Signs of the Times - October 2011

ISSN 1038-9733 10/2011

LOVE 9 Tips for

Newlyweds

RELIGION your

special day

money meltdown Simon McKeon

AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR

editor’s note

Contents

with Lee Dunstan

Signs of the Times—October 2011

cover

the

18 Money Meltdown

o the current economic woes D spell the end of the world?

economy

23 32

and Bible

38

L

ike me, you may have watched helplessly as your retirement got pushed back by yet another couple of years as a result of the latest economic crisis. And we’re in good company: entire countries are in the boat with us. Most recently, the United States—and by extension the world—struggled with the American government’s spiralling debt. The day after President Obama signed off on Congress’s last minute agreement to raise the debt ceiling, stock markets around the world took one of their worst hits in 30 years. This has been repeated since, although some recovery is evident. But could it have been prevented? Well, that depends somewhat on whether it could have been anticipated.

In fact, the Bible does make some predictions concerning difficult economic times just before the second coming of Christ. They’re found in Revelation chapter 18. And many Christians, us at SIGNS included, believe that His return is near.

So is economic chaos a part of the Bible’s end-time scenario? Is today’s economic instability a portent of Christ’s soon return? Ed Dickerson focuses on that question in his article, “Money Meltdown,” this month’s cover feature, beginning on page 18. ½

Executive Publisher: Neale Schofield

2 | Signs of the Times

Copyeditor: Tracey Bridcutt

Marketing: Lee Dunstan Website Manager: Melody Tan Email: signsmag@signspublishing.com.au Website: www.signsofthetimes.org.au

Graphic Design: Shane Winfield, Loopeck Lim

Publisher: S igns Publishing Company Warburton, Victoria 3799

Subscriptions: Jacinta Knight Phone: +61 3 5965 6300 Fax: +61 3 5966 9019

The inclusion of a personality or their image in Signs of the Times does not imply their endorsement of the Seventh-day Adventist Church or its beliefs.

Managing Editor/Editor: Lee Dunstan Associate Editor: Melody Tan

Your Special Day Simon McKeon: Give ‘Til You Feel It T he Australian of the Year’s solution to poverty.

prophecy

Published since 1886 Signs of the Times is printed and published 11 times a year by the Seventh-day Adventist Church and is registered as a periodical.

23

9 Tips for Newlyweds

L earn how to make the best of your marriage once the honeymoon is over.

features 8 15 28

Does Thin Equal Healthy?

Bathurst Dreams T he amazing story behind Lucas Dumbrell Motorsport.

A Place for You ccording to the Bible, our world will A end. When it does, there’s something far better to look forward to.

44 Fate of the Unwarned

hat happens to those who haven’t W heard of Jesus, at His return?

51 57

A Spokesperson for God

columns

5 These Times Y ou Bet!

14 Our Times 27 Food Matters

S hould You Add Salt?

37

Live More!

D on’t Just Sit There!

43 Food Matters Recipe

Roast Pumpkin, Walnut and Snow Pea Salad with Balsamic Dressing

I s prophecy about telling the future or the truth? And is there a difference?

50 Lifeguide

A Mother’s Touch

52

T he influence of a woman on an entire Christian faith.

62 Is It Only Skin Deep?

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For change of address: Please notify us four weeks in advance. Attach your old mailing label and send both your old and new addresses to Signs of the Times, Subscription Department, PO Box 201, Warburton, Victoria 3799 or in New Zealand, PO Box 97019, Manukau City, Manukau 2240.

A Many Splendoured Thing

60

Bible Discovery

T he Spirit of Prophecy

Book Review

P aul Collins: Judgment Day

Seventh-day Adventist Church (SPD) Limited ACN 093 117 689 Cover Photo: Jerzyworks—Masterfile

VOL 126 NO 10

Unless indicated, biblical quotations in this magazine are from the Holy Bible, New International Version, copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, International Bible Society.

Signs of the Times | 3

These Times

This series of 8 booklets explores the factors that impact on adult togetherness, especially as they apply to spouse/partner relationships.

Factors like personality, communication, values, money and more.

with Geoff Youlden

you

These booklets are yours to keep. Read and study them at your own pace, all in the comfort of your own home.

Ask for your FREE home study series by writing to:

AUS: PO BOX 1115, Wahroonga, NSW 2076 NZ: PO BOX 76281, Manukau City, NZ 2241 Free Correspondence Lessons offer only for Australia & New Zealand.

OR PHONE: 1300 300 389 OR FAX: 02 9847 2200 OR EMAIL: applications@discoverycourses.com.au OR WEB: www.RelationshipsCourse.com.au

PLUS

a bonus six booklet series

PARENTING

moves the focus from couples to families

peeterv—istockphpoto.com

Relationships

I

Bet!

t is estimated that 80 per cent of the Australian adult population gambles in some form. This is the highest rate by country on the planet.

“From the Melbourne Cup—the horse race that stops the nation—to ‘pokie’ machines in pubs, clubs and branches of the Returned and Services Leagues and the bookmakers (or the TAB as it is known here) and in bars—it is everywhere,” reported the BBC News in 2007.

Are Australians and New Zealanders so addicted to gambling that they really would bet on two flies crawling up the wall?

Signs of the Times | 5

These Times with Geoff Youlden

6 | Signs of the Times

$NZ2 billion in gambling, of which $NZ2.57 million is lost every day on non-casino poker machines.

Perhaps the reason very little is done to curb gambling is because of governments’ own addictions to the revenues they gain from the activity. In 2007-08, gambling tax in Australia amounted to $A4.95 billion, while gambling duty revenue in New Zealand was $NZ227 million for 2008-09. n The personal and social issues concern many. The Cleburne TimesReview told the story of Kathy Bassett who saw a casino open a mere 22 kilometres from her door. A year later, her son “was arrested for stealing to support his gambling habit.

Her mother, retired and in her seventies, filed for bankruptcy after losing her life savings to the slot machines. Her 37-year-old brother, in despair and shame over his inability to quit gambling, put a shotgun barrel to his mouth, pulled the trigger and ended his life.”

Then on June 12, 2011, the Chicago Tribune reported that within weeks of arriving at his new church, the minister John Regan began stealing from the collection plate to fund his gambling addiction.

“He stashed cheques in a private bank account and spent the money at casinos. He lost big, blowing $US116,000 in less than a year . . .. By the time the Diocese of

Joliet figured out what was going on, Regan . . . had taken nearly $US300,000.”

True life stories such as these illustrate the true human cost of gambling. Gambling creates false hopes.

The gambling dream of “winning big” replaces the true hope with a false dream of a statistically improbable chance of winning. n Gambling is not compatible with the work ethic that God originally gave to humankind when He stated that we should work for what we gain. The idea of playing a game of chance while dreaming to gain at the expense of others violates the Christian principle of stewardship. Gambling is built on greed and envy.

