News and Prophecy Staff

The growing civil unrest in Egypt has prompted the head of the Egyptian Army to comment that political unrest is pushing the state to “the brink of collapse.”  This stark warning comes from the institution that ran the country until last year’s first free election (Reuters, January 27, 2013).  Egyptians are rebelling over the power grab by their new, democratically elected Islamic Brotherhood President, Mohamed Mursi.

In December, the new Queen James Version (QJV) of the Holy Bible was published in the U.S. and made available for sale (Australian Women’s Weekly, December 18, 2012). Its cover shows a rainbow cross (depicting gay pride) and its purpose is to edit Bible verses that condemn homosexuality, so homophobic interpretations become impossible (ibid.).

As the United States shifts its foreign policy focus from the Middle East to Asia, Russia and China are strengthening their relationship to defend against the perceived U.S. military threat. The U.S. and Australia signed a pact stationing 2,500 U.S. Marines in Australia to boost their Pacific strength against a more aggressive China (New York Times, April 4, 2012).

This week, Prime Minister David Cameron “promised Britons a vote on quitting the European Union, rattling London’s biggest allies and some investors by raising the prospect of uncertainty and upheaval” (Reuters, January 23, 2013). Mr. Cameron promised a vote by the end of 2017, pending his reelection, stating “It is time for the British people to have their say. It is time for us to settle this question about Britain and Europe” (ibid.).

The Muslim Brotherhood holds a historical hatred for Israel. Following his election, Mohammed Morsi (a member of the Brotherhood) promised to respect a long-standing peace treaty with Israel. However, the future of this treaty is questionable after an advisor to Mr. Morsi stated in an interview that within a decade, “There will be no such thing as Israel” (Israel National News, January 2, 2013).