Norbert Link will be speaking this Sabbath, October 19, on true and righteous judgment.

The services can be heard at www.cognetservices.org at the appropriate time, just click on “Connect to Live Stream”.

We have just completed the observance of God’s fall festivals and in so doing have now for another year kept God’s Annual Holy Days in accordance with His instructions (Lev. 23, Numbers 28 & 29, Deut. 16).

Upon returning home we now must immediately face the holidays of this world’s religions, which have been established by men in the keeping of their religious ideas. These days have been set aside by men for the intended purpose of honoring God. Yet, He admonishes us not to do such things! (Deut 12: 29-32).

Just today, I read an article in The Californian, an edition of The North County Times, in which author Caryl Krueger, in an effort to “focus on fun” in the observance of Halloween, suggests that youngsters be educated in the tradition of Halloween.

Quoting from this article, Ms. Krueger writes, ” What can we do to reinvent this celebration, formerly beloved by families?

“Well, Halloween can be saved. First, let’s consider how the word is pronounced since that has something to do with how it is celebrated. It is not hollow-een, as many say. Hollow means empty or worthless. It is Hallow-een. To hallow means to make holy or blessed. Halloween means holy evening, the night before All Saints’ Day.

“Share with your youngsters the way some Halloween traditions started. The Irish contributed jack-o’-lanterns. These commemorated a miserly person named Jack who was unable to enter heaven because of his sins, nor could he go to hell since he had played pranks on the devil. So he was doomed to walk the earth with his lantern.”

She goes on to write of, “… the ancient Druids, who thought that witches, ghosts, fairies, and spirits roamed about trying to harm people. They also thought that cats were sacred and they were formerly human beings being punished for evil deeds.

“These same Druids held a festival each autumn called Samhain (pronounced SOW-en, with the first syllable rhyming with plow) to honor the end of summer. Other Europeans had a similar harvest celebration.

“Then in the year 700 when the Roman Catholic Church established November 1st as All Saints Day, all the old pagan customs and the Christian feast day were combined into one grand festival for October 31, the night before All Saints Day.”

What has God continually told His people concerning such pagan practices and the combining of His truth with the teachings of this world, which we know as syncretism?

“You shall not worship the Lord your God that way; for every abomination to the Lord which He hates they have done to their gods; for they burn even their sons and their daughters in the fire to their gods” (Deut. 12:31).

God tells us in Amos 5:21 – “I hate, I despise your feast days, And I do not savor your sacred assemblies.”

Yes, God hates the traditions that have been established by men in the worship of their gods and he forbids us to have a part in such doings, especially in our worship of Him. They are anathema to God and to His Way and we must not have anything to do with those ways.

Let’s be aware now, more than ever before, as the evils of this world and their leader, Satan the devil, try to beguile God’s chosen people away from the One True God and His Truth – For we must be diligent to worship Him in Spirit and in Truth.

“But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those that worship Him must worship in spirit and truth” (John 4: 23-24).

Anything contrary to His teachings is unacceptable to God!

OUR FRAGILE WORLD

Nothing in recent experience has so emblazoned the precariousness of our “modern” world as the outbreak of terror attacks.

On Sunday of this week, a deadly bomb killed at least 181 people on the island of Bali in Indonesia. Just as fear has stifled air travel in the U.S. following 9-11, now the world is on notice that Muslim extremists are prepared to disrupt any nation for their cause–and the world is reeling as terror finds new footholds in which to emerge.

Based on the French tanker explosion off Yemen a week ago and the shooting of two U.S. Marines on an island off Kuwait, a report in “The Straits Times Interactive” (a Pacific area newspaper) quotes the following: “American officials say they fear that attacks attributed to al-Qaeda in the past week and taped messages from the group’s leaders signal the beginning of a NEW WAVE OF TERRORIST ACTIVITY and possibly a large-scale attack.”

Events such as these highlight how inter-dependent the world has grown in this first decade of the twenty-first century. The actions of a few well-trained and determined individuals can completely disrupt the economy and safety of whole nations. Likewise, the recent West Coast dock strike in the U.S. pinpointed how a small group could stagnate an economy that is now totally dependent on “just-in-time” production arrangements. President Bush was forced to implement an executive order through the courts in order to send the dock workers back to their jobs.