The problem with gambling is that it cannot be isolated. Associated with gambling are many other vices and evils. It often leads to broken homes, neglected children and a terrible waste of human endeavour and potential. It leads to a false sense of values—a glittering tinselwrapped package of no durable value, aimlessness, lack of character

and destitution. Then there are the collaterals of wanton sex, adultery, drunkenness, corruption, stealing, gangsterism and even murder.

Perhaps these are reasons why the Bible has told us not to put our hope in wealth. Rather, it is to be placed in the future that has been promised to us by God, which is sure and certain, so unlike the illusory gambling dream.

The apostle Paul counselled his young disciple Timothy to “command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment” (1 Timothy 6:17), and that “godliness with contentment is great gain” (1 Timothy 6:6).

Sometimes, the grip of gambling may be too strong to master by one’s own strengths and resources. If a person is willing to humble themselves and cry out to the compassionate God of heaven and earth, He can and will give help. ½

need help? abu—istockphpoto.com

A recent report before the Joint Senate Select Committee on Gambling Reform in Australia has given credence to a growing opinion that the humble pokie is the “crack cocaine of gambling.”

Malcolm Battersby, a professor of psychiatry at Flinders University in Adelaide and an internationally recognised expert in problem gambling, says that traditionally, gamblers were thought to be disadvantaged people who were simply vulnerable to problems such as addiction.

“But . . . the machine design specifically facilitates people becoming addicted to the machine—and you can say this about other forms of gambling—in exactly the way that a person becomes addicted to heroin or alcohol.

“Machines are designed around conditioning . . . to increase a behaviour. In this case putting money in a machine.” n This addiction seems to be increasing alarmingly. A study published in October 2006 suggested that Australians on average spend more money on gambling ($17.52 each week) than they do on alcohol ($10.99) and petrol ($15.27). And there is nothing to suggest that these figures are decreasing.

The situation is similarly grim in New Zealand where $NZ5.6 million is gambled every day. In 2009, New Zealanders lost more than

Gamblers Anonymous Australia www.gansw.org.au (02) 9628 5065 Problem Gambling Foundation of New Zealand www.pgfnz.org.nz 0800 664 262 Signs of the Times | 7

We often assume that thin people are healthier than overweight people, but, Andrew Cate asks, is this in fact true?

thin

does 8 | Signs of the Times

how do we measure health?

Body mass index (BMI) is often used by medical professionals and health authorities as a general measure of health. Your BMI is obtained by dividing your weight in kilograms by your height in metressquared. If a doctor has ever measured your height and weight, then you can assume your BMI was being

Hemera—Thinkstock

L

ike it or not, our society generally places high importance on appearance, including looking thin and trim. People are constantly bombarded with images of healthy, lean-looking people on television, in movies and in magazines. Most diets and infomercials are bound up in weight loss, fat loss, loss of inches around the waist and reduction in dress size. It’s hard not to feel the social and cultural pressures of being thin. But there’s more to good health than being thin.

= healthy?

Signs of the Times | 9

10 | Signs of the Times

associated with excess body fat.

“thin” may still equal “unhealthy” Health can mean different things to different people, but it’s also much more than what you see on the outside. Being thin and having a healthy waist measurement alone does not guarantee good health, because it fails to take into consideration your internal health. The four most significant factors that can impact on internal health are the following: ◗ blood cholesterol level ◗ blood pressure ◗ visceral fat ◗ the level of inflammation in your body.

So let’s examine each of these factors that affect our internal health.

blood cholesterol Cholesterol is a fatty substance found in the blood that performs a variety of important tasks. However, some people produce more cholesterol than their bodies need, especially when their diets contain saturated and trans fats. Eating the actual cholesterol in food (from animal products) has only a minimal effect on raising your blood cholesterol level compared to eating saturated and trans fats.

Having high blood cholesterol levels (especially the bad type known as LDL) is thought to contribute to the deposit of plaque on your artery

keeping it off

Believe it or not, getting thin and lean is the easy part. If you have lost weight and regained it in the past, you will understand the challenges of maintaining weight loss. Studies have shown that the kilograms you regain after losing a lot of weight can be particularly hard to shed again.

A major issue with the maintenance of weight and fat loss is the change in your kilojoule needs. Because there is physically less of you, your body needs less fuel, so if you resume your old diet after losing weight, it will all come back quite quickly. Physical activity is also vital. Your body uses fewer kilojoules during exercise when you weigh less, so it’s important to increase some or all of the parameters of your exercise, such as the duration, frequency and intensity.

If you have reached a point where you are happy with your current level of body fat, don’t surrender your healthy lifestyle and go back to your old habits.

Once you’ve had fat on your body, you’ll need a long-term commitment to keep it off. The strategies that encouraged you to lose weight also play important roles in maintaining your new weight.

Keep up your exercise program and healthy eating plan.

Pay attention to small weight gains, so they don’t grow into large ones.

Look for support groups, newsletters and magazines that will keep you informed and motivated.

walls, thus narrowing your blood vessels. This increases your risk of heart disease and stroke, and being thin offers no protection against it.

blood pressure Blood pressure is a measure of the force of your blood pushing against the walls of your arteries as it is pumped around your body by

webphotographeer—Istockphoto.com

calculated according to the established guidelines. ◗ underweight (-18.5) ◗ normal weight (18.5–24.9) ◗ overweight (25–29.9) ◗ obese (30+) The BMI is easy to measure. It helps us to understand that it is not healthy to be either too thin or too fat. But there are other factors to include in determining how healthy or unhealthy you are.

Medical science helps us to understand that having a narrow waist is associated with improved health.

Research published in the British Medical Journal has demonstrated that a waist size of more than 94 centimetres in men and 80 centimetres in women indicates that a person is nearly twice as likely to have one or more risk factors for heart disease compared to those with smaller waists. A waist circumference of more than 100 centimetres in men and 90 centimetres in women indicates an unhealthy level of body fat, which requires a reduction in girth before health problems occur.

According to the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, waist circumference is a better indicator of your risk for heart disease than BMI because abdominal fat is a stronger measure of cholesterol levels, blood pressure and blood glucose levels. If your waist measurement is already healthy, preventing weight gain is an important strategy to adopt so that you can avoid the health problems

your heart. When the blood vessels become thinner or more rigid, the heart has to work harder to transport blood throughout your body.

It increases the level of pressure in the “pipes” and “tubes,” and this can further damage the lining of your arteries. This increases your risk for getting heart disease, stroke and kidney disease.

