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World Conspiracy in Light of the Bible

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The Last Trump

By Norbert Lieth
The apostle Paul explains the Rapture of the Church in two places in the New Testament, and in both places a trumpet is mentioned.This trumpet is often thought to be identical with the seventh trumpet in Revelation 11. If this were the case, however, the Church would still be on earth at the time of the judgment of God. Is this true?

19 USA
Apple Denies It Is Anti-Abortion

19 CHINA

Communists to Snap Up EU Factories, Railways

Gods Plan of the Ages 20 EGYPT

Arab Women to Defend Their Rights

By Dr. Ron J. Bigalke

The biblical covenants are literal, eternal, and depend entirely upon Gods sovereignty.They were made with a covenant people, Israel. Since the death of Christ is the basis of salvation for all people (Tit 2:11)for all timethe church has become a partaker of the Jewish spiritual blessings.

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LoveThere Is Nothing Greater!

By Norbert Lieth
The probably most emotional sentence in the world is,I love you.Love does not mean overlooking sin or not judging evil things, but it is decisive in how we deal with people, how we support and help them.

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21 EUROPE World Conspiracy in Light of the Bible PART VIII

Religious Leaders Favored Over Atheists

By Johannes Pflaum
It is quite clear that the weather and natural catastrophes are under Gods authority, which He will not relinquish. He shocks and shakes up people in accordance with His sovereign will. The fact remains that it is Gods greatness, and not some kind of wonder weapon of conspirators, which is at work.

22 VATICAN
Ireland Closes Vatican Embassy

DEPARTMENTS

Editorial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . By Peter Malgo

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Letters to the Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . By Arno Froese CHRISTIANITY...BARCODES...DID JONAH DIE?

Midnight Call
FEBRUARY 2012

E D I T O R S

N O T E

Thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children

(Deuteronomy 6:7).
B y P e t e r M a l g o

On September 20, 2011 death row inmate Troy Davis submitted his last petition for clemency. The next day, he was executed. The state of Georgia had turned down his request. People sentenced to death die according to the law of each state by the sword, by injections of poison, by rifle bullets, in gas chambers, on the gallows, in the electric chair or by stoning. In the 21st century, executioners practice their cruel craft in many countries of the world. In the USA, 46 executions were carried out in the year before last. No one knows how many there are in China and other totalitarian states. In Muslim countries, death penalties are carried out for adultery, rape and the like in full publicity and with eager observers. The Bible also knows the death penalty. In Leviticus 20 is a list of a number of crimes which are to be punished by death. First of all is adultery. God takes this sin very seriously! In the same chapter of the Bible, homosexuality is also mentioned (Leviticus 18:22). The law of Moses demands the death penalty for the examples
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mentioned. Our feelings speak here with another language. We would judge differently from God and say: Give them yet another chance, rebuke them, punish them, practice a hard community discipline. But the death penalty? Let mercy prevail! However, the Old Testament, the Old Covenant, does not know mercy. The demands made of men who want to live in accordance with Gods plan sometimes go very far. In Exodus 35:2, we read: Six days shall work be done, but on the seventh day there shall be to you an holy day, a Sabbath of rest to the LORD: whosoever doeth work therein, shall be put to death. God gave Israel numerous laws because it is His covenant nation. Some Jews treat these ordinances even today in an extreme manner. For in the course of time, interpretations reaching even farther were included as additional laws. Whoever has spent time in Israel knows the Sabbath elevator. On the Sabbath, no lift button may be used in order to get to the next floor. The light switch in ones home may not be used, be-

E D IT OR

N OT E

The Prophetic Voice for the Endtimes

cause that counts as work. In 2 Corinthians 3:14-15, it becomes clear why this is so: But their minds were blinded: for until this day remains the same veil untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which veil is done away in Christ. But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the veil is upon their heart. Romans 10 and 11 deal with the background of this matter in detail: they do not have Jesus Christ. This is so also today. Only by Jesus do we have part in the grace of the forgiveness of sin. He has taken upon Himself the death which we would have earned. We read in Titus 2:11: For the grace of God which brings salvation has appeared to all men. What a wonderful gift is ours through the proof of grace of Jesus Christ! We, who would really be candidates for death (Romans 3:23; 6:23), may live; yes, we even receive eternal life. Now, there are also not a few Christians who try in a legalistic way to please God, and thereby they place themselves under the law. That is an area in which grace has no effect. Much like the nation of Israel, the Jews, we all have the inclination to prepare certain laws for ourselves. According to the community to which we belong, one can then recognize already by our external appearance to where we belong and to what law we submit. However, that no longer is a life under grace. Our keeping the law means that we want to do something for God. But grace is something which God wants to do for us. However, being free from the law does not mean that we are free from doing Gods will. Rather, it is the Lord Himself who wants to do that in and through us. Paul therefore also warns us not to misunderstand the offer of grace of our Lord: What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid! (Romans 6:1-2). Much rather prevails Romans 6:14: For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. MC

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NORBERT LIETH

Regarding the last trump, there are many theories. Is it the seventh and last trumpet in Revelation 11? Or did Paul mean something else?

he apostle Paul explains the Rapture of the Church in two places in the New Testament, and in both places a trumpet is mentioned (1 Corinthians 15:51-53 and 1 Thessalonians 4:1617). This trumpet is often thought to be identical with the seventh trumpet in Revelation 11. If this were the case, however, the Church would still be on earth at the time of the judgment of God. Is this true? To find an answer to this, we should consider the historical environment in which the people were living, to whom the apostle addressed his letter. We will soon see that Paul had the military scene in view and connected the Rapture with this.

place to Jews (Paul was the apostle to the Gentiles, Romans 11:13 and 2 Timothy 1:11). We must also take into consideration that Paul wrote his letters to mainly Gentile Christian churches, which were strongly permeated by Romans and were influenced by Rome. The Roman culture, as well as the Roman military scene, was very familiar to them; it was part of their daily lives, so to speak. It is said of Corinth, for instance, that many retired Roman soldiers resided there:
The Roman soldiers received citizenship after the end of their time of service and were given land in a newlyfounded city so that they could settle there. Such colonies existed in all the regions of the Roman world empire, and soldiers whose service was over, who had won this citizenship through faithful service, formed the backbone of this city.1

1. The military scene. Paul wrote to the Gentile Christians in two Roman provinces (Thessalonica in Macedonia and Corinth in Achaia), not in the first
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C O V E R

S T O R Y

When the Lord comes,the trumpet will sound.The trumpet was an important signal instrument in the Roman army,and was used daily to issue commands.
Paul wrote in his words on the Rapture of a trumpet which would sound, without any further explanation. Why was the explanation lacking? Perhaps because it was not necessary? He knows of the Roman background that the inhabitants of Corinth and the Thessalonians were quite familiar with. They knew the customs of the Roman army full well, as many veterans lived among them, and they were continually surrounded by the Roman troops. The book of Revelation had not yet been written. The sound of the trumpet must have been something, therefore, that the Gentile Christians were quite familiar with. When the Lord comes, the trumpet will sound. The trumpet was an important signal instrument in the Roman army, and was used daily to issue commands. The Greek historian and writer Polybius describes among other things under the Roman military system:
The following is their manner of breaking up camp. Immediately upon the signal being given they take down the tents and everyone packs up. No tent, however, may be either taken down or set up before those of the tribunes and consul. On the second signal they load the pack animals, and on the third the leaders of the column must advance and set the whole camp in movement.2

With the background of this description, it is interesting to note that in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 it says, and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds. The third signal was the last. Is it not possible that the apostle built his message about the Rapture on this background knowledge that the recipients of the letter were familiar with?

are Christs at his coming. Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power (1 Corinthians 15:22-24). Literally, the word for order here means rank or turn. Again, Paul had taken this from the military terminology, as it was a common military expression.3 Everyone who has served in the armed forces knows, for instance, the command: Company halt! If Paul uses military terms in his chapter on the resurrection, i.e. the Rapture, then we can also see the last trump in this connection (verse 52), which clearly fits this context.

3. A command. In the chapter of the first letter to the Thessalonians on the Rapture, Paul writes of a command: For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command (1 Thessalonians 4:16, NIV). This term also comes from the military vocabulary. 4. The voice of the archangel. With the voice of the archangel (1 Thessalonians 4:16). This statement also can be compared with the military terms of that time, as we will see in the next point. 5. The trump or trumpet. And with the trump of God (1 Thessalonians 4:16). Surely, it is not by
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2.The order. When the apostle speaks of the resurrection and Rapture in the first letter to the Corinthians, he speaks of these in direct connection with a definite order: For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that

The Last Trump

At that time,people no longer lived in tents,but only the soldiers.Paul compares the body to a tent (a military tent?),and he would rather be clothed upon,that is,raptured,than unclothed,which means to die.This is the desire of every Christian,and if Paul had this longing already then,how much more should we have it today?
breastplate and helmet also belonged to the terminology of the Roman army, namely the equipment.

