Wednesday, March 26, 2008

NARLA RESPONDS TO SUNDAY LAW 'RUMOR'

On the behest of an "anonymous" friend who posted a comment on my
I present this denial of the event's occurence by James D. Standish Esq., of Religious Liberty Assoc. (NARLA), for everyone's appraisal.
Note: James Standish, has also worked as Adventist Church congressional liaison.
North American Religious Liberty Association Responds to Sunday Law Rumor
Friends of Religious Liberty:

Rumors have recently surfaced that need to be addressed. Accuracy in reporting is vitally important if we would be a credible resource when issues of significance arise. Some are so anxious for the Second Coming that they hail "news" like this rumor as the fulfillment of prophecy, then they hastily disseminate it without verification. Please make haste slowly in affairs such as this.

We rely on the North American Religious Liberty Association (NARLA) to investigate and substantiate or disprove the rumor, then make an official statement that reflects their diligent research. This letter from James Standish arrived today and we share it with you to help you evaluate these rumors for yourselves. Please feel free to pass this on.

Dear Colleagues:

Whenever we receive information relating to Sunday laws, we examine the information diligently and extensively. In addition to reacting to information sent to us, we proactively monitor legislative developments on Capitol Hill and attend many meetings with a wide variety of entities at which prospective legislation is discussed. Further, we undertake extensive research. For example, our team performed an extensive review of Sunday laws in every U.S. state and the District of Columbia, culminating in a 421-page report detailing every existing state Sunday law.

When we receive information about Sunday laws from individual sources, our team of dedicated Seventh-day Adventist professionals follow four steps to evaluate it:

  1. If the information contains claims that can be independently verified, we perform the detailed research necessary to determine whether the claims are factual.
  1. We contact the source of the information directly to invite him or her to speak and/or meet with us in order to gain perspective on the information.
  1. If the source will not speak and/or meet with us, we contact people who are in contact with the source—for example, his or her church pastor—to ascertain why the individual refuses to communicate directly with our Church’s religious liberty team and whether there are any indications as to the credibility of the source.
  1. We review our first-hand observation of the process on Capitol Hill, we speak with personal contacts, and we access a variety of printed sources to ascertain whether there are associated movements.

In short, we take information on Sunday laws very seriously and we follow a rigorous path to evaluate it.

Currently, there are two Sunday law rumors circulating in the Seventh-day Adventist Church. We have run both of these through our four-step process and, after this serious review, find both to be unreliable at this point.

The first rumor claims that there was a secret meeting in Washington, DC last November to plan for the passage of a Sunday law. We checked every specific claim that accompanied this rumor and every one of them proved false. The meeting did not occur at the site claimed, and the high-profile individuals who allegedly attended the meeting are documented to be in other locations at the time. After we made our investigation public, the rumor morphed. The new rumor contained no claims that could be independently verified. Our invitation to the source of the rumor to meet with us has not been accepted. There has been no Sunday law bill introduced in the subsequent four months and our research has turned up no evidence that would tend to corroborate the rumor. Rather, the closer we have looked at the situation surrounding the rumor, the more it appears to be false.

The person who is the source of the current claim also circulated another Sunday law claim approximately seven years ago. Once again, we vigorously researched the elements that could be verified and found each one to be inaccurate. In the seven years since that claim, no Sunday law has been introduced in Congress.

The second rumor currently circulating is that the Pope will urge the passage of a Sunday law when he is in Washington, DC in the near future. The source of this rumor is the same as above. We have once again followed our four-step process and to date have found nothing to corroborate the claim.

The Seventh-day Adventist religious liberty team is dedicated to advancing the cause of religious liberty and the gospel, including the Three Angels Messages. We take Sunday laws very seriously, diligently research any information we receive, and proactively search for information on Sunday laws. When we receive credible information on religious liberty matters, whether it is on Sunday laws or other religious liberty matters, we use every avenue available to us to share it promptly with our church family as a whole.

Yours in Christ,

James Standish


Public Affairs & Religious Liberty


General Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church


Tuesday, March 25, 2008

FINAL WARNING


Final Warning

Key Text
"And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, My people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues." Revelation 18:4

"I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory. And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird." "And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, My people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues." Revelation 18:1, 2, 4.

This scripture points forward to a time when the announcement of the fall of Babylon, as made by the second angel of Revelation 14 (verse 8), is to be repeated, with the additional mention of the corruptions which have been entering the various organizations that constitute Babylon, since that message was first given, in the summer of 1844. A terrible condition of the religious world is here described. With every rejection of truth the minds of the people will become darker, their hearts more stubborn, until they are entrenched in an infidel hardihood. In defiance of the warnings which God has given, they will continue to trample upon one of the precepts of the Decalogue, until they are led to persecute those who hold it sacred. Christ is set at nought in the contempt placed upon His word and His people. As the teachings of spiritualism are accepted by the churches, the restraint imposed upon the carnal heart is removed, and the profession of religion will become a cloak to conceal the basest iniquity. A belief in spiritual manifestations opens the door to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils, and thus the influence of evil angels will be felt in the churches.

Of Babylon, at the time brought to view in this prophecy, it is declared: "Her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities." Revelation 18:5. She has filled up the measure of her guilt, and destruction is about to fall upon her. But God still has a people in Babylon; and before the visitation of His judgments these faithful ones must be called out, that they partake not of her sins and "receive not of her plagues." Hence the movement symbolized by the angel coming down from heaven, lightening the earth with his glory and crying mightily with a strong voice, announcing the sins of Babylon. In connection with his message the call is heard: "Come out of her, My people." These announcements, uniting with the third angel's message, constitute the final warning to be given to the inhabitants of the earth.

Fearful is the issue to which the world is to be brought. The powers of earth, uniting to war against the commandments of God, will decree that "all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond" (Revelation 13:16), shall conform to the customs of the church by the observance of the false sabbath. All who refuse compliance will be visited with civil penalties, and it will finally be declared that they are deserving of death. On the other hand, the law of God enjoining the Creator's rest day demands obedience and threatens wrath against all who transgress its precepts.