Signs of the Times | 11

visceral fat Fat stored in and around the tummy and internal organs (resulting in a potbelly or apple shape) makes you more prone to heart problems and diabetes. Fat stored

internally is called “visceral fat,” and it has even stronger links with type 2 diabetes, heart disease and stroke than subcutaneous body fat (fat just under the skin).

You can have visceral fat even if you’re thin. This deep abdominal fat is thought to be more metabolically active (more readily released into the bloodstream), unlike the stubborn fat that is stored on the buttocks and thighs. Visceral fat is thought to be one of the main reasons why men are more susceptible to heart disease, because they tend to store fat around the midsection.

heart disease risk?

Being slim may not always lead to a lower risk of heart disease and diabetes.

Scientists have identified a gene linked both to having a lean body and to a higher risk of metabolic diseases. Researchers from Britain’s Medical Research Council Epidemiology Unit said that while a so-called “lean gene” was linked to having less body fat, it was also linked to an increased risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes—illnesses normally associated with being overweight.

Researchers examined the genetic code of more than 75,000 people to look for the genes that determine body fat percentage and found strong evidence that a gene called IRS1 is linked with having less body fat.

When they investigated further, they found IRS1 also leads to having unhealthy levels of cholesterol and glucose in blood—key markers for so-called metabolic diseases like heart disease and diabetes.

They found the gene was only linked to lower levels of fat under the skin, called subcutaneous fat, but not to the more harmful fat that surrounds the organs, called visceral fat.

The findings suggest that people with the IRS1 gene are less able to store subcutaneous fat and may therefore store fat in other parts of the body where it might pose more risk to organ function.

SOURCE: health.asiaone.com

12 | Signs of the Times

inflammation

kutaytanir—Istockphoto.com

While excess body fat can contribute to high blood pressure, being thin doesn’t offer protection from the other causes of high blood pressure, such as physical inactivity, or too much salt and alcohol.

We are learning more and more about the role inflammation plays in the development of a number of diseases, including heart disease. Inflammation is your body’s response to injury or trauma, such as a cut, a bruise, bacteria or viruses.

It is a defensive response, to repair damage that may result in heat, redness or tenderness.

On a cellular level, lifestyle inducers like excess body fat, stress, smoking, environmental pollution, inadequate sleep and inactivity are also thought to trigger a type of chronic, low-grade inflammation that affects the lining of the blood vessels. The processes that help to form a scar after a cut are similar to the plaque that forms in your arteries from chronic low-grade inflammation. It’s also thought to thicken the blood and trigger the formation of blood clots, and therefore increasing the risk of high blood pressure, heart attacks and strokes.

Low-grade inflammation can be measured in the body by checking the level of a substance known as C-reactive protein (CRP).

eating disorders Eating disorders develop from a variety of weight, food and psychological issues that can be experienced by both males and females.

Conditions such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and compulsive overeating are serious emotional

problems, which can be the root of dramatic weight loss or an underweight appearance.

While someone can look thin, there can be a wide range of underlying attitudes and behaviours that may result in a loss of self-control, feelings of obsession, anxiety, guilt, alienation from self and others, and physiological imbalances, which are threatening to health. Amazingly, the most common element relevant to all eating disorders is low selfesteem. The sooner an eating disorder is spotted and treatment begun, the better the outlook for recovery.

finding a balance Instead of focusing on weight loss, shift your focus to what you can gain through improving your health, eating better and moving more. You body is like an engine. If you finetune it and run it on good quality fuel, your performance will no doubt improve.

Have a measure of your success that doesn’t involve weight loss.

Being lean is vital for good health, but just as important is how you achieve it. Recognise the rewards that eating better and moving more have to offer.

By following a healthy lifestyle, you can focus on your new energy level, reduced stress level, how well you sleep and are breathing easier during activities, instead of the common misconception that being thin is your only measure of success. ½ Signs of the Times | 13

our times

▲ fun flood?

A theme park with the name “Noah’s Ark” opened in Hong Kong in May. It includes a life-sized replica of the famous boat based on the description and dimensions reported in Genesis 6:14–16.

The hull is 137 metres long, 23 metres wide and 14 metres high. It was financed by Hong

post-apocalyptic “According to our data, the total collapse of all human civilisation occurred on or around April 3, 2008,” said Kaiser Family Foundation representative Jodie Palmenterri, citing numerous

instances of environmental disaster, humanitarian catastrophe and economic ruin as unambiguous signs that the world as we knew it has ended.

“Those who have worried for years that human culture was headed toward calamity can rest easy, because it already happened. We are living in a post-apocalyptic world.

This is it.” Palmenterri went on to say that because the apocalypse does not resemble the predictions of any major religion, it’s safe to assume the gods have all forsaken us.

Glenis Lindley speaks to the owner of a motorsports team who does not believe in human limitations.

Holok—Google Earth

Kong billionaire Thomas Kwok.

Several replicas of Noah’s ark have been built around the world in recent years, including one in the Netherlands, one in Florenceville, New Brunswick, and one built

by Greenpeace on Turkey’s Mount Ararat.

Bathurst

dreams

SOURCES: The Wall Street Journal; www.theonion.com

50 years ago in Signs

Paraplegia did not prevent Lucas Dumbrell (pictured left with brother Paul) from forming a motorsports team.

What happens when we die? It’s a question people have asked since the beginning of time. Alwyn Fraser explored its implications in his October 1, 1961 article, “Why I Believe in Life After Death,” and declares that there is life after death “for all those who comply with God’s plan and its conditions.”

W

ut what about those who have never even B heard of God, much less His plans? Is there life after death for them? Borge Schantz argues yes (see “Fate of the Unwarned,” page 44).

14 | Signs of the Times

Glenis Lindley

nd this life after death is something we can all A look forward to, as Nancy Canwell reveals this month in “A Place for You” (page 28).

hen Formula Ford driver Lucas Dumbrell crashed his car during a race at Sydney’s Oran Park Raceway in December 2008, that split-second impact could have taken the then 19-year-old’s life.

Dumbrell, younger brother of established V8 Supercar driver Paul Dumbrell, suffered serious spinal

injuries which left him a quadriplegic and wheelchair-bound.

“I was worried and scared,” says Dumbrell, who had wanted to race since his early childhood days in Melbourne. But although the accident shattered his dreams, it failed to take away his spirit.

Dumbrell’s family and friends rallied around him after that fateful crash, and big brother Paul even Signs of the Times | 15

aftermath After the crash, Dumbrell couldn’t talk, was robbed of the ability to ever walk again and lost all movement in his forearms. Initially, eye contact was his only form of communication.

“It took me a month until I could talk,” says Dumbrell, whose relentless commitment to therapy and treatment has resulted in him regaining partial used of his arms.

“My family’s love helped get me through this. They have absolutely been incredible.”

