---------------------------- PropheZine #56 Wednesday, May 1, 1998 Bob Lally Publisher Mimi Nila Senior Editor Kim Koster Asst. Editor Bob Lally.................A Brief Message Mimi Nila.................Welcome to PropheZine ARTICLES John L. Terry, III CEC..........Where Are We In Bible Prophesy? Berit Kjos.......................The Memory of the World Ron Wallace...................Restoration Of Israel's Dry Bones John L. Terry, III CEC ........Y2K Fact or Fiction (Part II) Chuck Missler.............Behold a Pale Horse (PART II) David Hocking..............Radical Islam Takes Center Stage PROPHEZINE NEWSBYTES World Net Daily.................Privacy Has Become An Anachronism ABC News Online............. Futuristic Medicine Now Heads Up for Transplants ITAA's Year 2000 Outlook ....... Koskinen Walks Wire at Industry Breakfast Joseph Farah,........Commentary :The Dumbing Down of Christianity Lee Underwood ..................F.Y.I. - Israel in the News Ken Onweller ............................Eight Signs Of The Messiah Wanda Pocklington...................SOMETHINGS TO THINK ABOUT ************************************* Greetings: This past month has been very exciting for PropheZine. We have refined the PropheZine News Bites and produce what I believe to be the finest collection of Bible Prophecy related news on the net. We currently have over 450 subscribers who receive the News Bites 3 times each week. You may subscribe from the home page (http://www.prophezine.com). We also hired 3 Assistant Editors to help Mimi with the PropheZine Newsletter. If you have articles or know of a good web site with articles please let Mimi know by contacting her at Mnila@ibm.net. We also brought on board a number of new Prayer Warriors. Maybe you would like to join the Prayer Warrior Team. If so, contact Greg Shambo at gshambo@solve.net. Lastly, we have over 70 audio messages on the web site by speakers such as Scott Pearson, Jack Van Impe, Sherlock Bally, J.R. Church, Avi Lipkin (Israeli Intelligence), Gary Kah, Dr. Tim Lahaye, Grant Jeffrey, Hal Lindsey, Perry Stone and many more. You can get to these messages from the home page. If you are interested in joining the PropheZine Team or feel led to help in some way please contact me at bobslally@prophezine.com. God Bless, Bob Lally Webmaster Senior Editor bobslally@prophezine.com ************************************** Hello Everyone, Welcome to PropheZine #56 I pray that this newsletter finds your family and friends who do not know Jesus Christ, closer to beginning a relationship with Him. Time is getting shorter for us to share His love with those we love, and for them to know eternal life in Jesus Christ. So much is changing in our world so rapidly. Our only hope is in Him and we are accountable to proclaim His kingdom to the lost. 1 Cor 10-15 10By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds. 11For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, 13his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work. 14If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. 15If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames.. I hope you will enjoy this issue of Prophezine. We at Prophezine are working very hard in trying to stay on top of the latest prophecy current events and present articles relating todays world with Bible Prophecy. In His Service, Mimi Nila Mnila@ibm.net *************************************************** Where Are We In Bible Prophesy? By: John L. Terry, III CEC Revelation 1:10-11: "On the Lord's day I was in the Spirit and I heard a loud voice behind me that sounded like a trumpet. The voice said: 'Write what you see in a book and send it to the seven churches..." Revelation 1:19: "So write the things you see, what is now and what will happen later..." Revelation 4:1 "After the vision of these things (the messages to the seven churches), I looked and before me was an open door in heaven. And the same voice that spoke to me before, that sounded like a trumpet, said: 'Come up here and I will show you what must happen after this..." John, a first century Christian, was given an extraordinary glimpse into the future. He was allowed to see the end of this age, and the beginning of the age to come, when Christ would once again dwell with man as in the Garden of Eden. His eyes viewed, and his mind sought to comprehend, the events that transpired before him. Imagine the wonderment, the curiosity, the puzzlement, and surprise at the things John viewed from his celestial vantagepoint. As he sat down to write down the things he had seen and heard, it must be remembered that John saw future events with a first-century knowledge of time, space, and technology. As we attempt to unravel the threads of his writings, we must consider how a first century writer would interpret in words the wonders that he must have seen and heard. How would he describe a telephone? an automobile? a television? An airplane? What imagery could John have used to describe the technologies and events as he presents these images to us in his Revelation? Could it be that he was viewing technologies of today that point to the rise of Antichrist and the end of this age? Let's look briefly at significant prophetic events as told by John and other prophets, as well as some technologies paving the way to a cashless society which point the way to the rise of Antichrist and the period of time we call The Great Tribulation... Ezekiel 38-39 Gog and Magog A recent symposium of America's top Pre-Tribulation Bible prophesy teachers was held in Dallas to discuss where the Church was in relation to Prophetic teachings. The consensus of the group was that the next significant event to transpire in Bible prophesy is that Israel will go to war with Russia and its Middle East allies. The British Telegraph, Israeli intelligence, and hints from our own military indicate this event may occur within the next 6-12 months. Reuters, The Middle East Digest, and Arutz News have all documented the massive build-up of arms in the Middle East by enemies of Israel. Many of these high-tech weapons have been provided by Russia. A recent announcement by our own military regarding the inoculation of our Armed Forces for Anthrax points to a heightened sense of conflict brewing in the Middle East. Iraq is known to possess biological weapons of mass destruction, including Anthrax and V-7 (one of the deadliest biological weapons ever created), and now has the warhead capabilities to strike long-range targets. Israel has promised to retaliate with overwhelming force if attacked (terminology frequently used to indicate a nuclear retaliatory strike). Terrorism is at an all time high, and the United States support of Israel makes us a prime target for attack. Consider the devastation that could be imposed on an unsuspecting public if chemical or biological agents were introduced into our water supplies or our mass transit systems (as occurred recently in the Far East).Russia cannot account for at least 10 Neutron bombs, suitcase-size nuclear weapons with enough explosive force to level a city. Wouldn't it be just like God to reveal Himself to the world, just before the rapture of the church. He hasn't made a significant revelation of Himself to the world since the birth of Christ. Wouldn't it be just like God to move sovereignly against Russia and the Middle Eastern Alliance, as prophesied in Ezekiel 39, wiping them out in such a miraculous way that all the world would have to say, "There is a God!" and then rapture His church away? Many of the scholars at this symposium believe that this is exactly what is going to happen. Revelation 13:1-18 The Beast & His Mark (vs. 16-18) "The second beast also forced all people, small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to have a mark on their right hand or on their forehead. No one could buy or sell without this mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of its name. This takes wisdom. Let the one who has understanding find the meaning of the number, which is the number of a person. Its number is six hundred sixty six." The "Mark of the Beast" has been debated and discussed over the years. It is a tattoo, a brand, a microchip implant...what is this "Mark" and what is the meaning of the number 666? Let's consider today's technology and how John would have tried to translate it into words the readers of his day could understand... Information Week Magazine (10/11/1993) tells us the fastest growing movement in the financial world is "smart cards". Smart cards resemble credit cards, but contain a tiny chip capable of storing data and interacting with various computerized financial and information systems. Already widely used in Europe and Japan, smart cards are rapidly becoming an accepted part of U.S. and global finance. PC Week Magazine (5/9/94) had an article entitled "Postal Service, IRS Developing National Identity Cards; Clinton May Give Okay." The goal of this project, endorsed by Bill Clinton, is to create an identification card for every American that will interact with any federal government. This same card could be connected with an individual's bank accounts and eliminate the need for carrying cash. Thus, a single card could handle a person's financial, healthcare, and identification affairs...with every transaction monitored and recorded by a central computer system or independent systems sharing data globally. The January, 1997 Inauguration of Bill Clinton was the stage for the implementation of the GSA (General Services Administration) Government Smart Card. This program is being expanded to include all agencies of the Federal Government, and plans are in the works to issue similar cards to all persons receiving government assistance (including Medicare and Social Security) in the near future. An entire website on the Internet, SmartGov, is dedicated to detailing the plans of the U.S. Government in expanding Smart Card technology in the public and private sector. The Federal Telecommunications System 2000 Act, signed quietly into law in 1991, requires all computer and phone lines to be connected via a high tech computer network by the Year 2000. According to a published report of FTS2000 by KC and Associates, "The system is quite real...there is no question that once it is in place, one will neither buy nor sell without being very much a part of the system." President Clinton, in his state of the Union address in January, 1994 said, "we must work with the private sector to connect every classroom, every clinic, every library, every hospital in America into a National Information Superhighway by the Year 2000." Beginning in 1974, the UPC symbol was introduced into America, and later adopted around the world. The UPC symbol is a series of bar codes which allow for computer identification of goods. Inventory, pricing, and tracking of goods by computer is now a reality. Eventually, no product produced in the world will be able to be bought or sold without this identifying mark. On January 1, 1993, a significant event occurred in Europe. The members of the European Community officially formed the United States of Europe. Reporters called this event, "a brand new roman empire reconstructed." The European Community has decided to merge its currencies into one standard currency beginning in 1999. A single currency for all of Europe...the Revised Roman Empire...will be introduced, and we move one step closer to a one world currency. David Banisar, a reporter for CAQ Magazine in his 1997 article "Big Brother Goes High Tech" reported that high speed networks with advanced intelligence that exist today can create instant comprehensive dossiers on ANY person with a single identification number (social security, drivers license, etc...) without the need for a centralized computer system. The Internet has made this possible. In this same article, Banisar reports the "next generation" of Smart Cardwill be even smarter. Not only will the card be able to interact with financial, healthcare, and information systems worldwide, it will be able to transmit its location. The FBI is producing micro-miniature electronics systems for surveillance systems, including a microphone on a chip. The problem with smart cards is that they can be lost or stolen. Plus, the computer system has no way of knowing if the person using the card is really the person to whom the card was issued. Thus, the potential for fraud and abuse still exist. In order for this system to be fully controllable, the computer must be able to identify that the user is who he says he is. Thus, there must be some means of "attaching" a smart card to a person permanently. Thus, enter the technology of Biometrics...the integrating of man and machine. We've been successfully using Biometrics since the 19th century, when fingerprinting became commonplace. Biometrics is the science of using man's unique physical characteristics as a means of identification, marking if you will. Science has experimented, and currently uses Hand Geometry, which measures the lengths and distances between fingers. The US, Netherlands, Canada, and Germany utilize a CDS system which allows travelers to present a card and place their hand on a scanner which verifies their identity and notifies numerous databases worldwide of the travelers activities. Plans are to soon require all international travelers to use the card and scanning system. Facial recognition and facial thermography are also being utilized. Facial recognition is based on measuring facial curves from several angles, digitizing the information, and doing a computer verification with existing images in a computer database or on a card. Facial thermography measures the unique characteristic heat patters emitted by 65,000 temperature points on the human face. The accuracy of these technologies surpasses traditional fingerprinting. The Government of Thailand uses a combination of government-issued ID with electronic fingerprint and facial imaging to track their entire population. The military/police Interior Ministry coordinates the program, allowing them unprecedented access and control of the activities of each individual in their country. Several other developing countries are considering this technology. Kiplinger Personal Finance (12/97) in an article entitled "A Handy Form of Identification" reported frequent travelers between the U.S. and Canada no longer need a passport, they simply have their hand scanned to verify their identification. Lotus Development Corp. in Cambridge, Mass uses hand scanners to allow parents to access their children's day care center. Hewlett Packard uses similar technology to allow employees access to a company health and fitness center. Industry analysts predict hand scanners and other biometric devices will replace soon all locks, even the locks on your car and home. Technology is being tested which will place a biometric scanner on a mouse, providing identification verification on the Internet. Voice & face recognition software are currently being implemented on many computer systems, and will be standard equipment in the next 5 years or less. Computerworld (2/3/97) reported ATM machines in Indiana will be installed with fingerprint readers as a security precaution. These readers will use digital technology to identify a customer before allowing access to his or her money. Once a fingerprint is in the bank's system, there is no longer any need for PIN numbers. Your fingerprint becomes a "one digit" PIN. Digital fingerprinting, as it is known, analyzes the key points of a person's unique fingerprints and assigns numerical values to them, thus marking them. This technology far surpasses other forms of biometric identification, allowing each person's own fingerprints and handprints to become an "identifying mark" which can be used for identification, and financial, and healthcare transactions worldwide. This is literally, a mark on the hand. Sensar, Inc., a New Jersey based company, is now offering eye-scanning to ATM manufacturers as an alternative to passwords and pin numbers for ATM machines. On December 3 in New Orleans, this technology was demonstrated at the Banking Administration Institute's Conference. No special lighting is needed, nor do sunglasses, contacts, or prescription glasses affect the camera. The human iris has 250 features, unique to each person (compared with 40 for fingerprints), and remain constant through a person's life (unlike a voice or a face). Fingerprint and hand patterns can be altered by surgery or because of an injury. Even identical twins do not have identical irises. The iris in each person remains the same from 18 months after birth until 5 minutes after you die, reports Rob Van Naarden, vice president of Sensar marketing and sales. The system works like this, when a person puts a bank card into the ATM, a camera locates the face, finds the eye, and takes a digital image of the iris at a distance of up to three feet. The computer code is then stored and checked when the client returns to use the machine again. This is a non-invasive procedure, and can be done without the client's knowledge. Forgery is eliminated, as the camera looks for blood flow and the pulsing of the eye as it scans. If the camera sees no pulsing or blood flow, the eye is either dead or a photograph, and access to the ATM is denied. Once several readings have been stored, the computer selects the best digital iris image and uses it for all future comparisons. The client no longer needs a bankcard to access the ATM. His eye becomes his "identifying mark" to provide him with access to his money. Now, consider this technology as it would have been seen by a first century writer named John. How else would John describe a hand scanner, a fingerprint scanner, an iris scanner, or other technology? Man was marked...by the very organs that God himself created...as part of the Antichrist system. In Mankind's attempt to become like God, man himself becomes a number, and as the cashless system of Antichrist takes shape, technology becomes a tool of control. Consider that a global financial network will eventually route all financial transactions worldwide through a computer system in Belgium known as "The Beast." Consider that the computer access code to this supercomputer is the same number that appears on all UPC codes, that is now appearing in the smart cards being issued today...it is the number 666. Lastly, consider a new technology being developed by British Telecom and the United States known as the Soul Catcher. This computer device, implanted behind the eye and attached directly to the nerve cells entering the brain, will record the events that we see, hear, taste, touch, and smell, and be able to record these images on computer. Consider the ultimate in virtual reality...a computer can record what you see, hear, say, and do...and whoever has access to these files has access to your life. If this technology is fully developed as its researchers predict, we will be able to not only download data from a person's mind to a disk, we will be able to upload that same information into the mind of another. Whoever controls this technology, controls you. The "elitist" never have to die. They are simply cloned and their life experience is uploaded into their fully developed clone...or simply the portions the controlling government wishes to have uploaded. Imagine if you will a world leader who is shot and killed. He is cloned and his life experience is uploaded...thus he is reborn. Could John have been describing this event when he spoke of the beast with the death wound on his head that was "healed?" Could Satan use man's technology to cheat death and give the illusion of a resurrection? The technology exists at this moment today to link the world as never before. The cashless society is being promoted to us on a daily basis. The push for a global system is accelerating, the economies of the world rest on a financial soap bubble on the verge of rupturing. When the bubble pops, a man will rise with a solution. He will take control of these technologies and use them to control the world, and the world will see him as a Savior. He will be called Antichrist. How close are we to the End of the World as we know it...closer than you may think! *************************************************** The Memory of the World by Berit Kjos "The course of history must not appear to our young people as a chronicle which strings events together indiscriminately, but, as in a play, only the important events, those which have a major impact on life, should be portrayed." 