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"Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book:
for the time is at hand." - Rev 22:10 

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Chris Perver

Updated
09/03/06

What it all means | Javier Solana - Antichrist? | Mark of the Beast | Europa and The Beast | The Rapture
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Wars and rumours of wars
Iran threatening to resume Nuclear development
31/7/5 
Iran is demanding financial incentives or else it will go back to developing their nuclear plant. The US fears Iran intends to build the bomb. Israel has said there is no way they will let Iran develop a bomb, for Iran would have no qualms about using it to strike Israel. But Iran's nuclear development project is spread across the nation, which will make it much harder to destroy the way Israel destroyed Iraq's reactor. 

Europe has insisted in trying the diplomatic option first, before resorting to military intervention. The talks were spearheaded by, you guessed it, Javier Solana, the EU High Representative for Common Foreign and Security Policy. But now Iran is threatening to resume building, so no doubt their intentions are not strictly honourable.

Quote: "The UK Foreign Office (FCO) urged Iran not to take unilateral steps that could jeopardise talks with three European Union nations - known as the E3. The remarks came after a top Iranian official set a Sunday deadline for the EU to propose economic incentives. The UK - the current EU president - said these would be given in a week. This was in accordance with the decisions of the Geneva meeting in May between Iran and the three European countries - Britain, France and Germany - as well as the EU's foreign policy chief, Javier Solana, said the FCO spokesman. 

Interestingly enough, I read on another prophecy website that the E3 (the most powerful European nations, Britain, France and Germany) may be the three nations mentioned in Scripture that the Antichrist subdues. Whether this is correct or not I don't know...

Daniel 7:24 
And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings (WEU - 10 nations?) that shall arise: and another shall rise after them (Spain - the 11th member of the EU?); and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings.

Source BBC

Middle East
Solana seeking resolution of conflict
30/7/05
Spiegel Online has conducted an interview with WEU Secretary General, Javier Solana, about his involvement in the Middle East Peace Process. Javier Solana told Ariel Sharon a few years ago, that he would have to work with the EU (regarding the peace process), "whether he liked it or not".

Quote: "SPIEGEL: The Israeli Prime Minister tends to view the Europeans as sources of financial backing and not people who should be directly involved in the political process and security concerns. 
Solana: The reality is that we have been engaged for some time. For example, European law enforcement experts are helping train the Palestinian security forces. This is one of the most important security procedures of all in this decisive phase of Israel's withdrawal from the Gaza Strip...
We are currently focusing on the Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, which is scheduled to begin in mid-August and should be completed within a month. This must be the first step, and it must be followed by other steps very soon.
Just this first phase is an enormous undertaking...

Although we rarely hear in the media about EU involvement, it will be the Europeans that will finally secure some sort of peace deal in the Middle East. Daniel 9:26 states that the Antichrist, who will "confirm the covenant with many", for seven years, will be of the people that would destroy Jerusalem. This happened in 70 AD under the Romans.

Source Spiegel Online

Terror
Vatican condemns Israel - refuses to condemn terror
29/7/05
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon recently demanded the Vatican explain its recent statement condemning the recent terror attacks in London and Egypt, why they did not mention the suicide bombing in Israel which killed five people.

Quote: "The message issued by the Vatican responded to the criticism, saying: "It's not always possible to immediately follow every attack against Israel with a public statement of condemnation, and for various reasons, among them the fact that the attacks against Israel sometimes were followed by immediate Israeli reactions not always compatible with the rules of international law." The statement also said "The Holy See does not accept instructions from anyone regarding the tone and content of his statements."

This isn't much comfort for those innocent Israelis and Arabs who find themselves on the receiving end of Palestinian terror, and as the attacks on London later showed, innocent people may be killed as a result of laws which are aimed at stopping people who are prepared to kill themselves and many others to further their "cause". The Vatican also refused to condemn - even excommunicate - men like Hitler, because he furthered their desire for a united Europe.

Source Jerusalem Post

Antichrist
Javier Solana - Man of the year 2005
28/7/05
Javier Solana was awarded "Man of the year 2005", on May 11th, 2005 by Gazeta Wyborcza (Warsaw). Showing how great a statesman he is, his speech outlines Europe's formation, history in world events, and where he sees Europe going in the years to come.

Quote: "Poland, perhaps more than other countries, understands the historic significance of this new European order. Europeans and Americans, the EU and NATO: we all played our part. Today we can take sober satisfaction. It proves that with courage, statecraft and transatlantic unity, we can achieve great results.

Daniel 8:25 
And through his (Antichrist's) policy (European Neighbourhood Policy?) also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many:

In his speech, Javier Solana mentions the European Neighbourhood Policy, which aims to bring broader co-operation throughout the world with the European Union. Countries are offered financial incentives for political reforms which will steer them closer to becoming part of the European Union. Remarkably, this initiative is to last for a seven year period, from 2007 to 2013, with a mid-term review. Javier Solana will personally be responsible for this project...

Quote: "Since last year, we have been putting flesh on the bones of our European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP), which applies to Eastern Europe, the southern Caucasus but also the Mediterranean. In less than two years - incredibly fast by Brussels standards - we have moved from general principles to tailor-made action plans which are being agreed with our partners. The Neighbourhood policy will engage significant resources: the offer of a stake in the internal market plus €15 billion in grants for the period 2007-2013.