Then, out of the blue, something arrived in the post that Dumbrell will cherish forever. As he was struggling to come to grips with his new life, he received a letter from Sir Frank Williams, founder and manager of the Williams F1 Formula One racing team, and a quadriplegic since 1986 from a car accident.

“He said he didn’t know how I felt, because it is different for everybody, but he said I had to stay positive,” says Dumbrell. “There were times when I thought I wanted nothing more to do with motorsport, but Sir Frank inspired me.”

The inspiration saw Dumbrell go on to became the youngest team 16 | Signs of the Times

siderably when I was establishing my own team,” says Dumbrell of the owner of Sonic Motor Racing Services, the team with which the promising Formula Ford young gun once drove. “It’s very reassuring to know that he is always there if needed.”

owner in V8 Supercar history.

team manager Dumbrell first entertained the idea of running a V8 Supercar team at the Bathurst 1000 in 2009 and by the beginning of the next season, Lucas Dumbrell Motorsport was formed*. It became Dumbrell’s motivation and new focus for life.

“I believe you can achieve things if you put your mind to it. It’s a big challenge and this [running the team] is a tough situation, but I hope we can turn a few heads,” says Dumbrell, who works five days a week on the job.

“I realise it’s a big responsibility, but I’m so grateful to be given that opportunity.”

Running a team in this highlycompetitive sport is hard work for anybody, much less someone in Dumbrell’s situation and age (Lucas Dumbrell Motorsport was formed when he was just 20).

“I underestimated how many dollars it took and how much work goes into running a team,” he says.

“It was a complete revelation, but it made me realise how comparatively easy it was to just be a driver.”

With more than 10 years experience as a professional driver, brother Paul helped tremendously, offering advice on everything from driver selection to the commercial aspect, while father Garry helped with the money side of business.

“Michael [Ritter] helped con-

Bathurst and beyond

Glenis Lindley

offered to give up his own racing career to support him. However, the decision was made to continue life as normally as possible, both at Dumbrell’s insistance and also to encourage him.

to blurt out to Paul before the car roared out of pit-lane: “Don’t crash this! My drivers [Nathan Pretty and Mark Noske] have to race on Sunday.” n This year, Dumbrell has Warren Luff driving full-time on his team. Luff is an accomplished codriver who has shared cars with fivetime Bathurst 1000 winner Craig Lowndes and current V8 Supercar champion, James Courtney. At Bathurst, Luff will be joined by Pretty, adding a degree of stability to this fledgling outfit.

And for the international endurance event later this month—the Armor All Gold Coast 600—Luff will share with Marino Franchitti.

Franchitti is the brother of two-time

Recently, the Dumbrell family was dealt another blow after Garry was diagnosed with cancer. In August, Paul announced his retirement from motorsports at the end of the year to take over from his father as CEO of the family business, Automotive Brands. And with true fighting spirit, the family is pulling together to overcome this setback.

At Bathurst last year, there was a special celebration.

Dumbrell was strapped into his Holden race car, while Paul (currently driving a Ford) Dumbrell (in the number three car) in action was given perbefore his fateful crash. mission to take Dumbrell around Mount Panorama for a flyIndy 500 winner and triple Indying hot lap while family members Car champion, Dario Franchitti. So witnessed the occasion. together with tremendous enthusi“It was a big honour, being able to asm, there is potential for success. ½ drive Lucas,” says Paul. * Dumbrell’s Gulf Western Oil Racing Holden finished It was a moving experience for 17th at Bathurst in 2010 from 31 starters, even beating Dumbrell also, but he managed some past Bathurst champions to the chequered flag!

Signs of the Times | 17

“Countries don’t go out of business. . . . The infrastructure doesn’t go away, the productivity of the people doesn’t go away, the natural resources don’t go away.

And so their assets always exceed their liabilities, which is the technical reason for bankruptcy. And that’s very different from a company.” —Walter Wriston, former Citicorp chairman

Corbis images

C

ountries don’t go out of business.” Most of the time, citizens of all walks of life, whether rich or poor, whether investors or hourly workers, whether mortgage holders or mortgage lenders, can take that statement for granted.

But recent developments in a number of countries around the world, including several that make up the European Union, have exposed the fallacy in such thinking. And Greece has become the poster child.

For decades, Greek governments have spent more money than their economic output has produced.

Greek citizens enjoy generous pensions, short work weeks, lengthy vacations and, in general, a lifestyle their productivity does not support, and has not supported for many

years. Until recently, these policies remained wildly popular. As George Bernard Shaw famously observed, “A government which robs Peter to pay Paul can always depend on the support of Paul.”

All of this was based on the notion that “countries don’t go out of business.” But countries are not identical to governments. Countries don’t issue currency, sell bonds or manage economies. Governments do. And governments can go bankrupt.

The case of Greece, however, is at once easier and more difficult.

Greece no longer issues its own currency. Instead, it uses the euro, a currency issued by the “eurozone,” which is made up of 17 of the 27 member states of the European Union. The other eurozone countries have decided to bail out the

Darrel Tank—GoodSalt

n w o d t l e m y e n mo 18 | Signs of the Times

Many thinking people are asking whether the current global economic crisis is foretold in Revelation, namely chapter 18. Ed Dickerson responds to that question.

Signs of the Times | 19

Greek economy—offering the Greek government loans and other help— in return for significant reductions in spending. So far, the bailout has protected the value of the euro, but Greek government bonds have reached “junk bond” status. Private lenders are demanding 20 per cent or more in interest.

This is bad enough, but four other eurozone countries—Portugal, Italy, Ireland and Spain—are experiencing similar, though less severe, debt problems of their own. This could imperil the entire eurozone, and the global consequences of 17 economies failing would be catastrophic.

“sound as the dollar” In the past, even with such widespread economic worries—and we haven’t even discussed Iceland’s ongoing bankruptcy or Britain’s problems—investors could always fall back on the world’s safest currency—the United States dollar.

But recently, major credit rating services, such as Moody’s, Standard & Poor’s and others, have warned that the rising American debt may reflect negatively on U.S. Treasury bonds, threatening the nation’s standing as the world’s leading economic engine.

Because so many investors hold U.S. Treasury bonds as security, including other countries, for example, China, the effects of a U.S. default would be immediate and global.

The United States, as Walter Wriston indicated, would still exist, 20 | Signs of the Times

along with its people, resources, workforce and industry. But even though all these continued to exist, the U.S. would have lost the single most important support of its currency and its economy: Trust. People seek places to put their money that they can trust. They want to know that what they’ve laboured to earn is secure. That’s why we call financial instruments securities.

