Mass Media and Bible Prophecy

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Mass Media and Bible Prophecy
Several amazing biblical passages foretell the shaping of the world at the time of the end by a powerful web of global media.
by Howard Davis
Some of the Bible's most astounding prophecies concern where global media are taking the world.
Though thousands of years old, the Bible has much to say about the "last days" and "time of the end." Some biblical visions and prophecies are descriptions of events, situations and technologies that did not apply to the ancient world and make sense only in a modern context.
Thousands of years ago the Bible foretold a massive revolution in information and communications technology like that we've witnessed in recent years. But it also prophesied a globally pervasive culture of violence and self-absorbed, pleasure - seeking indulgence in sex and greed.
Further, it forewarned us of worldwide manipulation of public opinion through economic forces and political gamesmanship that will culminate in the rise of a world dictatorship and massive religious deception so powerful that true Christians will be silenced, persecuted and even murdered- while the world celebrates their demise.
Shocking? Yes, but read on.
Daniel and the information explosion
Two prophecies lay the groundwork for many others when it comes to the role modern entertainment and news media are to play in end-time events.
First, God foretold through the prophet Daniel the development of the kind of technology and entertainment media that permeate our world. Yet Daniel lived 600 years before Christ. Through Daniel, God also foretold four mighty empires, the first and second comings of the Messiah and the final subjugation of much of the world by a charismatic dictator who will fight Jesus at His second coming (Daniel 2, 7, 8-9, 11-12).
Although God used him to record these prophecies, Daniel himself admitted that he didn't completely understand them. An angel told Daniel that some aspects of these prophecies would not be understood in his lifetime: "Go your way, Daniel, for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end" (Daniel 12:9). Their full meaning as they pertain to world events would not be known until the last days, yet even then "none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand" (verse 10).
But God did tell Daniel-and, through Daniel's writings, He tells us-two characteristics of the end-time age, when Bible prophecies would open up to human understanding, to the "wise" who would listen to God.
". . . Shut up the words," God said to Daniel, "and seal the book until the time of the end; many shall run to and fro [a reference to the availability of rapid mass transportation] and knowledge shall increase" (verse 4, emphasis added throughout). This last phrase is the key: The time of the end is the time of the "increase" of "knowledge."
Daniel's prophecy of a time when "many shall run to and fro and knowledge shall increase" certainly fits our time. Our age is rightly called the information age. By some estimates the accumulation of knowledge doubles every 18 months. Anyone with a connection to the Internet has vast libraries of information at his fingertips. Encyclopedias of knowledge can be reproduced on CDs for pennies apiece.
But what does the knowledge explosion have to do with modern global media?
This is where the second trend fits in. Behind the knowledge explosion is the development of mass media and the technological transformation that made them possible. Without the means to rapidly spread information abroad to many people, no knowledge explosion would have occurred. In other words, if we have no means to disseminate information, we have no information.
The invention of the printing press brought the proliferation of books, the primary medium for disseminating knowledge in the 18th century's "age of enlightenment." Along with the advent of largecirculation newspapers, public education in the 19th century brought widespread literacy, which made further technological progress possible. Technological development in electronic communications exploded in the 20th century with radio, television, computers, satellites and finally the Internet, which brings these technologies together in one worldwide web.
"At the heart of globalization," writes Thomas Friedman in his best-selling book The Lexus and the Olive Tree, are "recent advances in technology-from the Internet to satellite telecommunications" (2000, p. 22). Indeed, these two factors allow virtually anyone to instantly see and hear events and other people anywhere on the planet.
Instant international availability
Such developments are foundational to understanding two ancient prophecies that deal with the way people see and hear a final warning from two servants of God- called in Scripture the "two witnesses"- just before the coming of the Messiah, Jesus Christ, to rule the world.
Although these men are public witnesses to God's existence and the world's need to heed the warnings of the Bible to avoid even more disasters, most people will not believe them. But Scripture indicates they will be seen and heard- throughout the entire world.
A remarkable prophecy in the book of Revelation tells us that people of every nation will simultaneously see the murder in Jerusalem of these two prophets of God by the dictator mentioned earlier, called the "beast":
". . . I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy one thousand two hundred and sixty days [3 1/2 years] . . . These have the power to shut heaven, so that no rain falls in the days of their prophecy . . . When they finish their testimony, the beast . . . will make war against them, overcome them, and kill them" (Revelation 11:3-7).
This prophecy deals with a time of worldwide conflict in which the dictator known as the Beast will rise to power through manipulation of public opinion and religious deceptions, no doubt using the powerful tool of mass media.
But note the indications of the kind of information technology available at the time of these events:
"And their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city . . . where also our Lord was crucified. Then those from the peoples, tribes, tongues, and nations will see their dead bodies three-and-a-half days, and not allow their dead bodies to be put into graves. And those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them, make merry, and send gifts to one another, because these two prophets tormented those who dwell on the earth.
"Now after the three-and-a-half days the breath of life from God entered them, and they stood on their feet, and great fear fell on those who saw them. And they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, 'Come up here.' And they ascended to heaven in a cloud, and their enemies saw them" (verses 8-12).
These astounding prophecies indicate that television or similar electronic media will broadcast the murder of these two prophets-probably linked by satellite and the Internet or even more-advanced technologies. Live views of the events will be available instantly and simultaneously throughout the world. These two men will be the ultimate witnesses as nations of every language behold these startling events while commentators report on them live from Jerusalem.
Signs and wonders
Before the arrival of the two witnesses, however, their two satanic counterparts- the Beast and a religious leader the Bible calls "the false prophet"-will apparently powerfully manipulate the news media to dazzle the world with supernatural acts most people will think are divine but will really be satanic in origin.
Notice Paul's prophecy of the religious leader. Writing of the time of "the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ," Paul tells us this man "will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God's temple, proclaiming himself to be God" (2 Thessalonians 2:1, 4, New International Version).
Paul continues: "The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness" (verses 9-12, NIV).
Revelation 13:13-14 further explains that he "performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men. And he deceives those who dwell on the earth by those signs which he was granted to do in the sight of the beast . . ."
Such passages tell us that these evil leaders will cunningly and massively deceive virtually the entire world. Most people will assume these two represent God and will readily follow them-not realizing they are really tools of Satan. (To learn more about these end-time events, be sure to request your free copy of the booklets The Book of Revelation Unveiled and You Can Understand Bible Prophecy.)
Self-absorbed entertainment
Paul wrote of yet another trend in the last days in which mass media even now play a major role.
"But mark this," Paul wrote shortly before his death, around A.D. 67: "There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God" (2 Timothy 3:1-4, NIV).
Does this sound familiar? Each of these abysmal traits can be found in the daily menu of American entertainment devoured by two billion minds on televisions around the world. Welcome to the age of crude amusements and pandering to lust-24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Lust for violence, self-glorification, sex without the commitment of marriage, vicarious indulgence in forbidden fruit without the consequences-these are the themes of the comedies, soap operas, dramas and talk shows that constitute the moral equivalent of a sewer flooding human minds. It's the sated ancient Roman crowds all over again watching the doomed die in the Colosseum.
The motive for so much filth is simple -money. Delivering eyes to advertisers is the primary objective of network executives. Programming that most effectively hooks the largest audience features fastpaced content centered on a mesmerizing diet of sex, lust, greed and irreverent and profane humor. It's a sure bet to keep an audience glued to the tube. Produce such material and you make money.
If you own the movie and TV production rights to sex, lust and greed, you make more money. If you own book publishers, magazines, cable and satellite systems and video-rental stores, you make even more money-lots and lots of money. It's no wonder we've seen so many massive media mergers in recent years.
The implications are sobering. Children increasingly think, say and do what they see on commercial and "public" programming. More and more people cannot discriminate between Hollywood-produced drivel and real life. Their lives become almost surreal.
The consequences, according to the Bible, will be devastating. God's Word indicates these trends will play a major role in the downfall and destruction of the United States and other major Englishspeaking nations (be sure to request your free copy of the booklet The United States and Britain in Bible Prophecy).
Research shows that children's antisocial behavior in schools directly relates to the amount and content of the television they watch. In one survey 35 percent of imprisoned violent criminals said they got the ideas to carry out their crimes from watching television.
The last days and you
Ninety percent of Americans claim they believe in God. But they don't know who He is. They can't recite the Ten Commandments, name the four Gospels (much less the books of the Old or New Testament) or explain the difference between Abraham and Muhammad. As Paul predicted, the motivation of people in the last days will not be personal achievement, noble character or love of neighbor. Men, women and young people will be "lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God."
So what about you?
God says to any who are caught up in the end-time materialistic system, mindset and culture that pervades the world, "Come out of her,My people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues" (Revelation 18:4).
The way to come out is to recognize where our materialistic, self-obsessed entertainment and media are leading us. Turn off the consumption; turn away from the self-obsessed way of life promoted by our global media system. Instead, turn to God and His Word, the Bible. Remember, God recorded these warnings to us for a reason. GN