With the issue thus clearly brought before him, whoever shall trample upon God's law to obey a human enactment receives the mark of the beast; he accepts the sign of allegiance to the power which he chooses to obey instead of God. The warning from heaven is: "If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of His indignation." Revelation 14:9, 10.

But not one is made to suffer the wrath of God until the truth has been brought home to his mind and conscience, and has been rejected. There are many who have never had an opportunity to hear the special truths for this time. The obligation of the fourth commandment has never been set before them in its true light. He who reads every heart and tries every motive will leave none who desire a knowledge of the truth, to be deceived as to the issues of the controversy. The decree is not to be urged upon the people blindly. Everyone is to have sufficient light to make his decision intelligently.

The Sabbath will be the great test of loyalty, for it is the point of truth especially controverted. When the final test shall be brought to bear upon men, then the line of distinction will be drawn between those who serve God and those who serve Him not. While the observance of the false sabbath in compliance with the law of the state, contrary to the fourth commandment, will be an avowal of allegiance to a power that is in opposition to God, the keeping of the true Sabbath, in obedience to God's law, is an evidence of loyalty to the Creator. While one class, by accepting the sign of submission to earthly powers, receive the mark of the beast, the other choosing the token of allegiance to divine authority, receive the seal of God.

Heretofore those who presented the truths of the third angel's message have often been regarded as mere alarmists. Their predictions that religious intolerance would gain control in the United States, that church and state would unite to persecute those who keep the commandments of God, have been pronounced groundless and absurd. It has been confidently declared that this land could never become other than what it has been--the defender of religious freedom. But as the question of enforcing Sunday observance is widely agitated, the event so long doubted and disbelieved is seen to be approaching, and the third message will produce an effect which it could not have had before.

In every generation God has sent His servants to rebuke sin, both in the world and in the church. But the people desire smooth things spoken to them, and the pure, unvarnished truth is not acceptable. Many reformers, in entering upon their work, determined to exercise great prudence in attacking the sins of the church and the nation. They hoped, by the example of a pure Christian life, to lead the people back to the doctrines of the Bible. But the Spirit of God came upon them as it came upon Elijah, moving him to rebuke the sins of a wicked king and an apostate people; they could not refrain from preaching the plain utterances of the Bible-- doctrines which they had been reluctant to present. They were impelled to zealously declare the truth and the danger which threatened souls. The words which the Lord gave them they uttered, fearless of consequences, and the people were compelled to hear the warning.

Thus the message of the third angel will be proclaimed. As the time comes for it to be given with greatest power, the Lord will work through humble instruments, leading the minds of those who consecrate themselves to His service. The laborers will be qualified rather by the unction of His Spirit than by the training of literary institutions. Men of faith and prayer will be constrained to go forth with holy zeal, declaring the words which God gives them. The sins of Babylon will be laid open. The fearful results of enforcing the observances of the church by civil authority, the inroads of spiritualism, the stealthy but rapid progress of the papal power--all will be unmasked. By these solemn warnings the people will be stirred. Thousands upon thousands will listen who have never heard words like these. In amazement they hear the testimony that Babylon is the church, fallen because of her errors and sins, because of her rejection of the truth sent to her from heaven. As the people go to their former teachers with the eager inquiry, Are these things so? the ministers present fables, prophesy smooth things, to soothe their fears and quiet the awakened conscience. But since many refuse to be satisfied with the mere authority of men and demand a plain "Thus saith the Lord," the popular ministry, like the Pharisees of old, filled with anger as their authority is questioned, will denounce the message as of Satan and stir up the sin-loving multitudes to revile and persecute those who proclaim it.

As the controversy extends into new fields and the minds of the people are called to God's downtrodden law, Satan is astir. The power attending the message will only madden those who oppose it. The clergy will put forth almost superhuman efforts to shut away the light lest it should shine upon their flocks. By every means at their command they will endeavor to suppress the discussion of these vital questions. The church appeals to the strong arm of civil power, and, in this work, papists and Protestants unite. As the movement for Sunday enforcement becomes more bold and decided, the law will be invoked against commandment keepers. They will be threatened with fines and imprisonment, and some will be offered positions of influence, and other rewards and advantages, as inducements to renounce their faith. But their steadfast answer is: "Show us from the word of God our error"--the same plea that was made by Luther under similar circumstances. Those who are arraigned before the courts make a strong vindication of the truth, and some who hear them are led to take their stand to keep all the commandments of God. Thus light will be brought before thousands who otherwise would know nothing of these truths.

Conscientious obedience to the word of God will be treated as rebellion. Blinded by Satan, the parent will exercise harshness and severity toward the believing child; the master or mistress will oppress the commandment-keeping servant. Affection will be alienated; children will be disinherited and driven from home. The words of Paul will be literally fulfilled: "All that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution." 2 Timothy 3:12. As the defenders of truth refuse to honor the Sunday-sabbath, some of them will be thrust into prison, some will be exiled, some will be treated as slaves. To human wisdom all this now seems impossible; but as the restraining Spirit of God shall be withdrawn from men, and they shall be under the control of Satan, who hates the divine precepts, there will be strange developments. The heart can be very cruel when God's fear and love are removed.

As the storm approaches, a large class who have professed faith in the third angel's message, but have not been sanctified through obedience to the truth, abandon their position and join the ranks of the opposition. By uniting with the world and partaking of its spirit, they have come to view matters in nearly the same light; and when the test is brought, they are prepared to choose the easy, popular side. Men of talent and pleasing address, who once rejoiced in the truth, employ their powers to deceive and mislead souls. They become the most bitter enemies of their former brethren. When Sabbathkeepers are brought before the courts to answer for their faith, these apostates are the most efficient agents of Satan to misrepresent and accuse them, and by false reports and insinuations to stir up the rulers against them.