As we have begun to witness, single events can sweep across international boundaries and literally cause such upheavals and disruptions that the whole world is seriously undermined. Yet, we know from Matthew 24 and other prophetic warnings, there is MORE turmoil ahead. As we watch and consider these things, we are further encouraged by Jesus Christ with these words:
“But he who ENDURES TO THE END shall be saved.” (Matthew 24:13).

DEVELOPING NEWS:

NUCLEAR NORTH KOREA
On Thursday, ominous news has broken as North Korea admits to having a well entrenched nuclear production program. This flies in the face of several signed agreements with Western nations in which Korea expressly agreed to limit such activity in exchange for Western aid. Now, it appears that the West will be held hostage with this threatening capability. All of this goes on while the North Korean people are literally starving. The underlying fear is that some of the terrorist groups will be able to purchase a complete nuclear weapon from North Korea in the near future.

POPE LAX ON PEDOPHILIA
Vatican rejection of key elements of the American Bishops’ new policy for dealing with sexual predators within the priesthood has many people voicing shock and outrage. Although the full response of Catholic hierarchy is due to be announced on Friday, it is said that the partial rejection will essentially strip this agreement of any practical usefulness.

BELTWAY SNIPER
As this week draws to a conclusion, the search for the East Coast sniper does not. Military surveillance aircraft have been brought into the investigation to aid law enforcement–although the military of the U.S. cannot, by statute, actively engage in this hunt beyond aid to civilian authorities. Also, there is a growing banter calling for an isolation of potential terrorists. This, in specific terms, would mean a kind of concentration camp mentality. This kind of groundswell attitude is merely talk at this point. In this same context, CIA director George Tennet, in testimony before the House and Senate Intelligence committees, summarized that America was just as vulnerable to terrorism now as it was before 9/11, because the terrorists are still out there, still determined to strike. This week’s events forewarn of ominous measures in the near future–both from the terrorists and from governments that will be forced to take stronger and stronger methods to defend against terrorism.
 

Matthew 24:34 is not dealing with the same set of events as in chapter 16:28. Note the context of Matthew 24 and 25. In verse 3 of the 24th chapter, the disciples of Christ asked him the following: ” ‘Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age.’ ” Christ then goes on to answer them by pointing out events that literally span the entire church age, but He deals primarily with those events that signal His imminent return to the earth.

In verse 34, Christ says, ” ‘Assuredly I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place.’ ” From the broader context, we understand that in this verse Christ is speaking about that generation that is alive when the dramatic intervention of God in human affairs actually occurs.

In Matthew 16:28, Christ is here quoted as follows: “Assuredly, I say to you, there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the son of Man coming in His kingdom.” Does this verse imply that some of the disciples would live over two thousand years? No, not at all. The explanation can be found quite clearly by reading on into chapter 17 of Matthew.

In verses 1 through 13, we find the account of Peter, James and John being with Christ when He was transfigured before them. In this vision both Moses and Elijah appear as if glorified with Christ–verse 9 shows that Christ identified what had happened as a vision. You can get even more details of this event in the parallel accounts found in Mark 9:1-13 and Luke 9:27-36.

To show how easily some of these things are misunderstood, look at the statement that Christ made about John in the book of John, chapter 21 and verse 22: “Jesus said to him (Peter), ‘If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow me.’ ” Verse 23 shows that some of the brethren later believed that John would not die, but it is further explained that Christ was merely using figurative speech to make His point with Peter. In fact, John did die–being, by historical tradition, the last of the original Apostles to do so.

The account in Matthew 24 deals with prophetic events and the generation of mankind alive when Christ returns to establish the Kingdom of God. Matthew 16 is dealing with the promise by Jesus Christ that some among His disciples would–in vision–see the Kingdom of God. To read more about the generation of the time of Christ’s return, please refer to CEG’s update number 60 (dated September 13, 2002) and note the Editorial entitled, “We Are Closer Than We May Think!” Also, please consult pages 14 and 15 of our booklet, “The Gospel of the Kingdom of God,” for further details on the vision described in Matthew 16.

Edwin Pope plans to continue to speak relative to the doctrines with part 2 of his sermon entitled – “Doctrine! … How Important?”

The services can be heard at www.cognetservices.org at the appropriate time, just click on “Connect to Live Stream”.