And historically, saying that U.S. debt was backed by “the full faith and credit of the United States government” made U.S. bonds valuable because everyone on the globe trusted that the American government would repay its debts. But, just like any other country, debt that grows too large in comparison with national income shakes that trust. And when investors fear they will lose the wealth invested in U.S. bonds, they will move it, and quickly.

Revelation 18 Our current situation sounds ominously similar to Revelation 18, where Babylon falls, and with it world commerce: “[The kings of the earth] will stand far off and cry: “ ‘Woe! Woe, O great city, O Babylon, city of power! In one hour your doom has come!’

“The merchants of the earth will weep and mourn over her because no-one buys their cargoes anymore—cargoes of gold, silver, precious stones and pearls; fine linen, purple, silk and scarlet cloth; every

sort of citron wood, and articles crisis” nearly brought the world of every kind made of ivory, costly financial system to a halt. And trust wood, bronze, iron and marble; car- formed the very centre of this crisis. goes of cinnamon and spice, of incense, myrrh and frankOur current situation incense, of wine and olive sounds ominously oil, of fine flour and wheat; cattle and sheep; horses similar to Revelation 18, and carriages; and bodies where Babylon falls, . . . and souls of men. . . .‘Woe! Woe, to you, great city. . . .

In one hour such great wealth has At its essence, it came down to been brought to ruin!’ ” (Revelation this: too many risky home mortgage 18:10–13, 16, 17). loans had been made, and debtors In one hour? began defaulting on these mortgages.

Perhaps in previous years, it would This would have been bad enough, have been reasonable to question but many of these risky loans had whether such complete economic been bundled in with other—often ruin could take place so quickly. many other—more reliable loans, But recent history offers plenty of and these bundled mortgages were examples: then sold as a single unit. ◗ On October 19, 1987, stock marLarge institutions of all sorts— banks, insurance companies, penkets around the world crashed drasion funds, state and local governmatically. Starting in Hong Kong, ments—in many countries had the crash spread rapidly as markets invested at least some of their holdopened throughout the day. The ings in these bundled mortgages.

U.S. stock exchange fell by more than 20 per cent in a single day. And When a business needed to borrow money, it would offer these bundles the global economy did not rapidly as securities for the loan. Unforrecover. Less than two weeks later, tunately, investors no longer knew the Hong Kong market had lost 45 per cent of its value, Australia 42 per which bundles were good investments and which ones were poicent, Spain 31 per cent, the United soned with sure losers: they didn’t Kingdom 26 per cent, the United know which ones to trust. That’s States 23 per cent, Canada 22.5 per what caused the credit crunch. And cent and New Zealand’s market fell since these bundles were so large nearly 60 per cent from its highest and there were so many of them, point that year. ◗ In September of 2008, the “credthe entire financial system became suspect. When the financial giant it crunch” or the “global financial Signs of the Times | 21

not the Revelation 18 collapse So, do these continuing financial crises represent a fulfilment of Revelation 18? Probably not. The Book of Revelation contains predictions of other events, such as the rise of the antichrist, that must occur prior to the events described in chapter 18.

But recent events demonstrate that the sudden collapse of world commerce as depicted in Revelation 18 could easily come to pass. Financial markets linked electronically around the globe now react almost instantly to world events. I wish I could recommend a place where your life’s savings will be absolutely safe. I know of only one. n In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal” (Matthew 6:19, 20).

Ultimately, there is no security on this earth. Eventually, the events portrayed in Revelation 18 will take place. But even before then, as we have seen, the notion of earthly security is illusory.

Does this mean we should 22 | Signs of the Times

withdraw our savings and send them all to some charity? No, but Jesus did approve of saving and investing in one notable case (Matthew 25:14–30). We have a duty to be faithful stewards of the wealth God gives us and He expects faithful servants to invest wisely. It is not money that is the root of all evil, but loving money; it is not riches that are evil, it is trusting in them (see 1 Timothy 6:10; Psalms 49:6; 52:7; 62:10; Proverbs 11:28).

Perhaps never in earth’s history have so many enjoyed such material wealth. But it’s ironic to realise that our wealth grows less and less material. n In John’s day, wealth consisted of “things”—gold, silver, wool, silk—and 17 other items that he lists in Revelation 18:12. Moth and rust might indeed degrade these commodities.

Today’s “treasures” exist primarily as magnetic digits in banks or on stockbroker’s computers. They can be electronically transmitted in a fraction of a second anywhere in the world or to multiple places at once.

Neither moth nor rust can touch them. But now they are vulnerable to riots half a globe away, decisions made by foreign bankers or even the choices made by politicians perhaps a decade ago.

Countries don’t go out of business, but they can’t provide security, either.

Only God can. ½

One whole day a week to disconnect from the busyness of your life? David Edgar shows you how to obtain its full benefits.

your

special H

lisegagne—istockphoto.com

Lehman Brothers declared bankruptcy due to these toxic assets, noone knew who would be next. Lending simply stopped. In a few hours, the crisis became global.

ere in the Antipodes we begin our week on Sunday, the time-honoured first day of the week.

But did you know that some countries such as Germany and France start their week on a Monday? Some business calendars, including airlines, also make Monday the first day of the week for convenience. It’s no wonder that the day described in the Bible as being the seventh day of the week has become blurred in the present day. No-one knows when it is!

day

The “book of Beginnings” in the Bible, Genesis, states that God set aside one full day for the really important thing in our life: Himself.

After He’d worked six days at creating our world, He added a seventh day that He designated as a day of rest (see Genesis 2:2, 3). He also did something special to this day that He didn’t do to the other six—He blessed it. He made it holy, setting it aside, giving it to humankind as a special rest day, which He called the Sabbath. The Sabbath rest day was created for all humanity to enjoy.

Signs of the Times | 23

how to enjoy the Sabbath The Sabbath offers us an opportunity to divert our thoughts from the hustle and bustle of today’s world. It bonds us to a timeless renewal that rejuvenates and refreshes us, so that we can cope when we re-enter the busy round of the work week.

We live in a world of rules, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Rules help us live in harmony with each other and keep us safe. The Bible also outlines a few dos and don’ts when it comes to enjoying the Sabbath. These guidelines ensure that we will experience the maximum satisfaction that the day offers. Jesus said He was “Lord of the Sabbath” (Luke 6:5), so it’s helpful to see what He did on this special day.

a day to keep holy When God made the Sabbath at Creation, He blessed it and made it holy (Genesis 2:3). The Sabbath is also embedded in the Ten Commandments. The fourth commandment says, “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.” But what does it mean for something to be 24 | Signs of the Times

holy? What does it mean to regard something as holy?

The Bible tells us that God is holy and one of the ways we are to respect His holiness is by being careful how we use His name. The third commandment says, “You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God” (Exodus 20:7).

Christians generally regard their church sanctuary as a “holy” place, and they treat it with special respect.