7. The army tent. It is not without

significance either that the taking down of the tents, which also comes from the military scene, is explicitly used for the Rapture when Paul says, For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle (NIV: tent) were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: if so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked. For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life. Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit (2 Corinthians 5:1-5). At that time, people no longer lived in tents, but only the soldiers. Paul compares the body to a tent (a military tent?), and he would rather be clothed upon, that is, raptured, than unclothed, which means to die. This is the desire of every Christian, and if Paul had this longing already then, how much more should we have it today? If the apostle had the military trumpet before his eyes when he explained the Rapture, then he probably meant the third trumpet. And if he meant this, then the seven trumpets of Revelation 8-11 are other trumpets. (MR1111/477) ENDNOTES
1 2 3 Auslegung des NT, p. 11 Polybius, History VI, 40 Note 6 concerning 1 Corinthians 15:22, Elberfelder Bibel

chance that Paul speaks here of a command that is directly connected with the voice of the archangel and the sound of the trumpet. Here, the commanding term is used, which was normal in the Roman army:
1. the command of the government. 2. the command of an officer. 3. the sound of the trumpet for the issue of the command to the army, whereby the third trumpet signalized the departure.

Something else occurs to us in this connection, however, namely:

6. The military equipment. After writing about the

Rapture, and explaining that the Church does not belong to the night of the day of the Lord, the apostle mentions the following: But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him. Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do (1 Thessalonians 5:8-11). The words
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Gods Plan of the Ages

By Dr. Ron J. Bigalke

arying interpretations with regard to the biblical covenants can involve quite controversial issues. For instance, a consistent and literal premillennial view would affirm that the covenantal promises of the Old Testament between God and Israel are unconditional. During the tribulation, God will prepare Israel for the response He desires for fulfillment of the covenants. It should be noted that the Abrahamic Covenant, from which all the covenants with Israel originate, is completely conditioned upon the words of God. He alone obligated Himself to the covenant by passing between the severed animals (Gen 15:12-20). There are no conditions required upon Israel for God to fulfill the covenant. Conversely, non-premillennialists generally believe that Israels rejection of the Messiah resulted in the cancellation of Old Testament promises, without regard for her response in the present or future. Understanding Biblical Covenants There are two types of covenants that are revealed in Scripture: conditional and unconditional. A conditional covenant is characterized by God making a promise to manconditioned by if you willwhereby He then promises to accomplish the covenantal promises. An unconditional covenant is a sovereign act of God

whereby He fulfills the covenantal promises made with an individual, without regard for the recipients obedience or disobedience. An unconditional covenant is characterized by I will, which declares that God alone will accomplish the promises. God made five covenants with the nation of Israel: the Abrahamic, the Mosaic, the Land, the Davidic, and the New Covenant. Of the five covenants made with Israel, only one of those is conditional: the Mosaic Covenant. Three things are to be noted regarding the covenants with Israel: (1) The covenants are literal, which means that the contents of those covenants must be interpreted literally; (2) The covenants God made with Israel are eternal, that is, they are not restricted by time; and (3) The covenants (except for the Mosaic Covenant) are all unconditional. The covenants with Israel are not annulled because of her disobedience; it is because the covenants are dependent upon God for fulfillment that their literal fulfillment can be expected in the future. All the biblical covenants contain two types of promises: physical and spiritual. The physical promises are, and will continue to be, fulfilled by and limited to Israel. The biblical covenants are literal, eternal, and depend entirely upon Gods sovereignty; they were made with a covenant people, Israel. Nevertheless, some of the spiritual blessings of the
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Gods earthly agreements are mediated through covenants, which involve intent, promises, and sanctions. God wants to bind Himself to His people, that is, to keep His promises so that He can demonstrate His character.
covenants will extend to the Gentiles. Since the death of Christ is the basis of salvation for all people (Tit 2:11)for all timethe church has become a partaker of the Jewish spiritual blessings. The church will not fulfill the Jewish covenants. For instance, only Israel will fulfill the New Covenant (as promised in the Old Testament). The New Covenant was given to Israel and will be fulfilled by Israel. The church participates in the promises, but she will not fulfill the covenants given to Israel. Ones ability to understand the Bible, and Gods dealings with humanity in general, depends upon how one regards the conditioned response necessary for fulfillment of the biblical covenants. Covenants are contracts given to define a relationship between individuals. The biblical covenants between man and God are completely unique to Christianity. Nowhere in the religions of the world does one find gods relating to man covenantally. In Scripture, the personal relationship between God and man is based upon and mediated through means of covenants. The purpose of the covenants is to reveal Gods earthly agreements (covenants being contracts between individuals for the purpose of governing that relationship), spiritual promises (God wants to bind Himself to His people to keep His promises, so that He can demonstrate in history the kind of God He is), earthly redemption (plan of redemptive unity), and the only hope for mankind (relationships in the Bible, especially between God and man, are legal [law] or judicial [court]). Consequently, Gods earthly agreements are mediated through covenants, which involve intent, promises, and sanctions. God wants to bind Himself to His people, that is, to keep His promises so that He can demonstrate His character. Examples of Covenants The Royal Grant Treaty is an example of an unconditional covenant; it is a promissory covenant that arose solely from a kings desire to reward a faithful servant. Examples of this type of covenant are the Abrahamic and Davidic Covenants.
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The Suzerain-Vassal Treaty is a conditional covenant; this type of covenant bound a subordinate vassal to a superior vassal, and was binding only upon the one who swore it. The purpose of the covenant was to emphasize the goodness and kindness of the lord to his vassal, in order that the vassal would gladly accept responsibilities and obligations. Examples of this type of covenant are the Noahic1 and Mosaic Covenants. A Parity Treaty was a covenant binding two equal individuals in a relationship; it provided conditions that were stipulated by the participants. Examples of this type include: (1) Abraham and Abimelech (Gen 21:25-32); (2) Jacob and Laban (31:44-50); (3) David and Jonathan (1 Sam 18:1-4; 2 Sam 9:1-13); and, (4) Christ and the church (John 15). The Abrahamic covenant is the greatest of redemptive covenants. All of Gods blessings for both Jew and Gentile originate from this covenant (Gen 12:1-3, 7; 13:14-17; 15:1-21; 17:1-21; 22:15-18). Regarding the unconditional covenants, Fruchtenbaum wrote:
An unconditional covenant can be defined as a sovereign act of God whereby God unconditionally obligates Himself to bring to pass definite promises, blessings, and conditions for the covenanted people. It is a unilateral covenant. This type of covenant is characterized by the formula I will which declares Gods determination to do exactly as He promised. The blessings are secured by the grace of God.2

The participants of the Abrahamic covenant are God and Abraham. There are 14 provisions of the Abrahamic Covenant. First, from Abraham would come a great nation, Israel (12:2; 13:16; 15:5; 17:1-2, 7; 22:17). Second, Abraham was promised a land, Canaan (12:1, 7; 13:14-15, 17; 15:17-21; 17:8). Third, Abraham would be greatly blessed (12:2; 15:6; 22:1517). Fourth, Abrahams name would be great (12:2). Fifth, Abraham will be a blessing to others (12:2). Sixth, those who bless the nation of Israel will themselves be blessed (12:3). Seventh, those who curse the nation of Israel will themselves be cursed (12:3).

Gods Plan of the Ages

The land covenant was given to reaffirm the title deed of Israel to her Promised Land, as was originally given in the Abrahamic covenant. Since the land covenant is unconditional, the covenant cannot be canceled despite Israels disobedience.
Eighth, through Abraham all humanity will be blessed, including Gentiles (12:3; 22:18). Ninth, Abraham will receive a son of promise by his wife Sarah (15:1-4; 17:16-21). Tenth, Abrahams descendants would undergo the Egyptian bondage (15:13-14). Eleventh, there will be other nations that will come from Abraham (17:3-4, 6). Twelfth, Abrahams name would be changed (17:5). Thirteenth, the name of Abrahams wife would be changed. Fourteenth, circumcision would be the token of the covenant (17:9-14).3 The Abrahamic Covenant involves a promise of a land to Abraham and Israel, a nation (seed), and a worldwide blessing. The implication is that the Abrahamic Covenant will be fulfilled in the form of three sub-covenants: (1) the Palestinian Covenant; (2) the Davidic Covenant; and (3) the New Covenant. The Abrahamic covenant is literal (13:15, 17), eternal (13:15; 17:7, 8, 13, 19), and unconditional (15:1-18). The confirmation of the covenant would be through Isaac (26:2-5, 24). Although Isaac had two sons, the promise of the covenant would be through Jacob. Concerning the sons of Jacob, the covenant was confirmed through his twelve sons, who would father the twelve tribes of Israel.4 Concerning the promise of a land, God promised that Israel would return to their land after being scattered throughout the world. The content of the covenant is found in Deuteronomy 29:130:10. The land covenant is distinct from the Mosaic covenant (Deut 29:1). The covenant was made between God and the nation of Israel. There are eight provisions of the land covenant. First, the disobedience of Israel to the Mosaic Law and subsequent worldwide scattering was prophesied (29:230:2). Second, after her disobedience, Israel will eventually repent (30:2). Third, the Messiah will return (30:3). Fourth, after being dispersed, Israel will be regathered to her land (30:3-4). Fifth, Israel will possess the land promised to her (30:5). Sixth, Israel will be regenerated (30:6). Seventh, Israels enemies will be

