thetrumpet--2020-03-13--God’s Covenant With David

God’s Covenant With David

Why the Day of the Lord ?
The most terrifying time in world history has almost arrived .
What will God teach mankind during the great and dreadful Day of the Lord ?
Why the Great Falling Away God ’ s Church was spiritually wrecked three decades ago .
There is one specific reason why .
During His time on Earth , Jesus Christ established the one true Church .
But just over 100 years later , the Church had vanished .
What happened to God ’ s Church during the ‘ lost century ’ ?
Christ ’ s Coming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jesus Christ was the greatest prophet of all time .
While on Earth , He revealed six signs of His Second Coming .
To be protected in the dangerous days ahead , you need to be able to discern these signs !
The defection of Prince Harry from the British royal family has shocked the world .
Why has the monarchy struggled in recent years—and what is God doing to fix this urgent problem ?
American politics are in a state of hysteria right now .
There is a deadly reason so many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ late , great Winston Churchill knew he was walking with destiny .
How can you walk with destiny every day of your life ?

The Times of the Gentiles (2023) Thousands of years ago, the Prophet Daniel foretold the violent times of the Gentiles that we are entering into today. The minds of human leaders are becoming like wild beasts—and the whole world will suffer horribly as a result. Discover the inspiring reason why God allows such a terrible tragedy.
The Man Who Wrecked the Soviet Empire God used one man of faith to shake the world and wreck the Soviet Empire. This man suffered in the gulag and turned hearts and minds with his powerful writing. Learn how he exposed the evils of the Soviet Union—and discover the life-saving power of real faith.
Resurrecting the Psalter of Tara The Prophet Jeremiah collected and organized King David’s psalms in his book The Psalter of Tara. Jeremiah understood what your Bible reveals: that David was a man after God’s own heart. Understand how studying David’s psalms can put your life on God’s track.
Daniel and the Second Coming of Christ Chaotic world events in this end time were foretold thousands of years ago by the Prophet Daniel. Get God’s perspective on all this—and discover what else will happen before the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.
Putin Remembers Yugoslavia (2022) Russian President Vladimir Putin has attacked Ukraine without reason—or so it seems. Actually, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine connects to America’s actions in Yugoslavia in the 1990s.
Revealing the Two Witnesses The two witnesses may be the most mysterious characters in the entire Bible. They have a vital role on the world scene in the near future.
The China-America Clash Is Prophesied Under President Donald Trump, the United States is holding China accountable more than ever before. How will this budding rivalry end?


thetrumpet--2020-03-13--Will Coronavirus Unify Europe?

Will Coronavirus Unify Europe?

Russia ’ s leader will reset the clock on his term limits , clearing the way for him to rule until 2036 .
From the year 2000 when he first came to power until 2008 , we called Vladimir Putin president .
He spent those first two presidential terms aggressively consolidating Russia politically , socially , economically and militarily .
His policies lifted some 45 million Russians out of poverty and began to restore his nation ’ s international relevance .
Putin and most Russians felt he was just getting started .
But there was a problem : The Russian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hold the presidential office for more than two consecutive terms .
So Putin let go of the presidency—but he did not let go of political power .
From 2008 to 2012 , he handed the office over to a protégé who was submissive to him .
During those four years , though it was clear that Putin remained the true head of Russia , we called him “ prime minister.
” During that era , his forces invaded the former Soviet republic of Georgia and assumed control of 20 percent of the county @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had collapsed , but this move made clear that under Putin , Russia was back .
It was a force to be feared once again .
In 2012 , Putin returned to the presidency with a newly extended six-year term .
And we began once again to call him president .
He fashioned Russia into an even more militarily powerful and aggressive nation , using its firepower to annex Ukraine ’ s Crimean Peninsula , secure the vicious regimes in Syria and North Korea , and help Iran continue its pursuit of nuclear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exactly no one by clinching yet another term in office .
And we continued to call him president .
But Putin understood that he would soon come up against that constitutional limit once again : In 2024 , he would have completed his second consecutive pair of presidential terms , and would be required to step down .
So he began looking at alternative options .
He considered orchestrating another rendition of the “ castling move ” he had used from 2008 to 2012 .
He considered taking over Belarus and becoming head @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He considered ruling through parliament or from the post of Russia ’ s State Council .
But on March 10 , after those various options had foundered , Putin told Russian lawmakers that the clock should be reset to zero for his presidential term limits so that he can remain in office after 2024 .
“ We need it for stability , ” he said .
“ Russia lacks conditions necessary for parliament-led democracy.
” Putin said he did not wish to scrap constitutional term limits for everyone : The nation should not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no elections were held , because “ Russia has had enough revolution in its history , ” he said .
But he said his own unique situation is different .
Putin was not entirely dogmatic about whether he would continue on as president , but told lawmakers , “ I ’ m sure that together , we will do many more great things , at least until 2024 .
Then , we will see.
” After Putin spoke , the Duma applauded and voted overwhelmingly to pass the proposal to reset limits on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sign it into law on March 18 , the sixth anniversary of his annexation of Crimea .
Then on April 22 , an “ all-people vote ” will give the people of Russia a chance to accept or reject the measure .
But the vote is neither an election nor a referendum , but only a scheme to give Putin ’ s power grab a veneer of legitimacy .
Bundled with the same vote are a number of other constitutional proposals—enshrining Russians ’ faith in God , defining marriage in traditional terms , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and outlawing any handovers of Russian territory .
By bundling these well-liked proposals in with the change that would let Putin seek another term , there is reason to expect an enthusiastic approval .
And just in case anybody who objects to his plot may want to publicly protest , Moscow has simultaneously outlawed any assembly of more than 5,000 people .
The coronavirus , which has infected fewer than two dozen Russians , was cited as the official reason for the new ban .
Thus Putin will almost certainly be permitted to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2024 and could potentially rule for two more six-year terms .
The scare quotes are warranted there because of Russia ’ s long and storied history of vote rigging , even in the case of leaders like Putin who are already well regarded by the people .
It all adds up to potentially extending Putin ’ s reign to 2036 , when he will be almost 84 years old .
So even though Vladimir Putin has secured the title of “ president ” potentially through to the end 2036 , it is clear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ calling him by that title .
More appropriate may be “ supreme leader , ” as Putin ’ s counterpart in North Korea is called .
Or perhaps “ paramount leader , ” as his fellow strongman in China is labeled .
Maybe “ leader of the nation , ” as Kazakhstan ’ s longtime dictator has been christened .
Or there may be a different title for Putin that is more appropriate still .
“ We need to watch Vladimir Putin closely .
He is the ‘ prince of Rosh ’ that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years ago !
” Those words were written by Trumpet editor in chief Gerald Flurry in our September 2014 issue .
Mr.
Flurry ’ s article examines prophecies in the biblical books of Daniel , Jeremiah , Joel and Revelation that foretell of a multinational Asian army that will amass in the end time and field an army of 200 million soldiers .
Then most of the piece is devoted to examining Ezekiel 38 , which names several of the nations that will make up this bloc and provides details about the man @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ And the word of the Lord came unto me , saying , ‘ Son of man , set thy face unto Gog , of the land of Magog , prince of Rosh , Meshech , and Tubal , and prophesy concerning him ’ ” ( Ezekiel 38:1-2 ; Young ’ s Literal Translation ) .
Meshech and Tubal are ancient names designating modern Russian cities .
And Rosh is a variation of an ancient name for Russia , once called Rus .
Many encyclopedias and commentaries , such as the Jamieson , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The passage goes on to describe the military campaigns that this power—led by the “ prince of Rosh ” —will wage .
After examining these biblical prophecies and holding them up alongside Putin ’ s tightening grip on power within Russia and the aggressive foreign policy the nation has adopted under his command , Mr .
Flurry wrote : I strongly believe Vladimir Putin is going to lead the 200 million-man army .
Just look at the power he already has .
Can you think of any other Russian politician who could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to lead Russia into the crisis of crises ?
I see nobody else on the horizon who could do that .
And only a tiny few years remain for the prince of Rosh to appear !
… This much is absolutely certain : The restoring of Russia ’ s power by Vladimir Putin—the prince of Russia—was prophesied !
Since the Trumpet has this understanding of Putin ’ s role in end-time prophecy , we believe that whatever his official title may remain or become , Vladimir Putin will stay the true power of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this prophesied “ prince , ” as may be the most appropriate title for him , will lead the nation in an increasingly dangerous direction .
To understand more , order your free copy of Mr.
Flurry ’ s booklet The Prophesied ‘ Prince of Russia .
’

