Ever feel like you have reached your limit? Do you sometimes wonder if your own personal efforts are falling short? Do trials wash over you leaving you thinking that you just can’t take any more?

In truth, we all experience times in our lives when we think we have been pushed beyond our own expectations. Not all of these occurrences are necessarily bad for us–not if we follow God’s lead.

We have this assurance about the trials we may encounter, as stated in 1 Corinthians 10:13:

“No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear [endure] it.”

Beyond trials and temptations, we face another reality in our Christianity. As servants of God the Father and of Jesus Christ, we have been given responsibilities for which we are accountable. In summarizing His teaching about the qualities of a faithful servant, Jesus said:

“‘…For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more'” (Luke 12:48).

An additional dimension for us to consider about the kind of service we are to give in our calling is found in another of Christ’s teachings:

“‘So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, “We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do”‘” (Luke 17:10).

As we have each answered our calling and have continued to faithfully serve God, we must go on to become profitable servants! We must advance in our service, and the way to do that is given by Peter: “[B]ut grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18).

We have just finished the annual Holy Day season for this year, and we now have several months to deeply reflect on and implement what we have learned. We have been taught new things, challenged to really be involved in the Work of God and inspired to love one another fervently–in other words, to do even more!

Each one of us can do this, because we are servants of God–and with Him, all things are possible!

The Mysterious Death of Austria’s Joerg Haider–Was He Murdered?

The British tabloid, The Sun, wrote on October 17:

“Investigators say the Austrian Far Right leader was nearly four times the booze limit and travelling at more than twice the permitted speed when he lost control at 88mph last Saturday (October 11). But the makers of his Volkswagen Phaeton limo insist the motor is one of the safest in the world and should have survived the crash in Klagenfurt. The car giants yesterday sent its own experts to examine the mangled wreckage and search for signs it may have been SABOTAGED.

“The German firm also sparked fury by linking the death of fascist icon Haider, 58, to that of Princess Diana. The neo-Nazi chief careered off the road as he drove home from a boozy party. But the promoter of the party has insisted he was not drunk when he set off. VW spokesman Peter Thul claimed that someone with access to Haider’s car key could have manipulated the limo’s electrics which control the engine’s ‘brain’.  He said: ‘It is a fact that Haider was going too fast, but such a speed on that curve is not a problem for the car’s physics. The Phaeton and Audi A8 are the safest of all. You’d need the key to manipulate the electronics, so someone at a garage would have to tamper with it. Many things bring to mind Lady Diana’s death.’”

Der Spiegel Online added on October 24:

“A day after Jörg Haider’s protégé [Stefan Petzner] stepped down as leader of the far-right Alliance for the Future of Austria — having all but admitted that Haider was gay — reports emerge that the late politician’s widow wants a new autopsy to investigate his death. The body of Jörg Haider… was pulled from a planned cremation last weekend at the request of his widow, Claudia Haider, according to an Austrian newspaper which says Mrs. Haider is unsatisfied with the official version of her husband’s death.

“Haider died in a sudden car accident on October 11, less than two weeks after his party was boosted in a contentious national election. He was speeding, drunk, and had reportedly just seen Stefan Petzner, his political protégé and rumored lover, at a gay bar. Petzner, 27, was abruptly sacked as Haider’s successor on Wednesday after a radio interview all but confirmed the two men were lovers. The Austrian paper Heute reported that Claudia Haider wanted a new autopsy by doctors outside Austria. The paper cited senior members of BZÖ, who suggested that Haider had been drugged.

“Some forensic… experts wondered why there were no skid marks on the road where Haider smashed his VW Phaeton and speculated he was unconscious at the wheel…

“Haider’s affair with Petzner was an open secret in Austria. Still, his death prompted a nationwide outpouring of grief — some Austrians said he was ‘our Lady Di’ — and the apparent confirmation of Haider’s bisexuality this week roiled the BZÖ’s conservative party base. ‘It has been an open secret for years that Haider was gay, and most Austrians would have preferred for it to remain a secret,’ a political science professor called Reinhold Gärtner, at Innsbruck University, told the New York Times.”

“Recession Alarm Rings Around the World”

AFP reported on October 24:

“Giants of the auto, airline and technology industries ordered emergency action against the global financial crisis on Friday as shares took a new hammering amid mounting gloom. Even a 1.5 million barrel a day production cut by OPEC failed to stop oil prices falling amid fears of a deep global recession. Grim news backing those fears came from around the world.

“China, Japan and 11 other Asian nations agreed to set up an 80-billion-dollar war chest to fight what ex-US Federal Reserve chief Alan Greenspan called a ‘once-in-a-century credit tsunami’… In Britain, official figures confirmed the country was about to enter a recession… The combined impact sent shares tumbling in both Asia and Europe after overnight falls in Wall Street… ‘The best word to describe what’s going on right now is panic,’ said Credit Suisse strategist Satoru Ogasawara…

“The suffering extended to the auto industry with Renault ordering almost all French plants closed for at least one week… PSA Peugeot-Citroen chairman Christian Strieff said he had ordered ‘massive’ production cuts… New figures showed industrial confidence in both France and Italy had fallen to the lowest level since 1993…”

Germany’s Grim Financial Crisis

AFP reported on October 25:

“The financial crisis will last at least until late 2009…  ‘The risk of collapse is far from over. It would be wrong to lift the alarm,’ Finance Minister Peer Steinbrueck said, offering a grim assessment of the country’s financial health… The 480-billion-euro (610-billion-dollar) rescue package for banks approved last week is to last through next year, ‘and we will certainly need it for that duration,’ he predicted. ‘We won’t know whether the rescue plan will entail real costs until between 2010 and 2013,’ he added.”

Deutsche Welle reported on October 25:

“Two more German banks seemed set to line up Saturday for a government rescue… One of the banks run by Germany’s 16 states, BayernLB, has already appealed for help, and a second landesbank, HSH Nordbank, run by the states of Hamburg and Schleswig-Holstein, said it had decided in principle to apply. Landesbanks, which also have powerful non-government shareholders, have been among institutions hit hardest in the past year by investment in subprime US mortgages… A third landesbank, WestLB, was on the verge of applying for help…”

Will Germany’s Financial Crises Lead to Merkel’s Downfall?

Der Spiegel Online wrote on October 27:

“The financial crisis and the threat of recession are revealing German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s weaknesses and could contribute to a dramatic change in her party’s prospects in next year’s election… No one in the coalition government is mentioning a balanced budget these days. Instead of the continued economic upturn economists had predicted for next year, the country is now more likely to fall into a recession. Merkel can no longer campaign as Germany’s feel-good chancellor…

“Merkel has, in fact, been less than convincing in recent weeks. She has hesitated and faltered when the pressure was on. And she has been behaving exactly the way that her critics have always accused her of behaving. The chancellor seemed unsure of herself when it came to preventing the impending collapse of the banking system… Merkel’s clumsiness was especially noticeable…

“Merkel also flip flopped when it came to the political consequences of the economic downturn… In addition to inaccuracies and a lack of decisiveness, the financial crisis exposed another deficit that is just as serious a problem for Merkel: She cannot explain her policies convincingly. She is unable to come up with a clever way to combine a series of individual decisions into an overarching concept. Her address to the German parliament, the Bundestag, in which she explained the government’s emergency bailout package, sounded like she was reading from a legal textbook…

“Another problem for Merkel is that she faces the crisis more or less alone. Her fellow conservative colleagues in cabinet are more of a burden than a boon.”

“Worst Financial Crisis in Human History”

The Daily Mail reported on October 25:

“Sterling took a hammering as economic figures showed the UK approaching full-blown recession. Bank of England deputy governor Charlie Bean warned that the pain is just beginning, calling the situation the ‘largest financial crisis of its kind in human history’.

“On the 79th anniversary of the Great Crash of 1929: Britain’s economic output slid 0.5 per cent – more than twice the decline expected by the City… Markets tumbled around the world, with leading UK shares losing almost £50billion… Sterling had its worst-ever week against the dollar since 1971 and hit a record low against the euro… The oil cartel Opec cut production, a move likely to increase petrol prices up to 5p a litre… Experts warned that hedge funds are facing disaster, with billions likely to be wiped off savings and pension funds… Hundreds of jobs were axed in the insurance, cosmetics, haulage and textile industries.

“The plunge was prompted by the worst set of UK growth figures for 18 years, recording the first time that the economy has officially contracted since 1992… Tory leader David Cameron declared: ‘This is the day the recession became real. We have had ten years of a Government saying no more boom and bust. We have had ten years of a Government not putting aside money for a rainy day. Well, that rainy day has now come.’…

“Foreign investors are less willing to finance the UK because of its record debt burden and slumping economic output… Analysts warned that the nation faces an extended period of austerity, as unemployment soars and families are forced to save on even basic essentials.

“Professor Andrew Clare, of Cass Business School, said Britain has amassed a record debt burden that must now be paid off. The economist added: ‘We are going to have to wear a hair shirt as a nation. If this turns out to be recession lasting five or six quarters, which looks possible, we are not going to see the slightest upturn until 2010. And even then we can expect at least five years of muted growth.’… while all economies are suffering from the banking crisis, yesterday’s ONS report suggests that Britain will be a leading casualty.”

On October 27, The Guardian wrote the following:

“Estimated paper losses from UK banks on mortgage-backed securities and corporate bonds are currently £122.6bn… Gordon Brown insisted yesterday that it was right for the government to increase borrowing in order to fund investment to help the economy through tough times…

“The Bank of England may have put the paper cost of the global crisis at a staggering $2.8 trillion, but how does one come to grips with such a sum? Think of it like this: it could… pay off the last quarter’s public debt 45 times. It is more than three times the sum of UK annual public spending…”The New York Times had already reported on October 3, 2008, that “The American International Group said on Friday that it had… drawn down $61 billion of the $85 billion emergency bridge loan it received from the Federal Reserve two weeks ago, an announcement that startled credit ratings agencies.”

A Way Out of Our Financial Mess?–Hardly!!!

MSNBC reported on October 25:

“Asian and European leaders said Saturday they have reached a broad consensus on ways to deal with the global financial meltdown and will present their views at a crisis summit next month in Washington… Although short on details, the statement, adopted Friday, calls on the IMF and similar institutions to help stabilize struggling banks and shore up flagging share prices…

“Responses to the crisis among participants have been varied thus far. The 15 euro countries and Britain reacted in dramatic fashion, agreeing to put up a total of $2.3 trillion in guarantees and emergency aid to help banks. In contrast, South Korea, China, Japan and the 10-country Association of Southeast Asian Nations have merely recommitted themselves to an $80 billion emergency fund to help those facing liquidity problems — to be established by next June…

“The IMF, whose loans normally include strict provisions, is discussing loan packages with close to a dozen countries from Iceland to Pakistan, and is examining ways to speed up the process.”

Bild Online reported on October 28 that Iceland’s bankruptcy may just be the first of additional national bankruptcies soon to come, involving countries such as the Ukraine, Pakistan, Romania, Hungary, Spain and Greece.

In addition, The Times reported on October 13, “the Royal Bank of Scotland [was] taken under state control at a cost of 20 billion pounds.” It also said that “Reliance on US will never be the same.”

Even seemingly good news in the financial market is not perceived as good these days. The Associated Press reported on October 29:

“Wall Street’s best day in two weeks — and one of its best ever — was a joyless rally. Even a manic, final-hour stampede of buying that sent the Dow Jones industrials soaring almost 900 points did nothing to dispel the feeling that the market could turn on investors in an instant.”

And, the Associated Press reported on October 30, 2008:

“The government reported Thursday the economy shrank in the summer, the strongest signal yet that a recession may have already begun, a day after the Federal Reserve slashed a key interest rate to battle an economic downturn… The classic definition of a recession is two consecutive quarters of negative GDP. Many analysts believe the GDP will decline in the current October-December period by an even larger amount and they are forecasting a negative GDP figure in the first three months of next year… While Wall Street posted its second biggest point gain in history Tuesday in anticipation of the Fed rate cut, the bleak economic reality appeared to ensure that the euphoria was short-lived…

“Analysts also noted that just lowering rates cannot serve as a panacea to overcome a credit crisis. While the goal is to encourage banks to begin lending again, financial institutions are skittish about extending new loans given the huge losses they have racked up in bad mortgages.

“Meanwhile, the administration announced that the spigot had been opened on the $700 billion fund created by Congress Oct. 3 to rescue the U.S. financial system. Treasury issued a report showing checks had been disbursed for $125 billion in payments to nine major banks, including Bank of America, Citigroup, JPMorgan Chase, Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley. The goal is to bolster their balance sheets so they will resume more normal lending…

“Besides cutting interest rates, the Fed announced it was extending credit lines worth $30 billion each to the central banks of Brazil, Mexico, South Korea and Singapore in an effort to bolster financial markets in those countries and relieve investors’ anxieties. It brought to 14 the number of central banks that the Fed has entered into so-called swap arrangements for currency as a way to pump more liquidity into global credit markets, part of an effort that the Bank of England estimated has resulted in $5 trillion in support being put forward by governments worldwide.”

