Signs of the Times – Part unknown

Poland to Receive Vatican Envoy

Poland will be the first Warsaw Pact country to have full diplomatic relations with the Vatican when Pope John Paul II sends a diplomatic envoy to his native land. Diplomatic relations were cut when communists took power in 1945. Despite the official atheism of the communist government, Roman Catholicism has remained strong in Poland throughout the years. The Vatican’s move in opening relations comes at a time of great political change.

In the first election in 40 years in which any party other than the Communist was allowed to participate, Roman Catholic priests rallied their flocks in support of the Solidarity party to give a resounding defeat to the Communists in the one third of parliamentary seats up for election. The Communists had made the political concessions that allowed the contested election in return for Solidarity’s support for austerity measures needed to bolster a weak economy.

Political observers predict increasing unrest in the months ahead due to worsening economic conditions. With inflation expected to double from the present 100 percent and widespread layoffs occurring in the restructured smokestack industries, Poland appears to be facing a time of economic difficulties that will take more than a shift toward democracy to solve.

Governmental Ethics in the National Spotlight

Whether the ethical standard of public servants are at present higher or lower than at other times in the past might be open to debate, but they have been very much in the news of late. Congressional leaders have been forced to resign under fire, nominees for high cabinet positions have been rejected on moral and ethical grounds and scandals of influence peddling going back many years have been uncovered in the executive branch of the government. When they leave government, many high level functionaries go on to lucrative positions with private firms with which they dealt when in government service.

The ideal of incorruptible government has, no doubt, been an impossible dream as long as governments have existed. At the time of the American revolution, records show that members of the Continental Congress reaped unconscionable profit from the supplying of George Washington’s ill-equipped army.

Over three thousand years ago, Samuel’s sons, who were judges in Israel, “turned aside after gain, took bribes and perverted justice.” (1 Sam. 8:3) The scripture record credits this corruption with causing the elders of Israel to request a king of Samuel. Although God, through Samuel, warned the people against this move, they persisted anyway and consequently experienced the evils that they were told a human king would inflict on them. Present day conditions leave much to be desired and we look forward to the time of the kingdom when integrity will be the rule of the day (Isa 11:4).

Palestinian Uprisings Severely Divide Israel

After 19 months of Palestinian uprisings, Israel is being brought to what some regard as the brink of civil war over the question of how much force to use to quell the uprisings. Israeli authorities have found evidence that Jewish underground organizations have been organizing to commit acts of violence against Arabs in retaliation for Palestinian attacks on Jews.

The inspector general of police has warned that acts of revenge by Jews against Arabs, even though carried out by only a few extremists, could lead to Jews fighting Jews. Residents of Jewish settlements in the occupied territories have carried on demonstrations demanding firmer action against the intifada, as the uprisings are called. Some fringe elements have even gone as far as to suggest the deportation of all Palestinians from the territories.

Although Palestinians continue to assassinate other Arabs whom they suspect are cooperating with the authorities, they have stepped up the number of acts of violence against Jews. The murder, recently, of an American immigrant to Israel living in the settlement of Ariel caused residents of that West Bank community to demand the right to organize themselves into paramilitary units to protect their area. The government opposes such a move because of the possibility of these forces getting out of control and clashing with the regular army that is responsible for order in the territories.

The troubles of Israel continue to mount and, in human terms, there appears to be no way out. The condition of the Middle East is an object lesson illustrating the bankruptcy of the philosophy of vengeance and retaliation that forms the moral training of both Jews and Moslems. Scripture, however, promises a day when that land will finally enjoy peace under the benign rule of the promised Messiah.

Likud Factions Oppose Peace Plan

Israeli prime minister Shamir has drawn criticism from extremist groups for his peace initiative calling for elections in the occupied territories. Even in his own Likud party there is disagreement over details of the plan. Amendments have been proposed that Shamir fears would make the plan unacceptable to both the United States and the Labour party. The amendments are:

• No negotiations until all terror and violence is ended.
• No negotiations over the status of Jerusalem as a united city and Israel’s capital, and no participation by residents of the city in the proposed Palestinian elections.
• No outside supervision of voting.
• Parallel to the proposed autonomy, Israeli law to apply to areas heavily populated with Jews.

Shamir opposes the amendments and is making their inclusion in the initiative an issue of confidence in the government because he fears the national unity government will fall if his plan becomes unacceptable to the Labor party.