Could this be the seven year "covenant with many" mentioned by Daniel, which the Antichrist will confirm at the start of the tribulation, and then turn against after 3.5 years? Watch this space...

Daniel 9:27 
And he (Antichrist) shall confirm the covenant with many (nations) for one week (seven years): and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.

Javier Solana also stressed the need for Europe to have a Constitution. The main reason he gives is that the EU Constitution will create the role of an official Foreign Secretary for Europe, a position which Javier Solana himself holds unofficially until the Constitution is ratified...

Quote: "Second, in terms of effectiveness, it (the Constitution) inaugurates a new way of preparing and taking decisions. Perhaps the biggest innovation here is the proposed EU Foreign Minister. As you know, this will combine, in one person, the ability to mobilise the different components of EU external relations, allowing us to operate more coherently. To ensure more consistency, the EU Foreign Minister will also represent the Union abroad. Our partners will thus have one main interlocutor – something which is long overdue.

There is no doubt, whoever fills this roll will be the most powerful man in Europe, a position which the Antichrist may eventually take, the prince that shall come...

Daniel 9:26
And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people (Romans) of the prince that shall come (Antichrist) shall destroy the city and the sanctuary (Titus - 70AD); and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.

Source EU@UN

Antichrist
Article 666
28/7/05
Having found yesterday an article drafted by Javier Solana, entitled "Recommendation 666", which will enable him to take control of the European Union's military and political bodies in the event of a crisis, I found today another article linking this man and the number 666.

Article 666 was drafted in 1998, and is the document which actually announces the appointment of Javier Solana as the Secretary General of the WEU and the High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy.

Quote: "666. In December the Vienna European Council expressed the opinion that the Secretary-General of the Council and High Representative for the CFSP should be appointed as soon as possible and be a personality with a strong political profile. It invited the Council to prepare common strategies on Russia, Ukraine, the Mediterranean region and the western Balkans, on the understanding that the first would be on Russia. Welcoming the new impetus given to the debate on a common European policy on security and defence, the European Council also noted that the CFSP should be backed by credible operational capabilities

This means Javier Solana is now linked in two places with the number 666, which the Bible stated would be associated exclusively with the Antichrist during the tribulation.

Revelation 13:18
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 (666).

Source Assembly of WEU, Europa

Iraq
Iraqi PM urges speedy US exit
27/7/05
I mentioned a few days ago that Israel were concerned that they would face a full-scale attack by their Arab neighbours when the US retreats out of Iraq. That scenario came a step closer today, when the Iraqi Prime Minister called on the US to make a speedy pullout from the troubled nation...

Quote: "Mr Jaafari asked the US to train Iraqi troops faster and to begin handing security control over to local forces. The top US commander in Iraq has said a withdrawal could begin in the spring. Gen George Casey, speaking before Mr Jaafari made his comments, said if elections went ahead as planned at the end of the year and security improved, "we will still be able to make fairly substantial reductions... in the spring and summer of next year".

Source BBC

Antichrist
"Recommendation 666"
27/7/05
Javier Solana is the Secretary General of the 10 nation WEU (Western European Union) and self-appointed High Commissioner for Europe's Common Foreign and Security Policies. I say "self-appointed", for the EU Constitution was meant to create the official role of a European Foreign Secretary. Javier Solana is only acting Foreign Secretary until the Constitution is passed.

Javier Solana already holds a position virtually unrivalled in Europe. His job has a five year term, while the EU Presidency term is only 6 months. He is therefore the lynch-pin for the rotating Presidency of the European Union. He is effectively the "voice of Europe", and has brokered many peace agreements throughout the world, including being instrumental in the Middle East peace process. He was also Secretary General of NATO, and so is a powerful military strategist.

Javier Solana has recently drafted a document for the European Council, called "Recommendation 666". Recommendation 666 states that in the event of a crisis in Europe, the High Representative (Javier Solana) will be able to take complete control of Europe's military and political bodies.

Quote: "12) Support proposals for the WEU Secretary-General and CFSP High Representative to preside over the PSC (Political and Security Committee) and civilian crisis-management machinery and give him powers to convene the Council of the European Union in the event of an emergency;

If Javier Solana is not the Antichrist himself, the position he holds certainly has all the hallmarks of him. The Bible states that during the tribulation, 10 world leaders will pledge their allegiance to the Antichrist.

Revelation 17:12-13
And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast. These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast.

The Antichrist will be a slick politician, who's prime policy will be regarding a peace process in the Middle East (Daniel 9:27). He will be an accomplished liar (Daniel 11:21), who will use peace to destroy his enemies (Daniel 8:25). He will be be a military genius (Daniel 11:38). He most likely will be a leader of the European Union (Daniel 9:26) - of the people that destroyed Jerusalem in 70 AD.

The Bible also states he won't be revealed until the Church is caught away into heaven (2nd Thessalonians 2:8). What better crisis for Javier Solana to take the reigns of the European Union, when millions of Christians suddenly disappear without trace?

