting all humanity …. I Jesus Christ, and he will work that same learned that the Bible is like a jigsaw puz- Beware False Teachers way against us. The Bible must become zle—thousands of pieces that need putting One disheartening fact that all new Bible your only source of doctrine. Yes, you will together—and the pieces will fit together students must confront is that modern need someone to teach you from the Bible, in only one way.” If you would like to re- Christianity teaches doctrines that are which puts the pressure on you to find the ceive a copy of Mystery of the Ages, one not founded on the Bible. Mr. Armstrong men God has specially trained to teach for will be sent to you free upon request. experienced this phenomenon, and so Him. Your salvation depends upon it! have all God’s people in this end time. A Book to Be Obeyed Once you come to know the Bible and Read the Book Herbert Armstrong taught that the Bible how its truths are pieced together, it be- Jesus Christ came into a world of religious is approximately divided into thirds: his- comes clear that the Bible explains itself. confusion much like our own. He con- tory, prophecy and religious instruction. The full explanation of a Bible topic comes quered that world with the truth taken Its history is primarily that of one na- by putting all the scriptures on a subject only from the Bible. When confronted tion—Israel—from its earliest beginnings together. Often the verses on one subject with doctrinal controversy, Jesus Christ with the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac and are scattered throughout the Bible. God See Best seller page 36 ➤ Jacob with his 12 sons. In the Old Testa- has designed the Bible so it takes a life- ment, the Bible charts the course of the 12 time of real work to come to understand August 2011 tribes as they journey through time—from its invaluable treasure chest of knowledge. THE PHILADELPHIA TRUMPET 27 increase your bible iq Is the Old Testament Reliable?

The Philadelphia any Christians think the Old Testa- as recorded in the book of Genesis (chapter 19). Trumpet, in conjunc- ment is not an integral part of the Holy 6. Did Jesus verify that King David lived? Mat- tion with the Herbert Scriptures. They think it is only a collec- thew 12:3. Did He identify King Solomon too? Verse 42. W. Armstrong College tion of Jewish stories, with varying de- comment: These scriptures prove that Jesus Bible Correspondence Mgrees of historical accuracy. Many today believe that Christ believed and accepted the testimony of the Old Course, presents this some major events described in the Old Testament Testament as absolutely authoritative! brief excursion into cannot be literally true. The New Testament refers to the Old Testament the fascinating study Notice, however, these words from the New Testa- about 250 times. We cannot accept the New Testa- of the Bible. Simply ment: “All scripture is given by inspiration of God …” ment without recognizing the authority and accuracy turn to and read in (2 Timothy 3:16). The word inspiration in the Greek of the Old! your Bible each verse means God-breathed. In other words, God personally given in answer to coordinated the Bible’s development and directly in- Archeology Backs Up the Old Testament the questions. You spired its writing. The Bible—all of it—is the authori- In addition to the New Testament declaration of the will be amazed at tative Word of God in print. reliability of the Old Testament, the relatively new sci- the new understand- Let’s consider the authority of the Old Testa- ence of archeology has confirmed without question ing gained from this ment—from a biblical and archeological perspective. the historical accuracy of the Bible. Solid, document- short study! ed evidence apart from the Bible confirms events and Jesus Confirms the Old Testament persons that at one time were known only from Scrip- Many Christians today do not think the Old Testa- ture. Let’s look at just a few discoveries. ment is historical fact. What did Jesus think? The Behistun Inscription dates back to 516 b.c. 1. What fundamental truth did Jesus tell us about and is an account of Darius the Great’s assumption Himself? John 14:6. Where are the prophecies about of the Persian throne. It was written in cuneiform in His life found? John 5:39. three languages. The deciphering of this trilingual comment: Notice that Jesus pointed to “the scrip- inscription in the 19th century was a tremendous tures.” The only sacred writings that the Jews pos- breakthrough because it enabled thousands of other sessed that foretold the coming of the Messiah were cuneiform writings of many Middle Eastern cultures the books of the Old Testament. Here, Jesus validates to be translated—for example, the tablets at the ru- them as Scripture. He also cited the Old Testament as ins of Nineveh, Shalmaneser’s Black Obelisk, Shen- a true and reliable source of history. nacherib’s Prism and the epic poems of Gilgamesh 2. Did Christ suppose that the first humans and Enuma Elish. (These poems contain accounts of evolved, or did He acknowledge that Adam and Eve creation, the tower of Babel and the Flood that closely were created? Matthew 19:4. Compare Genesis 1:27; 5:2. parallel the Bible.) The unlocking of the Behistun In- 3. Did Jesus mention Adam and Eve’s son Abel? scription opened the door for archeology to confirm Matthew 23:35. biblical history many times over! comment: Jesus not only confirmed Abel’s ex- Bible critics had long scoffed at references in the Bi- istence, but He referred to his righteousness as well. ble to a people called the Hittites (Genesis 15:20; Exodus Also discussed in this verse is the murder of Zecha- 3:8, 17; Numbers 13:29; Joshua 1:4; Judges 1:26 and else- riah, son of Barachias (or Berechiah, as the New King where). Their opinion was that the Hittites were simply James Version renders it). Undoubtedly, this refers to one of the many mythical peoples concocted by writers the prophet of the Old Testament, whose father was of the Bible, or at best, a small and unimportant tribe. Berechiah (Zechariah 1:1). But the critics were wrong. Archeological discov- 4. What about Noah’s ark and the Flood? Is it fact eries toward the end of the 19th century of Hittite or fiction? Matthew 24:37-39. monuments at Carchemish on the Euphrates River in comment: Jesus gave personal testimony of the Syria, and later, in 1906, of thousands of Hittite docu- Flood! He corroborated its history, alluded to its ments in Turkey, revealed a wealth of information causes and reiterated the universal death—except for about Hittite history and culture. The Hittites were Noah and his family—that occurred. once a dominant people, exercising control over Syria 5. Is the account of Sodom and Gomorrah a fa- and parts of Palestine. ble—or truth? Luke 17:28-29, 32. Some critics also doubted that the Babylonian cap- comment: Again, we have Jesus’s personal testi- tivity of Judah actually occurred in spite of specific 28 mony of the veracity of Old Testament history, exactly details given in 2 Kings 24-25. Once again, they were proved wrong! Twenty-one pottery fragments in- biblical narrative of Israel as scribed in the ancient Hebrew script were unearthed a large and advanced king- between 1935 and 1938 at a site thought to be ancient dom (article, page 10). Lachish—one of the cities besieged by the king of There are literally hun- Babylon at the same time as the siege of Jerusalem dreds more archeological (Jeremiah 34:7). Called the Lachish Ostraca, or Lach- discoveries that corroborate ish Letters, they were written during the very time of Bible history. In his book A the Babylonian siege. Some of them were exchanges Survey of Old Testament In- between the city’s military commander and an outly- troduction, Gleason Archer ing observation post, vividly picturing the final days Jr. quotes author John Elder of Judah’s desperate struggle against Babylon! as saying, “Little by little, In 1974 and 1977, Italian archeologists found ap- one city after another, one proximately 17,000 cuneiform tablets and fragments civilization after another, at the site of ancient Ebla in northern Syria. The in- one culture after another scriptions on these artifacts date them prior to the whose memories were en- 24th-century b.c. Noachian Flood. Similar finds were shrined only in the Bible, uncovered in Egypt and Mesopotamia. Many crit- were restored to their proper ics ridiculed the