Tuesday, December 09, 2008

US Authorizes Chinese Bank to Open Branch in New York


By VOA News
08 December 2008



U.S. officials have authorized China's second-largest bank to open its first branch in the United States.


China Construction Bank
The Federal Reserve - the U.S. central bank - on Monday approved an application by China Construction Bank to set up a branch in New York city. The Federal Reserve issued a statement saying the branch is expected to offer wholesale deposit-taking, lending, trade finance and other banking services.

The statement said the bank holds reserves of over $1 trillion and operates branches in several foreign countries in Asia and Europe. The Chinese government owns 57 percent of the bank's shares, while U.S.-based Bank of America owns about 19 percent. A sovereign wealth fund owned by the government of Singapore owns nearly six percent.

U.S. officials judged the bank to possess sufficient capital reserves to meet international standards. They also approved steps taken by the bank and the Chinese government to combat money-laundering.

China Construction bank also is subject to additional regulation required for listing on the Shanghai and Hong Kong stock exchanges.

The Chinese government also has a majority interest in two other Chinese banks - the Bank of China and the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China - each of which has branches in the United States.

U.S. regulators said Bank of America must seek approval from the Federal Reserve to retain shares in China Construction Bank after it opens its New York branch.



Some information for this report was provided by AFP and Reuters.



Bank of America Offers Republic Funds to Address Employee Claims


PRESS RELEASE


Last update: 2:55 p.m. EST Dec. 9, 2008


CHICAGO, Dec 09, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Bank of America today sent a letter to Republic Windows & Doors LLC indicating that the bank is prepared to provide a limited amount of additional loans to Republic to help fund a comprehensive resolution of Employee Claims.
Bank of America expressed concern in the letter about Republic's failure to pay their employees the Employee Claims to which they are legally entitled.


Bank of America is prepared to make these additional loans despite the fact that Bank of America is not obligated to pay Republic's employees or make additional loans to Republic.
Because Bank of America has no direct relationship with Republic's employees, Bank of America must rely on Republic and its management to negotiate with the Union and Republic's employees regarding the Employee Claims.

Bank of America

Bank of America is one of the world's largest financial institutions, serving individual consumers, small and middle market businesses and large corporations with a full range of banking, investing, asset management and other financial and risk-management products and services. The company provides unmatched convenience in the United States, serving more than 59 million consumer and small business relationships with more than 6,100 retail banking offices, more than 18,000 ATMs and award-winning online banking with more than 25 million active users. Bank of America offers industry leading support to more than 4 million small business owners through a suite of innovative, easy-to-use online products and services. The company serves clients in more than 150 countries and has relationships with 99 percent of the U.S. Fortune 500 companies and 83 percent of the Fortune Global 500. Bank of America Corporation stock
(BAC: bank of america corporation com
News, chart, profile, more

Last: 17.06-0.78-4.37%3:26pm 12/09/2008Delayed quote data
Add to portfolioAnalyst Create alert
InsiderDiscussFinancials

Sponsored by:
BAC 17.06, -0.78, -4.4%) is a component of the Dow Jones Industrial Average and is listed on the New York Stock Exchange.
http://www.bankofamerica.com/

SOURCE Bank of America http://www.bankofamerica.com/

Copyright (C) 2008 PR Newswire.


The Bill Clinton Loopholes

Politico: Despite Rules Tied To His Wife's Ascension To Secretary Of State, Ex-President Will Not Be Particularly Hemmed In


Dec 9, 2008




Former President Bill Clinton looks on during the opening plenary of the Clinton Global Initiative annual meeting Wednesday, Sept 24, 2008, in New York. (AP Photo/Jason DeCrow)




Related
In-Depth
Obama's Cabinet
Check here to see the latest names being talked about for Cabinet and other posts within the incoming Obama administration.
Stories
Rice, Clinton Talk Policy Over Dinner
Obama-Clinton Rapport Key To Success



The Politico) This story was written by Kenneth P. Vogel.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bill Clinton pledged to dial back his international charity work and personal earning power so Hillary Clinton can go to State. But in reality, a set of Obama-backed restrictions leaves a lot more that the ex-president can do than cannot.

He can still give speeches around the world and pull down six-figure speaking and consulting fees.

He can still ask for multi-million dollar checks to fund the Clinton Foundation’s work.

His foundation can host big events overseas and accept major contributions from foreign governments to fund its international disease-fighting, development and environmental initiatives.

And if he wants to do something that makes ethics officials at State uneasy, they can flag their concerns to the Clintons, but likely won’t be able to veto Bill’s proposed activities, experts say.

The goal of the restrictions, which Clinton’s aides hammered out with representatives from President-elect Barack Obama’s transition team, is clear: to avoid situations where Bill Clinton could be perceived as undercutting U.S. foreign policy as advanced by Hillary Clinton’s State Department.

But in and of themselves, the restrictions and existing ethics rules won’t accomplish that, according to ethics and diplomacy experts.

That’ll leave Bill Clinton to “basically self-censor and stand down from some lucrative engagements where the appearance will be enough to create questions,” said Mark Dillen, an international media consultant who served as a senior Foreign Service officer in the Clinton State Department.

“They establish the areas of concern,” Dillen said of the restrictions. “But it’s not the sort of thing where having laid out these guidelines, you can just say, ‘Well, the guidelines are there, so it’s all going to work fine.’”

There are, however, some clear don’ts:

Clinton won’t be able to solicit any contributions for a key group in his charitable network, the Clinton Global Initiative. Under the guidelines, it will incorporate separately from the Clinton Foundation and won’t be able to host big events abroad or accept contributions from foreign governments - a restriction that could limit the Global Initiative’s fast-expanding influence.

And Clinton won’t be able to accept consulting work, foreign speaking engagements or donations from foreign governments to the Clinton Foundation without first alerting State Department ethics officials - another move designed to head off the perception that Bill Clinton’s outside activities interfere with Obama’s foreign policy.

But perhaps most importantly, both the Foundation and the Global Initiative will disclose all contributors, which could dissuade some potential benefactors going forward.

“For large numbers of donors, being able to maintain their confidentiality is important,” said Michael Toner, a former Federal Election Commission chairman. “You might have different kinds of donors contributing going forward.”

A Clinton aide familiar with the agreement, who spoke on condition on anonymity, said the disclosure pledge and voluntary limitations are unprecedented for a former president.

Plus, the aide said those steps are in addition to existing federal ethics rules and pointed to an internal document asserting the conditions “go above and beyond the requirements of the law to avoid even the appearance of a conflict of interest.”
Still, some of the conditions seem arbitrary, Dillen said. The guidelines bar the Clinton Global Initiative from accepting foreign sponsorship contributions, but allow the Clinton Foundation’s initiatives to continue accepting foreign donations.

“I don’t see much substantive difference between (contributions to) the Global Initiative and the Foundation,” Dillen said. “Almost every fundraising ativity - especially overseas - is seen as some sort of quid pro quo.”

The Clinton Foundation has raised more than $500 million from more than 200,000 people, groups and governments since it was created in the waning years of the Clinton administration to finance Bill Clinton’s charitable initiatives and build his library. It has never released a list of its contributors, but they reportedly include the royal families in Morocco and Saudi Arabia and the governments of Dubai, Kuwait, Qatar, Brunei, Taiwan and Oman, as well as a Chinese advanced materials laboratory.

As part of Clinton’s agreement, the foundation this month will release a list including all its donors. And it will update the list, as well as the list of sponsors of the Clinton Global Initiative, for each year that Hillary Clinton, currently a New York Senator, remains the nation’s top diplomat.

“You have to give them credit that they decided to disclose those donors,” said Meredith McGehee, policy director for the non-partisan watchdog group the Campaign Legal Center, but it doesn’t eliminate the appearance that big contributors are gaining access to a particularly influential former president.

“It’s the act of the solicitation that is the troubling act here,” said McGehee, who hopes attention on the Clinton’s situation will revitalize legislation to regulate donations to presidential foundations and libraries.

It’s “troubling to have a former president raising money from foreign entities while his wife is Secretary of State,” McGehee said. “But, as a policy matter, this next Congress should take a more comprehensive look at these libraries, the role of former presidents and the kind of obligations they have and public support they should get.”