“Then Ephraim Went to Assyria…”

The Washington Post wrote on October 25:

“Since Sept. 1, about $16.3 trillion worth of global stock market value has been erased… this could be just the beginning of steep declines in the stock prices of major companies that depend on exports to the United States and Europe for much of their profit…

“Prime Minister Gordon Brown said he wanted the help of other countries. ‘This is a global financial recession, and we’re fighting it every way we know how, working with other countries, trying to get the banks moving here in Britain,’ he said.”

These are interesting comments from Gordon Brown in light of Hosea 7:11-12: “Ephraim [Great Britain] also is like a silly dove, without sense–They call to Egypt, They go to Assyria [Germany]. Wherever they go, I will spread My net on them; I will bring them down like birds in the air; I will chastise them According to what their congregation has heard.”

Note also Hosea 5:13: “When Ephraim saw his sickness And Judah his wound, Then Ephraim went to Assyria And sent to King Jareb [“Jareb” means, “contentious”]; Yet he cannot cure you Nor heal you of your wound.”

For more information, please read our free booklets, “Europe in Prophecy” and “The Fall and Rise of Britain and America.

Controversial Horst Seehofer New Bavarian Premier

Deutsche Welle reported on October 25:

“Horst Seehofer… has promised his party, the Christian Social Union (CSU), he will exert heavy pressure on Chancellor Angela Merkel… The CSU was replacing its leadership after a state election debacle last month in which the CSU lost its absolute majority and must enter a coalition. Delegates blamed the poll loss on Merkel, who leads the CSU’s ‘sister party,’ the Christian Democratic Union. Though both parties are broadly conservative, the CDU has rejected a CSU plan to offer a larger tax rebate to commuters, bigger exemptions for heirs from inheritance tax and other tax cuts…

“[The CSU delegates] approved with a huge majority [Seehofer’s] agreement with the smaller Free Democrat Party (FDP) to rule Bavaria jointly… For the first time in 46 years, the CSU is unable to rule the largely Catholic state of Bavaria without a coalition partner… Seehofer said his objective as premier replacing Guenther Beckstein would be to restore the CSU’s old strength, with 50 to 60 per cent of the popular vote.”

Seehofer resigned his post as the German minister of agriculture, to be able to become the new Bavarian premier. He came into the limelight recently due to his marital infidelity, his fathering of a child out of wedlock, and his subsequent denial of his ongoing extramarital adulterous affair, causing a temporary split-up within his family. However, according to Bild Online, when he was sworn in as the new Bavarian Premier on Tuesday, his wife and his two adult children were present during the ceremony.

Seehofer has the reputation of a controversial and unreliable politician. In an article, dated October 9, 2008, the German daily, Rhein-Neckar Zeitung, called him a “chameleon.” It continued: “Reliability does not count for him, but rather clever political tactics.” The paper stated that even his friends describe him as “fickle and as a political crank.” One Bavarian minister was quoted as saying in the past, “If Seehofer meddles one more time in my affairs, I’m going to slap him.”

Incredible… How America Is Losing its Way

WorldNetDaily reported on October 25:

“A Wisconsin pastor has been charged with felony physical abuse of a child after he spanked his 12-year-old son for lying and a teacher notified social services… [The minister] is free on a $10,000 bond, but he could face up to three years in prison and fines for disciplining his son… The boy said his father gave him two ‘swats’ that ‘hurt a little’ on his rear end in June…

“One of his siblings mentioned the spanking to a teacher, who called social services, according to the report. A June 7 report from the Divine Savior Healthcare emergency department indicated that the boy had slight bruising on his buttocks, but it said there was no swelling and he was not experiencing pain. The medical paperwork said the boy told physicians he didn’t think he was abused and he loves his father. The documents show the boy’s doctor does not believe he was abused, and he called the event a ‘social services fiasco.’…

“A judge ruled Thursday that the case will head to trial. Now jurors at the Columbia County Courthouse will decide whether the spanking constituted ‘reasonable discipline’ permitted under state law. The pastor’s 21-year-old daughter… stood outside with a sign that read, ‘Thank you for spanking me dad’ as a showing of support for her father.

“District Attorney Jane Kohlwey told the Portage Daily Register the spanking was not reasonable, because it left bruising, though [the pastor’s] attorney claims photographs only reveal red marks… [The charged pastor] has been forbidden from spanking any child as part of his bond.”

Medical Scandal–About Half of U.S. Doctors Knowingly Prescribe Useless Drugs

The Associated Press and USA Today reported the following on October 24:

“About half of American doctors in a new survey say they regularly give patients placebo treatments — usually drugs or vitamins that won’t really help their condition. And many of these doctors are not honest with their patients about what they are doing, the survey found… Placebos as defined in the survey went beyond the typical sugar pill commonly used in medical studies. A placebo was any treatment that wouldn’t necessarily help the patient… Half the doctors reported using placebos several times a month…

“In some cases, placebos were given to patients with conditions such as chronic fatigue syndrome. Doctors also gave antibiotics to patients with viral bronchitis, knowing full well that a virus is impervious to antibiotics, which fight bacteria. Experts believe overuse of antibiotics promotes the development of drug-resistant strains of bacteria.”

U.S. Raid in Eastern Syria Incurs Arab Wrath

The Time wrote on October 27:

“Sunday’s surprise raid by helicopter-borne U.S. troops in eastern Syria raises at least three key questions. Given that the U.S. is saying the number of volunteer fighters infiltrating Iraq from Syria has dwindled significantly in the past 18 months, why was this action deemed necessary? Does the raid signal a shift in U.S. tactics in the region? And with just over a week before the U.S. presidential election, why now?

“In what is thought to be the first such incursion from the Iraq side since the U.S. invasion of Iraq in March 2003, at least four U.S. helicopters crossed Iraq’s western border with Syria and attacked what officials in Damascus said was a half-constructed building in Sukkariyeh Farm, 5 miles from the Syrian frontier town of Abu Qamal. Eight people were reported to have been killed in the raid. Damascus ‘condemns this aggression and holds the American forces responsible,’ said the Syrian government in a statement that went on to demand that the Iraqi government launch an investigation into ‘this serious violation.’…

“This is not the first such raid into Syrian territory in recent years. In September 2007, Israeli jets bombed a site in northeast Syria suspected of being a nuclear facility…”

AFP added on October 27:

“US forces in Iraq staged a ‘successful’ raid into Syria against foreign fighters, an American official said on Monday, as a furious Damascus accused Washington of ‘terrorist aggression.’ Among those believed killed, the official said, was Abu Ghadiya, ‘one of the most prominent foreign fighter facilitators in the region.’… It was the first confirmed US action of its kind into Syrian territory and signalled that Washington is moving to the kind of aggressive tactics against insurgent sanctuaries along Iraq’s borders that it has been using with increasing intensity in Pakistan’s tribal border areas.

“‘We consider this criminal and terrorist aggression,’ Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Muallem told a news conference in London after talks with British Foreign Secretary David Miliband. ‘Killing civilians in international law means a terrorist aggression,’ added Muallem, whose country’s official media said eight civilians were killed, including children. Asked if Syria would use force if the Americans mounted a similar operation again, he said: ‘As long as you are saying if, I tell you, if they do it again, we will defend our territories.’…

“The official press in Damascus blasted the attack as a ‘war crime’ by Bush’s administration. Damascus summoned the official US and Iraqi representatives in protest… The Arab League condemned the assault as a ‘violation which does nothing to help stability in the region and can only lead to new tensions,’ calling for those responsible to be held to account. In neighbouring Lebanon, Prime Minister… Siniora said the raid ‘constitutes a violation of Syrian sovereignty and thus is a dangerous, unacceptable attack that we condemn.'”

Der Spiegel Online reported on October 29:

“In Paris, the office of French President Nicolas Sarkozy released a statement Monday expressing ‘serious concern’ and calling for ‘the strict respect of the territorial integrity of states.’ Javiar Solana, the EU’s top foreign policy official, said that he was ‘worried’ and hoped matters would quickly return to normal. The foreign ministries of China and Russia both joined the chorus, focusing their criticism on US violation of Syrian territory… In Germany, responses to the attack have been fairly muted. Neither Chancellor Angela Merkel nor Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier have released statements on the incident. Some German commentators take a look on Tuesday.

“Left-leaning Die Tageszeitung writes: ‘Whether the US action was a snafu or not, the question still remains: Why now? Nobody would deny that there has been a problem for years with jihadis streaming into Syria from all over the Arab world so that they can be smuggled into Iraq. But the fact is that, in the summer, it was the Americans themselves who announced to their relief that infiltrations in 2008 had already gone down by 50 percent. And the Syrians are becoming increasingly more aware of how the demons they have awoken have been turning back against them. Last month’s al-Qaida attack in Damascus, in particular, reinforced that lesson. By now, even the Syrians have become more interested in tightening up their border with Iraq. So why the current escalation? Is this the Bush administration’s way of waving goodbye to Syria?… To launch an attack on Syrian territory is also a shot across the bow of the Europeans who have been laboring for months both to strengthen ties with Syrian politicians and to encourage them to follow more constructive policies.’

“The center-left Süddeutsche Zeitung writes: ‘As tasteless as it may sound given the deaths of eight people, the US attack on Syrian territory was a political warning… The question now is: How will the Syrians react? For President Assad, the American action has to be rather humbling in that his country’s sovereign territory has been breached by the US military and, in the process, not only alleged terrorists were killed, but also innocent civilians. The fact is that Syria’s 1980s army can’t provide a military response [to] the US operation. As things stand, Assad can only swallow his pride and increase efforts to keep underground fighters away from his borders. But he could also do the opposite and ratchet up the Iraq war to a new level. If that were to happen, the American[s] will have brought about the exact opposite of what they had meant to accomplish.'”

Iran’s “Preemptive Strike” Against Israel?

On October 10, 2008, haaretz.com reported the following:

“Senior Tehran officials are recommending a preemptive strike against Israel to prevent an Israeli attack on Iran’s nuclear reactors, a senior Islamic Republic official told foreign diplomats two weeks ago in London. The official, Dr. Seyed G. Safavi, said recent threats by Israeli authorities strengthened this position, but that as of yet, a preemptive strike has not been integrated into Iranian policy…

“Safavi said a small, experienced group of officials is lobbying for a preemptive strike against Israel… Safavi said Tehran recently drafted a new policy for responding to an Israeli or American attack on its nuclear facilities. While the previous policy called for attacks against Israel and American interests in the Middle East and beyond, the new policy is to target Israel alone. He added that many Revolutionary Guard leaders want to respond to a U.S. attack on Iranian soil by striking Israel, as they believe Israel would be partner to any U.S. action.”

Middle East Peace Talks on Hold

AFP wrote on October 28:

“Israel’s political parties decided on Tuesday to hold early elections on February 10, a decision that will leave US-backed Middle East peace talks in limbo for at least three more months… Both Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni’s centrist Kadima party and the right-wing Likud party of hawkish former premier Benjamin Netanyahu, the two frontrunners for prime minister, had pressed for holding elections as soon as possible. President Shimon Peres formally initiated the election process on Monday after Livni failed to assemble a new government coalition.

“Livni, 50, was elected as Kadima leader last month and hopes to take over as prime minister from Ehud Olmert, who stepped down in September over graft allegations but remains as caretaker premier.”

Russian-Chinese Cooperation

AFP wrote on October 28:

“Russia and China on Tuesday signed a long-awaited deal to build an oil pipeline from Siberia to China after talks between Prime Minister Wen Jiabao and Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. The leaders watched as Chinese state energy major CNPC and Russian state pipeline monopoly Transneft signed the deal to build the pipeline from the Siberian town of Skovorodino to the Chinese border. The pipeline agreed on Tuesday would have a capacity of 15 million tons of oil per year and would be a branch of the main East Siberia-Pacific Ocean trunk pipeline, which is still under construction, officials said.”

Arabs Like and Dislike Obama

The New York Post wrote on October 28:

“‘OBAMA! Inshallah!’ – Obama! Allah willing! That slogan, scribbled on walls in Gaza, indicates the hopes that Barack Obama has inspired among Arabs. While Obama has tried to push his origins into the background, his ‘Islamic roots’ have won him a place in many Arabs’ hearts. One columnist, Mohamed Al-Menshawi, hails Obama as ‘the candidate with Muslim roots’ and as the ‘harbinger of solidarity between Americans and the Muslim world.’