Will Global Economic Turmoil Precede Jesus Christ's Return?

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Will Global Economic Turmoil Precede Jesus Christ's Return?
What possible connection could the global marketplace have with Jesus Christ's return? Do you understand the Bible's prophetic links?
by Roger Foster
Changes in the world's economy, now shaken by a major downturn, significantly threaten your personal lifestyle. As Time magazine expressed it, the recent events are "the most dangerous shock in mature financial markets since the 1930s" (Oct. 20, 2008). Faced with a problem of this magnitude, we should seriously consider these economic trends in the light of biblical prophecy!
Revelation, the last book of the Bible, is devoted to prophecy. John says that it's literally "the revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants—things which must shortly [or quickly] take place"—especially in the last days (Revelation 1:1).
The book's 18th chapter describes a dominant system of international trade supported by corrupt political and religious allies whose combined sins "have reached to heaven" (verse 5). The Bible also shows that the return of Jesus Christ will bring about the collapse and destruction of that global system.
Before that happens, though, it will exercise for a short time immense control over the lives of the earth's inhabitants so that "no one may buy or sell" without its permission (Revelation 13:17). It will stringently regulate all international commerce.
Prior to the recent economic crisis it would have seemed almost absurd to predict such a drastic global change in economic outlook and practice. After all, our society greatly values individual freedom. What could possibly induce the citizens of civilized nations to accept such intrusive controls over their right to buy and sell as they please?
An earlier time of economic turmoil
On a regional level this scenario has already been played out once in the last century. The collapse of the world's free economies, trade wars and the economic turmoil of the Great Depression of the 1930s helped catapult Adolf Hitler to power. Hitler's solutions restored Germany to world power and made him a hero among most of his own people until the military defeat of his Nazi regime in 1945.
Today those who were adults during the Great Depression are rapidly passing from the scene. Their accounts of plummeting wages, loss of homes and jobs, and pervasive hunger seem long ago and far away. At one point in the 1930s, unemployment reached more than 25 percent in America.
The stock markets went crazy, and corporate shares fell in value overnight. As wages fell, debt repayment became more and more difficult.
Mortgage defaults skyrocketed. Business earnings dropped. Large corporations went bankrupt. People became aimless and idle. Hunger and fear became their constant companions. It was a downward spiral into economic oblivion. Little wonder that our parents and grandparents referred to the financial disaster they experienced as the Great Depression.
Could history repeat?
Today few people in the industrialized world have any concept of what happens when severe deflation—an economically crippling drop in prices and wages—sets in. The possibility of out-of-control deflation is already a threat as a direct result of the current economic crisis.
A recent leading headline, "Deflation Threat Grows Worldwide," in the International Herald Tribune (Nov. 2, 2008) bears this out. The article, by national economic writer Peter Goodman, went on to say: "As dozens of countries slip deeper into financial distress in alarming unison, a new threat may be gathering force: the prospect that goods will pile up without buyers and prices will steadily fall, suffocating fresh investment and worsening joblessness for many months or even years.
"The word for this syndrome is deflation, or falling prices, a term that generates chills among professional economists. Deflation accompanied the Great Depression of the 1930s. Persistently falling prices were at the heart of Japan's so-called lost decade following the catastrophic collapse of its real estate bubble at the end of the 1980s, a period in which some experts now find parallels to the U.S. predicament" (emphasis added throughout).
Only a few short months ago inflation—rising prices—was the dominant economic problem as skyrocketing costs of oil and food battered the world economy. But, as the article notes, "that now seems like another era. As the U.S. economy has weakened, and as much of the globe has followed, demand for oil, iron ore, grains and other commodities has swiftly diminished, bringing prices down sharply.
"The new worry is that the end of inflation may be the beginning of something more malevolent: a long, broad retrenchment in which consumers and businesses worldwide lose their ability to buy and prices for many goods fall.
"That would prompt businesses to slow production and accelerate layoffs, taking more paychecks out of the economy and further weakening demand for many products and services."
Worldwide recession on the horizon?
In contrast to inflation, Goodman notes, deflation is a far more difficult economic malady to cure. "Policy makers can generally choke off inflation by raising interest rates and dampening economic activity and reducing demand for goods.
"But as Japan discovered in the 1990s, an economy might remain ensnared by deflation for many years, even when interest rates are dropped to zero. Falling prices reduce opportunities for profit, making companies reluctant to invest even when they can borrow money for free."
This is what happened in Japan in the 1990s, with devastating results. Property prices fell, along with the prices of many goods. Businesses had no incentive to invest, so they laid off employees. For lack of buyers, goods piled up—sending prices even lower in a downward spiral.
Do we see similar dangers today? "Some fear the U.S. economy could be sinking toward a similar experience as consumers lose their wherewithal to purchase just as much of Europe, Asia and Latin America succumb to a slowdown," Goodman cautions.
The recent economic crises show that such a problem likely would not be limited to just the United States.
"Not since the Great Depression have so many countries been required to tackle so many interlocking afflictions at once," Goodman notes. "A financial crisis born in the United States has gone global, like a virus mutating in the face of every experimental cure. From South Korea to Pakistan to the Baltics to Turkey to Brazil, the pandemic has spread, bringing with it a tightening of credit that has starved even relatively healthy companies of the ability to finance operations, prompting job losses and diminishing demand for goods."
Goodman quotes former International Monetary Fund economist Kenneth Rogoff as saying: "We're entering a really fierce global recession. A significant financial crisis has been allowed to morph into a full-fledged global panic. It's a very dangerous situation."
Will history be repeated?
During times of such economic deprivation, history has shown that people respond favorably to strong leaders who show promise of quickly bringing order out of chaos.
But drastic problems can lead to drastic solutions. People want immediate action, not principles and platitudes. The leaders most likely to act decisively are those who have no objection to trampling on the rights of others to accomplish their agendas. They get things done, but at a high cost to the freedom and rights of others.
In the end they reward those who provide the support they need to keep themselves in power. They call themselves benefactors and statesmen. History sees them as despots and tyrants.
This is what happened in Central Europe between 1929 and 1945 as rulers assumed dictatorial powers and plunged the world into a global conflagration.
Bible prophecy indicates that a similar scenario will unfold just before Jesus Christ returns. It reveals that 10 "kings"—heads of state—will throw their power, authority and support behind a superleader whom the Bible compares to a clever and powerful animal, a "beast" (Revelation 17:12-13). The political entity this leader will create is likewise characterized as a beast—a cunning and dominant animal that preys on the very ones it purports to protect.