Bill Clinton receives more than $1.2 million a year in presidential retirement benefits, including everything from a $200,000 annual pension to upwards of $50,000 for travel, about $160,000 in staff salaries and benefits and about $735,000 to rent and equip Clinton’s 8,300-square-foot Harlem penthouse office.

But that pales in comparison to his earnings from the speaking circuit, which netted him more than $10 million last year alone, including more than $4.6 million from 20 foreign speeches, according to a mandatory disclosure Hillary Clinton filed with the Senate.

Last week, Bill Clinton took heat for delivering a speech in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in which he praised an embattled Malaysian businessman who has contributed to the Clinton Global Initiative and paid Clinton $200,000 to speak.

And during a 2005 philanthropic stop in Kazakhstan, Clinton backed that nation’s president’s bid to head a European security group - a sentiment that didn’t jibe with the Bush administration’s cooler stance towards the Kazakh leader, who had been criticized for a spotty human rights record.

Among the conditions Clinton negotiated with Obama are that the Clinton Global Initiative will not be able to host its large annual events outside the U.S., though it will continue to be able to host smaller site-specific gatherings abroad. Plus the Clinton Foundation will be permitted to host foreign events.

And Clinton has agreed to share proposed foreign speaking engagements and foreign government contributions to the Clinton Foundation - as well as all proposed consulting contracts - with State Department ethics officials, and possibly the White House Counsel’s office. According to the internal document, if those offices had any qualms about possible conflicts of interest they would be able to “share those concerns with Senator and President Clinton for appropriate action.”

It’s unclear, though, whether either office would be able to reject proposed speeches, consultancies or foreign donatons to the Clinton Foundation’s initiatives. The Clinton aide familiar with the agreement directed questions about such veto power to the Obama transition team’s press office, which did not respond to inquiries about Clinton’s conditions.

But Larry Noble, a government ethics lawyer who was president of the Council on Governmental Ethics Laws, said there’s not a whole lot agency ethics officials can do.

Typically, ethics officers serve more of an advisory function, Noble said, adding they don’t have enforcement authority and usually try to work out compromises rather than refer matters for enforcement. They have even fewer options in dealing with presidential appointees and their families, such as the Clintons, Noble said.

“While she would be subject to federal laws and ethics rules, as well as presidential directives and policies, she couldn’t be fired or disciplined by her agency,” Noble said of Hillary Clinton. “On the other hand … there isn't a lot a presidential appointee can do if the president asks them to resign, other than to find a new job or look for an agent for the book they may be ready to write.”

The Clinton aide did say the former president will not share proposed texts of speeches, partly because he seldom speaks from prepared remarks.

That will make it even tougher for the agency ethics officials asked to review Bill Clinton’s proposed activities, predicted Dillen, the former Foreign Service officer.

“I don’t envy the people who will have to pass judgment on these sorts of informative heads up - let’s not call them requests,” Dillen said.

State Department officials likely will feel torn between protecting themselves by being hyper-vigilant toward Clinton’s activities and trying to avoid irking the brass by crimping Clinton’s style, Dillen said.

Clinton could abide by the letter of the conditions and the State Department advice and still find himself inadvertently interfering in foreign policy by “saying or doing something that embarrasses his spouse or the Obama administration, or that blesses or condemns a political actor that the Obama administration is trying to categorize or direct a different way,” Dillen said.

While his wife is new to the job and scrutiny is high, Clinton may curtail his activities and be circumspect in his remarks, Dillen predicted. “And then perhaps - just because he has this magnetic attraction to these sorts of opportunities - he will gradually test the waters more. It’s what happens five or six months or a year down the line that will be interesting.”


By Kenneth P. Vogel
Copyright 2008 POLITICO


Source: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/12/09/politics/politico/main4656795.shtml

Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich arrested, charged

Illinois Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn today called on Blagojevich to step aside, at least temporarily, because he is "seriously impeded from carrying out his oath of office."

Tribune staff reports
1:08 PM CST, December 9, 2008



Gov. Rod Blagojevich arrives at the Tribune Tower on Monday for an interview at CNN's Chicago office. (Tribune photo by Nancy Stone / December 8, 2008)



U.S. Atty. Patrick Fitzgerald said today that federal authorities arrested Democratic Gov. Rod Blagojevich this morning because the governor went on "a political corruption crime spree" that needed to be stopped.



Related links
Rod Blagojevich: His years in public office Photos
Video: Governor Blagojevich arrested
Statement from Gerould Kern, editor of the Chicago Tribune
Fed probe widens to Senate vacancy
Trouble in office
U.S. Attorney's Press Release
Criminal Complaint
Timeline of the Blagojevich investigation
Quotes from Gov. Rod Blagojevich
Patrick Fitzgerald profile (March 2007)
From Hamas to Scooter Libby: Major cases handled by U.S. Atty. Patrick Fitzgerald
'Mr. Un-Popularity': Chicago Magazine profile of Gov. Blagojevich (February 2008)
Blagojevich coverage

Fitzgerald said secret tape recordings showed Blagojevich was attempting "to sell the U.S. Senate seat" that President-elect Barack Obama recently vacated. Fitzgerald said, "We make no allegations" that Obama was aware of any alleged scheming by Blagojevich.

The governor has the sole power to pick Obama's replacement under the state constitution.

"The conduct would make Lincoln roll over in his grave," Fitzgerald said, quoting Blagojevich as saying the Senate seat is "a bleeping valuable thing. You just don't give it away. ... I've got this thing and it's bleeping golden."


Fitzgerald called the corruption charges against Blagojevich "a truly new low."

Blagojevich wasn't against the corrupt deal for the Senate seat, he was against "being stiffed in the corrupt deal," Fitzgerald said.

The remarks came at a news conference to discuss charges against Blagojevich and his chief of staff, John Harris. Blagojevich and Harris are scheduled to appear in court at 1:30 p.m. before U.S. Magistrate Judge Nan Nolan.

Robert Grant, FBI special agent in charge of the Chicago office, characterized Illinois' place in the pantheon of political corruption.

"If it isn't the most corrupt state in the United States, it's certainly one hell of a competitor," Grant said. "Even the most cynical agents in our office were shocked."

Grant said he called Blagojevich about 6 a.m. and told the governor two FBI agents were outside his door and that they had a warrant for his arrest.

After initially asking, "Is this a joke?" Grant said, Blagojevich was "very cooperative."

Grant said the arrest of Blagojevich should serve as notice that "business as usual will no longer be tolerated. That selling your office for personal gain is a thing of the past."

Fitzgerald said the investigation into Blagojevich continues, but authorities acted today to avoid further harm taking place.

"I was not going to wait until March or April or May to get it all nice and tidy" and bring charges, he said. "I think that would be irresponsible."

Fitzgerald thanked the Chicago Tribune, which had been reporting on the investigation, for honoring a rare request about eight weeks ago not to report on certain aspects of the investigation that he said could have been jeopardized.

Tribune Editor Gerould Kern said today that the newspaper delayed publishing some stories at the request of the U.S. attorney's office during the course of reporting on the accelerating investigation of Blagojevich.

"On occasion, prosecutors asked us to delay publication of stories, asserting that disclosure would jeopardize the criminal investigation," Kern said. "In isolated instances, we granted the requests, but other requests were refused."

In the criminal complaint, authorities allege that Blagojevich and Harris sought to pressure the Tribune to fire editorial writers who were critical of his administration. Tribune Co. had been negotiating with the Illinois Finance Authority to purchase Wrigley Field as part of the company's efforts to sell the Cubs baseball team.

Kern said today he never experienced any pressure over the Tribune editorials.

"There was never an instance where I was contacted or called, where any influence at all was placed against me. There were no instances of that."

Kern said he became editor July 18 and since then there's "never been any hint of that. I was as surprised as everyone else when I saw that."

Kern said nobody from the Blagojevich administration ever contacted him about the editorials.

"I never got a complaint. I never got any contact whatsoever from Blagojevich, no complaint--nothing from inside Tribune Co."

Kern pointed out there were no staff reductions in the editorial board. "The facts are what they are."

