The ‘impossible’ Crisis is trans- The church that The ultimate new space telescope forming Germany ruled the world plan of God

SEPTEMBER 2021

THE TYRANNY OF ‘SCIENCE’ The danger in putting faith in a false messiah COVER Scientific experts are dictating the COVID-19 response, and the world is blindly following. (Reese Zoellner/Trumpet)

SEPTEMBER 2021 | VOL. 32, NO. 8 | CIRC. 240,596

The Jeroboam bulla

FEATURES DEPARTMENTS FROM THE EDITOR 1 Why Is July 4 Suddenly WORLDWATCH 28 A Tiny Artifact Proclaims a Scandalous? 14 31 Powerfully Encouraging Message SOCIETYWATCH ‘At the Verge of Impossible’ 16 PRINCIPLES OF LIVING 33 COVER STORY 2 Beware Our Present-Tense Culture The Tyranny of ‘Science’ INFOGRAPHIC Falsely So Called Preparing to Scrutinze the Stars 18 DISCUSSION BOARD 34 The NHS: Britain’s False Religion 4 The Ultimate Plan of God 20 COMMENTARY 35 Germany: Transformed A Humble Request The Modern King Jeroboam II 23 by Crises 7 THE KEY OF DAVID TELEVISION LOG 36 The Church That Ruled the World 10 DANI MACHLIS/BEN-GURION UNIVERSITY

Trumpet editor in chief Gerald Flurry’s Trumpet executive editor Stephen Regular news updates and alerts News and analysis weekly television program Flurry’s television program from our website to your inbox updated daily theTrumpet.com/keyofdavid theTrumpet.com/trumpetdaily theTrumpet.com/go/brief theTrumpet.com FROM THE EDITOR GERALD FLURRY

A Tiny Artifact Proclaims a Powerfully Encouraging Message

“Let the stones speak.” —Dr. Eilat Mazar

or more than four years, I have explained that United supervision of Ben-Gurion University Prof. Yuval Goren” (Times States President Donald Trump fulfills a role prophesied of Israel, Dec. 10, 2020). F in the Bible of an end-time “King Jeroboam.” You can find The timing of this announcement was interesting. This bulla this stunning prophecy in Amos 7, which talks extensively has been around for a long time. In fact, it was purchased from about this national leader. a Bedouin antiquities merchant in the 1980s, more than 30 This prophecy is connected to 2 Kings 14, which records the years ago. For years, the man who purchased this tiny artifact history of King Jeroboam ii in the eighth century b.c. As Israel’s assumed it was a forgery. There was no record of where it came longest-serving monarch, this man presided over a remarkable from or how it was discovered. He paid about 10 shekels for national resurgence in the kingdom. Like much of Israel and it—a few cents. Judah’s ancient history, the events in 2 Kings 14 are dual, which About five years ago, Prof. Yuval Goren from Ben-Gurion means there is also an end-time fulfillment. (Read our article University began testing the seal impression. The procedure was explaining this on page 23 of this Trumpet issue.) intense. Professor Goren “followed a protocol he had forged over Amos 7 and 2 Kings 14 are crucial passages to understanding the past decade, which includes a series of overlapping tests from Donald Trump’s presidency, the current political situation in varied scientific disciplines.” Only after five years of scrupulous America, and even broader trends in the world. testing was it announced that the bulla was authentic. The media Even now, with Joe Biden in the White House, I continue in Israel and worldwide published many articles about it. to believe Donald Trump will once again become America’s This wonderful artifact brings King Jeroboam ii to life. But president. The reason is that I understand and believe God’s it also brings to life Amos 7 and 2 Kings 14, two prophecies prophecy in Amos 7. If only more people really believed the about an end-time Jeroboam ii! Bible, they would have so much more understanding and hope! I don’t believe the timing of this announcement was a Right now, the situation may look dire for Mr. Trump, since coincidence. he no longer leads the nation and his enemies are so wide- Faith is “the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1). My spread and fierce. Events appear to undermine the prophecy faith is in God’s Word—not in a tiny 2,500-year-old artifact. in Amos 7, yet neither God nor His prophecies have changed— However, such a discovery can be an inspiring miracle that God which means I cannot change my view either. often gives to those who believe His message. That encourages Late last year, as it seemed that evidence disproving this us to build even more faith. As our faith grows, so do the mira- prophecy was piling up, we learned about a very special discov- cles. Then our Bible comes alive as never before! ery in Israel. I believe God had a hand in this discovery. The oval-shaped bulla is small: roughly 3/4 inch tall and 1 inch In the world of archaeology, the discovery and authentication wide. Though tiny, it packs a powerful message! of a seal stamp (bulla) mentioning a biblical king is rare. The last On the front is an image of a roaring lion standing with its time it happened was in 2015, when it was revealed that archae- tail raised. Above the lion is a paleo-Hebrew inscription that ologists had uncovered a bulla mentioning Judah’s King Heze- reads, “l’Shema eved Yerov’am,” which means “Belonging to kiah. Last December was another one of those rare occasions. Shema the servant/minister of Jeroboam.” This bulla didn’t What was the name of the biblical king inscribed on this seal? belong to King Jeroboam personally; it belonged to a servant, It was King Jeroboam ii! or minister, who worked with the king. The word Shema is used many times in the Bible. It means The Lion of Israel hear, or listen. This is the word in Deuteronomy 6:4, where Amanda Borschel-Dan, one of Israel’s finest archaeology God says, “Hear, O Israel ….” The word is used 10 times in the journalists, wrote this about the bulla: “What is arguably the book of Amos, including in chapter 7. “Now therefore hear thou earliest inscribed clay seal impression from the land of Israel— the word of the Lord …” (verse 16). Do you think God might be News and analysis updated daily used at the court of Israelite King Jeroboam ii—has been trying to tell us something with this bulla? I do. theTrumpet.com authenticated after years of strict laboratory testing under the ARTIFACT PAGE 22 u SEPTEMBER 2021 1 THE TYRANNY OF ‘SCIENCE’ FALSELY SO CALLED Society is making sacrifices to a false messiah. BY STEPHEN FLURRY JULIA GODDARD/TRUMPET, LAURA LEZZA/GETTY IMAGES, DREW ANGERER/GETTY IMAGES, CHIP SOMODEVILLA/GETTY IMAGES, JEENAH MOON/GETTY IMAGES, CHANDAN KHANNA/AFP/GETTY IMAGES, LUIS ACOSTA/AFP/GETTY IMAGES, FIONA GOODALL/GETTY IMAGES ANAS BABA/AFP/GETTY IMAGES

2 THE PHILADELPHIA TRUMPET lot of what “15 days to slow the spread,” and later this pandemic. Claiming their deci- you’re seeing as advocated unprecedented lockdowns sions were “backed by science,” health “ attacks on me, for more than a year. He is the man who experts have recommended a labyrinth quite frankly, initially advised that masks were unnec- of contradictory rules and insisted on are attacks on essary, then claimed that he had been phenomenally oppressive measures that science.” That misleading people so that they would have shuttered businesses, devastated is Dr. Anthony leave enough masks for health-care education, upended millions of lives, THE TYRANNY Fauci’s descrip- workers, and still later said that the effec- and created far more grievous problems tion of Dr. tiveness of double masks was “common than they have solved. Anthony Fauci, sense.” He is the man now telling the This is to say nothing of the fact that OF ‘SCIENCE’ from a June world that he has spoken “consistently scientists, including Dr. Fauci himself, interview. “Because all of the things that from the very beginning,” and has, at the almost certainly caused the pandemic. I have spoken about, consistently from same time, “evolved” his advice. One of Dr. Fauci’s many articles was Athe very beginning, have been funda- Some people advance through the published in 2012 by the American Soci- FALSELY SO CALLED mentally based on science. … [I]f you are educational, medical, political or other ety for Microbiology. There he explicitly Society is making sacrifices to a false messiah. trying to, you know, get at me as a public systems of our societies and become wrote that “gain of function” research on BY STEPHEN FLURRY health official and a scientist, you’re what we consider elite, wise, high- bat coronaviruses was worth the risk of a really attacking not only Dr. Anthony Fauci, you’re attacking science.” SOME PEOPLE ADVANCE THROUGH THE EDUCATIONAL, Anthony Fauci is an alumnus of the College of the Holy Cross and a doctor MEDICAL, POLITICAL OR OTHER SYSTEMS OF OUR SOCIETIES of Cornell University Medical College. AND BECOME WHAT WE CONSIDER ELITE, WISE, HIGH-MINDED. He has received 50 honorary doctorates from universities in the United States YET THIS DOES NOT IMMUNIZE THEM FROM BEING WRONG. and other countries. According to a government website, he is the 132nd minded. Yet this does not immunize pandemic if it increases our knowledge of most-cited author of 992,000 authors them from being wrong. diseases. The government nevertheless in general and internal medicine, the The Apostle Paul wrote this about some banned “gain of function” research only 32nd most-cited living researcher, the people in his day: “Professing themselves two years later. But Dr. Fauci and his 20th most-cited author of 2.4 million in to be wise, they became fools” (Romans colleagues at the National Institute of the field of research and experimental 1:22). Look at the elites in the news today. Allergy and Infectious Diseases found medicine, the ninth most-cited author Don’t these words apply to them? a loophole. They now admit to U.S. law- out of 2.5 million immunologists, a pre- makers that, under Fauci’s guidance, the senter of major lectures around the globe, Trusting Experts National Institute of Health earmarked and a recipient of the National Medal of The scientific community is probably $600,000 for the Wuhan Institute of Science, the George M. Kober Medal, the the second-most-trusted institution in Virology and funneled it to the Chinese Mary Woodard Lasker Award, the Albany America, after the U.S. military. Only lab through the nonprofit EcoHealth Medical Center Prize, the Robert Koch 20 percent of Americans say they trust Alliance. This money was used to study Gold Medal, the Prince Mahidol Award, the government, but 44 percent say they whether bat coronaviruses could be the Canada Gairdner Global Health have a great deal of confidence in the transmitted to humans. Now even leftists Award, and the Presidential Medal of scientific community. who recently scoffed at the lab leak as a Freedom, the highest civilian honor Faith in scientific experts has conspiracy theory admit it is likely a fact. awarded by the U.S. government. He is remained steady for the past 50 years— If it is true that covid-19 originated in also the highest paid of all the govern- even after the drastic Fauci-recom- a lab at the Wuhan Institute of Virology, ment’s 2 million-plus employees. mended, government-enforced, covid-19 then Dr. Fauci may have directly contrib- By all these measures, Dr. Anthony lockdown measures. A survey of more uted to the development of the covid-19 Fauci is a success. This is why he has than 20,000 Americans conducted by pandemic by funding this research. come to the forefront of the government Prof. David Lazer found that both Demo- Yet for many, their devotion is in its response to the covid-19 outbreak. crats and Republicans trusted scientists unshaken. Mask mandates, social-dis- And apparently, this is why he equates and doctors to handle the covid-19 pan- tancing measures, school closures, the field of scientific study to himself. demic more than any other individual or business lockdowns: Millions have Yet well-paid, award-winning, exten- institution, including state governments submitted to and been subjected to sively cited, doctor-times-50 Anthony and the federal government. these acts of “faith in Fauci.” Americans Fauci is also the man who initially helped This faith has remained despite have taken on $6 trillion more in debt fund the lab where covid-19 likely origi- repeated misjudgments by scientists and sacrificed their economy before nated, then opposed the lab-leak theory; and public health experts over the past a priesthood of scientific experts for who initially said the outbreak would two years that have demonstrated that salvation from a pandemic that those likely remain minor, then promoted they do not really know how to deal with experts likely caused! SEPTEMBER 2021 3 Consequences demanded by the press and the political dealing with new information that the There is no evidence that covid-19 is left are massive socialistic interventions? science is providing,” he said. But on the substantially more contagious or deadly Or is it more reasonable to think that day that the cdc reversed its mask-wear- than a normal flu, which infects some the scientific community is just as ing guidance, they did not publish any 9 to 45 million Americans each year. fallible—even biased and politically new research. Even the Washington Post There is no evidence that wearing a motivated—as every other government asked, “Where’s the data?” paper or cloth mask stops the spread institution? After the cdc’s flip-flop, a reporter of a 20-nanometer coronavirus particle. Consider the Centers for Disease called out Joe Biden: “You said if you But scientists, flanked by leftist politi- Control and Prevention’s recent series were fully vaccinated, you no longer cians and progressive media, pushed of mixed messages about who should need to wear a mask.” Biden’s response: these drastic, catastrophic interven- wear face masks. In early 2021, as “I didn’t say that.” tions with stunning self-assurance, more people were vaccinated, many Even when the experts are plainly quashing any dissenting concerns about wondered when mask mandates would wrong, they’re still right! To criticize the broader consequences. be lifted. If the vaccine was as effective them is to attack science—and truth. Those broader consequences were as the experts claimed, why wear the And the same week that the new colossal. In addition to the financial mask? In May, the cdc revised its cdc guidance came out—effectively and economic disruptions, and the guidelines, prompting Joe Biden to showing that vaccines do not prevent physical and mental health problems announce, “If you are fully vaccinated, people from contracting and spreading caused by compulsory social isolation, you no longer need to wear a mask.” Just coronavirus—Joe Biden announced these lockdowns helped politicians two months later, however, the science strict new measures cracking down on push last-minute changes to mail-in again changed. In July, the cdc discov- all unvaccinated federal workers. The ballot rules that helped throw the 2020 ered that vaccinated individuals could contradictions are head-spinning. presidential election into chaos. still contract, carry and spread covid-19. This pandemic is a massive and painful Is it a coincidence that the dire pre- Back to the masks! Are you following case study proving that Americans’ faith dictions pushed by scientific experts the science? in the scientific community is misplaced. have had major political ramifications? Anthony Fauci defended the cdc, say- In reality, science stands exposed as a Is it a coincidence that the solutions ing they weren’t flip-flopping. “They’re false messiah. THE NHS: BRITAIN’S FALSE RELIGION ritain’s National Health Service is apparently the best about is the nhs. It has been weakening Britain from within B thing ever. Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer called it “our for decades. country’s greatest institution.” Former Health Secretary Matt The National Health Service began after World War ii, when Hancock went one better, saying, “The nhs is the best gift a the British voted out Winston Churchill and elected the Labour nation has ever given itself.” Party. Labour celebrated by singing “The Red Flag,” the Com- On July 5, the nation celebrated the “birthday” of the nhs. A munist anthem, in Parliament. Aneurin Bevan was one of the thanksgiving ceremony was held at St. Paul’s Cathedral. Buck- most extreme of these socialists, having been briefly kicked out ingham Palace hosted a garden party. Most remarkable was the of the Labour Party six years earlier due to vocal support for awarding of the George Cross, Britain’s highest civilian award communism. Then he became minister of health and helped for “acts of the greatest heroism or of the most conspicuous establish the nhs. His biographer, Labour Party leader Michael courage in circumstances of extreme danger,” to the nhs. Foot, said his thinking was “rooted in Marxism.” In the venerated name of the nhs and its covid-19 directives, The nhs was part of a reformation of the welfare state that the British have surrendered freedoms that their ancestors deeply rooted socialist thinking into the British psyche. These fought and died for for hundreds of years. reforms minimized personal freedom and responsibility, Yet the nhs is measurably worse than health services in other replacing them with a collectivist approach. Any man’s per- developed countries. Dr. Kristian Niemietz, head of policy at sonal failings became society’s problems. If he failed to care for the Institute of Economic Affairs, compared nhs performance his health, ran out of cash, or fathered children out of wedlock, in four common cancers and found that Germany’s health sys- the nation would bear the expense. tem yields 12,000 fewer deaths every year. James Bartholomew Of course, any just society needs a safety net. No one wants to crunches even more numbers in his 2013 book, The Welfare see a child die because his or her parents can’t afford to pay the State We’re In, and concludes that if the nhs functioned as well bills. But the new welfare state went much further. And the result as an “averagely good health-care system,” it would yield about was not just an economic decline but a decline in character. 48,000 fewer deaths each year. Bartholomew writes, “It is not going too far to say that there Britain has been shut down for the last year “due to covid.” seems to have been a revolution in the culture and character In fact, the infectious virus we really ought to be concerned of the British people in the last 60 years. The evidence is 4 THE PHILADELPHIA TRUMPET An Exact Description True science is true knowledge. Our came from a Creator and are thus com- The Bible describes our situation per- Creator intends us to receive true edu- pelled to devise explanations for how fectly. It prophesies of the society that cation, engage in true scientific study, creation came about on its own. Ignoring would exist “in the last days.” It says that and acquire true knowledge about the and suppressing all evidence to the among those who are “lovers of their creation around us. But there is such contrary, they accept as absolute fact own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, a thing as science falsely so called. In the alternative faith of godless evolution. blasphemers” and even “traitors,” there fact, science falsely so called dominates Unable to support that theory with any are those who are “highminded” (2 Tim- othy 3:1-4). These verses apply to the TRUE SCIENCE IS TRUE KNOWLEDGE. “perilous times” of our generation. This perfectly describes many of the educated OUR CREATOR INTENDS US TO RECEIVE TRUE EDUCATION, elites behind the covid-19 pandemic. ENGAGE IN TRUE SCIENTIFIC STUDY, AND ACQUIRE God also inspired Paul to write this insightful admonition to his assistant: TRUE KNOWLEDGE ABOUT THE CREATION AROUND US. “O Timothy, keep that which is com- mitted to thy trust, avoiding profane our society. And in recent months, it is of the proof they insist on in all other and vain babblings, and oppositions of increasingly turning into a tyranny! scientific inquiry, they contradict their science falsely so called: Which some Why is this? own standards and the foundation for professing have erred concerning the In these “last days” of human civili- true science. Nevertheless, they thereby faith” (1 Timothy 6:20-21). zation, scientists so called assume the anoint themselves—along with their Science falsely so called! nonexistence of the Creator. They are high-minded observations and reason- The New King James Version trans- almost all taught and trained to reject ings—as the highest authority in the lates verse 20, “avoiding the profane and revelation from God and God’s Word and universe! idle babblings and contradictions of what to deny God’s existence. This rejection This is why science and academia are is falsely called knowledge.” The Greek of God is the very foundation of human so prone to, as the New Living Trans- word for “science” in this verse is gnosis, knowledge production. lation renders it in verse 20, “godless, which means knowledge. Scientists scorn the idea that creation foolish discussions.” Scientists and

