01 Jan 2011

The International Prophetic Voice for the Endtimes
JANUARY 2011$4.75
Titus2
andtheRapture
Pg. 11
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
MillenniumSaints
TheMother of God?
Muslims
Pg. 42
TheCallingof theTwelve
DisciplesThomas
Pg. 27
ChooseYeThisDay:
GodsGlory, FalseGold
or FoolsGod
Pg. 16
THE COMING MUSLIM INVASION?
ITEM #1071 24 Pages
$2.00
Author: Arno Froese
WHY JERUSALEM IS JEWISH
ITEM #1070 24 Pages
$2.00
Author: Arno Froese
THE SEVEN DISPENSATIONS IN THE BIBLE
ITEM #1069 52 Pages
$2.50
Author: Norbert Lieth
In this booklet, Arno Froese reveals
some fascinating and controversial
aspects on the issue of Muslim domi-
nance, which stand in contrast to the
often one-sided approach of the
news media.
In this booklet, Arno Froese explains
why the Muslims claim Jerusalem as
their city, and the nations of the
world desire to make it an interna-
tional city. He shows how the Word
of God declares Jerusalem to be the
city of the Jews.
THE DELIVERER CD ALBUM
ITEM #5250 300 minutes
$30.00
Author: Arno Froese
Combines the CD messages of Arno Froese's
The Deliverer series (Items 3225 through 3229
a total of five CDs) into one handsome album. The series is
a commentary on the book of Hosea.
1 Unfaithful Israel (Chapters 1-3) 3225
2 Prophetic Promises and Judgments (Chapters 4-6) 3226
3 Israels Separation from the Promised Land (Chapters 7-9) 3227
4 Gods Love Declaration Rejected (Chapters 10-11) 3228
5 Irreversible Judgment Leads to Salvation (Chapters 12-14) 3229
Powerful messages inmini booklets!
NEW!
C O N T E N T S
6
Wisdomversus
Folly
By Norbert Lieth
As Proverbs 9:1 states, the wisdomthat comes
fromGod rests upon seven pillars, which means it has a
perfect foundation. We knowthat wisdomis
personified in Jesus Christ,In whomare hid all the
treasures of wisdomand knowledge(Colossians
2:3). Christ isthe power of God, and the wisdom
of God(1 Corinthians 1:24).
11 Titus 2 andthe Rapture
By Dr. Ron J. Bigalke
Godly livingaccording to Scripturenecessitates that the church maintain wise attitudes
toward the world in which we live. One evidence of godly living is awaiting theblessed hope,as
revealed inTitus 2:11-14. It is clear that thisblessed hopeis indeed what is called the rapture.
16
Money: Ends and Trends
ChooseYeThis Day: Gods Glory, FalseGoldor FoolsGod
By Wilfred Hahn
Unfortunately, many Christians today continue to fall prey to false prophets and financial advisors
masquerading as Spirit-led money prophets. God is not disposed to sendSpirit-led advisorsfor
the purpose of enabling his children to better compete and succeed in the world of Mammon.
27 The Callingof theTwelve Disciples
Thomas By Marcel Malgo
30 Seniors By P. Abraham
33 Daniels SeventyWeeks of Years Part IV By Norbert Lieth
Midnight Call
JANUARY 2011
COVER STORY
DEPARTMENTS
4 Editorial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . By Peter Malgo

42 Letters tothe Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . By Arno Froese
MILLENNIUM SAINTS...THE MOTHER OF GOD?...MUSLIMS
35 WORLD
Will All Living
Beings on Earth
Become Extinct?
36CHINA
How Communist
China Saved the
Capitalist World
37 RUSSIA
Lets Organize the
Worlds New Economic
Order, Says Medvedev
38 INDIA/ISRAEL
An Unlikely Alliance
39 CANADA
A Model for the World?
40 USA
Buffett Praises Bailout
Effort
41US/EU
$14 Travel
Fee for Visitors
to US
$
4 M I D N I G H T C A L L
I have been young, and nowam
old.
E D I T O R S N O T E
B y P e t e r M a l g o
I
n Psalm 37:25, David confirms,
I have been young, and now am
old. Recently, I attended a
class reunion. It included the former
7th to 9th school grades. 45 years
ago, we pressed the school seats down
together for the last time. It is indeed
amazing what has become of the former
school boys and girls! The advancing
age of many of them is obvious. Grey
hair, wrinkles in their faces, a slightly
stooped walk of someall are signs of
advancing age. One cannot simply hide
sixty years away. And one lady who had
been our school mate had to use a wheel
chair (MS). But what touched me most
deeply was the fact that among the for-
mer 19 students, 5 have already died
and this in our present time, where
anti-aging is such a current topic. Un-
der no condition does modern man want
to seem old, let alone die, but he is in
search of immortality (the title of a
book). No dream of mankind has been
more stubbornly pursued than the
dream of eternal youth. Traditions from
ancient cultures let us guess what the
Babylonians, the healers in ancient Egypt,
and last but not least with greatest engage-
ment the Greeks, but also the Romans, In-
dians and Chinese have contributed
toward the fulfillment of this dream of
mankind. But limits are imposed on man;
he does not live forever. Matthew 6:27 says
it clearly: Which of you by taking thought
can add one cubit unto his stature? In
Psalm 90:10, it is even very concretely de-
scribed how long our life may last: The
days of our years are threescore years and
ten; and if by reason of strength they be
fourscore years, yet is their strength labor
and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we
fly away. And in Ecclesiastes 8:8, we read:
There is no man that hath power over the
spirit to retain the spirit; neither hath he
power in the day of death. And now
comes man who declares: I do not want to
grow oldanti-aging. And this ulti-
mately means: I do not want to die. Anti-
aging really means, to stop the aging
process. Is that possible? Advertising
claims it is. There is now a whole branch
dealing with this subject. But nevertheless,
man dies when God wills it.
J ANUARY 2011 5
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Midnight Call Ministries is a nonprofit missionary organization,
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STATEMENT OF FAITH
WE BELIEVE in the divine inspiration of the whole Bible and there-
with the infallibility of the Holy Scripture, which is Gods Word, and
in the eternal Triune God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
WE BELIEVE Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was conceived of the
Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, lived a sinless life, and shed His
blood to save mankind. He died and arose bodily the third day and
later ascended into heaven.
WE BELIEVE that the Lord Jesus Christ died in the place of each
individual sinner and that all who believe in Him as their personal
Savior are justified through His shed blood and have become
children of God.
WE BELIEVE that Israel is Gods chosen people, and that the
restoration of the Jews to their own land is the fulfillment of the
Word of God.
WE BELIEVE in the pretribulational appearance of Jesus Christ for
the Rapture of His Church (all born again believers).
WE BELIEVE in the immortality of our souls and the resurrection of
our bodies, and in the resurrection of the just and the unjust, the
everlasting blessedness of the saved and the everlasting punishment of
the lost.
The Pr ophet i c Voi ce f or t he Endt i mes PRINTED IN 12 LANGUAGES
ISSN 10948600
Again and again, there are people who suddenly look surprisingly young,
beautiful and happy. When you ask what is going on, what happened to them,
you find that they have found their great love. They are totally in love! The
Bible also knows such a program, which one could describe as anti-aging.
There are many who say, I amin love with Jesus! What about our relationship
with Jesus, about our love for Him? A living relationship with Jesus changes
our outward appearance. Probably, we all knowthe Bible passage in which God
the Lord is courting Israel: And I will betroth thee unto me for ever; yea, I will
betroth thee unto me in righteousness, and in judgment, and in lovingkind-
ness, and in mercies. I will even betroth thee unto me in faithfulness: and thou
shalt know the LORD (Hosea 2:19-20). Jesus courts us in exactly the same
way. He wants all of us; He wants our heart! And then will happen that which
Paul describes so beautifully: But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass
the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory (2
Corinthians 3:18). David praises the Lord for His goodness, mercy and grace,
which also include anti-aging: So that thy youth is renewed like the eagles
(Psalm 103:5, cf. verses 1-4). Isaiah also uses the picture of the eagle: But they
that wait upon the LORDshall mount up with wings as eagles (Isaiah
40:31). Gods anti-aging concept includes this: though our outward man
perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day (2 Corinthians 4:16). There-
fore, confidently leave your anti-aging creamon the shelf, and reach out for this
totally different quality to remain young!
Atlantic Coast Prophecy Conference 2011
You are invited to hear six Bible scholars expound the general theme Israels
Past, Present and Future during the 2 days of the Atlantic Coast Prophecy
Conference in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina 16 - 18 October 2011.
Israel lay waste and silent for almost 2,000 years, until suddenly she
burst onto the world scene when the country was proclaimed into exis-
tence on 14 May 1948.
Today, Israel is recognized by the majority of the nations of the world. This
nation has developed into a leader in many scientific fields as well as agriculture.
Yet, two cardinal issues are still unresolved: 1) Where are the borders of the
Promised Land? 2) Will Jerusalem remain the capital city of the Jewish state of
Israel? So, importantly, what does the Bible say about the future of Israel?
Dont miss this years information-loaded prophecy conference.
Besides Midnight Call Staffspeakers Norbert Lieth, Wilfred Hahn and
Arno Froesewe have invited Dr. James Walker of Watchman Fellowship,
Dr. Chuck Missler, publisher of Personal Update, and Tom McMahon, Ex-
ecutive Director of Berean Call.
Be sure to register early and reserve your hotel accommodations, as rooms are
available only a first-come, first-serve basis.
Correction
In the December issue, a computer error caused the last sentence of the Let-
ters to the Editor on pg. 45 to be cut off. It should read as follows: Give
least to those who ask most seems appropriate here.
E D I T O R S N O T E
MC
Wisdomhath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillarsShe hath sent
forth her maidens: she crieth upon the highest places of the cityA foolish woman is
clamorous: she is simple, and knoweth nothing. For she sitteth at the door of her house,
on a seat in the high places of the city, to call passengers who go right on their ways
(Proverbs 9:1, 3 &13-15).
N O R B E R T L I E T H
J ANUARY 2011 7
C O V E R S T O R Y
The wisdom that comes from God rests upon seven pillars, then.That is, it has a perfect foundation; it offers secu-
rity and stability.We know that wisdom is personified in Jesus Christ,In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom
and knowledge(Colossians 2:3). Christ isthe power of God, and the wisdom of God(1 Corinthians 1:24).
A
lbert Schweitzer once said, In thousands of years
time, if people want to characterize our time in one
sentence, theywill say, It was thetimewhen knowl-
edge was put inthe place of truth. Ina letter to the German
news magazine, Der Spiegel, concerning a mocking arti-
cle with the title, When Jesus was still a gurufrom
Christian sect to world religion (which was pub-
lished, of course, around Easter), someone wrote,
Faith is the opposite of knowledge. Whoever knows
little can be convinced of the greatest nonsense so
that another may gain power over him.
1
Around the same time, I read the review of a book
with the title, The File JesusA Lawyer Investigates
the Resurrection. The author, Charles Foster, is a
lawyer in London and teaches medical law and ethics
at Oxford University. He is also a guest professor at
the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. He has gathered
the evidence, the common and popular arguments
for and against the resurrection of Jesus, and written
speeches for and against the probability of the resur-
rection. As an intellectual man, he comes to the fol-
lowing conclusion: The historical resurrection is by
far the most probable explanation for all that we are
sure of. Man must believe some strange things if he
does not believe in the resurrection. And to believe
these things, I simply lack the faith.
2
This shows clearly that there is a great discrepancy
between the first and the second statement. It is a
battle between truth and folly. This battle also takes
place in individual people, in their souls. It is about
wisdom and folly, and to find the fitting answer is de-
cisive for eternity.
The seven pillars of wisdom. Wisdom hath
builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pil-
lars (Proverbs 9:1).
The wisdom that comes from God rests upon
seven pillars, then. That is, it has a perfect founda-
tion; it offers security and stability. We know that
wisdom is personified in Jesus Christ, In whom are
hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge
(Colossians 2:3). Christ is the power of God, and
the wisdom of God (1 Corinthians 1:24). In what is
divine wisdom realized in Jesus? Firstly, in the seven
days of creation. They are an unfathomable expres-
sion of the manifold wisdom of our Creator, O Lord,
how manifold are thy works! In wisdom hast thou
made them all: the earth is full of thy riches (Psalm
104:24).
Seven is the number of perfection in the Bible. The
seven pillars of wisdom speak of a building, Wis-
dom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her
seven pillars. The perfect wisdom of God is realized
in a spiritual house, the Church, to the intent that
now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly
places might be known by the church the manifold
wisdom of God (Ephesians 3:10). In the Church,
comprised of Jews and Gentiles, the building of the
counsel of the salvation of God through Jesus Christ
is erected, And are built upon the foundation of the
apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the
chief corner stone; in whom all the building fitly
framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the
Lord: in whom ye also are builded together for an
habitation of God through the Spirit (Ephesians
2:20-22).
Where this Church is concerned, Paul praises the
wisdom of God, O the depth of the riches both of
the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearch-
able are his judgments, and his ways past finding
out! (Romans 11:33). The seven churches to which
the letters in the last book of the Bible are addressed
(Revelation 1:20) also testify to the complete build-
ing of God. In the unfathomable wisdom of our
Lord, He has built Himself a house that calls itself the
Church.
The invitation of wisdom. She hath killed her
beasts; she hath mingled her wine; she hath also fur-
nished her table. She hath sent forth her maidens:
she crieth upon the highest places of the city, Whoso
is simple, let him turn in hither: as for him that wan-
teth understanding, she said to him, Come, eat of my
bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled.
Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of
understanding (Proverbs 9:2-6).
Everything is ready: She hath killed her beasts;
she hath mingled her wine; she hath also furnished
her table (verse 2). The table has already been laid;
everything is in abundance; nothing is lacking.
Everything has been done; everything is finished.
You only have to come and help yourself. We may
delight in the perfect glory of God. Everything is
served us as an inheritance, without our having to
add anything. In and through Jesus Christ, we have
everything. His presence is what makes it a feast. In
Him, we have the fullness. We only have to follow
His invitation. The wise man Simeon worshiped over
this and said, For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,
which thou hast prepared before the face of all peo-
ple; a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of
thy people Israel (Luke 2:30-31).
The call of wisdom, She hath sent forth her maid-
ens: she crieth upon the highest places of the city
(verse 3). From the highest places of the city of
Jerusalem, the Gospel was carried into the whole
world. The Lord Jesus said at His ascension, But ye
shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come
upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in
Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and
unto the uttermost part of the earth (Acts 1:8).
The message of wisdom: Whoso is simple, let
him turn in hither: as for him that wanteth under-
standing, she said to him, Come, eat of my bread,
and drink of the wine which I have mingled. Forsake
the foolish, and live; and go in the way of under-
standing (verses 4-6).
The message is directed at the simple, but not only
to them but also those that lack understanding. God
gives everyone a chance, even those who dont want
it. At Jesus first coming, the simple were the Jewish
people. Those that lacked understanding were the re-
ligious leaders of the people who persevered in their
stubbornness. Jesus clothed this truth in a parable,
And when one of them that sat at meat with him
heard these things, he said unto him, Blessed is he
that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God. Then said
he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and
bade many: and sent his servant at supper time to say
to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are
now ready (Luke 14:15-17).
Unfortunately, those to whom the invitation was
extended first did not follow it, as the context of this
parable shows. They remained without understand-
ing, And they all with one consent began to make
excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece
of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee
have me excused. And another said, I have bought
five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee
have me excused. And another said, I have married a
wife, and therefore I cannot come. So that servant
came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the
master of the house being angry said to his servant,
Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city,
and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and
the halt, and the blind. And the servant said, Lord, it
is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is
room. And the lord said unto the servant, Go out
into the highways and hedges, and compel them to
come in, that my house may be filled. For I say unto
you, That none of those men which were bidden
shall taste of my supper (verses 18-24).
Wisdom invites us to something better than that
which we already have, Come, eat of my bread, and
drink of the wine which I have mingled (verse 5).
Those invited thought that they could be saved by
the law, and they should now give up this lack of un-
derstanding. The message of Jesus Christ is justifica-
tion through His body and His bloodthrough the
sacrifice of His life. The covenant He made at the last
Wisdom invites us to something better than that which we already have,Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the
wine which I have mingled(verse 5).Those invited thought that they could be saved by the law, and they should
now give up this lack of understanding.