“Another, Al-Jazeera’s Aala al-Bayoumi, notes: ‘Had it not been for Obama, Arabs would not even bother to follow the US presidential race.’ What makes the difference is Obama’s ‘Islamic and African roots.’…

“While radical Arabs, including the Hamas leadership, favor Obama, most Arab officials are wary of him. They fear his inexperience and leftist connections might destroy all that has been gained in Iraq, provoke a bigger mess in Afghanistan, trigger a war with Pakistan and open the way for Khomeinist hegemony in the region…

“Obama… has retained his Arabic-Islamic names. (Barack means ‘blessed’ and Hussein means ‘beautiful.’) His family name is Swahili, an East African lingua franca based on Arabic. Arab commentators note that his siblings also all have Arabic Muslim names. His sister is called Oumah, Arabic for ‘the community of the faithful’ [and] his older daughter, Malia, bears the name of a daughter of the Caliph Othman, who commissioned the compilation of the first edition of the Koran. That Obama’s stepfather was also a Muslim (from Indonesia) strengthens the empathy that many Arabs feel for him…

“Arabs welcomed and widely commented on Colin Powell’s assertion that, even if Obama were a Muslim, it should not be held against him… Not all Arab commentators are struck by Obamania, however. His flip-flops on issues – including the future of Jerusalem, withdrawal from Iraq and dealing with the Iranian nuclear threat – have prompted some to counsel caution.

“Tareq Al-Houmayed, editor of the daily Asharq Alawsat, warns Arabs not to expect too much: ‘Every American president would be governed by American interests…’ Abdulrahman al-Rashed, a Saudi commentator, also notes that no president can radically alter US global policies. He advises Arabs to neither have exaggerated hopes nor be dispirited when Obama tells the Israelis ‘more than they hoped to hear’ to win Jewish support.”

Obama and McCain — “Become Honest”…

The German daily, Rhein Neckar Zeitung, wrote on October 11/12, 2008:

“Obama and McCain continue to build more air castles… An almost impossible task waits for the victor of the presidential elections… And still, both candidates insist on maintaining plans that would cost tax payers trillions of dollars… Critics ask the candidates to become honest… The question for the next president is how quickly hopes of the voters will change into disappointment…”

The Associated Press wrote on October 28:

“Democrat Barack Obama’s ‘closing argument’ speech Monday included a sweeping accusation against GOP rival John McCain: ‘Senator McCain still has not been able to tell the American people a single major thing he’d do differently from George Bush when it comes to the economy.’ But the charge is debatable — McCain has several ideas that are different than Bush’s policy, which he touched on as recently as a Sunday interview on NBC’s ‘Meet the Press’… The Obama campaign says the key word of Obama’s statement is ‘major,’ and the differences that McCain points to are minor details…”

On October 30, The New York Post wrote:

“Two leading infomercial stars agree: Barack Obama’s half-hour self-promotion last night was a flop. ‘I don’t see enough smiling. Doom and gloom totally,’ said Anthony Sullivan, one of the biggest names in infomercial history… He and AJ Khubani, who has produced infomercials for 25 years, said Obama also fell short of offering solutions to the dire problems he laid out… ‘We always spend much more time on the solution than the problem and he did the opposite,’ Khubani added.”

The Associated Press reported on October 28:

“A week from the presidential election, Republican John McCain is persisting in exaggerating and misrepresenting rival Barack Obama’s tax and health-care plans… McCain’s central claim — that people will be ‘forced’ into a new government-run [health-care] plan under an Obama presidency — is not true. In fact, Obama broke with many Democrats and others who advocate universal coverage when he announced his plan would be mandatory only for children, and voluntary for everyone else…”

Human-Animal Hybrids in the Making

AFP reported on October 23 about the following despicable developments in England:

“The lower house of parliament approved legislation Wednesday allowing scientists to create animal-human embryos for medical research, in the biggest shake-up of embryology laws in two decades… MPs in the House of Commons backed the Human Embryology and Fertilisation Bill by 355 votes to 129. It will now go to a vote in the House of Lords, and could be law by November.
 
“The wide-ranging bill… [also] gives lesbians and single women easier access to in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) treatment by removing requirements for clinics to consider a child’s need for a father… Hybrid embryos [are] created by inserting the nuclei of a human cell into an animal egg…”

How the Abominable PAGAN Custom of Halloween Overtook Germany

Der Spiegel Online wrote on October 30:

“In the mid-1990s, few in Germany had ever heard of Halloween, and even fewer celebrated it. Now, it’s a €150 million a year industry… Most in Germany have never heard of Dieter Tschorn… but if one is looking for an explanation as to why millions of… Germans will be carving pumpkins, putting on costumes and begging for candy door-to-door, Tschorn is a good place to start. After all, more than anyone else, he is responsible for Halloween’s existence — and growing popularity — in Germany…

“Tschorn is a public relations consultant who went into business for himself in 1982. More to the point, however, he is also the spokesman for a division in Germany’s toy-making industry association responsible for Carnival, that annual season of costumed mayhem that culminates 40 days before Easter.

“Back in the early 1990s, Carnival was cancelled in Germany as a result of the first Gulf War — and those who make their living selling costumes and party supplies took a major hit. But the industry also had another important design flaw. Whereas the Carnival season always begins on Nov. 11, the timing of Easter can vary widely. Last year, for example, Easter fell on March 23, making the Carnival season just 87 days long, the shortest it had been since 1913.

“‘The shorter Carnival is, the lower our turnover — each week less represents a 5-percent drop in sales,’ Tschorn said. ‘We needed some consistency, which led to the idea to introduce Halloween in Germany.’

“It seems to have worked. In 2007, 4,600 tons of pumpkins were sold in Germany, says Tschorn. One can buy Halloween bread at the baker’s, Halloween sausage at the butcher’s, Halloween cocktails at the bar and, of course, Halloween candy in the nation’s supermarkets. Tens of thousands of German children now go door-to-door, holding out their bags and saying ‘sweet or sour,’ the German version of trick-or-treat.

“The Halloween promoter says that the holiday has become an industry worth around €160 million in Germany, in third place behind Christmas and Easter. In 1994, that number was close to zero. This year, the costume industry expects Halloween-related consumption to be 5 percent more than last year. ‘By the end of 1998, Halloween had become something of a cult,’ Tschorn said…

“Nevertheless, many in Germany aren’t nearly as excited as Tschorn is about the place Halloween has managed to carve out for itself in the country’s social calendar. The Evangelical Church is particularly irked that October 31st, the day on which Martin Luther launched the Reformation, is now more associated with a PAGAN HOLIDAY imported from Ireland via America than for Germany’s own contribution to religious history.”

For more information on Halloween, please read our free booklet, “Is That in the Bible?–Man’s Holidays and God’s Holy Days.

Understanding the true application of what Jesus stated is vitally important, and far too many people misapply what is meant.

The exact quote from Matthew 16:27 is as follows: “‘For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works.’”

This statement is amplified by Paul in 2 Corinthians 5:10: “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.”

The implication of Paul’s teaching points to how Christians fulfill their calling as members of the body of Christ—the Church of God (compare Ephesians 1:22-23; Colossians 1:24).

The Bible reveals the kinds of “works” that are acceptable to God, and these are done in the context of His calling us into the truth. Our reward that will be given to us entails our bearing fruit through the power of God’s Holy Spirit. Jesus carefully explained that we are to bear fruit (compare John 15:1-16).

What kind of fruit? A contrast is drawn between “the works of the flesh” and the “fruit of the Spirit” in Galatians 5:19-23. The works of the flesh are actions in rebellion against God’s laws, while the fruit of the Spirit is the outgrowth of obedience to God. Either one or the other of these opposing lifestyles frames our work—the way of this world or the way of God.

Paul challenges Christians to “…be imitators of God as dear children” (Ephesians 5:1). Continuing in chapter 5, he enumerates a different way of living, and he calls those who practice these vile actions “…sons of disobedience” (verse 6). In the next verse he warns us: “Therefore do not be partakers with them.” We find a similar warning to God’s people in Revelation 18:4: “And I heard another voice from heaven saying, ‘Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues.’”

The kinds of works that are acceptable to God are the same kinds of works that Jesus Christ accomplished (compare Matthew 17:5). What were Jesus’ works?

The answer is found in what Jesus testified about Himself: “‘…for the works which the Father has given Me to finish—the very works that I do—bear witness of me, that the Father has sent Me’” (John 5:36). Jesus also said: “‘…My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work’” (John 4:34). In the prayer of Jesus Christ to His Father that is recorded for us in John 17, Jesus says, “‘…I have finished the work which You have given Me to do’” (verse 4). He continues in His prayer and mentions in both verses 14 and 16: “‘They [His disciples] are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.’”

Yet, while being separate from the world in its ungodly practices, Jesus was sent into the world so “that the world through Him might be saved” (John 3:17)! Note what Jesus taught: “‘The spirit of the LORD is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed; To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD’” (Luke 4:18-19).

Jesus spoke of these kinds of works when He gave an answer to John’s disciples about Who He was: “Jesus answered and said to them, ‘Go and tell John the things you have seen and heard: that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have the gospel preached to them'” (Luke 7:22).

In considering what kind of works we are to be doing, we see in the example of Jesus Christ that He focused on what would ultimately be of the most help—He preached the good news of the Kingdom of God (compare Mark 1:15). Jesus Christ has also left this instruction for us: “‘Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven’” (Matthew 5:16).

Our “good works” are focused on preaching the gospel, but we have further responsibilities. Like Jesus, we are to reach out to others in our sphere of contact. Paul states: “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith” (Galatians 6:10); and: “But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased” (Hebrews 13:16).

Jesus taught that we should consider those in need: “‘When you give a dinner or a supper, do not ask your friends, your brothers, your relatives, nor rich neighbors, lest they also invite you back, and you be repaid. But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind. And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you; for you shall be repaid at the resurrection of the just’” (Luke 14:12-14).

The application for us is the same as it was for Jesus. His actions were focused on the work given to Him to preach the gospel. In the course of His ministry He was able to help, to heal, to even feed and to give hope! However, Jesus understood that His role was to point people to God’s Kingdom: “Jesus answered them and said, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled. Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him’” (John 6:26-27).

Some have mistakenly adopted an attitude that does not follow the true example of Jesus Christ when it comes to their purported “Christianity”: “‘Not everyone who says to Me, “Lord, Lord,” shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, “Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?” And then I will declare to them, “I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!”’” (Matthew 7:21-23).

The principle of God’s Word is that we do good whenever we can—that serving others in love is true godliness (compare 1 Corinthians 13:3). Carefully note the following concept as we prepare for the rewards God offers to those who love Him: “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap” (Galatians 6:7).

The kinds of works we should be sowing include the following: “‘But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For he is kind to the unthankful and evil. Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful’” (Luke 6:35-36).

And, Paul, speaking of the righteous judgment of God, states: “[W]ho ‘will render to each one according to his deeds’; eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality, but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness—indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish, on every soul of man who does evil…” (Romans 2:6-9).

Lead Writer: Dave Harris

Long-time Evangelist Raymond F. McNair and a pioneer in the modern era of the Church of God died on the Sabbath of October 11, 2008, after a five-year fight with cancer. Mr. and Mrs. Rene and Delia Messier from Canada were staying in Escondido, on their trip to Arizona, and were able to visit Eve McNair and spend time with her and the family. Mrs. McNair stated in a letter to family and friends that Mr. McNair “trusted God knowing he would be delivered either through death or divine healing. ‘Not my will, but yours O Lord,’ were words he often repeated.” In the letter, Mrs. McNair thanked “all who have so kindly and passionately reached out to comfort me in my distress.”

Three new StandingWatch programs were posted on the Internet. Set forth below are summaries of the programs:

A New World

God created man to preserve the earth. Overall, man has done a terrible job in destroying and polluting the environment. The Bible predicts that it will get much worse. Because of man’s lack of right knowledge, the “beasts of the field and the birds of the air” and “even the fish of the sea will be taken away.” And still, man’s ultimate potential to beautify the earth will be fulfilled–in a few years from now. Learn how, in this program.

Watch this now on StandingWatch or Google Video or YouTube.

Comfort in Terminal Sickness

In this special on-location program, we are interviewing two people who are suffering from terminal sickness. You will be moved by their candid statements and expressions of faith in God–knowing that they are beyond medical help. If you are suffering from a serious sickness–or know someone who does–you NEED to watch this program.

Watch this now on StandingWatch or Google Video or YouTube.

Why Christians Keep “Jewish” Feasts

Annually, tens of thousands of Christians in all the world observe a little-known festival for over a week, called in the Bible the “Feast of Tabernacles.” Most outside the Jewish community have never heard of this Feast, but the Bible shows that within a few years from now, EVERYONE will observe it. Please join us in this special on-location program, which was taped in England during the festival, and listen to a Christian pastor explaining the biblical meaning of that little-understood Feast.

Watch this now on StandingWatch or Google Video or YouTube.

Recent Comments from our StandingWatch Viewers:

This man speaks the truth, but too bad most people don’t listen until it is too late.

… the America[n] way is coming to an end

Excellent video…..I agree…..I lived in Europe for 18 years working for the US government…and now live in the North West United States….many of my friends call me a “minimalist” but with the exception of a few years during my life….I’m not a very materialistic person… it’s poison…and it really will come to “own you” through work, spending, stress…it’s a big lie. America is over as we know it. Broke banks… broke government. $12 trillion debt….printing $700 billion in paper…

… his words coming true..

