News and Prophecy Staff

“Nigeria’s President Goodluck Jonathan signed a bill on Monday that criminalises same-sex relationships... The bill, which contains penalties of up to 14 years in prison and bans gay marriage, same-sex ‘amorous relationships’ and membership of gay rights groups, was passed by the national assembly last May but Jonathan had delayed signing it into law” (The Guardian, January 13, 2014).  This action drew harsh criticism from the U.S.

Voters in the May 2014 Europe-wide elections could set the European Union on a course to reach its prophesied destiny. Currently, “anti-EU parties are leading the polls in France, the Netherlands and Greece” and many now assume that Britain will leave the Union (Telegraph, January 8, 2014).

Satan worshipers want to erect a statue of their own beside a Ten Commandments monument outside the Oklahoma State House (Associated Press, January 6, 2014). They claim, “The statue will also have a functional purpose as a chair where people of all ages may sit on the lap of Satan for inspiration and contemplation” (ibid.). While many doubt that such a monument will be approved, an ACLU lawsuit could complicate the matter (ibid.).

The world’s oceans are becoming more acidic at an “unprecedented rate” as they absorb more human-produced carbon dioxide emissions (cnn.com, November 14, 2013).  Acidification is faster in colder waters, and it is especially damaging to shell-forming marine animals like oysters, shrimp, lobsters and plankton—and this threatens the economic livelihood of societies that depend on these marine creatures (ibid.).

Ecumenical activities are increasing between Anglicans and the Vatican.  “Pope Francis is being credited with the new ‘ecumenical spring’ after the chill brought on by the ordination of women and moves towards women bishops in the Church of England and wider Anglican Communion” (The Times, January 4, 2014). The Pope and the Archbishop of Canterbury seem to have “a meeting of souls as much as a meeting of minds” (ibid.).