How Not to Have a Nuke-Free World

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Save How Not to Have Solving Your the Health Marriage! a Nuke-Free World Care Crisis May/June 2010 The Philadelphia www.thetrumpet.com Trumpet The Real Scandal The Vatican contents May/June 2010 Vol. 21, No. 5 Circ. 269,615

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1 8 29 Departments world 311 11 from the editor 61 Is There Any Worse Beware! The Vatican The Real Vatican Time the Health Care Bill Will Retaliate Scandal Could Become Law? 331 Muslims March, Europeans Chafe 21 The Ratlines 121 How Not to Have a World economy 161 worldwatch Without Nukes 51 An Uncomfortable Fact About Oil 341 letters 141 Want a Nuclear-Free World?

351 commentary 201 Who’s Insulting Whom? living Solving the 221 Once Again, It’s All About Jerusalem 81 Save Your Marriage! Health Care Crisis 231 How Russia Outmaneuvered 361 television Log America society The Key of David 10 1 When Families Disappear 241 We Were Wrong— Germany Is Taking Over religion

291 Is the Vatican a Bastion 261 Did Christ Abolish the Sabbath? of Family Values?

For a free subscription in the U.S. and Canada, call 1-800-772-8577 Cover 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 mail- St. Peter’s Executive Editor News Editor (except bimonthly May-June and November-December issues) by ing label and the new address. The publishers assume no responsibility for return Stephen Flurry the Philadelphia Church of God, 14400 S. Bryant Ave, Edmond, ok of unsolicited artwork, photographs or manuscripts. The editor reserves the right Basilica in Managing Editor Con- Vatican City Ron Fraser Joel Hilliker 73034. Periodicals postage paid at Edmond, ok, and additional mail- to use any letters, in whole or in part, as he deems in the public interest, and to iStockPhoto tributing Editors Mark Jenkins, Ryan Malone, ing offices. Postmaster: Send address changes to: the philadelphia edit any letter for clarity or space. 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Box 3700, Edmond, ok 73083, U.S. From the editor The Real Vatican Scandal he Roman Catholic Church is mired in a pedophil- Argentina to decide if they should be ia scandal in several nations. However, there is a far worse made public. … scandal in that church that we all should be deeply con- “But critics believe what the files will cerned about. Most of the media is not even exposing it. really reveal are the levels of assistance, TSome people believe that we are too critical of the Catholic succor and turning a blind eye to Nazi fu- Church at times. So let me make this very clear: We believe that gitives from officials in defeated Germany, God is going to save most Catholics and most members of other together with details of Vatican assistance religions. But God is going to do it in His own time frame. That to top war criminals like Eichmann. … is easily provable from the Bible. “It is well known that the German Here is an oppressively disturbing report by Allan Hall in the Embassy in Buenos Aires issued German Mail Online, March 12: “Germany is fighting to keep files sealed passports to Eichmann and his family in gerald Flurry that detail Adolf Eichmann’s life on the run before he was cap- their real names when they applied for Editor in chief tured by Mossad agents and tried for war crimes in Israel. them. “Documents about the Holocaust’s chief logistics organizer’s “The same went for Dr. Josef Mengele, the infamous medic of escape from Europe and 15-year-exile in Argentina are currently the Auschwitz extermination camp” (emphasis mine throughout). bound by a 50-year secrecy order. If you want to know who Germany, America and Britain are “But campaigners challenging the rule say the Eichmann in Bible prophecy, request our book The United States and Brit- files may prove German and Vatican officials col- ain in Prophecy. All of our literature is free. luded in his escape and freedom. “The secrecy order is being fought in a benchmark court case The Ratlines against the bnd, Germany’s domestic intelligence service, which Trumpet readers are well aware that in December 1991, Germany wants the 4,500 pages of documents on Adolf Eichmann to re- decided to recognize breakaway Yugoslav republics Slovenia and main out of the public domain. Croatia despite strong opposition from the EU, the United States and “They cite that intelligence agencies in our countries will be the United Nations—and despite the fact that the move again ‘frightened off’ in future data-sharing if they are revealed. resurrected unsavory memories of Germany’s fascist past. “Critics believe this is a smokescreen designed to avoid One week later, the Vatican also recognized Croatia. official embarrassment both in Berlin and the Vatican. The EU eventually recognized the two states a month later. The “It is well documented that German Bishop Alois Hudal in UN also backed away from a direct confrontation with Germany. Rome operated postwar ‘ratlines,’ getting passports for wanted And the U.S.—which at first blamed the Germans for pro- Nazis to allow them to escape justice. voking Yugoslavia’s civil war by their recognition of the two breakaway states—eventually flip-flopped to Any right-thinking person ought to ask why even SUPPORT Germany’s decision militarily! In their book Unholy Trinity, Mark Aarons and John the very highest officials in the Catholic Loftus give us powerful reasons to fear Germany and the Church, including the pope, would associate Vatican. Mark Aarons is an international award-winning in- with and even protect Croatian fascists. vestigative reporter and author of several books on intelligence-related issues. Based in Australia, he exposed war “Franz Stangl, commandant of the Treblinka extermination criminals in that country and prompted changes to Australian camp, admitted to British Nazi expert Gitta Sereny that Hudal federal law. John Loftus, author of four intelligence-related his- helped him get away after the defeat of Germany in 1945. tory books, is the former chief prosecutor of the U.S. Justice De- “Eichmann also escaped. He was the ultimate ‘desk murderer’ partment’s Nazi War Crimes Unit. As such, he once held some of in the Third Reich who, as head of department ivb4 of the SS the highest security clearances in the world. in Berlin, was responsible for the trains that carried millions to During World War ii, many Serbs, according to these well- their deaths at extermination centers in Nazi-occupied Poland. informed authors, were butchered by the Croats using medieval “After the war he was captured but fled from Allied custody. … methods. “Eyes had been gouged out,” they wrote, “limbs severed, “For 15 years he lived, sometimes under his own name, in Ar- intestines and other internal organs ripped from the bodies of the gentina, raising his family while working at a VW car plant. living. Some were slaughtered like beasts, their throats cut from “In 1960, acting on a tip-off, a Mossad team was dispatched to ear to ear with special knives. Others died from blows to their Buenos Aires with orders to kidnap him and bring him back to heads with sledgehammers. Many more were simply burned alive.” Israel for trial. Much more alarming, however, is the “special relationship” “He was seized, stood trial, found guilty and hanged on May between the pope and Croatia at a time when Croatian fascists 31, 1962. were slaughtering Serbs. Aarons and Loftus say the atrocities “Now the Federal Administrative Court in Leipzig, Germany, were already under way when Pope Pius xii met with Ante Pavel- is studying the files about his getaway from Europe and life in ic, Croatia’s leader, in April 1941.

The Philadelphia Trumpet May/June 2010 1 The pope agreed to meet with Pavelic again in May The Vatican’s connection with this sordid history went beyond 1943, by which time the Nazi atrocities against the Serbs a simple blessing from the pope. The Vatican actually helped to were without refute. (One Italian journalist interviewed smuggle many of the worst criminals of the age! “For fugitive Pavelic in his home and was shocked to find a large bowl of Nazis, all roads led to Rome,” Aarons and Loftus wrote. Serbian eyes the fascist had been collecting.) Yet, according to High-ranking ministers, civil servants, even Ante Pavelic Unholy Trinity, “Pius himself promised to give Pavelic his himself, with help from the Vatican’s ratlines, were able to disap- personal blessing again. By this time, the Holy See pear into thin air, intelligence sources have confirmed. At the possessed abundant evidence of the atrocities time, the Vatican committed by his regime.” labeled these escap- Any right-thinking person ought to ask why the very highest ees “refugees.” But officials in the Catholic Church, including the pope, would as- they were Croa- sociate with and even protect Croatian fascists. tian fascists who The Ratlines Adolf Eichmann, “the architect of the Holocaust,” escaped from Europe after World War II and remained hidden for 15 years before being captured. Germany holds a cache of sealed files detailing this history and is fighting to keep it secret despite critics’ objections. Some observers believe the documents would shed embarrassing additional light on German-Vatican collusion on the “ratlines,” an already proven postwar operation to protect Nazi leaders. Following are a few excerpts from the 1992 book Unholy Trinity, written by Mark Aarons and John Loftus, describing this important chapter in German-Vatican history.

t is absurd to believe that 30,000 In 1948 Franz Stangl wearily trudged fugitive Nazis escaped to South Ameri- along the road to Rome. Three years ear- ca on the few U-Boats remaining at the lier he had been an important man: Com- Iend of the war, or that they all made mandant of the Treblinka extermination their own travel arrangements. Modern camp. He was meticulous in his work. to stay till my papers came through. And popular culture has presented the escape When the boxcars crammed full of de- he gave me a bit more money—I had al- of the Nazis in an adventurous, almost ported men, women and children arrived most nothing left.” After several weeks, romantic light. The most popular Nazi … Stangl insisted on order. The passen- Hudal “called me in and gave me my new smugglers are odessa and Die Spinne, al- gers were told to disembark for a routine passport—a Red Cross Passport … [he] got though other mysterious groups are also rest stop and showers. … It was all so me an entrance visa to Syria and a job in a mentioned from time to time. But in the swift, so organized, so deadly. The show- textile mill in Damascus, and he gave me main these stories owe more to the fertile ers were actually a gas chamber where a ticket for the ship. So I went to Syria.” … imagination of scriptwriters and novelists 900,000 people, mostly Jews, were mur- [Monsignor Karl Bayer, Rome director than to historical research and accuracy. dered immediately upon arrival. Unlike for Catholic relief organization Caritas] The truth is much more ordinary, al- Auschwitz, no work was done here. Tre- admitted, “Perhaps Hudal did get batches most mundane. It is all the more shocking blinka existed for one purpose only: mass of passports for these particular people.” as a result. For whatever successes odes- murder of human beings. Franz Stangl Finally he conceded that the money Hu- sa achieved, they were mere amateurs at had commanded the Third Reich’s most dal gave Stangl would certainly have Nazi-smuggling when compared with the efficient death factory. … come from Vatican funds. “The pope did Vatican. Draganovic’s Ratline [the name Stangl said that when he came to Rome provide money for this; in driblets some- given to the Vatican’s smuggling opera- he was in fact looking for [Roman Cath- times, but it did come.” tion] was truly professional, ensuring that olic] Bishop Alois Hudal, rector of the Was Stangl an isolated case, a regretta- many guilty war criminals reached safe Pontificio Santa Maria dell’Anima, one ble but unavoidable accident by a legitimate havens. Often they did not end up in the of three seminaries for German priests in Catholic charity? Or was he one of many remote jungles of South America, but set- Rome. It was Hudal’s name that had been who escaped via Hudal’s secret church tled instead in Britain, Canada, Australia whispered throughout the Nazi under- connection? Simon Wiesenthal, who was and the United States. … ground: “The bishop came into the room responsible for Stangl’s eventual recapture The Vatican has consistently claimed where I was waiting and he held out both in Brazil in 1967, believes that a sophisti- that they were unaware of the identity of his hands and said, ‘You must be Franz cated Vatican network was involved. … those who were undeserving of their hu- Stangl. I was expecting you.’” Wiesenthal is convinced that Hudal manitarian assistance. But some influen- Stangl described the power and influ- was also responsible for smuggling the tial priests not only knew who the Nazis ence of Hudal’s extensive smuggling net- most infamous war criminal of them all: were, they actively sought them out and work for fugitive Nazis. It was Hudal who Adolf Eichmann, the chief architect of the provided extra-special treatment. … arranged “quarters in Rome where I was Holocaust. As head of the SS Department

2 May/June 2010 The Philadelphia Trumpet were helping Hitler’s regime! wrath toward America, first of all, the next time Remember, this all happened at the end of World War ii! around? That is precisely what the post-World War ii Documents prove that Pope Pius xii was by far the Nazi underground has pledged to do! greatest Nazi smuggler at the end of World War ii! In spite They know that the U.S. mass-produced most of the arma- of that despicable history, Pope Pius xii is already headed for can- ments that beat them in World Wars i and ii. onization by Pope Benedict xvi! Not exactly an act of repentance! We cannot afford to take this lightly. And another man who later became pope, Giovanni Montini, was These shocking facts reveal that the Vatican was deeply in- also deeply involved volved with the Germans in World War ii. There is simply no in this crime against other explanation. But most people continue to ignore the nabbed Adolf Eichmann humanity! truth—to their own great peril! stands trial in Israel after his What if Ger- Aarons and Loftus understand the important history between Vatican-assisted escape end- many turns its Croatia and the papacy, dating back to a.d. 700. The Catholic ed in capture in 1960. Below, Eichmann’s forged passport.

been among them.’” … … [T]he book was fulsome in its praise If Eichmann was a case of unauthor- for the ideas, program and actions of the ized assistance, he was certainly not the Nazis …. Hudal was not the only cleric only instance. Hudal seemed to make to hold these views. The primate of the mistakes with frightening regularity. Wi- Austrian Church, Cardinal Theodore In- esenthal recalls, “During my search for nitzer, was at that time strongly pro-Nazi. Eichmann I found out that many [war It was natural, therefore, that he gave Hu- criminals] were living in mon- dal’s book an “imprimatur,” or official asteries, equipped church permission for publication. The by Hudal with cardinal glowingly endorsed it “as a valu- false documents,” able attempt to pacify the German peo- showing they were ple’s religious situation.” … refugees. One point Apparently Hudal’s high Nazi profile is certain: Many did not harm his Vatican career. Since war criminals who 1930 he had been a consulter in the Holy escaped to South Office, a senior Vatican tribunal working America have grate- “in the most rigorous secrecy,” as U.S. in- for “Jew- fully acknowledged telligence reported. … [A]s Hudal’s views ish Affairs,” Eich- that they owed their grew more stridently and publicly pro- mann’s careful supervision freedom to the Austri- Nazi, nothing was done either to disci- ensured that men like Brunner, Stangl an-born bishop. … pline or remove him from this powerful and Wagner ran the machinery of death It is not surprising that Wiensenthal post. Instead the Vatican promoted him in at peak capacity. Wiesenthal believes accuses Hudal. The bishop’s pro-Nazi June 1933 from priest to titular bishop, an that Hudal equipped Eichmann with a views were well known. Even Father extremely rare honor for a relatively lowly new identity as a Croatian refugee called Graham concedes the point: “Hudal was rector of a teaching college. … “Richard Klement,” and sent him to Ge- rather notorious in Rome for being openly Father Jacob Weinbacher … has no noa. There Eichmann was apparently philo-Nazi. He had this idea that it was doubt that “Hudal was very close to [Pope] hidden in a monastery under Archbishop his divine call to settle relations between Pius xii … they were friends.” … Far from Siri’s charitable control, before finally be- the Nazis and the Catholic Church.” By being just another anonymous cleric on ing smuggled to South America. the early 1930s, Hudal openly supported the fringes of the Vatican, “Hudal may well Someone so notorious could not be pro- Hitler, traveling widely through Italy and have been the sounding board for the pope tected forever. Eichmann was eventually Germany to address large crowds of Ger- in the German-speaking countries.” … tracked down in Argentina by Israeli in- man-speaking Catholics. From the very By early 1944 when the Allies landed in telligence, kidnapped, tried and executed beginning of Nazi rule, he warmly em- Sicily, even Hudal could see that Hitler’s in Jerusalem in 1962. What angers Wiesen- braced the new government as his own. … “Thousand Year Reich” was doomed. As thal is that a Catholic relief organization, Hudal gave a speech at the Anima in long as the Nazi armies were winning, he Caritas, “paid all of the traveling expenses Rome. Among the invited guests were had proudly driven around Rome with a for Eichmann” to reach South America. members of the German Diplomatic Corps, “Greater Germany” flag on his car …. Official Vatican historian Father Rob- as well as local representatives of various Hudal had nothing but contempt for ert Graham admits that Hudal might Nazi organizations. The bishop [Hudal] the American victors who helped him: “… have helped “a handful, a mere handful told his approving audience that “in this I felt duty bound after 1945 to devote my of Nazi war criminals to escape”: “When hour of destiny all German Catholics living whole charitable work mainly to former Eichmann was arrested it was alleged he abroad welcome the new German Reich, National Socialists and fascists, especially passed through Rome and got some help whose philosophies accord both with to so called ‘war criminals.’” from Bishop Hudal. Hudal was asked Christian and national values.” … In 1936 Hudal’s self-confessed activities are all about this and said, ‘I don’t know, I helped he published a “philosophical” treatise, the more controversial because he operated a lot of people and Eichmann may have The Foundations of National Socialism. with the full authority of the Vatican. n

getty images, ho/afp/getty images The Philadelphia Trumpet May/June 2010 3 innocent? Church has been involved in mass murder The World War II papa- since a.d. 554, when the first Holy Roman cy is being exalted by Empire began. This church has more to its current successor. hide—or repent of—than any other institution in the history of the world! It was primarily Germany and the Vati- can that started the war in Yugoslavia. This is the so-called Holy Roman Empire in action! This power should be feared a thousand times more than the Serbs. Still the world races madly toward disaster because men refuse to face the truth. Why can’t we see that Germany and the Vatican are renewing their ties from World War ii? That history reaches back to Char- lemagne and beyond. No war-making machine has ever spilled more blood. Why would a church that is supposed to teach God’s love again ally itself with Croa- tia and Germany, considering their heinous Nazi crimes? Wouldn’t a repentant church Documents prove that Pope Pius xii was by far the or state do just the opposite? Unless they are planning for a future somewhat akin to the greatest Nazi smuggler at the end of World War ii! dream of Adolf Hitler! Margaret Thatcher was the only high- In spite of that despicable history, Pope Pius xii is ranking politician in the last generation already headed for canonization by Pope Benedict xvi! who would even discuss the “German problem” in modern Europe. Only she had the understanding sixth head of the Holy Roman Empire—Germany and the Vati- and courage to do so! It probably cost Mrs. Thatcher her job. can in World War ii. These two entities have followed that same No politician today has yet had the courage to discuss the Vat- brutal philosophy in every head of the Holy Roman Empire. Any ican problem. That weakness can only lead to a bloody disaster. good history book will tell you that. At the time of Croatia’s breaking away, President Franjo Tudj- But here is the best possible news you could ever receive: That man refused to admit any wrongdoing on Croatia’s part in the seventh and last head of the Holy Roman Empire is going to ush- Nazi slaughter of World War ii. Yet Germany and the Vatican er in the Second Coming of Jesus Christ to bring this world peace still defied the world and started a civil war to recognize that and full joy! Many Bible prophecies reveal that truth. When Catholic nation! Does that make either of those entities appear Christ was on this Earth, He prophesied that He would have to repentant of their World War ii sins? And if they are not repen- return or there would be no flesh saved alive! (Matthew 24:21). tant, what does that portend for our future? That great event will smash the seventh and last head of the This is just the small beginning of the resurrected Holy Ro- Holy Roman Empire forever! man Empire with its bloody past and bloodier future. However, If those prophesied seven heads of the Holy Roman Empire it is politically incorrect to criticize the Vatican or Germany for have appeared—and they have—then so must the prophesied Sec- continuing their horrendous past. That requires courage that our ond Coming of Jesus Christ. politicians and religious leaders today do not have. God’s Word has never failed. It cannot fail. Knowing this All this information can be obtained from the Vati- should fill us with real hope. can’s own archives! Obviously God must resurrect most of those billions of peo- The ratlines prove how closely the Vatican worked ple who have lived in the past to teach them this awesome truth. with the Nazis—perhaps the most barbaric and savagely That too is prophesied. cruel government ever on Earth! The ultimate shocker today is not about the “ratlines.” The Still the Catholic Church is forgiven—by men. Not only this most mind-numbing shocker is how gullible people are about time, but also throughout the bloody history of the Holy Roman Germany and the Vatican! Empire. Americans, the British peoples and the Jewish nation are go- The world has seen six heads of that violent and bloody em- ing to learn the truth by what I am writing or by being victims pire, comprised mostly of Germany and the Vatican. Now the of the Holy Roman Empire. We have been teaching this message seventh and last head is on the scene. The Vatican-Nazi history for over 70 years. God’s true Church has warned about the Holy is a horrendous prophetic insight into what is about to Roman Empire for about 1,500 years! happen again! And very soon! (Request our booklet Germany By words or events, God is about to awaken men and the Holy Roman Empire.) from their spiritual coma. n The seventh head is going to be the most brutal and cruel empire of them all. It is going to cause the worst suffering ever on To learn more about recent German and Vatican Earth—far eclipsing the suffering of World War ii. ventures, request a free copy of our booklet The The real Vatican scandal revolves around the ratlines of the Rising Beast.

