Serving God Boldly is the title of this week’s sermon by Dave Harris.

The services can be heard at www.cognetservices.org at the appropriate time, just click on “Connect to Live Stream”.

This past Sabbath, from about 2-5pm, Qwest (Telecom) was experiencing outages on the line to the CEG / NetServices server. Due to these circumstances and the late nature of the crisis, we were unable to broadcast live over the Internet. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused and hope that you were able to make adequate plans on such short notice.

Since then, we have posted the sermon from this past Sabbath on the web site as well as others. You may use the links below or go to the audio index for 2002 at http://www.eternalgod.org/audio/index.html.

Called To Teach 27 JULY 2002
You Shall Be Holy 20 JULY 2002
Humility: True or False? 13 JULY 2002
 

This week we all had something to be thankful for. A seemingly hopeless mining disaster in the State of Pennsylvania turned out really well — first for the nine miners, their families and friends; and then for the rescuers and those of us who watched this heroic rescue.

The nine men trapped in darkness some 240 feet underground prepared themselves to die. Yet, they, too, (as did all of us) hoped for the best — even with the looming reality of the possibility that this could be the end of their lives.

Notable examples in the Bible relate similar stories: Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego along with Daniel faced the end of their lives. The reason they did is because they obeyed God. Against all odds and even human ability, they were delivered alive. Important to note in their experiences is the fact that they were reconciled to undergo this fate regardless of whether they were delivered at that time.

Peter, Paul and many of the original Apostles ultimately came to the end of their lives because of their obedience to God — they died at the hands of those who despised and hated the truth they proclaimed. Jesus Christ, Who died for our sins, declares that at the end of this age, Christians will be killed for their belief in and obedience to God.

Undoubtedly, there will be miraculous deliverance for some — just as those remarkable nine miners experienced. Yet, Matthew 24:9 plainly reveals that some will be tortured and killed. As we consider the truth of this warning, let us also remember that our deliverance is also certain.

Matthew 24:13 explains what we must do in order to be saved — whether we live or whether we die! Regardless of what we ultimately face, we are told that we must endure. Exactly how long we endure until our rescue occurs is much like that of the miners. We won’t know exactly, but this we do know — we must be prepared to endure just as Jesus Christ admonished us — to the end!

PINES FIRE NEAR JULIAN, CALIFORNIA

Following the devastating fires in Colorado and Arizona, this week has seen the beginning of what might turn out to be the worst fire ever in an area near Julian, California, which is situated 25 miles east of Ramona (where the San Diego church meets for Sabbath services). As of noon, Thursday, the fire, which is also referred to as the “Pines Fire,” is only 25% contained. It has already burned 17,500 acres, including at least five houses. The damage so far is estimated as $1,9 million. 500 people were evacuated from their houses. The loss of wild life can’t even be estimated. Almost 2,000 firefighters are battling the blaze, including personnel from as far as Sacramento and Arizona. The cause of the fire has not been officially determined yet, but there is a great likelihood that a forest helicopter caused the fire, when disconnecting a power line.

The bible predicts that we will be observing more and more of these kinds of fires in the years ahead. God is trying to warn and shake up this nation.

CHILD AND TEEN ABDUCTIONS ON THE RISE

We have recently seen an unprecedented rise in the abductions, kidnappings and murders of young children and teenagers. Especially shocking is the brutality and “in-your-face” attitude, with which the perpetrators have conducted their crimes, including the breaking and entering into homes to kidnap a child or teen. The most recent case in these bizarre series of appalling events happened early Thursday morning in Lancaster, California (which is 60 miles northeast of Los Angeles). A man kidnapped two teenage girls (16 and 17) at gunpoint from lovers’ lane in a remote area. The girls were sitting in separate cars with male friends, when the gunman approached them and tied up the male friends, before leaving with the girls in a car which belonged to one of the males.

Fortunately, only hours after the abduction, the two teenage girls were found alive and the man suspected of kidnapping them was shot and killed by police.