… living like this guy is talking about is just no fun. lust greed gluttony is fun stuff. yee-haah!

New sermon posted on Google Video:

Norbert Link, “Bible Study–Mystery of Righteousness,” September 30, 2008

by Laura Harris

Recently, I was cleaning out my “in-box” – a 12 inch pile of things to do and things to file — when I came across a card addressed to Paul Voss. I started to write Paul a note when he was first diagnosed with cancer earlier this year. However, I got preoccupied with other tasks and never completed my letter to him.  Now I will never have the chance to tell him in this life how much I missed him and that I was praying for his healing, or to encourage him to “hang in there” while undergoing treatment.

In hindsight, I wonder what was so important that I couldn’t take 10 minutes to write to an ailing friend.  How often do I neglect to tell friends and family through my words or actions how much I love them?  Do I overlook opportunities to help friends and neighbors in need because of other so-called pressing issues?  H. Jackson Brown, Jr., a New York Times best-selling author, is quoted as saying: “Nothing is more expensive than a missed opportunity.” I need to constantly remind myself to seize the day–to do what is most important first and don’t let opportunities to show love pass me by.

On Saturday, October 11, 2008, Eric Rank and Robb Harris will give split sermons, titled, respectively, “Thirst” and “Ethics.”
 
The services can be heard at www.cognetservices.org at 12:30 pm Pacific Time (which is 2:30 pm Central Time). Just click on Connect to Live Stream.
 
The Speaking Schedule for the services during the Feast of Tabernacles is posted on the Web. All services can be heard at www.cognetservices.org at the designated times. Just click on Connect to Live Stream.

NOTE:
 
Due to the Feast of Tabernacles, we will not publish a weekly Update on October 17 and 24, 2008. Our next Update will be published on October 30, 2008. 

Members of the Church of God have just celebrated the annual Feasts of Trumpets and Atonement, which picture the return of Jesus Christ (1 Thessalonians 4:16) and the banishment of Satan (Revelation 20:1-3). In a few days, Church members will observe the Feast of Tabernacles for seven days at designated convention sites all over the world. These days picture and foreshadow a time of unparalleled joy, happiness and prosperity for all nations–something that the world has not experienced before. The Kingdom of God will have come to this earth (Matthew 6:10). Truly, utopia will become reality–Paradise will be established right here on this planet. This world will witness “heaven on earth” in the truest sense of the word.
 
Today, we are bombarded with bad news. Even the “Current Events” sections in our weekly Updates are filled with unpleasant and dire warnings. But we don’t report these events because of masochistic tendencies. Rather, we are telling our readership what is happening in light of Biblical prophecy. These events are necessary to unfold prior to a most mind-boggling occurrence–the return of the Messiah and the beginning of a wonderful and better world. Viewed in that way, even the bad news is good news.
 
But the REALLY good news will become reality when God begins to rule this earth. The Feast of Tabernacles pictures the “Millennium” or a period of one thousand years, when Christ and His immortal disciples or “saints” will govern on and over this planet (Revelation 20:4, 6; 5:10; Isaiah 32:1; 33:17, 20-22). Notice, from the pages of the book of Isaiah, the RESULT of such righteous and all-powerful administration–and compare it, if you like, with our present human rule:
 
— “Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, Neither shall they learn war anymore” (Isaiah 2:4).
 
— “Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end” (Isaiah 9:7).
 
— “The wolf shall dwell with the lamb. The leopard shall lie down with the young goat. The calf and the young lion and the fatling together; And a little child shall lead them… the nursing child shall play by the cobra’s hole… the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD” (Isaiah 11:6-9).
 
— “Then He will give the rain for your seed With which you sow the ground, And bread of the increase of the earth; It will be fat and plentiful. In that day your cattle will feed In large pastures…” (Isaiah 30:23).
 
— “And the inhabitant will not say, ‘I am sick'” (Isaiah 33:24).
 
— “Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, And the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then the lame shall leap like a deer, And the tongue of the dumb sing” (Isaiah 35:6).
 
— “For waters shall burst forth in the wilderness, And streams in the desert” (Isaiah 35:6).
 
— “He will make her wilderness like Eden, And her desert like the garden of the LORD; Joy and gladness will be found in it” (Isaiah 51:3).
 
— “All your children shall be taught by the LORD, And great shall be the peace of your children” (Isaiah 54:13).
 
— “Violence shall no longer be heard in your land” (Isaiah 60:18).
 
— “The LORD will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations” (Isaiah 61:11).
 
Too good to be true? But why should it be? Granted, these are truly amazing, breath-taking announcements of a better world to come–and there is so much more! It is THAT better world, which is worth “living for”–and even “dying for,” if need be. The Feast of Tabernacles reminds us of a future civilization and society, which seems so distant today, so unrealistic, so incredible.
 
But imagine what we just read: Satan will no longer deceive mankind; Christ will rule this earth; human nature will be changed; the environment will be fruitful, hospitable and pleasant; war and violence will be a thing of the past; all sickness will be healed! Why is it so hard to believe that such a world is possible? Of course, with man it is not possible–but is anything too difficult for God?
 
Adam and Eve lost their Paradise–but not forever. It is man’s destiny to find and regain it–and even in a much more all-encompassing condition than at the time of man’s creation.
 
Today, the Church of God proclaims the gospel or good news of the coming Kingdom of God in all the world as a witness. That very Kingdom will be ushered in within a few years from now–and all the world will experience its life-saving and life-enriching effects. Today, this world scoffs at its destined future. But soon, it will celebrate a new and everlasting beginning of a better world–and why not?

Now…Global Bailouts Needed!

A relentless stream of devastating financial news from all over the globe highlights the repercussions of what first began in the US. The Christian Science Monitor reported the following on October 7, 2008:
 
“Battered by successive shocks, the world economy may be slipping into multicontinent recession.

“First, the housing bubble burst in the US and some European nations. Then soaring commodity prices hit countries around the world, especially poor food-importers. Now the bank turmoil wrought by the real estate downturn is spreading beyond Wall Street to other financial capitals.

“Ireland, Denmark, and France have declared a recession. Germany and Britain are teetering. Even the hot economies of India and China may suffer slowing growth.

“‘At this point it is a very fragile situation,’ says Eswar Prasad, an international economics professor at Cornell University and a fellow at the Brookings Institution in Washington. ‘There is a crisis of confidence more than anything else.'”

Pakistan Nears Bankruptcy

On October 6, 2008, the Telegraph.co.uk featured this somber financial report about the very politically unstable nation of Pakistan:
 
“Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves are so low that the country can only afford one month of imports and faces possible bankruptcy.”
 
The article also points out the dire impact this may have on its relationship with the US:
 
“The government is engulfed by crises left behind by Pervez Musharraf, the military ruler who resigned the presidency in August. High oil prices have combined with endemic corruption and mismanagement to inflict huge damage on the economy.

“Given the country’s standing as a frontline state in the US-led ‘war on terrorism’, the economic crisis has profound consequences. Pakistan already faces worsening security as the army clashes with militants in the lawless Tribal Areas on the north-west frontier with Afghanistan.”

Iceland’s Economy Collapses

Bloomberg.com reported on October 9:

“Iceland’s government seized control of Kaupthing Bank hf, the nation’s biggest bank, completing the takeover of a banking industry that has collapsed under the weight of its foreign debt…

“The banks are saddled with about $61 billion of debt, 12 times the size of the economy, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. The government is seeking a loan from Russia and may ask for aid from the International Monetary Fund to help guarantee deposits. The central bank ditched an attempt to fix the krona yesterday as the currency went into freefall.

“‘This looks like a total collapse,’ said Thomas Haugaard Jensen, an economist at Svenska Handelsbanken AB in Copenhagen. ‘It’ll take several years before the economy can start to return to growth.'”

The article continues with this shocking assessment:

“The debts of the Icelandic banking system are too big for the government to repay.

“‘There is no way that the Icelandic population can assume responsibility for the private debt’ that the banks have built up, [Prime Minister] Haarde said yesterday.”

European Nations Not United In Moment Of Crisis

CNN.com reported this week on the reaction of governments across Europe to the global financial meltdown:

“While Europe’s four largest economies pledged to coordinate national responses to help banks in distress, their failure to agree an EU-wide plan showcased the divisions in Europe on how to deal with the crisis.”

Reporting on Europe’s frenzied attempts at coordinating a response to the financial crisis, The New York Times (10/4/2008) stated:

“After days of squabbling, the leaders of Europe’s largest economies vowed Saturday to work together to stop a growing financial panic, but they failed to offer a systemwide answer to a credit crisis that has forced them to bail out several banks in just the past week.”

The Times article continued:

“Sharply criticizing what they said were the American roots of what has become a global credit crisis, Europe’s leaders insisted it was time for the European Union to act decisively.

“We are fully aware of the responsibility that weighs on our shoulders,” said President Nicolas Sarkozy of France, who hosted the gathering at the sumptuous Élysée Palace here.

“The crisis has become the biggest financial challenge for European policymakers since the introduction of the euro as a Continent-wide currency in 1999.”

The Timesonline (10/6/2008) recounted the the failed attempt on the part of France to face the growing financial crisis in a unified stance:

“President Sarkozy’s ambition of leading a united Europe through the global financial turmoil appeared to have sunk last night as Angela Merkel moved to guarantee German savings.

“The German Chancellor’s initiative may have torpedoed Mr Sarkozy’s aim of ensuring coordinated action on crisis-hit banks in the European Union. It came less than 24 hours after the French president had summoned Gordon Brown, Mrs Merkel and Silvio Berlusconi, the Italian Prime Minister, to a summit in Paris designed to devise a EU strategy in the face of the upheaval. The move irritated EU leaders who were not invited, such as José Luis Zapatero, the Spanish Prime Minister.

“Critics said that the snub would complicate the already difficult task of producing a single EU policy on the crisis. The obstacles were underlined in the final document from the Paris meeting, which contained vague commitments from Europe’s biggest economies to work together. There were few hard decisions other than the establishment of a £25 billion fund to support small business unable to secure loans from their banks in the credit crunch.

“A plan floated by France and the Netherlands for a €300 billion bank rescue fund had been blocked by Britain and Germany even before the meeting had started. Mrs Merkel was always reticent to adopt the French approach of solidarité, which she saw as a roundabout way of asking Germany to finance rescue packages in other countries.

“Her go-it-alone deposit guarantee measure – which came after she criticised the Irish Republic for doing almost the same thing – blew another hole in Mr Sarkozy’s dream. He had seen the crisis as a chance to impose France’s vision of a federal Europe and a regulated economy.”
 
Europe’s fragmented approach has not been reassuring. Shocking steps are being taken to secure the financial stability of banks and investment firms–with the outcome moving Europe’s powerful core nations to take steps toward the nationalization of their economies. What lies ahead for the European Union is graphically described in our free booklet, “Europe In Prophecy.”

Pope Challenges Godlessness and Bible Understanding

An AP article appeared in Yahoo! News on October 5, 2008, reporting on a meeting of bishops during which the Pope made critical remarks about the role of religion:
 
“Pope Benedict XVI warned Sunday that modern culture is pushing God out of people’s lives, causing nations once rich in religious faith to lose their identities”
 
Continuing… “‘Today, nations once rich in faith and vocations are losing their own identity, under the harmful and destructive influence of a certain modern culture,’ said Benedict, who has been pushing for religion to be given more room in society.”
 
The article also had the following significant statements:
 
“A document prepared for the meeting rejects a fundamentalist approach to the Bible and said a key challenge was to clarify for the faithful the relationship of scripture to science. A rabbi will address the conference on Monday in what is believed to be the first time a Jew has participated in such a meeting.”
 
Concerning the address by a rabbi, Inquirer.net (10/04/2008) quoted Shear-Yashuv Cohen, Grand Rabbi of Haifa, Israel:

“Cohen told the Washington-based Catholic News Service in Jerusalem that his invitation was a ‘signal of hope (bringing) a message of love, coexistence, and peace for generations.'”

The article continued…

“He was due to speak on the Jewish interpretation of the Bible, whose first five books comprise the Torah, Judaism’s most holy sacred writings.

“Benedict has continued the conciliatory steps taken by his predecessor, Polish-born John Paul II, to improve inter-faith relations, but has sometimes stumbled.

“Most recently he allowed the reintroduction of a controversial Good Friday prayer calling for the conversion of Jews.

“However in April the German-born pontiff won some Jewish hearts and minds when he became the first leader of the Roman Catholic Church to visit a synagogue in the United States.”
 
An article appearing in the Houston Chronicle on October 3, 2008, adds some detail to the Catholic view of the Bible and its use:
 
“Of equal concern to the bishops is how Catholics understand Scripture when and if they read it. The synod’s official agenda notes the increasing popularity of ‘fundamentalism,’ which it says ‘takes refuge in literalism and refuses to take into consideration the historical dimension of biblical revelation.’