E-mailShare Digg Del.icio.us Facebook Fark Google Reddit Buzz up!Mixx it! PrintReprint
Related topic galleries: John Harris, Police, Tony Rezko, Values, George Ryan, Corruption, Executive Branch
All topicsMake a difference for the area's neediest: Give to Chicago Tribune Charities

Copyright © 2008, Chicago Tribune


Source: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-rod-blagojevich-illinois-governor-7,0,5113440.story

Monday, December 08, 2008

One cutteth a tree out of the forest...


1Hear ye the word which the LORD speaketh unto you, O house of Israel:

2Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them.

3For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe.

4They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not.

5They are upright as the palm tree, but speak not: they must needs be borne, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither also is it in them to do good.

6Forasmuch as there is none like unto thee, O LORD; thou art great, and thy name is great in might.

7Who would not fear thee, O King of nations? for to thee doth it appertain: forasmuch as among all the wise men of the nations, and in all their kingdoms, there is none like unto thee.

8But they are altogether brutish and foolish: the stock is a doctrine of vanities.

9Silver spread into plates is brought from Tarshish, and gold from Uphaz, the work of the workman, and of the hands of the founder: blue and purple is their clothing: they are all the work of cunning men.

10But the LORD is the true God, he is the living God, and an everlasting king: at his wrath the earth shall tremble, and the nations shall not be able to abide his indignation.

11Thus shall ye say unto them, The gods that have not made the heavens and the earth, even they shall perish from the earth, and from under these heavens.

12He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and hath stretched out the heavens by his discretion.

13When he uttereth his voice, there is a multitude of waters in the heavens, and he causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth; he maketh lightnings with rain, and bringeth forth the wind out of his treasures.

14Every man is brutish in his knowledge: every founder is confounded by the graven image: for his molten image is falsehood, and there is no breath in them.

15They are vanity, and the work of errors: in the time of their visitation they shall perish.

16The portion of Jacob is not like them: for he is the former of all things; and Israel is the rod of his inheritance: The LORD of hosts is his name.


Jeremiah 10: 1-16.

A Collapse of the U.S. Economy / Moral Apostasy...


A Collapse of the U.S. Economy
Moral Apostasy and
Sunday as a National Day of Rest


According to LEAP/E2020, there will soon occur an economic collapse in the USA. Financial experts worldwide with insights into the American economic situation, are now convinced that a crisis is truly happening, that it is really global, and that it could indeed be systemic. This will cause a domino effect. It will result in chaos, not only in the USA, but throughout the world.

The situation is this: The U.S. has borrowed huge sums of money from private banking firm the Federal Reserve System. This is owned by the Rothschild dynasty, one of the promoters of the New World Order. The USA has participated in many wars around the globe, and the more wars it plays a part in, the more money it is obliged to borrow, and the greater the debt burden. It has now been realised, that it cannot pay back all of this money. The outlook is bleak: Most likely, there will be an economic collapse in the USA, creating international shockwaves.

The American economic collapse is likely to affect the world’s stock markets, reducing the worth of shares greatly. Far too many have fallen for the temptation to acquire substantial bank loans at low interest rates. Now, however, interest rates will gradually climb to new heights. There may well be double or worse increases in the price of food and other commodities. Indeed, prices and interest rates are already going up.

We shall soon see the advantages of counsel given before, namely not to believe the notion of ever-rising stock markets, not to borrow money, because the borrower is the slave of the lender, and that one should move out into the country, where one can cultivate one’s own food, while enjoying the splendours of God’s nature.

There was, of course, an economic crisis in 1929, but the crisis now expected by several experts, will probably be worse. We may be heading for a global systemic crisis, which will destroy the way of working, which the leaders of the world have introduced. Transports will partly be paralysed or come to a standstill because of further increases in the price of oil. In addition, people – especially those in cities – will not get the food they are used to getting. And when there is a lack of food, there is social unrest, sparking off even more crises.

Now has come the time to sell your house in the city, where you live, and to make yourself free of debt. At the same time, you should look for a place in the country. If you have big loans and stay in your city, you will most likely lose your house, car, etc. If you sell now, you can rent a house cheaply in the country, or buy one there at a modest cost. Perhaps you will profit by first renting a house, before purchasing it, as prices go down? Everyone realising the advantages of moving out into the country, should consider their actions carefully, ensuring those actions are crowned with success and blessings. Should this economic scenario still fail to become a reality, moving out into the country is always an advantage, letting you prepare for the dire straits ahead!

Many religious and political leaders, as well as the man in the street, now feel that we have transgressed the laws of nature. Meanwhile, the Devil is busy killing and destroying, as a result of which we are experiencing accidents and disasters at sea and on land, great conflagrations, tornadoes, cyclones. Moreover, sea levels will rise, causing great devastation, and huge loss of life. In many places, there will be flooding, earth quakes, tsunamis, drought, starvation, and even greater moral decay. Indeed, according to Scripture, things will be like they were in Sodom and Gomorrah. Then, immorality flourished in the area of sexuality. You could, then, have sexual intercourse with anyone you lusted after. The same is true of today, with individuals, powers and authorities hardly respecting the Word of God. The new same-sex marriage legislation in Norway is clear evidence of this. However, the Bible leaves no room for doubt, saying that: “he… made them male and female”. Nature itself testifies, that man was created male and female. Only they can form couples and procreate in a natural way. In addition we read that: “Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.” “If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination”. “For even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also did the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.” “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.” (Matthew 19:4; Genesis 2:24; Exodus 20:14; Leviticus 20:13; Romans 1:26-27; I Corinthians 6:9-10.) It is written, if we keep the commandments of God and obey His laws, blessings will come. If we, however, transgress them, curses will come. Now that religious and political leaders refuse to respect the unambiguous words of Scripture, we will reap the grapes of wrath (Deuteronomy Chapter 28). As immorality increases, we will also experience the proclamation of the gospel as a witness to all the world, together with the introduction of “the mark of the beast” (Revelation 13:15-16 + 14:6-12). Then the end will come!

Some feel that we have deviated from the way of God, and that we have to return to His Ten Commandments, in order to receive His blessings. It is in this context that they want to legislate Sunday rest, to ensure the return of God’s blessings. We welcome their realisation of the advantages of the day of rest, but they are very much wrong in uplifting the unbiblical day of rest, Sunday, the day of Jesus’s resurrection, the first day of the week. The day of rest originated during Creation Week, not as a result of the worship of the Sun, or because of the resurrection of Christ (Genesis 2:1-3; Exodus 20:8-11). The death and resurrection of Jesus we remember in the communion service, and in baptism (Luke 22:19; Romans 6:3-6).

Today, the leaders of the USA are endeavouring to find something, around which to rally the nation and the world. Sunday as the day of rest is something, that both Catholics and most Protestants can agree upon. Many members of the U.S. Congress know this. The individual most enthusiastically championing Sunday as the day of rest, is Pope Benedict XVI. He travels the globe uplifting Sunday as the day of rest. He has stated, “Sunday worship is a necessity for all people” and that “without Sunday (worship) we cannot live!” (from www.thetrumpet.com, September 17, 2007). He has also called for Europe to look to its Christian roots and to return to trusting in God and defending traditional values. The Ten Commandments Commission also is talking about traditional values. One of the traditional values for the Catholic Church is Sunday as the day of rest. Sunday as the day of rest is not a Biblical value, but a traditional one.

During his visit to the USA, the Pope talked to the major Christian groups, such as The Christian Coalition, The Christian Churches Together, and Catholic Campaign for America. All of these are working to stress Sunday as the day of rest in the USA. The greatest of these groups, The Christian Coalition, has a ten-point programme, point number 7 reading as follows: “Throughout all the land a National Day of Rest shall be honoured by governments and industrial manufacturers and public shopping facilities.”

Many have claimed, that something of this order never would be a burning issue, because the American Constitution says that Congress shall not make laws regulating religion. Now we see, though, that this issue once again is on the agenda. In 1888, certain members of Congress attempted to pass Sunday legislation in the USA, but their measure failed to gain the necessary votes. Now this demand, the only difference being its sponsors. Another major organisation, The Ten Commandments Commission, is also striving to have the unbiblical commandments of the Catechism accepted. These, of course, include Sunday as the day of rest. (You can compare the catechismal commandments with God’s Ten Commandments in Exodus 20:3-17.)
When Pope Benedict XVI visited the USA in April, 2008, the Cardinal in Chicago, Ill., Francis George, turned to the Pope on behalf of the Catholic leaders in America, presenting a list of priorities shared with the Vatican for the next few years. One of the points was “handing on the faith in the context of sacramental practice and the observance of Sunday worship.”

