Subject: Prophetic Developments in the News: 5/11/98 - 5/31/98
Date:    Thu, 4 Jun 1998 00:29:42 +0000
To:      "Hebraic Heritage Newsgroup"<heb_roots_chr@geocities.com>

 

From: Eddie Chumney
To:  heb_roots_chr@geocities.com
Subject: Prophetic Developments in the News


               Digest of Prophetic Developments
                      May 11 to May 31, 1998


UN OFFICIAL WANTS STANDBY ARMY SYSTEM
Weekend News Today Source: Washington Times Sun May 17 , 1998

A U.N.  official says he hopes to establish "a standing army
system" with commitments of 100,000 standby troops from 70
countries around the world.  Choi Yong-Jin, assistant
secretary-general for peacekeeping operations, told a South
Korean news agency the standby army is "an interim measure"
because of resisteance to a U.N.  standing army from the US and
other "core countries." Mr.  Choi told Yonhap News Agency he
hoped he would "contribute to establishing a U.N standing army
over the mid and long-term to effectively cope with regional
conflicts."


NUCLEAR WEAPONS RACE

PAKISTAN CONSIDERS RESPONSE TO NUCLEAR TESTS
BBC 5/12/98

India's Prime Minister, Atal Behari Vajpayee, announced
underground nuclear tests on Monday - the first that India has
conducted since 1974.  They took place near Pakistan's border, at
a nuclear test ground in Pokhran in the northern desert state of
Rajasthan, 550 kilometres (330 miles) south-west of New Delhi.
The devices tested were a fission device, a low-yield device and
a thermonuclear device, he said.

India, Pakistan and Israel are the three nations widely suspected
of nuclear capability that have not joined the 1970 nuclear
Non-Proliferation Treaty, which is now observed by 185 countries

Pakistan has said in the past that it can make nuclear weapons
but says that it has taken a policy decision not to do so, and
will not sign the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty or the
Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty unless India does the same.

US HITS INDIA WITH SANCTIONS FOR NUCLEAR TESTS
May 13, 1998 Berlin

U.S.  President Bill Clinton Wednesday signed documents imposing
sanctions against India for conducting nuclear weapons tests this
week, White House officials said.  The sanctions are to be
imposed under a 1994 U.S.  non-proliferation law that mandates
strict penalties for countries not recognised as nuclear powers
that receive or detonate a nuclear device.

The swift imposition of punishing sanctions underscores the
seriousness with which the United States views the threat of
proliferation posed by the tests, and sets the stage for a
long-term rift between the United States and the world's second
most populous country.

The sanctions law forces [1] a cut-off of U.S.  military and
economic assistance to India, and, of potentially greater
economic consequence, [2] requires the United States to oppose
loans to the country by international lending agencies.  It also
[3] bars U.S.  bank loans to the Indian government, except for
food purchases, and restricts military exports to the country.

Officials said they would leave it to Clinton to outline any
conditions under which the sanctions would be lifted.

[From another AP article the sanctions are described this way --
]

The sanctions include an end to U.S.  assistance to India, a
prohibition on the export of certain defense and technology
material, an end to U.S.  credit and credit guarantees to India,
and U.S.  opposition to lending by international financial
institutions to India, the officials said.  While U.S.
assistance is to be halted, there is an exception for food and
humanitarian aid.   Under U.S.  law, sanctions are mandatory.

NETANYAHU FEARS IRAN AS FUTURE NUCLEAR POWER
May 17, 1998 New York

The world should be as equally concerned with nuclear
proliferation in the Middle East as it has been in recent days on
the Indian sub-continent, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin
Netanyahu said Sunday.

"I must say that since the world is so concerned right now, and I
can understand why, with the Indian sub-continent, you have to
ask yourself what will happen to the Middle East if Iran
detonates nuclear weapons, the whole face of the Middle East
would change at once,'' Netanyahu said.  "So I think that if
efforts are made, justifiably, to try to restore stability from
the Indian sub-continent and westward and eastward then I would
say that in the Persian Gulf the effort must be redoubled to
prevent Iran acquire missile and nuclear technology that could
destabilize the world.