C O V E R S T O R Y
supper is a new covenant and succeeds the covenant
of the law. Jesus said in John 6:51, I am the living
bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat
of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that
I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of
the world.
Jesus Christ came to fulfill the law. He is more per-
fect than the law. That which the law could not do,
the Lord Jesus accomplished. Whoever receives Jesus
will be completely justified. He abides in God, and
God abides in him. A statement in the book of Eccle-
siastes shows us in a wonderful picture how the wis-
dom of Jesus can do far more than the law, Wisdom
strengtheneth the wise more than ten mighty men
which are in the city. For there is not a just man upon
earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not (Ecclesi-
astes 7:19-20). What we have in Jesus is better than
the Ten Commandments. The Ten Commandments
are good, holy and full of wisdom, but they merely
show us how evil we are. Jesus, however, brings us
forgiveness and the new commandment.
Wisdom calls for a decision in faith, Forsake the
foolish, and live; and go in the way of understand-
ing (Proverbs 9:6). This was the call of Jesus to His
people; this was the call of the apostle; this was the
call of Stephen when he was dying. Therefore also
said the wisdom of God, I will send them prophets
and apostles, and some of them they shall slay and
persecute (Luke 11:49). Since then, the Gospel of
Jesus Christ has been met with a mocking smile,
with rejection or even with the persecution of those
who present it. In its place we have the foolishness of
the philosophy of enlightenment, the theory of evo-
lution, communism, national-socialism or mysti-
cismand at the end of time, it will be the
Antichrist. Those who close the door to faith will
find that superstition climbs in the window. The
prince of this world always offers some kind of alter-
native to Christianity.
The invitation of folly. A foolish woman is
clamorous: she is simple, and knoweth nothing. For
she sitteth at the door of her house, on a seat in the
high places of the city, to call passengers who go
right on their ways: whoso is simple, let him turn in
hither: and as for him that wanteth understanding,
she saith to him, Stolen waters are sweet, and bread
eaten in secret is pleasant. But he knoweth not that
the dead are there; and that her guests are in the
depths of hell (Proverbs 9:13-18).
Do you notice anything in the description of folly?
She proceeds quite similarly to wisdom. She appears
as an angel of light (cf. 2 Corinthians 11:14). She is
antichristian in a Christian cloak. Yet wisdom and
folly are so contrasting that they could not be more
so.
Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn
out her seven pillars (verse 1). A foolish woman is
clamorous: she is simple, and knoweth nothing
(verse 13). In spite of this contrast, the message of
folly is similar to that of wisdom, and this is the de-
ceiving and antichristian part.
Of wisdom it says, She hath sent forth her maid-
ens: she crieth upon the highest places of the city
(verse 3). Folly appears quite similarly, For she sit-
teth at the door of her house, on a seat in the high
places of the city (verse 14). Wisdom says, Whoso
is simple, let him turn in hither (verse 4). Folly,
Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: and as for
him that wanteth understand, she saith to him
(verse 16). Wisdom says, Come, eat of my bread,
and drink of the wine which I have mingled (verse
5). Folly, Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in
secret is pleasant (verse 17). The similarity is both
striking and alarming at the same time. The result
could not be more contrasting. The one calls to life,
J ANUARY 2011 9
Folly,Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant(verse 17).The similarity is both striking and
alarming at the same time.The result could not be more contrasting.The one calls to life, and the other to death.
C O V E R S T O R Y
and the other to death. Wisdom, Forsake the fool-
ish, and live; and go in the way of understanding
(verse 6). Folly, But he knoweth not that the dead
are there; and that her guests are in the depths of
hell (verse 18).
Man should be clear about this, that he either be-
longs to divine wisdom in Jesus Christ or is in the
clutches of folly, who offers him the devil. The fool
hath said in his heart, There is no God (Psalm 53:1).
For the preaching of the cross is to them that per-
ish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the
power of God. For it is written, I will destroy the wis-
dom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the under-
standing of the prudent. Where is the wise? Where is
the scribe? Where is the disputer of this world? Hath
not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For
after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom
knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of
preaching to save them that believe. For the Jews re-
quire a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: but
we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stum-
blingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; but
unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks,
Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.
Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men;
and the weakness of God is stronger than men
(1 Corinthians 1:18-25). (MR0810/404)
ENDNOTES
1 Der Spiegel 14/2008, page 8
2 Idea Spektrum12/2008, page 26
Man should be clear about this, that he either belongs to divine wisdom in Jesus Christ or is in the clutches of
folly, who offers him the devil.The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God(Psalm 53:1).
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J ANUARY 2011 11
Titus2
ANDTHE
R
APTURE
By Dr. Ron J. Bigalke
Godly livingaccording to Scripturenecessitates that the church maintain wise attitudes toward the world in which
we live, specifically with regard to the temporal values of the world, in contrast to the eternal values of our faith in God
and His holy Word. For instance, as a reason for the teaching concerning moral obligations, such as the moral duty of
a slave to not steal from his master (2:10), we find attention upon the grace of God [that] has appeared, bringing
salvation to all men, a reference that concerns the first coming of Jesus Christ. The grace of God is here conceived
as a dynamic that manifests itself in Christian ethical obedience, and not merely the forgiveness of sins. One evidence
of godly living is awaiting the blessed hope (2:11-14).
AWAITINGTHEBLESSEDHOPE
The exhortation to await the blessed hope is
stated in the words that nearly conclude the sen-
tence (begun in verse 11), which is looking for
the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of
our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus (2:13). As
the Greek verb translated looking for is in the
present tense, it signifies a characteristic attitude;
that is, the church is always ready to meet the re-
turning Lord. It is in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
that it is clear that this blessed hope is indeed
what is called the rapture: the translation of liv-
ing church saints and resurrection of dead church
saints, and joining of both parties in the clouds to
meet Christ in the air. The concept of the immi-
nent coming of Christ may only be harmonized
with the belief that Christ will rapture His church
prior to the seventieth week of Daniel 9, or what
is more commonly termed the tribulation of
seven years length. (It is odd that some individu-
als may regard the doctrine of the rapture as too
supernatural; however, to correct such a mental-
ity, it would be best to review Old Testament his-
tory, in addition to the history of the Gospels and
the early church.)
The teaching of 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 is that
we who are alive and remainin contrast to
those who have fallen asleep in Jesusalways
have the hope of instantaneous translation into
the presence of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,
without intervening death and separation from
the body. Of course, the same hope of receiving a
new body ultimately and seeing and being with
Christ in the meantime prevails for those Chris-
tians who die before that time. The hope of this
translation, which is not merely desired but what
is assured, is to affect the manner in which you
and I live our lives in awaiting the blessed hope,
because we are to have a continual expectation of
its occurring even today. When it does occur, we
In Titus 2:13, the Greek text uses the definite article the to introduce both blessed
hope and glorious appearing, which suggests one event from two aspects. The
blessed hope is the glorious appearing of our God and Savior. Moreover, the appearing
and the glory is of one Person, our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.
J ANUARY 2011 13
may be certain that our Lord wants us to be do-
ing something that is honoring to He whom we
will suddenly greet. We do not want to feel
ashamed when we meet our Lord and Savior face
to face (1 John 2:28; 3:3).
In Titus 2:13, the Greek text uses the definite
article the to introduce both blessed hope
and glorious appearing (thn makarian elpida
kai epifaneian ths doxhs). Only one article
(thn) closely unites the two substantives, which
suggests that the reference is regarding one event
from two aspects. The blessed hope is the glori-
ous appearing of our God and Savior. Moreover,
the appearing and the glory is of one Person,
our great God and Savior Jesus Christ. Most stu-
dents of New Testament Greek are familiar with
the Granville Sharp Rule. Stated simply, the rule
is that when two nouns of the same case, which
are not proper names (e.g. Titus) and are de-
scribing a person, and the two nouns of the
same case are connected by the conjunction
and (kai), if the first noun has the definite ar-
ticle (the) and the second does not, then both
nouns refer to the same person. In Titus 2:13,
this is demonstrated by the words God and
Savior. (The King James Version was trans-
lated before Sharps rule was written late in the
eighteenth century, and therefore regrettably, is
probably not quite as clear in translation, for it
reads: glorious appearing of the great God and
our Saviour Jesus Christ.) However, the article
is used with respect to God, and followed by the
conjunction and, and the word Savior does
not have the article. Therefore, both nouns are
being applied to the same person, Jesus Christ.
The phrase great God is an application of an
Old Testament description for the Savior. To
conclude otherwise would not be based upon
Scripture but upon theological presuppositions.
Jesus Christ is our great God and Savior (the
same phrase was often used in the papyri and by
the Greek Fathers as referring to Christ Jesus).
Paul described the appearing of the glory of
one person, that is, our great God and Savior,
Christ Jesus. The identification of the Lord Jesus
by the phrase great God is certainly the
thought of the context, because it was the Lord
Jesus who gave Himself for the redemption of the
believer. Therefore, with this hope in the mind of
his readers, the Apostle Paul reminded believers
in verse 14 that the Lord Jesus Christ we will
meet someday is the one who redeemed us from
all wickedness for the intent of purifying a peo-
ple of his own who are zealous for good deeds
(an expression appearing several times in this let-
ter to Titus).
THE APPEARINGOFTHE GLORYOFTHE LORDJESUS
CHRIST
The Greek word translated appearing is
epiphaneian (: nio v:iov), and is used in three
different New Testament contexts. The first con-
text is 2 Timothy 1:10 (but now has been re-
vealed by the appearing of our Savior Christ
Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and
immortality to light through the gospel). The
appearing in 2 Timothy 1:10 is in reference to
the Lords first coming. The second context is
identified in 1 Timothy 6:14 and Titus 2:13. First
Timothy 6:14 reads, that you keep the com-
mandment without stain or reproach until the
appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ. The ap-
pearing in 1 Timothy 6:14 and Titus 2:13 is in
reference to the pretribulational rapture. The
third context is 2 Thessalonians 2:8 (Then that
lawless one will be revealed whom the Lord will
slay with the breath of His mouth and bring to an
end by the appearance of His coming). The ap-
pearance in 2 Thessalonians 2:8 is in reference
to the Lords premillennial reign.
With regard to the second context, the Greek
word translated appearing is followed by a de-
scriptive genitive, ths doxhs (+q oo q), of
the glory. The descriptive genitive may be trans-
Therefore, with this hope in the mind of his readers, the Apostle Paul reminded
believers in verse 14 that the Lord Jesus Christ we will meet someday is the
one who redeemed us from all wickedness for the intent of purifying a people
of his own who are zealous for good deeds (an expression appearing several
times in this letter to Titus).
TITUS 2 AND THE RAPTURE
lated occasionally as an adjective,
which would be read as glorious
in Titus 2:13. The Granville Sharp
Rule, which again states that when
two nouns of the same case, which
are not proper names and are describ-
ing a person, and the two nouns of
the same case are connected by the
copulative and (kai), if the first
noun has the definite article (the)
and the second does not, then both
nouns refer to the same person.
Therefore, things that are more or less
distinct are regarded as one for the
immediate purpose, which is reason
for the use of only one definite article
(the). In Titus 2:13, this would mean that the
blessed hope is the glorious appearing. The defi-
nite article then is explanatory, and introduces the
more distinct definition of the character for the
blessed hope. Christians are looking for the per-
son of hope, our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus,
who is the glorious appearing. The reference is to
one event (the rapture), which is emphasized by
two aspects: anticipation and appearing.
THE DOCTRINE OF THE BLESSEDHOPE
The imminence of the Lords return means that He
could return at any moment; it is a sudden coming.
The rapture may occur today, perhaps tomorrow, or
even years from now, but one does not know when
Christ will rapture the church. One prevalent dan-
ger with regard to the rapture is to mock this immi-
nency of the Lords gathering of the church (cf.
2 Pet 3:3-4). There are no specific events that must
occur prior to the rapture; rather, there is only the
instruction for the believer to be ready. The church
is not instructed to await the blessed hope of An-
tichrist; it is the blessed hope of Jesus Christ that
the church anticipates. If any events must precede
the rapture, it is impossible not to seek those signs
as opposed to the Lords coming, which would, of
course, encourage only a general interest in the
blessed hope. The doctrine of imminence in relation
to the rapture teaches that other things may occur
prior to Christs removal of the church, but nothing
else must occur before His return. If some event
must occur prior to the rapture, it would be a com-
ponent of the Christians hope because then one
would know assuredly when Christ will return, but
such an event would contradict the concept of im-
minency.
Those who attempt to determine dates for the
Lords return, foolishly ignore the fact that no
time must transpire before the rapture. If time
must transpire, then the event is not imminent.
Some will argue for Christs soon coming, yet
neglect the fact that if an event is soon, it must
occur within a short period of time. It would be
better to understand soon adverbs to indicate
the manner of the Lords return, not time. When
the Lord returns, it will be swiftly and quickly.
The fact that Christ could return for His church
at any moment is taught throughout the New
Testament (1 Cor 1:7; 16:22; Phil 3:20; 4:5;
1 Thess 1:10; Heb 9:28; Jas 5:7-9; 1 Pet 1:13;
Those who attempt to determine dates for the Lords return, foolishly ignore the
fact that no time must transpire before the rapture. If time must transpire, then
the event is not imminent. Some will argue for Christs soon coming, yet ne-
glect the fact that if an event is soon, it must occur within a short period of time.
It would be better to understand soon adverbs to indicate the manner of the
Lords return, not time.
J ANUARY 2011 15
Jude 21; Rev 3:11; 22:7, 12, 17, 20); therefore,
only a coming of Christ pretribulationally can
be consistently and literally taught from the en-
tirety of Scripture. The pretribulational teaching of
the Lords return is the only manner in which one
can honesty assert that Christ could return at any
moment, because this doctrine alone teaches that
the Lord will rapture the church prior to the seven-
tieth week of Daniel 9 or any tribulational events
occurring. Therefore, nothing must occur before
His return for the church.
The blessed hope of the church is the appearing
in glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, at
the rapture. The doctrine of the rapture should mo-
tivate the church to pursue godly living by Gods
grace, and therefore, to glorify God in this present
life. The present tense of the verb prosdechomenoi
(npooo:o:voi), which is translated looking
for, indicates that anticipation of the Lords return
should be the characteristic attitude of the church.
The looking is a continual process of being al-
ways ready to welcome the appearing Lord. The
Greek verb paideuousa (noio:ooooo), which is
translated instructing in verse 12, was also in the
present tense. Therefore, the two participles func-
tion harmoniously. It is because the grace of God
has appeared (2:11) that believers are instructed
to live sensibly, righteously and godly in
the present age (2:12), as we are looking
for the blessed hope (2:13). The expecta-
tion is a continual attitude that affects ones
life in the looking for the Lords return.
One reason for this continual expecta-
tion is so that when He appears, we may
have confidence and not shrink away from
Him in shame at His coming (1 John
2:28). And everyone who has this hope
fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is
pure (3:3). The blessed hope of the Lords
return is not merely an event that is antici-
pated, but is a promise that gives assurance
to the church; it is a joyous promise of an-
ticipation. There should never be doubt with regard
to the anticipation; the rapture will occur, and be-
lief in this doctrine results in a joyousness that is
looking forward to the ultimate redemption.
CONCLUSION
The church has a blessed hope of the glorious
appearance of our great God and Savior, Christ
Jesus. The imminency of the rapture is evident
in that the Apostle Paul and the first century re-
cipients of the Epistle to Titus anticipated the
possibility of this event. Of course, all believers
may join in the blessed anticipation of the
Lords return. Verse 12 stresses godly, righteous,
and sensible living in the present age in rela-
tion to the anticipation of the glorious appear-
ing. Doctrine is certainly necessary for living
godly. Verse 11 introduced the first coming of
the Lord (the grace of God has appeared), and
related this doctrine to living godly (2:12).
Christians are to pursue holy living based upon
the doctrine of the Lords return for the church
at the pretribulational rapture (2:13), and un-
derstanding that the purpose of the Lords re-
demption was to purify for Himself a people
for His own possession, zealous for good deeds
(2:14). (415)
TITUS 2 AND THE RAPTURE
The church has a blessed hope of the glorious appearance of our great God
and Savior, Christ Jesus. The imminency of the rapture is evident in that the
Apostle Paul and the first century recipients of the Epistle to Titus anticipated
the possibility of this event. Of course, all believers may join in the blessed an-
ticipation of the Lords return.
