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Chapter 1:
THIS YEAR’S MILESTONES
This 42nd edition of Milestones is written at a crucial time for Britain, as “negotiations” have resulted in an alarming deal, which looks set to tie Britain to the EU with no way out, unless agreed by the EU! We know from God’s Word that Britain has a latter-day role to play outside the EU. For Bible watchers, the progress since the referendum in 2016 as to whether Britain should leave the EU or remain has been tortuous. It has been a great test of faith. At the year-end preparations are at last being made for a “hard” Brexit which would break Britain away from the EU at the end of March 2019.
Milestones 2017 was based upon a series of six talks on Latter-day Bible prophecies and enabled the laying of a fairly wide-ranging basis for our historical understanding of the events leading to the setting up of God’s Kingdom. There will therefore, be many references back to that issue for deeper scriptural analysis.
| The structure of this year’s Milestones
Chapter 2 is a look at the events of 35 years ago as recorded in Milestones 1983. Why 35 years? This looking-back started in Milestones 2012 and went back to the first issue, 35 years previously. Chapter 3 looks at prophecies concerning the Kingdom of Men vs. the Kingdom of God. Chapters 4 and 5 look at Israel and the situation in the Middle East. Chapter 6 looks at Russia’s expanding footprint. Chapter 7 Looks at prophecies concerning what we should be looking for as the Feet of Nebuchadnezzar’s Image form. Chapter 8 looks at the growing divide between the US and Europe. Chapters 9 and 10 look at the growth of the two feet. Chapter 11 looks at matters religious. Chapters 12 and 13 look at Britain’s Brexit and her future role in the ME. Chapter 14 is an exhortation for the ecclesias in these last days, facing the undermining of our historical understanding of Biblical Inspiration. |
The angels are busy behind the scenes working under Christ’s direction to lead the nations to their pre-appointed positions on the world’s stage. We can but marvel at the greatness of our God, who has all things under His ultimate control. Things will work out exactly as the prophets have indicated. May Milestones be a faith-boosting help.
MILESTONES TO THE KINGDOM
A Review of the World Events of 2018 in the light of Bible Prophecy
Don Pearce
Preface
It is always exciting in the early part of January, to hear that the manuscript for “Milestones” has again faithfully arrived.
And what a wonderful summary it is of the main events of year 2018, as they bear upon our expectations from the words of the prophets who spoke and wrote so long ago. We are such a blessed people to “know the joyful sound”. Our generation is full of “hearts failing them for fear” but we are able to “lift up our heads for our redemption draws nigh”. The signs are all there and growing year by year, day by day so that we know our Lord will soon be on earth again. The nations crave for solutions to huge problems that are spreading and deepening. Areas of the world that were rarely heard of, are now breaking into the news and showering their troubles or demands throughout their region and beyond. Russia and China are bursting with expansionist desires. There is hardly a week when there is not new evidence of China’s growing influence in the islets of the South China Sea or north on the small islands near Japan, building harbours and bases in the Philippines and other Pacific islands, even purchasing ports in Australia.
Russia’s interests are more focused! Review the map on p38, where all of Russia’s more recent navy and air bases are indicated. From the Baltic Sea to the Black Sea and the Mediterranean, in Syria, Cyprus, Libya, Sudan, Eritrea, the tentacles of Russia’s interest are showing up in exactly those regions which the prophets of Israel designated she would descend upon in the latter days (Ezek 38:15-18). She’s got a friend, Iran, who is the arch enemy of Israel, and she’s developing a blue-water navy to patrol the Persian Gulf and the coasts of Arabia and into the Red Sea. Even in the inland Black Sea and Caspian Sea, Russia is organising navy exercises with Iran and selling sophisticated missiles to this wildly anti-Israel nation.
These are big patterns of change that spur other secondary nations to do the same. So Poland and other EU members are speaking of great new navy vessels. For 50 years the United States had acted as a world policeman, sailing great navies that have been the unspoken guardian of many nations, as Britain did before her. Many countries have been thankful for this security, but the anxiety now is that we have powerful fleets that would not hesitate to steal the lands they “guard”. Pages 40-43 of this ‘Milestones’ analyses the continuing expansion of Russia into the land of Ukraine and the waters of the Black Sea. “Many ships” the prophet Daniel mentioned and their facilities are being built before our eyes.
