News and Prophecy Staff

When the Chairman of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas, announced that the United Nations had upgraded the Palestinians to non-member observer status he asserted, “One day, a young Palestinian will raise the Palestinian flag over Jerusalem, the eternal capital of the state of Palestine” (iThe Jerusalem Post, December 2, 2012).

Many were stunned when the highly respected U.S. General David Petraeus abruptly resigned as CIA Director, due to an extramarital affair.  The general was considered an exceptional battlefield tactician during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan where his leadership was praised both on and off the field.  His decision to commit adultery after 37 years of marriage did not reflect the type of leadership one would expect from a dedicated four-star general of the United States.

Egypt’s democratically elected, but Islamic Brotherhood-backed president, Mohammad Mursi, has brought about drastic changes since his election.  He “has issued a declaration banning challenges to his decrees, laws, and decisions” (BBC, November 22, 2012).  He has also declared that “no court can dissolve the constituent assembly, which is drawing up a new constitution” (ibid.).  Apparently emboldened by his recent success brokering a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, President Mursi recentl

Two thousand years ago, Jesus forewarned His disciples that certain events would occur just before His return to this earth at the end of the age (Matthew 24:3-13). About 70 years later, the Apostle John recorded a vision of a woman riding a beast, picturing a future church-influenced governmental system that would arise in the last days and influence not only Europe but the world (Revelation 17).

A leading German news magazine recently published a cover article about the sad state of affairs in America (Der Spiegel, November 5, 2012).  This sobering article, entitled “Notes on the Decline of a Great Nation,” cites numerous reasons for America’s decline.  “The United States is frittering away its role as a model for the rest of the world.