Growing up we used to play a game called “That’s Good, That’s Bad”. One person would start a scenario and then everyone would chime in accordingly and say, “That’s good!”, except for the next person in the circle who would say, “No, that’s bad because…” and then everyone would say in unison, “Oh, that’s bad!”, except for the next person in the circle who would say, “No, that’s good because…” and so on and so forth.

For example:
A young man went riding on his favorite horse one day.
That’s good.
No, that’s bad because he fell off and broke his leg.
Oh, that’s bad
No, that’s good because a war broke out and he wasn’t able to be recruited.
Oh, that’s good.
No, that’s bad because…

It was a good opportunity to teach us as children that not everything that seemed good was good nor was everything that seemed bad,bad.

The same is true for us today as adults in God’s Church. We are enduring many trials and sometimes we may wonder to what end. We may ask ourselves how anything good could possibly come out of what I am going through now. We can rest assured knowing that God is working out a purpose in our lives, one in which He is refining us and shaping us into His image.

There is a reason for what we are going through now and many times when we say, “Oh, that’s bad”, God is saying, “No, that’s good!”. During these times of hardship it is our part to be happy with whatever state that find ourselves in and to be thankful in all things as God does a GOOD work in us.
 

RUMORS OF WAR

Early in the week, U.S. President George Bush addressed the nation concerning what is tantamount to an approaching war in the Middle East. The nation and the world are being prepared for what is sure to follow. Even as the week winds down, both houses of Congress are falling into line with Presidential policy.

In addition, an internet posting from the “Guardian Unlimited” reported on October 10, 2002:
“British Prime Minister Tony Blair carried a potentially strong hand into talks on Iraq with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday evening amid signs that the Kremlin may be softening its opposition as the United States and Britain push for tough action.”

Grave concerns are being voiced in Japan about the possibility of war against Iraq. Japan is dependant on Middle East oil, and any major conflict will threaten an already weakened Japanese economy.

In the Middle East and amidst reluctant acceptance, various countries are positioning themselves in a kind of fence-straddling position in order to play both sides. The wild card is Israel. If Saddam Hussein unleashes an attack on Israel in the event of a U.S. led assault, there is a growing fear that this targeted objective may spill over into a broader conflict. Much more is at stake in this coming war than that of the war with Afghanistan. Like Japan, Europe is heavily dependant on the free flow of oil from the Middle East. The world economy has been suffering a downturn already, and the potential for catastrophic damage hangs on these future events as America implements its new security strategy of the pre-emptive use of force.

URBAN TERROR

This week has seen a re-emergence of terror in America. This time, however, it appears that one or two individuals have communities in Virginia, Maryland and Washington, D.C. unnerved by wanton acts of indiscriminate murder.

To date, nine shootings with seven resulting in death have occurred. One piece of possible evidence involves a tarot card with a scribbled message to the police with the claim “…I am God.” Tarot cards are used by various psychics and others who try to foretell the future. Some place the origin of their use in Egyptian worship–worship that involved the worship of demonic forces.

The inevitable worry on the part of authorities is that “copy-cat” actions will arise fueling even more terror as schools, businesses and families put their lives on hold. In the prophetic “song of Moses” recorded in Deuteronomy 32, God pleads with His people to consider their “latter end”–verse 29. In verse 30, these timely words appear: “How could one chase a thousand, And two put ten thousand to flight, Unless their Rock had sold them, And the Lord had surrendered them?” This nation will continue to face outbreaks of terror until we turn to God–Who alone is able to bring true and lasting peace and safety!

Paul is talking here about rulers in general, who uphold certain laws to guarantee a civil and peaceful harmonious lifestyle amongst their citizens. Paul is referring to the submission to and the enforcement of civil and criminal laws, such as theft or murder.

Paul is not talking here about the Hitlers or Neros, etc., who are encouraging their citizens to betray Christians or the Jews, so that they can be killed. We need to remember Christ’s statement to OBEY the Pharisees in all that they tell the people, but later, Peter did not obey them when they told him not to preach in the name of Christ. Christ would not obey them, either, to follow their rules of ceremonial washing, or to have no contact with “sinners.” So, Christ was talking about matters which were not in conflict with God’s word. (Notice, too, that John the Baptist openly rebuked Herod for committing adultery with his brother’s wife (Luke 3:19-20). Also, Daniel refused the obey the order of king Darius, not to pray to God, and his three friends disobeyed the order of king Nebuchadnezzar to worship the golden image).

