Dear Brethren and Friends,
I hope all of you had an excellent Feast of Tabernacles! The overwhelming number of reports coming into San Diego indicate that most people were very inspired and encouraged by the Feast, and that the Living Church of God brethren were more “settled” and stabilized than ever before. Also, most were more “motivated” to do the Work because of recent events.
We are moving ahead here at Headquarters and increasing the power of God’s Work. Plans are underway to go on more stations, to increase the subscription list of Tomorrow’s World and to reach out even more powerfully in our use of the Internet and by other means. Please pray with us about all of this! As prophetic events speed up, we really need to increase our impact on this sin-sick world while we have the opportunity.
There are so many things to think about and pray about regarding the ongoing terrorist attacks that have struck the United States and other nations. In view of that, there are several issues to be aware of and to be praying about.
This Work—probably more than any other—has directly predicted that this type of terrorism would soon occur! Following are some direct quotes from my co-worker letters during the past two years:
- December 24, 1999: “Even as I write, Americans are being warned of potential terrorist attacks right here in the United States. A powerful European Empire is in the making—soon to replace America as the world’s leading power.”
- February 24, 2000: “God predicts that alternate drought and floods, fires and famine, disease epidemics and increasing earthquakes will come upon us, plus many kinds of ‘terrors’—probably including terrorist threats and attacks.”
- October 26, 2000: “Greetings from San Diego! A ‘holy war’ coming up in the Middle East? American ships and troops being involved? An escalation of anti-American hatred throughout the Arab world? A cut-off of Arab oil and terrorist attacks right here on American soil? All of these things and more are now distinct possibilities!”
- March 12, 2001: “Also, the Arab terrorist organization ‘Hamas’ has proclaimed that they are going to ‘welcome’ new Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon with a wave of terrorist attacks. So these could begin soon—and will eventually involve terrorism not only in the Middle East but in Great Britain and right here in the United States.”
Terrorism will undoubtedly not be solved by bombing or invading Afghanistan or any other nation. God’s Word shows us in a number of places that some of the people in the Middle East have a “perpetual hatred” (KJV) against Israel and that they have rejoiced over the troubles of Israel many times (Ezekiel 35:5, 15). Undoubtedly, as a number of religious authorities recognize, many of the Palestinians, Iraqis and others in that part of the world are descendants of the Edomites and even of the Amalekites! The undying hatred they seem to bear against Jacob is not going to be “solved” by any “quick fix,” or war or political maneuvering. Always bear that in mind.
Also, in modern times, because America has backed the state of Israel, because America has exemplified absolute hedonism and total pursuit of a lifestyle diametrically contrary to the teachings of fundamental Islam, certain Islamic scholars and leaders have concluded that either they will become extinct as a religion or we, America and its western allies, will have to be overthrown and crushed. This kind of reasoning may seem wild, but a number of recent articles written by Middle East experts bear this out. In addition, because they tie it right in with their religion, these people are not afraid to die as martyrs. In fact many of the young men are promised that they will go to a perpetual paradise with 72 virgins each if they die the death of an Islamic martyr! While our western minds cannot fully comprehend this kind of thinking, we had better be aware that it exists!
All of this will give rise to the “King of the South” prophesied in Daniel 11. Remember, as we have explained in years past, in the first fulfillment of these prophecies the King of the North was the Roman Empire and the King of the South was Egypt. We do not know if Egypt will be the dominant player in putting together the King of the South at the time of the end. But prophecy certainly indicates that it will be a certain number of Arab nations which will come together and “provoke” the King of the North—the final resurrection of the Holy Roman Empire (Daniel 11:40–45). With his overwhelming technological superiority, the King of the North will swoop down on these Arab nations, get control of the vast oil resources which they possess and then, apparently, make his move against America and Britain.
The present situation lends itself to a move to bring together the Arab nations in a remarkable unity they have not achieved for centuries. In fact, many Arabs are looking for a type of “Mahdi”—a type of religio-political figure who will help them conquer the world. While Osama bin Laden would probably like to be this Mahdi, he probably will not be because of his involvement in this super-violence that is already taking place and making himself a “marked man” before the American military and intelligence forces. But, within the next several years, someone undoubtedly will come along to bring together the Arab nations in a powerful union based upon their religious and political fervor.
All of America’s and Britain’s expenditures in money, military equipment and hardware and other resources will tend to drain us and thus help further “break” our pride of power (Leviticus 26:19), even if we win some limited victories against the Afghanis, Iraqis or other nations in the Middle East. This will, in turn, make it much easier for the coming European Empire to conquer us when that time comes!
This “war on terrorism” could be used by Satan to distract America and Britain from the really huge threat brought about by the revived Holy Roman Empire! As we become totally absorbed in the “war against terrorism,” we may forget to analyze or realize the enormous threat posed by a coming German-dominated Roman Empire rising in Europe even as I write!
Behind the scenes, the Europeans are quietly putting together one of the most powerful military and political unions in history. They have already begun to vote on laws and regulations to bind the peoples of Europe together in a type of Roman Catholic-dominated society that is abhorrent to many of American and British descent. But because of our distractions—including the current “war on terrorism”—most American and British political leaders are not remotely aware of the danger that is rising in central Europe.
Therefore, we—as true Christians—need quietly to obey God, trust in God and do the Work of God—preparing the way for Christ’s coming which is the only solution to the horrible mess the world is becoming. God needs to become more of an absolute reality in our thinking. But we also need to develop real patience. For, although many would like to think that the present calamities mean Christ’s return will be within the next three or four years, we need to remember that even though we are having some very upsetting threats to our peaceable way of life, the Jewish people in Israel have had to endure this kind of threat for decades—and it is still going on!
And we also need to realize that there is still—at this writing—no “Beast,” no human dictator over a European Empire; there is still no “great false prophet” performing miracles and fully bringing together the great false church; and there is still a great deal of power and “fight” left in the British-descended and American peoples. Before the final end of this age and the Great Tribulation, all of this will change. God will certainly deal with us as a nation, humble us as we have never been humbled and bring our peoples to the point that they will finally be ready to “listen” to His Truth.
A powerful prophecy for the “House of Israel” is spoken of in Ezekiel 6:11, and continues right on through Ezekiel 7, where God tells our peoples, in what is truly an end-time prophecy: “Disaster will come upon disaster, and rumor will be upon rumor. Then they will seek a vision from a prophet; but the law will perish from the priest, and counsel from the elders” (v. 26). So a continuing series of disasters, upsets, “rumors” about coming attacks or “anthrax poisoning” or other types of disasters will sweep our society—probably from now on. We need to be fully aware of this!
Brethren, as Sir Winston Churchill said during some of the darkest days of World War II: “If it is to be a war of nerves, let’s make sure our nerves are strong!” Let us always remember that if we will truly “walk with God” and serve Him faithfully, He has promised to protect us and work all things for good. God tells the true Philadelphians: “Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth” (Revelation 3:10). So we do need to be patient and to persevere. Then, we will be protected from this “hour of trial”—the Great Tribulation to come upon the whole world. And, as I have reminded you before, please be encouraged always by Jesus’ words describing our times in Luke 21:28: “Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.” So as these prophetic events speed up, we know that Christ’s coming is just that much closer!
Meanwhile, we have a tremendous opportunity and responsibility to be the “spear point” of the Work of God in these end times. Let us go “all out” in a zealous and sacrificial manner to show God that our hearts are truly in His Work and in preparing for His soon-coming Kingdom.