The economic effects of coronavirus could be huge—especially in Europe.
Italy is already Europe’s problem economy. By some measures, it is the fourth most indebted economy in the world. Now it’s being hammered by coronavirus. Hundreds have died. The entire country is locked down. In Lombardy and Veneto, only food shops, pharmacies and other essential services are open.
“As if deliberately, covid-19 has hit the eurozone just where it hurts most—Italy,” wrote Jeremy Warner in the Telegraph.
The International Monetary Fund’s former deputy director in Europe, Ashoka Mody, has warned that Italy will require $500 billion to $700 billion to get back on its feet. This completely dwarfs any of the previous EU bailouts.
Italy’s banks are struggling. Without this help, you could have a banking crisis that spreads throughout Europe and even the world.
Right now, Europe is stuck in an awkward halfway state on its way to being a superstate.
The states within America share a currency. There is various ways money flows throughout the different states. All the states pay money into one federal pot, for example, so if one state suffers, all the states share the pain and help them recover. The federal government oversees banks in all the states and promises to guarantee their funds in an emergency. This helps prevent a lot of crises.
Europe lacks that. The eurozone shares a currency, but there’s no federal pot of money and only a very weak federal government.
Coronavirus could change this. It could force Europe to finally put these nuts and bolts of a superstate into place.
Warner wrote:
The coronavirus may therefore be the crisis that finally brings about lasting solutions. Another doom loop would surely either force Italy out of the euro altogether, or more likely result in it agreeing the terms demanded for a properly functioning banking union.
Jean Monnet, one of the European Union’s founding fathers, wrote: “Europe will be forged in crises, and will be the sum of the solutions adopted for those crises.”
Former German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schäuble said in 2011, “[C]risis represents an opportunity. … Europe always moved forward in times of crisis. Sometimes you need a little pressure for certain decisions to be taken.”
Cornavirus could help provide that pressure.
We’ve long forecast the arrival of a 10-nation superstate in Europe. This power is described in biblical passages, such as Revelation 17. With a common currency, the eurozone is already a long way toward being that superstate. Crises like coronavirus could help get it the rest of the way.
You need to learn now about this European power, because it could be on the scene very soon. To to do so, read our Trends article “Why the Trumpet Watches Europe’s Ongoing Unification Project.”
Herbert W. Armstrong forecast this European power decades ago—even saying as far back as 1945 that Europe would come together in a “European union.”
That Trends article will take you through the scriptures that point to this superpower, and show the role that this power will have in world events and in your life.


thetrumpet--2020-03-13--Sudan PM Survives Assassination Attempt

Sudan PM Survives Assassination Attempt

Sudanese rescue teams and security forces gather next to damaged vehicles at the site of an assassination attempt against Sudanese Prime Minister Hamdok in the capital Khartoum on March 9 .
Was the attack due to warming ties with Israel ?
Sudanese Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok , ouster of former strongman Omar al-Bashir , survived an attempted assassination on Monday in what Sudan ’ s official statement has called a foreign terrorist attack .
According to state television , a car bomb exploded as the premier ’ s convoy drove by ; however , state radio said the convoy was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ witness told Reuters , “ I saw the moment of the explosion and the strike , and the strike came from a high building.
” The explosion was followed by several rounds of gunfire targeting the convoy .
Generally , traffic police drive through the streets ensuring that they are clear of nearby vehicles , with the convoy staying a safe distance behind .
This has raised questions regarding the security forces and whether they can be trusted , as some even believe the attack may have been coordinated from within .
Displeased @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , several soldiers within the intelligence branch of the armed forces mutinied last month after their unit was disbanded .
According to The EastAfrican , however , the official statement from Information Minister Faisal Mohammad Saleh did not link the attack to the mutiny .
After the attack , the prime minister assured the Sudanese people , “ I am well and completely healthy.
” He continued to work from his office .
No deaths have been reported as a result of the attack .
Ever since he was appointed by the Sovereignty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hamdok has been trying to bring Sudan away from the “ old regime ” of Omar al-Bashir and its ties to the Muslim Brotherhood terrorist organization .
Hamdok has been working tirelessly to lead Sudan down the “ path to democracy ” and away from its dictatorial past .
This has led to several stark differences in Sudan ’ s domestic and foreign policy , most of which have been met with support from the Sudanese people .
However , a recent meeting with Israel was met with significant internal backlash .
Brig @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Sudan ’ s Transitional Sovereignty Council , met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on February 3 in Entebbe , Uganda .
This historic meeting was a first for both nations as they mutually decided to normalize relations .
Sudan has historically been one of the most hostile nations toward Israel .
After the meeting , Satie Al-Hajj , a leader in the Forces for Freedom and Change alliance , which forms part of the coalition government , condemned the normalizing of relations with Israel .
The alliance called the meeting “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it was not informed that the meeting was going to take place .
However , General Burham said he had notified the prime minister two days prior to the meeting .
A portion of the public also demonstrated , expressing anger against the meeting and frustration with the leaders of the government .
While a direct tie is yet to be found , the timing of the attempted assassination of Sudan ’ s prime minister , following the groundbreaking meeting with Israel , is interesting , especially considering the region ’ s history @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first time such a scenario has played out .
In 1977 , Egyptian President Anwar Sadat reached out to Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin in hopes of normalizing and strengthening diplomatic relations between the two nations .
Sadat became the first Egyptian president to visit Israel , even speaking as a guest in the Knesset .
The two leaders met at Camp David and signed an agreement that maintained peace between Israel and Egypt for more than 30 years .
They also began planning the construction of a world peace center at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
W. Armstrong , founder of the Plain Truth , predecessor to the Trumpet , frequently met with both leaders and was deeply involved in the Sadat-Begin peace accords .
Mr. Armstrong called it the most incredible peace overture of modern times .
According to him , it was the sacrifice that made it so incredible .
Trumpet editor in chief Gerald Flurry writes about this history in his booklet The Way of Peace Restored Momentarily ( free upon request ) .
Mr .
Flurry highlights : As Mr .
Flurry points out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for true peace.
” Despite his best efforts , the tumultuous hatred for the Jews throughout the Arab world proved insuppressible .
On Oct. 6 , 1981 , Muslim Brotherhood assassins , posing as soldiers , opened fire on Mr. Sadat as he watched Egypt ’ s annual military victory parade .
This lesson from fairly recent history shows just how dangerous it is for Muslim leaders to show any hint of favor toward Israel .
Will There Be Peace ?
Two weeks ago , another terrorist attack was foiled and the leader @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Eastern Nile district of Khartoum .
According to The EastAfrican , Sudan ’ s Criminal Investigations department said “ his intention was to assassinate the prime minister and other state officials.
” The Sudan Tribune said the arrested members of the terrorist group belonged to a violent Islamic group and had just arrived with forged documents from their training in Syria .
After the first attempt failed , the next attempt was put into action .
Both the foiled attack and the attack on the prime minister ’ s convoy occurred after Sudan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sudanese democratic leaders have nailed their flags to the mast ; they have shown themselves willing to talk with Israel .
However , these attempts at peace will not succeed .
According to the bbc , 57 percent of polled Sudanese citizens see Israel and the United States as their greatest threats .
Based on the same poll , Sudan sees Israel as its single greatest enemy .
A dangerous tide of “ intense hatred ” for the Jews is building throughout North Africa and the Arab world .
In “ The Hidden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” we showed how these peace agreements with the Arabs are temporary and only last as long as they are beneficial to the Arab states .
In that article , we went through a prophecy in Psalm 83 that foretells a coming confederation of Arab nations that will unite for the purpose of blotting out the name of Israel .
Many of these nations today , such as Saudi Arabia , Jordan and the United Arab Emirates , are temporarily at peace with Israel .
However , as we noted , this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as the Iranian threat is present .
Once Iran has been crushed , as Daniel 11:40 says it will be ( for proof , request The King of the South ) , the scathing Arab hatred for the Jews will once again rise to the surface and an Arab uprising will take half of Jerusalem by force ( Zechariah 14:2 ) .
Yet Jerusalem ’ s captivity will lead directly to the Mount of Olives cleaving in two at the coming of the Messiah .
He will “ smite all the people that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as “ king over all the earth ” ( Zechariah 14 ) , and usher in a millennium of true , lasting peace when “ nation shall not lift up a sword against nation , neither shall they learn war anymore ” ( Micah 4:3 ) .
For more information , please read The Way of Peace Restored Momentarily , by Gerald Flurry .