“The Sea and the Waves Roaring”

When student demonstrations in China began they were hailed in the press as an important victory for democracy. But after the army was called in to quell the uprising killing hundreds of protesters, the threat of civil war leaves the political future of the nation very much in doubt. It was the liberal element in the Chinese leadership that allowed the demonstrations to take place in the first place, but it now appears that element will be purged by the octogenarian Deng Xiaoping who was once himself considered a reformer.

The demonstrations started during the state visit of Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, who carefully avoided taking sides. But in his public statements he mentioned in general terms many of the political and economic reforms the protesters were advocating.

During his visit, Gorbachev displayed the charm for which he is famous but the demonstrations overshadowed the business of his visit, which was to heal the 30-year rupture in Sino-Soviet relations. Even so, the two communist giants agreed on a number of things, among which were normalization of relations and a reduction of military forces on their common border. These objectives should prove vitally important to each of them as they try to deal with the rising levels of political unrest within their borders.

Death of Ayatollah May Begin Power Struggle

To devout Shiite Moslem fundamentalists the Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini was a charismatic figure whose will they obeyed without question and on whose whim rested the fate of millions. Ironically, Khomeini’s rise to power 10 years ago in Iran was accomplished by convincing backers of the Shah, that, because of alleged human rights abuses, he was not worthy of support and should be abandoned. During the regime of the Ayatollah, however, thousands of political prisoners were executed and Iran’s involvement in international terrorism and hostage-taking outraged the civilized world. For the near prospect, analysts expect no change in the chances for freedom of the American hostages as none of the factions likely to come to power are committed to any change of policy toward the United States.

Political alignment with the So­viet Union is not the goal of any Iranian factions, although the Soviets are major purchasers of Iran’s oil and gas. As the modern-day successor to the Biblical nation of Persia, Iran’s political alignment with Libya and Ethiopia leaves only their associa­tion with Russia to be completed to fulfill their prophetic position as partners with Gog in that fateful excursion into the middle east (Ezk. 38:5).

Domestic Animals Endangered Species

Although it is well known that many species of wild animals are on the endangered list, it is less well known that about half the breeds of livestock in existence are in danger of disappearing if steps are not taken to preserve them, according to a recent Newsweek article.

To be economically successful, present day animal husbandry calls for selecting the most productive strain of an animal and raising that one to the exclusion of all others. For instance, the Holstein cow is the breed of choice for milk yield and the Leghorn chicken for egg laying. The danger of dependence on a single breed is that if a virulent disease should develop in that strain a serious gap might be left in the food supply. With no other strains available for cross breeding the gap might become permanent.

Since no governmental agencies have yet become involved, the task of preserving the 80 or so endangered breeds is being undertaken by a group of farmers and hobbyists who work together as the American Minor Breeds Conservancy of Pittsboro, N.C. Although raisers of rare breeds sometimes make a profit, most do it from the personal desire to preserve the diversity of the wonder­ful creation over which God has given man dominion.

New Israeli Battle Tank Unveiled

The decisive weapon of desert fighting is the battle tank. The Israeli cabinet in 1970 decided that Israel should develop its own tank because no nation in the world had ever been willing to sell Israel new tanks. The defense forces had to make do with older Sherman, Centurion and Patton tanks, which they upgraded.

In the 1960’s, the Soviet Union shipped large numbers of T-62s to the Arab countries. In addition, under Arab pressure, Britain reneged on a co-development program for the British Chieftain tank. So Israel, after careful economic consideration, decided to develop its own. The Merkava Mk III, unveiled recently, is improved in both fire power and armored protection over the two earlier models, the Merkava Mks I & II.

Even more than its predecessors, the Mk III is a product of Israeli industry with fully 65 percent of the $2.3 million price representing value added in Israel. The rest is imported materials and components, including $150,000 for the 1200 horsepower Teledyne Continental engine. Claimed by its makers and users to be the best tank in the world, the Merkava Mk III has a number of innovative features including modular armor which allows for future upgrading as well as easy field replacement in case of damage. Chemical warfare protection is improved with a central filtration system added to the pressurized crew compartment. State-of-the-art electronic and optical systems include a battle computer, a fire control system, night vision systems, and a laser range finder.

That so small a nation as Israel can produce such a weapon is surely part of the miracle of their survival as a people and their reestablishment in the land where God’s visible hand will one day be displayed in fulfillment of Psalm 46:9 when “he makes wars to cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow, and shatters the spear, he burns the chariots with fire.”