This most recent event shows the kind of world in which we are all living. The bible warns all of us to show great caution in how we are to conduct ourselves, and to stay away from dangerous situations or locations. God-fearing parents need to take extra efforts to supervise their children and teens.

GERMANS BUY MANHATTAN?

In an interesting article of BILD Online, August 1, it is suggested “the New York Skyline becomes German.” More and more high-rise buildings are in the hands of Germans, according to the newspaper, including the Chrysler Building and the Seagram Building. One is somewhat reminded of God’s prediction in Deuteronomy 28:43-44, “The alien who is among you shall rise higher and higher above you, and you shall come down lower and lower. He shall lend to you, but you shall not lend to him; he shall be the head, and you shall be the tail.”

MIDDLE EAST

A bomb exploded this week in a cafeteria of the Hebrew University, killing four students, including Americans, and injuring more than 80. The terrorist group Hamas claimed responsibility and stated that the attack was “intended to avenge the July 22 killing of its leader, Salah Shehada.”

President Bush, meeting on Thursday with Jordan’s King Abdullah, stated that he was furious over the attack, but he expressed at the same time his belief that peace is still possible. Observers are expecting, however, a serious act of retaliation from Israel, which would make any peace prospects in the region more and more illusory.

EASTERN EUROPE

Zenit News Agency reported on July 26, that a church-state treaty was signed between the Czech Republic and the Vatican. The treaty must still be ratified by the Parliament. 39.2% of the Czechs are Catholics, while 39.8% are atheists. The article pointed out that all the other Eastern European countries have already signed similar agreements with the Vatican. The treaty recognizes the civil effects of a marriage conducted by the Catholic Church, and it treats Catholic schools like public schools. It also permits and regulates the teaching of Catholic religion in public schools. The article continued that the “thorny questions relating to Church property expropriated by the communist regime” would still have to be resolved.
 

Editor’s Note: We are receiving interesting questions from new people in response to our advertisement campaigns. We recently answered one of the many questions, regarding the biblical teaching on a secret rapture. We are sharing parts of our response with you:

The bible nowhere teaches two comings of Christ – or a secret rapture to heaven. The passage alluded to by some, that He will come as a thief in the night (1 Thess. 5:1-4), describes the timing of His coming – the world will not expect His return at that time. It does not talk about the manner of His coming (visibly or secretly). Compare also Matthew 24:36-44.

The bible is very consistent in describing Christ’s Second Coming as one and the same event. When He visibly returns, He will gather His elect – not before then (Matthew 24:27-31).

Please note, too, 1 Thess. 4:16, and 2 Thess. 1:3-10. The events described will happen at the time of the last trumpet, when Christ visibly returns. At that time, the dead in Christ will be resurrected, and those alive will be changed – this does not happen before His visible return (1 Cor. 15:51-52). There can only be ONE last trumpet, and it is then – not prior to then – when Christ will gather His elect.

We read in 1 Thess. 4:17 that we will meet the returning Christ, at His coming, in the air. This is not referring to the third heaven, but to the atmosphere of our earth, which has air and clouds. We read that we will be with Christ from that time on. We read that Christ will descend on that same day to the Mount of Olives (Zech. 14:4), and we will be with Him (Zech. 14:5). The angels had told the apostles that Christ would come back in the same manner as He had left them. They were on the Mount of Olives, and He left them visibly on a cloud (Acts 1:9-11).

2 Thess. 2:1 also talks about the coming of Christ and our gathering with Him. At that time, when He comes, He will take care of the “lawless one.” (verse 8). Again, this is one and the same event – here are no two comings described.

This is not to say, however, that God will not protect His elect, on this earth, during the terrible times to come very soon. A new booklet is being prepared which will address that question more fully.

This Sabbath, Norbert Link will be discussing that God called us in this age to be teachers, and what this means for us today and in the future.

The services can be heard at www.cognetservices.org at the appropriate time, just click on “Connect to Live Stream”.
 

