The Collapse of Communism in Russia
The collapse of Communism in Russia and the virtual break-up of the Soviet Republic has followed swiftly on the failed coup in Russia when an attempt was made to re-establish a hardline communistic regime. As with the collapse of the Soviet Empire in Eastern Europe it is clear that events are out of the hands of men. The Lord is fulfilling His purposes in connection with the nations of the world. None can stay His hand or say to Him, What doest Thou? He is ruling in the army of heaven and among the inhabitants of the world. What the outcome of these events will be has still to be seen, but it is gratifying to see the collapse of a system based on atheistic belief. It will need more than this, however, to establish true Christianity in the lands which have been set free. The antichristian Romanist system is doing its best to fill the vacuum created by the fall of communism, but this is only to replace one evil by another evil, and one delusion by another. What the countries of Europe and of the Soviet Empire need is the gospel of God’s grace. This only can bring true liberty from the bondage of repressive regimes. May such a day be speedily hastened.
Serbs and Croations
The European Community has been trying to establish a peace accord between the warring parties in Yugoslavia. It would appear that Croatia has strong support from neighbouring Roman Catholic nations. This will not give much confidence to the Serbs after all they have suffered in the past through Romanist atrocities and persecution. The sad matter for the Serbs is that they belong to an Orthodox Church which is anything but orthodox. Croation and Serb alike need the gospel, in order that they may be delivered from false systems of religion. When the Lord pours out His Spirit upon the nations, only then will the nations learn war no more and beat their swords into ploughshares and their spears into pruning hooks.
Charismatics and the Romish Church
The Archbishop of Canterbury recently gave his blessing to charismatics and now Cardinal Hume also gives his full backing to them. Indeed it is said that charismatic renewal has the backing of most church leaders today. Recently 3000 Roman Catholic charismatics gathered at Walsingham, Norfolk, where the mass of the transfiguration was celebrated. The delusion of the Charismatic movement is clearly seen in that it unites persons of the most divergent belief, let it be Protestant, Orthodox or Romanist. The tongues and healing movement has become a potent weapon in Satan’s hand to deceive poor sinners for eternity. Those who have come to value the doctrines of the truth reject such delusions and declare: “We have not so learned Christ.”
Euthanasia
An all-Party Parliamentary Group has been established by the Voluntary Euthanasia Society in order to promote a Bill in Parliament for the legalising of euthanasia. It is alleged by some that passive euthanasia has already been generally accepted by the medical profession by withholding treatment. The Voluntary Euthanasia Society would support a Bill allowing terminally ill patients in agony the choice of death. Much is being spoken and written about euthanasia at the present time which presents euthanasia as an act of compassion. Nowhere is reference made to the divine command: Thou shalt not kill, which includes a prohibition to the taking of one’s own life. How clear it is that man left to himself becomes worse than the beast. It is good to know that doctors generally will not succumb to this evil practice.