In John 19:11, Christ told Pilate, “‘You could have no power at all against Me unless it had been given you from above. Therefore the one who delivered Me to you has the GREATER sin.”

Christ is giving here an implicit forewarning of accountability and judgment on those — including rulers — who are evil. We are to be ambassadors of Christ and of the Kingdom of God. As such, we still need to be subject to the laws of man, as long as they are not in conflict with the laws of God.

Also, in Luke 4:6, Satan states to Christ that all authority over the kingdoms of this world have presently been given to Satan, and that it is he who gives it to whomever he wishes. Christ does not dispute this claim. In fact, we read that Satan is the “prince of the power of the air” (Eph. 2:2) and the “god of this world” (2 Cor. 4:4), who still has a throne on this earth (Rev. 2:13). He and his demons are the current rulers over this world (Eph. 6:12), inspiring civil leaders to obey their will (1. Cor. 2:7-8).

Today, this world is cut off from God, and it is subject to the rule of Satan. God had placed Lucifer on the throne of this earth, but he rebelled and became known as Satan. When he inspired Adam and Eve to sin, God gave mankind 6000 years to find out for themselves that we need God. Still, God decreed that Satan is to remain on his throne, until Jesus Christ comes back to replace him and to restore the government of God on this earth. In that sense, there is “no authority except from God” (Romans 13:1), and all authority “has been given from above” (John 19:11), in that God has not yet replaced Satan and his demons and in that they cannot do anything which God does not ALLOW them to do. At times, God might even directly intervene to insure that a particular person takes over rulership in a particular country, so that God’s overall plan for mankind can be fulfilled (Ex. 9:16). But, we are not to follow them, or their laws, when they are opposing God.

The Broadman Bible Commentary has this to say about Romans 13:3:

“…State officials as rulers deserve the loyalty of Christians only when they do approve good conduct (vv. 3-4a). The corrupt politicians who appeal to the Christian conscience to protect their unjust reign of terror and tyranny should be totally repudiated… As God’s public servant the ruler is to promote the good against the bad.” (p. 257).

The German “Lexikon zur Bibel,” by Fritz Rienecker, points out, under “governing authorities” [“Obrigkeit”]:

“The Bible instructs us, because of God, to obey the governing authorities (Romans 13:1-7; Titus 3:1; 1 Peter 2:13-14), and to pray for them (Jer. 29:7; 1 Tim. 2:2). The reason is, that every authority is appointed by God and that it is His servant (Romans 13:1,4)… There is, however, a limit to obedience. That limit is reached, when the instructions of the authority prevent a human being from obeying God (Acts 4:19; 5:29). This freedom, not to follow the will of the authority, Peter defends before the spiritual authority of his own people.”

Edwin Pope plans to speak relative to the doctrines
with a sermon entitled – “Doctrine! … How Important?”

The services can be heard at www.cognetservices.org
at the appropriate time, just click on “Connect to Live Stream”.

This title is from a song by the same name. It was recorded by Bing
Crosby and the Andrews Sisters in 1944. The opening lyrics are:

You’ve got to accentuate the positive
Eliminate the negative
Latch on to the affirmative
Don’t mess with Mister In-Between

A good message for that time of
World War II-likewise, this is a theme we could all embrace in our
dealings with each other. In a time when we have such staggering
material abundance, we find ourselves woefully in need of satisfying,
productive and lasting human relationships. One key for improvement is
found in HOW we approach our various relationships-whether family,
friend, neighbor, co-worker and, yes, even strangers.

In the
Bible, in Philippians 4:8, note the approach that Christians are taught
to have: “Finally, brethren, whatever things are TRUE, whatever things
are NOBLE, whatever things are JUST, whatever things are PURE, whatever
things are LOVELY, whatever things are OF GOOD REPORT, if there is ANY
VIRTUE and if there is ANYTHING PRAISEWORTHY-MEDITATE ON THESE THINGS.”

This teaching will become more than lofty platitudes IF we put it to practice!