(Editors Note – This editorial is written in response to questions and comments we have received in recent weeks. We feel this information is vital and timely and are providing a summary of our answers in this week’s Editorial Section of the Update).
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With the apostasy which has come upon the Church, many of God’s People have turned to false teachings, as Paul clearly stated would happen in 2 Tim. 4:3-4. Many have changed their whole approach in dealing with God’s Truths, which they had learned, including those relative to their own financial obligations to God and His Church. They have become “very sensitive” when it comes to the subject of “giving” to God’s Church.

Yet, there are numerous examples in scripture where God shows He requires tithes and offerings from His People. We see such an example in Exodus 25, where God required offerings from the children of Israel for the building of the Tabernacle of God. Note God’s instructions to Moses, as he was the one responsible to convey to God’s People what God required relative to this offering.

God’s requirement was “… that they bring an offering. From everyone who gives it willingly with his heart you shall take My offering” (Exodus 25:2). Two things should be noted here:

First – the offering does not belong to the person contributing the offering. It is not his! The offering belongs to God! That is true, even before the offering is given.

Second – God accepts the offering under a specific condition. That is, it is only an acceptable offering to God if it is from one who gives it willingly, as the scripture points out – “From everyone who gives it willingly with his heart you shall take My offering.” The Apostle Paul also boldly proclaims this same principle in 2 Corinthians 9:7, where he states, “…for God loves a cheerful giver.”

There is concern that this may be one area where many in the Church of God, today, have let down in their relationship with God. It is true, that God owns all wealth. He can see that the finances needed by the Church are provided, whatever the need may be. However, the method of financing His end-time Work – God has chosen. It is, for each of us, our responsibility – individually and collectively – to be faithful in our financial obligations – so that the commission of preaching and publishing the gospel of the soon-coming Kingdom to the world as a witness, and the feeding of God’s sheep will be accomplished.

This requirement of God is a “test” command for all of God’s People, including those in positions of leadership – the ministry of God. Notice this clear admonition found in Malachi, chapter 3. “Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be food in My house, And prove me now in this,” Says the Lord of hosts, “If I will not open for you the windows of heaven And pour out for you such blessing That there will not be room enough to receive it” (Malachi 3:10).

Moses, by the way, did not hesitate to institute the exhortation of God, which He asked of the people, as you can read in Exodus 35:5, 29.

There are a number of such financial requirements, which God placed on His People and administered through those He had put in positions of service to those whom He is calling. The tithe, however, has always belonged to Him (Leviticus 27:30). It is Holy to Him! He did give the tithe, for a period of time, to the sons of Levi “…as an inheritance in return for the work which they perform(ed), the work of the tabernacle of meeting” (Numbers 18:21).

Yet we see in Hebrews 7:9, that the law of tithing existed long before God made an agreement with the sons of Levi, which agreement gave them the right to collect tithes for a certain time. As we read verses 15-28 of Hebrews 7, we see that this right to receive tithes later reverted back to Jesus Christ, whose right it was from the beginning. Today, Christ collects tithes through His Body, the Church, to be used to carry out the end-time Work of God.

Christ showed that this system of financing the Work of God is definitely applicable, today (Matthew 23:23, Luke 11:42, Luke 18:12). And of course, God shows in Malachi 3:8-9 that one thing He is angry about at the time of the end is that His People are failing Him in this requirement!

So much confusion exists today, especially since the apostasy has set in, indicating that many of God’s People do not know what to do. There must be a clear voice that is showing that correct way, else we will all be held accountable for the error that exists in the Church now, and that will exist at the time of Christ’s return.

We are told in Isaiah 58:1 to… “Cry aloud, spare not; Lift up your voice like a trumpet; Tell My people their transgression, And the house of Jacob their sins.” We must not be fearful in doing this! We point out these truths as a reminder to those God has called and given understanding, and yet now appear to be holding back because they are uncertain where God’s Work is being done. They must not continue to hold back, but must come to the realization that they have an obligation to determine where that Work is being done, based upon the clear evidence they see and the clear word they hear. Once having proven this, they have a responsibility to carry out God’s command and to support His Work where they see it being faithfully carried out – just as the people of Israel willingly and with a joyful heart contributed to the construction of the Tabernacle.