MONEY: ENDS & TRENDS
$
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website www.eternalvalue.com or contact him at: staff@eternalvalue.com
Choose Ye This Day: Gods
Glory, False Gold or Fools God
Not long ago, I had a conversation with a Christian financial advisor who
openly stated that the Lord tells him where to invest. For example, some
years ago he claimed that the Lord told him to sell stocks in 2005.
During the more recent conversation, he told me that the Spirit told him to
put all his clients into gold and that the euro was going to fall apart
because France was going to leave the European Union in 2011. He
advertises his services heavily on a Christian radio station.
B y W i l f r e d H a h n
R
ecently, while attending a
Christian conference, I lis-
tened to a presentation
from a financial advisor. It was an
hour of predictions and opinions,
charts, stories and secular wis-
dom. While he did not claim that
the Lord gave him his predictions, some
people would likely have thought that
his views were divinely endorsed. After
all, he was an advisor invited to give his
views at a Christian conference offering
apologetics and prophecy instruction
from some well-known teachers. This
advisor heavily promoted the purchase
of gold bullion. The fact that he had
recommended the purchase of gold
throughout the 1980s and 1990s (a long
period of declining gold prices) was
conveniently ignored.
Understandably, neither of these men
was dispensing infallible prophecies. In the
case of the first advisor, his forecasts have
also not proven to be accurate in the past.
As it was, U.S. stock markets continued to
soar another three years until 2008. In the
case of his most recent prophecy, that
France would leave the euro in 2011, yes,
it surely is possible that some countries
could yet exit from the euro. However,
Choose Ye This Day: Gods Glory, False Gold or Fools God
any non-spiritually-guided analyst can al-
ready see that possibility.
The second advisor mentioned only two
Bible verses throughout his presentation
and these, popularly, from Proverbs.
Other than that, I could not distinguish
this presentation from perhaps thousands
of other sales pitches and stories that I have
heard in the secular world. Moreover, the
advice was not suitable for the vast major-
ity of people at the conference.
We can be reasonably sure, therefore,
that neither advisor is likely to be accurate
about the future (though it is true that a
stopped watch will be correct at least twice
a day). The fact that the price of gold has
been rising in recent times, only serves to
make these advisors more dangerous, as
people will be inclined to chase after their
godly advice without regard to the fact
that they have been wrong in the past. Un-
fortunately, many Christians are prey today,
though the teachings of the Bible should
protect against this. The Bible counsels:
That we henceforth be no more children,
tossed to and fro, and carried about with
every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of
men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they
lie in wait to deceive (Ephesians 4:14).
Spurious, Spirit-Led Investing
A little more than a decade ago, an arti-
cle entitled Spirit-led Investing: Spuri-
ous or Inspired? was carried in this
space. (See Midnight Call magazine, Oc-
tober 1999.). At the time, our intent was
to warn people against false prophets
and financial advisors masquerading as
Spirit-led money prophets. These cer-
tainly still exist today. Moreover, at least
a few of them are widely revered and en-
dorsed in Christian circles. People hang
on to their every word as if divinely en-
dorsed. For this and other reasons, the
matter is serious enough to raise again.
Several additional reasons prompt us
to revisit this topic. Firstly, it touches on
a much wider fieldnamely, profiteer-
ing on Bible prophecy. Some ministries
derive profits by selling products and
courses that will help people prepare for
certain prophesied events, economic
collapse, or to survive the Tribulation
period. Such activities seem to have
grown in recent years since the Global
Financial Crisis (GFC) erupted.
Given that America itself has borne
the brunt of the subsequent economic
trials and has visibly weakened relative
to the rest of the world, the doom mer-
chants appear to be prospering. While
the prophecies in the Bible will surely
prove to be true, we are not given the
exact calendar dates. To offer survival
items for sale, one implicitly is forecast-
ing the near fulfillment of specific
events or that Christians will go through
the Tribulation.
Secondly, it seems that many min-
istries and pulpits these days take it
upon themselves to provide economic
and financial perspectives to their
flocks, this being different than focusing
on stewardship. There is no harm in
teaching the latter, so long as investing
is not confused for stewardship. To be a
good steward does not necessarily re-
quire one to be an investor nor, for ex-
ample, to buy a mutual fund. Some
$
The fact that the
price of gold has
been rising in
recent times, only
serves to make
these advisors
more dangerous,
as people will be
inclined to chase
after their godly
advice without
regard to the fact
that they have
been wrong in
the past.
J ANUARY 2011 17
ministries urge Christians to buy gold
and silver; dump the U.S. dollar; or, to
jump out of their securities investments
etc.
As it is, even trained economists and
financial strategists have a terrible
record in making these kinds of predic-
tions. If so, why would Christians have a
better success rate in making such pre-
dictions from the pulpit? The answer is
that, over time, they do not. The conse-
quence? They are actually causing a dis-
service, falling into the same booby
trap as the vast masses. Even more wor-
risome, they may be neglecting to teach
on topics of greater eternal value.
A third reason is this: It is a stated
Biblical fact that the two domains of
Mammon (we choose to capitalize this
name) and the Kingdom of God are op-
positional.
Holy Spirit Never Tempts Mankind
to Mammon
The Kingdom of God and Mammon
have nothing to do with each other. (Ye
cannot serve God and Mammon,
Matthew 6:24.) Only one of them can be
served. By definition, that must also
mean that neither of these two domains
can be in the service of each other. This
is only logical and leads to these two de-
ductions. Firstly, Mammon has no inter-
est in teaching us how to better worship
God. It will never do this. Secondly, God
is hardly inclined to tempt his children
to become ensnared or preoccupied with
the things of Mammon.
What follows, therefore, is this con-
clusion: God is not disposed to send
Spirit-led advisors for the purpose of
enabling his children to better compete
and succeed in the world of Mammon.
That should come as no surprise. The
witness of the Bible supports this state-
ment. Nowhere in the Bible can we find
any example of the Holy Spirit assisting
people in accumulating wealth. To the
contrary, in the one instance where a
spirit (demon in this case) is stated to
make moneymaking prophecies through
a young damsel (Acts 16:16), the Apos-
tle Paul drove it out of her.
We further reflect on the fact that
nowhere in the Bible is any Old Testa-
ment prophet shown to be profiting
from Spirit-led advice or the word of
the Lord or from visions. Not once. In
fact, again, quite to the contrary. Not
once did Jesus Christ ever give any in-
vestment advice or insights as to how to
turn Mammon into a Golden Goose ex-
cept in one way. That was to take ad-
vantage of worldly wealth to build
riches in heaven. The parable of the Un-
just Servant illustrated this great lesson:
And I say unto you, Make to your-
selves friends of the mammon of un-
righteousness; that, when ye fail, they
may receive you into everlasting habita-
tions (Luke 16:9).
No Prophets of Profit
Anyone who has made an inaccurate
forecast proves that he is not a prophet of
God and should be ignored. In the Old
Testament, a key identifier of a true
prophet was accuracy; not just for one
out of 10 prophecies, as may happen to-
day in the personal prophecy movement,
but each and every time.
Said Moses, If there arise among you
a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and
giveth thee a sign or a wonder, And the
sign or the wonder come to pass, whereof
he spake unto thee, saying, Let us go after
other gods, which thou hast not known,
and let us serve them; Thou shalt not
hearken unto the words of that prophet,
or that dreamer of dreams (Deuteron-
omy 13:1-3).
Claiming to be a Spirit-led invest-
ment adviser is claiming to be a seer
and of being able to look into the future.
$
We further reflect
on the fact that
nowhere in the
Bible is any Old
Testament
prophet shown to
be profiting from
Spirit-led advice
or the word of
the Lord or from
visions. Not
once. In fact,
again, quite to
the contrary. Not
once did Jesus
Christ ever give
any investment
advice or insights
as to how to turn
Mammon into a
Golden Goose
except in one
way.
Good stewardship advice is obviously
beneficial. However, the next time an in-
dividual makes the claim of being a
Spirit-led investor, alarms should ring.
A Rigged, Treacherous Scheme
The unpoliced world of Mammon is a
treacherous place. Please never forget
that the love of money (1 Timothy
6:10) is the greatest vulnerability of
mankind. It is at the very root of all evils,
and the major leverage point that Satan
has to enlist humans to carry out his end-
time plans of insurrection, as the Bible
outlines.
In practical terms, however, what does
this actually mean? It signifies that a god-
less world will make Money (Mam-
mon) its god and object of worship and
aspiration. That means there are 6.8 bil-
lion people in the world today that are ei-
ther vulnerable to, or committed to,
doing anything possible to get money.
Money is therefore the nexus point of
the most competitive and brutally cor-
rupt arena that exists in the entire uni-
verse. This thorny thicket is what any
saver or steward is up against when they
enter the modern world of money and
financial markets. Despite the fact that
there are supposedly many regulatory
bodies and consumer protection agen-
cies around the globe that attempt to
keep the animal spirits of money in
check, massive financial busts, elaborate
thefts and grand lying and cheating in
high places will continue (and worsen).
In fact, the Bible states this to be the
case, even prophesying that such global
conditions would be a sign of the
times. The two visions of Zechariah
found in Chapter 5 pointedly indicate
that a state of lying and stealing cov-
ers the entire earth, thus leading to a
curse from God.
This being the condition of the world
today, no specific investment opinion
can be sure, nor any one outcome guar-
anteed. Conditions can change rapidly
and without warning. The vast majority
of stewards and savers are therefore usu-
ally no match for the experts in greed
that serve to brutally rig the global
money casino.
Continuing on the Road to Prophe-
sied Breakdown
Looking ahead, given the incredibly un-
precedented and desperate financial and
economic conditions around the world,
anything is possible over the short-term
including a runaway stock market to
the upside. Calls to invest everything in
gold or to dump the US dollar cannot
be guaranteed to be timely advice.
We must remember that the character
and essence of the very last days is de-
ception and entrapment. To that end,
one last and final manipulated boom in
fictitious wealth could be the check-
mate move the final steel bear trap
that captures many more peoples hopes
and leads to an even greater Global Fi-
nancial Crisis. And, if it is to be the last
and final boomand we have no cer-
tainty on this pointthe collapse stage
will most certainly take place inside the
Tribulation period, the most crushing
phases in the Great Tribulation spanning
the final three and one-half years.
There are a number of phases of crisis
within the Tribulation period. The tur-
bulence that the world is witnessing to-
$
We must
remember that
the character
and essence of
the very last
days is
deception and
entrapment. To
that end, one
last and final
manipulated
boom in fictitious
wealth could be
the checkmate
move the final
steel bear trap
that captures
many more
peoples hopes
and leads to an
even greater
Global Financial
Crisis.
J ANUARY 2011 19
day signifies the build-up of tremors
that finally erupt in the Tribulation pe-
riod. These tremors contribute to the
anguish of many people today and their
susceptibility to ill-conceived solutions.
They may fall prey to false prophets of
prosperity, chase shadows, or uncriti-
cally run after so-called Christian
money prophets who have the latest so-
lution.
But wouldnt buying gold bullion
surely be the best solution?
Trusting in Fools God
No, the first solution is to get control of
the affections and anxieties of our
hearts. Yes, gold may be a profitable in-
vestment from time to time. Yet, it par-
ticularly attracts the zeal of Christian
advisors. In fact, to my perception,
many people seem to hold a near-sacred
view of gold that is beyond reason
what we have dubbed Gods Money
Syndrome. Frankly, a lot of gold bul-
lion is sold to investors using this basic
premise. However, God does not need
money to do his will on earth, nor is
gold the ultimate currency and the sure
solution to all of mankinds monetary
problems and corruption. The historical
record does not support this conclusion.
Nor, crucially, does the Bible.
The Bible clearly tells us where such
problems originate in the first place.
Says James, [] for God cannot be
tempted with evil, neither tempteth he
any man: But every man is tempted,
when he is drawn away of his own lust,
and enticed. Then when lust hath con-
ceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin,
when it is finished, bringeth forth
death (James 1:13-15).
Many people (including many Chris-
tians) imagine that gold is a good invest-
ment because it will also be accepted as
a transactional metal and therefore will
prove to be a good store of wealth even
as world financial systems collapse. This
is not a sure premise, nor are such des-
perate conditions likely this side of the
Tribulation. In any case, there is no rea-
son why the use of gold cannot be leg-
islatively curtailed at some point in the
future. Please do not forget that the
worlds monetary systems are manipu-
lated; its powers fiat, contrived and cor-
rupt. As it is even now, gold cannot be
used as money in any store.
In fact, the Bible tells us that a time
will come when commercethe act of
buying and sellingwill be controlled
worldwide by the False Prophet. This
system will apparently not have any role
for gold. Accordingly to the Bible []
he causeth all, both small and great, rich
and poor, free and bond, to receive a
mark in their right hand, or in their
foreheads: And that no man might buy
or sell, save he that had the mark, or the
name of the beast, or the number of his
name (Revelation 13:16-17). This hap-
pens after the seven seals have been
opened and seven trumpets have already
sounded. That would indicate a point in
time in the final Great Tribulation pe-
riod.
These measures introduced by the
False Prophet surely imply that a barter
economy (buying and selling things by
trading them outside of the financial
system) will have already been banned
at that point. After all, only those who
are qualified by the mark are able to buy
and sell. We therefore see that a system
will be in place that can selectively ex-
clude anyone from an economic transac-
tion. Such a regime could not be based
upon gold.
Then, just what type of system would
best offer the ability to control buying
and selling? Would a regime like the
modern-day fiat, electronic, central re-
serve-based monetary system be any
more conducive to controlling the
$
In fact, the Bible
tells us that a
time will come
when
commercethe
act of buying and
sellingwill be
controlled
worldwide by the
False Prophet.
worlds buying and selling? Actually, it
is already made exactly to order for such
an application in the future.
Indeed, we have no idea as to the ex-
act timing of events concerning gold, ei-
ther those prophesied in the Bible or
those being considered by the worlds
supra-monetary and economic authori-
ties. In any case, pre-tribulational Chris-
tians will already have been raptured by
that point.
Fitting Judgment Upon Commer-
cialism and Gold
Much earlier in the Tribulation pe-
riod, after Jesus Christ opens the third
seal (this likely being closer to the
middle point of the first half of the
Tribulation period), we already learn
that people are much more concerned
about food than they are gold. And I
heard a voice in the midst of the four
beasts say, A measure of wheat for a
penny, and three measures of barley
for a penny; and see thou hurt not the
oil and the wine (Revelation 6:6).
In a sense, this is a fitting and final
judgment upon mankind. Jesus Christ
counseled his followers that they need
not worry about food, nor clothes and
that we were valued much more than
sparrows. In direct contrast, the world
has built up a massive commer-
cial/financial system that seeks to es-
tablish human and material security
upon earth and a world free of
poverty (this being the slogan of the
World Bank). It denies God any glory.
As such, it will fail completely, already
showing massive fracture lines even
today.
Said Jesus, Are not two sparrows
sold for a farthing? and one of them
shall not fall on the ground without
your Father. But the very hairs of your
head are all numbered. Fear ye not
therefore, ye are of more value than
many sparrows (Matthew 10:29-31).
(Interestingly, Luke prefers the better
price of five sparrows for two far-
things. See Luke 12:6-7. Apparently,
shopkeepers were offering volume
discounts some 2,000 years ago.)
Practical Investment Advice
Needed?
What to do? Where should we stew-
ard our savings? Presented are two an-
swers. For people living in the rich
nations of the world, the second an-
swer will likely be ridiculed. The
reader can be the final judge.
I have never provided specific in-
vestment opinions in Money: Ends n
Trends, instead focusing upon Bibli-
cal perspectives on world endtime
money developments. The Bible is
never wrong; certainly this applying
also to its statements about the future.
On the other hand, people who make
timing forecasts (in other words,
prophesy) about money trends or
other detailed aspects of the future,
will be wrong. Perhaps not always, yet
it remains that one can never know
when a forecaster will be right or
wrong. That makes their pronounce-
ments unreliable and dangerous.