“Earlier this month, Benedict himself stated that a proper understanding of the Bible ‘excludes by its nature everything that today is known as fundamentalism” and insisted that the “word of God can never simply be equated with the letter of the text.’

“As they reaffirm the church’s teaching authority, or magisterium, the bishops will also discuss the compatibility of Catholic doctrine with modern methods of interpretation that Catholic scholars have increasingly adopted since Vatican II.”

The article also cited the following:

“Catholics over the age of 50 are old enough to remember when the church discouraged nonclergy from acquainting themselves with Scripture, apart from selections quoted in their catechisms or read aloud at Mass. But that traditional attitude has shifted amid the many dramatic changes in Catholicism that began in the 1960s.”

As is the case with all the visions given to Zechariah, the vision of the high priest relates foremost to our days–even though it might also refer to an initial and preliminary fulfillment at the time of Zechariah.

Zechariah 3:1-10 reads as follows:

“(1) Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the [angel] of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to oppose him. (2) And the LORD said to Satan, ‘The LORD rebuke you, Satan! The LORD who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! Is this not a brand plucked from the fire?’ (3) Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and was standing before the [angel]. (4) Then He answered and spoke to those who stood before Him, saying, ‘Take away the filthy garments from him.’ And to him He said, ‘See, I have removed your iniquity from you, and I will clothe you with rich robes.’ (5) And I said, ‘Let them put a clean turban on his head.’ So they put a clean turban on his head, and they put clothes on him. And the [angel] of the LORD stood by.

“(6) Then the [angel] of the LORD admonished Joshua, saying, (7) ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts: “If you will walk in My ways, And if you will keep My command, then you shall also judge My house, And likewise have charge of My courts; I will give you places to walk Among those who stand here. (8) Hear, O Joshua, the high priest, You and your companions who sit before you, For they are a wondrous sign; For behold I am bringing forth My Servant the BRANCH. (9) For behold, the stone That I have laid before Joshua: Upon the stone are seven eyes. Behold, I will engrave its inscription,’ Says the LORD of hosts, ‘And I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day. (10) In that day,’ says the LORD of hosts, ‘Everyone will invite his neighbor Under the vine and under his fig tree.'”‘”

1) A Glimpse of the Millennium

As we explained in recent Updates, the visions of Zechariah are clearly pointing at the last days and the Millennium. Regarding the vision at issue, we find obvious millennial descriptions. First, we read in Zechariah 3:2 that the LORD has chosen Jerusalem–which will occur when Christ returns (compare Zechariah 2:12). Verse 10 uses the phrase, “in that day”–an expression describing the time just prior to and subsequent to Christ’s return. That verse says that “in that day,” everyone will invite his neighbor under his vine and fig tree. This is a clear reference to the Millennium.

Describing the “latter days” and the beginning of the Millennium, Micah says in Micah 4:4: “But everyone shall sit under his vine and under his fig tree…” This expression also points at a time of peace and security; the latter half of verse 4 continues: “And no one shall make them afraid.” As a temporary forerunner of certain millennial conditions, 1 Kings 4:25 describes peace and security under King Solomon in this way: “And Judah and Israel dwelt safely, each man under his vine and his fig tree… all the days of Solomon.”

The commentary of Jamieson, Fausset and Brown adds: “‘under … vine …[and] fig tree’ — [an] emblem of tranquil prosperity… Type of spiritual peace with God through Christ… and of millennial blessedness.”

2) “In One Day”

Verse 9 quotes the LORD as saying that He will remove the iniquity of the land “in one day.” Again, this is a reference to the time of Jesus Christ’s return (1 Thessalonians 5:2, 4). He is the “BRANCH,” mentioned in Zechariah 3:8 (compare also Zechariah 6:12, as well as Isaiah 4:2; 11:1; and Jeremiah 23:5; 33:15).

We read, in Zechariah 14:4, that “in that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives.” We are also told, in Zechariah 14:6-7, that “It shall come to pass in that day That there will be no light; The lights will diminish. It shall be ONE DAY Which is known to the LORD [God the Father]–neither day nor night. But at evening time it shall happen That it will be light.”

During this one day of 24 hours in length, Christ will “fight against those nations” which battled against Jerusalem (Zechariah 14:2-3), and the plague inflicted on them will be terrible (compare Zechariah 14:12-15). Christ will remove the iniquity of the land in one day (Zechariah 3:9) by destroying those who act wickedly.

We are also told, in Isaiah 66:7-9, that the Church of God will “deliver” her children in “one day.” Spirit begotten Christians will then be born again–they will be immortal Spirit beings. At the moment of their resurrection or change to immortality, they will be totally sinless–incapable of sinning. Whatever iniquity they still had will be forgiven, washed away and extinguished.

3) The end-time “Joshua”

Since the context of Zechariah’s vision of the “high priest” Joshua deals with the time of Christ’s return and the Millennium, God’s dealings with Joshua himself must also have prophetic and future application. Even though Joshua was a literal high priest at the time of Zechariah, the vision addresses foremost an end-time religious figure who obtains forgiveness of sins and who is given clean clothes–representing godly righteousness. “Filthy clothes,” on the other hand, describe sinful conduct, compare Isaiah 64:6 and Proverbs 30:12.

a) Clean Clothes

We read in Revelation 19:7-8:

“Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready. And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.”

We read in the book of Revelation about a great multitude “of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands” (Revelation 7:9). These are those “who come out of the great tribulation, and WASHED THEIR ROBES AND MADE THEM WHITE IN THE BLOOD OF THE LAMB” (verse 14). In other words, they repented of their sins, accepted the Sacrifice of Jesus Christ, obtained forgiveness and were clothed with clean garments, symbolizing God’s righteousness.

Christ also tells the angel or leader of the endtime church of the Laodiceans to buy from Him “white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see” (Revelation 3:14, 18). As the leader of the church of Laodicea reflects the attitude of the entire church of Laodicea, so Joshua’s unclean clothes reflect not just his own unrighteousness, but also the attitude and condition of the people whom he, as “high priest,” represents before God.

We can therefore conclude that the end-time “Joshua”–a spiritual leader in the Church of God–as well as many members of the end-time Church of God, will be spiritually cleansed. This might perhaps occur during the time of the Great Tribulation.

“Joshua” is described as “a brand plucked from the fire” (Zechariah 3:2); that is, he will be saved from Gehenna fire which will burn up the incorrigible wicked. Satan, the accuser of the brethren (Revelation 12:10), will try to “object” to the role and function which God will bestow on “Joshua.” Satan will try to remind God of Joshua’s former sinful conduct. But God will respond by telling the devil that Joshua has received forgiveness, and that his former sins will be remembered “no more.”

b) Inscription on the Stone

At the same time, Joshua is reminded (compare Zechariah 3:7), to continue walking in the commandments of God–indicating that he might not have been that diligent before in doing so. If he proves faithful, God will engrave an inscription on the stone that He has laid before Joshua (compare Zechariah 3:9). This reminds us of Christ’s promise to His faithful disciples, as recorded in Revelation 2:17: “To him who overcomes I will give… a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it.”

c) The Seven Eyes

In addition, we read in Zechariah 3:9 that there are “seven eyes” on the stone. These seven eyes are identified as seven angels or powerful spirit beings. We read in Zechariah 4:10: “… for these seven rejoice to see The plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel. They are the eyes of the LORD, Which scan to and fro throughout the whole earth.” That God refers in the vision of the high priest to these seven angels shows their role in guiding and protecting Joshua, since they are “ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation” (Hebrews 1:14).

d) A Wondrous Sign

Zechariah 3:8 identifies Joshua and his companions as a wondrous sign. The Nelson Study Bible writes: “Joshua and his companions were a sign because the reinstitution of the priesthood made public God’s continuing intention to fulfill His promises to His people”–including the promise of the First Coming of the “Branch”–the Messiah.

But since Zechariah’s prophecy deals foremost with end-time events, the activities of a future Joshua and his companions, will be a public sign–a witness or proof–for the return of Jesus Christ.

e) Judge God’s House

We are also told that Joshua is destined to judge God’s house and to have charge of His courts; and God will give him places to walk among his companions (Zechariah 3:6). This seems to imply a high position in God’s Kingdom, mainly in a priestly function. We are all promised to become kings and priests in the Kingdom (Revelation 5:10), ruling in the Millennium under the King of kings and the High Priest–Jesus Christ. But some may have a more predominant role as kings (compare Christ’s statements to the early apostles in Matthew 20:28), while others may fulfill primarily responsibilities as priests (which is apparently a task set aside for the end-time Joshua).
< br />Joshua might be given an important role during the Millennium to judge “God’s house”–which could refer to the physical descendants of the house of Israel and of the house of Judah. The Bible identifies the people of Israel and Judah as God’s people; therefore, the house of Israel could likewise be designated, in that sense, as “God’s house,” which is in need of God’s judgment (compare Amos 9:8-10; notice also Micah 4:1-2).

That Joshua will also have charge of “God’s courts” might refer to an important priestly position in the millennial temple–perhaps in a supervising capacity of physical Levites who will administer the temple service.

It is more likely, however, that God’s invitation to the end-time Joshua to judge God’s house and to have charge of His courts refers to a leadership position within the end-time Church of God, just prior to Christ’s return. We read that “the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God”–the Church (1 Peter 4:17). Also, Paul wrote that the Church should judge those who are inside (1 Corinthians 5:12; compare 1 Corinthians 6:2-3).

Further, the Church is called the temple of God (1 Corinthians 3:16-17; 2 Corinthians 6:16; Ephesians 2:21). The physical temple included courts (Psalm 65:4; 84:2, 10). Psalm 116:18-19 states: “I will pay my vows to the LORD Now in the presence of all His people, In the courts of the LORD’s house, In the midst of you, O Jerusalem…”

4) Joshua Points Towards Jesus

In an ultimate fulfillment, the events surrounding an end-time “Joshua” point at, and are symbolic for, the role of THE High Priest, Jesus Christ.

As the commentary of Jamieson, Fausset and Brown points out: “The restoration of the glory of the priesthood is implied: first, partially, at the completion of the second temple; fully realized in the great High Priest Jesus, whose name is identical with Joshua [Hebrews 4:8], the Representative of Israel, the ‘kingdom of priests’ [Exodus 19:6]; once clad in the filthy garments of our vileness, but being the chosen of the Father… He hath by death ceased from sin, and in garments of glory entered the heavenly holy place as our High Priest [Hebrews 8:1; 9:24].”

Adam Clarke’s Commentary on the Bible adds: “‘Clothed him with garments’… [is] Referring to the vestments of the high priest. The true high priest, who is over the house of God, will establish his office among them [the people of Israel and Judah], when they shall acknowledge him as their Messiah, and seek redemption in the blood of the sacrifice which he has offered for their sins; and not for theirs only, but for the sins of the whole world.”

The stone, mentioned in Zechariah 3:9, which is placed before Joshua, also points towards Jesus Christ. Adam Clarke’s Commentary on the Bible writes:

“Alluding no doubt to the foundation stone of the temple: but this represented Christ Jesus: ‘Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a Stone, a tried stone, a precious Corner Stone, a Sure Foundation,’ [Isaiah] 28:16. This means Christ, and none other; on him his whole Church rests, as a building does on its foundation.” Compare also Ephesians 2:20-21.

On the other hand, Zechariah’s prophecy cannot be understood as speaking exclusively of Jesus Christ. Certain statements just do not apply to Christ at all (compare Zechariah 3:6-7). In addition, Joshua is pictured as a SIGN for the coming BRANCH (the Messiah), showing that foremost, a human being is addressed who will arise in the end time.

In conclusion, Zechariah’s vision of the high priest has great prophetic significance for us today and our future, since it addresses the time of Christ’s return and the establishment of God’s Kingdom on earth, when the Millennium begins. May God speed those days.

Lead Writer: Norbert Link

Starting the evening of October 13 and continuing through October 21, 2008, is the Feast of Tabernacles. This year, we will be meeting in Tucson, Arizona, in the US. In England, the Feast is being observed in Derbyshire. Details are available at www.eternalgod.org/feasts; www.globalchurchofgod.co.uk/feasts; and www.churchofgodacf.ca/feasts.

On Thursday, October 9, 2008, is the Day of Atonement. Dave Harris will give the sermon, titled, “Forgive and Forget.”

The services can be heard at www.cognetservices.org at 12:30 pm Pacific Time (which is 2:30 pm Central Time). Just click on Connect to Live Stream.

On the Sabbath of September 13, I was walking from the car park to church services and had an accident. For no apparent reason, I fell headlong, injuring my left side and my back. As I tried to protect myself, I seemed to almost bounce off the pavement and hit my side and back on a steel post. For a couple of minutes, the pain was excruciating, but then seemed to lessen. It was very uncomfortable, and three days later I went to the hospital. After being seen by a nurse and two doctors plus having a lumbar x-ray, I was advised that there was no damage except for the very obvious bruising. Time would heal.

