July—August 2000 ToTo m m o o r r r r o o w w ’’sWorldsWorld …For the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea. Tomorrow’s World

July–August 2000 Volume 2, Issue 4 Editor in Chief Roderick C. Meredith Editorial Director Richard F. Ames Inside This Issue Executive Editor William Bowmer Managing Editor Gary F. Ehman COVER STORY Regional Editors: Armageddon? ...... 8 Charles Bryce (Canada) Will the dawn of a new century bring worldwide nuclear Rod McNair (Philippines) devastation, or will it usher in an era of lasting peace? Mankind is Bruce Tyler (Australia) developing newer and more frightening technologies with which Art Director Donna Prejean to destroy itself, even as political and social tensions increase Circulation Aaron Eagle around the world. Will the prophesied “Battle of Armageddon” overwhelm the planet? Will humanity survive? What does the Business Manager Fred Dattolo Bible say? Is Armageddon really coming? © PhotoDisc/Tomorrow’s World Illustration Regional Offices FEATURE ARTICLE

Who Was the God of the Old Testament? ...... 4 UNITED STATES: P.O. BOX 503077 Many Christians try to distinguish the God of the Old Testament from SAN DIEGOIEGO,, CACA 92150-307792150-3077 the person of Jesus Christ. Yet your Bible shows that Jesus Christ, who OFFICE: (858) 673-7470 pre-existed with God the Father from eternity, was the One who spoke to FAX: (858) 673-0310 www.tomorrowsworld.org Abraham and Moses and gave the Ten Commandments! AUSTRALIA: GPO BOX 772 A Crude Awakening ...... 14 CANBERRA,, ACTACT 26012601 PHONE: (07) 3841-8360 As oil prices spiral upward, the United States is facing the consequences of OR FREECALL: 1800-816-543 its dependence on foreign oil—and on the nations that control the oil. How FAX: (07) 3841-8325 and why have the oil-exporting nations kept the United States “over a CANADA: barrel”—and what does this mean for America’s future? P.O. BOX 27202 TORONTO,, OONTARIO M9W 6L0 PHONE: (905) 671-3730 What Is Happening to Our Kids?...... 20 FAX: (905) 671-9599 The family has become a laboratory for social experimentation. The Bible NEW ZEALAND: has fallen out of favor as a guide for child-rearing, replaced by the ideas of P.O. BOX 2767 such theorists as Freud, Dewey and Spock. But are our children healthier AUCKLAND,, NNEW ZEALAND and happier as a result? FREEPHONE: 0800-380-584

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UNITED KINGDOMINGDOM: Personal ...... 3 P.O. Box 9092 Questions & Answers ...... 13 Motherwell, ML1 2YD Scotland Phone: 44-1698-263-977 Letters To The Editor ...... 19 Fax: 44-1698-263-977 TV/Radio Log ...... 31 Tomorrow’s World has no sub- scription price. Its free distribution All scriptural references are from the New King James Version unless otherwise noted. is made possible by tithes and Tomorrow’s World is published by the Living Church of God, 16935 W. Bernardo Dr., Suite 260, San Diego, CA, 92127. Copyright offerings of members of the Liv- © 2000 Living Church of God. Printed in the U.S.A. All rights reserved. Canada subscriptions: Canada Post Agreement Number ing Church of God, and by others 1545396. Send change of address information and blocks of undeliverable copies to P.O. Box 1051, Fort Erie, ON L2A 6C7. who have chosen to become co- Periodicals postage paid at San Diego, CA and at additional mailing offices. workers with us in proclaiming Christ's true Gospel to all nations. Postmaster: Send address changes to Tomorrow’s World, P.O. Box 503077, San Diego, CA 92150. Contributions are gratefully acknowledged and may be tax- deductible in the United States, Canada and other countries. Personal By Roderick C. Meredith, Editor in Chief

The Way of Life

Millions of people say they are searching for cor- reality of the coming Kingdom of God lent passion rect “standards” or “values.” Some are trying out and fervor to their lives. various “new age” religions, or different ideas and What the modern “seekers” also fail to realize is theories from pop-psychology. The pollsters tell us that a WAY of life helped make America and Canada that many others are simply “picking and choos- the great nations they became. And in America’s ing”—putting together various ideas and practices early years as a nation, the Judeo-Christian ethic— from different religions to create their own religion. though practiced imperfectly—was a tremendous Most of these folks want to get “involved” in bulwark against the kind of moral deterioration it something. They indicate that the mainstream has experienced in recent years. In his inspiring and churches they left did not satisfy that need. They most enlightening book, America’s Real War (p. 96), indicate that empty faith and empty rituals were not Rabbi Daniel Lapin makes this point: enough to fulfill their spiritual craving. Fair enough. For almost two hundred years, America But what they might not realize is that the real functioned, grew, and prospered under this religion of Jesus Christ is a very active religion. It tacit agreement. America was a religious does have specific standards and values. It is an country without demanding allegiance to a entire “way of life.” In fact, in Acts 9:2, the perse- specific church. Congress opened with a cuting Saul asked for letters authorizing him to seize prayer (and still does), and the Ten Com- any Christians in Damascus “so that if he found any mandments were posted on courtroom and who were of the WAY, whether men or women, he schoolroom walls. God was frequently might bring them bound to Jerusalem.” And the invoked in presidential speeches and com- inspired author of the book of Acts tells us about munity events; the assumption was that Apollos: “And he reasoned in the synagogue every Americans were “one nation under God.” Sabbath, and persuaded both Jews and Greeks” (Acts Not only did religion in general have a 18:4). Again, “when Aquila and Priscilla heard him, respected place in our nation’s affairs, but they took him aside and explained to him the WAY Christianity in particular was a positive of God more accurately” (v. 26). undercurrent. In Acts 19:9, we are told: “But when some were hardened and did not believe, but spoke evil of the However, Rabbi Lapin can clearly see the “hand- WAY before the multitude, he departed from them and writing on the wall” and is concerned for the future withdrew the disciples, reasoning daily in the school of our nation. He states: of Tyrannus.” And later, “And about that time there arose a great commotion about the WAY” (v. 23). It strikes me as unlikely that the Declara- When viewing Apostolic Christianity, even out- tion of Independence could ever be adopted siders realized that these early followers of Christ today because too many Americans would had far more than an empty faith with redundant rit- uals. They were “on fire” for a WAY of life! And the Continued on page 30

July–August 2000 3 © Tomorrow’s World Image WHY? Why should pro- fessing Christian lead- ers be afraid of the fact that the One who became Jesus Christ pre-existed with God the Father from eterni- ty? That He was the God of the Old Testa- ment—the God who spoke to Abraham and Moses—the God of David, the One who actually spoke the Ten Commandments? Why be fearful of these clear biblical teachings? We will explain the dark origins of this fear later on. But first, we need to understand the gen- uine origin of Jesus Christ—the One who died for our sins. Who was Jesus Christ, real- Do you understand the true origins of Jesus Christ? Do ly? Where did He come from? Why is you know who really spoke the Ten Commandments? His life so valuable as to constitute a pay- Who really was the God of the Old Testament? ment for all of our By Roderick C. Meredith lives—BILLIONS of us—put together? The truth about this Steps of Repentance, Mount Sinai topic is very important to understand. And it is truly inspiring! ost religious scholars and commentaries know the clear scriptures we will be discussing in this article. They are The Origins of aware of what a number of biblical passages make very Jesus Christ clear. But most of them avoid these scriptures like the plague! Or, on the other hand, they may do a little verbal “dance” The Apostle John Maround them—touching on them in their technical commentaries—but makes it clear that the then gliding on to “safer” subjects without fully explaining them one way One who became or the other. Jesus Christ existed

4 Tomorrow’s World © PhotoDisc Image from eternity: “In the beginning Kingdom’” (v. 8). And finally, used by the Father from the begin- was the Word, and the Word was “You, LORD, in the beginning laid ning in dealing with mankind. with God, and the Word was the foundation of the earth, And We see this also in Genesis God. He was in the beginning the heavens are the work of Your 18. Here the Logos appeared to with God. All things were made hands” (v. 10). Abraham. He did NOT appear in through Him, and without Him Note that in verse 8 above, His full glory in dealing with nothing was made that was Christ is addressed, “O GOD.” He Abraham, Moses and others, but made” (John 1:1–3). is described as the One who more in human form—yet appar- Here John points out that the “made the worlds” (v. 2) and who ently with a “difference” so that Word—the Logos or Spokesman “laid the foundation of the earth” Abraham recognized that he was —had been with God from the (v. 10). There is absolutely no dealing with the “Lord” (vv. 3, beginning. He was the creative indication that any of these verses 27). After the Lord had explained agent—acting for God the Father written by Paul or by John were to Abraham His desire to destroy in making everything that is. “poetic” or metaphorical! They Sodom and Gomorrah because of Later: “He was in the world, and simply state the fact that the Per- their perverted sins, Abraham the world was made through Him, sonality who became Jesus Christ asked, “Shall not the JUDGE of and the world did not know Him. was “in the beginning” with the all the earth do right?” (v. 25). He came to His own, and His own Father, that He was the “Word” or Here Abraham was certainly did not receive Him. But as many Spokesman for the Father and that dealing with the One who became as received Him, to them He gave ALL things were directly created Jesus Christ! For Christ Himself the right to become children of through Him, Jesus Christ! revealed later, “For the Father God, to those who believe in His How did all this come about? judges no one, but has committed name” (vv. 10–12). Turning to Genesis 1:1, we all judgment to the Son” (John In several scriptures the read, “In the beginning God cre- 5:22). Abraham was certainly inspired Apostle Paul makes the ated the heavens and the earth.” NOT dealing with God the same point. In Colossians All scholars know that the Father. For the inspired Word 1:15–16, Paul speaks of Jesus Hebrew word here translated God also tells us, “NO ONE has seen Christ: “He is the image of the is “Elohim,” a plural noun—like God at any time” (John 1:18). invisible God, the firstborn over church or family—one family, Jesus Himself said: “‘Your all creation. For by Him all things several members. And now notice father Abraham rejoiced to see were created that are in heaven Genesis 1:26, “Then God said, My day, and he saw it and was and that are on earth, visible and ‘Let Us make man in Our image, glad.’ Then the Jews said to Him, invisible, whether thrones or according to Our likeness; let ‘You are not yet fifty years old, dominions or principalities or them have dominion over the fish and have You seen Abraham?’ powers. All things were created of the sea, over the birds of the Jesus said to them, ‘Most assured- through Him and for Him.” And air, and over the cattle, over all ly, I say to you, before Abraham the book of Hebrews tells us that the earth and over every creeping was, I AM’” (John 8:56–58). The God, “has in these last days spo- thing that creeps on the earth.’” Jews recognized that the expres- ken to us by His Son, whom He Note that God said, “Let US sion “I AM” referred to the God has appointed heir of all things, make man in OUR image.” So the of Israel. They thought that Jesus through whom also He made the Father and the Logos or was both lying and blaspheming. worlds” (Hebrews 1:2). And “Word”—who later was born as So “then they took up stones to again, “But to the Son He says: Jesus of Nazareth—were both throw at him” (v. 59). These Jews ‘Your throne, O God, is forever included here. Acting for the One were BLINDED to the fact that and ever; a scepter of righteous- we call God the “Father,” the One the Personality who became Jesus ness is the scepter of Your who became Jesus Christ was was, in fact, the God of Abraham,

July–August 2000 5 Isaac and Israel! They were the same spiritual food, and all WHY Is This Truth So standing right there talking to the drank the same spiritual drink. For Seldom Acknowledged? One who was their God! And they drank of that spiritual ROCK they did not know it. that followed them, and that When you understand that ROCK was Christ.” Again, it is last sentence in the paragraph Christ WAS the clear—as a number of commen- above, you can begin to grasp “God of Israel” taries acknowledge—that the spirit why so many professing priests Personality who dealt with ancient and ministers shy away from In Matthew 22:42–45, Jesus Israel was the One who became explaining the real origin of Jesus challenged the religious leaders: Christ. For, as we have seen, Jesus Christ. For they have nearly all “‘What do you think about the said that “no one” had ever seen been taught that the Ten Com- Christ? Whose Son is He?’ They “God”—obviously meaning the mandments were a product of said to Him, ‘The Son of David.’ One we call the Father. Yet right some harsh “God of the Old Tes- He said to them, ‘How then does after giving the Ten Command- tament” and that Jesus somehow David in the Spirit call Him ments and some of the statutes to “knew better” than His Father. In

Truly His life is worth more than ALL of ours combined, because He created not only the human race, but the entire universe as well. Having bought and paid for us by His death on the cross, Christ now doubly “owns” us. He is our Maker. He is our God. He is our Master.