idea that Moses could have written places in ancient history by the first five books of the Old Testament, saying that the studies of archaeologists writing was unknown at that time. The Ebla tablets …. Contemporary records of and other pre-Flood inscriptions prove otherwise. biblical events have been un- Writing was common centuries before Moses! earthed and the uniqueness More recently, in August 2005, workers repairing of the biblical revelation has a sewage-pipe break in Old Jerusalem uncovered the been emphasized …. Nowhere has archaeological dis- Pool of Siloam, mentioned in John 9:1-11. “Scholars covery refuted the Bible as history” (emphasis added). have said that there wasn’t a Pool of Siloam and that You can count on the Old Testament to be accurate John was using a religious conceit” to make a point, and true! New Testament scholar James H. Charlesworth of the Princeton Theological Seminary said. “Now, we have Old Testament Important for Christians Today found the Pool of Siloam … exactly where John said it We have seen evidence both from the New Testament was.” A Gospel that was thought to be “pure theology and from modern archaeology that verifies the Old is now shown to be grounded in history,” he said (Los Testament accounts. But why did God preserve the Old Angeles Times, Aug. 9, 2005). Many of the scholars Testament? What importance does it have for us today? were wrong—again. The Bible is accurate—always! 1. Did God personally address the nation of Israel The same year, archeologist Dr. Eilat Mazar un- and reveal His law to it? Exodus 20:1-17; Deuter- earthed King David’s palace. The Bible says the king onomy 5:1-4. Is the law binding today? Matthew of Tyre built David a palace after he had conquered the 5:17-20; 1 John 3:22. Jebusite fortress and turned it into the City of David— comment: Christians are to be “doers of or Jerusalem (2 Samuel 5:11). “But when the Philistines the law” (Romans 2:13; see also James 1:22). The heard that they had anointed David king over Israel, Ten Commandments spoken at Mount Sinai are all the Philistines came up to seek David; and David binding today in both the letter and spiritual in- heard of it, and went down to the [strong]hold”—or, tent. The Old Testament preserves God’s law, as the fortress (verse 17). After reading this, Dr. Mazar well as many other principles and judgments that wondered, “Down from where? Presumably from Christians should still live by today. where he lived, his palace” (New York Times, Aug. 2. Why else was the history of ancient Israel 5, 2005). So she started digging immediately north preserved in the Old Testament? 1 Corinthians of the City of David, right at the top of Mount Zion. 10:11; Romans 15:4. This short study And after just one season of digging, she discovered comment: We are the people living in the final is a sample of the a massive wall, up to 10 feet wide in some places, and throes of man’s civilization! God preserved the history method employed running 100 feet in length, east to west. Subsequent of ancient Israel’s rebellion “for our admonition” so we in each lesson of discoveries within the palace area have added to the would learn lessons from it and not repeat the same the free Herbert proof that the structure is King David’s palace. mistakes. Only the Bible can teach us those lessons. W. Armstrong Skeptical of the Bible’s account, archeologists have 3. What did the Apostle Paul tell us about the College Bible long debated “to what extent Jerusalem was an impor- Scriptures? 2 Timothy 3:15-16. Correspondence tant city or even a city in the time of David and Samuel” comment: All Scripture, Paul wrote, was inspired Course. Over 50,000 (Times, op. cit.). Some scholars suggest that King Da- by God or, more correctly, “God-breathed.” When he people have enrolled vid and Solomon were nothing more than petty tribal recorded these words, the only “Scriptures” in exis- in this exciting, chieftains who ruled over an area comprising little more tence were the Old Testament. The New Testament was dynamic course. than a few scattered rural clans. The massive structure not completed. Paul taught that all Scripture is to be Ordering information found by Dr. Mazar refutes that view! used to establish doctrine, correct false beliefs or errant is on the back cover Most recently, Dr. Mazar discovered behavior, and instruct and train in righteousness! n of this magazine. King Solomon’s wall, mentioned in 1 Kings 3:1. The wall not only confirms the presence Request our free booklet The Ten Commandments August 2011 of Solomon in Jerusalem, it confirms the to learn more about how God’s laws apply today. THE PHILADELPHIA TRUMPET 29 origin of nations, part 6 Who Are the Slavs? The Russians are identified in the Bible as descendants of Meshech and Tubal, and the majority of them are Slavic. But what about the Slavs of Eastern and Central Europe? The answer illuminates a crucial end-time prophecy. By david vejil

astern Europe is one of the today reject the biblical record, they re- these peoples are little mentioned in the most dangerous geopolitical cross- main uncertain regarding the origins of Bible and in some cases were never heard roads on the globe. Since the times the Slavic people. of again, such as the family of Tiras. of the Roman Empire, civilizations The Encyclopedia Britannica, for ex- Other nations remained in the Middle andE empires have risen and fallen because ample, records that the original homeland East much longer, but then, after periods of the battles waged on the strip of land be- of the Slavs “was Asia, from which they of upheaval, left in waves of large migra- tween the Baltic, Adriatic and Black seas. migrated in the third or second millenni- tions. Many of those nations, including The Roman Empire succumbed to Ger- um bce to populate parts of Eastern the Israelites and Assyrians, trekked to manic invasions from this territory in the Europe” (Online Edition, emphasis add- distant lands. These larger and later mi- a.d. 400s. The Germanic kingdoms them- ed throughout). While there was an early grations are typically rejected by schol- selves were then overrun by hordes from settlement of Slavic people in Eastern ars, who prefer to believe these biblical the east, such as the Huns and Mongols. Europe, according to the encyclopedia, it peoples have remained in the Middle East Eventually Roman Catholic Habsburg wasn’t until the fifth and sixth centuries to this day. Yet at the same time—as the Austria gained power, but it was soon a.d. that the greater migration of Slavs Encyclopedia Britannica shows—large threatened by the Muslim Ottoman Turks came. These people “proceeded in the populations mysteriously pop up in dif- from the south. For centuries, the Turks Germans’ wake westward into the coun- ferent parts of the world at later times. But extended northwest from the Balkans un- try between the Oder and the Elbe-Saale certainly these populations couldn’t just til their decisive defeat in Vienna in 1683. line, southward into Bohemia, Moravia, spontaneously pop into existence! Then Orthodox Russia expanded Only when the biblical narra- from the east, and for more than Only when the biblical narrative is tive is accepted can one connect two centuries all three empires bat- the dots and understand: These tled it out in Eastern Europe. Cath- accepted can one connect the dots and large populations that spring up olic met Muslim met Orthodox. understand: These large populations in Eastern Europe are merely Even after the most destructive continuations of various migra- wars ever—World Wars i and ii— that spring up in Eastern Europe tions of people that started in the the main battleground between the are merely continuations of various Middle East centuries before! Soviet Union and the West was still The history of the Slavic peo- considered to be Eastern Europe, migrations of people that started in ple demonstrates this pattern. though war never did break out. the Middle East centuries before! The story begins in Asia as the Who are the people that live in encyclopedia states—specifical- this highly volatile area? Today they are Hungary, and the Balkans, and northward ly in the Middle East region of the Asian called the Slavs. They comprise the largest along the upper Dnieper River” (ibid). continent. ethnic body in Europe. This concise history of the origins of What does biblical prophecy say will the Slavic people is correct in the