Sudanese Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok, ouster of former strongman Omar al-Bashir, survived an attempted assassination on Monday in what Sudan’s official statement has called a foreign terrorist attack.
According to state television, a car bomb exploded as the premier’s convoy drove by; however, state radio said the convoy was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade. One witness told Reuters, “I saw the moment of the explosion and the strike, and the strike came from a high building.”
Many reports of an explosion in Sudan targeting PM Hamdok’s convoy. Initial reports suggest say IED hit last car in Hamdok’s convoy. Everything unconfirmed. pic.twitter.com/BHh6yR7BjD — Justin Lynch (@just1nlynch) March 9, 2020
The explosion was followed by several rounds of gunfire targeting the convoy. Generally, traffic police drive through the streets ensuring that they are clear of nearby vehicles, with the convoy staying a safe distance behind.
This has raised questions regarding the security forces and whether they can be trusted, as some even believe the attack may have been coordinated from within. Displeased with the direction of the transitional government, several soldiers within the intelligence branch of the armed forces mutinied last month after their unit was disbanded. According to The EastAfrican, however, the official statement from Information Minister Faisal Mohammad Saleh did not link the attack to the mutiny.
After the attack, the prime minister assured the Sudanese people, “I am well and completely healthy.” He continued to work from his office. No deaths have been reported as a result of the attack.
I would like to assure the people of Sudan that I am safe and in good shape. Rest assured that what happened today will not stand in the way of our transition, instead it is an additional push to the wheel of change in Sudan. pic.twitter.com/zeC2A4k2N0 — Abdalla Hamdok (@SudanPMHamdok) March 9, 2020
New Direction
Ever since he was appointed by the Sovereignty Council of Sudan in August 2019, Hamdok has been trying to bring Sudan away from the “old regime” of Omar al-Bashir and its ties to the Muslim Brotherhood terrorist organization. Hamdok has been working tirelessly to lead Sudan down the “path to democracy” and away from its dictatorial past. This has led to several stark differences in Sudan’s domestic and foreign policy, most of which have been met with support from the Sudanese people. However, a recent meeting with Israel was met with significant internal backlash.
Brig. Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burham, chairman of Sudan’s Transitional Sovereignty Council, met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on February 3 in Entebbe, Uganda. This historic meeting was a first for both nations as they mutually decided to normalize relations.
Sudan has historically been one of the most hostile nations toward Israel. After the meeting, Satie Al-Hajj, a leader in the Forces for Freedom and Change alliance, which forms part of the coalition government, condemned the normalizing of relations with Israel. The alliance called the meeting “harmful” to the nation and claimed it was not informed that the meeting was going to take place. However, General Burham said he had notified the prime minister two days prior to the meeting. A portion of the public also demonstrated, expressing anger against the meeting and frustration with the leaders of the government.
While a direct tie is yet to be found, the timing of the attempted assassination of Sudan’s prime minister, following the groundbreaking meeting with Israel, is interesting, especially considering the region’s history.
Sadat-Begin Peace Accords
This wouldn’t be the first time such a scenario has played out. In 1977, Egyptian President Anwar Sadat reached out to Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin in hopes of normalizing and strengthening diplomatic relations between the two nations. Sadat became the first Egyptian president to visit Israel, even speaking as a guest in the Knesset.
The two leaders met at Camp David and signed an agreement that maintained peace between Israel and Egypt for more than 30 years. They also began planning the construction of a world peace center at the base of Mt. Sinai.
Herbert. W. Armstrong, founder of the Plain Truth, predecessor to the Trumpet, frequently met with both leaders and was deeply involved in the Sadat-Begin peace accords. Mr. Armstrong called it the most incredible peace overture of modern times. According to him, it was the sacrifice that made it so incredible.
Trumpet editor in chief Gerald Flurry writes about this history in his booklet The Way of Peace Restored Momentarily (free upon request). Mr. Flurry highlights:
At extreme personal danger and unprecedented political risk the Egyptian president braved a personal visit to Jerusalem to speak in peace to the Israeli Knesset. … Virtually the entire Arab world harbored intense hatred for the Jews. Yet Sadat traveled right to the heart of the Jewish state and spoke to the Knesset in Jerusalem. Perhaps he didn’t fully realize how much hostility that move would create, but from that point forward he was a marked man. … Shortly thereafter, he was assassinated.
As Mr. Flurry points out, Mr. Sadat “sacrificed his life for true peace.” Despite his best efforts, the tumultuous hatred for the Jews throughout the Arab world proved insuppressible.
On Oct. 6, 1981, Muslim Brotherhood assassins, posing as soldiers, opened fire on Mr. Sadat as he watched Egypt’s annual military victory parade.
This lesson from fairly recent history shows just how dangerous it is for Muslim leaders to show any hint of favor toward Israel.
Will There Be Peace?
Two weeks ago, another terrorist attack was foiled and the leader of the cell was arrested in the Eastern Nile district of Khartoum. According to The EastAfrican, Sudan’s Criminal Investigations department said “his intention was to assassinate the prime minister and other state officials.” The Sudan Tribune said the arrested members of the terrorist group belonged to a violent Islamic group and had just arrived with forged documents from their training in Syria.
After the first attempt failed, the next attempt was put into action. Both the foiled attack and the attack on the prime minister’s convoy occurred after Sudan met with Israel last month.
The Sudanese democratic leaders have nailed their flags to the mast; they have shown themselves willing to talk with Israel. However, these attempts at peace will not succeed.
According to the bbc, 57 percent of polled Sudanese citizens see Israel and the United States as their greatest threats. Based on the same poll, Sudan sees Israel as its single greatest enemy.
A dangerous tide of “intense hatred” for the Jews is building throughout North Africa and the Arab world.
In “The Hidden Danger in Israel’s Arab Outreach,” we showed how these peace agreements with the Arabs are temporary and only last as long as they are beneficial to the Arab states. In that article, we went through a prophecy in Psalm 83 that foretells a coming confederation of Arab nations that will unite for the purpose of blotting out the name of Israel. Many of these nations today, such as Saudi Arabia, Jordan and the United Arab Emirates, are temporarily at peace with Israel. However, as we noted, this so-called peace will only last as long as the Iranian threat is present.
Once Iran has been crushed, as Daniel 11:40 says it will be (for proof, request The King of the South), the scathing Arab hatred for the Jews will once again rise to the surface and an Arab uprising will take half of Jerusalem by force (Zechariah 14:2).
Yet Jerusalem’s captivity will lead directly to the Mount of Olives cleaving in two at the coming of the Messiah. He will “smite all the people that have fought against Jerusalem,” reign as “king over all the earth” (Zechariah 14), and usher in a millennium of true, lasting peace when “nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore” (Micah 4:3).
For more information, please read The Way of Peace Restored Momentarily, by Gerald Flurry.


thetrumpet--2020-03-13--Why German Arms Exports to Turkey Keep Flourished

A young boy greets soldiers with a Turkish flag as Turkish Armed Forces ’ howitzers , tanks , ammunition and armored construction machineries and military vehicles continue their deployment to the Syrian border in Hatay , Turkey , on February 15 .
Turkey needs Germany as much as Germany needs Turkey .
Approved German government arms exports more than doubled in 2019 .
Yet following the start of the Turkish military offensive in northern Syria in October , export permits were reduced significantly but did not completely stop .
There is a reason Germany seeks to maintain close ties with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Turkish government proves more and more willing to violate human rights , international law and previous agreements , Germany depends on it as an ally in the Middle East .
Nor can Turkey achieve its goals in the region without German help .
In 2018 , the German government approved 58 arms deliveries to Turkey worth $ 14.5 million .
Last year , 187 exports were approved , amounting to $ 35.6 million .
But due to Turkey ’ s highly controversial actions in Syria , it has been denied German weapons @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the crisis .
The ban on weapons of war exports excludes those items with so-called dual-use character , including various land vehicles , ships and aircraft .
Turkey has already received numerous deliveries from Germany .
It is operating around 750 German-made main battle tanks .
Last year , when German-made tanks rolled against Kurdish forces in Syria ( an ally of the United States ) , controversy ignited in Germany .
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has different goals in Syria than the U.S. , Britain , Russia or Iran .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a new Ottoman empire and leads a campaign of conquest in Syria , ” n-TV.de noted ( Trumpet translation throughout ) .
Erdoğan is very open about this goal , but until now he has not been taken seriously .
Kurdish fighters affiliated with the People ’ s Protection Units and the Kurdistan Workers ’ Party stand between Erdoğan and his goal .
The Workers ’ Party , founded in the late 1970s , has been fighting the Turkish government since 1984 and seeks to establish an independent Kurdish state within Turkish territory @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Turkey ’ s goal is Iran .
Trumpet editor in chief Gerald Flurry wrote in “ How the Syrian Crisis Will End ” : “ Turkey has also been allied with Iran , but it too is going to side with Germany in the future !
Why ?
Because it disagrees with what Iran is doing in Syria !
While Iran supports the Assad regime , Turkey supports the rebels.
” If you consider the strength Syrian President Bashar Assad ’ s regime still has , plus its support from Iran and Russia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its goals in the region .
For this reason , Erdoğan needs help from Europe to win the battle over Syria .
“ Because nato and Europe are not helping him , Erdoğan is now sending tens of thousands of migrants to the [ European Union ] border .
Money is just a motive , ” Wolfram Weimer told n-TV.de .
Germany is heavily dependent on Turkey to fulfill its interests in the region .
Largely due to Turkey ’ s efforts to prevent refugees from traveling to Europe , the refugee crisis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in recent years .
But Turkey is facing economic challenges and , without European help , risks losing the war over Syria .
Europe not only relies on Turkey to stop the flow of refugees to Europe but also to combat Iran ’ s influence in the region .
“ Iran is still a theocracy , governed by a radical cleric who , like 85 percent of Iranians , believes in Twelver Shiism , an ideology that embraces death .
Iran remains the world ’ s number one state sponsor of terrorism , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a nuclear power , ” we explain in our Trend article “ Iran and Europe Heading for a Clash of Civilizations.
” To achieve this goal , Iran aims to create as much havoc as possible .
By sponsoring terrorism and war , Iran is primarily responsible for the many streams of refugees seeking to enter Europe .
It is also threatening trade routes .
By pursuing nuclear bombs , it is threatening the relative peace of the world .
As Mr .
Flurry explained in “ A Mysterious Prophecy , ” Psalm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is prophesied to form in our day .
This prophecy mentions , among others , the following nations to be in this alliance : Turkey ( Edom ) , Saudi Arabia ( Ishmaelites ) , Syria ( Hagarenes ) and Germany ( Assur ) .
Considering current world affairs , such an alliance isn ’ t surprising , but at the time Mr .
Flurry made the prediction , it was considered most unlikely .
Now that this alliance is taking shape , we can expect Germany to become more militarily involved .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Turkey , as well as other Middle Eastern nations that oppose Iran , will no longer suffice .
These deliveries have simply laid the groundwork for a soon-coming major military collaboration .
As explained in “ A Mysterious Prophecy , ” this alliance will form primarily to oppose the United States , Britain and the Jewish state in the Middle East called Israel today , and secondarily to oppose Iran .
Both Germany and Turkey are considered allies of the former nations , but their opposing interests are evident .
Also consider @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ottoman Empire and the German Reich fought side-by-side against Britain , France and Russia .
A prophecy in Daniel 11 provides further insight into this Turkish-German alliance : “ And at the time of the end shall the king of the south push at him : and the king of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind , with chariots , and with horsemen , and with many ships ; and he shall enter into the countries , and shall overflow and pass over .
He shall enter also into the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be overthrown : but these shall escape out of his hand , even Edom , and Moab , and the chief of the children of Ammon ” ( verse 40-41 ) .
The “ king of the north ” in this prophecy refers to a German-led European empire , and the “ king of the south ” refers to radical Islam , led by Iran .
But notice this prophecy states certain countries will escape the German-led European attack on Iran and its allies .
This means that , by the time of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its own alliance in the Middle East .
By doing so , Germany ensures that it can get control of the Middle East , its resources and trade routes .
Some of the same countries mentioned in Daniel 11 are also mentioned in Psalm 83 as being in alliance with this German-led European empire .
These end-time prophecies are connected .
The Bible is not a contradicting patchwork of prophecies ; it is cohesive and inspired by God ( 2 Timothy 3:16 ) .
Most astonishing is that this alliance was prophesied thousands @ @ @ @ @ @ @ under the direction of Gerald Flurry , predicted this alliance years ago based on these prophecies .
We are now seeing it form .
You need to understand the Bible ’ s prophecies and why God inspired them .
Request our free booklet History and Prophecy of the Middle East for more detailed information .