4 May/June 2010 The Philadelphia Trumpet getty images/ istockphoto that the world could experience a decline of liquid fuels production between 2011 and 2015 “if the investment is not there.” An Uncomfortable Although the Department of Energy (DoE) officially dismisses “peak oil” theory, which predicts that new crude oil production will soon be unable to keep up Fact About Oil with depletion from the many hundreds of thousands of old wells that have falling production, its own data actually backs up Rising prices are just beginning: Demand is up; supplies the peak oil theory. are level. Things could get ugly. By Robert Morley In April 2009, the DoE published figures summarizing global liquid fossil fuel merica is mired in recession. affect everything from stock markets and production and revealed some startling Europe is in turmoil. Banks are re- food production to the dollar’s status as facts. A report titled “Meeting the World’s ducing lending. Families are sell- the world’s reserve currency. Demand for Liquid Fuels” shows that the Aing their extra vehicles. All of these In short, over the next several years, DoE expects total world fossil fuel produc- factors would tend to push the price of oil global oil dynamics may change the planet tion to steadily increase through 2030. But down. Yet, the opposite has happened. The forever. And America will not be immune. here is where the report borders on ridicu- price of crude-oil futures jumped more lous. The DoE admits it has no idea where than 70 percent over the past year, and as Fast Running Out the extra oil production will come from. of mid-April sat near $86 per barrel. The United States imports a whopping 56 After tabulating all the known and This strange contradiction is an over- percent of its dai- announced oil looked warning sign that nations—espe- ly oil needs—over % of global OIL PRODUCTION discoveries, the cially America—would do well to heed. 10.9 million bar- DoE found that In the time ahead, it is going to be- rels per day. That the cumulative come dramatically more difficult to ob- is more than the production from tain and secure energy—and sooner than total daily produc- existing and most people realize. This is a truth that tion of Saudi Ara- known oil fields American policy makers and politicians bia—the world’s Used by nations other than Imported and discoveries are afraid to publicly admit because the top oil producer. the United States by the U.S. will enter a slow implications of an oil-constrained world But even decline begin- this number underestimates ning in 2012. America’s vulnerability to oil According to the DoE data, “unidenti- shock. That is because America fied” additional liquid fuel projects will imports close to one fifth of the have to fill a 10 million-barrel-per-day world’s available oil. gap between supply and demand within And this dependence on for- five years. Ten million barrels per day is eign oil supplies is set to get almost the equivalent of the daily oil pro- worse. America’s oil fields are duction of Saudi Arabia. rapidly going dry. That much new oil production may be No country has spent more wishful thinking. money on oil exploration and Production from the world’s 500 giant production than the U.S. Nor has fields (fields containing more than 500 any country drilled as many holes million barrels of oil) is declining. These looking for oil. Yet, despite record fields produce approximately 60 percent dollars spent and unlimited ac- of conventional oil. Many of these fields cess to the best, most advanced are over 50 years old and few new giant technology available, America’s oil fields have been discovered in recent oil production is in relentless years. These are facts. decline. It is a decline that has So where is the oil going to come from? continued for 40 years—despite discoveries in the Gulf of Mexico, Phantom Oil Supplies the Bakken Formation, the Rocky Experience shows that once an oil field Mountains, and Alaska. reaches max production, it goes into de- These are uncontroversial cline. New technology has in some cases facts grounded in geology. helped slow the decline rates, but not re- Here are some more. On verse them. Fields in Texas and the North March 25 the U.S. De- Sea—from which has come 1 out of every partment of Energy 11 barrels of oil the world has produced— revealed that “a have received massive amounts of money, chance exists” virtually unlimited access, and the best

The Philadelphia Trumpet May/June 2010 5 technology, yet they are still fractions of their former selves. Recent research from Oxford Univer- sity suggests the world’s oil reserves may have been “exaggerated by one third” because opec countries over-reported their reserves in the 1980s when competing for global market share. According to the report’s author, Sir David King, the world could be in for a shock beginning around 2014. He said he was “very concerned” that Western governments were not taking the data showing demand outstripping supply more seriously, especially when China is putting so much effort and money into grabbing as many energy resources as possible. These are The world’s statistics that “affordable” President Obama oil reserves America and signs a bill into law on March 23 estimated the world are to cost more than $900 billion to implement. may have been not ready for. exaggerated by Even i f one third because Exxon Mo- bil, Chevron, opec countries Conoco Phil- Is There Any Worse over-reported ips and every other U.S. oil their reserves company that Time the Health Care Bill in the 1980s wanted it was when competing given immediate, unlim- Could Become Law? for global ited access market share. to America’s eastern sea- America’s economic future is on full display in board and Alaska, it would take a de- Greece. Adding another massive government cade for any meaningful quantities of oil entitlement program is a great way to to begin flowing—and that is assuming there are meaningful quantities of oil lo- accelerate the timetable. By Robert Morley cated there in the first place. It would take similar herculean effort merica thinks it could never economics professor at the University of to tap the new preliminary discover- fall. Could Greece collapse? Yes. Maryland and author of This Time Is Dif- ies off the coast of Brazil. Canada’s tar But America—not a chance. This ferent. Confidence in the dollar “could sands? They might help a bit, but they Ais the richest country in the world. turn quite abruptly,” she says. too are difficult and costly to mine—not And in spite of all the headlines, in spite All it would take is one failed trea- to mention extremely disruptive to the of all the dire statistics blared by reporters, sury auction, warns Reinhart, and the environment. the American way of life still continues. dollar’s status as a perceived safe haven So where is the oil going to come Gas stations still have gas. Food still sits on would vanish—along with its status as from? grocery shelves. Even if through debt, most the world’s reserve currency. Eighty-six dollars per barrel is a far Americans are still enjoying life. So surely If that were to happen, media com- cry from oil’s highs of around $147— America can’t be in that much financial mentators wouldn’t be comparing Cali- though it took a global recession to trouble. After all, in March politicians fornia to Greece: They would be compar- knock it down that far. But the alarming voted in potentially the largest expansion ing the entire nation to something more thing is that despite the severe economic of the welfare state in American history. akin to Zimbabwe or Soviet Russia. downturn and reduced demand, oil is America must have money to burn. still soaring above the $10 per barrel it But here is the reality. It wouldn’t take You Can’t Reduce a Deficit by Spending was trading at just over a decade ago. much for the nightmare in Greece to be- Politicians are far too complacent about Sky-high oil prices may soon be an come reality for America. That is the con- America’s economic condition. Instead of uncomfortable and permanent fact that clusion of a small but growing group of getting America’s financial house in order America and the world will be forced to concerned analysts. now—while some analysts think it still has deal with—and the results will not be “The wolf could be at our door sooner a chance—politicians are doing the exact pretty. n than we think,” says Carmen Reinhart, opposite. Rather than seeing the crisis in

6 May/June 2010 The Philadelphia Trumpet getty images Greece and cutting expenses and leading care for their employees? America is doing other “off balance sheet” ac- the country to live within its means, it is As Holtz-Eakin said, counting doesn’t end there. as if politicians are doing their level best to “Fantasy in, fantasy out” its best to emulate “The Greeks engaged in a make the same thing happen here. (March 20). the one nation variety of creative account- Washington’s historic vote to implement most likely to ing practices,” warned for- national health care is a prime example. Epic Underestimation mer U.S. comptroller general The week before the vote, the Congres- According to Holtz-Eakin, collapse in the David Walker. America may sional Budget Office (cbo) confirmed that “In reality, if you strip out near future. not be Greece, “But we could President Obama’s health care reform bill all the gimmicks and bud- end with the same problems would reduce the deficit by $138 billion. getary games and rework the calculus, down the road if we don’t get spending This affirmation made headlines and is a wholly different picture emerges: The under control and start dealing with our credited with creating much of the mo- health care reform legislation would raise, structure deficits soon.” mentum that helped pass the bill. not lower, federal deficits, by $562 billion.” How soon? Walker says America might The problem with that is this: That es- And if history is a guide, then health have two years. timate is a total lie. care reform will probably cost even more. That estimate is based on double- “When Medicare was first proposed Already Shutting Down counting and outright phony account- back in 1966, it cost $3 billion per year, and From lying about its bookkeeping to ing. Just ask yourself, How can a bill that the projection was for inflation-adjusted adopting national health care, it seems is going to provide health coverage for 32 annual costs to rise to $12 billion by 1990,” that America is doing its best to emulate million more people—without eroding the noted economist Peter Schiff. “The actual the one nation most likely to collapse in coverage of everyone else—actually reduce cost in 1990 was $107 billion, and the 2009 the near future. government spending? The answer is that estimate is a staggering $408 billion!” Can America’s leaders not see what is it can’t and it won’t. (Euro Pacific Capital, June 27, 2009). happening? Even the liberal New York Times knows Government propaganda economists Just a couple of weeks before that his- it is a lie. In an article titled “The Real were only off by 900 percent on their cost toric March congressional vote, Kansas Arithmetic of Health Care Reform,” Doug- estimates. How much will they be off by City said it will be forced to shut down las Holtz-Eakin confirmed that the job of this time? almost half the city’s schools by fall in or- the cbo is just to assert that the bill says Analysts have criticized Greece for ly- der to stave off bankruptcy. Smaller cit- what it says it says. In other words, the ing about its accounting practices, but ies across the country are in crisis mode. cbo’s job is just to examine the mathemat- America does the exact same things. Some have already filed for bankruptcy. ics of the bill (i.e. add up all the columns)— America has been lying about the So- Whole states, such as California and Il- not to examine the assumptions built into cial Security money for years. And there linois, are on the road to bankruptcy. it or comment on where the government is all sorts of creative accounting going on California may be forced to send out ious says the money is going to come from. with the now-government-owned Fannie again instead of paying its bills. Unem- For example, one way the government Mae and Freddie Mac. The government ployment benefits have been extended comes up with money to fund the health doesn’t account for those two $6 trillion for two years in many places. Real un- bill is by stealing from Peter to pay Paul, junk-mortgage cadavers on its balance employment is near 20 percent. There supposedly commandeering $53 billion sheet either. Nor is the Federal Reserve and is a second massive wave of residential from the Social Security fund. But what its trillion-dollar balance sheet consolidat- mortgage resets heading America’s way. it is not telling you is that Social Security ed into U.S. Treasury books. And the list of Home foreclosures are set to soar again. is already broke. Politicians have already State and municipal pension plans are spent Social Security’s money. catastrophically underfunded. Collaps- To get around this uncomfortable fact, Estimated Cost ing commercial real estate is beginning government planners say that Social Secu- The in 2009 to hammer America’s small and midsize rity revenues will rise as employers shift Cost $408 banks. Round two of America’s spectacu- from paying for health insurance to paying Billion lar banking collapse is looming. Moody’s higher wages. Impossible. How many busi- of and other debt-rating agencies have al- nesses will automatically increase employ- ready warned that America is on the road ee wages out of the goodness of their heart medicare to losing its aaa credit rating. just because they will (theoretically) save And foreigners? Do you think they are money on paying health insurance? Re- going to continue lending money that, as member, this comes at a time when many is becoming increasingly obvious, will companies are struggling just to survive— never be paid back—just so this adminis- and some are moving to Asia! Consider, Total Cost Actual Cost tration can push its economically unsus- too, how many small businesses (thoseBillions of Dollars Per Year in 1990 tainable agenda? in 1966 $107 with 50 or more employees) will now have $3 Billion Billion Ask Greece what happens when they to begin paying for employee health cover- stop. age for the first time. Will these businesses These are the uncomfortable truths Projected pay higher wages as well? Or is it not more Cost Per Year facing the nation. likely, if they employ 55 workers, that they by 1990 The wolf is at the door, but instead of will simply shrink their workforce in order $12 Billion slamming it shut, it is as if America is in- to avoid the legal obligation to buy health viting the beast in for dinner. n

YearThe Philadelphia Trumpet May/June 2010 7 Save Your Marriage! A beautiful truth that the divorce industry cannot teach you. By Joel Hilliker

ivorce is hardly new; cel- mantic attraction that draws most couples ebrating it like a wedding is. together is essentially a self-oriented emo- A small but burgeoning new tion. A “love-struck” individual can eas- industry is giving us divorce ily convince himself that he suddenly has greetingD cards and cakes—even fairs, a deep, pure, completely selfless desire where new divorcees can connect with life for nothing but the other person’s coaches, financial planners and dating happiness. In reality, however, service agencies. This is a full-out assault real love is not even possible on the stigma of severing a marriage. without a degree of matu- “Open a divorce registry, throw a di- rity. Mature love begins vorce party (why not?), take a vacation or slowly and grows. Lust change your look!” says one website for di- often masquerades as vorcees. Divorce registry? That’s right: De- love, but it’s lousy at partment stores—including one of Britain’s maintaining the ruse largest retail chains—are encouraging the for long. newly unhitched to register for and solicit A relationship based gifts just like couples preparing to wed. on get is bound to suf- All this frippery is an effort to put fer, if not fracture. Once lipstick on the ugly truth: that divorce is one partner feels his failure. Everyone marries with the hope of needs aren’t being ad- “till death do us part.” But often, as the re- equately fulfilled, alities of life impinge, selfishness intrudes. he will generally One or both partners become unwilling show his discon- to invest the effort required to surmount tent by giving a obstacles and make the relationship stronger. They lose trust; they begin to cordon off territory in their hearts. Usually, each spouse figures the problem is mostly with the other. Often, they begin to believe that marital happiness would be theirs if they could only find someone more compatible. Little wonder, then, that a growing number of people who split up have open ears to vendors, eager for their business, cheering them on: Throw a party—you deserve it! Don’t worry—your real soul mate is waiting. In reality, most marriages fail not because of a lack of compatibility—but largely because of ignorance about what marriage really is and how it must function. What that means is, these marriages need not fail. Ignorance can be remedied through right education and the applica- tion of right knowledge.

What Are You Getting From Your Marriage? The basic truth that virtually all of us are ignorant of to at least some degree is just how deeply selfish we are. And selfishness is toxic to a marriage. Human nature tends to focus on what we can get from the other person. The ro-

8 May/June 2010 The Philadelphia Trumpet bit less of himself in return. A negative spouse would be thrilled to see you devote ing your thoughts, attitudes, emotions, cycle begins. to the family. There are perhaps hundreds bodies and the physical things in life. “[T]here exist, overall, only two basic of little and big ways that our self-love can Why? Because that is how you practice ways of life—two divergent philosophies,” manifest itself in our marriage. and grow in true godly love. Herbert W. Armstrong wrote in his book Society today tends to exalt self-love The command to cleave is simple The Missing Dimension in Sex. “They trav- as the highest virtue. It tries to convince enough—but it takes real effort to obey in el in opposite directions. I state them very us we all have a natural-born right to put spirit. You must spend real time at it. Share simply: One is the way of give—the other ourselves first. Scripture reveals that this your life! Read together, listen to music to- of get.” is the get way. It is contrary to the spiritual gether, take walks together, talk together, Marriage is fundamentally a giving law of God, which is true love. Though we study the Bible together, do things togeth- relationship. It is successful—even to the probably don’t want to admit it, self-love er. Rekindle the flames of romance that point of being spectacular—to the degree does not make us happy—it actually cre- drew you together. Court each other! Get that both husband and wife understand ates tension, offense, hurt and grief within a babysitter for your children and go out their spouse’s needs and then prioritize our marriage and within ourselves. for a date, and not too infrequently. Take fulfilling those needs above their own. God’s love is always, always outflow- short trips alone—perhaps two to three Of these two opposing ways of life, Mr. ing. It does not wait for the other guy to days long, two to three times a year. Armstrong continued, “More specifically, begin acting unselfishly before reciprocat- How is your communication? You the one is the way of love, humility and of ing with unselfishness. Jesus Christ died should have more to talk about together outgoing concern for others equal to self- for us while we were yet sinners. the longer your marriage lasts. If you are concern. It is the way of cooperation, serv- The principle of striving always to put making a vigorous effort to love and to ing, helping, sharing; of consideration, your spouse’s needs above your own is cleave, then your common interests and patience and kindness. More importantly, fundamental to making a marriage great. your ability to relate will grow with time. it is also the way of obedience to, reliance If each of you is looking out for the other You will feel close emotionally, and your on, and worship solely toward God. It is over and above yourself, then there is shared understanding and affection will the God-centered way, of love toward God plenty of overlap to ensure both your and make your marriage a joy. and love toward neighbor. your spouse’s needs are amply met. That For some marriages, a mountain of “The opposite is the self-centered way of is true love! It’s not, “I’ll give you this if mutual effort is required to restore the vanity, lust and greed; of competition and you give me that.” It is never selfish. It is relationship to where it should be. If the strife; of envy, jealousy and unconcern for unconditional. idea of loving each other in this way seems the welfare of others.” The more that self- This is a difficult lesson to learn. overwhelming, that is a good indication centeredness occupies a marriage, the more That is why the marriage relationship is you and your mate would benefit from friction, hurt and broken trust will result. uniquely suited to teach it. Because it be- getting some spiritual counsel. There is a reason for that! As Mr. Arm- gins with each spouse making a lifelong strong explained, “Few realize this vital commitment, a couple must find a way to Till Death Do Us Part fact: The ‘give’ way is actually an invisible, stick together through whatever trials life God created the marriage institution as the yet inexorable, spiritual law in active mo- may present, and come out stronger on the nucleus of family. He had a transcendent tion. It is summarized, in principle, by the other side. reason for that, but in very practical terms Ten Commandments. the fact is it provides a day-to-day training “It is a law as real, as inflexibly relent- A Simple—and Difficult—Command ground for learning how to apply the spiri- less, as the law of gravity! It governs and One of the first biblical commands re- tual law of give—which is real love. regulates all human relationships!” garding marriage is found in Genesis 2:24: A marriage will be great inasmuch as Yes—the very God who created the “Therefore shall a man leave his father and both husband and wife pursue this goal. universe and all the physical laws gov- his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: It will be harmonious and happy, reward- erning matter with precision also set in and they shall be one flesh.” What does ing and rich, to the extent that each mate motion a spiritual law governing human God mean when He commands a husband drives out self-love and replaces it with true relations. Every hint of conflict in a mar- and wife to cleave to one another? The He- love. And real, mature love grows stronger riage, every particle of discouragement or brew word is dabaq, which means to cling through trial—and sweeter with age. frustration, every speck of sadness or pain or adhere, or to catch by pursuit. Elsewhere That is a lesson that needs the security in that relationship, is caused by breaking in the Bible, it is translated abide fast, fol- of a “till death do us part” commitment in that spiritual law. low close, be joined, pursue hard and stick. order to become manifest. It is instruction What practical instruction on how to that divorce robs us of. Those breaking How to Make a Marriage Great love! In the midst of life’s hubbub, actively that commitment and celebrating it truly True love is “never selfish” (1 Corinthians cleaving to your spouse in love doesn’t don’t know what they’re missing. n 13:5, Moffatt translation). This is a crucial happen accidentally. Children, work, point that distinguishes true love from friends, chores, errands, bills, diversions, If you want more sound biblical instruc- love that is fundamentally selfish. Selfish spiritual obligations—so many concerns tion on what marriage is—including the “love” makes you hold back when you feel compete for your attention. The com- knowledge of God’s transcendent purpose your spouse doesn’t “deserve” it. It means mand to cleave requires that you structure for creating it—as well as how to make it you’re unwilling to overcome irritating your priorities so as to regularly, actively work according to the divinely ordained habits that you know bother your mate, pursue one another! pattern, request Herbert W. Armstrong’s but that you just don’t feel like chang- God commands that you become “one booklet Why Marriage! Soon Obsolete? as ing. It means you allow petty personal flesh”—not just sexually, but in every way. well as his masterful book The Missing interests to consume your time that your He insists that you build oneness by shar- Dimension in Sex. Both are free.