More than a hundred years ago, Ellen G. White wrote the following about this topic: “The people of the United States have been a favoured people; but when they restrict religious liberty, surrender Protestantism, and give countenance to popery, the measure of their guilt will be full, and national apostasy will be registered in the books of heaven. The result of this apostasy will be national ruin” (Review and Herald, May 2, 1893). And: “As America, the land of religious liberty shall unite with the papacy in forcing the conscience and compelling men to honour the false Sabbath, the people of every country on the globe will be led to follow her example. Foreign nations will follow the example of the United States. Though she leads out, yet the same crisis will come upon our people in all parts of the world” (E. G. White, Maranatha, page 214).

When the USA introduces Sunday as the day of rest through a decree or legislation, it will initiate what is called in the Bible “the mark of the beast”, as foretold in Scripture.

On the website www.endtime.net everyone can read and see, that all the characteristics of the “beast” in the 13th Chapter of Revelation, verses 1-10, point to the papacy. One of the identifying characteristics of this “beast” is that it has a mark = the mark of the beast. The Catholic Church, in its own publications, says, that Sunday is a mark of its power and authority. The papacy = the beast, and it has a mark = Sunday as the day of rest. Hence, the papal Sunday rest = the mark of the beast. “The mark of the beast” has to do with worship. Since God demands worship on the Bible’s seventh day of the week, the Sabbath, and the papacy and fallen Protestantism demand worship on the Bible’s first day of the week, Sunday, we must choose our authority. When Sunday is introduced as the day of rest with force, a decree or legislation, then “the mark of the beast” is a fact. The Bible says this will be the last test before Jesus Christ returns.

We can see, how the USA and the Vatican co-operate, and soon, the USA will help the papacy in establishing “the mark of the beast” (Revelation 13:11-17). This being the last great test before the return of Jesus Christ, we are very close to the end of this world’s history. The Devil has been allowed to play his cards, showing his true colours, and God has been merciful and condescending in letting both Satan and all people make their choices in life. Now God will soon act and free His people (I Thessalonians 4:15-17; Revelation 15:2; 20:4).

Both members of Congress, religious leaders and those working for Sunday as the national day of rest in the USA, will use every trick in the book to put forward their arguments, and win. They know, that fear will lead people to make a decision. In their argumentation, they will employ fear of global climate change, fear of terrorism, fear of catastrophes, fear of the judgments of God (in consequence of not keeping Sunday as the day of rest).

We are living in the “last hour” of this world’s history. We are living in the hour of judgment, when God will close everyone’s account, deciding who is going to be saved, and who is going to be lost (Hebrews 9:27; II Corinthians 5:10). If we have humbled ourselves before God, having put all our sin on Jesus, thus obtaining the forgiveness of sins, and asked for power to walk daily with Jesus, we have nothing to fear of the future (I John 1:9 and 5:2).

When we know that persons are approaching a precipice, they must be warned. However, religious leaders are not warning us about the coming crisis. After all, we should expect religious leaders to be awake, but they are saying “Peace, peace” (Jeremiah 6:13-15; I Thessalonians 5:1-6). Their attitude sends people to sleep. What a strange situation! Here we are living in a period, when the end time prophecies of the Bible are coming true in front of our eyes, yet priests are proclaiming a soothing message. People, though, have to be alerted to the coming crisis, so that they can prepare both spiritually and physically. Now is the time to call to God for mercy. Now is the time to cleanse our hearts in subjection to Christ. Now is the time to pray for power to live righteously before God, so that the fruits of the Spirit may become evident in our lives. These characteristics are, for example, love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness, temperance, and such like (Galatians 5:22). We all need the might of the Spirit to live righteously before God, and to be His representatives in these end times! We are to be His witnesses, not in our own strength, but in the power of Him, Who works in us both to will and to do according to His good pleasure (Philippians 2:13). Our eternal destiny depends on fearlessly and decidedly taking a stand for Jesus Christ.

Dear friend! The mark of the beast will soon be upon us. The end of the world will occur sooner, than many think. The end is near. Confusion will fill the earth, and there will be great changes and crises throughout the world. These things should not surprise us, because the Bible has told us in a nutshell what will be.

The coming Sunday law is bad news, for this law will pressurise people into accepting the false Sabbath, Sunday. This will mean the end of the liberty of conscience, and persecution against the people of God, who will refuse to accept the false Sunday Sabbath, will be kindled again, like in the Middle Ages, when the Catholic Church hunted down other Christians. Now they will be assisted by apostate Protestants, international laws, “hate laws,” laws against “discrimination,” powers and authorities.

On the other hand, the introduction of “the mark of the beast” is good news, because it shows the nearness of the Second Coming. Should you feel unprepared, now is the time to put your life in order before the return of Jesus!

In the blessed hope,


Abel & Bente Struksnæs

Frugal farmer leaves $2M to his tiny Pa. church


Sunday, December 7, 2008


BLAIRSVILLE, Pa. - It's like a gift from God. A tiny church in western Pennsylvania inherited more than $2 million from a farmer who lived in a mobile home. The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reported Sunday that John Ferguson left his entire estate to Hopewell United Methodist Church near the town of Black Lick.

The 71-year-old farmer attended the church before dying in January 2007. The gift has been in probate since then.

The church has just 80 members. Hopewell pastor Jason McQueen says a panel of congregation members will choose projects to be funded annually from the income generated by Ferguson's estate.

---

Information from: Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, http://pghtrib.com/



The Last Crisis


The Last Crisis


We are living in the time of the end. The fast-fulfilling signs of the times declare that the coming of Christ is near at hand. The days in which we live are solemn and important. The Spirit of God is gradually but surely being withdrawn from the earth. Plagues and judgments are already falling upon the despisers of the grace of God. The calamities by land and sea, the unsettled state of society, the alarms of war, are portentous. They forecast approaching events of the greatest magnitude. {9T 11.1}

The agencies of evil are combining their forces and consolidating. They are strengthening for the last great crisis. Great changes are soon to take place in our world, and the final movements will be rapid ones. {9T 11.2}

The condition of things in the world shows that troublous times are right upon us. The daily papers are full of indications of a terrible conflict in the near future. Bold robberies are of frequent occurrence. Strikes are common. Thefts and murders are committed on every hand. Men possessed of demons are taking the lives of men, women, and little children. Men have become infatuated with vice, and every species of evil prevails. {9T 11.3}

The enemy has succeeded in perverting justice and in filling men's hearts with the desire for selfish gain.
12
"Justice standeth afar off: for truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter." Isaiah 59:14. In the great cities there are multitudes living in poverty and wretchedness, well-nigh destitute of food, shelter, and clothing; while in the same cities are those who have more than heart could wish, who live luxuriously, spending their money on richly furnished houses, on personal adornment, or worse still, upon the gratification of sensual appetites, upon liquor, tobacco, and other things that destroy the powers of the brain, unbalance the mind, and debase the soul. The cries of starving humanity are coming up before God, while by every species of oppression and extortion men are piling up colossal fortunes. {9T 11.4}

On one occasion, when in New York City, I was in the night season called upon to behold buildings rising story after story toward heaven. These buildings were warranted to be fireproof, and they were erected to glorify the owners and builders. Higher and still higher these buildings rose, and in them the most costly material was used. Those to whom these buildings belonged were not asking themselves: "How can we best glorify God?" The Lord was not in their thoughts. {9T 12.1}

I thought: "Oh, that those who are thus investing their means could see their course as God sees it! They are piling up magnificent buildings, but how foolish in the sight of the Ruler of the universe is their planning and devising. They are not studying with all the powers of heart and mind how they may glorify God. They have lost sight of this, the first duty of man." {9T 12.2}

As these lofty buildings went up, the owners rejoiced with ambitious pride that they had money to use in gratifying self and provoking the envy of their neighbors. Much of the money that they thus invested had
13
been obtained through exaction, through grinding down the poor. They forgot that in heaven an account of every business transaction is kept; every unjust deal, every fraudulent act, is there recorded. The time is coming when in their fraud and insolence men will reach a point that the Lord will not permit them to pass, and they will learn that there is a limit to the forbearance of Jehovah. {9T 12.3}

