Merry Christmas

I'm off for my holiday break and wanted to wish you all a happy and joyous Christmas. I know that the news we link to here is often grim but I'm sure that most of you who visit this site are Christians who understand that beyond the headlines we know that God is sovereign and always in control. We know that this effort to be watchful has a purpose and a focus, and that focus is on Jesus Christ.

We watch the signs of His return, but this season is all about the First Coming and not the Second Coming, so as we turn to our families and friends to celebrate the holidays we offer thanks and praise to God and above all, celebrate Jesus as the reason for the season. I'd like to leave you with the lyrics to one of my favorite holiday carols. I like this one because the words share the Good News of salvation.  Merry Christmas!

Hark the Herald Angels Sing
lyrics by Charles Wesley

Hark the herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!
Peace on earth and mercy mild
God and sinners reconciled"
Joyful, all ye nations rise
Join the triumph of the skies
With the angelic host proclaim:
"Christ is born in Bethlehem"
Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!"

Christ by highest heav'n adored
Christ the everlasting Lord!
Late in time behold Him come
Offspring of a Virgin's womb
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see
Hail the incarnate Deity
Pleased as man with man to dwell
Jesus, our Emmanuel
Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!"

Hail the heav'n-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Son of Righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings
Ris'n with healing in His wings
Mild He lays His glory by
Born that man no more may die
Born to raise the sons of earth
Born to give them second birth
Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!"

King of the North - Gog Alliance - Doomed Damascus

Putin Welcomes U.S. Withdrawal From Syria as ‘Correct’ - NYT
The New York Times reports: "President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia on Thursday hailed the decision by President Trump to withdraw United States forces from Syria, calling it “correct” because the American troops were not needed. [...] The decision has been criticized, even among Republicans, as abandoning Kurdish allies in the face of a hostile Turkey and a still dangerous Islamic State, as well as leaving Syria open territory for the geopolitical ambitions of Russia and Iran."

Comment: I will leave it for the partisans in the U.S. to debate if Trump's move is in the best interest of U.S. national security. For our part, I think it's very clear that this move will be in the interests of Russia, Iran and Turkey and a strategic challenge to Israel. For the BP community, anything that boosts the Gog Alliance at the expense of Israel is a significant development and one worth noting.

Persecution

UPI - City in China bans Santa Claus, Christmas items
UPI reports: "You better watch out, you better not cry; you better not pout, I'm telling you why: A ban on Christmas decorations is coming to one town in China, according to multiple press reports. [...] Christmas is not an officially recognized holiday in China, but the holiday is associated with Christianity. The crackdown on Christmas decorations is compatible with government interference in 'unauthorized Christian worship,' according to the Post. [...] Reports of the ban come after dozens of police officers reportedly disrupted a children's Bible class in Guangzhou, a city in southern China, over the weekend. Other authorities in Beijing closed down a 1,500-member church in September."

Comment: Well, what a bunch of Grinches!  I think the Chinese Communist Party is going to get coal in their stockings this year.

Rumors of War - Kings of the East

AP - Report: China is driving use of armed drones in Middle East
The AP reports: "The report by the Royal United Services Institute, or RUSI, found that more and more Mideast countries have acquired armed drones, either by importing them, such as Jordan, Iraq, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, or by building them domestically like Israel, Iran and Turkey. China has won sales in the Middle East and elsewhere by offering drones — otherwise known as UAVs or unmanned aerial vehicles — at lower prices and without the political conditions attached by the United States."

Comment: This report highlights the growing connection China has to the Middle East and suggests this role as an arms supplier will increase conflict in the region by changing the ways countries deploy air power. The interest in the region by eastern military powers has long been anticipated by the BP community and it is both alarming and exciting to see these links being firmly established and reported on in mainstream news media.

Persecution

North Korea named violator of religious freedom for 17 years - UPI
UPI reports: "The United States has designated North Korea, China, Myanmar, Pakistan and six other countries violators of religious freedom. The U.S. State Department included North Korea on the list of countries that conducted 'severe, ongoing, egregious, systematic violations of religious freedom' for 17 consecutive years, it said on Tuesday. [...] North Korea forbids any religious practices and considers religion a threat to the regime's existence, according to South Korea's unification ministry report on North Korea."

Comment: Please join me in praying for believers living under conditions of persecution and repression. 

Mark of the Beast

Hertz, Clear partner to speed rentals with biometric scans
The AP reports: "Biometric screening is expanding to the rental car industry. Hertz said Tuesday it is teaming up with Clear, the maker of biometric screening kiosks found at many airports, in an effort to slash the time it takes to pick up a rental car. Clear hopes it will lead more travelers to its platform, which has 3 million members in the U.S. It’s the latest place consumers will find biometric technology, which has migrated over the last 50 years from secure government facilities and banks to airports, stadiums and even smartphones that unlock with the touch a fingerprint. Hertz is the first rental car company to use the technology."