Disarmament Crisis Divides NATO

West German Chancellor Helmut Kohl called for early East-West Negotiations over short-range nuclear forces in Europe. The request was met with vigorous disagreement from Washington and London. These battlefield weapons, consisting of missiles, bombs and artillery shells, are NATO’s deterrent against attack by the superior conventional forces of the Soviet bloc.

Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev’s promise to withdraw some troops and tanks from Eastern Europe has apparently convinced many West Germans, and other Europeans, that the Soviet military threat is over. The American and British position has been more cautious. They would like to proceed with plans to modernize the weapons and then negotiate from a position of strength, even to the complete elimination of the weapons, if the Soviets agree to non-nuclear parity.

Since most of the weapons are on West German soil, West Germany could block deployment. They could even effect the breakup of NATO by calling for the removal of all nuclear weapons from within its borders without reciprocal reduction of So­viet conventional forces. Whatever the outcome of the immediate dispute, it appears that the new spirit of reform in the Soviet Union is being readily accepted in the European community to the detriment of the solidarity of the Western Alliance.

PLO Terror Thwarts Peace Plan

Israeli government leaders accused the PLO of terrorizing Palestinian leaders in the occupied territories into signing a paper rejecting Israel’s proposal for elections. With gangland-style executions of suspected collaborators taking place almost daily, it is thought that no one who was influential in the Palestinian communities would last long if his name did not appear on the document.

Israeli leaders, therefore, dismiss the document as not reflecting the true, uncoerced feeling of the occupied populations. PLO leader Yasser Arafat, however, did not reject the peace plan outright but is thought to be waiting to see which policy will yield the greatest advantage.

Religion Makes a Comeback in Soviet Union

After 70 years as an officially atheist nation, the Soviet Union, under its policy of democratic reform, is permitting greater freedom of religion. As it does so, it is finding the demand for religion is still there despite suppression over the lifetimes of most citizens. In a surprise move last year, Soviet authorities permitted the celebration of the millennial anniversary of the founding of Christianity in that part of the world. Timed to coincide with Easter, the churches were filled with the faithful and curious alike for the event.

The 12 months since then have seen a growing rapport between the religious communities and the Soviet authorities. State-run newspapers now print items of news about religious affairs and letters of complaint are published. One of the complaints recently expressed concerned the ruined and decayed condition of many old religious buildings. Religious literature can now be printed and distributed and religious instruction is permitted in the state-registered communities.

Many churches that were confiscated after the revolution are being returned to their former use. In the past year, over 900 religious buildings, including several monasteries, have been returned. Observers from the U.S. see what may be the beginning of a religious revival taking place with many people getting involved in the church for the first time. One is led to wonder if, out of this apparent enthusiasm for spiritual edification, there might be found some looking for the truth once delivered to the saints.

Religious Conflict Feared in Africa

The recent visit of Pope John Paul II to the African nation of Malawi brought out the religious conflict that is taking place in that nation as well as other places in Africa. In his speeches, the Pope urged Roman Catholics and Moslems to avoid aggressive tactics in the battle for converts. Although they are in the majority, Catholics in Malawi are concerned about the rapid growth of Islamic fundamentalism which is financed by Arab oil money, because the Catholics find it difficult to compete. Also of concern is the Moslem practice of imposing Islamic law on non-Moslems, often by terror and violence. Although the Roman Pontiff is undoubtedly sincere in his desire to mitigate the conflict, words may not be enough to quell the passions of holy war.

Fusion Energy Breakthrough Becomes Controversial Issue

As controversy continues in the scientific community over whether cold fusion has really been accomplished, environmentalists and sociologists disagree over the long-term benefits of such an abundant and cheap energy source. Some argue that the pollution associated with present energy sources would be eliminated, thereby cleaning up the environment and providing energy to improve general living conditions.

Others contend that energy production is only one of many sources of environmental harm and that the greater industrial activity made pos­sible by cheap fuel could cause an increase in the other factors, thus offsetting any benefits. Past experience indicates that every scientific advance is accompanied by problems not apparent beforehand. The scriptures tell us it is not in man to direct his steps, so even though scientific discoveries certainly change our lives, unqualified good will only come when the divine will is effective in the earth.

Soviet Elections Endorse Political Change

In the first elections in 71 years offering a choice of candidates, the people of the Soviet Union voted in a way that analysts interpret as a vote of confidence in the reforms that have been instituted by Mikhail Gorbachev. The voting was to elect the 2250-member Congress of Peoples Deputies, the body that during the coming year will elect a Soviet President (probably Gorbachev) and choose a 422-member Supreme Soviet.