overwhelming that they are less polite and more violent. … A responsibility. It too is rejecting any ambition to help or even picture emerges of a country that has become brutish and even set an example for the wider world. degenerate compared to how it was.” This is perhaps the most pernicious effect of the welfare The whole world has suffered in this collapse. Defense state. It took Britain’s focus off a wider vision and turned it spending suffered cut after cut to pay for the nhs. For many, inward. No longer would we dare great things. And when a dis- January 1968 marks the official end of the British Empire. ease came along which 99.97 percent of healthy people survive, Prime Minister Harold Wilson announced that Britain would we cowered in fear and prayed to the nhs for salvation. withdraw all its forces east of the Suez Canal. United States The desire to place faith in a big government to take care of Secretary of State Dean Rusk was incredulous and “could not us is alluring but deadly. We were created to thrive in personal believe that free aspirin and false teeth were more important responsibility, striving to look after ourselves and each other, than Britain’s role in the world.” But Britain had no interest in rather than sitting back and waiting for a bureaucracy to do empire or even in a responsible drawdown of the empire. It just it for us. dropped everything, heedless of the lives it shattered. A society that encourages individuals to strive is one that In India, the result of Britain’s hurried handover to native allows them to thrive—and enables them to then give to others. elites was a disaster. As British authorities pulled out of India, No society has ever been perfect, but some have been far better the ethnic tensions they had kept under control exploded. than others. Those are the nations, like Britain, that have Estimates vary wildly, but somewhere in the region of 1 million acknowledged that men are created to exercise freedom, bear people died in the violence. As Britain pulled out of Uganda, responsibility, help others and build society. Zimbabwe, Egypt and elsewhere, men like Idi Amin, Robert God allowed the decline of Britain and now America to Mugabe and Gamal Abdel Nasser took over. pave the way for a new society—one that takes care of its The nhs has been part of an agenda that has diminished poorest and ensures the sick don’t die for lack of funds, but personal responsibility, destroyed families, and extinguished not by stripping individual and family responsibility. You can Britain’s sense of duty toward the world. America is rapidly read more about it in our free booklet The Wonderful World hurrying down the same path, expanding the welfare state Tomorrow—What It Will Be Like, by Herbert W. Armstrong. and government power, and smothering individual liberty and RICHARD PALMER SEPTEMBER 2021 5 other experts have knowledge, but These people were not Satan worship- Eve had to make was this: Whom would much of it is false knowledge. It is filled ers, as we usually think of the term, yet they believe? God gave them the choice with authoritative pronouncements Jesus Christ told them to their faces, to believe Him and obey Him. Satan gave that conflict with other statements of “Ye are of your father the devil …. He … them the choice to reject God, promis- irrefutable fact. We are floating in a abode not in the truth, because there is ing, “For God doth know that in the day flood of information that is truth mixed no truth in him …” (John 8:44). What a ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be with error, good mixed with evil. revealing statement! The devil doesn’t opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing just inspire “satanic” people—he influ- good and evil” (verse 5). The Traditions of Men ences everyone (see 2 Corinthians 4:4 That is an appeal to the human mind Read what the Bible says about knowl- and Revelation 12:9). and intellect. It is an appeal to disbelieve edge and so-called experts, and ask For someone who has excelled in the and disobey the God who created that yourself if it doesn’t perfectly describe tradition of men, who holds 50 honorary mind and intellect. It is an appeal to the intellectual arrogance motivating degrees, it is easy to assume that he decide good and evil for yourself, to the authoritarian scientific regime is like a god. That is how he can say, I experiment as you see fit, to set your increasingly dominating our society. am science! I am the truth! while he own boundaries. Paul wrote that those who reject God’s deceives people who face a society-wide Verse 6 says, “And when the woman truth are conceited, ignorant and pas- life-and-death situation. saw that the tree was good for food, and sionate for controversy and argument, This is deeply ingrained in human that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a which leads to envy, dissension, insults nature. Paul encountered it in Athens tree to be desired to make one wise, she and insinuations (1 Timothy 6:3-4). He among the intellectuals of Greece: took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and decried “[p]erverse disputings of men “[A]ll the Athenians and strangers which gave also unto her husband with her; of corrupt minds, and destitute of the were there spent their time in nothing and he did eat.” truth, supposing that gain is godliness”— “They pioneered in deciding for them- and concludes with the sage counsel: BEING SMART AND selves what is right and what is wrong— “from such withdraw thyself” (verse 5). what is righteousness and what is sin!” During Jesus Christ’s day, the BEING GOOD ARE TWO Mr. Armstrong wrote in The Missing governing elites were knowledgeable, DIFFERENT THINGS. Dimension in Sex. “And humanity has highly acclaimed, wealthy and powerful. been doing what seems right in its own They even believed in God and devoted MANY VERY INTELLIGENT eyes ever since. And how did they do much of their lives to their religion. PEOPLE HAVE DONE VERY it? They 1) rejected revelation, 2) used They excelled within that system. They observation, 3) used experimentation gained status, respect and much more. EVIL THINGS. and 4) used human reason. And that is Yet religious as they were, they were precisely the ‘scientific’ method used by steeped in intellectual vanity. They and else, but either to tell, or to hear some modern science today!” others supposed they were godly—yet new thing” (Acts 17:21). These thinkers The false “scientific method” started when they encountered knowledge devoted their lives to gaining new knowl- with the first human beings! They from the very Son of God, they wanted edge. They were amazed by the human rejected revelation from God and to destroy it and destroy Him! mind, but they worshiped it rather than relied instead on their own five senses In Mark 7:7-9, Christ said, “Howbeit worshiping God and building God’s char- and human minds. This marked the in vain do they worship me, teaching for acter. As Herbert W. Armstrong wrote foundation of the world as we know it! doctrines the commandments of men. in “The Modern Athenians in Today’s Human beings have continued to build For laying aside the commandment of Universities,” our educational system civilization by rejecting God’s revealed God, ye hold the tradition of men …. And worships the human mind! truth and relying on observation, exper- he said unto them, Full well ye reject the Our system of education is founded imentation and human reasoning. And commandment of God, that ye may keep on this belief. It exalts knowledge and what we have constructed is increas- your own tradition.” science falsely so called. It worships it as ingly unstable—and ready to collapse! In Matthew 11:24, Christ gave this if it were a messiah! This is why, despite What a powerful insight from the shocking warning: “[I]t shall be more producing amazing advancements, it Bible. God is not the only spirit being tolerable for the land of Sodom in the has also propagated egregious evils. out there. The same spirit being that day of judgment, than for thee.” My Being smart and being good are two gave Adam and Eve false education is father quoted this remarkable passage in different things. Many very intelligent still educating people today. That is why “The Fatal Flaw in Modern Science” and people have done very evil things! our society is the way it is! wrote, “Intellectual vanity is more dan- How deep does this fatal flaw go? gerous than the sexual sins of Sodom!” Philosophy and Pride (Trumpet, January 2018). The Origin of the Scientific Method “Beware lest any man spoil you through In verse 25, Jesus thanked God the Genesis 3 records Satan the devil subtly philosophy and vain deceit, after the Father for hiding the truth from the reasoning with the first woman ever tradition of men, after the rudiments elites and revealing it to the lowly. created. The ultimate choice Adam and SCIENCE PAGE 32 u 6 THE PHILADELPHIA TRUMPET People stand on a rivers flooded in 2002, Chancellor street destroyed by floods in western Gerhard Schröder appeared as crisis Germany on July 16. manager and used his power to help his people. His rival, Bavarian State Premier Edmund Stoiber, was in no position to make a difference and nar- rowly lost the election. In the early days of the recent flood- ing, Laschet failed to make such an impression. But he was able to provide economic relief to his own state, while others could only make promises. The rivals to Merkel and Laschet’s Christian Democratic Union (cdu) are the Greens, and they hoped to use the flood to score political points, but polls indicate they failed; some even saw their attempts to do so as inappropriate. In a July 21 Forsa/rtl/n-tv survey regarding which of the candidates should GERMANY replace Merkel, the most popular answer, at 44 percent, was “none of the above.” In the crisis, Germans looked for leadership Transformed by Crises and found none. While the effect on the election remains to be seen, the effect on the public mood is already clear. In editorials, online posts and beer halls, the sentiment is the same: Our Many Germans and media outlets leaders are pitifully powerless. Something must change. BY JOSUÉ MICHELS blamed the government for not doing enough to warn citizens and provide nfähig, machtlos, selbstsüchtig: invisible in her party’s campaigning. Her help. The European Flood Awareness incompetent, powerless, selfish. departure from politics comes as the Ger- System did issue warnings, but many U That is how many Germans man mood is ready for drastic changes. residents were still caught by surprise. would describe their government right Some called it a monumental failure now. Katastrophe is how they would Record Floods of the system. One hydrologist told summarize the government’s coronavi- On July 16, as Central Europe was hit Science that researchers “were stupidly rus response and its preparedness for by devastating floods, German Defense congratulating ourselves that we were recent record flooding. Some are saying Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer forecasting something so early. … The this in private, others in public. And declared a military disaster alert. Rivers assumption was that would be really some are growing impatient. A survey of water rushed through major cities, helpful,” she told Science. “We should published on May 17 showed more Ger- people were evacuated, houses were not be seeing this number of people mans than ever (61.5 percent) desiring a destroyed, and emergency workers dying in 2021 from floods. It just should big shift within the federal government. were brought to their limits, with some not be happening” (July 20). Germany has stumbled from the euro losing their lives. About 200 people were Floods are common in Germany. So crisis to the refugee crisis to the coro- confirmed dead and 1,300 were reported why isn’t it better prepared for such a navirus crisis to the recent flood crisis. missing during the height of the flooding. crisis? Some are blaming privacy con- Each has transformed Germans. The damage was estimated in the billions. cerns. While other countries routinely Germans love stability and strong The disaster could not have come at a warn citizens through mass text mes- leaders, especially in unstable times. worse time. Following months of lock- sages, German lawmakers have resisted The prolonged lack of such leadership downs, Germany’s economic reserves such measures. But within days of the has grievously agitated them. It is an are meager and trust in the government floods, priorities changed and the nation alarming repeat of history. is at a low. green-lighted mobile providers to text In September, Germans will vote in The flooding also hit Germany’s emergency warnings to specific areas. national elections, hoping for a leader to North-Rhine Westphalia, the home state This is just a small example of how a steer the nation through choppy waters. of chancellor candidate Armin Laschet. crisis can change Germany. Once people Angela Merkel, chancellor for the past 16 The German Army used tanks to clear feel powerless, they quickly give up free- years, is not running again, so whatever debris from the streets. doms in favor of stronger government. stability she provided will disappear. Past floods have changed election The coronavirus crisis revealed a

SEBASTIEN BOZON/AFP/GETTY IMAGES BOZON/AFP/GETTY SEBASTIEN In recent months, she has been almost outcomes. When the Elbe and Oder similar trend. SEPTEMBER 2021 7 Dysfunction and Pandemic further at the time-hallowed perception the national government’s coronavirus Despite Germany’s world-class economy, of German excellence in organizational measures, she would “have to consider medical infrastructure and pharmaceu- matters” (Telegraph, April 4). whether we will find [other] ways” to tical industry, its management of the On March 20, Der Spiegel’s cover push the decisions through, perhaps covid-19 outbreak has been a crisis of story was “Descent of a State: The New giving the national legislature “a greater its own. Politicians, commentators and German Incompetence.” It asked: “Why role.” This was a demand for nothing less everyday citizens agree that this crisis is can’t we get a handle on the coronavirus than a major transfer of power from Ger- self-inflicted. They don’t blame individ- mess? It’s about more than scandals man states to the national government. ual politicians or parties, but their form and mishaps: The republic’s systemic In April, Germany ended up passing of government. weakness is being revealed, and the the amendment that Merkel and others Mr. Laschet was elected party leader citizens’ patience is at an end. … A rude demanded. The power to enforce lock- of the cdu on January 16 and is now in awakening is taking place, coupled with downs was centralized in Berlin. When it was signed into law, Germany’s most popular newspaper, Bild, called it “A Black Hour for Freedom!” The power shift from the people and “Germany is facing an epic the states to the central government is identity crisis. After 16 years said to be only temporary and only for lockdowns during pandemics. But the in the saddle, Angela Merkel’s threshold has been crossed. In peace- legacy is a disoriented and time, Germans are content with democ- racy, but in crisis, they seek something divided country.” more akin to autocracy. thomas kielinger Expect the central government to help itself to that power whenever it pleases. a prime position to become the next resentment against politicians” (Trum- In Crises, Freedoms Vanish chancellor. As such, the eyes of millions pet translation throughout). It used to be that protests were an incen- of people were on him in the crisis With many, though, it is resentment tive for the government to change its months of early 2021. But when leader- against their entire system of government. policies. Today, protests seem to be an ship was needed, Laschet was nowhere In “Weakness of Federalism: Make excuse to increase governmental power. to be found. Germans in a crisis heard Germany Finally Ready for Crises” Citizens fed up with restrictions have him say he was “contemplating” what (April 2), Spiegel’s Martin Knobbe wrote: marched in the streets. Authorities have to do. This downgraded him from being “Germany’s small-scale federalism is responded by trying to lock them up. merely unpopular among the average failing in the coronavirus pandemic.” He On April 28, the Federal Office for the German to being a laughingstock: The praised the nation’s small-state model as Protection of the Constitution warned social media hashtag #laschetden- “a success story that goes back centuries,” that since the government began enforc- ktnach (“Laschet contemplations”) and he described the Hitler era as “a ing measures to contain the covid-19 trended in Germany. warning for today of what a monopoly pandemic, the nation’s “democratic order, But something more serious is taking of power at the head of the state can do.” as well as state institutions … faced multi- place: Demand for decisive leadership However, the nation’s Basic Law, drafted ple attacks.” For this reason, the domestic is building. Many Germans believe the with the help of the Allies in 1948 to pre- secret service put certain citizens under coronavirus is killing thousands as vent the rise of dictators, is proving “dys- nationwide surveillance. This surveil- a direct consequence of government functional” in the age of the pandemic. lance includes monitoring meetings, failure. Some say the government is Knobbe reasons that Germany’s entire intercepting e-mails, even screening implementing lockdowns in an incon- way of governing itself must change “to bank accounts and financial flows. sequential, haphazard, irresponsible equip Germany for special challenges, Such surveillance has been used on manner. Also, some politicians have for extraordinary crises—of which there far-left and right-wing extremists, as profited from the crisis through dubious will probably be more rather than fewer well as Islamists who pose a terrorist business deals and rank corruption. It in the future.” threat. Now the government is target- is as if the coronavirus exposed weak- Case in point: During the pandemic, ing a movement called Querdenker nesses in the German system itself. Chancellor Merkel was leading one way (“Lateral Thinkers”), which, it argues, TOBIAS SCHWARZ/AFP/GETTY IMAGES In “Germany Is Facing an Epic Identity while the state premiers chose their is causing an “anti-democratic and/or Crisis,” Thomas Kielinger wrote, “After own paths. In most cases, this is a sign security-endangering delegitimization 16 years in the saddle, Angela Merkel’s of a functioning democracy, but it visibly of the state,” according to Spiegel Online. legacy is a disoriented and divided coun- bothered Ms. Merkel. In a March 28 This movement doesn’t quite fit into any try. [O]ur woefully inadequate response interview, she threatened Germany’s 16 of the previously established categories, to the covid pandemic is chipping away state premiers: If they failed to support and it draws its support from people of 8 THE PHILADELPHIA TRUMPET many diverse backgrounds. Yet millions Governments across Europe are European project knew that creating of citizens who support the lockdowns passing more anti-terrorist laws and the euro—a unified European cur- have criticized the Querdenker move- tightening their screening methods for rency—without all the other aspects of ment, so don’t expect much backlash migrants. They are introducing new a unified government would provoke from the general populace. surveillance measures and granting economic crisis,” Mr. Flurry wrote. “Yet Still, this is an alarming development. security authorities more power. Behind they still deliberately proceeded with If Querdenker supporters can be the scenes, military strategists are pre- their plan, knowing that crisis would surveilled for “delegitimizing the state,” paring to deal with the problem head on. provide the pretext for transforming what German is immune from surveil- Without the crisis, such trends would Europe into a superpower!” lance? Government critics of all sorts have been unthinkable in multicultural, Jean Monnet, an EU founding father, can expect to be targeted. tolerant Europe. said, “Europe will be forged in crises and In the July 2020 Trumpet, editor in will be the sum of the solutions adopted chief Gerald Flurry warned of the early Euro Crisis for those crises.” Former German stages of this dictatorial approach: All these crises have created serious Finance Minister Wolfgang Schäuble “European leaders are increasingly financial concerns for Germany and kept said, “Crisis represents an opportunity. behaving like dictators and assuming its government and people off-balance. Europe always moves forward in times of dictatorial power. The people of Germany is surrounded by failing econo- crisis. Sometimes you need a little pres- Europe are being conditioned to mies, all bound together in one common sure for certain decisions to be taken.” accept more tyrannical leadership.” currency, the euro. Germany was repeat- The euro crisis has paved the way for a Now we see European states trying to edly forced to bail out European countries worse crisis to hit Germany. Germany’s force citizens to take the vaccine. These after the economic crisis of 2008. economy hinges, like so many others, on and other measures would have been covid-19 has also caused an epidemic of the United States dollar. When the tick- unthinkable if not for the media over- debt across Europe. With the exception of ing debt bomb of the U.S. Federal Reserve hyping the covid threat. Once again, a Ireland, every single country that needed explodes, it will also leave Europe’s crisis has transformed nations. a bailout in the last economic crisis now system in ruins. When this occurs and has even worse debt problems. Even Europeans fall into despair, one nation Refugee Crisis large economies like Italy and France will emerge as the natural leader to Overshadowed by the recent flooding are in deep danger. Across the eurozone, resolve the emergency: Germany. and the coronavirus crisis is another government debt has increased by The upper echelons in Germany know grinding crisis that has already trans- $1.3 trillion. Much of southern Europe this is coming. They know that all of formed Germany and Europe, yet is far only stayed afloat due to the European Europe will look to their nation for solu- from over: immigration. Central Bank printing €1.3 trillion tions. They also know the German peo- In the first half of 2021, the number of migrants arriving in Italy was three times higher than during the same period last Europeans realize that their leaders cannot year. Between the start of the year and solve their problems. They are growing June 10, authorities counted 15,252 boat migrants arriving at Italy’s shore—a more in favor of authoritarian rule. sevenfold increase over 2019 (yet still a fraction of what Italy experienced at the (us$1.5 trillion). This has made Germans ple are fed up with weak leadership and peak of the refugee crisis in 2015). very worried that runaway inflation could with bailing out other countries; they The next refugee crisis looms. Fol- soon destroy their savings. don’t want to risk their savings to save lowing the withdrawal of nato forces, “Many experts will tell you that Europe Greeks. All of Germany’s recent troubles violence is escalating in Afghanistan. is about to break apart,” Mr. Flurry wrote are about to culminate into one decisive Clashes between the Taliban and the last year. “If these nations’ response crisis. This is prophesied to unite Afghan government are causing more to the coronavirus does not cause an Europe into a sleeker, pared-down ver- and more to flee the country. While immediate economic meltdown, the sion of the European Union. European many seek to escape to Turkey, Europe debt they are accumulating will still leaders often talk about a “two-speed will be their next destination. On July 27, come due at some point. Some kind of Europe” or “core Europe”—but it will Germany’s Welt asked: “Is Europe in financial crisis is inevitable. When it take a crisis to turn these dreams into Danger of the Next 2015?” comes, watch what happens! A crisis reality. It will also take strong leadership. With every wave of migration, Europe- like the current one is exactly what This is exactly what Bible prophecy ans are increasingly concerned that they European leaders have longed for to says Europe is about to get. are losing a part of their identity. More forge a European superstate!” (ibid). and more people are willing to resort to It is precisely such a financial crisis Bible Prophecy extremes: attacks on refugees; refugee that is needed to transform Europe into All the above-mentioned crises make centers set ablaze; far-right parties the single federal power its founders Europeans realize that their leaders voted into national parliaments. dreamed of. “The founders of the GERMANY PAGE 27 u SEPTEMBER 2021 9 system. What was the result? That history teaches us where today’s renais- sance of Vatican diplomacy is leading.