Source Assembly of WEU, Javier Solana

Weather
Record monsoon lashes India
27/7/05
Over one hundred people have been swept to their deaths in the worst rains India has seen for over fifty years. India's chief minister said yesterday's rain has been the most that has ever fallen in a single day in India.

Quote: "Officials say that more than 26 inches of rain fell in Mumbai on Tuesday. One weather official said conditions were particularly bad because the rain had coincided with high tides. Nearly one-third of the state capital, Mumbai (Bombay), is under water. Schools are closed and trading on the Bombay Stock Exchange has been light. The armed forces have been called in to take part in rescue efforts.

Source BBC

Armageddon
Israel expects war in 2006
25/7/05
In an article I saw today dated 21st April, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has expressed his concerns to President Bush that Israel may face a full-scale international conflict, perhaps as soon as 2006, after the US pulls out of Iraq.

Quote: "Prime Minister Ariel Sharon “has relayed repeated messages to the administration that Iran and its Arab allies were preparing for war,” one official said. Sharon reportedly raised the issue with President George W. Bush and Vice President Richard Cheney during his recent visit to the US, telling the Americans that an Iran emboldened with the acquisition of nuclear weapons would seek to form a regional alliance against Israel. 

Military analysts may well be right, as according to Biblical prophecy, perhaps after the anti-Christ signs the seven year peace treaty with Israel, Ezekiel 38-39 describes a full scale invasion of Israel, by "Gog" and her allies. Many interpret Gog as being modern Russia, accompanied by an Arab conglomeration, including Persia (Iran/Iraq), and many other Arab states.

Ezekiel 38:8 
After many days thou shalt be visited: in the latter years thou shalt come into the land that is brought back from the sword, and is gathered out of many people, against the mountains of Israel, which have been always waste: but it is brought forth out of the nations, and they shall dwell safely all of them.

Whoever this alliance ends up being, they are slated to be crushed by Israel, to whom God will give a miraculous victory...

Ezekiel 39:1-4
Therefore, thou son of man, prophesy against Gog, and say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against thee, O Gog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal: And I will turn thee back, and leave but the sixth part of thee, and will cause thee to come up from the north parts, and will bring thee upon the mountains of Israel: And I will smite thy bow out of thy left hand, and will cause thine arrows to fall out of thy right hand. Thou shalt fall upon the mountains of Israel, thou, and all thy bands, and the people that is with thee: I will give thee unto the ravenous birds of every sort, and to the beasts of the field to be devoured.

Source Jerusalem Newswire

Anti-Semitism
Sharon demands apology from Ken Livingstone
25/7/05
London Mayor Ken Livingstone has put his foot in it again, slandering Israel for the second time in only a week. Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has demanded that Ken Livingstone apologize for comments he made about Sharon's Likud party, comparing it to the terrorist group Hamas. Sharon may have a long wait for an apology, seeing Red Ken even refused to apologize to a Jewish reporter whom he compared to a Nazi Concentration camp guard.

Quote: "Livingstone also said that he does not distinguish between members of Likud and Hamas, branding them "two sides of the same coin." "I think it is the Israelis who are leading the stubborn line," said Livingstone. "The Likud and Hamas members are two sides of the same coin. They need each other in order to attract support." "Each side emphasizes the extremism of the other in order to attract sympathy," Livingstone said. Livingstone agreed to the interview in the wake of the media frenzy surrounding the possible visit of controversial Muslim cleric Yusuf al-Qaradawi, who has voiced support for Palestinian suicide bombers and has been banned from entering the United States.

Ken Livingstone also drew fire for his justification of Palestinian suicide bombers, claiming that Israel had indiscriminately slaughtered Palestinians in acts that "border on crimes against humanity". 

Quote: ""Given that the Palestinians don't have jet planes, don't have tanks, they only have their bodies to use as weapons," Livingstone told Sky News in an interview. "In an unfair balance, that's what people use," said Livingstone, who has often been strongly critical of Israel in the past.

Source Haaretz, Jerusalem Post

Anti-Semitism
Iraqis cannot hold Israeli citizenship
24/7/05
Those hoping for a truly democratic Iraq may have had their hopes dashed by the new Iraqi Bill of Rights. The new Bill of Rights states that any citizen may obtain Iraqi citizenship after having lived in the country for 10 years, apart from Israelis. Article 1, points 3 and 4 state...

Quote: "3) Any individual with another nationality (except for Israel) may obtain Iraqi nationality after a period of residency inside the borders of Iraq of not less than ten years for an Arab or twenty years for any other nationality... 4) An Iraqi may have more than one nationality as long as the nationality is not Israeli"

The Koran teaches that in an Islamic state, people of all other religions should be treated as second class citizens. For a Muslim to convert, the Koran states, is a most heinous sin against Allah. That is why Muslims who do convert to Christianity often end up loosing their jobs, and friends and family disowning them. But denying citizenship completely to Israelis shows just how unequally the Israelis are treated by Islamic states, and is basically state-sponsored anti-Semitism. Israeli Arabs have the right to vote, and can even serve in the Israeli army. But it looks like you won't find the reverse happening in a democratic Iraq.

But it is remarkable that the land God originally promised Abraham actually encompasses most of Iraq, stretching all the way from the Euphrates to the Mediterranean sea. When Christ returns to set up His kingdom, most Iraqi's will end up being Israeli's, and believers too...