"That is at least as an important imperative as anything else
that is done on this subject,'' added Netanyahu, whose country
has not signed the international nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty.
In the news conference and in television interviews Sunday,
Netanyahu stated that Israel would not be the first to introduce
nuclear weapons into the region.

INDIA REPORTS FIGHTING IN KASHMIR
By Binoo Joshi Associated Press Writer Tuesday, May 26, 1998
Jammu, India (AP)

Indian and Pakistani troops exchanged shell, artillery and mortar
fire Tuesday along the disputed Kashmiri border, where tension
has mounted since India's nuclear tests earlier this month.
There were no immediate reports of casualties in the fighting,
the heaviest in recent days, Indian defense sources said.  They
said India is building up its forces in Kashmir and Pakistan said
it was arming civilians along the border.

N-BLASTS PUT PAKISTAN IN ARMS RACE
By Ahmed Rashid in Islamabad - London Electronic Telegraph
5/29/98

Pakistan detonated five nuclear devices in the wastes of
Baluchistan yesterday, taking up India's challenge of an intense
nuclear arms race on the sub-continent.

The explosions, which brought immediate worldwide condemnation,
were in response to the five Indian tests only 18 days ago.
People in the streets of Pakistan shouted with joy at the news
and handed out sweets in celebration.  Hours later President
Rafiq Tarar declared a state of emergency, citing a "threat by
the external aggression to the security of Pakistan".

Pakistan has already accused India of threatening to attack its
nuclear sites.  Announcing the nuclear tests, the prime minister,
Nawaz Sharif, told the nation that India's tests had violently
tilted the balance of power in the region.  Combined with the
deployment of long-range Prithvi missiles against Pakistan, they
seriously threatened his country's security.  He said: "Pakistan
is not a cowardly nation and cannot tolerate these threats.  We
are ready to die for our self-respect."

COHEN; "THE ROAD TO ARMAGEDDON IS PAVED"
CNN (Transcribed from Headline News) -5/31/98- from BPWW News

Defense Secretary William Cohen is blasting the nuclear saber
rattling between India and Pakistan.  On CBS's 'Face the Nation'
this morning Cohen said that the two rivals need to rethink their
actions.   "This, there should be no mistake about it, is very
serious.  The road to Armageddon is paved by those who are
indulging in nationalistic chest pounding and have indicated
before with nuclear weapons.  And I think everyone should take
this very seriously.  The world should look at this very
seriously.  You have two countries who have been antagonistic
toward each other and have fought wars against each other, who
now are running up the ladder to nuclear weapons.  And I think
it's a very dangerous situation."


MARK OF THE BEAST

ISRAEL: "ELECTRONIC WALLET" TO APPEAR SOON
Weekend News Today Source: Ha'aretz Mon May 11 , 1998

A marketing trial of Israel's first "electronic wallet," a new
technique meant to reduce the use of cash, will begin in the next
few weeks.  The "wallet" enables people to make instantaneous
electronic transfers from their account.  It consists of a
magnetic card with which users can "withdraw" up to NIS 300 at
one time by passing it through a scanner installed at a place of
business.  The wallet is manufactured by Mondex, a joint venture
between Discount Investments and Paz.  The company is a
franchisee of the international Mondex company.  So far, the
Postal Authority, the Paz gas station network and the Burger
Ranch chain in Rehovot have all agreed to participate in the
experiment.  Mondex is also negotiating with another fast food
chain and several supermarket chains.  Once the businesses have
joined and the equipment has been installed, the process of
marketing the wallet to customers will begin.

EUROPEAN COMMISSION PROPOSES ELECTRONIC SIGNATURES DIRECTIVE
Weekend News Today Source: Europa (Bob W.) Sat May 16 , 1998

A proposal for a Directive establishing a legal framework for the
use of electronic signatures has been put forward on 13 May 1998
by the European Commission, on the initiative of
Telecommunications Commissioner Martin Bangemann and Single
Market Commissioner Mario Monti.  By laying down minimum rules
concerning security and liability, the proposal would ensure
electronic signatures were legally recognised throughout the EU
on the basis of the Single Market principles of free movement of
services and home country control.  The proposal would therefore
create a framework for secure on-line transactions throughout the
Single Market and so stimulate investment in electronic commerce
services with ensuing benefits for the EU in terms of growth,
competitiveness and employment.