Approved German government arms exports more than doubled in 2019. Yet following the start of the Turkish military offensive in northern Syria in October, export permits were reduced significantly but did not completely stop. There is a reason Germany seeks to maintain close ties with Turkey despite its recent aggression.
Though the Turkish government proves more and more willing to violate human rights, international law and previous agreements, Germany depends on it as an ally in the Middle East. Nor can Turkey achieve its goals in the region without German help.
In 2018, the German government approved 58 arms deliveries to Turkey worth $14.5 million. Last year, 187 exports were approved, amounting to $35.6 million. But due to Turkey’s highly controversial actions in Syria, it has been denied German weapons of war that could be used in the crisis. The ban on weapons of war exports excludes those items with so-called dual-use character, including various land vehicles, ships and aircraft.
Turkey has already received numerous deliveries from Germany. It is operating around 750 German-made main battle tanks. Last year, when German-made tanks rolled against Kurdish forces in Syria (an ally of the United States), controversy ignited in Germany.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has different goals in Syria than the U.S., Britain, Russia or Iran. “The Turkish head of state dreams of a new Ottoman empire and leads a campaign of conquest in Syria,” n-TV.de noted (Trumpet translation throughout). Erdoğan is very open about this goal, but until now he has not been taken seriously.
Kurdish fighters affiliated with the People’s Protection Units and the Kurdistan Workers’ Party stand between Erdoğan and his goal. The Workers’ Party, founded in the late 1970s, has been fighting the Turkish government since 1984 and seeks to establish an independent Kurdish state within Turkish territory.
But a far greater opponent to Turkey’s goal is Iran. Trumpet editor in chief Gerald Flurry wrote in “How the Syrian Crisis Will End”: “Turkey has also been allied with Iran, but it too is going to side with Germany in the future! Why? Because it disagrees with what Iran is doing in Syria! While Iran supports the Assad regime, Turkey supports the rebels.”
If you consider the strength Syrian President Bashar Assad’s regime still has, plus its support from Iran and Russia, Turkey has no chance of realizing its goals in the region. For this reason, Erdoğan needs help from Europe to win the battle over Syria. “Because nato and Europe are not helping him, Erdoğan is now sending tens of thousands of migrants to the [European Union] border. Money is just a motive,” Wolfram Weimer told n-TV.de.
Germany is heavily dependent on Turkey to fulfill its interests in the region. Largely due to Turkey’s efforts to prevent refugees from traveling to Europe, the refugee crisis that began in 2015 has been halted in recent years. But Turkey is facing economic challenges and, without European help, risks losing the war over Syria.
Europe not only relies on Turkey to stop the flow of refugees to Europe but also to combat Iran’s influence in the region. “Iran is still a theocracy, governed by a radical cleric who, like 85 percent of Iranians, believes in Twelver Shiism, an ideology that embraces death. Iran remains the world’s number one state sponsor of terrorism, and it continues its march toward becoming a nuclear power,” we explain in our Trend article “Iran and Europe Heading for a Clash of Civilizations.”
To achieve this goal, Iran aims to create as much havoc as possible. By sponsoring terrorism and war, Iran is primarily responsible for the many streams of refugees seeking to enter Europe. It is also threatening trade routes. By pursuing nuclear bombs, it is threatening the relative peace of the world.
As Mr. Flurry explained in “A Mysterious Prophecy,” Psalm 83 speaks of an unprecedented alliance that is prophesied to form in our day. This prophecy mentions, among others, the following nations to be in this alliance: Turkey (Edom), Saudi Arabia (Ishmaelites), Syria (Hagarenes) and Germany (Assur).
Considering current world affairs, such an alliance isn’t surprising, but at the time Mr. Flurry made the prediction, it was considered most unlikely.
Now that this alliance is taking shape, we can expect Germany to become more militarily involved. The time is coming when arms exports to Turkey, as well as other Middle Eastern nations that oppose Iran, will no longer suffice. These deliveries have simply laid the groundwork for a soon-coming major military collaboration.
As explained in “A Mysterious Prophecy,” this alliance will form primarily to oppose the United States, Britain and the Jewish state in the Middle East called Israel today, and secondarily to oppose Iran. Both Germany and Turkey are considered allies of the former nations, but their opposing interests are evident. Also consider that during World War i, the Ottoman Empire and the German Reich fought side-by-side against Britain, France and Russia.
A prophecy in Daniel 11 provides further insight into this Turkish-German alliance: “And at the time of the end shall the king of the south push at him: and the king of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass over. He shall enter also into the glorious land, and many countries shall be overthrown: but these shall escape out of his hand, even Edom, and Moab, and the chief of the children of Ammon” (verse 40-41).
The “king of the north” in this prophecy refers to a German-led European empire, and the “king of the south” refers to radical Islam, led by Iran. But notice this prophecy states certain countries will escape the German-led European attack on Iran and its allies. This means that, by the time of the attack, Germany has already formed its own alliance in the Middle East. By doing so, Germany ensures that it can get control of the Middle East, its resources and trade routes.
Some of the same countries mentioned in Daniel 11 are also mentioned in Psalm 83 as being in alliance with this German-led European empire. These end-time prophecies are connected. The Bible is not a contradicting patchwork of prophecies; it is cohesive and inspired by God (2 Timothy 3:16).
Most astonishing is that this alliance was prophesied thousands of years ago. The Trumpet, under the direction of Gerald Flurry, predicted this alliance years ago based on these prophecies. We are now seeing it form.
You need to understand the Bible’s prophecies and why God inspired them. Request our free booklet History and Prophecy of the Middle East for more detailed information.


thetrumpet--2020-03-12--Can Italy’s Far-Right Exploit the Corona Crisis?