judged. Eighth, Israel will receive the blessings of the Messianic (Davidic) kingdom (30:8-10).5 The land covenant was given to reaffirm the title deed of Israel to her Promised Land, as was originally given in the Abrahamic covenant. Since the land covenant is unconditional, the covenant cannot be canceled despite Israels disobedience. Disobedience does affect Israels enjoyment of the land. The land covenant enlarges upon the original Abrahamic covenant, and this covenant was still in effect centuries after Israels continued disobedience (Ezek 16:163). The land covenant will be fulfilled in the coming Messianic kingdom. The Davidic covenant is specified in two passages: 2 Samuel 7:11-17 and 1 Chronicles 17:10-15. The Davidic covenant was made between God and David. David endures as the representative head of his house and dynasty. The Davidic covenant amplifies the seed aspect of the Abrahamic covenant; it narrows the promise of a seed to one rightful claimant: David. There are seven main provisions given in this covenant. First, David is promised a house or dynasty that will be eternal (2 Sam 7:11; 1 Chron 17:10). Second, Davids son would be established on his throne after him (2 Sam 7:12). Third, Solomon would build the temple (7:13). Fourth, the throne of the Davidic and Solomonic kingdoms would be established forever (7:13, 16). Fifth, though Solomon would be judged for
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When Jesus Christ died, this dividing wall was demolished. Christ ratified the new covenant. The church celebrates the new covenant and the ratifying of it through the death of Christ (1 Cor 11:23-26).
disobedience, God would not remove His lovingkindness from him (7:14-15). Sixth, the Messiah will come from the seed of David (1 Chron 17:11). Seventh, the Messiahs throne, house, and kingdom will be established forever (17:12-14).6 The Davidic covenant is a literal, unconditional, and eternal covenant. The covenant still awaits fulfillment and is confirmed in numerous biblical passages (Ps 89; Isa 9:6-7; 11:1; Jer 23:5-6; 30:8-9; 33:14-17, 19-26; Ezek 37:24-25; Hos 3:4-5; Amos 9:11; Luke 1:30-35, 68-70; Acts 15:14-18). The eternal promises of the Davidic covenant will be mediated through the Messiah. The kingdom promised to David would be a people possessing a land that God promised. The throne is used to indicate authority, and it is only as Davids seed that one will have the right to rule. The seed of David who will reign is the Messiah.7 The importance of the Davidic covenant is to amplify the seed aspect of the Abrahamic covenant. According to the Abrahamic covenant, the seed would be of Abrahamic descent, which meant that the Messiah would be a Jew. The patriarch Jacob received revelation that the seed would be limited to the tribe of Judah, the family of David (Gen 49:10). The new covenant is recorded in Jeremiah 31:31-37 (cf. Isa 55:3; 59:21; 61:8-9; Jer 32:40; Ezek 16:60; 34:25-31; 37:26-28; Rom 11:25-27; Heb 8:7-13; 10:16-17). There are eight main provisions of this covenant. First, it is an unconditional covenant between God and Israel (Jer 31:31). Second, it is distinct from the Mosaic Covenant (31:32). Third, it promises the regeneration of Israel (Jer 32:33; Isa 59:21). Fourth, the regeneration of Israel would be universal among the Jews (Jer 31:34; Isa 61:9; Rom 11:25-27). Fifth, it would provide a provision for permanent forgiveness of sin (Jer 31:34). Sixth, the provision is the indwelling of the Holy Spirit (Jer 31:33; Ezek 36:27). Seventh, Israel is promised many material blessings (Jer 32:41; Isa 61:8; Ezek 34:25-27). Eighth, it will provide for a new temple (Ezek 37:26-28).8 The new covenant amplifies the blessing aspect of the Abrahamic covenant, particularly in relation to
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salvation. The covenant is not an elaboration of the Mosaic covenant since it ultimately replaced the Law (Jer 31:31-32; Rom 6:14-15). The primary aspect of this covenant is the blessing of salvation that will include the national regeneration of Israel (Jer 31:34; Ezek 36:29; Rom 6:22; 11:25-27). The national salvation of Israel will extend to every individual Jewish person, and this salvation will be true in succeeding generations from the time that the initial regeneration of Israel begins. Therefore, during the millennium the only unregenerate people will be Gentiles. In other words, during the entire millennium there will be no unsaved Jews, which is the reason why, They shall not teach again, each man his neighbor and each man his brother, saying, Know the LORD (Jer 31:34). The Church and the New Covenant The relationship of the church to the new covenant has caused some confusion, because the prophet Jeremiah specified that the covenant would be with Israel and not the church. Nevertheless, there are numerous passages that relate the new covenant with the church (Matt 26:28; Mark 14:24; Luke 22:14-20; 1 Cor 11:25; 2 Cor 3:6; Heb 7:22; 8:6-13; 9:15; 10:16, 29; 12:24; 13:20). Scripture is clear with regard to the following: Israel, and not the church, will fulfill the new covenant. However, the church does partake of the spiritual blessings of the Abrahamic and new covenants (Rom 15:27). Some have tried to teach that there are two new covenants: one made with Israel and one made with the church. Such teaching is quite difficult to defend from the Scriptures. Others have tried to teach that there is only one covenant, but that there are two aspects of the covenant. The solution to the problem can be found in Ephesians 2:11-16 and 3:5-6. The two passages teach that God made four unconditional covenants with Israel, and it is through these four covenants that all of Gods spiritual blessings will be mediated. However, the Mosaic covenant was the dividing wall between Jew and Gentile. The Law

Gods Plan of the Ages

The church participates in the promises, but she will not fulfill the covenants given to Israel. Ones ability to understand the Bible, and Gods dealings with humanity in general, depends upon how well he/she understands the biblical covenants.
ings. The church is not the eschatological fulfillment of the Jewish covenants. Only Israel will fulfill the new covenant as promised in the Old Testament. The new covenant was given to and will be fulfilled by Israel. The church participates in the promises, but she will not fulfill the covenants given to Israel. Ones ability to understand the Bible, and Gods dealings with humanity in general, depends upon how well he/she understands the (480) biblical covenants.

ENDNOTES prohibited the Gentiles from experiencing the blessing of the four unconditional covenants. For a Gentile to experience the blessings of the four unconditional covenants, he/she had to submit himself/herself entirely to the Mosaic Law. Since this was not possible as a consequence of the weakness of human flesh, the Gentiles were excluded from the commonwealth of Israel. When Jesus Christ died, this dividing wall was demolished. Christ ratified the new covenant. The church celebrates the new covenant and the ratifying of it through the death of Christ (1 Cor 11:23-26). Although the church is partaking of the spiritual blessings of the covenant (Eph 1:3), it is the nation of Israel that will receive the material and national promises. The relationship of the church to the new covenant is explained in Galatians 3:13-14. Through Christ, the church partakes of the covenant between God and Israel (Rom 11:28-29; 11:17). Conclusion All the biblical covenants contain two types of promises: physical and spiritual. The physical promises are, and will continue to be, fulfilled by and limited to Israel. Nevertheless, some of the spiritual blessings of the covenants will extend to the Gentiles. Since the death of Christ is the basis of salvation for all peoplefor all timethe church has become a partaker of the Jewish spiritual bless1 In the midst of the dispensation of human government,the Noahic Covenant is given (Gen 9:9-17).The Noahic Covenant is made not only with Noah,but also with the sons of Noah who came out of the ark (9:8, 18).The covenant would also include all people,for God said,I establish my covenant ...and all flesh shall never again be cut off by the water of the flood,neither shall there again be a flood to destroy the earth (9:11).The Noahic Covenant is eschatological and redemptive.The covenant is Gods eschatological promise that He will never again destroy the earth with a flood.The covenant is Gods redemptive promise that He will be merciful to all flesh by not destroying all humanity by means of a worldwide flood.Although the dispensation of human government ended in Genesis 11:32,Gods covenant with Noah will continue because it is an everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh.The Noahic covenant is a grand example of a suzerain-vassal treaty.The Noahic covenant is not conditional,but it is everlasting since God is the one who gave the promise (9:16).The rainbow is Gods token of the covenant (9:17).The rainbow will continue to give man assurance that God will never destroy the earth again with a worldwide flood.The value of the Noahic Covenant is that it is perpetual and continues to assure mankind even today. 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Arnold G.Fruchtenbaum, Israelology:The Missing Link in Systematic Theology (Tustin:Ariel Ministries,1989) 570. Ibid.574-75. Mal Couch, Gods Plan of the Ages (Ft.Worth,TX:Tyndale Theological Seminary,n.d.) 36. Fruchtenbaum, Israelology, 582. Ibid.584-85. Couch, Gods Plan,42. Fruchtenbaum, Israelology, 586-87.