“Lord,” saying: “The LORD said ancient Israel, we find that the many cases they say, instead, that to my Lord, ‘Sit at My right “God of Israel” did indeed appear somehow the Apostle Paul hand, Till I make Your enemies to some of Israel’s leaders! “Then “knew better” than either Jesus Your footstool’”? ‘If David then Moses went up, also Aaron, Nadab, or the Father—and that he did calls Him “Lord,” how is He his and Abihu, and seventy of the away with God’s law, the Ten Son?’” The Pharisees were not elders of Israel, and they saw the Commandments. able to answer. For they knew God of Israel. And there was under These misguided men may be that King David of Israel certain- His feet as it were a paved work of sincere. But they are “blinded” (2 ly had no human “lord.” This sapphire stone, and it was like the Corinthians 4:3–4)—as is the scripture had to be describing very heavens in its clarity. But on WHOLE world. Remember Jesus’ two personalities in God’s Fami- the nobles of the children of Israel instruction about most of the reli- ly—one greater than the other. He did not lay His hand. So they gious leaders of His own day: “Let And, as should be obvious to us, saw God, and they ate and drank” them alone. They are BLIND lead- David’s immediate “Lord”—the (Exodus 24:9–11). So more than ers of the blind. And if the blind one who later became Jesus of 70 of the leaders of Israel “SAW the leads the blind, both will fall into Nazareth—was told to sit at the God of Israel.” Could anything be a ditch” (Matthew 15:14). right hand of the Father UNTIL more clear? It is embarrassing—to men it was time for Him to become It was the One who became who have been taught that the King of kings. Jesus Christ who literally walked Ten Commandments were “done Yet the Jews had known that and talked with Adam and Eve in away”—to admit that it was the the coming Messiah was to be a the Garden of Eden. He was the One who became Jesus Christ literal “son of David.” How could One who dealt directly with who gave the Ten Command- this one also be David’s “Lord” Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. He ments in codified form to Moses. yet having a still “greater” Lord was the One who spoke “face to He is the One who commanded, telling Him what to do? face” with Moses (Numbers as an integral part of God’s great In 1 Corinthians 10:1–4, we 12:8). He was the One who spoke spiritual law: “Remember the read that ancient Israel was bap- the Ten Commandments from the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six tized into Moses and they all “ate top of Mount Sinai! days you shall labor and do all

6 Tomorrow’s World © Corbis Image your work, but the SEVENTH The enormous UPHEAVAL that I now live in the flesh I live by the day is the Sabbath of the LORD would have ensued from such an faith of the Son of God, who loved your God. In it you shall do no action would have made the Jew- me, and gave himself for me” work: you, nor your son, nor ish upset over circumcision— (Galatians 2:20, KJV). Christians your daughter, nor your male ser- described in Acts 15—seem like would then understand the vant, nor your female servant, a “tea party” by comparison! beloved Apostle John’s explana- nor your cattle, nor your stranger Of course, no such change in tion of the very love of God and who is within your gates. For in God’s great spiritual LAW was ever HOW it functions: “For this is the six days the LORD made the heav- discussed or instituted by Christ love of God, that we KEEP His ens and the earth, the sea, and all or the Apostles. For a quarter of a commandments. And His com- that is in them, and rested the century after the cross, and after mandments are not burdensome” SEVENTH day. Therefore the the Holy Spirit had come upon the (1 John 5:3). They would read LORD blessed the Sabbath day and early church to guide it, the origi- with new understanding John’s hallowed it” (Exodus 20:8–11). nal Christians were still “zealous” inspired statement in Revelation Most ministers understand for the LAW (Acts 21:20). Even 14:12: “Here is the patience of the that God, through Christ, specifi- the Apostle Paul was still obedient saints; here are those who KEEP cally commanded His people to to the spiritual law of God, the Ten the COMMANDMENTS of God keep the seventh day—NOT just Commandments. For notice the and the faith of Jesus.” any day. They know that during inspired account of the instruction The true Christ revealed His entire human lifetime Jesus given by “headquarters” Apostle clearly in the Bible co-existed kept the seventh-day Sabbath— James to Paul: “…this will let with the Father from eternity. He the same day the other Jews were everyone know there is no truth in and the Father planned together observing! And they probably also the reports they have heard about the creation of mankind. Speak- realized that the original Apostles you, and that you too observe the ing for Himself and the Father, the kept the seventh day Sabbath. Law by your way of life” (Acts Logos—who became Christ— Along with scores of other 21:24, The New Jerusalem Bible). said, “Let US make man in OUR respected scholars, mainstream image.” About 4,000 years later, Protestant church Historian Jesse The Logical Consequence the Logos was willing to give up Lyman Hurlbut acknowledges: of This TRUTH the indescribable glory, power “As long as the church was main- and majesty He had always ly Jewish, the Hebrew sabbath If all professing Christians shared with the Father. was kept” (The Story of the Chris- were taught the TRUTH that the As correctly translated, Paul tian Church, p. 45). One who became their Savior is tells us that: Christ “emptied” Again, most ministers under- the One who gave the Ten Com- Himself, then “taking the form of stand that the inspired writer of mandments, perhaps their a bondservant, and coming in the Hebrews tells us, “Jesus Christ is actions would be quite different. likeness of men. And being found the SAME yesterday, today, and The world would probably be a in appearance as a man, He hum- forever” (Hebrews 13:8). And MUCH safer place! All would bled Himself and became obedi- they know that neither Christ realize that true Christianity is a ent to the point of death, even the nor the Apostles ever attempted LAW-ABIDING religion—a WAY death of the cross. Therefore God to “do away” with the biblical of life based on the great spiritual also has highly exalted Him and Sabbath. If they had made such law of God. They would learn given Him the name which is an attempt to overthrow such a that—although no one is sudden- above every name, that at the MAJOR precept coming from the ly perfect, and we are command- name of Jesus every knee should very hand of God, the Jews ed to GROW in Christ’s charac- bow, of those in heaven, and of surrounding them would have ter—it is possible to follow those on earth, and of those rioted, persecuted them unmerci- Christ’s inspired example under the earth, and that every fully, NOT allowed them to con- through His Spirit within us. tongue should confess that Jesus tinue worshipping in the temple As the Apostle Paul wrote: “I Christ is Lord, to the glory of God as they did for many years, and am crucified with Christ: never- the Father” (Philippians 2:7–11). would quickly have proclaimed theless I live; yet not I, but Christ them heretics and LAWLESS. LIVETH in me: and the life which Continued on page 29

July–August 2000 7 uring the “Cold War” of the 1950s, the threat of Dnuclear war covered the United States and the Soviet Union like a cloud, and citizens of both countries rushed to build bomb shelters. In 1962, the Cuban Missile Crisis brought a fright- ened world to the brink of nuclear devastation. Through the 1970s and 1980s, Chinese nuclear tests signaled to rival nations the rise of a new geopolitical superpower. For most of the last 50 years, humanity has lived under the threat of sudden and violent destruction. In the last decade, since the collapse of the Soviet Union, many have become less fearful of nuclear cata- strophe. But are we truly safe? Even today, Russia and the United States can launch nuclear missiles within 15 minutes notice. Rogue states continue to develop atomic weapons, and the threat of nuclear terrorism is only increas- ing, as technology allows ever-smaller devices to be built by the growing number of scientists with the knowledge to create By Richard F. Ames them. The terror has even Will the dawn of a new century bring worldwide moved to outer space. nuclear devastation, or will it usher in an era of According to General lasting peace? Will the prophesied “Battle of Joseph Ashy, commander in chief of the Armageddon” overwhelm the planet? Will United States Space humanity survive? What does the Bible say? Is Command: “We’re going Armageddon really coming? to fight from space and we’re going to fight into

© PhotoDisc/Tomorrow’s World Illustration space…. That’s why the U.S. has development pro- Japan on August 4 and 6, 1945. A new era of mass grams in directed energy and hit-to-kill mechanisms.… destruction had begun. We will engage terrestrial targets someday—ships, air- At the end of World War II, General Douglas planes, land targets—from space” (quoted in “Waging MacArthur, Supreme Commander of the Allied Pow- War in Space,” The Nation, December 27, 1999). ers, accepted Japan’s unconditional surrender. Aboard With these dangers still very real, is another world the battleship U.S.S. Missouri, General MacArthur war around the corner? Bible prophecy gives us the summarized the danger and the choice facing human- answer. Most Bible students have heard of the great ity in this new era: climactic end-time event known as “the Battle of Armageddon.” But what is this battle, and how will it Military alliances, balances of power, affect you and your family? leagues of nations, all in turn failed, leaving The book of Revelation—the last book in the the only path to be the way of the crucible of Bible—reveals the location of the gathering place for war. The utter destructiveness of war now history’s greatest battle: “And they gathered them blocks out this alternative. We have had our together to the place called in Hebrew, Armageddon” last chance. If we will not devise some greater (Revelation 16:16). How and why will the armies be and more equitable system, our Armageddon gathered there? Just two verses earlier, we read, “For will be at our door. The problem basically is they are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go theological and involves a spiritual recrudes- out to the kings of the earth and of the whole world, cence and improvement of human character to gather them to the battle of that great day of God that will synchronize with our almost match- Almighty” (Revelation 16:14). less advances in science, art, literature and all Notice this! The actual battle is not called the bat- material and cultural developments of the tle of Armageddon. It is called “the battle of that great past two thousand years. It must be of the day of God Almighty.” But battle preparations com- spirit if we are to save the flesh. mence at Armageddon. What is this place? The word Armageddon is a transliteration of the original Human beings will continue to seek a way to Hebrew har megiddo which means the “hill of Megid- peace. But without acknowledging the Creator God do” or “the mountain of Megiddo.” and His supreme rulership over the earth, nations will Megiddo is located about 55 miles north of ultimately fail. The Apostle Paul nearly 2,000 years Jerusalem in Israel. In ancient times it guarded ago wrote of humanity’s violent and anti-God tenden- the main trade route between Egypt and Damas- cies: “Their feet are swift to shed blood; destruction cus. It also overlooks the largest plain in Israel, and misery are in their ways; And the way of peace called the Valley of Jezreel or the Plain of they have not known. There is no fear of God before Esdraelon. The Old Testament records several their eyes” (Romans 3:15–18). major battles that took place here. In World War Is there any current danger of nuclear war? Per- I, British General Allenby defeated Turkish mili- haps international treaties have calmed Cold War tary forces there in what became known as “the fears; since 1968, more than 180 nations have signed Battle of Megiddo.” the treaty on the non-proliferation of nuclear With all the historic battles that have taken place weapons. But several nuclear nations have not signed at Megiddo, the word “Armageddon” has come to the treaty, and many that have signed are believed to symbolize any large-scale, destructive and decisive be violating its terms. Terrorist groups also continue battle. Humanity has invented many terrible weapons their activities, uncaring of international law. of mass destruction. Will these weapons bring about In addition to nuclear concerns, chemical and our Armageddon? biological weapons are a growing threat. And a new threat is on the horizon: along with the feared nuclear, The Nuclear Era Begins biological and chemical (NBC) weapons of mass destruction, a new category—genetics, nanotechnolo- Humanity has been fighting wars for thousands of gy and robotics (GNR)—promises new horrors for the years. But it was less than 60 years ago that a new 21st century. weapon of unprecedented capacity was first In his startling essay, “Why the Future Doesn’t Need unleashed, when the United States dropped atomic Us” (Wired Magazine, April 2000, pp. 238–262), Sun bombs on the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Microsystems founder Bill Joy, an early pioneer of the