Italy ’ s fragile government may see its final blow and the rise of a prophesied strong leader .
Outside of Asia , Italy has been hit the hardest by the recent spread of the coronavirus .
In the past few years , Italy has barely been able to keep its economy stable , cope with the refugee crisis , and maintain a functioning government .
This recent crisis could give the country the final blow .
But it could also lead to the drastic rise of a strongman in Italy not seen since the end of World War ii @ @ @ @ @ @ @ look to strong leadership .
Italy is now facing such a time .
On March 11 , Italy had surpassed 10,000 coronavirus cases and more than 600 deaths .
Italy ’ s government under Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte announced restrictions on the movement and activities of the country ’ s 60 million inhabitants .
He also promised that the government would spend up to $ 28.3 billion to help the economy cope with the impact of coronavirus .
“ Tourism is worth 14 percent of Italy ’ s economy , so it ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assistant managing editor Richard Palmer wrote .
“ Just with the economic damage done already , Italy seems set to go into recession .
The country is also set to expand its borrowing to deal with the crisis .
Its debt is 135 percent of the size of its economy—compared to Germany ’ s 62 percent .
It already has more debt than it can handle , but it ’ s about to get more.
” Many accuse the Italian government of disastrous management of the coronavirus crisis .
One man in particular @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his advantage : Matteo Salvini .
“ League leader Matteo Salvini , who served as deputy leader in the coalition government last year , sought to link covid-19 ’ s spread to Italy ’ s acceptance of migrants and refugees—the issue that has fueled his political rise , ” Time noted .
When coronavirus hit Italy at the end of February , Conte said that the drastic surge in cases had “ surprised ” him .
This gave Salvini a perfect opportunity to attack .
Through social media he questioned the government ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the country .
Given its careless actions , he claimed the government shouldn ’ t be surprised that the virus had spread so rapidly .
Salvini called on Conte to resign .
Up until August last year , Salvini ’ s far-right Lega Nord party had been in a coalition government with Conte ’ s populist Five Star Movement .
Salvini ’ s rising popularity at the time caused him to call for new elections , which he would have overwhelmingly won .
But his plan failed , as the Italian parliament united @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Salvini had to retreat .
For months , Salvini has been attempting to give Italy ’ s fragile government its final blow .
He knows that if he can force new elections , he and his Lega party will emerge as the winner .
But Salvini has adjusted his strategy .
Rather than solely focusing on Italy ’ s migrant issue , he is now criticizing the government for its management of the coronavirus and economy .
His attacks have become more measured , more pointed , and are thus attracting an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s Lega party “ wants to continue growing , ” Welt noted on March 9 , “ it must win the voters who once voted for Silvio Berlusconi .
That is why Salvini is no longer focusing on immigration but on the economy .
Elections will be held in six regions of Italy , which are extremely affected by the coronavirus epidemic ” ( Trumpet translation throughout ) .
Though Salvini lost his post as deputy prime minister and his office as interior minister , his Lega party is up to 32 percent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ winning one regional election after another .
In new elections , his party could come close to winning a majority , which requires only 40 percent of the vote in Italy .
For years , Italy has stumbled from one fragile government to the next .
More and more Italians yearn for an end to the political deadlock .
Add in the current crisis , and you can see why people are increasingly willing to accept strong leadership .
Bible prophecy reveals that Europe in this end time will be ruled by 10 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of nations .
Together , they will form the final resurrection of the Holy Roman Empire as prophesied in Revelation 17 .
“ And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings , which have received no kingdom as yet ; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast .
These have one mind , and shall give their power and strength unto the beast ” ( verses 12-13 ) .
Current world events are setting the stage for this prophecy to be fulfilled .
For years , the late @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Italy ’ s history , it would most certainly be part of this resurrection .
He also predicted a major crisis would unite Europe in a powerful way .
In 1984 , he wrote that a massive banking crisis triggered by the United States could suddenly cause “ European nations to unite as a new world power , larger than either the Soviet Union or the U.S. ” ( co-worker letter , July 22 , 1984 ) .
“ Italy ’ s sovereign debt is the world ’ s third largest in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is tightly interwoven with the banking system , ” the Telegraph noted .
“ Italian bank stocks have halved in value since mid-February , almost guaranteeing a credit crunch and again raising the spectre of a sovereign-bank ‘ doom-loop ’ akin to events in 2011.
” Italy ’ s economic crisis is Europe ’ s economic crisis .
For years , European nations have struggled to deal with the dire economic condition , but no breakthrough has been made .
Only a major crisis will likely allow the EU to radically reform and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
While it is impossible to predict where Italy ’ s crisis will lead in the short term , the Bible is clear that in the end Italy will be led by an authoritarian leader who will unite with core European nations in the midst of a global crisis .
Though the world is full of uncertainties , Bible prophecy acts as a guide , with a strong call to turn to God .
It provides hope in these dark days .
The stage is set for God ’ s sure word of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ editor in chief Gerald Flurry explains these prophesies and more in his booklet Daniel Unlocks Revelation .
Order your free copy to understand these world events in light of Bible prophecy and the magnificent future they are leading to .

Outside of Asia, Italy has been hit the hardest by the recent spread of the coronavirus. In the past few years, Italy has barely been able to keep its economy stable, cope with the refugee crisis, and maintain a functioning government. This recent crisis could give the country the final blow. But it could also lead to the drastic rise of a strongman in Italy not seen since the end of World War ii. In times of crisis, people look to strong leadership. Italy is now facing such a time.
On March 11, Italy had surpassed 10,000 coronavirus cases and more than 600 deaths. Italy’s government under Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte announced restrictions on the movement and activities of the country’s 60 million inhabitants. He also promised that the government would spend up to $28.3 billion to help the economy cope with the impact of coronavirus.
“Tourism is worth 14 percent of Italy’s economy, so it’s a big hit,” theTrumpet.com assistant managing editor Richard Palmer wrote. “Just with the economic damage done already, Italy seems set to go into recession. The country is also set to expand its borrowing to deal with the crisis. Its debt is 135 percent of the size of its economy—compared to Germany’s 62 percent. It already has more debt than it can handle, but it’s about to get more.”
Many accuse the Italian government of disastrous management of the coronavirus crisis. One man in particular is looking to use the crisis to his advantage: Matteo Salvini.
“League leader Matteo Salvini, who served as deputy leader in the coalition government last year, sought to link covid-19’s spread to Italy’s acceptance of migrants and refugees—the issue that has fueled his political rise,” Time noted.
When coronavirus hit Italy at the end of February, Conte said that the drastic surge in cases had “surprised” him. This gave Salvini a perfect opportunity to attack. Through social media he questioned the government’s decision to continue allowing refugees into the country. Given its careless actions, he claimed the government shouldn’t be surprised that the virus had spread so rapidly. Salvini called on Conte to resign.
Italian Prime Minister #GiuseppeConte announced his resignation on August 20. #Italy again faces political uncertainty.
This time, it is caused by a man whom Conte calls a traitor and millions of Italians call a hero: Interior Minister #MatteoSalvini.https://t.co/E9RqpnazhC — theTrumpet.com (@theTrumpet_com) August 22, 2019
Up until August last year, Salvini’s far-right Lega Nord party had been in a coalition government with Conte’s populist Five Star Movement. Salvini’s rising popularity at the time caused him to call for new elections, which he would have overwhelmingly won. But his plan failed, as the Italian parliament united against him. A new coalition formed and Salvini had to retreat.
For months, Salvini has been attempting to give Italy’s fragile government its final blow. He knows that if he can force new elections, he and his Lega party will emerge as the winner.
But Salvini has adjusted his strategy. Rather than solely focusing on Italy’s migrant issue, he is now criticizing the government for its management of the coronavirus and economy. His attacks have become more measured, more pointed, and are thus attracting an even larger audience.
If Salvini’s Lega party “wants to continue growing,” Welt noted on March 9, “it must win the voters who once voted for Silvio Berlusconi. That is why Salvini is no longer focusing on immigration but on the economy. Elections will be held in six regions of Italy, which are extremely affected by the coronavirus epidemic” (Trumpet translation throughout).
Though Salvini lost his post as deputy prime minister and his office as interior minister, his Lega party is up to 32 percent of the vote in polls and is winning one regional election after another. In new elections, his party could come close to winning a majority, which requires only 40 percent of the vote in Italy.
For years, Italy has stumbled from one fragile government to the next. More and more Italians yearn for an end to the political deadlock. Add in the current crisis, and you can see why people are increasingly willing to accept strong leadership.
Bible prophecy reveals that Europe in this end time will be ruled by 10 powerful kings ruling 10 nations or groups of nations. Together, they will form the final resurrection of the Holy Roman Empire as prophesied in Revelation 17. “And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast. These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast” (verses 12-13).
Current world events are setting the stage for this prophecy to be fulfilled.
For years, the late Herbert W. Armstrong predicted that, based on Italy’s history, it would most certainly be part of this resurrection.
He also predicted a major crisis would unite Europe in a powerful way. In 1984, he wrote that a massive banking crisis triggered by the United States could suddenly cause “European nations to unite as a new world power, larger than either the Soviet Union or the U.S.” (co-worker letter, July 22, 1984).
“Italy’s sovereign debt is the world’s third largest in absolute terms at over €2 trillion and is tightly interwoven with the banking system,” the Telegraph noted. “Italian bank stocks have halved in value since mid-February, almost guaranteeing a credit crunch and again raising the spectre of a sovereign-bank ‘doom-loop’ akin to events in 2011.”
Italy’s economic crisis is Europe’s economic crisis. For years, European nations have struggled to deal with the dire economic condition, but no breakthrough has been made. Only a major crisis will likely allow the EU to radically reform and emerge in a new and powerful way.
While it is impossible to predict where Italy’s crisis will lead in the short term, the Bible is clear that in the end Italy will be led by an authoritarian leader who will unite with core European nations in the midst of a global crisis. Though the world is full of uncertainties, Bible prophecy acts as a guide, with a strong call to turn to God. It provides hope in these dark days.
The stage is set for God’s sure word of Bible prophecy to be fulfilled. Trumpet editor in chief Gerald Flurry explains these prophesies and more in his booklet Daniel Unlocks Revelation. Order your free copy to understand these world events in light of Bible prophecy and the magnificent future they are leading to.