istockphoto The Philadelphia Trumpet May/June 2010 9 When Families Disappear By Robert Morley which a country’s superstructure is erected. show that men are not worthless in family That was the case for both America and life, of all things! an a nation survive without Britain.” Note the past tense. A real man should have his own career strong families? You need to Strong families were also the concrete and be able to provide for his own—before know, because strong marriages foundation of the Roman Empire during getting married. And he should be the sol- and families are disappearing. its heyday. “Back then, when people talked id core of that marriage and family for the CTake Britain, for example. The mar- about Rome falling, they were scoffed at rest of his life! riage rate in England and Wales is at its and scorned,” noted Mr. Flurry. “When Yet according to some, British family lowest point since records began in 1862. Seneca, the famous Roman, warned that life is not in crisis. “[T]his country has In 2008, for the first time, fewer than 2 Rome would fall—even telling people why never been broken by anyone or any- percent of women over the age of 16 got it would fall—the people ignored him. In thing,” said British Prime Minister Gor- married over the course of the year as the the words of Seneca, one of the founda- don Brown in September 2008. “[F]or all marriage rate for women fell from 20.2 tional reasons Rome would fall was the the challenges, I don’t believe Britain is women marrying per 1,000 the previous fact that ‘they divorce in order to remarry. broken—I think it’s the best country in year to 19.6, the United Kingdom’s Office They marry in order to divorce.’” the world. I believe in Britain.” for National Statistics (ons) has reported. Seneca warned that family breakdown Sounds just like something Seneca’s ons figures also show that the percent- would destroy the Roman Empire—and countrymen might have said. All the while, age of Britons getting married for a second it did! And it is destroying Britain (and nationwide collapse is thundering closer as time is falling. It’s not because marriages America) today. the bulkheads snap under the pressure. are lasting any longer; marriages are still In his masterpiece History of the De- breaking up at record rates. It is just that cline and Fall of the Roman Empire, Ed- Cause and Effect now fewer people are choosing to remarry ward Gibbons identified five major causes The evidence is clear. A host of stud- following a divorce. that contributed to the fall of the Roman ies have shown that stable families result Britain has become a world leader in Empire. First on the list was breakdown in children who are less prone to violent cohabitation. And now, the new trend is of the family. The other factors included crime, better educated, less likely to take single mothers choosing to live alone on increased taxation, an insatiable craving drugs, healthier physically, healthier state benefits. New research by sociologist for pleasure, an unsustainable buildup of mentally, and less likely to have teenage Geoff Dench shows that these premedi- armaments, and the decay of religion. pregnancies. tated single mothers believe they have no Doesn’t Rome before the fall sound like Why do we have children today who need for a spouse, and their children have today’s United Kingdom? The looming di- publicly harass and denigrate their teach- no need for a father. saster is hard to miss. ers? Why does London have a higher Of the one in four mothers who cur- crime rate than Istanbul? Why do govern- rently live without a man in their house, “The Best Country in the World” ment officials feel the need to hand out half have made the conscious determina- Some few in Britain acknowledge some- morning-after pills to 11-year-olds? Why tion to live alone. thing is wrong. But the will to act is con- are British girls having up to four abor- Britain’s record breakdown of the tra- spicuously lacking. Even those politicians tions by their 18th birthday? ditional family coincides with several oth- who publicly support traditional families Because there has been a serious break- er dubious distinctions: Britain also leads have shown through decades of inaction down, of one kind or another, in those in rates of obesity, public drunkenness, that they don’t have the will to stop the children’s families. drug use, and sexually transmitted infec- downhill slide and make the controver- And because nothing is changing, tions. It is also a leader in illiteracy, crime sial changes necessary to help get families Britain as a nation will—just like its fami- and teenage pregnancy. Yet despite this back on track. lies—fall apart. History provides no ex- list of disturbing accomplishments, many Writer Melanie Phillips suggests things amples of societies that remained viable people remain blind to the looming social are to a state now that the government without viable families. Even the mighty and national disaster facing the country. should give dowries to men who get mar- Roman Empire fell. ried for the first time. This would “in- It is cause and effect. Divorcing in Order to Marry crease their worth to women” and “send God says that when you break His laws History shows that once national family life a powerful signal that men are not worth- on marriage and family life, He will send breaks down, societies are on the downhill less creeps but are essential to family life” curses as correction. Through the Prophet slide. “[T]he strength of any nation de- (Daily Mail, March 1). Jeremiah, God says, “For the land is full pends on the strength of its families,” Ger- Wow. How the British man has fallen of adulterers; for because of swearing the ald Flurry wrote in the March 2009 Trum- since the feminist revolution—to think land mourneth; the pleasant places of the pet. “Family is the rock-solid foundation on that state-funded dowries are needed to wilderness are dried up, and their course

10 May/June 2010 The Philadelphia Trumpet When Families Disappear

is evil, and their force is not right” (Jer- the past few years it has suffered devas- heading home from failures in Iraq and emiah 23:10). tating crop failures and cattle diseases. will probably come home from a failure In this verse, God says there is a di- Flooding has taken huge tolls. Severe in Afghanistan soon as well. In February, rect connection between marriages and snowstorms have blanketed the nation. the Daily Mail lamented that if Argenti- escalating national problems. The phrase Economically, its place as the world’s fi- na were to take the Falklands, the bitter “their course is evil” implies aggressively nancial capital is gone, the pound is under truth is that Britain doesn’t even have the running after evil ways like runners in a attack, and the nation is on the brink of resources to send a task force to retake the race. As Melanie Phillips pointed out, Brit- financial collapse. islands. That is a far cry from the nation ish society is totally geared toward not only The phrase “their force is not right” that once boasted the world’s largest em- promoting single motherhood, but toward implies a failure in military action. The pire backed by its most powerful navy. denigrating fathers. Britain is steaming Hebrew word for “force” means valor, vic- But that is the thing with curses; even- full-speed ahead contrary to God’s laws. tory, mastery, might, mighty (act, power), tually they result in destruction. Fam- Therefore curses are inevitable. power, strength. It’s a military word. God ily breakdown in Britain is breaking the Jeremiah says the land will mourn and warns us that national sins destroy mili- nation. And worse is yet to come. If you the pleasant places will be ruined. Britain tary might. Today, British troops are worn don’t believe it, just ask Rome—or the now is suffering intense natural disasters. Over down and short on equipment. Troops are largely vanished British Empire. n

istockphoto The Philadelphia Trumpet May/June 2010 11 How NOT to Have A World Without Nukes

President Obama’s nuclear nonproliferation efforts will lead to another global war. By Stephen Flurry

he post-World War i dis- conventional capabilities and reduce the Cold War, every U.S. administration has armament movement, as role of nuclear weapons in deterring non- at least allowed for the possibility of us- journalist Walter Lippmann nuclear attacks, with the objective of making nuclear power to answer dangerous observed in 1943, was “tragi- ing deterrence of nuclear attack on the threats from non-nuclear enemies. The cally successful in disarm- United States or our allies and partners policy has never been spelled out explic- ing the nations that believed the sole purpose of U.S. nuclear weapons.” itly. It was meant to be ambiguous in order in disarmament” (emphasis It’s a striking contrast to the wording to keep potential adversaries off balance, mineT throughout). Those who weren’t be- used in the 2001 npr: “Nuclear weapons in hopes that they wouldn’t attack. lievers, of course, were responsible for the play a critical role in the defense capa- The Obama doctrine effectively re- nightmare of the Second World War. bilities of the United States, its allies and moves any ambiguity. It lays America’s History is now repeating itself. friends. They provide credible military cards on the table for all to see. It marks In April, one year after his pledge in options to deter a wide range of threats, the first time any U.S. president has pub- Prague to seek “a world without nuclear including wmd and large-scale conven- licly outlined specific circumstances in weapons,” U.S. President Barack Obama tional military force.” Of the seven nations which America would not use nuclear told the New York Times that he would not that report identified as the most signifi- weapons if attacked. use nuclear weapons against a non-nuclear cant threats to the United States, five of Thus, America’s enemies now know state, even if that nation attacked the U.S. them didn’t even have nuclear weapons. they can avoid a devastating nuclear coun- with biological or chemical weapons. Even in 1997, during the Bill Clinton terstrike as long as they comply with the The administration’s new position on years, a presidential directive warned that Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty. As col- nuclear weapons was spelled out in the the U.S. wouldn’t use nuclear weapons umnist Charles Krauthammer explained, Pentagon’s Nuclear Policy Review (npr), against non-nuclear weapon states except “It’s like saying that if a terrorist deliber- also released in April. One of the report’s “in the case of an invasion or any other ately uses his car to mow down a hundred key conclusions is this statement: “The attack on the United States.” people waiting at a bus stop, the decision United States will continue to strengthen In fact, ever since the beginning of the as to whether he gets (a) hanged or (b) 100

12 May/June 2010 The Philadelphia Trumpet istock photos welcome to reality During World War II, London lies in ruins after an aerial bombardment by German Luftwaffe planes that were not supposed to exist.

hours of community service hinges en- The opposite is true. This approach ac- 31 percent believe Russia will even honor tirely on whether his car had passed emis- tually accelerates proliferation—particu- the agreement. sions inspections” (April 9). larly among rogue states and ascendant All one has to do to know Moscow’s Leaving aside the immoral absurdity of powers rushing to fill the power vacuum intentions is look at what it was busy do- the above scenario, strategically speaking, left by the United States. ing in the lead-up to signing this treaty: it’s dangerously naive and childish. “Does Distributing as many anyone believe that North Korea or Iran Can Russia Be Trusted? Absolutely nothing weapons as possible to will be more persuaded to abjure nuclear In the same week Presi- prevents Russia, China America’s enemies—and weapons because they could then carry dent Obama pared down or the European Union— promising nuclear assis- out a biological or chemical attack on the the list of conditions for tance to anti-American U.S. without fear of nuclear retaliation?” using nuclear weapons, he not to mention Iran and Hugo Chávez’s Venezuela. Krauthammer asked. signed a nuclear disarma- North Korea—from A week before the Evidently, the current administration ment treaty with Russia, continuing the research treaty, Russian Prime in the White House believes the answer agreeing to slash Ameri- and development Minister Vladimir Putin, is yes. The Obama administration firmly ca’s nuclear weapons ar- visiting Venezuela for the believes that the dream of a nuclear-weap- senal by one third and to they need to build the first time, signed 31 agree- ons-free world won’t happen unless the cut in half the number of next generation of ments in oil, trade—and United States sets the example and dis- missiles, submarines and nuclear weapons. nuclear power. The two mantles its nuclear arsenal first. bombers used to deliver leaders signed a letter of “This approach,” Vice President Jo- them. This, the president said, will set the intent to build a nuclear power station, seph Biden wrote in the Los Angeles Times stage for further cuts. “It is just one step which of course Chávez hastily assured on April 7, “provides additional incentive on a longer journey,” he added. the world would not be used to build a for countries to fully comply with non- A majority of Americans, meanwhile, nuclear bomb. Upon returning to Mos- proliferation norms.” oppose downsizing the U.S. arsenal. Only cow, Putin said Russia’s arms exports to

getty images The Philadelphia Trumpet May/June 2010 13 Venezuela may exceed $5 billion. Already, Russia certainly has its own idea of And they will continue to build even Venezuela has bought $4 billion worth of arms control. as America continues its one-man-nu- military equipment from Russia in the But never mind that—President Obama clear-disarmament show. The president past five years. believes in unilateral disarmament. firmly believes that America’s national se- That same week, China took delivery of curity, as well as that of its allies, “can be S-300 anti-aircraft missiles from Russia as No New Weapons increasingly defended by America’s unsur- part of a contract worth up to $2.25 billion. Besides dismantling nukes and promising passed conventional military capabilities Meanwhile, as American Thinker report- not to use the remaining arsenal to retali- and strong missile defenses.” The greatest ed, “Russia has been conducting quite a ate against a chemical or biological attack, threat facing the U.S. and the rest of the business by selling the same S-300 ‘Favor- President Obama also reassured potential world, President Obama said on April 6, it’ (the world’s most powerful and efficient enemies that America will not conduct “is no longer a nuclear exchange between air defense system) to many countries hos- nuclear testing, or pursue nations, but nuclear ter- tile to the U.S. and Israel: Syria, India, Al- new military missions, or Nuclear war is the rorism by violent extrem- geria, Malaysia, Vietnam and Saudi Ara- develop any new nuclear greatest threat facing ists and nuclear prolif- bia”—and possibly Iran (April 7). weapons, or develop new the United States! eration to an increasing On the day Russian President Dmi- capabilities for nuclear Prophecy says so— number of states.” try Medvedev signed the arms reduction weapons. Why focus on nukes treaty with President Obama, he made Out with the old— which is why America’s when the “greatest threat” a point to say there are limits to Russia’s and out with the new! quest for a nuke-free now comes from “violent support for sanctions against Iran for its Even the New York Times world is of special extremists”? Who these nuclear ambition. According to the Wash- sees America’s Cold War violent extremists actually ington Post, Medvedev objects to the kind stockpile of weapons as significance. It’s are is an open question, of harsh sanctions “that would create eco- “an aging, oversized, in- actually accelerating judging by the revisions nomic hardship for Iran, foment financial creasingly outmoded nu- the fulfillment of those being made to the offi- chaos or lead to regime change” (April 9). clear arsenal” (April 6). end-time prophecies. cial document outlining In other words, Russia opposes anything But don’t count on there America’s national securi- that might conceivably convince Tehran being any upgrades—at least not during ty strategy. According to Associated Press, to set aside its nuclear weapons program. the present administration. President Obama’s advisers are currently Added to that, within days of the April Meanwhile, absolutely nothing pre- removing terms like Islamic extremism 8 signing, Medvedev was already warning vents Russia, China or the European and jihad in order to “emphasize that the the United States that Russia might with- Union—not to mention Iran and North United States does not view Muslim na- draw from the disarmament treaty if the Korea—from continuing the research and tions through the lens of terror” (April 7). U.S. didn’t meet Russian demands regard- development they need to build the next Thus, the strategic approach to fighting ing U.S. missile defense plans in Europe. generation of nuclear weapons. radical Islam is effectively this: Close your Want a Nuclear-Free World? Here is how it will come. worse than any other in history. Consider more deeply that last statement: “[E]xcept those days resident Barack Obama is on a mad scramble to purge the should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved ….” This time of planet of nuclear weapons. Mankind’s dismal history with dis- tribulation will be so terrible that, without intervention from a higher armament is proof enough of the inadequacies of this ambition. power, no flesh would escape death! Mankind has never experienced PFor those interested in further proof, the “more sure word” of such a time. Wars have killed tens of millions, famines have wiped out Bible prophecy also reveals that Mr. Obama’s dreams of nuclear disar- regions, disease epidemics like the Black Death have inflicted cata- mament are just that—dreams. strophic destruction. But this scripture is speaking of a global catastro- As Jesus Christ’s earthly ministry came to a close, His disciples phe that threatens all flesh, both animal and human! asked, “[W]hat shall be the sign of thy [second] coming, and of the end As Herbert Armstrong explained, the only explanation of how man- of the world?” Jesus answered that question in what is today com- kind could and will reach this point is through the widespread detona- monly referred to as the Olivet prophecy, found in Matthew 24. (If you’re tion of nuclear and other weapons of mass destruction! interested in Christ’s entire explanation, and in proving that He was “The scale of war Christ prophesied in Matthew 24 and Revelation 6 discussing the times we live in today, request a free copy of our Mat- simply could not have been fulfilled at any other time in man’s history!” thew 24 reprint article.) our booklet The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse states. “Humanity Notice what Jesus said in verses 21-22: “For then shall be great has never built or designed weapons that it did not eventually use. Man tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this will find a use for the deadly nuclear weapons and other destructive time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened, devices created since World War II” (emphasis mine). Many other ac- there should no flesh be saved ….” Christ tells the disciples that His counts in the Bible also tell us that a future nuclear holocaust is coming. Second Coming will occur at a time when mankind has the ability to President Obama’s goal of global nuclear disarmament may be destroy all living creatures. It will be a time of tribulation exceedingly noble, but Jesus Christ says it will fail, and nuclear war will erupt.

14 May/June 2010 The Philadelphia Trumpet eyes and hope they go away. And as for the Yet, in coming away from the summit, fundamentally resolve the issues.” possibility of global nuclear war, the npr one of the biggest “achievements” was It was yet another flop that negotiators assures us that threat is now “remote.” convincing China to at least talk about hardly stumbled over en route to their It couldn’t be more wrong. Nuclear war the possibility of sanctions against Iran. next diplomatic achievement: the disar- is the greatest threat facing America! According to news reports, President mament of Ukraine. Then Canada. Then Prophecy says so (Amos 5:3; Matthew 24:21- Obama reassured Chinese President Hu Malaysia and Mexico. 22)—which is why America’s quest for a Jintao that if Iran responded to sanctions To think—it was the largest gathering nuke-free world is of special significance. by cutting off its flow of crude into China, of world leaders to assemble on Ameri- It’s actually accelerating the fulfillment the United States would intervene to help can soil since World War ii—and the best of those end-time prophecies. Even 20th China re-stock its oil supply. they could come up with was the disar- century history teaches this lesson. As if Iran is somehow holding China mament of Canada. Meanwhile, the most over a barrel because of its crude oil supply. dangerous nuclear threats facing civiliza- “Not Simply to Talk, But to Act” It’s China that’s holding the United States tion barely entered the discussion, and Following the Nuclear Policy Review over a barrel! Iran’s destabilizing presence the prime minister of Israel backed out of and the disarmament treaty with Russia, in the Middle East is a strategic benefit to the summit for fear of being ambushed by 47 nations joined forces with President China because it counterbalances Ameri- Arab leaders about giving up his own na- Obama in Washington for the Nuclear can dominance in the region. tion’s nuclear arsenal. Security Summit. “Today is an opportu- Surely there must be someone in Wash- What a stunning display of national nity,” the president said on April 13, “not ington who understands that. weakness on the part of America. It’s simply to talk, but to act. Not simply to Not surprisingly, the day after China nothing short of a step-by-step reenact- make pledges, but to make real progress agreed to talk sanctions, a Chinese For- ment of the 1930s. At that time, Britain on the security of our people.” eign Ministry official in Beijing was and France demilitarized, supposing Ger- quick to clarify. He many was disarming also. Hitler exploited said, “China sup- this spirit of appeasement to actually reports a dual-track arm, with Soviet help. And when he went strategy and has on the offensive, Britain and France were always believed that unprepared to respond. dialogue and ne- It will happen again. And it will result gotiations are the in the greatest explosion of violence this optimal channels world has ever seen. for resolving the Only then, after yet another painfully Iranian nuclear is- sad repetition of history, will the illusion sue. Sanctions and of arms control be horrifically revealed as pressure cannot a tragic success. n