The scene that next passed before me was an alarm of fire. Men looked at the lofty and supposedly fire-proof buildings and said: "They are perfectly safe." But these buildings were consumed as if made of pitch. The fire engines could do nothing to stay the destruction. The firemen were unable to operate the engines. {9T 13.1}

I am instructed that when the Lord's time comes, should no change have taken place in the hearts of proud, ambitious human beings, men will find that the hand that had been strong to save will be strong to destroy. No earthly power can stay the hand of God. No material can be used in the erection of buildings that will preserve them from destruction when God's appointed time comes to send retribution on men for their disregard of His law and for their selfish ambition. {9T 13.2}

There are not many, even among educators and statesmen, who comprehend the causes that underlie the present state of society. Those who hold the reins of government are not able to solve the problem of moral corruption, poverty, pauperism, and increasing crime. They are struggling in vain to place business operations on a more secure basis. If men would give more heed to the teaching of God's word, they would find a solution of the problems that perplex them. {9T 13.3}

The Scriptures describe the condition of the world just before Christ's second coming. Of the men who
14
by robbery and extortion are amassing great riches, it is written: "Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days. Behold, the hire of the laborers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth. Ye have lived in pleasure on the earth, and been wanton; ye have nourished your hearts, as in a day of slaughter. Ye have condemned and killed the just; and he doth not resist you." James 5:3-6. {9T 13.4}

But who reads the warnings given by the fast-fulfilling signs of the times? What impression is made upon worldlings? What change is seen in their attitude? No more than was seen in the attitude of the inhabitants of the Noachian world. Absorbed in worldly business and pleasure, the antediluvians "knew not until the Flood came, and took them all away." Matthew 24:39. They had heaven-sent warnings, but they refused to listen. And today the world, utterly regardless of the warning voice of God, is hurrying on to eternal ruin. {9T 14.1}

The world is stirred with the spirit of war. The prophecy of the eleventh chapter of Daniel has nearly reached its complete fulfillment. Soon the scenes of trouble spoken of in the prophecies will take place. {9T 14.2}

"Behold, the Lord maketh the earth empty, and maketh it waste, and turneth it upside down, and scattereth abroad the inhabitants thereof. . . . Because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant. Therefore hath the curse devoured the earth, and they that dwell therein are desolate. . . . The mirth of tabrets ceaseth, the noise of them that rejoice endeth, the joy of the harp ceaseth." Isaiah 24:1-8.
15
{9T 14.3}

"Alas for the day! for the day of the Lord is at hand, and as a destruction from the Almighty shall it come. . . . The seed is rotten under their clods, the garners are laid desolate, the barns are broken down, for the corn is withered. How do the beasts groan! the herds of cattle are perplexed, because they have no pasture; yea, the flocks of sheep are made desolate." "The vine is dried up, and the fig tree languisheth; the pomegranate tree, the palm tree also, and the apple tree, even all the trees of the field, are withered: because joy is withered away from the sons of men." Joel 1:15-18, 12. {9T 15.1}

"I am pained at my very heart; . . . I cannot hold my peace, because thou has heard, O my soul, the sound of the trumpet, the alarm of war. Destruction upon destruction is cried; for the whole land is spoiled." Jeremiah 4:19, 20. {9T 15.2}

"I beheld the earth, and, lo, it was without form, and void; and the heavens, and they had no light. I beheld the mountains, and, lo, they trembled, and all the hills moved lightly. I beheld, and, lo, there was no man, and all the birds of the heavens were fled. I beheld, and, lo, the fruitful place was a wilderness, and all the cities thereof were broken down." Verses 23-26. {9T 15.3}

"Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob's trouble; but he shall be saved out of it." Jeremiah 30:7. {9T 15.4}

Not all in this world have taken sides with the enemy against God. Not all have become disloyal. There are a faithful few who are true to God; for John writes: "Here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus." Revelation 14:12. Soon the battle will be waged fiercely between those who serve God and those who serve Him not. Soon everything that can be shaken will be shaken,
16
that those things that cannot be shaken may remain. {9T 15.5}

Satan is a diligent Bible student. He knows that his time is short, and he seeks at every point to counterwork the work of the Lord upon this earth. It is impossible to give any idea of the experience of the people of God who shall be alive upon the earth when celestial glory and a repetition of the persecutions of the past are blended. They will walk in the light proceeding from the throne of God. By means of the angels there will be constant communication between heaven and earth. And Satan, surrounded by evil angels, and claiming to be God, will work miracles of all kinds, to deceive, if possible, the very elect. God's people will not find their safety in working miracles, for Satan will counterfeit the miracles that will be wrought. God's tried and tested people will find their power in the sign spoken of in Exodus 31:12-18. They are to take their stand on the living word: "It is written." This is the only foundation upon which they can stand securely. Those who have broken their covenant with God will in that day be without God and without hope. {9T 16.1}

The worshipers of God will be especially distinguished by their regard for the fourth commandment, since this is the sign of God's creative power and the witness to His claim upon man's reverence and homage. The wicked will be distinguished by their efforts to tear down the Creator's memorial and to exalt the institution of Rome. In the issue of the conflict all Christendom will be divided into two great classes, those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, and those who worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark. Although church and state will unite their power to compel all, "both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond," to receive
17
the mark of the beast, yet the people of God will not receive it. Revelation 13:16. The prophet of Patmos beholds "them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God," and singing the song of Moses and the Lamb. Revelation 15:2. {9T 16.2}

Fearful tests and trials await the people of God. The spirit of war is stirring the nations from one end of the earth to the other. But in the midst of the time of trouble that is coming,--a time of trouble such as has not been since there was a nation,--God's chosen people will stand unmoved. Satan and his host cannot destroy them, for angels that excel in strength will protect them.

-
{9T 17.1}

God's word to His people is: "Come out from among them, and be ye separate, . . . and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be My sons and daughters." "Ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvelous light." 2 Corinthians 6: 17, 18; 1 Peter 2:9. God's people are to be distinguished as a people who serve Him fully, wholeheartedly, taking no honor to themselves, and remembering that by a most solemn covenant they have bound themselves to serve the Lord and Him only. {9T 17.2}

"The Lord spake unto Moses, saying, Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, Verily My Sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign between Me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know
18
that I am the Lord that doth sanctify you. Ye shall keep the Sabbath therefore; for it is holy unto you: everyone that defileth it shall surely be put to death: for whosoever doeth any work therein, that soul shall be cut off from among his people. Six days may work be done; but in the seventh is the Sabbath of rest, holy to the Lord: whosoever doeth any work in the Sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death. Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the Sabbath, to observe the Sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant. It is a sign between Me and the children of Israel forever: for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day He rested, and was refreshed." Exodus 31:12-17. {9T 17.3}

Do not these words point us out as God's denominated people? and do they not declare to us that so long as time shall last, we are to cherish the sacred, denominational distinction placed upon us? The children of Israel were to observe the Sabbath throughout their generations "for a perpetual covenant." The Sabbath has lost none of its meaning. It is still the sign between God and His people, and it will be so forever.


(19) {9T 18.1}


Testimonies for The Churches Volume Nine (1909), Ellen G. White, pp.11-18.

THE WORK OF THE JESUITS IN THE NEW MILLENNIUM


THE WORK OF THE JESUITS IN THE NEW MILLENNIUM
as revealed by their own sources


The Jesuits are urged to increase their effort and zeal in carrying out the original purposes and goals of the order

The Jesuits are playing a central role in the evangelizing efforts of the Catholic Church, by working to bring the Christian world back to the Mother Church. In this connection it is very interesting to notice all the information that has been made available on the Internet in regard to the General Conference of the Jesuits (No 34). Never before have we recognized that they have so openly revealed the reports from such gatherings.

It is formulated, of course, in eloquent terms, but, having some knowledge and insight into the background of their work, their methods and goals, the revelation by their own sources, becomes very informative, interesting and unveiling. It cannot be said that this is outdated information that has no relevance in our day, neither can it be said that the Jesuits have changed their intentions and agenda.