Borders don’t prevent Russia: she’s proved that several times in the last ten years. Putin is driven with the vision of a greater Russia, greater even than Peter the Great imagined, the most revered of all their Czars. Mr Putin already has more than twice the land area of any other country; but he’s not wanting the dark unknown expanse of the pine trees of Siberia, he seeks the warm and famous country of the Promised Land, “the glory of all lands” (Ezek 20:15) and where the king of the north, will “establish his palatial residence” in “the glorious holy mountain” (Dan 11:45), just as it has been written of him. There is no other city that is so revered, even today! Russians have been craving for this place for centuries. In the early years of the 19th century the Russians built a huge monastery on the Mount of Olives with a five-storey tower that is still the highest point in Jerusalem. The Russian Church built grand churches at the base of the mount and also in the immediate north of the city the Russian Orthodox church has built some prestigious ecclesiastical buildings. Armenia is a small neighbour on the south of Russia and they hold the title deeds of the Christian quarter of Jerusalem, an entitlement that goes back hundreds of years. When the Crusaders evicted the Muslims from Jerusalem, they founded the “Kingdom of Jerusalem” and King Baldwin as its head. This strange chapter in Jerusalem’s history only lasted for 89 years, when it was retaken by the Muslims, but the cost and loss of lives shows the fanaticism that the Roman Catholic and Orthodox followers put into the possession of Jerusalem.
Surely Putin, so often in league with his Russian Orthodox Patriarchs, is well aware of all this. We wonder if he has been told of the prophet’s last comment, “he shall come to his end, and none shall help him” (Dan. 11:45).
The planned exit of Britain from the European Union must bring great pleasure to the Russian leader. Only Britain could really foil Russia’s designs upon Europe. And if, as being hastily planned, the EU focuses upon the development of its own independent army, where then is NATO? That makes Europe an easy prey for Russia. The EU would be on their knees asking for Russian oil and gas to fuel their economies.
These last chapters in Milestones are exceedingly interesting. Europe has played her cards very strategically and forced the United Kingdom into a divorce from Northern Ireland. That reality makes Brexit very “hard” indeed for the UK. Catholic Europe is dealing out a tough lesson to wavering Britain and a warning to all the other twenty-seven members of the EU.
Perhaps that is exactly what the Creator has in mind. Britain signed up in 1972 to the EU at the risk of her Protestant background and despite her Commonwealth family. This present pain has caused sore embarrassment; yet it may give her stronger resolve in departing from the EU.
It is quite priceless to read the poignant comments of Queen Elizabeth; there seems to be no doubt where she stands!!
Another phase is coming and appears to be exactly in accord with the Father’s early word of prophecy.
We are a blessed people.
Brian Luke, Secretary
January 2019
CONTENTS
PREFACE 3
Ch. 1: THIS YEAR’S MILESTONES……………………………………………. 9
Ch. 2: FROM EARLY MILESTONES—1983…………………………………. 10
Milestones 1983 Chapters 1 and 2 10
Milestones 1983 Ch 3: Russia and the Vatican: Poland the crucible. 10
Milestones 1983 Ch 4: America and the Soviet 11
Milestones 1983 Ch 5: The Near East and the Middle East 12
Milestones 1983 Ch 6: An unhappy year for Israel 12
Milestones 1983 Ch 7: Is Britain moving back to traditional values? 12
Ch 3: THE KINGDOM OF MEN vs. THE KINGDOM OF GOD…………..13
Nimrod’s Kingdom of Babel 13
Four kings vs. five kings 14
The Dragon of Egypt 15
Babylon the Great 17
The Little Horn of Daniel 7 18
The Little Horn of the Goat, Daniel 8 19
Trodden under foot for 2,300 days 20
The sanctuary shall be justified 21
Daniel 11: The King of the North and the King of the South. 22
Ch 4: ISRAEL’S FRIENDS AND FOES………………………………………..23
United Nations Human Rights Council 23