The Coronavirus Pandemic

Coronavirus is bringing the globe to a screeching halt .
Last night , the National Basketball Association decided to postpone @ @ @ @ @ .
Some sports are continuing on , but in front of empty stadiums .
Airlines @ @ @ @ @ cities , and the United States just announced a 30-day travel ban on Europe .
@ @ @ @ @ talk about the reaction to coronavirus and try to put it in perspective .
Did @ @ @ @ @ get sick ?
What are the benefits of obeying God ’ s spiritual and physical @ @ @ @ @ , I discuss what the Bible teaches about cause and effect—blessings and cursings .
Subscribe @ @ @ @ @ Show on Apple Podcasts , Google Play or by RSS

The Coronavirus Pandemic
Coronavirus Chaos (32 minutes)
Coronavirus is bringing the globe to a screeching halt. Last night, the National Basketball Association decided to postpone the rest of the season. Some sports are continuing on, but in front of empty stadiums. Airlines are suspending flights to certain cities, and the United States just announced a 30-day travel ban on Europe. In this segment, I talk about the reaction to coronavirus and try to put it in perspective.
The God Who Heals (23 minutes)
Did God create human beings to get sick? What are the benefits of obeying God’s spiritual and physical laws? In this segment, I discuss what the Bible teaches about cause and effect—blessings and cursings.


thetrumpet--2020-03-12--Opening a ‘Rare Window’ Into the Heavens

The cosmos displays a breathtaking message—now with unprecedented clarity .
Do you see what it is showing us ?
“ To my very great amazement , Saturn was seen to me to be not a single star , but three together , which almost touch each other.
” These words were written by Galileo Galilei in 1610 , just months after the telescope had been invented .
By pointing the new technology toward the night sky , astronomers such as he could suddenly see far more of the universe ’ s detail than mankind had been able to for millennia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s error—mistaking Saturn ’ s rings for a pair of moons clinging to the planet ’ s sides—their window into the cosmos was still foggy .
The problem was caused by something that is vital for life , but a hindrance for stargazers—and for anyone striving for a detailed look at mankind ’ s future of “ real joy.
” Earth ’ s atmosphere provides needs for fauna and flora : oxygen-rich air to breathe , protection from ultraviolet solar radiation and from incoming objects , and retention of heat .
It makes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through the atmosphere bends , shifts and wiggles , clouding the view and twinkling the stars .
“ Trapped on the Earth within its unsteady and hazy atmosphere , astronomers were condemned to look at the heavens as though they had bad vision and were forbidden from using glasses , ” writes Robert Zimmerman in The Universe in a Mirror .
Even as telescope technology improved from the 1600s to the 1900s , what could be seen and photographed remained “ fuzzy and revealed little detail.
” As early as the 1920s , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to place a telescope in orbit where it would float above the atmosphere , capturing clear images .
But for decades , this was only a dream for the starry-eyed .
Then in 1946 , as rocket technology was taking off , American astronomer Lyman Spitzer penned an article detailing how it could be achieved .
Such a telescope would “ uncover new phenomena not yet imagined , ” he wrote , “ and perhaps … modify profoundly our basic concepts of space and time.
” Spitzer later said that though his article @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the time , it left a crater-deep impact on his own mind : “ My studies convinced me that a large space telescope would revolutionize astronomy and might well be launched in my lifetime.
” From 1946 on , Spitzer devoted his breath and his intellect to turning an idea on paper into a giant Earth-orbiting telescope .
He blasted through expanses of data , puzzled out technical problems and tried to convince others of the idea ’ s merit .
“ Most astronomers didn ’ t take it seriously , ” Spitzer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thought I was sort of wild-eyed or wide-eyed , one or the other.
” But Spitzer kept those eyes focused on the goal , and others began to see his vision .
And in 1966 , at the height of the Space Race , the National Academy of Sciences appointed him to lead a team to make it a reality .
Striving to See It Through The appointment was a victory , but the project ’ s greatest hurdles still lay ahead .
The engineering challenge was enormous , astronomy skeptics and political @ @ @ @ @ @ @ delayed .
Not until Spitzer launched a lobbying mission did members of Congress approve funding in 1977 : $ 36 million for a scaled-down version of the Large Space Telescope .
Target launches in 1979 , then 1983 , slipped by .
That year the project was renamed after the man who had set the science world ablaze in the 1920s by proving that the universe is expanding in all directions : Edwin Hubble .
From there , work on the Hubble Space Telescope shifted into high gear .
Teams of technicians from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Camera team , nasa ’ s Goddard Space Flight Center and the Space Telescope Science Institute worked under the supervision of Marshall Space Flight Center .
In 1986 , technicians were piecing myriad components together , and a launch by the end of the year seemed on target .
Astronomers were over the moon .
But on January 28 , nasa suffered one of the darkest tragedies in its history : The Space Shuttle Challenger disintegrated during launch , killing its crew of seven .
All shuttles were grounded and Hubble was put @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t until three years later that Hubble was unpacked and shipped to the Kennedy Space Station in Florida .
Finally , on April 24 , 1990 , nearly 45 years after Spitzer ’ s article had made a case for a space telescope and started laboring on it , Discovery launched Hubble into space .
The 43-foot-long telescope was released into low-Earth orbit , about 353 miles above the surface and well above the atmosphere .
It was 30 years ago this month .
At last , after millennia of viewing the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the cusp of seeing it through a perfect prescription lens .
That , at least , is what everybody expected .
Houston , We Have an Optics Problem nasa spent weeks tweaking Hubble ’ s systems .
But the first pictures looked as if they had been snapped through London fog .
Officials adjusted every variable they could from Earth , but to no avail .
“ [ N ] othing we did made the image much better , ” said David Leckrone , a scientist who joined the Hubble program in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ [ T ] he mood became very morose.
” They soon diagnosed the ailment as a spherical aberration in the main mirror .
The mirror ’ s curve had been ground to within 10 nanometers of accuracy at all points , making it by far the most precise of any in optics history .
But the device on Earth that had tested the mirror had been assembled incorrectly , causing distortion .
In 1993 , a team of astronauts flew up to Hubble and spent 10 days replacing its Wide Field @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fitted with modified small mirrors that offset the distortion of the main mirror .
At last , a window into the heavens was clear .
Just as Spitzer had theorized in 1946 , Hubble was a game-changer .
“ From that point on , ” Leckrone said , “ every place we pointed Hubble in the sky , there was something new and remarkable.
” Hubble captured remote supernovas , which showed that the universe ’ s expansion is not slowing , but accelerating .
It shined light on the mysteries of dark @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ubiquity of black holes , showing that most large galaxies center around one .
Its intense and prolonged gaze at “ deep fields ” showed us that even parts of the firmament that we thought were dark and empty are actually radiant with galaxies .
It let us peer at the early eons of the cosmos , allowing astronomers to pin down the universe ’ s age .
And it offered unprecedented insight into exoplanets .
In the 30 years since its launch , Hubble has taken hundreds of thousands of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being born ; galaxies entering their adolescent years ; supernovas dying ; nebulae of size incomprehensible ; galaxies of hues uncategorizable ; celestial bodies so far away our brains can ’ t begin to fathom the distance .
Zimmerman writes : “ Hubble , and the men and women behind it , opened a rare window into the universe , dazzling humanity with sights never before seen.
” When King David looked to the heavens , he saw them only with the naked eye .
Yet he gaped breathlessly at God ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s place within it .
In Psalm 8:3-4 , he wrote : “ When I consider thy heavens , the work of thy fingers , the moon and the stars , which thou hast ordained : What is man , that thou art mindful of him ?
… ” Later in the psalm , he wrote that the same God who created the radiant cosmos also made humans to “ have dominion ” over His creation on Earth ( verses 5-8 ) .
A thousand years later , the Apostle Paul quoted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ brought additional meaning to it .
God will not give mankind control just over the Earth , he wrote , but will put “ everything in subjection ” under him .
“ [ T ] his subjecting of the universe to man implies the leaving nothing not subject to him ” ( Hebrews 2:8 ; Weymouth New Testament ) .
God created the entire vast universe for man .
Everything Hubble has shown us—from the four moons it discovered around Pluto in our own solar system to the most unfathomably remote galaxy—will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s a foundational message declared in numerous Scriptures .
And Hubble ’ s images could be seen as the companion photos that could be printed alongside those verses .
“ [ F ] or those willing to believe what God says , ” the late Herbert Armstrong wrote in The Incredible Human Potential , “ He says that He has decreed the entire universe—with all its galaxies , its countless suns and planets—everything—will be put under man ’ s subjection.
” Verse 8 goes on to say the universe is “ not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ jurisdiction .
But it will be .
Paul wrote in his letter to the Romans that the whole creation is now in “ bondage to decay ” and is “ groaning ” in anticipation of the “ redemption ” of mankind ( Romans 8:21-23 ; Revised Standard Version ) .
The anticipation is urgent because after redemption , humanity will reverse the decay .
Mr. Armstrong wrote : “ This passage indicates precisely what all astronomers and scientific evidence indicate—the suns are as balls of fire , giving out light and heat ; @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Earth , are in a state of death , decay and futility—but not forever ….
” The entire universe is “ waiting ” for man , he wrote , to “ impart life to billions and billions of dead planets , as life has been imparted to this Earth.
” During a January 18 , 2013 , episode of the Key of David program , Trumpet editor in chief Gerald Flurry called attention to Hubble ’ s significance in the context of those profound Bible truths .
“ God had a hand in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Its images “ should set our imaginations on fire ” because they are a “ major way that we get to know God and know about our own future.
” During his May 2009 commencement address at Herbert W. Armstrong College , he said the window Hubble opened should “ fill a human being ” with “ real joy.
” It is astounding to meditate on the fact that Spitzer and the thousands who labored for decades to put Hubble into orbit weren ’ t working alone , but were guided by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with “ real joy.
” This understanding can help us better appreciate the efforts of those that made this vision a reality , and the “ rare window ” we now have into mankind ’ s out-of-this-world future .

