Sept 20
A Time For Action
It is becoming increasingly obvious that the UN International Atomic
Energy Agency (IAEA) has failed miserably to slow or prevent rogue nations
from gaining access to nuclear weapons. The situations in North Korea and
Iran have been their most glaring mistakes.
Over the years, there has been a continuous fixation on keeping these two
nations involved in arms control talks. The fact that both of these nations
have moved ahead with their nuclear programs is proof enough that the IAEA
nuclear watchdogs have been ineffective.
North Korea is believed to have at least three atomic bombs, and it will
soon have the ability to assemble seven more of these deadly devices. Iran's
program is very close to having a reactor capable of producing bomb-grade material.
We are very close to seeing the outbreak of a nuclear arms race.
Once it becomes clear that North Korea and Iran are dedicated to building a
large nuclear stock, their neighbors will feel led to develop nuclear
weapons as a means of deterrence.
It was learned last week that South Korea clandestinely produced small
amounts of plutonium by using a complex metallic process to enriched uranium.
That experiment occurred four years ago, and it shows how easy it is for other
nuclear programs to be kept secret.
If the world is going to get a handle on the proliferation of nuclear
weapons, strong action is needed now. The North Korean situation is probably
the most dangerous, so it would be best to start with Iran.
There is absolutely no peaceful explanation for Iran to have nuclear
reactors. Because that nation has a 200--year supply of cheap oil, it
is ridiculous for Tehrah to claim it needs nuclear power to generate
electricity.
Knowing that Iran is an active supporter of terrorism in the Middle East and
around the world, its nuclear program needs to be stopped one way or another.
Because time is rapidly running out, the military option is greatly needed.
Iran may already be at the point at which it can laugh off any sanctions. On
Sunday, Tehran rejected a UN resolution calling on it to freeze uranium
enrichment activities.
If it weren't for America's ongoing involvement in Iraq, we would probably be
at the point of considering a strike against Iran's nuclear facilities.
Because it is unthinkable to have a nation with such a reputation for
terrorism in control of nuclear weapons, we need to pray that our leaders
act in a decisive manner.
The Poor Man's Atomic Bomb
Someday I expect to turn on the news and learn that a chemical or biological
terrorist attack has killed hundreds if not thousands of people in some
major city. What makes this scenario possible is the low cost and
availability of basic
ingredients used in producing deadly compounds.
The last major terrorist attack using chemicals occurred on the morning of
March 20, 1995. Members of the Aum Shinrikyo
cult placed 11 double-layered plastic bags, each containing the deadly
nerve agent sarin, in the Tokyo subway system.
The quality of the sarin attack was actually rather poor. The mixture was
only about 30 percent pure, three of the bags were never punctured, and only about
4.5 kilograms of sarin leaked out. The amount released still had enough
potency to kill 12 people and caused more than 5,000 to seek medical care.
I watched an ABC news report that pointed out that terrorists don't even need
to mess with the preparation of hazardous material to conduct a lethal
chemical attack. If they were to bomb train cars carrying liquefied
chlorine gas through populated areas, they could release a poisonous cloud
that would kill everyone within several blocks.
Why we have not already experienced a major chemical or biological attack
is a very good question. I've already pointed out that chemical bombs are
easy to make and have the ability to harm large numbers of people. Several Islamic
terrorists have been caught in the planning stage of the use of chemical
weapons, but the main focus continues to be on the use of conventional weapons.
I think the many reasons chemical and biological agents have not been
widely used have to do with the will of God preventing the use of such
weaponry. Because man has rejected the call for repentance, the hedge of
protection is slowly being removed. We've become desensitized to terror, but
the occurrence of suicide bombings is a good example of how society is
paying the price for its rebellion.
"The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, and delivers
them" (Psalm 34:7).
-- Todd
Iran-N. Korea: Catalyst for Antichrist?
Satellite surveillance sensors captured indications of a tremendous explosion in a remote, mountainous area of North Korea Thursday, September 9. There were reports of observers seeing a rolling mushroom cloud, and satellite cameras produced images of a large crater in Yanggang Province, close to the Chinese border.
North Korean government officials said it was a controlled explosion, clearing the way for a future electricity-producing operation. The world community is apparently buying the explanation, even though there is good reason for skepticism.
An explosion last April at a railway station in North Korea killed more than 150 people - but the N. Korean government only admitted the incident three days after the disaster. It seems there are some volatile materials being moved and ignited in that secretive, dictator-run country. The international community is worried about the situation, despite the fact it openly denies the possibility that the most recent explosion was nuclear in nature.
Although the western powers are keeping a calm façade, there is diplomatic consternation. UK Foreign Office Minister Bill Rammell has demanded an immediate explanation from the North Korean foreign ministry for the explosion, which destroyed almost everything within a 2.5-mile radius.
Washington's official position, at the same time, is that the explosion seems not to have been nuclear or any other type of weapons test. Any nuclear testing by the North Koreans would turn the current controversy involving their pursuit of atomic capability into total chaos.
U.S. diplomats have been trying to lessen North Korean leader Kim Jong-il's desire to make that nation a nuclear power. The American State Department seems to be in denial that the dictator will not be assuaged. Indeed, there is denial in some quarters of the State Department that the despot already has the atomic bomb.
Iran, at the same time, moves forward with producing enriched uranium that is used in the process of making atomic weaponry. They have been supplied in technology and materials by China, and to a lesser degree, by Russia, as has North Korea. China, which reportedly stole computer-based technologies for missiles development during the Clinton administration's watch, has transferred much of that information to Iran. China has, apparently, also sold to both North Korea and Iran lightweight tubing that is essential for producing the missiles themselves. It is troubling that even though two of the three nations President Bush termed "the axis of evil" are engaged in rushing ahead to produce weapons of mass destruction, the "experts" say everything is still under control.
Israel is another matter. Israeli "experts" are looking at the developments with a much more serious eye. Although that nation's leadership is somewhat bowing to America's request that they keep their concerns as low profile as possible, the almost legendary nerves of top Israeli military leaders are beginning to fray. It is, according to those who know Israel's defensive modus operandi, fear that a preemptive strike upon Iran's nuclear operations can't be far off.
It is almost certainly the fear of nuclear conflict that will bring the cry for peace and safety foretold for the end time. Thus the great world leader who has the answers to calm the atomic jitters will be summoned for his moment in history's spotlight. Antichrist will convince the nations to stand down from their nuclear positions -at least that's the way things will appear.
The world diplomatic corps will proclaim that at last the world has peace and safety. God's Word prophesies just that scenario: "For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape" (1Thess. 5:3).
The student of Bible prophecy has an advantage. They can see the developments in Iran, North Korea, Israel, and in other parts of the world, and understand that God has everything well in hand, even though things might seem out of control. While the rider on the white horse as depicted in Revelation 6: 2 could begin his gallop onto the stage of end-time history in the very near future, Christians will first be removed to true peace and safety.
--Terry