Deuteronomy 11:24 
Every place whereon the soles of your feet shall tread shall be yours: from the wilderness and Lebanon, from the river, the river Euphrates, even unto the uttermost sea shall your coast be.

Source WorldNetDaily

Israel
Couple shot dead while crossing border
24/7/05
Palestinian terrorists have short a man and wife dead in their car, while they were crossing the Gaza border. Prime Minister Ariel Sharon stated that if Palestinian terrorists attempt any attacks during the Gaza withdrawal, Israel will use unprecedented means to stop them.

Quote: "Sharon was speaking hours after a deadly shooting attack Saturday night, which claimed the lives of Dov Kol, 58, and Rachel Kol, 53. The couple were returning to their Jerusalem home after visiting Rachel's sister in the Gush Katif settlement of Ganei Tal when terrorists opened fire on their vehicles on the Kissufim Route, the main access road to Gush Katif. Another five Israelis were wounded in the attack.

The US has put pressure on Sharon to ensure the Gaza border remains open after the disengagement, but it is hard to see that happening when Palestinian terrorists are keen to promote the image that they have driven the Israelis out of Gaza by force, and are increasing their attacks on Israeli citizens once again.

Source Jerusalem Post

Sea and the waves roaring
Aceh hit by tidal wave
24/7/05
The devastated province of Aceh, which has been rocked weekly by frequent earthquakes and tremors, and bore the brunt of the tsunami which killed over 200,000 people on December 26th, suffered another disaster when a 3 metre tidal wave slammed into it's coast line yesterday.

Quote: "Thousands of people fled to high ground Saturday after tidal waves struck coastal villages in Indonesia's tsunami-battered Aceh province, destroying dozens of homes but causing no injuries, officials said. The waves, three meters (yards) high, smashed into three villages in southern Aceh at around 6 a.m., said Sahnun Ahmad, a seismologist in the provincial capital, Banda Aceh. "It was not a tsunami," he said. "It was triggered by full moon tides and strong winds."

The Bible states that disasters specifically related to the sea will play a large part in end times events.

Luke 21:25-26 
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; Men's 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.

Source Jerusalem Post

Terrorism
Islamic terror hits Egypt
23/7/05
Islamic suicide bombers have struck a deadly blow to Egypt, detonating around three bombs, killing over 60 people. All the attacks occurred within minutes of each other. The bombings occurred in the city of Sharm al-Sheikh, a popular destination for Israeli tourists, where the Palestinian and Israeli "tahdiah" was agreed.

Quote: "In the most devastating attack, a bomber rammed his car into Ghazala Gardens Hotel, according to an eyewitness. "A suicide car bomber forced the barrier at the entrance of the hotel. A member of the security staff tried to stop him but he sped towards the reception and there was a huge explosion," an unnamed hotel employee told AFP news agency.

This attack comes only days after London was spared miraculously, when four suicide bombers attempted a repeat of the July 7th bombings, and all four bombs failed to detonate. London police have released pictures of the bombers to try and speed their capture.

Source BBC

Terrorism
Pakistan criticizes UK apathy
21/7/05
President Pervez Musharraf has criticized Britain's response to the London bombings, and has called on Tony Blair to stand firm against the terrorists. In a statement he said the bombers should not even be "called human", something which Ken Livingstone would no doubt find great difficulty swallowing. He also stated that the UK has allowed extremist Islamic organizations to flourish unimpaired, and pointed to the fact the bombers were British citizens.

Quote: "However, he said that although three of the bombers may have been of Pakistani descent they had been born, bred and educated in England. He also pointed to the background of the fourth bomber. He said he did not know if three bombers were indoctrinated in Pakistan, but asked: "Where did the Jamaican get indoctrinated?" He added: "There are extremist organisations in the United Kingdom - there is the Hizbul Tahreer and al-Muhajiroun - who operate with full impunity in that area. "They had the audacity of passing an edict against my life and yet they operate with impunity.

Source BBC

Mark of the Beast
US Students get ID number
21/7/05
The State of Missouri has adopted a new initiative in which every student will receive a unique 10 digit number to help keep track of important information.

Quote: ""All states in the country are in the process of putting in place a student identification system," said Leigh Ann Grant-Engle, data manager for Missouri's education department. Advertisement Illinois also is developing a state-wide identification system, said Becky Watts, a spokeswoman for the Illinois State Board of Education. "Missouri did not want to be one of the leaders of the pack," Grant-Engle said. "But with the federal No Child Left Behind law, this seemed to be the right time to do this."

While there is nothing wrong with having a numbering system (it can be extremely useful in keeping track of data), it is who controls that information that concerns most people today. The Bible tells us that during the tribulation period, there will be a universal numbering system, which will keep track of every citizen on earth, whether rich or poor, free or a slave, and without that number identification chip, you will not be able to buy or sell.

Revelation 13:16-17 
And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark (incision) in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.

Revelation states that accepting the mark will be akin to pledging allegiance to the Antichrist and all that he stands for, and makes it clear that anyone who accepts this mark will never enter heaven. This will make the tribulation period a particularly frightening time for those that will endure this fiery trial. But a worse fate awaits those who will accept the chip...