1 Nazism: A History in Documents and Eyewitness Accounts, 1983). In The Giver ­ a Newbery Award winning book by Lois Lowry book read in elementary schools from coast to coast ­ a wise old man has been the sole keeper of the historical record. When a boy is chosen to take his place, the old "Giver" must select the historical experiences important enough to be supernaturally communicated to the new Receiver of Memories. Frightening thought? Yet something similar is happening today. A colorful pamphlet I picked up at the UN Conference on Human Settlements (Habitat II) in Istanbul two years ago announced the launching of a new program by UNESCO ­ United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. Called the "Memory of the World", it- aims to safeguard endangered documentary heritage, make this heritage accessible to as many people as possible and increase awareness of its significance. Digitization techniques are seen as the key...2 Since education and research is fast shifting from text books to computer programs, it makes sense. History lessons must be digitized before they can be taught to students around the world. But whose history and which cultures will be given priority? Who will decide?" The UNESCO pamphlet tells us that its Memory of the World register will list documentary heritage of world significance in a similar way to UNESCO's World Heritage List of cultural and natural sites. In this way it is hoped to raise awareness of the world's collective memory and those particular parts which are at risk. This "collective memory" points back to the common elements in earth- centered cultures that preceded the spread of Christianity. Apparently, their idealized myths show people who supposedly lived in peace and unity through the guidance of nature spirits or a pantheistic force. Today, these earth-centered religions provide models for a new global spirituality that would unify people around the world. Following this pattern, New Zealand has already begun filming and digitizing Maori (indigenous people whose immigration preceded Europeans) culture as part of its historical archive of memories. Its emphasis on storytelling and visual images instead of facts and books follows the pattern of former historical revision projects. "There was a new emphasis on pre-history," 3 wrote the editors of "Nazism: A History in Documents and Eyewitness Accounts". Here in America, the University of Minnesota is digitizing a collection of African-American literature. But "not the entire Givens collection, "explained Carol Urness, acting head of Special Collections. "We will focus on the parts that are visually interesting and important, to create a unique package that will get more people interested in and excited about the collection." Funding from the Library of Congress/Ameritech Digital Library will pave the way for other projects such as "Early Maps of Russia" and "turn-of- the-century scenic backdrops from the Performing Arts archives used to promote stock scenery in Victorian, vaudeville and Masonic theaters." As in New Zealand, entertaining multicultural images are in, while positive historical facts about Christianity and Western culture are apparently being phased out. This program fits our education goals. "Nations that stick to stale old notions and ideologies will falter and fail," said President Bush when introducing the Republican version of the international education program.. "New schools for a new world.... Re-invent--literally start from scratch and reinvent the America school." 4 President Clinton has proved even more eager to "reinvent" our schools in preparation for the envisioned global unity. A master at spin control, he challenges us to see beyond his flowery promises to his plan for ultimate oneness. 5 "Every community has places of historic value that tell our stories as Americans," said Clinton in his 1998 State of the Union address. "We should protect them. I am proposing a public private partnership to advance our arts and humanities and to celebrate the millennium by saving America's treasures, great and small. While we honor the past, let us imagine the future." Whose past will Clinton honor? How will those images be used to imagine the "right" kind of future? Could his plan be linked to the UNESCO project? If that suggestion sounds too outlandish, know that Clinton led the 1989 Governor's Conference on Education which chose the same six education goals for our nation that UNESCO announced the following year for its worldwide program. President Clinton added two goals to the original six before he signed our massive education program called Goals 2000 into law in 1994. The two new goals called for parental participation and teacher certification ­ and both were included in UNESCO's 1973 plan for lifelong learning and global citizenship. This UNESCO blueprint, written 25 years ago, includes all the main points listed in Goals 2000. Few realize that our education system is simply the U.S. branch of UNESCO's worldwide system of Education for All. 6 The Giver helps children imagine a community where every human resource is managed, trained, assigned jobs, and monitored by leaders with absolute control. Only the retiring Giver know the facts ­ and these must be transmitted through sensory experiences, not books and libraries. Books are being phased out in England as well. Its National Monuments Record Centre is digitizing its collection of historic buildings and archeological sites. Referring to its educational programs, primary teacher Carol Rainbow told the BBC: Whereas before in a book there was page after page of text, and they had a problem accessing that information, now they can just look at a picture and see everything that that's happening in history without ever really having to read. 7 Visual and other sensory experiences based on mythical stories can create memories which surpass facts in their power to sway beliefs. "Given a few bogus details and a little prodding, about a quarter of adults can be convinced they remember childhood adventures that never happened,"8 explained a 1997 report by the Associated Press. It described a meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, where leading psychologists discussed experiments that "plant false memories in the brain." These "often become as real as genuine ones - indeed, perhaps even more so." Remember, "history lessons" that use mythical stories to manipulate the imagination, challenge old realities, plant new memories, and promote new beliefs have proven effective in totalitarian regimes. Today these tactics blend with sophisticated "information technology" that easily makes the fantasy seem more real and irresistible than true reality. Only minds grounded in truth and facts can withstand the seductions of the new sophisticated propaganda for a new global society. Clinton ended his 1998 State of the Union address to Congress with a vision that looks good on the surface: "We must learn together," he said. " Americans of all backgrounds can hammer out a --common identity. We are many. We must be one." UNESCO's chosen Memories of the World will surely speed us toward a "common identity" and oneness that rule out biblical truth and traditional values. Our nation seems ready to follow. A new generation of children are accepting a "collective memory" based on multicultural beliefs. Most young people have forgotten their roots. They never learned to sing God bless America. And with the passing of historical integrity, freedom itself will become history ­ and few will know what happened. What can we do? - Pray for your children, your family, your leaders, and your nation. This is spiritual war, and only God can slow the spread of evil and preserve freedom in this land. - Teach your children to love truth and know our history so that their understanding of God, people and the world will be based on the firm foundation of truth, facts, and logic not the shifting sands of myths, feelings, and imagination. - Remember that true peace and unity can only be found in Jesus Christ. Through the storms of life, He has promised to be our Shepherd, our King, our Strength, and our Shelter. In Him, we are free, no matter what happens in the world. For in John 8:31-32, He promised that "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." (John 8:31-32) *************** Read about The Giver at our website or in Brave New Schools (Harvest House Publishers) Available through Christian bookstores or call 800- 829-5646. ENDNOTES: 1. Nazism: A History in Documents and Eyewitness Accounts, 1919-1945, edited by J. Noakes and G. Pridham in cooperation with the Department of History and Archaeology at the University of Exeter (New York: Schocken Books, Inc., 1983), pp. 446. 2. UNESCO Newz, The Newsletter of the New Zealand National Commission for UNESCO, Issue 34, November 1996. 3. Nazism, 438. 4.Former President George Bush announcing America 2000, White House, April 18, 1991. America 2000: An Education Strategy (Washington: The U.S. Department of Education, 1991), 50, 51, 55. 5. See my recent article, "Clinton's War on Hate bans Christian Values." 6. If you find this hard to believe, visit our web site for documentation. 7. See BBC web site: http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/sci/tech/newsid_60000/60547.stm 8. "Researchers easily implant seeds of bogus memories,"The Arizona Republic, February 16, 1997. For more information about "lifelong" training in the new global values, read Brave New Schools (Harvest House Publishers) and A Twist of Faith (New Leaf Press - 800-643-9535) by Berit Kjos. Available through Christian bookstores, web site: http://www.beritkjos.com call 800-643- 9535. *************************************************** RESTORATION OF ISRAEL'S DRY BONES The Regathering of Israel from a Pre-wrath perspective By R. g. Wallace The original promises given to Abram and extended to Isaac, Jacob and then to the entire "physical" nation of Israel, that God brought into existence at The Exodus involve both a spiritual and a physical future for that nation. Neither the physical blessings nor the spiritual blessings have been completely fulfilled for the nation of Israel. In order for that to take place, Israel must once again reside in the land area that God promised to them through Abram. The statement at Joshua 21:43-45 does not refer to a "complete" fulfillment of the promises to Abraham but to a fulfillment of the promises made to the "fathers" at the time the nation was delivered from Egypt some 47 years earlier. Furthermore, the "promised blessings" are yet unfulfilled based on the information God gave to Moses concerning the future apostasy, discipline and final restoration of the nation of Israel. God prophesied that the nation would be removed from their land by divine discipline and be scattered throughout the world (Deut. 28:58-66; Lev. 26:27-39). This was fulfilled two times in the nation's history. The first time the national discipline was administered by the Chaldean Empire for a 70 year period from 605 to 536 BC. The second time was administered by Rome in 70 AD and remains in force to this very day. However, there are also promises of restoration from this time of discipline and captivity as recorded at Lev. 26:40-45. That was fulfilled the first time in 536 BC under the political administration of Cyrus of Persia. Isaiah, Jeremiah and Ezekiel record for us the promises of this restoration but in addition, use language of restoration which was not fulfilled in 536 BC. Indeed, they look to a distant future restoration from a "different" dispersion which carries with it the promise of NEVER, EVER being oppressed again. It is because of these promises that Israel must once again be restored "physically" to her land as deliverance from the Roman dispersion of 70 AD and to be "physically" secured in her land, never to be oppressed again. Furthermore, it is apparent that Israel needs to be in the land in order for THE COVENANT of peace of Daniel 9:27 to have any significance. It is also obvious by the nature of the covenant and the worship activity that is practiced, that Israel will be in a spiritual condition of unbelief. That is, occupied with the sacrificial system instead of embracing Jesus as the Messiah. Thus, there needs to be a regathering of the Jews from around the world into the land of Palestine where they can be the recipient of the "little help" that is offered them according to Dan. 11:34. Hindsight is always wonderful in these situations and I shall certainly take advantage of it to recognize in some Old Testament prophecies the regathering of Israel (in unbelief) for the purpose of a refining and purifying that will result in their conversion to the true Messiah, Jesus Christ. Ezek. 34:11-13a, "For thus says the Lord GOD, "Behold, I Myself will search for My sheep and seek them out. As a shepherd cares for his herd in the day when he is among his scattered sheep, so I will care for MY sheep and will deliver them from all the places to which they were scattered on a cloudy and gloomy day. And I will bring them out from the peoples and gather them from the countries and bring them to their own land;" This passage tells us of a regathering of Israel into their own land from a world-wide dispersion. Ezek. 34:13b-14, "and I will feed them on the mountains of Israel, by the streams, and in all the inhabited places of the land. I will feed them in a good pasture, and their grazing ground will be on the mountain heights of Israel. There they will lie down in good grazing ground, and they will feed in rich pasture on the mountains of Israel." This speaks of great material prosperity that will exist for the nation when they are regathered, although still in the condition of unbelief. The general mineral wealth that exists in Palestine is well known and certainly does not need to be documented here. In addition, Israel has worked wonders in bringing agricultural stability to a land once stripped bare and cursed by God. Ezek. 34:15-16, "I will feed My flock and I will lead them to rest, declares the Lord GOD. I will seek the lost, bring back the scattered, bind up the broken, and strengthen the sick; but the fat and the strong I will destroy. I will feed them with judgment." However, here we see that even after the regathering of Israel into a land that produces great material prosperity, there still exists the need to "purge" from among them the spiritual rebels. "To feed them with judgment," refers to the purging process that takes place both before and after the arrival of the Day of the LORD. Before the Day, both prior to and during the great tribulation, the purging process will prepare many to trust in the true Messiah after He comes on the scene at that time. And afterwards, that purging process will continue to evangelize the nation to prepare them to inherit the earthly kingdom over which Jesus will reign for 1000 years. Ezek. 34:17-24 describes the final stage of this "purging" with the end result that there is placed over the nation "one shepherd" in the person of "My servant David . . . to be prince among them." And then Ezek. 34:25-31 describes the conditions on the physical earth in a "covenant of peace" with Yahweh God in which "they will no longer be a prey to the nations" (v. 28) and "not again be victims of famine in the land." (v. 29). This purging process is mentioned at - Daniel 11:35 "And those who have insight (those who have trusted in Jesus as the Messiah) will fall (suffer persecution) in order to refine, purge and make them pure (evangelistic outreach to the Jews of the land), until the end time (The Day of the LORD)." God has been dealing with Israel and will continue to deal with Israel, not because of any merits within that nation, but because of God's character which is unchangeable. He has promised and will not break "the word of His mouth" nor retract the "chosen" status of Israel. But it will all be done for His own glory and not because Israel deserves or merits it. Ezek. 36:22-24, Therefore, say to the house of Israel, Thus says the Lord GOD, It is not for your sake, O house of Israel, that I am about to act, but for My holy name, which you have profaned among the nations where you went. And I will vindicate the holiness of My great name which has been profaned among the nations, which you have profaned in their midst. Then the nations will know that I am the LORD," declares the Lord GOD, when I prove Myself holy among you in their sight. For I will take you from the nations, gather you from all the lands, and bring you into your own land." It should be clear from this passage that at the time that God begins the regathering of Israel, the nation is still in unbelief. The nation is still in the condition of "profaning His name among the nations," which has occurred because of the continued national rejection of Jesus Christ as the Messiah. God will carry out this regathering process, not for the sake of the