In this time of persecution the faith of the Lord's servants will be tried. They have faithfully given the warning, looking to God and to His word alone. God's Spirit, moving upon their hearts, has constrained them to speak. Stimulated
with holy zeal, and with the divine impulse strong upon them, they entered upon the performance of their duties without coldly calculating the consequences of speaking to the people the word which the Lord had given them. They have not consulted their temporal interests, nor sought to preserve their reputation or their lives. Yet when the storm of opposition and reproach bursts upon them, some, overwhelmed with consternation, will be ready to exclaim: "Had we foreseen the consequences of our words, we would have held our peace." They are hedged in with difficulties. Satan assails them with fierce temptations. The work which they have undertaken seems far beyond their ability to accomplish. They are threatened with destruction. The enthusiasm which animated them is gone; yet they cannot turn back. Then, feeling their utter helplessness, they flee to the Mighty One for strength. They remember that the words which they have spoken were not theirs, but His who bade them give the warning. God put the truth into their hearts, and they could not forbear to proclaim it.

The same trials have been experienced by men of God in ages past. Wycliffe, Huss, Luther, Tyndale, Baxter, Wesley, urged that all doctrines be brought to the test of the Bible and declared that they would renounce everything which it condemned. Against these men persecution raged with relentless fury; yet they ceased not to declare the truth. Different periods in the history of the church have each been marked by the development of some special truth, adapted to the necessities of God's people at that time. Every new truth has made its way against hatred and opposition; those who were blessed with its light were tempted and tried. The Lord gives a special truth for the people in an emergency. Who dare refuse to publish it? He commands His servants to present the last invitation of mercy to the world. They cannot remain silent, except at the peril of their souls. Christ's ambassadors have nothing to do with consequences. They must perform their duty and leave results with God.

As the opposition rises to a fiercer height, the servants of God are again perplexed; for it seems to them that they have brought the crisis. But conscience and the word of God assure them that their course is right; and although the trials continue, they are strengthened to bear them. The contest grows closer and sharper, but their faith and courage rise with the emergency. Their testimony is: "We dare not tamper with God's word, dividing His holy law; calling one portion essential and another nonessential, to gain the favor of the world. The Lord whom we serve is able to deliver us. Christ has conquered the powers of earth; and shall we be afraid of a world already conquered?"

Persecution in its varied forms is the development of a principle which will exist as long as Satan exists and Christianity has vital power. No man can serve God without enlisting against himself the opposition of the hosts of darkness. Evil angels will assail him, alarmed that his influence is taking the prey from their hands. Evil men, rebuked by his example, will unite with them in seeking to separate him from God by alluring temptations. When these do not succeed, then a compelling power is employed to force the conscience.

But so long as Jesus remains man's intercessor in the sanctuary above, the restraining influence of the Holy Spirit is felt by rulers and people. It still controls to some extent the laws of the land. Were it not for these laws, the condition of the world would be much worse than it now is. While many of our rulers are active agents of Satan, God also has His agents among the leading men of the nation. The enemy moves upon his servants to propose measures that would greatly impede the work of God; but statesmen who fear the Lord are influenced by holy angels to oppose such propositions with unanswerable arguments. Thus a few men will hold in check a powerful current of evil. The opposition of the enemies of truth will be restrained that the third angel's message may do its work. When the final warning shall be given, it will arrest the attention of these leading men through whom the Lord is now working, and some of them will accept it, and will stand with the people of God through the time of trouble.

The angel who unites in the proclamation of the third angel's message is to lighten the whole earth with his glory. A work of world-wide extent and unwonted power is here foretold. The advent movement of 1840-44 was a glorious manifestation of the power of God; the first angel's message was carried to every missionary station in the world, and in some countries there was the greatest religious interest which has been witnessed in any land since the Reformation of the sixteenth century; but these are to be exceeded by the mighty movement under the last warning of the third angel.

The work will be similar to that of the Day of Pentecost. As the "former rain" was given, in the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at the opening of the gospel, to cause the upspringing of the precious seed, so the "latter rain" will be given at its close for the ripening of the harvest. "Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the Lord: His going forth is prepared as the morning; and He shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth." Hosea 6:3. "Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the Lord your God: for He hath given you the former rain moderately, and He will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain." Joel 2:23. "In the last days, saith God, I will pour out of My Spirit upon all flesh." "And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved." Acts 2:17, 21.

The great work of the gospel is not to close with less manifestation of the power of God than marked its opening. The prophecies which were fulfilled in the outpouring of the former rain at the opening of the gospel are again to be fulfilled in the latter rain at its close. Here are "the times of refreshing" to which the apostle Peter looked forward when he said: "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; and He shall send Jesus." Acts 3:19, 20.

Servants of God, with their faces lighted up and shining with holy consecration, will hasten from place to place to proclaim the message from heaven. By thousands of voices, all over the earth, the warning will be given. Miracles will be wrought, the sick will be healed, and signs and wonders will follow the believers. Satan also works, with lying wonders, even bringing down fire from heaven in the sight of men. Revelation 13:13. Thus the inhabitants of the earth will be brought to take their stand.

The message will be carried not so much by argument as by the deep conviction of the Spirit of God. The arguments have been presented. The seed has been sown, and now it will spring up and bear fruit. The publications distributed by missionary workers have exerted their influence, yet many whose minds were impressed have been prevented from fully comprehending the truth or from yielding obedience. Now the rays of light penetrate everywhere, the truth is seen in its clearness, and the honest children of God sever the bands which have held them. Family connections, church relations, are powerless to stay them now. Truth is more precious than all besides. Notwithstanding the agencies combined against the truth, a large number take their stand upon the Lord's side.

Source: http://www.finalevents.com/Event3/final-warning.asp

MUSLIM SCHOLARS PRESS POPE TO GO PUBLIC

October 23rd, 2007

Muslim scholars press Pope Benedict to go public

Posted by: Tom Heneghan

The 138 Muslims scholars who recently invited Christian leaders to a high-level inter-faith dialogue feel their unprecedented step of uniting so many different Islamic representatives has created a momentum that must not be lost. The responses from Christian churches have shown varying levels of urgency in taking up the challenge. muslimspray2.jpgMany denominations, most notably the Anglicans and Lutherans, responded promptly and positively to their appeal “A Common Word Between Us And You.” The Roman Catholic Church has been more cautious, and its provisional response has gone from vaguely positive to cautiously critical.