He will return and intervene to prevent mankind becoming extinct by nuclear war! President Obama cannot prevent nuclear destruction. But Jesus Christ can, and He tells us explicitly that the world will not end this way! Ultimately, this prophecy in Matthew 24 is about the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. Nothing is more promising, more exciting, more filled with hope! Particularly given the rush of current events on the nuclear front, we cannot afford to take these prophecies lightly. Study Christ’s message in Matthew 24. It is stunning how events described in that prophecy, written nearly 2,000 years ago, match events unfolding in the chaotic world around us. The study of world events together with biblical prophecy is one of the most moving studies you could undertake! But remember, as you read about the horrific events surrounding Christ’s return: This event is more of a beginning than an end. While Christ’s return will bring an end to the age of human government and SYMBOLIC A United Nations statue embodies self-rule, it marks the beginning of the Kingdom of God being opened to the hopes of mankind to achieve the biblical proph- all of mankind. ecy that man will beat swords into plowshares. At this time, after saving mankind from extinction, Christ will implement on Earth a comprehensive strategy that will eradicate human nature—thereby guaranteeing global nuclear disarmament forever! If this sounds discouraging, step back and ponder the awe-inspiring It is imperative that you learn about this new world as you study the event being discussed in these scriptures. Think on the ramifications end of the one we know today. For the best description of this coming and hope embedded in the last half of verse 22: “but for the elect’s new world, request a free copy of The Wonderful World Tomorrow— sake those days shall be shortened.” Notice that: Jesus Christ promised What It Will Be Like. Brad macdonald

alex castella The Philadelphia Trumpet May/June 2010 15 WorLdWaTCH eurOPe he economies of Greece Tand other southern Eu- u.s. ropean countries continue to threaten the survival of the euro as a currency. Greece was hit by its worst strike to date when its two main Mexico unions reacted to new austerity measures approved March 5. Twenty thousand demon- Venezuela strators took to the streets of colombia Athens, and around a hundred anarchists confronted police with rocks, Molotov cocktails and brown spray paint. Rioters set fire to trash cans, burned cars and shattered shop win- dows. International flights and trains were canceled, public transport stopped, and public buildings closed down. ubs Investment Bank’s deputy head of global economics, Paul Donovan, warned that “at some point” Greece would default on its bonds. Bond yields rose dramatically on April 8. The yield on a 10-year government bond passed 7 per- declared that a law giving cent—making it very expensive senior government members for the Greek government to immunity from prosecution borrow money (Greece now was unconstitutional. must pay over 4 percent higher leadership out of this crisis. costs in order to survive and The total value of German interest than the rate Germany Watch for Berlin to turn this workers who feel they have a arms exports has more than gets for its debt). This will situation to its advantage. right to their current level of doubled since 2005, making make it even harder for Greece Strikes are also hitting pay. The situation could ex- Germany the world’s third- to keep its economy afloat. other european countries as plode in social unrest. largest weapons exporter The Portuguese govern- workers protest pay cuts. Italian Prime Minister Silvio behind the united States and ment could be the next victim Britain has been hit espe- Berlusconi and his cabinet are russia. German weapons of the economic crisis. On cially hard, with newspapers no longer at risk of corruption sales make up 11 percent of March 8, the minority govern- labeling the bout trials, thanks to a world arms trade according ment announced unpopular of strikes the new law approved to the 2009 annual report by austerity measures. Opposi- “spring of dis- by the parlia- the Stockholm International tion parties severely criticized content.” Work- ment March 10. Peace Research Institute. the cuts, and Portuguese ers are unwilling The law says that Most of these exports are unions called for more strikes. to take pay cuts cabinet officials armored vehicles, with sub- Fitch Ratings cut Portugal’s that are due to a may postpone marines and warships also credit rating to AA- with a recession they see any trial in which making up a large percent- negative outlook on March as caused by rich they are implicat- age. Germany is once again 24, warning that poor per- bankers, who ed for six months, a major arms producer, with formance over the next year get to keep all of as the trial may Berlin having implemented or two could lead to another their winnings. hamper their ca- policies specifically to build downgrade. All Europe is The result is a dangerous mix pacity to govern. This comes up weapons production. looking to Germany for of businesses that need to cut after the Constitutional Court Belgium moved one step

16 May/June 2010 The Philadelphia Trumpet Getty Images; JOHN THYS/AFP/Getty Images; VAHID REZA ALAEI/AFP/Getty Images russia

united kingdom germany Belgium ukraine north portugal georgia kyrgyzstan korea greece afghanistan china Iraq Iran

Zimbabwe australia

south africa closer to becoming the first European country to ban full kind of tools that Islamic veils from its streets could effect a change on March 31. A parliamentary in Iranian policy. committee unanimously ap- “Iranian shipping proved a proposal that would companies will not outlaw the wearing of face- be blacklisted nor the covering clothing, such as international assets Muslim burkas and veils, in of Iran frozen, and public. The proposal is ex- oil or gas shipments pected to become law as early from the Islamic Re- as June, after which a woman public will not be cut, wearing a veil or burka in pub- after these proposals lic could face a week in prison were all rejected by Russia duced a new type of cruise gling to form a government or a fine on the grounds that or China. It is more accurate missile, while two days earlier, continues following March 7 an inability to identify people to characterize the potential ihs Jane’s, a London-based in- parliamentary elections. Ac- presents a security hazard. sanctions as a comprehensive telligence service, reported that cording to results released Watch for Europe to increas- warning against doing busi- Iran is building a new rocket March 26, secular Shiite Iyad ingly confront Islam. ness with Tehran” (April 4). launch site with north Korea’s Allawi’s Iraqiya bloc won 91 China has still not approved assistance. “It is impossible to seats in the 325-seat Council of the new sanctions. Even if it independently verify the claims Representatives, with Prime did, Tehran has already dem- Iran makes regarding the new Minister Nouri al-Maliki’s mideaST onstrated that such pressure weapons systems it says it is de- Iran-friendly Shiite State of .S. President Barack will not induce it to abandon veloping,” wrote United Press Law coalition gaining 89 seats, UObama is pushing for its nuclear goals. Iran has International, “but it is clearly the pro-Iranian Iraqi National a new set of United Nations continued with its nuclear preparing its military forces Alliance (ina) 70, and the sanctions on Iran. After program despite three sets of to retaliate against an assault” Kurdistan Alliance 43. With months of failed attempts to existing sanctions. More sanc- (March 8). Jane’s concluded none of the parties winning the bring Russia and China on tions would only lull the in- that U.S.-led sanctions were majority needed to rule alone, board, Washington down- ternational community into a having little effect on Iran’s negotiations have been under- graded the proposal. Accord- greater false sense of security. weapons program. way between the different par- ing to haaretz, the proposed Meanwhile, Iran announced Iraq has suffered an increase ties to form a ruling coalition. sanctions do not include the on March 7 that it has pro- in violence as political wran- Several factors are com-

The Philadelphia Trumpet May/June 2010 17 WorLdWaTCH plicating the process. The Accountability and Justice Commission, created to purge the electoral process of can- didates loyal to Saddam Hus- sein’s outlawed Baath Party, announced March 29 that it was contesting the results of the election. If it is successful, Allawi could lose his lead. On March 27, the Iraqi Supreme Federal Court issued a rein- terpretation of how parties can form a government, al- lowing the coalition of parties that has the most seats to form the government and select the prime minister—rather than the party that won the most votes, as previously understood. This means that Ma- liki, despite not winning the election, could team up with the ina and gain the numbers to remain prime minister. Additionally, anti-Amer- ican radical Shiite cleric related, and the secretary of human rights issues and inter- Muqtada al-Sadr, who won aSia Russia’s national security coun- ference in other nations’ inter- the most votes within the ina ewly inaugurated cil suggested that Georgia was nal affairs. China’s defiance is a and is seen as the kingmaker, Nukrainian President Viktor behind the blasts. The com- steadily growing trend. has thus far withheld his Yanukovych visited Moscow ments raised concerns among Currency problems are support from both of the big March 5 and promised Rus- Georgian officials that Moscow flaring up in China. In March, winners. He put the choice of sian officials a “sharp turn” in would use the attacks as a pre- two People’s Bank of China who should be the next prime bilateral relations between the text for Russian forces to renew advisers issued statements that minister to his supporters in two countries. This shift into their aggression against Geor- supported revaluing the yuan. a referendum on April 2, in a new phase of heightened co- gia, a former Soviet state. The move was seen as an ef- which they chose Shiite politi- operation is a victory for Mos- China refuted Britain’s most fort to reduce tension with cian Ibrahim al-Jaafari. This cow. Yanukovych and Russian recent human rights study on America ahead of calls by U.S. result—whether Sadr acts on President Dmitry Medvedev March 18, which listed China members of Congress to label it or not—will only further signed a statement saying Rus- as one of 22 “countries of con- China as a currency manipu- complicate negotiations. sia and ukraine will improve cern” in the realm of human lator. China stands accused of Throughout this process, ties in such sectors as aviation, rights. A defensive Foreign purposefully keeping its cur- Iran is seeking to influence nuclear power and military Ministry spokesman Qin Gang rency undervalued in relation Iraq more extensively, with technology. The top priority, said that China opposed con- to the dollar, which makes all of the Shiite and Kurdish according to the statement, is frontation, double standards on Chinese exports to America coalitions having sent delega- energy cooperation, particu- tions to Iran for talks. Mean- larly in regard to natural gas. while, Washington is refusing For years, the Trumpet has to endorse any of the candi- pointed to Ukraine as crucial dates. Nabil Said, an indepen- turf in a future pact between dent Sunni politician, said Russia and Germany. Control that’s the “amazing” point of of the strategic area will de- the story: “Americans are just termine the line at which their standing aside and watch- individual imperialistic aims ing, trying to pull out quickly will meet. and safely” (National Public On March 28, Islamists in Radio, April 5). And that is Chechnya killed 39 people in precisely what neighboring bombings in a subway. Just Iran wants to see. Watch for hours earlier, an attack in De- Iran’s involvement in Iraq to gastan took 12 lives. President increase as the U.S. departs. Medvedev said the attacks were

18 May/June 2010 The Philadelphia Trumpet NATALIA KOLESNIKOVA/AFP/Getty Images; VYACHESLAV OSELEDKO/AFP/Getty Images WorLdWaTCH less expensive for Americans. of government suggests that 18. Watch for this trend to President Felipe Calderon The U.S. Federal Reserve’s this is another instance of an continue. took office in December 2006. “quantitative easing” program emboldened Russia exerting Russian Prime Minister of creating money out of thin its growing influence in the Putin visited Venezuelan Presi- air is also a direct form of cur- former Soviet republics. dent Hugo Chávez in April as rency manipulation—which in 38 Mi-17 Hip helicopters were aNGlO- this case devalues the dollar. delivered to Caracas. In addi- Venezuela’s electricity tion to signing more than $4 ameriCa supply is on the brink of col- aFriCa/ billion in arms deals, Chávez n March, a learning- lapse. Water levels at the Guri invited Russian energy compa- Idisabled 64-year-old man dam—which supplies power to laTiN nies Gazprom and Rosneft to died in Britain after more than 70 percent of the nation—are explore for oil. a decade of being targeted so low that officials may be ameriCa The Mexican drug war and bullied by “yobs” who forced to shut down a large he youth leader of escalated to new levels begin- tormented him night after part of the dam any day. A fire TSouth africa’s ruling party, ning in March. Gang mem- night in spite of police inter- at a key thermoelectric plant the African National Congress bers in bulletproof vehicles vention. David Askew’s death for northwestern Venezuela on (anc), has thoroughly endorsed attacked two army bases at the home he shared with April 4 only made the situa- Robert Mugabe’s brutality in with assault rifles and hand his wheelchair-bound mother tion worse. It also suggests that Zimbabwe and promised that grenades on April 1; 18 gang encapsulates the sickening the country’s remaining power the same policies would soon members died in the ensu- state of British youths, and the plants will not be able to pick be adopted in South Africa. “In ing conflict. Residents of one impossibility of policing an up the slack if output from the Sa we are just starting. Here town, El Porvenir, fled to entire nation of families rot- Guri dam is greatly reduced. in Zimbabwe you are ting from within. Venezuela needs a quick fix already very far,” Julius More than a quarter of for this potential crisis, and its Malema told a cheer- Britain’s adults are out of only short-term solution seems ing crowd of Mugabe’s work. Official figures for to be going to Colombia for zanu-pf youth on a February showed that 10.6 help. Colombia is a major rival, visit there on April 3. million, or 28 percent, of the so this electricity would have a “The land question country’s adults of working high political cost. has been addressed. age either were considered april 7 witnessed a revolu- We are very happy that economically inactive or had tion in Kyrgyzstan. President today you can account lost their jobs. Kurmanbek Bakiev was forced for more than 300,000 The Telegraph reported in to flee the capital city of Bish- new farmers against late March that Britain faces kek after mobs of protestors the 4,000 who used to an increased threat of nuclear seized government headquar- dominate agriculture. attack by al Qaeda, citing a ters. Seventy-nine died in We hear you are now report that revealed traffick- violence between police and going straight to the ing of radiological materials protesters, and hundreds more mines. That’s what has recently increased. were injured. Though Russian we are going to be do- In March, the Kansas City Prime Minister Putin denied ing in South Africa.” He also Texas after they were told to school board decided to close involvement, much evidence praised Mugabe for “standing “vacate or they’re going to half of its schools due to fi- points to Moscow’s having firm against imperialists.” This start killing them and burning nancial crisis. The board said kindled the turmoil. Certainly came only a couple of weeks af- their houses down,” according it had to cut 700 of its 3,000 the Kremlin stands to benefit ter Malema incited black South to Hudspeth County Sheriff jobs and sell its central office. greatly from the upheaval, Africans to shoot white farm- Arvin West. On March 30, In April, California’s last while Washington has a lot to ers by opening a public rally 10 students were killed in a auto plant closed down. The lose from it. Kyrgyzstan hosts a with the song “Shoot the Boer,” grenade attack on their way shuttering of the New United key U.S. military base through an apartheid-era anthem. The to collect college scholarships. Motor Manufacturing plant which 50,000 American troops song was later banned by the The mayor of Pueblo Nuevo, in Fremont, a 25-year-old joint pass each month on their way High Court, but the anc is a town in the region of the venture between General Mo- to and from afghanistan. Since appealing that ruling. Accord- attack, said he feels powerless tors and Toyota, cost about Bakjev’s flight from Bishkek, ing to the Times, 3,000 white to challenge the gangs. On 4,700 Californians their jobs. the fate of the strategic Manas farmers have been murdered in March 19, soldiers and drug In australia, obesity has base has been thrown into South Africa since 1994. South traffickers shocked the nation ballooned past smoking as question. The Kyrgyz opposi- Africa is already following in with a gun battle at Mexico’s the largest cause of premature tion that has assumed power Zimbabwe’s footsteps. most prestigious university, illness and death. The Public has a strong pro-Russia ori- The EU naval taskforce is killing two. Drug-related be- Health Association found that entation. Alongside Putin’s pursuing Somali pirates more headings have become routine. excessive weight has more praise for the ousting of “nepo- aggressively, officials told the More than 18,000 have died than doubled as a factor in ill tistic” Bakiyev, the change Associated Press on March in drug-related violence since health over the past six years.

JEKESAI NJIKIZANA/AFP/Getty Images The Philadelphia Trumpet May/June 2010 19 Who’s Insulting Whom? The America-Israel alliance has never looked so shaky. By Stephen Flurry

historic alliance is taking Vice President Joe Biden landed in Israel The incident illustrated a significant some severe punishment. The re- supposedly to reignite peace talks between trend we began to forecast in our March/ lationship between America and Palestinians and Jews. As it turned out, April 2004 issue: America’s eventual aban- A Israel was rocked by diplomatic the Obama administration used Biden’s donment of Israel. “For many Arabs, the crisis in March, and by all indications will visit to trigger a diplomatic assault against number-one reason to hate America is never be the same. Benjamin Netanyahu’s government. its support for Israel,” we wrote. “As the It was triggered by an ill-advised an- During the visit, Israel’s interior min- U.S. war against terrorism continues to nouncement about a new housing com- ister announced that plans had been ap- yield high bills, a steady body count and a plex in Jerusalem. In early March, U.S. proved for 1,600 housing units to be built booming crop of anti-Americanism world- in a Jewish neighborhood in Jerusalem. wide, is it possible that Americans will Netanyahu immediately apologized to begin to think, Why are we making our- Biden for the awkward timing of the an- selves such a target over that little country? nouncement and Biden graciously accept- Prophecy suggests such an eventuality.” ed the apology. He left Israel on March 11 calling his trip a success. No Pictures, Please The next day, however, the White After the vicious White House response, House went ballistic. An enraged Presi- Netanyahu apologized again—profusely. dent Barack Obama ordered Secretary of He said he knew nothing about the an- State Hillary Clinton to upbraid Netan- nouncement and ordered an investigation yahu, which she promptly did during a into the matter. much-publicized, 43-minute phone call. The context of the announcement, Later, a Clinton spokesman publicly ques- however, is significant. Even if Israel tioned Israel’s seriousness with respect to wanted to embarrass Vice President the peace process. On March 14, senior Biden, perhaps because of America’s fail- White House adviser David Axelrod de- ure to confront Iran, the housing plan in cried the housing announcement as “an no way represented a policy change. In all affront” and “an insult” aimed at probability, if the construction announce- the United States. ment hadn’t come during Biden’s visit, it wouldn’t have raised an eyebrow. Why? Simply because Israel has never stopped building in Jerusalem. As Netanyahu noted on March 15, “No government of Israel for the last 40 years has agreed to place restrictions on building in Jerusalem.” In November, Netanyahu’s administration ordered a freeze on construction plans in the West Bank. But that 10-month mora- torium specifically excluded Jerusalem. Why, then, would Washington shriek as if Israel is grabbing more territory? Netanyahu visited the U.S. later in the month to try to mend the diplomatic breach between the two countries. The trip, however, only further highlighted just how strained relations between the U.S. and Israel have become. The Israeli prime minister maintained his stance on the issue of “settlements,” getting a cold reception from Washington that included no photograph opportunities and no official statements. The snub was even worse than the one we reported last November: Then, when

20 May/June 2010 The Philadelphia Trumpet Netanyahu visited the White House, he Authority said the inauguration of the minister to temporarily freeze construc- was brought in under cover of night in an square had been postponed, presumably tion in the West Bank. unmarked van, forced to leave through a to avoid offending Vice President Biden, The Palestinians, who have made no side exit alone and ordered to keep quiet Fatah (the Palestinian faction that the U.S. concessions, have flatly rejected Netan- about what was discussed. and Israel actually recognize) went ahead yahu’s gestures and have refused to join Ramat Shlomo, the northern Jerusa- with an official naming ceremony the day Israel at the negotiating table. Yet, in the lem neighborhood at the center of the of Biden’s departure. minds of White House officials, it’s Israel recent diplomatic storm, is populated by Not to stop there, on March 14 the Pal- that’s holding up the peace process. religious Jews. It’s adjacent to other Jew- estinian Authority launched a four-day What an insult to Israel. ish neighborhoods. But because it happens seminar named after the notorious terror- And what a fulfillment of Bible to be on the wrong side of the 1967 Green ist—the “Martyr Dalal Mughrabi Camp”— prophecy! Line, barely, the Obama administration purportedly to discuss PA legislative and “Manasseh shall devour Ephraim,” speaks of this 15-year-old neighborhood as local elections. Being held as it was on the the Prophet Isaiah wrote, “and Ephraim a “settlement” and is treating it as the big- 32nd anniversary of the 1978 terrorist at- Manasseh; Together [the United States gest obstacle to peace in the Middle East. tack, the Jerusalem Post said it was “seen and Britain] they shall be against Judah Never mind the fact that by demand- more as a rally in honor of Mughrabi than [Israel]” (Isaiah 9:21, New King James ing a freeze on construction in Jewish as an academic seminar” (March 15). neighborhoods east of the Green Line, If the timing of these undeniably pro- the White House is simultaneously main- vocative acts by the Palestinian Author- taining that for a Palestinian state to ever ity was an “affront” to the peace process, work, the territory in question must first you’d never know it from the angry be ethnically cleansed of Jews. remarks made by the White House. It’s not unlike the vision Palestinian Those were reserved for America’s clos- leaders have for a future Palestinian state, est, most dependable ally in the Middle except that theirs includes a Jew-free Israel East. as well. A Prophecy Being Fulfilled Actual Provocations America’s treatment of Israel Meanwhile, even as Washington con- given the circumstances is truly demned Israel’s ill-timed announcement extraordinary. as being injurious to the peace process, Israel has been looking for peace, it seemed utterly unconcerned about the “literally dying for peace,” as colum- Palestinians dedicating a town square to nist Charles Krauthammer wrote, a terrorist who killed more than 30 Is- since 1947 (March 19). Back then, like raelis—a move that happened right after today, the Palestinians rejected a two-state Biden left the region. solution and opted for war. They reject- Dalal Mughrabi, a Fatah woman, ed Israel’s offer for peace in 1967— spearheaded a massacre in 1978 in which and again in 1978. They rejected 37 Israeli civilians and an American were Ehud Barak’s Palestinian state- killed and 71 wounded in a bus hijacking hood proposal in 2000—then on Israel’s Coastal Road. At that time, the Ehud Olmert’s in 2008. attack was carried out for the very purpose Last year, Prime Minis- of shutting down peace talks between Israel ter Netanyahu reaffirmed and Egypt. Israel’s commitment to On March 11, a square in el-Bireh was create an independent Pal- named in honor of Mughrabi, who is re- estinian state. Then, in sponsible for the deadliest terrorist attack November, he became in Israel’s history. While the Palestinian the first Israeli prime Netanyahu visited the U.S. to try to mend the diplomatic breach between the two countries. The trip, however, only further highlighted just how strained relations between the U.S. and Israel have become.