Revelation 14:9-11 
And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.

Source STLToday

Terrorism
London scare
21/7/05
Widespread panic ensued again today on the London underground, when an apparent suicide bombing went wrong, causing a detonator to explode in a man's rucksack. It is two weeks to the day since the London bombing where over 50 people were killed in 3 simultaneous explosions.

Quote: "The minor explosions - two weeks after blasts killed 56 - involved detonators only, a BBC reporter said. There was one injury. Police sources say the blasts may have been near simultaneous and that they are being linked with the 7 July bombs. They say a number of fugitives are being sought. Two people have been arrested in Whitehall.

Source BBC

Morals
Canada approves gay "marriage"
20/7/05
Canada has become the forth country in the world to legalize gay marriage. The Upper House approved the bill today, by 47 votes to 21.

Source BBC

Terror-Apathy
Livingstone blames West for London bombing
20/7/05
The Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone, who is noted for his anti-Semitic statements and courting of Muslim radicals, has blamed Western policies for the Muslim terror attacks on London. He said that Arab oil is the main reason behind the West's involvement in Arab lands. He blames America for arming and producing Saddam and training Bin Laden. Although he doesn't attempt to hide his Anti-Semitic views, justifying murderers and condoning the killing of innocent civilians. He shows a true, British lack of understanding of the whole situation, failing even to mention the September 11th attacks or the indiscriminate slaughter of Israeli civilians, women and children, by suicide bombers and Kassam rockets.

Quote: "He also denounced "those governments which use indiscriminate slaughter to advance their foreign policy, as we have occasionally seen with the Israeli government bombing areas from which a terrorist group will have come, irrespective of the casualties it inflicts, women, children and men". He continued: "Under foreign occupation and denied the right to vote, denied the right to run your own affairs, often denied the right to work for three generations, I suspect that if it had happened here in England, we would have produced a lot of suicide bombers ourselves."

The fact is, these bombers were British, they had jobs and they could vote. Their target was a democracy currently involved in bringing peace to the middle east, and a country they perceived as being instrumental in an "attack" on Afghanistan and Iraq, and an ally of Israel.

Source BBC

Wars and rumours of wars
China spending $90 billion on arms
20/7/05
The US Defence Department has released a report in which they state China is actually increasing it's military defence budget, possibly spending as much as $90 billion a year on building up it's arsenal. The US has detected up to 730 short range ballistic missiles in position opposite the Taiwan strait, and 100 more being deployed this year.

Quote: "China's military build-up puts regional balances at risk, the Pentagon says, adding that this military modernisation is aimed at winning a war with Taiwan. The defence department concludes that China does not face a threat from any other nation. Yet, says its report, China continues to invest heavily in its military.

This military build up is significant, for most Bible scholars see China as the prime candidate for fulfilling the prophecy of Revelation, regarding the army that numbers 200 million, that will march westward during the tribulation period.

Revelation 16:12 
And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared.

Revelation 16:16 
And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon (Har Megiddo, in Northern Israel)

Revelation 9:16 
And the number of the army of the horsemen [were] two hundred thousand thousand: and I heard the number of them.

Source BBC

Weather
Typhoon batters Taiwan and China
19/7/05
China has evacuated 1 million people ahead of a typhoon that devastated Taiwan today. A number have already lost their lives due to this storm.

Quote: "Taiwan's Centre for Disaster Relief said at least four people had died since Typhoon Haitang battered the island a day earlier. One man was killed by falling rocks in south-eastern Taiwan, two women drowned and another victim was swept away while fishing. Another fisherman is also reported missing. Dozens were also injured as the typhoon's lashing winds and torrential rain toppled trucks and fire-fighters tried to clear the roads of fallen trees, billboards and other debris. 

Source CNN

Israel
Protestors march on Gaza
19/7/05
Up to 100,000 people have joined a march to Gaza to voice their anger at the government's disengagement plan. Israel has amassed thousands of troops to try and prevent the march entering Gaza.

Quote: "The rally kicked off with a prayer service led by Israel's former Chief Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu and other religious leaders. Speeches were given by Yesha heads and by former Knesset Speaker Dov Shilanksy.

Source WorldNetDaily

Elements shall melt
A-bomb celebrates 60 years
17/7/05
The first atomic bomb was detonated 60 years ago, on the 16th of July, 1945.

Quote: "Emmett Hatch's grandmother ordered him to drop to his knees and pray on July 16, 1945, shortly after the world's first atomic blast. She was awake at 5:29:45 Mountain War Time that morning in Portales to make breakfast and saw the explosion from more than 220 miles (350 kilometres) away. "She thought it was the coming of the Lord, because the sun rose in the west that day," said Hatch, who was 8 years old at the time.

Sadly it looks like this won't be the last time atomic weapons are used in war. Some US Senators now believe Al-Qaida may already have Soviet suitcase bombs already in America. Extensive plans have been uncovered detailing a nuclear strike on America.

Quote: "Al-Qaida has obtained at least 40 nuclear weapons from the former Soviet Union – including suitcase nukes, nuclear mines, artillery shells and even some missile warheads. In addition, documents captured in Afghanistan show Aal-Qaida had plans to assemble its own nuclear weapons with fissile material it purchased on the black market.