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NORBERT LIETH

Now the end of the commandment is charity (love) out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned (1 Timothy 1:5).

an we fathom love? German researchers observed 279 men and women from their childhood to adulthood, from the ages of 3 to 19, and came to a surprising conclusion. The scientists visited the children at home and observed them in their family environment. They noted how the parents reacted when the children cried, screamed, did not want to eat or did not want to sleep. Towards the end of their study, they took blood samples. In the blood samples of the children whose parents were more strict, hard and impatient, the researchers found that the young adults lacked two things in their blood which protected them from heart attacks and strokes. With those who had had a loving relationship with their parents, the protecting substances were sufficiently present. A warmhearted relationship also led to the children forming more receptors for stress hormones. Those who were lovingly cared for by their parents complain less of fear as adults, are more seldom hostile and aggressive and better able to deal with pressure.1 The probably most emotional sentence in the world is, I love you. This sentence, put into prac14
MIDNIGHT CALL

tice, not only touches hearts; it changes them, encourages, comforts, helps a person onto their feet, gives relief, overcomes aggression, inspires confidence and hope. Love does not mean overlooking sin or not judging evil things, but it is decisive in how we deal with people, how we support and help them. God says to every person individually, I love you. He proves this to us in Jesus, But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour (Titus 3:4-6). The love of God brought us His whole grace and mercy. God does not impute our sins to us, but forgave them through the sacrifice of the love of Jesus. God is loving, merciful and kind. One would think that Christians who have experienced this love and mercy themselves, would show with their whole being that they love their fellow

Christians and fellow men. Instead of this, however, those Christians who want to appear the most holy, often exude self-righteousness. So many of them do not show mercy. Instead of being merciful, they are hard and harp on laws and commandments. They are ruled by a spirit of judgment, which reflects anything but the love of the Spirit of God. Such Christians can point to every fault; they are expert admonishers, know everything better, and think they are particularly holy. But their lack of love is proof of how little they themselves are true Christians. In the evangelistic news magazine ideaSpektrum, which is published in Germany, an interview with a Pastor Reinhard Holmer was published. His father, Uwe Holmer, together with his wife, had taken in the head of state and Communist party leader, Erich Honecker, and his wife Margot after the collapse of the German Democratic Republic (East Germany). This was an exemplary act of loving ones enemy (Matthew 5:44), for the Holmers as Christians had suffered under the atheistic regime in the years preceding this. Reinhard Holmer emphasized how most of the criticism of this good deed came from Christians. There was an elder of my church who asked me how the church could do such a thing. I asked him in return how the church could ever preach on the good Samaritan again if we were to say, That applies to everyone except Erich Honecker? Non-Christians, interestingly enough, criticized this far less. A good acquaintance of minean atheistsaid to me, Reinhard, I can understand why your father did that. If you do not merely want to speak, but let deeds follow your words, you cannot do otherwise. Further, Reinhard Holmer explained in the interview, If we have a God of love, we may

God does not impute our sins to us, but forgave them through the sacrifice of the love of Jesus. God is loving, merciful and kind.

not be loveless in our contact with those who attack us.2 In the following issue of ideaSpektrum, there promptly appeared a letter from a reader in which the church elder was said to be in the right and Holmers actions were criticized. Here we see once again how little many Christians have understood the lovingkindness of God. Should we not meet the enemies of Christianity with love and compassion, in the hope that through this they might see the grace of God, open their hearts to the mercy in Jesus Christ, and claim it for themselves? God is merciful to sinners before they have repented, But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). Is it not this very grace and love that move us to repent? It is far too little taken into consideration that love is the end of the commandment, as it says in our opening verse. It is not about condemning, excluding, beating, chasing, scolding and criticizing, but to instruct, raise up, support, lead and chastise in love. So many children from Christian homes have turned away because they associate Christianity with strictness and not with love. And yet the New Testament says clearly in Ephesians 6:4, Ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. One could translate this that we should not make our children bitter. This is why Paul says in Colossians 3:21, Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged. Churches ultimately split up, not on account of different theological views, but on account of a lack of love. Dogmatically everything appears to be in order; we have the fitting Bible verse for every verdict, but we put the fact that love is the highest command last. The end of the commandment is love.

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There Is Nothing Greater!

Churches ultimately split up, not on account of different theological views, but on account of a lack of love. Dogmatically everything appears to be in order; we have the fitting Bible verse for every verdict, but we put the fact that love is the highest command last. The end of the commandment is love.
walk in all his ways, and love Him: this is the rule I have broken. Dearest wife, I die in the assurance of divine forgiveness. I have confidence that God will lead you all by His fatherly hands to ultimately draw you to Himself. Our merciful God will gradually relieve your pain and heal your sorrowMy dear Barbara, I thank you with all my heart for all the love and blessing that you have given me in the 14 years of our marriage. Please forgive me my lack of love. I have loved you far more than I have shown you. But we have an eternity before us to show each other love. May this thought comfort you in the tribulation of your years of widowhood. I am certain that we will both be united again with all our loved ones in Gods unspeakable peace. Here on earth you already belong to the body of Christ, who unites all His own in a wonderful way, whether they are before or beyond the great transformation. Pray for me the 126th Psalm. The last sermon on the day of my arrest was on this. My last thoughts, my dearest wife, will be that I commend you all to our Saviors grace and my spirit into His hands. I want to die in joyful faithI greet you all, my beloved, with the old greeting, Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say: Rejoice! And the peace of God will guard your hearts and minds in Christ. Yours, Hannis.3

It is easy to imagine that at the end of our lives, the lack of love in most of our actions will leave the greatest impression on us, and the question of love before the judgment seat of Christ will have the greatest significance. It is striking that love is continually mentioned in connection with the return of Jesus. On August 15, 1944, the diplomat and jurist Hans Bernd was condemned to death by the Peoples Court in Berlin, and hours later hanged. The 38 year old man belonged to the Confessional Church during the Third Reich. Shortly after his condemnation, he wrote a last letter to his wife, which shows what was particularly on his heart:
My dear, dearest wife, my dear Barbara, In a few hours I will fall into Gods hands. I want to take leave of you and the childrenLet the children learn many Bible texts and hymns off by heart, so that they have them in their hearts when they are in trouble. Times of doubt and distance will come, but life will bring the children back to the firm foundation, if it has been laid in their childhood. Jesus Christ is the way, the truth and the life (John 14:6). As an inscription on my tombstone, I would like our marriage text,God is love. Barbara, in these weeks of imprisonment I have accepted the judgment of God and confessed my guilt before Him, Fear the Lord thy God,

If love ultimately has such great significance, then it should have more room in us at all costs and determine our deeds today. In order to achieve a blessed transformation, we must perhaps ourselves be transformed. In order to truly love, we must let the Lord dwell in us and allow Him to show His love through us. God loves us as we are, but He loves us too much to leave us as we are (author unknown).
(MR1011/471)

ENDNOTES
1 2 3 Information from PM: Questions & Answers 8/2011, p. 42 ideaSpektrum, No. 32, August 10, 2011, p. 19-20 Ibid., p. 14

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World Conspiracy in Light of the Bible

PARTVIII
Johannes Pflaum What does the Bible say about world conspiracy theories? Do they belong to the prophetic Word? In this series, we explore this and other connected questions. Read here Part 8.

n Luke 21:25-26, the Lord Jesus Christ says, And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; mens hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. I will never forget how a man named Heiko Krimmer said on the grounds of these verses, The end times are the age of fear of what could happen. It does not even say that all our expectations will be fulfilled, but there will be continual fear of new events. The description of a helpless humanity in Luke is the exact opposite of a long term master plan or a secret brotherhood that allegedly is steering all the events. Let me make an observation concerning this. In the book of Job, as well as in the Psalms, the endtimes speeches of Jesus, and the book of Revelation, it is quite clear that the weather and natural catastrophes are under Gods authority, which He will not relinquish. He shocks and shakes up people in accordance with His sovereign will. Man is powerless with regard to Gods actions. Please read the book of Job with this in mind, and the Psalms or

the prophet Isaiah from chapter 40. It says, for instance, in Job 38:22-23, Hast thou entered into the treasures of the snow? Or hast thou seen the treasures of the hail, which I have reserved against the time of trouble, against the day of battle and war? Job had to see his utter powerlessness against the power of God in nature. The fact that in weather and in the processes of nature, Gods greatness and not some kind of wonder weapon of conspirators is at work, is also to be found in Jeremiah 10:10-14, But the Lord is the true God, he is the living God, and an everlasting king: at his wrath the earth shall tremble, and the nations shall not be able to abide his indignation. Thus shall ye say unto them, The gods that have not made the heavens and the earth, even they shall perish from the earth, and from under these heavens. He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and hath stretched out the heavens by his discretion. When he uttereth his voice, there is a multitude of waters in the heavens, and he causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth; he maketh lightnings with rain, and bringeth forth the wind out of his treasures. Every man is brutish in his knowledge: every founder is confounded by the graven
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World Conspiracy in Light of the Bible Part VIII

Of course, the pharmaceutical companies made a fortune through the swine flu hysteria. But it is generally forgotten that the opponents of these companies (who are accused of making people artificially sick), became rich themselves through their accusations.