Remember, the tithe belongs to God! It is His! To hold on to His tithe, God says, is stealing from Him! God requires that His tithe be paid, so that His Work will be done (Mal 3:10).

We would add, here, that we in CEG stand ready to engage and answer questions concerning the Work of God. It is our full intention to back up all our actions with biblical evidence and proofs! As Mr. Armstrong correctly stated so many times, it is our purpose to follow what is written in the Holy Scriptures. When we are wrong we will willingly change, but we will absolutely present the Truth of God to the best of our abilities, based upon the knowledge and understanding granted to us by the Eternal God through His Holy Spirit, regardless of any criticism or sensitivities people may have toward the issues presented.

As we attentively watch world events with the portent of ushering in the traumatic end-time calamities mentioned throughout the Word of God, several interesting trends continue to subtly nudge themselves into play:

ECONOMIC CONFIDENCE SHIFT

The first one is the economic body blow dealt by United States mega corporations as their corrupt practices have now caused bankruptcies of historic proportions. This week it was WorldCom–a company whose debts are virtually global. German banks in particular were hard hit. The “Humpty-Dumpy” world of U.S. prominence and leadership may never fully rebound. Waiting in the wings is the European, German-led euro which has emerged as a potential option for the badly battered dollar. The corrupt business practices which have toppled–and continue to weaken–so many formerly dominant American industrial giants have caused a perceptible sea-change in global dominance. Watch as these events continue to restructure the centers of economic confidence!

NEW RELIGIOUS LEADER

The second trend is highlighted by the appointment of Rowan Williams as Archbishop of Canterbury. His appointment this week brings to the Church of England’s leadership a man noted for liberal views and strong criticism of U.S. foreign policy. His spiritual voice echoes much of the sentiment of continental Europe. Hand in hand with this change is the current Papal visits–this time to Toronto, Canada, for the Church’s World Youth Day. His frail and failing health gives rise to ongoing speculation about the next Papal appointee. Europe and other Catholic countries are anticipating strong Papal involvement as the Catholic Church seems to have weathered the fading scandals of pedophilia in the U.S. Watch as religious influence becomes more outspoken and dominant in a world that seems on the verge of pulling away from the influence of a United States that has stumbled in its world role!

MIDDLE EAST

Earlier this week, the international press reported that the Israeli media and politicians criticized the most recent Israeli military attack on Gaza. During the raid, Hamas leader Salah Schehade was killed, but also 15 Palestinian civilians, including nine children. The United States, the United Nations, and many European and Arab governments condemned the strike as well.

Yahoo News published on Thursday an article, titled, “Sharon goes too far, again.” It stated that Sharon boasted that Thursday’s strike was “‘one of the biggest successes.'” It continued, “The incident is another tragic example of Sharon’s long history of violently overstepping reason in Israel’s struggle with the Palestinians. And his assessment of the attack shows why progress towards a peace settlement has unraveled under his rule. Each time Sharon overreaches, his country pays a heavy price. This time, the terrorist group Hamas… has vowed to kill Israeli children and target bus stops, restaurants and other public places. Before the strike, Hamas had hinted that it might end its attacks on Israeli citizens.”

Shortly thereafter, Yahoo News ran another article, informing its readership that “Palestinians shot dead a rabbi from a Jewish settlement in the West Bank Thursday in what militants called the first response to an Israeli air strike that killed 15 Palestinians.”

When will this world learn that nothing is gained by violence and war, and that war only breeds more war? The history of man has been written in blood. Man has proven that he is totally incapable of bringing peace to this world. But thankfully, man’s misrule over this planet is about to end. Very soon, Jesus Christ will return to establish the Kingdom of God on this earth and bring real and lasting peace to this world.