That morning I had prayed for a number of things, one of which was for protection. Did God not hear my prayer or was there another explanation? To the skeptic or unbeliever, this would be good ammunition for them to try and prove their case. But to me it entirely DISPROVED their point!

If God always healed us, then we would never die. If we were always protected from everything, then we would never know how others suffered when they had accidents. And aren’t we promised tests and trials? For me, the key was that God DID protect me from anything serious. I could have hit my head on that steel post, causing concussion, brain damage or even death. I could have smashed my face, had severe dental damage, injured my eyes or any number of other scenarios. Even my spectacles which were in my pocket were undamaged, and they would have been expensive to replace.

Yes, I did have a couple of weeks of pain, soreness and quite severe bruising in many places, but that was it. And yes, I believe that I really was protected from what could have been so much worse. God is the protector of His people. Let us always trust Him for His protection.

Many of God’s people will be traveling, in some cases long distances, to keep the Feast of Tabernacles. Some will drive hundreds of miles while others will fly. Let us all pray for one another that we will all be protected on the outward and return journeys and also during the Feast. This is another area where we can be of service to the brethren and put our trust in the One Who will, and does, protect us.

Iran vs. Israel–“The Day of Reckoning Is Near”

On September 27, The Daily News published the following opinion by Mr. Baer, a former CIA case officer. Mr. Baer is the author of the just-released book, “The Devil We Know: Dealing with the New Iranian Superpower”:

“Are we going to have an October surprise, an attack on Iran by either the Bush administration or by Israel to stop the regime from becoming a nuclear power? It could happen – and alter the dynamics of the presidential race in the blink of an eye – but only if Israel pulls the trigger. Don’t expect the United States to drop bombs anytime soon. The reason: Iran has us over a barrel.

“According to Britain’s Guardian newspaper, Bush earlier this year nixed an Israeli plan to attack Iran’s nuclear facilities. Reportedly, the President said no because we couldn’t afford Iranian retaliation against our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan or Iran closing down Persian Gulf shipping… Iranian Silkworm missiles could close down Gulf oil exports in a matter of minutes, taking about 17 million barrels a day of oil off world markets. Americans could suddenly be looking at the prospect of $10-$12 for a gallon of gas… An angered Iran could punish us with thousands of extra casualties in Iraq and Afghanistan, as Iranian-trained, armed and funded fighters flow back into the war zones with a vengeance…

“But none of this changes the fact that Israel – on its own, without U.S. complicity – is moving closer to a decision to attack Iran, almost by the day. What many Americans miss is that Iran is a threat to Israel’s very existence, not an imagined danger used by politicians for political advantage. Every Israeli city is within range of Iranian/Hezbollah rockets. To make matters worse, since the July 2006 34-day war, Hezbollah may have as much as trebled the number of rockets it has targeted on Israel.

“Meantime, Hezbollah has become the de facto state in Lebanon. And lest we forget, Israel lost that July 2006 war to Hezbollah, pulling its troops out of Lebanon without having obtained a single objective. In other words, Israel no longer has its deterrence credibility, the fear that it can decisively retaliate against its enemies…

“Israel has to calculate that American influence around the world is on the wane. Americans are tired of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. And now, after the war in Georgia, Russia is opening up its flow of weapons to Iran… [Israel] is starting to believe that it has no choice but to change its fortunes with arms… The day of reckoning is near.”

New Toothless Security Council Resolution Against Iran

AFP reported on September 27:

“The UN Security Council on Saturday unanimously adopted a resolution again urging Iran to suspend its sensitive nuclear fuel work but offering no new sanctions and merely reaffirming existing ones…

“US Ambassador to the UN Zalmay Khalilzad immediately welcomed the adoption of the resolution by all 15 council members… Russian Ambassador Vitaly Churkin, who Friday ruled out any new sanctions for now, told reporters after the vote: ‘[The] added value of this resolution is in channelling the thinking of everybody in the direction of political rather than military enterprise.’

“Western diplomats had expressed fears that a lack of action by the Security Council might have led Israel to carry out its threat to resort to military action to ensure that its mortal enemy, Iran, does not acquire nuclear weapons… The United States and its European allies had pushed for new, tougher sanctions against Tehran but ran into resistance from Russia and China.”

Iran’s New Gas Pipeline with Europe

The EUObserver wrote on September 26:

“Iran oil minister Akbar Torkan has said Tehran wants to build a $4 billion, 37 billion cubic metre a year gas pipeline to the EU, newswires report. The ‘Pars Pipe’ would bypass Russia and be an alternative to the EU’s favoured Nabucco.”

Next–Conflict over Azerbaijan, Nagorno-Karabakh?

The EUObserver reported on September 26:

“Azerbaijan is sticking to plans to reduce oil exports to the EU and increase shipments to Russia and Iran… In the immediate aftermath of the Georgian crisis Azerbaijan decided as a temporary move to reduce shipments through Europe’s only direct import route from the energy-rich Caspian Sea… and to increase exports to Russia… Unlike Russia-critical Ukraine, Azerbaijan has remained silent over Russia’s invasion of Georgia despite disruptions caused to its oil business.

“With presidential elections coming up on 15 October, Azerbaijan’s head of state, Ilham Aliev, is trying to strike a balance between a re-assertive Russia and the West, especially since his country also has a frozen conflict on its own territory. The majority-Armenian populated region of Nagorno-Karabakh split from Azerbaijan in a civil war in 1991 and remains under Armenian occupation, with Russia and Armenia enjoying close ties. An alleged Armenian-Russian link during the Georgian conflict was highlighted by the chairperson of the European Parliament’s foreign affairs committee, Jacek Saryusz-Wolski, who asked EU’s foreign policy chief Javier Solana in a public hearing on 10 September if Russian bases in Armenia were used to launch missiles at Georgia during the conflict…

“During a visit in Baku last week, the United States’ chief mediator in the region, Matthew Bryza, said it was more important than ever to resolve the dispute after the Russia-Georgia war. ‘The recent events in Georgia underscore the importance of a timely resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict,’ he said, adding that the US strongly support[s] the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan.”

Far-Right’s Strong Gains in Austrian Elections

AFP reported on September 28:

“Austria’s far-right notched up the strongest gains in snap parliamentary elections Sunday, while the two main parties, the Social Democrat SPOe and centre-right OeVP, slumped to historic lows.

“The SPOe and the OeVP, whose ‘grand’ coalition held power for just 18 months, held on to the first and second places again this time round, according to preliminary estimates… But voter dissatisfaction with the left-right coalition, which collapsed in bitter disarray three months ago, meant the two parties lost valuable votes to the far-right Freedom Party (FPOe) and Alliance for the Future of Austria (BZOe).

“According to an estimate…, the Social Democrat SPOe scored 29.2 percent of the vote and the centre-right People’s Party or OeVP came second with 24.9 percent. The far-right Freedom Party or FPOe saw its score jump by 7.3 percentage points to 18.3 percent. Joerg Haider’s BZOe nearly trebled its showing at 11.5 percent, while the environmentalist Greens came fifth with 9.8 percent… Final results will be published on October 6, after some 586,700 absentee ballots — almost ten percent of the electorate — have been tallied.”

The Associated Press added on September 28:

“At this point, the two right-wing parties were not expected to join forces due to resistance from Freedom Party chief Heinz-Christian Strache. However, Joerg Haider, leader of the Alliance for the Future of Austria, has suggested it is something worth thinking about. And Strache on Sunday suggested he was interested in becoming chancellor.”

Austria’s Far Right

Der Spiegel Online wrote the following on September 29:
 
“… But will Strache be the kingmaker? As a young man, Strache played paramilitary games with known neo-Nazis in the forests of Carinthia, and he has been forced to admit having had close ties with the now-outlawed right-wing extremist ‘Viking Youth’ group. But now he plays the part of a Mr. Goody-Two-Shoes and demands that he be given an important role in the future government, and he even drops rather big hints that he has his eyes set on becoming chancellor. Newcomers, immigrants and asylum seekers — they will all have to brace themselves for what lies ahead, as will the political system in the Alpine state. That’s because Strache isn’t the type of person concerned with making peace; he’s much too interested in using some heavy rhetorical baiting… And he loves to speak out against foreigners…

“Strache is in no way the only one who has benefited from the Austrians’ frustration at the political status quo. His former mentor, Jörg Haider and his right-wing Alliance for Austria’s Future (BZÖ) party were able to pull in 11 percent of the vote — or almost three times as much as they did in the last elections… Haider’s success was the biggest surprise of the election.

“Though they were once close, Haider and Strache have now completely fallen out. Strache accuses his former mentor of having betrayed the FPÖ. Following a disagreement, Haider abandoned the FPÖ in 2005 and founded the BZÖ. But political observers in Vienna are already asking themselves what would happen if the two rivals were to patch up their differences and join forces into an alliance… If they did so, the whole political power structure in Austria would be thrown into complete confusion.

“Together, the FPÖ and the BZÖ would have 29 percent of the vote, which would put them at eye level with the SPÖ. Even if the far right is fragmented into two parties, it is still stronger than it ever has been. Indeed, it is in an even stronger position than it was in 1999, when Haider made the FPÖ the second-strongest party with 27 percent of the vote…

“After the 1999 election, then party chairman Wolfgang Schüssel scored an historic coup: By pulling Haider’s FPÖ, which secured the third most votes, into the government, he not only snapped the chancellery away from the Social Democrats, but also ended a decades-long tradition of joint Christian- and Social Democratic rule. For years, Schüssel gloated about the fact that — by including the right-wing populist FPÖ into his government as well as its leading figure Haider — he had helped to eliminate the far-right’s mystique. But Sunday’s election result has proved otherwise.”

Rightwing Populism on the Rise in Europe

The Financial Times wrote on September 30:

“In 2000, Austria was shunned by most of its European Union partners after Wolfgang Schüssel invited the far right Freedom party into a coalition with his conservative People’s party. Eight years later, the possible return to government of the extreme right is high on the political agenda again after two far right parties scored massive gains in Sunday’s general election. But even if the far right re-enters the halls of power, political pundits expressed confidence yesterday that there would be no repetition of Austria’s isolation.

“That is largely because of a shift in Europe’s political landscape since Vienna was ostracised. Rightwing populism has gained ground amid fears of unfettered immigration and anxieties about crime and social security abuses by foreigners… another grand coalition [in Austria] could ultimately benefit the far right. Some Austrian analysts believe that Mr Haider and Mr Strache might one day even feel bold enough to form a government themselves…”

Bavaria’s Disastrous Elections–Are Big Changes Coming in Germany?

Der Spiegel Online wrote on September 29:

“Bavaria’s Christian Social Union has lost its absolute majority after suffering its worst election result in over half a century. German commentators warn that the consequences of the CSU decline could be felt far away in Berlin… The sister party to Chancellor Angela Merkel’s Christian Democrats may have ended up with 43.4 percent of the vote but in Bavaria that is the equivalent to a political debacle. The CSU has grown used to an absolute majority in state elections and a monopoly on power in Bavaria, German’s largest and richest state. Only five years ago the party experienced its second highest vote of 60.7 percent.

“Following the ousting of long-time leader Edmund Stoiber last year a new leadership duo was put in place but neither Governor Günther Beckstein nor CSU party head Erwin Huber have shone and supporters have defected to both the pro-business Free Democrats and the conservative protest group the Freie Wähler (free voters.) Now the CSU faces the novel task of having to court potential coalition partners.

“The left, however, failed to capitalize significantly on the Bavarians’ dissatisfaction with the CSU. The Social Democratic Party (SPD), despite a recent change of leadership in Berlin, saw its vote actually fall below its abysmal 2003 tally while the Left Party didn’t quite make it past the 5 percent hurdle to secure seats in parliament…

“The center-left Süddeutsche Zeitung, which is based in the Bavarian capital Munich, writes:

“‘The unthinkable has happened: The CSU has not only lost its absolute majority, but it can no longer govern Bavaria without a coalition partner…’

The conservative Die Welt writes:

“…’The CSU disaster is something of a mystery. Five years ago Stoiber achieved 60.7 percent, the second best state election result in the party’s history. However, soon afterwards the people and the party were united in wanting rid of the governor … Stoiber was pushed out of office in a putsch — and it was done completely openly. The CSU knew that they didn’t want him anymore. But they had no idea what they wanted instead. Now they are paying the price.’…

“The financial daily Handelsblatt writes:

“Politics will be exciting over the next few months not just in Bavaria but at the federal level. The union must now show whether the disaster in Bavaria rips it out of its lethargy or if it will go on dozing. They can no longer rely on the big win in the south balancing out weak results in the north. It should now be clear … that the CDU and the CSU have not yet won the 2009 federal elections… The worse the economic problems are perceived, the less Merkel’s policy will bear up. Like Huber and Beckstein she has believed that she will be rewarded for the economic upswing. Now she will have to rush to find an alternative route to that of the two crash pilots.'”