image: for his molten image is falsehood, and there is no breath in them. To return to the age of fear and the powerlessness of man, do you remember the whole hysteria over the swine flu? The vaccine with which the world population was to be reduced by a few billions? The conspiracy theorists claimed that a smaller world population would be easier to control. Here again we have questionable arguments from a Biblical point of view. The judgments that will come upon the population of the world and reduce them in the Revelation (Revelation 6:8 and 9:18), proceed from God and not from the World Health Organization, the Freemasons or anyone else. They are in connection with the invasion from the realm of the dead, with sword, hunger and death caused by wild beasts (Revelation 6:8), as well as the loosing of the armies at the Euphrates (Revelation 9:18). But what could be true about the whole swine flu vaccine episode? Firstly, the whole conspiracy theory of the coming vaccine compulsion seems to have vanished into thin air. Different countries have already sold their swine flu vaccine stores, or sought to get rid of them somehow. Nobody speaks of the fact that the flu vaccine of last year (fall 2010) also contained the vaccine against swine flu. Amazingly enough, nobody is afraid of being killed by it anymore, or that a program for the reduction of the world population was behind it. But why did the WHO react with such panic at the outbreak of swine flu? There can only be one simple explanation for this. For years in the medical world, there has been the fear of a new uncontrollable super flu virus through which millions of people would die, as at the time of the Spanish flu. Nobody could really say what would become of the swine flu virus, whether it would mutate to become an uncontrollable super virus or not. Probably, the
18
MIDNIGHT CALL

WHO and many governments were very nervous. And they bought and stored vaccine in order to be prepared for all eventualities. What would have happened to us if it had actually come to a super epidemic, without there being enough vaccine to go round? No politician would want to bear such a responsibility today, because the question immediately arises, who is guilty of the lack of preparation. Such panic-stricken behavior of the WHO and the politicians is exactly in accordance with what we read in Luke 21: perplexity and great fear of the things to come. Of course, the pharmaceutical companies made a fortune through the swine flu hysteria. But it is generally forgotten that the opponents of these companies (who are accused of making people artificially sick), became rich themselves through their accusations. In reality, they had, apart from alternative medicine, esoteric practices and empty promises, no alternative to offer. The whole vaccine hostility also comes to a large extent from doctors and scientists who have opened themselves up to alternative medicine and esoteric practices. Fear from what is to come and the powerlessness of mankind are the main signs of the end times. Presumably for this reason, nobody wanted to take on the responsibility for possible air crashes after the eruption of the Icelandic volcano. So it was decided rather to leave the airplanes on the ground than to be confronted with damage claims that could not be met and accusations of carelessness afterwards. This also fits in with the fear and perplexity of man. God is always the active One, even in the end times. And despite all the developing of darkness, man has nothing to meet this with. Many things speak for the fact that the Antichrist will make use of this very perplexity and powerlessness. Think of Hitlers rise to power through the chaos in the Weimar Republic.
(MR0911/475)

USA

CHINA

Apple Denies It Is Anti-Abortion

Apple has denied claims that its smartphone voiceactivated assistant Siri is anti-abortion.
It follows reports that Siri failed to locate nearby abortion clinics. In some cases it suggested pregnancy advice centers as an alternative. Bloggers and rights groups had voiced their concern over the omission. Apple moved quickly to quash the rumors, stressing that the software was new and that the lack of advice was not intentional. These are not intentional omissions meant to offend anyone, it simply means that as we bring Siri from beta to a final product, we find places where we can do better and we will in the coming weeks, spokeswoman Natalie Kerris said in a statement. Siri has been one of Apples new iPhone 4Ss most popular features. It has impressed users with the ease with which it responds to natural speech. In the US it answers questions about local organizations, a service which is currently not available in the UK. In some cases when asked to locate a nearby abortion clinic, it referred users to pregnancy crisis centers. Critics claim some of these organizations have been set up to counsel women against having terminations. Siri was bought by Apple in 2010. Cofounder Norman Winarsky has speculated that the current issue lay not with Apple but with the third-party services that provided it with information.
-www.bbc.co.uk, 1 December 2011

frightening power of democratic communication. It is controlled in favor of the majority. That is another fearful aspect of global democracy. When We the People rule, the result will always be rebellion against God. Such was the case at the building of the Tower of Babel, when apparent democracy ruled, And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth (Genesis 11:4). Later in Psalm 2, we read of the nations of the world rebelling against the Lord, Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed. Although man has advanced remarkably when it comes to technology and science, nothing has changed his heart. As it was in the beginning, so it is in the end, And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually (Gen4249 esis 6:5).

CommuniststoSnap UpEUFactories, Railways

China is looking to buy EU factories and railways instead of wobbly government bonds as prices fall amid the Eurozone crisis.

Wang: 'The euro zone crisis has not entirely played out and asset prices are very volatile. They haven't found their floor.' (Photo:Stefan)

(For more on technological progress in the endtimes, read The Coming Digital God, Item 1046.)

What a tragedy! Life is of lesser value than service. Here we recognize the

Next year, we will send a delegation for promoting trade and investment to the European countriesSome European countries are facing a debt crisis and hope to convert their assets to cash and would like foreign capital to acquire their enterprises. We will be closely watching and pushing forward the process, said minister of commerce Chen Deming. Chens remarks come after the chief of the $410 billion Chinese Investment Corporation, Lou Jiwei, wrote in an op-ed in the Financial Times that EU infrastructure needs outside help. Traditionally, Chinese involvement in overseas infrastructure projects has been
(continued next page)

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EGYPT

ArabWomento DefendTheirRights
The Arab Spring seemed to herald a new era of emancipation for women in the Arab world. But Islamists are on the rise in Tunisia and Egypt, and there are worrying reports of sexual assaults on demonstrators in Cairos Tahrir Square.
Many women in the region fear a rollback of what rights they had under the dictators. There is much at stake at the moment for Egypts young people, who are protesting once again on Tahrir Square, this time against military control of the country, as if the revolution of January and February 2011 had never happened. It is no longer merely a question of whether the country will achieve the transition to democracy, but also of what kind of society Egypt wants and what the status of women will be in that society. The West is confused. In January and February, many were enthusiastic about the uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt, particularly when it came to the role women played. Women protested alongside men on Avenue Habib Bourguiba in Tunis and on Tahrir Square in Cairo. Their involvement conveyed a new image of Arab youth and Arab women. The many photographers in

Many women in the region fear a rollback of their rights. Here, a demonstration in Yemen in April 2011, where protesters demanded the resignation of Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh.

None of the uprisings in the Arab countries would have been possible without the participation of women. They were among the first to protest at the Pearl Roundabout in Bahrain, they organized womens protests in Syria, they were part of the Libyan uprising from the start, and a Yemeni activist was one of the winners of the Nobel Peace Prize in 2011.
-spiegel.de, 29 November 2011

The moderate Islamist party Ennahda won the Tunisian election in October. Here, the party's founder, Rachid Ghannouchi, poses with his daughter Intissar. Ghannouchi's four daughters confound stereotypes of Muslim women and have become role models for some in Tunisia.

The West, or to be more precise, the European world, will yet be in for a surprise when they realize that a different type of democracy is being created. As has become evident from Egypts election, religion will play a major rolebut without women, traditional or modern. One thing becomes clear: the democracies that will be established will look quite different in the beginning, but the ultimate target is world unity, planetary globalismyet all will maintain their different religions. When the strong man comes, the worlds problems will be solved, albeit temporarily.
4251

(For more on this sub-

Cairo and Tunis sent their editorial offices images of attractive women taking part in the revolution.

ject,

read

The

Truth

About Islam and Women, Item 2246.)

EU Factories

(continued from page 19)

as a contractor only. Now, Chinese investors also see a need to invest in, develop and operate projects, he explained. Lou praised the UK as one of the most open economies in the world and mentioned involvement in a new UK north-south railway project in the context of political hostility to China in some countries. The euro zone crisis has not entirely played out and asset prices are very volatile. They havent found their floor Europe is not a resources player, but its manufacturers are what

would most interest us, with their market, their technology, and their strong experience, Wang Jun, an economist at the Beijing-based CCIEE think-tank told Reuters.
-euobserver.com, 28 November 2011

Communist China is on a roll; their pockets are filled with cash, and their banks are stuffed with foreign currency. Quite unexpectedly, the poor communists have become the rich capitalists, and the real rich capitalists are desperately looking for assistance

to feed their starving banks and financial institutions. Again, we point to our book, How Democracy Will Elect the Antichrist (Item 1064, published 15 years ago), showing how capitalism, socialism, and communism are being mixed into a new identity: globalism. While communist China needs the European and American markets for their manufacturing machine to continue growing, the EU and US depend even more on Chinas willingness to buy bad debts. 4253

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EUROPE

ReligiousLeaders FavoredOverAtheists
The European Union is keen to involve religious leaders in a policy dialogue, as required by the EU treaties, while consultations with atheists appear to be more of a chore that Brussels is resigned to, representatives of European secularist organizations are complaining.

St Peter's dome in The Vatican: non-theists say believers get too much of a say (Photo: flip.and.serena) There is a clear preference for consultations with religious representatives, the head of the European Humanist Federation, David Pollock, told EUobserver. Under pressure from church groups, and in particular from the Vatican, efforts to involve religious leaders in the crafting of legislation were surprisingly successful with the passage of the Lisbon Treaty, which, under its Article 17, requires a regular dialogue with religious associations, but also with philosophical and non-confessional organizations. We are also concerned about the need for the EUs interpretation of Article 17 to be conducted in a more balanced way, Pollock continued. They spend much longer with the religious leaders, he added. We are kept completely in the dark about how anybody is selected for these meetings. There is no consultation about the subject areas, about who is invited. We do not feel as though we have any ownership over the process at all. There needs to be a new start.