overall They Come From the Middle East happen to them? direction of their migration. It doesn’t ex- The greatest periods of upheaval in the In the last article in this series, the Rus- plain, however, from what part of Asia the Middle East, and therefore the start of sian people were identified by their bibli- migration began, and it dates the appear- many long migrations, were typically a re- cal ancestors, Meshech and Tubal. The ance of the Slavic people later than what sult of the destruction of one empire and Russians are a multiethnic people, and the was once known. the start of a new one. For example, the Slavs comprise their greatest ethnicity. So, The missing pieces and proper dating Assyrian Empire established itself by ruth- if the majority of the Russians are Slavic, can be put together through the use of an- lessly conquering neighboring people and and the majority of people inhabiting cient Greek and Roman sources. The story deporting them to other areas of its terri- Eastern and Central Europe are Slavic as of the Slavs’ migration starts in the Middle tory. It collapsed in 612 b.c. at the hands of well, why aren’t all these people identified East! a coalition of nations led by the Chaldeans by the same biblical names? For a few generations after the Noa- and an Iranian people called the Medes, The answer lies in a remarkable history chian Flood, the Middle East contained descendants of the biblical patriarch Ma- recorded by ancient historians. all families of the Earth. Eventually, dai. The Chaldeans set up an empire in though, many of these families—after Mesopotamia, while the Medes continued The Concise History having grown considerably in popula- to rule the territory of modern-day Iran 30 Because so many history sources tion—migrated out of the area. Many of and the areas surrounding the Caspian Sea. 400s B.C. to A.D. 500s While advanced colonies of the Medes and Elamites were already into the Balkans, where they were called migrating to Europe, they appeared by the exact same name by the Greeks. in mass starting in the 400s B.C. Remarkably, the Elamites can be found in Greek histories in Eastern Europe, 2 specifically in the Balkans! The Greeks observed a tribe of people living in the C a Balkans to the north of them called the s p ai Elimaei. These people were originally an B l a c k S e a n independent kingdom, but they were lat- S e a er conquered by the Macedonians in the fourth century b.c. This reference in history provides the Media origins of the many tribes that migrated 1 into Eastern Europe that were later called M e d i t e r r a n e a n S e a Slavs. The word Elimaei was the same Elam Greek name for the land near Babylon called “Elam.” 500s B.C. It is clear that many of the Slavs to- The Medes and Elamites begin day are the descendants of Elam and the R Migration e d S e a migrating to Europe in large numbers Medes. with the ascendancy of the Persians. Medes and Elamites Now in Europe! of the Slavs So tribes of Elamites and Medes were among the Sarmatians who migrated The Medes ruled their area in a loose So Roman and Greek historians record into Europe. The Sarmatians were found confederation with neighboring people, that the descendants of the Medes migrat- in southern European Russia all the way most notably the Persians. In 550 b.c., ed out of Asia from what is now Iran into to the Balkans as far back as Herodotus’s Cyrus led the Persians, another Iranian Europe—settling all over Eastern Europe, time, but the great migration of the Sar- people, in revolt against the Medes. After from modern-day Ukraine all the way to matian people into the area did not begin bringing their neighboring Medes under the Balkans! At Pliny’s time, the Medes until the start of the third century b.c., Persian rule, Cyrus conquered the Chal- began to be called Sarmatians. two centuries later. dean Empire and Asia Minor, establishing Encyclopedia Britannica also recogniz- By the first century a.d., the Romans the Persian Empire—sometimes called es the Sarmatians to be a people of Iranian were becoming more familiar with the peo- the Medo-Persian Empire after the close stock. So the descendants of the Medes, a ple of Eastern Europe, and the Sarmatian federation between the two tribes. dominant Iranian tribe, featured promi- people were called by specific tribal names At the establishment of the Persian nently in the Sarmatian tribes. such as the Venedi (or Veneti), Sclaveni and Empire, another period of migration be- The Medes are found in end-time Antes. Roman historian Tacitus records gan of people moving from the Middle prophecies in Jeremiah 25:25 and Isaiah 21. the strong link between the Slavic tribe East into Europe. Among them were the In both instances, they are spoken of along- Venedi and the Sarmatians, recording that Israelites, the Assyrians and the Medes. side another Iranian people, the Elamites. “the Venedians are a counterpart to the The Medes began sending colonies of Clearly then, the Medes were not the Sarmatians” and lived in similar ways. people into Europe shortly after the Per- only Iranian people found migrating from These tribes were later grouped to- sians gained power. the Middle East into Europe. gether as Slavs in the sixth century a.d., In the 400s b.c., Greek geographer when they finally came into prominence Herodotus recorded much of what was The Elamites in Eastern Europe after the Huns were de- known of the people within and sur- The ancient Elamites dwelled east of Baby- feated. Modern scholarship will say how rounding Greece. Of those living in East- lon in southern Mesopotamia, in modern- the Slavs “suddenly” appeared and con- ern Europe and southern Russia at the day Iran. According to Jewish historian quered Eastern Europe, but the previously time, he described a specific tribe dressed Josephus, it was from the Elamites that quoted sources show that they were liv- like the Medes that dwelled east all the the Persians originated. The Elamites were ing in Europe long before under different way to the Danube—a people whose “bor- closely associated with the Medes and names. It was only after the Romans, Ger- ders reach down almost to the Eneti upon were found in the mountains of Greater mans and Huns were pushed back that the the Adriatic Sea, and they call themselves Media—the northern region of Iran. Slavs were finally able to come to power. colonists of the Medes.” Genesis 14:1 shows that the Elamites al- The start of the great Sarmatian migra- Roman geographer Pliny confirms what ready had a history of moving toward Eu- tion coincides with an important date in Herodotus recorded. He wrote in the first rope more than a thousand years earlier, history that reveals the impetus behind century a.d. of the people who lived in what when they had conquered Asia Minor in a the movement of people at this time. That is now modern-day Ukraine: “We then confederation led by Assyria. From there, date was the destruction of the Persian come to the river Tanais [River Don], which a colony had moved further northwest Empire in 331 b.c. Just three decades later, discharges itself into the sea by two mouths, and the banks of which are inhabited by the You can read previous articles in this series online at August 2011 Sarmatæ, the descendants of the Medi.” T trmpt.co/origins. THE PHILADELPHIA TRUMPET 31 the allied people of the Persians—most recorded by the Greeks and Romans. prophesied in Isaiah 21:2, where they are prominently the Medes and Elamites but There can only be one conclusion: The allied together and attack the last resur- most likely other people as well—appear ancient Elamites, Medes and other associat- rection of the Holy Roman Empire, the north of the Black Sea in great numbers ed Iranian people migrated from the Mid- German-led European Union. When you as the Sarmatians and, later, as the Slavs. dle East into Europe, where they became combine this prophecy with the one in known first as Sarmatians and then Slavs! Revelation 17, which shows that the EU Hard to Swallow? The Slavs moved into Europe from will contract from its current 27 members Does this history seem hard to swallow? modern-day Iran through the Caucasus, to 10 national groupings, it becomes very Even Herodotus found it difficult. When the same territory the descendants of clear that some Eastern European nations talking of Medes’ migration into Eastern Meshech and Tubal had migrated and were will not be in the