The Muslim scholars have responded with a direct appeal to the Pope to speak publicly about their initiative. Sheikh Izzeldin Ibrahim, a signatory who is a cultural adviser to the United Arab Emirates government, made a verbal appeal to that effect to Benedict when they lunched together in Naples on Sunday at the Sant’Egidio community’s annual inter-faith meeting. He told him the Muslim scholars were disappointed not only at what they saw as the Vatican’s hesitant response to their appeal but also to the lack of a Catholic response to the letter of 38 scholars last year to his controversial Regensburg speech. And, as signatory Aref Ali Nayed of the Cambridge Interfaith Program in Britain told Reuters, they made it official with a letter handed to Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran, head of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue.

Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams told Vatican Radio on Monday that he has been discussing with other Christian leaders in Naples what the churches should do next. “I’d like to start exploring what kind of common Christian response there might be to the ‘Common Word’ document that’s come from the Muslim leaders,” he said. Christian leaders were “looking at various theoretical possibilities” and would like to have “proper face-to-face discussions with some of these people. But how to do that is quite a logistical challenge,” he said.

My story on the latest statement from the Muslim scholars outlines their concerns. They seem to feel that Tauran, by bringing up issues such as interpretation of the Koran or reciprocity in building churches and mosques in the Middle East and Europe, is going beyond the scope of the narrowly focused consensus they were able to build. They also noted that the annual messages the Vatican sends for Eid el-Fitr at the end of Ramadan muslimspray3.jpg“had been made polemical of late.” In this year and last, these messages included pointed appeals for all religions to fight terrorism and violence in the name of religion (compare them with earlier messages here).

The website for A Common Word has the full text plus pages of reactions from Christian leaders and theologians. Another reaction from a leading Catholic Islam expert has come from Father Christian Troll, S.J., a German Jesuit based in Frankfurt who lectured alongside Fr. Samir Khalil Samir, S.J. at the pope’s 2005 Islam seminar with his former students. Here are excerpts (in German).

Source: http://blogs.reuters.com/faithworld/2007/10/page/2/

A NEW WORLD ORDER IS COMING SOON!


A New World Order
Is Coming Soon! –

Who Will Usher It In?

Is a New World Order something we should look forward to? Will it take place and if so, when? Who will be responsible for bringing in this New World Order? Will it be the president of the United States or maybe even the head of the Roman Catholic Church, the pope himself? Where can we find these answers? Does the Bible say anything about this important subject that will affect the whole world? Let’s look at some information that will help us get a better picture of upcoming events.

Pope Calls For A New World Order


Years ago the San Francisco Chronicle had a front page story with the title, "Pope Calls for a New World Order He endorses capitalism with a social conscience." This article stated that the pope has a vision of a post-Communist world of economic and social justice, leaving room for capitalism, with a moral core but no place for "consumer societies." John Paul II has since past away, but does the Roman Catholic Church still carry the same agenda?


There is a book on the market today that was published in the 1990's by Malachi Martin, entitled "The Keys of This Blood", Simon and Schuster. Martin, a former Jesuit and professor at the Vatican’s Pontifical Biblical Institute, details the late pope’s plans for conquering the world.





A Winner-Take-All Race


Taken from the dust jacket of Malachi Martin’s book, the publisher states: "In this timely and provocative new book, bestselling author Malachi Martin reveals the untold story behind the Vatican’s role in the collapse of the Iron Curtain, as well as the popes far-reaching assessment of the three-way contest now unfolding among the global powers the Soviet Union. . . the capitalist nations of the West, and the pope’s own universal Roman Church a winner-take-all race against time and each other to establish, maintain, and control the first one-world government that has ever existed on the face of the earth. . . And Martin reveals the pope’s own blueprint for a genuinely geopolitical structure: a one-world government that is both viable and humanly acceptable."

The term New World Order received attention as never before when former President George Bush Sr., during the Persian Gulf crisis of the early 1990's, gave a speech mentioning the New World Order that is coming. When Kuwait was invaded, they looked to America for military help. A National Public Radio correspondent called George Bush Sr. the "president of the world."


Time magazine has called America "the world’s sole remaining superpower." Charles Krauthammer, writing in the New Republic, said we now have "a highly unusual world structure with a single power, the United States, at the apex of the international system."





What Is In Store For The Future?


With the United States as the only superpower left on the scene and the Vatican working to bring about a one-world government, from a religious standpoint, what is in store for the future? Is China worried about their future? Newsweek magazine reports, "As they watched the collapse of communism in Eastern Europe and Russia, China’s aging leadership became convinced that the man most responsible for the party’s fall from grace was none other than the pope himself. Internal party documents accused him of directing ‘reactionary and subversive’ forces against communists everywhere."

Catholicism, with the cooperation of the United States, wants to bring about a one-world government. Will they succeed and set up another world empire to try to bring about world peace and order?


Lets look and see if the Bible talks about this most important subject, the New World Order.





The Bible Has Much To Reveal


The Bible has much to reveal about what is going to happen in the world. In the book of Daniel we can find the answers.

"And in the second year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar, Nebuchadnezzar dreamed dreams, wherewith his spirit was troubled, and his sleep brake from him." Daniel 2:1.


Nebuchadnezzar was greatly disturbed by his dreams, but could not remember the details and was very distressed. He put forth a decree that unless the dream was made known to him, all the wise men and astrologers of ancient Babylon would be slain. Daniel and his three friends were among this group of wise men. All of the other wise men and astrologers could not tell the King his dream or any part of it. Daniel and his three companions prayed for the God of heaven to reveal to Daniel the king’s dream. God allowed Daniel to dream the same dream that King Nebuchadnezzar had dreamed.


In Nebuchadnezzar’s dream he saw a great image. The head of the image was pure gold; its chest and arms of silver; the thighs were of brass; and the legs were made of iron. The feet were composed of iron mixed with clay. The King saw a stone cut out of a mountain without human help, fly through the air and strike the image, upon its feet. The gold, silver, brass, iron, and clay were completely shattered and broken, and ‘became like the chaff of the summer threshing floors.’ Daniel 2:35, and the wind blew them all away. Then the stone began to grow, soon it became a great mountain and filled the whole earth.