Beyond the regular summits that the three presidents hold with church, temple and mosque leaders, for a number of years, the European Commission has also held dialogue seminars with the two conferences of European bishops. However, when the European Humanist Federation (EHF) requested a similar dialogue seminar with the commission, on the topic of religious exemptions from EU laws and anti-discrimination legislation, the EU executive refused, saying that the subject lay outside its area of responsibility. The EU ombudsman subsequently requested the commission to explain why it had rejected the proposal for a seminar. The atheist contingent at the meeting also wondered why there is such an emphasis on the presence of freemasons. Ten out of the 16 invited came from masons lodges from different countries. Only six individuals were invited from expressly non-theist organizations. While the continental freemasons are distinctly secular, we do question the balance in these meetings. The last meeting, three quarters of those there were freemasons, Pollock added.
-euobserver.com, 30 November 2011

M O L D O VA

NoMoreSovietMadePlanesWithin FiveYears
Moldova will stop using Soviet-made airplanes within the next five years, the government press service said.
The country assumed such obligations under the agreement on common airspace with the European Union. The document will enter into force in February or March 2012 after approval by the parliament. Moldova currently uses Soviet-made planes only for cargo transportation. Yak40, An-24 and Tu-134 passenger planes, which used to make up Moldovan airlines fleet, had expended their service life and were replaced by Airbus A320 and Embraer-120 aircraft several years ago. The government believes that the agreement will benefit air carriers because Moldovan planes used to fly to EU countries under bilateral agreements, while now all restrictions on routes and number of flights will be lifted from local airlines.
-www.itar-tass.com, 31 October 2011

Atheists are a minority and at a disadvantage when compared with non-religious Freemasons. Obviously, this is not limited to Europe but is a global issue. Religion in most cases is subsidized by the government and, quite naturally, atheists feel left out. While this issue may not be of great significance, one realizes that all groups of people, regardless of faithor in the case of atheists, non-faith (which in reality is supported by strong faith)will be forced to compromise in order to arrive at an acceptable conclusion. The article states the commission will have to give a statement by Feb4252 ruary 2012.
(For more on Freemasonry, read The Masonic/Christian Conflict Explained, Item 1058.)

The power of the European Union is crystalized in this short report. The Union is implementing the strictest anti-air pollution rules, and as the worlds largest economy, no European nation outside the Union can afford to oppose. Thats another step toward forceful globalization issuing from Europe. There is more to come.
4226

(For more on global unity, read Revelation 13: Satans Last Victory, Item 1067.)

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VAT I C A N

IrelandCloses VaticanEmbassy
Catholic Irelands stunning decision to close its embassy to the Vatican is a huge blow to the Holy Sees prestige and may be followed by other countries which feel the missions are too expensive, diplomatic sources said.
The closure brought relations between Ireland and the Vatican, once ironclad allies, to an all-time low following the row earlier this year over the Irish Churchs handling of sex abuse cases and accusations that the Vatican had encouraged secrecy. Ireland will now be the only major country of ancient Catholic tradition without an embassy to the Vatican. Dublins foreign ministry said the embassy was being closed because it yields no economic return and that relations would be continued with an ambassador in Dublin. The source said the Vatican was extremely irritated by the wording equating diplomatic missions with economic return, particularly as the Vatican sees its diplomatic role as promoting human values. It was the latest crack in relations that had been seen as rock solid until a few years ago. Cardinal Sean Brady, the head of the Catholic Church in Ireland, said he was profoundly disappointed by the decision and hoped the government would revisit it. This decision seems to show little regard for the important role played by the Holy See in international relations and of the historic ties between the Irish people and the Holy See over many centuries, Brady said in a statement. The Vatican has been an internationally recognized sovereign city-state since 1929, when Italy compensated the Catholic Church for a vast area of central Italy known as the Papal States that was taken by the state at Italian unification in 1860. Parishioners and visitors attend mass at a Roman Catholic Church in Ireland in a file photo. Credit: Reuters/Cathal McNaughton

It has diplomatic relations with 179 countries. About 80 have resident ambassadors and the rest are based in other European cities. The Vatican guards its diplomatic independence fiercely and in the past has resisted moves by some countries to locate their envoys to the Holy See inside their embassies to Italy. Dublin said it was closing its mission to the Vatican along with those in Iran and East Timor to help meet its fiscal goals under an EU-IMF bailout. The closures will save the government 1.25 million euros ($1.725 million) a year.
-news.yahoo.com, 5 November 2011

Although only a tiny part of the city of Rome, the Vatican has greater influence than any nation in the world. Having a diplomatic relationship with 179 countries, no other nation even comes close to the Vatican. The Vatican is a religious-political identity, while virtually all other nations are strictly political. Nearly all European nations

(the West) have copied the tendency of marrying religion with politics. When one reads the various national anthems of the nations, deities are often mentioned. The Founding Fathers of the United States took great pains to exclude religion from politics; subsequently, God is not mentioned in the Constitution. But the spirit of Catholicism is clearly evident by the insistence of the majority to include God in the political process, with slogans such as In God We Trust, One Nation under God, etc. How does this relate to the Irish closing the Vatican Embassy? It shows that these two branches, politics and religion, are fundamentally exclusive, not inclusive. In the Old Testament, we find that Israels first king lost his crown because he mixed religion with politics. Reading Revelation 17, we see the two power structures: the kings of the earth (the ten horns) and the beast, representing the political world, and the whore, the religious part of the nations: And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire (Revelation 17:16). In the end, we know that the political, economic, financial, and religious world will be destroyed at the time of the appearing of Jesus Christ our Lord. 4239
(For more on the worlds economic fornication, read Global Financial Apocalypse Prophesied, Item 1068.)

For Christians, perilous, faith-killing times are todaytheyre a form of Apocalypse Now for the believer. How can believers avoid becoming prey to the lethal devices of a rapidly encroaching, end-time money snare and remain faithful and free stewards? For those seeking answers, this book offers a guiding light in the dark days of the current turmoil.

GLOBAL FINANCIAL APOCALYPSE PROPHESIED

ITEM # 1068 340 pgs. Paperback Author: Wilfred Hahn

$14.95 $12

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MIDNIGHT CALL

LET TE RS TO TH E ED ITOR
Address letters for publication to: Letters to the Editor, Midnight Call, P.O. Box 280008, Columbia, SC 29228. Include full name, address, and daytime phone number. Without name and address, letters will be discarded unread. All material is subject to editing. Midnight Call assumes all publishing rights on letters sent to the Editor. Note: All letters will be answered by the Executive Editor, Arno Froese.

Christianity... Barcodes... Did Jonah Die?

Christianity Dear Arno Froese, In your magazine in the Letters to the Editor column, a subscriber asked for information on how the dead should be buried. He seemed to believe in Cremation, and you rightly told him the Scriptural way, such as Abraham, is burial. You said that we must come to the conclusion that Christianity is the greatest danger for the true Church. This I cannot believe, because Christ and Christianity are the true blessings of the true Church. If you had said false Christianity, I would accept it, because Satan, the great deceiver, would be behind it.
-E. Lambright, PA

their interpretation of the Bible. Often, I use the definition Churchianity. Why is Christianity the greatest danger? Because of potential deception. In 2 Corinthians 11, we read of another Jesus, another Spirit, and another Gospel. John warns,Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time (1 John 2:18). When the spirit of Antichrist is tolerated in a church, sooner or later, theircandlestick(lampstand) will become antichristian in essence. The Devil has successfully infiltrated Christianity and, unfortunately, quite often even Bible believing churches, by highlighting another enemy such as communism, socialism, capitalism, and lately, Islam. The deceiver distracts the churchs attention away from the real enemy, and that is sin in our midst.

Answer: The word Christianity is not found in the Bible. In general, it is a definition of all religions which base their faith, doctrine, and interpretation on the Bible. This would include Jehovahs Witnesses, Mormons, etc., whose doctrine is primarily derived from

Barcodes Dear Mr. Froese, Bar Codes: What do they say to Christians? What do we know about them, as they were given to us in
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LE T T E R S TO TH E E DITOR

about 1977, and now are all around us today? We will find that all these lines have meanings. The first thing to notice is that they all seem to have two thin lines on each side, with two single thin lines in the middle. And if there is a 6 in the number, you will find that near the top of the 6, there are always 2 slim lines just like the two on each end and in the middle. So we can assume that these 2 slim lines have a value of 6 in all bar codes. We sometimes refer to these codes as six, six, six. So when the Christian sees these bar codes, he is reminded that God, in Revelation 13:18 has already given us this information. We read these words, Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.
-E. Gorton, PA

and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed. And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand,or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast:for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.