CHINA

As if a foretaste of bigger things to come, Reuters reported on July 20 that “a downpour of giant hailstones, some of the size of eggs, killed 15 people and left hospitals overflowing” in central China. “Locals described it as the worst hailstorm in at least half a century.”

This may remind us of the hail that God sent to ancient Egypt, and it may also bring home the warning of a prophecy in the book of Revelation, that “great hail from heaven fell upon men, each hailstone about the weight of a talent. Men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail, since that plague was exceedingly great.” (Revelation 16:21).

INDIA

God’s Church is commissioned to preach the gospel in all the world. And we can be thankful, that this can be done from the Western world where we do enjoy relative religious freedom. Imagine we had to operate from India, for example. Zenit News Agency reported on July 24 that a Catholic nun “charged with converting Hindus remains in prison after her arrest in India last week,” as bail was denied her. The nun is accused of converting 94 Hindus to Christianity in 1988 (!), although conversion of people from one religion to another is prohibited without the “administration’s permission.”

GERMANY

The Economist.com ran an article on July 19, titled, “Schröder in trouble.” It pointed out, “Much of the German electorate is still undecided, according to polls, about which way to vote in September’s general election. But Chancellor Gerhard Schröder and his Social Democratic Party [SPD] are in trouble. Like so many other European countries, Germany may be about to move to the right…” It continued, “In no other post-war election have voters found it so hard to make up their minds; one in three still have not done so.” We most certainly need to watch the events taking pace in Germany. The bible prophecies that Germany and continental Europe will play a dominant role in the near future, and the entire world will be affected by it.

For many years, the Church has admonished our members to watch the news. One reason for doing so is obvious – so that we are not caught unawares when Christ’s return is near. When He was here on earth, Jesus proclaimed in advance the good news of the coming kingdom of God. Before God’s kingdom can be established on this earth, certain prophetic events will have to occur first.

Jesus told His disciples, “Now learn this parable from the fig tree: when its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near – at the doors.” (Matthew 24:32-33). Although we don’t know the exact day or the hour of Christ’s return and of the establishment of His kingdom (Matthew 25:13), we are supposed to know the approximate time – by discerning the times and seasons (1 Thessalonians 5:1-4).

But, as we have pointed out so many times, God gives us special understanding and knowledge for a reason. We are not to hide what we have been given, but we are to share it with others.

God wants the truth of the coming establishment of His kingdom – as well as the events leading up to that establishment — proclaimed in all of the world as a witness (Matthew 24:14). And many scriptures show that this proclamation is to be done through His end-time Church, which is called “a watchman.” Notice these biblical examples:

“So you, son of man [ancient Ezekiel, but this is a prophecy for our day and age]: I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; therefore you shall hear a word from My mouth and warn them for Me.” (Ezekiel 33:7).

“I have set watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem; They shall never hold their peace day or night. You who make mention of the LORD, do not keep silent.” (Isaiah 62:6).

“Yes, proclaim against Jerusalem, That watchers come from a far country And raise their voice against the cities of Judah.” (Jeremiah 4:16).

We ourselves are to watch the events around us (Matthew 24:42), discerning the times, so that we can be effective watchmen in God’s service, warning others of what will surely come to pass. Notice Hosea 5:9: “Ephraim shall be desolate in the day of rebuke; among the tribes of Israel I make known what is sure.” Notice, too, Hosea 7:12, “I will chastise them [Ephraim] According to what their congregation has heard.”

And WHY are we to proclaim God’s warning to His peoples and around the world? The answer is given in Ezekiel 33:2-6:

“When I bring the sword upon a land, and the people of the land take a man from their territory and make him their watchman, when he sees the sword coming upon the land, if he blows the trumpet and warns the people, then whoever hears the sound of the trumpet…[and] takes warning will save his life. But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet, and the people are not warned, and the sword comes and takes any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at the watchman’s hands.”