The Bible indicates that managing the global economy—by controlling what can be bought or sold, and by whom—may be a major reason for this system's initial appeal. For this to happen the international community may have to enter an economic crisis so enormous, so threatening, that nations will find themselves desperate for a solution.
If history repeats itself, a bold and daring new plan may be presented and adopted. And as before, the loss of individual rights and freedoms built into this new socio-economic and political system may well be presented as only temporary. But the Bible shows that what ultimately follows will become so appalling that only the return of Jesus Christ can stop it.
Let's now consider an unseen power destined to bring about this global change.
Ancient origins of an end-time system
In committing to writing the revelation that Jesus Christ gave him concerning this coming political and commercial system, the apostle John first connects us with this evil system's spiritual roots. According to the Bible, an unseen spirit being, a fallen angel called Satan the devil, rules the earth behind the scenes. This malevolent spirit is increasingly angry as he sees the approaching end of his influence.
John speaks of that "great dragon . . . , that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world" (Revelation 12:9; see also 1 John 5:19). This enraged adversary of God and His people has committed himself to make war against those who "keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ" (verse 17). He and his army of unseen demonic spirits are the unrealized driving force behind these events. (To understand further, request or download our free booklet Is There Really a Devil?)
The apostle John next refers to the physical and cultural origins of this ungodly system that is yet to arise from deep in the reservoir of ancient human tradition: "I saw a beast rising up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and on his horns ten crowns, and on his heads a blasphemous name. Now the beast which I saw was like a leopard, his feet were like the feet of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion" (Revelation 13:1-2).
These are the exact characteristics the book of Daniel ascribed to the ancient kingdoms of Greece, Persia and Babylon. John is telling us that there is a direct link between some of the dominant characteristics of those kingdoms and the socio-political system that Jesus Christ will destroy at His coming.
Ancient Babylon, in particular, destroyed the temple of God in Jerusalem, conquered the kingdom of Judah and took its people into captivity. As such, it symbolically became the ultimate adversary of God's people.
Notice who will manipulate the world's final superdictator from behind the scenes: "The dragon gave him his power, his throne, and great authority" (verse 2). Satan is never far from the action. It is his agenda that will really shape this new power that will emerge.
The important religious connection
At present the nations of Europe appear to be growing more and more secular. But this era will end. The new system described above will embody much more than socio-political aspects. It will also have enormous religious support. To convey this point the apostle John introduces "another beast" that, in some ways, resembles a lamb but speaks "like a dragon" (verse 11).
This beast performs miracles and "deceives those who dwell on the earth by those signs which he was granted to do in the sight of the beast" (verses 13-14). These verses describe a great religious deceiver who is referred to as "the false prophet" in Revelation 19:20. His miracles will abruptly bring the present secular era to an end.
His influence will be enormous. "He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name" (Revelation 13:16-17). Also he "causes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast" (verse 12).
By throwing the full force of his deceptive religious power behind the socioeconomic and political schemes of the first beast, this false prophet will play a leading role in persuading humanity to accept and support the coming transformation of the world's economic and political structures. All who consent will unwittingly enslave themselves to the state.
The masters of commerce
In the end it will be the merchants and traders who will make this Babylon-like system function (Revelation 17:5). Their global trade will include "merchandise of gold and silver, precious stones and pearls, fine linen and purple, silk and scarlet . . . every kind of object of most precious wood, bronze, iron, and marble . . . fine flour and wheat, cattle and sheep, horses and chariots [transport vehicles—cars in our day], and [even] bodies and souls of men" (Revelation 18:12-13).
Today, as we experience a major credit crisis in the world's financial system, it is appropriate that we reflect on how greed and the manipulation of human needs will dramatically affect the future of mankind. We can't know exactly when it will happen, but based on Bible prophecies it seems a likely scenario that at some point a general breakdown of the world's economy will trigger a massive rethinking of man's social, political and economic assumptions.
The chaos of that time will set the stage for the next event. The Bible reveals that a powerful, appealing political "beast" will emerge with vast military and economic powers. For a short time his economic policies will lead some to revel in their regained prosperity, wealth and power. But his system will succeed only because all opposition will be smashed. Those who refuse to submit to his economic system will be excluded or killed (Revelation 13:15-18).
Dawn of a new era
The book of Revelation also reveals that God the Father will finally send Jesus Christ back to the earth to end and replace all ungodly governing systems: "After these things I heard a loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, saying, ‘Alleluia! Salvation and glory and honor and power belong to the Lord our God! For true and righteous are His judgments, because He has judged the great harlot who corrupted the earth with her fornication; and He has avenged on her the blood of His servants shed by her'" (Revelation 19:1-2).
At the return of Christ the oppressive political and economic system springing from ancient Babylon will be permanently destroyed. At that time "the merchants of these things, who became rich by her, will stand at a distance for fear of her torment, weeping and wailing, and saying, ‘Alas, alas, that great city that was clothed in fine linen, purple, and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls! For in one hour such great riches came to nothing'" (Revelation 18:15-17).
Also "the kings of the earth"—the world's leaders and power brokers—"who committed fornication [here symbolizing illicit political relations] and lived luxuriously with her will weep and lament for her, when they see the smoke of her burning, standing at a distance for fear of her torment, saying, ‘Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! For in one hour your judgment has come'" (verses 9-10).
Then the world's final experiment with the political, religious and economic systems patterned after the dictatorial Babylonian model will end, and Jesus Christ's righteous rule on earth will begin! GN
Related Resources
The Book of Revelation UnveiledWhat lies ahead for all of mankind? Where is the world headed and why? Does the Bible tell us what the future holds? What events and trends will precede Jesus Christ's return?
Seven Prophecies That Must Be Fulfilled Before Jesus Christ's Return Previous generations have thought that Jesus Christ would return in their lifetimes, but they were proven wrong. Many people alive today think that Christ's return is imminent. Certainly, the Bible contains prophecies that could not have been fulfilled until this generation.
The Global Economy and Jesus Christ's Return What possible connection could Christ's return have with the global marketplace?