The cosmos displays a breathtaking message—now with unprecedented clarity. Do you see what it is showing us?
“To my very great amazement, Saturn was seen to me to be not a single star, but three together, which almost touch each other.” These words were written by Galileo Galilei in 1610, just months after the telescope had been invented. By pointing the new technology toward the night sky, astronomers such as he could suddenly see far more of the universe’s detail than mankind had been able to for millennia.
But as evidenced by Galileo’s error—mistaking Saturn’s rings for a pair of moons clinging to the planet’s sides—their window into the cosmos was still foggy. The problem was caused by something that is vital for life, but a hindrance for stargazers—and for anyone striving for a detailed look at mankind’s future of “real joy.”
(Listen to this astounding story on a special episode of The Sun Also Rises):
Peering Through a Haze
Earth’s atmosphere provides needs for fauna and flora: oxygen-rich air to breathe, protection from ultraviolet solar radiation and from incoming objects, and retention of heat. It makes physical life possible.
But light passing through the atmosphere bends, shifts and wiggles, clouding the view and twinkling the stars.
“Trapped on the Earth within its unsteady and hazy atmosphere, astronomers were condemned to look at the heavens as though they had bad vision and were forbidden from using glasses,” writes Robert Zimmerman in The Universe in a Mirror. Even as telescope technology improved from the 1600s to the 1900s, what could be seen and photographed remained “fuzzy and revealed little detail.”
Lofty Vision
As early as the 1920s, astronomers saw how beneficial it would be to place a telescope in orbit where it would float above the atmosphere, capturing clear images. But for decades, this was only a dream for the starry-eyed.
Then in 1946, as rocket technology was taking off, American astronomer Lyman Spitzer penned an article detailing how it could be achieved. Such a telescope would “uncover new phenomena not yet imagined,” he wrote, “and perhaps … modify profoundly our basic concepts of space and time.”
Spitzer later said that though his article had negligible influence on other scientists at the time, it left a crater-deep impact on his own mind: “My studies convinced me that a large space telescope would revolutionize astronomy and might well be launched in my lifetime.”
From 1946 on, Spitzer devoted his breath and his intellect to turning an idea on paper into a giant Earth-orbiting telescope. He blasted through expanses of data, puzzled out technical problems and tried to convince others of the idea’s merit. “Most astronomers didn’t take it seriously,” Spitzer told Zimmerman in 1977. “They thought I was sort of wild-eyed or wide-eyed, one or the other.”
But Spitzer kept those eyes focused on the goal, and others began to see his vision. And in 1966, at the height of the Space Race, the National Academy of Sciences appointed him to lead a team to make it a reality.
Striving to See It Through
The appointment was a victory, but the project’s greatest hurdles still lay ahead. The engineering challenge was enormous, astronomy skeptics and political skeptics abounded, and funding was repeatedly delayed. Not until Spitzer launched a lobbying mission did members of Congress approve funding in 1977: $36 million for a scaled-down version of the Large Space Telescope.
Target launches in 1979, then 1983, slipped by. That year the project was renamed after the man who had set the science world ablaze in the 1920s by proving that the universe is expanding in all directions: Edwin Hubble.
From there, work on the Hubble Space Telescope shifted into high gear. Teams of technicians from Lockheed, Perkin-Elmer, the Wide Field/Planetary Camera team, nasa’s Goddard Space Flight Center and the Space Telescope Science Institute worked under the supervision of Marshall Space Flight Center. In 1986, technicians were piecing myriad components together, and a launch by the end of the year seemed on target. Astronomers were over the moon. But on January 28, nasa suffered one of the darkest tragedies in its history: The Space Shuttle Challenger disintegrated during launch, killing its crew of seven. All shuttles were grounded and Hubble was put in storage in California.
It wasn’t until three years later that Hubble was unpacked and shipped to the Kennedy Space Station in Florida. Finally, on April 24, 1990, nearly 45 years after Spitzer’s article had made a case for a space telescope and started laboring on it, Discovery launched Hubble into space. The 43-foot-long telescope was released into low-Earth orbit, about 353 miles above the surface and well above the atmosphere. It was 30 years ago this month.
At last, after millennia of viewing the heavens through a haze, mankind was on the cusp of seeing it through a perfect prescription lens. That, at least, is what everybody expected.
Houston, We Have an Optics Problem
nasa spent weeks tweaking Hubble’s systems. But the first pictures looked as if they had been snapped through London fog. Officials adjusted every variable they could from Earth, but to no avail. “[N]othing we did made the image much better,” said David Leckrone, a scientist who joined the Hubble program in 1976, in an interview with Astronomy. “[T]he mood became very morose.”
They soon diagnosed the ailment as a spherical aberration in the main mirror. The mirror’s curve had been ground to within 10 nanometers of accuracy at all points, making it by far the most precise of any in optics history. But the device on Earth that had tested the mirror had been assembled incorrectly, causing distortion.
In 1993, a team of astronauts flew up to Hubble and spent 10 days replacing its Wide Field and Planetary Camera with a new one fitted with modified small mirrors that offset the distortion of the main mirror.
At last, a window into the heavens was clear.
‘Sights Never Before Seen’
Just as Spitzer had theorized in 1946, Hubble was a game-changer. “From that point on,” Leckrone said, “every place we pointed Hubble in the sky, there was something new and remarkable.”
Hubble captured remote supernovas, which showed that the universe’s expansion is not slowing, but accelerating. It shined light on the mysteries of dark energy and dark matter. It revealed the ubiquity of black holes, showing that most large galaxies center around one. Its intense and prolonged gaze at “deep fields” showed us that even parts of the firmament that we thought were dark and empty are actually radiant with galaxies. It let us peer at the early eons of the cosmos, allowing astronomers to pin down the universe’s age. And it offered unprecedented insight into exoplanets.
In the 30 years since its launch, Hubble has taken hundreds of thousands of the most breathtaking photos ever captured: stars being born; galaxies entering their adolescent years; supernovas dying; nebulae of size incomprehensible; galaxies of hues uncategorizable; celestial bodies so far away our brains can’t begin to fathom the distance.
Zimmerman writes: “Hubble, and the men and women behind it, opened a rare window into the universe, dazzling humanity with sights never before seen.”
Beholding Your Incredible Potential
When King David looked to the heavens, he saw them only with the naked eye. Yet he gaped breathlessly at God’s creation and was particularly fascinated by mankind’s place within it. In Psalm 8:3-4, he wrote: “When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained: What is man, that thou art mindful of him? …”
Later in the psalm, he wrote that the same God who created the radiant cosmos also made humans to “have dominion” over His creation on Earth (verses 5-8).
A thousand years later, the Apostle Paul quoted part of David’s psalm and brought additional meaning to it. God will not give mankind control just over the Earth, he wrote, but will put “everything in subjection” under him. “[T]his subjecting of the universe to man implies the leaving nothing not subject to him” (Hebrews 2:8; Weymouth New Testament).
God created the entire vast universe for man. Everything Hubble has shown us—from the four moons it discovered around Pluto in our own solar system to the most unfathomably remote galaxy—will be under mankind’s control. That’s a foundational message declared in numerous Scriptures. And Hubble’s images could be seen as the companion photos that could be printed alongside those verses.
“[F]or those willing to believe what God says,” the late Herbert Armstrong wrote in The Incredible Human Potential, “He says that He has decreed the entire universe—with all its galaxies, its countless suns and planets—everything—will be put under man’s subjection.”
Verse 8 goes on to say the universe is “not as yet” under man’s jurisdiction. But it will be.
Paul wrote in his letter to the Romans that the whole creation is now in “bondage to decay” and is “groaning” in anticipation of the “redemption” of mankind (Romans 8:21-23; Revised Standard Version). The anticipation is urgent because after redemption, humanity will reverse the decay. Mr. Armstrong wrote: “This passage indicates precisely what all astronomers and scientific evidence indicate—the suns are as balls of fire, giving out light and heat; but the planets, except for this Earth, are in a state of death, decay and futility—but not forever ….”
The entire universe is “waiting” for man, he wrote, to “impart life to billions and billions of dead planets, as life has been imparted to this Earth.”
During a January 18, 2013, episode of the Key of David program, Trumpet editor in chief Gerald Flurry called attention to Hubble’s significance in the context of those profound Bible truths. “God had a hand in the Hubble Telescope,” he said. Its images “should set our imaginations on fire” because they are a “major way that we get to know God and know about our own future.” During his May 2009 commencement address at Herbert W. Armstrong College, he said the window Hubble opened should “fill a human being” with “real joy.”
It is astounding to meditate on the fact that Spitzer and the thousands who labored for decades to put Hubble into orbit weren’t working alone, but were guided by a divine hand eager to fill people with “real joy.” This understanding can help us better appreciate the efforts of those that made this vision a reality, and the “rare window” we now have into mankind’s out-of-this-world future.