For
example, a coach may watch a youngster shoot a basketball time after
time and miss. But when he makes the shot, he reinforces it with a
short compliment, a nod or smile. That positive, correct action is the
building block for making more shots. Life is not so different. We all
need to watch for opportunities to find the good in our dealings with
others.

All of us need positive examples to look to. Those who
follow Christ have that kind of example-and that without parallel! We
also need positive feedback. This is a responsibility we can fulfill
with each other by adopting an approach filled with the positive.

Too
much of the substance of our lives in this generation is fueled by what
is wrong. It is rather easy to get swept along with this pattern of
behavior-even for those who now know better!

Let’s all take
inventory of our relationships, and let each of us, individually, work
on how we relate to everyone – it’s not so hard, just “accentuate the
positive!”

Germany’s Influence

 The looming crisis in America and, to a lesser degree, in Britain is its sleepy-eyed view of the world. While we grow more inward in our political roles, Germany is now on the verge of significantly shaping the next decades of world history. Probably no single event has both heralded as well as fostered the NEWEST POWER PLAYER on the world scene more ominously than that of German reunification.

In essence, as long as Germany was divided, so was Europe. However, several years after the fact, the German people have successfully thrived under the heavy load of reunification. German leadership is now forging the common currency (the Euro) of the European Union with almost seamless ease. Yet, Germany’s influence is vastly more dynamic and globalized.

Note this quote from an article by Robert B. Zoellick, entitled, “An American Looks at Germany’s Foreign Policy” (Dec 98–reprinted by C.S.I.S): “…Germans have recognized that the world will not permit Germany to abstain from the new challenges. Germany is the THIRD LARGEST economy in the world, the SECOND most active exporter, and the BIGGEST country west of Russia in Europe. A new generation of business leaders has positioned German companies AMONG THE MOST COMPETITIVE in the world, with operations that EXTEND AROUND THE GLOBE. Germany’s global trade and investment link the country’s welfare with the security and prosperity of the world markets.” Pay particular attention to the fact that this was written in 1998–four years ago.

As witnessed in Somalia and Bosnia as well as Afghanistan, Germany has begun the initial role of deploying combat troops. Some believe that in modern Germany there could be no new resurgent nationalism again. Yet, even before our eyes, Germany is emerging as the real behind the scenes force in world economic globalization. In order to protect this newly found role, Germany is being pushed into a military presence that is destined to grow very rapidly–and that, at the first, merely to protect its and Europe’s interests.

While on the surface, it appears that Germany is content politically with a kind of “soft nationalism,” prophecy indicates a staggering role has been allotted to this people in the very near future. Watch world events–watch Europe, and, in particular, watch as Germany emerges as the greatest power broker on the earth!

U.S. Policy–Pre-emptive!

 In a move that has startled many allies and put on notice less than friendly nations, U.S. President George Bush outlined a new national security strategy late in the month of September.
Quoting from usatoday.com as published on September 20, 2002:
“The 35-page document, titled ‘The National Security Strategy of the United States of America,’ marks the end to the deterrent military strategy that dominated the Cold War and officially shifts the country to a pre-emptive policy…”

The long held reactive posture of the U.S. is no longer deemed viable in a world of terrorism. The implication is that America is willing to act on its own–without the approval of coalitions or the U.N. or allies.

Other nations worry that this kind of unilateral approach will threaten international order. Some few national leaders have given a measured and conditional endorsement of America’s right to be proactive and assertive in its quest to fight both terrorism and the possible use of weapons of mass destruction.

If America–now the greatest military power on earth–makes serious mistakes in its implementation of this new policy, world opinion may quickly move from cautious acceptance to outright belligerent opposition. We must continue to watch and understand that God will deal with our national sins in order to correct us and turn our hearts to Him. Our national prestige will NOT endure when God removes His protection and blessings. The Bible shows that the greatest power on the earth at the time of Jesus Christ’s return will NOT be those currently holding that position, but it will be the revived Roman Empire wielding great military power and religious dominance!

1 Corinthians 7:14 reads, “For the unbelieving husband is sanctified
by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband;
otherwise your children would be unclean, but now they are holy.”