Union! Europe, he wrote, “[T]hey call themselves continuing to migrate through. Greek ge- Interestingly, in this prophecy as well colonists of the Medes, but how they can be ographer Strabo wrote that the Sarmatians as the one found in Jeremiah 25:25, the colonists of the Medes I for my part cannot dwelled in an area which extended “south Persians are nowhere to be found. If the imagine. Still nothing is impossible in the as far as the Caucasian Mountains,” which Medes and Elamites were still in modern- long lapse of ages.” George Rawlinson, an joined the Moschian Mountains. The day Iran as many believe, surely the Per- expert on ancient history and the transla- “plain of the Iberians is inhabited by peo- sians would have been listed in this proph- tor of Herodotus’s work used in this series, ple who … dress after both the Armenian ecy as well. However, as this prophecy commented that perhaps they “retained a and the Median fashion,” living like “the shows, the Elamites and Medes migrated better recollection than other European Sarmatians, of whom they are both neigh- out of Iran, while the Persians remained. tribes of their migrations westward.” bors and kinsmen,” he wrote. That is why Persia is not associated with Yes, these people did have a better As covered in a previous article, the de- them in biblical prophecy. memory of where they came from. And as scendants of Meshech and Tubal are now Elam is also mentioned by itself in a result, we know the origins of the Slavic known as the Russians. Strabo shows the a prophecy in Ezekiel 32. This chapter people! strong connection between the Russians contains end-time prophecies for several There are many scholars who do rec- and the other Slavic people as these peo- nations. Interestingly, Elam is spoken of ognize and assert the Iranian roots of the ple all migrated through the same areas in order between Germany (the modern- Slavic people, even though it is not gener- and around the same times. This is why day Assyrians) and Russia (modern-day ally accepted. A scholarly Croatian society the general classification of Slav includes Meshech and Tubal). This is perhaps an- called zdpph held a conference present- nearly all the people of Eastern Europe, other biblical confirmation of where to ing the research results of these scholars including those in the Balkans, Russia, find the descendants of Elam today: stuck in 1998. Among the research was genetic Poland and Ukraine. between the Germans and the Russians. evidence showing that in 75 percent (Request our free booklet Germany of cases, Croats were of Iranian ori- Eastern Europe will soon once and the Holy Roman Empire for proof gin. Results also included evidence that the Germans are the modern- of ancient Croatian names in an an- again become a bloody battlefield day Assyrians.) cient stone inscription of Darius and between world powers. And so the most numerous eth- in Greek inscriptions around the Sea nic and linguistic body of peoples in of Azov dating to the second and third The Slavic people spread east to the all Europe are divided between east and century b.c., precisely the time period the Ural Mountains and west all the way to the west—with the East Slavs, Russians, Ukrai- archeological record shows the great mi- Adriatic Sea and north of the Danube River nians and Belarusians in one camp, and gration of the Sarmatians occurred. in Eastern Europe, following the advanced Europe in the other. Most of the rest of the Other similarities are obvious. For colonies of their people that had migrated Slavic people look to a German-led Europe example, one of the major rivers that ran to the same locations years before. for their security. through Elam was called Croatis, virtually Though all labeled Slavic, these peo- Historically, the state of these nations the same term used for the Slavic people ples included several distinctly different doesn’t rest in their own hands, but rather called Croatians! Moreover, “the name groups. They created their own nations depends on what Russia and Germany of the Croatian capital, Zagreb, is related and ethnic types based largely on where decide to do. World Wars i and ii both to the Zagros mountain range of Iran. they finally settled and with whom. played out on these nations’ territories, The Dinara mountains in Dalmatia and It is clear from the histories shown that leaving much of their land destroyed and the dinar currency may be connected to the Ukrainian ethnic type—once known their populations brutalized. Mount Dinar (Dene) of Iran. The name as the Little Russians but classified with Today, Russia has regained much of the Serbia is similar to the Seropi or Surappi the Eastern Slav group today—descended stature it lost when the Soviet Union fell, River in Elam,” according to Dr. Samar from the Medes. Those Slavs further west and Germany is addressing global affairs Abbas (Jat Jyoti, November 2003). There in the Balkans north to Poland—classified on its own terms. Given the return to power was also a strong Iranian influence in the as South and West Slavs—have a stronger of both nations, those who live in between religion of the Slavs before they converted ancestry from Elam and possibly other the two juggernauts need to know, now to Christianity. Iranian tribes from the Middle East. more than ever, what the Bible prophesies These similarities don’t will happen next. Will history repeat itself? just apply to the Croats but The Slavs in Prophecy The answer is yes! Eastern Europe will other Slavic people as well, as The proximity and close association of soon once again become a bloody battle- shown by the ancient histories the descendants of these two peoples was field between these world powers! These powers will once again clash with warfare August 2011 To learn what lies in store, request our free more fierce and terrible than the previous 32 THE PHILADELPHIA TRUMPET booklet Russia and China in Prophecy. world wars combined! n principles of living Stephen flurry Six Days Shall You Labor Are you overlooking an important part of the Fourth Commandment?

ne way Christians keep the Sabbath day holy is by to be just like Him. God is a workman who is always on the resting on the seventh day of the week (Exodus 20:8). But job. That’s the way He wants us to be, both men and women. what are we resting from? Notice the other half of the Human nature wants to be lazy, but a true Christian ought Fourth Commandment: “Six days shalt thou labour, and to be a diligent, hard worker (1 Timothy 5:8). Hard work is one doO all thy work” (verse 9). God commands that we labor and do all of the evidences of a true Christian! In John 5:17, Christ said, our work in six days! This is not a suggestion, it is a command— “My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.” and it’s just as important as the Sabbath half of the command. In Paul writes in 1 Timothy 5:8, “But if any provide not for his fact, the harder we work, the more we will get out of the Sabbath. own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied God is a creator who works for a living, and His purpose the faith, and is worse than an infidel.” A man’s responsibility is to reproduce Himself through man. As God’s children, we is to provide for himself—and especially for those of his own must be willing to labor and work like the Father does. Les- house. Married women who are not employed outside the home son 55 of the Ambassador College Bible Correspondence Course should diligently apply this godly work ethic in the home. says, “The spirit or intent of this law shows that a man is nor- In 2 Thessalonians 3:10 we find the command that if any do mally expected to keep busily engaged in gainful work during not work, they should not eat. Under the inspiration of God, the first six days of the week.” Paul forbids Christians to be slothful (see also Romans 12:11). When Adam was first created, God placed him in the Garden Paul also said that hard work is the only sure—and godly— of Eden and commanded him “to dress it and to keep it” (Gen- way to avoid poverty (1 Thessalonians 4:11-12). esis 2:15). “Dress it” here also means to labor, to work; by impli- These scriptures show that it is not God’s will that we give cation, it means to serve as a bondman or to be a slave of labor. handouts to lazy dropouts or able-bodied persons who will In order for Adam to make bread, he had to till the ground, not work. If there are those who refuse to work, who