thetrumpet--2020-03-12--Why Macron Wants to Resurrect the Weimar Triangle

Following Brexit , the EU ’ s center of gravity is shifting .
Following the fall of the Iron Curtain , Poland , Germany and France promoted stronger cooperation to heal the wounds left by the Cold War .
In recent years , the gulf between the nations , however , has grown again .
The last time the respective leaders met for a trilateral meeting was the “ Weimar Triangle ” in 2011 .
French President Emmanuel Macron announced on February 2 , while in Poland , that he wanted to rebuild those ties .
During his visit , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” in France ’ s strained relations with Poland .
Brexit , along with other developments , has required increased cooperation between Central European countries .
Macron emphasized that France , Germany and Poland now “ bear responsibility for Europe ’ s future.
” Poland ’ s approach to the refugee crisis in 2015 and 2016 , its controversial changes to its judicial system , its reliance on the United States for military supplies , and its refusal to accept climate goals set by the European Commission have strained its relations with France @ @ @ @ @ @ @ governments of Poland and Hungary of “ lying to their people ” about supposed EU “ interference ” in their domestic affairs .
But as a consequence of Brexit , France and Poland are now agreeing to cooperate more closely .
The Atlantic Council noted on February 14 : Engaging Poland makes a lot of sense for France .
Macron ’ s renewed dialogue with Russia is generating significant anxiety in Central and Eastern Europe , which could undercut his European agenda .
With Brexit behind , Poland now weighs 8.5 percent of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it a quarter of the blocking minority ( 35 percent ) under qualified majority voting .
Yet there is another pressing reason : As we enter an era of great power competition , the unity of Europe—and the unity of the trans-Atlantic alliance—is a critical asset , which will be tested .
Mending relations between East and West is part of the groundwork to bolster the political resilience of Europe .
Polish President Andrzej Duda referred to the meeting with Macron as a “ breakthrough ” and welcomed the signing of a Polish-French @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strategic partnership.
” “ We have no doubt that the EU will have to somehow take on a new shape , that leaving Britain by the UK means a new deal and a new opening ; roles in the EU will have to be sorted out in a way , ” Duda said .
Macron announced that the Weimer Triangle would again meet this year .
The meeting was later scheduled to take place on July 14 .
Despite their many differences , France and Poland are both concerned for Europe ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Duda , Macron said : “ I ’ ll be happy the day Polish people can tell each other : ‘ The day I ’ m attacked , I know Europe can protect us.
’ Because that day , the sense of a European belonging will be indestructible.
” Poland has recently doubted this guarantee and has instead looked to the U.S. for protection and military equipment .
East Europeans were further puzzled by Macron ’ s criticism of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and his rapprochement with Russian President Vladimir Putin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anti-Russian ; it is pro-European , ” Macron clarified .
He added that the situation is “ demanding political dialogue with Russia.
” Following his meeting with Macron , Duda indicated Poland ’ s willingness to take part in a Franco-German project to create a European tank .
For many years , analysts and politicians determined it was impossible for Eastern and Western Europe to unite .
But even during the Cold War era , the late Herbert W. Armstrong foretold that they would .
“ It now looks entirely feasible that Yugoslavia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Empire , ” Mr. Armstrong wrote in a June 10 , 1980 , co-worker letter .
“ Also the pope ’ s native Poland and Romania , and possibly Hungary .
Add Austria , Germany , Italy , Spain , Portugal and France .
There will be a union of 10 nations in the general area of the medieval Roman Empire in the new united Europe .
Probably Holland , Denmark , Norway and Sweden will not be included [ in the final 10 ] .
But Ireland may .
Britain will not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ revived Roman Empire publicly since February 1934 !
Now it may go together suddenly , rapidly !
” Notice that Mr. Armstrong not only emphatically foretold that Britain would not be part of this conglomerate but also that Poland would .
During the decades of the Cold War , events seemed to strongly contradict his prediction .
However , Bible prophecy informed Mr. Armstrong ’ s forecast and proved him right .
A prophecy in Daniel 2 foretells the rise of four major empires that would rule this world successively , leading to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ final world-ruling empire—the Roman Empire—would be resurrected 10 times , as foretold in the book of Daniel and Revelation 17 .
Daniel 2 uses the image of a fearsome statue that stands on two legs .
As Mr. Armstrong had noted and Trumpet editor in chief Gerald Flurry thoroughly explains in Daniel Unlocks Revelation , the legs picture the Roman Empire ’ s western capital in Rome and its eastern capital in Constantinople .
The prophecy also shows that this final resurrection , represented by the image ’ s 10 toes , will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ five in the East .
For this reason , we expected relations between Eastern and Western Europe to again improve .
To understand how Mr. Armstrong was able to base his forecast on the Bible and how his predictions have came to pass , request a free copy of He Was Right .
Also , read Mr.
Flurry ’ s booklet Daniel Unlocks Revelation to understand more about the God behind these prophecies .

Following the fall of the Iron Curtain, Poland, Germany and France promoted stronger cooperation to heal the wounds left by the Cold War. In recent years, the gulf between the nations, however, has grown again. The last time the respective leaders met for a trilateral meeting was the “Weimar Triangle” in 2011. French President Emmanuel Macron announced on February 2, while in Poland, that he wanted to rebuild those ties.
During his visit, Macron sought after a “turning point” in France’s strained relations with Poland. Brexit, along with other developments, has required increased cooperation between Central European countries. Macron emphasized that France, Germany and Poland now “bear responsibility for Europe’s future.”
Poland’s approach to the refugee crisis in 2015 and 2016, its controversial changes to its judicial system, its reliance on the United States for military supplies, and its refusal to accept climate goals set by the European Commission have strained its relations with France. In 2018, Macron accused the governments of Poland and Hungary of “lying to their people” about supposed EU “interference” in their domestic affairs.
The Weimar Triangle, a platform for political cooperation between France, Germany and Poland, has become less significant in recent years.
But there are renewed hopes that reactivation could impact European policy, writes @plocienniks of @PISM_Poland https://t.co/e6YmLV5exD — Notes from Poland (@notesfrompoland) February 26, 2020
But as a consequence of Brexit, France and Poland are now agreeing to cooperate more closely. The Atlantic Council noted on February 14:
Engaging Poland makes a lot of sense for France. Macron’s renewed dialogue with Russia is generating significant anxiety in Central and Eastern Europe, which could undercut his European agenda. With Brexit behind, Poland now weighs 8.5 percent of the EU’s population, giving it a quarter of the blocking minority (35 percent) under qualified majority voting. Yet there is another pressing reason: As we enter an era of great power competition, the unity of Europe—and the unity of the trans-Atlantic alliance—is a critical asset, which will be tested. Mending relations between East and West is part of the groundwork to bolster the political resilience of Europe.
Polish President Andrzej Duda referred to the meeting with Macron as a “breakthrough” and welcomed the signing of a Polish-French cooperation program as part of their “strategic partnership.”
“We have no doubt that the EU will have to somehow take on a new shape, that leaving Britain by the UK means a new deal and a new opening; roles in the EU will have to be sorted out in a way,” Duda said.
Macron announced that the Weimer Triangle would again meet this year. The meeting was later scheduled to take place on July 14.
Despite their many differences, France and Poland are both concerned for Europe’s security. During a joint press conference with Duda, Macron said: “I’ll be happy the day Polish people can tell each other: ‘The day I’m attacked, I know Europe can protect us.’ Because that day, the sense of a European belonging will be indestructible.”
Poland has recently doubted this guarantee and has instead looked to the U.S. for protection and military equipment. East Europeans were further puzzled by Macron’s criticism of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and his rapprochement with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“France is neither pro-Russian nor anti-Russian; it is pro-European,” Macron clarified. He added that the situation is “demanding political dialogue with Russia.”
Following his meeting with Macron, Duda indicated Poland’s willingness to take part in a Franco-German project to create a European tank.
For many years, analysts and politicians determined it was impossible for Eastern and Western Europe to unite. But even during the Cold War era, the late Herbert W. Armstrong foretold that they would.
“It now looks entirely feasible that Yugoslavia may be included in this revived Roman Empire,” Mr. Armstrong wrote in a June 10, 1980, co-worker letter. “Also the pope’s native Poland and Romania, and possibly Hungary. Add Austria, Germany, Italy, Spain, Portugal and France. There will be a union of 10 nations in the general area of the medieval Roman Empire in the new united Europe. Probably Holland, Denmark, Norway and Sweden will not be included [in the final 10]. But Ireland may. Britain will not! … I have been forecasting this revived Roman Empire publicly since February 1934! Now it may go together suddenly, rapidly!”
Notice that Mr. Armstrong not only emphatically foretold that Britain would not be part of this conglomerate but also that Poland would. During the decades of the Cold War, events seemed to strongly contradict his prediction. However, Bible prophecy informed Mr. Armstrong’s forecast and proved him right.
A prophecy in Daniel 2 foretells the rise of four major empires that would rule this world successively, leading to the return of Jesus Christ. The final world-ruling empire—the Roman Empire—would be resurrected 10 times, as foretold in the book of Daniel and Revelation 17.
Daniel 2 uses the image of a fearsome statue that stands on two legs. As Mr. Armstrong had noted and Trumpet editor in chief Gerald Flurry thoroughly explains in Daniel Unlocks Revelation, the legs picture the Roman Empire’s western capital in Rome and its eastern capital in Constantinople. The prophecy also shows that this final resurrection, represented by the image’s 10 toes, will have five nations in the West and five in the East.
For this reason, we expected relations between Eastern and Western Europe to again improve. To understand how Mr. Armstrong was able to base his forecast on the Bible and how his predictions have came to pass, request a free copy of He Was Right. Also, read Mr. Flurry’s booklet Daniel Unlocks Revelation to understand more about the God behind these prophecies.