Holy Roman Empire: Force of Nature “[N]ull, void, invalid, iniquitous, unjust, damnable, reprobate, inane, empty of meaning and effect for all time.” That was Pope Innocent x’s official and infal- lible verdict on the Peace of Westphalia. What made the pope so wrathful against this series of peace agreements? THE Those agreements, though they put an end to some of the bloodiest warring in Europe’s history, also acknowledged the legitimacy of separate sovereign nation states. The system of international law created by the Peace of Westphalia forms the very foundation of modern inter- CHURCH national relations. The pope’s hostility THAT reveals a lot about how Roman Catholics view their church’s role in the world. Prior to the rise of Christianity, the idea of a unified world religion was alien. Different races and peoples had not only their own histories and characteristics but also their own local gods. But as the RULED idea of a universal religion and church THE spread, it became natural for people to believe in a universal government. “Because divinity was divided, human- ity had been divided likewise; the doc- trine of the unity of God now enforced the unity of man, who had been created in His image,” James Bryce wrote in The WORLD Holy Roman Empire. “The first lesson of Christianity was love, a love that was to join in one body those whom suspicion and prejudice and pride of race had hitherto kept apart. There was thus formed by the new religion a community What happens when the Vatican gets involved in politics? of the faithful, a holy empire, designed History tells. BY RICHARD PALMER to gather all men into its bosom, and standing opposed to the manifold poly- n March 5, the elderly Pope instrumental in a Nobel-prize winning theisms of the older world ….” Francis arrived in what was peace agreement in Colombia. Many Bryce described a common theme that O recently a war zone. Popes John people applaud such efforts; after all, developed in Western theories of world Paul ii and Benedict xvi both tried to in a world full of war, injustice and per- government: that is, “a world-monarchy visit Iraq, and Francis had been trying secution, surely we need a great moral and a world-religion.” People came to for years. Despite the risk to his life, he force in international relations. believe that what the world needed was traveled into what was once the core of But when put in its historical context, a single empire led by a world ruler who the Islamic State. the pope fulfilling this role gives pause could referee disputes between rival Around the world, the pope is active for thought. kings, avoid war, and bring justice. in politics and international relations. This is hardly the first time the Catho- To the people of the Middle Ages, a ISTOCK.COM/VLADACANON A secret letter from him in 2014 to lic Church has had a major role in inter- world of competing states with no over- then United States President Barack national relations. For nearly a thousand arching authority is “null, void, invalid,” Obama helped open U.S. relations with years it was a genuine superpower and an aberration, a sign of something going Communist Cuba. His officials were dominated the European international horribly wrong. 10 THE PHILADELPHIA TRUMPET Bryce wrote that throughout the That was the theory. In practice, this Middle Ages, the Holy Roman Empire neat hierarchy wasn’t always followed— was seen as “an institution divine and or even recognized. But often it was. SEVEN necessary, having its foundations in “Popes served as arbiters, and papal RESURRECTIONS the very nature and order of things.” legates served as peacemakers,” the OF THE People “went on for centuries believing Encyclopedia Britannica notes. “Papal in the necessary existence of the Roman ambassadors held status above those HOLY Empire, because they believed in its nec- from mere states.” essary union with the Catholic Church.” How far did the pope’s power extend? ROMAN He described the way that the Cath- When Spain and Portugal discovered olic Church of this period interpreted the entire rest of the world and disputed EMPIRE Bible history and prophecy to claim that who owned what, it was Pope Alexander “The seven heads are seven a Holy Roman Empire, ruling over all vi who drew a line on a map that divided mountains, on which the other states, was God’s divine order for the territory between them. the world. No form of international relations was woman sitteth.” Pasadena City College philosophy pro- beyond the reach of the Catholic Church. revelation 17:9 fessor Edward Feser wrote that under In business, the church also reigned this worldview, it is not aberrant for the supreme. For example, alum, a vital The Apostle John compares the Holy Mongol Empire or the nation of Yugosla- material for textile dyes, was heavily reg- Roman Empire to a mountain range via, for example, to expire, but in this ulated by the church. The pope awarded comprised of seven mountains. view, “there is something abnormal, and himself a monopoly on it: No one was Just as yawning valleys separate contrary to natural law and the super- allowed to sell it but the papal states. mountains, there are valleys natural order, that there is no longer Granted, the church’s involvement in distinguishing these seven peaks, a Holy Roman Empire. Indeed, on this the alum trade was the exception, not the or resurrections, of the Holy Roman view of things, given that the natural and rule. But in that age, it was big business. Empire. These troughs mark a lull in supernatural orders require that there It showed that any industry could find the power and activity of the be such an empire, it is not quite correct itself brought under papal regulation. to say that the Holy Roman Empire no When Sir Thomas More fought King Roman Catholic Church and the Holy longer exists. It is more accurate to say Henry viii’s attempts to break England Roman Empire. that it is dormant.” away from the Catholic Church, he argued that this wasn’t simply a reli- a.d. 554 The Reality gious system. England, he said, was “but IMPERIAL Catholicism teaches that human beings one member and small part of … the RESTORATION have a soul and a body. Their theory of church. It could not make a particular world politics taught that the Catholic law disagreeable with the general law 774 Church was the soul, and the Holy Roman of Christ’s Universal Catholic Church.” Empire was the body. Each had its own It was like London “being but one poor FRANKISH KINGDOM role, but the two could not separate any member in respect of the whole realm, more than body and soul could separate. might make a law against Parliament to 962 This vision of universal church and bind the whole realm.” England was not HOLY ROMAN EMPIRE empire never governed the entire globe. a sovereign state, More asserted: It was But in Europe, it was reality. part of a much larger hierarchy. 1530 The Catholic Church’s role in regulat- Thomas More was articulating ortho- ing religious life is well known. When dox Catholic doctrine, and the Vatican HABSBURG DYNASTY King Henry viii wanted a divorce, he later made him a saint. As England con- first asked permission from the pope, tinued to reject the church’s authority, 1804 for example. But the authority of the Pius v declared that God had made NAPOLEON’S church extended even further. the pope “ruler over all peoples and KINGDOM In a very real sense, Catholic canon kingdoms, to pull up, destroy, scatter, law was international law across Europe. disperse, plant and build,” and that Hen- 1870–1945 It did not concern itself merely with ry’s daughter, Queen Elizabeth i, must religious disputes. be overthrown. ITALIAN & FASCIST The one-empire-one-religion theory But before the Catholic Spanish REGIMES meant that it wasn’t up to states to Armada was dashed on the rocks in 1588, negotiate disputes through diplomacy. the pope’s vision of world government Today Instead, they were to take them to the was already crumbling. England was UNITED EUROPE higher power: the emperor of the Holy not the only country to embrace a new Roman Empire and the pope. religion and a new system. SEPTEMBER 2021 11 This brings us back to the Peace of submit their international disputes to pressure the United States to open up its Westphalia. More than a century after his supreme verdict any time soon. relations with antagonistic, Communist the Protestant Reformation, Europe was Or will they? Cuba. Negotiations took place in the hopelessly fractured. Persecutions and One way the Catholic Church has been Vatican, and the pope offered to act as wars designed to put it back together rebuilding its international role has guarantor to the agreement. had claimed 50 million lives. When more been through mediation. In 2014, Catholic bishops met with than 100 delegations arrived in Westpha- One early example was the 1978 high-ranking ayatollahs in Iran to try lia in 1648, they ended the Thirty Years’ conflict between Chile and Argentina to help then-President Barack Obama’s War and established a new international over the Beagle Channel, a conflict that nuclear deal with Iran. In 2016, Colom- system on a core principle familiar to seemed headed for war. Pope John bian President Juan Manuel Santos anyone who has had an argument that Paul ii stepped in and reconciled the received the Nobel Peace Prize for nobody can win: Let’s agree to disagree. two sides. negotiating a peace deal with Marxist But this idea completely contradicted militant rebels from the Revolutionary Catholic doctrine. It rejected the princi- Armed Forces of Colombia. Vatican Sec- ple of the Holy Roman Empire holding retary of State Pietro Parolin, probably authority over lesser states and replaced the most powerful figure in the church it with a principle of legal equality besides the pope, personally attended between states. The Holy Roman the deal’s signing ceremony prior to Empire continued to exist, but as one the referendum. The Catholic Church of several major European powers, not attended the peace negotiations in Cuba, as a body with any theoretical claim to pushing both sides to reach a deal. overarching power. The current pope has also been active The Catholic Church’s period of dom- in the Middle East, traveling to Israel inating international relations had been and hosting the Palestinian Authority deemed a complete failure and compre- in Rome. He stopped for a photo op at hensively rejected. In time, the Peace The Vatican-led world an Israel security barrier. The photo of Westphalia became the standard for quickly became an iconic implication international relations around the world. order in the Middle Ages that the Israelis are the oppressors. In ended in one of Europe’s March he visited Iraq, attempting to The 20th Century most destructive solve a conflict America has spent tril- Ideologically, it was the Protestant conflicts in generations. lions trying to bring to an end. Reformation that sent the Catholic The Konrad Adenauer Foundation theory of world empire into remis- The Bible tells us the wrote that “there are clear indications of sion. Yet the Catholic Church did not new era will be much efforts being made under Pope Francis’s change its teachings on this until the shorter but much more leadership to reach out beyond the faith Second Vatican Council in 1962, when destructive. by putting forward ethical-universal it softened—but did not eliminate—the arguments rather than Catholic-moral doctrine. Pope John Paul ii’s Catechism ones. … Consequently, the Holy See is of the Catholic Church states that “the In a world split between capitalism developing into an informal authority church shows forth the kingship of and communism, the pope represented on moral standards reaching far beyond Christ over all creation and in particular an ancient institution that was aligned the boundaries of Catholicism.” The over human societies.” It states that with neither side. The two sides quickly pope is now reaching out to the world, societies that reject the church’s vision accepted the pope’s mediation. “not just as head of the church and head “arrogate to themselves an explicit or The Konrad Adenauer Foundation, the of state, but as a moral authority.” implicit totalitarian power over man think tank for German Chancellor Angela The foundation noted that the Vatican and his destiny.” Merkel’s Christian Democratic Union, “has the oldest diplomatic service in the Professor Feser noted that “the Cath- produced a paper in 2015 called “Micro- world. Only few other actors of interna- olic doctrinal principles still reflected in state and Superpower—The Vatican in tional politics take a similarly clear and the Catechism are those that informed International Politics.” It described the consistent stance with respect to global the theory of the empire.” In other Vatican’s role as being “involved in central challenges. Also, no other religious words, the Middle Ages theory of Catho- decision-making and events of world community or secular worldview has lic supremacy in international relations politics for a long time, acting patiently produced an institution that comes is still alive and well within Catholicism. behind the scenes, particularly since the close to the Catholic Church in terms of But the rest of the world continues middle of the 20th century.” durability, centralization, global pres- to reject that authority. So the pope has This effort has accelerated under ence and membership.” had to find for himself a new role. No for- Pope Francis. He deployed “forceful, Their conclusion: “At first glance, the eign ministries or state departments will confidential” letters and secret visits Vatican is a microstate without massive be waiting at his ornate Vatican doors to from high-ranking archbishops to resources,” the authors wrote. “Be that 12 THE PHILADELPHIA TRUMPET as it may, it does have a great deal of But this organization is not God’s “wound.” Strong’s Concordance defines symbolic power, not least thanks to Church! that word, “in the sense of binding it partially sharing its identity with a That is why the period during which it up: a bandage, i.e. remedy.” Gesenius’ world religion, which makes it a super- dominated international relations in the Hebrew-Chaldee Lexicon says that it is power after all, religiously, culturally Middle Ages was such a disaster. “used figuratively of a remedy applied to and socially.” But the Bible prophesies that the the wounds of the state.” The cure is the Catholic Church will return to power wound. Obadiah 7 uses the same word, A Prophesied Role once more, in our time. directly referring to it being received by In a world full of war, injustice and a peace pact. persecution, a church wielding more The Power to Unite Europe Israel’s peace process with the moral authority seems like a good thing. The Holy Roman Empire will rise in Palestinians is a wound, an open sore, No wonder many are welcoming the Europe one more time, exactly the way sapping the nation’s strength. Yet like Catholic Church’s increased influence. Catholic doctrine says it must. The some medieval medical procedure, the But if we consider the actions of a European Union has spent the last Jewish nation continues to try to heal church, we should judge it by what the 60 years trying to form itself into this itself with that same wound. Hosea 5:13 Bible says. kind of Holy Roman Empire. But it has says that once Israel recognizes this, it Christians are those who follow Jesus lacked a strong Catholic element. And it will turn to “the Assyrian”—Germany in Christ. Christ described His Church as has struggled. Bible prophecy. Germany is the key mil- a “little flock” (Luke 12:32) with “few” fol- In the November 1965 Plain Truth, itary power in the Vatican-dominated lowers (Matthew 7:14). God says that His Herbert W. Armstrong wrote about Holy Roman Empire. When Israel sees followers would be “hated” and rejected one “hard, stern fact” that the nations of the peace process has failed, it will turn by rulers of this world (John 15:17-20). He Europe must face. “That crucial fact is to this Vatican-led power for help. also said there would be many deceptive this: The nations of Europe are utterly The result? Daniel 11:41 states that “Christian” churches and organizations unable to unite themselves by their this European power will “enter also (Matthew 7:22-23; 24:5). own political maneuvering. … into the glorious land.” The Hebrew In Revelation 17 and other places, the “How, then, can they agree word “enter” doesn’t mean invasion. Bible specifically describes another together and unite? For years the There’s no sign of this being violent at church, symbolized by a woman. This Plain Truth has said these nations are all. Why? Because the Jews believe this church is not a little, persecuted flock, going to have to realize their inability Vatican-led power is a peacemaker. but a superpower. This church deals to unite themselves politically—to The Vatican-led world order in the Mid- with “the kings of the earth” and wields choose a common political-military dle Ages ended in one of Europe’s most great wealth and power, religiously, leader that all can trust. They are going destructive conflicts in generations. The culturally and socially. to finally face the fact they must look to Bible tells us the new era will be much But God condemns this church’s a supreme authority they can all trust! shorter but much more destructive. behavior. A church should choose pure That supreme authority cannot be a pol- But it also tells us this will be its last faith and obedience toward Him rather itician, or a general …. The only possible resurrection. There will be no more than intermeshing with world govern- answer is a religious leader! … going dormant only to rise again. This ments. He said this church has “com- “Watch for developments suddenly to time the Holy Roman Empire will be mitted fornication, and the inhabitants speed toward European political and finished for good! of the earth have been made drunk with military union, through religious union!” The Holy Roman Empire is a counter- the wine of her fornication” (verse 2). Only through the Vatican’s role as a feit of God’s rule on Earth. That is one Revelation 17 describes this church mediator and peacemaker can bicker- reason it has been so enduring. But God riding and steering a beast, symbolizing ing nations come back together, as they tells us this time He will replace it with an empire. This beast has seven heads, were centuries ago when Europeans the real thing. Those theologians who representing seven successive resurrec- were believers. taught that the world needed one ruling tions of the same. At times, it appears The Bible also tells us the Catholic empire to be at peace were right. But it dormant, but then it rises up again. Church will be involved in the peace matters which empire. Soon the God Revelation 13 describes the same process in Jerusalem. Hosea 5:13 Family Empire will truly bring peace to prophecy using different symbols. Here, describes Judah being afflicted by a the world. n this church appears like a lamb, which is a symbol of Christ (verse 11). Many people believe that it is God’s true Church. But it teaches the world to worship the Holy Roman Empire (see verses 11-12). Its form Why does the pope matter? of government is actually patterned after Is the leader of 1 billion Catholics antiquated and irrelevant—or is he the government of the Roman Empire. It a potential world leader with formidable power? The Bible says not to teaches in its places of worship that this ignore that office! Learn the history and prophecy of the papacy’s role in empire is part of God’s plan for man. world affairs in your free copy of The Holy Roman Empire in Prophecy. Why Is July 4 Suddenly Scandalous?

Topple your history, destroy your liberty. BY ABRAHAM BLONDEAU AND MIHAILO S. ZEKIC

uly is a month of anniversaries should not be celebrated. who framed the founding documents in North America. On July 1, One of the main organizations respon- and their participation in and positions J Canada celebrates its founding as sible for preserving American history, on slavery.” a self-ruling country within the British the United States National Archives Documents like the Constitution and Empire. On July 4, America celebrates and Records Administration, declared the Bill of Rights enabled the U.S. to its independence from Great Britain. in an April 10 report that it is, itself, become an astonishingly free society for For most countries, national holidays racist. The report suggested that the all races. Men like George Washington, are times of celebration. But this year, administration “reimagine the Rotunda,” Thomas Jefferson and James Madison Independence Day and Canada Day have the main public room in the National were the architects of those documents. never been more controversial. Archives Building in Washington, D.C., Yet a movement is gathering strength that visited by many tourists each year. It twists the best parts of American history The Fourth of July displays some of the most precious trea- into some of the world’s greatest evils. Here are some headlines published sures of American heritage, including by major media outlets ahead of this the Declaration of Independence, the Canada Day year’s Independence Day: “The Willful United States Constitution and the Bill Canada is in the midst of the same Self-Delusion of American Indepen- of Rights. The walls are decorated with reevaluation. In June, the city of Vic- dence Day” (Nation), “A Fourth of July the Faulkner Murals, painted between toria, British Columbia, announced it Symbol of Unity That May No Longer 1935 and 1936, portraying allegorical would not commemorate Canada Day Unite” (New York Times), “The Culture scenes of the Founding Fathers. All of this year. The decision came after the War Has a New Target: Independence this, according to the report, is offen- discovery of the unmarked graves of 215 Day” (19FortyFive), “Squad Member Says sive. America’s founding history needs children in northern British Columbia Fourth of July Is About Freedom ‘for “reimagining.” on the premises of a former residential White People’” (Washington Examiner). The report calls for adding “labels to school. Victoria’s government claims National Geographic posted on social one of the Rotunda cases addressing celebrating Canada’s founding would media that air pollution from Fourth of the lack of representation and predom- insult First Nations (or Indians). July fireworks displays “disproportion- inant focus on the men who framed the “The history of our country’s genocidal ately” affects the health of “vulnerable founding documents.” It also calls for relationship with First Nations has