Is such a scenario likely to happen? Quite possibly, according to the Bible's description of events that are to occur during the 7 year tribulation period. The bible mentions that one third of the world's forests will be wiped out due to hail and fire mingled with blood (possible meteor or missile strike?)

Revelation 8:7
The first angel sounded, and there followed hail and fire mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth: and the third part of trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up.

Never before in history has mankind had the military capacity to wipe a whole city off the face of the map in one go. The Bible mentions a very prosperous city, a spiritual and material "Babylon", which filled the whole world with her wares, that will be destroyed in the space of just one hour.

Revelation 18:18-19 
And cried when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, What city is like unto this great city! And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, alas, that great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness! for in one hour is she made desolate
.

The Bible gives further vivid descriptions of the utter destruction the enemies of Israel and of the Lord have to look forward to in that coming day, when the Lord shall return to set up His Kingdom.

Malachi 4:1
For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the LORD of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.

2 Peter 3:10
But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

Zechariah 14:12
And this shall be the plague wherewith the LORD will smite all the people that have fought against Jerusalem; Their flesh shall consume away while they stand upon their feet, and their eyes shall consume away in their holes, and their tongue shall consume away in their mouth.

Source Jerusalem Post, WorldNetDaily

Israel
Suicide bomber kills 5 in Sderot
17/7/05
I am just back from my holidays so I am just getting caught up again with what has been happening.

Violence continues to escalate in Israel at an unprecedented rate. Last weekend has seen over 100 Kassam rockets launched at settlements in the Gaza strip, killing one woman and wounding several others. A suicide bomber also struck Sderot in a bloody attack which left five dead, two of which were teenage girls.

Israel is massing its forces for a crack down on terrorists should the Palestinian Authority fail to act.

Quote: "The Israeli cabinet met this morning and decided to give Palestinian Authority leader Mahmoud Abbas one final chance to immediately halt the rocket firings before ordering the army and air force into imminent action. For the first time, Abbas directed his PA security forces to actively suppress the radical Hamas and Islamic Jihad terrorist fighters, producing the worst internal Palestinian clashes in many years. This came after many world leaders phoned Abbas after last Tuesday’s Islamic Jihad suicide terror strike in the Israeli coastal town of Netanya, which left five people dead, including four females, two of them teenage girls who were lifelong best friends. That homicide blast came just minutes after PM Sharon decided to seal off the Gaza Strip in an apparent attempt to thwart a mass Israeli civilian protest against his disengagement plan, scheduled to begin tomorrow near the Gaza Strip.

Source David Dolan

Terrorism
Bombs detonated in London
7/7/05
Around six bombs were detonated in the London underground and on a London double-decker bus at rush hour this morning, the first time the UK has been hit by a major terror attack since the start of the War on Terror. A group linked to al-Qaeda has claimed responsibility for the attack, with reports so far indicating around twenty dead, and many more casualties.

Quote: "It was a massive explosion and there were papers and half a bus flying through the air, I think it was the number 205," she said. "There must be a lot of people dead as all the buses were packed, they had been turning people away from the Tube stops." One caller to BBC Five said his friend had seen "the bus ripped open like a can of sardines and bodies everywhere".

The attack looks like it was timed to coincide with the G8 summit in Gleneagles, Scotland. Israeli Finance Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu was also in London for a meeting at the exact spot where one of the attacks took place.

Quote: ""The explosion happened just beneath the hotel at the same time the meeting with businessman interested in investing in Israel was expected to begin," Oren Helman, an aide to the right-wing former premier, told public radio Thursday. "The finance minister was forced to stay in the hotel where he is staying, at the request of British security services," he added.

Source BBC, Yahoo

New Age
Make Poverty History pushes UN population control agenda
6/7/05
Don't get me wrong, Make Poverty History's (MPH) aims are admirable when taken at face value. But I believe Christians should be alarmed at what MPH's, or more specifically, the UN's long term goals for the world are. MPH's prime aim is to get world leaders to implement the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDG's).

The UN has already stated their intention to reduce the world's population by two thirds. The UN believes the world population at present is "unsustainable", and must be reduced by whatever means possible (contrast this with the Lord's command to "fill the earth", Gen 1:28). The "right" for women to terminate a pregnancy (abortion on demand) is just one of the methods they aim to use to achieve this. But there is no "population problem". Only big cities are crowded. And if they really wanted, the West could end world hunger practically overnight. The US has vast reserves of dried milk sitting in warehouses. The US government buys the milk to subsidize their farmers. It gets dumped after so many years. Most UK farmers are paid by Europe to grow nothing. But why do you think so many countries are unwilling to alleviate Africa's debt and famine problems? Perhaps because that famine is also a means of controlling world population. 

This UN ambition should immediately jump out at anyone who knows prophecy. The Bible states in Revelation that the world's population will be dramatically reduced. I used to think this was purely by God's judgement, but now I think the Lord may use men to fulfil His will. 

Revelation 9:14-15,18
Saying to the sixth angel which had the trumpet, Loose the four angels which are bound in the great river Euphrates. And the four angels were loosed, which were prepared for an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year, for to slay the third part of men.
By these three was the third part of men killed, by the fire, and by the smoke, and by the brimstone, which issued out of their mouths.