unbelieving, but for the sake of His holy name. THE VALLEY OF DRY BONES Ezek. 37:1-8 "The hand of Yahweh was upon me, and He brought me out by the Spirit of Yahweh and set me down in the middle of the valley; and it was full of bones. And He caused me to pass among them round about, and behold, {there were} very many on the surface of the valley; and behold, {they were} very dry. And He said to me, "Son of man, can these bones live?" And I answered, "O Lord Yahweh, You know." Again He said to me, "Prophesy over these bones, and say to them, O dry bones, hear the word of Yahweh. Thus says the Lord Yahweh to these bones, Behold, I will cause breath to enter you that you may come to life. and I will put sinews on you, make flesh grow back on you, cover you with skin, and put breath in you that you may come alive; and you will know that I am Yahweh." So I prophesied as I was commanded; and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and behold, a rattling; and the bones came together, bone to its bone. And I looked, and behold, sinews were on them, and flesh grew, and skin covered them; BUT THERE WAS NO BREATH IN THEM." The vision of dry bones describes a process of coming to life; a regathering into the land, but in unbelief, so that the nation is viewed as HAVING NO BREATH. This regathering will precede the institution of M.E.P.T.A. (The peace accord of Daniel 9:27), which begins the 70th week of Daniel, and will continue afterward, during the time of religious toleration and peace. The result will be, that at the time that the "affliction" (the tribulation) begins at the midpoint of the week, there will be a maximum number of Israelites in the land to be recipients of God's special evangelistic outreach to them, through not only the church (Mt.10:21-23; 24:9-14; Dan. 11:35), but the two witnesses in Jerusalem as well (Rev.11:1-13). It is at this time that they will seek the Lord in fulfillment of Hosea 5:15, "In their affliction they will earnestly seek me." But the process of coming to life will not be complete until the nation accepts Jesus as the true Messiah. This will occur after the Day of the LORD arrives and is seen at Ezek. 36:25-26, "And I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh." It is imperative that we understand the difference between the "gradual" return of Israel into the land of Palestine in unbelief and the end result of that gathering which will be the establishment of a believing remnant in the land after the Messiah accomplishes His victory at Armageddon. Amos 9:13-15 "Behold, days are coming," declares the LORD, When the plowman will overtake the reaper And the treader of grapes him who sows seed; When the mountains will drip sweet wine, And all the hills will be dissolved. "Also I will restore the captivity of My people Israel, And they will rebuild the ruined cities and live {in them} , They will also plant vineyards and drink their wine, And make gardens and eat their fruit. "I will also plant them on their land, And they will not again be rooted out from their land Which I have given them," Says the LORD your God. The establishment of that remnant is based on the "purification" process which begins through the evangelistic activities of the church prior to the Day of the LORD and is culminated when God personally divides between those of Israel who have trusted in Jesus as the Messiah and those who have not. Most of the "restoration" passages view the gradual gathering and the final establishment almost in one breath as it were. But through the study of contexts we can see that there is indeed a distinction which must be preserved. The present existence of Israel "living" within her own land clearly fulfills not only the "necessity" of her presence, but the prophecies of her regathering in unbelief. Indeed, this very presence of Israel in the land is absolutely necessary in order for the prophecies of the Day of the LORD to take place. Robert Van Kampen in his book "The Sign," summarizes this present regathering of Israel into her own land as follows: The great "Diaspora" from the Promised Land that began in 70 A.D. was the ultimate curse, scattering Israel to the ends of the earth. As a result, Jews had no homeland for nearly two thousand years. In 1897 a group of Jews met to discuss their common dream of a homeland - not a homeland just anywhere in the world, but back in the land God had promised to their forefather Abraham, where they had lived for many centuries in ancient times. The movement born from that gathering was called Zionism, after the name of the holy mountain on which the city of Jerusalem was built. Zionism has never gained wholehearted support from all Jews, and certainly not universal recognition, much less support from Gentiles. Nevertheless, the Zionist movement that began in the late nineteenth century gradually gained recognition from various world powers, especially Great Britain and the United States. After the First World War, the Balfour Declaration by Great Britain (1917) gave Jews land in Palestine to which they could emigrate and live under Britain's protection. It was not until the middle of the twentieth century, however, that the divinely prophesied and long-awaited reestablishment of the "nation" of Israel materialized, when in 1948 the United Nations officially recognized Israel as a sovereign state (p.167-168). Once we find Israel back in the land, in a place where she can actually benefit from "a little help," the stage is practically set for the seals to be opened and the plan of God to be carried out for the final 7 years and 75 days prior to Messiah's physical reign on the earth. It is also clear that while Israel exists in the land, there will come a time when Palestine is viewed as possessing some great natural resources which will be in great demand throughout the world. The only thing that remains is the formation of a political body from where can arise a political and military leader who can make a genuine offer of "a little help" to the nation of Israel and bring to an end the bitter religious and military conflicts that have been escalating ever since Israel has been back in her land. R.g.Wallace ronw@biblefragrances.com http://www.biblefragrances.com *************************************************** Y2K...Fact or Fiction (Part II) By: John L. Terry, III CEC As I investigate the phenomenon known as the "millenium bug", commonly known as Y2K and its possible effects on our global economy, I continue to uncover significant evidence that this is much more than just a minor "glitch" which can easily be corrected. As the clock ticks ever closer to the Year 2000, more and more time bombs are being discovered that, if uncorrected, could have devastating effects on our economy...and our very lives. Let's look at the nuclear power industry. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) reported in September 24, 1997 (http://nrc.gov/NRC/Y2K/S97213.html) that U.S. nuclear safety systems don't have a Y2K problem because they don't rely on date-driven databases to perform required functions. Thus, the NRC is reasonably confident nuclear reactors in the U.S. won't pose a serious safety risk. However, the NRC report does not address other systems which could force a reactor shut down for safety reasons. Many systems including security, radiation monitoring, communications, and inventory control use date-sensitive databases to perform required functions. These could pose a potentially significant risk for the nuclear industry. In testimony to Congress on May 20, 1997, Ann K. Coffou, a managing director of Giga Information Group (an IT advisory service) addressed several Y2K software challenges which face the nuclear power industry. Of the areas addressed, the major concern was the ALARA (As Low As Reasonably Achievable) program which monitors radiation exposure. Nuclear facility personnel wear dosimeter devices that measure the exposure of radiation employees receive while in the plant. These devices are analyzed on a regular basis and the data (exposure levels) is stored on a computer system which controls personnel access into the plant. The NRC and Institute of Nuclear Power Operations (INPO) regulations have established daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual exposure limits. The second major concern raised by Giga was the Training Tracking system which controls access and actual work assignments to insure Reactor Operators, Assistant Operators, Maintenance Techs, Radiation Protection Personnel, and Plant Managers have completed the required initial training and maintained scheduled requalification for their specific assignments. Some of the questions posed during this testimony included: (1) If the ALARA system is inoperative, will plant personnel risk overexposure to radiation? (2) If the Training Tracking system is inoperable, will unqualified personnel be given access to key operations areas and work assignments? (3) Is there sufficient time to obtain Top Secret clearance for computer professionals trained in Y2K compliance and still have time to fix the problems? (4) Will plant maintenance schedules be properly carried out if the computer-based records systems fail? Consider the problems for nuclear power plants in other countries where Y2K compliance is still in the "discussion" stages. The global impact of a possible large scale shut down of nuclear power is tremendous. According to the Dept. of Energy's Nuclear Power Generation and Fuel Cycle Report 1997 (http:www.eia.doe.gov/fuelnuclear.html), the world's 442 nuclear power provide a significant share of the world's electricity: In 1996, 17% of the world's total electricity production was nuclear generated. By country the totals are as follows: China 1.3% Netherlands 4.8% Mexico 5.1% Argentina 11.4% Russia 13.1% Canada 16.0% United States 19.4% United Kingdom 26.0% Taiwan 29.1% Germany 30.3% Spain 32.0% Japan 33.4% South Korea 35.8% Hungary 40.0% Slovak Republic 40.0% Ukraine 40.0% (Home of Chernobyl) Switzerland 44.5% Sweden 52.4% Belgium 57.2% France 77.4% Lithuania 83.4% The Wall Street Journal (7/5/96) reported on New York's efforts to bring its electric utility (Con Ed) to Y2K compliance. Con Ed identified 105 systems, running 8100 programs (including payroll, pension plans, and purchasing), which needed to be fixed. Even though Con Ed's spokesman commented that "pumping out megawatts is not date-dependent", lingering concerns remain. The WSJ posed these closing comments: "...And yet isn't everybody connected to somebody? Even if Con Ed becomes thoroughly date-compliant, what about their suppliers? What about the coal mines, oil dealers, and railroads of the world, and everyone on whom they, in turn, depend? What about all the date- dependent links, switches and satellites between them?" Should a major Y2K catastrophe beset the nuclear or the fossil fuel power industry, consider the implications for the world. A massive power blackout, affecting commerce and industry worldwide. On July 5, 1996, the President created the Commission on Critical Infrastructure Protection (PCCIP) by Executive Order 13010. It's purpose was to assure uninterrupted operation of the critical infrastructure of the United States. The PCCIP has focused on addressing the vulnerability of 8 critical infrastructures: (1) Telecommunications (2) Electric Power Systems (3) Water Supply Systems (4) Transportation (5) Banking and Finance (6) Gas-Oil Storage and Distribution (7) Emergency Services (8) Continuity of Government It is worth noting in the first report to the President (10/22/97) the Commission stated "solving the Y2K problem was not part of our mission". Why not? The Executive Order states that certain national infrastructures are so vital that their incapacity or destruction would have a debilitating effect on the defense and economic security of the United States. Given the potential crippling effect of Y2K on this nation's infrastructure, and the short time frame in which to identify and implement solutions, Y2K infrastructure compliance should be at the top of this Commission's list of "things to do." Consider the air traffic control system worldwide. A network of radar and satellite installations comprised of technology from literally hundreds, possibly thousands, of sources. Many of these systems speak different languages, and each system's configuration is unique. The interlinks that hold this system together worldwide represent a jigsaw puzzle of global proportion. Reuters reported (11/7/97) that the Dutch airline KLM may ground some of its aircraft on January 1, 2000. Their chief concern is the safety of their passengers over routes which may be unsafe due to "millenium bugs". According to a KLM spokesman, "If we have the feeling by the Year 2000 that we don't control the whole chain of transport...then we won't fly that route...Regarding safety, there's no risk we are taking. It could result in aircraft being grounded." KLM also said they were making good progress in their own Y2K compliance. However, due to the complex web of interlinking computer systems, KLM wants to be sure there are no weak links. KLM views itself as a leader in Y2K compliance and openly shares its expertise with competitors. "This is not an airline problem, or an industry problem." a spokesman added, "All of society could be affected." Sabre Group Holdings, a travel and transportation technology firm, announced it will spend $40 million more in 1998 than previously planned on one-time costs to bring its systems and those of its subscribers into compliance for Y2K. A major global problem is the lack of Y2K compliant computer programmers, especially in developing countries which can least afford to pay for Y2K compliance problems. James Cassell of the Gartner Group observed developed countries are luring away the software programmers from emerging countries with big pay deals: (1) COBOL programmers earn $12,000 a year in Mexico. In the United States, they can earn 400% more. (2) Canadian programmers, making $25,000, are being offered 100-200% raises to come to the United States and Great Britian. (3) Brazilian programmers, paid $20,000, are in great demand in Portugal. Richard Kearney, a principal of KPMG (one of the world's largest professional service firms) began to address Y2K issues in early 1996 from a global perspective. In Asia, clients were aware of the problem, but central banks, governments, and regulators were either not aware, or were uninformed as to the breadth and depth of the problem. The Bank of Japan denied KPMG's request to discuss their Y2K compliance several times. Mexico City, Buenos Aires, and San Paulo were without knowledge or concern. The major banks in these areas have barely begun to recognize, much less address the Y2K problem. Things in Europe aren't much better. The European Commission only began to discuss Y2K compliance in October of this year. To make matters worse, this body has only limited authority to effect any legislative or regulatory changes within its member states. Further, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) is "acting as if there is no issue at all." (http://www.house.gov/science/miller_11-4.htm). It is worth noting the OECD is comprised of 29 of the most economically developed, technologically advanced countries in the world. According to OECD officials, Y2K compliance is not even on their list of priorities and no member, including the U.S., is coming forward to lobby for its inclusion or consideration. The international banking community has made little progress as well. The Gartner Group reported in the New York Times (11/10/97) that at least 50% of the United State's largest banks are about halfway finished fixing Y2K problems. However, only 5% of the big overseas banks have reached the halfway mark. This same article reported that 38% of the 1100 computer industry executives worldwide said they "might" withdraw their personal assets from banks and investment companies just before 2000. (http://www.nytimes.com/library/cyber/week/111097year.html). The banking industry also fears that even if they complete their own Y2K compliance, the telecommunications industry plays a key role in their ability to function. If the phone systems crash, the banks and financial markets face disaster. The banking and financial markets are also very dependent on compliant products from hardware and software suppliers, which must also assure Y2K compliance. Now consider all of this from a prophetic viewpoint. For a new world order to be established, several things must happen including the willingness of sovereign nations like the United States to join a "global" community. While there is a growing globalism, there still remains a strong sense of patriotism in this country, as in other sovereign nations. One of the few things which could force a sovereign nation to surrender her sovereignty is a catastrophe of global proportion. Consider also that for this new world order to have dominant control over the world's populace, they must be able to control the key infrastructures of the world. Further, freedom liberties such as free speech, freedom of the press, and similar means of expressing individuality must be silenced so the propaganda of the world can go forth unchecked. A government that has full control over the infrastructure, the media, organized religion, and the financial markets is truly considered all- powerful. Indoctrination of the masses becomes an easy process. Survival dictates cooperation. The Antichrist of Revelation is depicted as rising from the sea. This is commonly thought by many prophetic teachers to represent people in chaos. Could the Antichrist rise to power through a precipitating event like the Y2K problem? Could Babylon the Harlot be representative of the Global Financial System, corrupted by lust and greed? Could the destruction of Babylon, as viewed by John, be the collapse of the world's financial markets? Does the Y2K "millenium bug" play a pivotal role in Bible prophesy? The Y2K phenomenon will be with us until the Year 2000, and perhaps beyond. What effects, if any, it will have on our lives will be played out before us in just a little more than 730 days. Should we be concerned? Perhaps. Should we panic? Only if your trust is in the things of the world. Jesus said that our Heavenly Father only gives good gifts to His children. Scripture also reminds us that the righteous have never been (nor will ever be) forsaken, nor will our seed beg for bread. God is a God of provision and will always provide for those who are truly following and serving Him. As the events of the world continue to point to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, we should see the Hand of God moving in it all, calling His people to repentance