people and communities of color.” “planning for a new Rotunda exhibit that been once again revealed in a way that EMMA MOORE/TRUMPET Radical leftists are changing July 4 explores the roles of women, enslaved is painful for the Lekwungen people as from a celebration that brings Ameri- Africans and Indigenous Americans in well as First Nations across the country,” cans together to an opportunity to say the founding of the United States along wrote Victoria Mayor Lisa Helps. Helps America was racist from its birth and with contemporary views on the men also refused to give the traditional oath 14 THE PHILADELPHIA TRUMPET of loyalty to Queen Elizabeth ii on her forts handed out rations that saved indig- replace the governments of this world inauguration. She said doing so would enous people from starvation. The rule with the government of God (Daniel disrespect First Nations’ land rights. of law in the West also helped create an 2:44; Revelation 11:15). He will intervene On Canada Day, a more violent episode overall ordered society in which improve- to stop human beings and human gov- Why Is July 4 took place in Winnipeg, Manitoba. A ments like the Canadian railway could be ernments from destroying the human group of protesters pulled down the built and the land could be developed. race (Matthew 24:21-22). Through right statue of Queen Victoria in front of the Yet many activists have used what government, the literal government of Suddenly Manitoba Legislature. The group of about little they have learned about some of the God on Earth, God will establish and 200 individuals was protesting the effect worst aspects of history—or history that enforce His principles and laws. The residential schools had on indigenous is completely false—as an excuse to attack result will be peace and happiness for all Scandalous? people and chanted, “No pride in geno- Queen Victoria as a symbol of genocide. peoples and races. That is the message cide.” They covered Victoria in red paint Where does this irrational hatred revealed in the history of the descen- and wrote in red graffiti “we were chil- come from that despises the history and dants of Abraham, that is what the dren once” on the pedestal. They removed existence of America and Canada and Kingdom of God truly is, and that is the the statue’s head and threw it into the the best aspects of these societies? gospel Jesus Christ proclaimed when He river behind the legislature. Meanwhile, was on Earth (Mark 1:14-15). protesters near the Governor’s House The Real Target The Kingdom of God will be born tore down a statue of Queen Elizabeth ii. In The United States and Britain in from Israel not because Israelites are Also on Canada Day, in Kitchener, Prophecy, Herbert W. Armstrong proved superior to other peoples—common Ontario, one man splashed red paint that America and the British Common- sense and abundant Bible history make on the statue of Queen Victoria located wealth (including Canada) descended that clear. It will be born from Israel in Kitchener’s Victoria Park. The man from the ancient Israelites. The birth because that is the means by which climbed the statue and protested for of the United States on July 4, 1776, God plans to bring all human beings five hours. directly fulfilled God’s promise to the who are willing, of all nations and races, Canada’s residential school system patriarch Abraham that He would make into His eternal family—including was created to help indigenous tribes his descendants into “a great nation.” those thousands of indigenous children assimilate into the nation’s Europe- The U.S. is the mightiest, wealthiest and the myriad others who have died an-style society and give children a basic and (aside from its predecessor, ancient throughout history! academic education. The government Israel) the freest nation in world history. Whether they realize it or not, people joined the Catholic Church, the Angli- “And so now, as God had started the who attack the very existence and can Church, the Presbyterian Church whole world with one man, He started fundamental principles of America and and other groups to administrate the His own peculiar nation in the world Canada are attacking the plan of God. schools, much like the missionary model from one single man—Abraham,” “There is an unseen reason why trou- of schooling. Government and social Mr. Armstrong wrote. “As the world, bles are intensifying as never before,” service workers often forcibly removed which has strayed far from God and writes Trumpet editor in chief Gerald children from their families and the blessings of God’s worship and rule, Flurry in his free booklet America Under compelled them to attend the schools. was started with one man who rebelled Attack. “You cannot understand events About 150,000 indigenous children were against God and rejected His rule, so without recognizing this truth. … It has placed into the schools, and an esti- God’s own flesh-born nation, from which affected the United States [and Canada] mated 6,000 died while attending them. is to be reborn the Kingdom of God, was in a massive way. … It is an assault by an What happened to these many chil- started with one man who obeyed God invisible force—a force that is very real dren and their families is indeed tragic. without question, and accepted His and deadly dangerous.” But why attack the memory of Queen divine rule” (The United States and Brit- Attacks on the good aspects of Ameri- Victoria? She had no direct responsibil- ain in Prophecy; emphasis added). can, British and Canadian history seem ity in these policies or in the deaths of All human beings and nations are rife bizarre indeed, until you understand the children, and some of her policies with problems. The only solution is the the “unseen reason.” n heavily benefited Canada’s indigenous administration of God’s principles, law populations. Yet liberals attack her as a and government. Through the modern symbol of “white colonialism.” descendants of Abraham in Britain Queen Victoria approved the creation and America, God established some of See the of what is now the Royal Canadian those principles, which led to unpar- Mounted Police, which prevented law- alleled blessings and fulfillment of His unseen lessness as the Canadian West developed promises and prophecies. But a radical To make sense of the and, in fact, protected indigenous tribes. movement is underway to blot out those radical assault on It supplied a way to deal lawfully and principles and history. history, request your fairly with them, protect them from more Yet God’s plan continues beyond Brit- free copy of America aggressive European settlers, and even ain and America. The Bible prophesies Under Attack by provide for them. Many mounted police that God will literally, supernaturally Gerald Flurry. ‘AT THE VERGE OF IMPOSSIBLE’

The Webb Telescope prepares to launch. BY HARLEY BRETH

he Hubble Space Telescope has been capturing incredible images T of the cosmos for years. In 1995, it concentrated its lens for a 10-day expo- sure on a 24-millionth section of the sky, the diameter of a tennis ball about three football fields away, a spot that appears completely empty. Yet it yielded perhaps the most influential image ever taken for space exploration: the Hubble Deep Field. This Hubble exposure captured light from approximately 3,000 galaxies. A typical galaxy can harbor 100 million to 100 billion stars. The image set the imag- inations of astronomers and ordinary people around the world on fire. One year later, work began on a new, even more advanced telescope that would ultimately become known as the James Webb Space Telescope. Scientists—and all of us—wanted to discover more.

Expanding Universe and Wavelengths infrared light. (This process is some- that about 300 to 400 operations must Hubble’s view of the universe has far times referred to as “red-shift.”) Our eyes occur perfectly, without fail, the first time. transcended Earth-based telescopes. cannot see it, and neither can Hubble. If those operations work successfully, But it has its limits. Its instruments Astronomers want to see that light and the James Webb will fly far beyond the mainly detect the ultraviolet wave- learn what it teaches us. So they knew the 340-mile orbit of the Hubble. It will lengths of the electromagnetic spec- James Webb Space Telescope would need outdistance the moon, which is about trum, the same wavelengths visible to to be a dedicated infrared instrument. 240,000 miles from Earth. Its orbital the human eye. There are many other They also knew it would need to be big. resting place will be 1 million miles from wavelengths that Hubble can’t detect. The bigger a telescope is, the more light Earth at what is known as the Earth-Sun Add to this the fact that the universe photons it can collect and the better the Lagrange 2 (L2) point. is not static. In the 1920s, astronomer resolution of the images it produces. So nasa.gov describes these points as Edwin Hubble measured wavelengths of the team building the Webb telescope “positions in space where objects sent light from other galaxies and found that gave it a primary mirror more than 21 there tend to stay put. At Lagrange distant objects were drifting away from feet wide. It will be the largest telescope points, the gravitational pull of two large our galaxy. His work and that of other ever launched into space. It is too large masses precisely equals the centripetal astronomers, including those using the for the cargo bay of the rocket that will force required for a small object to move

Hubble telescope, have established the launch it. The solution to this dilemma with them.” JAMES WEBB SPACE TELESCOPE universe is expanding in all directions. came from origami. The telescope will The L2 is not only a position where As the universe expands, the light launch with its 18 mirror segments the telescope would tend to “stay put,” traveling through it also expands. What configured into a folded position. but also a dark, cold area optimal for starts out as ultraviolet light has its The launch itself presents many chal- infrared sensory instruments. Orbiting wavelength stretched until it becomes lenges of its own. It has been reported at L2 will also prevent the telescope 16 THE PHILADELPHIA TRUMPET zero Fahrenheit. Traveling into those believe that God had a hand in the suc- cryogenic temperatures puts an even cess of the Hubble Space Telescope.” greater stress on the telescope than Webb is nasa’s successor to Hubble. launch does, but it has been designed What then are the implications for this to operate in harsh cold. The greater project? threat is posed by the sun’s heat. To King David wrote, “The heavens ward off that threat is a critical element: declare the glory of God; and the the telescope’s sunshield. firmament sheweth his handywork” To view the infrared light stretching (Psalm 19:1). Does God want us to see across the universe from faint, faraway more of what He created? Does He want objects, the Webb telescope must remain to give us an even more vivid under- cold and stable. “To protect the telescope standing of His mind and power? from external sources of light and heat The James Webb Space Telescope has (like the sun, Earth and moon) as well been delayed extensively and repeatedly, as from heat emitted by the observatory and it remains one tiny mishap away itself, Webb has a five-layer, tennis from complete failure. But if it succeeds, court-sized sunshield that acts like a it might be an indicator that God has a parasol providing shade” (jwst.nasa.gov). hand in this mission too. “The real The telescope will always be on the dark Whatever new vistas may be unveiled excitement side of the Earth from the sun; and the in space—whatever unexpected discov- of the James Webb sunshield will always stay between the eries—whatever is seen in the depths Earth, sun or moon and the telescope’s of the vast unknown—it is actually will be the things that iconic golden hexagonal mirrors. linked with the destiny of the human we didn’t anticipate. beings who are straining so hard to peer Whenever you go into What Will We See? through the heavens. the unknown, you If all the complex calculations, manu- Mr. Flurry wrote in the May-June 2021 discover things you facturing, spaceflight, deployment and Trumpet, “Here is a most exciting truth, didn’t expect, and those operation of the James Webb Space revealed in your Bible: The condition Telescope succeed, what will it see? of these planets is closely linked with are going to be the It will fill a crucial void in mankind’s your incredible human potential!” He most interesting of all.” armory of observatories and spacecraft, wrote that, as inspiring as the February astrophysicist matt mountain viewing the universe in the near-infra- landing of the Perseverance rover on red and mid-infrared with a robust set of Mars was, “this biblical truth makes it a optical and other scientific instruments. million times more so.” This infrared telescope will peer “In this convulsing world, we need our through the dust of the ultraviolet universe dream,” Mr. Flurry wrote. “We from going in and out of the shadows of images for which Hubble has become need to see the stupendous possibility both the Earth and the moon. famous. It will see light from much far- and the eternal majesty God is offering When a problem was discovered with ther away and, consequently, from fur- human beings. … Nothing can stimulate Hubble’s primary mirror, astronauts ther back in time. Astrophysicist Matt our imagination like comprehending were able to install equipment that fixed Mountain said: “The real excitement of our universe potential!” (ibid). it. But Webb will be far beyond reach. The the James Webb will be the things that God plainly declares to any who will moment it leaves the launchpad, human we didn’t anticipate. Whenever you go believe not only that He created the beings will never be able to reach it again! into the unknown, you discover things universe but that He created it to be Everything must be perfect the first time. you didn’t expect, and those are going to populated (Isaiah 45:18). It’s His zealous “There’s nothing I can say that can be the most interesting of all.” desire to plant it with life and to build come close to describing how techni- His God Family forever throughout the cally difficult this telescope is,” Tom Our Universe Dream cosmos (Isaiah 51:16). That is what we Vice, president of Northrop Grumman, The Hubble Space Telescope launched are seeing when we look at the stars. said. “We are at the verge of impossible.” about four months after the Philadelphia The James Webb Space Telescope Church of God, publisher of the Trumpet, should light our imaginations on Sunshield began in December 1989. pcg Pastor Gen- fire and motivate us to search God’s If the hundreds and thousands of highly eral Gerald Flurry has repeatedly drawn Word for the reason for the heavens! technical factors involved all lead to the attention to the images it has captured Looking into your own Bible, you can Webb telescope reaching the L2 point, it as an inspiring view into the universe see beyond Hubble and beyond the will then be required to operate in the and the future of mankind. He said in a James Webb to a vast, ever-expanding vacuum of space at an ambient tem- 2013 Key of David program titled “Our universe—a truly immense inheritance perature of nearly 400 degrees below Awesome Universe Potential,” “I strongly awaiting mankind. n SEPTEMBER 2021 17 PREPARING TO SCRUTINIZE THE STARS The James Webb Space Telescope is slated to be the next decade’s landmark observatory. The telescope is the result of collaboration between NASA, the Canadian Space Agency and the European Space Agency. In total, over 258 companies, agencies and universities dedicated over 100 million hours to build the $10 billion telescope. The projected launch date is in November, when the telescope will ascend from French Guiana on an Ariane 5 rocket.

science instruments

MOON SUN EARTH l2

solar panels

To simulate L2’s cold climate, 254 tanker trucks supplied 1.73 million gallons of liquid nitrogen to create a cryogenic chamber cold enough to test Webb for more than 90 days. antenna

LOCATION FOLD-UP Lagrange points are locations in space where gravitational forces Webb is a collection of and the orbital motion of a body balance each other. Therefore, movable parts that have they can be used by spacecraft to “hover.” Lagrange Point 2 (L2) is been specifically designed located 1 million miles directly “behind” Earth as viewed from the to fold to a compact sun. It is about four times further away from Earth than the moon, formation. It will squeeze and orbits the sun at the same rate as the Earth. inside a 16-foot cargo bay At L2, Webb can keep its back to the moon, Earth and sun for solar of a rocket. In space it will power and, with light shielding, has a clear view of deep space. Hubble unfold and blossom into a goes in and out of Earth’s shadow every 90 minutes, but Webb will have three-story structure—the an unimpeded view that will allow continuous scientific operations. world’s premier and It will take approximately 30 days from launch for the telescope to largest space science begin its orbit at L2. observatory. 18 THE PHILADELPHIA TRUMPET MIRROR The best way to make a really powerful telescope is to Mirror segments are coated with a super-thin build a big mirror. The James Webb Space Telescope has layer of gold for maximum reflectivity in infrared. The the largest mirror of its kind that NASA has ever built—so surface of each mirror is polished to a flatness factor big that it can’t fit inside a rocket without folding up. of better than 20 nanometers accuracy (less than one Together, the 18 hexagonal mirror segments span 21.3 feet. four-thousandth the thickness of a human hair). Each mirror is made of beryllium, a strong, The telescope’s four instruments—cameras and lightweight element that is stable thermally at cryogenic spectrometers—have detectors that are able to record temperatures. Machining beryllium to the incredible extremely faint signals. One instrument (NIRSpec) has precision required for the mirror segments was difficult: programmable microshutters that enable observation It took nine machines eight years to build 18 mirrors. of up to 100 objects simultaneously.

21.3 ft

8 ft primary mirror

secondary mirror The Webb telescope’s mirror is 21.3 feet across, compared to the mirror on Hubble, which is 8 feet in diameter.

ultraviolet VISIBLE infrared sunshield

HUBBLE JAMES WEBB space telescope 90-2,500 NM 600–28,500 NM

With an unimpeded view of outer space, powerful new star trackers technologies and science instruments, and a grand primary mirror, the Webb telescope will be about 100 times more powerful than Hubble—capable of seeing spacecraft bus far into the infrared spectrum. SUNSHIELD The telescope’s sensors are so sensitive that they need lightweight material called Kapton. It remains stable to be blocked from the infrared radiation from the sun, across a wide range of temperatures from 452 degrees Earth and moon. The five-layer sunshield is like having below zero to 752 degrees Fahrenheit. sun protection of SPF 1 million. The shield is constructed in five kite-shaped layers— Covering an area of 66 by 46 feet, the sunshield is each as thin as a human hair. The shape redirects heat about the size of a tennis court. between the layers and out the sides. Temperatures on the sunny side will hit 185 degrees The telescope’s optics have a direct line of sight to the Fahrenheit, which is near the boiling point of water. The cold Layer 5 only, while the sun directly shines on Layer 1 shady side will be about 600 degrees cooler; at 388 only, no matter which way the observatory is pointed. degrees below zero Fahrenheit, it will be nearly cold The sunshield is expected to be punctured by enough to freeze nitrogen. micrometeoroids. The membranes contain grids of “rip- The sunshield is mostly constructed from a stops” that will keep those punctures from enlarging. NASA, NORTHROP GRUMMAN, NASA/CHRIS GUNN, NASA/DESIREE STOVER SEPTEMBER 2021 19 over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.” This is describing a Father-Son relationship between God and Christ. God is a Fam- ily—and He is going to bring us into that Family if we are willing to obey Him. THE For years I have wondered why God inspired the word “Jacob” in this verse. Jacob was the name of the great biblical patriarch before he was converted, at ULTIMATE which point God changed his name to Israel (Genesis 32:27-28). Those whom God calls into His Church and begets with His Spirit are spiritual Israel (e.g. PLAN Galatians 6:16). Eventually, all mankind will be converted and become spiritual Israel! Many prophecies talk about that. OF GOD But Luke 1:33 says Christ will “reign over the house of Jacob for ever.” You can check both Old and New Testaments Clues in Scripture illuminate a spectacular future and see that this means exactly what it of endless family growth! BY GERALD FLURRY says: the house of Jacob. How do you explain this? I think there are astounding implications here! The name Jacob refers to people who are he gospel is the good news of seen. Isaiah 35:1 says Earth is going unconverted. Surely this means that the coming Family, or Kingdom, to “blossom as the rose.” “For the Lord God will be dealing with unconverted T of God. God is a Family. The Bible shall comfort Zion: he will comfort all people forever—just as He will in the teaches that every human being who her waste places; and he will make her Millennium. That must include the has ever lived will have the opportunity wilderness like Eden, and her desert like period after God’s plan has finished on to receive salvation and be born into the the garden of the Lord …” (Isaiah 51:3). Earth, and every person who is going to Family of God—most of them, after a Satan will not be around to interfere. become a Spirit being is born into the resurrection that is yet to come. Many scriptures reveal this is also Family of God. Even after that, there will But there is a mind-shattering truth what the whole universe will be like still be people who grow up and then we need to understand, and have not eventually! It will become like “Eden the become converted and join spiritual understood. Three scriptures strongly garden of God.” And the three scriptures Israel! I don’t know how else you can indicate that after God completes His I want to show you strongly indicate that, understand this scripture. Work on Earth—and everybody who at that phase in His plan, God will still It seems carnal human beings like obeys God and will become a Spirit be working with carnal-minded people Jacob are going to be out there in the being has become one—He will repeat and bringing them along to baptism future—not on Earth but on vast, what He has done here, at least to some and repentance and conversion. Just distant planets in the universe—and degree, throughout all the universe! as in the Millennium, Satan will not be God will be teaching them to become The universe is overwhelmingly vast. around. But we will have to help convert members of the God Family forever and Light travels at 186,000 miles per second, those people and teach them the truth. ever! Jesus Christ’s death is going to and the light from the other side of the If what I’m telling you is true, those continue to pay for men’s transgressions universe hasn’t even reached us yet. By planets are going to be inhabited! throughout eternity. their best estimates, astronomers say These scriptures strongly indicate this This is a mind-staggering truth there are some 2 to 3 trillion galaxies. royal majesty of the future. Look at them that we need to think about, because I That means there are likely more stars and see what you think about them. believe this is God’s ultimate goal! For- than grains of sand on Earth! Yet God ever Christ will reign over “the house of calls all the stars by name (Psalm 147:4). The House of Jacob Jacob”! That must mean God is going to This alone shows that He has a wonder- Look first at Luke 1:31-33: “And, behold, continue expanding His Family forever! ful plan for the future of those stars and thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and I’ll show you two more scriptures that