Change Is Coming: Five Ways Jesus Christ Will Change Government Forever

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Change Is Coming: Five Ways Jesus Christ Will Change Government Forever
Politicians try to win votes with promises of change. Yet all too often nothing really changes or we end up with even bigger problems. However, that doesn't mean great change isn't coming. Your Bible reveals how monumental government change will come about!
by Howard Davis

As in so many elections, the 2008 U.S. presidential candidates Barack Obama and John McCain campaigned under the mantra "Change is coming!" They said, like candidates the world over, "The people want change!"
That is usually true. But after making claims that only God could keep, politicians everywhere usually find it difficult to keep their promises when elected. Few succeed in turning those promises into changes that endure the test of time.
Most people don't realize that Jesus Christ was—and remains—the greatest advocate for change. His plan includes changing all human governments, from the richest and most advanced countries to the world's poorest. He proclaimed that total change is coming to human civilization— through a perfect government that He will establish at His second coming.
Did you know that Jesus' message was about government? He called His teaching the gospel, or good news, of the Kingdom of God.
People today often think that the kingdom Jesus proclaimed is one set up in men's hearts—confined to human thoughts and emotions. But that's not what He taught. Rather, He spoke of an actual government to be set up over all nations.
The contrast between Jesus Christ's promises for good government and what human politicians fail to deliver couldn't be greater.
All humanly created political systems fail to meet the truly high standards of Jesus' teachings on government. This includes American democracy, which has remained enmeshed in cross-purposes, political and economic corruption, short-sighted policies that don't work and wars that Americans love to hate.
Human beings pledge to make positive changes they can't deliver—and make promises they cannot keep. Promising peace and prosperity, their leaders give them change through wars, prosperity for some, economic policies that don't work and social changes that in the end often do more harm than good.
In His teaching and prophecies, Jesus Christ announced sweeping changes that will create the perfect government when He returns to rule the world—when "the kingdoms of this world [will] have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ" (Revelation 11:15).
Here are five foundations that will create the perfect civilization—five ways Christ will change government forever!
1. Government will promote one universal faith.
One of His first acts in establishing a universal government will be to abolish the separation of church and state. It's not hard to understand why, since religious deception and division have always plagued humankind.
The promotion of one universal faith (the true faith) and accompanying religious practice will be the cornerstone of a new and transformed society and government centered in Jerusalem. Christ will impose divine laws for religious observance that will benefit the whole world. Only the true God will be worshipped throughout earth (Zechariah 14:9).
One universal religious faith will create a unified culture, making it possible for all peoples to cooperate with Christ's administration. All nations will interact with one another from the standpoint of common religious ideals and values.
Everyone will learn and comprehend the policies, laws and teachings of Christ, whose impact will be far greater than that of any president or political figure in all history. As people experience the blessings His laws and teachings bring, they will hunger to learn more about how to apply them in their personal lives, communities and nations (Micah 4:2). They will at last have the world leader they can believe in, One who means it when He says, "I am the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6).
The resulting unity of faith will eliminate religious arguments, conflicts and wars, which have been responsible for the deaths of hundreds of millions throughout history. The world will at last know peace, coming to learn the very way to peace.
Christ's religious principles will not be based on human reasoning, human nature or human efforts but will flow from God Himself.
Today's world's system, like ancient Babylon, is a mixture of faiths. Even Christianity as practiced today is largely a humanly devised system of man-made beliefs built on human views of Christ with a few sprinklings of biblical principles thrown in for added flavor.
But the bulk of these faith systems don't come directly from Jesus Christ. They either distort or replace what Christ actually taught. All humanly devised faiths must be replaced with the true religion He will establish.
The introduction of this new universal faith will result in global repentance as one nation after another sees the error of its former religious traditions. All peoples will gain an understanding of their personal sins and evils, recognizing their own responsibility for the anguish and pain they have experienced.
King David foretold the coming of Christ's Kingdom, saying, "All nations whom You have made shall come and worship before You, O Lord, and shall glorify Your name" (Psalm 86:9). David also prophesied that "all kings shall fall down before Him; all nations shall serve Him" (Psalm 72:11).
This universal religion will include required observance of the religious festivals that God revealed to the ancient Israelites and that were later kept by Jesus and His disciples. For example, "it shall come to pass that everyone who is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall go up from year to year to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, and to keep the Feast of Tabernacles" (Zechariah 14:16).
The biblical Sabbath, the seventh day of the week (from Friday sundown to Saturday sundown in biblical reckoning of time), will also be a required religious observance of all people. "'. . . And from one Sabbath to another, all flesh shall come to worship before Me,' says the Lord" (Isaiah 66:23).
2. Government will be directed toward the perfecting of man.
All governments need a singular guiding purpose to endure. For example, a goal of the U.S. government, as stated in the Declaration of Independence, is to enable its citizens to enjoy life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
This is a lofty, wonderful and inspiring purpose of government. However, such purposes are all too often thwarted because of the limitations of human nature expressed through human politicians with personal character flaws. And sadly, the pursuit of happiness now is often taken to mean merely the pursuit of materialistic pleasures, which the Bible labels as covetousness and lust.
Human governments tend to become corrupt simply because both the rulers and the ruled citizens are inherently flawed. For that reason, the framers of the U.S. Constitution designed a government of checks and balances between three distinct power-sharing institutions—the presidency, the Congress and the court system. A government headed by a singular despotic ruler, it was believed, would inherently tend to abuse power.
The same appraisal of human nature led to the Constitution establishing the country as a republic, with representative government, rather than as a straight majority-rule democracy. The idea was to blunt the negative tendencies of "mob" rule. Similar thinking was involved in the creation of two legislative bodies in the Congress—the Senate and the House of Representatives.
The framers of the Constitution understood from the Bible and the wisdom of experience that human nature was corruptible. They also knew that human government could not change human nature.
The prophet Isaiah describes the corruption that bad leadership can bring to all levels of social structure: "For the leaders of this people cause them to err, and those who are led by them are destroyed . . . For everyone is a hypocrite and an evildoer, and every mouth speaks folly" (Isaiah 9:16-17).
But the Kingdom of God, in contrast, will be ruled by perfect, righteous rulers. The goal of government will not be "the pursuit of happiness" as it has typically been interpreted—the pursuit of pleasure. Rather, it will have a much higher purpose, which involves bringing people true happiness and joy.
Under Christ's administration of the Kingdom of God, all government activity will be designed for one universal purpose—the development of righteous character in every person through conversion toward God's divine nature.
This purpose is superlatively greater than the purpose of human government. As Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount: "You shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect" (Matthew 5:48). Christ's purpose will be the perfecting of human character through the remaking of the human heart—changing its motives, intents, thinking, desires, decisions and actions.
