On the brink

The whole world is watching with concern as Sino-American tensions ramp up to dangerous high levels. Beyond mutual trade reprisals, the matter of Taiwan, and new US bases in the Philippines are among the bones of contention. It would not take much to tip the simmering hostilities over into a full-blown war between the two superpowers. There are many ways in which both the conflict in Ukraine and with China could escalate into global, as this prophecy from Norway in 1968 makes clear. http://www.inthebeginning.com/articles/norway1968.htm As Paul put it in 2 Thessalonians 2:6-8), ‘You know what is holding [the man of lawlessness] back, for he can be revealed only when his time comes. For this lawlessness is already at work secretly, and it will remain secret until the one who is holding it back steps out of the way. Then the man of lawlessness will be revealed, but the Lord Jesus will slay him with the breath of his mouth and destroy him by the splendour of His coming. (NLT) Or as John foresaw, ‘Then another horse came out, a fiery red one. Its rider was given power to take peace from the earth and to make people kill each other. To him was given a large sword.’ (Rev. 6:4) It is really important to pray for what is happening in China, the Philippines and in Taiwan. The tension extends beyond trade wars to embrace Taiwan, the new US bases in the Philippines and in the Far East, the serious matter of the balloons over America that are capable of releasing deadly nuclear weapons, and even into space. Pray for the Lord’s mercy and restraint what is happening in China, the Philippines and in Taiwan, and for God’s grand scheme of preparing the way for His glorious return to continue apace. May many in those countries who love and serve Jesus faithfully rise up in love, embracing their role as priests in God’s righteous Kingdom. D’ror Yikra, the powerful music that accompanies this piece, is named from a song by a Jewish poet who lived in 10th century Spain. The words are ‘a plea to God to protect Israel and bring about its peace and redemption.’ Geth Griffith made the arrangement for us, which is played for us here by Geth Griffith, David Booth, Teresa Brasier, Keith and Linda Entwistle, Anna Fraser, Nicola Gerrard, Mike Halliday, Fontane Liang and Anthony Thompson.