and prayer. Jesus himself said that God's house would be a House of Prayer. Paul tells us that WE are the temple (house) of the Holy Spirit. Should we not therefore be a people of prayer? It is only through prayer that we can truly become people of power, and impact this world for Christ. A Y2K DISASTER SCENARIO If we take a "worst case" view at Y2K and consider it from a prophetic standpoint as a pivotal point in the coming of the Antichrist and the end of the age, let's examine one possible outcome of a Y2K computer collapse. Our worst fears are realized. The computer system of the world collapse on January 1, 2000. Government steps in and establishes martial law to maintain peace and safety for the populace. Technology, now controlled by the government, comes up with a Y2k solution. The government now controls whom gets the solution, and who doesn't. The Internet, the last free speech media not controlled by the government, now is silent except for those permitted by the government to have access. Money is worthless. The banking system has been shut down, only to be replaced by a voucher system run by the government. In the name of global cooperation, the United States joins a global cooperative aimed at managing resources and providing a global solution for the Y2K problems around the world. A man rises from the midst of confusion and says, "I have the answer." To many, this man will be seen as a Messiah, a Savior. His message of peace and sharing will unite the people of the world as one. He will save the people of the world from starvation, sickness and death. He will become a hero to many. To others, he will become "God." As this World Leader guides the efforts of rebuilding the infrastructures of the world, he marvels the world with his wisdom and talents. He establishes a World Bank and a Global Currency; however, no money need be printed. You simply receive a biometric mark by having your hand or the iris of your eye scanned by a computer, or perhaps a microchip implanted under the skin which can be scanned (and also tracked by Global Positioning Satellites). The hand of government is everywhere. Even religion is not immune from the World system. The religions of the world are merged into one, allowing for freedom of expression and toleration of all. The world leader is seen as "God incarnate", sent from the Wise Ones to bring us to enlightenment and understanding...and to move us to the next level of existence, preparing us for nirvana. Those who oppose him are branded as rebels, extremists, and criminals. They will be persecuted, imprisoned, tortured, and executed. Those who oppose this World Leader oppose "God" and must be put to death. Government becomes all powerful. It becomes judge, jury, and executioner... This scenario is a bit extreme, but well within the realm of possibility. The impact of Y2K remains to be seen, and we will know more as we draw closer to this date. Should a worst-case event occur, we could see this scenario or something worse played out before our eyes. However, the Y2K "bug" could just as easily turn out to be just a common cold rather than a cancer. At this point in time, I believe it will be much more than just a cold; however, the jury is still out on whether or not the Y2K "bug" is terminal. We'll continue to monitor this phenomenon and report as the time draws near. (NOTE: Special thanks goes out to Rick Cogburn, Registered Principal with Rushmore Securities Corporation, for his input and insight into various Y2K issues as they relate to the financial markets. Rick recently joined our office and has considerable investment experience and a good understanding of the global financial markets. He works with individual investors, evaluating their investment portfolio's Y2K compliance and recommending Y2K investment opportunities.) ------------------------------------------------------------ John is the president of Terry and Associates, a financial management firm. He is a NASD registered representative with Rushmore Securities Corporation and an affiliate of Rushmore Investment Advisors, Inc. John is also a licensed insurance agent, and a RFLA Certified Estate Counselor. John is also the author of "Dollars and Sense: A Kingdom Approach to Managing Money" (now in its second printing) which is used as a text by the Christian Life School of Theology. An ordained minister, John teaches Biblical economics in churches across the United States. He is available for seminars, special events, or one-on-one consultation. For inquiries, scheduling, or to order a copy of "Dollars and Sense" you may contact John through the Internet. John's e-mail address is: jterry@cswnet.com To evaluate your investment portfolio's Y2K compliance, or to learn more about Y2K investing, contact Rick Cogburn at Rushmore Securities Corporation. Rick's e-mail address is: y2k@cswnet.com *************************************************** BEHOLD A PALE HORSE Part II By Chuck Missler www.khouse.org DELIBERATE DISEASES THE SITUATION Containment and control of diseases have proven increasingly difficult due to rapid and repeated commerce between countries and experimentation with genetic engineering. Previously conquered diseases are making comebacks (tuberculosis and malaria) and new ones are being unleashed on our "global village," such as AIDS and mutant strains of bacteria such as "flesh-eating" Streptococcus-A. PERSIAN GULF WAR SYNDROME For over five years, the government has tried to cover up any evidence that there might have been bio- chemical warfare in the Gulf or that we used such weapons. Now, classified documents are being leaked to press sources showing that the government all along knew what was happening but chose to ignore it. Furthermore, evidence is accumulating that military has been continuously involved in health hazards undisclosed to the public. On the other hand, there also has been a major review on Frontline, a broadcast by PBS which concluded that adequate evidence is lacking. Panels of scientists were asked to review everything known about any toxin vets might have been exposed to in the Gulf-from tropical infections to chemical weapons. In all, four blue-ribbon panels were set up including The Defense Science Board, The Institute of Medicine, and a special panel created by the president, the Presidential Advisory Committee (PAC), which for two years reviewed all the scientific reports and held hearings. These scientific panels determined that chemical weapons (along with biological weapons, pesticides, vaccines, depleted uranium and oil fires, PB, and infectious disease) are unlikely to be the cause of the veterans' symptoms. Stress was the only commonly cited risk factor noted by the scientists which was likely to have contributed to veterans' illnesses. The U.S. military prepared for the possibility that Iraq might use two BW agents-anthrax and botulinum toxin-against U.S. service members during the Gulf War. After the war, new data revealed Iraq had also weaponized aflatoxin. The Committee evaluated the potential health effects of these three BW agents on the long-term health of Gulf War veterans. The Committee found no scientific literature suggesting adverse long- term health effects from low-level exposure to botulinum toxin. In fact, botulinum toxin has conventional medical therapeutic uses. BotoxR is an FDA-approved, purified, type A botulinum toxin, and injecting it into the muscle of patients causes a localized, temporary denervation and muscle paralysis. Such an effect is therapeutically useful for treating a number of conditions, including blepharospasm (an involuntary recurrent spasm of both eyelids) and for use in certain types of eye surgery. Studies on thousands of adults treated with BotoxR have shown only mild side effects; e.g., a diffuse skin rash lasting several days- as a result of the localized muscle paralysis effects of the toxin. The only long-term effect reported is a slight reduction in the effectiveness of BotoxR due to a person's natural immune responses. Aflatoxin is a naturally occurring toxic metabolite from certain fungi that sometimes occur on grains, peanuts, and other foods stored under certain conditions. Aflatoxin ingestion can result in immediate, toxic effects in many different species, and death results from acute liver toxicity. Aflatoxicosis in humans has been reported following ingestion of aflatoxin-contaminated food, and symptoms include vomiting, abdominal pain, pulmonary edema, gastrointestinal hemorrhage, convulsions, coma, and death. Several epidemiological studies suggest aflatoxin causes liver cancer in humans. The only documented health effect that could be expected from low4evel exposure to aflatoxin would be an increased prevalence of liver cancer years to decades after exposure. What do we conclude about the risks of BW agents to Gulf War veterans? In cases where an individual survives exposure to anthrax or botulinum toxin, no known long-term health consequences exist. The Committee concluded it is unlikely the health effects reported today by Gulf War veterans are the result of exposures to EW agents. Aflatoxin, however, is a liver carcinogen, and increased rates of liver cancer could result decades following low-level exposure, although available evidence reviewed by the Committee did not indicate such exposures occurred during the Gulf War. However, to continue our review, we need to broaden our perspective. THE POPULATION CONTROL AGENDA2 Planned population control including genocide is a difficult concept for Americans to accept. Even though the U.S. government helps finance the Red Chinese program of forced abortion, sterilization and infanticide and helps finance the United Nations "family planning program," most people find it impossible to believe that such programs are really part of a larger plan to kill off large segments of the world's population. How can we possibly believe that? The answer is quite simple: read the writings of those who intend to depopulate large segments of the earth. They have written of the necessity of reducing-by force if necessary-the world's population. MARGARET SANGER AND PLANNED PARENTHOOD Our tax money finances Planned Parenthood, an organization founded by Margaret Sanger. In Planned Parenthood's 1985 Annual Report, its leaders proclaimed that they were, "Proud of our past, and planning for our future.'0 How could anyone claim to be proud of an organization when history records that its founder wrote of the necessity of "the extermination of 'human weeds'.. the 'cessation of charity'.. .the segregation of 'morons, misfits, and the maladjusted'and...the sterilization of 'genetically inferior races?"'4 During the 1930s Margaret Sanger published The Birth Control Review, in which she openly supported Nazi Germany's "infanticide program" in the 1930s, and publicly championed Adolf Hitler's goal of Aryan white supremacy. Prior to World War II she commissioned Nazi Ernst Rudin, director of the dreaded German medical experimentation programs, to serve as an advisor to her organization. In Killer Angel, George Grant chronicled the life and writings of Margaret Sanger, including her plans for genetically engineering the human race. Margaret Sanger's The Pivot of Civilization called for "the elimination of human weeds," and the "cessation of charity" because it prolonged the lives of the unfit. She called for the segregation of the unfit and prohibiting them to reproduce. In 1939, Margaret Sanger during the early 20th century. Bailey was a disciple of Madame Blavatsky and nominal leader of the Theosophical Society in the early 1900s. Because the name "Lucifer" had such a bad connotation, Bailey changed the name of her organization from the Lucifer Publishing Company to Lucis Trust. The nature and beliefs of this organization, however, have always remained the same. Lucis Trust is one of the major front groups through which Theosophy influences life in America. Publications from Lucis Trust regularly refer to "The Plan" for humanity that has been established by "The Hierarchy." Sanger's disciples are alive and functioning today, influencing national and international population control policy. David Graber, a research biologist with the National Park Service, was quoted in the Los Angeles Times Book Review Section, October 22, 1989, as saying, "Human happiness and certainly human fecundity are not as important as a wild and healthy planet. I know social scientists who remind me that people are part of nature, but it isn't true.. .We have become a plague upon ourselves and upon the Earth.. Until such time as Homo sapiens should decide to rejoin nature, some of us can only hope for the right virus to come along."9 In The First Global Revolution, published by the Council of the Club of Rome, an international elitist organization, the authors note that: "In searching for a new enemy to unite us, we came up with the idea that pollution, the threat of global warming, water shortages, famine, and the like would fit the hill. All these dangers are caused by human intervention... The real enemy, then, is humanity itself."10 On April 5, 1994 the Los Angeles Times quoted Cornell University Professor David Pimentel, speaking to the American Association for the Advancement of Science, saying that, "The total world population should be no more than 2 billion rather than the current 5.6 billion." In the UNESCO Courier of November 1991, JacquesCousteau wrote: "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."11 In The Impact of Science on Society, Bertrand Russell said: "At present the population of the world is increasing...War so far has had no great effect on this increase... I do not pretend that birth control is the only way in which population can be kept from increasing. There are others.. If a Black Death could be spread throughout the world once in every generation, survivors could procreate freely without making the world too full.. the state of affairs might be somewhat unpleasant, but what of it? Really high-minded people are indifferent to suffering, especially that of others. Negative Population Growth Inc. of Teaneck, New Jersey recently circulated a letter stating their long-range goal:"We believe that our goal for the United States should be no more than 150 million; our size in 1950. For the world, we believe our goal should be a population of not more than two billion, its size shortly after the turn of the century."'2 This amount is impossible to achieve by means of normal attrition and birth control and there is sufficient evidence to indicate other plans are afoot. MORE NEW AGE INFLUENCE Speaking at Gorbachev's State of the World Forum in San Francisco in 1996, New Age writer and philosopher Dr. Sam Keen stated that there was strong agreement that religious institutions have to take a primary responsibility for the population explosion. He went on to say: "We must speak far more clearly about sexuality, contraception, about abortion, about values that control the population, because the ecological crisis, in short, is the population crisis. Cut the population by 90% and there aren't enough people left to do a great deal of ecological damage." Dr. Keen's remarks were met with applause from the assembled audience of New Age adherents, Socialists, Internationalists and occultists. THE INFAMOUS TUSKEGEE STUDY The influence of population control advocates can be seen in the Tuskegee Study, a scientific research program in which 400 syphilis- infected black men were recruited by the U.S. Public Health Service in 1932. The participants were told that they would be treated for their infections but instead had all effective medicine withheld. The black men were actively prevented from obtaining treatment elsewhere as their bodies, and the bodies of their wives and children, were systematically ravaged by disease. The men who conceived this Nazi-style study justified their atrocity by saying that scientists needed to learn how untreated syphilis progressed in the human body. For forty years-from 1932 until 1972 the genocidal Tuskegee Study continued. It was not until 1972, after one newspaper finally broke the story, that the study was finally terminated. By that time, only 125 of the original 400 men survived. According to Margaret Sanger's sense of morality, experiments on "human weeds" were fully justified in the name of "science." To this day, 25 years after the end of that grotesque human experiment, none of the perpetrators of that atrocity has ever been accused or indicted of a crime. Do you honestly believe for one moment that such an experiment would have been tolerated here in America had the participants been white men?13 DDT SAVED LIVES Another more effective method of reducing world population was devised in the early 1960s by environmentalists and population-control adherents:blocking the use of DDT for mosquito and malaria control, which had been found to be extremely effective in saving human lives. In 1970 the National Academy of Sciences, in their book Life Sciences, stated that, "In little more than two decades DDT has prevented 500 million deaths due to malaria." To population control advocates, this preservation of human life was intolerable, so they set out to outlaw further use of the pesticide. Up until 1970 all reliable scientific data had consistently demonstrated that DDT was safe for both humans and animals. Indeed, DDT was the safest pesticide ever known to mankind. Furthermore, it was inexpensive and could be widely used in third-world countries to control the spread of insect-borne diseases. Accordingly, population control adherents set out to have DDT banned in the name of saving the environment. You probably remember the contrived stories declaring that DDT caused softening of eggshells, interfered with the balance of nature, and endangered humanity by entering the food chain. In truth, all of those stories were fabricated and part of a carefully coordinated program to block further use of the lifesaving pesticide. William Ruckelshaus was a longtime member of the Environmental Defense Fund and Director of the EPA. He outlawed further use of DDT in 1972 despite the recommendation of the EPA Chairman Investigating Committee, which had heard six months of testimony on use of the pesticide, and had determined that DDT was completely safe. When Ruckeishaus outlawed further use of DDT, he signed the death warrant for hundreds of millions of helpless human beings living in third-world countries. In Remembering Silent Spring and Its Consequences,14 Professor J. Gordon Edwards quoted from a speech by Victor Yanconne, founder of the Environmental Defense Fund. In that talk, Mr. Yanconne related a story told to him by a reporter who had asked Dr. Charles Wurster, one of the major opponents