News and Prophecy—July 16, 2009

Poignant Words from the Pope.

Imbedded deep within the Pope’s most recent Encyclical, “Charity in Truth,” are powerful words with prophetic implications. Pope Benedict XVI called for a redefining of the UN and other world economic institutions, “…so that the concept of the family of nations can acquire real teeth… This seems necessary in order to arrive at a political, juridical and economic order which can increase and give direction to international cooperation for the development of all peoples in solidarity.”

In order to improve the world economy, better protect the environment, improve human migration issues, and to bring about disarmament of nations, the Pope declared, “there is urgent need of a true world political authority…” He also noted that “such an authority would need to be universally recognized and to be vested with the effective power to ensure security for all, regard for justice, and respect for rights. Obviously it would have to have the authority to ensure compliance with its decisions from all parties” (www.Vatican.va, June 29, 2009).

The Pope’s recent words, although they might make sense to many people given the present world condition, are sobering in light of end-time Bible prophecy. The Apostle John recorded that at the end of the age, men referred to as a “beast” and a false prophet would work together to establish a governmental power that will have global implications The prophet Daniel indicated that this end-time government will be linked to a revival of the Roman Empire (Revelation 13, 17-18).(Daniel 2:40-44; 7:7-27). The Scriptures also indicate that it will be influenced and backed by the power of Satan (2 Thessalonians 2:1-12; Revelation 13). The government led by the beast and false prophet is prophesied to be a powerful influence in the affairs of nations and bring prosperity to many for a short period before it comes apart (Revelation 17:1-4; 18:9-17).


Ethnic Unrest in China.

China is experiencing civil unrest with bloody clashes between the Han Chinese and the Muslim Uighurs. China’s security forces are involved and some Uighurs have died. In addition, China has drawn negative attention on the world stage. Turkey’s Prime Minister, in an apparent attempt to internationalize the crackdowns, has accused Beijing of “genocide” against the Muslim minority (Stratfor.com, July 10 and 11, 2009).

Jesus Christ warned that one sign of the end of the age would be “nation” rising against “nation” (Matthew 24:7). The Greek word for nation here is “ethnos,” from which we derive our English word “ethnic.” As we look around the world at the confrontations taking place, it is nearly always violence between ethnic groups within the boundaries of existing nations. Ethnic conflicts have always existed, but in the context of Christ’s warning, these ethnic conflicts will increase as the end of the age approaches. In fact, they are referred to as just “the beginning of sorrows” (verse 8). Although ethnic conflicts around the globe are discouraging and appear to be increasing to the point where they could be seen as normal, we must not grow weary or callous to hearing about them. True Christians will earnestly pray for those who are suffering (Matthew 6:10) and they will also be alert to the reality of the approaching end of the age.

And Knowledge Shall Increase.

“Imagine a carbon sheet that’s only one atom thick but is stronger than diamond and conducts electricity 100 times faster than the silicon in computer chips.” That imaginary compound is fast becoming a reality as recent research with “graphene” is exploding. Graphene has been dubbed the “new wonder material” and has potential applications that “include touch screens, solar cells, energy storage devices, cell phones and, eventually, high-speed computer chips” (McClatchy Newspapers, July 8, 2009).

Although God prophesied that “perilous times” would be a hallmark of the end of the age (2 Timothy 3:1), He also clearly noted that “many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase” (Daniel 12:4). As we look around the globe, viewing the rise in strange diseases, ethnic conflicts, and wars and rumors of wars, there is also an explosion of knowledge that is clearly visible. All of these signs combine to inform those with “eyes to see and ears to hear,” that the time of the end is truly approaching.—