the planets that orbit them. What an bring forth a son, and shalt call his are even stronger in stating this. JULIA GODDARD/TRUMPET omnipotent Creator God we have! name Jesus. He shall be great, and shall During the Millennium, God is going be called the Son of the Highest: and the The Increase of His Government to rule for 1,000 years and create a godly Lord God shall give unto him the throne Next, let’s examine Isaiah 9:6-7. This is an utopia, a paradise this world has never of his father David: And he shall reign Old Testament prophecy of Jesus Christ, 20 THE PHILADELPHIA TRUMPET the Son of God the Father, being born of Isaiah 9:6-7 describe endless growth “Thou must prophesy again before a physical woman, Mary: “For unto us a “on the throne of David.” That is some- many peoples, and nations, and tongues, child is born, unto us a son is given: and thing to ponder! Is this the ultimate goal and kings” (verse 11). You must go out and the government shall be upon his shoul- of God? We cannot limit God. This is prophesy again about that mystery. Why der …. Of the increase of his government about creating families of God through- this strange command? and peace there shall be no end, upon out the universe and for eternity! How Mr. Armstrong wrote Mystery of the the throne of David …. The zeal of the inspiring! And I believe you can prove it Ages just months before he died in 1986. Lord of hosts will perform this.” from your Bible. The men who took over the Church This says there will be no end to the after he died very quickly abandoned increase of Christ’s government and The Mystery of God Mr. Armstrong’s teachings and discon- peace. Now, you don’t necessarily need Look now at Revelation 10. This does not tinued that book! We remained loyal to a government in an uninhabited wil- directly prove God’s ultimate plan, but God and to His truth, and began printing derness. But this government will keep it provides important background to and distributing Mystery of the Ages increasing and bringing peace—with no another verse that does. This chapter is again. The wcg actually sued us in an end! You don’t have a government and about the “little book,” a special message effort to keep that book out of print! bring peace unless you have inhabitants from God. And here is what God tells the We fought a six-year court battle to win there—human beings! People must people who have the little book to do: Mystery of the Ages because it means learn how to have peace, and to have “But in the days of the voice of the sev- that much to us! In a miraculous victory, peace in all the planets of the universe. enth angel: when he shall begin to sound we obtained the copyright of that book This verse seems to say clearly that God’s [more accurately, is about to sound], the and 18 of Mr. Armstrong’s other works. Work will continue, and His government mystery of God should be finished [more This is why God says, You must proph- will bring peace into men’s lives that accurately, shall have been finished], esy again about this mystery—just like only the Spirit of God can bring—which as he hath declared to his servants the it was done before. And Revelation 10:7 they must receive at baptism and go prophets” (verse 7). says the work of publicizing this mys- on from there. That verse says there This is an inspiring prophecy for “the tery must be finished when the seventh will be no end to this process. Endless days of the voice of the seventh angel”— trumpet is “about to sound.” growth! Surely that means God is going meaning the angel who will sound the This helps you understand a third to keep re-creating Himself through last trumpet. Revelation 11:15 says scripture that reveals God’s ultimate plan. men throughout eternity! that when that trumpet sounds, the Of this, you can be sure: God is going kingdoms of this world will become the Dispensing the Mystery to use every inch of all that universe He kingdoms of God! So this really dates In Ephesians 3:9, the Apostle Paul writes has created! the Revelation 10 prophecy. Verse 7 says that he wants “to make all men see what The June 1974 issue of the Good News, that when that angel is about to sound, is the fellowship of the mystery, published by the Worldwide Church of the mystery of God shall have been fin- which from the beginning of the world God under Herbert W. Armstrong, said ished. What is that? hath been hid in God, who created all this: “God the Father and Jesus Christ Mr. Armstrong wrote a book titled things by Jesus Christ.” are reproducing themselves. They are Mystery of the Ages, and there is no other The word “fellowship” is incorrectly enlarging their God Family. They are book like it! It is a synopsis of the entire translated. The Companion Bible says begetting sons. Real sons. Literal mem- bers of the God Family. That’s the pur- pose of human life. That’s the purpose Set your thoughts on God’s ultimate plan. for this Earth. And that very well could What He is doing today leads into be the purpose for the entire universe.” The entire universe! a fabulous eternity of making the “Now we recognize that there is no universe blossom as the rose. single, specific place in the Bible which explicitly states that God created the Bible, and it explains what this “mystery” the translators actually rendered the entire universe for the purpose of in Revelation 10:7 is. We need to under- wrong Greek word! Lange’s Commentary populating it with His growing Family,” stand what this mystery is and remove and some Bible translations render it this article continued. “So we cannot be the mystery! This world does not know, “dispensation.” Dispensation means to dogmatic. We are journeying, at least in but it can and it should! Though it is a disperse or distribute something. This part, into the realm of possibility.” mystery to this world, it’s not a mystery is talking about dispensing or distribut- I submit to you that maybe we can to God’s very elect. ing the mystery. begin to be more dogmatic about this. This mystery means everything to So what is God talking about here? We have speculated on this in the past, people who truly believe the Bible. Rev- This verse doesn’t just say we should yet God has revealed more to us since elation 10 shows a connection between deliver this mystery—which we cer- the time of Herbert W. Armstrong, spe- Mystery of the Ages and the “little book.” tainly must do. It says we should make cifically with two other scriptures. God tells those who have the little book, ULTIMATE PLAN PAGE 36 u SEPTEMBER 2021 21 u ARTIFACT FROM PAGE 1 that’s what the destruction of the statues and heritage sites are Its depiction of the lion also fits nicely with the biblical record. all about; that’s what the effort to rewrite history is all about. It’s The book of Amos, written during the time of King Jeroboam ii, all an attempt to “blot out the name of Israel from under mentions lion five times—a lot for such a short book. Between heaven”—all over the Earth! this seal and the writings of Amos, it’s clear the lion symbol Can anyone looking at events in Washington, D.C., and Amer- carried great significance for Israel under Jeroboam ii. ica right now deny that the nation is suffering “bitter affliction”? To many of his supporters—and there are tens of millions of Amos 7:8 says, “And the Lord said unto me, Amos, what seest them—Donald Trump possesses the qualities of a lion. Last thou? And I said, A plumbline. Then said the Lord, Behold, I year, one of these supporters posted a photo on Twitter of the will set a plumbline in the midst of my people Israel: I will not president casting a shadow of a lion. (Remarkably, the shape again pass by them any more.” This is God speaking! He has of the image was similar to the one inscribed on the Jeroboam warned these nations numerous times to try to wake them up, seal.) The message praised Mr. Trump as having “the courage but they have ignored those warnings. So here in Amos 7 He says, I am going to warn these people This wonderful artifact brings King Jeroboam II one last time! to life. But it also brings to life Amos 7 and And notice: This final warning occurs during the time of an end-time Jeroboam. “And the high places of Isaac shall 2 Kings 14, two prophecies about an end-time be desolate, and the sanctuaries of Israel shall be laid waste; Jeroboam II. I don’t believe the timing of this and I will rise against the house of Jeroboam with the sword” announcement was a coincidence. (verse 9). When God says, “I will not again warn them any more,” He is talking about the time of Jeroboam. of a lion.” It is hard to disagree with this evaluation. Over the In spite of what virtually everyone believes, Mr. Trump’s past four years, and certainly in recent months, Mr. Trump job is not over. Since the 2020 election, he has been roaring has been fighting with the courage and spirit of a lion. It’s an like a lion. This is the message God wants us to take from the admirable quality, one that we all need at this time. Jeroboam bulla: God is not done using Mr. Trump! Despite all physical appearances, know that God is directing it all! A Message the World Needs In Amos 3:7-8, God says, “Surely the Lord God will do nothing, When bullae like this are uncovered, they don’t receive enough but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets. The attention, especially outside of Israel. But the discovery of the lion hath roared, who will not fear? the Lord God hath spoken, seal mentioning Jeroboam ii truly is special, and its discovery who can but prophesy?” carries a lot of meaning for our day. That bulla bears a message This is a prophetic message the whole world needs to hear! of tremendous hope—a message the world desperately needs! With the discovery of this bulla, God is bolstering that message With this bulla, I believe God is encouraging those who truly delivered by His people. This is certainly an encouraging dis- believe the Bible to hold fast to His prophecy in Amos 7. The covery at this time, and it shows God’s hand in world events. people who understand Amos 7 and recognize Donald Trump As difficult as recent times have been, the Bible says world as the end-time Jeroboam were encouraged and excited by this conditions are about to get much worse. The Prophet Daniel news. God wants us to see what He is doing with Jeroboam and warns us that the people of Israel (America and Britain) and with His people at this time. Judah (Jews) are barreling toward a time of destruction “such King Jeroboam ii was not a righteous man. Still, God used as never was since there was a nation even to that same time” him to save Israel for a time. 2 Kings 14 says, “For the Lord saw (Daniel 12:1). The prophecy in Amos 7 ends with America falling the affliction of Israel, that it was very bitter: for there was not into terrible calamity and horrible suffering. any shut up, nor any left, nor any helper for Israel. And the Lord These are urgent and sobering prophecies, but they are also said not that he would blot out the name of Israel from under exceedingly bright and hopeful. Never forget the truth revealed heaven: but he saved them by the hand of Jeroboam the son in Amos 7: God is delivering a final warning! He is so lov- of Joash” (verses 26-27). ing and merciful and compassionate. And He is giving the Anciently, the kingdom of Israel was in bitter affliction—verg- people one final opportunity to repent, to change their ing on collapse—when Jeroboam ii came to power. You could behavior, to stop sinning, to return to Him! say the same about America (and the rest of the modern nations Donald Trump is going to return. When he does, a lot of peo- descended from biblical Israel) today: It is in bitter affliction! ple, especially the Jews, will be pleased. But when this happens, If the radical left has its way, America, Britain and the State of we must remember Amos 7 and 2 Kings 14. God will be the one Israel (biblical Judah) will be fundamentally transformed. behind Mr. Trump and what he accomplishes! Now that the radical left has control, the “affliction” No politician can save America or Israel. The ultimate is quickly getting much worse! savior will be the real “lion of Judah” (Genesis 49:9-12; The forces attacking America today are terribly destruc- Revelation 5:5)—Jesus Christ. Do you hear that lion roaring? tive—and the worst of them are within the nation. They want This is only the beginning. Who can but prophesy? n to destroy traditional America, especially its Judeo-Christian heritage and its history with God. That’s what the “deep state” Find the latest discoveries in biblical archaeology. is all about; that’s what Antifa and Black Lives Matter are all Visit the Trumpet’s sister site watchJerusalem.co.il. about; that’s what the attacks on the Constitution are all about; 22 THE PHILADELPHIA TRUMPET The northern kingdom, Israel, was led from the beginning by rebellious, disobedient kings. The first of them, Jeroboam i, rejected David, rejected worship at the temple in Jerusalem, and rejected the Levites as God’s priests The Modern and educators. Israel went on to have 19 kings in nine dynasties over 200 King Jeroboam II years—and not one was righteous. Sin was entrenched nationally. God sent prophets, including Elijah, Elisha and The story of an ancient king of Israel carries an Amos, to warn the nation, but none of urgent lesson for Americans and Israelis in 2021. the kings of Israel, and very few of its BY BRENT NAGTEGAAL AND BRAD MACDONALD citizens, ever repented wholeheartedly. Beginning around 900 b.c., Israel suf- fered a century blighted by famine and ere is some ancient history United States President Donald Trump war. The Assyrians, then the Arameans, that is astonishingly relevant to is the end-time type of King Jeroboam ii, conquered parts of its territory. From H America today. and that Mr. Trump’s presidency can be the start of his reign around 843 b.c., the It regards the extraordinary success compared to the summary of Jeroboam’s Aramean King Hazael repeatedly invaded of the longest-serving monarch in the reign recorded in 2 Kings 14. Israelite territory. He eventually con- history of the kingdom of Israel. It was The book of Amos was written during quered Israel’s land on the eastern side entirely unexpected. For decades prior, the reign of Jeroboam ii. This entire book of the Jordan River. Twenty years later, the kingdom was trapped in a downward describes social, political and geopo- Hazael ventured farther west, gaining spiral of ignominy and subjugation. In the litical trends in ancient Israel that are territory all the way to the Mediterra- ninth century b.c., the Assyrian Empire remarkably similar to those in America nean coast (2 Kings 12:17). By 815 b.c., the dominated the kingdom of Israel and today. (In Bible prophecy, “Israel” refers Syrians had subjugated both the king- forced its kings to pay tribute. By the end to America and Britain, while “Judah” dom of Judah and the kingdom of Israel. of the century, the Assyrian overlords refers to the Jews. For proof, request your 2 Kings 13:3 reveals the ultimate reason had been replaced by Aramean overlords. free copy of The United States and Britain Israel and Judah suffered repeated Israel was crawling from failure to failure. in Prophecy, by Herbert W. Armstrong.) defeat: It was punishment from God. Around the start of the eighth cen- Under Jeroboam, Israel experienced Consider the state of Israel and Judah tury b.c., Jeroboam ii arrived. Neither an economic boom. Its enemies retreated. the Bible nor secular history reveal Its borders expanded. A religious revival Under Jeroboam, Israel anything unique about his coming to swept across the land. The same hap- experienced an economic power. The author of Kings records that pened in America under Donald Trump. boom. Its enemies retreated. Jeroboam ii was just as evil as his fore- King Jeroboam’s government forged a Its borders expanded. A fathers (2 Kings 14:24). Jeroboam ii was strong relationship with the Jews, much just like his namesake, Jeroboam i, who like the Trump administration formed a religious revival swept across had led Israel to break away from the strong relationship with the State of Israel. the land. The same happened in dynasty of David two centuries earlier. These parallels are not just interesting America under Donald Trump. Yet in spite of Jeroboam’s wicked history. The reign of King Jeroboam ii behavior, the kingdom’s borders is prophetic! And it is a powerful, prior to Jeroboam’s arrival, and the state expanded and it grew spectacularly last-chance warning to the modern of America and the Jewish state prior to prosperous. Why? God answers in verse descendants of Israel and Judah. Donald Trump. Under Barack Obama, 27: “And the Lord said not that he would the U.S. pursued a policy of alienating blot out the name of Israel from under King Jeroboam I friends and emboldening enemies. In heaven: but he saved them by the hand Israel became a united kingdom under its the Middle East, Mr. Obama’s priority of Jeroboam the son of Joash.” Under first king, Saul. Its golden age came under was to undermine Israel and promote King Jeroboam ii, God mercifully gave Saul’s successor, King David, and David’s Iran and radical Islam. a kingdom fated for certain death one son King Solomon. Following Solomon’s In 2 Kings 13:4, King Jehoahaz final opportunity to return to greatness. death in the late 10th century b.c., the (Jeroboam’s grandfather) prayed for Since January 2017, Philadelphia kingdom split into two rival kingdoms. help against the Syrians. Ever merciful, Trumpet editor in chief Gerald Flurry has The southern kingdom, Judah, was led by God relieved some of Israel’s oppression repeatedly explained the dramatic proph- kings from the dynasty of King David for by causing Assyria to invade Syria. In ecy in Amos 7, which specifically dis- more than 300 years. It retained Jerusa- 796 b.c., the Assyrian army swept into cusses an end-time Jeroboam and “house lem as its capital and Solomon’s temple the region, instantly weakening Syria’s

BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/GETTY IMAGES SMIALOWSKI/AFP/GETTY BRENDAN of Jeroboam.” Mr. Flurry has shown that as its national center of worship. power over Israel and Judah. Yet as the SEPTEMBER 2021 23 Assyrian Tell al-Rimah Stele inscription Both the Bible and secular sources formed milestone peace treaties, bro- shows, the conquering Assyrians took indicate that Jeroboam’s power over the kered by America, with the United Arab tribute not only from Syria’s King Ben- Aramean kingdom, including its capital, Emirates, Bahrain, Morocco and Sudan. hadad (son of Hazael) but also “received Damascus, was total. After a campaign Most importantly, the United States and tribute of Jehoash the Samarian.” by Assyrian King Shalmaneser iv against Israel stymied Iran’s attempt to dominate Jehoash was the father and predecessor Damascus in 773 b.c., the Assyrians the region. The administration of Ben- of King Jeroboam ii. no longer journeyed into the region jamin Netanyahu can take some of the until after Jeroboam’s death. Jeroboam credit, but most of it belongs to Donald Enter Jeroboam II made the most of Assyria’s absence by Trump, the end-time type of Jeroboam ii. Jeroboam ii began to reign around recovering Damascus for the kingdom During Jeroboam ii’s reign over Israel, 793 b.c., and Israel’s fortunes turned. of Israel (2 Kings 14:28). Secular history the southern kingdom of Judah thrived. The Bible shows that territorial records no known ruler of Damascus Judah was led by King Uzziah, who also expansion and economic prosperity from 775 b.c. to 750 b.c., the very years presided over a stunning resurgence in generally corresponded to the reign of Jeroboam reigned. (This time frame the eighth century b.c. (see 2 Chroni- a righteous king. God often responds to shows that King Jeroboam’s foreign cles 26). The Bible gives few details about righteousness with material blessings. victories mainly occurred during the the relationship between the two brother Jeroboam ii was an exception. second half of his reign.) kingdoms, but it is clear they were allies. In fact, God prophesied through the Prophet Jonah that He would extend mercy to Israel despite Jeroboam’s wickedness. Through Jeroboam, God would enlarge Israel’s borders and give the nation peace and prosperity that it had not experienced since the time of Mr. Trump’s presidency David and Solomon. This is the key to made the world safer understanding the reign of Jeroboam ii: for the imperiled The national resurgence was God’s doing, but it was performed through the nation of Israel. leadership (“by the hand”) of Jeroboam. This also happened God used this leader to cause a in biblical times. President Trump national resurgence, even though nei- visits Israeli Prime ther he nor his people were righteous. Minister Netanyahu in Jerusalem in 2017. Why? Because the nation was so close to its end! The same is true of the U.S. today. “He restored the coast of Israel from Compare this to recent history in Israel’s resurgence under King the entering of Hamath unto the sea America. Under Barack Obama’s admin- Jeroboam benefited Uzziah and Judah of the plain, according to the word of istration, the nation’s foreign policy was in much the same way that America’s the Lord God of Israel, which he spake driven by hatred for America and defined resurgence under Donald Trump for by the hand of his servant Jonah …” by compromise and appeasement toward four years benefited the Jewish state. (2 Kings 14:25). (This is the same Jonah China, Iran, Europe, North Korea, Russia “Now the rest of the acts of Jeroboam, whom God later tasked with warning and other current and potential enemies. and all that he did, and his might, how Assyria and whose prophetic book is Then the nation suddenly pivoted to a he warred, and how he recovered canonized in the Bible.) policy of strength toward those same Damascus, and Hamath, which belonged Under Jeroboam ii’s reign, Israel enemies. Why? Because of one man. to Judah, for Israel, are they not written recovered huge swaths of territory from Donald Trump might not be popular in the book of the chronicles of the kings both the Syrians and the Assyrians, with world leaders, but he is feared and of Israel?” (2 Kings 14:28). including Hamath, a town at the north- respected. And while his detractors will It is notable that a passage focusing ern boundary during Israel’s golden never admit it, his leadership made the on Israel’s resurgence mentions the sep- age (1 Kings 8:65). 2 Kings 14:25 records world safer for America. arate kingdom of Judah. Some believe the southern boundary of Jeroboam’s this indicates that the two kingdoms territory as “the sea of the plain,” which Alliance With Judah allied and fought side by side to defeat most scholars take to mean the eastern Mr. Trump’s presidency also made Syria and recover territory. Citing MANDEL NGAN/AFP/GETTY IMAGES portion of the Dead Sea, perhaps even to the world safer for the imperiled this verse, Tel Aviv University’s Nadav the point of Edom at the sea’s southern nation of Israel. This also happened Na’aman wrote, “Although details of the point. This would mean Jeroboam in biblical times. relations are missing, we may speculate acquired full control of the territories of Think about the influence exerted by that … Judah must have sent troops to Moab, Ammon and Syria (see also verse America and Israel in the Middle East the Israelite campaigns against Aram 28 and Amos 6:14). during Mr. Trump’s presidency. Israel Damascus and enjoyed the successful 24 THE PHILADELPHIA TRUMPET results of these campaigns” (Journal of God used Jeroboam to momentarily and trust in the mountain of Samaria …. the Institute of Archaeology of Tel Aviv stabilize the fragile nation. The point That lie upon beds of ivory, and stretch University, Vol. 46, Issue 1, 2019). was not to grant it relief from oppres- themselves upon their couches, and eat According to Na’aman, King Jeroboam ii sion or give it more territory or more the lambs out of the flock, and the calves was undoubtedly the alpha in this wealth, but to give the people the oppor- out of the midst of the stall; That chant eighth-century Israel-Judah relationship; tunity to address the root cause of their to the sound of the viol, and invent to yet “Judah must have enjoyed the status of society’s sickness: sin! This is why God themselves instruments of musick, like an ally rather than that of a vassal state.” dispatched Amos to Samaria: to deliver David; That drink wine in bowls, and This is an exact parallel of the rela- His warning message and beseech anoint themselves with the chief oint- tionship between the United States and Jeroboam ii and his people to repent! ments: but they are not grieved for the the State of Israel over the four-year Amos 1:1 shows that the prophet likely affliction of Joseph.” administration of President Trump. delivered his warning toward the end of Compare Amos’s description of Amer- After suffering a terrible crisis devised Jeroboam’s reign. This is supported by ica’s ancestors to the state of America by the Obama administration, the rela- archaeological evidence that corrobo- today. Under President Trump, the econ- tionship surged to a historic high under rates the ominous event described in this omy boomed: Employment increased, the leadership of Donald Trump and verse only as “the earthquake.” home prices rocketed, and stock prices Benjamin Netanyahu. Just as they did hit record highs. Even the poorest in anciently, the modern descendants of Rich-Poor Divide America became wealthy, especially Israel and Judah dominated the region. In Amos 5:11-12, the prophet writes: compared to historical norms. But as “Forasmuch therefore as your treading America’s prosperity increased, so did Bitter Affliction is upon the poor, and ye take from the chasm between the middle class and Studying this history, especially in the him burdens of wheat: ye have built the exceptionally rich. The elites bene- context of current events, we must houses of hewn stone, but ye shall not fited far more than regular Americans. remember that the sensational resur- dwell in them; ye have planted pleasant This extreme inequality worsened gence of the Israelites and Jews was vineyards, but ye shall not drink wine of internal divisions that radicals were not the result of blessings from God for them. For I know your manifold trans- already actively exacerbating. More and obedience, even though that is exactly gressions and your mighty sins: they more, America’s elites looked down on what many of them believed it was. afflict the just, they take a bribe, and the “deplorables” and grew comfortable It is crucial to understand why God they turn aside the poor in the gate from dictating how they should live. Americans was intervening. their right.” While Israel’s leaders and reacted in 2016 by electing Donald Trump. “For the Lord saw the affliction of other elites grew increasingly powerful The people wanted a leader willing to Israel, that it was very bitter: for there and wealthy, they also grew calloused stand up for traditional American values, was not any shut up, nor any left, nor any toward the needs of the people. Israel’s which are rooted in biblical principles. helper for Israel” (2 Kings 14:26). Israel elites saw the common people as igno- As historian Victor Davis Hanson wrote was so afflicted that it was about to rant and insignificant, as “deplorables.” in 2019, “The middle classes are revolting collapse! The nation’s final opportunity This split between rich and poor has against Western managerial elites. The to repent would be gone. God intervened been uncovered in archaeological exca- latter group includes professional poli- not because the leaders or the people vations at the Tel-el Farah—likely ancient ticians, entrenched bureaucrats, conde- were righteous, but because they were so Tirzah, one of Israel’s chief cities. “A scending academics, corporate phonies sinful that their nation was about to die! wealthy class lived in Tirzah,” writes Todd and propagandistic journalists.” The Cambridge Bible for Schools Bolen in The Reign of Jeroboam II: A His- Instead of identifying sin as sin, being and Colleges states, “The expression torical and Archaeological Interpretation, grieved by it and repenting (changing means that there was no one, great “but of greater surprise is the tremendous attitudes and actions), the leaders of or small, young or old, to whom they disparity between these and the common the nation actively led the people in could look for aid” (emphasis added). people who lived in ramshackle huts next breaking God’s laws! As in ancient Israel, Israel’s leaders were failing. The nation’s door to the affluent mansions.” these modern elites are forcing extreme institutions were failing. The kingdom’s At Samaria, Israel’s capital city, a values and practices on the nation. political, cultural and educational sys- massive collection of over 500 ivories tems were failing. Its false religion was was discovered in excavations from the Destroying the Family failing. Though many were oblivious to 1920s and 1930s. Archaeologist Nahman Amos also shows that ancient Israel’s rul- it, the nation was militarily, economi- Avigad and others believe these were ing elites were responsible for destroying cally, culturally and spiritually helpless. made during the reign of Jeroboam ii. the nation’s foundational institution: the The writings of the Prophet Amos These luxurious inlays were used in traditional family. Under the leadership reveal that society was dominated architecture and furniture and testify to of the husband and father, the family by a ruling class that had greedily Israel’s affluence under King Jeroboam. was the fundamental structure not only accumulated wealth and destroyed This is tangible evidence of what the for daily life but also for protecting the the patriarchal system. The poor and Prophet Amos wrote in Amos 6:1, 4-6: needy and vulnerable in society. While vulnerable suffered. “Woe to them that are at ease in Zion, Jeroboam ii exhibited strength toward SEPTEMBER 2021 25 Israel’s external enemies, he was weak Jeroboam i. Avraham Biran, director of yearned for the Day of the Lord, a time on social issues. Amos indicates the king- the Tel Dan excavations, said he believes of terrible destruction. They believed dom was dominated by radical feminists. this “religious” city reached its “zenith” the destruction would not affect them, “Hear this word, ye kine [cows] of during the reign of Jeroboam ii. The since they were righteous. They made Bashan, that are in the mountain of remains of large public buildings dating the grave mistake of assuming that Isra- Samaria, which oppress the poor, to Jeroboam ii’s reign have been found el’s prosperity and power resulted from which crush the needy, which say to across the city, including finely carved their righteousness! their masters, Bring, and let us drink” steps leading up to a massive altar. During America’s recent religious (Amos 4:1). Bible commentaries state However, what is compelling from both resurgence, more than 80 percent of that this is directed at the powerful Amos’s account of the religion of the day evangelical Christians voted for Don- women in Israel. “The use of the modi- and the remains at Tel Dan is that the ald Trump in 2016. During the 2018 fier ‘of Bashan’ then, may be understood people were apparently attempting to U.S. midterm election, 75 percent of as a superlative that identifies these worship God rather than Baal or other evangelical voters cast their ballots for women as occupying the top tier of soci- the Republican Party. They have been ety,” wrote Brian Irwin of Knox College, Mr. Trump’s most ardent supporters. University of Toronto, in 2012. But just as in ancient Israel, instead These powerful women of Israel held of using the temporary resurgence power in the mountain of Samaria, for what it is—one last opportunity to Israel’s capital city. They issued hateful repent and change—the nation went decrees against the patriarchy and When Jeroboam II died, deeper into rebellion and sin! called for it to be removed. “The women God’s warning through Amos was of Samaria were attempting to overturn Israel’s resurgence ended. powerful. “I hate, I despise your feast the prevailing social structure that in The kingdom of Israel fell days, and I will not smell in your solemn ancient Israel was the primary means precipitously into suffering assemblies. Though ye offer me burnt by which the vulnerable were protected,” and destruction. offerings and your meat offerings, I will continued Irwin. Through the Prophet not accept them: neither will I regard Amos, God was identifying a powerful the peace offerings of your fat beasts” feminist movement that despised the (verses 21-22). rule of fathers and husbands in soci- ety—a tradition-sustaining and civiliza- Canaanite deities. Discoveries from God’s Mercy tion-sustaining role ordained by God! around the temple area in Tel Dan during The prophet’s warning message to King The corollary to America today is the time of Jeroboam ii reveal architec- Jeroboam ii and his followers became a inescapable. Americans from the bot- ture and artifacts similar to those associ- major source of tension. Amaziah, one tom of society to the top are embracing ated with Solomon’s temple in Jerusalem. of Jeroboam’s false priests, accused increasingly radical feminist and violent Inside one room associated with the Amos of treason and banished him to views toward the traditional biblical Tel Dan temple, excavators uncovered a Judah (Amos 7:10-13). roles of men and women—and even the bronze bowl, a pair of identical shovels, a When Jeroboam ii died around 753 b.c., existence of male and female! long-handled shovel that held incense, an Israel’s resurgence ended. The kingdom ash pot and a long fork, all of which match of Israel fell precipitously into suffering Still Religious the tools God had instructed the Israelites and destruction. The next two kings each Ancient Israel was glutted on luxury and to use in the true religion at the taberna- lasted less than a year. By 745 b.c., Assyr- debauchery. Yet it was still religious! In cle (Exodus 27:1-3) and later the temple. ian King Tiglath-Pileser iii began invading fact, Jeroboam’s generation was more reli- Though they believed they were Israel’s borders. He demanded Israel’s gious than its predecessor! The king and worshiping the true God, these Israelites King Menachem pay a massive tribute. his followers believed they were pious were worshiping in vain. Their words The kingdom of Israel had passed the and righteous. Under Jeroboam ii, who, were hollow, their prayers meaningless point of no return. God no longer sent like his namesake, exploited organized and powerless. God sent Amos to prophets to warn the nation. Within religion as a means to control the people, condemn their fake religion! Amos 4:5 three decades, the Assyrians overran Israel underwent a massive revival of states: “‘Present your bread made with the land, the nation was annihilated, and state-run religion. So powerful was the yeast as an offering of thanksgiving. Then Israelites were massacred and enslaved!

religious structure under Jeroboam give your extra voluntary offerings so you Israel rapidly went from stunning MARYHARRSCH VIA WIKIMEDIACOMMONS that the representative of the king who can brag about it everywhere! This is success under Jeroboam ii to collapse banished Amos from the country was the kind of thing you Israelites love to and subjugation! Why? Because nei- actually a priest of Bethel (Amos 7:10-12). do,’ says the Sovereign Lord” (New Living ther Jeroboam nor his people heeded Evidence of Israel’s eighth-cen- Translation). Rather than pleasing God, God’s warning through Amos! They tury b.c. religious revival is profoundly the religion of Jeroboam angered Him! didn’t take advantage of God’s mercy evident at Tel Dan, one of the two Amos 5:18-20 reveal the extent of and repent. This is the powerful, urgent worship locations originally set up by Israel’s religious deception. The people lesson for all of us! 26 THE PHILADELPHIA TRUMPET Israel was facing its end. Only by an act u GERMANY FROM PAGE 9 for a church. Only Europe has a history of God did it survive for a few more pre- cannot solve their problems. They are of a series of empires led by a church. cious years. Were it not for God’s mercy growing more in favor of authoritarian Verses 12-13 prophesy that in its last and compassion, the nation would almost rule. Already we are seeing the rise of phase, 10 European nations or groups certainly have collapsed a century earlier. strongmen and a push toward authori- of nations will submit to the rule of one This history is a lesson in God’s tarianism in Europe. strong leader. This is certain to result phenomenal love and His desire to “Yet these rising strongmen are not yet from a series of shocks and crises. save His people! united as the Bible says they will be,” Mr. Are we about to see this astonishing Remember, Amos 7 and much of the Flurry wrote last year. “The Holy Roman prophecy fulfilled? rest of the book is not just history, it is Empire yet lacks its overarching leader.” Dark clouds are hovering over Ger- prophecy! It carries a powerful warning For centuries, Europeans lived under many. Few speculate what the nation for America, the Jewish state and anyone the dictatorial rule of the Holy Roman will look like when the storm breaks. It willing to listen. God warns in Amos 7:8 Empire. The Trumpet often warns that is about to change from a democracy to that He is measuring Israel one final time Europe is returning to this form of during the reign of an end-time Jeroboam. government. When covid-19 emerged, Just after President Trump was Mr. Flurry warned that Europe’s reac- Dark clouds hover inaugurated in 2017, Mr. Flurry wrote, tion would hasten that outcome. over Germany. “This is sobering to think about. Here is The Bible prophesies of a European a severe end-time prophecy, and God empire rising in the end time. The book It is about to change is talking about an individual. God of Daniel repeatedly emphasizes that it from a democracy names names! We must understand is an end-time book (e.g. Daniel 12:4, 9). these names and the roles these men Although Daniel 11 contains history, Jesus to an autocracy, play if we are to understand these Christ Himself referenced that chapter and all Europe will end-time prophecies! It is essential and said it contains prophecy for the that we know who these individuals are end time (Matthew 24:15). Daniel 11:21 change with it. …. God will not bring this warning to His describes a strong German leader who people again; the Jeroboam time is going comes to power through “flatteries.” A an autocracy, and all Europe will change to be the last time!” parallel passage in Daniel 8:23 says this with it. When you see a transformed God is resurrecting the history of man is “a king of fierce countenance, and Germany emerge, remember the Trum- Jeroboam for us right now. God, in His understanding dark sentences.” Other pet’s forecast. mercy, is saving Israel one final time. scriptures show this is referring to the This change may follow soon after the As was the case under Jeroboam ii, the leader of a European beast power (request September German elections. Armin resurgence of the United States under our free booklet Who or What Is the Pro- Laschet may win—he may even be one of Donald Trump is only temporary. The phetic Beast?). Based on this prophecy, the 10 kings—but he is unlikely to satisfy rapid radicalization of the nation under Mr. Flurry has boldly proclaimed that Europe’s longing for strong leadership. the Biden administration proves this Germany will, once again, unite under a The Trumpet is watching for another all the more. When President Trump strongman who walks in the tradition of man to become the prophesied strong regains power, God’s purpose in bring- Charlemagne, Hitler and other dictators. leader. Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg ing that about is not merely to stabilize The Bible reveals that a strongman will has long prepared to lead Europe out the nation or our bank accounts. Its take advantage of people’s craving for of a financial crisis. As Europe’s crises purpose is to provide time—and pre- strong leadership in crisis and offer solu- intensify, watch for this man to rise to cious little of it—to repent. And it’s not tions and stability to a desperate Ger- power. Keep your eyes on Germany. just the radicals whom God is calling to many and a divided Europe. Mainstream As you see these events unfold, repentance—it is the religious as well! Christianity has ignored these end-time remember that the same passages that God has revealed prophecies and prophecies. Current events in Germany, prophesy of this radical, dangerous named names. He wants each of us to however, perfectly match what the Bible change in Germany also say it will acknowledge our own sins and to turn prophesied thousands of years ago. happen just before the Second Coming from them. God will temporarily save Revelation 17 also describes this of Jesus Christ, “the Prince of princes” our nation in spite of ourselves, not European power. It likens it to a beast— (e.g. Daniel 8:23-25). At His return, God’s because of our greatness but because biblical symbolism for an empire—that Kingdom will be established (Dan- of His righteousness. It’s time for each continually rises and falls. This empire iel 2:44). Dark days are ahead, but after of us to acknowledge our own sins and is led by a woman—the biblical symbol the storm comes hope! n to turn from them. If you are one of the precious few who turns to a humble, prayerful attitude, God will show you Why does the Trumpet watch for a German strongman? what to do—before it is too late. n Imagine a new 21st-century superpower with nuclear weapons, stunning technology, Learn more about these prophecies in a larger land area than Canada, and a larger economy than China’s. That empire is Gerald Flurry’s free booklet Great Again. coming. Read “The Rise of a German Strongman” at theTrumpet.com/16575. SEPTEMBER 2021 27 Pipes for the will be able to supply Western A tribute to victims of a Nord Stream 2 terrorist attack is laid in a WORLDWATCH pipeline await Europe and simultaneously street in southern Germany. shipment. turn off the taps to Eastern Europe to force it to comply with Russian demands. It has used this strategy before, as well as military force, which it used in the 2008 invasion of Georgia, the 2014 annexation of Crimea from Ukraine, and the ongoing GERMANY MOURNS hostilities in eastern Ukraine MORE TERROR VICTIMS since 2014. Meanwhile, many young Somali man in Poland are terrified by the stabbed three women to possibility of a Russian invasion. death in downtown Wurz- Poland is a North Atlantic Aburg, Germany, and seriously Treaty Organization ally of the injured six others on June 25. United States, and the U.S. is The 24-year-old perpetrator, who obligated to protect Ukraine. has lived in Germany since 2015, NORD STREAM 2 It has done little to that end, had been admitted to a psychi- although the Trump administra- atric hospital earlier this year READY TO PUMP tion opposed the pipeline and after he threatened someone placed sanctions on entities with a knife at a homeless shelter. GAS TO GERMANY involved in its construction. Before the fatal attacks, he Joe Biden initially expressed shouted, “Allahu Akbar.” ussian President Vladimir Germany’s import capacity to opposition to the pipeline, but he Authorities have been slow Putin announced on June 4 110 billion cubic meters of gas per dropped key sanctions in May. to classify the attack as Islamic that the first line of the Nord year. It will then export the gas “Nord Stream 2 binds Russia terrorism, but many Europeans RStream 2 pipeline is complete. to the rest of Western Europe, and Germany together in a are frustrated by such political Completion of the second line is making Germany the energy hub way that undermines NATO,” correctness. Many believe projected for August. of half of Europe. wrote Trumpet editor in chief politicians are partly responsible Russia has already been This gives Russia and Germany Gerald Flurry in his 2018 article for importing terrorism through exporting energy directly to great leverage against nations “Germany and Russia’s Secret War policies allowing a massive Germany, the European Union’s in Eastern Europe in particular. Against America” (theTrumpet influx of refugees. The situation largest economy, since the orig- Many of Russia’s major pipelines .com/17600). “In fact, though in Germany is so tense that inal Nord Stream pipeline became pass through countries like Russia and Germany will not say politicians fear an escalation in operational about 10 years Ukraine and Poland to reach so, this pipeline project is clearly violence against foreigners. ago. Nord Stream 2 will double Western Europe. Now Russia intended to wreck NATO.” n Police statistics show that