As a result, humanity will become governable for the first time in a way that can permanently sustain progress, peace and prosperity—and real happiness. This progress will be sustained continuously for 1,000 years.
This change of the human heart and character can come only by receiving God's own divine nature through the gift of His Holy Spirit.
The Spirit of God is not generally accessible to mankind now. But God will change all that: "And it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh" (Joel 2:28).
The Spirit of God, available only from Him, is the essential nature of God Himself, somewhat as DNA is the code that contains the essence of the human being.
The Spirit's role in a person's life is to perfect the person's character, to make him like God. Its fruits, being shown in human behavior, are the divine attributes of God: "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control . . . And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires" (Galatians 5:22-24).
In due time, the opportunity to receive the Holy Spirit will be extended to everyone on earth so that all will be able to have God's laws written in their hearts and minds. One nation after another will be converted to God's way of thinking. God's laws of loving God and loving your neighbor as yourself (Luke 10:27) will be written into the human character through the Spirit of God. As God says, "I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people" (Hebrews 8:10).
3. Government will be based on God's Word.
A principal role of government is to create a framework of knowledge for smooth and harmonious social development and material progress. Peace and prosperity depend in large part on a common foundation of knowledge.
The modern world has brought man unbelievable progress, but because of incomplete and flawed knowledge of the purpose and nature of man, human-generated knowledge has brought mankind to the brink of instant global destruction. This strange paradox flows from the human obsession with material knowledge while rejecting the true foundation of all knowledge—which is spiritual knowledge.
The essence of all true spiritual knowledge lies in God's divinely ordained laws. It is God's desire that we be "filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding . . . in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God" (Colossians 1:9-10).
While our materialistic world lacks understanding of this truth, the foundation for logical thinking in such diverse disciplines as science, history, physical and mental health sciences, accounting, business practices, economics, sociology, psychology, strategic planning, environmental conservation, urban design and much more can all be found within the Word of God—the Bible.
Under the reign of Jesus Christ, the opening up of biblical understanding will lead to answering mysteries yet to be solved in science and all other forms of knowledge. Immersing the world in an explosion of spiritual knowledge from Scripture will open progress to levels of achievement never before seen by the human race. "The government will be upon His [Christ's] shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end" (Isaiah 9:6-7).
Isaiah continues describing a world of knowledge with no harm or destruction allowed anywhere: "They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain, for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea" (Isaiah 11:9).
4. Government will focus on the family.
All of Christ's policies will make the family the centerpiece of social, economic and educational organization. The family is the primary organizational structure God works through. Starting with Adam and Eve, God designed social relationships to flow from marriage and parents (who have authority over and responsibility for their children) into the extended family, community and nations.
Jesus Christ explained that over all human beings is a great God the Father—whom He revealed, as the Father had not been known before Christ's coming (Matthew 11:27). Besides being the Father of humanity by physically creating us, God also intends to be our Father in a greater, spiritual sense.
Christ and His apostles made it clear that marriage and family are the focus of social development within the Church, as they were in ancient Israel. Mankind can be connected directly to God the Father and Christ in a family relationship.
The administration of religion as well as the system of civil and criminal laws will all enhance the family unit, "so that you, your children and their children after them may fear the Lord your God as long as you live by keeping all his decrees and commands that I give you, and so that you may enjoy long life" (Deuteronomy 6:2, New International Version).
The allocation of land and resources will strengthen the family's well-being with property permanently held within families. "Every man will sit under his own vine and under his own fig tree, and no one will make them afraid" (Micah 4:4, NIV).
Education in the way of God and the approach toward knowledge will similarly revolve around the family. Deuteronomy 6:7 says of God's words, "You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up"—that is, at every opportunity.
5. Government will show breathtaking progress and achievement.
Christ will structure government to empower our human potential for astonishing personal achievement and progress in every aspect of society. The outcome will be a utopian civilization beyond the imagination of modern man or ancient philosophers.
Regions that are currently inhospitable will be transformed: "The desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose" (Isaiah 35:1).
Food production will explode as one huge crop cannot be fully harvested before planting time of the next: "'Behold, the days are coming,' says the Lord, 'When the plowman shall overtake the reaper, and the treader of grapes him who sows seed; the mountains shall drip with sweet wine, and all the hills shall flow with it'" (Amos 9:13).
Even the natures of dangerous animals will be changed so they will never harm human beings: "The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and the little child will lead them . . . They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain" (Isaiah 11:6-9, NIV). This is also figurative of the peace that will exist among nations.
All nations will travel to Jerusalem, which will be the international center of religion, education and government: "All nations shall flow to it . . . and say, 'Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord . . . and we shall walk in His paths" (Isaiah 2:2-3).
The earth will burgeon with beautiful new gleaming cities in a Garden-of-Eden environment. "He will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the Lord" (Isaiah 51:3). "And they shall rebuild the old ruins, they shall raise up the former desolations, and they shall repair the ruined cities, the desolations of many generations" (Isaiah 61:4; see also Ezekiel 36:35).
Christ focused on changing government
Government has always been a central focus of the entire struggle of man. It is also a central focus within the Bible, both Old and New Testaments. While Christ stressed at His crucifixion, "My kingdom is not of this world" (John 18:36), that does not mean He condoned the evils of human government in what the Bible calls "this present evil age" (Galatians 1:4).
Jesus Christ condemned the manipulation of government by selfish, greedy and arrogant men who often dominate the world's system. He explained that the rulers of His day, like so many in our own time, loved to lord it over the peoples, making themselves appear to be benefactors when, in fact, they were unjust exploiters of the common man (Matthew 20:25).
Jesus taught that true leadership resides in serving others and loving your neighbor as yourself. In one of His first recorded messages He said this: "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor" (Luke 4:18-19, NIV).
Jesus Christ is the greatest advocate for government change who ever walked the earth. After all, He created the earth for His government under the coming Kingdom of God. The Kingdom of God taught by Christ remains the greatest unrecognized truth in the meaning of human life. But that truth is being revealed here in this publication proclaiming Christ's original gospel.
Christ's entire message rests on the foundation of the promise of a new world system based on His government that will be established at His second coming.
Make no mistake—change is coming, and it's no empty political promise! As recorded in Mark 1:15, throughout His ministry Jesus said: "The time is fulfilled. The Kingdom is at hand. Repent, and believe the gospel." GN
Related Resources
The Gospel of the Kingdom Do you understand the true gospel? What exactly was "the gospel of the kingdom of God" that Jesus Christ proclaimed? What is that Kingdom, and how will it come? Who will be in it, and who will be its head?