Israel-Arab ties warm up after long deep freeze 26
The Guardian of the Gulf 28
They be replenished from the East 28
Israel, Hamas Approaching Point of no Return on Path to War 30
UN rejects US resolution condemning Hamas 31
Israel strikes into Syria again and again 31
‘Operation Northern Shield’ 33
Ch 5: AMAZING ISRAEL………………………………………………………. 34
Israel’s energy resources 34
Israel, Cyprus, Greece & Italy Agree On $7b. Gas Pipeline to Europe 34
Israel 8th Strongest Nation 35
Arrow, David’s Sling, Iron Dome, Iron Beam 36
Netanyahu calls a General Election 37
Ch 6: RUSSIA’S EXPANSIONARY FOOTSTEPS…………………………38
Kaliningrad and Belarus 38
Belarus 39
Ukraine 39
Crimea 40
Turkey 42
Syria 43
Georgia and Armenia 44
Egypt 44
Libya 45
Red Sea 45
Ch 7: NEB’S IMAGE STIRRING INTO ITS FINAL PHASE…………..46
The Feet stage of the Image 46
The iron 47
The clay and the frog-like spirits 48
70th Anniversary of the Declaration of Human Rights 50
The Russian Dragon champions Human Rights 51
The EU Beast champions Human Rights 52
The False Prophet champions Human Rights 52
Anti-Semitism on the rise 53
Ch 8: THE GROWING DIVIDE: US vs. EU AND RUSSIA…………..55
Angela Merkel: EU cannot completely rely on US and Britain any more 55
The growing rift 56
Relations between the US and EU have gone from bad to worse 57
Here’s How Europe Plans to Challenge the Dollar’s Dominance 58
EU Looking to Sidestep U.S. Sanctions with Payments System Plan 58
US-Russia rift 58
Ch 9: RUSSIA—THE FORMING OF THE EASTERN FOOT………..60
The Russian Foot 60
Putin often points to “Christianisation” as the roots of the country 60
Russia’s New Military Cathedral will Train War Priests 61
Ch 10: EUROPE—FORMING THE WESTERN FOOT………………..62
Preparations for the European Foot 62
Further steps towards its own army 62
Why they need a European Defence Fund 63
Juncker’s last State of the Union speech 63
Macron wants ‘Euro army’ to combat China, Russia and US 66
Merkel and Macron make eurozone budget breakthrough 67
Angela Merkel: ‘In This Day, States Must Be Ready to Give Up Sovereignty’ 68
A crown awaiting a Head 68
Merkel’s difficult year 71
No-deal Brexit risks rude economic shock for Germany and fragile eurozone 72
The rest of Europe weak 72
Things don’t change 72
Ch 11: TURMOIL IN BABYLON THE GREAT…………………………..73
The Catholic Church’s Biggest Crisis Since the Reformation 73
Francis travels the world 74
Breaking away of Ukraine Church creates huge split 74
Pope Francis decrees new celebration dedicated to the Virgin Mary 76
Germany’s Catholic Church counts its many financial blessings 76
President Macron’s warm meeting with the Pope 77
Russian Church ready to begin dialogue on return of monarchy 78
Ch 12: BREXIT—BRITAIN’S PAINFUL DIVORCE…………………….79
Britain’s future role 79
Britain in the Roman Empire 82
Britain re-joins the Roman World 82
Making sense of a confusing year 83
How important is the two-way trade? 83
‘Ireland the price to pay for Brexit’ claims former minister 84
Mrs May’s Agreement with the EU 85
This muddy soupy kind of drama 87
Which way forward? 87
Brexit worse danger for the EU 88
Ch 13: PREPARING FOR A POST-BREXIT BRITAIN…………………90
The EU’s no-deal preparations make it clear: they want to make Britain suffer 90
The Commonwealth and Queen Elizabeth’s Speech 92
12 big wins from leaving in March on WTO terms 92
Britain’s diplomatic influence 93
New relations with Israel 94
Britain and the Middle East 94
Britain and Saudi Arabia 95
Britain and Oman 96
Her young lions in the Middle East 97
Ch 14: EXHORT: ARE WE LISTENING TO THE VOICE OF GOD?.99
The voice of God 99
Examples 100
Take heed 100
Keep up-to-date!…………………………………………………………………………. inside back cover
The Bible Magazine • Milestones Snippets • Milestones Website • Prophecy
Days • MP3, Kindle and iPad versions of Milestones 2018 • Voice of God talk
Abbreviations used
EU European Union. Was the Common Market, EEC, then EC, now EU.
m = million; bn = billion; GDP = Gross Domestic Product;
$1= £0.79; €0.88; AS$1.43; CA$1.36; NZ$1.50 at 02-Jan-19 rates.
$1 million = £791,000, $l billion = £791,000,000 approx. $ always US$.
