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What in the World is Happening
- April 2008
A series of articles by Brian Papworth,
our PWMI Representative in New Zealand.
As oil supplies begin to run out and the price skyrockets,
alternative sources of energy are being sought. After a cut back on the
building of nuclear power plants in past years, the world is once again
looking to this source of energy for electrical generation. On first
appearances, nuclear power stations seem to be a cheap and non-polluting
source of energy. However there are a few problems. One of the biggest
hurdles is disposal of the waste. This can be buried in underground
caverns but can still leech into the water table if care is not taken.
Another difficulty, which people fear, would be further accidents like
"Three Mile Island" and "Chernobyl." However, if a
nuclear power station is properly built and maintained, there should be no
risk. Both the mentioned accidents were through incompetent maintenance
and operation. The third and main cause of concern, which is the subject
of this article, is the close proximity between the technology and
facilities for providing fuel for nuclear power stations, and the
procedure for manufacturing nuclear weapons.
Most of the nuclear plants in operation and much of the
nuclear technology have in the past been undertaken by Britain, USA,
Japan, France, India, China and Russia, with most nuclear weapons being
built by the USA, Russia and Britain. However in recent years, other
nations have joined the nuclear club, with some being unstable or militant
Muslim lands. This situation puts a different light on possible dangers
that become even more evident, as we study the Bible prophecy regarding
these nations and their associates.
Iran: This is the present nation that occupies the
area which constituted Persia of the Old Testament, and is listed in
Ezekiel 38 as one of the nations involved in the great final conflict of
Armageddon. The present tirade from its president about "wiping
Israel off the map" does not encourage the Western Powers to support
not only Iran building a nuclear power station, but also the evidence they
are working towards building their own nuclear fuel reactor, and
developing a nuclear weapon capability. Although Iran says they are not,
most people do not believe their statement of denial
Russia who is helping Iran, say they will supply
all the fuel and remove the waste. However in the light of the support
they are giving to the Muslim nations in general; and Russia is
identified with the Magog of Ezekiel 38, who is prophesied to be the
leader and supporter of the nations coming against Israel in the "end
times." It gives no comfort to those who fear a fulfillment of that
prophecy in the near future. Russia's own nuclear arsenal rivals that of
the USA, and with a little nation like Israel, even one nuclear missile
dropped in the right place could totally destroy Israel.
Syria: Assyria of the Old Testament is also listed
in Ezekiel 38. Generally we do not hear much about any nuclear capability,
which is just as well as Damascus, capital of Syria, houses the head
quarters of both Hamas and Hizbullah. However the suggestion is, when the
USA invaded Iraq, the weapons of mass destruction, were spirited over the
border into Syria and it is still believed to be so. In a recent raid by
the Israeli air force, a nuclear facility set up by North Korea,
was attacked and destroyed. Syria kept the raid quiet in the fear that the
West would find out about this apparent bomb manufacturing plant and so
Syria refrained from a retaliating attack on Israel.
Israel: Has nuclear weapons, nuclear power, and
also a bomb production facility. In spite of all the attacks they have
suffered over the years Israel has had the good sense to refrain from
using nuclear weapons. They are now concerned however, that with the
increasing ability of Syrian and Palestinian rockets to reach further into
Israel there is a frightening risk of one of them hitting their nuclear
plant, causing pollution over a wide area. Hence the present attacks on
Gaza to destroy the rocket launching sites.
Pakistan: Although not listed in the Bible as one
of Ezekiel's aggressing nations, it is at present a very unstable country.
With the present moderate president likely to be unseated at any moment,
it is worrying to think that the country complete with its nuclear bomb
arsenal of 70 weapons, could be taken over by a fanatical Muslin leader,
especially as it is believed to contain, in the mountainous North East,
the head quarters of the Al-Qaeda movement.
So where does it mention nuclear warfare in the Bible? We
see an account of a plague that will strike the armies that come against
Jerusalem [Zech 14:12-13]. This is very similar to a medical report that
came out of Hiroshima in the wake of the Atomic bomb dropping on that
city. I was given first hand information by a Christian naval doctor who
was present to tend the survivors at Hiroshima, immediately afterwards, a
Dr Mike Baggett. A prophecy is also given in the Bible of the destruction
of Damascus [Isa 17:1]. This city is the capital of Syria, and this
prophecy has never been fulfilled. That Scripture also talks of waste and
abandoned crops. Which reminds us of the land surrounding Chernobyl after
the accident which contaminated the town after the Nuclear power station
blew up. Again Damascus is mentioned where the stone walls are set on fire
[Jer 49:27]. Only a nuclear explosion could do such a thing. Or the hand
of God. In all this conjecture we must remember that God's hand is present
in the end time and whether He uses mans foolishness or His own power, we
will have to wait and see, in a time that is yet to come after the Lord
takes His people home to be with Him for ever. [John 14:1-3].
Yours in His Service
Brian D Papworth
Representative for the Prophetic Witness Movement International for New
Zealand, Australia & the South Pacific.
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