“Germany has a massive problem STEFAN SAUER/PICTURE ALLIANCE/GETTY IMAGES, ARMANDO BABANI/AFP/GETTY IMAGES, KEYSTONE-FRANCE/GETTY IMAGES with violent foreigners,” Bild WHY IS THE VATICAN MAKING THIS wrote. Of the 168,237 people POLITICIAN A SAINT? who allegedly committed violent ope Francis put former Schuman was a crimes in 2020, 38.2 percent were French Prime Minister Catholic who saw his “non-German suspects,” of whom Robert Schuman on the work in Europe as 34.5 percent were immigrants. Ppath to sainthood by recognizing part of his religious Of 2,672 manslaughter suspects, his “heroic virtues” on June 19. duty. In fact, all the 40.6 percent were foreigners, The Vatican will have to recog- European founders and 15.7 percent were immi- nize one miracle performed by were Catholic. grants. A reported 37 percent of Schuman for him to be beatified, Several others are perpetrators of sex crimes were and a second to become a saint. also in the early SCHUMAN foreigners, 14 percent of whom Schuman is one of the stages of being made were immigrants. “founding fathers” of the Catholic saints. (June 19). More people should be Radical Islam is persecuting European Union. His “Schuman Deutsche Welle noted in its aware of the European project’s Christians in the Middle East, Plan” proposed the European article on Schuman: “Since Pius religious origins. To learn what killing some and putting millions Coal and Steel Community, a XII, the pontiff during World War the Bible says about a union of to flight. It considers its inter- trading union that preceded II, popes have supported the nations led by a church, request actions with Europe an all-out and made possible the current principle of a European project your free copy of The Holy religious war. At some point, political union. while criticizing its secularism” Roman Empire in Prophecy. n Europe will take the same view. n 28 THE PHILADELPHIA TRUMPET ISRAEL’S NEW GOVERNMENT FOUNDED ON ‘BIG LIE’ fter 12 years as head only 6 percent of the vote, would of Israel’s government, have received too few votes for Benjamin Netanyahu was Bennett to even be a Knesset Aousted from the prime minis- member. But Bennett lied to tership on June 13, replaced by Israel and became prime minister. Naftali Bennett. Bennett’s power-sharing Before the March 23 election, agreement makes him prime Bennett signed a “contract” on minister for only two years, after Iraqi mourners attend a funeral for a militant killed in live television promising that he which Yair Lapid will take over. U.S. air strikes on June 28. and his right-wing Yamina Party Lapid and his Yesh Atid party, would never form a coalition which won 14 percent of the vote AMERICA SPARS WITH SHIITE MILITIAS IN IRAQ with center-left party Yesh Atid are the real power behind this he United States conducted the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad. and that he would never join the government. But for now, Israel air strikes against three On July 6, armed drones and government if it included the has a right-wing prime minister Shiite militia weapon missiles targeted American without the power to implement Tstorage facilities along the Syria- forces at a base near the Erbil conservative policies because he Iraq border on June 28. Two airport in Iraqi Kurdistan. Time betrayed his voters and is entirely anonymous Iraqi militia officials will prove that these attacks beholden to Yesh Atid. told the Associated Press that were ordered by Iran. The administration of Joe four people were killed. The The U.S. air strikes were too Biden couldn’t be happier. After strikes were authorized by Joe weak to be a deterrent and assuming America’s presidency, Biden. Speaker of the House appear to have been an attempt he waited four weeks to call Nancy Pelosi issued a statement, to save face instead of elimi- Netanyahu. Yet when Bennett saying that the air strikes were nating the threat of Iran-backed took power, Biden called a “proportional response to a Iraqi militias. The U.S. is taking BENNETT him immediately despite the serious and specific threat.” pains to avoid striking Iran dishonest way in which he The U.S. military said the directly as it pursues another Islamist party. After the election, gained power. To the Biden strikes were retaliation for the nuclear deal. The “clear and he blatantly broke both promises administration, Netanyahu was “ongoing series of attacks by unambiguous” message from to join a coalition whose sole the roadblock slowing former Iran-backed groups targeting U.S. the U.S. is that it is weak and purpose was to oust Netanyahu. President Barack Obama’s vision interests in Iraq.” Their purpose motivated not by opposing Iran’s Post-election polls of Yamina of empowering Iran and other was to “send a clear and unam- radical Islamist regime, but by voters indicate that 60 percent radical Islamist powers in the biguous deterrent message.” empowering it. To understand would not have voted for Middle East. Watch for Obama, The militia groups retaliated America’s pro-Iran policy, Bennett had he revealed his true through the Biden administration, by firing rockets at a U.S. military read Gerald Flurry’s booklet intentions. Many of those voters to move fast on his Middle East base in Syria the next day. No U.S. Great Again, particularly would have gone to Netanyahu’s agenda now that Netanyahu is casualties were reported. On Chapter 6, “The Most bloc, and Yamina, which won out of power. n July 5, an armed drone attacked Dangerous Lie in History.” n

PUTIN, XI EXTEND LANDMARK TREATY world is entering an era of imbal- ussian President Vladimir are involved or when ance and radical changes as the Putin and Chinese Pres- it is confronted development of humanity faces ident Xi Jinping officially with the threat of many crises; close cooperation Rextended the bilateral Treaty aggression, the between China and Russia gives of Good Neighborliness and contracting parties positive energy to the global Friendly Cooperation on June 28. shall immediately community, establishing a gold The treaty was first enacted in hold contacts and standard of a new model of July 2001 by Putin and Chinese consultations in Chinese President Xi international relations.” welcomes Russian leader Jiang Zemin. It outlines order to eliminate President Putin to Beijing. Bible prophecy foretells of a guidelines for cooperation in such threats.” multinational Asian power bloc economics, diplomacy and, most This provides a foundation signal to other nations. that will form in the modern era, importantly, defense. Article 9 on which a full military alliance “Today’s China-Russia relations referred to in Revelation 16:12 as states, “When a situation arises could be built. are mature, stable and solid, “the kings of the east.” The Scrip- in which one of the contracting The treaty would have and can withstand the test of tures say this Asian confederation parties deems that peace is expired in July 2021, but the any international storm,” Xi will play a key role in the third and being threatened and under- extension keeps it alive for the said during a videoconference final world war. Request Russia

MENAHEM KAHANA/AFP/GETTY IMAGES, ZAID AL-OBEIDI/AFP/GETTY IMAGES, GREG BAKER/GETTY IMAGES BAKER/GETTY GREG IMAGES, AL-OBEIDI/AFP/GETTY ZAID IMAGES, KAHANA/AFP/GETTY MENAHEM mined or its security interests foreseeable future and sends a announcing the extension. “The and China in Prophecy. n SEPTEMBER 2021 29 missiles are also maneuverable, meaning their trajectory can rapidly change midflight, even in the last few seconds before striking a target. The combination of hypersonic speeds and intricate maneuverability means such A Russian MiG-31K carrying Kinzhal missiles could evade even the hypersonic missiles flies over Moscow. most advanced known defense systems. In 2018, Gen. John CHINA DEVELOPING RUSSIA LEADING WITH HYPERSONIC WEAPONS Hyten, commander of United ANTISATELLITE ussia staged war games base in Syria, said pilots prac- States Strategic Command, told WEAPONS over the Mediterranean ticed targeting a “mock enemy” the Senate Armed Services hina is making major during the last week of and completed the mission with Committee that America does advances in its abilities to RJune that included MiG-31K “high quality.” not “have any defense that could disable or destroy satellites, aircraft capable of carrying Hypersonic missiles like deny the employment of such a Caccording to remarks made in Kinzhal hypersonic missiles, the Kinzhal are expected to weapon against us.” July by the director of the United marking the first known time a revolutionize warfare because of Meanwhile, fear of Russia States Indo-Pacific Command. nation has deployed jets able to their speed and maneuverability. is growing more intense in Rear Adm. Michael Studeman carry the munitions. Hypersonic missiles fly at Europe. Fear of hypersonic said the capabilities range from Lt. Gen. Sergei Kobylash, between 5 and 15 times the and other weapons will help “dazzling to jamming, to kinetic kill- commander of long-range speed of sound—nearly 4,000 intensify Europe’s desire to unify, from-the-ground, from space—all aviation at Russia’s Hmeymim air miles per hour or more. The politically and militarily. n that, they’re on the march.” China’s SJ-17 satellite is believed to be able to attack other satellites in orbit. This satellite is dirigible broke Canada’s Leviticus 26:4-5 show that God and equipped with a robotic arm Victoria, B.C., reaches a record national heat record promises to grant favorable that can be controlled by oper- high of 118 degrees Fahrenheit on June 29. for three consecutive weather, but there is a condition: ators on the ground. The Center days with tempera- “If ye walk in my statutes, and for Strategic and International tures reaching 121 keep my commandments, and Studies noted that in recent degrees Fahrenheit do them” (verse 3). When we months it has engaged in “unusual on June 29: A wildfire refuse to submit to God’s law, He behavior,” including navigating up destroyed 90 percent sends storms, floods, drought, to other Chinese satellites in orbit of the town the next fiery heat and other disasters and interacting with them. day. Several other to correct us (Job 37:11-13; China is also developing towns also broke Deuteronomy 11:17; 28:22; Amos ground-based laser systems local records with 4:7; Nahum 1:3-4). To better believed to be capable of blinding temperatures well understand the truth of the Bible satellites in orbit. over 100 degrees, and the purpose of weather As Nikkei noted, “[T]he next

RECORD HEAT and firefighters battled dozens disasters, please request your major war could be decided in the ALEXEI NIKOLSKY/TASS/GETTY IMAGES, ISTOCK.COM/AAPSKY, DAN MACKINNON/AFP/GETTY IMAGES SCORCHES NORTH of wildfires, including one that free copy of Why ‘Natural’ opening minutes of the first day, AMERICA burned 300,000 acres. Disasters? n as each side attempts to disable n June and July, highways What is the cause of these the enemy’s communication tools.” were cracking, roads were worsening weather conditions? 120° The U.S. has far more buckling, and railroads were Scientists point to man-made 6/28 116° satellites in orbit than any other 6/27 112° Iwarping due to record-breaking climate change. But many 6/26 108° nation and depends on them heat searing the Pacific North- scientists have been exposed for 100° for military reconnaissance, west. Flights were canceled and manipulating data on historical communication, navigation and restaurants forced to close due temperature records that targeting systems, as well as to the extreme weather. Global disprove this theory. 80° numerous civilian applications. temperature record-keeping The Bible gives a clear Trumpet editor in chief Gerald data showed that the last seven explanation of why weather Flurry has written on several years have been the warmest disasters are worsening. 60° occasions about the perils of since record-keeping began Jesus Christ demonstrated American reliance on computer Portland Daily highs 1990-2020 nearly 150 years ago. control over weather when He technology. It could indeed be Portland Daily highs 2021 Lytton, British Columbia, quieted a storm (Mark 4:39-41). 40° America’s “Achilles’ heel.” n 30 THE PHILADELPHIA TRUMPET June 1 July 31 SOCIETYWATCH SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN CLAIMS GENESIS IS RACIST he Scientific American now and his family from the rest of claims it is racist to believe humanity after he murdered his in Adam and Eve. On July 5, brother Abel. Tthe popular science magazine You can read the Bible from published “Denial of Evolution Is Genesis to Revelation, and you will a Form of White Supremacy,” The not find anything justifying the editorial by Allison Hopper argues belief that any race or ethnicity is that evolution cannot be doubted biologically inferior to another. It on scientific grounds, therefore is actually evolution that teaches creationists reject evolution that some races are inferior. because they are racists. The alternate title for Charles AMERICAN DRUG “I want to unmask the lie that Darwin’s book On the Origin of evolution denial is about religion Species by Means of Natural OVERDOSES HIT and recognize that at its core, it is a form of white supremacy RECORD HIGH that perpetuates segregation and violence against black bodies,” she wrote. “In literal new class of synthetic primarily due to the proliferation interpretations of the Christian drugs is killing Americans of fentanyl, a synthetic opioid Bible, white skin was created in record numbers. that is 50 times more potent in God’s image. Dark skin has Selection was The Preservation AAccording to preliminary than heroin. a different, more problematic of Favored Races in the Struggle data from the United States Widespread approval of origin. As the biblical story goes, for Life. Its premise was that only Centers for Disease Control and drug use in America is a sign the curse or mark of Cain for the fittest races survive. This Prevention, released on July 14, of a terminal spiritual sickness killing his brother was a dark- book’s sequel, The Descent of a record 93,331 people died the Bible calls pharmakeia. It ening of his descendants’ skin. Man, also alleged that blacks and from drug overdoses last year. is listed as a “work of the flesh” Historically, many congregations Australian Aboriginals repre- That is a 29.4 percent increase in Galatians 5:19-20. The King in the U.S. pointed to this story of sented a missing link between from the year before, when James translation renders this Cain as evidence that black skin gorillas and Caucasians that 72,151 people died. Public health word as “witchcraft,” but a was created as a punishment.” would one day be exterminated officials believe that the social more exact rendering is “use of Some Protestant denomina- by “the civilized races of man.” isolation, trauma, and job losses drugs.” Millions of Americans tions once taught that Cain was Yet Scientific American says caused by COVID-19 lockdowns use marijuana, psychedelic marked with black skin, but this people who believe in creation contributed to this startling mushrooms, cocaine, heroin, belief is no longer prevalent, and are white supremacists because increase in overdose deaths by methamphetamines and other it never came from the Bible. In they reject Darwinism and driving people to drugs as a form drugs for moments of hallucina- Genesis 4:15, the Hebrew word embrace the belief that all races of escapism. Yet this record tory euphoria in a vain attempt to for “mark” indicates a boundary were created in the image and surge in overdose deaths is fill a spiritual void. n that God set up to separate Cain likeness of God. n

REPUBLICAN STATES BAN POLICE FROM and the Biden administration is ENFORCING FEDERAL GUN LAWS overstepping its constitutional he government of Joe Biden or family members to petition authority. Yet Bible prophecy is calling for Congress to a court to bar someone from also shows that proliferation of adopt strict gun control owning or even accessing a gun. guns will exacerbate violence. “A Tlegislation. On June 23, Biden Many jurisdictions are pushing third part of thee shall die with and Attorney General Merrick back against these policies, the pestilence, and with famine Garland unveiled a series of saying they violate the Consti- shall they be consumed in the proposed gun control laws. These tution. Legislatures in 15 states shall not be infringed.” These midst of thee …” (Ezekiel 5:12). policies would amplify executive have passed laws that prohibit states include Alaska, Arizona, The word translated pestilence actions Biden signed in April that local law officers from enforcing Arkansas, Idaho, Kansas, means destruction or death. The direct the Justice Department to gun control statutes that violate Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, proliferation of guns will not be draft a rule deeming illegal most the Second Amendment, which North Dakota, Oklahoma, South enough to protect American firearms with a stabilizing pistol states: “A well-regulated militia, Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, West citizens from their government brace and to publish an example being necessary to the security Virginia and Wyoming. or from their neighbors, espe- of “red flag” legislation for states of a free state, the right of the The threats that gun buyers cially when the divisions within

ISTOCK.COM/DARWIN BRANDIS, ISTOCK.COM/DAVIDF, ISTOCK.COM/SOMBOON KAEOBOONSONG ISTOCK.COM/SOMBOON ISTOCK.COM/DAVIDF, BRANDIS, ISTOCK.COM/DARWIN to follow that would allow police people to keep and bear arms, are concerned about are real, society turn deadly. n SEPTEMBER 2021 31 u SCIENCE FROM PAGE 6 wrong—his intellectual vanity will not what human beings are, the laws of of the world, and not after Christ” let him admit error.” cause and effect, our purpose—to be (Colossians 2:8). Philosophy means An honest mind that is free from Satan’s foolishness. Then they dedicate their “love of wisdom,” but this field is just as self-glorifying influence recognizes the lives to intellectually dishonest pursuits fallible, flawed and self-contradictory as obvious, inescapable truth that we were like pridefully pressuring others into science and education. made by a Creator, that we are fallible, believing there is no God! “Let no man deceive himself. If any and that we need education from Him. “For ye see your calling, brethren, how man among you seemeth to be wise in “Today the truth appears as mere that not many wise men after the flesh, this world, let him become a fool, that he foolishness to the highly educated in not many mighty, not many noble, are may be wise. For the wisdom of this world this world!” Mr. Armstrong wrote in a called” (verse 26). God has not called is foolishness with God. For it is written, Nov. 29, 1946, co-worker letter. “None into His Church many professors, law- He taketh the wise in their own crafti- but the fool says ‘there is no God.’ Yet yers, judges, politicians or elites. That ness. And again, The Lord knoweth the surveys show most college graduates say is because most of the “wise” turn away thoughts of the wise, that they are vain. it—educated fools!” from God rather than repenting of their Therefore let no man glory in men …” own vanity. (1 Corinthians 3:18-21). This is wisdom so God Chooses the ‘Foolish’ “But God hath chosen the foolish called, that is, “the wisdom of this world” In this same letter, Mr. Armstrong things of the world to confound the (e.g. 1 Corinthians 2:6). announced that he was establishing a col- wise; and God hath chosen the weak Our carnal human minds naturally lege to support the work of the Church, things of the world to confound the resist believing, honoring and obeying later writing, “God showed me the time things which are mighty; And base God. “For although they knew God they has come to establish an educational things of the world, and things which did not honor him as God or give thanks institution based on truth, on God’s reve- are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and to him, but they became futile in their things which are not, to bring to nought thinking and their senseless minds were SCHOLARS IN SCIENCE things that are” (verses 27-28). God calls darkened” (Romans 1:21; Revised Stan- the lowly of the lowly. Then it is up to dard Version). Human beings can think AND OTHER FIELDS each person to yield his mind and his deeply, but if we don’t repent humbly PRIDE THEMSELVES ON life to God and His truth. toward God, we worship the self and “The Almighty God is not impressed consider the self the final authority. All PURSUING KNOWLEDGE. by the mighty of this world,” my father our thinking, wisdom and expert opin- WHAT ALWAYS BUBBLES writes. “Until they bring God into their ions based on that is ultimately futile. lives, they amount to nothing. Their tal- Scholars in science and other fields TO THE SURFACE IS PRIDE. ents and riches are chaff. Should God’s pride themselves on pursuing knowl- servants be impressed with and awed by edge. What always bubbles to the sur- lation of truth, supplemented with those very talented people? If we don’t evalu- face is pride. Intellectual vanity breeds facts of natural and exact sciences which ate with God’s mind and with the depth pride in our trifling accomplishments, man has been able, himself, to discover— of His thinking, it is easy to become too contempt for God, and other evils. and all based on, and explained by, and in impressed with things that truly do not Verse 22 states: “Professing themselves harmony with, the Bible.” matter. God wants people who are rich to be wise, they became fools.” The Bible God’s truth is a “mystery” and “hidden in faith” (The Epistle of James). repeatedly warns against trusting our wisdom” to the natural human mind An honest, humble, open, firm pursuit own reasoning. Proverbs 28:26 says, “He that has chosen to reject revelation from of the truth leads you straight to the that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: God (1 Corinthians 2:7), which, sadly, Creator! It leads you straight into His but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be almost every human mind has done Word. And it leads you straight into a delivered.” The Prophet Isaiah wrote, since the very first humans. But actual time for choosing. Will you too cling to “Woe unto them that are wise in their own understanding, true education, the wis- your own so-called right to choose what eyes, and prudent in their own sight!” dom of God is open to those who believe is good and what is evil for yourself? That (Isaiah 5:21). and obey their Creator! is what human beings, including the “God is emphatically not opposed “[T]he foolishness of God is wiser experts, have been doing from the begin- to knowledge and understanding,” than men; and the weakness of God is ning. Only a few surrender to God and Mr. Armstrong wrote in 1978. “But stronger than men” (1 Corinthians 1:25). let Him give them a true modern ‘scholarship’ speaks a language Intellectuals find God’s revelation—of education. Will you? n all its own. … It is not only a manner of speaking and writing. It is a way of thinking—an attitude. And I will say bluntly it is injected by Satan. It is a form Truth you can test of intellectual vanity! … [O]nce a ‘scholar’ When the politicians, the scientists and even the religionists cannot be trusted, he will seldom change his mind. He is where can you turn for truth? You can find it in the Bible, and you can find the right—he knows he is right—others are Bible explained in Mystery of the Ages, by Herbert W. Armstrong. 32 THE PHILADELPHIA TRUMPET PRINCIPLES OF LIVING early 1980s who had less than one 10th the access to music that MARK JENKINS we have today. Despite our tremendous access to music today, classical music accounts for less than 1 percent of total streams in the United States, according to tracking service Alpha Data. Beware Our Present- What if we were to rewind the clock to, say, 1964? That’s the year the Beatles came on the scene, and the reaction was epic: Tense Culture “Visually, they are a nightmare: tight, dandified Edwardian-Beat- nik suits and great pudding bowls of hair. Musically they are a Choose quality entertainment in a depraved world. near disaster …” (Newsweek, Feb. 24, 1964). “The Beatles’ vocal quality can be described as hoarsely incoherent, with the mini- hitney Houston wants to dance with somebody. I mal enunciation necessary to communicate the schematic texts” have heard her pleas doubtless hundreds of times over (New York Times, Feb. 10, 1964). “Just thinking about the Beatles W the course of my life despite never owning a Whitney seems to induce mental disturbance. They have a common- Houston album or attending a Whitney Houston concert. There place, rather dull act that hardly seems to merit mentioning, yet are many artists whose songs I am highly familiar with despite people hereabouts have mentioned scarcely anything else for a exerting more effort to not hear them than to hear them. couple of days” (Washington Post, Feb. 13, 1964). We live in a society with an aggressive “present-tense culture.” The adults in the news media at the time were appalled by That’s the term Mark Steyn coined to more accurately describe these 20-somethings who, as John Lennon would declare, “popular culture” today. As years go by, the significant history thought they were more popular than Jesus Christ. and culture of the past is quickly fading into oblivion. “A classical education considers society as a kind of iceberg, and teaches you the seven eighths below the surface,” Steyn wrote in a 30-year retrospective on Allan Bloom’s The Closing What can you do about it? of the American Mind. “Today, we live on the top eighth bobbing around in the flotsam and jetsam of the here and now. And Don’t make society’s without the seven eighths under the water, what’s left on the culture your culture. surface gets thinner and thinner.” That’s an amazing metaphor for the state of our culture: bobbing around in the flotsam and jetsam of the here and now, unable to see your heritage frozen beneath the icy waters. Bloom wrote: “Classical music is now a special taste like Greek language or pre-Columbian archaeology, not a common culture of reciprocal communication and psychological shorthand.” In a Jan. 9, 2020, feature article posted on theTrumpet.com, author Joel Hilliker explained the basic plot of Othello. Instead of presuming his audience was already familiar with the plot of one of Shakespeare’s most famous plays, he was forced to unveil its plot turns to the reader as surprises. Why would anyone expect instant recognition of Othello’s story? In 1980, Herbert W. Armstrong wrote that the Beatles Now imagine that he had compared present-day American “picked up what had been started by Frank Sinatra, when politics to Star Wars. We certainly could expect instant teenage girls ran screaming half out of their minds for his recognition of that story and its characters. When everyone autograph. It was revived and intensified by Elvis Presley. Then knows the story, reciprocal communication and psychological the Beatles delivered Satan’s knockout blow to any public sense shorthand happen naturally. of social values in the world” (Worldwide News, Dec. 22, 1980). People have no strong opinions on Richard III, but there are Society’s morality never woke up! Our entire present-tense entire websites devoted to people’s thoughts on the Back to the culture has developed in that climate—within a society whose Future trilogy. Dropping a Shakespearean quote in everyday moral center has been knocked out. conversation no longer works as conversational shorthand. But So what can you do about it? Don’t make society’s culture your quoting the Princess Bride does. I find this … inconceivable. culture. Read the wealth of great literature that is so easily avail- Beware our present-tense culture. It doesn’t care about history, able. Study history. Dabble in the tapestry of Western orchestral literature, art or the collective masterworks of Western music. It music instead of a constant diet of amplified electronic instru- actively opposes historical statues and the founding of the United ments that didn’t exist 100 years ago, backing hoarsely inco- States of America. It has no interest in morality or religion. herent voices crooning insipid lyrics. As you sit in your homes Consider how deeply this trend has affected today’s music. tonight, don’t answer Whitney Houston’s pleas or turn on a “Rock music is as unquestioned and unproblematic as the air the modern heroic spandex brigade on Netflix. Instead of floating on students breathe, and very few have any acquaintance at all with the minuscule flotsam and jetsam of the here and now, consider classical music. … Nothing is more singular about this genera- mining the depths of the rich heritage that is easily available to