July–August 2000 9 minicomputer age, contemplates the effect of these new Jesus was not speaking of spiritual salvation. He GNR technologies on warring humanity: “I think it is was speaking of the portent of human annihilation—of no exaggeration to say we are on the cusp of the further cosmocide—the death of all life on planet earth! This perfection of extreme evil, an evil whose possibility danger is recognized not just by Bible students, but by spreads well beyond that which weapons of mass respected scientists. The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists destruction bequeathed to the nation-states, on to a sur- monitors the dangers of living in this nuclear age, and prising and terrible empower- expresses that danger with its ment of extreme individuals.” “Doomsday Clock.” The closer Joy is not alone in this sober- the hands are to midnight, the ing assessment. Journalist Gideon closer the scientists perceive Rose offers the following analysis: humanity to be to nuclear devas- “The really difficult problem will tation. On June 11, 1998, the be a new kind of proliferation Bulletin moved the minute hand involving the acquisition of of the clock to nine minutes chemical, biological and cyber- before midnight, where it weapons by subnational actors remains to this day—a jump of such as terrorist groups, cults or five minutes, reflecting that India angry individuals. These weapons and Pakistan had joined the are easy to make, hard to track “nuclear club.” The Bulletin saw and hard to defend against. This Aerial bombs filled with chemical warfare this as a “failure of world diplo- agents contribute to the spread of dangerous means that even if the U.S. does weapons worldwide. ©Presslink Image macy in the nuclear sphere.” spend tens of billions of dollars The Bulletin also offered this on a system to shoot down North Korean missiles, we will sobering report: “Between them, Russia and the United still have to deal with the equally pressing problem of States still have upwards of 30,000 nuclear weapons— stopping doomsday cults or future Unabombers armed strategic and tactical—in various states of readiness. with deadly viruses” (“Will Everyone Have the Bomb?”, Nine years after the fall of the Berlin Wall, the United Time Magazine, May 22, 2000, p. 103). States and Russia collectively have some 7,000 war- Amid all of our scientific advances in weaponry, heads ready to be fired with less than 15 minutes man’s inhumanity to man has not ceased. From Kosovo notice.” Humanity, left to its own devices, has the tools to Kashmir, from East Timor to Chechnya, wars and mas- to destroy itself with very little warning. Will we bring sacres continue. Since World War II, atrocities against about our own destruction? Will Armageddon play a nations or peoples have continued unabated. According role in humanity’s downfall? to Newsweek: “The Genocide Convention outlawed ‘acts Perhaps we will never know just how close we committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part,’ a have come to mistakes that might have precipitated a national, ethnic, racial or religious group. Postwar atroc- nuclear conflagration. The Bulletin reminds us that at ities [include]: Bosnia: 300,000 dead, 2 million displaced; least eight nations today have nuclear weapon capa- Cambodia: 1 million dead, 500,000 displaced; Rwanda: 1 bility. What would it be like for your city to be the million dead, 3.5 million displaced.” target of a one-megaton nuclear bomb? A megaton is In the face of such evil, we can see why judgment is equivalent to one million tons of TNT. A one-mega- coming on the earth. Yet there is good news beyond the ton bomb would be five to ten times more explosive bad. Jesus Christ, the greatest newscaster and prophet in than the terrifying atomic bombs that exploded on all of human history, told us that these atrocities would Hiroshima and Nagasaki! After the explosion’s blast end: “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached wave, pulse of heat radiation and intense release of in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then X-rays, it triggers powerful firestorms in its wake. the end will come” (Matthew 24:14). How many people would be killed by just one Jesus also prophesied of these dangerous times in such bomb? Dr. Alan F. Phillips describes it this way, which we live: “For then there will be great tribula- “The estimates for a city of one million or two million tion, such as has not been since the beginning of the struck by a single one-megaton bomb are that around world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. And one third of the inhabitants would be killed instantly unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be or fatally injured, one third seriously injured, and the saved; but for the elect’s sake those days will be short- rest uninjured or only slightly injured. That number of ened” (Matthew 24:21–22). injured, if they could be distributed throughout the

10 Tomorrow’s World hospitals of North America, would occupy something Yes, we are facing dangers of human annihilation. like a third of the total number of beds; and of course The fourth seal of Revelation—or the fourth horseman no hospital can deal adequately with such an influx of of the apocalypse—will result in the deaths of at least urgent cases within a few days” (Position Paper, Physi- one and one-half billion men, women and children. cians for Global Survival, Canada, October 1995). The fifth seal, as we read in Revelation 6:9, reveals a martyrdom of Christians during the tribulation period Armageddon in Prophecy of about 2 1/2 years. Then we read about the sixth seal introducing the Day of the Lord, the time of God’s wrath As mentioned above, Armageddon is the gather- and judgment on the nations. The sixth seal is referred ing place for the climactic battle of the Great Day of to as the heavenly signs: “I looked when He opened the God Almighty! Massive armies will gather in the val- sixth seal, and behold, there was a great earthquake; and ley of Megiddo to begin the ultimate conflagration on the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon planet earth. Where does Armageddon fit into the became like blood. And the stars of heaven fell to the panorama of prophecy? The Apostle John described earth, as a fig tree drops its late figs when it is shaken by the famous four horsemen of the Apocalypse. They a mighty wind. Then the sky receded as a scroll when it symbolize, in order, false Christs and false religion, is rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved war and its devastating effects, famines that normally out of its place” (Revelation 6:12–14). follow war and pestilences and disease, which follow God then seals his servants to protect them after famine. throughout the Day of the Lord (Revelation 7), this year Look at what the Bible says about the terrible dev- of judgment on the nations. Next, Christ opens the sev- astation that these four horsemen bring: “So I looked, enth seal of Revelation, which consists of seven “trum- and behold, a pale horse. And the name of him who sat pet plagues.” The first four include great ecological on it was Death, and Hades followed with him. And upheaval and devastation, as we read in chapter 8. The power was given to them over a fourth of the earth, to Apostle John then describes, in first century language, kill with sword, with hunger, with death, and by the the modern warfare that he sees in vision: “The shape of beasts of the earth” (Revelation 6:8). the locusts was like horses prepared for battle. On their Even the genocide we have seen since the end of heads were crowns of something like gold, and their World War II will pale in comparison to the death that faces were like the faces of men. They had hair like will cover the earth. One-fourth of all human beings on women’s hair, and their teeth were like lions’ teeth. And earth will die, as war, hunger and disease expand over they had breastplates like breastplates of iron, and the the planet. sound of their wings was like the sound of chariots with Outside the Bible, do any in our modern age see many horses running into battle. They had tails like such devastation as possible? Indeed, they do. “My scorpions, and there were stings in their tails. Their own major concern with genetic engineering is… that power was to hurt men five months. And they had as it gives the power—whether militarily, accidentally or king over them the angel of the bottomless pit, whose in a deliberate terrorist act—to create a ‘White name in Hebrew is Abaddon, but in Greek he has the Plague’” (Joy, p. 249). Modern scientists know that name Apollyon” (Revelation 9:7–11). these horrors may be just over the horizon! John is describing the early phases of World War In spite of its inspections of Iraq, the United III. Apollyon and Abaddon mean “destroyer.” The Nations has failed to destroy all of that country’s power behind this military force is a great spirit being, weapons of mass destruction. U.S. Defense Secretary described elsewhere as the serpent, Satan the Devil, William Cohen stated in November of 1998 that Iraq the great destroyer. might have produced enough of the deadly biological The sixth angel sounds a trumpet introducing a weapon VX, to destroy everyone on earth. In a counter-attack by a massive eastern army. We have Department of Defense briefing he said: “Originally already seen that the pale horseman, the fourth horse- they indicated they had just a small quantity of VX. man of the apocalypse, destroyed a fourth of human One drop on your finger will produce death in a mat- life. Now we find even more killing on a global scale: ter of just a few moments. Now the UN believes that “Now the number of the army of the horsemen was two Saddam [Hussein] may have produced as much as hundred million; I heard the number of them. And thus 200 tons of VX, and this would, of course, be theo- I saw the horses in the vision: those who sat on them retically enough to kill every man, woman and child had breastplates of fiery red, hyacinth blue, and sulfur on the face of the earth.” yellow; and the heads of the horses were like the heads

July–August 2000 11 of lions; and out of their mouths came fire, smoke, and and all life on earth. These opposing forces now join brimstone. [Here are descriptions similar to nuclear one another to fight against Christ at His coming. explosions] By these three plagues a third of mankind They gather at Megiddo, but they move southward was killed; by the fire and the smoke and the brimstone to Jerusalem to fight Christ there. Notice Joel 3:1, which came out of their mouths” “For behold, in those days and at that (Revelation 9:16–18). time, when I bring back the captives One-third of mankind is of Judah and Jerusalem, I will also destroyed! After the previous loss of gather all nations, and bring them about 1.5 billion people, now we down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat; see at least another 1.5 billion And I will enter into judgment with killed! The Apostle John continues them there.” with his description: “For their The Valley of Jehoshaphat is between power is in their mouth and in their the Mount of Olives and the city of tails; for their tails are like serpents, Jerusalem. It is also known as the Kidron having heads; and with them they Valley, which extends southward for do harm. But the rest of mankind, some distance. Yes, the Battle of the Great who were not killed by these Day of God Almighty will take place at plagues, did not repent of the works Jerusalem. Jehoshaphat means “judg- of their hands, that they should not ment of the Eternal.” God will judge the worship demons, and idols of gold, nations in this climactic battle. silver, brass, stone, and wood, which can neither see The European superpower, in Revelation called nor hear nor walk. And they did not repent of their the Beast, will also be judged at that time, and pun- murders or their sorceries or their sexual immorality ished. Earth’s armies will try to fight Christ at His or their thefts” (Revelation 9:19–21). coming: “And I saw the beast, the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war God Will Save Doomed Mankind against Him who sat on the horse and against His army. Then the beast was captured, and with him the But God will step in to save mankind from total false prophet who worked signs in his presence, by annihilation. The seventh trumpet will sound, announc- which he deceived those who received the mark of ing a new world government—a new world order under the beast and those who worshiped his image. These the King of kings, Jesus Christ: “Then the seventh angel two were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, brimstone. And the rest were killed with the sword, ‘The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms which proceeded from the mouth of Him who sat on of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever the horse. And all the birds were filled with their and ever!’” (Revelation 11:15). flesh” (Revelation 19:19–21). That is the good news, the gospel this sorry world The good news is that the world will not be total- so desperately needs. Yet, amazingly, the nations will ly destroyed in a nuclear holocaust. But God will still want to fight the conquering King of Heaven’s judge the nations, including our western nations who armies! In the sixteenth chapter of Revelation, the have become hypocritical—who have a form of godli- sixth angel symbolically pours out his bowl for the last ness but deny the power thereof (2 Timothy 3:5). We phase of World War III. “Then the sixth angel poured individually need to be spiritually awake, alert and out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water spiritually clothed. As Jesus said: “Behold, I am com- was dried up, so that the way of the kings from the east ing as a thief. Blessed is he who watches, and keeps might be prepared. And I saw three unclean spirits his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his like frogs coming out of the mouth of the dragon, out shame” (Revelation 16:15). of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the We should all look forward to the return of Christ false prophet. For they are spirits of demons, perform- to this earth. Now is the time to prepare spiritually— ing signs, which go out to the kings of the earth and of to repent and change our lives! Seek God in prayer. the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that Read the Bible. And look forward to a world under the great day of God Almighty” (Revelation 16:12–14). Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ, when all nations will Satan’s demons—fallen angels—gather those learn to live by the Bible, the law of God, the govern- armies that were about to annihilate one another ment of God and the love of God. TW

12 Tomorrow’s World © Presslink Image QuestionsQuestions && AnswersAnswers

QUESTION: These scriptures reveal a definite order; Christ first, then those who are Christ’s at Please explain what happened to the resur- His coming. God would not set an order of rected saints mentioned in Matthew 27? Are resurrections and then contradict Himself. they in heaven? He is not the author of confusion and nei- ther can He lie! Thus, true believers “who ANSWER: are Christ’s” will be resurrected at Christ’s second coming. Not until that resurrection Matthew’s was not the first account of peo- will mortals “put on immortality” (vv. ple coming back to life after having died. The 51–54). So what purpose did the earlier res- Bible records eight other supernatural resurrec- urrections serve? tions (1 Kings 17:17–24; 2 Kings 4:32–37; 13: Lazarus’ astonishing resurrection 20–21; Matthew 9:23–27; Luke 7:11–15; John strengthened the faith of those standing 11:43–44; Acts 9:36–40; 20:9–12). In these nearby. Jesus prayed to the Father, “…I cases, it is clear that the individuals involved thank you that you have heard Me. And I were resurrected back to physical life. However, know that you always hear Me, but because what about the saints that came out of their of the people standing by I said this, that graves after Christ’s resurrection? Notice the they may believe that you sent Me” (John scripture in question: 11:41–42). Down through history, physical “…and the graves were opened; and many resurrections were examples of God’s great bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep mercy, glory and power. They pointed to were raised; and coming out of the graves and identified God’s work and His true ser- after His resurrection, they went into the holy vants. Therefore, the resurrected group of city and appeared to many” (Matthew saints who entered Jerusalem served as a 27:52–53). powerful witness of God’s work through His This extraordinary miracle involved a Son—recently resurrected to immortality. large group of people who entered the holy “For as the Father raises the dead and gives city, Jerusalem. They came out of their graves life to them, even so the Son gives life to soon after Jesus Christ’s resurrection. Yet was whom He will” (John 5:21). this a resurrection to eternal life? The Apos- Yet how do we know for sure that the tle Paul answered this important question in widow’s son, the Shunammite woman’s son, his first letter to the Corinthian Church. Paul Lazarus, and all others with the exception of began by showing that Jesus Christ has Jesus Christ, were resurrected back to mortal become “the firstfruits”—the first to be res- life? Because Jesus “alone has immortality, urrected to eternal life—of all those who dwelling in unapproachable light” (1 Timo- have died (see 1 Corinthians 15:20–21). thy 6:16). Jesus announced, “No one has Next, Paul described the resurrection to eter- ascended to heaven but He who came down nal life of all saints (all true disciples who from heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is died in Christ): in heaven” (John 3:13). After their physical “For since by man came death, by Man also resurrection, they undoubtedly lived out came the resurrection of the dead. For as in their mortal lives and died again. Presently, Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made they are resting in their graves—waiting for alive. But each in his own order: Christ the first- Christ to return—“that they should not be fruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His made perfect apart from us” (Hebrews coming” (1 Corinthians 15:21–23). 11:39–40). ust as it did in the 1970s, the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) J still has much of the world over a barrel. Back then, U.S. President Jimmy Carter called a par- alyzing global energy crisis the “moral equivalent of war.” But if this is a war, who is winning it, and why? How does this crisis fit into Bible prophecy? And what can we expect for our future? Complacent Americans, accus- tomed to cheap gasoline, faced a rude awakening as prices crept up past $2 per gallon. In a matter of months, gas prices nearly doubled, bringing about a startling reality check for Americans unaware of world events. In many other nations, high taxes bring gasoline prices to $5 per gallon. Most of the world envies the United States’ low gas prices. But these prices spiraled when OPEC decided in March 1999 to reduce a worldwide oil glut by cranking down production. Oil producers stuck to this agreement with a 90 percent compliance rate— an impressive feat for a cartel notori- By Mark Mendiola ously unable to maintain unity. After a year of demonstrating surprising discipline in curbing their oil output—causing U.S. oil prices to triple to a March 8 peak of Soaring gasoline, diesel fuel and heating oil prices $34.37 per barrel—OPEC nations have jolted many Americans into realizing how agreed this past March to boost total petroleum production by 1.7 mil- beholden the U.S. economy remains to foreign lion barrels per day. That is more than 7 percent above the ceiling oil-producing nations. Once again, world attention they set a year ago, when oil prices had fallen to 12-year lows. focuses on OPEC’s pricing policies and its profound The Clinton administration impact on international geopolitics. Have the lessons aggressively lobbied OPEC countries to ramp up their output by up to 2.5 of the 1973 Arab oil embargo and the petroleum million barrels per day to lower gas prices as the critical summer driving crises of the late ‘70s and early ‘80s been forgotten? season approached.