Electronic commerce has the potential to become a key stimulus
for the world's economy into the next century.  But secure
transactions are essential if this potential is to be realised in
Europe.  Once adopted, this Directive will remove one of the main
remaining obstacles to the widespread take-up of electronic
commerce.

REPORT: EVERY RUSSIAN TO GET ID NUMBER
Drudge Report 5/28/98

Each Russian citizen, from pensioners to newly-borns, may soon
get anidentification number which will be used by social security
bodies, tax authorities and in census work, ITAR-TASS reported
early Friday morning.

The prospects of the unified identification system are being
discussed by representatives of ministries and lawmakers in
Moscow.  Many agree that such an identification system will help
restore order in financial and banking spheres, others argued
that it may lead to infringements on private life.7


PERSECUTION & ANTI-SEMITISM

ISRAEL ANTI-MISSIONARY BILL MOVING FORWARD
IINS News Service -Israel-5/21/98

The anti-missionary bill passed a preliminary reading in the
Knesset yesterday.  The bill, introduced by Shas Party MK Rafael
Pinchasi, calls for a NIS 50,000 fine and a 3-year prison term
for anyone who is found guilty of trying to convert anyone's
religion.  The bill relates to all religions.  The bill was
supported by the prime minister and the government.

Likud coalition whip MK Meir Sheetrit stated that he will bury
the bill in committee and it will never become law.  According to
Sheetrit, the bill was too similar to a previously submitted bill
by MK Modi Zandberg of Tzomet, and therefore, he would not let
the Shas bill become law.  Following yesterday's vote.  Sheetrit
stated the vote meant nothing, since the bill will remain in
committee.

PAKISTAN: CHRISTIANS THREATENED
Weekend News Today Source: Nando Times (AP) Mon May 11 , 1998

Shouting slogans against the West, thousands of Muslim extremists
atttempted to force their way past police Monday to reach a
largely Christian area of a strife-torn Pakistani city, AP
reported.  Police used tear gas to keep the rioters away from
Christian churches and homes in Faisalabad and arrested 50
people.  Crowds of Muslim demonstrators, some carrying automatic
weapons, have paralyzed the center of Faisalabad, where Roman
Catholic Bishop John Joseph was buried Sunday.  Muslim leaders
Monday called for a strike and threatened to bring down the
government if it made any concessions to the Christian community.

In the southern city of Karachi, 1,500 Christians set buildings
ablaze Sunday as they protested the blasphemy law.  Two million
of Pakistan's 140 million people are Christian.  Several
Christians have been sentenced to death under Pakistan's
blasphemy law, but the convictions were overturned by higher
courts.  Dozens of people are awaiting trial on blasphemy
charges.

INDONESIAN PERSECUTION
Religion News Today 5/29/98

Chinese Christians in Indonesia are meeting in house churches
because it is too dangerous to meet in their buildings.
"We...are now unable to hold Sunday services, so we are meeting
in house fellowships or cell churches," one Christian told DAWN
Fridayfax.  Chinese Christians have taken the brunt of anger and
frustration over the dire economic situation in the heavily
Muslim nation.  House churches allow the persecuted Christians to
pass along information more quickly, helps them protect each
other, and encourages them to pray together.  "We sense that this
is an example of what awaits us in the end times," the Christian
said.

UZBEKISTAN LAW CLOSES CHURCHES
Religion News Today 5/19/98

A new law in Uzbekistan is expected to result in the closure of
many churches.  The law forces all religious groups to register
with the government and requires that they have at least 100
members.  It repeals prior legislation that allowed house
churches to operate, Mission Network News said.


APOSTASY & ECUMENICAL MOVEMENT

Carey urged to bar US bishop from meeting
By Ruth Gledhill, Religion Correspondent - London Times 5/16/98

Leading Church of England evangelicals are calling on the
Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr George Carey, to ban an American
bishop from the Lambeth Conference this summer.  Their plea comes
after the bishop, the Right Rev John Spong of Newark, New Jersey,
called in his diocesan newsletter on the worldwide Anglican
Church to abandon most, if not all, of traditional Christian
doctrine.

