News and Prophecy Staff

In the last 15 years, scientists have uncovered evidence of a “sleeping” giant subduction zone (The Cascadia) 60 miles off the West Coast.  The 800-mile-long fault runs from northern California to Vancouver and closely resembles giant faults off the coasts of Chile (9.5 quake in 1960), Sumatra (9.3 quake in 2004), Alaska (9.2 quake in 1964) and Tohoku, Japan (9.0 in 2011, causing the devastating tsunami).

The nation of Israel has long benefited from its geographical location.  A recent Stratfor report summarized the risks to Israel, based on its geography and its past.  Throughout its history, Israel has been able to defend itself against its neighbors, and even a combined attack by more than one neighbor was relatively easy to repel because of its unique geography.  What history reveals is that only external powers with clear military and financial advantage have been able to overthrow Israel (e.g., Assyria, Babylon, Britain, and Rome).

A special assembly of the German parliament just elected a new president to replace Christian Wulff, who recently resigned amid scandal.  The 72-year-old Joachim Gauck, a former Lutheran pastor, commented on the news of his appointment, “What a glorious Sunday!”  Angela Merkel is the daughter of a Lutheran pastor. Both also hail from the former East Germany.  Mr. Gauck has four children and is divorced.  His partner (not his wife), will take on the responsibilities of “first lady” (BBC.com, March 18, 2012).

A Spanish newspaper reported, “Gathered around Germany, ten nations have formed the ‘Berlin Club’ to revive the European project” (presseurop.eu, March 21, 2012).

Thousands of years ago, God commanded His people to “afflict your soul” or “fast,” at least annually on the Day of Atonement (known as Yom Kippur by Jews—Leviticus 23:27).  Both Jesus Christ and the Apostle Paul understood the spiritual reasons for fasting (Mark 9:29; Acts 27:9).  Although God intended fasting (going without food and water) to be a spiritual tool to draw closer to Him, He—the Designer of the human body—knew there would also be significant health benefits.