of DDT, whether a ban on DDT wouldn't actually result in far greater use of more toxic pesticides. Dr. Wurster is reported to have replied, "So what? People are the cause of all the problems. We have too many of them. We need to get rid of some of them and this is as good a way as any." When asked by the same reporter, "Doctor, how do you square the killing of people with the mere loss of some birds?" Dr. Wurster is reported to have replied, "It doesn't really make a lot of difference, because organophosphate acts locally and only kills farm workers and most of them are Mexicans and Negroes."'5 If the National Academy of Sciences was correct in its 1970 assessment, we have probably lost over 600 million human lives during the past twenty-five years since advocates of population control succeeded in outlawing DDT.'6 ABORTION, BREAST CANCER AND POPULATION CONTROL Many physicians are concerned about dramatic increases in breast carcinoma in women. Despite the fact that 18 scientific studies in domestic and foreign medical journals have demonstrated the direct relationship between first-trimester abortions and breast cancer, all efforts to disseminate that information here in the United States have been consistently blocked by those favoring abortion and population control. In the fall of 1996 a new scientific paper consisting of a meta-analysis of 23 scientific studies on the relationship between first trimester abortions and breast cancer was published in a British medical journal. It demonstrated a higher incidence of breast cancer in women who had first-trimester abortions. In response to that publication, the American Medical Association (AMA), the American Cancer Society (ACS), and pro- abortion/population control advocates joined together to attack the conclusions of the authors, and to block all efforts to disseminate that information to American physicians. The AMA, the ACS, and the pro-death lobby continue to insist that women must not be advised of the risk they incur when they destroy the life of their unborn child. Current abortion policies in America are absolutely necessary to reduce our population. That is why a minor child can be taken from school to an abortion clinic without parental notification. Yet that same child cannot be given an aspirin without parental consent. It all has to do with population control.17 THE MASSACRES IN AFRICA What really happened to Christians in Rwanda between April and July of 1994 is a shocking story. After the Christian Tutsis were disarmed by governmental decree in the early 1990s, Hutu-led military forces began to systematically massacre the defenseless Christians beginning in April 1994 and continuing until July 1994. Using machetes rather than bullets, the Hutu forces created a state of terror within the helpless Christian population as they systematically butchered thousands. The United Nations immediately convened hearings on Rwanda, but Madeline Albright, American Ambassador to the United Nations, argued strenuously that neighboring African nations should not be allowed to intervene until the "civil war had come to an end." In reality, there was no civil war, since those being slaughtered bad no weapons with which to defend themselves; it was simply a matter of mass murder. In addition to blocking intervention by neighboring nations, Madeline Albright also insisted that the word "genocide" not be used, and that United Nations forces stationed in Rwanda were not to be allowed to intervene. In the three months that followed, between one-half and three-quarters of a million Christians were systematically dismembered, hacked to death, and slaughtered in the bloody carnage that ensued. Tens of thousands of Christians were murdered in churches; tens of thousands more were murdered in hospitals and schools. On several occasions, United Nations soldiers stationed in Rwanda actually handed helpless Christians over to members of the Hutu militia. They then stood by as their screaming charges were unceremoniously hacked to pieces. At the end of the carnage in late July 1994, the American government rewarded the Hutu murderers with millions of dollars in foreign aid. The American press has been silent about the fact that almost all people slaughtered were Christians, and that it was our government's policy that was primarily responsible for blocking efforts by neighboring African countries to intervene.18 There are dozens of other examples of population control programs which have been implemented throughout our world by modern-day "Malthusians" in their effort to ensure that the world population is dramatically curtailed. To date it is estimated that far more than one billion human lives have been terminated as a result of the worldwide abortion programs financed by the United States. In addition, we are beginning to see the devastating effects of the AIDS epidemic as this plague begins to depopulate large areas of Asia and Africa. Rational efforts to address the HIV epidemic throughout the world continue to be blocked. Rather than utilizing proven public health methods, advocates of population control continue to promote both hedonistic sex education and condom distribution, which will only assure the disease will continue to spread. THE BIG ONE: HIV(AIDS) Over 30 new strains of HIV have recently been identified, many of them eluding current blood tests. Most recent findings admit that there is no cure or preventative vaccine in sight. Worldwide, AIDS cases rose 60% last year. In the last 18 months, 47% of the new cases were among homosexual men, 28% among IV drug users, and 9% among heterosexuals. The growth of AIDS in Africa and Asia is horrifying. In SE Asia the number of cases increased 800% in 1996 alone.19 In the U.S., AIDS is a politically protected disease with the media concealing the truth. In the U.S. it has been estimated that 1 in 40 men are carrying HIV; its gestation period is over 10 years; and this sin- specific disease will continue to emerge as a major medical, social, and economic problem in the next century. There appears to be increasing evidence that both the AIDS viruses and ebola may have emerged from deliberate government-sponsored experiments, and may even have had population control as a strategic objective. THE STRECKER MEMORANDUM Dr. Robert Strecker is a practicing internist and gastroenterologist with an additional doctorate in pharmacology. As a trained pathologist and insurance industry consultant, Dr. Strecker investigated the AIDS epidemic under contract, and after years of research, published the highly controversial videotape entitled "The Strecker Memorandum." He alleged that the AIDS virus was "requested," "created," and "deployed" and its effects were predicted long before the epidemic began.20 The promoted claim was that HIV came from African monkeys. One of the clues against this claim was the similarity between the HIV and the bovine lymphotrophic virus (BLV), which suggested that it was logically absurd to believe that HIV came from a monkey. The AIDS virus had no genetic markers typical of the primate, and cannot thrive in the monkey. Yet the majority continued to subscribe to the African green monkey theory. Strecker pointed out that AIDS was nonexistent in Africa prior to 1975. Even more telling, Strecker obtained documents through the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) that showed that the U.S. Dept. of Defense secured funding from Congress in 1969 to perform studies on immune- system-destroying agents for germ warfare.20 Soon thereafter, the World Health Organization (WHO), funded by the DOD, began experimenting with a lymphotrophic virus that was produced in cows; and also launched a major African campaign against smallpox in 1977, which involved the urban population, not the rural Pygmies. Had the "green monkey" been responsible for AIDS, Strecker maintained, the Pygmies of rural Africa would have had a higher incidence of AIDS than the country's urban populations. The opposite is true.22 Strecker also vigorously promoted his theory that AIDS virus was transmitted to the American homosexual community during the course of the experiment hepatitis B vaccination program sponsored by the USPHS between 1978 and 1979. THE CURRENT PERSPECTIVE For a current, complete and well-documented expose of subsequent background, see Leonard G. Horowitz, Emerging Viruses: AIDS and Ebola (Tetrahedron Inc., Rockport MA 1996). His thorough exploration of the murky background of the military/medical/industrial complex includes the strange relationships which emerged when the National Cancer Institute took over Fort Detrick in 1970 for the express purpose of developing defenses (?) against retrovirus attacks and immune deficiency epidemics. He tracks the apparent involvement's of Robert Gallo's laboratory at NCI;how the minorities (Africans and homosexuals) were targeted;23 the apparent genocidal motives, etc. He details the documented involvement of Bionetics Research Laboratories, a subsidiary of Litton Industries, Inc., 6th on the list of acknowledged biological weapons contractors.24 (Also, the Universities of Chicago, Texas, Virginia, California, Yale and New York.) In 1971, Merck's research agenda also completely overlapped Bionetics' work.25 This might explain the rapid spread of HIV following Merck vaccine trials, as well as simultaneous AIDS outbreaks in Central Africa and New York City. The labyrinth of development contracts, experiments on uninformed victims, and apparently related outbreaks are detailed in Horowitz's book. CUTTER INCIDENT In 1955, first lots of improperly inactivated Salk polio vaccine was processed by Cutter Laboratories in Berkeley, California. Live polio virus was being injected into children. The gratitude of the public turned to horror as the Cutter vaccine gave polio to almost 80 recipients; these children in turn went on to spread the disease to another 120 playmates and relatives; 3/4 of the victims were paralyzed and 11 died."26 Also, 5V40 (Simian virus 40) was allowed to contaminate American-made vaccines. Anyone--particularly those who received polio vaccines prior to 1964 is at risk of carrying 5V40 and spreading it to others at home or in the community. The virus is apparently circulating now throughout the human race and may give rise to more virulent viruses over time. The possibility of 5V40 genes being transmitted congenitally from human parents to offspring cannot be ruled out. Live polio vaccine: imported wild monkeys from Africa create short-term primary kidney cultures, add a human virus and administer the crude garnish derived from virally infected cells to virtually every child in the country. (Why withhold applying the many molecular biological techniques developed over the last 30 years to assess vaccine purity?) The deliberate development of unique cell-destroying viruses-"stealth viruses"--germs able to cause persistent infections because they were missing specific genes which, if expressed, would evoke effective antiviral immunity, are also detailed.27 INTENTIONAL AIDS TRANSMISSION THEORY Black Africans and American homosexuals appear to have been targeted for viral weapons experimentation by activists in America's military- medical-industrial complex and agents for the CIA. According to the Church commission hearings, Henry Kissinger, and by association Elmo Zumwalt or Melvin Laird, and Sidney Gottlieb ordered or administered the development and stockpiling of biological weapons, including immune- system~destroying viruses functionally indentical to HIV, and the deployment of systems necessary to administer these viruses to large populations. Frank Carlucci, Joseph Califano, and Alexander Haig may also have been involved. Also Robert Gallo of NCI; Roy Ash of Litton Industries; and others have been named. Merck, Sharp & Dohme, and its economic competitor the Institute Pasteur Production, appear to have been involved. Covert operations by the CIA, contaminated vaccines, and even industrial espionage better explains the rapid progress of the epidemic to African, European, South American and eastern nations, rather than needlesticks or homosexual practices. One also needs to understand the strategic importance of Central Africa--sp. Angola and Zaire, the only source of numerous critical strategic materials. ACCIDENTAL ALTERNATIVE THEORY It all could have occurred accidentally, using contaminated monkeys, etc. It would be more convincing if there was forthright disclosure rather than cover-ups. THE SORCERER'S APPRENTICE Most of you are aware of the rather dazzling orchestral piece LApprenti sorcier (The Sorcerer's Apprentice) written by Paul Dukas in 1897 (which was also featured in Walt Disney's move, Fantasia, originally released in 1940), based on Goethe's Zauherlerling ("Magic Student"). Just as the curious sorcerer's apprentice unleashed hidden forces and then was at a loss as how to curtail them, so too the deliberately bioengineered viruses continue to mutate and defy any measures to contain them. DISSATISFIED PARENTS TOGETHER (DPT) 1982: In the award-winning TV documentary "DPT: Vaccine Roulette," parents in Washington DC whose children had been injured by the DPT vaccine founded DPT and launched the now recognized vaccine safety movement in the U.S. In 1985, the book DPT A Shot in the Dark by Harris Coulter PhD and Barabara Loe Fisher (Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, NY) attracted media publicity and well publicized lawsuits and judgments. In 1986, Reagan signed the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act, intended to create a non-adversarial, no-fault alternative to lawsuits for victims, with centralized reporting, mandatory record keeping; etc. However, the Depts of Justice and Health and Human Services have systematically gutted the program. Today: No informed consent; violation of civil and human rights, the Nuremberg Code, and the Helsinki Declarations. It is also a violation of the tenets embodied in the scriptures of every major religion. If the State can tag, track down, and force American citizens against their will to risk injury and death by being injected with biologicals of unknown toxicity today, there is no limit on what freedoms the State can take away in the name of the greater good tomorrow. We are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth, and listen to the song of that siren till she transforms us into beasts. Is this the part of wise men, engaged in a great and arduous struggle for liberty? Are we disposed to be the number of those who, having eyes, see not, and having ears, hear not, the things which so nearly concern their temporal salvation? For my part, whatever anguish of spirit it may cost, I am willing to know the whole truth; to know the worst, and to provide for it. Patrick Henry28 Sources: (Urgent for you and your family!) Leonard Horowitz's book, Emerging Viruses: Aids & Ebola, Tetrahedron Publishing, Rockport MA, 1996. Alarming; thoroughly readable; well documented. Day, Lorraine, M.D.,AIDS: What the Government Isn't Telling You, Rockford Press, Palm Desert, CA 1991. Wilder-Smith, A.E., AIDS: Fact Without Fiction, TWRT Publishers, Costa Mesa, CA 1989. Monteith, Stanley, M.D., AIDS: The Unnecessary Epidemic, Covenant House Books, Sevierville, TN 1991. Internet Links: See for timely updates and links to other relevant sites, including audio briefings: The Missler Report -The origins of AIDS & Ebola viruses; The Missler Report-AIDS & Population Control - Dr. Stan Monteith Notes: 1. . 2. Based on articles by Dr. Stan Monteith, M.D. published in Personal UPDATE, September & October, 1997. His web site is . 8. Killer Angel, George Grant, Reformer Press, p.105, available from Radio Liberty, P.O. Box 18, Santa Cruz, CA, 95063. 4. Ibid, p.65. 5. Woman's Body, Woman's Right, Linda Gordon, Penguin Press, New York, p.832; see also Killer Angel, p.78. 6. Killer Angel, p.74: see also Woman's Body, Woman's Right, pp. 229- 884. 7. Woman's Body, Woman's Right, pp.229-334; see also Killer Angel, p.73. 8. Killer Angel, p.104. 9. Los Angeles Times, Book Review Section, October 22,1989, p.9. 10. The First Global Revolution: Club of Rome, Alexander King and Bertrand Schneider, Pantheon Books, New York, 1991, p.115. 11.The Population Controllers, New American Magazine, 6/27/94, p.7. 12. Material is available from Radio Liberty, P.O. Box 13, Santa Cruz, CA, 95063. 13. AIDS and the Doctors of Death, Aries Rising Press, Los Angeles,pp.168-170. 14. Remembering Silent Spring and Its Consequences, J. Gordon Edwards, a monograph, p.7, available from Radio Liberty or from Dr. Edwards at San Jose State University. 15. Reported by Chairman John Rarick: House Hearings on the Federal Pesticide Control Act of1971, pp.266-267, in Serial No 92-A, quoted in a treatise by Dr. J. Gordon Edwards. A taped interview with Dr. Edwards is available from Radio Liberty, as is his treatise: see also Environmental Overkill, Dixy Lee Ray, Regnery, p.77. 16. Environmental Overkill, op cited: pp.76-77 and 192, see also my 2- hour interview with Dr. Dixy Lee Ray: see also Dr. Edwards' treatise on DDT, available from Radio Liberty. 17. "Strong Abortion-Breast Cancer Link Revealed, Washington Times, October, 12, 1996, Al. 18. An audiotaped interview with Peter Hammond of Front Line Ministries is available from Radio Liberty: also see Holocaust in Rwanda, Peter Hammond, available from In Touch Mission Int'l (ITMI), P.O. Box 28240, Tempe AZ, 85285. 19. Excerpted from our BP, Strategic Trends: Update. 20. Robert Strecker, The Strecker Memorandum, The Strecker Group, 1501 Colorado Blvd., Los Angeles CA 90041, 1988. 21. Department of Defense Appropriations For 1970: Hearings Before a Subcommittee of the Committee on Appropriations House of Representatives, Ninety-first Congress, First Session, H.B. 15090, Part 5, Research, Development, Test and Evaluation, Dept. of the Army, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington D.C., 1969. 22. Collin J., "They deployed the AIDS virus," Townsend Letter for Doctors, April 1988 p.152 (q.v. Horowitz, n.3, p.503.) 23. Horowitz, p.55, 137. 24. Ibid., p.76. Documentation is included. 25. NIH contract 71-2059. Horowitz, p.421. 26. Horowitz, p.487. See also, J. R. Paul, History of Poliomyelitis, Yale University Press, New Haven CT 1971, pp.373-4. 27. Horowitz, p.495ff. 28. Ibid., p.502. Visit our Website at http://www.khouse.org Special Offer...From Kononia House FREE for one year! Personal UPDATE is read by over 200,000 Christians each month ... find out why! The Source for Christian Intelligence. Biblical Relevance of Current Events. Information derived from public and private sources. Provocative insights into the Bible. 