In a thesis posted this week on the American Episcopal Church's
Internet site, Bishop Spong rejects "theism", or belief in God.
He says that the "Christology of the ages", or Christianity, is
bankrupt.  He dismisses the virgin birth and the New Testament
miracles, and describes the concept of Christ's death on the
Cross as sacrifice for the sins of the world as "barbarian".  He
also says it is absolutely certain that the physical resurrection
of Christ's body was impossible.

SECRET SECT OF TRANSSEXUAL PRIESTS SHAKES CHURCH
by Christopher Morgan Religious Affairs Correspondent London
Times 5/31/98

The Church of England is facing fresh controversy over the
revelation that two women priests began their ministries as men
and that the number of transsexual and transvestite clergy is
growing.  Two other priests are having sex change treatment,
church sources have admitted.  One has been forced by his bishop
to take indefinite leave, but intends to seek a fresh appointment
after his operation, as a woman priest.

Many of them meet regularly with a number of lay Anglicans as
part of a secret group called Sibyls - from the Greek word for
prophetess.  They hold private church services wearing female
clothes.  The disclosures come as George Carey, Archbishop of
Canterbury, tries to hold the church together in the face of
damaging internal divisions over homosexuality and the ordination
of women.

JUBILEE CRISIS THREATENS TO SUNDER WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES
May 15, 1998 By Patrick Quinn, Associated Press Athens, Greece
(AP)

A doctrinal rift is threatening to pull apart the World Council
of Churches, the global assembly formed 50 years ago to unite
Christianity.  Ironically, the dispute between the council's
dominant Protestant denominations and its Orthodox Christian
members involves issues that touch directly on the council's
mission of inclusion: ordination of women and acceptance of
homosexuals and other ostracized groups.

Orthodox leaders, supported by other conservative churches, are
demanding the council backtrack on such liberal reforms.  The
dispute threatens even greater divisions   including a closer
ecumenical bond between the Orthodox churches and the Roman
Catholics, the only major Christian church not a full member in
the 330-church World Council.  The divisions also reflect the
forces reshaping Christianity as its nearly 2 billion faithful
prepare to celebrate 2,000 years since the birth of Jesus.

But the Orthodox churches, whose 350 million followers account
for about 25 percent of the council's membership, believe the
group has already grown too diverse and inclusive.  They have
decided to boycott World Council-sponsored prayers and religious
celebrations and to abstain from voting.  They also threaten to
snub some discussions at the World Council's eighth assembly in
Harare, Zimbabwe, in December.

PONTIFICAL COUNCIL TO SIGN AGREEMENT WITH AL-AZHAR
Vatican City, May 22, 1998 (VIS)

A communique released this afternoon announced that "on May 28,
in the offices of the Pontifical Council for Inter- religious
Dialogue, an agreement is to be signed between the Pontifical
Council and the Permanent Committee of Al-Azhar al-Sharif, Cairo,
for Dialogue among Monotheistic Religions.  The agreement will be
to set up a joint committee for dialogue and cooperation between
the two institutions." [http://www.alazhar.org/english/index.htm
is Al-Azhar al-Sharif web site]

And from Egypt, the other side of the report --

AZHAR-VATICAN TO SET UP DIALOGUE COMMITTEE.
Egyptian Gazette May 22, 1998 ROME

Preparations are under way to sign the first agreement between
Al-Azhar and the Vatican to establish a joint committee for
dialogue between the two sides, said Egyptian Ambassador to the
Vatican Hassan al-Sadr.  Speaking to reporters in the Italian
capital yesterday, the ambassador said the accord - the first of
it's kind - is meant to bolster principles of peace, justice and
coordinate the two prestigious religious institutions' stances
vis-a-vis issues of common interest.

POPE RECEIVES DELEGATIONS FOR CHRISTIAN-ISLAMIC DIALOGUE
Vatican City, May 29, 1998 (VIS)

Pope John Paul today received delegations from the Pontifical
Council for Inter-religious Dialogue and the Permanent Committee
of Al-Azhar for Dialogue between the Monotheistic Religions, both
of whom yesterday signed an agreement for the creation of a Joint
Committee for Dialogue.

