REAL WORLD NEWS
REAL WORLD NEWS
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BEGINNING OF SORROWS INTRODUCTION (Click on the item in the below Scriptures to view the selected section)
"And as He sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto Him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in My name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows." (Matthew 24:3-8) "And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them. But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end is not by and by. Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven." (Luke 21:8-11) "... Take heed lest any man deceive you: For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. ... For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginnings of sorrows." (Mark 13:5-6, 8) The "sorrows" here are like those of a woman when she about to delivered her child. God told Eve that He would "greatly multiply [her] sorrow and [her] conception; in sorrow [she would] bring forth children" (Gen. 3:16). Similarly a "sign of [Christ's second] coming, and of the end of the world" (Mat. 24:3) will be as a woman's birth pains increase as time for delivery nears. All five of the things in Mat. 24:4-7 (false christs, wars, famines, pestilences, earthquakes) are prophecied to be simultaneously increasing as the time of the end draws near. Mark and Luke in parallel passages add "commotions" or "troubles" (Luke 21:9; Mark 13:7), "fearful sights" (Luke 21:11) and "great signs ... from heaven" (Luke 21:11). Research shows that these eight signs are in fact simultaneously occurring and increasing in our lifetime.
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"... many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many ..." (Matthew 24:5) |
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THE UNIVERSAL PEACE MISSION MOVEMENT OF FATHER DIVINE, By AmericanReligion.org
No "cult" group aroused more attention in the period between World Wars I and II than the Peace Mission of Father Divine. During this time, when the word "cult" was first adopted by social scientists, the Peace Mission was frequently cited as a typical example of a cult. The Peace Mission was founded by the man known to his followers as Father Major Jealous Divine (1880?-1965). The "facts" of his life prior to 1914 remain a matter of disagreement. According to the most popular story (among those outside the Movement), he was born George Baker around 1880 on a rice plantation in Georgia. In 1899 he became the assistant of an itinerant preacher, Samuel Morris, who called himself Father Jehovia. The two split in 1912, and Father Divine bagan to gather his own following. Members of the movement project a much earlier date of birth as they cite June 6, 1882, as the date of his first marriage. In either case, he emerged in Brooklyn in 1914. Five years later, with his followers, he moved to Sayville, New York, where his wife, Sister Penny, bought them a home. He lived quietly. His followers were organized to work in the community. By the mid-1920s there were from 3 to 40 members, all of whom were black. Sometime during this period, however, the first white members joined. The most famous events in the life of Father Divine, the ones that catapulted him into the public spotlight, began on November 13, 1931. On that day, responding to neighborhood complaints about traffic congestion around his home, police arrested Father Divine for disturbing the peace. Viewing the incident as racially inspired, he refused bail, pleaded not guilty, and was tried and convicted. The jury asked for leniency. The judge ignored them and handed down a sentence of a year in jail and ordered him to pay a $500 fine. Father Divine went to jail. Two days later the judge, apparently a healthy man, died, and Father Divine freely offered his opinion that the death was not the result of natural causes. One follower is to have remarked on the day of sentencing, "The judge can't live long now. He's offended Almighty God." From his cell, Father Divine remarked simply, "I hated to do it!" (Since that date, the Peace Mission commemorates June 7, the day of the Judge's death, by publishing accounts of disasters that befell people whose activities conflicted with Father Divine's program). |
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"... ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled ..." (Matthew 24:6) |
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Are Wars Increasing?, By Real-World-News.org, 3 January 2008
The Encyclopedia Britannica says that the Thirty Years' War which ended in 1648 was "the most horrible military episode in western history prior to the 20th century." Cautious estimates say that about 7 million died in the Thirty Years' War. When we come to modern times we find that World War I (1914 to 1918) in just over 4 years killed approximately 20 million people. But only 21 years later World War II began (1939 to 1945), resulting in the loss of 62 million lives, triple the loss of World War I, while the monetary costs quadrupled from an estimated $340 billion to an estimated $4.5 trillion. There can be no question that there has been a great increase in the intensity of warfare. "It has been calculated by a former president of the Norwegian Academy of Sciences, aided by historians from England, Egypt, Germany, and India, that since 3600 B.C., over 14,531 wars have been waged in which 3,640,000,000 people have been killed." (Harold L. Willmington, Signs of the Times, Tyndale House, Wheaton, Ill, 1981, p. 18.) "Since World War II there have been at least 12 limited wars in the world, ... 74 rebellions for independence, and 162 social revolutions, either political, economic, racial or religious." (U.S. News and World Report, September 25, 1967) From these figures it is easy to see that wars and revolts have greatly increased. For example, during the 5,500 plus years since 3600 B.C., an average of about 657,000 people died as a result of war per year (including WW I and WW II). Whereas, if we average the 82 million deaths of WW I and WW II alone using the entire 100 years of the 20th Century we arrive at an average of 820,000 deaths per year from war. This is not counting the deaths from the over 260 other wars, rebellions and revolutions of the 20th Century. |