32 pages of wide ranging topics - Prophecy, Scientific, Personal Stewardship, Textual Insights, God's Love. Take us up on this offer! This offer is limited to first-time subscribers in the U.S., Canada, Australia, and Western Europe. For outside areas, the cost is $40/year. You can call us at 1-800-KHOUSE-1, or write Koinonia House, P.O Box D, Coeur d'Alene,ID 83816 **************************************************************** THE BIBLE TEACHING MINISTRY OF DAVID HOCKING "But I will hope continually, and will praise You yet more and more. Psalm 71:14 RADICAL ISLAM TAKES CENTER STAGE Planners and leaders of the WORLD ISLAMIC CONFERENCE met on December 6 and 7 and finalized arrangements for the International Islamic Conference. The Associated Press reported that 28 heads of State, Prime Ministers, Kings, Crown Princes, and other non-Islamic representatives attended, and suggested that the fear of Iran's exportation of Islamic terror by her neighbors is lessening. Israel and the United States were not invited. Iran in speeches by it's new Prime Minister, Khatami, effused moderation. His boss Khameini attacked the U.S, and Israel and continues to do so in weekly sermons. The conference (see HFT January newsletter) attracted worldwide media attention. Resolutions were passed condemning any Islamic nation which forges military ties with Israel. Though not listed by name they were directed at Turkey which has two military agreements with Israel and at that moment was negotiating another. An AP article, by Anthony Shadid, not surprisingly, touted the great progress which Iran has made toward moderation, human rights, and women's rights, as distinguished from the situation under the Ayatollah Komeini following the 1979 revolution in Iran. It became very clear throughout that one of the principal purposes of the Conference was to put a new friendly face on Iran and to frustrate U.S. efforts to isolate her as a terror nation. Much of the world bought it. The mainstream press applauded and the Clinton Administration hailed it with reservations. Later Khatami explained that he meant cultural exchanges only - not government level contact. But historically, we need t6 be reminded that it was failure on the part of U.S. State Department and Administration which led to the abandonment of her friend and ally, the Shah, and the installation of Komeini. It began 20 years of growing worldwide terrorism against Israel and the West. It's also instructive that current State Department relations with Iran is following the course of its failure to fulfill mutual defense commitments made by the Eisenhower administration to Israel in 1956 which resulted in the 1967 six day war. More astute observers who understood the Islamic agenda in 1979 knew that the primary "crime" of the Shah - a practicing Muslim - was that he allowed western values and supplied a major portion of Israel's oil. Many believe rightly that the primary target of Khomeini's new/old brand of radical Islamic terrorism has been, is, and will continue to be Israel and the U.S. attacks against the U.S. Embassy, and the Marine barracks in Lebanon in 1983, and a 1996 attack against a U.S. military barracks in Saudi Arabia, planned and financed by Iran and carried out by Iran trained agents left no doubt concerning her attitudes toward the U.S.. From 1979 to the present, Iran has been the principle driver of Worldwide Islamic Terrorism and Narco-terrorism in the world, aided by Syria. It is important to remember that Iranians are not ethnic Arabs. They are Persians. Their language is not Arabic. The only things that bind them to the Arabs of the Middle East are Islam and oil. And since the revolution, they have been the prime model which others have sought to imitate, and which has been cloned in Sudan as a training and staging area for future regional conquest by Islam. It is also significant that Iran was Christian until the post-Mohammed 9th Century A.D. when it was infiltrated by Islamic Shiite evangelists. The West also continues to be a principal target of Islamic Terrorism. Historically, modern Islamic Terrorism began with the Moslem Brotherhood founded by Al Banna in Egypt in 1928. It's principal targets were Britain, France, and the United States and their interests in the region (i.e. oil and colonialism). Israel was not a state, but individual Jews (in what was erroneously called "Palestine") were targets of attack by Islamic militants. Yassir Arafat, who is now the Chairman of the Palestinian Authority and the chameleon-like darling of the UN, was a member of the Moslem Brotherhood in the 1970's and actively participated in the Khomeini Revolution. He continues to have close ties with Iran. Historically, early Islam was singularly militant, fundamentalist,extremist and terrorist. It is fair to say that Mohammed himself, whose multiple marriages included girls as young as nine, and who (the record shows) thought nothing of taking to himself the wives of other men against their will - was a terrorist. He expanded his religion through terrorism. In fact, Jihad, "war on behalf of God," was Islam's principle approach to conversion from its founding in 622 A.D. and was carried on by the sword. Jihad has been conceptually expanded to include anything that Moslems wish it to mean with respect to a specific situation or agenda. Israel is a target of Islamic Jihad (Terrorism). But there were periods when Islam operated on a principle of toleration and absorption of a vast diversity of cultural patterns and social practices. With the subjugation of highly civilized peoples, the Arabs freely melded diverse elements to form local cultures into their own institutions and laws. At the same time they impressed upon everything they acquired, the unmistakable stamp of Islam" (Nadia M. Yusse{ Women and Work in Developing Societies, U. Of California Monograph Series, Berkeley Institute of International Studies, 1974, p.75). When Islam gains ascendancy as in the Persian period, its militancy and stringency is implemented through the Sharia (Moslem Law) and other dogmas. In his introduction to Yossef Bodanski's monumental book on the threat of terrorism in the world, Target America (Bodanski, SPI Books, New York, 1993, Introduction, p.14), congressman Bill Mc Collum (then chairman of the Republican Task Force on Terrorism and Unconventional Warfare) puts it into perspective. He writes, "The World Trade Center bombing - February 28, 1993 - has brought into sharp and dramatic focus what a select group of experts have been warning for years, that the United States is a prime target for terrorism by militant Islamic fundameritalists." With the multiplicity of movements and organizational names, one might get the impression of disorganization about Islamic terrorists. Writes Bodanski, "This seeming chaotic diversity of causes and perpetrators, in fact, conceals a tightly bonded international terrorism system..." (Target America, Bodanski, p.15). To mention only a fraction of the organizations, they include Ramas, Islamic Jihad, the Hisbollah, and lately al-Gaman alIslamiya (Islamic Group) and Amal of Lebanon. But all have one thing in common, they spring from the same roots, are financed from the same sources, serviced by the same infrastructure and follow the instructions of Iran. The predominant sect in most of the Middle East Muslim countries is Suni. But of its 5 branches the Shia gave the world "redemptive suicide". It is based on the belief that Mohammed's son in law, Ah, was saved because, Hussein, (a close friend) sacrificed his life for "the cause," giving rise to the cult of martyrdom which now includes trained, sophisticated planners, explosive and munitions experts, and recruits, who until recently trained only in Iran at locations and institutions cited by Bodenski in his book. They then attack perceived enemies, committing suicide in the process. In Hamas such heros of the faith are promised a new home and lifetime income for their families. The perpetrator receives a special place in the Moslem version of Heaven where one of the rewards is to have a supply of 72 virgin women for perpetual sex, with the necessary libido to sustain it. "The message from Iran, no matter how bizarre it may sound the first, second, fourth, or thirty-ninth time, is (in my view) the most impressive political ideology with which we have been confronted in the twentieth century since the Bolshevist Revolution. It is a powerful message that will be with us for a very long time..." suggests Marvin Zonist, Director of the Middle East Institute, University of Chicago. For Bible students it is relevant to note that Rabbinic interpretations of Ezekiel 36-39 place all of the nations listed as part of a "northern confederacy" which comes against Israel, (i.e. Gog and Magog) around the Black and Caspian seas, and including the five central republics of the former USSR. Russia is included only as part of the designated "...and many people with you.." (Ezekiel 38:6). Obviously this confederacy is ISLAMIC, when viewed in the context of today's Middle East geography, and Russia's recent behavior is fully suspect. The Islamic Curtain now stretches from Mauritania to Pakistan. The Rabbis do not accept the derivation of the word "rosh" held by many evangelical futurists regarding end-time scenarios. It is fair to note that not all one billion Muslims in the world are radical, militant, fundamentalist, nor are all fundamentalists terrorists. Like all religions there are extremists. However it is compelling that Islam leads the world in religion-based killing. One need look no further than the Sudan, Somalia, Ethiopia, North Africa, Nigeria, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Algeria, and Libya to underscore this. And, Militant Islamic Fundamentalists growing exponentially around the world. SOME TENETS OF ISLAMIC FUNDAMENTALISM - Early Islam was entirely militant fundamentalist extremism. It is fair to say that Mohammed himself was a terrorist and expanded his religion through terrorism or Jihad. - The god of Islam - Allah - is not the God of the Bible. Allah was the moon God whom Mohammed chose from a pantheon of gods to use as a fundamental building stone of Islam. It is sad to hear Christian ministers who are not aware of this historical truth commend Moslems who "worship the same God we do in a different way." Allah was and is a pagan god (Isaiah 44:6-8). - Violence and terrorism against innocent civilians, women and children, is necessary and theologically correct to replace Arab secularist governments with theocratic Islamic ones. This is illustrated by the thousands of people murdered in Algeria. - It is all right to make commitments or agreements with the intention of breaking them, to gain an advantage over an enemy or the advance of Islam. - It is the duty of every Muslim to strive for a worldwide Islamic theocracy. Therefore, every true Muslim is urged to participate (A. Ibrahim, Columnist, New York Times) - Any territory ever occupied (no matter how briefly) remains permanently the domain of Islam (i.e. Turkey, Spain, parts of Europe, and of course Israel under the Hamas Charter, Article Eleven). - Every non-Moslem, regardless of their religion, is an INFIDEL. Therefore one must convert, be killed, or pay the "tribute" and live under the Islamic Dhimi (submission) laws in an Islamic controlled society with limited rights and restrictive laws. Islamic scholars of today have not repudiated this teaching. They continue to teach it in major centers of learning. It is itself a form of Jihad. - Muslims may co-exist with other religions in religiously plural societies such as France, England, the United States, or Russia (which has millions of Muslims), but it is their duty to work toward the goal of making Islam the dominant religion. They may tolerate other religions - BUT NOT AS EQUALS. - Christian evangelism is not to be permitted in any Muslim society. Saudi Arabia exemplifies this. Religious assembly other than Islam is not allowed. Furthermore it is "Judenrein"- no Jews are allowed to live there. It is also a slave importing nation. - Minou Reeves, in Female Warriors of Allah (Dutton, p.174) states, "The only answer lies in Islam. It is our divine gift to strike the evil at the root, and the root is America itself" (The Hisballah Manifesto). - Islam also teaches temporary marriage, polygamy, ritual female circumcision, punitive amputation, harems, male superiority and domination of females, and much more. "...our struggle against the Jews is extremely wide-ranging and grave, so much so that it will need all the loyal efforts we can wield to be followed by further steps and reinforced by successive battalions from the multifarious Arab and Islamic world, until the enemies are defeated and Allah's victory prevails..." (Hizballah Manifesto). "Israel will arise and remain erect until Islam eliminates it as it has eliminated its predecessors" (Preamble, Hisballah Manifesto). Many biblical scholars believe that Ezekiel 38:1- 23 describes how God deals with Islam's efforts at Israel's destruction. Visit our Web Site on the Internet at www.hopefortoday.org. New Bible study material on various biblical themes & theology. You may also listen to actual broadcasts, music, view Hope For Today's complete catalog information about the ministries of HOPE FOR TODAY. 1.800.75.BIBLE, P.O. Box 3927, Tustin, Ca. 92781. If you are interested, ask us for David's recent tape "The Coming Invasion of Israel" on Ezekiel 38:1-23 (PS2301). *************************************************** PROPHEZINE NEWSBYTES (c)1998, WorldNetDaily.com Privacy has become an anachronism. The privacy the founding fathers so cherished is now merely a footnote in history (that is, in those classes where pre-20th century history is even taught). Many are aware of the unbridled abuse of the alleged single-purpose Social Security number. We have legislators who have sworn a sacred oath to preserve and protect the Constitution against all enemies foreign and domestic, who have in fact become domestic enemies. The persistent push for a national identification card (complete with biometric elements) is barely a step away from subdermal biochip implants. In fact, the science exists now for little computer chips to be inserted under the skin which would contain more information about you than your mother knows: medical, financial, and legal data is a start. Food, fuel, and retail consumption is the next step. All the assaults on our privacy have a "reasonable" rationalization. Rumor control has for years suggested there was a massive system designed to intercept all your e-mail, fax traffic and more. In this case the rumors are correct. I have been warning anyone who would listen that the most significant dangers to the Republic we the people face, is not from annoying unconstitutional laws which distract us so routinely. The real threat to the republic has and will come from international treaties. You may have seen hints of this with NAFTA and GATT, but have a seat and pour yourself a strong libation. It is illegal for the United States to spy on its citizens ... kinda. The laws have been circumvented by a mutual pact among five nations. Under the terms of UKUSA agreement, Britain spies on Americans and America spies on British citizens, and then the two conspirators trade data. A classic technical finesse. It is legal, but the intent to evade the spirit is inescapable. This system is called ECHELON, and has been kicking around in some form longer than I have. The result of the UKUSA treaty signed by the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and New Zealand was and is to have a vast global intelligence monster which allegedly shares common goals. The system is so "efficient" that reportedly National Security Agency (NSA) folk from Fort Meade can work from Menwith Hill in England to intercept local communications without either nation having to burden themselves with the formality of seeking approval or disclosing the operation. This isn't black helicopter stuff guys. The London Telegraph reported in December of last year that the Civil liberties Committee of the European Parliament had officially confirmed the existence and purpose of ECHELON. "A global electronic spy network that can eavesdrop on every telephone, e-mail and telex communication around the world will be officially acknowledged for the first time in a European Commission report. ..." The report noted: "Within Europe all e-mail, telephone and fax communications are routinely intercepted by the United States National Security Agency, transferring all target information from the European mainland via the strategic hub of London, then by satellite to Fort Meade in Maryland via the crucial hub at Menwith Hill, in the North York moors in the UK. "The ECHELON system forms part of the UKUSA system but unlike many of the electronic spy systems developed during the Cold War, ECHELON is designed primarily for non-military targets: governments, organizations and businesses in virtually every country." Space precludes my going into greater detail, but you can probably find a lot more by checking the archive of the London Telegraph, or send me an e-mail inquiry, and I'll have the entire ECHELON report forwarded to you. An interesting sidebar appeared last month in the International Herald Tribune under the headline, "Big Corporate Brother: It Knows More About You Than You Think." The story details Acxiom Corp, which is a humongous information service hidden in the Ozark foothills. Twenty-four hours a day, Acxiom electronically gathers and sorts all kinds of data about 196 million Americans. Credit card transactions and magazine subscriptions, telephone numbers, real estate records, automotive data, hunting, business and fishing licenses, consumer surveys and demographic detail that would make a marketing department's research manager salivate. This relatively new (legal) enterprise is known as "data warehousing" or "data-mining", and it underscores the cruel reality that the fiction of personal privacy has become obsolete. Technology's ability to collect and analyze data has made privacy a quaint albeit interesting dinosaur. The Tribune reported that "Axciom can often determine whether an American owns a dog or cat, enjoys camping or gourmet cooking, reads the Bible or lots of other books. It can often pinpoint an American's occupation, car and favorite vacations. By analyzing the equivalent of billions of pages of data, it often projects for its customers who should be offered a credit card or who is likely to buy a computer." Long ago and far away, Adolf Hitler was talking to Hermann Rauschning and said, "The people about us are unaware of what is really happening to them: They gaze fascinated at one or two familiar superficialities, such as possession and income and rank and other outworn conceptions. As long as these are kept intact, they are quite satisfied. But in the meantime they have entered a new relation: a powerful social force has caught them up. They themselves are changed. What are ownership and income to that? Why need we trouble to socialize banks and factories? We socialize human beings." I see someone has made a TV movie of "Brave New World." Are we to view it as a work of fiction, or a Scribean foreshadowing of what looms in the very near future? Geoff Metcalf can be heard Monday-Friday on: KSFO, 560AM in Northern California. His web site and newsletter information is at: http://www.ksfo560.com/Personalities/GM.htm ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Futuristic Medicine Now Heads Up for Transplants (ABC News Online - April 28, 1998) 'There is a great deal of similarity between what we accomplished in the monkey and what we believe we can accomplish in the human being.' ' Dr. Robert White By John McKenzie ABCNEWS.com Transplanting organs from one body to another has become routine. The liver, the kidney, the heart. Multiple transplants are more daring, but they too are becoming more common. But what about getting it all? The complete package. Someone else's whole body'attached to your head. 