As to the first answer, I do not
know of anyone who has consistently
been proven correct in providing
opinions on specific investments or
$
Jesus Christ
counseled his
followers that
they need not
worry about
food, nor clothes
and that we were
valued much
more than
sparrows. In
direct contrast,
the world has
built up a
massive
commercial/
financial system
that seeks to
establish human
and material
security upon
earth and a
world free of
poverty (this
being the slogan
of the World
Bank).
J ANUARY 2011 21
future trends. No such person exists.
Everyone is fallible especially, of
course, when trying to predict the fu-
ture. I make incorrect judgments about
economies and the timing of world
trends frequently. Any reference to my
opinions expressed in secular publica-
tions would quickly prove that point.
With that caveat in mind, my oft-re-
peated counsel to investors to whom
God has given financial assets to stew-
ard, is to broadly diversify ones invest-
ments across as many asset-types as
possible (including gold), as well as
globally. For the majority of people, this
is the safest approach to take. Yes, there
definitely will be investments from time
to time that appear more attractive than
others. Though that may be the case,
the average individual usually is not
successful in capitalizing upon such op-
portunities. There are many reasons for
this. Suffice it to say that one would
need to be adept at understanding the
devious and deceptive workings of
Mammon (without it capturing the af-
fections of ones heart). Not many have
such skills or dispositions.
Points to Ponder
Mostly, all of the above-mentioned no-
tions of stewardship are earthly and
fleshly attempts to establish security in
this world. In essence, this is a
worldly focus. It is not Biblical. This
statement may surprise readers. It
surely challenges the trained disposi-
tion of this financial analyst. However,
we cannot void the truth of the Bible.
Its perspectives are true and life-giving.
We ignore its advice to our detriment.
If we believe in such things as the
soon-coming return of Jesus Christ
something that the world considers
madnessthen surely we can put our
trust in God to provide, as the following
verses teach:
You cannot serve both God and money.
Therefore I tell you, do not worry about
your life, what you will eat or drink; or
about your body, what you will wear. Is not
life more than food, and the body more
than clothes? Look at the birds of the air;
they do not sow or reap or store away in
barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds
them. Are you not much more valuable
than they? Can any of you by worrying add
a single hour to your life? And why do you
worry about clothes? See how the flowers
of the field grow. They do not labor or spin.
Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all
his splendor was dressed like one of these.
If that is how God clothes the grass of the
field, which is here today and tomorrow is
thrown into the fire, will he not much more
clothe youyou of little faith? So do not
worry, saying, What shall we eat? or What
shall we drink? or What shall we wear? For
the pagans run after all these things, and
your heavenly Father knows that you need
them. But seek first his kingdom and his
righteousness, and all these things will be
given to you as well. Therefore do not
worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will
worry about itself. Each day has enough
trouble of its own (Matthew 6:25-34).
Booms, bubbles and busts will con-
tinue. All the while, the wealth skew of
the world continues to widen the
rich becoming wealthier, the rest
poorer and more indebted. The world
is hurtling rapidly along the path that
leads to the ultimate collapses revealed
by the Bible to take place in the Tribu-
lation period. The Global Financial
Crisis (GFC) is not over. It continues
in different forms, its full legacy still to
unfold in the future. A more detailed
explanation of these expected develop-
ments, supported by Scripture, can be
found in the recent book, Global Fi-
nancial Apocalypse Prophesied: Preserv-
ing True Riches in an Age of Deception
and Trouble.
$
Booms, bubbles
and busts will
continue. All the
while, the wealth
skew of the world
continues to
widen the rich
becoming
wealthier, the
rest poorer and
more indebted.
The world is
hurtling rapidly
along the path
that leads to the
ultimate
collapses
revealed by the
Bible to take
place in the
Tribulation
period. The
Global Financial
Crisis (GFC) is
not over. It
continues in
different forms,
its full legacy still
to unfold in the
future.
MC
1829May2011*
O
n the 18th of May 2011, we will embark on a 12-day
tour of Israel. This once-in-a-lifetime tour carries the
low price tag of only $1995 plus airfare. To secure your
seat, please send a $400 deposit for each person. We will be limited
to one bus; this means only 45 people will be able to participate, so
be sure to reserve your seat early.
Your host will be the director of Mid-
night Call Ministries and noted Bible
prophecy teacher, Arno Froese. He will
highlight the Scriptural significance of
sites along the way and regarding the
people and land of Israel in general.
Your tour guide will be Ariel Winkler, the
son of the Swiss and Dutch directors of Beth
Shalom: Fredi and Beate Winkler. Beate is
the daughter of Midnight Call founder,
Wim Malgo. Fredi is also the international
editor of News FromIsrael. Ariel was born
and raised in Israel; he grew up in Haifa and, like his father, is a gov-
ernment licensed tour guide with an impressive understanding of
the history and geography of every corner of Israel, along with a
deep knowledge of the Bible. He is fluent in Hebrew, Dutch, Ger-
man, and English. Along with the bus driver and Mr. Froese, he will
determine the most efficient and effective routes that will allow
you to see as many of the important sites in Israel as possible dur-
ing these exciting days.
The price listed includes accommodations, breakfast and dinner
each day, and all entrance fees to sights and parks covered in the
itinerary. Prices are based on double occupancy; if you are coming
alone and have not specified a roommate, you will be assigned a
roommate of the same gender. Alternatively, you may pay an addi-
tional $525 for a single-room.
You will need to make round-trip airline reservations to Tel Aviv
separately. We recommend that you use the services of Travel Con-
cepts (Toll Free: 1-800-366-4124), but you are free to use whatever
agency or online booking service you like.
* Notice: Although this is considered a 12-day tour, depending on your airline
reservations, you may not be back in the USA until Monday, 30 May 2011.
Day 1 Wednesday, 18 May 2011
Depart the USAonanovernight flight toTel Avivs BenGurionInter-
national Airport.
Day 2 Thursday, 19 May 2011
We arrive inIsrael, where BethShalomstaff is awaitingus. After cus-
toms, we boardour bus andtravel toHaifa. Dinner andaccommo-
dations at our very ownHotel Beth-Shalom.
Day 3 Friday, 20 May 2011
After breakfast at BethShalom, we boardour bus totravel toCae-
sarea,
1
the Romanfortress where the Apostle Paul was imprisoned.
ThenontoMuhraka (Mt. Carmel),
2
where Elijahchallengedthe
priests of Baal. Fromhere we will alsohave a panoramic viewof Har-
maggedontheValley of Armageddon.We nowturntothe north
tovisit the ancient city of Akko(Acre). Alexander the Great con-
queredthis city inthe 4thcentury BC. Akkois a UNESCOworldher-
itage site. Many remnants remainfromthe Crusader period.This
beautiful city onthe Mediterranean
3
will leave a lastingimpression.
Finally, we returntoHaifa andendthe day witha tour of this beauti-
ful harbor city.We returntoBethShalomfor dinner.
1 Acts 8:40, 23:23
2 1 Kings 18:19
3 Numbers 34:6-7; Joshua 1:4, 15:47
Day 4 Saturday, 21 May 2011
We leave after breakfast for Megiddo.
1
We will see the archaeologi-
cal excavationandascendtothe topof thistell(artificial hill) to
overviewthe Jezreel Valley, connectedtotheBattle of Armaged-
don.
2
ThentoNazareth,
3
the city where Jesus grewupfulfillingthe
Biblical prophecy:Andhe came anddwelt ina city calledNazareth:
that it might be fulfilledwhichwas spokenby the prophets, He shall
be calleda Nazarene(Matthew2:23). Next, its ontoBeit She'an, one
of the greatest archaeological exhibitions inIsrael.We will alsoas-
cendMount Gilboa
4
before returningtoBethShalomfor dinner.
1 1 Kings 4:12; 2 Kings 23:29-30
2 Revelation 16:16; Zechariah 12:11
3 Matthew 21:11; Luke 1:26, 4:34; John 1:46
4 1 Samuel 31:1
Day 5 Sunday, 22 May 2011
After breakfast, we will pack upandmove tothe Galilee. First, we will
visit Karmiel, a moderncity innorthernIsrael foundedin1964, and
its surroundings.Then, past Safedintothe upper JordanValley, to
the Banias waterfall andthe source of the Jordan: the springs at Cae-
sarea Philippi.
1
We will continue throughthe GolanHeights, and
have a chance topeer over the border intoSyria at the Quneitra
crossing. As we travel throughthe territory of the GolanHeights, we
will be witnesses tothe fulfillment of Bible prophecy, as we see the
landbeingmade fertile:This landthat was desolate is become like
the gardenof Eden(Ezekiel 36:35).We will have dinner andretire at
our hotel onthe shores of the Sea of Galilee.
1 Matthew 16:13-16
Day 6 Monday, 23 May 2011
After breakfast, we will circle the Sea of Galilee,
1
visitingthree places:
the Mount of Beatitudes,Tabgha,
2
the place of the multiplicationof
the loaves andfishes, andof course, Capernaum,
3
home of the apos-
tles Peter, Andrew, James andJohn. For lunch, well stopat a special
kibbutz restaurant, EnGev, for a traditional meal of St. Peters fish. Af-
ter lunch, our groupwill boarda replica of a first century sailingship
andheadout ontothe Sea of Galilee. Besides sightseeing, we will
have time for a special fellowshiponthese historically andbiblically
important waters calledGennesaret or Kinneret.
4
We will have some
free time inthe eveningtostroll next toor swiminthe Sea, andpos-
sibly visit theYardenit Baptismal site at the JordanRiver.
5
We will
have dinner andspendour final overnight inthe Galilee.
1 Isaiah 9:1; Matthew 4:18-19
2 Mark 6:41-42
3 Matthew 4:13-15; Luke 4:31
4 Mark 6:53
5 Mark 1:5
Day 7 Tuesday, 24 May 2011
We make anearly departure after breakfast, because well have a big
day aheadof us, culminatinginJerusalem! We will travel downthe
JordanValley, past Gilgal
1
andJericho,
2
all the way downtothe Dead
Sea. Here we will see where the DeadSea Scrolls were discoveredat
the ancient ruins of Qumran. After that, we will take a cable car upto
Masada, where the Romans crushedthe final remnant of the Jewish
resistance.Thenwe will visit the shores of the DeadSea andhave a
saladbuffetlunchat the Hotel Lot. Here youwill be able swim
(well, float) inthis, the lowest andsaltiest place inthe world.The
lunchandaccess tobeach&changingrooms are includedinthe
price of this tour. Finally, we will travel upthe Jerichoroadto
Jerusalem, check intoour final hotel andhave dinner.
1 Joshua 4:19
2 Joshua 6:1-27
Day 8 Wednesday, 25 May 2011
For our first day inJerusalem, we will doa lot of walking, soa healthy
breakfast is inorder. First, we will ascendtheTemple Mount,
1
the
center of the great global controversy.Thentothe Pool of Bethesda,
2
followingtheVia Dolorosa.Walkingthroughthe ancient narrow
streets of Jerusalemwill be anunforgettable experience.We will see
the Churchof The Holy Sepulchre, andthenthe famousWailing(or
Western) Wall, andfinally, the Ophel Park (DavidsonCenter) excava-
tions just outside the city wall.Then, back tothe hotel for dinner.
1 2 Chronicles 3:1-2
2 John 5:1-18
Day 9 Thursday, 26 May 2011
This day we will have only one goal after breakfast: Bethlehem.
1
Since this townwhere Jesus was bornis nowunder Palestiniancon-
trol, we have toallowextra time toget there andreturn, but it is well
worthit; we will see many sites, includingthe Churchof the Nativity.
UponreturningtoJerusalem, youwill have free time tospendas
youwishbefore dinner.
1 1 Samuel 16:1; Matthew 2; Luke 2; John 7:42
Day 10 Friday, 27 May 2011
After a goodnights rest, we are ready for another excitingday inthe
city of Jerusalem. First, we will visit the City of David.
1
ThenontoYad
Vashem, the museumthat commemorates the murder of over 6mil-
lionJews by Nazi Germany.Well visit the place where Peter denied
the Lord.
2
ThenontoMount Zion,
3
where our tour will leadus tothe
Upper Room,
4
the place where our Lordservedthe Last Supper.
Back toour hotel for dinner andovernight.
1 2 Samuel 5:9
2 John 18:16-17
3 Psalm 48:2, 11-12
4 Luke 22:12-13
Day 11 Saturday, 28 May 2011
This will be a day of discoveringthe biblical historical treasures
of the city of Jerusalem.We start witha place that has become
the favorite of many Christians: the GardenTomband
Golgotha.
1
We thenascend(by bus) toMount Scopus for a
unique overviewof Jerusalemtothe west andthe Judean
wilderness
2
tothe east.Thenontoa most significant place, the
Mount of Olives,
3
fromwhichJesus ascended
intoheavenandtowhichHe is goingtore-
turn. Well walk downthe mountaintothe
Chapel of Tears,
4
thentothe Gardenof Geth-
semane.
5
Finally, we will visit the Israel mu-
seumandsee the amazingModel of the
Temple andthe exhibitionof the Shrine of the
Book (the DeadSea Scrolls).We will fellowship
andreminisce at our final dinner inour hotel
inJerusalem.
1 Matthew 27:33, Mark 15:22,
John 19:17
2 Matthew 3:1
3 2 Samuel 15:30; Acts 1:12
4 Luke 22:44
5 Matthew 26:36
Day 12 Sunday, 29 May 2011
After your final Israeli breakfast, youwill likely have free time in
JerusalemonSunday morningbefore headingback downtothe
BenGurionairport for your flight back home.Youmay be able toat-
tenda local churchandworshipwithbelievingJews and/or Arabs;
ask the tour guide for suggestions.
Day 13 Monday, 30 May 2011
Dependingonyour airline reservations, youmay still be enroute
fromIsrael tothe USAonMonday morning.
Note: Itineraryis subject tochange
Nazareth is the capital and largest city
in the northern district of Israel.
Fishing boats on the
banks of the
Sea of Galilee, Israel
OliveTours/Midnight Call Ministries POBox 280008 Columbia SC29228
1-800-845-2420 Fax: 803-755-6002 kathy@midnightcall.com
Latest information: http://www.midnightcall.com/israel_tours.html
JYes, I wish to join the Promised Land Prophecy Tour. Please reserve _______seat(s) for me(us).
I enclose $400 deposit for each person.
JJust send me a complete information package at this time.
JPlease reserve a single roomfor me ($525 extra).
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J Check J Visa/Master/Discover/Amex
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MC0111
We will need additional information for each participant. If possible, please use the detailed registration form found on our website:
http://www.midnightcall.com/israel_tours.html in lieu of this coupon.
Accommodations
19 May 22 May
Hotel Beth-Shalom
http://www.beth-shalom.co.il
22 May 24 May
Kibbutz Guest HouseMaagan Holiday Village
http://www.maagan.com/english
24 May 29 May
Ramada (Royal Wing) Jerusalem
Cancellation Policy
For participant-initiated cancellations, a full refund of the land-
only portion of the tour ($1995 per person, plus optional $525
single room supplement) will be made up to 45 days before de-
parture (4/4/2011), and at a sliding scale down to zero for no-
shows on 19 May 2011. If we need to cancel the tour for any
reason, you will receive an immediate and automatic refund of
everything you have paid Midnight Call for the 2011 tour; this re-
fund will release Midnight Call from any further obligations.
Since you will be making air travel arrangements separately, the
airlines cancellation/refund policy applies. If you feel it neces-
sary, purchase travel interruption insuranceeither from our
travel agent or another source.
Limitation of Liability
Midnight Call Inc. (Olive Tours) and its agents assume no respon-
sibility nor liability in connection with the service of any vessel,
carriage, aircraft or other conveyance, which is used, either
wholly or in part, in the performance of its duty to the passen-
gers. Midnight Call Inc. will not be held responsible for an act, er-
ror, or omission, or for any injury, loss, accident, delay, or
irregularity which may be occasioned by reason of any defect in
any vehicle, or through neglect or default of any company or
person engaged in carrying out the purpose of this tour. In the
event it becomes necessary or advisable, or for any reason what-
soever, we reserve the right to alter the itinerary or arrange-
ments as needed. Significant additional expenses, if any, shall be
borne by the passengers; conversely, a refund will be made to
the passengers if any significant savings result from a change.
W
hat do we think of
when we hear the name
of the apostle Thomas?
Surely of doubting Thomas. Was
Thomas really a doubter through
and through, though? Is that the
only thing that is written of him?
