Seismologists Alarmed By Rash Of Quakes Rattling Around Globe
As global relief efforts were still focused on the devastating 6.6 earthquake that struck Iran last week, killing more than 30,000 and leaving some 40,000 homeless, seismologists were studying a new rash of temblors striking the planet's "ring of fire."

In Indonesia, a powerful earthquake shook the tourist islands of Bali and Lombok yesterday, injuring nearly 30 people and damaging dozens of buildings. On Lombok, 22 people were injured and one elderly man died, apparently of shock as a result of the quake, which the Meteorology and Geophysics Agency said measured 6.1 on the Richter scale. The undersea quake struck shortly before dawn in the Straits of Lombok.

Injectable Bio-Chip Implant For Cashless Transactions
At a global security conference held today in Paris, an American company announced a new syringe-injectable microchip implant for humans, designed to be used as a fraud-proof payment method for cash and credit-card transactions.   The chip implant is being presented as an advance over credit cards and smart cards, which, absent biometrics and appropriate safeguard technologies, are subject to theft, resulting in identity fraud.

Report: Government Plans Massive Expansion Of Golan Settlements
The government plans to double the number of residents of Golan Heights settlements with a three-year expansion plan that includes the establishment of nine new communities, Yediot Aharonot reported today. "The government decision is a response to the Syrian initiative, which on the one hand expresses an interest in peace, and on the other hand openly supports Palestinian terrorism," said Agriculture Minister Yisrael Katz.

"An Earthquake In Israel Is A Certainty; It's Just A Question Of When"
"The Haifa Bay area is a ticking bomb, which will explode if and when an earthquake occurs," said Geological Institute Director Amos Bein yesterday. A former study by the Geophysical Institute of Israel found that a 7.0 Richter scale earthquake at Beit Shean would bring down buildings in Tel Aviv and Haifa. Israeli relief organizations vowed to send aid to earthquake victims in Iran, despite Iran's unwillingness to accept it.

Strong Euro, Coming Expansion: European Leaders Urge Hard Work In New Year
01/01/2004 Buoyed by a strong euro and mindful of EU expansion, Europe's leaders used their New Year's messages to urge their peoples to work hard to meet the challenge of ensuring economic renewal and stability, in an uncertain and increasingly interconnected world.

Jewish Group Says European Commission Anti-Semitic...
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Two Jewish leaders accuse the European Commission of encouraging anti-Semitism by releasing a "flawed" poll accusing Israel of being the greatest threat to world peace and then by failing to release a report on the involvement of Muslin minorities in anti-Semitic incidents.

In a piece to be published on Monday in the Financial Times, World Jewish Congress President Edgar Bronfman and European Jewish Congress President Cobi Benatoff said, "Anti-Semitism can be expressed in two ways: by action and inaction. Remarkably, the European Commission is guilty of both.

Sharon To Meet Every Likud MK To Push Disengagement Plan
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon intends to meet individually with all 40 Likud MKs in the upcoming weeks to try to persuade them to accept his plan for unilateral disengagement from the Palestinians, officials in the Prime Minister's Office said Thursday.

Pope Calls For 'New International Order' To Solve Conflicts
Pope John Paul II has called for a new international order to solve conflicts and bring peace in the world. The pontiff spoke during a New Year's Day mass at the Vatican.

The pope delivered his entire speech in a strong and clear voice. On the day the Catholic Church celebrates World Peace Day, he said, more than ever, a new international order is needed that draws on the experience and results of the United Nations.

Comments

I'm still waiting for the emails to come in refuting what the Bible predicted long ago regarding earthquakes.  Here are the passages in question.

 Luke 21:11 And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.

Mark 13:8 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.

Matthew 24:7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.

The Bible says that earthquakes will get noticeably greater in magnitude, in frequency, and occur in different places throughout the world.  Even scientists are beginning to take notice of this recent increase in global quakes..  Personally, I believe this prophecy is about to silence the scoffers.

Speaking of earthquakes, Geological Institute Director Amos Bein said that it was just a matter of time before a major earthquake hits Israel.  Their buildings are in no better shape to withstand a tremor than those of Iran.  Look for this to happen during the tribulation period (Revelation 11:13).  A tenth of the city will be destroyed and seven thousand men will die.

Prime Minister Ariel Sharon intends to meet individually with all 40 Likud MKs in the upcoming weeks to try to persuade them to accept his plan for unilateral disengagement from the Palestinians, officials in the Prime Minister's Office said Thursday.  

Under Sharon's "disengagement plan," Israel would pull back from some of the area it conquered in the 1967 Mideast War and relocate some settlements to create a more easily defended security boundary and reduce the number of Israelis in Palestinian areas. Israel would also speed up construction of a contentious barrier of fences, walls and trenches, whose planned path dips deep into the West Bank. (http://www.charleston.net/stories/121903/wor_19mideast.shtml)

The U.S. has joined the Arabs in condemning the plan.  Of course, the U.S. wants Israel to stay focused on their roadmap plan, and truthfully, I think they will. In fact, I believe the security wall Israel is building will also come down very soon.  Israel is also threatening expansion into the Golan Heights.  That will be thwart by the U.S. and the world community.

The pope is making a plea to the world to call for more international control by the U.N. in solving conflicts.   It is his belief that this is our only hope for real peace.  This statement coming from the pope doesn't surprise me.  A future pope will probably turn out to be the false prophet, who in turn, will promote (Revelation 13:11-18) the antichrist and the prospect of him controlling the world as a dictator.  Look for more talk of peace through a joint international community to come.  I suspect that the world community will take great strides after the rapture takes place.

Pastor Malone