God Had Shown Him. . .The Future


Daniel explained to King Nebuchadnezzar that God had shown him what was to happen in the future. The different parts of the image represented four world empires which would rule the world in turn. "Thou art this head of gold," Daniel 2:38. The golden head represented the world kingdom of Babylon ruled by the King. Daniel revealed that the rest of the kingdoms would not be as great as the Babylonian empire, which Nebuchadnezzar ruled, and that there would be four empires total Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome.

Years later more events of the dream began to take place. Belshazzar, who was Nebuchadnezzar’s grandson, was the king when the Babylonian empire fell. Belshazzar was holding a drunken feast. During this feast Belshazzar decided to mock the God of heaven by drinking wine from the sacred cups taken from the temple of God when Jerusalem had been captured by his grandfather. While the crowd was drunk, a supernatural hand appeared, writing on the wall: "MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN." The meaning as given in the Bible is: "God hath numbered thy kingdom, and finished it. . . . Thy kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and Persians." Daniel 5:26- 28. That very night Darius overthrew Babylon, killed Belshazzar, and Medo-Persia was the new world empire.


The overthrow of Medo-Persia took place by the Greeks at the Battle of Arbela in 331 BC. Greece, which succeeded Medo-Persia, was divided into four parts at the death of Alexander the Great, and finally lost world dominion, being overthrown and succeeded by Rome at the Battle of Pydna in 168 BC.


Daniel had also told Nebuchadnezzar about the fourth and last earthly kingdom, "And the fourth kingdom shall be strong as iron: forasmuch as iron breaketh in pieces and subdueth all things: and as iron that breaketh all these, shall it break in pieces and bruise." Daniel 2:40. "And whereas thou sawest the feet and toes, part of potters’ clay and part of iron, the kingdom shall be divided; but there shall be in it of the strength of the iron, forasmuch as thou sawest the iron mixed with miry clay. And as the toes of the feet were part of iron, and part of clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong, and partly broken. . . . but they shall not cleave one to another, even as iron is not mixed with clay." Daniel 2:41- 43. Daniel told the King that the fourth world empire, Rome, would be divided as represented by the ten toes of the image. Some of the resulting nations would be strong and some would be weak. This has been fulfilled as the nations of Europe are the successors to the Roman Empire.





They Shall Not Cleave


Through the years since the fall of the Roman Empire there has been an ongoing effort to bring about a united Europe and another world empire. History records show that every attempt has failed. Just as Daniel predicted, "but they shall not cleave one to another." Daniel 2:43. Daniel was revealing to the King and also to us, "What shall be in the latter days." Daniel 2:28.

The new attempt to bring about a New World Order is another effort to form a one-world government. All the attempts that have been made to bring about another world empire have failed, and it has been at great loss of human lives. The reason that they all have been, and will continue to be unsuccessful is because they are not listening to the God of heaven. He told Daniel that there would not be another world empire after Rome. The nations have gone against the Word of God. Their lust for power and wealth have caused war and bloodshed.





All Attempts Have Failed


"With Rome fell the last of the world’s universal empires. Heretofore it was possible for one nation, rising superior to its neighbors to consolidate them into one vast empire. But when Rome fell, such possibilities forever passed away. The iron was mixed with clay and lost the power of cohesion. No man or combination of men can again consolidate the fragments." The Prophecies of Daniel and The Revelation, Uriah Smith, p. 60. Time and time again men have dreamed of rebuilding one mighty kingdom. Charlemagne tried it; Charles V tried; Louis XIV tried; Napoleon tried; Kaiser Wilhelm tried; and Adolf Hitler tried. All attempts have failed. The current attempt may appear for a time to be successful, but it will be short lived.

But Daniel’s prophecy goes on and explains the future, the near future. ". . . the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever. Forasmuch as thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it brake in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver and the gold; the great God hath made known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter: and the dream is certain, and the interpretation thereof sure." Daniel 2:44,45.


God’s kingdom will not come as a result of politics. God says that He will set up His kingdom, and His kingdom will stand forever. The time prophecy for God’s kingdom to be set up is in the very near future. Jesus’ second coming will usher in the last and eternal kingdom. All the events that we see rapidly taking place in the world point us to the soon coming of Christ. We will not see a one-world empire this side of heaven. You can be a part of God’s kingdom. Won’t you ask Him to come into your heart now so you can be ready for Jesus’ soon coming.





In The Name Of World Peace


There is more Bible prophecy that tells us we are about to see the world unite under the influence of the papacy. We will be told that in the name of world peace, all nations need to succumb to the Vatican’s vision of a one-world government, a New World Order.

The world will make another attempt to unite, but this is just a false hope of world peace. We know that we have a more sure word of prophecy, and that the Bible explains to us the next kingdom is God’s kingdom. This good news brings to our hearts the promise of everlasting peace, and the joy of spending eternity with God. Just think of it. "And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away." Rev. 21:4.


Source: http://www.preparingforeternity.com/

BOW AND CROWN

And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.
Revelation 6:2.

THE (LAST) SEVEN PLAGUES

Revelation 16

1And I heard a great voice out of the temple saying to the seven angels, Go your ways, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth.

2And the first went, and poured out his vial upon the earth; and there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast, and upon them which worshipped his image.

3And the second angel poured out his vial upon the sea; and it became as the blood of a dead man: and every living soul died in the sea.

4And the third angel poured out his vial upon the rivers and fountains of waters; and they became blood.

5And I heard the angel of the waters say, Thou art righteous, O Lord, which art, and wast, and shalt be, because thou hast judged thus.

6For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and thou hast given them blood to drink; for they are worthy.

7And I heard another out of the altar say, Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are thy judgments.

8And the fourth angel poured out his vial upon the sun; and power was given unto him to scorch men with fire.

9And men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God, which hath power over these plagues: and they repented not to give him glory.

10And the fifth angel poured out his vial upon the seat of the beast; and his kingdom was full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues for pain,

11And blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and repented not of their deeds.

12And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared.

13And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet.

14For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.

15Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.

16And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.

17And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, It is done.

18And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great.

19And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath.

20And every island fled away, and the mountains were not found.

21And there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven, every stone about the weight of a talent: and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail; for the plague thereof was exceeding great.