The Bible says, “The Lord is in his holy temple; let all the earth be silent before him” (Habakkuk 2:20).

Another meaning of the word is that “holy” things are set apart for a special use. That’s why the church, and especially the sanctuary portion of the church, is reserved for proclaiming the Gospel. We don’t use the church and the sanctuary for ordinary activities.

Applying these principles to the Sabbath, we can say that the Sabbath, then, is a day that deserves our special respect and we should set it aside for a special use. The fourth commandment says that we should not do our ordinary work on the Sabbath (Exodus 20:10), whether that’s the job by which we earn our living or housekeeping and yard work.

However, in the Gospels, we do observe Christ giving a much more liberal interpretation of what is appropriate on the day, than those of the contemporary church. His rule of thumb was that it should be a “delight” (Isaiah 58:13) to enjoy, as it

“was made for man” (Mark 2:27) and should not be an onorous imposition.

a day to help others Jesus said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35).

Unfortunately, in our fast-paced world, many of us just do not have time to help others. Not so with Jesus. He used the Sabbath to bless the people around Him. Many of Christ’s healing miracles were performed on the Sabbath day (Matthew 12:9–13; John 5:1–9). Think of the blessings we could be for suffering humanity if we all kept the Sabbath as Jesus did. mennovandijk—istockphoto.com

The Sabbath is a God-scheduled rest day. Our loving Father knows that we need a break from life’s busy-ness. Which to a large part is what the Sabbath is about. Although it is also about worshipping Him, it’s about rest, family and spiritual renewal. These are vital components of a healthy, balanced life.

a day for family and friends Jesus also took time out to socialise on the Sabbath. The Bible tells us of a time when He went to someone’s home on the Sabbath to share a meal with him (Luke 14:1). Spending time with family and friends on the Sabbath day

is important. It’s a time to catch up and renew family ties. The Sabbath can be a special time for the entire family to thank God for giving us precious family time for worship and communion with loved ones.

a day for reflection Perhaps the most important blessing of the Sabbath day is spending time with the Creator. It reminds us that we were created by God’s loving hands, for He worked for six days creating us and the world we live in, and then He rested on the seventh.

In a special way, the Sabbath reminds us Who to worship, how to worship and how to live throughout time. It’s also a day for appreciating the natural world that God created.

The Sabbath encourages us to be stewards of God’s creation.

a day to come closer to God It was Jesus’ habit to go to church (the synagogue) on the Sabbath day

Saturday or Sunday?

The fourth commandment says, “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. . . . The seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God” (Exodus 20:8, 10). But is the seventh day Saturday or Sunday?

The internationally accepted calendar is the Gregorian calendar, introduced by Pope Gregory XIII in 1582. The Gregorian calendar is essentially a reform of the Julian one, introduced in 45 B.C. by Julius Caesar.

While the names of the days of the week have varied through the ages, the seven-day week cycle has been continuously maintained since the establishment of ancient cultures.

So while certain countries may start their week on a Monday, Saturday is still the seventh day of the week, therefore making it the biblical Sabbath.

Signs of the Times | 25

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26 | Signs of the Times

(Luke 4:16). No doubt He mingled with family and friends while He was there, but primarily, He went to read and hear the Word of God. Sabbath is a day to learn more about our Saviour and come closer to Him. Of course, we should do this on other days as well, but He has blessed the seventh day above all other days, so that we commune and fellowship exclusively with Him.

a day for dreaming The Sabbath reminds us of the eternal rest God has prepared for His people. Today, many people live without hope. The Sabbath day provides us with an opportunity to reflect on and remember the hope Jesus promised when He said, “I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am” (John 14:3).

God has given us a whole day for a time-out from our busy schedules.

The Sabbath day is a time that gives purpose to all humanity regardless of race, gender or creed. Properly appreciated, it provides us with knowledge of our planet’s beginning, where we have gone wrong and a focal point for getting back on track.

Sabbath is God’s gift to the human race. When we are careful to use it the way He intended when He created us, we demonstrate our loyalty to Him, and, just as important, we receive the blessing that He intended us to have when He gave it to us. ½

Food Matters

with Consultant Nutritionist Sue Radd

should you add salt?

You don’t need to have high blood pressure to be harmed by salt. Within 30 minutes of eating a high-salt meal, the flexibility of your arteries may be reduced by half, according to a new study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition—the same amount of havoc wreaked by a fatty meal!

a killer condiment?

The research cited above was conducted in healthy people whose artery function returned to normal after two hours. Nevertheless, impaired blood vessel functioning like this will set you up for a future heart attack or stroke, and the risk is even greater if you already have a chronic heart condition.

So what is the problem with salt? It contains a massive amount of sodium —some 200 to 300 times what is recommended!

how does your salt rate?

Not all salt is pure, white and deadly.

Unrefined salt may come in pink, brown, black or grey. These are misleadingly promoted as good sources of minerals to balance out the sodium.

Health authorities advise us to choose foods containing significantly mg/100g

Table salt

Sodium Potassium Magnesium Calcium

38,178 17 1 34

Sea salt e.g. Celtic 33,000 227 441 128

more potassium and other minerals compared to sodium. Yet even Celtic sea salt and pink Himalayan rock salt, which fare best, still supply 60 to 145 times more sodium than potassium!

Heart-friendlier salt substitutes, based on a mix of sodium and potassium chloride, are available, but these need to be added after cooking and are unsuitable for those who have kidney problems.

how much is OK? No added salt is best. Whole foods naturally contain enough for optimal functioning and most Western diets already deliver excess sodium from processed foods. If you wish to flavour your food, add lemon juice, herbs or spice. Fancy salts are just a more expensive way of doing yourself harm.

See page 43 for a low-salt recipe idea.

Rock salt e.g. Pink Himalayan 38,261 350–618 16–70 205–405

For further information on healthy eating, please contact Sanitarium Nutrition Service AUSTRALIA: Locked Bag 7 Central Coast Mail Centre, NSW 2252 Freecall: 1800 673 392

NEW ZEALAND: Private Bag 92127, Auckland, New Zealand Phone: 0800 100 257

Salt substitute 19,500–21,718 20,671 1 34

Life in our world can be disappointing and painful.

That’s why you’ll enjoy Nancy Canwell’s reflections on what life in God’s New Earth will be like.

beauty in the New Earth We definitely need a new Earth. This one is getting old and worn out. Overdevelopment, natural disasters and a lack of good husbandry have made it almost unrecognisable from what it was when God first created it for us.

gilaxia—Istockphoto.com

D

ressed in white, I stood ready in the church foyer. As the organ struck its first chord, the doors leading into the sanctuary swung open. And there he stood, at the end of a long aisle—my bridegroom. I had prepared for that moment for months. I’d worked all summer in order to buy the perfect-yet-affordable wedding dress and veil. I wanted him to think I looked beautiful as I walked toward him to begin our new life together.