are in- plant the seeds, and labor to bring them to harvest. After the dolent and lazy, others are expressly forbidden to give them harvest, there was still the milling, kneading and baking in- money or food or any kind of assistance which they otherwise volved to make the bread. could acquire on their own by working. God could have arranged some other, less labor-intensive If you don’t currently have a job, first, realize your primary way—where we were designed to live on air only or by eating the job is to get a job. Do not be lazy in your search. The corre- soil, like an earthworm. But He wanted us to work for our food! spondence course reads, “Get up early in the morning—consis- We must remember that there is nothing negative about tently—and start out either arranging interviews, or pounding God’s instruction. God commands men to work, and to work the pavement early every morning, and don’t quit until you’ve hard—but it is not some kind of punishment or sentence. put in a full day’s work looking for work!” (op. cit.). Submitting to this command actually makes man truly hap- Simply obtaining a job is not where exhibiting godly work py and content because it keeps us in a right relationship with ethic ends. As employees, we are responsible to God to work God. It keeps us active, working and producing—just like God! hard, not just to our physical boss (Colossians 3:22; Ephesians Even when God rained manna from heaven directly into 6:5-6). A good employee constantly feels pressure from Christ the Israelites’ camp, it wasn’t as easy as picking up bread off (Colossians 3:23). Verse 24 indicates even the service we give our the ground and eating it. It came in the form of tiny seeds, and physical bosses is to be considered as service rendered to God. they had to go out and gather it every day, grind it in mills, beat Ecclesiastes 9:10 adds, “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to it into dough, and bake it in pans to make cakes (Exodus 16). do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor They weren’t allowed to store up large quantities and make knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.” a bunch of bread all at once; God specifically commanded That doesn’t say “whatever you are good at” or “whatever you them to gather a certain amount every day except Friday, like to do”—it says “whatsoever your hand finds to do ….” Not when they were to gather enough for the Sabbath day as well being good at something is no excuse for laziness—it actually (verses 16-19). If they tried to keep it overnight on any other means you must push yourself harder because of it. day, the manna would spoil. It was a test commandment, God In John 9:4, Christ says, “I must work the works of him that said, and notice what part of the test they failed: “Notwith- sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can standing they hearkened not unto Moses; but some of them work.” Time is short before Christ returns. But instead of that be- left of it until the morning, and it bred worms, and stank: and ing a hindrance to our work, it ought to prod us to work harder! Moses was wroth with them” (verse 20). In Matthew 24:46, Christ says His faithful servants will be They wanted to make extra so that they wouldn’t have to the ones who are found working and building right up until work the next day! Failing the test involved their refusal to His arrival! God doesn’t want us to just sit around and wait work on the other six days! for His return. He wants us to continue working and The Bible has about 900 references to employment and work building—both physically and spiritually. habits. It is God’s nature to work diligently, and He wants us That is the way of a true Christian! n 33 letters were talking about Aus- Lying European leaders tralia! (“Twisters, Floods, Being an expat of Ireland, it’s been dif- The royal wedding Drought—What’s Wrong ficult to watch the demise of my old sod Thank you for speaking the With the Weather?” July). As (“Lying Wonders,” July). Germany hung truth from the Bible so bold- horrifying as these weather the carrot of the “Celtic Tiger” (money ly and so clearly (“The Most patterns can be, it’s a little and affluence) in front of the Irish na- Inspiring Part of the Royal bit “nice” to know that we’re tion, and they willingly grabbed it with Wedding,” July). This is not the only ones. Thanks both hands, along with the Lisbon Treaty, inspiring and only a living, for explaining so clearly and now they pay the piper. … Thank loving God can keep this what the experts are at a loss God you write the truth so as to educate truth alive for His people to articulate. at least some of the readers. People are so through millennia. E.M.—Australia burdened with the financial hardships Kevin—Zimbabwe here that not enough people are paying Yes—we’ve noticed! attention to what is going on right under I read your article about the royal wedding I just want to say you are right (“Have our very eyes. Gerry—California and God’s work in it with full amazement You Noticed? The Nations Are Shaking,” (“Did You See God at the Royal Wed- July). I have been observing the news ev- Thank you for this very accurate analysis ding?” July). I agree with you in every sen- ery day recently. The pages of revelation of the EU elites. You have it exactly right. tence that many including the royal family are coming to life every day. Keep up the Our political and economic leaders, espe- might not believe that the wedding was the work. God bless. cially on the EU level, are liars and losers. reminder of God’s power and His wisdom. Eric R. Beardy—York Landing, Man. The entire EU is corrupt and rotten. Its And that it sent messages about God’s law leaders have no morals and their Christi- and that if we truly obey it there will be no The nations are certainly being shaken anity is faked—a counterfeit Christianity broken marriages. The articles about the as never before, and there is much more which is again only a lie. No wonder that royal wedding have truly freshened my shaking to come. The first four months a Jesuit-trained Italian will now become faith and given me joy. It is also very mo- of 2011 have been unbelievable. I can only the next president of the European Central tivating to me as a Christian who comes imagine what the remainder of the year Bank. They worship the dragon, and they from a predominantly Muslim country, will bring. Thankfully there is a source will reap what they have sown. It is regret- Indonesia, to know there are still people that explains it all and talks about the won- table that we Europeans have to endure like you who respect the Word of God, and derful things to follow all of the turmoil! and finance this rotten system. But Jesus still remind people about His existence Lorraine—United States will return soon and the truth will make even though you know very well those us free. Thomas Pfefferle—Germany people who live in your modern country Wow, thanks for removing the salve out do not believe in God anymore. I hope the of my eyes. Why is it that the major news I’ll have to read it again royal family reads your articles so they are agencies that are always in search of the I have read The United States and Britain reminded of their role to keep God’s Word “big story,” haven’t realized that the times in Prophecy, and just reading this article in their life. L. Zai—Indonesia that we are living in are vastly different has made me want to immerse myself in in the measure of evilness and intensity that book yet again (“Imperial Britain What an inspiring and endearing article! and frequency of global events? The big Was a Blessing, Not a Curse,” July). What We went down to London for the wed- picture is the big story. a beautiful and moving truth! God’s end- ding and the atmosphere was wonder- Maria Petruzzi—New York time work is truly amazing. ful. (We weren’t present in the abbey, David L. Cintron—New York of course!) People were smiling at each The list grows daily! Killer storms are other and talking in a friendly manner, striking at the heartland and the Bible belt Good, well-written article. Unfortunately even though we were strangers to each of America—destroying church buildings we get the leftist version on the history of other and in a major city. I do feel God’s and killing dozens. People wonder why— the British Empire from bbc here in Eng- Spirit was present. It is interesting when why my church? Why