Comment: I wonder if saving a small bit of time is worth giving up biometric data to a car rental company? Perhaps frequent flyers would say yes, but I'm betting the vast majority of travelers will balk at that. 

Pestilence

Record count reported for mysterious paralyzing illness
The AP reports: "This year has seen a record number of cases of a mysterious paralyzing illness in children, U.S. health officials said Monday. It’s still not clear what’s causing the kids to lose the ability to move their face, neck, back, arms or legs. The symptoms tend to occur about a week after the children had a fever and respiratory illness. No one has died from the rare disease this year, but it was blamed for one death last year and it may have caused others in the past."

Comment:  What a strange thing. How can parents protect their children if they don't know what is causing this illness?

Wickedness Increases

Ohio woman who idolized Dylann Roof arrested for plotting 'upscale mass murder'
UPI reports: "An Ohio woman who idolized and corresponded with Charleston church shooter Dylann Roof was arrested on domestic terrorism charges, the U.S. Department of Justice said Monday. [...] Lecron frequently posted photographs and comments on social media glorifying mass murderers, including a Tumblr account that was shut down and a subsequent profile titled 'CharlestonChurchMiracle.' At one point she and an associate flew to Denver to visit Columbine High School and she also corresponded with Roof, attempting to send him Nazi literature."

Comment: There are some severely unbalanced people in this world, people consumed with evil thoughts and evil intent. I'm glad and thankful the authorities captured her. 

Covenant With Many - Jerusalem

U.S. resolution condemning Hamas fails at United Nations
UPI reports: "The United Nations failed to pass a U.S. resolution condemning Hamas and other militant groups for their activities against Israel in Gaza. While the majority of the U.N.'s general assembly voted for the resolution Thursday, the United States and outgoing ambassador Nikki Haley were outflanked procedurally, losing a vote beforehand requiring a two-thirds approval for the resolution to pass, instead of a simple majority. In the end, 87 countries voted for the resolution condemning Hamas, 57 voted against and there were 33 abstentions."

Comment: What a burden (or a burdensome stone as Zechariah said) Jerusalem is to the nations. Why can't they let it go? Why is this small little country of Israel always at the top of the international agenda, as if somehow they were a superpower or a strategic competitor? Israel has no oil like Saudi Arabia. Israel is not at the crossroads of East and West like Turkey. Yet the status of Israel is a constant issue among the nations of the entire world. It's a wonder to behold.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 7.5 quake strikes in Pacific near New Caledonia - AP
AP reports: "A powerful earthquake that struck in the southern Pacific Ocean on Wednesday sent jitters around the region after authorities warned of possible tsunamis, but there were no initial reports of destructive waves or major damage. The magnitude 7.5 quake hit in the afternoon near the French territory of New Caledonia at a shallow depth, where earthquakes are generally more damaging. It was felt as far away as Vanuatu, about 630 kilometers (390 miles) away."

Comment: Another very large quake in a sparsely populated area. I think the media should highlight the magnitude but I suppose they only highlight the big quakes with a big body count.

Wickedness Increases - False Christs

Satanic Temple statue joins Illinois Capitol holiday displays - UPI
UPI reports: "A statue created by the Chicago-area Satanic Temple joined the Illinois Capitol's holiday displays this year after the organization sought equal freedom of expression. The display features the arm of a woman holding an apple as a snake coils around her forearm. It's a reference to the biblical story of the snake enticing Eve to eat from the tree of knowledge, sparking what Christians call original sin. It sits next to other symbols marking winter holidays, including a nativity scene for Christmas and a menorah for Hanukkah."

Comment: If our society no longer understands why this is wrong them we really have become morally bankrupt.  Shame.

Rumors of War - King of the North

NATO accuses Russia of breaking nuclear treaty; Mike Pompeo threatens U.S. withdrawal UPI reports: "NATO leaders on Tuesday accused Russia of failing to abide by the Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces Treaty, an agreement U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo threatened to withdraw the United States from unless Moscow complies. NATO foreign ministers, who met in Brussels, issued a statement condemning Russia for developing and fielding a missile system, a violation of the INF Treaty of 1987. The treaty banned all land-based cruise missiles with a range of between 310 miles and 3,417 miles."

Comment: You know, there are people who believe that there's never been a safer time to be alive.  It's a nice idea, but if we are on the verge of another nuclear arms race, they may want to rethink that notion.

Rumors of War - Persia

Benjamin Netanyahu to meet with Mike Pompeo as Iran becomes more defiant - UPI
UPI reports: "Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will fly to Brussels Monday to meet with U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to discuss regional developments. It comes as Iran shows new signs of strength and defiance, such as testing ballistic missiles and launching what it calls a radar-evading stealth ship."

Comment: While our media remains firmly focused on serving up a daily helping of fresh outrage it is worth diverting our attention to world affairs in general and events in Iran in particular.  There is cause for concern that the chances of conflict with Iran are higher now that in the recent past.