God wants His Church to preach the establishment of God’s kingdom here on earth. This includes, blowing the trumpet and warning of impending disaster. Some will listen and change their ways so that they, too, may enter the Kingdom. Many others, though, might not heed the message. Still, if we shrink back from our God-given responsibility, He will have no pleasure in us (Hebrews 10:37-39).

The Church of the Eternal God is publishing in these updates many important aspects of world news, which should help us to discern the times better, in light of biblical prophecy, so that all of us can become more effective watchmen. God will continue to give to His faithful servants great understanding of the future (Amos 3:7). It is our responsibility to use this understanding granted to us from God for the benefit of a world held captive by Satan – and in so doing, we shall fulfill the work of watchmen proclaiming the good news of the approaching kingdom of God.
 

WORLD NEWS HEADLINES

MIDDLE EAST

As Yahoo! News reported on July 18, any “hopes for reviving peacemaking” were shattered after almost simultaneous Palestinian suicide bombings in Tel Aviv on Wednesday night, killing three people. These attacks followed a bus ambush on Tuesday that killed seven Israelis near a Jewish settlement in the West Bank. Political leaders were quick to condemn these violent acts. President Bush stated “peace could not be built on a platform of violence against innocents.” The article continued,” …at least 1,447 Palestinians and 558 Israelis have been killed since Palestinians began their revolt after negotiations for a final peace treaty envisaging a Palestinian state stalled.”

The events in the Middle East show us that we are living in a violent world. Although some political leaders are earnestly searching for peace, they will not find it, since man, cut off from God, does not know the way to peace (Romans 3:17). In fact, when they think that they have reached a peaceful and safe solution, “sudden destruction will befall them.” (1 Thessalonians 5:3). The bible suggests strongly that the United States or Great Britain will not be able to bring about peace in the Middle East. It will be an emerging power in continental Europe which will militarily enforce very temporary “peaceful” conditions. When we see this occurring, we know that the time of Christ’s return is very near (Luke 21:20, 28). Only He can bring lasting and true peace to this violent world.

INDIA

USA TODAY reported on July 18 that India elected a missile scientist, A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, as its new president. Mr. Kalam advocates nuclear weapons as a war deterrent. Although the office of president is largely ceremonial, the president can play a crucial role. If Parliament is deadlocked, his verdict is final. He can also call elections.

To see an outspoken advocate for nuclear weapons in a leadership position in India might have a wide-ranging and devastating effect on the current ongoing problems between India and Pakistan. This conflict is only one of several hotspots in the world, which could ignite the flames of a nuclear war. The bible clearly reveals that nuclear war is coming!

GERMANY

As Der Spiegel Online reported on July 18, Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder (SPD) fired his minister of defense, Rudolf Scharping, only nine months before the next parliamentary elections. Never before has a minister been dismissed so close to a parliamentary election, according to Der Spiegel. In an accompanying commentary, the magazine points out that the damage for Schroeder and his party (SPD) is incalculable, stating that if this event leads to a defeat of the SPD during the parliamentary elections, Schroeder’s party might go into “opposition” for many years to come.

The bible predicts that a very powerful Europe under the leadership of Germany will emerge on the world scene very soon. It is highly improbable that Germany will be led at that time by a person belonging to one of the established major German parties. It is much more likely that someone from the right will gain sudden power and influence. It is critical that we watch the events, which are happening in continental Europe and especially in Germany.

DROUGHT DEEPENS!

Riveting headlines summed up a bleak outlook for the drought that is slowly but steadily devastating farmers and unsuspecting city dwellers. According to The Associated Press, “More than one-third of the contiguous states (US) face severe to extreme drought…” The same article goes on to show that all-time records for heat and lack of rainfall are striking major segments of the American West and parts of the Southeastern seaboard.