In the Pope's comments and acceptance of the report from the Jesuits (GC 34), he strongly appeals to them to follow the same pattern laid out by St. Ignatius, the founder of the Jesuit order. As they recruit new members to the order, it is important that they do not make the standard too low, so that the very nature of the Jesuit Order becomes too mild.

The Pope exhorts, "Your founder explicitly insisted that no one should be admitted to the profession without thorough formation... You must not `succumb to the temptation it is so easy to fall into, namely, to make the initial forming too mild, as it is of great importance in all its aspects; both the human, the spiritual, the doctrinal, the disciplinary, and the pastoral.'"

At the General Conference the Pope reminded the participants of the following: "You have clearly a strong, marked spirituality, an unequivocal identity, and a century-long confirmation which was based on the validity of methods, in spite of going through history's "meltdown," continue to carry the inscription of St.Ignatius' strong spirit. Therefore there is absolutely no need to doubt the fact that the renewed source to spiritual and apostolic fruitfulness must be a still deeper submission to the way you have followed until now — to the special charisma."

The Jesuits "new evangelization" in the second millennium.

An even greater involvement and surrender is emphasized as being essential in the new millennium. Time and again the "new evangelization" (A1, 4, 7, 9) is mentioned, where the Jesuits are going to play a special role in "the third millennium." The Pope says that this historical event "is for the most part dedicated to discover the specific contribution their institution is called to give the new evangelization on the threshold of the third millennium, as well as to update the Jesuit orders internal organization and law-giving, so it can contribute an even greater faithfulness and effective service to the church." (A1, 2)

Then the Pope is suggesting some points they ought to follow, so they can even better "define their contribution to the church's evangelizing mission in our present world, especially having in mind the "Big Jubilee" in the year 2000, where a new spring in the Christian life will be revealed..." (A1, 2)




Meditation and mysticism are some
of the positive factors mentioned
that contribute to fruitful dialog
between Jesuits and the Hindus,
and the Buddhists. In addition,
the "rich symbolism"
of the Hindus is also something the
Jesuits can identify with.
This is a well-known fact for those
that have studied how the different
organizations give signals through symbols.

To the left we see the characteristic
Pope sign given by:
Number 1, the Buddhists;
Number 2, the Hindus;
Number 3, the Catholic Church.

There are also many other symbols
that are similar in these religions.


Unification of all Christian

One of the points especially emphasized by the Pope is the "unification of all Christians." (A1, 5) The Pope is drawing attention to the fact that this point he has already emphasized in a previous letter by the name Tertio Millennio Adveniente. There he writes the following: "As we are nearing the new millennium, the church asks the Lord — as one of the most eager petitions in connection with this event — that the unification of all Christians from all church denominations must increase, so it can lead to the goal of total unification (communion)." The Jesuits shall lead out in tearing down independent tendencies and creating universal unity.

After quoting from the apostolic letter, the Pope concludes, "In this great battle the whole church must find the Jesuit Order in the front lines, as they resist every temptation in the direction of individualism, independence, or parallelism, the order is called upon to give a stirring testimony of brotherly loyalty (unity) and ecclesiastical harmony. The efforts the Order has placed upon cooperation in every branch of the church's activities is well known. In this connection, I encourage you to keep alive this fundamental display of your charisma as you serve the universal church, and overcome every temptation of provincialism, regionalism, or isolationism that could endanger the very existence of certain international and interprovincial works of great importance for the universal church..." (Ibid.) Independence will be taken away, and everything will be subjected to an international blueprint.

How then are they to reach their desired goal?

Ecumenical efforts, with the main emphasis of entering into dialogue with other religions and church denominations is the answer. "The second Vatican Council has encouraged all Catholics to enter into dialogue... so we can promote unification... The Holy Father has time and again asked the Jesuits to bring about an inter-religious dialogue, an apostolic prioritizing in the third millennium...it seems like a dialogue is developing the gathering and liberating potential for all religions..." (Dekre 5, pkt. 130 (D5, 130)) "...Inter-religious dialogues is an integrating element of the Jesuits mission..." (D5, 137) They say, "We have a special responsibility to promote inter-religious dialogues." (D5, 154) Yes, "this culture of dialoguing should become the special hallmark of our Jesuit Order."

So highly do they prioritize this work, that they will "set up a secretariat for inter-religious dialogues to promote and coordinate the Jesuit initiative in this field. The secretariat is supposed to be helpful in making sure that training programs for Jesuits are organized, having in view broader involvement in dialogues." (D5, 155)

Dialogue with Jews, Muslims, Hindus, and Buddhists.

It is not only the other "Christian" church denominations the Jesuits are working to dialogue with. "The dialogue with the Jewish people has a unique place," they say, and continue, "To enter into an honest and respectful unity with the Jewish people is one aspect of our efforts to `think with and in the Church.' (D5, 149) They also desire to enter into dialogue with the Muslims. "Both the Church and the Jesuit Order have struggled to build bridges of mutual understanding between Christians and Muslims." (D5, 150)

The Hindus is another group the Jesuits wish to enter into dialogue with. They believe this can be an easier group to work with. Some of the areas they believe will open up for a "fruitful dialogue" is the Hindus' "deep meditation," "mystical comprehension," and "rich symbolism." (D5, 151) (See pictures this page.)

Also in regard to the Buddhists they have discovered areas that can be used as grounds to unite with them. Some of the things they especially emphasize as positive is, again, "meditation, that leads to a level of inner liberalism and spiritual enlightening." (D5, 152)


One of the approaches the Jesuits mention as useful to get closer to the religious fundamentalists, is to try to ask forgiveness for past mistakes, and
intolerance. "This can open the way
for dialog and unification,"
they say. Can we see this today?
Above: an article from the Norwegian
newspaper DAGEN, with the heading:
The Pope asks for forgiveness.


Religious Fundamentalists — a Problem

The last group they mention that they desire to enter into dialogue with, is what they call the "phenomena of religious fundamentalism." To bring about unity with them, they confess, "poses serious difficulties." Nevertheless, they will make their attempts to accomplish this. Their approach, as we can see it being implemented today, can appear noble.

They will seek to ask forgiveness for past mistakes and intolerance towards others. "This can open the way for dialogt should be done in these situations. (D5, 153)

We will add a warning here to keep anyone from being deceived by their subtle methods of advancement. It has been said about the Catholic Church that when it is in minority, it is as meek as a lamb. When it is an equal, it is as shrewd as a fox. When it is in majority, it is as ferocious as a tiger. Methods that appear noble and beautiful can be used, but they do not hide the fact that the Catholic Church, in the end, must be the winning party. Therefore they must, as they express it, carefully evaluate which methods of advancement they ought to use to reach this goal.

Different Types of Dialogues

There is different aspects to be emphasized in the dialogues with the various church denominations. Two of the most prominent points are the following:

"The Religious Experience Dialogue, where persons, rooted in their own religious tradition, share their spiritual treasures. For instance, with regard to prayer and meditation, faith and ways where one searches for God or the Absolute."

"The Theological Exchange Dialogue, where specialists seek to deepen the understanding of the respective religious heritages, and to appreciate each other's spiritual values." (D5,131)

The Veiled Purpose: To lead all church denominations back to the "Mother Church."

Can you see how the Protestant denominations are imitating the Catholic Church's plan to bring about a unity among Christians? In the beginning it may appear very harmless. Christians are bound together by exchanging spiritual experiences, and unite in a ministry of prayer. "After all, we do have a common goal," they insist, "to uplift Christ in a world on the brink of a crisis."

But in spite of all eloquent words and seemingly good intentions (and some of them that enter into these joint spiritual activities can also in reality have honest and good intentions), there is behind it all a subtle, slithery, deceptive strategy: to lead all religions back to the Mother Church. Therefore we must be on guard, so we too will not be deceived.

The Basis for True Christian Unity.

We are not against unity. In His last admonition to His disciples, Jesus actually prayed that His followers may be one. But please notice carefully on what foundation it should be accomplished:

"Sanctify them through Thy Truth: Thy Word is Truth... That they all may be one; as Thou, Father, art in me, and I in Thee, that they also may be one in Us." (John 17:17-20)

This is a complete different unity than the unity the Catholic Church is leading up to. And, sad to say, the Protestant denominations also are leading up to the same, with their new models of dialoguing, pastoral circles, and joint ecumenical gatherings.