are people whom I land. White slavery—when thousands you mentioned the sun shining as the know and love—who are real good Chris- of Europeans were captured by Muslim royal bride arrived. When we attended tians—suffering? Where is God in all of Barbary slave traders between 1620 and the Golden Jubilee in 2002, the sun broke this? Well, He is shaking the nations like 1750—is never mentioned. through the clouds just as Queen Eliza- an unhappy father who is trying to get the Ian Reygan—England beth, in her golden coach, passed through attention of his children. A parent must the gates of Buckingham Palace onto first gain the attention of the child before I prize your booklets the Mall. Thank you for such a beautiful he can train him. Are we letting God get I have been a long-time follower of the article. our attention? Do we see ourselves as pcg after I read Herbert Armstrong’s Cheryl Shevlane—England those unruly children? What does it take? masterpiece, Mystery of the Ages. The If God is shaking us, should we not look more I see happening, the more I worry What’s wrong with the weather? within ourselves and allow ourselves to be about our planet. I have read many of the If I were the type to briefly glance over corrected by all of God’s Word and stop pcg booklets and they are prized posses- the article without paying particularly cherry-picking the scriptures that make us sions in my library. I grew up Catholic close attention, I’d have thought you feel good? Nohopeusa—United States and it has inspired my faith, but the pcg has solidified my faith and gives me the August 2011 Comments? Write to [email protected] or: answers I need. Keep up the good work. 34 THE PHILADELPHIA TRUMPET The Trumpet, P.O. Box 1099, Edmond, OK 73003 Chet Nichols commentary Stephen flurry When Will the World End? No man knows the day or hour, but we can know when it is near.

sensationalist news story swept the nation this men say about past spring when preacher Harold Camping proclaimed Christ or His re- that May 21 would commence the rapture of true believ- turn. It’s what the ers and set off the beginning of the end of the world. His Bible says that followersA abandoned their careers and sold all their earthly be- matters. longings in preparation, while scoffers held “end of the world” Notice verse 26: parties as the declared deadline came and went without incident. “Wherefore if they According to Camping, “God’s wrath was supposed to begin shall say unto you, in New Zealand and then race across the globe, leaving millions Behold, he is in of bodies wherever the clock struck 6 p.m.,” the Los Angeles Times the desert; go not wrote. “But the hours ticked by, and New Zealand survived. Time forth: behold, he is zone by time zone, the apocalypse failed to materialize” (May 22). in the secret cham- Camping made a similar prediction in 1994, but it received little bers; believe it not.” Some people today believe Christ is already publicity and was hardly the media furor that erupted this year. here—that He returned secretly. Others, like Camping’s follow- This time, the story headlined newspapers around the globe. Why? ers, believe in a secret rapture, when true believers are whisked Well, have a look at our world. It’s plagued with wars and ru- away secretly while everyone else is left behind to suffer through mors of wars. The Middle East is in turmoil, Western nations are the plagues of the Great Tribulation. in the throes of massive debt crises and the entire globe is being Jesus said don’t you believe it! When He comes, as it says in pummeled in an unprecedented wave of natural disasters. “His- Revelation 1:7, every eye shall see Him! Matthew continued, “For tory making” and “record breaking” seem like commonplace as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the phrases these days. west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be” (verse 27). In a world spinning further and further out of control, per- In Mark’s Gospel, we are admonished to learn the parable of haps the idea of “the end of the world”—or that people would the fig tree—in that when it brings forth leaves, you know sum- look for a way off this sinking ship—isn’t so crazy after all. mer is near. “So ye in like manner, when ye shall see these things Critics of Mr. Camping have rightfully pointed to Matthew come to pass, know that it is nigh, even at the doors” (Mark 13:29). 25:13, where it says we cannot know the exact day or hour of No man can know the day or the hour. But we can know—we will Christ’s return—only the Father knows that. But does this mean know—when it is near, if we are prayerfully watching world events. we should ignore Bible prophecy altogether and just focus on “Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time principles of Christian living, is” (verse 33). Because we don’t know the day or hour, don’t bother In a world spinning simply because of the failed pre- watching. That’s what men say. God says it’s precisely because we diction of a man? don’t know the day or hour that we watch and pray! Bring God further and further In Matthew 24:3, Christ’s dis- into your watching, in other words. out of control, ciples asked Him for signs of His “Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the coming and of the “end of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, perhaps the idea world”—meaning the end of the or in the morning: Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping” of “the end of the age of man’s rule over man. The (verses 35-36). The word watch means to be awake, vigilant! It disciples understood that Jesus means to pay attention and be active. world” isn’t so was about to leave for heaven. How could we do this without a proper grasp of prophetic crazy after all. They also knew He would come events? Why would Jesus give so many different signs pointing to again, as He promised in John His return if He didn’t intend for us to balance our spiritual diets 14:3, to establish the Kingdom of God on Earth, headquartered in with a healthy portion of biblical prophecy? Jerusalem. They just didn’t yet know all the details of the events No one needs to be confused or in doubt about the chronology leading up to His return—so they asked Him for signs. of end-time events: It is clearly spelled out for those who are will- Notice! Jesus didn’t ridicule them for asking about the end of ing to let the Bible interpret itself (2 Peter 1:19-21). the world, like so many theologians undoubtedly would today. God doesn’t want us to stop doing the work so we can set Instead, He gave them specific signs pointing to His return! He dates. But neither does He want us to ignore prophecy or say in warned about widespread religious deception first—people who our hearts, “My lord delayeth his coming” (Matthew 24:48). would come preaching that Jesus is Christ and would deceive The pace of prophetic events marches on inexorably and with- many with that message. out delay. Mankind’s experiment with self-government is about “Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or over. How do we know? Because the events Jesus Himself proph- there; believe it not,” He said in verse 23 of Matthew 24. This esied to be a sign of the end of the age and His soon- statement alone reveals how confused religious leaders are about coming return are now coming to pass—exactly as He where Christ is. The Bible warns against blindly accepting what said they would. n 35 ➤ Best seller from page 27 television log always went to Scripture for the answer. He was known to ask: “Have you not read?” (see Matthew 12:3, 5; 19:4; 21:16, 42; 22:31). If you truly want to understand the Bi- ble, you will have to work at it. In fact, there may be times when you will have to wrestle with the Bible to understand it. If you are not living by all of the Ten Command- ments, you will have to make some changes All times are a.m. local time unless otherwise noted. in your life. This will not be easy because the majority of people really do not want United States DT/WTLH-DT 9:30, Sun Lansing WLAJ-DT 9:30, Sun to know what the Bible says and requires. Nationwide Satellite Galaxy 3 Tampa WXPX 6:00, Fri; Marquette WBKP 9:30, Sun Herbert W. Armstrong College Chan- Trans. 21 11:30 ET, Tue/Thu WTTA 8:30 am, Sun Traverse City-Cadillac WGTU- cellor Gerald Flurry recently discussed Galaxy 5 Trans. 