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"... there shall be famines ... in divers places." (Matthew 24:7) |
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Child Malnutrition Rising in Darfur, U.N. Says, By The Associated Press, Dec. 27, 2007
CAIRO -- Malnutrition has increased among children in Darfur over the past year despite a massive humanitarian aid effort in the war-torn Sudanese region, according to a U.N. report obtained Thursday. More than four years since the conflict began, escalating violence against local people and humanitarian workers alike has made it difficult to get food and other aid to the 4.2 million people affected, U.N. officials said. The study, obtained by the Associated Press, found that 16.1 percent of children affected by the conflict suffer from acute malnutrition, compared with 12.9 percent a year earlier. It was the first time the rate has been above the World Health Organization's 15 percent "emergency threshold" for malnutrition since 2004, a year after the conflict in Darfur began, when it ran at 21.8 percent. "We are concerned because insecurity has compromised our ability to reach people in need," said Stephanie Bunker of the United Nations' humanitarian affairs operation. |
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Can the planet feed us?, By Alex Kirby, 24 November, 2004
In the 1990s global poverty fell by 20%, but the number of hungry people rose by 18 million. In 2003, 842 million people did not have enough to eat, a third of them in sub-Saharan Africa, according to the UN's Food and Agriculture Organisation. Hunger and malnutrition killed 10 million people a year, 25,000 a day - one life extinguished every five seconds. The world does produce enough to feed everyone. But the food is often in the wrong place, or unaffordable, or can't be stored long enough. So making sure everyone has enough to eat is more about politics than science. |
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"... there shall be ... pestilences ... in divers places." (Matthew 24:7) |
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Bird Flu Flares Again in Asia, By Margie Mason, Dec 14, 2007,
HANOI, Vietnam (AP) - Bird flu has resurfaced in parts of Asia, with human deaths reported in Indonesia and China and fresh outbreaks plaguing other countries during the winter months when the virus typically flares. Indonesia, the nation hardest hit by the H5N1 virus, announced its 93rd death on Friday. A 47-year-old man died a day earlier in a Jakarta hospital, said Health Ministry spokesman Joko Suyono. The man fell ill on Dec. 2 and was admitted with flu-like symptoms, becoming Indonesia's 115th person infected with the disease. In China, the military in eastern Nanjing banned the sale of poultry this week after a father and son came down with the disease earlier this month. Health officials confirmed the 24-year-old man died from the virus a day before his father, 52, became sick. It was the country's 17th bird flu death. |
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Dengue Fever Outbreak Hits Parts of Asia, Oct 26, 2007, By Margie Mason
HANOI, Vietnam (AP) - The worst outbreak of dengue fever in years has hit Southeast Asia, prompting the World Health Organization to call for better prevention campaigns as experts question whether global warming is partly to blame. Cambodia, Indonesia, Vietnam and Thailand have all experienced large outbreaks. Most of the victims are children who arrive at hospitals burning up with fever and crying from intense joint pain, a common symptom of the so-called "bone-breaker" disease. ... Nationwide, Vietnam has logged nearly 80,000 cases this year, including 68 deaths. That is a 50 percent increase over the same period in 2006, with the majority reported in the country's southern provinces where the monsoon season runs from June through December. ... Dengue infects up to 50 million people worldwide every year; WHO estimates 19,000 deaths occurred in 2002, according to its most recent data. It causes rashes, blistering headaches, nausea and excruciating joint aches. The most serious form of the disease can cause internal bleeding, liver enlargement and circulatory shut down. ... Indonesia has also had a bad year with more than 123,500 cases and 1,250 deaths, already surpassing the 114,000 cases for all of 2006. ... Cambodia also has been hit hard, logging some 38,500 cases and 389 deaths - more than double the same figures from 2006. ... However, ... following an intense public awareness campaign warning residents to keep water from collecting in containers around their houses where mosquitoes can breed. Thailand and Malaysia have recorded a combined 80,000 cases, with 67 and 88 deaths, respectively. |
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"... there shall be ... earthquakes, in divers places." (Matthew 24:8) |
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ARE EARTHQUAKES INCREASING?, by Real-World-News.org, 4 Jan 2008
The word "sorrows" in Mark 13:8 has to do with birth pangs as with the first use of the word in Genesis 3:16. In 1 Thessalonians 5:3 the same Greek word as in Mark 13:8 is translated "travail" where it says, "as travail upon a woman with child." When a woman is in travail with child her birth pains continuously increase as time for her delivery draws near. Similarly, here in Mark 13 the Lord Jesus gave 5 signs, antichrists, wars, earthquakes, famines and troubles, that would be simultaneously increase culminating in the Lords return to this Earth in the last days. All these five if these signs are increasing and for earthquakes this fact is demonstrated in the chart. In spite of the facts proving that quakes are increasing the US Geological Survey who is responsible for tracking earthquakes and even the Institute for Creation Research, a prestigious Christian scientific organization, dispute this undeniable fact. There were 12,410 more quakes in the 1980's than there were in the 1970's (53,610 - 41,200 = 12,410). There were 24,070 more quakes in the 1990's than there were in the 1980's (77,680 - 53,610 = 24,070). |