'A total body transplant,' is how Dr. Robert White of Case Western Reserve University describes it. 'All of the organs, all of extremities and so forth, brought in the form of a transplant.' It sounds like science fiction, but it isn't. The idea is to take the functioning body of someone whose brain is dead and attach it to the head of someone whose body is dying, someone experiencing multiple organ failure. 'I'm talking about a procedure that could actually be done with appropriate practice and the safeguards,' says White, 'I don't want to say tomorrow, but certainly within the year.' Monkeys First In fact, doctors have already performed total body transplants on monkeys. A team of neurosurgeons at Case Western in Cleveland developed the elaborate procedure. First, they connected the arteries and veins in the neck. Then they attached metal clamps to the spinal column to hold the head in place. Tubes connected the trachea and esophagus. Then doctors sewed up the skin and muscles around the neck. Six hours after the operation, the monkeys awoke with totally different bodies. 'That brought a fair amount of excitement to us,' says White, in an assertion that seems wildly understated. 'They not only would follow us with their eyes around the laboratory, but they could hear, they could taste. They could feel about the face.' Not surprisingly, White as been criticized by some people as a modern-day Dr. Frankenstein. But he's an internationally renowned brain surgery pioneer who has more than 700 health care publications to his credit. None of his work, however, has been more controversial than his recently devised procedures for human body transplants. Spinal Cord Trouble Spot 'There are a great deal of similarities between what we accomplished in the monkey and what we believe we can accomplish in the human being,' says White, adding that 'we anticipate it would actually be easier. The structures in the human neck are simply larger, and we're more experienced in dealing with them.' While total body transplants show just how far surgeons have come in manipulating the body, they have yet to figure out how to reconnect the spinal cord. So for now, patients undergoing this operation would not be able to move their new bodies. But with spinal chord research developing so rapidly, many scientists expect that problem can be overcome. 'We're making substantial progress in the area of spinal cord regeneration,' notes White. 'When that problem is solved, then the patient who undergoes a total body transplant may very successfully maneuver and get out of bed, and function as a total individual.' That may mean that, for some people, a total body transplant might someday offer the best way to extend life. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ITAA's Year 2000 Outlook May 1, 1998 Volume 3, No. 17 Published by the Information Technology Association of America, Arlington, VA Koskinen Walks Wire at Industry Breakfast Speaking at an industry breakfast this week, the federal government's "Y2K Czar," John Koskinen, said the international dimensions of the Year 2000 could become a foreign policy issue for the United States. Koskinen said surveys indicate that 70 percent of countries have not done anything in response to the situation. Y2K-triggered outages, he suggested, could not only affect U.S. citizens, businesses and embassies abroad, it could also impact the political stability of nations. He said Secretary of State Madeleine Albright will shortly be issuing a cable designating U.S. ambassadors overseas as Y2K point persons in their respective countries. Koskinen offered his candid remarks in an address which stressed the need to "walk the high wire" on the issue, balancing between "energizing" the public and causing panic. The recently appointed Czar said he has met with 42 agency heads, CIOs or other executives in an "agency of the day" series of assessment meetings. Koskinen said the Presidential Council he heads, composed of 35 agency deputy secretaries and CIOs, has begun to subdivide into a series of smaller work groups, focused on issues like energy, telecom, workforce, and emergency preparedness. The goal, he indicated, is not to assume responsibility for corrections in these areas but provide leadership, focus, awareness, and problem solving. While lead agency responsibility in certain areas will be obvious, Koskinen said areas like energy and telecommunications are not as straightforward. The electric power grid in the U.S., for instance, is not a single entity but a series of interlocking grids with no one in charge, he said, adding that a "hodge podge" of federal agencies have jurisdiction for various facets of this infrastructure. Koskinen identified four phases the Y2K Council will move through: organizing the government's response, monitoring performance, contingency planning and crisis management. On the last point, he said the National Security Council has offered the Council the use of its communications network in the last months of 1999. His remarks spent significant time on the tenor of the current Y2K debate. Koskinen said the "background noise" surrounding the issue is becoming increasingly "apocalyptic," some of which, he said is hard to dismiss out of hand. Noting that worldwide disaster would result were all work on Y2K to stop immediately, Koskinen encouraged companies to advise the public on the status of their systems, to combat rumors of the week and to become inoculated against systems that will not work. Koskinen said he is pressing federal agencies, including the Antitrust Division of the Justice Department, to allow greater candor. He said the Council is trying to determine how the federal government might act as a buffer in the communication of Y2K status information. Such a move, he suggested, would facilitate collaboration and help bootstrap the Y2K conversion efforts of later starters. On the Y2K budget front, Koskinen said that because Y2K is the highest IT priority for federal agencies, they should take money away from other programs to pay for it. He admitted that with the Department of Defense, not having a Y2K "line item" may detract from the perceived importance of the program. He said the Office of Management and Budget (OBM) is considering creation of $25 million pool of funds to help smaller agencies lacking budget resources to reprogram funds. In terms of federal contracting and procurement reform, Koskinen said that agencies may not realize the high degree of flexibility they already have to award Y2K contracts. He said that the next Y2K Council meeting will take up the question of limiting regulatory changes which may take a toll on Y2K conversion efforts within the agencies. Senate Y2K Committee Announces Members The Senate Leadership announced the make up of the Senate Special Committee on Year 2000 Technology Problem this week. Sen. Bob Bennett (R-UT) will chair the committee. Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CN) is the ranking member. Also appointed are Sen. Jon Kyl (R-AZ), Sen. Susan Collins (R- ME), Sen. Patrick Moynihan (D-NY), Sen. Jeff Bingaman (D-NM), and Sen. Gordon Smith (R-OR). Ex Officio members are Sen. Ted Stevens (R-AK) and Sen. Robert Byrd (D-WV). The committee will provide "oversight and legislative recommendations to help the government and private sector react quicker and more effectively to the economic difficulties arising from the Year 2000 system failures," according to a statement issued by Bennett's office. Priority areas for the committee include: utilities, telecommunications, transportation, financial services, general government services, general business services and litigation. On a related note, Senator Bennett introduced S. 2000 this week, a bill to ensure that businesses, financial markets, and the federal government are taking adequate steps to resolve the year 2000 computer problems. The measure has been referred to Governmental Affairs Swiss See Down Hill Sledding A survey by the Institute of Information Systems of the University of Bern appears to find a few holes in the Swiss approach to the Year 2000 conversion. Based on work conducted in December 1997, the survey finds that only 25 percent of companies polled believe their Y2K efforts will be "high or very high." Although 25 percent have already experienced problems, more than 35 percent of firms plan to get started on their conversion work this year or later. When they do get going, companies may face an uphill road. Only about 20 percent of organizations have complete documentation on their applications. Perhaps taking a "less is more" approach to the situation, only half of those polled have established a Y2K project manager and 70 percent of this group have created the job on a part-time basis. More than 70 percent of firms have not called in external auditors, lawyers or insurance companies. Fifty percent of firms have failed to include internal auditors or to consider their facilities management or communications systems as part of the effort. Confidence, however, appears to be high. About 80 percent say they do not plan to prepare a contingency plan. Austrialian Bankers Pose Tax Break The Australian Bankers Association has proposed that Y2K repairs for business be made tax deductible. The Australian Taxation Office promises a white paper on the Y2K issue, and Tax Commissioner Michael Carmody says the government will weigh in on the tax incentive issue by June 30. OECD Offers Ministerial View The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), a major multinational organization, has recognized the Y2K problem as a concern for its members. According to a communique from the Ministerial meeting held this week: "As the year 2000 approaches, Ministers agreed on the importance of rapidly adapting computer systems in order to avoid the potential for significant disruption due to the so-called "millennium bug". They stated their intention to meet this challenge and recognised the need to exchange information among governments and to work with the private sector, as appropriate, to ensure that the problem is resolved in a timely and comprehensive manner. They also called on the OECD to promote global awareness of the Year 2000 problem and its potential economic impact, and to report to the Ottawa ministerial Conference on electronic commerce." Dr. Ed Offers Data Ed Yardeni has launched a free searchable database of Y2K disclosure statements. The statements come from annual and quarterly reports filed in 1998. The database is accessible at http://www.yardeni.com/cyber.html#Y1.19. Published by the Information Technology Association of America, Arlington, VA Bob Cohen, Editor bcohen@itaa.org Read in over 60 countries around the world ITAA's Year 2000 Outlook is sponsored in part by BDM International, Inc., CACI International Inc., DMR Consulting Group Inc., IBS Conversions, Inc., Softworks, Inc. and Y2Kplus, Inc. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ The Dumbing Down of Christianity By: Joseph Farah, Editor "Take heed to yourselves: If they brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him." -- Luke 17:3 (King James Version) The Rev. Billy Graham says he has forgiven President Clinton for any sexual transgressions he may have committed -- and even lying about them --"because I know the frailty of human nature, and especially a strong vigorous young man like he is. He has a tremendous personality that I think the ladies just go wild over him." What's wrong with this picture? First, let me say that I have the deepest respect and admiration for Dr. Graham. One of the great privileges in my life as a journalist was the honor of spending several hours talking with him privately poolside at a quiet Southern California hotel. It was a rare treat and an experience I will remember always. But I must take issue with Dr. Graham on this matter of forgiveness. While his remarks are certainly well intentioned, they distort the true nature and character of Christian forgiveness. Furthermore, I believe they are symptomatic of a widespread public misconception that it is somehow wrong to judge the character and misdeeds of our top elected officials and hold them accountable to the highest standards of ethical and moral responsibility. You see, it's just not Dr. Graham's place to forgive Bill Clinton's mistreatment of others. Not only does Dr. Graham excuse Bill Clinton from any personal responsibility for his actions and his urges, he contributes to a fundamentally immoral idea that the appropriate and Godly thing to do any time one is confronted by sin is to forgive it -- unconditionally and without being asked. One of the central tenets of orthodox, biblical Christianity -- the kind so effectively ministered by Dr. Graham throughout his lifetime -- is that forgiveness is contingent on the sinner repenting. Furthermore, forgiveness is an act to be offered only by God and the individual who has faced the transgression. If forgiveness is offered without repentance, what is the Point of rejecting sin? Modern-day Christianity has been marked by this brand of "cheap grace" lately, but it is distressing to see a noted Bible teacher like Dr. Graham falling into this popular unscriptural trend. I suspect his comments were off-the-cuff and not carefully considered, for Dr. Graham understands these principles as well as anyone on the planet today. It is not my business, or, with all due respect, Dr. Graham's, to forgive Bill Clinton for his sexual trespasses. It would be up to Hillary Clinton, Gennifer Flowers, Paula Jones, Monica Lewinsky and an untold list of other women he has violated to make any meaningful offer of forgiveness to the president. Besides, he hasn't even asked for it. He hasn't even admitted any wrongdoing, let alone repented of his sin and changed his behavior. You can only forgive someone who did you harm. Forgiving someone for hurting another is, frankly, insincere, phony and little more than an expression of New Age psychobabble. It may make you feel good to say you forgive someone for an offense against another, but it is simply not your business. In the court of forgiveness, we simply don't have jurisdiction to excuse bad behavior toward other people -- only bad behavior directed toward ourselves. Am I just being picky? No, this is a critically important distinction. Automatic forgiveness is a nonsensical and unbiblical doctrine. To subscribe to it is to render meaningless the whole notion of accountability -- the moral foundation of our civilization. It also demeans the role of Jesus Christ in the world. He was the embodiment of forgiveness, but Jesus demanded that sinners repent before they were cleansed of their sin. The fact that even Billy Graham could be momentarily confused about the necessity of confronting evil and wrong-doing head-on -- judging it and punishing it, rather than excusing it and rationalizing it --is symptomatic of our times. You see, we live in an age in which few are willing to recognize evil for what it is. I don't forgive Bill Clinton for his trespasses against women because it is not within my authority to offer such forgiveness. It is immaterial how healthy and vigorous he is or how strong his personality may be. And it doesn't matter how strong the temptations may have been. Each of us is called to be personally accountable for our behavior. We can't blame our sin on others. It's symptomatic of the state of moral confusion we live in today that even Billy Graham has been caught up in the religion of pop psychology rather than the faith the one true living God. ---------------------------------- Joseph Farah is editor of the Internet newspaper WorldNetDaily.com and executive director of the Western Journalism Center, an independent Group of investigative reporters. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ F.Y.I. - Israel in the News Week Ending: May 2, 1998/Iyar 6 5758 "Do not fear, for I am with you; I will bring your offspring from the east, and gather you from the west. I will say to the north, 'Give them up!' And to the south, 'Do not hold them back.' Bring My sons from afar, and My daughters from the ends of the earth," Isaiah 43.5-6 FIFTY YEARS OF STATEHOOD: Friday, the 5th of Iyar, marked the 50th anniversary of Israel's declaration of statehood. With prayers, music and fireworks, Israelis looked back on the last 50 years, and celebrated the beginning of the next half-century of the Jewish state. At official jubilee celebrations at Jerusalem's Givat Ram Stadium on Thursday, key events and issues in Israeli life were remembered in drama and song, including the Holocaust, immigration, wars and loss of life, reunification of Jerusalem, and search for peace with neighboring Arab states. On May 14, 1948 (5 Iyar 5708), the eyes of the world fell on a narrow piece of land bordering the eastern Mediterranean Sea, as a 3,500-year- old nation was reborn in unprecedented, dramatic -- many would say, miraculous -- fashion. Even as David Ben-Gurion declared the establishment of the State of Israel, the armies of five Arab states attacked the Jewish nation, threatening to strangle the new-born state at birth. Israel not only survived that potential disaster, but has thrived through the 50 years since, enduring one of the bloodiest terror campaigns in history and numerous threats to its existence. Defying predictions, it has prospered through it all. In Israel's case, each passing year has demonstrated G-d's hand on His ancient people, and His faithfulness to the promises in His word. It is, indeed, "a time to rejoice". (ICEJ) REMEMBERING THOSE WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES: A siren sounded for two minutes Wednesday morning as Israel remembered its over 20,000 who have been killed since 1947. This was followed by ceremonies at military cemeteries throughout the country. A state memorial ceremony took place on Mount Herzl. Remembrance Day ceremonies took place in Hebron and Kiryat Arba the previous evening. In the middle of the ceremony in Hebron, Arabs attacked an Israeli army officer. He was hit in the face with a rock. The Israel Defense Force (IDF) spokesman announced that 18,748 IDF soldiers had fallen in Israel's battles since November 29th, 1947, the War of Independence. (Kol Yisrael/MED, IDF Spokesman) MEANWHILE, THE BATTLE RAGES: The Israeli Government is protesting recent inflammatory statements from senior members of Fatah. Fatah is the largest faction in the PLO, led personally by Yasser Arafat. Under the terms of the Oslo Accords, the Palestinian Authority (PA) is obligated to refrain from incitement against Israel and to take measures to prevent others from engaging in it. Despite this, senior officials of Fatah have made the following statements in the past month: "Oh dear ones on the occupied lands, relatives and friends throughout Palestine and the diaspora ... Intensify the revolution and the blessed intifada ... We must burn the ground under the feet of the invaders." -- excerpts from a message by PA [a.k.a. PLO] Chairman Yasser Arafat marking the 10th anniversary of the slaying of PLO leader Abu Jihad, who was in charge of terrorist operations against Israel. The text was published in the official PA newspaper Al-Hayat Al-Jadeeda. "The Fatah movement has forged an alliance with death for the sake of the homeland." -- Abbas Zaki, member of the Fatah Central Committee and the Palestinian Legislative Council, during a speech he delivered in Arafat's name at a memorial ceremony for Abu Jihad held in Gaza (Al- Hayat Al-Jadeeda, April 19, 1998) "We are ready for a military confrontation ... The bullets of the Black Panthers will strike at Netanyahu's soldiers." -- from a statement issued by Yasser Arafat's Fatah faction of the PLO in Jenin announcing the re-establishment of the Black Panther military units (Al-Hayat Al-Jadeeda, March 26, 1998). (GPO) ISRAEL GROWS YOUNGER: The Central Bureau of Statistics reports that the number of households in Israel rose by 37% during the decade spanning 1986-1996. The number of Jewish households grew by 33% to 1.346 million, while the number of Arab and other households rose by 67% to reach 202,000. The average number of children in a Jewish home is 2.22, and in Arab and other homes - 3.08. The total population stands at 5,940,000, a growth of more than five million since the inception of the State in 1948. The population increased by 2.4% over the past year, compared with 8% a year during Israel's first decade, and compared with 1% in North American countries. 35% of Israel's population are children under 18, compared with 19-25% in other industrialized countries. (Arutz Sheva) DEMONSTRATIONS AT HAR HOMA: About 11,000 people chose to spend Independence Day in a political demonstration at the site of the Har Homa housing project in southeast Jerusalem. Of them, about 10,000 came to urge the government to move ahead with the development and 1,000 others, organized by the Peace Now movement, called on the government to abandon the project. On the pro-Har Homa side a mix of haredi (orthodox) and Zionist tunes could be heard as families grilled meat near vendors who peddled hot corn, ice-cream, candy and soda. There were traffic headaches, with cars parked every which way, and roads that were clogged shut; slogans were chanted, banners held, car stickers sold and speeches. A quarter of a mile away, Peace Now supporters hoisted a large white balloon in the shape of a dove while calling for a halt to the construction. Despite the completion of preparatory work months ago, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu has delayed the next step of asking private contractors for bids, apparently in response to pressure from the United States. Minister of Education Rabbi Yitzhak Levy said Friday that Netanyahu promised representatives of the National Religious Party that construction at Har Homa would begin soon after Independence Day. But Levy said that the prime minister did not give any dates. (Ha'aretz, Jerusalem Post) HAMAS MEETS WITH IRANIAN LEADERS: Iran's top leaders met Saturday with the head of the Palestinian militant group Hamas and pledged support for their struggle, Tehran Radio reported. Supreme spiritual leader Ali Khamenei and President Mohammad Khatami held separate talks with Sheik Ahmed Yassin -- the founding leader of Hamas. "The Islamic Republic of Iran and the Iranian people will continue to support Palestinians despite the pressures and conspiracies by the Zionists and their supporters," Tehran Radio quoted Khamenei as saying. Iran will continue its struggle against "the occupying Zionist regime," Khamenei said. Yassin is due to leave for Syria on Sunday and then travel to Pakistan and Malaysia. He has already visited Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Qatar. Meanwhile, US Vice President Al Gore met Saturday for one hour with Arafat in PA-controlled Ram'Allah. He met Friday morning with PM Netanyahu for several hours and discussed issues including the negotiations with the PA, Iran's nuclear capabilities, and an Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon. After his talk with Gore, Arafat said he appreciates the efforts of the American administration and presidency to put the peace process back on course. (AP, Arutz Sheva) ON THE NORTHERN FRONT: On Saturday, a Hizb'Allah terrorist was killed in a raid on IDF and South Lebanese Army (SLA) positions in the Security Zone in south Lebanon. Five SLA soldiers were wounded late Wednesday in a Hizb'Allah terrorist attack near the village of Tair Harfa in the western sector of in the Security Zone. IDF troops operating in the eastern sector of the Security Zone in southern Lebanon on Wednesday encountered a band of terrorists and opened fire. A preliminary investigation of the incident reveals that several of the terrorists were wounded. In another incident Hizb'Allah and Amal terrorists directed dozens of mortar bombs towards IDF and SLA troops along the entire Security Zone. The bombs were fired from within the villages of Zabkin, Ya'atar, Majdel Zun and Yakait el-Jazer. The firing from within villages is a direct violation of the Grapes of Wrath Understandings. In self-defense, and hence within the framework of the Understandings, IDF and SLA troops returned fire. On Monday an IDF officer and four IDF soldiers were wounded by the detonation of an explosive device, while operating in the western sector of the Security Zone. It has now been released for publication that a force of Egoz-unit IDF soldiers killed two Hizb'Allah terrorists in southern Lebanon on Sunday. In a related story, Lebanon has announced that there is no connection between an Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon and a similar retreat from the Golan Heights. Despite this, Lebanon still feels bound by Syria's warning not to make progress towards an agreement with Israel independently of Syria. (Reuters/Lebanon Newswire, AFP, IDF Spokesman, Arutz Sheva) Us congressmen demand terrorists prosecuted: Sixty-two US Congressman have signed a letter to US Attorney-General Janet Reno demanding that the Department of Justice prosecute Palestinian Arab terrorists who have murdered US citizens. "The DOJ should pursue these killers of American citizens abroad with the same vigor it has pursued the murderers of Americans killed in terrorist attacks here in the US ... Many of the suspects in these murders are believed to be living freely and openly in Palestinian-controlled territory ... It is our view that the DOJ must investigate, indict, and prosecute these individuals without further delay," the letter stated. In other action, the US House of Representatives adopted a resolution commemorating Israel's 50th anniversary. The unanimous measure commends the "people of Israel for their remarkable achievements," and "reaffirms the bonds of friendship and cooperation which have existed between the United States and Israel for the past half-century." (Arutz Sheva) NETANYAHU TO LONDON ON MONDAY: PM Netanyahu arrives in London Monday for meetings with US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright. Arafat is also scheduled to meet with Albright in London. Netanyahu believes the talks can succeed in revitalizing the peace process if both sides are willing to compromise. Albright, however, is pessimistic about reopening negotiations after hearing reports from Vice President Gore and American mediators who have met with Middle East leaders. She described the peace process as "going around in circles." Netanyahu said he expects the Clinton administration to adhere to the letter written in January 1997 by then-Secretary of State Warren Christopher, which said only Israel will designate the scope of the redeployments during the Interim Agreement. "If the United States insists on a withdrawal from 13% of Judea and Samaria, there will not be an agreement," Netanyahu said Tuesday night. He said that he will not give in to American dictates. Netanyahu warned Arafat on Sunday against a unilateral declaration of a Palestinian state. He said that Israel cannot permit another Iraq or Iran across the border; if the PA declares a state, Israel would have to take action to protect itself. (Jerusalem Post, AP, Kol Yisrael/MED, Israel Line, Arutz Sheva) VIRTUAL TERROR COMES OF AGE: Was that crash of the Hong Kong stock market last fall perhaps some plot of a mad terror group? According to experts in terrorism and information warfare specialists, we are on the verge, if not already in the midst, of the "cyber-terrorism" age. Add to this the threat of unaccounted-for nuclear bombs -- some that can fit into a suitcase -- and biological weapons, and you've got "super- terrorism." "This is a new form of warfare. It isn't conventional, and we have to think about the unthinkable," says terrorism expert Prof. Yonah Alexander, author of numerous books on terrorism. Technology has created an interconnected world. But the benefits of this contain a great flaw, with each connection creating new exposures and risks, making us more vulnerable. Today's terror groups, including Hizb'Allah and Hamas, use the Internet for propaganda and psychological warfare purposes. But, says Alexander, the Internet is also being used by terror groups to recruit members and transfer orders. Terrorists can and do use the Internet to put out disinformation, search for targets, steal information and work to alter opinions through chat groups. (Jerusalem Post) YESHA BOYCOTT BACKFIRES: The left-wing organizations that launched the campaign to boycott Jewish products manufactured in Judea and Samaria [see F.Y.I.-05-25-98/29 Nisan 5758-ed] are in the midst of deciding whether to continue their campaign. Arutz Sheva has learned that a survey commissioned by the groups showed that the call to boycott the products apparently led to increased sales instead. Another poll commissioned by the groups showed that anti-religious activity on the part of the left-wing parties causes a decrease of support for them even among non-religious voters. (Arutz Sheva) SHOVAL APPOINTED AS ISRAEL'S AMBASSADOR TO US: PM Netanyahu on Tuesday named Zalman Shoval as Israel's next Ambassador to the United States, recalling that he "fulfilled that role with great success in the past" and predicting he will once again, the Jerusalem Post reported. Shoval will replace the incumbent envoy, Eliahu Ben-Elissar, who will succeed Avi Pazner as Ambassador to France this summer. Netanyahu made the appointment in his current capacity as Foreign Minister. Shoval, who turned 68 on the same day, said he accepted the post "with humility." Shoval served previously at this post from 1990 to 1993 under Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir and will be exempt from the usual procedures for political appointees because of his confirmation eight years ago. (Israel Line) NE'EMAN, INDYK TO DISCUSS ENDING CIVILIAN AID: Finance Minister Yaakov Ne'eman is scheduled to meet United States Undersecretary of State Martin Indyk today in further efforts to reach an agreement on gradually phasing out American civilian aid to Israel, Ha'aretz reported. US civilian aid to Israel is currently $1.2 billion annually. US finance experts held discussions with Israeli Finance Ministry officials on Sunday to lay the groundwork for today's higher level meeting. The talks are likely to continue next week when Ne'eman visits Washington for the fourth time this year. During his visit to Washington in January, Ne'eman proposed ending civilian aid over the course of ten years, while increasing military aid by $600 million, half the amount of the civilian aid reduction. FYI - Israel In The News "For Zion's sake will I not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest" Isaiah 62:1 ******************* 'F.Y.I.' may be reproduced & distributed in any form. Please give proper credit. Send comments to Lee Underwood at: fyi@tzemach.org (Do not send subscription requests here) To subscribe, send request to: fyi-list- request@tzemach.org In the subject area, enter: subscribe (Do not enter anything else) To unsubscribe, send request to: fyi-list-request@tzemach.org In the subject area, enter: unsubscribe (Do not enter anything else) Web site: http://www.tzemach.org/fyi ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Eight Signs Of The Messiah By: Ken Onweller You may have heard the address analogy, but for those of you who have not, here it goes: to identify a person in the United States you need their: First Name, Last Name, Country, State, City, Zip Code, Street, House Number. That makes eight pieces of information to identify you. When you compute the odds involved with 8 pieces of identification it becomes 1 out of 10 followed by 17 zeros. This is equivalent to making a pile of quarters, two-feet deep, covering the entire state of Texas. Take one quarter, put a red x on it and throw it in. Mix up the quarters and helicopter in a blind-folded man and drop him into Texas. He has one chance to grab a quarter. The odds of him getting the quarter with the X are 1 in 10 followed by 17 zeros. God, likewise, has created pieces of identification to identify the one and only human whom he would send to save all humanity from their sins. Bear in mind that these Old Testament prophesies were written hundreds of years before they happened. 1) Isaiah 53:5 But he was pierced for our transgressions. 2) Zecharaiah 13:7 Strike the shepherd and the sheep will be scattered. 3) Isaiah 11:10 the nations will rally to him 4) Psalm 41:9 Even my close friend, whom I have trusted, he who has shared my bread, has lifted up his heel against me. 5) Zech 11:12-13 they paid me thirty pieces of silver...and threw them into the house of the Lord to the potter. 6) Zech 9:9 See, your king comes to you. . .gentle and riding on a donkey. 7) Num 24:17 A star will come out of Jacob, a scepter will rise out of Israel. 8) Isaiah 9:7 He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom. We have here someone who was pierced, deserted by his closest friends, loved by Gentiles (non-Jew), betrayed by a close friend for 30 pieces of silver (not gold) that would be thrown to the temple floor and used to buy a potter's field. He would come to Jerusalem riding on a donkey, being a descendant of Jacob and heir to the throne of David. Only Jesus has fulfilled these 8 predictions. Referring back to the quarter in Texas, it is pretty hard to come up with someone else who might have fulfilled these 8. However, the Old Testament doesn't have only 8. There are nearly 300 separate predictions pointing at the ONE MAN GOD WOULD SEND. Just imagine what the odds of that would be!!! Now consider this one: Daniel 9:25-26 From the issuing of the decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until the Anointed One, the ruler, comes, there will be Seven 'sevens,' and sixty-two 'sevens.' . . .After the sixty-two 'sevens,' the Anointed One will be cut off and will have nothing. 7 * 7 + 62 * 7 = 483 years from the rebuilding of Israel until the Messiah. In 445 BC this decree was issued by Artaxerxes of Persia. Going forward from this point we arrive at 37AD: the year the Anointed One was cut off. The very year that Jesus Christ was hung on a cross. God knew from the beginning that someone had to pay the price for humanity's sins. He used a man: Abraham, and from his descendants created the nation of Israel. From that nation, he selected the tribe of Judah, and the kingly lineage of David. Almost 2000 years ago, this great man rode into Jerusalem on the back of a donkey to be betrayed, beaten, and crucified. All of this because God loves YOU and doesn't want you to perish. Jesus died so you wouldn't have to. *************************************************** SOMETHINGS TO THINK ABOUT (c)Copyright by Wanda Pocklington, I miss your FACE "IT" illuminates a friendly smile I miss your SMILE "IT" lifts me a little while I miss your encouraging WORDS "THEY" help me thru the day I miss your kind VOICE so serious when you pray. I miss our CHATS on the phone SOMETIMES I feel alone.... Then the LORD spoke to my heart: "From YOU, I shall never depart! I gave you your special FACE and bestowed mercy and grace I gave you the SUNSHINE to make YOU smile and a SMILE to encourage others awhile I gave YOU gifts to share, to enrich their lives with hope, ambition, and time by which to strive I gave you Health, Joy, and Peace, that you would be fulfilled... also, ƒamily and ƒriends to ƒill your life still!" NOW, MY CHILD, I ASK YOU THIS: "What is it that you have missed? Have you lived life to its fullest? Have you given rather than taken? Have you stirred the lost and caused some shakin? Have you taken time to KNOW ME? Have you shared My LOVE for all to SEE? Have you spent time at MY FEET? Have you lived VICTORIOUS or one of defeat? Have you used your GIFTS wisely? Have you complained instead of PRAISED ME? Have you noticed many running to and fro? Have you shared "MY WORD" that 'they' may KNOW? HAVE YOU SHOWN THEM THE WAY TO LIFE... With ME to Live Forever as MY WIFE?" "TIME is running OUT.... Will you soon be saying, "IF ONLY I ...." Will you in life be satisfied? IT IS LATER THAN YOU THINK I AM COMING faster than a BLINK! Will you hear, "WELL DONE, My Good and Faithful Servant?" DO TODAY ALL THAT YOU CAN DO For tomorrow, I MAY BE COMING FOR YOU!"