Author’s important notes
I would like to especially thank my family and Bre. Alan Clarke, Stephen Whitehouse and Kevin Allison and the CSSS for their helpful comments on the draft and Bro Matt Davies for writing the closing exhortation. It is all put together in last few weeks at the end of the year, so please bear with its imperfections! Milestones quotes extensively from overseas sources, and as I retain original spellings, etc., check whether it is a quote before blaming my excellent proof-readers!
Conventional religious terminology is used, sometimes put within “ ”, but often not. Readers will appreciate my understanding on the falseness of many of these terms. Conventional names are used: e.g. West Bank, Palestinians, Pope. Dates are always day-month-year. Any items in bold are my emphasis, i.e. not emboldened in the original, unless stated. Very grateful for items sent in; please ensure date and source are indicated.
Acknowledgements and copyrights; non-listed items by or adapted by author.
=Creative Commons. = Copyright. Book, magazine, newspaper covers and contents in low resolution constitutes Fair Usage.
| Front cover: May ship Blower; Nikki Haley Sean Rayford. Back cover: ConservativeHome.com. Ch 3: Gen 14 map Bible maps & charts; Applying the blood biblehistory.com; Ram & goat Jean Walton. Ch 4: 20F coin coinarchives.com; 29 Nov logo UNGA; Oman map WordPress. Ch 6: Russia’s expansion map WordPress; Kerch Bridge stamp Russian Post; Crimean Bridge Wikipedia; Kerch Strait map Stratfor; Priest Telemmglp. Ch 7: King Clovis Aristoquakes Collection; 70 years HR logo United Nations Ass-UK; Human Rights UN Dept Pub Inf. Ch 8: NATO logo Wikipedia; The Rift Economist. Ch 10: State of Union European Commission; Merkel & Macron Newsbezzer.com; Museum in a nutshell European Comm. AV services. Ch 11: Coin Westminster Collection. Ch 12: Own feet map Wadsworth–Thomson; Irish map Alamy; Religion in NI Wikipedia; Come to heel ConservativeHome.com. Ch 13: UK Diplomatic ConservativeHome.com; HMS Juffair Gulf Insider.com; US Emb. Jer. prototheme.gr. |
Where possible we use open domain material. As Milestones is non-commercial and educational, permission to reproduce is generally freely granted but sometimes we have to pay. If source can’t be traced, we acknowledge where it appeared.
Type size and electronic copies
With the electronic copies of Milestones one can normally adjust the size of the typeface thus making it easier for the visually impaired. See inside back cover.
Helpful aids. Booklets obtainable from: Bible Magazine agents, CSSS agents or Milestones.
The True Gospel. Defended & Explained by Bro Graham Pearce.
This 72-page booklet looks at the Hope of Israel and the meaning of the New Covenant.
World Events & the Coming of Zion’s King. Bro Graham Pearce.
This 100-page booklet examines most of the scriptural passages concerning the time of the end events and puts them in a logical order. It examines some of the newer ideas and show where they fall down when examined by Scripture. Essential reading for brethren and sisters looking for the return of their Master.
The Deception of Theistic Evolution. Bre Mark Allfree, Matt Davies Pub. 2017. 174 pages
A serious study on the errors of the faith debilitating attempt to make the Bible fit with humanistic ideas of the alleged origins of the earth and man according to evolutionary thinking. See inside back cover for details to purchase or download, also source of resources on this vital topic. Also link to Bro Matt’s talk on The Voice of God, from which Bro Matt has kindly supplied this year’s Milestones closing exhortation.
Milestones Snippets: a free email service of world news
See inside back cover for details.
Milestones in Electronic form
Word or PDF versions, for Kindle or non-Kindle. MP3 audio version for listening on the move. See inside back cover for details.
Milestones 2018
Our main sections for 2018:
- The Kingdom of Men vs. The Kingdom of God
- Amazing Israel and her friends and foes
- Russia’s expansionary footsteps
- The growing divide: US vs.
Europe and Russia
- The forming of the Feet of
Nebuchadnezzar’s Image
- Turmoil in Babylon the Great
- Brexit: making scriptural sense
of the painful divorce and the
future freedom
Connecting events of 2018 with the fulfilment of scripture. With a sobering exhortation: “Are we listening to the Voice of God?” as a counter to humanistic thinking.
Milestones 2018 shows us the closeness of the Lord’s return!
Let us wake up and watch lest we fall asleep!
Milestones 2018 is an antidote to apathy in these difficult times for Christ’s brothers and sisters.