The Ryrie Study Bible gives the following correct explanations of this passage:

“The
presence of a believer in the home sets the home apart and gives it a
Christian influence it would not otherwise have. A believing partner,
therefore, should stay with the unbeliever. However, this does not mean
that children born into such a home are automatically Christians. They
are holy in the sense of being set apart by the presence of one
believing parent.”

Christ makes it very clear that one must be
called by God to have access to God. Generally, when Adam and Eve
sinned against God and were driven out of the garden of Eden, God cut
Himself off from mankind. Christ says in John 6:44, “No one can come to
me unless the Father who sent Me draws him.” In this day and age, God
the Father calls or draws only very few. Most people today simply
cannot understand the truth of God, because God has not chosen to
reveal it to them yet (compare 1 Corinthians 1:26-28; 2:6-14). He will
do so later, in His due time (compare Romans 11:26; Ezekiel 37:11-14,
23-28).

Today, most people are still spiritually “unclean,” that
is, God has not cleansed them yet from unrighteousness (compare Romans
6:19; Eph. 4:17-19). But those whom God has called, He has called them
“in holiness,” and not “to uncleanness” (1 Thessalonians 4:7).

God
has decreed that the children of those whom He calls in this day and
age do have access to Him. They are already called — like the rest of
us — “in holiness.” They are not spiritually “unclean.” Even if only
one parent is a Christian, his or her children are “holy” — that is,
they CAN be blessed by having a relationship with God (compare Proverbs
20:7). They still must respond to their calling and choose to take
advantage of the privilege that God has bestowed on them —
nevertheless, God considers them “holy” — they have been set apart for
the holy purpose of walking in God’s way of life.

Our new booklets, “And
Lawlessness Will Abound” and “The
Great Tribulation and the Day of the Lord” were distributed
at our Feast sites in Canada and the U.K. The booklets will be distributed
to the rest of our readership shortly.

This Sabbath, Norbert Link will be presenting the sermon, “The Need for Hearing.”

On Monday, September 16, is the Day of Atonement. Edwin Pope will be covering important aspects of the meaning of that annual Holy Day in his sermon “A World At One With God.”

This will be the last Update prior to the Feast of Tabernacles, which will begin Friday evening, September 20. Our next Update is scheduled to appear on October 4th.

We wish all our members, supporters, and readers a rewarding and uplifting Day of Atonement and Feast of Tabernacles.

The services can be heard at www.cognetservices.org at the appropriate time, just click on “Connect to Live Stream”.

A special note: All of the Feast services will be broadcast on the Internet, beginning with opening night. For dates and times please go to www.COGNetServices.org

Paul gives strong admonitions to those “upon whom the ends of the ages have come” (1 Corinthians 10:11). He warns them not to “lust after evil things,” not “to become idolaters,” not “to commit sexual immorality,” not “to tempt Christ,” “nor to complain.” (vv. 6-10). We need to understand that Paul is primarily talking to us today. It is we “upon whom the ends of the ages have come.”
 
The prophet Daniel received revelations from God, which he wrote down, without understanding them. His writings were to be sealed “until the time of the end.” (Daniel 12:4, 8-10). The “end,” referred to in those passages, is the time of Christ’s return and of the first resurrection (Daniel 12:13).
 
Likewise, the information which John received, was also related to the very end of our age — it pertained to events leading up to and occurring at a time, called the “day of the Lord.” Christ had received this information from God the Father, and He passed it on to John through an angel. We read in Revelation 1:1-3, that the message pertains to events which will “shortly come to pass,” and that those who hear the message should not forget it, “as the time is near.”
 
But, how can we be sure that these scriptures are really primarily directed at us today? The answer is — a passage in Revelation 17:10 gives us a time perspective. This passage talks about the seven last resurrections of the “Holy Roman Empire.” It reads, “There are also seven kings [or kingdoms]. Five have fallen, one is, and the other has not yet come. And when he comes, he must continue a short time.” This “short time” is described in verse 12 as “one hour,” and in Daniel 7:25 as “3 1/2 years.”
 
God revealed the meaning of this passage in Revelation 17:10 to Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong precisely at the time — in the late 30’s and early 40’s of the 20th century — when the first five of the seven last resurrections of the “Holy Roman Empire” had come and gone, and when the sixth resurrection was in power. It was the resurrection brought about by Hitler and Mussolini. At that time, the last and final resurrection had not occurred yet — but when it would occur, it would only continue for a short time. We see right now before our very eyes that last and final resurrection forming in Europe. That is one of the reasons why we KNOW that the time is short.
 