Added to theses dismals statistics is the frightening specter of insect infestations eating away at already stricken crop yields. The Coloradoan, a newspaper covering northern Colorado, this week ran a thorough article reporting the “biggest grasshopper infestation since WWII” in the Midwest. This explosive outbreak of grasshoppers and Mormon crickets is a direct result of the sustained drought conditions in the infected areas.

The stern warnings of national punishment on the modern descendants of Israel such as found in Leviticus 26 and Deuteronomy 28 suddenly are finding alarming relevance as the United States and Canada suffer the curses that are now undermining our national strength. Note the timely warning of Deuteronomy 28, verses 38 and 42, in which God warns that locusts will eat up crops and trees. Again in Joel chapter 1, God uses the plague of locusts to humble His nation–just as He did to ancient Egypt!

This week, Dave Harris will be speaking about, “Humility — True or False?”

The services can be heard at www.cognetservices.org at the appropriate time, just click on “Connect to Live Stream”.
 

When you go through a trial, test or a death of a friend or a family member like we just have, people send you cards of condolences and sympathy. Others phone to express their condolences and you take comfort and strength knowing that your friends and family care about the trial, test or loss of a family member that you are going through. We in the Church must never forget that God has also provided for us a Comforter and that is the Holy Spirit, which comes from God. In John 14: 26, Christ states that the Comforter will teach us all things and help us to remember the things, which were taught to us by Christ.

God’s Spirit in us not only comforts us but gives us hope by giving us an understanding that the world does not have — especially as it relates to the loss of a loved one. We know that there is a better world coming, one of peace and harmony. Rev. 21:3-4 tells us that God will dwell with us, that He will wipe away ALL tears, and that the former things will pass away. What former things? Death, suffering, funerals, famine, pestilence and every evil brought upon man by rebellion against God — all that will be vanished. The only tears will be tears of joy. We can take comfort in knowing that Christ, as our High Priest and Elder Brother, learned obedience through the things He suffered (Heb.5: 8). No matter what the trial or suffering we go through, we can rest assured that we have the love and empathy from our Savior Jesus Christ. Having lived in the flesh, He understands our infirmities and weaknesses. He is an advocate for us before God the Father.

Understanding this helps us to better understand why James says, “Count it all joy when you fall into various trials.” (James 1:2). Let us not be discouraged by trials, test or loss of a loved one, but let us take comfort in the fact that Christ, through the Spirit, is there to comfort us, and that God will NEVER leave or forsake us. This is especially true when we face trials — with this knowledge, we can BE COMFORTED.

WORLD NEWS HEADLINES

CATHOLIC CHURCH AND ITALY
Zenit News Agency, an independent service in support of the Catholic Church, reported on July 1, 2002, that Pope John Paul II insisted that ecumenical talks and a theological dialogue between Rome and Constantinople must continue and move forward. He added that he does not rule out the hope for unity in the future. He stated that in order to change the world, by reinforcing or bringing peace to it, “we must join forces, be together, act together.” He concluded that we must nourish the commitment to overcome theological obstacles that still divide the Roman Catholic and the Greek Orthodox Churches.

Zenit News Agency reported on July 3 that the Vatican offered a symbolic contribution to the Trust Fund set up by the United Nations to support the establishment of the International Criminal Court. The U.N. adopted the statute creating this court in 1998 in Rome. The United States and Russia are the only two main powers opposing the creation of the Court, as they don’t want their soldiers, diplomats or others caught up in politically motivated persecutions, according to Zenit News Agency.

The San Diego Union Tribune reported on July 10 that Italian police closed down five U.S. based Web-sites that were charged with “blaspheming Catholicism and especially the virgin Mary.” Zenit News Agency added on July 10 that the action came about in response to a denunciation of one of the Web-sites by the Vatican’s semiofficial newspaper, the L’Osservatore Romano, in October of 2000.