jim hollander/afp/getty images, getty images The Philadelphia Trumpet May/June 2010 21 Version). The band that once joined these and the Jewish state (Judah). If America Who will step in to fill the three brothers together has been shredded. turned its back on the Jews, it would leave void as Israel’s relationship As we wrote in March/April 2004, “In little Israel isolated and vulnerable.” with America continues to Zechariah 11:14 is a prophecy that God Carefully watch as America’s relation- deteriorate? Order a free would ‘break the brotherhood between Ju- ship with Israel continues to deteriorate— copy of Gerald Flurry’s dah and Israel.’ This may well refer to a fu- and take note of who Israel turns to for booklet Jerusalem in ture rift between America (biblical Israel) help. That, too, is prophesied. n Prophecy to find out.

the March 2006 Trumpet edition. Once Again, It’s All About Jerusalem “Whether or not they elect Netan- et again, in the latest storm Washington’s hostility toward Ne- remind long-time Trumpet readers yahu, it is almost certain the new brewing in the Middle East, tanyahu’s government recognize an of a prediction our editor in chief government will act with more cau- YJerusalem is at the center. opportunity. They seek to exploit made back in December of 2005, tion toward the Hamas-dominated The conflagration the rift and hit Israel in a letter to Trumpet subscribers Palestinian government. That is surrounding Israel while it is isolated. Arabs and in a Key of David program he going to bring the crisis to a head licensing construction rioted in Jerusalem and taped about the same time. much more quickly.” on 1,600 homes in a elsewhere on a scale Based on a prophecy in The prophesied explosion over north Jerusalem neigh- unseen in a decade. The Zechariah, which speaks of half Jerusalem, he believed, would borhood revealed why Gaza Strip has again of Jerusalem being taken in what likely be precipitated by Arab radi- Jerusalem is destined become the launching looks to be a violent siege, Ger- calization, coupled with Jewish to again become a the- pad for lobbing Kassams ald Flurry speculated about the inflexibility. ater of war very soon. into Israel; one rocket political climate that could prevail “Zechariah’s prophecy implies Bible prophecy says it strike in March killed within Israel in the days before that there will be an impasse over will happen. The Trumpet has been a man. Iran—never far from the that event occurs. We could soon the Temple Mount—which the warning about it for nearly two action wherever nefarious activity witness the two sides of the Palestinians ‘resolve’ by taking decades. The peace process will is going on in the region—an- Arab-Jew conflict each shift back East Jerusalem by force,” he con- always break down over the Holy nounced on March 14 its intent to toward their respective hard-line tinued. “That is why I believe the City—until that city convulses in mediate a reconciliation between camps, he said, driving them conservatives could regain control violence that provokes world war. Hamas and Fatah, the two rival apart and pushing the possibility in Israel. They have a stronger will On one side, the way Israel has Palestinian factions. “The overall of a peace deal out of reach. He to fight for the land they believe handled the matter is prophetically goal is thus to exploit the breach in suggested that the Palestinians belongs to the Jews.” significant.T hough Benjamin Ne- the U.S.-Israeli relationship to re- could be taken over by the radi- As it turned out, that predic- tanyahu apologized to Washington unify the Palestinian leadership and cal Hamas movement—while the tion was not fulfilled at that time. for the timing of the announce- encourage Israeli military action in security-conscious Jews vote in a The Israelis went on to elect the ment on construction, he also the territories that would further more conservative government. dovish Ehud Olmert, and the made clear that he wouldn’t stop undermine Israel’s diplomatic ef- An Israeli election was sched- Palestinians became preoccupied the building. Jerusalem Mayor Nir forts in building a coalition against uled for March 28, 2006. Based with infighting. Tension over the Barkat made his own stance clear Iran,” Stratfor wrote on March 22. on the biblical evidence, Mr. Flurry fate of the Holy City gave way to by quickly unveiling a blueprint To think that all this sound and believed Netanyahu’s Likud party, other, more immediate concerns. for another 50,000 apartments in fury is a response to Israel’s plan then performing poorly, might Now, however, conditions look the city. Netanyahu gave a speech to build 1,600 homes is ludicrous. bounce back and take the election. to be shaping up just as Mr. Flurry during his visit to the U.S. where Anger over “settlements” is just Within a short time after those predicted. Even Israel’s prime he said, “The Jewish people were the latest of a string of pretexts statements, Hamas scored a star- ministership is now occupied by building Jerusalem 3,000 years the Palestinians have used to try tling victory in Palestinian elections, the man he believed it could be. ago and the Jewish people are to weaken Israel’s position over snagging 74 out of the 132 seats in The pressure on Israel is enor- building Jerusalem today. Jeru- the years. In the past it has been the Palestinian Legislative Council. mous—yet the leader is standing salem is not a settlement. It is our land purchases (of unused waste- Then, even more shocking, Israeli firm on the territorial issue that capital!” (emphasis mine through- land) or immigration. If settle- Prime Minister Ariel Sharon—who most resonates with his country- out). Strong words for a man ments were the real problem, had planned more unilateral con- men. This is fueling Arab anger scheduled the next day to meet then the Gaza Strip—from which cessions to the Palestinians similar and impatience, which appear to the American president who called Israel removed every last Jewish to the Gaza withdrawal he orches- be building toward violence. it a settlement. But Netanyahu is resident five years ago—would trated—suffered a massive stroke And it all centers around Je- determined to preserve Israeli sov- be a picture of neighborliness and was removed from the scene. rusalem. Just as Zechariah said ereignty over East Jerusalem. And and peace. The Palestinians’ goal Suddenly, it looked like Mr. Flurry’s it would. he has his people behind him. This is the same as it always was: to prediction had lurched dramatically The most remarkable thing, is no trifling issue to the Jews.A s eliminate the Jewish state. The closer to being fulfilled. “These though, is the sequence of events pressure grows, they’re not back- Palestinians will never negotiate two events [Hamas’s victory and Zechariah prophesied would be ing down—they’re digging in. and abide by an agreement to ac- Sharon’s departure] will make the triggered by the war over Jerusa- On the other side of the cept Israel’s existence as a state. conservative position look more lem. It is the most exciting news conflict, theP alestinians eyeing These remarkable events may attractive for Israelis,” he wrote in you could hear! Joel Hilliker

22 May/June 2010 The Philadelphia Trumpet All in a day Citizens clash with police in Kyrgyzstan in a coup that ousted the president. How Russia Outmaneuvered The fascinating power politics behind an America overlooked coup in Central Asia By Joel Hilliker his tiny Central Asian state and -executed operation—and much of by influencing elections there, and practi- had witnessed street protests be- that evidence points to Russia. cally taking Georgia by force in 2008. fore. Discontent and restlessness While a stunned United States and Eu- It also means that America’s foothold Twere widespread: The president had rope were scrambling to formulate a diplo- in strategically crucial Central Asia has promised political freedom, democratic re- matic response to the coup, Russian Prime been significantly pried loose. form and transparency—but he turned out Minister Vladimir Putin enthusiastically Central Asia is a strategic battle- to be even more despotic and corrupt than became the first world leader to recognize ground—particularly for Russia, China, the man he replaced in a revolution five the new government—within hours of it Europe, Iran and America. Its location as years earlier. Public demonstrations against taking power. Russian Federal Security Ser- a crossroads between Asia and the Middle his regime, however, had always fizzled. vice agents were reportedly present during East—combined with its energy wealth— This time was different. Very differ- the riots. Asia Times reported on rumors make it central in the region’s balance of ent. Within a blur of 24 hours, Kyrgyzstan that emissaries from Russia’s foreign and power. was transformed. On April 7, the capital military intelligence “played a significant While Kyrgyzstan doesn’t have the re- erupted in bloody riots, the president fled, covert role in neutralizing Bakiyev’s mili- sources that other Central Asian countries the deputy prime minister was taken hos- tary and security power base by persuad- do, it is extremely valuable real estate. Rus- tage, the interior minister was killed, and ing senior Kyrgyz officers to keep most of sia views it as an important buffer against the government fell. A new chief executive their forces off the streets” (April 13). Im- Islam’s northward push. Radical Islamists assumed power and quickly appointed mediately after the takeover, Russia had 150 exploit it as a transit route. China has defense, finance and interior ministers. more paratroopers on the ground, joining commercial interests there, and eyes it as Within days, it appeared the nation’s secu- the forces it already had on its five military posing a potential threat to its own mis- rity services were firmly under the control bases in the country. Russian offers of po- sile sites, situated near the two nations’ of the new interim government. litical and financial support soon followed. shared border. nato considers it pivotal to Apart from some 79 deaths, several And Russian agents had apparently per- its designs on expanding its presence into hundred injuries and some property suaded the Kyrgyz High Command to back Central Asia. As Stratfor wrote on April damage, it was remarkably seamless for a the new government. 9, “The country lies in a key geographic revolution. What this means is that, by all appear- location nestled against China and Ka- In fact, there is little reason to believe ances, Kyrgyzstan is just Russia’s most zakhstan, and surrounds the most critical it erupted spontaneously. All the evidence recent conquest in its near abroad, after piece of territory in all of Central Asia: points to a well-orchestrated, well-planned having secured Ukraine just months ago the Fergana Valley. Whoever controls

vyacheslav OSELEDKO/AFP/Getty Images The Philadelphia Trumpet May/June 2010 23 Kyrgyzstan has the ability to pressure a number of states, including Kazakhstan, S t r a t f o r a N a l y s t China, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.” Kyrgyzstan has also grown in significance because it hosts America’s only remaining military base in Central Asia. Manas air base, just outside the country’s capital, is now the main supply We Were Wrong— base for U.S. troops in what has become America’s chief theater of war, Afghani- stan. Each month, 50,000 American troops pass through there. So crucial is this base, that Washing- ton has gotten its hands filthy in order to hang on to it, propping up and enriching Germany Is a patently crooked government. Amid the series of “color revolutions” in the former Soviet and Balkan states in the early 2000s, the U.S. encouraged and celebrat- ed the apparent surge in democracy. In Taking Over Kyrgyzstan, it backed Kurmanbek Baki- yev in ousting the nation’s president in the “Tulip Revolution” of 2005. But Bakiyev has proven himself a tyrant—and Kyr- Waking up to Berlin’s true ambitions gyzstan has suffered terribly for it. In five short years, the nation has gone from rela- By Ron Fraser and Brad Macdonald tive stability to basket case, a nearly failed state plagued by cronyism and economic or many years the Trumpet forecast the decline of the Anglo-Saxon mismanagement. A U.S. State Depart- has informed its readers of the peoples and the rise to global dominance, ment report last year accused Bakiyev’s true imperialist agenda of certain if only briefly, of three distinctly com- government of pervasive corruption, ju- elites in Germany. Many, in their petitive powers—a German-led imperial dicial abuses, bullying of media, arbitrary Fignorance, laughed. Now, however, some Europe, Iran and the Sino-Russian bloc. arrest and detention, child abuse and of the brightest and best of analysts are Interestingly, a recent analysis by an- child labor, trafficking in persons, killing waking up to the true nature of the agen- other Stratfor analyst shows that current and torture. Yet Washington—supposed da of the current generation of German events are forcing them to look again and defender of democracy, human rights imperialists. to reevaluate their position on Europe, and the rule of law—stood by him, paying Our long-time readers will know and Germany in particular. millions (which many say he personally that one of the sources we often quote is pocketed) to continue leasing Manas. In Texas-based think tank Stratfor. We first Recognizing a German Plan? 2006, Bakiyev threatened to evict the U.S. noticed the astute analysis of Dr. George It seems Stratfor is coming to have a de- if Washington didn’t pay more rent. The Friedman, Stratfor’s ceo, during the Bal- gree of consensus with the Trumpet’s U.S. subsequently upped its annual pay- kan wars of the 1990s. We even published view. “The global system is undergoing ment from $80 million to $150 million. a cover story featuring an article he wrote profound change,” wrote one of Stratfor’s Russia has always hated America’s exposing the falsehood behind reports of most articulate analysts, Peter Zeihan, presence in its backyard. All the Central Serbian-instigated genocide. on March 16. “Three powers—Germany, Asian countries besides Afghanistan George Friedman has a mind as sharp Iran and China—face challenges forcing were once a part of the old Soviet Union; as a razor. His grasp of history as it relates them to refashion the way they interact for years now, Russia has been on a mis- to unfolding current world events is pro- with their regions and the world.” These sion to haul those states and its other So- found. His Hungarian heritage probably are essentially the same three powers to viet-era satellites back under its umbrella gives him a natural affinity with Europe- which biblical prophecy compels us to of influence. Along with China, it has an and transatlantic affairs in particular. devote the majority of our attention. worked hard to dislodge America’s pres- Yet in many of his analyses, Dr. Friedman Zeihan went on to focus on Germany. ence from the region entirely. In 2005, it has spoken of Europe as being a power His analysis of current trends in Germany successfully pressured Uzbekistan to evict in decline. In his most recent bestseller, hints at there having been an underly- the United States from its air base in the The Next Hundred Years, Friedman sees ing agenda to give that nation its current country, leaving Kyrgyzstan with Central the U.S. as being the dominant power dominance in European affairs. Read Asia’s last remaining U.S. military base. throughout the current century. what Zeihan wrote about Stratfor’s chang- “America’s presence in Moscow’s and On that point, with due respect to Dr. ing view of the EU in light of the current Beijing’s backyard has gone a long way Friedman, we beg to differ. We differ Greek financial fiasco and what it por- in keeping these two nations in check— based on the “more sure word of prophe- tends for a restructuring of the EU model: even curbing their efforts to dominate cy,” which foretells a far different outcome. “Despite their shared EU member- See russia page 36 ➤ In fact, the prophecies of your Bible ship, the Western European members

24 May/June 2010 The Philadelphia Trumpet were quite reluctant to bail out their east- are almost certainly going to weaken.” ern partners. We became even more con- German Finance Minister Throughout his article, Zeihan made a vinced that such inconsistencies would Wolfgang Schäuble multitude of important and grave obser- eventually doom the currency union, and vations. His conclusion almost sounded as that the euro’s eventual dissolution would if it had been plucked from the archives take the European Union with it. Now, of the Trumpet: “The paradigm that cre- we’re not so sure. ated the European Union—that Germany “What if, instead of the euro being de- would be harnessed and contained—is signed to further contain the Germans, shifting. Germany now has not only the Germans crafted the euro to rewire the found its voice, it is beginning to express, European Union for their own purposes?” and hold to, its own national interest. A (emphasis ours throughout). political consensus has emerged in Ger- Our dear long-time readers, where did many against bailing out Greece. More- you first read of Germany perhaps delib- over, a political consensus has emerged in erately constructing a monetary system Germany that the rules of the euro- to fail so as to create the very crisis that zone are Germany’s to refashion. … would lead the German leaders to pose [T]his was not the ‘union’ the rest of Eu- their own corporatist solution on the rope signed up for—it is the Mitteleuropa problem in the interests of meeting their that the rest of Europe will remember well.” own nationalist, imperialist goals for a This stunning observation will not Fourth Reich? be lost on those familiar with the his- Amid the economic bedlam besieging “We need tighter rules. tory of German ambition for Europe. As Europe, an undisputed reality is emerging: Zeihan noted: “If the euro is essentially Germany is exploiting this crisis to forge That means in an extreme gutting the European … economic base, Europe into a vehicle of Teutonic ambition. case, the possibility that a then Germany is achieving by stealth For Stratfor analyst Peter Zeihan, this what it failed to achieve in the past reality crystallized in the wake of a re- country that does not get thousand years of intra-European cent remark by German Finance Minis- struggles.” ter Wolfgang Schäuble. “We need tighter its finances in order at all In other words, the country responsi- rules,” Schäuble remarked on March 13, in leaves the euro group.” ble for causing a multitude of conflicts in response to Greece’s failing economy and Europe, including the two most devastat- the eurozone crisis. “That means in an ex- ing wars in human history, is today—via treme case, the possibility that a country its role as Europe’s economic savior—gain- that does not get its finances in order at all what Herbert Armstrong prophesied for ing dominion over the Continent. leaves the euro group.” almost 60 years prior to the fall of the Ber- When sharp analysts at high-profile Dramatic though it is, Schäuble’s re- lin Wall. Remember what the Trumpet has think tanks such as Stratfor are prepared mark is a nugget within a goldmine of consistently forecast based on the inerrant to publish challenging views such as put evidence exposing Germany’s ambition to prophecies of your Bible. Remember—and forward by Peter Zeihan that so closely dominate Europe. Nevertheless, this was be sobered! match those of biblical prophecy pro- the nugget that caught Zeihan’s eye and “[O]ur assessment of the euro is shifting pounded by this magazine, perhaps it is sparked an exceptional piece of analysis. from the belief that it was a straitjacket for time our critics look more seriously into Read on and see just how close Stratfor’s Germany to the belief that it is Germany’s that “more sure word of prophecy”! n thinking is becoming to the reality of springboard. … Germany is becoming a bit what the Trumpet has forecast since the too successful at charting its own destiny. For more analysis on how Germany could euro’s creation. And as it dawns on one European country take advantage of economic difficulties in “[W]hat jumped out at us is that some- after another that there was more to the Europe, read the article "The Greek Crisis one of Schäuble’s gravitas doesn’t go about euro than cheap credit, the ties that bind Was Planned!" from our April issue. casually making threats,” Zeihan noted. “[T]his is not the sort of statement made by a country that is constrained, harnessed, submerged or placated. It is not The Fourth Reich is rising! even the sort of statement made by just any EU member, but rather by the decisive member. Germany now appears prepared not just to contemplate, but to publicly con- Germany and the Holy template, the reengineering of Europe Roman Empire explains for its own interests. It may not do it, Germany’s legacy—and or it may not do it now, but it has now its onrushing future. been said, and that will change Germany’s Request your free copy! relationship to Europe.” And the Bible said it would happen. See back cover for Now, read the following statement ordering information. from Zeihan and remember—remember

berthold stadler/afp/getty images The Philadelphia Trumpet May/June 2010 25 Did Christ Abolish the Sabbath?

By Stephen Flurry

ost people know say, “And he said unto them, The sab- the Sabbath many years after Christ died. the Old Testament bath was made for man, and not man for In verse 42, after Paul’s Sabbath sermon, Sabbath was on the the sabbath: Therefore the Son of man is many of the Jews who heard him became seventh day of the Lord also of the sabbath.” Jesus Christ, the offended and left. But notice, “the Gen- week—Saturday on Scriptures reveal, is the Lord of the Sab- tiles besought that these words might be the Roman calen- bath. He made it for you and me! preached to them the next sabbath.” The dar. But that day is The word Sabbath or Sabbaths is men- Gentiles, those who had no prior knowl- for the Jews, they reason. Jesus Christ came tioned 172 times throughout the Bible; 60 edge of Sabbath observance, asked if Paul to change Sabbath observance to Sunday of these are found in the New Testament. could come back the next Sabbath. Mworship. If Christ had changed the Sabbath day to Notice what happened: “And the next Did He? Sunday, surely He or the apostles who fol- sabbath day came almost the whole city Early in Christ’s ministry, we find that lowed in His steps would have explained together to hear the word of God” (verse He taught on the Sabbath day (Mark 1:21; the change. 44). Why didn’t the Gentiles ask him to 6:2; Luke 4:31; 13:10). In fact, Luke 4:16 Acts 13:14-15 show that the Apostle come back on the following Sunday? Be- says this was His custom! Mark 2:27-28 Paul was teaching in the synagogue on cause Paul, like Christ, kept the Sabbath.

