A Turning Point

The dramatic gains of the Communists in the recent regional and municipal elections in Italy has been overshadowed in the secular press by other important world events. Nevertheless it is an ominous portent of things to come. It signals a turning point in the influence of the Roman Catholic Church in Italian politics. Even in Rome the swing to the Communists was unmistakable. There is to be a General Election in Italy in six months time and if, as anticipated, the swing to the Communists is repeated the country is likely to have a coalition government in which the Communist Party will play a leading part.

The time is fast approaching when Papal Rome will need to come to terms with Communist ideology. When that occurs the great religious-political-commercial federation of the end time may well be seen to be taking shape. Then the way will be open for the Man of Sin to emerge in accordance with the prophetic word.

Is it Peace?

We referred last month to the major concessions being demanded of

Israel in her dispute with Egypt over the occupied territories in the Sinai

desert. The scale of these concessions has now been spelled out by the

U.S.A. Secretary of State, Dr Henry Kissinger. They have been examined by the Israeli cabinet and at the time of writing (July 10) Israeli Prime Minister Y. Rabin is in West Germany where he expects to have further discussions with Dr Kissinger. It is generally agreed that these talks will be crucial. The aim is to reach a speedy interim agreement.

The Israeli cabinet is divided on the proposals and opinion polls in

Israel show an 80 per cent majority in favour of standing fast even if it means going against the U.S.A. There is disenchantment with Dr Kissinger for his hardening attitude and he has been dubbed "the best-hated Jew in Israel". But Prime Minister Rabin takes the view that Israel has no other choice than to go along with these proposals if she wishes to retain the backing of the U.S.A. At a future Geneva Peace Conference she would be isolated and friendless without U.S.A. support.

However the present stalemate is resolved the purposes of God will be served by it.

Your Adversary the Devil

I have recently been re-reading Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners by John Bunyan. It brought to my mind my first acquaintance with this spiritual classic on conflict with the Devil. As a young Christian, fifty or so years ago, when plagued with doubts and fears of various kinds, a discerning friend, Joe Bennison of Stoke, suggested that I read John Bunyan's graphic account of his own struggles in the field of spiritual conflict. I did so. And I have ever been grateful for that early discovery that far from being unique to myself such experiences are the common lot of those who seek after the Lord.

Bunyan had not only the gift of spiritual discernment but also the facility to express his inward thoughts with an openness and candour which is rare in these superficial days. He was a plain man, this tinker of Bedford. He set down in plain speech for the help of those to whom he ministered what he described as, "A brief relation of the exceeding mercy of God in Christ, to His poor servant John Bunyan".

Bunyan wrote this account nearly four hundred years ago in the style of the great Puritan writers. But it rings true today. Those who know from experience the subtlety of satanic pressure on the human spirit will discern the accuracy of Bunyan's analysis of the Devil's strategy in this field.

The Christians to whom Grace Abounding was first addressed would no doubt find particular pathos in these words in his preface:

"I have sent you here enclosed, a drop of that honey, that I have taken out of the carcase of a lion (Judg. 14:5-9). I have eaten myself thereof also, and am much refreshed thereby. The Philistines understand me not. It is something of a relation of the work of God upon my own soul, even from the very first, till now; wherein you may perceive my castings down, and raisings up; for He woundeth, and His hands make whole."

There is honey here for those who seek it.

unknown | Aug 1975
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