WHY PROBATION LINGERS


Why Probation Lingers

The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9.


I was shown our danger, as a people, of becoming assimilated to the world rather than to the image of Christ. We are now upon the very borders of the eternal world, but it is the purpose of the adversary of souls to lead us to put far off the close of time. Satan will in every conceivable manner assail those who profess to be the commandment-keeping people of God and to be waiting for the second appearing of our Saviour in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. He will lead as many as possible to put off the evil day and become in spirit like the world, imitating its customs. I felt alarmed as I saw that the spirit of the world was controlling the hearts and minds of many who make a high profession of the truth. . . . {Mar 92.1}

In consideration of the shortness of time we as a people should watch and pray, and in no case allow ourselves to be diverted from the solemn work of preparation for the great event before us. Because the time is apparently extended, many have become careless and indifferent in regard to their words and actions. They do not realize their danger and do not see and understand the mercy of our God in lengthening their probation, that they may have time to form characters for the future, immortal life. Every moment is of the highest value. Time is granted them, not to be employed in studying their own ease and becoming dwellers on the earth, but to be used in the work of overcoming every defect in their own characters and in helping others, by example and personal effort, to see the beauty of holiness. God has a people upon the earth who in faith and holy hope are tracing down the roll of fast-fulfilling prophecy and are seeking to purify their souls by obeying the truth, that they may not be found without the wedding garment when Christ shall appear. . . . {Mar 92.2}

The signs foretold in prophecy are fast fulfilling around us. This should arouse every true follower of Christ to zealous action. {Mar 92.3}

Maranatha, Ellen G. White, p.92.

Monday, March 24, 2008

501c3 MYTHS

501c3 church myths

  1. A church or church ministry must be 501c3 in order to avoid paying taxes.
  2. A church or church ministry must be 501c3 in order to be tax deductible.

  3. Churches should comply with all the laws of the land because Jesus said, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s” (Mr 12:17). Therefore, it is only right for a church to become a 501c3.

  4. Being a 501c3 helps to legitimize a church in the eyes of the world. After all, Paul said, “Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.” (2Co 8:21)

Myths #1 & 2 have been promulgated for years by swarms of attorneys, as well as some accountants. Both myths are patently false. When it comes to legal and tax matters, most people just assume that the “licensed professionals” know what they're talking about. Little do people realize that far too many attorneys never personally study the law for themselves, and are merely parroting what they've heard other attorneys say. Once a myth gets started in the legal profession, it tends to spread like a wildfire, particularly when the myth can make a lot of money for the tens of thousands of attorneys who want to take advantage of it. We’ll debunk these myths using the IRS’ own publications.

Myth #3 is often promulgated by folks who misconstrue the statements of Jesus to justify placing His church under State authority. Theologically, this is referred to as “Erastianism,” a position that holds that the church is, and ought to be, subordinate to the State.

Myth #4 is often promulgated by those who are preoccupied with pleasing men in order to win their approval. This is problematic because it inevitably results in worldly compromise. The emphasis in Paul's teaching is first upon doing what is honest “in the sight of the Lord.” Only then are we enabled to do what is honest “in the sight of men.”

Myth #1. Tax Exempt:

The IRS has acknowledged for decades that it is completely unnecessary for any church to apply for a tax-exempt status. According to IRS Publication 557, as well as IRS Code § 508, churches and church ministries are “exempt automatically.” Application for an exempt status is not only superfluous, but to do so subordinates that church to the IRS. Churches in America have always been nontaxable anyway. It simply makes no sense for a church to go to the IRS and seek permission to be exempted from a tax the government can’t impose in the first place.

The church in America is protected from the government by the First Amendment:

“Congress shall make NO law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.”

It would be absurd to suppose that you could have free exercise of religion if you had to pay for it (taxes). If Congress can make NO law respecting the church, it can make NO law to tax the church.

The IRS lacks the jurisdiction necessary to tax the churches in America. The IRS has no more jurisdiction over the churches in America than it does over the churches in Canada. It would be as absurd (and tyrannical) for the IRS to tax the churches in America, as it would be for the IRS to tax churches in Canada. They don't have jurisdiction.

Myth #2. Tax Deductible:

Whether or not a church or church ministry applies for and receives a “501c3 tax-exempt recognition letter” from the IRS, any contributions made to a church are “automatically qualified” as a tax write-off to the contributor, pursuant to IRS Publication 526, and IRS Code § 170(c)(2)(B). A church does not have to be a "nonprofit charitable organization" to be tax deductible, nor does it need IRS authorization to be tax deductible. According to the IRS, churches have that status “automatically.”

Myth #3. Render To Caesar:

Jesus did indeed say, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s;” but that’s only half the verse! Jesus went on to say, “and to God the things that are God’s.” The obvious question to be asked is at what time did Jesus place His church under the authority and jurisdiction of Caesar (the State)?

Mark 12:17 is the most brilliant teaching on lawful authority and legal jurisdiction that anyone has ever uttered. We can properly interpret Jesus’ teaching in this way, “Don’t render to Caesar the things that don't belong Caesar.”

Only the "sovereign" (the supreme power) has the authority to impose a tax, and he may do so only upon his own citizen and subjects. Is the State sovereign over Jesus Christ and His body, the church? No, the civil government has no such lawful authority, biblically or constitutionally. If the civil government has the authority to tax the church, the church is a subordinate and a subject of the State.

God ordained both the church and the civil government, and has delineated their respective spheres of authority. There should be mutual accountability between the church and the State, but one is not an underling of the other.

America's Founding Fathers forever abolished the old State-Church and Church-State systems. However, those who would now advocate that the church should be subordinate to the State are, in reality, calling for a return of that old State-Church system.

For the church to apply to the government to be exempt from taxes presupposes that the government has legitimate authority to impose taxes on the church to begin with. Such thinking smacks of Erastianism.

“It should wrong our consciences.”