26 May/June 2010 The Philadelphia Trumpet Notice Acts 17:2: “And Paul, as his man- for Assos (verse 13). if it is a shadow of things to come—God’s ner was, went in unto them, and three Read the entire passage. Nothing in it millennial rest? sabbath days reasoned with them out of commands a weekly Sunday observance. Yet, that is exactly what many do. the scriptures.” This is now 20 years af- Paul was merely taking advantage of his last Newer Bible translations, for example, ter Christ died, and we see that it was still opportunity to meet with and speak to the make the shadow sound negative or bad. Paul’s custom to keep the Sabbath, just as it brethren at Troas—and it was actually on All that matters is Christ, they say. Never was Christ’s custom (Luke 4:16). Saturday night. mind His example—just believe in Him. Over 10 years later, Paul wrote the epis- One other important point to make re- tle to the Hebrews. In the first few verses Nailed to the Cross? garding this passage is that it was written of chapter 4, after discussing the spiritual Many try to make Colossians 2:16-17 say to the Gentiles at Colosse (see Colossians “rest” this world will enjoy after Jesus the New Testament Church did away 2:13). Before coming into God’s Church, Christ returns, Paul then explains how with the Sabbath. It reads, “Let no man the Gentiles had never observed God’s our weekly Sabbath observance pictures therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, Sabbath command. Yet Paul tells them to that millennial rest. “There remaineth or in respect of an holyday, or of the new not let any man judge them with respect therefore a rest to the people of God,” Paul moon, or of the sabbath days: Which are a to the Sabbath or holy days. wrote (verse 9). The Greek word for rest is shadow of things to come; but the body is Why would he write something like sabbatismos, which simply means “keep- of Christ.” The word judge means “to pro- that if these people had never kept those ing of the Sabbath.” Most Bible margins days in the first place? even point this out. Had the seventh-day Sabbath been Had the seventh-day The Sign of Christ’s Messiahship changed to Sunday, wouldn’t Paul have ex- The first reason most Sunday keepers cite plained this to, of all people, the Hebrews Sabbath been changed as proof of the Sabbath’s obsolescence is in Judea? Instead, Paul reminded them to Sunday, wouldn’t Paul the resurrection of Christ. Let’s again ex- that their weekly Sabbath observance was have explained this to, of amine the scriptural record. After Christ a very type of the millennial rest to come had been resurrected, Mary Magdalene upon the entire world. all people, the Hebrews went to visit His tomb early Sunday morn- in Judea? Instead, Paul ing. All four Gospels discuss this event But What About Sunday? as occurring on the first day of the week While the seventh-day Sabbath is men- reminded them that their (Matthew 28:1; Mark 16:2, 9; Luke 24:1; tioned 60 times in the New Testament, the weekly Sabbath observance John 20:1). And all four accounts specifi- first day of the week, Sunday, is mentioned cally say this occurred after the Sabbath. only eight times! was a very type of the (Notice the Bible makes a clear distinction In 1 Corinthians 16:1-4, the disciples were millennial rest to come between the Sabbath and the first day— told by Paul to take up a “collection for the even after Christ died.) saints” on the first day of the week. Some upon the entire world. On Sunday morning, the women came use this not only to show we should go to to do the work of a common weekday. church on Sunday, but also that we should nounce an opinion concerning right and They were not observing the Sabbath day take up a collection of money each week. In wrong” (Thayer’s Lexicon). Also notice the of rest. They did this the day before (see fact, Romans 15:25-28 explain that this spe- word “is” at the end of verse 17. It’s in ital- Luke 23:56). Then on Sunday, they gath- cial collection was taken for the saints in Je- ics, which means it was not in the original ered their spices and headed to Christ’s rusalem because they were extremely poor. Greek text—it was added by translators. tomb. In all these passages, there is not Furthermore, Paul offered to help carry the Understand the meaning! “Let no man one command to keep the first day holy! collection in verse 4. So this collection was judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect Neither is there any admonition for us to primarily food and supplies, not money. of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of commemorate Christ’s resurrection. Some And it was for the saints in Jerusalem, not the sabbath days … but the body of Christ.” claim that John 20:19 is such an example: the Church. Furthermore, they were told In other words, don’t let a man determine “Then the same day at evening, being the to gather it on Sunday. So, far from being a what is right or wrong about which days first day of the week, when the doors were command to worship God on Sunday, Paul to observe. These matters should be de- shut where the disciples were assembled for was actually instructing them to gather up termined by the Body of Christ—or the fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the food and supplies for the Jerusalem breth- Church (see 1 Corinthians 12:27). And the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto ren on Sunday, after the Sabbath had ended. Church establishes doctrine by what is in- you.” Nothing here, however, authorizes Acts 20:7 has another reference to the spired in the holy Word of God. The Bible, Sunday observance. In fact, the disciples first day of the week. In that passage, the as we have seen, plainly teaches that we weren’t even gathered for a service. They disciples assembled together for a meal— should observe the Sabbath. were dwelling together with the doors shut to “break bread.” Since God begins and And let’s not overlook this additional “for fear of the Jews”! They couldn’t have ends each day at sunset (rather than mid- thought from Colossians 2:17: “Which are been there to celebrate the resurrection night), this dinner actually took place a shadow of things to come ….” You can- because they didn’t even believe that it had after sunset on Saturday night—the be- not separate the shadow from its object. A happened (see Mark 16:14; Luke 24:37, 39, ginning of the first day of the week. Paul shadow from a tree, for example, always 41). This meeting was simply Christ’s first preached unto them until midnight, the leads you right to the tree. If you take away opportunity to meet with His disciples verse says. At the break of day, on Sunday, the shadow, there is no tree. since being resurrected. For 3½ years be- Paul left on foot, Scripture says, and sailed Why would you take away the Sabbath fore this time, Christ had been with them

istockphoto The Philadelphia Trumpet May/June 2010 27 practically every day. The fact that He was nicious errors, we give warning by this Answer: Had she not such power, she with them on a Sunday is not unusual. present statute that none of you hence- should not have done that in which all Besides that, there is no scriptural com- forth presume to assemble yourselves modern religionists agree with her—she mand to observe the day of Christ’s resur- together. We have directed, accordingly, could not have substituted the observance rection, whether on Easter Sunday or any that you be deprived of all the houses in of Sunday, the first day of the week, for the Sunday. (The Bible commands us to ob- which you are accustomed to hold your observance of Saturday, the seventh day, serve the day of His death—see 1 Corinthi- assemblies: and forbid the holding of your a change for which there is no scriptural ans 5:7; 11:23-26.) superstitious and senseless meetings, not authority.” Even if the disciples had gathered on in public merely, but in any private house Here is a quote from the Theological Sunday to supposedly commemorate or place whatsoever. … Take the far bet- Dictionary, by Charles Buck, a Method- the resurrection, it would have been the ter course of entering the Catholic Church ist minister: “Sabbath in the Hebrew lan- wrong day! When asked for a sign that He …. From this day forward none of your guage signifies rest, and is the seventh day was from God, Jesus responded, “For as unlawful assemblies may presume to ap- of the week … and it must be confessed Jonas was three days and three nights in pear in any public or private place. Let this that there is no law in the New Testament the whale’s belly; so shall the Son of man edict be made public.” concerning the first day.” be three days and three nights in the heart The Roman Catholic Church is respon- Finally, here is what Isaac Williams of the earth” (Matthew 12:40). Traditional sible for changing the Sabbath to Sunday wrote in Plain Sermons on the Catechism: Christianity teaches that this three-day pe- “And where are we told in Scripture that riod can be counted from late in the after- we are to keep the first day at all? We are noon on Good Friday until early morning The foundational commanded to keep the seventh; but we Easter Sunday. That’s part of three days, proof that traditional are nowhere commanded to keep the first they insist—Friday, Saturday and Sunday. day. … The reason why we keep the first But that popular belief plainly allows for Christianity uses day of the week instead of the seventh is only two nights and one day in the grave to endorse Sunday for the same reason that we observe many when Christ specifically said He would be observance is that “our other things, not because the Bible, but in the earth three days and three nights, because the church has enjoined [or com- just as Jonah spent the same amount of Lord was resurrected on manded] it.” time in the fish’s belly (Jonah 1:17). that day.” But He wasn’t! Traditional Christianity has never un- Followers of Christ derstood the truth on this matter because Scholars will reason around it, but the Bi- the sabbath that was drawing near at and enforcing Sunday observance. To as- ble is clear. There simply is no command Christ’s crucifixion was not a seventh-day semble together on any other day for a re- endorsing any kind of Sunday observance. Sabbath—it was an annual sabbath—one ligious observance was considered unlaw- What God does command is this: “Re- of God’s seven annual holy days (John ful. This was confirmed at the Council of member the sabbath day, to keep it holy” 19:31). In a.d. 31, the year Christ was cru- Laodicea almost 40 years later in a.d. 363. (Exodus 20:8). cified, that annual sabbath occurred on a At that conference, it was decreed, “Chris- The Israelites were commanded to keep Thursday, meaning Christ died late in the tians must not Judaize by resting on the the Sabbath. The prophets—described as afternoon the day before—on Wednesday. Sabbath, but must work on that day, rest- part of the foundation of God’s Church Three full days and nights brings the ing rather on Sunday. But, if any be found today (Ephesians 2:19-21)—all kept the actual resurrection to late Saturday after- to be Judaizing, let them be declared Sabbath. Jesus Christ came in the flesh noon, shortly before sunset. By the end of anathema [cursed and excommunicated] and observed the Sabbath (Luke 4:16). All the Sabbath, Jesus was already gone (Mat- from Christ.” of the apostles, including Paul, observed thew 28:1). Today, even Sunday-observing theolo- the seventh-day Sabbath (Acts 17:2). They Think what this means. The founda- gians will sometimes admit the Sabbath followed Christ’s example. And in 1 Cor- tional proof that traditional Christianity was changed by man. Notice the question inthians 11:1, Paul said, “Be ye followers of uses to endorse Sunday observance is that posed to the Catholic Church in the book me, even as I also am of Christ.” “our Lord was resurrected on that day.” Catholic Doctrinal Catechism: “Have you Don’t let any man decide what’s right But He wasn’t! Furthermore, He never any other way of proving that the church and wrong with respect to the Sabbath. commanded Sunday to be observed. Jesus has power to institute festivals of precept? Just follow Christ’s example. n Christ kept the Sabbath!

So Where Did It Begin? So if the authority for Sunday observance Don’t assume you know. cannot be found in Scripture, where is it? History tells. If we go back far enough, we can see where Sunday advocates clashed head to head with Sabbath keepers. At the Nicean Council of a.d. 325, for example, Emperor Constantine said, “Let us then Request your own free copy of Herbert W. Armstrong’s have nothing in common with the Jews.” comprehensive booklet proving this doctrine from the Bible: He continued, “Forasmuch, then, as it is Which Day Is the Christian Sabbath? no longer possible to bear with your per-

28 May/June 2010 The Philadelphia Trumpet istockphoto ranking Catholic officials. Of course, this was merely another chapter in a sordid saga. The previous exposure of this problem that has long dogged the church occurred in 2002. At that time, Pope John Paul ii was forced to meet with church leaders in the Unit- ed States after dozens of stories surfaced showing that pedophile priests had been at work for decades in congregations Is the across the country. As it turned out, the decision to discuss the Irish scandal publicly opened the Vatican floodgates for a gush of victims across Eu- rope, and the world, to “open up” about their abuse at the hands of perverted Catholic priests. By April, the scandal had a Bastion turned into a full-blown crisis that began to engulf the entire church, including Pope Benedict and the Vatican. of Family In Germany, reports surfaced of hundreds of children being sexually abused by more than 100 priests and Catholic lay members. “After years of suppression,” Values? Spiegel wrote, “the wall of silence appears to be crumbling” (February 8). Even the Not nearly as much pope himself became embroiled in the as millions believe. crisis in Germany when it emerged that a priest known to be abusive had worked in By Brad Macdonald a Munich diocese in the 1980s while Bene- dict was archbishop there. In April, when the Catholic Church initiated a phone n an age where marriage and depends in good part on the moral and reli- hotline in Germany—via which victims family are under vicious and unre- gious health of the Christian family,” Bene- could report crimes and seek counsel- lenting assault, the Roman Catholic dict stated (emphasis mine throughout). ing—it reportedly melted down after be- Church’s zealous crusade in defense To the conservative observer living ing overwhelmed with calls. of these institutions appears impres- amid an onslaught of moral relativism As victims emerged from the wood- siveI and praiseworthy. and liberalism, the Vatican’s willing- work in Germany, hundreds of oth- On February 1, for example, Pope ness to tackle issues such as homosexu- ers began coming forward elsewhere in Benedict xvi tore into liberal politicians ality, same-sex marriage and abortion Europe—in Italy, Austria, Switzerland, in Britain for trying to pass legislation is refreshing and reassuring. But there Denmark and Norway. Soon the church’s that supposedly would protect homosexu- is a problem with this perception. It’s reputation became a question of fierce als from discrimination. During a speech misleading. international debate as media outlets, before 35 Catholic bishops from England As the pedophile scandal that has re- religious pundits and ordinary citizens and Wales, Benedict lambasted the im- cently engulfed the Catholic Church re- weighed in on the rapidly unraveling moral legislation and urged the bishops to veals, this institution simply is not the scandal. “The child sex-abuse scandal in work together to oppose it with “mission- bastion of traditional family values that the Catholic priesthood—and the world- ary zeal.” millions believe it to be. wide cover-up that seems, at least indi- One week later, the pope lectured the rectly, to have involved Cardinal Joseph Pontifical Council for the Family on the Leaking Hypocrisy Ratzinger before he was elevated to the importance of marriage to the wellbeing Pope Benedict xvi conducted two days of papacy—has embarrassed the Catholic of children. “The family founded on mar- meetings with 24 bishops from Ireland in Church and angered parishioners,” noted riage between a man and a woman is the February. The topic of discussion was the Newsweek (March 30). greatest help that can be given to children,” sex scandal plaguing the Catholic Church As the crisis exploded and reports con- he said. “Supporting the family and pro- in Ireland, details of which emerged last tinued to surface of abuses being habitual- moting its true good, its rights, its unity November with the release of the now in- ly covered up by Catholic authorities, crit- and stability is the best way to protect the famous Murphy Report. Published by the icism against the church and the Vatican rights and the real needs of children.” Four Irish government, the three-volume report intensified. Some even began to demand days later, Benedict reiterated this theme revealed an abominable tale of decades of Benedict’s resignation. In America, the during a meeting with bishops visiting physical and sexual abuse against children National Catholic Reporter demanded the from Romania and Moldova. “The blos- by Catholic clergy—and the plot to conceal “Holy father … directly answer questions, soming of priestly and religious vocations the heinous offenses by a multitude of high- in a credible forum, about his role” in the pETER MUHLY/AFP/Getty Images The Philadelphia Trumpet May/June 2010 29 cover-up of reports of the sexual abuse of the victims. But many observers remained Vatican never explicitly recognized and children when he was archbishop of the unconvinced of the Vatican’s repentance. apologized for its own culpability. Munich diocese (1977-82) and as prefect of Regarding the talks between Benedict and Put simply, the Vatican has yet to show the Congregation for the Doctrine of the his Irish cardinals in February, Mike Ion itself truly repentant! Faith (1982-2005). observed in the Guardian that they “were Pope Benedict xvi has reached a cross- at best missed opportunity and at worst a Slow to Act roads, veteran Vatican journalist Marco mere public relations exercise” (February 17). As the crisis continues, objective viewers Politi told the New York Times. “What’s The truth in this assessment is evident are realizing that few if any sincere and extraordinary is that the scandal has if you read the Vatican’s official statement tangible acts of repentance are com- reached the heart of the center of the released after the meeting. Though the ing from the Vatican. Pope Benedict pos- church. Up to now it was far away—in the document possessed enough of a tone of sesses many of the tools required to purge States, in Canada, in Brazil, in Australia. grief to speak to the widespread demand the sexual deviates from the church’s Then it came to Europe, to Ireland. Then that the Vatican voice a stronger opinion midst. The Vatican has the intelligence infrastructure to lead robust, efficient and transparent investigations into allega- tions of sex abuse when they arise. Instead of merely condemning perverted priests, or retiring them, or transferring them to another parish, Benedict could severely punish them. More importantly, as the ultimate authority in the Catholic Church, Benedict can enact policies that would protect his flock from such ravenous wolves. Yet the Vatican has been slow in each and every one of these actions! Supporters of the Vatican argue that Benedict’s reach into Catholic congregations in countries like Ireland, America and Germany is limited. We are told that most dioceses are largely independent of the Vatican and operate with little direc- tion and assistance from headquarters. While it issued words of comfort to the victims Don’t buy it. Since he became pope in 2005, Benedict has proven remarkably adept at of abuse, and even some condemnation of the tackling national politicians and policies abusing priests, the Vatican never explicitly that don’t gel with Catholic doctrine or Vatican ambition. Throughout its history, recognized and apologized for its own culpability. the Vatican has proven itself willing and capable of bringing down governments, it came to [Germany]. Then it came to his on this issue, it was nothing more than shaping national policies, destroying ca- diocese, and now it’s coming to the heart of platitudes. The Vatican was careful not reers, and confronting and undermining the government of the church—and he has to admit an iota of complicity. The self- competing religions and ideologies. to give an answer,” he said (March 25). serving statement was actually written to Moreover, if the Vatican really wanted distance the Vatican from the despicable to protect and nurture children, it would The Vatican’s Answer conduct of its representatives in Dublin. be acting on this issue energetically and Though Catholic leaders delivered the Take this little bromide: “Together they forcefully to ensure such crimes never hap- requisite public apologies and statements [Benedict and the Irish bishops] exam- pen again! to the abuse victims, their general reac- ined the failure of Irish church authorities The Catholic Church might promote tion has been calculated and stolid. for many years to act effectively in dealing itself as the bastion of family values and When Benedict learned of the find- with cases involving the sexual abuse of morality. But that message has been radi- ings of the Murphy Report in Ireland, he young people ….” Of course “Irish church cally undermined by the nearly constant reacted with surprise and disgust. In a authorities” failed to deal with these hei- surfacing of sordid sex crimes by Catholic press statement last December, he said he nous crimes—but what about the Vati- leaders. Moreover, the Vatican’s halfheart- shared the “outrage, betrayal and shame can’s failure to investigate the disgusting ed approach to these scandals is a sign felt by so many of the faithful in Ireland.” stories that dripped for years out of Ireland? that despite marketing itself as a defender In March, he issued a letter in which he As the scandal widened to include of marriage and family, this institution is stated to victims in Ireland, “You have victims in Germany and beyond, Bene- merely another broken religion incapable suffered grievously and I am truly sorry.” dict and the Vatican reacted in much the of curing the evil human heart. n As the pool of victims got deeper, Bene- same way. While it issued sweet-sounding dict and the Vatican continued to issue words of empathy and comfort to the Request a free copy of Germany and the statements and deliver public prayers em- victims of abuse, and even some strong Holy Roman Empire to learn more of the pathizing with the pain and suffering of condemnation of the abusing priests, the truth about the Vatican’s past—and future.

30 May/June 2010 The Philadelphia Trumpet istockphoto Beware! The Vatican Will Retaliate

still on top The pope addresses believ- ers in St. Peters Square.