When John wrote the book of Revelation, the end-time events, described therein, would not happen for more than 1900 years. But they are happening now. The message contained in the book of Revelation is primarily for us today.
 
Notice Christ’s warning to the remnant church in Philadelphia, “‘Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown'” (Rev. 3:11). He states in Rev. 22:7, 12, and 20: “‘Behold, I am coming quickly! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book… And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work…’ He who testifies to these things says, ‘Surely I am coming quickly.'”
 
Again, we see whom Christ is primarily talking to — it is His church at the very last days, prior to His return. Notice, too, Paul’s comment in Philippians 4:5:
 
“Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand!”
 
And James adds, “Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord… You also be patient, Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand… Behold, the Judge is standing at the door!” (James 5:7-9).
 
Although judgment had begun at the house of God, the Church  (1 Peter 4:17) — technically, the Judge was not standing at the door, when James wrote down these words. But notice, what Christ tells the very last era of God’s church — the era in which we live today:
 
“‘Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.'” (Rev. 3:20).
 
Now, Christ DOES stand at the door. His return IS at hand! Christ IS coming quickly. Let’s make sure that we are getting ready for His return — and that we are not keeping our individual doors locked. If we were to prevent Jesus Christ from entering our lives today, we might find ourselves in the situation that He may not open to us His door to the Kingdom, when He returns.
 
Do you remember what will happen to the five foolish virgins, when the bridegroom returns and finds them unprepared? When the return of the bridegroom was delayed, all the virgins fell asleep, but the wise ones were able to “make themselves ready” (compare Rev. 19:7) when the cry was heard at midnight that the bridegroom was coming (Matthew 25:5-6). The foolish virgins, however, were unable to get ready “on such short notice.” We read in Matthew 25:10-12, “And while they [the foolish virgins] went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready [the wise virgins] went in with him to the wedding, and the door was shut. Afterward the other [foolish] virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’ But he answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.'”
 
They had not opened the doors of their hearts to Christ — they had not allowed Christ to enter their lives and to direct and lead them. Let us take good note of Christ’s warning to all of us today, in Matthew 24:13, “‘Watch therefore [that is, get ready, because the time is short], for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.'”
 

IRAQ–AND NO PEACE IN SIGHT?

The pressure on Iraq increases. While President Bush gave a strong speech on Thursday to the United Nations, Germany’s position has been unrelenting against any military action.
 
Der Stern reported on September 5 that “the fight between Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder and U.S. President George W. Bush involving Iraq has escalated to reach a serious crisis between the two countries.” While Chancellor candidate Edmund Stoiber, according to Der Spiegel, dated September 12, had tried to “wiggle himself out of the Iraq debate,” highly-respected former President Richard von Weizsaecker approved the position of Gerhard Schroeder’s government, according to Der Spiegel of September 10. On September 12, Bild reported, that Edmund Stoiber reversed his prior position, stating that he could not support an American military attack against Iraq. He also pointed out that Germany could not be involved, militarily, in any action against Iraq.

 
So far, Russia and China have also stated that they will not support a military attack on Iraq. Tony Blair of Great Britain, however, has announced that he will support President Bush. The positions of France, Denmark and Italy are less clear.
 
In the meantime, the German government clarified, according to Der Spiegel of September 10, that they will not support a military attack in Iraq, even if the United Nations were to agree to it, and that this would include even financial aid. The international constitutional legal expert, Professor Peter Schlotter, explained that an attack on Iraq would violate international law, as it does not allow a preventive military strike on other nations.
 
Previously, on September 4, Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon had pointed out, during the traditional televised Jewish New Year’s message on September 4, that Libya was close to becoming the first Arab and African country to join the nuclear club. He stated that Libya would have its atomic bomb by 2004, adding that the Libyan program was being carried out by Iraqi and North Korean nuclear scientists with Saudi funding.
 
Prior to President Bush’s speech on September 12, U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan opposed any pre-emptive action without Security Council backing. But he also accused Iraq of continuing to defy mandatory Council resolutions, which allows the use of military force, according to Washington Post of September 12. Mr. Annan put Iraq “second on a list of four current threats to world peace… First on the list is the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and after Iraq comes Afghanistan and the India-Pakistan conflict over Kashmir,” according to the newspaper.
 