America Tries to Threaten and Blackmail Europe

The Daily Mail wrote on September 29:
 
“American anti-terror chiefs are threatening to withdraw the Visa Waiver Scheme for British and European tourists unless the EU signs an agreement on the new measures before Christmas. Under the US Homeland Security scheme, all travellers – including children – without a visa must fill out a detailed online questionnaire about their health and criminal history at least three days before departure…

“The measures have caused concern among European leaders and data protection authorities, with the EU demanding assurances about how the information will be used, who will have access to it and how long it will be kept…

“Michael Chertoff, director of the Department of Homeland Security, has called a halt to negotiations and is warning the European Commission that it must agree to the measures before the end of the year… The blunt rebuttal to EU concerns comes after the influential American Civil Liberties Union warned: ‘The negotiations under way between US security agencies and their European counterparts over the transatlantic transfer of personal data are just the latest of . . . the Bush Administration’s attempts to collect the personal information of an increasing share of the world’s population…”

Tight Cooperation Between Russia and Venezuela

The Los Angeles Times wrote on September 27:

“Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez was feted here Friday with what are emerging as the trademark tokens of Russian favor: oil and gas deals; the promise of nuclear cooperation; and, most significant, a $1-billion loan to buy weapons. Moscow agreed to lend Venezuela money to buy a wide variety of Russian weaponry and hardware… Reminiscent of Soviet loans to its Cold War allies, the deal is among a number gradually binding the two oil-rich governments, whose ties with the U.S. are strained, into tight cooperation… Russia sent a pair of strategic bombers to Venezuela this month for training exercises… In November, Russia is expected to dispatch warships for exercises in Venezuelan waters…

“In recent years, [Chavez’s] country has ordered more than $3 billion of Russian weapons and military hardware, including helicopters, missile defense systems and dozens of fighter jets. Russia also has sold Venezuela about 100,000 assault rifles and started work on two Kalashnikov plants in Venezuela…

“During Friday’s meetings, Putin also said that Russia was ready to cooperate with Venezuela on nuclear energy. Their ministries signed a memorandum of understanding that sets out plans for an energy consortium. The deal would give Russian companies greater access to fields in Venezuela, which would reap billions of dollars in Russian investments.”

Largest Bank Failure in US History

The Associated Press reported on September 26:

“As the debate over a $700 billion bank bailout rages on in Washington, one of the nation’s largest banks — Washington Mutual Inc. — has collapsed under the weight of its enormous bad bets on the mortgage market.

“The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. seized WaMu on Thursday, and then sold the thrift’s banking assets to JPMorgan Chase & Co. for $1.9 billion.

“Seattle-based WaMu, which was founded in 1889, is the largest bank to fail by far in the country’s history. Its $307 billion in assets eclipse the $40 billion of Continental Illinois National Bank, which failed in 1984, and the $32 billion of IndyMac, which the government seized in July… The seizure by the government means shareholders’ equity in WaMu was wiped out.”

The Failed Bail-Out Plan

The New York Times wrote on September 29:

“The collapse of the proposed rescue plan for the teetering financial system was the product of a larger failure — of political leadership in Washington — at a moment when the world was looking to the United States to contain the cascading economic crisis.

“From the White House to Congress to the presidential campaign trail, the principal players did not rally the votes they needed in the House. They appeared not to comprehend or address in a convincing way an intense strain of opposition to the deal among voters. They allowed partisan politics to flare at sensitive moments.

“If there was any doubt that President Bush had been left politically impotent by his travails over the last few years and his lame-duck status, it was erased on Monday when, despite his personal pleas, more than two-thirds of the Republicans in the House abandoned the plan.

“While there were lawmakers who opposed the package on the merits, with Election Day just five weeks away, substantial numbers decided that to favor the bill would be to imperil their own political futures. And once the vote was under way and so few Republicans were voting aye, Democrats were disinclined to force more of their members to help pass the unpopular plan.

“The leaders of both parties failed, many analysts agreed, in bringing the measure to the House floor without knowing whether it had the votes to pass — a bad move at any time, but especially so in this case given the risk of the markets and the badly weakened financial system reacting badly…

“The candidates to replace Mr. Bush, Senator John McCain and Senator Barack Obama, were far from Washington, bit actors at best in helping to resolve a crisis that one of them will inherit… The episode underscored that Mr. Bush’s credibility and political clout, long gone among Democrats, is lacking among Republicans as well.”

After Rejection of Bail-Out Plan—Biggest Single-Day Loss EVER

CNNMoney.com reported on September 29, 2008:

“Stocks skidded Monday… in the biggest single-day point loss ever, after the House rejected the government’s $700 billion bank bailout plan. The day’s loss knocked out approximately $1.2 trillion in market value, the first post-$1 trillion day ever… The Dow Jones industrial average lost 777.68, surpassing the 684.81 loss on Sept. 17, 2001 – the first trading day after the September 11 attacks.”

The Los Angeles Times added on September 29:

“Stocks plunged today as the House of Representatives shocked Wall Street by voting down the government’s proposed $700-billion financial-system bailout. The Dow Jones industrial average fell more than 700 points as the vote was being concluded and investors realized that the uncertainty that pervaded Washington and Wall Street last week would continue this week… The vote threw another monkey wrench into an already chaotic stock market, with investors speculating about when and whether the rescue measure would be resurrected and how the troubled credits markets would fare in the meantime…

“An agreement by Citigroup Inc. to take over the banking operations of troubled Wachovia Corp. in a government-brokered deal — plus a series of bailouts of major banks in Europe overnight — served as a reminder that some large banks remained at risk. Stocks around the world fell hard overnight as news of the European bailouts raised fear that the financial crisis is increasingly infecting banks outside the United States.”

America’s Long Recession

AFP wrote on September 30:

“A vacuum of fear is causing a desperate shortage of funds in the interbank system, despite infusions from central banks, and is a critical factor in pressures that have brought down many top names in US and European banking… Around the world officials and commentators used the language of disaster and despair to describe the possible impact of further delay in US action on the world economy and especially the interbank lending system…

“Former World bank chief economist and Nobel economics prizewinner Joseph Stiglitz [said]… ‘We will have other dramatic failures of financial institutions. The American economy is headed into a long recession.'”

Europe Feels the Heat

Reuters reported on September 29:

“The governments of Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg moved to partly nationalize Belgian-Dutch group Fortis NV with an injection of more than $16 billion. German lender Hypo Real Estate Holding AG secured a credit line from the German government and banks of up to 35 billion euros.

“British mortgage lender Bradford & Bingley Plc was brought under the government’s wing. Shares of French bank Dexia tumbled on a report it might need emergency capital, and bank rescue deals also emerged in Iceland, Russia and Denmark.

“‘The contagion is spreading to mainland Europe and everyone’s asking, “Who’s next?”‘ said Mark Sartori, head of European sales trading at Fox-Pitt, Kelton in London…

“In the Fortis rescue, the governments of Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg agreed to inject 11.2 billion euros ($16.4 billion) into the banking and insurance company, which has 85,000 staff worldwide.”

Germany Blames USA For Financial Crisis–Which May Be Hypocritical

Der Spiegel Online wrote on September 26:

“Germans were reacting to the finger-wagging performance of German Finance Minister Peer Steinbrück before the federal parliament, the Bundestag, on Thursday. ‘The world will never be the same as it was before the crisis,’ Steinbrück told German lawmakers. ‘The US will lose its status as the superpower of the global financial system.’ His speech blamed Wall Street’s ‘blind drive for double-digit profits’ and insufficient regulation for the crisis…

“In Friday’s papers, German commentators digest Steinbrück’s comments in a number of ways. In general, though, none of them appear ready to gloat — and none of them are ready to believe that the danger has passed.

“The center-right Frankfurter Allegemeine Zeitung writes:

“‘It’s the rhetoric of Sept. 11. … But this crisis actually has much larger dimensions than the attack against the twin towers and collapse seven years ago. Why? Because, this time, the attack on all-American doctrines is not the work of some foreign enemy. It comes from within, from the depths of the system. Largely unobstructed by its own state controls, American capitalism has created its own suicide bomber whose explosives — derivatives — have had an even greater effect than the flying bombs of the jihadists. The whole world — and not just New York — has a new ground zero now — Wall Street.’

“‘Germany will also pay a high price for the sins of the US financial system — higher even than the €320 million that the KfW so prematurely transferred to the bankruptcy administrators of Lehman Brothers. Even if German banks and the German credit system are spared from the chain reaction of a crash, the aftereffects on this side of the Atlantic will be plenty painful: shrinking growth, higher unemployment and less room to maneuver.’

“The Financial Times Deutschland writes:

“‘There’s no doubt that Steinbrück was right on a lot of points. But the finance minister’s droning self-righteousness was completely out of place. And it can’t distract us from the fact that he hasn’t provided answers on a number of important issues. You can start by taking a look at continuing economic developments. Steinbrück is now trying to propagate the theory that the US financial crisis is stabbing Germany’s solid economy in the back. But that is nonsense, as can be seen with a cursory glance at the pertinent figures, which show that the economic downturn had already begun much earlier. Steinbrück also gave no hint at how he will handle the foreseeable slump. There wasn’t much more than the impassioned warning of hard times ahead.’…

“The center-left Süddeutsche Zeitung writes:

“‘The government in Washington is trying to plaster over this crisis with strong words — and with strong acts, by bracing itself against the crisis with a $700 billion rescue plan. But… it could still go awry. Were that to happen, there might be a chain reaction: Banks could go belly up, one after the other; lending institutions could constrict the amount they grant in loans; the crisis could overwhelm the real economy; and companies could start going into tailspins. And in the end, just as Bush is warning us, millions of jobs could be lost. This could happen, but it doesn’t have to. If governments, central banks and overseers really take the right steps, and if they can boost the economy and not just rescue the speculators by buying them, it might be possible to get past this crisis. But it will presumably take a long time. However, if politicians and overseers continue to make as many mistakes as they have in the last few years, disaster awaits us.'”

A Country on Its Way Down

The German magazine, Der Stern, wrote the following on September 30:
 
“The suicidal ‘No’ of the American Congress shows the downfall of the USA… ‘We are dealing with a government which is unable to function in times of great need,’ economic commentator Paul Krugman said sadly, but correctly. ‘A group of insane people acts in Congress, and nobody trusts the White House anymore. We are a banana republic with atomic weapons.’… President Bush… is now lamer than a lame duck… Wall Street is dead… What is left is a weak, insecure America. A country on its way down. It has to come soon to its senses, so that it does not continue to drag along [or destroy] the entire world…”
 
Der Spiegel Online wrote on September 30, under the headline, “The End of Arrogance”:
 
“The banking crisis is upending American dominance of the financial markets and world politics. The industrialized countries are sliding into recession, the era of turbo-capitalism is coming to an end and US military might is ebbing. There are days when all it takes is a single speech to illustrate the decline of a world power. A face can speak volumes, as can the speaker’s tone of voice, the speech itself or the audience’s reaction. Kings and queens have clung to the past before and humiliated themselves in public, but this time it was merely a United States president. Or what is left of him… Even America’s closest allies are distancing themselves — first and foremost the German chancellor…
 
“Economists now characterize what began two years ago with falling prices in the American real estate market as the biggest economic disaster since the world economic crisis of the 1930s. No one knows whether and how the meltdown of global financial markets, which would have grave consequences for the world economy, can still be prevented. And now, of all times, the world is faced with a preeminent power that no longer seems capable of leading and a US president who is not even able to unite his divided country in an hour of need.”

US Senate Attempts to Save Bailout

The United States Senate met in an urgent attempt to respond to America’s money crisis.

CNN Money.com reported on late Wednesday, October 1:
 
“The Senate on Wednesday night passed a sweeping and controversial financial bailout similar in key ways to one rejected by the House just two days earlier.”
 
The article continued, “The legislation, if passed by the House, would usher in one of the most far-reaching interventions in the economy since the Great Depression.”

As we explained in our last Update (#363), the vision of the “measuring line” clearly deals with prophetic events for us today and for our immediate future. It should therefore be self-evident that the statements immediately following that vision are likewise addressing events, which will shortly come to pass.

Zechariah 2:6-13 reads:

(6) “‘Up, up! Flee from the land of the north,’ says the LORD; ‘for I have spread you abroad like the four winds of heaven,’ says the LORD. (7) ‘Up, Zion! Escape, you who dwell with the daughter of Babylon.’ (8) For thus says the LORD of hosts: ‘He sent Me after glory, to the nations which plunder you; for he who touches you touches the apple of His eye. (9) For surely I will shake My hand against them, and they shall become spoil for their servants. Then you will know that the LORD of hosts has sent Me. (10) Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion! For behold, I am coming and I will dwell in your midst,’ says the LORD. (11) ‘Many nations shall be joined to the LORD in that day, and they shall become My people. And I will dwell in your midst. Then you will know that the LORD of hosts has sent Me to you. (12) And the LORD will take possession of Judah as His inheritance in the Holy Land, and will again choose Jerusalem. (13) Be silent, all flesh, before the LORD, for He is aroused from His holy habitation!'”