He did indeed say concerning the
resurrection of Jesus, Except I shall
see in his hands the print of the
nails, and put my finger into the
print of the nails, and thrust my
hand into his side, I will not believe (John 20:25).
For this reason, the Lord Jesus had to admonish
him, when He appeared to the disciples after His
resurrection, with the earnest words, Be not faith-
less, but believing (John 20:27). Let us see
whether there are other things to be said concern-
ing Thomas.
The apostle Thomas wanted to fulfill the
condition of the Lord in John 12:26 with all his
heart, If any man serve me, let him follow me;
and where I am, there shall also my servant be.
This was revealed when Jesus announced that He
was going to see His deceased friend
Lazarus. There in Judea, they had re-
cently wanted to stone the Lord to
death. The disciples were concerned
and said to Him, Master, the Jews of
late sought to stone thee; and goest
thou thither again? (John 11:8). It
says three times before this that the
Jews had wanted to stone the Lord,
in John 8:59, 10:31 & 39. Jesus in-
tent was not without danger, yet
Thomas said, Let us also go, that
we may die with him (John 11:16). He was pre-
pared to follow his Lord, even though he had to
risk dying.
Such an attitude is essential for true disciple-
ship. It means, in practical terms, nothing other
than always doing according to His will, even
when we could be harmed in doing it. This means
that I have to honestly ask before every new way
that I take, Lord, what do You want me to do in
this matter? Where are You, Lord?
This very positive attribute was what Thomas
had, although he is often called a doubter. And he
addressed his words to the other disciples, Then
The Calling of the Twelve Disciples
Thomas
B Y M A R C E L M A L G O
J ANUARY 2011 27
And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits,
to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease. Now the names of the
twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son
of Zebedee, and John his brother; Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James
the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus; Simon the Canaanite, and Judas
Iscariot, who also betrayed him (Matthew 10:1-4).
said Thomas, which is called Didymus, unto his
fellow disciples (John 11:16). Thomas moti-
vated the others to go where the Lord wanted to
go, even if this was connected with danger.
Thomas proved himself to be inattentive,
however, when Jesus said, In my Fathers house
are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have
told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go
and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and
receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye
may be also. And whither I go ye know, and the
way ye know (John 14:2-4). Thomas replied,
Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how
can we know the way? (John 14:5). Could the Lord
have expressed Himself more clearly? In spite of
this, Thomas showed great lack of understanding.
He did not listen in the right way when Jesus re-
vealed this important truth to His disciples. We can
listen in two ways. How do we listen? How do we
listen when the Lord speaks to us through His
Word?
We must consciously listen to the voice of the
Lord. Samuel, in his youth, to whom the Lord
spoke one night, is a good example of this. In the
beginning, he did not understand that it was the
Lord who was calling. After Eli the priests ex-
planation, he was prepared, And the Lord
came, and stood, and called as at other times,
Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak;
for thy servant heareth (1 Samuel 3:10). As a
child, I used to love a little book with colored
pictures which portrayed this event impressively.
The young boy Samuel was sitting in his bed ex-
pectantly. His eyes were looking upwards, his
hands were together and his whole position ex-
pressed excited expectation. We must be prepared
with all our hearts to hear the Lords voice,
whether it be in our quiet times, in church, in a
spiritual conversation, or through the whispering
of the Holy Spirit in us.
We should listen, moreover, reverently and
worshipfully. When Joshua stood before the con-
quest of Jericho, the angel of the Lord suddenly
met with him, As captain of the host of the Lord
am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the
earth, and did worship, and said unto him, What
saith my lord unto his servant? (Joshua 5:14).
Joshua showed utmost reverence when he fell on
his face in worship in order to hear what would
come next. He adopted the correct position: he
was prepared to receive what the angel of the Lord
would say. We should also do this. If we would
read the Word of God with more reverence and
worship, we would be able to keep it in our hearts
much better.
We should also always be conscious of the fact
that the speaking of the Lord is something extraor-
dinary. Jesus said to His disciples, Blessed are the
eyes which see the things that ye see: for I tell you,
that many prophets and kings have desired to see
those things which ye see, and have not seen
them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and
have not heard them (Luke 10:23-24). The ability
to hear the Lord is an extraordinary gift. There are
places in this world where the spreading of the
Word of God is punished severely. We should con-
sider it something special, therefore, and hold in
high regard our privilege to hear the voice of the
Lord so easily.
Thomass doubt and unbelief were revealed
after the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, But
Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was
not with them when Jesus came. The other disci-
ples therefore said unto him, We have seen the
The Calling of the Twelve Disciples
Thomas
We must consciously listen to the voice of the Lord. Samuel, in
his youth, to whom the Lord spoke one night, is a good example of this. In the beginning, he
did not understand that it was the Lord who was calling. After Eli the priests explanation,
he was prepared, And the Lord came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel,
Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth (1 Samuel 3:10).
J ANUARY 2011 29
In Jesus Christ, through His death and resurrection,
we really have been given all that we need to overcome.
We only need to apply it! It may be that the Lord has sometimes given us visible
signs of His presence. He gave Thomas, for instance, the chance to feel His wounds.
Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in
his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger
into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into
his side, I will not believe. And after eight days
again his disciples were within, and Thomas with
them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and
stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you.
Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger,
and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand,
and thrust it into my side; and be not faithless, but
believing. And Thomas answered and said unto
him, My Lord and my God. Jesus saith unto him,
Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast be-
lieved: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet
have believed (John 20:24-29). It is as though
Thomas wanted to say, I will believe that the Lord
is risen, but I need proof!
Do we not often behave in a similar manner?
We believe that the Lord is risen, but sometimes
we only believe in the power of His resurrection
when we are given visible signs and proof. We
only trust when we have had the corresponding
experiences. Many Chris-
tians lament bitterly, I sim-
ply dont have the power to
overcome this or that sin in
my life. I will probably al-
ways be entangled in it.
When we speak in this way,
we are doubting the perfect
and all-renewing power of
the resurrection of Jesus.
Then, we are no better than
Thomas. Paul wrote, He
that spared not his own Son,
but delivered him up for us
all, how shall he not with
him also freely give us all
things? (Romans 8:32).
And Peter said on the same subject, According as
his divine power hath given unto us all things that
pertain unto life and godliness, through the
knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and
virtue (2 Peter 1:3).
My dear readers, in Jesus Christ, through His
death and resurrection, we really have been given all
that we need to overcome. We only need to apply it!
It may be that the Lord has sometimes given us visi-
ble signs of His presence. He gave Thomas, for in-
stance, the chance to feel His wounds. But Jesus also
admonished himunmistakably, Be not faithless, but
believing! It is as though He wanted to say,
Thomas, I am going to give you something to
strengthen your faith, but there is one thing you
must know: most important are not the visible
proofs of My presence, but the firm faith in My in-
visible presence. In the letter to the Hebrews, it
says, Nowfaith is the substance of things hoped for,
the evidence of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1).
May this truth fill us and be fulfilled in all of us!
(MR0809/350)
Bill Powell, a US Journalist, went to visit his father ina US Nursing
Home, alongwithhis Chinese wife, Junling, for the first time a few
months ago.Junlingwas shakenby the experience, andsaid, You
know, inChina,its a great shame to put a parent into a Nursing
Home. InChina,for centuries, the social contract has been
straightforward:parents raise children; thenthe childrencare for the
parents as they reachtheir dotage.
BY P. ABRAHAM
SENIORS
W
hen the real estate developer Jiang Xiao
Li recently bought a new, larger apart-
ment in Shanghai, he did so partly be-
cause he knew that, in a few years, his parents will
move in with them. Jiangs parents will help take
care of his daughter, and as they age, Jiang and his
wife will help take care of them. Though China is
developing a better-funded and more reliable social
security system for retirees, to reduce the economic
necessity of generations living together, no one be-
lieves that, as China gets richer, the cultural norm
will shift significantly.
In China, senior-care costs are mostly borne by
families. For millions of poor Chinese, that is a bur-
den as well as a responsibility. There are benefits
that balance the financial hardship: grandparents
tutor young children, while Mom and Dad are
working; they familiarize the younger generation to
the values of family and nation; they provide a
sense of cultural continuity that helps bind a soci-
ety.
In contrast, 20th century America became a mo-
bile and rootless society. It has become hard for
many to care for their parents since they now live
far apart. It is estimated that the number of elderly
Americans will soar from 38.6 million in 2009 to
71.5 million in 2030. In the overwhelmed Nursing
Home System of the U.S., there wont be enough
spots for them. Nursing Home care in the U.S.
now costs about $85,000 annually per resident.
Recognizing the magnitude of the coming crisis, the
U.S. government has begun to respond. The trend
will be into home care, because Nursing Homes are
too expensive in the U.S.
Many older Americans, who dreamt of retire-
ment, continue to work, often because their invest-
ments have plunged in value. There are now more
Americans who are 65 and older, 6.6 million com-
pared with 4.1 million in 2001. Nearly half a mil-
lion of them want to work, but cannot find a job.
The age to obtain full social security benefits has in-
creased to 66 from 65. While social security keeps
most seniors above the poverty line, there are a sub-
stantial number near poverty.
It is estimated that there are 81 million senior
citizens above the age of 60 in India. The govern-
ment has introduced schemes such as higher tax
exemption limits, travel concessions on railways,
J ANUARY 2011 31
SENIORS
and higher interest rates on
fixed deposits, for them. How-
ever, there is no proper social se-
curity scheme. It is pitiable that
many of them are lonely and are
confined to old age homes for
stay, security and safety. In Ker-
ala alone, there are 229 old age
homes with 10,516 residents.
Day homes are also in vogue.
Many parents are made to find
company and comfort in Nurs-
ing Homes. As we make the bru-
tal decision about sending
ageing parents into Nursing
Homes, a dose of the Chinese
ethos will be most welcome.
In the commandments that
God gave the Israelites through Moses, the list of
mans duties to his fellow men begins with his duties
at home in regard to his parents. This was held as one
of the most sacred obligations by the Israelites. In
some ancient societies, the helpless seniors were
thrust out of the homes of their children, to be eaten
by beasts or die of exposure. But respect for parents
and for old age was traditional among the Israelites.
This respect received the support of divine command.
Honour your father and your mother, so that your
days may be long in the land that the Lord your God
is giving you (Exo. 20:12). Well-being and prosper-
ity are the blessings and reward for honoring our par-
ents. In subsequent legislation, this commandment
was applied very strictly. It was the responsibility of
parents to instruct their children in the faith of the
covenant (Deut. 6:7), so that the faith could be passed
on from one generation to another. But instruction in
the faith required an attitude of honor and respect
from those who were being instructed. The com-
mandment serves as a reminder of the need for har-
monious family life and the responsibility of both
parents and children for spiritual growth.
The Word of God enjoins us
to respect the elderly. You shall
rise before the gray headed and
honour the presence of an old
man... (Lev. 19:32). Do not re-
buke an older man, but exhort
him as a father... (1 Tim. 5:1).
This was strictly practiced in our
midst, until recently. But such
things are considered old fash-
ioned now by the younger gener-
ation. We forsook age-old
practices as well as Biblical in-
structions and mistook western-
ization as civilization. It is never
too late to get back to the Bible.
A curse was pronounced on
him that dishonored or de-
spised his parents (Deut. 27:16). Cursing his fa-
ther was considered to be a capital offence. Capital
punishment was executed only in extreme cases.
This shows the divine attitude toward the offence.
He that cursed his father or mother was to be put to
death (Exo. 21:17; Lev. 20:9; Pro. 20:20). It is con-
sidered a grievous violation of the 5th command-
ment. Even a son who willfully and stubbornly
disobeyed his parents was to be brought before the
elders of his city and stoned to death (Deut. 21:18-
21). Obstinate rebellion is considered akin to repu-
diation of divine grace. The parents are required to
bring the charge before the leaders appointed to ar-
bitrate at the gate.
Much of the book of Proverbs is an inspired com-
mentary on this commandment. Listen to your fa-
ther who begot you, and do not despise your
mother when she is old (Pro. 23:22). Jesus ap-
proved this commandment by His own subjection
to His earthly parents (Lk. 2:51). He reaffirmed this
commandment and rebuked the scribes and Phar-
isees for circumventing it with their traditions (Mk.
7:1-13). The law concerning duty to parents was
It was the responsibility of parents to instruct their children in the faith of the covenant (Deut. 6:7), so that the faith could
be passed on fromone generation to another. But instruction in the faith required an attitude of honor and respect from
those who were being instructed.The commandment serves as a reminder of the need for harmonious family life and the
responsibility of both parents and children for spiritual growth.
plain, but the Jews had devised a means of evading it,
under the cloak of piety. They tried to circumvent the
commandment by putting in its place a religious re-
quirement that drew a lot of attention to themselves.
For them, it was not a matter of pleasing God, but of
positioning themselves as the central focus and ex-
hibiting their piety for all to see. They were prepared
to sacrifice their parents to their own pious selfish-
ness. A son could pledge his money to be paid into
the temple treasury. This could be done without ac-
tual payment. He could even do it in a fit of anger,
and then tell his old parents, in their time of need,
that he could offer them no help since his money was
dedicated under oath. In so doing, they substituted
human legalism for the law of God.
Paul rephrased it and called it the first command-
ment with promise. Children, obey your parents in
the Lord, for this is right (Eph. 6:1). Children,
obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleas-
ing to the Lord (Col. 3:20). A person is obligated to
honor his parents as he does God, and to assume re-
sponsibility for them as he does for his fellow men,
that you may live long on the earth. Children are
to obey their parents for several reasons: 1. it is
right; 2. it is commanded; 3. it brings blessings; 4. it
is well pleasing to the Lord. The wise King Solomon
says, Childrens children are the crown of old men,
and the glory of children is their father (Pro. 17:6).
The father who honors the Lord will have little trou-
ble winning the love and respect of his children. In
the lives of nations and individuals, the destruction
of the home marks the beginning of the end. The
Word of God reminds us, in the last daysmen
will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money... dis-
obedient to parents... (2 Tim. 3:1-2).
A fathers duties are displayed, both negatively and
positively. There is a warning against irritating chil-
dren and thus leading them to exasperation. An in-
junction to train them in disciplinary education
follows. Paul warns fathers to refrain from provoking
their children with undue demands. He exhorts that
the older men be sober, reverent, temperate, sound
in faith, in love, in patience (Tit. 2:2).
Home discipline is not a matter of rigid enforce-
ment, but of relating the parent-child relationship to
Christ. In an age when parental authority is being
challenged, the Christian home should be an example
of healthy discipline. Paul recognized that this is pos-
sible only if fathers avoid provocation. He emphasizes
that harshness should find no place in a Christian
household. Children must be treated like people, and
not things. Fathers are to discipline (nurture) chil-
dren and counsel (admonish) them in the Lord.
Children are to obey their parents for Christs sake,
to please the Lord. It is sad to see children who are
professing Christians, rebel against their parents and
thereby sin against Christ. Christian children should
live up to their high position in Christ as members of
His body. The restoration of parental authority is a
much-needed corrective for the rampant increase of
juvenile delinquency. The revival of filial respect for
aged parents would do much to solve the financial
and emotional needs of the ever-increasing older gen-
eration.
People who pay heed to God have no other choice.
They cannot rebel and go against their parents. Nor
can they throw into the balance all the mistakes their
parents may have made while bringing them up. Par-
ents do not make mistakes intentionally, but because
of shortcomings in their youth and many other cir-
cumstances. This is also not about the younger gener-
ation knowing better and being right, but about
mutual understanding.
The commandment to honor ones parents in-
volves the gratitude and respect we have for them
for all the trouble that they willingly and joyfully
took upon themselves in bringing us to life. In most
cases, they have even become models for us so that
we would like to emulate them.
People who honor the elderly honor God. Those
who fail to honor them rebel against Gods will.
(416)(Reprinted with permission from Light of Life: The Magazine
for Christian Growth, March 2010 issue, Mumbai, India.)
Home discipline is not a matter of rigid enforcement, but of relating the parent-child relationship to Christ. In an age when
parental authority is being challenged, the Christian home should be an example of healthy discipline. Paul recognized that
this is possible only if fathers avoid provocation. He emphasizes that harshness should find no place in a Christian household.