The clergy in America have not always been so confused on the issue of State taxation of the church. For many years it was understood that the church cannot and must not go to the State with hat in hand and ask permission to be exempted from taxes. To do so would be an admission that the church was under State jurisdiction. Instead, the church must refuse such an admission. The Rev. Isaac Backus was one such clergyman. In September of 1775 he preached a sermon to the Massachusetts Assembly in which he stated:

“Yet, as we are persuaded that an entire freedom from being taxed by civil rulers to religious worship is not a mere favor from any man or men in the world but a right and property granted us by God, who commands us to stand fast in it, we have not only the same reason to refuse an acknowledgment of such a taxing power here, as America has the abovesaid power, but also, according to our present light, we should wrong our consciences in allowing that power to men, which we believe belongs only to God.”

Myth #4. 501c3 Status Legitimizes the Church

It's a sad commentary on the church of our day when any church feels compelled to go to sinners to seek legitimacy. The church of Jesus Christ is in no way legitimized by the license, approval, acknowledgement or permission of wicked men (those who don't appreciate how corrupt the IRS is haven't taken the time to study the public record).

For any church to submit to the IRS for 501c3 approval in an effort to be perceived by the world as being honest ("Providing for honest things"), even if it is well-intentioned is, nonetheless, completely illogical. Accountability is a good thing, but only when we make ourselves accountable to those whom the Scriptures call us to be accountable, and to those who are honest and trustworthy themselves.

Is it biblical for a church to make itself accountable to the IRS? Is the IRS honest and trustworthy? Is the IRS itself legitimate such that it can, with any genuine sense of credibility, legitimize anyone else as legitimate?

le•git•i•mate, adj. 1. Being in compliance with the law; lawful: a legitimate business. 2. Being in accordance with established or accepted patterns and standards.

Let's examine the IRS' own track record to determine its legitimacy: The last time that the Government Accounting Office even attempted to audit the IRS' books was in 1996 (they're supposed to audit the IRS every year, but they are no longer able to do so). In that year, GAO audits determined that over $13 billion of the taxes that the IRS had collected (in 1995) could not be accounted for. Thirteen-billion dollars had vanished, and the IRS offered no better explanation than to shrug their shoulders! The GAO found the IRS's books in such a shambles that they declared the IRS to be "unauditable." Furthermore, the IRS refused to be held accountable for the "loss."

How could 501c3 recognition from such a corrupt entity, an agency that literally holds itself to be above the law, and accoutable to no one, result in "legitimacy"? It's simply illogical to hold that recognition from any agency that isn't legitimate itself could result in legitimacy.

Is “honesty” (morality) a prerequisite for 501c3 recognition? If it were, then only honest and moral groups would be approved; but that is simply not the case at all. Even just a cursory review of IRS Publication 78 (an annual list all 501c3 organizations) reveals that many thousands of 501c3's are immoral and wicked organizations. These include:

  • Satanists
  • Wiccans
  • Homosexuals
  • Pedophiles
  • Pornographers
  • Pro-Aborts
  • Pagans
  • Atheists
  • and thousands of other organizations which are hellbent on destroying the moral fabric of this nation

Becoming a 501c3 places any church in very sordid company. It is both unbiblical and illogical to claim that a church becomes "legitimate" by receiving a 501c3 status.

Source: http://hushmoney.org/501c3-myths.htm

REPORT: GOP OPERATIVE EXPOSED SPITZER

The federal probe into Eliot Spitzer's alleged use of high-priced prostitutes took on a partisan tinge Sunday with news that a Republican political operative provided the FBI with salacious details of the former governor's trysts four months before he resigned.

In a Nov. 19 letter, an attorney for Roger Stone, once a consultant to Republican State Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno, said Spitzer had spent "tens of thousands" of dollars on prostitutes using prearranged financial transfers.

"It is also my client's understanding ... that Governor Spitzer did not remove his mid-calf length black socks during the sex act," wrote attorney Paul Rolf Jensen of Costa Mesa, Calif., to special agents in the FBI's New York field office. "Perhaps you can use this detail to corroborate Mr. Stone's information."

The letter was first reported in the Miami Herald on Saturday.

'It taints the whole thing'

Political observers said the involvement of Stone -- a Spitzer rival accused of leaving a menacing voice mail for the former governor's father, Bernard, last summer -- raised questions about the probe.

"It taints the whole thing," said Stanley Klein, a political science professor at the C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University and a Republican committeeman in Suffolk County.

"When you have dirty hands, whatever you touch is dirty," Klein said of Stone, who is no stranger to controversy.

It remained unclear whether Stone's tip played a role in the probe of Spitzer and the Emperors Club VIP prostitution ring broken up March 7. FBI spokesman James Margolin declined to comment, and U.S. attorney's office officials did not return a phone call.

However, a source familiar with the Spitzer probe said yesterday that it began well before the letter was sent. Sources have described the investigation as beginning in October with tips from banks that noticed unusual wire transfers between Spitzer's account and shell companies set up by the prostitution ring. Spitzer resigned March 13.

"It sounds like is trying to take credit for something," after the fact, another source said.

Credibility issue?

Stone is a longtime GOP operative who began his career working for Richard Nixon. In 1996, he resigned from Republican Bob Dole's presidential campaign when an ad seeking a sexual threesome with him and his wife was discovered in a Washington swingers magazine.

If the federal probe was triggered by Stone, "it provides a different lens to look at all of this," said Doug Muzzio, a political science professor at Baruch College. "Even though it doesn't absolve Spitzer of his behavior and the hypocrisy that that represented, it still calls into question the actions of the federal authorities."

The federal probe continues, with investigators poring over Spitzer's financial records to see if any money, in addition to the roughly $20,000 he spent on prostitutes employed by the New Jersey ring, was used illegally, the sources said.

Reached by phone, Stone declined to say much about the letter, except: "It was only a matter of time before got caught."

Stone's attorney passed on the information about Spitzer after Stone was approached by federal agents in the wake of the message left on Bernard Spitzer's voice mail in August, a source with knowledge of the matter said. Stone has denied leaving the message and declined to meet with the FBI.

The source said the FBI did not contact Stone about the letter. Stone was told of Spitzer's alleged use of Florida prostitutes by a call girl whom he was "chatting up" at the swingers club Miami Velvet in early September, the source said.

Press representatives for Spitzer could not be reached.