14 Tomorrow’s World © Presslink Image While gas prices initially stocks in April remained sharply tary efforts to contain Iraqi Presi- declined after OPEC boosted out- below last year’s level at about 192 dent Saddam Hussein. “We’re put in March, they resumed their million barrels as opposed to the bombing the guy who is refueling climb in May when oil prices once normal 200 million to 220 million our warplanes,” he said. “What again topped $30 a barrel. U.S. barrels. It takes five weeks to ship kind of an energy policy is that?” Energy Secretary Bill Richardson oil via tanker from the Persian Gulf Democrats countered that admitted on May 16, “We are ner- to the U.S., and seven to 10 days to Republicans blocked energy con- vous about the spikes, about oil at unload the oil, move it to refineries servation and more fuel-efficient $30 a barrel, after some initial price and process it into gasoline and vehicles, would not consider a stability.... There is perhaps not the diesel fuel, not to mention time to ban on Alaskan oil exports to stability that we had all hoped for.” haul it to retail outlets nationwide. Asia, ruled out a drawdown of the The U.S. Commerce Depart- Richardson’s intensive lobby- Strategic Petroleum Reserve— ment reported on May 19 that the ing of OPEC and non-OPEC where 565 million barrels of U.S. trade deficit hit a record countries to get their petroleum crude oil are stored for emergen- $30.2 billion in March, driven by flowing more freely throughout cies—and resisted creating a the highest prices for imported oil the world was not met with the heating oil reserve in the North- since November 1990. In March, most enthusiastic response. Rep. east because such measures were the U.S. deficit with OPEC hit a Tom DeLay, R-Texas, majority opposed by the U.S. oil industry. record $4.2 billion. Higher oil whip in the U.S. House of Repre- “It’s obvious that the federal prices—up 157 percent since last sentatives, accused the Clinton government was not prepared. year—accounted for half the dete- administration of “tin cup diplo- We were caught napping,” rioration in this year’s trade bal- macy, running around begging Richardson admitted in mid-Feb- ance through March. OPEC to open their valves.” ruary during a three-hour public The Paris-based International In a weekly Republican radio meeting in Boston with con- Energy Agency warned on May 11 address on April 8, Senate Energy sumers, business owners and of another round of retail gas Committee Chairman Frank lawmakers clamoring for relief prices hikes in North America and Murkowski, R-Alaska, said a from high fuel prices. Europe. The U.S. Energy Depart- growing reliance on foreign oil ment predicted in April that sum- imports has allowed OPEC to Dwindling U.S. Supplies mer prices should decline to an hold the U.S. consumer hostage at average $1.46 a gallon, 25 percent the gas pump. Consuming about 20 percent higher than last summer and 11 Murkowski said when Presi- of the world’s oil, the United States cents higher than the 1981 record dent Clinton took office the United imports much more than the 35 for the six-month summer driving States was importing 43 percent of percent it imported in 1973 when season. Average motorists are the oil it used, but this has grown Arab nations retaliated against the expected to pay about $170 more to 56 percent. “We are more depen- U.S. for its support of Israel by for gasoline this summer than last, dent on OPEC for our oil imports imposing an oil embargo, creating the Energy Information Adminis- than at any time in our history,” he long lines at gas stations. In tration estimates. Still, they are said. “And the administration’s December 1999, OPEC was the expected to use an average of 8.72 energy department warned that if source of nearly half of U.S. oil million barrels per day or 1.5 per- we do nothing, imports could rise imports, according to the U.S. cent more than last summer. to 65 percent in 15 years.” Energy Information Agency. Saudi The price projections assume Murkowski said the failure of Arabia was by far the largest no problems at refineries operating U.S. energy policy is illustrated source of those imports, supplying at 97 percent capacity to produce by the import of 700,000 barrels 43,118,000 barrels that month. gasoline at the expense of heating of oil a day from Iraq, despite the OPEC supplies more than 40 oil supplies in the fall. U.S. oil Persian Gulf War and U.S. mili- percent of the world’s oil and owns

July–August 2000 15 about 78 percent of the world’s industry supplies the energy to using far more gas and oil in this crude oil reserves. It produces keep America going strong, but to country than we were in the past about 26.6 million barrels of crude continue to produce domestic oil decade, than in the past five years. oil daily, with the Saudis account- and natural gas, we must have In fact, more than we used last ing for about a third of that total. improved access to federal and year. Yet, we are producing sub- U.S. crude oil inventories of state lands,” he testified. Cavaney stantially less than we are using.” 293.3 million barrels in December said the U.S. has sanctions in place The Louisiana senator noted 1999 were down 9.3 percent from against countries comprising U.S. domestic oil production in the previous year, the American more than 10 percent of world oil the last 13 years has fallen by 2.7 Petroleum Institute reported. By production and 16 percent of esti- million barrels a day. In the past the end of 1999, Middle East crude mated remaining oil resources. two years, domestic production oil imports grew by 265,000 bar- “In short, U.S. policymakers has fallen about half a million bar- rels per day, a 10.9 percent increase face a dilemma. Growing supplies rels a day. In the last decade, there

“It does not take a rocket scientist to figure out that we have a huge problem. We are producing less and less, and we are consuming more and more. We are depending more and more on foreign sources for the energy we need to run America.” –Sen. John Breaux over 1998, the U.S. Department of of crude oil will be required to has been a 17 percent decline in Energy said. Meanwhile, 1999 sustain world economic prosperi- the production of oil and gas in domestic crude oil production ty, and diverse, ample foreign the U.S. while oil consumption continued downward with the supplies are needed to help has increased by 14 percent. average daily output of 5.9 million ensure our own country’s eco- “It does not take a rocket sci- barrels, 5.6 percent less than dur- nomic growth,” he said. entist to figure out that we have a ing 1998. Alaska’s daily production huge problem. We are producing averaged just over one million bar- What Happened? less and less, and we are consum- rels per day in 1999, a decline of ing more and more. We are 10.7 percent from 1998. In remarks made on March depending more and more on for- In testimony before the U.S. 20, Sen. John Breaux, D-La., eign sources for the energy we Senate Government Affairs Com- explained how the U.S. finds need to run America,” Breaux mittee on March 24, Red Cavaney, itself increasingly addicted to for- said. “We would rather depend API president and chief executive eign oil, noting Arab countries on OPEC to be generous and give officer, said, “We now import hobbled the U.S. nearly 30 years us all the oil we need at the price about 55 percent of our petrole- ago when they only slightly we want.” um needs. This large demand on restricted supplies and when the Rather than send the U.S. foreign supplies leaves us at the U.S. was importing much less energy secretary to foreign coun- mercy of world supply and petroleum percentage-wise. tries pleading for more oil, the demand conditions and open to “Here we are in the year 2000, U.S. needs to do more to develop the volatility that we have experi- and basically the problem is very legitimate resources within its enced over the past year.” similar to what it was back in own borders, he said. Since 1983, access to federal 1973. It is interesting to me to see “With 55 percent of the oil lands in the western United so many people wringing their used in the United States being States—where nearly 67 percent hands, struggling to find out imported, OPEC has the ability, of U.S. onshore oil reserves and 40 exactly what is causing this prob- by turning that faucet off just a percent of its natural gas reserves lem,” Breaux said. “It is not indeed little bit, to bring this country to are located—has declined by 60 a mystery at all. The problem is its knees. Can you imagine what percent, Cavaney noted. “Our one of supply and demand. We are it would do if they turned a full

16 Tomorrow’s World © PhotoDisc Image turn and really reduced it?” can dig copper. When you have which He commanded you” Breaux asked. eaten and are full, then you shall (Deuteronomy 28:45). “No nation should ever allow bless the LORD your God for the The oil crisis is one of many itself—certainly not a nation as good land which He has given national curses the U.S. faces as it strong as the United States—to you” (Deuteronomy 8:9–10). rejects God, refuses to acknowl- become dependent on foreign Just as parents discipline chil- edge His blessings and flagrantly sources for things that are critical dren when they go astray and breaks His law. Yet, it is official to our economic well-being and engage in harmful activities, God federal policy for the nation to our national security and, indeed, punishes nations when they prostrate itself before foreign our survival. Yet over the years refuse to keep His command- nations that have been antagonis- we have allowed just that to hap- ments, veer from His ways and no tic in the past and allies who eas- pen with regard to energy.” longer fear Him. “So you should ily could turn on it. know in your heart that as a man Blessings and Curses chastens his son, so the LORD Relying On Alliances your God chastens you” The United States of America (Deuteronomy 8:5–6). Iran is OPEC’s second largest has been blessed beyond any He warns: “Beware that you producer. An international crisis other nation in history with an do not forget the LORD your God was provoked in 1979 when Iran- abundance of natural resources, by not keeping His command- ian religious revolutionaries over- but it is starting to see those bless- ments, His judgments and His threw the Shah of Iran, shut off the ings stripped away. The oil, gas, statutes which I command you Persian nation’s oil spigot and kept mineral and agricultural wealth today.... Then it shall be, if you by 52 Americans hostage for 444 enjoyed in such great abundance any means forget the LORD your days. An oil price surge peaked at in North America and other Eng- God, and follow other gods, and $39 a barrel in 1981; U.S. interest lish-speaking nations has come serve them and worship them, I rates climbed into double digits; from Almighty God. The Holy testify against you this day that the U.S. inflation rate flared up to Bible is plain about that. you shall surely perish” 9 percent and unemployment “Then it shall come to pass, (Deuteronomy 8:11, 19). approached 8 percent. because you listen to these judg- It is no coincidence the west- Iran opposed, vehemently, ments, and keep and do them, ern world find itself under what OPEC’s decision last March to that the LORD your God will keep appears to be a worsening eco- raise production and ease pres- with you the covenant and the nomic curse as westerners more sure on the world’s petroleum mercy which He swore to your blatantly sin by breaking God’s markets. Hossein Kazempour fathers. And He will love you and divine law. We are witnessing a Ardebili, Iran’s representative to bless you and multiply you; He dramatic reversal in our fortunes. OPEC, said Iran balked at going will also bless the fruit of your Cursed are our basket, our store, along with the rest of OPEC to womb and the fruit of your land, and our reserves! (Deuteronomy protest American pressure on the your grain and your new wine 28:17) Hostile nations are on the cartel. It questioned whether the and your oil, the increase of your rise as we are on the decline. international oil shortage was cattle and the offspring of your “The alien who is among you extreme and whether production flocks in the land of which He shall rise higher and higher above needed to be escalated. swore to your fathers to give you” you, and you shall come down One major disappointment for (Deuteronomy 7:12–13). lower and lower. He shall lend to American officials was Kuwait’s With those blessings comes an you, but you shall not lend to resistance to increasing produc- obligation to be obedient to God him; he shall be the head, and tion. That is despite the massive and a responsibility to use that you shall be the tail. Moreover all investment and sacrifice made by wealth for good. God warns that these curses shall come upon you western and other allies in Opera- when He brings us into a good and pursue and overtake you, tion Desert Storm to repel land “in which you will eat bread until you are destroyed, because Kuwait’s invasion by Iraq. Kuwait without scarcity, in which you will you did not obey the voice of the aligned with the likes of Algeria, lack nothing; a land whose stones LORD your God, to keep His com- Libya and Iran earlier this year to are iron and out of whose hills you mandments and His statutes adopt a hard line against raising