SENIORS
J ANUARY 2011 33
B
etween the 69th and the 70th week of years,
there is an interlude which the prophet
Daniel also saw in his vision in chapter 9,
And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah
be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the
prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the
sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood,
and unto the end of the war desolations are deter-
mined (verse 26). Now, the 69 weeks of years had
been fulfilled and only 7 years were lacking till the
completion of the 70 weeks of years. Actually, 7
years after the death and the resurrection of Jesus
(32 A.D. + 7 = 39 A.D.), the Kingdom of God (Mil-
lennium) should have arrived (verse 24), but it did
not happen. And the destruction of Jerusalem does
not belong in this time span, either. Jerusalem was
only destroyed about 37 years later through the Ro-
mans. We do not need to be surprised at this, for
Daniel is speaking here of a completely different
time, namely, the time of the end, unto the
end (verse 26). He is speaking of a time that will
end with the final judgment of sin and destruction
(verse 27).
The last phase, the 70th week of years, a period
of 7 years, is postponed and will only be fulfilled in
the end times. Something else takes place in this in-
termediate phase. What is this? Firstly, the peo-
ple of the prince that shall come (verse 26) will
destroy the city of Jerusalem. The prince is in the
future, but the people of this future prince are al-
ready here. It is the Romans, who destroyed
Jerusalem and the temple in the year 70 A.D. like a
mighty flood. Further, it is predicted that for Israel,
unto the end, that is, until the end times, there
will be no rest. There will be continual wars and de-
struction. This prophecy has been fulfilled many
times over the course of the centuries. The follow-
ing are but a few examples from a number of con-
flicts that were to destroy or enslave Israel, and
thereby confirm the reliability of Biblical prophecy:
The revelation of the 70 weeks of years belongs to the strongest proofs for the trustworthiness of
the Bible.
BY NORBE RT L I E T H
DanielsSeventyWeeks
of Years
Part IV
In 70 A.D., by the Romans under Titus with
about a million deaths,
In 135 A.D., again by the Romans under
Hadrian with over half a million deaths,
From 324 A.D., the Byzantines ruled (Constan-
tine),
From 638 A.D., the Muslims oppressed the Jew-
ish people,
In 1099 A.D., the Crusades against the mur-
derers of God began,
In 1260 A.D., it was the Mamluks from Cauca-
sus and Russia,
In 1517 A.D., the Turks (Ottomans) possessed
the land,
In 1917 A.D., it was the British.
And since the independence of Israel in 1948,
they have continually been threatened, attacked
and terrorized by the Arab world. It started with
the War of Independence; then in 1967, the Six-
Day War took place. Later on, there were contin-
ual terrorist attacks, the Intifadas, and again and
again, smaller and larger wars such as the
Lebanese war, the Gaza campaign, etc. Over 13
million Jews are said to have met with violent
deaths in this interlude of time.
To the prophetic interlude of the 70th week of
years belongs also the age of the Church, which
was hidden in the Old Testament (and therefore
in Daniel). This is why the Church of Jesus is
called a mystery in the New Testament (Ephesians
3:1ff.). This divine interlude has lasted now for
almost 2,000 years. This means that between the
69th and the 70th week of years lie almost 20
centuries.
This interlude is prophetically announced by
Hosea, in chapter 3:4-5, For the children of Israel
shall abide many days without a king, and without
a prince, and without a sacrifice, and without an
image, and without an ephod, and without
teraphim: afterward shall the children of Israel re-
turn, and seek the Lord their God, and David their
king; and shall fear the Lord and his goodness in
the latter days. These verses speak firstly of a
physical restoration of Israel, after they have been
without a king, prince or temple service.
Jesus, the King, had left Israel; the government
of Israel had been put out of power by the Romans
and the temple was destroyed. The words many
days in verse 4, however, mean that Israel will
not remain without a government and temple ser-
vice forever, and that the King will return. Accord-
ing to this, the situation at the end of days will
change. And sure enough, since they returned to
the land of their fathers in 1948, they have had
their own government. The Hebrew word for
prince (sar) means minister. This is what the pre-
sent day ministers in Israel are called. Thus, the
many days are coming to an end. We must
reckon, therefore, with the fact that in the future, a
temple will be built in Jerusalem. Already today,
men belonging to the tribe of Levi (Levites) are be-
ing trained for the office of priest, and already in
the year 2004, the Sanhedrin (the high council)
was formed again. This physical restoration of the
Jews in their homeland is also the precondition for
their spiritual restoration. Afterward [after they
have been without a government for many days
and have now become a state in their own right]
the children of Israel [will] return, and seek the
Lord their God (Hosea 3:5).
(MR0510/394)
Daniels SeventyWeeks of YearsPart IV
We must reckon, therefore, with the fact that in
the future, a temple will be built in Jerusalem.
Already today, men belonging to the tribe of Levi
(Levites) are being trained for the office of priest,
and already in the year 2004, the Sanhedrin (the
high council) was formed again.
J ANUARY 2011 35
The Living Planet report is published
every two years and is one of the most
quoted sources in the world regarding the condi-
tion of Earth. It is prepared by WWF in collabora-
tion with the London Zoological community and a
worldwide network of ecological footprint. The
drafters of this document measure health of the
planet using several indicators: Living Planet in-
dex (state of populations), ecological footprint of
humanity (natural resources), availability of re-
newable natural resources, the water footprint of
manufacturing, etc.
So what do these indicators from the new ver-
sion of Living Planet tell us about terrestrial biodi-
versity? In fact, nothing good. Studies have shown
that the population of living organisms has de-
creased by 30% since 1970. Particularly ad-
versely affected are tropical species: their
populations have decreased by 60% in less than
40 years.
Depletion of resources has already been noted
in some areas, such as the depletion of cod popu-
lations off the coast of Newfoundland in the 1980s.
When this happens, people usually move to new
habitats of food sources, to new places of fishing
or forest clearance for agriculture. Yet, at the pre-
sent level of consumption, these resources will run
out fast, and many ecosystems would collapse
before they are used, the report states.
In addition, the growth of human population has
led to the situation when we use the planets re-
sources 1.5 times faster than they renew. If hu-
manity continues in the same spirit, by 2030 we
will need the equivalent of two planets.
Needless to say, the numbers are certainly im-
pressive. However, if you carefully study the meth-
ods of investigation, some doubts arise as to the
correctness of the work conducted.
[For instance], the amount of energy consumed
by each inhabitant of our planet was calculated ab-
solutely incorrectly. One gets the impression that
the researchers simply divided the number of har-
vested resources by the number of people living on
Earth. This completely ignores the fact that the
overwhelming majority of mankind lives in less de-
veloped countries (Africa, East Asia), or falls into
the category of people who do not have access to
the benefits of civilization (Chinese peasants,
slum-dwellers of South America, Bedouins of Arab
oil empire).
It turns out that the majority of energy resources
are spent by a very small part of humanity, which,
incidentally, is not strongly involved in the growth of
world population (it has been long known that in-
digenous people of the developed countries of Eu-
rope, Asia, and America do not breed very
actively). Therefore, it is at the very least erroneous
to build a forecast for the depletion of energy re-
sources based on the growth of human population.
Perhaps this document will be used by those
who are afraid of the rapid industrial development
of some third world countries. They may try to in-
troduce certain international bans on the use of
some technologies, which will exclude the emer-
gence of new world leaders of science and indus-
try in the near future. It is not ruled out that the goal
is much more prosaicto incite a global hysteria,
and on the sly to ban the production of certain
products and thereby eliminate the competition (as
it was with the producers of Freon gas).
-english.pravda.ru, 20 October 2010
Statistics, when used to determine the fu-
ture of planet Earth, are usually wrong. Al-
though there are thousands, if not millions,
of problems the world is facing, progress is
being made on all levels. But will it last in-
definitely? Here we have a crystal clear an-
swer from the Word of God. Almost 2,700
years ago, the prophet Isaiah proclaimed:
For, behold, I create new heavens and a
new earth: and the former shall not be re-
membered, nor come into mind (Isaiah
65:17).
What will happen to the old world?
Looking for and hasting unto the coming
of the day of God, wherein the heavens be-
ing on fire shall be dissolved, and the ele-
ments shall melt with fervent heat?
(2 Peter 3:12). 3931
W O R L D
Will All LivingBeings onEarthBecomeExtinct?
Accordingtothereport ofWWFLivingPlanet, preparedfor theopeningof theUNconferenceonthe
conservationof wildlifediversity, whichbeganonOctober 18inJapan, thepopulationof all livingbe-
ings ontheplanet is sharplyreducing, as humanityconsumes 50%moreresources thanis renewed.
But howaccurateis thisapocalyptic forecast?
In addition, the growth of human
population has led to the situation when
we use the planets resources 1.5 times
faster than they renew.
Internationally, the success of the un-
precedented pump-priming has acceler-
ated a shift in economic influence that has put
Beijing front and center of policymaking.
Domestically, the 4 trillion yuan ($600 billion)
package announced on November 9, 2008, put
a floor under an economy that was in free fall
due to the global financial crisis. More than 20
million migrant workers who lost their jobs were
quickly absorbed as the government started an
array of public works projects.
Two years on, China can boast, among other
things, the worlds biggest high-speed rail net-
work, which is doing wonders for the countrys
reputation.
Chinas self-confidence got a big boost from
the fiscal program which goes beyond the imme-
diate economic effects, said Jonathan Fenby,
head of China research at Trusted Sources, an
emerging markets consultancy.
Fenby said the tangible results of the spend-
ing splurge can only increase Chinas pride in its
ability to raise its game.
One cannot help making comparisons with
infrastructure in the U.S. and U.K., he said. I
am sure the Chinese do.
Success, however, heightens expectations.
China, now the worlds second-largest econ-
omy, is under pressure to shoulder more respon-
sibility for everything from curtailing carbon
emissions to reducing global economic imbal-
ances.
Beijings response to date has been to toss
the ball back into the court of developed coun-
tries, particularly the United States, which it
holds responsible for the worlds economic
woes.
We came through the financial crisis test
very well. We got full marks, 100 percent, but
were being criticized by those who failed to
pass the exam, said Li Daokui, an economics
professor who advises Chinas central bank.
REVOLUTIONARY CHANGE
Chinese leaders for decades have deliber-
ately kept a low foreign policy profile to con-
centrate on maintaining economic growth and
political stability at home.
But Elizabeth Economy, director for Asia
Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations in
New York, argues that China has come to re-
alize that achieving those goals today re-
quires actively managing events beyond its
borders.
In the financial sphere, for example, China
has successfully pushed for greater power at
the International Monetary Fund (IMF), be-
coming its third-biggest shareholder.
China is transforming the world as it trans-
forms itself. Never mind notions of a responsi-
ble stakeholder; China has become a
revolutionary power, Economy writes in the
latest edition of Foreign Affairs.
Revolutionary is an evocative word. But is it too
strong to describe the impact that Chinas eco-
nomic rise, sustained by the two-year fiscal pro-
gram, is having on the rest of the world?
According to the IMF, the global economy grew
just 0.19 percent last year, measured in terms of
purchasing power parity.
China, expanding nearly 10 times faster, con-
tributed 1.19 percentage points to that growth.
In short, it really did save the world from reces-
sion.
And that is without accounting for knock-on ef-
fects, such as bolstered business confidence,
higher commodity prices and lower global interest
rates, that researchers trace back to China.
Clearly it made a significant contribution. Its
there in the numbers. But beyond the arithmetic im-
pact, if you take into account spillover effects, the
contribution is even larger, said Vivek Arora, assis-
tant director of the IMFs Asia-Pacific Department.
Looking at it in another way, China contributed a
whopping 46 percent of global domestic demand in
2009, more than double the average of 22 percent
from 2000-2009, according to Goldman Sachs.
Suffice it to say, without the support of the infra-
structure package, Chinas growth would have
been much smaller and the global contraction sub-
stantially larger, said Ivailo Izvorski, lead Asia-pa-
cific economist for the World Bank.
On tope of Chinas 9.1 percent GDP growth last
year, Yolanda Fernandez-Lommen with the Asian
Development Bank in Beijing stresses the role Bei-
jing played in shoring up financial stability during
the crisis.
Beijing has purchased $50 billion of IMF bonds,
established $95 billion in bilateral currency swaps
with a clutch of countries and provided a third of the
funds for a regional financial fall-back mechanism,
she noted.
Exporters of natural resources, from Australia
to Africa and Latin America, have been stand-out
beneficiaries of the stimulus.
HowCommunist ChinaSavedtheCapitalist World

Thegiant fiscal stimulus andbanklendingspreethat Chinalaunchedtwoyears agosavedtheworld
fromrecession. What canBeijingdofor afollow-upact?
China's President Hu Jintao arrives at the
Pittsburgh International Airport for the
G20 Summit in Coraopolis, Pennsylvania,
September 24, 2009.
(Photo: REUTERS / Jason Cohn)
(continued next page)
C H I N A
Chinas share of global demand for industrial
commodities jumped to 46 percent in 2009 from
31 percent in 2008, Richard Cookson and
Alexander Godwin at Citi Private Bank said in a
report. In 1999, the figure was just 7 percent.
China's development boosts commodity
prices and maintains demand in a context where
demand has decreased in our traditional major
markets in Europe and Japan, said Clodoaldo
Hugueney, Brazils ambassador to Beijing.
But the benefits of the stimulus are not limited
to emerging markets. Germany is enjoying a
mini-boom in large part due to insatiable Chinese
demand for the high-end machinery, chemicals
and cars it manufactures.
Chinas total imports in the first nine months
were $300 billion more than in the same period
last year.
At the current pace, in another 12-18 months,
German trade with China could be as big as Ger-
man trade with France, said Jim ONeill, chair-
man of Goldman Sachs Asset Management.
-reuters.com, 8 November 2010
The news from China continues to be noth-
ing short of mind-boggling. Who would
have thought some 50 years ago that com-
munist China, with a rather backward
economy then, would challenge the West-
ern world, particularly the U.S.A.? Today,
its a hard-core fact. With Chinas immense
economic energy, international political
mainstays such as European democracy
have been conveniently pushed aside. Suc-
cess is what counts and Chinas monetary
policy, the envy of America, is capable of
silencing any significant criticism.
Although many Chinese products these
days are considered to be inferior, one
must not forget that such was the case some
60 years ago where Japan was concerned.
Today, Japans quality of product
surpersedes that of the U.S.A. and is able to
challenge the Europeans.
This is another confirmation of the
world becoming one. 3943
(continued from page 36) ChinaSaved
We live in a unique time and we should use it
to construct a modern booming and powerful
Russia, the county which will become a co-or-
ganizer of the worlds new economic order and
a full-fledged participant in the collective politi-
cal leadership in the post-crisis world, he
said.
Over a few coming decades, Russia should
become a country where well-being and high
living standards for the citizens are provided
not that much by natural resources as by intel-
lectual ones: by the innovative economy which
produces unique knowledge, by the export of
modern technologies and innovative prod-
ucts, Medvedev said. Russia should become
an attractive country, where people from the
whole world would strive to come in search for
their dreams and in search for better opportu-
nities for success and self-actualization, which
Russia will be able to offer to everyone pre-
pared to accept the challenge and to love Rus-
sia as a new or second home.
These are the purposes of our moderniza-
tion, he said.
In order to achieve these purposes, we
should have smart policies to use our poten-
tial and advantages, on one hand, and which
provide mechanisms for an on-going self-im-
provement and development, he said.
Presently, Russia has favorable macro
economic conditions for modernization,
Medvedev added.
Over the global economic crisis, we, surely,
can see the drawbacks of our economy, which
is mostly based on natural resources, he said.
And still, Russia has clear advantages, which
may and should be used for further develop-
ment.
-itar-tass.com, 18 June 2010
The worlds largest country, Russia, has
not fully realized their potential for growth
for many decades. Although possessing
immense mineral resources, moderniza-
tion has never been fully implemented for
all of Russia. Now it seems that Russia
must play a significant role as part of the
new economic world order. To the west
their neighbor is the European Union, the
worlds largest and richest economy; to
the east is China with the potential of
catching up to Europe. In the south lies the
subcontinent of India, the second most
populous country in the world. Whats
new is that neither Russia nor any other
country or group of nations can prosper in-
dependently; all must be integrated into
this new global economic and financial
system.
