| THE BRITISH & EUROPEAN SUPPLEMENT to…
|
| THE BRITISH & EUROPEAN SUPPLEMENT to…
|
May / June 2000
Just What Is Going On In Europe?
How can we make sense of the rapid changes
on the European continent?
Today many voices are being raised in Britain and else-where, expressing grave concern and apprehension over the direction the European Union is going. Why the anxiety? Why are so many people in Britain concerned with what is developing on the continent of Europe?
When World War II ended, there was a determined effort to rebuild a shattered Europe. A pronounced effort for former enemies to work for unity of purpose seemed in order. To further this aim the Iron and Steel Community was established. This proved successful and the benefits of the nations of Europe working together were seen. And as a result, the 6-member European Economic Community was born.
Britain's Balance of Power
Britain, nervous for centuries that one nation would rise within Europe to dominate the whole area and lead it into very murky and dangerous waters, exercised the policy of the Balance of Power and so largely prevented this from happening. On those occasions when domination did occur for brief periods, it resulted in the most awful devastation, with pain, suffering and loss of life. Britain, as a result, held back from joining the EEC, but seeing the benefits of free trade, did join with others in the loose alliance of the European Free Trade Association–which included nations from Scandinavia and also Switzerland. This was not really a success for the UK, and Britain eventually left EFTA, joining the EEC in January, 1973. The EEC was expanding, soon becoming12 members and later 15.
Other ideas began to rise within Europe, and it wasn't long before the EEC became the European Community (EC), and finally the European Union (EU) in 1993. But by then it had become very apparent that the main drive within Europe was no longer one of pursuing the policy of a free-trade area, but one of establishing a European superstate.
Various committees were set up to establish common systems, and to harmonise these and the infrastruc-ture of all the members of the European Community. Quietly, a European flag emerged along with a European anthem, Beethoven's 'Ode to Joy'.
Britain, increasingly anxious, began to use its veto to try and prevent the free-trade area from burgeoning into a full-blown federal state. Britain, however, is now being out-flanked and becoming isolated.
Further applications for EU membership are being submitted by the 13 nations of Eastern Europe, which form an unbroken chain from the Baltic to the Black Sea. They are likely to be accepted shortly. These will create a buffer zone on the eastern border of the European Union, creating a sort of security cushion for Germany, which has always feared attack from the east.
This enlargement of the Union effectively means the end of the British veto. Britain then becomes just one voice among 28! No more real power to further block development of the march to a superstate.
Implications of the emerging Euro
Now events in Europe appear to be moving much faster. A further configuration of nations—an inner grouping—has been in existence for more than a year. If you count Belgium, Holland and Luxembourg as one power or authority—the Benelux grouping—there are nine authorities or groups in this inner configuration that are now bound together within the single currency.
Greece was originally refused entry, as it was felt her economy would not be able to stand with the others. However, Greece has recently gotten her act together and has resubmitted her application to join the single currency. This will be considered in June with the anticipation that the European Union will admit Greece to this inner grouping, making ten members by the end of this year.
A single currency is always the key to the establishment of a federal system. Babylon certainly had it, as did Rome. In World War II, Adolph Hitler instituted a single currency
throughout occupied Europe, the Reichmark.
The key to the single currency is Germany. It is interesting to note how it was with much soul searching that Germany decided to give up the deutsche mark. So attached is the German to his DM that there is no way that the nation would give it up, unless it felt there was great national benefit in doing so.
With a single currency, there is a necessity for a central control. The European Central Bank in Frankfurt now sets the interest rates for the whole of the inner grouping. A single currency also necessitates a central political control and common taxation.
In December of this year another treaty is to be signed, probably in Paris, which will effectively give birth to the new federal state of Europe—a state driven by those nations within the single currency.
A European superstate?
An Outline of Future History
In Daniel 2, we read of a dream King Nebuchadnezzar had. The dream, as God revealed to Daniel, was of a great image 'whose splendour was excellent…and its form was awesome' (verse 31). Daniel goes on to describe this image, which had a head of fine gold, chest and arms of silver, the belly and thighs of bronze and then the legs of iron, but with the feet of a mixture of iron and miry clay. This mixture has a fundamental flaw, being partly strong and partly weak.
Daniel then gives the interpretation. He explains in verses 38 and 39 that Nebuchadnezzar had seen a depiction of four mighty empires that would succeed the one then existing. All of these empires were manifestations of the same spirit and attitude, and in their day they dominated the land of the Bible—the Middle East. The head of gold symbolised Nebuchadnezzar, as he represented the great empire of Babylon. It was a fabulously wealthy empire, militarily, politically, and economically irresistible. But it was succeeded in 538 BC by the Medo-Persian Empire, not as wealthy, but still with the same nature—aggressive, ruthless, dominating.