July–August 2000 17 OPEC production levels, but later time of Jacob’s trouble, but he shall for vitally important oil, putting agreed to ease output after U.S. be saved out of it.... All your lovers itself in a compromising position diplomatic arm twisting. have forgotten you; They do not and revealing a potentially fatal The Living God who has so seek you; For I have wounded you weakness. richly blessed the U.S. and other with the wound of an enemy, with As crises in the extremely western nations frowns upon our the chastisement of a cruel one, for volatile Middle East have under- policy of buying off friends and the multitude of your iniquities, scored in the past, the western enemies in exchange for their because your sins have increased” industrialized world cannot rely favors, turning our backs on (Jeremiah 30:7, 14). on that region for a steady, unin- Him. Such policy earns the dis- The Prophet Ezekiel gets even terrupted flow of petroleum. Even dain of friend and foe alike. In more explicit; showing we cannot the European Commission issued God’s eyes, it is even worse than buy the affection of our allies who a rare plea in February for OPEC prostitution and will backfire! will turn against us with our ene- to boost output to prevent slowing Notice in the Holy Scriptures, mies. “Men make payment to all the world economy. God’s warnings against trying to harlots, but you made your pay- Should pro-western leader- earn the affections of our “lovers” ments to all your lovers, and hired ship in oil-rich nations like Saudi and relying on them for our suste- (or bribed) them to come to you Arabia, Venezuela and Mexico nance. “I will not have mercy on from all around for your harlotry. suddenly turn anti-American, the her children, for they are the chil- You are the opposite of other national and economic security dren of harlotry. For their mother women in your harlotry, because of the U.S. could be severely jeop- has played the harlot; She who no one solicited you to be a har- ardized and a dramatic shift in conceived them has done shame- lot. In that you gave payment but the international balance of fully. For she said, ‘I will go after no payment was given you, there- power could occur. my lovers, who gave me my bread and my water, my wool The Controversy and my linen, my oil and my Will End drink’” (Hosea 2:5). “For she did not know As in the past, geopoliti- that I gave her grain, new wine cal events could turn Islamic and oil and multiplied her sil- countries violently against ver and gold—which they pre- the U.S., Israel and other pared for Baal. Therefore I will western nations, prompting return and take away My grain Arabs to take drastic mea- in its time and My new wine sures and sharply crank in its season and will take down their oil production in back My wool and My linen, Kuwaiti investors, facing weak oil prices, retaliation. given to cover her nakedness. follow news reports on the internal political Unless there is heartfelt crisis in their nation. ©Presslink Image Now I will uncover her lewd- repentance and a return to ness in the sight of her lovers, and fore you are the opposite.... Sure- God in humility and gratitude no one shall deliver her from My ly, therefore, I will gather all your for all His blessings, our nation- hands” (vv. 8–10). lovers with whom you took plea- al punishments will intensify The Bible shows that both sure, all those you loved, and all and worsen before Jesus Christ allies and enemies ultimately will those you hated; I will gather returns to liberate us from hor- turn against the nations identified them from all around against you rendous suffering and calamity. in the Bible as modern Jacob. and will uncover your nakedness To learn more about what the Treaties and alliances will not save to them, that they may see all future holds, please request a them. Only God’s divine interven- your nakedness” (Ezekiel free copy of our booklet What’s tion can save them from the 16:33–34, 37). Ahead for America and Britain? unprecedented national tribula- The United States is leaving There is wonderful news beyond tion that looms! itself exposed and precariously today’s troubling world as we “Alas! For that day is great, so vulnerable by increasing its approach the dawn of Tomor- that none is like it; and it is the dependence on foreign nations row’s World! TW

18 Tomorrow’s World BIBLE STUDY COURSE ly encourages me to see there are other people out there who have faith in a God they cannot I just received my first copy of Tomorrow’s see. One letter mentioned a Personal in the July- World, and read the article “What is True September 1999 issue against racism. Currently, Christianity?” It really got to my heart. The at school, I am doing research on racism relating article was refreshing and heart-rending, and I to religion. I would really appreciate it if you will send in the form for the Bible Study could send me the July-September 1999 issue, Course. I have been searching and praying to because I believe it could really help me. know God’s will for me, and have so far only come up with confusion, and enjoyed the D. V., Adelaide, Australia forthrightness and outspokenness of that arti- cle. I believe that “belief” means not just say- Editor’s Note: We do still have some back issues ing it, but living as He showed the way. Thank available, but even after these are gone, readers you very much for this very encouraging and with access to the Internet can look at all of our courageous magazine. back issues by going to www.tomorrowsworld.org and clicking on the “Literature” button. From L. P., Montreal, Quebec, Canada there, you will find our magazines and booklets in several different formats to read, print or download I enjoyed very much the first lesson of the at your convenience. Bible Study Course. I believe it is truly up to the high standard set by Mr. Herbert W. Arm- Thank you so much for the article “Is strong. Well done! I had the opportunity to There Life After Death?” by Richard Ames, in give a copy of the first lesson to a fellow work- the March-April 2000 issue. It is so comfort- er of mine who has expressed a sincere desire ing to see, from the Bible, that my unsaved to know what the Bible teaches. He is very family is not going to burn in eternal hellfire impressed with the content and quality of the just because they did not have the chance to first lesson, and he continues to show an hear the true Gospel message. Just as I have eagerness to learn more. When I told him had a chance now, they too will have their about modern Jacob and what is ahead, he told chance. The article showed from Scripture me it made complete sense to him. We have that our God is fair, loving and merciful. had a lot of hearty discussion. Keep up the good work! A. R., Chicago, Illinois

S. F., Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Thank you for the wonderful magazine. This is the most understandable information I TOMORROW’S WORLD have heard. I also check it out in my Bible, as the Bereans did, as you suggest. I read the January-February 2000 Tomorrow’s World and really enjoyed everything in it. It real- A. M., Marshfield, Missouri

We encourage you to share with us your reactions to Tomorrow’s World. Please direct your correspondence to “Letters to the Editor” at our United States address, or send e-mail to [email protected]. Letters may be edited for space and clarity. Remember to include your name, address and daytime phone number.

© Tomorrow’s World Illustration But what has been the result of these experiments? Are our children healthier and happier? Is society bet- ter off? We all know the answer. But do educators and child psychologists acknowledge that the very foundation of their new theories is flawed? No! Their experiments con- tinue—on our children— even as problems grow more severe, and affect younger and younger children each year. Rather than address the root cause of these problems, these modern social engi- neers just redefine “normal- cy” as they search for a “magic pill” that will fix everything. U.S. News & World Report, in its March 6, 2000 cover story “The Perils of Pills,” addressed America’s growing tendency to med- icate its children’s behavior. Even a United Nations panel recently lambasted the Unit- ed States for over-prescrib- ing psychiatric drugs. As USN&WR pointed out, America “…consumes 80 percent of the world’s methylphenidate (the gener- ic name for Ritalin)” (p. 47). By John H. Ogwyn A March 12 article in The New York Times Magazine had a similar focus. Entitled “Generation Rx,” the article observed that although throwing pills at children is bad, it is only a symptom of the real problem. n the last century, conventional wisdom about Some serious problems exist! There is no question child-rearing has undergone a dramatic that something terrible is happening to our metamorphosis. Respect for the Bible and family children, yet it appears that the educational and I values has given way to the ideas of “social sci- pediatric establishments merely wish to treat the symp- entists” such as Sigmund Freud, John Dewey and toms of these problems rather than the real causes. But Benjamin Spock. These theorists have turned the what are the real causes of the problems that exist in family into a laboratory for social experimentation. today’s families—and what can be done about them?

20 Tomorrow’s World © PhotoDisc/Tomorrow’s World Image A Look at Today’s Kids Kill in War and Society, he explored the dangerous sim- ilarities between today’s violent movies and video A Newsweek article titled “The Truth About games and the military training programs that help sol- Tweens” (Oct. 18, 1999) discussed the problems fac- diers overcome their reluctance to kill. Commenting ing these children in the awkward transition from about violent television shows and video games, childhood to adolescence. Defined as children Grossman stated: “It has become increasingly clear between the ages of eight and 14, there are currently that the television industry is using a toxic addictive 27 million of these “tweens” in the United States, substance—violence—in order to addict young chil- and advertisers have identified them as a lucrative dren… Now the purpose of our play is to inflict hor- market that spends $14 billion annually. rendous suffering on other human beings… to sit and The Newsweek article explained: “They are a gen- watch vivid depictions of human death and suffering eration stuck on fast forward… The girls wear sexy and to associate that with pleasure—popcorn and lingerie and provocative makeup created just for candy bars, and laughter and cheers—like the Romans tweens in order to complete what some parents call in the Colosseum watching people being butchered” the Lolita look. The boys affect a tough-guy swag- (interview in the Dallas Morning News, Sept. 19, 1999). ger—while fretting about when their voices will Grossman points out that video games are one of change” (Newsweek, p. 64). They are a generation the tools that the military uses to condition and pre- whose values have been shaped by television, video pare recruits for combat situations, and break down games and the Internet. their natural inhibitions to kill. The Army uses a What is the moral and value content conveyed modified Super Nintendo video game; the Marines by these sources? How much are children influenced use the video game Doom. These are used to train by them? Make no mistake about it; most children and program infantrymen, like a flight simulator is are spending more time interacting with the elec- used to train and program pilots. When children tronic media than with their parents. Two-thirds of spend hours sitting in front of such games, is it any those eight to 18 have televisions in their own surprise that they become conditioned to violence? rooms, and six out of 10 in this age group say that The factors shaping our young children, the so- their parents do not impose limits on their television called “tweens,” are drastically different from those viewing. In 1979, only 6 percent of sixth graders had of decades earlier. Single parents and two-career television sets in their rooms, compared with 77 per- households represent the vast majority of homes in cent today (USN&WR, Nov. 29, 1999, p. 79). The which young people grow up. More damaging still is result, of course, is that children live more isolated the fact that many parents are themselves without a lives than ever. Parents are certainly no longer the strong moral compass. Shaped by the moral rela- primary influences for most children. tivism of the 1970s, most of today’s parents feel a What values are being promoted to children need to be “open-minded” about contemporary these days? Certainly they are not values derived youth culture. Sadly, many are so open-minded that from Scripture. Much of the popular entertainment they have become empty-headed! directed at “tweens” and teens celebrates attitudes that are rude, crude, vulgar, disrespectful of authori- Nature or Nurture? ty and rebellious. Violence, promiscuous sexuality, “alternative” lifestyles and crass materialism are vig- Since the 18th century, debates about “nature vs. orously promoted. Objections to the homosexual nurture” have raged in the Western world. French lifestyle or to premarital sex are presented as old philosopher Jean Jacques Rousseau believed that fashioned, intolerant and judgmental. It seems that children left to themselves would turn out “good.” tolerance is the chief virtue and everything is to be He believed that civilization is the corrupting factor, tolerated—except intolerance of sin! The concept and that human nature is intrinsically good. His idea that there are no absolute rights and wrongs has been was, that without civilization, man is a “noble sav- promoted in the West for well over a century—today, age.” Though most would not go to Rousseau’s the belief in moral absolutes is labeled as bigoted. extreme, most 19th and 20th century liberals and Former West Point professor Lt. Col. Dave Gross- progressives clung to an optimistic view of human man has given interesting insight into the burgeoning nature, believing that it is basically good. climate of violence among the young. In his 1996 Sigmund Freud and John Dewey further refined book, On Killing: The Psychological Cost of Learning to and shaped this view. Freud believed that most neu-

July–August 2000 21 roses in later life are the result of repressed sexual that parental training and influence are essential to desire. Dewey, the father of “progressive education,” bringing out the best in a child. did not want to “inhibit” children, and so opposed Few educators or social scientists understand external structure on their conduct. Dewey encour- human nature. Is it basically good or is it bad? The aged children’s self-expression and self-discovery, answer is provided in the Genesis 3 account of our favoring personality development over character first parents and the two trees to which they were development. This trend of de-emphasizing charac- introduced. Contrary to God’s command, they took ter development has continued in child development the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and circles for most of the last century, and the results evil. Since then, human nature and civilization have have grown progressively worse as these wrong- been a blend of that fatal mixture. Human nature is headed theories have gained ground over common not intrinsically good; character training and devel- sense and traditional wisdom. opment is vital. Modern society’s failure to recognize In more recent years, some apologists for 20th this has led to a generation that is learning to “feel century child development theories have held that good about itself” without developing those desir- “nurture” matters little, as behavior is all genetically able traits that are worth feeling good about! encoded anyway. Judith Harris’ 1998 book The Nur- ture Assumption argued that the way parents treat The Role of Discipline in their children does not really matter. Harris asserts Character Development that whatever traits genes do not determine, peers do. While Harris’ thesis may have let parents off the Discipline has become almost a dirty word to hook, it is fatally flawed. many in our society. Some believe, like Dewey, that At the other extreme are those social experi- structure is inherently stifling and that a child menters who believe that virtually all of mankind’s should be free to “discover.” Others equate disci- differences can be erased through education, and pline with abuse. Because of some instances of hor- who advocate government intrusion into child devel- rible abuse, many in contemporary culture are pre- opment at younger and younger ages. Their egalitar- pared to throw the proverbial baby out with the ian bias has led them to argue that anyone can be bath water, showing an aversion to discipline in anything, because virtually nothing is genetically general and to corporal punishment in particular. determined. These theorists have tried to argue that This wrong-headed approach has made our chil- even traditional masculine and feminine differences dren the real losers. are socially conditioned, not inborn. But what is character? Why is it important? How The reality lies between these two extremes. is it developed? Human beings are the result of both nature and nur- Character has to do with a person’s fundamental ture. Each human being is born with a variety of pattern of behavior. It must be developed over time genetic predispositions and limits, but education and and through circumstances. It is what determines the family environment can make a big difference in moral worth of an individual. whether children will develop their full potential. To Self-discipline is one of the most vital aspects of recognize that some are born smarter, stronger or faster good character. Without a disciplined approach to is simply to face reality. However, virtually all human life, we will habitually take the path of least resis- beings can improve their levels of performance tance. We will quit whenever we get tired or lose with training and diligent effort. Helping children to interest, whether an important job remains left to be recognize and develop their talents and aptitudes is done or not. When faced with moral dilemmas, it essential! takes self-discipline to choose the high and noble A March 27, 2000 Newsweek article titled “The alternative, rather than to take the easy way. Nature of Nurturing” discussed a 12-year study con- Part of the problem lies in defining “good charac- ducted by Dr. David Reiss of George Washington ter.” In recent decades, the moral consensus in Amer- University. Reiss studied 720 pairs of adolescents ica and in much of the rest of the Western world has with various degrees of genetic connection, ranging collapsed. No longer are such values as honesty, hard from identical twins to stepsiblings, and observed work, chastity and modesty universally acclaimed. the ways that genetic tendencies are either encour- Having jettisoned the Bible as a moral compass, mod- aged or stifled by parental response. While there is a ern man is adrift in a turbulent sea, and does not whole range of genetic predispositions, Reiss saw know either his desired goal or how to reach it!