The trend of fellowshipping is to have a good time together, and experience the warmth of fellowship, coupled with an exchange of personal, spiritual views, that concludes with the fact that we only need to have major spiritual points in common. The tolerance level today is broad, and no one protests if you have another view of the issues, as long as you promote the outlook, "This is just one of many ways, my way, the one I am comfortable with, or prefer — but maybe another way can suit you better — as long as we have Jesus in common, we are working toward the same goal."

But is this the way it really is? Can we profess Jesus Christ, and then select our own personal spiritual guidelines, and create our own personal spiritual "comfort zone," and serve God in this way? God forbid!

If we do, we will be led astray by our own love for comfort and ease, our own selfish heart. Listen, dear reader, to what the Bible says: "All we like sheep have gone astray, we have turned every one to his own way." Isaiah 53:6.

Is Jesus just a Name we can hide "our own ways" behind? No, not at all! The name of Jesus is very precious, because Jesus stood for something precious. He stood for precious spiritual truths found in God's Word, truths we also must stand for. We must have faith in the precious truths Jesus stood for, and had faith in. We must have the faith of Jesus. Our own will, wishes and opinions must harmonize with His, the Truth, or they are without spiritual value, and will lead us astray and do us no good, for we will only be having our own way. "Our own way" must become "HIS WAY." Jesus had implicit faith in what God said, for God's Word is Truth, and He lived so closely by this Word of Truth, that, "I am... the Truth..." John 14:6. In other words, the Truth "became flesh" in Him.

This Truth, as we read in John 17:17-20, and as we have already mentioned, expresses itself in God's Word, the Bible. In it we find a line of beautiful TRUE DOCTRINES — teachings and principles — that when followed, will ennoble and refine us into the likeness of His character. We must understand that by following this Truth, we will be sanctified by it, and it will make us in character like Him. As each one of us seek to follow the truths in God's Word (the true doctrines and teachings and beautiful principles found there), we will become ONE IN HIM. This is the basis, the foundation, of true Christian unity.

Infiltration and Global Networking

There is in particular two aspects that we notice the Jesuits will emphasize to achieve "greater cooperation and effectiveness."

1) Infiltration [Twining] (D21, 448)

2) Global Networking (D21, 446)

The Jesuits emphasize that they need close cooperation among themselves to reach their goals. By creating networks between individuals and institutions, they can gather information which they can then forward to other levels of society. They also emphasize this point in regard to their work to promote inter-religious dialogues. In this area they will divide the work into two groups of responsibility: the ones who participate in the dialogues, and those who forward the outcome of the dialogues to those in the Jesuit Order that are involved in other parts of the work. (D5, 148)

But the networking is also taking place on other levels. Especially mentioned is "Networkings in university departments, research centers, school papers, and in regional defense groups. The potential is also present to achieve cooperation by and through international troops, organizations that are not under government rule, and other newer organizations of men and women that are favorably inclined. The initiative and support for these different forms of networkings should come from all parts of society..." (D5, 446)

Total Obedience to the Church

In addition to the close ties, the coordination and strong cooperation between the brothers of the Order, they have great affection, total obedience, and submission to "their superiors." The Jesuits are asked to fulfill their apostolic mission. They are called "to carry out whatever assignment the Church should assign to them." (D6, 165) This the Pope also strongly emphasizes in his appeal: "As you follow in the footprints of your Founder and his initial coworkers, with the same gesture of loyalty to the activities of the Pontiff of Rome, you are declaring that society is totally and without reservation of the Church, in the Church, and for the Church." (A1, 1)

The Oath of the Jesuits - still one of the main elements in the Jesuit Order

In his comments to the Jesuits (GC 34), it is the Pope's desire to emphasize the two main elements that St. Ignatius emphasized in the forming of the Jesuit Order: "The priesthood, and the Oath of obedience the initiated has given to the Supreme Pontiff ." (A5, the Pope's second letter)

It is very interesting to notice that the Jesuit Oath continues to be strongly emphasized. In no way can we draw the conclusion that the Jesuit Oath is not currently important. No, in the documents that now are being made public, the original intentions, methods and laws are even more strongly being emphasized to be put into practice. "The need is therefore not a new set of laws, but that the existing laws can be more effectively implemented." (D12, 329)

In this connection we will include a portion of the Jesuit Oath — an extract of the Jesuit "Extreme Oath of Induction" as recorded in the Congressional Record of the United States of America, February 15, 1913, pages 3215-6. Also in "The Engineer Corps of Hell" by Edwin A. Sherman, pg. 118, 1883, Library of Congress Catalogue Card #66-43354. It should cause everyone to "wake up" and recognize the goals and mission of the Jesuits. It reads as follows:

'My son, heretofore you have been taught to act the dissembler: among the Roman Catholics to be a Roman Catholic, and to be a spy even among your own brethren; to believe no man, to trust no man. Among the reformers, to be a reformer; among the Huguenots, to be a Huguenot; among the Calvinists, to be a Calvinist; among the Protestants, generally to be a Protestant; and obtaining their confidence to seek even to preach from their pulpits, and to denounce with all the vehemence in your nature our holy religion and the Pope; even to descend so low as to become a Jew among the Jews, that you might be enabled to gather together all information for the benefit of your order as a faithful soldier of the Pope. You have been taught to insidiously plant the seeds of jealousy and hatred between states that were at peace, and incite them to deeds of blood, involving them in war with each other, and to create revolutions and civil wars in communities, provinces and countries that were independent and prosperous, cultivating the arts and the science and enjoying the blessings of peace. To take sides with the combatants secretly in concert with your brother Jesuit ... who might be engaged on the other side, but openly opposed to that with which you might be connected; only that the church might be the gainer in the end, in the conditions fixed in the treaties for peace and that the end justifies the means.

"You have been taught your duty as a spy, to gather all statistics, facts and information in your power from every source; to ingratiate yourself into the confidence of the family circle of Protestants and heretics of every class and character, as well as that of the merchant, the banker, the lawyer, among the schools and universities, in parliaments and legislatures, and in the judiciaries and the councils of state, and to `be all things to all men,' for the Pope's sake, whose servants we are unto death.

"You have received all your instructions heretofore as a novice, a neophyte, and have served as a coadjutor, confessor and priest, but you have not yet been invested with all that is necessary to command the army of Loyola in the service of the Pope. You must serve the proper time as the instrument and executioner as directed by your superiors; for none can command here who has not yet consecrated his labours with the blood of the heretic; for `without the shedding of blood no man can be saved.' Therefore, to fit yourself for your work and make your salvation sure, you will, in addition to your former oath of obedience to your order and allegiance to the Pope, repeat after me.

"I . . . , now in the presence of the Almighty God, the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Blessed Michael the Archangel, the Blessed St. John the Baptist, the Holy Father, the Superior General of the Society of Jesus, founded by St. Ignatius Loyola, in the Pontification of Paul the Third, and continued to the present, do by the womb of the virgin, the matrix of God, and the rod of Jesus Christ, declare and swear that his holiness, the Pope, is Christ's Vice-regent, and is the true and only head of the Catholic or Universal Church throughout the earth; and that by the virtue of the keys of binding and loosing, given to his Holiness by my Savior, Jesus Christ, he hath power to depose heretical kings, princes, states, commonwealths and governments, all being illegal without his sacred confirmation, and that they may be safely destroyed.

"I do further declare, that I will help and assist and advise all or any of his Holiness' agents in any place wherever I shall be, and do my utmost to extirpate the heretical Protestant or Liberal doctrines and to destroy all their pretended powers, legal or otherwise.

"I do further promise and declare, that notwithstanding I am dispensed with to assume any religion heretical, for the propagating of the Mother Church's interest, to keep secret and private all her agents' counsels, from time to time as they may instruct me, and not to divulge directly or indirectly, by word, writing, or circumstances whatever; but to execute all that shall be proposed given in charge or discovered unto me, by you, my ghostly father ...

"I do further promise and declare, that I will have no opinion or will of my own, or any mental reservation whatever, even as a corpse or cadaver (perinde ac cadaver) but unhesitatingly obey each and every command that I may receive from my superiors in the Militia of the Pope and Jesus Christ.