History warns us not to misjudge the resilience of What Sparked the Inquisition the Roman Catholic Church. By Brad Macdonald Recall the history of the Protestant Reformation. eading reports of the bal- Don’t buy it! The Vatican was the defining force in looning sex scandal inside the Of course, the story of thousands of Europe during the Middle Ages. The au- Catholic Church, one can get heinous sex crimes being committed by thority of Catholic leaders on all matters the distinct impression that the Catholic priests the world over is impor- spiritual and moral went unquestioned. church is imploding. tant and telling. But the narrative that is Even in issues of war and politics, popes RApparently, millions of Catholics are emerging of a severely debilitated Catholic and church leaders often wielded decisive dazed and demoralized. Apparently, the Church on bended knee before a disgust- authority. Naturally, this unrivaled power Vatican is mired in an impossible battle ed and furious world is wildly exaggerated. corrupted church leaders on all levels. In against fact and truth and is reeling. Ap- Pushed largely by the mainstream press Rome and across Europe, Catholic priests parently, Catholic leaders are quietly, apol- in Britain and the United States (includ- habitually abused their position to grow ogetically, retreating. The Catholic Church ing Catholic outlets in these countries), rich and satiate fleshly desires. Over time, “now face[s] the largest institutional crisis this increasingly popular perception resentment and anger festered. In Octo- in centuries, possibly in church history,” overlooks a critical reality: It ignores the ber 1517, the frustration finally burst out said the National Catholic Reporter (March Vatican’s remarkable ability to endure and when an Augustinian friar named Martin 26). The damage inflicted will “last at least even thrive during immense trial and Luther nailed his 95 theses on the door of a generation,” wrote Peggy Noonan (April tribulation. a seminary in Germany. 2). Apparently, it will be years, even de- The Roman Catholic Church has a Luther’s rebellion set a church-wide cades, before faith is restored, trust is re- 2,000-year legacy of responding to major maelstrom in motion. Bolstered by Lu- plenished and authority is recouped. Ap- crises, with lethal and effective results. ther’s audacity, the Protestant movement parently, the Vatican’s days as the widely History guarantees the Vatican will quickly stormed across Europe. Soon, the respected and preeminent force guiding rebound—with more force than you could role and authority of the Catholic Church Western civilization are over. imagine! were being debated everywhere, in vil- getty images The Philadelphia Trumpet May/June 2010 31 lages and cities, huts and castles, on street leaders clarified and reinforced Catholic from the Vatican, promoted the “revival of corners and in parishes. Rome’s power be- doctrine. They passed measures that aug- a militant church throughout Europe” (The gan to suffer, desperately. The church ap- mented papal authority and streamlined Mainstream of Civilization). Phillip didn’t peared to be imploding. church teachings. In the end, the Council merely prevent Protestant movements Remember how Rome responded? of Trent proved critical to “revitalizing the taking root in Catholic Spain; he slashed In today’s politically correct history Roman Catholic Church in many parts of the throats of Protestants on behalf of the books, Rome’s reaction to the Protestant Europe” (Encyclopedia Britannica). Catholic Church as far north as the Neth- Reformation is termed the Catholic Coun- Not that we expect Pope Benedict xvi erlands and as far east as the Rhineland. ter Reformation. In reality, this Catholic- to summon a meeting of such magnitude, By the mid-16th century, Catholic lead- inspired movement was a vehement, calcu- but the current crisis has already moti- ers had groomed a new army of hard-core lated and often bloody assault on dissenters! vated the pope and church leaders to call militaristic religious orders (including the The church’s response to Luther’s rebel- meetings, launch investigations, review Theatines, Capuchins and Ursulines) with lion and the Protestant Reformation was church policy and practices, and issue which to fight back against the Protestants. “vigorous,” observes Stanley Chodorow apologies. As the scandal grows, we will In 1540, Rome acquired a crude and valu- in The Mainstream of Civilization. “[T]he likely see more meetings, more apologies, able ally when Pope Paul iii sanctioned the church used torture and imprisonment as and perhaps the “reform” of some policies militant activities of the Society of Jesus, well as gentler means of persua- otherwise known as the Jesuits sion to bring wayward Catholics (the cia of the Roman Catholic back to orthodoxy.” vigorous methods Church). “Through their [Jesu- The lesson is evident: The The Catholic Church has a history its’] clandestine operations, they Vatican will not keel over when of resorting to warfare and strengthened the pope’s control assaulted by criticism and con- torture to achieve its goals. over the church; they ran the best tempt, no matter how intense or schools in Europe; and they re- widespread. claimed most of Bohemia, Poland, To call the church’s response Hungary and southern Germany to the Protestant Reformation from Protestantism” (ibid., em- in the 16th century “vigorous” is phasis mine). somewhat of an understatement. Perhaps the sex scandal en- It’s true that in some instances re- gulfing the church is not on the forms occurred peacefully within same level as Luther’s rebellion, the church, where some doctrines but in ascertaining how Benedict and practices were altered to ap- and the Vatican will react, the pease the dissenters and resolve spirit behind the Catholic Coun- the anxieties of the faithful. For ter Reformation is consistent with the most part, however, the Prot- Rome’s track record of respond- estant Reformation elicited an un- ing to major crises that threaten compromising, forceful and often its reputation and authority. If brutal response from Rome. the Vatican were to concede and capitulate amid the growing Two Reactions to Watch For criticism, it would be rejecting As the Protestant Reformation erupted in and practices. If this occurs, remember its 2,000-year history of confronting criti- the 16th century, Catholic leaders reacted Trent: It would be foolish to perceive such a cism and tackling opposition head on! to the violent criticism in two specific response as evidence of capitulation or con- This simply is not going to happen. ways, both of which are relevant in light cession. Ultimately, the purpose of these of the ongoing sex scandal. “crisis meetings” is to formulate a strong What Will Happen? First, Rome considered the crisis an and unified retaliation, which undoubt- Informed by Bible prophecy and history, we opportunity to rediscover and reassert its edly will include revitalizing the loyalties can tell you what will happen. First, Pope “spiritual” roots and to reignite the loyalty of Catholics, particularly within Europe. Benedict and the Vatican will ultimately of the vast number of Catholics who did not Second, Catholic leaders reacted to the emerge from this crisis victorious, and with dissent. Protestant rebellion by seeking to reassert more power and influence. Second, while This goal was largely achieved through and enlarge their influence in European the church could lose members, particu- one of the most important ecumenical society and politics—especially within the larly in Britain and America, its authority meetings in Catholic history, the Council multitude of Europe’s royal lines. and influence in Europe will expand. More of Trent. Originally called to address the As the 16th century wore on, Catho- than likely, Benedict and the Vatican will dissenters’ demand for church reform, the lic kings and queens throughout Europe follow the playbook of their ancestors. council—which met in three sessions be- were not merely embraced by popes and Expect Benedict to treat this crisis as tween 1545 and 1563—effectively became a church leaders; the armies of these mon- an opportunity for the Vatican to redis- forum for Catholic authorities to regroup archs were enlisted in the church’s quest cover and reassert its “spiritual” roots and and determine a battle plan. Ultimately, to purge the Continent of dissenters and to engage in a campaign to reignite the loy- there was little concession or capitulation. critics. In Spain, for example, Phillip ii alty of Europe’s Catholic population! Rather than significantly revamp Catho- emerged as the figurehead of the Catholic Expect Benedict and the Vatican to lic doctrine to assuage dissenters, church Counter Reformation, and with support exploit this crisis to muster the allegiance

32 May/June 2010 The Philadelphia Trumpet of prominent Catholic politicians, social in America), the stronger the rela- to slink away in guilt and shame. Watch personalities, monarchs, governments tionship will grow between Catho- these events closely, and let history and and institutions in Europe. (Also, don’t lic Europe and the Vatican. biblical prophecy be your assurance: The be surprised if very soon we see an indi- Lastly, discard the overblown reports Vatican is alert and focused, and is about vidual of courage and vision, and of Ger- that the Catholic Church is imploding. to respond to this crisis with a level of man descent, stand up to defend the pope Neither Pope Benedict xvi nor the Vatican force that will shock the world! n and the Vatican.) The more the Catholic are dazed and con- Church and Vatican are attacked by the fused, and they’re media and liberal Catholics (particularly certainly not about Muslims March, Europeans Chafe culture clash slam and Christianity are regulation in the case of France Protesters in London incompatible religions. Each is and Belgium—to stem the onward denouce freedom in imperialist and universalist in march of non-assimilative Islam I favor of Islamic law. its mission. across their respective cultures. These two have been set to col- People are awakening to the reality lide since the postwar revival of Is- that just as London is the banking that Islamist impact on their soci- of the north” (Daniel 11:40). We lam, especially in its most extreme house for the support of Islamist ety be curtailed. have regularly identified Iran as form. The increasing penetration extremism and terror, Germany is The same trend is unfolding that king of the south and Ger- by pan-Islamism into European and its training ground in weapons of in next-door Germany. A recent many as the prophesied leader Anglo-Saxon society was always mass destruction and the human incident shows how the bnd, Ger- of a rising imperial northern destined to end in what Samuel P. instruments of their delivery. many’s secret service, is doubling power. Simply put, the conserva- Huntington described in his 1996 Two recent cases in Europe— its efforts to track down extremist tive stance of Pope Benedict xvi best-selling book of the same title one in the Netherlands, the other Islamist cells that for years have and the increasingly anti-Muslim as the clash of civilizations. in Germany—demonstrate just used that nation as a training expressions of the European com- The histories of these religions how extreme the tension between ground, and Germany’s courts are munity—of which Iran perceives show that, at heart, neither Ro- Christian and Muslim is becoming publicizing their intent to place Germany as leader—are just too man Catholicism—mother of the on the Continent. such miscreants behind bars. reminiscent of the combined anti- world’s form of Christianity—nor A quartet of terrorists from a Islam stance of both throughout Islam are peaceful religions. Each Swinging Right German Islamist cell was discov- history, particularly the history of has a crusading past. Only since For a decade, Europe’s right wing ered in 2007 to have been plotting the Crusades of the Holy Roman the end of World War II has the Ro- has been growing in force. Signs to blow up the Ramstein U.S. air Empire, led spiritually by the pope man church appeared benign and, show this trend is accelerating. base in Germany. This past March, and militarily by Germany. at least on the surface, unaffiliated The Netherlands is embrac- the German court trying the men In reality, it is not so much with any political power bent on ing politics’ brashest spokesman condemned them for seeking not Islamist terrorism the Anglo-Saxon global domination. As for Islam, against Islam. In regional elec- only to attack Americans, but also nations should fear. It is the power following the end of the Ottoman tions in March, far-right politician to influence aG erman parliamen- that is prophesied to blow the Is- Empire—the Allies having gained Geert Wilders scored major gains tary vote regarding the nation’s lamist “king of the south” away like victory over Turkey and Germany that suddenly made him the military mission in Afghanistan. a whirlwind—a whirlwind that has in World War i—little was seen frontrunner to become the next The court’s stern judgment was its source in the north, the biblical of its militant form until the rise Dutch prime minister. An election clearly intended to send a message “king of the north”! And that whirl- of Islamist terror in the 1970s. Its poll just days later showed that to other Islamists taking refuge in wind is stimulated by Islamic ex- confrontational nature has become Wilders’ Freedom Party (pvv) had Germany. It also came at an oppor- tremism provoking a reaction from clear through the impact of its overtaken the party of Prime Min- tune time for the German military: this overwhelmingly more powerful most extreme forms on Western ister Jan Peter in public popularity. just as certain elites are seeking “king of the north” by its incessant society since that time. He owes his meteoric popu- to convince the public to support poking and pushing. ron fraser With minarets increasingly larity to his stance against the German troops assuming a more spiking city skylines and the call of spread of Islamic influence in his aggressive role in Afghanistan. The trends in Europe are right the muezzin to prayer rising inces- country. “[He] has called Islam a That tension would be rising on target in terms of fulfill- santly across the cities of the West, backward religion, wants a ban between Germany and radical ing an overarching plan that Western traditionalists are crying on headscarves in public life and Islamists is not surprising to was laid out millennia ago and out “enough.” From Denmark to has compared the Koran to Hitler’s students of biblical prophecy, for prophesied in your Bible. Our France and the Netherlands, elec- Mein Kampf,” reported the Tele- the prophecies foretell of a mo- free booklet The King of the torates are voting in referenda or graph on March 4. It appears the ment in history when a “king of South explains how in more local elections—or by government Dutch are expressing their desire the south” will push at a “king detail. Request a copy today.

getty images, ben stansall/afp/getty images The Philadelphia Trumpet May/June 2010 33 letters disguise financial unstableness of cata- statement is apt. I remember 10 years ago We Don’t Know Our Enemy strophic proportions (“Greece’s Mirror China warned America that its policies I guess it is too late for a national Image in America,” April). It’s like using were unsound and will lead towards a day of prayer and fasting? (“Man Does sin to correct sin or using fire to put out disaster. This friendly advice was dis- Not Know His Greatest En- a fire. Neither will work, and missed, with the current situation occur- emy,” April). The U.S. is now this runaway financial train ring. The Chinese are reserved, diligent so lost one would probably edges closer each passing day people …. We believe that saving for our be sued for violating “the to an immovable wall that retirement and family is the correct thing rights of the gays and athe- will do irreparable damage. to do, and a borrower loses dignity. The ists.” … Jim—Kentucky M.H.—United States solutions are obvious for America. Tax the rich more, invest more in education Mr. Flurry, how can you Giving Up Dover and the infrastructure and cut military assume that Iran would use Thank you very much for expenditure. Stop selling bonds. Live in nuclear weapons? I think your article on the possible peace and work hard to prosper. It is re- the world should be afraid sale of the Port of Dover to ally quite simple. Ken Ng—Australia of America. Why? Because foreigners (“Surrendering the America has already dropped two atomic Lock and Key of the Kingdom,” April). I I am not at all surprised that the bombs on human mankind before (Ja- was born in Dover, and live just outside of U.S. financial system is still in poor condi- pan). … If Iran gets that bomb, they will it. Your points are very true. I find it sad tion. The masses still believe the media become untouchable, i.e., they cannot be to see Britain going down and ordinary that business as usual is going to return. bullied by America or Israel any more. … people like myself being unable to help. From what I see these days, businesses are Jonathon—Alabama … When I read the online comments of closing down and everyday middle-class the Daily Mail, I can see that many Brit- people are finding it harder than ever to The War Machine Furnace ish people are deeply concerned about make ends meet. The handful of elites are The book of revelation describes the seemingly inexorable decline of their the ones going about the same. I picked up end-time war machines that cause un- country. Thank you for being part of the your newsletter in a supermarket nearly bearable pain and suffering on Earth. Ma- only true hope for Britain—and for all five years ago, and found some of the pre- chines that spew “sulfur”… of frightening other countries. dictions shocking. But even more shocking “locusts” with serpent tails (“Stoking the Clive Young—Kent, England is how true they are becoming—though Furnace of the War Machine,” April). I hold out hope that something good will One can only wonder in fear what secret I’ve understood for years that Brit- turn out for America, being that I live in weapons are being designed in the secret ain would lose its sea gates, but to learn this country and want my family to pros- defense complexes of German-dominated that it will also lose its land gates is a new per and live in peace. Mark Davis—USA Europe. While the U.S. government can- revelation for me. How sad it is to see the cels vital new technology such as the Rap- country of my birth in such rapid and Churchill Needed This Book tor fighter program, adversaries such as eventual total decline. Stephen Chapman Thank you for this very insightful Iran and North Korea are steaming ahead article (“The Book Winston Churchill with destructive weapons programs— Another Anti-U.S. Alliance Needed Most,” April). Reading and re- what’s more, with insane dictators at the They are simply acting in their own reading Mystery of the Ages unveils new helm! Many peace-loving nations in Eu- economic self-interest (“Another Anti- answers every time, and it truly is a book rope, the Arab world and Asia can sense U.S. Alliance Is Born,” April). The United to treasure next to the Bible. What a pow- that the end product of all this military in- States no longer has a dynamic economy. erful statesman he would have been had sanity is going to be very unpleasant. But These countries are looking elsewhere for he read Mr. Armstrong’s writings, par- thank God divine intervention is coming. markets and investments. The U.S. does ticularly Mystery of the Ages. In the not- Peter Thomas—Sarawak, Malaysia not offer economic growth and they do so-distant future, this knowledge will be not want to hitch their wagons to a fall- given to Mr. Churchill. How truly blessed The Greek Crisis ing star. This does not surprise me, and our generation is to have access to the Incredibly, more “creative account- frankly, I cannot blame them. Ironically, answers to man’s perpetual existential ing practices” will probably be used to the U.S. has preached fiscal and monetary questions. Z.M.C.—Philippines discipline to our southern neighbors. Many of them have followed that advice I read Mystery of the Ages when I Corrections and now have achieved some economic was 11 years old, and reread it again a The article “When Was Christ Crucified and progress. Mike P.—Pennsylvania few times since then. It’s inspiring that Resurrected?” on page 26 of the March the answers to the questions that baffled edition said this: “John states the sabbath China Fleeing the Dollar Winston Churchill are available to us before Jesus was buried was the HIGH sab- “Not wanting to give up their stan- today for free. D.A.—Philippines bath of the first day ofU nleavened Bread.” dard of living, Americans too willingly The word “before” should have been “after.” went further into debt, even as American In the article “The Rising Might of Ger- industry and other wealth-producing Comments? many” on page 12 of the April edition, the sectors of the economy were being shut [email protected] reference to Isaiah 20:23-25 should have down and shipped overseas” (“Why or: The Trumpet, P.O. Box 1099, read Isaiah 19:23-25. China Is Fleeing the Dollar,” April). This Edmond, OK 73083

34 May/June 2010 The Philadelphia Trumpet Commentary Solving the Health Care Crisis Why the November elections won’t do it. By Stephen Flurry

or the American experiment to work, George that’s killing us. This is the brutal truth most people will not ac- Washington said it needed a foundation set in religion cept—that the cause of our ever increasing, insoluble problems and morality. Without these indispensable supports, he is not one political party, religious bloc or ethnic group. It’s not warned, it was destined to fail. even universal health care—or lack thereof. FOther founders expressed similar sentiments. Washington’s It’s universal disobedience to God’s spiritual laws. And wide- successor as president, John Adams, said that for the principles spread evil, as we have explained so many times before, causes of freedom to securely stand, it would rest on religion and mo- national sickness that eventually results in death. rality alone. Even the religiously Read God’s blunt assessment of challenged Thomas Jefferson believed our overall spiritual health in Isa- America’s liberties were firmly based iah 1:5-6. He likens our society to a in the reality that they came from God. disease-ridden body with open flesh President James Madison summed wounds and putrefying sores! The it up best: “We have staked the whole entire body is sick, Isaiah said. future of American civilization, not on The Prophet Jeremiah identified the power of government [but] upon the root cause of this terminal ill- the capacity of each and every one of ness as being the human heart—or us to govern ourselves according to mind. “The heart is deceitful above the Ten Commandments of God.” all things, and desperately wicked: Governing ourselves according to who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9). the Ten Commandments. As we explain in our booklet about Listening to conservative pundits, Jeremiah’s prophecy, desperately one would think America has staked wicked actually means “incurably its future on the capacity of each and sick” or “sick unto death.” This is every voter to punish Democrats this November so that Republicans why Jesus said we need a “physician”—because the human mind might quickly repeal President Obama’s health care bill. must be healed of its mortal wounds: self-love and vanity, lustful The Republican Party now senses opportunity! Its base is en- obsessions, greedy gain, competition and strife. ergized! Pledge time, money and your vote to roll back health care Why would we ever put our trust in the incurably sick mind of reform, the party urges. man? If 6,000 years of human rule, under the sway of Satan, have “There is no downside for Republicans,” their National Commit- proven anything, it is that man is utterly incapable of directing tee chairman candidly remarked in response to the new legislation. his own steps without God’s lead (Jeremiah 10:23-24). “We’re going to try to repeal this,” Sen. John McCain prom- This is why the Founding Fathers believed America’s success ised. “We are going to have a very spirited campaign coming up as a nation depended entirely on the God-fearing morality of its between now and November. And there will be a heavy price to people. They knew that unless religion and morality restricted evil, pay for it” (emphasis mine throughout). our democratic “freedoms” would cause sickness and lead to death. Sen. Jim DeMint, a Republican from South Carolina, told Today, the nation those men founded, under God, is lying Newsmax he thinks the whole election will be about repealing prostrate on its spiritual deathbed, gasping for its last breath. And universal health care. Newsmax believes Republicans are already the worst part of it is, we don’t even know we’re terminally sick— moving “beyond the legislative arena to position themselves for and that we desperately need intervention from a divine Healer. the upcoming elections” (March 24). This present evil world—even now—is gasping for its last Just what the doctor ordered! A trillion-dollar health care breath before experiencing a sure death. As Herbert W. Arm- package followed by billions more to fund a political power strong wrote back in March 1982, “You live today in a time dif- struggle in Washington. ferent—utterly different—from any past time on Earth! You are Amid all the problems suffocating life out of the once-mighty destined, as no past generation has been, to live in two worlds! American superpower—now this. Yes, this world is dying—that’s the real meaning of world chaos What must God think of America’s newest political debate? today—but there will be a resurrection” (Good News). Never mind governing ourselves according to the Ten Command- With God’s Word as your guide, you can make sense of this ments. Our survival as a nation now depends on who pays for chaotic world. You can alter your course now and turn to God in your next mri. repentance and love—choosing the way of real abundant living. This debate, ironically, comes at a time when most Americans And you can take heart in the fact that a better world is coming. have cashed in what little coverage they once had for their over- Bible prophecy informs us that we are very near to the resur- all spiritual health. Our most serious crisis, Selwyn Duke wrote rection of God’s world from out of the scorched surface of this at American Thinker, is lack of health care—“the moral variety.” present evil world. Very soon now, rising from the ashes of that Given our spiritual decay, Duke correctly noted, “socialized ruinous, death-filled wasteland, will be an eternally living, mes- medicine was inevitable” (March 24). sianic King, who, with the help and support of His saints, will Universal health care is not the problem. It’s spiritual sickness establish a 1,000-year utopian rule on Earth! n