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"... there shall be ... troubles ..." (Mark 13:8) |
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Rioting Prompts Musharraf to Order Security Forces to Take Firm Action, By Ayaz Gul, VOA, 29 December 2007
(Real-World-News.org Editorial Note: The word "commotions" in Luke 21:9 is defined as a state of disorder, insurrection, agitated disturbance, civil disturbance. Likewise, the Greek word translated "troubles" in Mark 13:8 is defined as commotion, disturbance, sedition, tumult.) Islamabad -- Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf has ordered security forces to take firm action against rioters following the assassination of opposition leader Benazir Bhutto. The violence has left at least 44 people dead and dozens injured. VOA's Ayaz Gul reports from Islamabad that a bitter dispute has also erupted over how the 54-year-old politician died and who was behind her assassination. Thursday's assassination of Ms. Bhutto has plunged the Pakistani nation into crisis, with bloody protests across the country. Officials say the violence has also caused tens-of-millions of dollars in damages. Most of the deaths have occurred in southern Sindh province, Ms. Bhutto's political stronghold. The worsening security situation prompted President Musharraf on Saturday to order his security chiefs to deal firmly with violent protesters. Ms. Bhutto was killed when an unknown attacker fired shots at her and then blew himself up as she was leaving an election rally in Rawalpindi on Thursday. |
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"... and fearful sights ... shall there be ..." (Luke 21:11) |
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Katrina - The fist of God?, By Stan Goodenough (JNewsWire.com), August 29, 2005
Today is going to be a terrible day for millions of people in the United States as Hurricane Katrina comes roaring ashore on the northern Gulf Coast of the country. ... Katrina has forced oil workers to evacuate rigs in the Gulf of Mexico, stopping the production of 600,000 barrels of oil a day. Seven oil refineries and a major oil import terminal have been closed. ... Two weeks ago, the monster Katrina was not on any radar screen, although the 2005 hurricane season, which began in July and will not peak until September, had already seen a record number of hurricanes. On August 14, citizens in the United States, like people around the world, heard about the issuing of an order for the forced evacuation of Jews from parts of Israel's biblical land. ... While this was taking place, a small tropical depression was forming near the Bahamas in the Atlantic Ocean. Slowly, as the air began to revolve, the nonthreatening weather system began moving in the direction of Florida. Yesterday, we in Israel watched as American officials, including President George W. Bush, ordered the mandatory evacuation of New Orleans and its surrounds. That small depression had turned into a frightening fiend. Now we are seeing on our television screens up to a million people being forced to leave their homes. People are weeping on camera, mourning that they are going to lose "everything we own; everything we have worked for." As today unfolds we are bracing to see wind and water pounding homes, whole communities, into the ground. Is this some sort of bizarre coincidence? Not for those who believe in the God of the Bible and the immutability of His Word. What America is about to experience is the lifting of God's hand of protection; the implementation of His judgment on the nation most responsible for endangering the land and people of Israel. The Bible talks about Him shaking His fist over bodies of water, and striking them. While the "disengagement" plan was purportedly the brainchild of Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, the United States of America has for more than a decade been the chief sponsor and propeller of a diplomatic process that has dangerously weakened Israel in the face of an overwhelming, growing threat to annihilate her. ... "It is a fact that Israel's very existence is in grave danger, because of our nation's sponsorship of 'land for peace' plans, which have led her to the brink of war," writes US author William R. Koenig, in his 2004 book Eye to Eye? Facing the consequences of dividing Israel. On the cover, a grim-faced President Bush is shown looking warily at a massive hurricane threatening his country. Koenig writes, in a book listing major natural and man-made disasters experienced by the USA during its peace-process efforts in the Middle East: "America is now experiencing the consequences (curses) of Middle East policies, which have been opposed to God's Word and to the preservation of His covenant land." ... Many in America couldn't have cared less about Jews being forced out of their homes and losing everything they have built. Here in Israel, many Jews will be feeling for the Americans who are now facing similar tragedies, tragedies brought about by the forces of heaven rather than through the political power of men. Can't you see the link, America? Won't you see the link? |
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"... and great signs shall there be from heaven." (Luke 21:11) |
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Sky-watchers, astonomers dazzled at comet's brightness, size, By Thomas R. Webber, November 2, 2007
Paul Lewis, director of astronomy outreach at the University of Tennessee, looks up into the night sky and can't believe what he's seeing. "This is truly a celestial surprise," Lewis said. "Absolutely amazing." In fact, Lewis is coaxing UT students to the rooftop of the Nielsen Physics Building, offering special viewing sessions of Comet 17P/Holmes. The comet is exploding, thrilling professional and amateur astronomers alike, having suddenly burst in size and brightness during the past week. "This is a once-in-a-lifetime event to witness, along the lines of when Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 smashed into Jupiter back in 1994," Lewis said. The comet has become so bright, in fact, that it can be seen with the naked eye after sunset. |
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