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You are in Our Journal - What in the World 2008 2007 | 2008 Jan | Feb | Mar | April | May | June | July | Aug| Sept
What in the World is Happening
- February 2008
A series of articles by Brian Papworth,
our PWMI Representative in New Zealand.
This year has started with a rather startling report by
the American N.I.E. [National Intelligence Estimate] that Iran had ceased
their hydrogen bomb development. This comes at the time of the Annapolis
peace parley with the USA, trying to further the peace process between
Israel and the Palestinians. One of the main troubles being, no one is
quite sure who represents the Palestinians. Mahmoud Abbas has been ousted
by Hamas from Gaza, and his position in the West Bank remains tenuous.
Hamas and Hezbollah are under the control of Syria and Iran, whose
declared intention is to wipe Israel off the map.
After the debacle of the "weapons of mass
destruction" reports from American Intelligence, which caused the USA
and Britain to go into Iraq? Everyone is now concerned with the accuracy
of the American Intelligence Organization. Israeli experts still think
that Iran is bent on becoming a nuclear power. This combined with Iran's
determination to see the end of the state of Israel, makes the Israeli
military still believe the danger that Iran's nuclear developments are
dangerous to both them, the West, and the peace loving Arab states in the
vicinity. However with the new defenses which Russia has provided for Iran
at their nuclear development site, the risk for the Israeli air force, if
they did attack, would be very great. This leaves Israel in a very
difficult situation as to what decision to take. Added to this report,
full security alerts were called several times during December at Israel's
Dimona nuclear reactor, as Israeli intelligence picked up unspecified
signs that Syria might be preparing an attempt for a destructive missile
strike on their Negev Desert facility. An attack could release deadly
radiation that could affect many parts of Israel and lands in close
proximity.
The UN issued a report at the end of the year revealed
Hezbollah militia had now completely re-armed after their war last year
with Israel. They now have rockets capable of reaching most of Israel. The
weapons had been illegally smuggled into Lebanon from Syria and Iran,
under the noses of the UN peacekeeping forces. Israel fears that Iran and
Syria may instigate a new war between Israel and Lebanon to take peoples
attention away from Iran's nuclear programme, and to weaken Israel's
defenses. Hezbollah rockets can now reach most of Israel including their
nuclear site at Dimona.
Moving on to Pakistan; Time magazine states that Peter
Galbraith, who is senior fellow at the "Center for Arms Control and
Non-Proliferation", says "It is not a good idea to have 70
nuclear weapons in the hands of a country that is falling apart".
With the assassination of Bhutto, the Pakistan government has intercepted
a message reported to come from al-Qaeda which congratulates its members
on her death. Should the same happen to Musharraf and a weaker or fanatic
Islamic politician take over, then both the Western world and Israel fears
that these nuclear weapons will fall into the hands of al-Qaeda with
terrifying results. How much we should seek our God as we enter the run up
to Christ's return. As indeed the Bible says: "This know also,
that in the last days perilous times shall come" [II Timothy 3:1.
I was pleased with a news item on New Zealand Television
deploring the rocket attacks on Israel by Hamas, and the murder of the
Bible book shop owner in Gaza. There was also a report on the radio of the
danger to Christians in Gaza and elsewhere in the world. It was good to
hear this at a time when Western media seems to be set on either ignoring
or wrongly reporting atrocities against Israel and Christians. At the
moment there seems to be regular references to the rockets being fired by
the Palestinians into Israel, helping keep a reasonable balance of news
covering both sides.
After the Annapolis peace summit in America which does not
seem to have come to any conclusions. There is going to be a visit by
President Bush, Condoleezza Rice and the White House press corps from
January 8th to 17th. The trip will include stops in Jerusalem, the
Palestinian Territories, Kuwait, Bahrain, UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt.
Within the contingent is Bill Koenig a Christian press correspondent well
known to the President and the White House who is very aware of a Biblical
understanding of Israel's role past, present and future and has had
contact with the White House for some time. Although details of this visit
will be known by the time this article is published, it may be a while
before there is any effect on the President and US Government officials or
the governments of the countries visited, or how they have responded to
the outcome. It may help them all to appreciate what Israel is suffering.
It might also help the US Government to appreciate the need for America to
stand by Israel in these last days.
As we look at the events going on in the world, we are
told that these things must be, but they also point to the time that shall
surely be; "when the earth will be filled with the glory of God, as
the waters cover the sea." Jesus said: Do not let your hearts be
troubled. Trust in God, trust also in me. In my Fathers house are many
rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to
prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will
come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.
[John 14:1-3].
Yours in His Service
Brian D Papworth
Secretary in New Zealand for PWMI
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You are in Our Journal - What in the World 2008 2007 | 2008 Jan | Feb | Mar | April | May | June | July | Aug| Sept
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