Addressing them in English, the Pope told the delegations that
this committee "is a further step in the building of ever
stronger and more friendly relations between Christians and
Muslims.

"Today, dialogue between our two religions is more necessary than
ever.  This dialogue needs to be credible and marked by mutual
respect, knowledge and acceptance.  The long history shared by
Christians and Muslims has had its lights and shadows.  Yet there
remains a spiritual bond which unites us and which we must strive
to recognize and develop.  This may require much effort, but it
will prove essential for building that peace which we hope future
generations will be able to enjoy."

The Holy Father expressed his confidence that, as the members of
the new committee "give the best of themselves in sincerity and
truth the goals agreed upon will be attained."


MILLENIUM PREPARATIONS

POPE JOHN PAUL INVITING WORLD OVER FOR CHRISTIANITY'S 3RD
MILLENNIUM May 26, 1998 By Candice Hughes, Associated Press
Vatican City (AP)

Barring a possible trip to the Holy Land, the globe-trotting Pope
John Paul II will stick close to home in 2000, blessing pilgrims
flocking to Rome to mark Christianity's third millennium.  The
Vatican released a packed schedule of events Tuesday for the
Roman Catholic Church's jubilee year, which begins Dec.  24,
1999, when John Paul opens the doors of St.  Peter's Basilica.
It ends on Epiphany, Jan.  6, 2001.

John Paul has long yearned to visit the Holy Land, but the
complexity and political implications of a journey to the
volatile region have kept him away so far.  At Tuesday's news
conference, Vatican officials reported no breakthroughs.  Unless
something changes, they said, the pontiff will remain in Rome,
blessing pilgrims in St.  Peter's Square virtually every day.

IT IS COMING .  .  .  PRELUDE TO THE MILLENNIUM DESTINED TO BE
THE LARGEST CIRCLE IN THE HISTORY OF MANKIND - [Internet
Advertisement]
http://www.WhisperedPrayers.com/Millenium/PTM1.html

As the turn of the century nears, we ask that all Earth
Spiritualists and free-thinking individuals join us in an event
so large that mere words fail to describe its importance.

On Dec.  30th, 1999 we will all gather and enjoy multiple free
concerts, free workshops, rituals, and more.  The gathering will
climax at the turn of the century with the joining of all present
in a circle on sacred ground blessed by Tibetan Monks.  From this
circle we will heal the Earth, project a positive future of
caring between all of the Earth's inhibitants, connect with
nature, heal ourselves, and ask for reversal of past wrongs.
(plus your personal wishes)

This event has been created by and caters to Earth Spiritualists
(Pagan, Wiccan, Shaman, Celtic, tibetian ...  ) and Free -
Thinkers.  We ask EVERYONE who has an interest in creating a
possitive future to please attend.

Our goal ? One million voices chanting in the night !!!! Help
spread the word !! This is one of the most important Pagan events
in the history of humankind.  YOU WILL NOT WANT TO MISS IT !

PREPARATIONS FOR THE END

SWISS GOVERNMENT CONCLUDES RESTORATION OF PETRA ENTRANCE
May 17, 1998 Amman, Jordan (AP)

Swiss experts have finished restoring a narrow ravine leading to
the stone-carved city of Petra, allowing easier passage for
visitors to the ancient Nabataean site.

Ernst Eiqhelberger, the deputy head of mission at the Swiss
Embassy, said Sunday his country contributed nearly $662,000 to
remove rocks and sand from Petra's entrance, known as the "siq,''
Arabic for chasm.  Some visitors to Jordan's most famous site
have been trapped or killed in the siq in recent years when Petra
was flooded in winter by torrential rain or snow.

The 4,000-foot-long siq is a narrow gorge that was formed as a
result of a prehistoric earthquake.  Its width varies from six to
55 feet.  The Nabataeans used it as the only entrance to the city
they inhabited 2,000 years ago.

Jordan and Switzerland signed a 1993 agreement to preserve
tourist areas in Petra, which was rediscovered by a Swiss scholar
in 1812.

**********************************************************************
1