Farewell to America as a Financial World Power

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Farewell to America as a Financial World Power
A major shift in world financial power centers is on the horizon. America is on the decline, while Asia and Europe are on the rise.
by Paul Kieffer
Just five years ago, it would have been hard to imagine an official representative of the German government making such statements in a speech outlining his government's position in Germany's parliament, the Bundestag. Yet at the end of September, German Finance Minister Peer Steinbrück bluntly stated his view of the world financial crisis.
One thing is absolutely clear, he said: "The United States is the place of origin and the focal point of the crisis." Although the long-term effects of the crisis are as yet undetermined, Germany 's finance minister stated bluntly that America "will lose its status as [the] superpower of the world's financial systems."
Stunning financial developments
It doesn't take a lot of insight to identify America as "ground zero" of the turmoil in the world's financial markets. The latter part of 2008 will go down as one of the most noteworthy chapters in the history of the modern financial system. In less than 30 days the world witnessed several alarming developments in the United States:
• The U.S. Department of the Treasury nationalized mortgage lenders Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
• The investment bank Lehman Brothers declared bankruptcy, making it the largest insolvency in American history with a loss of some $600 billion.
• To stave off possible failure, the investment banks Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley applied to operate as commercial banks to gain access to the FDIC for securing investor deposits. In so doing, both banks voluntarily accepted regulation by the U.S. Federal Reserve Bank.
• The U.S. Congress approved an emergency aid package worth $700 billion to prevent a possible economic meltdown.
According to Steinbrück, the financial malaise in the United States "spread like a poisonous oil spill." The European Union and several Western countries took emergency measures of their own to cope with the crisis. The Bundestag quickly passed legislation authorizing the establishment of an emergency fund for German banks that was proportionately even larger than America's initial $700 billion plan.
"The world will not be the same again"
One result of the worldwide financial crisis is already foreseeable: "The world will not be the same again as it was before this crisis," was Steinbrück's prediction. Europe's response to the crisis is likely an indication of the shape of things to come.
The European Union and Asia are pushing for new regulations to oversee the world's financial markets. Former U.S. President George Bush reluctantly approved additional regulation.
For 40 years former U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan has championed unregulated capital markets. "I made a mistake," Greenspan said in recent Congressional hearings, "in presuming that the self-interest of organizations, specifically banks and [other financial institutions], were such that they were best capable of protecting their own shareholders and the equity in the firms."
Some analysts called this a "non-apology apology," an attempt to deflect blame away from his management decisions.
An alternate view is that the U.S. Congress is itself largely responsible for the crisis because it interfered too much in the mortgage industry. It ordered lenders to give mortgages to people who would otherwise not be able to obtain one, leading to the now infamous subprime mortgage meltdown.
Regardless of the political viewpoint, it is naive to fail to account for human nature's ability to make use of an opportunity for personal enrichment at the expense of others. "Love of money" is one of the characteristics of the perilous times to arise in the last days, wrote the apostle Paul (2 Timothy 3:1-2).
Even without the current crisis, though, the U.S. position as the world's financial leader has been threatened by America's risky financial policies.
A developing shift in the geopolitical balance of power
With the turbulence in world financial markets, "small" investors are understandably concerned about the safety of their deposits and investments. However, the current situation is more than just a financial crisis. It signals an impending irrevocable shift in global power. The age of America's dominance as the world's financial superpower is coming to an end.
The damage to America's standing in the world community as a result of the current crisis will be irreversible. Government intervention in the U.S. economy and the nationalization of financial institutions defies the principles of free capitalist markets. The inherent weaknesses in America's economic system are being exposed, just as were those of the Soviet system.
The American system operates on the premise that capital markets will be self-regulating to everyone's benefit. The result of this false premise—as the current financial crisis clearly demonstrates—is a "predatory capitalism" where some seek quick profits using greed techniques like short-selling, leveraged buyouts, speculative hedge funds, etc., that provide no real economic value.
For years American administrations seemed to be schoolmasters, lecturing other countries on the virtues of sound financial planning, budget deficits and related issues. American influence within the International Monetary Fund was the reason countries like Argentina, Indonesia and Thailand went into recession when their governments were forced to cut government spending in exchange for funding by the IMF.
However, the United States did not practice what it was preaching. Overspending and the burden of unforeseen military obligations have led to an unprecedented increase in the federal budget deficit.
At the end of September the U.S. national debt exceeded $10 trillion for the first time in history. By Jan. 6 then-President-elect Barack Obama warned Americans of the likelihood of "trillion-dollar deficits for years to come" due to government spending and lowered revenues from a battered economy. Yet he is now, as president, advocating vast overspending through what is claimed to be an emergency stimulus package.
More spending, less saving
In the past, concerns over America's growing national debt were countered by the argument that the creditors were largely Americans themselves, who bought U.S. treasury bills. Today, however, 25 percent of America's annual federal budget deficit is paid for by foreign purchases of treasury bills.
The percentage has doubled in just the last 20 years and is set to continue to increase. Why? The average savings rate of the American public—the percentage of disposable income set aside in savings—is at an all-time low and is actually negative at about 2 percent. That means the average American is actually spending more money each year than he has available to spend. By contrast, the German savings rate is at a postwar record level of 11.2 percent.
America's emergency economic stimulus packages will lead to more deficit spending, which is being financed increasingly by foreign nations like China. Oddly enough, China has been one of the nations that Washington lectured in the past on sound fiscal policy.
But will China and other nations that have been major purchasers of U.S. treasury securities in recent years—countries like Russia and the petrodollar nations lining the Persian Gulf—continue to support the U.S. dollar as the world's leading currency? Or will the current crisis be the impetus that eventually leads to moving away from the dollar?
Whatever the answer turns out to be, the United States won't be determining the answer on its own. The current financial mess can only be solved through cooperation among the affected regions of the world.
Caught in a debt trap
The U.S. economy will remain the world's largest economy for the time being. However, the demise of former world empires was often tied to the adverse effects of vast government spending, with one adverse effect being the rise in national debt.
For example, the British Empire began to buckle under the weight of its colonial obligations in the 19th century, and expenditures for World War I pushed Britain further down the road to losing its position as the world's financial center. One of the reasons for the collapse of the Soviet system was the failure of its economy, which was strained by its war in Afghanistan and the attempt to keep up with the United States in the Cold War arms race.
It won't be any different for America when it comes to the impact of mounting deficits and increased government spending. In the five years since the United States invaded Iraq, the national debt has grown by $500 billion annually. This trend would have threatened America's position as the world's primary financial center even without the current crisis.
Currently the publicly held portion of the national debt accounts for about 37 percent of the U.S. gross domestic product (GDP). When that portion of the national debt held by U.S. governmental agencies is factored in, the percentage rises to 65 percent. That is twice as high as at the end of World War II, which was the most expensive war in U.S. history. By contrast, the current ratio of national debt to GDP for China is only about 19 percent.
If current trends continue and legislated increases in U.S. entitlement programs and deficit spending for unfunded Social Security obligations are factored in, then America's national debt will be well over twice the country's annual GDP by the year 2040. As financial expert David Walker asks, "Who will want to lend us money then?"
What does the Bible say?
Proverbs 22:7 reveals an interesting principle that this development will have on America's status as a world leader: "The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender." Most Christians do not realize that America's greatness as a nation—as well as her impending decline—were prophesied in the Bible. America's real heritage can be traced back to the ancient nation of Israel with its 12 tribes.
One of the blessings promised Israel for faithfulness to God was a solid financial standing among the community of nations: "You shall lend to many nations, but you shall not borrow. And the Lord will make you the head and not the tail; you shall be above only, and not be beneath" (Deuteronomy 28:12-13). Conversely, Israel was prophesied to become a debtor nation if it chose to disobey God (verse 44).
As noted earlier, the U.S. national debt has now surpassed $10 trillion. Only a generation ago the United States was the world's largest lender. Today it is the greatest debtor nation in the history of the world.
Bible prophecy indicates a shift in the balance of power among the world's major regions for the period preceding Jesus' return. The main focal point of that development will be the continued decline of the English-speaking peoples that descended from their British homeland, including the United States.
That is the real story behind the current financial crisis and the impact it will have on America's future. Are you paying attention? GN