Revelation 6:8
And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth.
 

How will the population be reduced? Mostly through global war, but also through hunger and death (famine and disease). This is what Jacques Custeau said in the UNESCO Courier of November 1991, "The damage people cause to the planet is a function of demographics-it is equal to the degree of development. One American burdens the earth much more than twenty Bangladeshes... This is a terrible thing to say. In order to stabilize world population, we must eliminate 350,000 people per day. It is a horrible thing to say, but it's just as bad not to say it." 

"just as bad not to say it". Question is for Jacques, who lives and who dies? The UN decides. This UN agenda, of ending world poverty and hunger is not based on Christian principles, it's purely New Age - ensuring a small number of people can enjoy Gaia without "disturbing" her. Contrast that with the Lord's command to "subdue the earth", and "take dominion" of it, in Genesis 1:28.

I think as Christians we should be cautious of supporting any secular organization whose aims go against Scripture, even though their cause seems so genuine.

This view has been confirmed to me today by a BBC news article on the event...

Quote: "For his part, Mr Blair stressed the need to link climate change and helping Africa take a bigger slice of global trade. "The two issues are together - that's what sustainable development means," he said. He also said he wanted to see "a firm understanding to end the trade distorting subsidies" - one of the more controversial issues and one on which many divisions remain. Pop singer Bono urged the leaders to consider extra measures, such as the education of girls (read "sex education") and the fight against malaria.

Source Crossroad, SPUC, BBC

Economic collapse
Bush predicts rise of Hydrogen power
6/7/05
After declining to do more to cut carbon dioxide emissions, President Bush today predicted that we will soon be driving around in Hydrogen-powered cars.

Quote: ""There's no doubt in my mind we'll be driving a different type of automobile within a reasonable period of time - one powered by hydrogen," he said during a stop in Denmark on the way to a G-8 summit in Scotland.

What President Bush and others won't tell you, is the reason why they need to move to hydrogen soon. The world's oil reserves are being used up at a fantastic rate, and it's estimated that if India and China continue their current  economic rate of growth, we only have around 20 years left before the oil will run dry. Apparently even if we found another Saudi Arabia, that would only last a further ten years. This spells out a dangerous situation for a world economy, which would face financial collapse if oil became scarce.

Quote: "Thus the question is not whether but when the foreseeable permanent oil crunch will occur. This next paralysing and permanent oil shock will not be solved by any redistribution patterns or by economic cleverness, because it will be a consequence of pending and inexorable depletion of the world's conventional crude oil supply. Few economists can bring themselves to accept that the global oil supply is geologically finite.

The Bible states that during the tribulation period, there will be a terrible economic collapse which will make the wealth of many worthless. Revelation also describes the destruction of a city called Babylon the Great (whether this is physical Babylon, or a city with the religious/material characteristics of Babylon, I don't know), which had filled the world with its treasures, who's destruction will come in just one hour.

James 5:3 
Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days.

Ezekiel 7:19 
They shall cast their silver in the streets, and their gold shall be removed: their silver and their gold shall not be able to deliver them in the day of the wrath of the LORD: they shall not satisfy their souls, neither fill their bowels: because it is the stumblingblock of their iniquity.

Source Jerusalem Post, Die Off

Apostasy
UCC backs Gay marriage
5/7/05
The US United Church of Christ, which recently put the question to their members on whether Jesus Christ is Divine, officially backed the blessing of Gay marriages yesterday.

Quote: ""On this July 4, the United Church of Christ has courageously acted to declare freedom, affirming marriage equality, affirming the civil rights of gay... couples to have their relationships recognised as marriages by the state, and encouraging our local churches celebrate those marriages," he said at a news conference after the vote.

A similar decision by the Anglican church last year caused a split which divided the denomination in two, the European counterparts refusing to take communion with the US branch. Companies and churches are coming under increasing pressure to legitimise gay marriage. By whom? Not by the public. I believe governments are under pressure from a higher power (UN, New World Order?). Interestingly, I read recently that the UN may be anxious to promote gay marriage as a childless alternative to "traditional" marriage, in order to reduce world population.

Quote: "As a community activist ten years ago, I could not understand why our kids were being pushed to use condoms, why the schools were educating in matters that did not involve them, why family planning classes were discussing sensitive matters in front of boys and girls or why homosexuality was becoming accepted (homosexuals don't procreate-now they only adopt). Furthermore, the schools were assisting abortion clinics by aiding pregnant girls during school hours by providing school time for them to use their facilities, without parental consent. These are all methods to reduce the population. Euthanasia, the right to die with dignity, is for the elderly. Then there are wars, illnesses, and viruses. It should be noted that these same environmentalists feel that the population of the world has to be reduced by at least 66% in order for the earth to be sustainable.

Source BBC, Citizen Review Online

Dividing the land
Gaza-West bank link proposed
5/7/05
Israeli and Palestinian officials have agreed on a land link from the Gaza strip to the West Bank. This idea of a "contiguous" Palestinian state, was first announced by Secretary Condoleezza Rice, and if implemented, will cut Israel in two.