22 Tomorrow’s World To train a child, parents must have a clear sense has the most courage? Who is in charge here? If you of the results they seek. Without specific goals in do not answer these questions conclusively for the mind, training will be haphazard at best. Using the child, he will precipitate other battles designed to ask timeless values of God’s word, rather than the trendy them again and again” (p. 27). ideas of social theorists, is the basis of developing Dr. Dobson is not endorsing—nor are we—the truly good character in children. abuse or harming of children. Too many parents nag With the goals clearly in mind, the next step is to and threaten their children, yet put off imposing form a strategy for achieving those goals. Parents appropriate punishment. Finally, out of frustration must persevere and stick to what is right—even and anger, they lash out at their children, perhaps though modern society disapproves of many Biblical yelling at and shaking them. This is not right! The models of good behavior. Remember, also, that you scripture tells us that a parent who loves his child cannot help someone else to be firmly will discipline him early (Proverbs anchored in life unless you are 13:24). Punishment, to be effective, anchored yourself! must be swift and sure. It must be As we look at the great 20th cen- appropriate to the age of the child tury child-rearing experiment, we and to the offense. Most important- must conclude that permissiveness has ly, a loving parent who is fully in not simply been a failure; it has been a control of his or her, own feelings disaster! The idea that permissive and emotions should administer it. “love” would make discipline unnec- Children (and all of the rest of essary, was fuzzyheaded, shallow us, for that matter) tend to repeat thinking. The reality is that proper dis- conduct that brings desired results cipline is the result of genuine love. and to avoid conduct that brings After all, God corrects every son unpleasant results. Unfortunately, whom He loves (Proverbs 3:12). Senator Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, too many parents reinforce the very Increasingly in American society, displays the video game “Doom” behavior that they want to elimi- the little schoolroom terrors are as an example of the violent nate, by giving in to children when referred for psychiatric evaluation so pastimes influencing America’s they whine, cry or are defiant. Con- that they can be medicated into com- youth. ©Presslink Image sistency and persistence are pliance. But the real problem for most is that they absolutely necessary to provide proper reinforce- have simply never received proper discipline, either ment in childrearing. at home or at school. They have never learned to What is happening to our kids as a result of a inhibit their impulses and to control their behavior. century of social experimentation? Tragic conse- The failure to learn respect for parental authority in quences, that is what! Millions are over-medicated the home carries over to the schoolroom and the and under-disciplined. They are growing up with playground. fatally flawed value systems. Seduced by decadence How is respect for parental authority established and materialism, they suffer from emptiness at the in the home? Too many parents are beside them- spiritual core of their being. selves with frustration because their youngsters are The Creator of mankind sent along an instruc- defiant and yell and call them names, or perhaps tell tion book for His creation—the Holy Bible. It offers them to “shut up” when they try to correct them. Dr. guidance in instilling right values. The principles James Dobson, a noted psychologist and author, of loving discipline, guidance and teaching are explained the answer to this dilemma very simply illustrated throughout this book of books. Rather and succinctly in his landmark book, Dare to Disci- than participate in the tragically flawed child pline. Writes Dr. Dobson: “When a youngster tries development experiments that marked the 20th this kind of stiff-necked rebellion, you had better century, parents can opt for a far better way. By take it out of him, and pain is a marvelous purifier. coming to understand and apply the principles When nose-to-nose confrontation occurs between revealed by the Creator, our children can be a joy you and your child, it is not the time to have a dis- to us and to others. Not only that, they will be cussion about the virtues of obedience. It is not the equipped to face life with solid values and healthy occasion to send him in his room to pout… You have self-discipline, thereby enabling them to lead drawn a line in the dirt… Who is going to win? Who happy, productive lives of their own. TW

July–August 2000 23 By Douglas S. Winnail

“Progressive” ideas in modern Christianity come from a dangerous source!

oday nearly two billion on a perverted understanding of among historians that the original people profess a belief the truth (Galatians 1:6–9). The faith did not remain uncorrupted in Jesus Christ. The Apostle John recorded a prophecy (see The Story of Civilization, Christian religion that that Satan would deceive the whole Durant, 1972, vol. 3, p. 595). That began in Jerusalem now world (Revelation 12:9). Could is why some churches acknowl- Tgirdles the globe and encompasses this include you and the church edge that their beliefs are based on one-third of mankind. This seems you attend? the Bible and tradition—which like a remarkable accomplish- Surprising as it may seem, often runs counter to Scripture! ment—but there is a hitch! Jesus the Christianity embraced by mil- One of the prime opponents of warned that “many will come in lions today is not the same “faith early Apostolic Christianity was My name [claiming to be Christian which was once for all delivered to Gnosticism—a radical belief sys- teachers]… and will deceive many” the saints” (Jude 3). From tem that mixed pagan ideas, Greek (Matthew 24:5, 11, 24). The Apos- the beginning, numerous false philosophy, mysticism and human tle Paul marveled that converts in teachers opposed the gospel reasoning with twisted explana- Galatia (modern Turkey) were proclaimed by Jesus and the Apos- tions of Scripture. Although Gnos- turning to a “different gospel” built tles. It is common knowledge ticism faded from view after the

24 Tomorrow’s World © Presslink Image 2nd century, many of its subver- ring to the Hebrew Scriptures and according to a well-thought-out sive and heretical ideas were the teachings of Jesus, while twist- plan (Psalm 139:14; Proverbs absorbed into mainstream Chris- ing and perverting the original 8:22–31; Job 38). Everything God tianity. Even more remarkable is meaning (Lacarriere, p. 44). Many made was very good (Genesis 1:10, that numerous scholars acknowl- Gnostics also claimed to be Chris- 18, 21). God created human edge that Gnostic ideas are alive tians. Historian Johnson notes the beings in His own image (Genesis and growing inside Christian Apostle Paul “fought hard against 1:27). Male and female were creat- churches and seminaries today. Gnosticism, recognizing that it ed as separate genders for the pur- New Testament Professor Peter might cannibalize Christianity pose of marrying and reproducing Jones documents the “striking par- and destroy it” (p. 45). Johnson in a family context (Genesis 1:28, allels between the ancient heresy also comments “the most danger- 2:22–25). Satan, in the form of a of Gnosticism and the spirituality ous Gnostics were those who had, serpent (Ezekiel 28:13), deceived of New Age thinking and the post- intellectually, thought their way the first human beings by insinu- modern worldview” (Spirit Wars, quite inside Christianity, and then ating that God was a liar and was 1997, p. vii). The dangerously produced a variation which withholding valuable information deceptive doctrines battled by wrecked the system” (Ibid.). from them (Genesis 3). Adam and Paul, Peter, John and other early One of the earliest Gnostic Eve were banished from the gar- Apostolic leaders are being revived teachers was Simon Magus. He is den paradise for disobedience. today with a vengeance—yet the thought to be the Simon (men- Jesus Christ died for the sins of average person is largely unaware tioned in Acts 8) who used sor- mankind, making it possible to be of the real source of ideas promot- cery to deceive people in Samaria. reconciled to God, receive the ed under the guise of progressive Simon was attracted by the mira- Holy Spirit, gain eternal life and Christianity! This article will take cles performed by Philip. participate in the future kingdom a brief look at early church history, Although Simon claimed to be a of God (John 3:16–17; Acts 2:38; and will reveal some eye-opening Christian after displaying a super- Mark 1:14–15). and sobering facts! ficial conversion, Peter and John Gnostic teaching totally revers- rejected him for being “poisoned es nearly every detail of these bibli- Who Were the Gnostics? by bitterness and bound by iniq- cal accounts! Gnostics taught that uity” (Acts 8:23). Other transla- the real God is unknowable and Gnosticism “developed in the tions of this verse describe Simon incomprehensible. This world “is a same places as dawning Christian- as “a bitter poison and a pack of stupendous mistake, created by a ity and the Judaic religions: Pales- evil” (Moffatt), and “a bitter weed foolish or vicious creator-god” tine, Syria, Samaria and Anatolia and a bundle of crookedness” (Mystery Religions in the Ancient [Asia Minor]” (The Gnostics, (Williams). Although Simon con- World, Godwin, 1981, p. 84). Lacarriere, 1989, p. 43). Gnostic tinued to follow the Apostles Humans are merely “fragments of teachers claimed to have secret around (Acts 8:13), he and his the universe… sediment from a knowledge about the creation of disciples (Marcion, Valentinus lost heaven” (Lacarriere, pp. 16, the world and the purpose of life and Basilides) promoted a mes- 19). This evil, incompetent god and competed with the Apostles sage that was “subversive” and was self-conceived by Sophia (god- on the same ground. British his- “radically different from the Apos- dess of wisdom) and later seduced torian Paul Johnson describes tolic teaching” (Lacarriere, p. 46). Eve, who then gave birth to Cain Gnosticism as “a spiritual para- and Abel. The serpent was actually site which used other religions as Gnostic Teachings sent by the true God to teach wis- a carrier… Gnostic groups seized dom to Adam and Eve before they on bits of Christianity, but tended The radical and subversive were unmercifully expelled from to cut it off from its historical nature of Gnosticism can best be the garden. This wicked god, the source” (A History of Christianity, appreciated when contrasted with Jehovah of the Hebrew Scriptures, 1976, p. 45). the teachings of Scripture. The tricked people into worshiping Gnostic teaching was a partic- Bible reveals that an all-powerful him as the true God, and the Old ular threat to Christianity because God created the earth and the uni- Testament “is the story of his Gnosticism created “the illusion it verse (Genesis 1:1). This magnifi- tyranny and egotism” (Ibid., p. was a Christian doctrine” by refer- cent creation was produced 85). The villains of the Bible (Cain,