Answer: The beasts number is 666, not the bar code. There are innumerable speculations about 666, and some quite fascinating, but all are wrong when they attempt to identify the person whose number is 666.Whether it is the bar code, radio,TV,airplane,automobile,etc.,all the conveniences for identification, communication, and transportation are part of the continuous process that will ultimately lead to Revelation 13:14-18,And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live. And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak,

Did Jonah Die? Dear Arno Froese, Greetings in Jesus name. I read the interesting article, The Prophet Who Could Not Be, in the November issue by Samuel Rindlisbacher, and I have a few comments to submit. Im not saying that Jonah did diethe Bible doesnt explicitly saybut what would be the greatest miracle of God, if Jonah survived being swallowed in the belly of the fish (as was indicated, there have been various accounts of men who experienced and survived similar situations), or if he died and God brought him back to life again? I believe the greatest miracle would be if God brought him back to life, and he went on to Nineveh and preached to them of Gods coming judgment, and then they repented in sackcloth and ashes. In analogy, we should repent and die of our sins, and as a symbol of baptism, be born again to new life. Another comment: The Bible says in Matthew 12:40, For as

Jonas was three days and three nights in the whales belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth, and we know that Jesus certainly died and arose againanother analogy of Jonahs being in the fish and Jesus in the grave. Just thought you might be interested in this comparison. Have you heard it before? Thank you for bringing the truth in Midnight Call magazine.
-J. Gramm, IL

Answer: No mention is made in Scripture referring to Jonah dying in the belly of the fish, but it does say that while he was inside the fish, he was praying to God and it ended with him being spit out on land. Of course, we may use the story as an allegorical illustration, picturing the dying of Jesus, but remember that allegorical is not factual. Anyhow, thanks for sharing.

Seeing the Two Witnesses Editor, I am sending this Bible prophecy study to your ministry, as I believe more needs to be written on the subject of the two witnesses and the worldwide knowledge of their demise at the hands of the Beast. I just received a copy of Mark Hitchcocks new book, Who is the Antichrist? On page 171, he quotes Tim LaHayes book, Revelation Unveiled. LaHaye states:
Ours is the first generation that can literally see the fulfillment of [Revelation] 11:9 in allowing people of the entire world to see such an

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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

awesome spectacle. This is one more indication that we are coming closer to the end of the age, because it would have been humanly impossible just a few years ago for the entire world to see these two witnesses in the streets at a given moment of time.

I am hoping some of your great Bible expositors will see the need to elaborate on this particular Bible prophecy, as I believe it could help convince even the most hardened skeptic that streaming the news to us instantly is what John prophesied 2,000 years ago.
-K. Smith, CA

Answer: We are reminded of the story in 2 Kings, when the armies of Assyria surrounded the city and Elishas servant was terrified, Alas, my master! How shall we do? Then Elisha prayed, and the Lord opened the servants eyes, and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha (2 Kings 6:17). We need to allow for the possibility that God can make anyone, anywhere in the world see what is happening at that moment in Jerusalem without using any of our technology. Another example is Matthew 4:8. The devil took Jesus to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory

of them. Logic dictates that from any mountain, even outside Israel, one can only see the valley below and not much more. Yet here we plainly read that Jesus was shown all the world: all five continentsEurope, Asia, Africa, America, and Australia. This tells me that heavenly physical realities are not the same as earthly physical realities. Remember, John was raptured into heaven and saw things on earth from heaven, and not vice versa. However, I greatly appreciate scholars such as Mark Hitchcock, Tim LaHaye and others, who continuously occupy themselves with studying the Word of God, attempting to show the relationship of todays events with the precious Word of God. MC

Questions That Need Answers

One of the unique books published by Midnight Call Ministries is Letters to the Editor. This book features original letters with a variety of questions selected during many decades and prayerfully answered from the pages of Holy Scripture. Letters to the Editor is a topical arrangement of carefully compiled and categorized letters that appeared in Midnight Call magazine. Editor Arno Froese has tackled a great many challenging questions in the magazines most popular feature, such as Church Doctrine, Eschatology, Scripture Explanations and the Rapture of the Church. This 437-page book will contribute to a better understanding of many often difficult questions. You will find twenty-two chapters categorized under subject issues for easy reference. Here are the chapter titles: Creation/Evolution Sin Israel Authority of Scripture Spiritual Fundamentals Prayer and Salvation Christian Practices? End of Life Scriptural Explanation Endtime Prophecy Future Prophecies Past and Future Prophecies Globalism or Patriotism? Bible Codes, Y2K, and Promise Keepers Church Issues Testimonials Signs, Wonders, and the Antichrist Catholicism False Doctrine? The Rapture Rapture Timing Eschatology

Find out for yourself why Letters to the Editor is the popular column in Midnight Call magazine, as testified by innumerable readers with the words, When I receive your magazine, I first go to the last pages and read the Letters to the Editor.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

ITEM #1045 438 Pages Hardcover

$22.99 $16 Author: Arno Froese

F E B R U A RY 2 0 1 2 25

In those days the house of Judah shall walk with the house of Israel, and they shall come together out of the land of the north to the land that I have given for an inheritance unto your fathers
MIDNIGHT CALL

(Jeremiah 3:18).
Testimony of Jesus Religion is not a main concern among Jews in Israel; thus, a significant percentage of people are seeking truth, and truth is to be found. Jesus said, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me (John 14:6). Furthermore, Jesus stated, Salvation is of the Jews. To demonstrate the testimony of Jesus is one reason why Midnight Call Ministries International operates Beth Shalom in Israel. Our presence serves to affirm that Jesus is the Messiah of Israel, He is the Savior of the world, and He is Israels only true hope. The Apostle Paul specifically addresses the Gentiles when speaking about the Jews, I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy (Romans 11:11). That is another reason why Midnight Call is present in the land of Israel. From here, we observe the daily life of the people; we see their needs and understand their searching. Whenever opportunity presents, we are there to encourage, comfort, and testify in the name of Jesus. The following is a report from our directors, Fredi and Beate Winkler, in Israel:
Dear Friends, Here are a few words about our work in Israel. It was 21 September 1973 when we married, and one week later, we moved to Israel. Then on 6 October 1973, the Yom Kippur War broke out.That was one reason we could not begin the construction of our long planned guest house, Beth Shalom.We had to wait until Spring 1974. Finally in October 1975, the facility was dedicated. During those early days, we had many Jewish guests, particularly old ones who spoke German and Yiddish. Many stayed at Beth Shalom on a complimentary basis. During that time, quite a few groups of Holocaust survivors enjoyed a few weeks holiday in our guest house. Unfortunately, that generation is no longer. Now, we concentrate more on tourists from around the world. It is our deep desire

From the North Country We can with reasonable assurance say that the above Scripture has been in the process of fulfillment for the past 100 years. In the first Aliyah (large scale immigration) from 1882-1903, virtually all came from Russia. During the second Aliyah, they again came from Russia and also Poland, from 1904-1914. In the third Aliyah, again from Russia (1919-1923). There was a fourth Aliyah from Poland (1924-1932), the fifth Aliyah from Germany (1933-1939), and then the largest, the sixth Aliyah from the Soviet Union in recent decades. It is not surprising that the prophet specifically mentions, out of the land of the north. Later in chapter 16:15, Jeremiah reconfirms the geographic area from where the bulk of the children of Israel would come from, But, The LORD liveth, that brought up the children of Israel from the land of the north, and from all the lands whither he had driven them: and I will bring them again into their land that I gave unto their fathers. In the meantime, the number of Jews in the land of Israel is quickly approaching the six million mark.

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MIDNIGHT CALL

One of the aims of Beth Shalom is to serve believers in the land of Israel.
space. The empty rooms are being converted into two suites. This is suitable for a family with children. The suites allow access to the roof terrace. Most of the work is actually done ourselves; subsequently, it takes a little longer. One of the aims of Beth Shalom is to assist believers in the land of Israel. Beth Shalom also serves as a place for various fellowships of believers, which use our facility to hold their meetings and conferences. One of our daughters is doing a special work, which we, unfortunately, cannot Hotel Beth publish due to the sensitive naShalom ture. There are several laws in Israel that define evangelizing to share our love for the people of Israel. For the children as being illegal activity. It last ten years, many groups from the former Sois understood that our public acviet Union, such as Hungary, the Czech Repubtivity is limited so as not to violate lic, and Slovakia have been our guests. or disregard Israeli law. Breaking In the first sixteen years, our nine children Israeli law would lead to the canwere born in the land of Israel; three sons and six cellation of our permanent residence permit. However, daughters, and in the meantime, all have married. Two we never have nor ever will deny our faith in Jesus of the children, Ariel and Sarah with her husband Shai, Christ our Lord. are full time employees at Beth Shalom. Ariel is a govFredi & Beate Winkler ernment certified tour guide. Sarah and Shai are responsible for preparing food for the groups that come. Besides, both of these young men are always busy reAction for Israel pairing and renovating the facilities. During the last 38 Needless to say, their childrens native language is years, we were able to complete two major renovations Hebrew, but all are capable of communicating in at that included extended construction to modernize least four languages. This gives Fredi and Beate the Beth Shalom. Presently, the lobby and reception area unique position of analyzing the real needs of people are being rebuilt. Also, we are upgrading the dining in Israel, particularly those who believe in Jesus. Our Action for Israel fund, however, is not limited to beroom and the kitchen. After all, the kitchen has served lievers but also supports other projects that are us for about 35 years, so its time for renewal. On the top deemed necessary as a testimony to Jews that we, as floor, we have our living quarters. Since all the children Christians, love Israel. have moved out, we decided to surrender some of the

The Winkler family

n rael

After prayerful consideration, I/we have decided to support the project Action for Israel. yearly monthly one time $_______

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Midnight Calls
February Resource Guide
And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith (Acts 6:7).
recent email from our international headquarters requested that we identify our targets for 2012 with only two short sentences. We wrote back: 1. Double our readership in 2012 2. Publish commentaries on the book of Acts and the 12 Minor Prophets. The latter is definitely an issue thats limited to our office staff. Besides our co-workers, an important contribution is being made by a faithful reader of Midnight Call, Mrs. Winnie Washburn, who has already begun writing study notes for the Acts project. That is part of our ministry, so the Word of God can increase among the multitudes. Your prayers are highly valued.