7 8:00 ET West Palm Beach WPXP 6:00, Fri DT/WGTQ-DT 9:30, Sun Direct TV DBS WGN Chan. 307 Georgia, Albany WBSK 9:30, Sun Minnesota, Duluth-Superi- the importance of the Bible as the foun- 8:00 ET, Sun Augusta WAGT-DT 9:30, Sun or WDLH 8:30, Sun dation for true education. Using an article Direct TV DBS ioN Ch. 305 6:00 Brunswick WPXC 6:00, Fri Mankato kWYE 8:30, Sun from the religion section of the Dec. 27, ET, Fri Columbus WLGA 9:30, Sun Minneapolis kpXM 5:00, Fri 1982, Newsweek, he mentioned to the 2011 Dish Network ioN Ch. 216 6:00 Macon WBMN 9:30, Sun Rochester-Austin kttc-DC ET, Fri Savannah WGSA/WGCW-LP 8:30, Sun graduating class that historians recognize Dish Network DBS WGN Chan. 9:30, Sun Sioux Fall (Mitchell) kWSD/ that the Bible—even more than the Con- 239 8:00 ET, Sun Hawaii, Hawaii Na Leo chan. 54 KSWD-DT 8:30, Sun stitution—was the founding document Nationwide cable WGN 8:00 6:30, Sun; 8:30, Wed Mississippi, Biloxi WBGP 8:30, for the establishment of the United States ET, Sun Kaui Ho’ Ike chan. 52 9:30, Tue Sun of America. That Newsweek article said, Alabama, Birmingham WPXH Maui/Lanaii/Molokai/Niihau/ Columbus WCBI-DT 8:30, Sun 5:00, Fri Akaku Greenville WBWD 8:30, Sun “There were times, too, when Bible study Dothan WTVY-DT 8:30, Sun Chan. 52 6:30 pm, Sun; 3:30, Mon Greenwood WBWD 8:30, Sun was the core of public education and near- Montgomery WBMM/WBMM-DT Idaho, Idaho Falls kpiF/KBEO Gulfport WBGP 8:30, Sun ly every literate family not only owned a 8:30, Sun 10:30, Sun Hattiesburg WBH 8:30, Sun Bible but read it regularly and reverently.” Alaska, Anchorage kiMO-DT Pocatello kpiF 10:30, Sun Laurel WBH 8:30, Sun 8:30, Sun Twin Falls kMVT-DT/KTWT-LP Meridian WTOK-DT 8:30, Sun Mr. Flurry then stated: “And so you would Fairbanks katN-DT 8:30, Sun 10:30, Sun Tupelo WCBI-DT 8:30, Sun think that we would be doing some of that Juneau kJUD-DT 8:30, Sun Illinois, Bloomington WHOI-DT West Point WCBI-DT 8:30, Sun today, but what a change we have seen in Phoenix kppX 5:00, Fri 8:30, Sun Missouri, Columbia koMU-DT our nation today.” Quoting again from the Arizona, Yuma-El Centro kSWT- Chicago WCIU 9:30, Sun; WCPX 8:30, Sun Newsweek article, he read: “Despite this DT 9:30, Sun 5:00, Fri Hannibal WGEM-DT 8:30, Sun Arkansas, Fayetteville kWFT Peoria WHOI-DT 8:30, Sun Jefferson City koMU-DT 8:30, Sun publishing phenomenon, the Bible has 8:30, Sun Rockford WREX-DT 8:30, Sun Joplin-Pittsburg KSXF 8:30, Sun virtually disappeared from American ed- Fort Smith kcWA 8:30, Sun Indiana, Fort Wayne WPTA-DT 21.2 Kansas City kpXE 5:00, Fri ucation.” “It’s virtually disappeared!” Mr. Jonesboro kJOS 8:30, Sun 9:30, Sun Quincy-Keokuk WGEM-DT 8:30, Flurry repeated with emphasis. He then Rogers kWFT 8:30, Sun Indianapolis WIPX 6:00, Fri Sun Springdale kWFT 8:30, Sun Terre Haute WBI 8:30, Sun St. Joseph WBJO 8:30, Sun showed that an individual cannot truly be California, Bakersfield kGET-DT Iowa, Austin kttc-DT 8:30, Sun Montana, Billings ktVQ-DT 8:30, well educated without the Bible. He read a 9:30, Sun Cedar Rapids kpXR 5:00, Fri Sun quote by one of America’s greatest presi- Chico kHSL-DT 9:30, Sun Des Moines kFPX 5:00, Fri Bozeman-Butte kBZK-DT/KXLF- dents, Theodore Roosevelt, who said, “A El Centro kWUB 9:30, Sun Keokuk WEWB 8:30, Sun DT 10:30, Sun thorough knowledge of the Bible is better Eureka kUVU-DT 9:30, Sun Kirksville kWOT 8:30, Sun Glendive kWZB 10:30, Sun Los Angeles kpXN 6:00, Fri Mason City kttc-DT 8:30, Sun Great Falls krtV-DT 10:30, Sun than a college education.” Monterey kMWB 9:30, Sun Ottumwa kWOT 8:30, Sun Helena kMTF-DT 10:30, Sun Herbert W. Armstrong College is a lib- Palm Springs keSQ/KCWQ-DT Mason City kttc-DT 8:30, Sun Missoula kpaX-DT 10:30, Sun eral arts college, not just a Bible school. 9:30, Sun Sioux City ktiV-DT 8:30, Sun Nebraska, Lincoln-Hastings Yet the Bible is the foundation of all of Redding kHSL-DT 9:30, Sun Kansas, Topeka kSNT 8:30, Sun KCWL-TV 8:30, Sun Sacramento kSPX 6:00, Fri Kentucky, Bowling Green WBKO Kearney kcWL-TV 8:30, Sun our education whether it be agriculture, Salinas kioN 9:30, Sun 8:30, Sun North Platte kWPL 8:30, Sun art, dance, language, literature, math, San Francisco kkpX 6:00, Fri Lexington WUPX 6:00, Fri Scottsbluff kcHW 10:30, Sun music or science. College faculty help our Santa Barbara kSBY-DT 9:30, Sun Louisiana, Alexandria kBCA Nevada, Reno kreN/KREN-DT students build their life around reading, Colorado, Denver kpXC 5:00, Fri 8:30, Sun 9:30, Sun studying and knowing the Bible. Grand Junction kkco-DT 10:30, El Dorado-Monroe kNOE-DT New York, Albany WYPX 6:00, Fri Sun 8:30, Sun Binghamton WBXI 9:30, Sun Armstrong College is pleased to offer Montrose kkco-DT 10:30, Sun Lafayette klWB 8:30, Sun Buffalo WPXJ 6:00, Fri; WUTV you, without cost, a 37-lesson Bible corre- Connecticut, Hartford WHPX Lake Charles WBLC 8:30, Sun 10:00, Sun spondence course. If you study this course 6:00, Fri New Orleans WPXL 5:00, Fri Elmira WBE 9:30, Sun with an open mind and a willingness to Delaware, Dover WBD 9:30, Sun Maine, Bangor WABI-DT 9:30, Sun New York City WPXN 6:00, Fri; Salisbury WMDT-DT 9:30, Sun Presque Isle WBPQ 9:30, Sun WLNY 10:00 Sun change your life where required, the Bible Florida, Gainesville WCJB-DT Maryland, Salisbury WBD 9:30, Sun Syracuse WSPX 6:00, Fri will come alive for you as it never has be- 9:30, Sun Massachusetts, Holyoke WBQT Utica WBU 9:30, Sun fore. You will understand God’s truth, and Jacksonville WPXC/WPXJ-LP 9:30, Sun Watertown WWTI-DT 9:30, Sun the Bible will become a book that you will 6:00, Fri Springfield WBQT 9:30, Sun North Carolina, Durham WRPX love to read. n Miami WPXM 6:00, Fri Michigan, Alpena WBAE 9:30, Sun 6:00, Fri; 9:00 am, Sun Orlando WOPX 6:00, Fri Cadillac WGTU/WGTQ 9:30, Sun Fayetteville WFPX 6:00, Fri Panama City WJHG-DT 8:30, Sun Detroit WPXD 6:00, Fri; WADL Greensboro WGPX 6:00, Fri August 2011 Tallahassee WTXL 7:30, Sun 10:00, Sun Greenville WEPX 6:00, Fri; WNCT- 36 THE PHILADELPHIA TRUMPET Tallahassee-Thomasville WTLF- Grand Rapids WZPX 5:00, Fri DT 9:30, Sun Philadelphia Trumpet editor in chief Gerald Flurry appears each week on The Key of David explaining the meaning behind world events and teaching the inspiring truths of the Bible. The program is also available at keyofdavid.com. The Key of David is now available to 110 million homes throughout Europe and the Middle East via CNBC at 11 a.m. Central European Time.

Ontario, Toronto Lumber Bridge WFPX 6:00, Fri Laredo ktXW 8:30, Sun Europe/Middle EAst WADL 10:00 Sun; CHNU 8:30 pm, Sun; New Bern WNCT-DT 9:30, Sun Longview kceB 8:30, Sun Pan-European satellite Astra 1L (free WUTV 10:00, Sun Raleigh WRPX 6:00, Fri; 9:00 am, Sun Lubbock klcW 8:30, Sun to air) 19.2ºE transponder 26 11.597V Quebec, Montreal WVNY 10:00, Sun Washington WNCT-DT 9:30, Sun Midland kWWT 8:30, Sun 220000 (DVB); Astra 1KR 19.2ºE tran- Wilmington WBW 9:30, Sun Odessa kWWT 8:30, Sun sponder 50 10.729V (analogue) 11 am Central European Time, Sun North Dakota, Bismarck kWMK 10:30, Port Arthur kFDM 8:30, Sun Latin America Sun San Angelo kWSA 8:30, Sun Belgium tV Vlaanderem channel 62 11:00 Regional satellite Galaxy 3 Trans. 21 11:30 kWMK 10:30, Sun kpXL 5:00, Fri am, Sun Dickinson San Antonio ET, Tue/Thu Fargo WDAY-DT 8:30, Sun Sherman-Ada kteN-DT 8:30, Sun Germany KDG channel 840 11:00 am, El Salvador WGN 6:00, Sun Minot kWMK 10:30, Sun Sweetwater ktWS-DT 8:30, Sun Sun; TalkTalk TV channel 510 11:00 Guatemala WGN 6:00, Sun Valley City WDAY-DT 8:30, Sun Tyler kceB 8:30, Sun am, Sun Honduras WGN 6:00, Sun Ohio, Cleveland WVPX 6:00, Fri Victoria kWVB 8:30, Sun Ireland Sky channel 505 10:00 am, Sun; Mexico WGN 7:00, Sun Cincinnati WSTR 8:30, Sun Weslaco kSFE-LP/KTIZ-LP 8:30, Sun UPC channel 204; 10:00 am, Sun Panama WGN 7:00, Sun Lima WLIO-DT 9:30, Sun Wichita Falls kaUZ-DT 8:30, Sun Italy Sky Italia channel 518 11:00 am, Sun; Steubenville WBWO 9:30, Sun Utah, Salt Lake City kUPX 5:00, Fri Tiscali TV channel 518 11:00 am, Sun Zanesville WBZV 9:30, Sun Vermont, Burlington WVNY 10:00, Sun Mediterranean Oklahoma, Ada kSHD 8:30, Sun Virginia, Charlottesville WVIR-DT 9:30, Eurobirdi 11261 H 232516 E-FTA Caribbean Lawton kaUZ 8:30, Sun Sun 11:00 am Central European Time Regional satellite Oklahoma City kopX 5:00, Fri Harrisonburg WVIR-DT 9:30, Sun Middle East eurobirdi 11261 H 232516 E-FTA Galaxy 3 Trans. 21 11:30 ET, Tue/Thu Tulsa ktpX 5:00, Fri Norfolk WPXV 6:00, Fri 11:00 am Central European Time, Sun Galaxy 5 Trans. 