Earthquakes

7-magnitude earthquake damages buildings, roads near Anchorage - UPI.com
UPI reports: "An earthquake with a preliminary 7-magnitude shook Alaska on Friday, damaging roads and buildings, and disrupting air traffic in and out of the state's largest city, officials said. [...] The temblor cracked walls and caused ceilings to crumble in some buildings. At some stores, products crashed to the floor, creating a mess. [...] The damage caused power outages throughout the city and at least three buildings were set ablaze."

Comment: A 7.0 magnitude quake is a very large quake, thank God there was no loss of life.

Rumors of War - King of the North

Russia delivers missile systems to Crimea over Ukrainian objections - UPI.com
UPI reports: "The Kremlin's plans to deploy a fourth surface-to-air missile battalion in Crimea would endanger all countries in the Black Sea region, a Ukrainian official warned Thursday. Russia's Black Sea Fleet said the air defense missile systems are ready for combat in Crimea near the Ukraine border, Moscow's state-run news agency reported. [...] Moscow forcibly annexed Crimea from Ukraine in a highly controversial move in 2014, which remains a source of tension between the Kremlin and Ukrainian and Western governments."

Comment: When Hitler started his conquests in WWII he began with relatively small countries that had large German-speaking populations. He said he was simply bringing these German-speaking areas back into Germany. Putin used the same excuse when he annexed Crimea from Ukraine, reminding everyone that Crimea had been part of Russia many years ago and a great many Russian-speaking people still live there...just bringing them back into mother Russia. If the Allies had learned the lesson of history then NATO would have immediately challenged this attempt to redraw the borders of Europe by force. Instead, the Western allies imposed economic sanctions on Russia. It does not appear that sanctions are a deterrent to Putin's Russia. We can conclude with absolute certainty that this will not end well. Like other leaders in history bent on conquest, Putin will not stop until he is made to stop.

Pestilence

Ebola outbreak in Democratic Republic of Congo is second worst in history - UPI
UPI reports: "At least 245 people have died from the Ebola virus in the Democratic Republic of Congo in recent weeks, the country's health ministry said Thursday, making it the second-deadliest outbreak of the disease in history. [...] WHO said there was a high risk of the outbreak spreading to other provinces in the DRC and other countries. Neighboring Uganda intensified preparedness activities, including vaccinations, in case of an outbreak there."

Comment: Wishing them luck in containing this outbreak. 

Gospel Preached to All Nations

Anthropologist suggests gifts in effort to retrieve body from North Sentinel Island
UPI reports: "An anthropologist who made contact several times with an isolated island tribe accused of killing an American missionary last week suggested the Indian government take gifts to ease the effort of retrieving the man's body from North Sentinel Island. John Allen Chau, 27, ignored Indian law and multiple warnings that the Sentinelese tribe resists outsiders when he paid fishermen to take him to the island in an attempt to convert the islanders to Christianity. The fisherman told Indian authorities the tribespeople shot Chau with arrows as he reached the shore and that they buried his body on the beach."

Comment: This was an unfortunate incident but it's also a great example of how brave missionaries continue to reach the farthest corners of the globe to proclaim the gospel of Jesus. 

Pestilence

Freeze-dried vaccine may help rid world of polio - UPI
UPI reports: "A freeze-dried polio vaccine that could be used in locations without refrigeration might help doctors conquer the disease, researchers report. [...] Polio is a highly infectious disease that's close to being eradicated, with just 22 reported cases worldwide in 2017. But young children are at risk in countries where refrigeration for vaccines may not be widely available."

Comment: This is good news. Let's hope the anti-vaccers don't object to this new twist on a life-saving vaccine. 

Peace and Security of Jerusalem

Leaders warn Australia about possible embassy move to Jerusalem - UPI
UPI reports: "Australia moving its Israeli embassy to Jerusalem would be a shift that could make the country a larger target for terrorists, leaders in Malaysia and Indonesia warned Friday. Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison talked about moving the embassy during his recent campaign, though no firm decision has been made on the proposal."

Comment: I support Israel and reject the notion that countries should not support Israel because it only encourages terrorists. What kind of logic is that? Don't do something because it makes the terrorists angry? 

Pestilence

Nigeria cholera deaths spike more than tenfold over 2017 - UPI
UPI  reports: "There have been 1,110 documented cholera deaths in 2018, more than 13 times higher than cholera deaths in the same time period in 2017, the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control said Wednesday. [...] Cholera is a bacterial intestinal infection spread by contaminated drinking water or food. Symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting, circulatory collapse and shock, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says."

Comment: The tragedy of cholera is that the disease is easily prevented and easily treated but it requires a certain level of development to do so. As such it is a far better measure of development than commonly used economic indicators like GDP. A country that has cholera outbreaks is not developed, no matter how much oil it may sell.