When analyzing this progress from
biblical prophetic perspectives, we see this
as a movement toward world unity which
will ultimately lead to the rulership of one
man, the Antichrist. 3906
RUS S I A
Lets OrganizetheWorlds New
Economic Order, Says Medvedev
Russia shouldbecome a co-organizer of the worlds neweconomic
order, Russias President Dmitry Medvedev saidat the St. Peters-
burg International Economic Forum.
Russia should
become an attractive
country, where people from
the whole world would strive
to come in search for their
dreams... Medvedev
J ANUARY 2011 37
I NDI A/ I S RAE L
AnUnlikelyAlliance
India andIsrael were born(in
1947 and1948) throughlong
andviolent partitionprocesses,
fromthe ruins of the Britishem-
pire. Bothwere caught upinin-
extricable armedconflicts. Yet
this didnot make for any partic-
ular affinity betweenthe coun-
tries: rather the reverse.
From the 1920s onwards, the leaders
of Indias nationalist movement sided
with the Palestinian Arabs against British im-
perialism, opposing the Zionist aim of estab-
lishing a Jewish state. India voted against the
partition of Palestine at the UN General As-
sembly of 1947, and only recognized Israel in
1950. Until the 1980s it formed a bloc with the
Arab countries at the UN and within the Non-
aligned Movement, in defence of the Palestin-
ian peoples right to a sovereign state.
India had its reasons: it was worried that
the Muslim world would side with Pakistan
over its claim to Kashmir; it was concerned
about energy security (India depends largely
on the Middle East for its oil); and in the late
1980s and 1990s, when it had a serious pay-
ments imbalance, it relied on money sent back
home by the many expatriates working in the
Gulf states.
But the gap between India and Israel has
narrowed over the years. As early as the
1960s the two countries established secret
military and intelligence contacts. Israel was
willing to help the Indian army in its conflicts
with China (in 1962) and Pakistan (in 1965
and 1971). In 1978, Israels foreign minister
Moshe Dayan even made a secret trip to India
to propose cooperation. In 1992 New Delhi es-
tablished formal diplomatic relations with Tel
Aviv. The decision was facilitated by the end of
the cold war and the Madrid Middle East con-
ference of October 1991, which gave hopes
for peace.
The range of links has diversified and there
is now collaboration in agriculture, tourism,
science and technology. Although largely de-
pendent on the diamond industry, which ac-
counted for nearly 50% of all trade between
the two countries in 2008, commercial ex-
changes between India and Israel rose in
value from $200m in 1992 to $4bn in 2008. But
defense remains the core of the cooperative
relationship.
Israels defense industry relies on exports
for its survival. Until the end of the 1990s most
shipments were to China. But the US veto on
the transfer of sensitive technologies to China
forced Israel to look to other markets, includ-
ing India.
The Phalcon radar systems developed by
Israel Aerospace Industries for the Indian air
force are a good example. Having forbidden
their sale to China in 2000, the US authorized
their sale to India. The conclusion New Delhi
drew was that a rapprochement with Tel Aviv
would give it access to technology the US was
reluctant to export.
In a decade, Tel Aviv has become a leading
supplier of arms to India, now its largest export
market.
Industrial cooperation has centered on sur-
veillance radar and drone aircraft, and on mis-
sile systems.
Another area of cooperation is satellite
imaging. In January 2008 India launched an
advanced spy satellite on Israels behalf, ca-
pable of providing information on strategic in-
stallations in Iran. In April 2009 India launched
its own spy satellite, acquired as a matter of
urgency after the Mumbai terrorist attacks of
November 2008 that left 170 dead and re-
vealed serious gaps in its territorial surveil-
lance network. India also spent $600m on
Israeli radar to strengthen the warning sys-
tems along its western seaboard.
The relationship with Israel is a delicate
matter for internal even more than external rea-
sons: India needs to consider the feelings of its
Muslim minority (14% of the population). It also
has to take account of the left wing, heirs to the
anti-imperialist tradition, who protest against
any overtly pro-Israel policy. Indian decision-
makers strive for discretion in their dealings
with Israel, but maintaining a balance is much
more difficult in times of crisis: during the
Lebanon war of 2006, New Delhi at first con-
fined itself to hesitant condemnation of Israels
actions, then hardened its tone under pressure
from the communist parties and Muslim voters.
Exasperation eventually led the Indian parlia-
ment to the unanimous adoption of a resolution
condemning the offensive.
At a diplomatic level, Indias hesitation over
the Middle East is the result of a predictable
polarization between those who take the tradi-
tional pro-Arab position and those in favor of
partnership with Israel. But it also reveals inter-
nal tension between the need to appease a mi-
nority of 160 million who make India the worlds
third largest Muslim population and a fascina-
tion with Israels methods, which some in New
Delhi would like to try against terrorist move-
ments based in Pakistan.
-mondediplo.com, 11 November 2010
Here we see the complexity of political
maneuvering; Israel needs India as much
as India needs Israel. This somewhat
slowly developing cooperation seems irre-
versible: Common interest becomes a
stronger bonding agent than religion.
Between these two countries lies another
country starting with the letter IIran.
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad publicly
declares that Israel should be wiped off the
map. However, Iran too will eventually be-
come a recognized member of the global
family. In the end, all, without exception,
will pledge their allegiance to the one who
is to comethe Antichrist. 3937
In a decade, Tel Aviv has become a leading

supplier of arms to India, nowits largest
export market.
I RE L AND
EuropeanCentral
BankConsidered
RescuePlan
The European Central Bank considered
activating the eurozones emergency res-
cue mechanism to provide Ireland with funds, ac-
cording to a report in the German Handelsblatt
newspaper.
Citing unidentified government officials, the Ger-
man daily said several euro-area governments had
already been told to raise money on Irelands behalf
in case the need arose.
The news runs contrary to the framework
agreement for the blocs 440 billion European
Financial Stability Fund agreed in May 2009,
which says that member states must first make
an application for aid before the ECB and the
European Commission can make a decision.
It is also unclear from the Handelsblatt article
when the ECB considered handing over the aid. The
banks press office refused to comment.
Dublin has suffered from rising bond yields in re-
cent days due to ongoing concerns over the countrys
banking sector.
-euobserver.com, 28 September 2010
Since being accepted as a member of the Euro-
pean Union in 1973, Ireland has become a vir-
tual economic miracle. The country was
transformed from a mainly agricultural society
into a high-tech advanced nation. Unfortunately
for Ireland, similar to the United Kingdom and
Iceland, they wholeheartedly followed Amer-
icas lead in adopting a mostly unregulated fi-
nancial market, which ultimately began to
implode in 2007, during the Bush Administra-
tion.
But Ireland has one advantage, in contrast to
Britain, and that is the euro currency. Although
not very obvious in our days, a standard cur-
rency supported by multiple nations is in the fu-
ture. In Irelands case, having other European
cousins guarantees that the bottom of their
economy will not fall out. 3915
Government
buildings in Dublin.
The country's
banking sector has
been hit by the
property-sector
downturn
(Photo: EUobserver)
J ANUARY 2011 39
CANADA
AModel for the
World?
Canada thinks it canteachthe
worlda thing or twoabout
dodging financial meltdowns.
The 20 world leaders at an economic sum-
mit in Toronto find themselves in a country
that has avoided a banking crisis where others have
floundered, and whose economy grew at a 6.1 per-
cent annual rate in the first three months of this year.
The housing market is hot and three-quarters of the
400,000 jobs lost during the recession have been re-
covered.
World leaders have noticed: President Barack
Obama says the U.S. should take note of Canadas
banking system, and Britains Treasury chief is look-
ing to emulate the Ottawa way on cutting deficits.
We should be proud of the performance of our fi-
nancial systemduring the crisis, said Finance Minis-
ter Jim Flaherty in an interview with The Associated
Press.
He recalled visiting China in 2007 and hearing
suggestions that the Canadian banks were perhaps
boring and too risk-adverse. And when I was there
recently some of my same counterparts were saying
to me, You have a very solid, stable banking system
in Canada, and emphasizing that. There wasnt any-
thing about being sufficiently risk-oriented.
The banks are stable because, in part, theyre
more regulated. As the U.S. and Europe loosened
regulations on their financial industries over the last
15 years, Canada refused to do so. The banks also
arent as leveraged as their U.S. or European peers.
There was no mortgage meltdown or subprime
crisis in Canada. Banks dont package mortgages
and sell them to the private market, so they need to
be sure their borrowers can pay back the loans.
In Canadas concentrated banking system,
five major banks dominate the market and regu-
lators know each of the top bank executives per-
sonally.
Our banks were just better managed and we had
better regulation, says former Prime Minister Paul
Martin, the man credited with killing off a massive
government deficit in the 1990s when he was fi-
nance minister, leading to 12 straight years of budget
surpluses.
I was absolutely amazed at senior bankers in the
United States and Europe who didnt know the ex-
tent of the problemor they didnt know that people in
some far-flung division were doing these kinds of
things. Its just beyond belief, he told theAP.
The Conservative Party government of Stephen
Harper that took over from Martins Liberals in 2006
broadly stuck to his predecessors approach, though
he cut taxes and, when recession struck, pumped
stimulus money into the economy, with the result that
Canada again has a large deficit.
But it is recovering from the recession faster than
others, and although its deficit is currently at a record
high, the International Monetary Fund expects
Canada to be the only one of the seven major indus-
trialized democracies to return to surplus by 2015.
The rest of the world certainly thinks were the
model to follow, said Martin, who was prime minister
from2003 to 2006. Ive been asked by a lot of coun-
tries as to howto go about it.
-google.com/hostednews/ap, 21 June 2010
A contributing factor to Canadas success is
apparently regulation. Although European
nations had well regulated banking laws,
they were never wholeheartedly enforced;
thus, the near collapse of Britain, Greece,
Spain, Portugal and Ireland. Doubtless, the
U.S.A. and European nations, as well as
some Asian countries, will follow in the
footsteps of Canadas strictly regulated fi-
nancial system to avoid a repeated financial
catastrophe.
However, regulations will have a degree of
disadvantage, particularly to the U.S. system.
The freewheeling, high risk-taking and sky-is-
the-limit approach has been a major contribut-
ing force in Americas economic system. But
the near bankrupt condition of the U.S. gov-
ernment and financial system will hinder the
return to those good ole days.
With this development, we again see that
the world will and must become more unified;
subsequently, international laws will be written,
implemented and enforced in the future. 3860
(continued next page)
BRAZI L
Ambassador Tells EU,
Get UsedtoBrazils
GrowingPower
Brazils topdiplomat tothe EU
has saidhis country was disap-
pointedby Europes reactionto
the recently brokerednuclear
agreement withIran, indicating
that theWest must get usedto
his countrys expanding heft on
the international stage.
Speaking to EUobserver in the elegant
surroundings of the Brazilian mission
on the edge of Brussels Bois de La Cambre,
ambassador Ricardo Neiva Tavares also sug-
gested there may be lessons for Europe in
Brazils greater ability to withstand the global
economic downturn.
The two issues are clearly linked, with the
rise of Latin Americas largest economy the key
driver behind its growing confidence.
What this shows, broadly speaking, is that
there are new kids on the block, said Mr Neiva
Tavares on Brazils role in brokering the Iranian
deal. The EU and the US could show a more
positive attitude, he added.
Part of Braslias frustration stems from the
Wests apparent support prior to the deal, one
that was very similar to a failed initiative in Oc-
tober 2009 that commanded International
Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) support.
Under the Brazil-Turkey deal, submitted to
the IAEA, Iran has agreed to ship 1,200 kilo-
grams of uranium to Turkey, where it will be
stored. In exchange, Iran would get fuel rods
made from 20 percent enriched uranium, suit-
able for research reactors but not sufficiently
enriched for nuclear weapons.
The increasingly confident tone is not just
limited to the field of foreign policy. With a pop-
ulation of almost 200 million people and a land-
mass approximately twice the size of the
EU27, Brazil is forecast to jump from the
worlds eighth largest economy to fifth largest
by 2025.
The former Portuguese colony has weathered
the global downturn better than most, and at a EU-
Latin America summit in Madrid, the countrys
president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva voiced his op-
position to the speed of Europes planned deficit
cuts.
For Brazil, the key lies in achieving the right bal-
ance between export- and domestic-led growth,
said Mr Neiva Tavares, a subject that has recently
come to the fore in Europe after France told Ger-
many to boost its domestic consumption.
We don't want to give lessons, but we believe
that people should observe our system, he contin-
ued, referring to Brazilian government programs
that are designed to boost consumption amongst
the poor.
Despite the emphasis on domestic demand, the
subject of international trade is clearly a key issue
for the ambassador. Since 2008, he has been
working quietly in the background to restart talks
on a bilateral deal between the EU and South
American trade bloc Mercosur (Brazil, Argentina,
Uruguay, Paraguay).
That work appears to have borne fruit, with the
European Commission announcing its intention to
restart the talks, which broke down in 2004.
Estimates suggest the potential free-trade deal
could be the largest of its kind in the world, and
roughly four times the combined size of the re-
cently initialed agreements between the EU and
Peru, Colombia and Central America.
-euobserver.com, 2 June 2010
The new power playerBrazilled by
the charismatic Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva,
has many reasons to be confident. Brazil is
one of the few nations not severely af-
fected by the global downturn initiated by
the American financial fiasco. Now with
Europe in a difficult economic/financial
situation, the EU can no longer allow itself
the luxury to talk down to the new
American giant Brazil. This unique com-
bination of Brazil up and EU down will
accommodate more compromises to estab-
lish the new and largest global free trade
association. 3842
US A
Buffett Praises
Bailout Effort
WarrenBuffett praisedthe US
governments efforts tobail out
the economy during the finan-
cial crisis twoyears ago, pre-
venting aneconomic collapse.
In a letter published by the New York
Times, Buffett wrote that all corporate
Americas dominoes were lined up and were
ready to topple at lightning speed in the after-
math of Lehman Brothers bankruptcy in Sep-
tember 2008.
My own company, Berkshire Hathaway,
might have been the last to fall, but that distinc-
tion provided little solace, Buffett, nicknamed
the Oracle of Omaha, said.
He said the U.S. governments decision to
buy up assets that many investors considered
to be toxic had helped pull back the economy
from the brink of collapse.
Buffett commended the architects of the
bailout program including Federal Reserve
Chairman Ben Bernanke and praised U.S.
President George W. Bush for leading the pro-
gram even as Congress postured and squab-
bled.
-reuters.com, 17 November 2010
The key words in this short report are pre-
venting an economic collapse. This is not
limited to the United States, but is applica-
ble to the entire world. With communica-
tion and transportation exploding the world
over, every level of the economy will need
to be fine-tuned in order to avoid pitfalls,
In an editorial Warren
Buffett has praised
the U.S. governments
efforts to bail out the
economy during the
financial crisis two
years ago, saying it
prevented an
economic collapse.
J. Scott Applewhite/AP
J ANUARY 2011 41
Introduced in early September
2009, the fee, which can only be
paid online via credit card, applies
to EU tourists from 23 countries
who do not require a visa to
travel to the US. Travelers from
Bulgaria, Cyprus, Poland and
Romania continue to require a visa
and pay different visa fees.
The commission has so far
avoided saying the new Electronic
Travel Authorization System
(Esta) is a form of hidden visa, de-
spite MEPs pointing out that EU trav-
elers who are refused by this system
cannot board a plane to the US.
We are examining all possibilities, including
an EU Esta system. A feasibility study is being
worked on now and could be introduced in the fu-
ture, if member states agree, said commissioner
Maros Sefcovic, responsible for inter-institutional
affairs and speaking on behalf of his colleague in
charge of home affairs.
It is peculiar for travelers to pay for tourism.
This may result in less, not more tourism, he
said.
Out of the $14, four are paid to maintain the
Esta system, while the remaining 10 are a
tourism promotion tax introduced by the Senates
Democratic majority leader Harry Reid.
Privately, US officials admit that promoting
tourism at the expense of incoming travelers is
self-contradictory.
It's absurd that of all countries the US should
tax people who are not represented. What about
taxation without representation, that played a
considerable role in US history, Liberal German
deputy Alexander Graf Lambsdorff asked, in ref-
erence to the slogan promoted by British
colonists in the 18th century in the run-up to the
American Revolution.
Commissioner Sefcovic also
said the high sensitivity of per-
sonal data collection is on our
agenda and would be
brought up during a meeting
of EU and US home affairs
ministers.
