Dear Brethren and Friends:
Johanna and I arrived back safely in the U.S. on Sunday night, October 29, after a spiritually uplifting Feast in England and a subsequent visit with our relatives in Germany. During the Feast, we heard inspiring messages, comparing this present evil world with the wonderful world tomorrow, which is soon to be inaugurated by Jesus Christ at His return.
While the current British and German governments struggle to stay in power, the United States has been heavily focused on its political elections. The more one observes the politics of this world in the light of godly instructions and the future, when God’s Kingdom will rule, one understands WHY God’s true Church does not get involved in political campaigns, governmental elections and the endorsement of political candidates.
This is, indeed, Satan’s world—not God’s! Jesus Christ told us to come OUT OF this world. He told Pilate that His kingdom was NOT from here. In addition, God IS working out a plan down here below, and He places—or allows being placed—certain candidates in temporary offices to fulfill His plan. This does not mean—by any stretch of the imagination—that true Christians should vote for those candidates, even if we were to know who they ought to be. God saw to it that Adolph Hitler and Benito Mussolini came to power to bring about the prophesied ninth resurrection of the ancient Roman Empire—but no Christian should have voted for them.
While overseas, I had opportunity to read Bob Woodward’s latest book, entitled, “State of Denial.” Woodward is assistant managing editor of the conservative paper, The Washington Post. In his thoroughly researched book, he takes the position that some of the key players in the Bush Administration, being divided amongst themselves, started the war against Iraq without any viable concept of subsequent necessary action after the invasion. Overwhelmed by reality, they proceeded to habitually ignore or downplay the chaotic conditions following the initial occupation. Even two days after the release of a secret report of the intelligence division of May 24, 2006, painting a terribly bleak picture and predicting even more violence by the insurgency, the Pentagon sent a required public report to Congress, placing “the most positive spin on stability and security” (Woodward, page 476).
When reading about the events revealed in Woodward’s book, I was reminded at times of the war propaganda in World War II, when Germany still proclaimed victory in Russia after the devastation of German troops at Stalingrad. When the truth about the events at the Eastern Front could not be suppressed any longer, the German public media announced “Germany’s victorious retreat” (“Deutschlands siegreicher Rueckzug”).
Truly, that was “politics” in its “purest” form! It just goes against human nature to admit mistakes or defeat.
Returning to the situation in Iraq, even though it should have been clear from the very outset that America’s ambitious endeavor to establish democracy in Iraq was predestined to failure, that realization has now become the recognized grim reality for most observers. But originally, neither the Republican nor the Democratic parties were willing to admit or even see this fact. They all, as a whole, voted for and endorsed the Iraq war. And even today, some seem to continue to behave like the proverbial ostrich with its head in the sand. Woodward quoted a high-ranking governmental official stating as late as May of 2006 that he had “zero doubt that we have done the right thing” (Woodward, page 476). Der Spiegel Online wrote on November 2, 2006, that “the situation in Iraq is a total catastrophe,” and that the Republicans and “the Democrats have no concept as to how to save Iraq.”
As some of you will perhaps recall, I stated at the very beginning of the Iraqi war that America would NOT be successful in its endeavor. Some complained about my strong stance at that time, questioning how I could be that “dogmatic” about it.
The simple answer is that the Bible clearly reveals this fact. Of course, Scripture does not say, specifically, that America would start a war against Iraq and ultimately lose it. But it DOES say that, once we have reached a certain time period, America will not win ANY more wars. We have reached that prophetic time! As the late Herbert W. Armstrong repeatedly emphasized, “America HAS WON its LAST war.” No matter how desperately we might be trying to proclaim victory in the face of defeat, God has withdrawn His protection from this great country, due to the abominable atrocities committed by large portions of its population.
Even though claiming to be a God-fearing people, God calls our nation an “ungodly nation” (Isaiah 10:6), which is filled with bloodshed and violence and all kinds of sexual perversions; which involves itself with eastern religions, astrology and witchcraft (Isaiah 2:6); which refuses to keep holy the days God has ordained; and which observes demonic pagan holidays such as Halloween—and so much so that other countries, such as Germany, have adopted that evil custom and have begun to keep it as well. America is destined to fall, and no party, no governmental official and no president will be able to prevent it—unless this nation repents of its God-defying abominations.
For more information, as to what IS prophesied to happen to the United States of America, Great Britain, Canada, Australia and other English-speaking nations, as well as the entire world, please make sure to read or re-read our free booklets, “The Great Tribulation and the Day of the Lord,” “The Fall and Rise of Britain and America,” and “Europe in Prophecy.”
It is the duty of God’s Church to blow the trumpet and show the nations of the modern houses of Israel and Judah their sins and transgressions (Isaiah 58:1). Some might listen and repent and be spared from the evil which IS to befall this world. Christ challenged and admonished us to watch unfolding prophesied events and to pray always to be counted worthy to escape all those things which shall surely come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man, Jesus Christ, at His return (Luke 21:36).
In order to help you to pray more effectively, we have prepared a new comprehensive booklet, titled “Teach Us To Pray.” We are enclosing a copy for those of you who have not received their copy. It is our hope that you will use this new booklet repeatedly and consistently, as a help and guide, to be able to pray with more understanding, endurance, boldness and spiritual power. We are told that the effective fervent prayer of a righteous person avails much (James 5:16).
Keep watching, brethren, and keep praying. The time of Christ’s return is drawing near. The ways of this world will end soon. Politics and political campaigns, as well as human misrule, will come to an end.
Let’s thank God for that!
With Christian love,
Norbert Link
