VISION 7000 - Global Information
Biblical prophecy has the final say
Predicted events become reality
God’s way to us is our way to God
By Missionary Ewald Frank
Dear Ladies and Gentlemen,
You need just a few minutes of your precious time to read this brief exposition. We certainly live in a very special and meaningful age. Every day we receive news about extraordinary events. What was reported from a century in times past, is something we are now faced with in the daily news. Natural catastrophes, famines, wars, tribal and “ethnic cleansing” and slaughtering, religiously motivated terrorism and criminal offences of every kind are being reported from all over the world. In the same country at the west coast there are hundreds of square miles of forest fires, while at the same time at the east coast flood waves leave tremendous damages behind. Nothing seems to be as it was before. Everyone makes that statement since the attacks on the World Trade Center in New York and the Pentagon in Washington on September 11th, 2001. For all the political, economic and social problems we do not see any concrete solutions, whether on the national or the international level.
In this pamphlet we wish to touch briefly on what is taking place from the biblical point of view, as found in the »word of prophecy«. We are quickly coming to the end of the time of grace. About 6,000 years have passed since the first human beings saw the light of this world. Roughly estimated, there were 2,000 years from Adam to Abraham, and again from Abraham to Christ 2,000 years, and since the birth of Christ we have completed another 2,000–year period. Rightfully the question is now being asked, whether the change of not only a century but a millennium will bring about something extraordinary in the history of mankind.
The speculations about this have been increasing since the turn of the millennium. Experts openly admit that the prospects are gloomy, especially in regards to the Middle East. Well, there are even those who speak freely, as one of the U.S.-congressmen did, who said, “Perhaps we are the first generation that realises that we could be the last one of this present civilization.” There is much talk about »eschatology« and also about the »apocalyptic inferno« which is being expected to come upon the earth soon. Apparently the whole world suddenly awakened and is now worrying about what the immediate future might bring. Are we to ask those who foretell the future about such important subjects? Should we go back to the statements of Nostradamus or other self-appointed prophets for counsel and try to explain their predictions? Should we consult fortune tellers or astrologers? Or can we find true and reliable answers for all these questions in the Holy Scriptures? Yes, we certainly can, because it is written, “… We have also a more sure word of prophecy, unto which ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light, that shineth in a dark place …” (2 Pet. 1:19).
A timely information from the Holy Scriptures is very essential and should be welcomed and appreciated by all who honestly desire to know what is going to take place. God, who is omniscient, could at the very beginning of time write history right up to the end. Human beings are able to write history only after the events have taken place, God however could record the entire history and the »plan of salvation« to be accomplished beforehand, right to the moment when time passes into eternity and the new heavens and the new earth will be. The events and their sequence are clearly set forth in the Holy Scriptures. They are irreversible and will take place.
In »Vision 7000« the main objective is to draw our attention to what will definitely come to pass in the near future and also to show the way of escape, before the terrible judgements will set in, “For like a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth …” (Lk. 21:34-46). In reference to the current developments we can actually find a clear direction in the Holy Scriptures. Thereby we can recognise the foretold »signs of the time«. “So likeweise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.” (Mt. 24:33). Even though for 2,000 years no world-moving event sent directly from heaven seems to have taken place and people find it hard to believe that God should interfere in the history — it certainly will happen, because it is predicted in God’s Word.
The extraordinary events and developments in recent years throughout the whole world, especially in Europe since the peaceful change in October/November 1989, are also connected with Bible prophecy. Before our very eyes the »United Europe« is taking on shape, as set forth in the »Roman Treaty« in the year 1957. Historical enemies have become friends. The East and West, who were opposed to each other during the cold war, are now on good terms. The dividing line through Germany as well as through the European continent is no longer in existence. We see the »All-European House«, in which there is room for all, rising as the »United Europe«. Since January 1st, 2002, over 300 million people can pay with the same currency, the Euro, in twelve different countries. This completes the most important phase of an all-European unification. The »Roman Empire«, the last of the four world kingdoms the prophet Daniel saw in chapters 2 and 7, as described in the Old Testament, is rising again before our very eyes. It is the »power« spoken of in Revelation which comes out of the »European sea of peoples«, and the whole earth is wondering about it. The “United Europe” will become the highest world power, because of the three-fold merging of economic, political and religious might. We are not only dealing with the political and economic strength of this world-power, but mainly with the »religious rider« of this »power« who has the reins in his hands and dictates the agenda. This »spiritual authority«, represented by the Papacy, has to be acknowledged by all religious and political leaders.
Just as the whole world witnessed the fall of one of the two super-powers in 1989/90, so will the second super-power USA, which has been the driving force in the war against terrorism since September 11th, 2001, continue to lose its world-wide influence. The only remaining world-power, the »United Europe« will set the guidelines for the world trade and the globalisation. We can see the handwriting on the wall. The last, the “Roman Empire”, already in existence since the year 30 B.C., according to biblical prophecy has to take over the reign of this world once more at the end of time, for thus it is written: “… the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces.” (Dan. 7:23).
The current developments, even the peace process presently taking place, were predicted in the prophecies of the Old and the New Testament. The Apostle Paul saw the present situation on all the levels in a preview and wrote down almost 2,000 years ago what we are now witnessing with our own eyes, “For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety, then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child, and they shall not escape” (1 Th. 5:2-3). The key word is “peace”, in connection with “safety”. Just as he had done on October 27th, 1986, the Pope extended an invitation to representatives of the twelve most important world religions to join him on January 24th, 2002, for a peace conference in Assisi, Italy. The concession that religion had been responsible for wars in the past led to the declaration that all religions now vowed to fight against war and terrorism and for peace and justice on earth.
Since Mikhail Gorbatchev came to power in 1985, the “Cold War” ended and one peace conference after another was arranged. In fact, the »summit meetings« made history and led to »détente« between East and West and made the unification of Germany possible and also the independence of all the countries which were under Soviet rule. Political leaders are most concerned with this predicted »peace and safety«. These same terminologies are now being used very frequently in connection with the developments in the Middle East. Israel is more and more becoming the focal point of world politics. Especially Jerusalem will be the »burdensome stone« for all the surrounding nations, as the Prophet Zechariah predicted (chapter 12).
When the news reports concerning bin Laden, Mullah Omar, Tora Bora, Afghanistan, and al Khaida have faded, the solution for the “main problem” will be the task at hand. As predicted in the prophetic Scriptures, there will be a peace proclaimed. Unfortunately, even when the small country of Israel sacrifices “land for peace”, although the Arabic states are 640 times larger, after many compromises and much haggling by politicians, it will only be the illusion of peace, with the blessings from the highest religious authority. As it is written, that will be the time when the sudden destruction will befall humanity. The time has drawn very near, that is why we need guidance from above.