The belly and thighs of brass represented the third empire under Alexander the Great. Alexander united the Greek states and went on to conquer Asia Minor, Syria and Egypt. He then invaded northern India and almost made it to the Ganges—a colossal military feat!
Verse 40 describes the fourth empire. This fourth empire was characterized by iron, symbolic of the Roman Empire, with the focus now in Europe. Again, it was to be powerful militarily, politically and economically.
It is interesting to note in verse 42 that the toes were unlike the legs in that they had the strength of iron, but the weakness of clay. At the same time, these toes do exactly what our human toes do. They give support and power to the whole. In verse 44, God refers to the toes as kings. These 10 kings— authorities or nation states—combine and work together to give that power to the rest of the structure. At the time those 10 powers come together, God says He will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed.
For further information, please write for our free booklets You Can Understand Prophecy and Are We Living in the Time of the End?
Unbelievable as it may sound, this very scenario was predicted for us some 2,600 years ago and preserved for us in the biblical book of Daniel. In the second chapter of that book, we can read how God revealed to Daniel a succession of four great empires that would be the dominant powers of their day.
Daniel lived in the days of the first great power, Babylon. That empire would be followed by three others: the Medo-Persian, Graeco-Macedonian and Roman Empires. (Further details in Daniel chapters 7 and 8 help us identify these prophesied empires.) Daniel 2 (as well as other prophecies) also reveals that
the last of the four empires will exist in some form at the time of the end. This final empire—a resurrection of the Roman Empire—will be a political, economic and military alliance of peoples (Daniel 2:41-43) and rulers (Revelation 17:12-14).
Divine Intervention
Are we now seeing the stage set for this prophesied revival of the Roman Empire? If we are, then we are not far from the also-prophesied return of Jesus Christ and the establishment of that world authority which, as is also written in Daniel 2, will never be destroyed. This is the government of God Himself, which will supersede all the governments of man (Revelation 11:15).
How desperately this world needs that divine government. The state of this planet today and the plight of its inhabitants is a constant witness to the inability of man, apart from God, to rule Himself.
John A Jewell
The World Tomorrow Reaches First Anniversary on Manx Radio
On May 9 we aired the 52nd World Tomorrow broadcast on Manx Radio. Our 15-minute weekly programme has been successful and there are additional plans for UK-wide and perhaps Western European broadcasting.
Continuing in the tradition of the original World Tomorrow broadcast (heard around the British Isles in the 1960's from Manx Radio, as well as several offshore radio stations), we discuss the real meaning behind today's world news and the advance news–the prophecies–of the World Tomorrow.
Subjects already covered and in planning are:
Does God exist?
Authority of the Bible
Is there life in outer space?
The origins of Easter
What's behind Christmas?
Is there life on Mars?
Is God responsible for the suffering on our planet?
We have produced a special programme for the anniversary edition, covering the history of the broadcast and answering some common questions concerning our aims, goals and mission. We address such questions as 'How is it all paid for?' and 'Why don't you proselytise?'
Our readers may be interested in some of the mechanics. The broadcast is introduced with a quote, a question or a challenge, usually backed by music. We have a special advertisement break for our free booklets or The Good News. The pace is designed to be challenging, modern and swift, probably unique in this context.
Although biblical understanding is the underlying basis for the broadcast, we do not appear in a 'religious' time slot, as the
programme would more accurately be described as human interest in presentation.
The broadcast is uploaded to the worldwide web. People from South Africa to Japan to the United States of America can listen to and download The World Tomorrow. Some even use it as part of their weekly Sabbath services in the USA. This can all be done by visiting our website on www.worldtomorrow.org.
In parts of the British Isles, The World Tomorrow may be heard weekly on Manx Radio, 1368HzAM (MW) and on 89.2, 97.2 and 103.7 MHz FM – indeed on ALL the station's frequencies–at 9:45 pm Tuesday evening, and late night Thursday at 1.02 am – the former immediately before the news and the latter immediately afterwards.
David McDermott, Presenter
Questions and Answers
Q: I'm not a churchgoer, but would like to be. The problem is I can't find a church where I fit in. I sincerely want to be baptised, but I don't want to be any part of a denominational church. Please help me. J A, Argyll, Scotland.