Meanwhile, Mary Ellen
Callahan, a US privacy official
from the Department of Home-
land Security, has rejected
claims that credit card data
would be used to other purposes.
The credit card info is considered
sensitive information. It is kept secure
and there will be no sharing of the Esta data with
regards to the credit card information, she said in
Brussels during a conference on transatlantic
data privacy issues.
Ms. Callahan did admit, however, that the data
would be retained for one year, a measure that
may seem excessive to her EU counterparts.
Data protection authorities in each member
state are currently evaluating the way Esta is set
up in terms of data protection and there may be a
response at EU level as well, a commission offi-
cial present at the debate added.
-euobserver.com, 24 September 2010
In the meantime, EU officials are debating
whether to implement retaliatory measures.
Although the United States holds second
place with 55 million tourists annually, after
Frances 74.2 million, it seems quite natural
that taxation of tourists will result in a de-
cline in international tourism. The US al-
ready has the strictest entry requirements,
with often embarrassing interrogation of
well-to-do Europeans and Asians. The at-
traction of visiting the United States is ex-
pected to decline. This will affect other
industries as well. International travel,
whether for tourism or business, is one im-
portant key to economic success on the
world stage.
Regardless of the immediate outcome,
tourism will increase the world over, particu-
larly from the successful Asian nations,
whose bank accounts are stuffed with cash.
This report simply confirms our long-held
understanding that the United States will suf-
fer loss of prestige as time goes by in order
to contribute to the equality position of other
nations, particularly China, India, Russia,
Brazil, etc. They all must come to the same
conclusion in order to build the coming, su-
per-successful, New World Order. Thus, the
Bible says, These have one mind, and shall
give their power and strength unto the beast
(Revelation 17:13). 3919
US / E U
$14Travel Feefor Visitors toUS
Anewtransatlantic rowis unfolding after the US introduceda $14 entry fee for EUtravelers, withthe
EuropeanCommissionanalyzing possible retaliatory measures. Meanwhile, US privacy officials are
trying toalleviate concerns raisedby MEPs over the collectionof travelers credit carddata.
such as what happened in September 2008.

Although communist China and socialist
Europe were affected to a lesser degree,
their interdependence was nevertheless
clearly demonstrated globally. Again, we
must quote the words from Revelation
18:3: For all nations have drunk of the
wine of the wrath of her fornication, and
the kings of the earth have committed for-
nication with her, and the merchants of the
earth are waxed rich through the abun-
dance of her delicacies. Here we have the
politicians, the economists, and the finan-
cial system destroyed not by war or
weapons of mass destruction, but by the fi-
nal revelation of deception. The last part of
verse 23 reads: for thy merchants were the
great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries
were all nations deceived. 3936
(continued frompage 40) Buffett Praises
Millennium Saints...
The Mother of God?...
Muslims
LETTERS TO THE EDI TOR
Address letters for publication to: Letters to the Editor, Midnight Call, P.O. Box 280008,
Columbia, SC 29228. Include full name, address, and daytime phone number. Without
name and address, letters will be discarded unread. All material is subject to editing.
Midnight Call assumes all publishing rights on letters sent to the Editor.
Millennium Saints
Dear Arno Froese,
First, let me tell you how much
I enjoy your magazine.
But I am confused about a subject
that I would like you to comment on.
I have read many interpretations.
When the Church is raptured, only
our spirits go to heaven. When we
come back to earth, we will be saints,
the Bible says.
How are we transformed to live on
earth a thousand years? Will we have
a physical body, and will we be able to
reproduce children? Will there be
jobs to work at? Who will feed the
people? There will be people all over
the earth that are unable to be in the
vicinity where Jesus will be on His
throne as our Messiah.
I have often tried to figure out in
my mind the answers to these types of
questions. I will be awaiting your an-
swer.
-I. Wilson, TX
Answer: According to 1 Corinthians 15:51-
54, we will be changed from mortal to im-
mortality. We shall be like Him. Jesus
consumed food after His resurrection, and
His body was able to ignore the law of
physics, as recorded in John 20:26: then
came Jesus, the doors being shut, and
stood in the midst. Our new glorified
body, we will receive at the moment of the
Rapture. From that point on, we ignore all
previous relationships on earth. Then the fi-
nal fulfillment of 2 Corinthians 5:17 will
come to pass: Therefore if any man be in
Christ, he is a new creature: old things are
passed away; behold, all things are become
new. There will be no marriage and no off-
spring; we are now perfected in Him for all
eternity.
What will be our task? Revelation 5:10
says that God has made us kings and
priests: and we shall reign on the earth.
What this duty entails is not revealed in
Scripture, and I do not think it wise to at-
tempt to figure out an answer while on this
side of heaven in our perishable body.
J ANUARY 2011 43
There will be a topographical revo-
lution on planet Earth; the curse will
be lifted and the earth shall bring
forth abundantly. The military will be
abolished and replaced by agriculture:
They shall beat their swords into
plowshares, and their spears into
pruning hooks(Micah 4:3).
The Mother of God?
Dear Editor,
Mary gave birth to Jesus. Je-
sus is God (second person of
the Holy Trinity). Therefore,
Mary is the mother of God.
Jesus was both God and man;
two natures in the same body,
but unmixed. That was decided
at the Council of Chalcedon
451 A.D.
That Mary was the mother of
God was decided at the Council
of Ephesus 431 A.D.
Apparitions are not a part of
the dogma of the Catholic
Church; it is a matter of per-
sonal belief. They are subordi-
nate to Jesus, but helpful to
Jesus.
Mary is mentioned 19 times
in the New Testament; the last
time in Acts 1:14.
Legend has it that she as-
cended body and soul into
heaven. This is believed both in
the West and East. Belief in her
holiness was held by the early
church fathers such as St. Justin
165 A.D., St. Irenaeus 203 A.D.
and others.
Simeon blessed them and
said to Mary his mother: Be-
hold, this child is set for the fall
and rising of many in Israel, and
for a sign that is spoken against,
and a sword will pierce through
your own soul also, that
thoughts out of many hearts
may be revealed (Luke 2:34).
This may be interpreted as
giving Mary an important but
subordinate part in the process
of the salvation of soul.
Most of the dogma of the
Catholic Church is connected
to the New Testament. Catholi-
cism is the thinking mans reli-
gion.
-T. Pinet, MO
Answer: When we step outside Holy
Scripture, we arrive at all kinds of con-
clusions, such as Mary is the mother
of God. She, indeed, is blessed
amongst women, but not above
women. There is no evidence whatso-
ever in Scripture that she has part in
the process of the salvation of soul.
The only two persons born without
sin were Adam, who fell into sin, and
Jesus Christ our Lord, who was with-
out sin. Mary was subject to salvation;
thus, sherejoiced in God [her] Savior
(Luke 1:47).
Please distinguish between sin,
which is our substance, and sins we
commit. Only Jesus was the sinless
One, and only He could pay for the sin
of man. The devil made the mistake of
causing the sinless One to be crucified
by the hands of sinners. That allowed
the door of salvation to be opened. All
who believe that Jesus paid for their
sin are born again of the Spirit of God
into a sinless creation, as we can read
in 1 John 3:9: Whosoever is born of
God doth not commit sin; for his seed
remaineth in him: and he cannot sin,
because he is born of God.
It is an insult to assume that Jesus
Christ did not accomplish salvation
alone on Calvarys cross when He
poured out His life in His blood. There
is no co-Savior, no contributor toward
salvation. It is Jesus Christ, the Son of
God, and He alone.
Muslims
Dear Mr. Froese,
A lady in our Christian
womens group is taking a college
course on the Koran.
I was a bit startled when she
explained the Christian professor
stated that Muslims who believe
in the Koran also believe in Jesus
and are awaiting His return.
Former believers in the Koran
who accepted Jesus and Chris-
tianity have said that the Koran
preaches hatred for non-believ-
ers, Christians, Buddhists, Jews
and others. Ive never heard that
Muslims who practice the Koran
are believers in Jesus, or believe
that Jesus was anything more
than a mortal man, but that they
believe Mohammed is above Je-
sus, and that Mohammed as-
cended into heaven and not
Jesus.
As a Christian believer in Je-
sus and the Bible, I cannot ac-
cept the Koran and Muslim
beliefs. Muslims burn Christian
Bibles in Asia, kill Christians,
and burn their churches and
their homes. Yet in the United
States, Muslims are allowed free-
dom to practice their religion,
print and read the Koran and
build mosques. Muslims have ri-
oted when comics supposedly
have made fun of Mohammed
and for other reasons. Christians
learn to forgive their oppressors,
but riots, no.
What is your belief on Mus-
lims believing in Jesus and await-
ing His return?
-K. Williams, IL
Answer: The Koran, indeed, acknowl-
edges Jesus as a prophet, but Muslims
do not believe that Jesus is the Son of
God. Muslims consider the Old Testa-
ment and the Gospels of the NewTes-
tament holy books, but claim that
only the Koran is uncorrupted. Mo-
hammed is considered to be the final
and greatest prophet of all time.
Regarding violence, we must be
fair and recognize that Christianity
collectively, which I rather define as
Churchianity, had slaughtered the
Muslims during the Crusades. Also, we
must admit that our Bible is not void
of brutality. When Israel took Jericho,
they killed both men and women,
young and old.Read Davids prayer in
Psalm 109, particularly verses 8-15,
which reveal no mercy. The last verse
of Psalms 137 exclaims: Happy shall
he be, that taketh and dasheth thy lit-
tle ones against the stones (verse 9).
In some Islamic countries, no per-
mission is given to build a church. In
traveling to Saudi Arabia, your Bible
will be confiscated. However, this is all
part of the political-religious process
toward the incorporation of all faiths
under the auspices of Churchianity.
Revelation 13:8 will be fulfilled: And
all that dwell upon the earth shall
worship him.
Incidentally, religious persecution
has been practiced all over the entire
world. For example, the Maryland Tol-
eration Act, 21 September 1649, guar-
anteed freedom of worship for all
Trinitarian Christians in Maryland, but
sentenced anyone to death who de-
nied the divinity of Jesus. The same
document also states, Settlers who
blasphemed by denying either the
Trinity or the divinity of Jesus Christ
could be punished by execution or
the seizure of their lands. In some of
the colonies, Catholics were barred
from openly practicing their religion.
The toleration of various religions was
a key issue our Freemason Founding
Fathers insisted upon during the writ-
ing of the Constitution and the Decla-
ration of Independence.
In summary, religion will prosper,
and tolerance will increase. Most reli-
gions will keep their identity, but all
under the protective and authorita-
tive umbrella of Churchianity.
USA-Israel
Dear Mr. Froese,
America a Christian nation?
We dont act like it! But we
used to. Our founding fathers
established it on Gods princi-
ples. The Bible was taught in
our schools, with children
learning to read using the Bible
as their text. Alpha-bet, the first
two letters of the Hebrew al-
phabet.
God gave the land to Israel
with a covenant of salt; the USA
also has a salt lake. God gave
Israel the land from the Nile
River to the Euphrates River,
and from sea to shining sea; to
the USA, the same.
Isaiah 19 says Egypt and As-
syria will join Israel: Egypt my
people, Assyria the work of my
hand, and Israel, mine inheri-
tance.
Is the USA opening our bor-
ders? More and more idols, for-
saking the God of our fathers
by throwing the Bible and
prayer out of our schools (and
the 10 Commandments out of
our courts!); adultery, fornica-
tion, whoremongers, and ho-
mosexuals in our armed forces;
and politics far out in left field:
as God left Israel to fight their
own battles (to lose?), so God
can and will forsake the U.S.
However, while there are at
least ten Christians here in good
old USA, He will not permit the
largest volcano in the world to
blow: JERUSALEM! Gods land!
-C. Risk, FL
Answer: You are treading upon danger-
ous ground when comparing the USA
with Israel. The Bible says, All nations
before him are as nothing; and they are
counted to him less than nothing, and
vanity (Isaiah 40:17). God chose only
one nation; all others are under the aus-
pices of Lucifer, the god of this world.
I would encourage you to do your
own research about the true history of
the United States, instead of repeating
what false teachers are saying. To many
Americans, it is a surprise to read that
most nations of the world include refer-
ence to a Divine Being in their national
anthem, but that does not make them
Christian. The one that claims to be
purely Christian is the United Nations-
recognized state of theVatican. But they
do not represent the true Church of Je-
sus Christ on earth. In summary, there
never was and there never will be a
Christian nation on planet Earth. The
Bible makes no provision for such an
identity.
Other Planets
Dear Mr. Froese,
Since Jesus will be ruling the
New Earth from Jerusalem,
who will be ruling the imaginary
people on other planets that
some believers and unbelievers
at times wonder about? Did they
sin as well? What would be the
purpose for other people? I dont
believe this has happened.
-H. Parker, NC

J ANUARY 2011 45
Midnight Call
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Author: Arno Froese
Readers have enjoyed the opportunity of
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and concerns relative to the Body of Christ.
They have benefited from the authors
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such as the Rapture of the Church,
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Answer: The Bible does not mention
people on other planets; such ideas are
simply science fiction.
Before the new heaven and new
earth come into existence, there will be
the thousand-year Kingdom of Peace,
during which the Lord will rule the na-
tions with a rod of iron, according to
Revelation 2:27 and 12:5.
The Apostle Peter states, welook
for new heavens and a new earth,
wherein dwelleth righteousness (2 Pe-
ter 3:13). Revelation 21:1 confirms:AndI
saw a new heaven and a new earth; for
the first heaven and the first earth were
passed away. Sin has been eradicated
once and for all; the devil and his angels
are cast into the lake of fire; and all be-
lievers are in the presence of the Lord
frometernity to eternity.
Pleading the Blood
Dear Arno Froese,
I just finished listening to the
CDThe Deliverer Part 4.
Thank you for telling me that
pleading the blood of Jesus is
wrong. I have heard ministers say
to plead the blood of Jesus on
your children, town, car, furni-
ture, etc., so I have done this for
years.
What about these two:
1. Talking directing to Satan
and rebuking him in the name of
Jesus.
2. Praying to God to avenge
me of my adversary, and bringing
back sevenfold what was taken.
Thank you for your help.
-J. Smith, NY
Answer: We never talk directly to Satan,
but rather stand on the Solid Rock,
which is Jesus Christ (see Ephesians 6,
particularly verses 10-18). Note the word
stand.It does not meanattackingor re-
buking. Read Zechariah 3, where the
Lord in the second person addresses Sa-
tan: And the Lord said unto Satan, the
Lordrebuke thee, OSatan; eventhe Lord
who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke
thee.
Avenge me of my adversary is
from the Old Testament and signifies
the life in the flesh, not in the Spirit. The
New Testament says just the opposite:
But I say unto you, love your enemies,
bless them that curse you, do good to
them that hate you, and pray for them
which despitefully use you, and perse-
cute you(Matthew5:44).
Two Witnesses
Dear Arno Froese,
I appreciate your magazine.
We agree in doctrine, and why
not? The Bible is true, and Gods
Word tells us in 2 Timothy 3:16
that All scripture is given by in-
spiration of God, and is profitable
for doctrine, for reproof, for cor-
rection, for instruction in right-
eousness.
In the article, The Two Wit-
nesses and the Rapture of the
Church, the author used Moses
and Elijah as the two witnesses. It
probably doesnt make any differ-
ence, but I always understood
that it was Enoch and Elijah who
both went to heaven without dy-
ing, and I believe the Bible al-
ludes to the fact that all men shall
die, especially in Hebrews 9:27,
And as it is appointed unto men
once to die, but after this the
judgment. So it is fairly logical
that Enoch and Elijah would ful-
fill that mission, by the fact that
all men shall die. Just an observa-
tion and wondered about your
viewon this subject. Thank you.
-J. Gramm, IL
Answer: The two witnesses are not
identified in Scripture, but their activity
seems topoint toElijah, whocausedrain
to cease, and Moses, who turned water
into blood. Yes, Moses died, but it was
not a normal death, for God took his life
while he was still functioning at 100 per-
cent. Besides, onthe Mount of Transfigu-
ration, it was Moses and Elijah who
appeared. Enoch had no function
within the framework of the nation of
Israel, while Elijah and Moses did. This,
of course, is only my understanding
and the final answer is yet to be re-
vealed.
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