"That I will go to any port of the world, whatsoever, without murmuring and will be submissive in all things whatsoever communicated to me ... I do further promise and declare, that I will, when opportunity presents, make and wage relentless war, secretly and openly, against all heretics, Protestants and Liberals, as I am directed to do to extirpate and exterminate them from the face of the whole earth, and that I will spare neither sex, age nor condition, and that I will hang, waste, boil flay, strangle and bury alive these infamous heretics; rip up the stomachs and wombs of their women and crush their infants' heads against the wall, in order to annihilate forever their execrable race.

"That when the same cannot be done openly, I will secretly use the poison cup, the strangulation cord, the steel of the poniard, or the lead bullet, regardless of the honor, rank, dignity or authority of the person or persons whatsoever may be their condition in life, either public or private, as I at any time may be directed so to do by any agent of the Pope or superior of the Brotherhood of the Holy Faith of the Society of Jesus."

Concealed Strategy

The goals of the Jesuits are clear, but as mentioned before, it is often concealed under a cover of apparently good intentions. The Jesuits appear with a front of good works. They aid the poor, promote education to children and youth, and are involved in environmental issues and peace corps activities, etc. But it is made clear that their humanitarian work "never must be separated from the global evangelizing mission the church has. (A1, 7)

Jesuits promote integration of Aliens

The Jesuits have established a department that especially deals with aliens called Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS). This organization is dealing with refugees in various countries. They are working to integrate refugees into countries with different cultures and religions.

"...From the Churches' long experience in welcoming refugees and immigrants, we understand immigration as an opportunity for the cultural, social and economic enrichment of our society. We call upon the European Union to adopt a positive approach to immigration... individuals in need of protection are entitled to the territory of the EU... As members of a civil society, and as Europeans and Christians, we call upon the European Parliament to safeguard those who are most threatened by persecution, violence, poverty and lack of freedom. We commit ourselves to collaborate with this process." (Http://www.catholic.se/jesuit - click on current)

It looks like the issue of aliens also is favored by the leaders of the Catholic Church. At this point we have to stress the fact that we are not in any way against providing help to those in need. However, we must refrain from cooperating with the Catholic Church in the strategy of blending the different peoples of the earth, so the Protestant nations no longer are able to preserve their unique Protestant position, but the whole world become one gigantic international unit with common economy, politic, — and then unified in the most important area, religion — under the Catholic Church's principles.

The fact is that the Protestant and independent nations are entitled to have their Protestant freedom, but it looks like the Jesuits now are in the process of getting their own men and women into governing positions worldwide, and that their goals little by little are being fulfilled; actually to destroy the Protestant and independent nations. Catholic favored international laws will be enforced.

We must not forget the slogan expression, "ORDO AB CHAO," Order out of Chaos. It is the very ones holding the power (the Power Elite) that are creating the chaos, for later to bring about order in their own way. There are multiple indications that the promoted removal of people from one country to integrate them in another, is a link in the universal internationalization process.

But look at God's beautiful plan in Acts 17:26-27: "And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitations: that they should seek the Lord, if happily they might feel after Him, and find Him, though He be not far from every one of us."

Political, economic, social, cultural, and religious globalization

The Jesuits are expressing how pleased they are that presently stronger and stronger ties are being formed in the political, economic, social and cultural realm. They are noticing nations that in the past were divided, but are now forming new international economic and political structures; and they say it would be a shame if this verification did not also take place in the religious realm. (D12, 326)

November 11, 1999 was a busy day for the Jesuits. In Brussels, on this particular day, they received young professionals of the French Movement of Christian Executives (MCC). They were gathered for three days, and during this time had debates and conferences in regard to the European situation. After prayer and dialogues, it was concluded that: "They understood that the upbuilding of the European Union is not only an economic construction, but a new way to think on our continent, including all the countries that are candidates. They discovered a new dimension to their nation — a European dimension."

"For us it was valuable," say the Jesuits. "We understood once more how completely different it is to come and see for ourselves, if we desire to understand the methods and reasons for building a new Europe." (Http://www.catholic.se/jesuit click on aktuelt)


The Jesuits understand that the
Catholic Church's teachings would
not be spread as effectively if
they did not get acceptance in
the schools and universities.
Ignatious de Loyola therefore strongly
emphasized the establishment of
universities where the young
people could be trained.
Today they have approximately 200
universities where around 3,000
Jesuits are working, and where more
than half a million receive
their training. They also work
to carry on their mission in other
universities.





On this picture we see the Pontifical
University in Rome, which is one of
the most prestigious universities
in the world.




The Jesuits are emphasizing education.

At last we want to consider a branch of the work of the Jesuits that they strongly emphasize: EDUCATION. They have been involved in this area ever since the Order's very beginning. "St. Ignatius was aware of the great cultural influence of the universities, and chose to send the Jesuits there, as a place where they in general would do the most good." (D17, 404)

The Jesuits emphasis on education is considered as "very important," since it can provide a solid academic and religious foundation during the formative years." (D18, 418) Their influence in this area can provide great advait. (D18, 417)

"In and through the universities, important debates take place concerning ethics and the future direction of economy and politics..." (D17, 405) Their desire is to get their men and women into decision-making positions in society, and thus form its future: "They educate their students as "men and women for others" who can usurp leadership roles in their own communities and organizations. (D18, 419)

We have learned that "within the last thirty years, the Jesuits higher levels of education has been going through a very rapid development; both in size, inclusiveness, and with more participative structures in the government."

Perhaps, especially in the USA, the Jesuit universities have received great influence, for many of the important and influential individuals in society are getting their education at these universities. The Jesuit university, Georgetown University, educated none other than Bill Clinton himself, and as a child he was trained by nuns.

In spite of this fact, the Jesuits are afraid they will not be able to maintain the control they desire over their universities — a control to the extent where these universities are their "own" in the fullest sense of the word. (D17, 407) To meet this challenge, the Jesuits are encouraged to work hard "to keep, and even to strengthen the identity of each one of our institutions..." (D17, 408) They emphasize to maintain and strengthen their "original Jesuit identity and mission in all the universities that are named Jesuit, or any university that originally operate under our responsibility." (D17, 410)

To be able to maintain the uniqueness of the educational institutions, it is emphasized that the ones in leading positions, must have received adequate forming in "Ignatius' charisma and teachings. (D18, 417)

The following information from the Catholic's own sources, in paragraph 405, Decree 17, reveals a little of the extent of the Jesuit's educational work. "Today there is about 3,000 Jesuits working in about 200 of our own institutions, in the realm of higher education. They are influencing more than a half million students." But it is not only in their own universities the Jesuits are wo. This apostolic activity not only influences the individual students, it effectively is penetrating the entire university." (D17,405) "The Jesuit order's educational department should encourage similar programs in other places, as they can provide advantages towards our desired goal." (D18, 417) We must provide information and warn!

As we observe how this system is steadily progressing, it is important that we do not just stand by idle, doing nothing, and let it take its course. We know we are unable to stop it, but as we see the great dangers connected with this system, and the subtle plans being used, it is important that information exposing what is happening is brought forth. It can help us and others to view these matters in the right light. There certainly must be many honest and sincere people that have entered into this, and similar systems, with the noblest of intentions. We must help them to understand the dangers.

Obviously, this is something the "initiated ones" and their leaders do not appreciate. This fact they openly admit: "We must be on guard constantly, so the faithful will not be confused by questionable teachings, by publications or speeches, that clearly differ from the teachings and morals of the Church, or by any attitudes that hurt the togetherness in the Spirit." (A1, 6)

Therefore it is very clear that they strongly dislike anything that exposes their tactics. However, should we for that reason not speak out? No, for only a lack of Christian love for them will do that. The Bible says: "Come out of her, My people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues." (Rev. 18:4) The Bible tells us clearly that the ones supporting the Harlot and her falsehoods, will be receiving the judgments of God.

Instead of adopting the Jesuit's plan for unity, by entering into dialogue with them, let us in love seek to call them out from the false system they are a part of. Clear and unmistakable information must be brouven an opportunity to make the right decision. "Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel... therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me." (Ezek. 13:17)

Let us stand together and give this message of warning, combined with God's merciful message of salvation. Then we will have a part in showing the world what they must turn away from, and what they should turn to!