My dear readers,

1. "World aflame"

One must not be a warmonger. I’m merely a watchman – God’s watchman of the last days. Remember what our Lord said to the disciples? They had come to Him on the Mount of Olives with the question,

"Tell us … what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?" (Matt 24:3-4).

Listen to what the Lord said in Matthew 24:6:

"And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet."

We are to watch for wars and rumours of wars.

This is our priority.

Today’s international news is overshadowed by "Sports News" – mainly by news of World Cup football. Let’s put football aside for a moment, and let us focus on the current POLITICAL WORLD SCENE, then we shall not be side-tracked from things of greater urgency. Scan today’s (13.6.14) Straits Times and you will read of "Territorial Disputes in China-Asean region," "Civil War looming in IRAQ," "Stability of Entire Middle-East under threat," and "A Shrewd Strategist More Violent than Osama" has appeared in the Middle East.

The Super Powers, China and the USA, and their allies are treading more cautiously, as it were, sparring warily and watching the situation before their next move. Reading between the lines, one cannot but see each side quietly but feverishly preparing for the inevitable – "a conflict of no winners."

2. "Today’s ‘shadow-boxers’ "

For us, we try to keep informed, to fathom out the regional "spats" and disputes, which just now are a "testing of the opponent’s strength and intentions." Whatever is in print does not always tell the whole story. But we must take everything with "a grain of salt," bearing in mind that what we now see is but "shadow boxing."

But do all with God-given wisdom, which means, always to keep God’s Word, our infallible guide, in mind. Remember, the times in which we live are "perilous times" (2 Tim 3:1) of which the Apostle Paul forewarned of some 2,000 years ago. We are now in the "perilous times!"

Japanese and Chinese warplanes in "close encounter." On page A21 of today’s papers, it is reported that the warplanes of both countries had twice been in "near miss" encounters in recent weeks.

Each side blamed the other for the "near miss" and the risk of hostilities "accidentally" breaking out, a case of "war of words" which led to something worse – the real thing.

On the surface, it appears to be a conflict between China and Japan. But looking beneath the surface we see Japan’s ally, America, watching developments with closest vigilance and interest. It is an incident like this – the "accidental happening" which may lead to open conflict.

The part of the USA (America) dominating a future conflict may clearly be seen from Daniel’s prophecy, if we read Daniel 7:7:

"After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it: and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns."

Daniel’s fourth beast has been identified by most Bible scholars as the United States of America. We shall read more of this.

God bless all readers.

Yours sincerely in the Saviour’s love,

Dr SH Tow, Sr Pastor

13 June 2014