Yahoo! News summarized President Bush’s subsequent speech in this way, “President Bush told the U.N. General Assembly on Thursday that ‘action will be unavoidable’ against Iraq, unless the United Nations enforced resolutions requiring Baghdad to disarm.” Der Spiegel commented, “U.S. President George W. Bush has clarified to the United Nations, that a military attack on Iraq is unavoidable, if the United Nations does not force Saddam Hussein to disarm.”
 
Iraq’s U.N. ambassador criticized President Bush, saying, “We don’t care about the position of the United States. If they are threatening, if they would attack, certainly we will be there for defending ourselves.”

In Germany, according to Der Spiegel, Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer described President Bush’s speech as “very harsh, very clear, and unambiguous.” Finance Minister Hans Eichel warned that a military campaign on Baghdad was the only thing that could wreck Germany’s economic recovery, according to USA Today.

The newspaper also mentioned that the United Kingdom welcomed the speech, as did Norway and Romania.

The entire written text of Mr. Bush’s speech can be found on www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2002-09-12-bush-speech_x.htm
 
We are bringing the following excerpts from his speech:
 
“Twelve years ago, Iraq invaded Kuwait without provocation… Last year, the U.N. Commission on Human rights found that Iraq continues to commit ‘extremely grave violations’ of human rights and that the regime’s repression is ‘all pervasive.’ Tens of thousands of political opponents and ordinary citizens have been subjected to arbitrary arrest and imprisonment, summary execution, and torture by beating, burning, electric shock, starvation, mutilation, and rape. Wives are tortured in front of their husbands; children in the presence of their parents — all of these horrors concealed from the world by the apparatus of a totalitarian state…
 
“In 1993, Iraq attempted to assassinate the emir of Kuwait and a former American President. Iraq’s government openly praised the attacks of September 11th. And al-Qaeda terrorists escaped from Afghanistan are known to be in Iraq… [T]he regime admitted to producing tens of thousands of liters of anthrax and other deadly biological agents for use with Saudi warheads, aerial bombs, and aircraft spray tanks… Iraq has made several attempts to buy high-strength aluminum tubes used to enrich uranium for a nuclear weapon… Iraq is building more long-range missiles that could inflict mass death throughout the region…
 
“Saddam Hussein attacked Iran in 1989, and Kuwait in 1990. He has fired ballistic missiles at Iran, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Israel. His regime once ordered the killing of every person between the ages of 15 and 70 in certain Kurdish villages in Northern Iraq. He has gassed many Iranians and 40 Iraqi villages. My nation will work with the U.N. Security Council on a new resolution to meet our common challenge. If Iraq’s regime defies us again, the world must move deliberately and decisively to hold Iraq to account. The purposes of the United States should not be doubted. The Security Council resolutions will be enforced — the just demands of peace and security will be met — or action will be unavoidable. And a regime that has lost its legitimacy will also lose its power… We cannot stand by and do nothing while dangers gather. We must stand up for our security, and for the permanent rights and hopes of mankind. By heritage and by choice, the United States of America will make that stand. Delagates to the United Nations, you have the power to make that stand as well.”
 

THE RETURN OF JOERG HAIDER IN AUSTRIA

As the Washington Post reported on September 9, Austrian Chancellor Wolfgang Schuessel broke up his coalition with Joerg Haider’s Freedom Party, calling for new elections in November, after Haider had led a revolt within his party, forcing the resignation of party chief and Vice Chancellor Susanne Riess-Passer and Finance Minister Karl-Heinz Grasser. The paper continued that these events “mark Haider’s return to the center stage of Austrian politics” and that “Haider was likely to lead the Freedom Party on a more radical course, including opposing EU expansion.” Der Spiegel and Der Stern reported on September 11 and September 12 that Haider, after certain unspecified concessions had been made to him, was recommended to become the party’s new leader, and that a close friend of his, minister Herbert Haupt, will be nominated as Chancellor candidate. Haider explained that he did not want to run for Chancellor in November, as he had promised to remain governor in the province of Carinthia until 2004, and that he “is used to keep his promises.”