July–August 2000 25 Esau, the Sodomites, etc.) are rejected three gospels (Matthew, means of bursting out of the social regarded as heroes by Gnostics for Mark and John) because he felt straight jacket specifically invent- standing up to this evil god! they had been corrupted by Jewish ed to stifle its [love’s] liberating In Gnostic belief, salvation is influences and leaned too heavily spontaneity… in the promiscuity obtained not by accepting the sac- on the Old Testament. He discard- of men and women lies the true rifice of Jesus Christ for our sins ed six of Paul’s epistles for the same communion” (Lacarriere, p. 51). and changing our life, but by reasons. Marcion apparently felt he Some Gnostic sects participated in learning secret knowledge. For was a better judge of Scripture orgiastic rites of almost indescrib- Gnostics, knowledge comes from than the Apostles and Jesus Christ! able perversion. The idea was that within oneself—not from revealed to extirpate evil, it must be prac- Scripture, yet the Bible says just Perverted Practices ticed until it is exhausted! This the opposite (Proverbs 3:5; John stood in marked contrast to the 17:17)! For Gnostics, this world is Some of the most controver- biblical admonitions to “flee sexu- evil; the body is the evil—a cor- sial teachings of the Gnostics had al immorality” (1 Corinthians rupt prison for the soul—from to do with the lifestyle they advo- 6:18–20) and avoid all forms of which one must seek to escape. cated. Marriage and procreational evil (1 Thessalonians 5:22). Marriage and procreational sex are sex were scorned as the distrac- also seen as evils dreamed up by tions of a wicked god. This led to Gnostic Influences the wicked creator-god. The real drastic extremes! Certain teachers, hope, to Gnostics, is not to see the such as Marcion and Valentinus, One might expect that such future kingdom of God, but to advocated asceticism (self-denial). extreme ideas would have van- regain an imagined past, freed They forbade marriage and taught ished from the Christian commu- from the fetters of this world that Gnostics should remain celi- nity, especially after being labeled (spirit from matter, light from bate. Initiates already married as heresy by the early Church. Yet, darkness) in a timeless and incor- were told to abstain from sexual despite considerable opposition by poreal Kingdom of Light. It is not relations for life (After Jesus, Read- Church leaders, “this unusual reli- hard to see why the ideas of Simon er’s Digest, 1992, p. 132). Since gion was to have a lasting impact on and his followers “flew in the face some Gnostics taught that Adam Christianity” (“After Jesus,” p. of the whole Apostolic doctrine was created without gender, the 131). Gnosticism was the bridge and the teaching of Jesus” (Lacar- ideal state one should aspire to is over which pagan ascetic practices riere, p. 47). Gnostics literally androgyny—where sexual identity such as celibacy crossed into turn the Bible upside down! is suppressed or eliminated. The Christianity. The Gnostic idea that Gnosticism is anti-Scripture, Gnostic Gospel of Thomas states, faith needed to be supplemented anti-God, anti-Law and anti- “when you make the male and by philosophy (The Early Church, Christ—yet its proponents often female into one, so that the male is Chadwick, 1993, p. 74) appears in claim to be the true Christians! not male and the female is not church doctrines based upon the Marcion, a highly intelligent female… then you shall enter the Bible and tradition! The idea that man—and originally a member of kingdom” (Unearthing the Lost the kingdom of God is “within a Christian community—wrote Words of Jesus, Dart and Riegert, you,” instead of being a definite and traveled widely in the 2nd 1998, p. 54). Celibate asceti- future event, is a Gnostic twist of century promoting deceptive cism—denying one’s sexuality and Scripture that still influences the Gnostic ideas. His major work abhorring marriage—was a way of belief of many Christians today entitled Antithesis contains many achieving this androgynous ideal (compare Luke 17:21; Acts 1:6; ideas that subvert and reverse the and becoming like the true God. Matthew 19:28). meaning of Scripture. Marcion However, other Gnostic teach- Gnosticism taught that the even produced a canon—a list of ers advocated just the opposite! true God is unknown, unknow- books that he felt should constitute Simon Magus appears to have able and non-corporeal (without a the real Bible! Marcion, however, rejected marriage and promoted body). This contrasts sharply with eliminated the whole Old Testa- free love! Gnostics saw laws given the God of Scripture (see Jones, ment because he felt it was a by an evil creator-god as restrictive pp. 168–169, also Exodus record of Jehovah’s “crimes against and inhibiting. They taught the 33:17–23; Revelation 1:13–17; humanity” (Godwin, p. 85). He “practice of free love must be the 4:1–3). These ideas about God,

26 Tomorrow’s World which originate from Greek phi- radical scholars are attempting to that the only true Christians were losophy, have influenced Christian rehabilitate Gnostic texts and are the Gnostics” (Jones, p. ix). thinkers from Augustine (a former even suggesting that such writ- But that is not all! Gnostic Gnostic) and Aquinas to many ings—clearly labeled as heretical texts “are employed [by liberals] to modern theologians (see The in the early centuries of the justify women’s ordination, the Openness of God, Pinnock, 1994, Church—be added to the New goddess character of the Holy Spir- chap. 2). The ultimate goal of Testament canon! But why is there it, the moral appropriateness of Gnosticism—to be freed from the such an interest in Gnosticism on abortion, the feminist re-interpre- fetters of this world (spirit from the part of liberal theologians? tation of culture, and much more” matter, light from darkness) and to The reason is simply that (Jones, p. 90). These common return to a Kingdom of Light—is ideas promoted by the Gnostics in interests reveal why New Testa- remarkably similar to the belief the first and second centuries are ment scholar Peter Jones asserts, about going to heaven to behold very popular today! Gnosticism “Gnosticism was the earliest the beatific vision (look on God) was a theology of liberation—pro- expression of ‘Christian’ liberal- for all eternity. This differs dramat- ism” and that “modern liberals ically from biblical promises that only imitate their long-lost the saints will rule with Christ cousins, the Gnostics” (p. 64). when the kingdom of God is Many professing Christians do restored to this earth (Daniel 2:44; not seem to realize that their pro- 7:27; Revelation 5:10; 11:15–18). gressive ideas are rooted in this Scholars now recognize that ancient heresy! when Marcion eliminated entire books of Scripture based on his A Modern Gnostic Agenda own reasoning, he was “using historical and critical methods As the 21st century dawns, basically similar to those of mod- several powerful social move- ern scriptural scholars” (Johnson, ments are reviving Gnostic ideas. p. 46). Marcion’s attempt to call Women continue to be ordained as Peter Jones states “feminist into question the inspiration of ministers and priests by many thinkers have discovered the rev- Scripture by listing supposed denominations as the feminist olutionary character of Gnosti- contradictions between the Old movement maneuvers to reshape cism as it applies to gender and Christianity. ©Presslink Image and New Testaments finds ready patriarchal civilization” and that listeners today—even among pro- moting unlimited human freedom! “an egalitarian, non-patriarchal fessing Christians! For Gnostics, Gnostic teachers wanted an vision constitutes the agenda of Bible prophecy was myth or alle- “adult Christianity” that was “lib- cutting-edge theology, sociology, gory without literal historical erated from the everlasting refer- and global politics in the West. meaning—a view that also finds ences to Genesis and the Mosaic Gnosticism and feminism are a supporters in modern main- commandments” (Lacarreire, p. match made in heaven” (Jones, p. stream Christianity (see Chad- 103). Their goal was to break the 162). He quotes a feminist who wick, p. 37). “mooring ropes” that tied human states, “Gnosticism is becoming a conduct to the Bible. Sound famil- powerful influence in feminist A Gnostic Revival! iar? For many Gnostics, “total research into the overthrow of the insubordination was lauded as the male in the divine” (Ibid.). The parallels between ancient road to liberation” (Ibid., p. 74). Feminists want to change Gnostic ideas and modern Christ- Their practice of communal sex, Western society, and they realize ian theology are not accidental. attempts to gain a state of spiritu- that “to change the civilization Today we are witnessing “an al ecstasy, refusal to work, desir- built on the Bible, you must change orchestrated attempt in Christian ing to live as philosophical the Bible” (Jones, p. 81). This is liberal circles” to present Gnostic vagabonds, would blend easily why liberals and radical feminist writings “as a valid, alternate, even with the hippies of the 1960s. theologians want to include superior expression of early Chris- Former rock star John Lennon Gnostic texts as an authentic view tianity” (Jones, p. viii). Modern once commented “It seems to me of early Christian teaching—

July–August 2000 27 equal with the Bible! Theologian tainer of revelation” and to “cor- was also the Gnostic agenda—to Rosemary Radford Ruether rect as we read” (Ibid., p. 120). In denigrate the creation, its laws asserts, “Feminist theology must other words, everything in the and its Creator! Catholic educa- create a new textual base, a new Bible “must be re-interpreted by tor Leon Podles senses the signif- canon… Feminist theology cannot feminist interpreters” which is just icance of this assault when he be done from the existing base of what the Gnostics did (Ibid.). writes, “feminism may be as the Christian Bible” (Ibid., p. 82). Many Christians today simply much of a challenge to Christian- Asian feminist theologian Chung do not grasp the real intent of fem- ity as was Gnosticism (to which it Hyun Kyung has stated, “femi- inist theology. Radical feminist bears a strong resemblance) (The The modern return of Gnosticism—a belief system that rejects b nists are free to use the ancient Naomi Goldberg has stated, “the Church Impotent—The Feminiza- Gnostic texts, originally rejected feminist movement in Western tion of Christianity, 1999, p. 139). as heretical, because the Christian culture is engaged in the slow exe- Retired Episcopal bishop John canon was created by men” and cution of Christ and Jehovah. Yet Shelby Spong has an even larger that “women are not obliged to very few of the women and men radical agenda! Spong made head- accept a book… they had no part now working for sexual equality lines a decade ago when he in framing” (Ibid., p. 88). Femi- within Christianity and Judaism ordained a homosexual priest. The nists view the orthodox Bible as a realize the extent of their heresy” radical bishop has asserted, “Fem- tool “for social control through (Ibid., p. 195). She blames “God inism and homosexuality lie at the the patriarchal suppression of the Father of Judeo-Christian heart and soul of what the Gospel women” (Ibid.). They like the Scripture as the architect of the is all about” (Jones, p. 192). Spong Gnostic Gospel of Mary because it patriarchal society” and states that feels “the church should bless and places Mary Magdalene at the “like patriarchy, this God will have encourage same sex marriages” foundation of Christ’s church, to go” (Ibid., p. 180). Patriarchy (The Arizona Daily Star, Sept. 25, rather than the Apostles and refers to the authority of the father. 1999). Spong would agree with prophets (Ephesians 2:19–20; In her words, “We women are radical feminist theologians—and Matthew 16:18; Galatians going to bring an end to God” Gnostics—that “the Bible is full of 1:17–19). Women took unprece- (Ibid.). This would include reject- rhetoric and concepts we do not dented leadership roles in many ing His laws found in the Bible— and can not believe” (Ibid.) such early Gnostic sects (After Jesus, p. which was also the Gnostic mis- as guidelines for sex role differenti- 131). sion! Goldberg has predicted, ation and prohibitions against Today’s radical feminist the- “when feminists succeed in chang- homosexuality. He also echoes ologians have developed what they ing the position of women in sentiments of early Gnostics who call a “ritual of exorcism” to Christianity and Judaism, they will wanted an adult Christianity when expunge Bible verses that describe shake these religions at their roots” he asserts, “I’m anxious to open different roles for men and (Ibid., p. 181). Remarkably, very Christianity so it can be everything women, such as Ephesians few theologians acknowledge that it can be… a more enlightened 5:22–24 and 1 Peter 3:1–6 (Jones, Bible prophecy reveals women will Christianity” (Ibid.). Spong is sim- p. 82). Like the Gnostics, they use push to dominate society as the ply advocating the same goal as the verses they like, and discard verses end of the age nears (Isaiah 3:12). Gnostics—the destruction of bibli- with which they disagree! Femi- In light of such brazen com- cal Christianity! nists create an androgynous deity ments, Peter Jones observes, Today the Christian view of by their support of sexually inclu- “Christians must realize that the sex and gender roles is under sive terms in new biblical transla- religious feminist movement car- attack. Liberals say biblical guide- tions. To understand the Bible, ries with it a frontal assault on the lines limit human freedom—but feminist theologians assert, “new normativity of creational hetero- the real reason for this attack goes rules will require feminist inter- sexuality and, beyond that, on much deeper. Jones quotes a com- preters to assume that Scripture is God Himself as the Creator” mon lesbian assertion that “com- not the word of God… is not a con- (Ibid., p. 196). This, in essence, pulsory [biblical] heterosexuality

28 Tomorrow’s World is the very backbone that holds 24:11–12) and that it would be guided minds. Gnosticism— patriarchy together,” that homo- related to a movement that was ancient or modern—is a danger- sexuality will break that backbone “already at work” in the days of ous deception. Social movements and that “lesbian, bisexual and gay the Apostles (2 Thessalonians built on these perverted ideas will issues… are wedges driven into the 2:7–8). The early Gnostics were lead to disaster. Societies that superstructure of the heteropatri- major antagonists of the Apostles reject moral guidelines in favor of archal system” (Ibid., p. 179). The and, just as liberals today, they unfettered human desires are real goal of homosexuals, radical preached a very deceptive mes- headed for trouble! The God of feminists and liberal progressives sage. This is why Paul warned the the Bible thunders: “Because you have rejected [My] knowledge, I also will reject you… Because both God and His laws—is no coincidence. you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your is to change the way Western soci- Galatians against believing a dif- children” (Hosea 4:6). The ety operates by eliminating its bib- ferent gospel (Galatians 1:6–9), revival and embrace of Gnostic lical foundation! Their tool is the and why he instructed Timothy ideas by liberal professing Chris- Gnostic tool of sexual liberation! to “guard what was committed to tians is a case of history repeating The modern return of Gnosti- your trust, avoiding the profane itself. To remain ignorant of the cism—a belief system that rejects and vain babblings and contra- past is to risk being deceived by a both God and His laws—is no dictions of what is falsely called different gospel. Do not be coincidence. It was actually knowledge [gnosis]” (1 Timothy deceived! Open your eyes! prophesied! The Bible warns that 6:20). Believe the real word of God and the end of the age would be Gnostic ideas are the product the message of true Apostolic marked by lawlessness (Matthew of intelligent yet profoundly mis- Christianity! TW