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The Debt Trap: How Do I Get Free? How can you escape the debt burden? The solution isn't hard to understand, but it takes effort.
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GN Commentary: - Is Nancy Pelosi Lying?

GN Commentary: - Is Nancy Pelosi Lying? Click title for video

Telling the truth should become part of our character, it should be a reflex. We should tell the truth even when it's to our disadvantage.


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A God Concerned With Man's Heart Throughout the Bible we see that God has always been concerned with human motivations.

Video Transcript
Another politician is in the news now, accused of, brace yourselves, not telling the truth! This time it's the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
{ video clip }
Are you surprised? Probably not. Year after year, we have scandal after scandal when our political leaders are accused of, and often convicted of, not telling the truth.
President Richard Nixon resigned to avoid impeachment for lying;Former Housing Secretary: Henry Cisneros guilty of lying; Vice Presidential Chief of Staff: Lewis Libby guilty of perjury;Former President Bill Clinton: Impeached for lying;And now Nancy Pelosi is facing similar allegations.
Politicians get and keep their jobs by talking. And that can obviously be a hazardous activity.
A very old proverb explains the danger of talking too much; sooner or later we're sure to get ourselves into trouble. "The more you talk, the more likely you are to sin. If you are wise, you will keep quiet" – Proverbs 10:19 TEV.
The more we talk, the more likely we are to say something that isn't true, something harmful; something we'll later regret.
But we all have to talk; communication is an inescapable part of life. Then, is there a way to avoid causing problems to ourselves by our own words?
Not entirely; we'll all make mistakes, of course. But there is a way to avoid many such problems.
Mark Twain said "When you tell the truth you don't have to remember anything." You don't have to try to remember what little lie you told before to make sure you don't trip yourself up later. As she stammered her way though an uncomfortable press conference yesterday, Nancy Pelosi looked very much like she wished she had told the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth a few years back. If she had, she might not be facing this controversy and these uncomfortable explanations now.
The Biblical King David understood the ultimate solution to this problem. In a prayer he told God "You desire truth in the inward being" (Psalm 51:6 NRSV). Telling the truth should become part of our character, it should be a reflex. We should tell the truth even when it's to our disadvantage.
Lies always damage in the end. Sometimes the truth may cause pain too, but the truth never hurts, unless it ought to.
For GN Magazine, I'm Joel Meeker.

GN Commentary: Healthcare and Horses

GN Commentary: - Healthcare and Horses
(Click title for video)
Find your Bible and check out all the details of God's health care program and Jesus Christ's plan to make it universally available to all mankind.


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Vibrant Health: The Crucial Biblical Keys The Bible has a surprising number of things to say about your health. In recent years researchers are discovering that its health advice is sound—and far ahead of its time.
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Video Transcript
Healthcare and horses. All the private and government healthcare programs in all the nations—especially right now in America—could learn a great healthcare lesson from a Viking king who refused to eat his horse!
The United States is in the midst of a huge debate about private vs. public healthcare.
No doubt many countries marvel at the how late America is stepping into the socialistic pond of public healthcare.
Many US leaders claim that American private healthcare is the best in the world precisely because it is private enterprise based. Others claim that millions don't get healthcare unless the government provides it. And yet others counter-claim that people won't get good healthcare if the government does provide it.
But all those healthcare theories and systems miss the most important point—none of them can match God's healthcare system.
Almost 3500 years ago Moses was inspired to write down the divine program! 3500 years should have been plenty of time for people to read and copy out the details. Makes you wonder, doesn't it?
Knowledge of divine healthcare has long been around in the minds of some.
There was a Viking king of Norway, Haakon the Good, who came to power about 935 AD. He had been reared in England as a Christian and the foster son of the Saxon king.
Shortly after his ascension, his Viking followers held a pagan feast that featured a menu of horse-flesh. The history book says, "[Haakon] refused to partake of the horse-flesh, the eating of which was forbidden by the Christian religion as it had been taught to him…" (1.) Amazingly and correctly King Haakon had learned that God had not made horseflesh for human consumption!
In fact God's healthcare system features disease prevention through a prescribed diet. You might be surprised which meats are on God's "eat" and "don't eat" lists!
In fact God's healthcare system includes among its features, disease prevention through a proscribed diet, an active life, quarantine, cleanliness, sexual morality and the most vital and overlooked part epitomized by Jesus Himself—divine healing. That's one treatment that modern public or private healthcare systems can't provide!
So the next time you're tempted to eat your horse, think of the great Viking King Haakon and don't do it!
Instead, find your Bible and check out all the details of God's healthcare program and Jesus Christ's plan to make it universally available to all mankind.
For GN magazine, I'm Randy Stiver.

Reference:(1.) Northmen of Adventure, by Charles Marshall Smith, p. 156, Longmans Green & Co., 1932
http://www.gnmagazine.org/video/11032009-healthcare-horses.htm