A: We can understand your caution in becoming a member of a denomination. Our suggestion is that you continue to read the Bible, using The Good News and related booklets (see last paragraph) as helps in arriving at a more complete comprehension of God's Word.
The various congregations of the United Church of God serve several purposes. They are spiritual havens for God's people, those who are led by the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:14). They are also places of fellowship where people of like understanding can come together on a regular basis. One other major purpose, perhaps the primary one, is to honour God on the Sabbath day, and to learn more of His plan and purpose for humanity. (If you would like to talk with a representative of the United Church of God, either at a mutually convenient site, or if you wish in your own home, please let us know.)
We are glad to hear that you are considering baptism. This is a major step which should only be undertaken after due consideration of the biblical instructions and appropriate counsel from a true minister of God. In brief, once a person has really repented of his or her sins, the transgressions of God's law (1 John 3:4), baptism is the next step to take (Acts 2:38). This is followed by the laying on of hands by the ministry for the receiving of God's Holy Spirit.
We have posted two free booklets to you. The Church Jesus Built will give you a comprehensive overview of the first century Church and how it applies to today's Christians. The Road to Eternal Life will explain repentance and baptism in much more detail. (If any of our other readers would like copies, please feel free to request these two titles and any other booklets advertised in this issue. Also the Bible Study Course. All are gratis.)
Letters from Our Readers…
About The Good News
Hi! My name is Francis, a regular subscriber of The Good News. I received my copy of the March/April 2000 issue a few weeks ago, and it was very exciting to read. One day I was reading it by the train station, and someone got interested in it. I asked him whether he wanted it, and he accepted, so I gladly gave it to him. However, since I had to run to catch my train, I was not able to get his contact address, so that he could be receiving it regularly in future. And on the other hand, I was left without a Good News. My request is that you would send me another copy of the current issue. F O O, Stockholm
Done!
Thank you very much for your free subscription to The Good News magazine. Your apt advertisement in one of the local papers of Is the Bible True? was the first time I came to know about you. Since then I have been getting the magazines free. The articles in your previous issues titled 'Is Christmas Christian?' and your latest 'The Good Friday-Easter Sunday Question' were quite astonishing for a Christian magazine. It's quite different from what the majority of Christians know and practice. I sincerely don't understand the concept. They too, quote from the same Bible to prove their points.
J A, Isle of Man
The key is rightly understanding and applying biblical teachings – not adhering to the traditions of men. Paul told Timothy: 'Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth' (2 Timothy 2:15, NIV). Proper methods of biblical study are important. For further understanding of this point, please write for our free booklet How to Understand the Bible. Also Holidays or Holy Days – Does it Matter Which Days We Keep? will explain the Christmas issue in more detail, plus the principles behind why we should seriously question its observance.
I have received your March-April volume of The Good News, for which I am extremely grateful. As a single parent and on low income I can make no contribution, but I do enjoy reading The Good News. I am requesting Is the Bible True? and How to Understand the Bible. I do not have access to a website, which seems to offer so much immediate information, but I do love to curl up with my readings. I would be grateful to you for copies and to know where I can obtain more to give to those whom I meet.
M M, Carlisle, Cumbria
Your situation is one reason why The Good News and the booklets are free. They may be obtained from the address at the bottom of this page.
Helping answer questions
Please send your letters to:
The Good News
P. O. Box 4052
MILTON KEYNES
MK13 7ZF
Tel 020 8386 8467
Fax 01257 453978
Website www.goodnews.org.uk
Mrs J D C, Cockermouth, Cumbria
Why not also write for our free brochure Making Life Work?
The Bible Study Course
Thank you for sending me the Bible Study Course. I am writing to let you know that you sent me the lesson 1 and lesson 2 in two issues each, and of course, I don't need the extras.
M B L, Saint Medard En Jalles, France
If any of our readers receive duplications, please let us know and we will put the problem right.
The World Tomorrow broadcast
I have been enjoying listening to the World Tomorrow via Victor Kubik's website. It's really neat since I am in Houston, Texas, way across the ocean. It's good to hear them again as we did when Mr Armstrong was alive. Keep up the good work.
M B, Houston, Texas
Your radio broadcast is fabulous. The first time I listened, you kept me on the edge of my seat in rapt attention! I stayed up until 2 am last night listening to broadcasts and didn't even notice the time. Your messages are consistently inspiring and encouraging.
I V, Tampa, Florida
Have just heard the World Tomorrow on Radio Manx, best reception for a long time. The message came across more effectively (not just more professionally) than I have heard it before, with more conviction and more focus.
Reader in the British Isles
Please see the accompanying article at the top of page 3.