ISTOCK.COM/AARON BURDEN ISTOCK.COM/AARON tion than its addiction to music,” Bloom wrote of people in the you—and make that your present-tense culture. n SEPTEMBER 2021 33 DISCUSSION BOARD

That could very well happen (“Is the Fall of East Jerusalem Imminent?” theTrumpet.com/24168), considering that America is clearing the way for Israel’s enemies to take down East Jerusalem. Salvacion Olayta social media

This article (“It’s a Woman’s Biden in power (Obama, actually) the past and modern time to the World,” theTrumpet.com/24169) things will only get worse. Bible, as you do. Your publication

gave me pause. I had a thought Roger Deas mississippi is one of the best learning tools years ago how things were I’ve come across. just received America Under

beginning to get backward. I It’s sad to see that this James Badgell north carolina Attack and can’t wait to read remember as a young child, administration considers the it. Thankful to God for your many, many years ago playing enemy to be its own citizens I am almost finished reading Proof program and your wonderful “opposite day.” We are living in (“Biden Administration of the Bible and must say I am ministry.

a generation that is stuck in Unveils New Strategy to surprised at how convincing it is. Shirley Kostroski e-mail fantasy and make-believe. Combat Domestic Terrorism,” I’ve studied the Bible in depth for a

Grateful Nanja social media theTrumpet.com/24197). I hope long time and did not expect such My father has been following from the bottom of my heart that precise interpretation of prophecy. you since the early 1980s. When In a God-centered world, America will remain free for the I’m impressed. I look forward to the Worldwide Church of God men and women have a sake of the rest of us. the challenge of researching it fell apart, he was so confused

complementary relationship, Violet e-mail further. I appreciate you giving and wondered what was going and the men are the spiritual me the inspiration to dig into the on. In the early-to-mid-90s, he head of the household. Many I enjoy all the prophetic articles truth. I will continue to put effort randomly stumbled across men are not leaders of their published in the Trumpet. It’s into growing. Gerald Flurry on a Key of David

homes much anymore or are very revealing about what’s Jerry Earls missouri program. He just so happened absent altogether. happening in the world today. I to hear him mention Herbert

Dennis Harrell social media just received the Royal Vision I read Mr. Armstrong’s book W. Armstrong. He was instantly yesterday. Wow! The article on Mystery of the Ages. It was intrigued—mind-blown, I can I have been reading your fine “materialism” truly opened my a great read: It helped me imagine—and I’m pretty sure magazine for 10-plus years, eyes to some things I actually understand the Bible. Also, thank he knew he had found the truth and I appreciate how you have wasn’t aware of. Thank you for you for sending me Mr. Gerald again. That is one thing that has explained how big business an article well written. Flurry’s books. And thank you, helped me build my faith, as well

drives trends and the economy, Fernando Davila texas Mr. Stephen Flurry: I watch your as many other world events but I never realized how show every day. unrolling almost daily in our lives.

much influence they had on I’ve studied the Scriptures for Patricia Wogomon e-mail Keep on reporting real news. It the political front until I read over 25 years, and I’ve not found is my only source; I do not trust “Why Are the Wealthy ‘Woke’?” any other Christian magazine I thoroughly enjoy your show any other reporter.

(theTrumpet.com/23752). With that goes into depth, relating and try to watch it daily. I Shaun McGuire e-mail ISTOCK.COM/ALERNON77,ISTOCK.COM/MARCOPHOTO, ALEX WONG/GETTYIMAGES

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top article top article top video top podcast All Roads Lead to the Vaccine When the Harvest Fails At the End, It Shall Speak Biden’s Inflation Problem theTrumpet.com/24288 theTrumpet.com/24172 theTrumpet.com/24131 theTrumpet.com/ stephen-flurry/24291 34 THE PHILADELPHIA TRUMPET COMMENTARY who hear do not heed. Christ Himself, though He attracted JOEL HILLIKER great crowds and healed countless people, had a loyal following of only 120 at the end of His ministry (Acts 1:15). Though the Trumpet goes to hundreds of thousands, only a handful have chosen and committed themselves to God’s way of life. A Humble Request But there is a prophecy that gives us in this work tremendous hope. It drives us to keep sending out free literature, publishing online and broadcasting on television— You’re free to dismiss this warning, even if few respond today. but please: Don’t forget it. It is found in Revelation 7, just after that book’s description of the Great Tribula- ots of people say they believe in a tion. “After this I beheld, and, lo, a great God of love. They readily recognize multitude, which no man could number, L His love in God sending His Son to of all nations, and kindreds, and people, pay for the sins of mankind. But then and tongues, stood before the throne, there’s the supposedly altogether differ- and before the Lamb, clothed with white ent God of the Old Testament—all plagues robes …. These are they which came out of and punishments and prophecies. great tribulation, and have washed their This magazine focuses on biblical robes, and made them white in the blood prophecy, so much of which—though it of the Lamb” (verses 9, 14). The world leads to the only true hope that exists—is will have endured the horrifying time of dark and painful to think about. Satan’s greatest wrath. But a multitude so Ask yourself: Can you recognize the God great it cannot be numbered will come out of love in those prophecies? of the Tribulation, having accepted God’s Biblical prophets were never popular. correction, repented, and been spiritually Their message was despised. Many of washed by Christ’s shed blood. A sobering them were martyred. Their warnings are still maligned today. yet fantastic picture! Jesus Christ condemned hypocritical religious leaders who These undoubtedly will be people who are familiar with said, “If we had lived in the days of our ancestors, we would God’s warnings—people like you, who study them in the Bible, not have taken part with them in shedding the blood of the who read literature from God’s work. They will watch in terror prophets” (Matthew 23:30; New International Version). These the tragic and nightmarish fulfillment, step by step, of were the very men who were plotting to kill Christ Himself. everything they had read and heard about! Sadly, it will take Notice—it is the God of love who sends prophets. “Wherefore, being plunged into that shocking reality before they will finally behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and realize how deadly serious God was in issuing His warnings. some of them ye shall kill and crucify …” (verse 34). Christ proph- Nevertheless, these people will finally recognize the God of love esied the popular rejection of God’s message would continue! in those prophecies and will turn to Him in heartfelt repentance. Why is prophecy so important to God? When they do, God will mercifully protect them from any further Consider: God’s way leads to life—abundant life. Any hurt. They will live to see the dawn of the Kingdom of God. contrary way leads to misery and death (Deuteronomy 30:19; Thus, much of the fruit of God’s work today will not be borne Proverbs 10:17). When people are off course and rebelling, God until this future time. tries to warn them—as any truly loving father would—of the Regular readers of the Trumpet receive quite a complete consequences of their actions. picture of the future of world events. If you do nothing about Prophecy is God’s method of showing you the end results of the warning contained in the prophecies we regularly highlight, the way you live your life—good or bad. For every prophecy you are described in Ezekiel 33:30-32. There God tells His about great tribulation, there is another about great exultation! prophet, “And, lo, thou art unto them as a very lovely song of Which of them applies to you depends on your choices. one that hath a pleasant voice, and can play well on an instru- Consider the scriptures that speak of the Great Tribulation. ment: for they hear thy words, but they do them not.” As sure as those prophecies are, so too are others that speak of Which choice will you make? If you heed the warning of a small group of people whom God will protect from that ordeal God’s representative today, you can be protected. If you choose (e.g. Revelation 12:13-14). These will be individuals who have to ignore it, all we ask is that you do not forget it. Remember— already accepted God’s correction, who have already turned as you watch it come to pass before your eyes. Remember what from the way of death. God has no need to inflict the Tribula- God says of you and of all who heard His message and knew in tion on them. He never punishes without cause, and then only advance what would happen: “[W]hen this cometh to pass, (lo, after exercising enormous patience. Respond to God’s warning it will come,) then shall they know that a prophet hath been today, and you will be protected. among them”! (verse 33). We must deliver this warning whether or not you respond. Remember—so you can recognize the God of love in that The message is as unpopular as it ever was. As the prophets terrifying punishment, and then act upon this precious

ISTOCK.COM/AARON BURDEN ISTOCK.COM/AARON of old learned through experience, the vast majority of those message of love. n SEPTEMBER 2021 35 u ULTIMATE PLAN FROM PAGE 21 all people understand that this mystery needs to be dispensed, or declared, to all mankind! That only makes sense if you are taking it out into the universe and for all eternity! “Ephesians 3:9 says ALL MEN must see that the mystery of god needs to be declared,” I wrote in my booklet Prophesy Again. “Think about that statement. God will give all the people of this world a vision like they have never, ever seen before! Perhaps He wants to show them that they are going to have to get that mystery to the universe—and perhaps to other men and women that God will create on other planets.” I think these scriptures Philadelphia Trumpet editor teach us exactly that! “Ephesians 3:9 certainly does allow in chief Gerald Flurry appears for that. Is God’s mystery going to be dispensed on and each week on The Key of David on and on—where men elsewhere in the universe will explaining the meaning behind have this mystery revealed to them after they go through world events and teaching the some experience like we have on Earth?” In other words, inspiring truths of the Bible. unconverted people will get baptized, receive God’s Holy The program is also available at Spirit and be converted—and then, once they have the keyofdavid.com. Spirit, truly understand this mystery! “[T]he word dispensation has mind-staggering impli- ALL TIMES ARE A.M. LOCAL TIME UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED cations!” I wrote. “The mystery must be dispensed, or declared, to every son who enters God’s Family.” UNITED STATES Nationwide Satellite Orlando WKCF 10:00, Sun God is going to keep teaching and raising up and cre- Galaxy 3 Trans. 17 11:30 ET, Tue/Thu Panama City WECP 7:00, Sun; WJHG-DT ating Sons of God forever, as I understand these verses. Nationwide Cable 8:30, Sun How can you understand them any differently? CW Plus 5:30, 9:30 ET/PT, Sun, 4:30, 8:30 Tallahassee WTWC 10:30, Sun; WTXL 7:30, CT/MT, Sun; 5:30, Mon-Fri; Sun; WTLF/WTLH-DT 9:30, Sun This is astounding when you think deeply about it. It This TV 8:30, Sun Tampa KXLY 6:00, Sun; WTTA 8:30, Sun; is, indeed, the ultimate plan of God! Alabama, Birmingham WVUA 8:30, Sun WXPX 6:00, Fri Dothan WTVY-DT 8:30, Sun West Palm Beach WPBF 11:00, Sun; WPXP Ephesians 3:9 says God has been hiding this mystery Huntsville WHDF (Chan. 15) 8:00, Sun 6:00, Fri in His mind for ages, or eons and eons of time. The Montgomery-Salem WBMM-DT/WNCF-DT Georgia, Albany WALB-DT4/WGCW-LD angels knew nothing about it. When God created them, 8:30, Sun 8:30, Sun; WALB 6:30, Sun; WSWG-DT Opelika WLTZ-DT 9:30, Sun 9:30, Sun the angels did not understand that He would re-create Alaska, Anchorage KYUR-DT 8:30, Sun Augusta-Aiken WAGT-DT 9:30, Sun Himself in humans if His plan with angels failed. When Fairbanks KATN-DT 8:30, Sun Brunswick WPXC 6:00, Fri Juneau KJUD-DT 8:30, Sun Columbus WLTZ-DT 9:30, Sun; WRBL they proved unable to do the job God gave them, He Arizona, Phoenix KSAZ 5:30, Sun 6:30/12:00 p.m., Sun proceeded to create man! Even today, most men have Yuma KECY-DT 8:30, Sun Macon WMAZ-DT 9:30, Sun never known this mystery. In that sense, it’s still hidden Arkansas, El Dorado KNOE-DT 8:30, Sun Savannah WSAV-DT 9:30, Sun Fayetteville KHBS-DT/KHOG-DT 8:30, Sun Thomasville WTLF/WTLH-DT 9:30, Sun in God’s mind and in His very elect today. Fort Smith KFTA 9:30, Sun; KHBS-DT/ Hawaii, Hawaii Na Leo Chan. 54 6:30, Sun; But as this verse says, a tiny group of saints do under- KHOG-DT 8:30, Sun 8:30, Wed Jonesboro KAIT3-HD 9:30, Sun; KJOS/ Kaui Ho’ Ike Chan. 52 9:30, Tue stand this. We must understand Ephesians 3:9! WLMT 8:30, Sun Maui/Lanaii/Molokai/Niihau/Akaku God wants us to set our affection on things above, not Rogers KFTA 9:30, Sun; KHBS-DT/KHOG- Chan. 52 6:30 pm, Sun; 3:30, Mon DT 8:30, Sun Oahu Focus Chan. 49 7:00, Sat on things on Earth (Colossians 3:1-2). Get your mind up Springdale KFTA 9:30, Sun; KHBS-DT/ Idaho, Boise KYUU-LP/KBOI-DT 8:30, Sun there and see your incredible human potential! Set your KHOG-DT 8:30, Sun Idaho Falls KIFI-DT 8:30, Sun thoughts on God’s ultimate plan! What He is doing today California, Bakersfield KGET-DT 9:30, Sun Pocatello KIFI-DT 8:30, Sun Chico KHSL-DT 9:30, Sun; KRCR 9:00, Sun Twin Falls KMVT-DT 8:30, Sun leads into a fabulous eternity of making the universe El Centro KECY-DT 8:30, Sun Illinois, Bloomington WEEK-DT 8:30, Sun blossom like a rose. And as these verses indicate—cer- Eureka KECA-LD/KVIQ-DT 9:30, Sun Chicago WCIU 9:30, Sun Los Angeles KTLA 12:00 p.m., Sun Peoria WEEK-DT 8:30, Sun tainly to me—there will be no end to God expanding Monterey KION 9:30, Sun Rockford WREX 10:00, Sun; WREX-DT His Family, rearing up more families and more human Palm Springs KCWQ/KESQ-DT 9:30, Sun 8:30, Sun; WTVO 1:00, Fri beings that He can work with and spiritually convert! Redding KHSL-DT 9:30, Sun; Quincy WGEM-DT 8:30, Sun KRCR 9:00, Sun Indiana, Fort Wayne WISE-DT 9:30, Sun What a future God has in store for His Family! n Salinas KION 9:30, Sun Indianapolis WIPX 6:00, Fri; WTHR 5:00, San Francisco KBCW 10:00, Sun; KKPX Sun 6:00, Fri Lafayette WLFI-DT 9:30, Sun Santa Barbara-Santa Maria KSBY-DT South Bend ESBT/WSBT 7:30, Sun; WBND 9:30, Sun 12:30 p.m., Sun You have a purpose! 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