7 8:00 ET, Sun Oregon, Bend ktVZ-DT 9:30, Sun Roanoke WPXR 6:00, Fri Netherlands Ziggio channel 505 11:00 Aruba WGN 8:00, Sun Klamath Falls kMFD 9:30, Sun Washington D.C. WDCW 8:00, Sun; WPXW am, Sun Bahamas WGN 8:00, Sun Medford kMFD 9:30, Sun 6:00, Fri Poland cyfra+ channel 105 11:00 am, Sun Belize WGN 7:00, Sun Portland kpXG 6:00, Fri Washington, Kennewick kcWK 9:30, Sun Portugal ZonTVCabo channel 210 11:00 Cuba WGN 8:00, Sun Pennsylvania, Erie WBEP 9:30, Sun Richland kcWK 9:30, Sun am Central European Time, Sun Dominican Republic WGN 8:00, Sun Philadelphia WPPX 6:00, Fri Seattle-Tacoma kWPX 6:00, Fri Romania UPC channel 146 12:00 am, Sun Haiti WGN 7:00, Sun WGN 9:00, Sun Wilkes Barre WQPX 6:00, Fri Seattle kcpQ 7:00, Sun; KVOS 8:30, Sun Spain Hispastat 1.092V 11:00 am, Sun Jamaica Rhode Island, Providence WPXQ 6:00, Fri Spokane kGPX 6:00, Fri Switzerland Nakoo channel 63; Cablecom Puerto Rico WGN 8:00, Sun South Carolina, Charleston WCBD-DT Yakima-Pasco-Richland-Kennewick channel 151 11:00 am, Sun Trinidad and Tobago WGN 8:00, Sun 9:30, Sun KCWK/KCWK-LP 9:30, Sun United Kingdom Sky: Channel 505 10:00 Florence WWMB/WWMB-DT 9:30, Sun West Virginia, Beckley kVVA-DT 9:30, Sun am, Sun; Freestat channel 210 10:00 NEW TELEVISION PROGRAM Myrtle Beach WWMB/WWMB-DT 9:30, Bluefield kVVA-DT 9:30, Sun am, Sun; Virgin Media channel 613 Sun Charleston WLPX 6:00, Fri 10:00 am, Sun the daily South Dakota, Mitchell kWSD 8:30, Sun Clarksburg WVFX-DT 9:30, Sun TRUMPET Rapid City kWBH-LP 10:30, Sun Oak Hill kVVA-DT 9:30, Sun Canada With a new program every day, Sioux Falls kWSD 8:30, Sun Parkersburg WBPB 9:30, Sun Nationwide satellite The Trumpet Daily will help you get to Tennessee, Jackson WBJK 8:30, Sun Weston WVFX-DT 9:30, Sun Galaxy 3 Trans. 21 11:30 ET, Tue/Thu know your Bible like never before! Knoxville WPXK 6:00, Fri Wheeling WBWO 9:30, Sun Galaxy 5 Trans. 7 8:00 ET, Sun Available nationwide on cable via: Memphis WPXX 5:00, Fri Wisconsin, Eau Claire WQOW-DT/WXOW- Nationwide cable CW-Plus Tues.-Sat., 5:30 a.m. ET/PT Nashville WNPX 5:00, Fri DT 8:30, Sun WGN 8:00 ET, Sun; Vision TV 4:30 pm GSN Mon.–Frid., 6:30 a.m. ET Texas, Abilene ktWS-DT 8:30, Sun La Crosse WQOW/WXOW 8:30, Sun ET, Sun Arillo kVII-DT/KVIH/KVIH-DT 8:30, Sun Milwaukee WPXE 5:00, Fri Grace Television Network 11:00 ET, Sun. Also available in Chicago: Beaumont kFDM-DT 8:30, Sun Rhinelander WAOW/WYOW 8:30, Sun British Columbia, Vancouver The U Too Mon.–Fri., 7:00 a.m. Brownsville kSFE-LP/KTIZ-LP 8:30, Sun Wausau WAOW-DT/WYOW-DT 8:30, Sun KVOS 8:30, Sun; CHEK 9:00 Sun; CHNU You can also view the program online at Corpus Christi kriS-DT 8:30, Sun Wyoming, Casper 10:30, Sun 5:30 pm, Sun theTrumpetDaily.com, or via YouTube at Harlingen kSFE-LP/KTIZ-LP 8:30, Sun Cheyenne kcHW 10:30, Sun Victoria cHNU 5:30 pm, Sun youtube.com/theTrumpetDaily Houston kpXB 5:00, Fri Riverton 10:30, Sun Maritime Provinces ciHF 7:30, Sun

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Staff Publisher and Editor in Chief Gerald Flurry The Philadelphia Trumpet (issn 10706348) is published monthly Contact us Please notify us of any change in your address; include your old mailing label Executive Editor News Editor (except bimonthly May-June and November-December issues) by the and the new address. The publishers assume no responsibility for return of unsolicited Stephen Flurry Ron Philadelphia Church of God, 14400 S. Bryant Ave, Edmond, ok 73034. artwork, photographs or manuscripts. The editor reserves the right to use any letters, Fraser Managing Editor Joel Hilliker Contributing Periodicals postage paid at Edmond, ok, and additional mailing offices. in whole or in part, as he deems in the public interest, and to edit any letter for clarity Editors Brad Macdonald, Robert Morley Associate Postmaster: Send address changes to: the philadelphia trumpet, or space. Website www.theTrumpet.com E-mail [email protected]; subscription or Editor Donna Grieves Contributors Jeremiah Jacques, p.o. Box 3700, Edmond, ok 73083. ©2011 Philadelphia Church of God. literature requests [email protected] Phone U.S., Canada: 1-800-772-8577; Austra- Production Manager All rights reserved. printed in the u.s.a. Unless otherwise noted, lia: 1-800-22-333-0; New Zealand: 0-800-500-512. Contributions, letters or requests may Richard Palmer, David Vejil Mi- scriptures are quoted from the King James Version of the Holy Bible. be sent to our office nearest you: United States p.o. Box 3700, Edmond, ok 73083 Canada chael Dattolo Copy Editor Philip Nice Research Assis- U.S. How your subscription has been paid: The Trumpet has no subscrip- p.o. Box 400, Campbellville, on l0p 1b0. Caribbean p.o. Box 2237, Chaguanas, Trinidad, tant Adar Nice Image Researcher Aubrey Mercado tion price—it is free. This is made possible by the tithes and offerings w.i. Britain, Europe, Middle East p.o. Box 900, Northampton, nn5 9al, England Africa p.o. Circulation Shane Granger International Editions Edi- of the membership of the Philadelphia Church of God and others. Box 2969, Durbanville, 7551, South Africa Australia, Pacific Isles, India, Sri Lanka p.o. Box Contributions, however, are welcomed and are tax-deductible in the 375, Narellan, nsw 2567, Australia New Zealand p.o. Box 6088, Glenview, Hamilton, 3246 tor Wik Heerma French, Italian Deryle Hope German United States, Canada and New Zealand. Those who wish to voluntarily Philippines p.o. Box 52143, Angeles City Post Office, 2009 Pampanga Hans Schmidl Spanish Edition Editor Carlos Heyer support this worldwide work of God are gladly welcomed as co-workers. Latin America Attn: Spanish Department, p.o. Box 3700, Edmond, ok 73083, U.S. id you ever ask yourself: Who am I? What am I? Fourth in line of the not-understood mysteries is the civili- D Why am I? zation that has developed in man’s world. How did man’s world Your life is engulfed in mysteries. When you reflect, your develop? Why do we find a world of awesome advancement very existence is a mystery. Did you simply happen by un- and progress, yet paradoxically with appalling and mounting intelligent resident earthly forces without meaning or pur- evils? Why cannot the minds that develop spacecraft, com- pose, or were you intelligently designed and created by an puters and marvels of science, technology and industry solve all-powerful God of supreme mind for a purpose that also the problems that demonstrate human helplessness? has been hidden in mystery? Next in the development of human society on Earth is Who and what is God? That is a mystery not understood the mystery of the Jew and the ancient nation of Israel. Why by any religion, not explained by science, untaught by higher are they God’s “chosen people”? Are they God’s favorites? education. God reveals Himself in His Word, the Holy Bible, Does God discriminate against other nations? What is Is- yet almost none has understood it. The Bible itself is the basic rael’s purpose in the divine order of things? mystery that reveals all other mysteries. Come now to the mystery of the Church. Why should If the truth about God is mystery number one revealed there be the institution of the Church in the world? Is there in the Bible, assuredly the truth about angels and evil spirits some purpose for it, not understood even by the religion of is second in order. Did God create a devil? If there are holy traditional Christianity? angels, what is their purpose and function? Do evil spirits Finally, why the mystery of the Kingdom of God? Jesus’s affect and influence humans and even governments today? gospel message was “the Kingdom of God.” Is the Kingdom of Do evil spirits affect even your own life? This question seems God something within each person? Is it the institution of the enveloped in total mystery. Church? Why this mystery of the very gospel of Jesus Christ? Certainly third in order is the mystery of your own life— These are the seven great mysteries that concern the lives of humanity as a whole. What and why is humanity? Is man of every human being on Earth. The plain an immortal soul? Do the dead know what the living are do- truth of all these mysteries is revealed in Her- ing? Is there meaning and purpose to human life? Did we bert W. Armstrong’s master work, Mystery of evolve through unintelligent material forces without mean- the Ages. Read by over 1 million, a free copy ing or purpose? Why are humans beset with seemingly un- is reserved for you—without obligation or solvable problems? follow-up. Request your free copy of Mystery of the Ages today!

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