During the past decades, multitudes have received gift subscriptions, of whom many have expressed their deep thanks for the material they received on the monthly basis. You may use the coupons in this magazine or call us with your order, but by all means, be sure to participate in this worthwhile project, Double Readership in 2012. You may not know the full value of your help, but God does know, For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister (Hebrews 6:10).

SWIFT WORD MEMBERSHIP

The technology of email is a marvelous tool to send forth the Word of God swiftly. You may apply for membership without cost or obligation, to receive important news articles MIDNIGHT CALL with Bible commentary six times a week. Although some are published in Midnight Call, much more will come your way through Swift Word Membership. Signup page at www.midnightcall.com/swiftword

DOUBLE READERSHIP
This is where you, our reader comes in. Already, many have sent in gift subscriptions for family members, relatives, and friends. Its a very encouraging beginning. But our goal of double readership requires your participation. Gift subscriptions to US addresses are sent FREE; the only thing we ask is that you help us with the $9.95 postage for each subscriber.

2012 ATLANTIC COAST INTERNATIONAL PROPHECY CONGRESS

Theme:

When Light Meets Darkness

MIDNIGHT CALL

20-22 October 2012

For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising (Isaiah 60:2-3).
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his Scripture is very fitting for todays world. Darkness is indeed covering the earth and the people of the world. More than ever, man is relying on the products of his own imagination. Man cant do without all the modern conveniences. Why? Because the prince of darkness, the god of this world, is preparing all the people of the world to fulfill his desire, and that is to be worshiped. We have the documentation in Matthew 4, when the devil offers to Jesus,all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them, for one specific purpose,if thou wilt fall down and worship me. When we study this subject, we begin to realize that the commotion we are experiencing today all over the world serves a specific target: the imitation of the perfect unity of the Church of Jesus Christ. The 2012 International Prophecy Congress will deal with this theme,When Light Meets Darkness in detail.

OUR INTERNATIONAL TEAM

This Congress is truly international. Dr. Roger Liebi (Dipl. Mus., B.Th., M.Th., Th.D.) will be with us for the first time. He has served in Midnight Calls conferences and Congresses for some time. Dr. Liebi is a well-qualified multi-language theologian, well versed in classical and modern Hebrew, Aramaic, Greek, and modern languages. He is the author of many publications translated into various languages. Dr. Liebi is also an accomplished violinist and pianist whose trademark is to interrupt his lectures with a sola, a musical intermission. From Egypt comes Dr. Elia Morise, a Bible scholar highlighting points of Scripture, particularly from an Egyptian perspective. Dr. Morise is the main Arab language speaker for Midnight Calls Radio New Hope programs. Norbert Lieth is a graduate of Midnight Call Bible School in Montevideo, Uruguay. He has served as Midnight Calls missionary in several South American countries. Norbert Lieth is the lead speaker for Midnight Call Ministries throughout Europe. Wilfred Hahn is known for his writings and insights on present-day world economic and money trends, viewed from a Biblical perspective. He has global investment industry experience spanning three decades, having held various executive positions from Director of Research for a major Wall Street firm, to Chairman of Canadas largest global investment group. From Israel, Irit Iffert and Jael Kalisher will bless us with their exceptional musical talents. Multitudes have been touched by their compassionately presented Hebrew Scripture songs and Israeli folk music. This will be a special bonus, specifically for our first Atlantic Coast International Prophecy Congress. Arno Froese is the executive director of Midnight Call Ministries and editorin-chief of the critically-acclaimed prophetic magazines Midnight Call and News From Israel. He has authored a number of well-received books, and has sponsored many prophecy conferences in the U.S., Canada, and Israel.
Arno Froese

Dr. Roger Liebi

Dr. Elia Morise

Norbert Lieth

Wilfred Hahn

Irit Iffert

IMPORTANT NOTICE
While we have not made our final decision about the location, it is of utmost importance that you send in your registration as early as possible. This will assure your place at this important Prophecy Congress.
MC 02/11

2012 ATLANTIC COAST INTERNATIONAL PROPHECY CONGRESS

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When Light Meets Darkness

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The incredible doctrine of the return of Christ commands us to investigate The Great Mystery of the Rapture.
An intense biblical study designed to clarify the prophetic Word An exhaustive analysis of the greatest event in the history of the Church, revealing often overlooked truths in the Old and New Testament.

The Mark of the Beast has long been the subject of heated debate and even outrageous sensationalism.
Did you know that the world is being prepared now for its implementation? In every aspect of life on this earth from economy and government to religionthere are strong indications that we are closer than ever to the time when a worldwide identification system is a likelihood rather than a wild impossibility.

THE GREAT MYSTERY OF THE RAPTURE

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PREPARING FOR THE MARK OF THE BEAST

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Author: Arno Froese

Where will the antichrist come from? How will he rise to power?
Using a friendly question-and-answer format, Mark takes readers on a fascinating tour of all the Bibles key passages about the Antichrist and shares how this information applies to their lives today.

Will mans lack of patience require the ultimate: a self-made god, at whatever the cost?
A dynamic team of field experts gives a full and well-rounded view from various aspects of technology and its obvious union with Bible prophecy. Bible expert Arno Froese, coupled with computer technology experts Joel Froese and Jerry Brown, present you with a realistic approach to progressive Bible prophecy fulfillment, now unfolding before our very eyes!

Warning read this before you open that e-mail attachment

Computers and the Internet continue to revolutionize the way we live. But is our increasing dependence on these technologies stealing our privacy and setting us up for a devastating fall? In this thought-provoking assessment of how far we have come and where we may be headed, popular Bible teacher Ron Rhodes provides easy-tounderstand answers to important questions.

WHO IS THE ANTICHRIST?

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THE COMING DIGITAL GOD

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CYBER MELTDOWN
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Enhance Your Study of Bible Prophecy

This project has been described as one of the most comprehensive works dealing with Bible prophecy, as it represents years of research. Along with the text of the King James Version, a centuries-old best-seller, this Bible provides textual commentary, historical information, full-color charts and maps, more than 75 topical articles from some of the finest scholars in the field of Bible prophecy, a concordance, and a special prophecy time-line, displaying the events of history and describing the future. FEATURES: Full-color overview charts Center-column references Timelines of biblical events More than 70 articles related to Bible prophecy Book introductions 83 charts and tables Bible concordance Textual notations on key passages related to Bible prophecy And much, much more!

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Hear, read, and inwardly digest Gods Word in this magnificent multimedia presentation of the entire Bible!

Whether you choose to play a single chapter, book, or the complete Old and New Testaments, youll appreciate Alexander Scourbys expressive word-for-word narration paired with synchronized onscreen text displaying every verse. Over 70 hours of word-for-word narration with synchronized on-screen text.

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The Franklin Electronic Holy Bible 570 features the complete Old and New Testaments. Daily Devotional Verses provide inspiration; find your favorite passages instantly with advanced search capability. Search and retrieve by book, chapter, verse or keywords with phonetic spell correction and bookmark your favorite passages. Index of book, chapter, chapter title and verse Built-in organizer with 100-entry databank, local/world clock and calculator 3-line display 2 CR-2032 batteries included Access the Old and New Testaments anytime, anywhere!
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Spiritual Strength for Each Day

Spiritual Strength for Each Day serves as a guideline for believers who seek a deeper and closer relationship with Jesus Christ our Lord.This book is intended to remind the reader throughout the year that life as we know it is temporary and the ultimate goal of our lives should be to prepare for eternitydesiring to hear the words from our Lord,Well done thou good and faithful servantenter thou into the joy of thy Lord.
Wim Malgo, L.L.D., LITT.D (1922-1992) founded Midnight Call Ministry International in 1955. He received his formal education at the Beatenberg Bible Institute in Switzerland.By the grace of God, Wim Malgo had a keen insight relating to eschatological issues. Dr. Malgo was the author of more than 40 books and an authority on Bible prophecy. However, his uniqueness lay in his dedicated prayer life. Wim Malgo never undertook a project, no matter how small or great, without first presenting it to the Lord in prayer. Total dedication to the cause of Christ was his motto.

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