Yahoo! News reported on July 11 that the Italian parliament gave final approval to lifting a constitutional ban that kept the male descendants of Italy’s last king out of their homeland, opening the way for their return after 56 years of exile. The male members of the House of Savoy were exiled after World War II as punishment for royal support of Fascist dictator Benito Mussolini. Victor Emmanuel, son of Italy’s last king, Umberto II, was only nine years old when he left the country. His 30-year-old son, Emanuel Filiberto, was born and raised in Switzerland and has never been in Italy. Victor Emmanuel expressed his and his son’s thanks to the government and lawmakers from all parties for “this brilliant success.”

MIDDLE EAST
World Tribune.com reported on July 4 that, according to a United States Air Force report, Israel is building a nuclear naval force meant to respond to any nuclear strike by such countries as Iran or Iraq. It is believed that Iran will have the capability to produce a nuclear warhead by 2004. The report allegedly asserts that Israel possesses 400 atomic and hydrogen weapons, which number is twice as high as what was previously assessed. The missiles could have a range of 350 kilometers.

Yahoo! News reported on July 11 that Amnesty International condemned Palestinian suicide bombings and other attacks on Israeli civilians as “crimes against humanity” and unjustified by Palestinian political grievances. The London-based human rights organization had previously accused Israel of violating Palestinian rights in the Mideast conflict. The most recent lengthy report stated that Palestinian violence killed about 350 Israeli citizens, describing those acts as possibly constituting “war crimes.” Palestinian officials dismissed the report as biased and unbalanced.

IRAQ AND JOERG HAIDER
As Yahoo! News reported on July 10, the United States is capable of launching a rapid attack on Iraq by marshaling 50,000 troops at the Kuwaiti border in roughly a week, airlifting them in and bringing their tanks and heavy equipment on ships through the Strait of Hormuz. That would give Saddam Hussein just a few days’ notice. It might also eliminate America’s need to rely on bases in neighboring countries like Saudi Arabia or Jordan. The article continued, “A risk is that Saddam would still have time to launch missiles – perhaps carrying poison gas or anthrax – toward U.S. troops in Kuwait or civilians in Israel.”

The Jordan Times and Spiegel Online reported on July 3 and July 5 that Iraqi Foreign Minister Naji Sabri met with Austria’s Joerg Haider in the absence of any foreign ministerial official. Haider had visited Iraq earlier this year in February. Sabri described Haider as “one of Iraq’s best friends.”
The BBC News Online had quoted on June 28 from an interview, which Joerg Haider gave last week, while in London. He stated that Tony Blair’s stance on issues like immigration and crime make him a right-winger. He added, “I was accused and attacked and labeled a racist and a fascist, but now the EU has taken the stance and taken a similar idea [on immigration] which I maintained 10 years before. It’s a satisfying event for me.” He also added, according to the article, that left-winged politicians could not survive in Europe unless they accepted right-wing ideas.

UNITED EUROPE
Washingtonpost.com  reported on July 5 about an anti-Europe 90-second commercial which is being aired in Great Britain, causing anger and an uproar there and abroad. The commercial depicts an actor and comedian, Rik Mayall, appearing twice as Adolph Hitler, giving the Nazi salute and shouting, “Ein Volk! Ein Reich! Ein Euro!” [“One people! One state! One euro!”]. Jewish officials condemned the commercial as “absolutely tasteless” and “as an insult of Holocaust-victims,” according to Spiegel Online of July 4. The magazine added, “The historian Andrew Roberts argued in ‘Daily Mail,’ that Hitler’s plans for a European economic society show alarming parallels with today’s EU.”

WORLDWIDE TERRORIST ATTACKS IN SEPTEMBER ?

Spiegel Online and Bild Online reported on July 7 that several secret agent services fear a series of spectacular attacks against American, Israeli and British targets. It is feared that those attacks by Osama bin Laden’s terrorists will occur on September 11, 2002. One of the targets is allegedly the Statute of Liberty in New York, according to Bild Online. The secret agent services also believe, according to Spiegel Online, that bin Laden lives in a mountain area close to the border between Afghanistan or Pakistan, while many of his followers are operating from Pakistan.