Quote: "According to Israel radio, officials involved in co-ordinating the withdrawal have agreed in principle to the creation of a safe passage. Initially, Palestinians will be able to travel between the West Bank and Gaza if accompanied by Israeli security forces, it says. A longer term plan envisages either a rail link between Erez Crossing in northern Gaza and the Tarqumiya checkpoint near Hebron in the southern West Bank, or a road highway, according to the radio report.

The Bible speaks specifically about man's attempts to divide God's land, and that's what makes this news article all the more interesting. During the tribulation, the division of the land of Israel/Palestine will be one of the Antichrist's chief policies. But don't think he is doing it out of the kindness of his heart...

Daniel 11:39 
Thus shall he (Antichrist) do in the most strong holds with a strange god, whom he shall acknowledge [and] increase with glory: and he shall cause them to rule over many, and shall divide the land for gain. 

His plan will partly succeed. At the end of the great tribulation period, before the Lord returns, the world will demand Israel hand over East Jerusalem. The east of the city will briefly come under Gentile occupation once more...

Zechariah 14:2 
For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city.

But the when the Lord returns to set up His Kingdom, the Bible states that God will personally judge those nations who will try to divide his land.

Joel 3:2 
I will also gather all nations, and will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat, and will plead with them there for my people and [for] my heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations, and parted my land.

Source BBC

Earthquakes
Sumatra hit again
5/7/05
A magnitude 6 quake struck Sumatra this morning. There are no reports of casualties. The earthquake was reportedly from the same fault-line that caused the December 26th Tsunami. Sumatra and the surrounding area has been hit by earthquakes many times since that event.

Source BBC

Israel
Terrorists to get government role
4/7/05
Forget being drafted into the PA Police, President Abbas has asked Hamas - a Palestinian terror group that unleashes multiple rocket attacks on Israel daily, to join his government. The move deals another death-knell to the roadmap, which calls for Palestinian terror groups to be disarmed. Hamas has said they won't join any government until after the elections, and Islamic Jihad has stated that they won't join until Israeli "occupation" ends.

Quote: "Foreign Ministry spokesman Mark Regev said in response that the presence of Hamas in an Abbas-led government is unacceptable, and will not help the sides reach a peace deal. "Hamas is a murderous terrorist organization responsible for countless acts of senseless violence against innocent civilians," Regev told The Associated Press. "Hamas is no partner for us in any sort of political process. They are part of the problem, not part of the solution," he said. 

Source Haaretz

Volcanoes
Japanese sea turns red
3/7/05
Undersea volcanic activity has caused Japan to scramble helicopters to monitor the situation. A 3280 foot cloud of steam is billowing up into the sky, causing problems for nearby shipping lanes. The sea surrounding the area has been turned red by the underwater phenomena.

Quote: ""It's highly likely that it's caused by an eruption of an underwater volcano," coast guard spokesman Shigeyuki Sato said, adding it had happened before. Japanese troops stationed on the island of Iwo Jima first noticed the cloud of steam on Saturday. Television footage showed white smoke billowing into the sky from the brick-red water.

The book of Revelation specifically mentions water being turned a blood-like red colour during the tribulation period, causing mass extinction of sea life. I wonder if volcanic activity could fulfil these verses?

Revelation 16:3-4 
And the second angel poured out his vial upon the sea; and it became as the blood of a dead man: and every living soul died in the sea. And the third angel poured out his vial upon the rivers and fountains of waters; and they became blood.

Source BBC

Ethics
UK steps closer to Euthanasia
1/7/05
The British Medical Association stepped closer to the brink today, in dropping their opposition to Doctor-assisted suicide. If new legislation is approved in the Commons, it may be possible for a patient who is mentally depressed to commit suicide, if they are able to administer the lethal dose themselves. One wonders how many doctors will "give up hope" before the patients do, in the demand for beds.

As with the Terry Schiavo case in the US, it seems that a patient can no longer expect the right to life. New medical findings discovered that Terry Schiavo probably was aware that she was being starved to death. And recently in Britain, a man who is terminally ill has had to fight in the courts to guarantee his right to life should he ever become unable to communicate, because current British law allows the doctors final say over whether a patient lives or dies.

The Nazis were renowned for bringing in euthanasia through the back door. Firstly killing off terminally ill patients, then the elderly against their wishes, then children with birth defects, etc. One wonders what really has changed in 50 years? Perhaps more doctors should read their Hippocratic oath.

Quote: "The conference also heard from impassioned speakers on lowering the abortion limit. Opposing the motion, Wendy Savage, a doctor from North London and a women’s rights campaigner, said that 4D images of babies in the womb were emotive, but should not cloud the issue. She said: “There is no scientific evidence of a foetus developing more rapidly now than it has for a millennium or two. The focus I think has to be on the woman. Women do not take these decisions lightly.

Wow! In reality, the reason why the lawmakers decided not to lower the abortion time limit, is because they did not want to associate themselves with those who are "violently opposed to abortion", choosing rather to kill more unborn children than possibly being seen as pro-life. In regard to women not taking these decisions lightly, I guess that's why 95% of all abortions are carried out for socio-economic reasons. It's time we stop sacrificing our children to Molech.

Source Times Online, WorldNetDaily