getty images The Philadelphia Trumpet May/June 2010 35 ➤ russia from page 24 the surrounding regions,” we wrote at the time. “The eviction of America from Cen- tral Asia will constitute a severe geopoliti- cal defeat for the U.S. and significant win for Russia and China. … We can expect Russia and China to succeed in evicting America from Central Asia” (theTrumpet. com, Aug. 8, 2005). In February of last year, Russia focused on finishing the job. It offered several lol- lipops including over $2 billion in aid to President Bakiyev, who—in a display of the shallowness of his loyalty to anything other than himself—promptly announced plans to close Manas. The U.S. responded by offering this scoundrel more than triple the original rent, and Bakiyev flip-flopped again, agreeing to keep the air base open. u N i t e d S t a t e s Florida, Tallahassee-Thomasville The Kremlin, which had already supplied WTLF-DT/ Nationwide satellite Galaxy 3 Trans. 21 11:30 WTLH-DT 9:30 am, Sun over $400 million of its pledge, was furious. am ET, Tue/Thu; Galaxy 5 Trans. 7 8:00 am Florida, Tampa WXPX 6:00 am, Fri; WTTA 8:30 am, Sun Washington’s policy of trying to secure ET, Sun Florida, West Palm Beach WPXP 6:00 am, Fri a place in Central Asia by purchasing a self- Direct TV DBS WGN Chan. 307 8:00 am ET, Sun Georgia, Albany WBSK 9:30 am, Sun interested despot was always flimsy stuff. Direct TV DBS ION Ch. 305 6:00 am ET, Fri Georgia, Augusta WAGT-DT 9:30 am, Sun Dish Network ION Ch. 216 6:00 am ET, Fri Georgia, Brunswick WPXC 6:00 am, Fri Now, we see Russia’s cagey, and deadly ef- Dish Network DBS WGN Chan. 239 8:00 am Georgia, Columbus WLGA 9:30 am, Sun fective, countermove. Analysts can connect ET, Sun Georgia, Macon WBMN 9:30 am, Sun a series of dots showing how the Kremlin Nationwide cable WGN 8:00 am ET, Sun Georgia, Savannah WGSA/WGCW-LP 9:30 am, Sun stirred up the Kyrgyz public’s agitation Alabama, Birmingham WPXH 5:00 am, Fri Hawaii, Hawaii Na Leo Chan. 54 6:30 am, Sun; 8:30 with Bakiyev—and prepared pro-Russian, Alabama, Dothan WTVY-DT 8:30, Sun am, Wed Alabama, Montgomery WBMM/WBMM-DT Hawaii, Kaui Ho’ Ike Chan. 52 9:30 am, Tue virtual puppet leadership to replace him. 8:30, Sun Hawaii, Maui/Lanaii/Molokai/Niihau/Akaku Chan. How long do you suppose it will be Alaska, Anchorage KIMO-DT 8:30 am, Sun 52 6:30 pm, Sun; 3:30 am, Mon now before the U.S. gets bounced? Alaska, Fairbanks KATN-DT 8:30 am, Sun Idaho, Idaho Falls KPIF/KBEO 10:30 am, Sun Kyrgyzstan’s new interim leader, Roza Alaska, Juneau KJUD-DT 8:30 am, Sun Idaho, Pocatello KPIF 10:30 am, Sun Arizona, Phoenix KPPX 5:00 am, Fri Idaho, Twin Falls KMVT-DT/KTWT-LP 10:30 am, Otunbayeva, has said America can stay in Arizona, Yuma-El Centro KSWT-DT 9:30 am, Sun Manas, but Russian officials reveal they’re Sun Illinois, Bloomington WHOI-DT 8:30 am, Sun going to urge her to shut the base down; Arkansas, Fayetteville KWFT 8:30, Sun lllinois, Chicago WCIU 9:30 am, Sun; WCPX 5:00 the current lease expires in June. The U.S. Arkansas, Fort Smith KCWA 8:30, Sun am, Fri says it can find other ways to supply its war Arkansas, Jonesboro KJOS 8:30 am, Sun Illinois, Peoria WHOI-DT 8:30 am, Sun Arkansas, Rogers KWFT 8:30, Sun Illinois, Rockford WREX-DT 8:30 am, Sun effort, but reality is that the alternatives Arkansas, Springdale KWFT 8:30 am, Sun Indiana, Fort Wayne WPTA-DT 21.2 9:30 am, Sun would all depend even more on Russia. California, Bakersfield KGET-DT 9:30 am, Sun Indiana, Indianapolis WIPX 6:00 am, Fri Bottom line: Russia successfully California, Chico KHSL-DT 9:30 am, Sun Indiana, Terre Haute WBI 8:30 am, Sun schemed to overthrow a U.S.-supported California, El Centro KWUB 9:30 am, Sun Iowa, Austin KTTC-DT 8:30 am, Sun California, Eureka KUVU-DT 9:30 am, Sun Iowa, Cedar Rapids KPXR 5:00 am, Fri government. Through canny manipula- California, Los Angeles KPXN 6:00 am, Fri Iowa, Des Moines KFPX 5:00 am, Fri tion, it fortified its power position over California, Monterey KMWB 9:30 am, Sun Iowa, Keokuk WEWB 8:30 am, Sun the U.S. considerably and could now seek California, Palm Springs KESQ/KCWQ-DT 9:30 Iowa, Kirksville KWOT 8:30 am, Sun to tighten the screws on America’s supply am, Sun Iowa, Mason City KTTC-DT 8:30 am, Sun lines to Afghanistan. Washington got bad- California, Redding KHSL-DT 9:30 am, Sun Iowa, Ottumwa KWOT 8:30 am, Sun California, Sacramento KSPX 6:00 am, Fri Iowa, Rochester KTTC-DT 8:30 am, Sun ly outmaneuvered. (And, heightening the California, Salinas KION 9:30 am, Sun Iowa, Sioux City KTIV-DT 8:30 am, Sun humiliation, this is the nation with which California, San Francisco KKPX 6:00 am, Fri Kansas, Topeka KSNT 8:30 am, Sun President Obama just signed a new nucle- California, Santa Barbara KSBY-DT 9:30 am, Kentucky, Bowling Green WBKO 8:30 am, Sun ar disarmament treaty that will save the Sun Kentucky, Lexington WUPX 6:00 am, Fri Colorado, Denver KPXC 5:00 am, Fri; KWGN Louisiana, Alexandria KBCA 8:30 am, Sun Russians hundreds of billions of dollars.) 10:00 am, Sun Louisiana, El Dorado-Monroe KNOE-DT 8:30 am, Watch. This summer, we may see Rus- Colorado, Grand Junction KKCO-DT 10:30 Sun sia allow the U.S. to continue using Ma- am, Sun Louisiana, Lafayette KLWB 8:30 am, Sun nas to fight the Taliban (one of its own Colorado, Montrose KKCO-DT 10:30 am, Sun Louisiana, Lake Charles WBLC 8:30 am, Sun enemies, after all) in order to extract Connecticut, Hartford WHPX 6:00 am, Fri Louisiana, New Orleans WPXL 5:00 am, Fri Delaware, Dover WBD 9:30 am, Sun Maine, Bangor WABI-DT 9:30 am, Sun even-more-precious concessions from a Delaware, Salisbury WMDT-DT 9:30 am, Sun Maine, Presque Isle WBPQ 9:30 am, Sun weak-willed White House, such as in East- Florida, Gainesville WCJB-DT 9:30 am, Sun Maryland, Hagerstown WJAL 12:00 pm, Sun ern Europe. Whichever way it chooses to Florida, Jacksonville WPXC/WPXJ-LP 6:00 Maryland, Salisbury WBD 9:30 am, Sun do so, expect Moscow to exercise its in- am, Fri Massachusetts, Boston WBPX 6:00 am, Fri; Florida, Miami WPXM 6:00 am, Fri WZMY 8:00 am, Sun creased leverage against America to accel- Florida, Orlando WOPX 6:00 am, Fri Massachusetts, Holyoke WBQT 9:30 am, Sun erate its former archenemy’s already rapid Florida, Panama City WJHG-DT 8:30 am, Sun Massachusetts, Springfield WBQT 9:30 am, Sun loss of influence in the world. n Florida, Tallahassee WTXL 7:30 am, Sun Michigan, Alpena WBAE 9:30 am, Sun

36 May/June 2010 The Philadelphia Trumpet North Carolina, Fayetteville WFPX 6:00 am, Fri Utah, Salt Lake City KUPX 5:00 am, Fri North Carolina, Greensboro WGPX 6:00 am, Fri Vermont, Burlington WVNY 10:00 am, Sun North Carolina, Greenville WEPX 6:00 am, Fri; Virginia, Charlottesville WVIR-DT 9:30 am, Sun WNCT-DT 9:30 am, Sun Virginia, Harrisonburg WVIR-DT 9:30 am, Sun North Carolina, Lumber Bridge WFPX 6:00 am, Fri Virginia, Norfolk WPXV 6:00 am, Fri North Carolina, New Bern WNCT-DT 9:30 am, Sun Virginia, Roanoke WPXR 6:00 am, Fri North Carolina, Raleigh WRPX 6:00 am, Fri; Washington D.C. WDCW 8:00 am, Sun; WPXW 9:00 am, Sun 6:00 am, Fri North Carolina, Washington WNCT-DT 9:30 am, Washington, Kennewick KCWK 9:30 am, Sun Sun Washington, Richland KCWK 9:30 am, Sun North Carolina, Wilmington WBW 9:30 am, Sun Washington, Seattle-Tacoma KWPX 6:00 am, Fri North Dakota, Bismarck KWMK 10:30 am, Sun Washington, Seattle KVOS 8:30 am, Sun North Dakota, Dickinson KWMK 10:30 am, Sun Washington, Spokane KGPX 6:00 am, Fri North Dakota, Fargo WDAY-DT 8:30 am, Sun Washington, Yakima-Pasco-Richland-Kenne- North Dakota, Minot KWMK 10:30 am, Sun wick KCWK/KCWK-LP 9:30 am, Sun North Dakota, Valley City WDAY-DT 8:30 am, Sun West Virginia, Beckley KVVA-DT 9:30 am, Sun Ohio, Cleveland WVPX 6:00 am, Fri West Virginia, Bluefield KVVA-DT 9:30 am, Sun Ohio, Cincinnati WSTR 8:30 am, Sun West Virginia, Charleston WLPX 6:00 am, Fri Michigan, Cadillac WGTU/WGTQ 9:30 am, Sun Ohio, Lima WLIO-DT 9:30 am, Sun West Virginia, Clarksburg WVFX-DT 9:30 am, Sun Michigan, Detroit WPXD 6:00 am, Fri; WADL Ohio, Steubenville WBWO 9:30 am, Sun West Virginia, Oak Hill KVVA-DT 9:30 am, Sun 10:00 am, Sun Ohio, Zanesville WBZV 9:30 am, Sun West Virginia, Parkersburg WBPB 9:30 am, Sun Michigan, Grand Rapids WZPX 5:00 am, Fri Oklahoma, Ada KSHD 8:30 am, Sun West Virginia, Weston WVFX-DT 9:30 am, Sun Michigan, Lansing WLAJ-DT 9:30 am, Sun Oklahoma, Lawton KAUZ 8:30 am, Sun West Virginia, Wheeling WBWO 9:30 am, Sun Michigan, Marquette WBKP 9:30 am, Sun Oklahoma, Oklahoma City KOPX 5:00 am, Fri Wisconsin, Eau Claire WQOW-DT/WXOW-DT Michigan, Traverse City-Cadillac WGTU-DT/ Oklahoma, Tulsa KTPX 5:00 am, Fri 8:30 am, Sun WGTQ-DT 9:30 am, Sun Oregon, Bend KTVZ-DT 9:30 am, Sun Wisconsin, La Crosse WQOW/WXOW 8:30 am, Minnesota, Duluth-Superior WDLH 8:30 am, Sun Oregon, Eugene KMTR-DT 9:30 am, Sun; KEVU Sun Minnesota, Mankato KWYE 8:30 am, Sun 10:00 am, Sun Wisconsin, Milwaukee WPXE 5:00 am, Fri Minnesota, Minneapolis KPXM 5:00 am, Fri Oregon, Klamath Falls KMFD 9:30 am, Sun Wisconsin, Rhinelander WAOW/WYOW 8:30 Mississippi, Biloxi WBGP 8:30 am, Sun Oregon, Medford KMFD 9:30 am, Sun am, Sun Mississippi, Columbus WCBI-DT 8:30 am, Sun Oregon, Portland KPXG 6:00 am, Fri Wisconsin, Wausau WAOW-DT/WYOW-DT 8:30 Mississippi, Greenville WBWD 8:30 am, Sun Pennsylvania, Erie WBEP 9:30 am, Sun am, Sun Mississippi, Greenwood WBWD 8:30 am, Sun Pennsylvania, Philadelphia WPPX 6:00 am, Fri Wyoming, Casper 10:30 am, Sun Mississippi, Gulfport WBGP 8:30 am, Sun Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh WPCW 9:00 am, Sun Wyoming, Cheyenne KCHW 10:30 am, Sun Mississippi, Hattiesburg WBH 8:30 am, Sun Pennsylvania, Wilkes Barre WQPX 6:00 am, Fri Wyoming, Riverton 10:30 am, Sun Mississippi, Laurel WBH 8:30 am, Sun Rhode Island, Providence WPXQ 6:00 am, Fri Mississippi, Meridian WTOK-DT 8:30 am, Sun South Carolina, Charleston WCBD-DT 9:30 am, Sun C a n a d a Mississippi, Tupelo WCBI-DT 8:30 am, Sun South Carolina, Florence WWMB/WWMB-DT Nationwide satellite Galaxy 3 Trans. 21 11:30 am Mississippi, West Point WCBI-DT 8:30 am, Sun 9:30 am, Sun ET, Tue/Thu; Galaxy 5 Trans. 7 8:00 am ET, Sun Missouri, Columbia KOMU-DT 8:30 am, Sun South Carolina, Myrtle Beach WWMB/WWMB- Nationwide cable WGN 8:00 am ET, Sun; Vision Missouri, Hannibal WGEM-DT 8:30 am, Sun DT 9:30 am, Sun TV 4:30 pm ET, Sun; Grace Television Network Missouri, Jefferson City KOMU-DT 8:30 am, Sun South Dakota, Mitchell KWSD 8:30 am, Sun 11:00 am ET, Sun. Missouri, Joplin-Pittsburg KSXF 8:30 am, Sun South Dakota, Rapid City KWBH-LP 10:30 am, Sun British Columbia, Vancouver KVOS 8:30 am, Sun; Missouri, Kansas City KPXE 5:00 am, Fri South Dakota, Sioux Falls KWSD 8:30 am, Sun CHNU 5:30 pm, Sun Missouri, Quincy-Keokuk WGEM-DT 8:30 am, Sun Tennessee, Jackson WBJK 8:30 am, Sun British Columbia, Victoria CHNU 5:30 pm, Sun Missouri, St. Joseph WBJO 8:30 am, Sun Tennessee, Knoxville WPXK 6:00 am, Fri Maritime Provinces CIHF 7:30 am, Sun Montana, Billings KTVQ-DT 8:30 am, Sun Tennessee, Memphis WPXX 5:00 am, Fri Ontario, Toronto WADL 10:00 am Sun; CHNU 8:30 Montana, Bozeman-Butte KBZK-DT/KXLF-DT 10:30 Tennessee, Nashville WNPX 5:00 am, Fri pm, Sun; WUTV 10:00 am, Sun am, Sun Texas, Abilene KTWS-DT 8:30 am, Sun Quebec, Montreal WVNY 10:00 am, Sun Montana, Glendive KWZB 10:30 am, Sun Texas, Amarillo KVII-DT/KVIH/KVIH-DT 8:30 Montana, Great Falls KRTV-DT 10:30 am, Sun am, Sun Montana, Helena KMTF-DT 10:30 am, Sun Texas, Beaumont KFDM-DT 8:30 am, Sun L a t i n A m e r i c a Montana, Missoula KPAX-DT 10:30 am, Sun Texas, Brownsville KSFE-LP/KTIZ-LP 8:30 am, Sun Regional satellite Galaxy 3 Trans. 21 11:30 am ET, Nebraska, Lincoln-Hastings KCWL-TV 8:30 am, Texas, Corpus Christi KRIS-DT 8:30 am, Sun Tue/Thu Sun Texas, Harlingen KSFE-LP/KTIZ-LP 8:30 am, Sun El Salvador WGN 6:00 am, Sun Nebraska, Kearney KCWL-TV 8:30 am, Sun Texas, Houston KPXB 5:00 am, Fri Guatemala WGN 6:00 am, Sun Nebraska, North Platte KWPL 8:30 am, Sun Texas, Laredo KTXW 8:30 am, Sun Honduras WGN 6:00 am, Sun Nebraska, Scottsbluff KCHW 10:30 am, Sun Texas, Longview KCEB 8:30 am, Sun Mexico WGN 7:00 am, Sun Nevada, Reno KREN/KREN-DT 9:30 am, Sun Texas, Lubbock KLCW 8:30 am, Sun Panama WGN 7:00 am, Sun New York, Albany WYPX 6:00 am, Fri Texas, Midland KWWT 8:30 am, Sun; KMID New York, Binghamton WBXI 9:30 am, Sun 9:00 am, Sun C a r i b b e a n New York, Buffalo WPXJ 6:00 am, Fri; WUTV Texas, Odessa KWWT 8:30 am, Sun; KMID Regional satellite Galaxy 3 Trans. 21 11:30 am ET, 10:00 am, Sun 9:00 am, Sun Tue/Thu; Galaxy 5 Trans. 7 8:00 am ET, Sun New York, Elmira WBE 9:30 am, Sun Texas, Port Arthur KFDM 8:30 am, Sun Aruba WGN 8:00 am, Sun New York, New York City WPXN 6:00 am, Fri; Texas, San Angelo KWSA 8:30 am, Sun Bahamas WGN 8:00 am, Sun WLNY 10:00 am Sun Texas, San Antonio KPXL 5:00 am, Fri Belize WGN 7:00 am, Sun New York, Syracuse WSPX 6:00 am, Fri Texas, Sherman-Ada KTEN-DT 8:30 am, Sun Cuba WGN 8:00 am, Sun New York, Utica WBU 9:30 am, Sun Texas, Sweetwater KTWS-DT 8:30 am, Sun Dominican Republic WGN 8:00 am, Sun New York, Watertown WWTI-DT 9:30 am, Sun Texas, Tyler KCEB 8:30 am, Sun Haiti WGN 7:00 am, Sun North Carolina, Charlotte WLMY 8:30 am, Sun Texas, Victoria KWVB 8:30 am, Sun Jamaica WGN 9:00 am, Sun North Carolina, Durham WRPX 6:00 am, Fri; Texas, Weslaco KSFE-LP/KTIZ-LP 8:30 am, Sun Puerto Rico WGN 8:00 am, Sun 9:00 am, Sun Texas, Wichita Falls KAUZ-DT 8:30 am, Sun Trinidad and Tobago WGN 8:00 am, Sun

The Philadelphia Trumpet May/June 2010 37 Can religion bring peace to the Middle east?

Not according to the Bible. For over 4,000 years, the Middle East has been fraught with cultural, political and religious violence. Much of this history was recorded in the Holy Bible—before it occurred! Bible prophecy reveals one final terrifying clash soon to occur in the Middle East between the world’s great religions. That clash will end in peace, but not one of these religions will survive! For an exciting look into the past, present and inspiring future of the Middle East, request your free copy of our informative booklet History and Prophecy of the Middle East.

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