Although the deputies have little direct power, the elections have given many Soviet citizens a new found means of protest which some analysts fear may bring on an adverse reaction from conservative Communist Party leaders if the pace of reform appears to be getting out of hand. In speaking to the press, Gorbachev was careful to stress that the vote was not a rejection of the Communist Party itself but rather a defeat for those leaders who were not in step with the party’s new democratic style.

Ethnic unrest is becoming a growing problem in many parts of the Soviet Union, particularly in the Baltic states, Armenia, and the Islamic provinces. If serious rebellion should develop in any of these places, it is doubtful if the current reform movement could survive. Some observers, however, question how far the democratization process can go before the nationalists in these areas make a try for independence. But in any event, since a democratic Soviet Union seems so unlikely a candidate for the role of the invading northern power of Ezekiel 38, the student of Bible prophesy will no doubt be watching with interest the progress of these developments.

A Plague Strikes Central Africa

One of the most feared of natural disasters is the pestilence or rapidly spreading deadly disease. Despite the best efforts of modern medicine, these occur all too frequently in many parts of the world. Recently a particularly virulent form of meningitis has raged from village to village in parts of Ethiopia, Somalia, Kenya, Sudan, and Nigeria.

Meningitis occurs regularly in parts of Africa, and where the disease is prevalent a certain natural immunity is developed. This year, however, the path of the disease moved into areas outside the normal range and also the strain appears to be unusually deadly with death occurring within 24 hours of the onset of the first symptoms. In some instances, health workers report whole families being wiped out in a span of 72 hours. The total number of deaths is not known exactly but it is estimated that over 20,000 have died in Ethiopia, the hardest hit country.

Although the disease is preventable by vaccine, in many places supplies are not available in large enough quantities to be effective. In Ethiopia, a raging civil war makes relief difficult and famine and crowded living conditions caused by the war provide perfect conditions for the disease to spread. Truly these unfortunate people are sore afflicted with the multiple ills, war, famine, and pestilence, that the Son of God is coming to remove forever from the earth.

World Jewry Pledges Support for Israel

A hastily called conference of Jews from over 40 countries was attended by some 1500 delegates in Jerusalem recently. The purpose of the gathering was to demonstrate that Jews around the world are still behind the government of Israel in its approach to dealing with the Palestinians in the occupied territories. A statement read in a ceremony before the western wall stated that “linked by our common history and shared destiny, we support the democratically elected Government of National Unity in its effort to achieve peace and security with its neighbors.”

Many Jews throughout the world had become alarmed at the shift in public opinion that was beginning to blame Israel for the lack of a solution to the uprising in the territories. Failure of Israeli leaders to agree on a unified approach to dealing with the PLO has caused grave concern among some traditional supporters of Israel. Also the success that the PLO has had in selling the world its image of moderation has made plain the need for Israel to pay more attention to public relations.

The conference, timed to precede the visit of Israeli Prime Minister Yitzak Shamir to Washington, was carefully structured to avoid public debate on policy issues for the sake of a show of solidarity with the government. Many foreign Jews do not agree with the hard line being taken by Shamir in refusing to deal with the PLO but this was not debated at the conference.

At his subsequent meeting with U.S. President George Bush in Washington, Shamir, under pressure to come up with new ideas for dealing with the Palestinians has proposed the holding of elections in the occupied territories to select delegates to negotiate with Israel about the future of the territories. Since participation would be restricted to community leaders and exclude the PLO, the plan, as expected, was rejected by the Palestinians. Most analysts agree that under present conditions there is little prospect for agreement soon.

Increase in Soviet Jewish Emigration Expected

The Soviet Union is expected to increase the number of Jews granted exit visas to a rate of 40 to 50 thousand a year soon according to a report in the Jerusalem Post. Last year 22,403 Israeli visas were given to emigrating Soviet Jews but only 10 percent of these ended up in Israel due to the fact that those routed through Vienna are able to change their destination and come to the United States or some other country instead.

Israel wants more immigration and has asked the Netherlands, which represents Israel in Moscow, to route migrating Jews through Bucharest rather than Vienna, but the Netherlands has refused the request. Israeli officials feel that the situation could be improved if Israel had better diplomatic ties with the Kremlin so that the visas could be issued by Israeli diplomats in Moscow.

An effort is also being made to promote Zionist education and culture so that American Jewish organizations will be persuaded to limit their competition for emigrating Jews. Israeli facilities, according to the report, will be extremely challenged to cope with the absorption of large numbers of immigrants and officials are preparing to call on both the public and private sector to join in the task.