That day reminds me of the way the apostle John describes how the so-called New Jerusalem—our new place of residence when sin is no more—will approach the earth someday: “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. . . . I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband” (Revelation 21:1, 2).

It’s hard to visualise a brand-new earth and a dazzling New Jerusalem. In fact, 1 Corinthians 2:9 says that “no eye has seen, no ear heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him.” But we can try to imagine and to dream. And we should. This ageing earth can look awfully beat up at times. But dreaming of our new one brings us hope. And the Bible gives us some insights on which to build our dreams. Of the many wonderful things in the New Earth, we can be sure that it will have beauty, joy and peace.

a place for you 28 | Signs of the Times

Signs of the Times | 29

My husband went on a medical mission trip to Indonesia after the 2004 tsunami. After touring the city of Banda Aceh, he wrote, “I saw total, incomprehensible destruction for mile after mile across the city, where at least 120,000 people lost their lives. An elderly missionary dentist here compared it to Hiroshima after the bomb was dropped— nothing left.”

And as if natural disasters aren’t bad enough, our planet also suffers from air and water pollution, oil spills, deforestation, forest fires, litter and global warming—a far cry from the perfect state Eden was.

Picture your favourite place on our earth. Maybe it’s a beach, a national park, the mountains or a lake. These are wonderful and meaningful places to us. But even our favourite places can be disappointing at times. We battle mosquitoes and bugs pester us. Blazing heat and pouring rain force us to take shelter. But in the New Earth, everything will be absolutely perfect. Nothing there will ever disappoint us.

And just think of what life will be like when you trade your present home for a mansion in the New Earth. You won’t have to pull weeds or spray your garden for insects. Everything you plant will grow. Earthquakes will be a thing of the past, and you can live by the sea without having to fear a tsunami might destroy your home.

The most impressive thing in the 30 | Signs of the Times

New Earth will be the Holy City, which comes down from heaven to stay here permanently. According to Revelation 21 and 22, it will be amazingly beautiful. God’s glory will shine forth from it with the brilliance “of a very precious jewel, like jasper, clear as crystal” (Revelation 21:11). The streets of the city will be gold, as pure as transparent glass.

There will be a crystal-clear river, carrying the water of life. It will flow from the throne of God, right down the middle of the city. And on either side of the river will stand a tree called the Tree of Life. It will bear 12 different crops of fruit every month, and, somehow, its leaves will heal the nations (Revelation 22:2).

I have a friend who is in her last days of battling cancer. She longs to be pain free. Unfortunately, when she dies, her husband and children will still have to mourn before she experiences a world without pain.

But the New Earth promises sweet relief ! Is the waiting hard right now?

Absolutely. But the eternal joy will be well worth the wait!

Isaiah 35:10 says that God’s people “will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.” Despite whatever sadness and sorrow you’ve had to endure here, gladness and joy will overtake you there!

joy in the New Earth

peace in the New Earth

My favourite passage about the New Earth is Revelation 21:4, 5: “ ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.’ He who was seated on the throne said, ‘I am making everything new!’ ” Think of the possibilities in this text! Every tear wiped away. If you’re crying now because of physical or emotional pain, in the New Earth every tear will be dabbed dry by Jesus Himself ! And no more death, mourning or pain. We all long for that; death has touched all of our lives at some time or other, and it leaves us aching.

I’ll never forget September 11, 2001. Not because it was my birthday and not because my family had planned a fun party for me. But because that’s the day our world changed forever. My husband had risen early and turned on the TV just as a plane hit the second tower of the World Trade Center. He came into our bedroom and gently shook me. “Honey,” he said, “I think you need to come and see this.”

I sat on the couch with him and watched in shock and disbelief as the towers fell. Peace, as we’d known it, was gone. I spent the rest of that birthday grieving, yet trying to appear calm, as I answered our sevenyear-old daughter’s questions.

I thought back to the day when she was born. My husband held her close and lovingly said to her, “I’m really sorry, sweetie, that I don’t have a better world to bring you into. But Jesus is working on that, and someday He’ll make it better.”

Jesus is working on a great restoration plan. He promises, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you.

I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going” (John 14:1–4). The way is through Jesus—through accepting His gift of salvation and not holding on to the things of this earth.

Jesus said, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

When the New Earth is fully restored and ready for us to live in, we will obviously notice the extreme contrasts compared to this old earth.

And yet, because of all of the beauty, joy and peace that will surround us, I think we’ll feel for the first time ever, we will finally be home. ½ Signs of the Times | 31

Nathan Brown spoke with the Australian of the Year about his “embarrassingly simple” message.

S

Image courtesy of the National Australia Day Council

imon McKeon admits that when he—as the Victorian finalist—met in Canberra with the 31 other state and territory finalists for the four 2011 “Australian of the Year” awards, he was overawed by the crosssection of Australian society those people represented.

“Every now and then, I still feel quite awkward,” he reflects. “I feel just a touch of guilt, because I’ve spent [only] a bit of time with the not-for-profit sector, but I know there are people who have given their whole lives. Why I’ve been picked out rather than tens of thousands of others, I’ll never know.

But I do know that if all I simply dwelt on was that, I would go mad,

32 | Signs of the Times

and I have to speak on behalf of all of them who do the most amazing work in the not-for-profit sector.”

Nonetheless, McKeon recognises the profile and platform that the award offers him from which to speak, both literally—he estimates that he will have given more than 700 speeches before the year is out—and metaphorically.

“I know that by the end of the year, I am going to be talked out,” he says, “but it’s a wonderful privilege to have so many opportunities to address groups and through the media, and to talk about things that I think are important.

“I haven’t been particularly clever or a giant in any field,” he explains, “and my message is almost embarrassingly simple: if you’ve got choices in your life in how you spend your

Simon McKeon Give ‘til you feel it

Signs of the Times | 33

a slow starter McKeon says he never imagined being Australian of the Year and indeed knew little about the award before being nominated. He also describes himself as a “slow starter,” admitting that he didn’t know what he wanted to do when he finished university. He had graduated with degrees in law and commerce, and he did the obvious thing in working as a lawyer for a few years.

“But I knew as a young lawyer that I wasn’t going to do this all my life,” he recalls. Moving back from Sydney to Melbourne, he took an opportunity at Macquarie Bank.

“Again, it was not my life-long desire to be in an investment bank and certain aspects of investment banking don’t rest well with me at all—it’s very cutthroat, it certainly attracts awesome commercial talent but it’s hard to get into; the hours are long, the work is hard, all that sort of stuff.