1) Who Is Speaking?

This passage in Zechariah 2:6-13 is one of those remarkable passages in the Old Testament which prove that God is not just one Person. We read that the LORD says that He will send the LORD. Notice carefully: In verse 10 we read that the LORD says that He is coming and that He will dwell in the midst of His people–an obvious reference to the Second Coming of Jesus Christ (more fully explained below). But then, we read in verse 11 that God’s people will know that the “LORD of hosts” has sent “Me” [i.e., the LORD, mentioned in verse 10]. So we see that the FATHER–called the LORD of hosts–will send Jesus Christ–also referred to as the LORD–back to this earth. The word “LORD” in the Old Testament can therefore refer to either the Father or the Son–depending on the context.

John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible states that the Personage speaking here [i.e., the LORD] is “Christ, sent by [the LORD, i.e.] God the Father; and who will be known and owned by the Jews, as well as by the Gentiles…, when they shall be converted, and antichrist shall be destroyed.”

Our free booklet, “God Is A Family,” describes and explains this fact in more detail. Under the headline, “The Prophet Zechariah Understood,” the following is pointed out:

“Reading in Zechariah 4:8–9: ‘Moreover the word of the LORD [in Hebrew, ‘Yahweh’] came to me, saying: The hands of Zerubbabel Have laid the foundation of this temple; His hands shall also finish it. Then you will know That the LORD [in Hebrew, ‘Yahweh’] of hosts has sent Me [“Yahweh”] to you.’

“We see in this passage that the LORD [‘Yahweh’] sent the LORD [‘Yahweh’]. The expression, ‘Yahweh,’ then is applied to both God beings. As we will see in more detail, both God the Father and Jesus Christ are referred to in Scripture as ‘Yahweh’—the ‘I AM’ (compare Exodus 3:14)—basically meaning, ‘the Eternal,’ or, ‘the Ever-living One.’ This fact alone proves that both the Father and Jesus Christ have always existed—that they are God beings, and that the Old Testament teaches that there is more than just one God being.

“Zechariah 6:9, 12–15 confirms this conclusion: ‘Then the word of the LORD [‘Yahweh’] came to me, saying… (v. 12) Then speak to him, saying, Thus says the LORD [‘Yahweh’] of hosts, saying: Behold, the Man whose name is the BRANCH! From His place He shall branch out, And He shall build the temple of the LORD [‘Yahweh’]; Yes, He shall build the temple of the LORD [‘Yahweh’]. He shall bear the glory, And shall sit and rule on His throne; So He shall be a priest on His throne, And the counsel of peace shall be between them both. Now the elaborate crown shall be for a memorial in the temple of the LORD [‘Yahweh’]… Even those from afar shall come and build the temple of the LORD [‘Yahweh’]. Then you shall know that the LORD [‘Yahweh’] of hosts has sent Me to you. And this shall come to pass if you diligently obey the voice of the LORD [‘Yahweh’] your God.’

“Again, we see, that the God being, referred to as ‘Yahweh’ here, sent the second God being, also referred to as ‘Yahweh.’ It is ‘Yahweh’ who says that ‘Yahweh’ sent Him to the people. This passage does not refer to just a human messenger, or to an angel to convey the ‘word of the LORD,’ while the ‘LORD’ is speaking about Himself. Note that the New King James Bible capitalizes the word ‘Me’ in ‘…the LORD of hosts has sent Me to you.’ They convey the intended meaning that the word ‘Me’ refers to one of the two God beings, and not to a human or angelic messenger.

“A third passage in the book of Zechariah, proving that the word ‘Yahweh’ applies to both God beings, can be found in chapter 2, verses 8–11. Again, we read what the LORD [‘Yahweh’] says, ‘And I will dwell in your midst. Then you will know that the LORD [‘Yahweh’] of hosts has sent Me to you’ (verse 11).”

2) The Identity and Meaning of “Zion”

We read in Zechariah 2:7 that “Zion,” which is “dwelling with the daughter of Babylon,” is to flee out of the “land of the north.” Who is Zion?

We pointed out the following in one of our Q&As on “Zion,”:

“In the time of Abraham, the place where the city of Zion was built was known as Salem. It is from this city that Melchizedek reigned as king and priest of ‘God Most High’ (Genesis 14:18)… the meaning of Zion continued to expand in its usage throughout the Bible. Zion became synonymous with Jerusalem and Israel and was applied to the land and people that God had chosen, as well. For example, Jerusalem and its inhabitants are personified as the ‘daughter of Zion’ (Compare Isaiah 62:11; Zechariah 9:9; and, Matthew 21:5).

“Zion is especially significant regarding the many prophetic statements concerning the establishment of God’s Kingdom on the earth and the location of His rule. ‘For the LORD has chosen Zion; He has desired it for His dwelling place: “This is My resting place forever; Here I will dwell, for I have desired it”‘ (Psalm 132:13-14). Zion is called the ‘…city of God’ (Psalm 87:3) and the ‘…city of the great King’ (Psalm 48:2)… Another reference states: ‘For out of Zion shall go forth the law, And the word of the LORD from Jerusalem’ (Isaiah 2:3). Psalm 102, verse 16, explains: ‘For the LORD shall build up Zion; He shall appear in His glory.’

“The physical location of Zion is the place on this earth where Jesus Christ will assemble those who have part in the first resurrection (or who are changed from mortal to immortal — compare 1 Corinthians 15:51-52 and 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18): “Then I looked, and behold, a Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with Him one hundred and forty-four thousand, having His Father’s name written on their foreheads’ (Revelation 14:1)…

“We see, then, that the meaning of Zion is far more than its original designation as a Jebusite stronghold or fortress. Zion depicts the headquarters for governmental administration — that is, for God’s rule in and from heaven; for a united Israel under King David; and eventually for the rule of God’s government over mankind. Importantly, Zion also describes the people and the land of promise as a symbol of the hope that God has prepared for all nations!”

As pointed out above, “Zion” can refer to the chosen people of God. This means that it can refer to and include, symbolically, the members of the New Testament Church of God. Christ will rule with His saints–Spirit-born Church members–from Jerusalem. As “Zion” can refer to a physical location as well as the physical people of Israel and Judah, so it can also refer to the people of spiritual Israel–true Christians.

We must understand God’s admonition to “Zion” to flee out of the “land of the north” mostly in this context. As we will point out below, God warns true Christians to separate themselves, spiritually, from the end-time Babylonian system, as He will destroy it in due time because of its sins.

3) Time Setting

As mentioned, Zechariah’s prophecy addresses our time. For example, we read in verse 11 that many nations will join God “in that day.” The phrase, “in that day,” refers ALWAYS to the time just prior to, or subsequent to Christ’s return. Another expression would be, “the day of the Lord.”

A similar description of the events just following Christ’s return and His rule in Zion [Jerusalem] can be found in Isaiah 2 (mentioned above). We read in Isaiah 2:2-4: “Now it shall come to pass in the latter days That… all nations shall flow to it [the Lord’s house, verse 1]. Many people shall come and say, ‘Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; He will teach us His ways, And we shall walk in His paths.’ For out of Zion shall go forth the law, And the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.”

We also read, in Zechariah 2:6, that God has spread abroad Zion like “the FOUR WINDS OF HEAVEN.” This can be understood as a reference to the physical end-time descendants of the ancient houses of Israel and Judah who will be enslaved in many countries. Jeremiah 23:8 prophesies that Christ, when He returns, will free the remnants of Israel and Judah from their captivity:

“…’As the LORD lives who brought up and led the descendants of the house of Israel from the NORTH COUNTRY and from ALL THE COUNTRIES where I had driven them.” Compare also Jeremiah 3:18; 16:14.

These passages could also refer to Christ’s disciples–members of spiritual Israel–the Church of God. We read in Matthew 24:31 that Christ, at His return, “will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect FROM THE FOUR WINDS, from ONE END OF HEAVEN to the other.”

4) Flee from Babylon

We are told, in Zechariah 2:6-7, that the daughter of Zion is to flee and escape from the “land of the north”–the “daughter of Babylon.”

Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible explains that “The north country, although its capital and center was Babylon, was the whole Babylonian empire, called ‘the North’… because its invasions always came upon Israel from the north.”

End-time Israel will be conquered by the “king of the North” (Daniel 11:40-42). This king will be the last leader of the revived Holy Roman Empire. He is also referred to as the “beast” in the book of Revelation. He will be the military leader of modern Babylon.

Even though the end-time relevance of God’s admonition to flee from or escape out of the land of the north–i.e., modern Babylon–can be hardly overlooked, some commentaries try to apply this warning only to the Jews at the time of Zechariah. However, the New Testament repeats God’s warning, addressed to His people in the end time. Zechariah’s admonition to Zion to escape from the “land of the north” is foremost directed at spiritual Israel–the “Church of God.” So is the following warning in Revelation 18:4: “And I heard another voice from heaven saying, ‘Come out of her [Babylon, verse 2], my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues.”

Additional end-time warnings, pertaining to the same circumstances, can be found in Jeremiah 50:8 and Jeremiah 51:6, 45.

God does not want His people to dwell with the “DAUGHTER of Babylon”–the revived modern Babylonian system. The commentary of John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible states: “… it may be rendered, ‘[Zion] inhabits the daughter of Babylon’;… dwells in [her] cities, towns, and villages, belonging to it.”

5) Be Silent, for God Is Aroused

Zechariah 2:13 tells us to be silent–or to stand in awe and amazement–when Christ returns to this earth to take vengeance on the enemies of God (2 Thessalonians 1:6-10; Revelation 6:10).

The commentary of Jamieson, Fausset and Brown explains:

“[God] is raised up out of his holy habitation–that is, out of heaven… to judge and avenge His people… the call to all to ‘be silent’ is… when God has come forth from heaven where so long He has dwelt unseen, and is about to inflict vengeance on the foe, before taking up His dwelling in Zion and the temple… God is now ‘silent’ while the Gentile foe speaks arrogance against His people; but ‘our God shall come and no longer keep silence’; then in turn must all flesh ‘be silent’ before Him.”

In conclusion, Zechariah’s prophecy is directed at us today. It contains a warning to separate ourselves–in conduct and in mind–from this wicked world and its environment, which will reach its evil culmination in a future revival of the ancient Roman Empire. The Bible calls this last revival “Mystery, Babylon the Great, the mother of harlots and of the abominations of the earth” (Revelation 17:5). Christ will return soon to avenge His people and to spoil those who spoiled them (compare Zechariah 2:8-9). Until that time, God’s true servants must be sober and of a sound mind, resisting the temptation of wanting to belong to and befriend the people of this world–this Babylonian system–in order to follow their bad example. After all, this present evil age, with its lusts and passions, will pass away very soon.

Lead Writer: Norbert Link

The sermon, “The Mystery of Righteousness” from September 30, 2008, by Norbert Link, was posted on Google Video.
 
A new StandingWatch program was posted on StandingWatch, Google Video and YouTube. It is titled, “After the Great Crash of 2008.” In the program, Norbert Link discusses our present and future financial situation in the USA and around the world. Here is a summary of the program:
 
Note these comments in the American and European press: “Almost Financial Armageddon”; “Economic Pearl Harbor”; “Apocalypse–Now?”; “U.S. System Is Collapsing”; “US will lose its status as the Superpower”; “Attack on America from within”; and “American capitalism has created its own suicide bomber.” WHY are we in such deep financial trouble? And let us not naively assume that our current or future political leaders will rescue us and bring us back to financial prosperity!

Additionally, the following sermon has been posted on Google Video: Edwin Pope, Bible Study–Our Calling–A Privilege, October 8, 2005.

by Manuela Mitchell

Every year I try to prepare myself for the spontaneous trials that may occur around the Holy Day season. I never know how I will overcome these trials, but most of the time, they are already expected. My reactions vary in each occurrence. Even though I “plan” for a trial to occur, I still find myself impatient, frustrated, annoyed, insecure, and sometimes even helpless. Satan tries in every aspect to make things more and more difficult than they really are; while God allows the way of escape through self-recognition and prayer.

Just recently I realized that my dog training class, which I teach, fell on the Tuesday of a Holy Day. So, I talked to my class and asked if we could arrange a session on a different day of the week. Most were compliant, and some were neutral, but we all finally agreed on Monday evening because some couldn’t attend the class on any other day – which was great. When I got home, I realized that Monday evening was the start of the Holy Day. What was I thinking!!!!??
 
I felt horrible, and didn’t know what to do, since I thought I would lose my clients if I cancelled again. I prayed, asking for strength and to help convince my students’ minds that I wasn’t incompetent. I called my clients, re-apologized, and to my surprise, everyone understood; no one was angry and somehow, everyone was able to accommodate different schedules, including mine. I expected trials, but I didn’t expect to feel worried for 4 hours before I finally asked God for help and then informed my students about the second change. I should always expect room for improvement.