By Ronald E. George Jr. at the Sand Fork Baptist Church
WASHINGTON - Concerned that the Year 2000 computer bug could disrupt military early-warning systems, the United States is reaching out to the world's nuclear powers in an unprecedented effort to avoid an accidental conflict.
Pentagon officials say they are confident that U.S. nuclear command and control systems will be ready for the so-called Y2K problem, but worry that foreign early warning systems could malfunction and falsely indicate an attack.
Governments and corporations here and abroad are allowing unprecedented access to computers as programmers look to fix the Year 2000 bug. That's raising concerns about potential security compromises, industrial espionage, even sabotage. And as in the days following Sputnik, analysts see a need for more domestic talent to keep U.S. technology on the cutting edge
JAKARTA, Indonesia - Mobs set buildings on fire, looted shops, and attacked police Saturday, while 20,000 protesters escalated their pro-democracy campaign in Indonesia's capital.
The upheaval continued despite the deaths of at least 14 people during the past two days, when the military opened fire on students who repeatedly tried to march to the Parliament.
WASHINGTON - The United States is sending another $45 million in equipment and services to Central American nations devastated by Hurricane Mitch, President Clinton said Saturday.
"A storm shows no respect for boundaries, and we should respond the same way," Clinton said in his weekly radio address. "The United States will spare no aid to the people of Central America - our fellow Americans."
Mitch left more than 10,000 people dead and hobbled the region's economy when it slammed into Central America last month, causing what American officials have called the worst natural disaster in the peninsula's history. The storm caused massive mudslides, destroyed homes and road systems and all but wiped out the banana crops that help drive the region's economy.
NAIROBI, Kenya - The U.S. Embassy has resumed limited consular services in the Kenyan capital more than three months after a powerful bomb ripped through the embassy and destroyed the consular section, a spokesman said Saturday.
BAGHDAD, Iraq - Iraq insisted Saturday that its proposal to let U.N. arms inspectors resume work was genuine and free of conditions, despite the offer's rejection by the United States.
Christians in Niger are under a death threat. Workers with SIL, a missions agency, are ministering to the Zarma people in the mostly Muslim nation. One couple in a remote area has seen many people become Christians through their efforts, a broadcast ministry to the region said. A local religious leader recently visited the couple and told them that if they did not leave by Nov. 15 all of the new believers would be stoned to death. "They are not sure whether this man is blowing smoke...[but] they are proceeding as though he is very serious," the ministry said. "They do not want to leave but they also do not want to put any of the new believers in danger." The broadcaster is asking Christians in the area to pray for the new believers.
Crucified Christians By Charles W. Colson
It was one of the most horrific instances of religious
persecution the modern world has ever seen. During a government
crackdown on Egypt's Coptic Christian community two weeks ago, a
thousand Christians were manacled to doors, then beaten and
tortured with electric shocks to their genitals. Teenage girls
were raped.
Even babies were not spared. Mothers were forced to lay their
infants on the floor and watch helplessly while police struck
them with sticks. And in a scene right out of ancient Rome,
Christian men were nailed to crosses.
It was a grisly example of a grave problem in the Middle East:
the persecution of Christians by Arab governments--including
governments like Egypt that America supports financially.
What happened in this case, according to the London Daily
Telegraph, is that the police in the city of Al-Kosheh instigated
a dragnet, detaining 1,200 Christians. They were rounded up after
the death of a Muslim who other Muslims believe had been murdered
by Christians, even though doctors had put his death down to
natural causes. And then the police tortured many of the
detainees." (c) 1998 Prison Fellowship Ministries
Could this be the end? Could the coming of the King of Kings be coming close?
Scripture Text: Luke 21:5-19
Luke 21:5 And as some spake of the temple, how it was adorned with goodly stones and gifts, he said, 6 As for these things which ye behold, the days will come, in the which there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down. 7 And they asked him, saying, Master, but when shall these things be? and what sign will there be when these things shall come to pass? 8 And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them. 9 But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end is not by and by. 10 Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: 11 And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven. 12 But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name's sake. 13 And it shall turn to you for a testimony. 14 Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer: 15 For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist. 16 And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death. 17 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake. 18 But there shall not an hair of your head perish. 19 In your patience possess ye your souls.
Have you seen the signs of the times? The time is drawing nearer and nearer.
The past, present, future tense of prophecy is seen in this passage spoken by the master of all prophecy. Jesus shows what will be the signs of the Second Coming and what should we do in light of that certain coming event.
Here are some of the signs:
What does the Lord tell us to do in view of his warnings of the coming of turbulent times in the world? And knowing that the Lord will come again when the time is right and all of the pieces of God’s Plan have fallen into place. The question is when?
Are you ready to drink the cup that the Lord drank? It is a cup of blessing and of sacrifice... The road to Glory is called Sacrifice in the name of the One who has already walked that road on our behalf. And now it is our turn to walk that road in behalf of others.
Will you drink his cup today? Will you follow the Lord? He never said it would be easy. But that he said it would be worth your time.