WHO WAS THE GOD OF THE OLD TESTAMENT? commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him” (continued from page 7) (1 John 2:4). These clear statements were explained away as applying only to the “spirit” of the law or to Jesus said, “I and My Father are ONE” (John some “new” commandments of Jesus. But when you 10:30). So the One who had been totally “one” with study these new commandments, they are only mag- God—and who was GOD—“emptied Himself” to nifications of the Ten Commandments, which Jesus become our Savior. Truly His life is worth more than Himself gave on Mount Sinai! And again, “Jesus ALL of ours combined, because He created not only Christ is the SAME yesterday, today, and forever” the human race, but the entire universe as well. Hav- (Hebrews 13:8). ing bought and paid for us by His death on the cross, May God help all of you who read this to Christ now doubly “owns” us. He is our Maker. He is UNDERSTAND and to respond to the true Jesus our God. He is our Master. Christ of the Bible. As He said, “WHY do you call Yet after the death of the original Apostles, a great Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do the things which I apostasy took over the name of “Christianity.” The say?” (Luke 6:46). If you really want to obey the clear teachings and examples of Christ and the Apos- Christ of the Bible, write us today and request your tles began to be altered. The very concept of Christ FREE copy of our very revealing and fully docu- being a real “Master” began to be undone and perma- mented booklet entitled, Which Day is the Christian nently altered. He came to be considered a “Lord” Sabbath? who demanded no obedience to the very spiritual We, in this publication, are involved in restoring LAW—the Ten Commandments—that He had given Apostolic Christianity, the religion which Jesus and mankind. His clear and persistent teaching, “If you the Apostles actually taught and practiced. The Liv- want to enter into life, KEEP the commandments” ing Jesus Christ—the One who existed with the (Matthew 19:17), was now explained away as Father from eternity—is the One who will guide you, instruction only for the Jews. So also were dismissed strengthen you and bless you IF you determine to do the powerful statements of the Apostle John such as, what He says and worship Him not only as Savior, “He who says, ‘I know Him,’ and does not keep His but as Lord and Master now and forever. TW

July–August 2000 29 THE WAY O F LIFE Back then, respect for authority was taught and (continued from page 3) basically practiced. The Ten Commandments were posted in many schools and public places. protest the use of the word “Creator.” It But, today, we have LOST our way! probably would be bemoaned by liberals as That is one reason for the existence of this mag- the endorsement of religion by government, a azine, Tomorrow’s World. We want to help all sincere suggestion that humans did not evolve in an people on the way to recapturing Apostolic Christian- unaided, materialistic manner from primeval ity—the Christianity actually taught and practiced sludge to Bach or Beethoven. On July 4, by Christ and the original Apostles. That kind of 1776, however, there was no debate over the Christianity has been forsaken by most of humanity. phrase “endowed by their Creator” (with an But it is the only true Christianity. upper-case C). That America was founded as The Apostle Jude was inspired to write: “Beloved, a Christian nation is beyond debate. We were while I was very diligent to write to you concerning a Christian nation with a constitutional gov- our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to ernment rather than a theocracy, but a Chris- you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith tian nation nonetheless. What is more, we which was once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude were founded as a Christian nation that took 3). Note that the true faith was delivered “once for Judeo-Christian principles so much for grant- all.” It was NOT to be altered, changed, done away, ed that the founding fathers saw little reason watered down or tampered with. And Jude continued, to state the obvious (Ibid., p. 93). “For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly Now, we seem to be in a headlong rush to for- men, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness sake even the limited spiritual understanding we and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus used to have as a nation and the basically decent Christ” (v. 4). Wicked men were able, during the way of life we used to practice. As one who grew Dark Ages, to change and to pervert the entire WAY of up in the American Midwest in the 1930s and life delivered to us by Christ and the Apostles. 1940s, I well remember the almost total safety of America and Canada will not continue to exist, our city and our neighborhood. Elderly ladies went as we have known them, unless there is a genuine out walking at night with no fear. Little boys and reformation—a national REPENTANCE and a return little girls played “hide and seek” and “kick the to the WAY of God. But each of us individually may can” in almost total darkness in neighborhoods all be blessed and protected during the traumatic times over the city. Murder and rape were virtually ahead IF we are willing to fight—to “contend unheard of. And many folks did not even bother to earnestly”—for the faith which was “once for all” lock their doors at night! delivered to the saints.

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LE SSO N O NE • Television Superstation ∆ Spanish Radio

International —PHILIPPINES —AUSTRALIA Borongan: Borongan Cable—Ch 25, SAT 3:00 pm Adelaide: ACE—Ch 6/31, SUN 11:30 am Manila: Home Cable—Ch 11, SAT 9:00 am Brisbane: BRIZ—Ch 31, SUN 8:30 am Naval, Leyte: Naval Cable—Ch 8, SUN 9:00 am Perth: CETL—Ch 31, SUN 9:30 am Hinabangan, Samar: Omerez—Ch 7, SUN 9:00 am —NEW ZEALAND Auckland: Triangle Television—Ch 41, SUN 5:00 pm —CANADA (nationwide) • ON, Toronto: Vision—SUN 6:30 pm (ET & PT) ∆ —MEXICO Mexico City: Cambio—1440 AM, SUN 12:00 noon

IN, Kokomo: Insight—Ch 12, WED 6:30 pm United States IN, Lafayette: Insight—Ch 13, TUE 8:30 pm IN, Monticello: Marcus—Ch 2, WED 8:00 pm AL, Birmingham: Cable—Ch 4, FRI 4:30 pm IN, Noblesville: Insight—Ch 18, TUE 6:30 pm AL, Montgomery: TCI—Ch 3, SAT 5:30 pm IN, Richmond: Insight—Ch 17, WED 6:30 pm AR, Fayetteville: Access TV—Ch 8, SUN 8:30 pm KS, Chanute: Cablevision—Ch 5, SUN 7:30 am; TUE 5:30 pm AR, Little Rock: Comcast —Ch 18, FRI 9:30 am KS, Parsons: Time Warner—Ch 21, WED 7:00 pm & 9:30 pm AZ, Phoenix: Access—Ch 22, TUES 2:30 pm LA, Monroe: Time Warner—Ch 49, WED 10:00 pm AZ, Prescott: Cable—Ch13, SAT 9:00 pm; SUN 8:30 am MA, Cambridge: CCTV—CH 22, TUE 4:00 pm AZ, Tucson: Access—Ch 54/62, FRI 6:00 pm; SUN 12:00 pm MA, Malden: Access TV—CH 3, No set time CA, Anaheim: Adelphia—Ch 3, WED 6:00 pm MD, Baltimore: TCI—Ch 5, SUN 4:00 pm, WED 4:00 pm CA, Buena Park: Comcast—Ch 55, THUR 7:30 pm MN, Duluth: Public Access—Ch 24, SAT 7:00 pm; SUN 7:00 pm CA, Eureka: Cox—Ch 10, FRI 5:30 pm MN, Minneapolis: NW Community—Ch 35, SAT 10:30 pm; CA, Garden Grove: Time Warner—Ch 6, SUN 10:30 am SUN 4:30 am, 10:30 am & 4:30 pm CA, Modesto: Cable One—Ch 8, TUE 3:00 pm MN, Roseville: CTV—Ch 15, SUN 7:30 pm; MON 3:30 & 11:30 am CA, Norwalk: Public Access—Ch 55, THUR 5:30 pm MO, Springfield: KSPR—Ch 33, SUN 8:30 am CA, Oceanside: KOCT—Ch 18, SUN 5:30 pm MO, St. Louis: Double Helix—Ch 22, MON 4:00 pm CA, Riverbank: SONIC—Ch 9, WED 6:00 pm MS, Jackson: Time Warner—Ch 11, WED 12:00 am & 4:00 pm CA, Sacramento: RCCTV—Ch 75, WED 7:00 pm ND, Bismarck: CATV—Ch 12, SUN 3:00 pm CA, San Andreas: MediaOne—Ch 4, TUE 4:00 pm NH, Hanover: CATV—Ch 6, SUN 5:00 pm & 11:00 pm; MON CA, San Diego: Cox—Ch 18, & 24 THUR 6:00 pm 5:00 am & 11:00 am CA, Sonora: TCCCA—Ch 8, SUN 8:00 pm NJ, Oakland: Cablevision—Ch 19/20, SUN 7:00 pm CA, Turlock: Marcus—Ch 2, MON 8:00 pm NM, Albuquerque: CCC27—Ch 27, SUN 5:00 pm CT, Naugatuck: Tele-Media—Ch 10, TUE 9:30 pm NM, Rio Rancho: CABLE ONE—Ch 51, THUR, 7:00 pm FL, Gainesville: Cox—Ch 55, SUN 8:00 pm NV, Carson City: Access TV—Ch 10, SAT 9:00 pm FL, Ocala: Cox—Ch 35, SUN 10:00 am NV, Gardnerville: Community Access—Ch 26, SAT 3:00 am FL, Tampa: Time Warner—Ch 19 & 20, SAT 8:00 pm; SUN 8:00 pm & 3:00 pm; SUN 3:00 am & 3:00 pm GA, Macon: Cox Cable—Ch 18, SUN 5:00 pm; TUE 7:30 am; NV, Reno/Sparks: SNCT—Ch 30/16, SUN 7:30 pm FRI 2:00 pm NY, Brooklyn: BCAT—Ch 56/69, SUN 3:30 pm HI, Hilo: Na Leo—Ch 2, TUE 10:30 pm; FRI 9:30 pm NY, Elmira & Corning: Time Warner—Ch 1, SUN 9:30 am HI, Honolulu: Olelo—Ch 52, THUR 2:00 pm NY, Hauppauge: Cablevision—Ch 25, FRI 10:30 pm HI, Kahului: Akaku—Ch 44, SAT 9:30 pm NY, Irondeguoit: ICAT—Ch 15, No set time HI, Kailua-Kona: Na Leo—Ch 14, TUE 10:30 pm; FRI 9:30 pm NY, Port Jefferson: TCI—Ch 1/99 MON 9:00 pm HI, Kauai: Ho’ike—Ch 12, MON 1:30 pm NY, Riverhead: Cablevision—Ch 27, MON 4:30 pm HI, Lihue: Ho’ike—Ch 12, TUE 1:30 pm NY, Rochester: Community TV—Ch 15, SAT 10:30 am HI, Lanai: Akaku—Ch 3, 12 & 13, SAT 9:30 pm OR, Portland: MCTV—CH 11, SUN 10:00 am; TUE 1:30 pm HI, Maui: Akaku—Ch 44, SAT 9:30 pm TX, Corpus Christi: TCI—Ch 10, THUR 2:00 pm; HI, Molokai: Akaku—Ch 3, 12 & 13 SAT 9:30 pm FRI 10:30 am; SUN 11:00 am IA, Des Moines: AT&T—Ch 15, SAT 10:00 am; SUN 11:00 am TX, Dallas: Community Television—Ch 14b, FRI 2:00 pm; IA, Dubuque: TCI of Iowa—Ch 45, THUR 5:00 pm; FRI 1:30 pm; SAT 1:00 pm; SUN 11:00 am MON 3:30 pm; TUE 10:00 am; WED 2:00 pm TX, Temple: KPLE—Ch 31/46, SUN 7:30 pm IA, Waterloo: Cable—Ch 2, WED 9:00 pm VA, Chesterfield: Comcast—Ch 6, THUR 6:30 pm ID, Pocatello: Vision—Ch 12, SUN 7:30 pm; FRI 1:00 pm VT, Barre: Ch 7, SAT 9:00 pm; SUN 2:00 pm & 11:00 pm IL, Bloomington: AT&T—Ch 10, SUN 10:00 am; WED 8:30 pm WA, Bellingham: TCI—Ch 10, SAT 8:00 pm; SUN 8:00 am IL, Chicago: WGN—Cable, SUN 6:00 am (ET) WA, Seattle: TCI—Ch 29, SAT 12:00 pm IL, Peoria: AT&T—Ch 20, SUN 7:30 pm WA, Vancouver: Clark/Vancouver—Ch 49, SUN 9:30 am IL, Springfield: TCI—Ch 4, TUE 6:00 pm IN, Anderson: MediaOne—Ch 7, SUN 9:00 pm IN, Mishawaka: TCI—Ch 3, THUR 7:30 pm IL, Chicago: WGN—National Cable, IN, Flora: Marcus—Ch 2, WED 8:00 pm • SUN 6:00 am (ET) IN, Frankfort: Marcus—Ch 2, WED 8:00 pm

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TELEVISION SUPERSTATIONS: WGN: SUN 6:00 am ET VISION, Canada: SUN 6:30 pm ET & PT

New Television Stations: NE, Omaha: KPTM—Ch 42, SUN 8:00 am NY, Queens: QPTV—Ch 35, WED 1:00 pm VA, Richmond: MediaOne—Ch 7, SUN 9:00

Radio Stations: Trinidad & Tobago, TBC, Port of Spain—730 kHz AM, THUR 5:00 pm United Kingdom, Manx Radio—1368 kHz AM, 89/97.2/103.7 mHz FM SUN 10:00 pm Mexico, Mexico City, Cambio—1440 AM, SUN 12:00 noon Barbados, Barbados, CBC—900 kHz AM, MON 8:00 pm Philippines, Ozamiz City, DXSY—1242 kHz AM, SUN 8:00 am Philippines, Manila, DWBL—1242 kHz AM, Thursday 10:30 pm