Staff Writers Robert Kessler and Ellis Henican contributed to this story.

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OLYMPIC TORCH LIT DESPITE PROTEST

Last Updated: Monday, 24 March 2008, 15:42 GMT
Olympic torch lit despite protest
A protester broke through security and attempted to display a flag while China's representative spoke - 24/03/2008
A protester briefly ran behind Beijing's envoy as he spoke


The Olympic torch has been lit at a ceremony in Greece that was briefly disrupted by pro-Tibet activists.

Protesters from media rights group Reporters Without Borders broke through the cordon of 1,000 police officers in Olympia as China's envoy spoke.

Activists had vowed to protest over the violence in and around Tibet.

The torch will now be carried around Greece before being sent to China to start a journey through 20 countries, returning to Beijing on 8 August.

The route includes the torch being taken to the top of Mount Everest and through Tibet.

As Liu Qi, head of the Beijing Olympic organising committee, spoke ahead of the torch lighting, three men broke into the ceremony venue.

One ran up behind him attempting to display a black flag depicting the Olympic rings made from handcuffs.

The men were from the France-based media rights watchdog Reporters Sans Frontieres (Reporters Without Borders, or RSF), which has called for a boycott of the opening ceremony of the games.

The torch is the link between all athletes and citizens of this world... It has the force to unite humanity and to stand for harmony

Jacques Rogge, IOC President

They were quickly bundled away by police and Mr Liu continued his speech uninterrupted.

The live television coverage, beaming the scene around the world, quickly cut away from Mr Liu and the protesters until they had been removed.

"We cannot let the Chinese government seize the Olympic flame, a symbol of peace, without denouncing the dramatic human rights situation in the country," RSF said in a statement.

Later, as the torch began its journey, pro-Tibet activists unfurled banners and shouted slogans before Greek security wrestled them away.

'Boycott unwanted'

Actors dressed in ancient Greek costume then lit the torch in the traditional manner by using a parabolic mirror to focus the sun's rays.

There were fears that stormy weather would prevent the torch being lit in the customary way.

The ceremony, beside the Temple of Hera, was moved forward by an hour and the sun shone through a break in the clouds.

Torch lighting ceremony in Olympia, Greece - 24/03/2008
Despite cloudy weather, the torch was lit using the sun's rays.

The head of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Jacques Rogge, has defended the decision to hold the Games in China saying: "The major political leaders don't want a boycott".

In his speech during the ceremony, Mr Rogge said the Olympic torch relay and the Games should take place in a peaceful environment.

"The torch is the link between all athletes and citizens of this world; between all of us who believe in Olympism and the virtue of sport. It has the force to unite humanity and to stand for harmony."

He told the Associated Press news agency on Monday that he was engaged on a daily basis in "silent diplomacy" with Beijing on Tibet and other human rights issues.

Tibet unrest

The Olympic torch will be carried in a 136,000km (85,000 miles) around-the-world relay that will see it pass through 20 countries before arriving in Beijing for the start of the Games on 8 August.

Tibet activists are angered that the torch's route will take it through the Himalayan region and to the top of Mount Everest, which straddles the border between Nepal and Tibet.

China sent troops to Tibet in 1950 and since then there have been periods of unrest and sporadic uprisings as resentment of Beijing's rule has persisted.

The latest round of anti-China protests began in Tibet's main city, Lhasa, on 10 March - the 49th anniversary of a failed uprising - and gradually escalated.

Lhasa saw at least two days of violence and there have also been protests in provinces which border Tibet.

China says 19 people were killed by rioters and accuses Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama of inciting the violence.

The Tibetan government in exile says at least 130 people have died in a crackdown by Chinese troops and deny any role in the protests.

OLYMPIC TORCH ROUTE
Olympic torch relay route
Torch lit in Olympia on 24 March and taken on five-day relay around Greece to Athens
After handover ceremony, it is taken to Beijing on 31 March to begin a journey of 136,800 km (85,000 miles) around the world
Torch arrives in Macao on 3 May. After three-month relay all around China, it arrives in Beijing for opening ceremony on 8 August


Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/7310654.stm

P.S. Note the statement:

"Despite cloudy weather, the torch was lit using the sun's rays."
The Sun's rays!
Is there any wonder if the Olympic Sports Games are of pagan origin? ... Blogman.

EX PHILIPPINE PRESIDENT AQUINO HAS CANCER

Ex Philippine President Corazon Aquino Has Colon Cancer
By Anna Boyd
11:14, March 24th 2008



Ex Philippine President Corazon Aquino Has Colon Cancer






Former Philippine president Corazon Aquino is suffering from colon cancer, her daughter said on Monday.


In an emotional address on national television network ABS-CBN News, daughter Kris Aquino said her 75-year-old mother had been hospitalized for tests after suffering from high blob pressure, difficulty breathing and fever during the Christmas and New Year holidays, then a loss of appetite and weight loss, the Associated Press reports.


“The result showed our mother is suffering from cancer of the colon. We know that the life of our family is already part of our country’s history. It was our mother’s decision for us to come out with this statement. Our mother, like all patients…needs time to rest. We respectfully ask she be accorded her privacy. We ask you for your compassion and prayers for our mom’s recovery,” Kris‘s statement wrote.


Aquino, known as Cory to millions of Filipinos, was president from 1986 to 1992, but she remained in people’s memory more than two decades after the fact, as the slim woman in yellow who led the “People Power” revolution that toppled Ferdinand Marcos. Marcos fled the country and died in Hawaii in 1989. Aquino survived at least six coup attempts by the military keeping the administration hamstrung during her presidency.


Although she finished her term as president in 1992, Aquino has never actually quitted the public affairs. She has been active in various movements, the latest being a large scale demonstration to demand encumber president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's resignation over corruption scandals.


“I thought my work was done because I am already old. But this is what the times ask for, for us to unite so that the deceit will end and we will find out the truth,” Aquino addressed tens of thousands of people last month from a makeshift stage in front of a statue of her husband in Manila’s Makati financial district, Reuters reports.




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Source: http://www.efluxmedia.com/news_Ex_Philippine_President_Corazon_Aquino_Has_Colon_Cancer_15485.html