“But the reason I’ve stayed in it now for more than 25 years is that it gives one a privileged position in the world of business. An investment banker has connections and dealings with a wide cross-section of Australian corporate life and that’s enabled me to develop this other side of my 34 | Signs of the Times

clients—‘Sorry, we can’t make that meeting. I’ll be at a World Vision board’—and I found it remarkably easy to say. Then just a few years later, I was ready to go more parttime and take on a bunch of other community sector responsibilities.”

existence, which I really enjoy. I have had a privileged working life, but I have also had the opportunity to do a lot of other stuff.”

the “other stuff” McKeon traces his interest in community involvement and charity to his experience of growing up in the working-class Melbourne suburb of Dandenong. “It was a fabulous place to grow up,” he says. “But I also noticed—and you couldn’t avoid it—that there was real need around that suburb and even my own parents (my father was a small business man, a pharmacist) took their opportunities to be involved in local community organisations, lending a hand in doing what needed to be done.

“At a very young age, I realised that even a well-off country like Australia didn’t have a government that could look after every person’s need. There was a need for a voluntary contribution and a community response as well. In my business career, I didn’t want to lose that.”

In the early 1990s, McKeon became a member of the board of World Vision Australia and he credits this as the turning point in his life and work.

“This was a serious board for a big organisation, so I started to carve time out of my working week. I was still working full-time, but for the first time I was sending out a strong message to my colleagues and

corporate giving

nikitje—istockphoto.com

money or time, add to those choices a serious involvement in the notfor-profit sector. Even considering it selfishly, it’s just one of the most wonderful things you can do.”

On the whole, McKeon describes his fellow Australians as generous in how they give, particularly to support specific appeals or in response to disasters. “But, when it comes to the very wealthy, the overall numbers are disappointing,” he says. “It seems to be primarily because the wealthy don’t give like they do in other countries.”

McKeon would like to see greater philanthropy, such as happens among the ultra-wealthy in the United States. “They are giving not just 10 per cent of their income but in some cases as much as 50 per cent

of their net wealth,” he says. “There will still be bread on their table, they’ll still have houses to live in and cars to drive—but they will feel it.

“Someone with material resources ought to be giving some of it away.

It’s just so obvious. But I would go much further, because I don’t think ‘giving’ really happens until the giver notices it. But that’s a kind of negative statement. The positive statement is that as soon as you start to notice it, all sorts of other things begin to happen, which are often amazing and profound.”

Citing renowned business academic Professor Michael Porter, McKeon points out that this will also be good for corporate givers. “The most successful businesses in the future will be those doing their share of the heavy lifting on community issues,” he explains.

“They will be connected with their community, not operating out

world sporting record As helmsman for a specialised yachting syndicate, McKeon has yet another claim to fame—a world record for speed sailing. In 2009, he steered the yacht that was the only sailing vessel in history to have sustained a speed in excess of 50 knots (more than 90 kilometres per hour).

“I’ve been privileged to be part of the team for many years,” he says. “This world-record setting team sums up much of what I do. I fill a quite high -profile kind of role but the heavy lifting is done by others.”

McKeon admits that the project is about “99 per cent science and 1 per cent sport”—“and they don’t come to me for the science, that’s for sure,” he adds. He credits Tim Daddo—crewman and “the driving force behind the project”—and chief designer Lindsay Cunningham with their success.

Signs of the Times | 35

of an ivory tower. And they will be better businesses for it because they will actually understand what the community is needing and asking for. Whether you’re just a rich person or senior person running a big corporation, it is important to be thinking about giving one’s time as well as material resources. Not to do that means you end up being an unnecessarily narrow and unsuccessful person.”

McKeon also supports the goal of raising international aid to 0.5 per cent of our national income (GDP).

“Both sides of politics need to maintain this aspiration—we’re on our way but we’re not there yet,” he says. “We’re an incredibly prosperous nation and with that prosperity we ought to be leading the world on all the tough issues—doing our fair share with the developing world, and showing leadership in settling hotspots of trouble around the world.”

beneficial for all of us But McKeon’s focus is not just on the High Street. There are few of us who won’t be positively affected by adopting an outward approach to our lives, he urges.

“There’s just nothing like giving,” he says. “I was having a conversation with someone who has had some real challenges through her life. But we quickly got onto a topic we both agreed on, which was notwithstanding her challenges, she is strengthened by giving of herself.

36 | Signs of the Times

Compared to a billionaire, it may not seem to be much, but, she says, ‘I’m empowered by the experience of leaving my own little troubles alone for a while and focusing on someone else.’”

McKeon also says we should invest a little time to work out how we can best give. “When you think about the range of causes that are around,” he explains, “and the extent of need in our community, whether here or overseas, it’s so wide-ranging that there’s got to be a cause for all of us. If the way is not clear at the moment, take a little time to work out what really does gel with our own hearts. We all have different skills, so we should play to our strengths. But I’d be pretty surprised if, after a bit of thinking, there wasn’t an area for everybody.”

He’s quick to add that he hasn’t yet found his own perfect cause or organisation to contribute to.

“I really do despair at people who say they don’t feel like giving because they can never be sure that the money is going to get perfectly to the right place,” he says. “I assure them that it won’t; the world is an imperfect place, but I don’t accept people simply using generalisations to excuse them from donating.

“It really doesn’t matter who we are, if we’ve got an ounce of capacity to give, then we should be thinking about giving, because it not only does wonders for the recipient but also for the giver themselves.” ½

Live MORE! with Darren Morton

don’t just

sit there!

Y

u might want to reconsider the o next time someone tells you, “Please, take a seat.”

More than 50 years ago, a landmark study noted that London bus drivers who spent hours each day in their seats had higher rates of cardiovascular events (such as heart attacks) than their envious ticket collectors who were on their feet all day. While the perils of extended sit time were recognised back then, only recently have we begun to realise the extent of the problem.

Today, many people spend over half their waking life balanced on their bottoms. In truth it doesn’t actually require a lot of balance and so the postural muscles become lazy and weak. These muscular imbalances can contribute to a range of pains and ailments, none the least of which is lower back pain that afflicts about 80 per cent of individuals at some time in their lives.

Individuals who spend a lot of time

sitting also have physiological changes that set them up for obesity and disease.

Most notably, these changes occur even if the individual exercises regularly. One study found that women who sit for more than six hours a day have over 90 per cent increased risk of premature death than those who sit less than three hours, and the risk increased by 40 per cent if they performed an exercise session during the day!

These results concur with studies of the longest-lived people on earth. One thing they all do in common is move a lot—they don’t necessarily do formal exercise, but they engage in constant low intensity activity.

Certainly, next time you lose the remote and are forced to prise yourself out of the couch, count it a blessing. ½ If you’d like to talk to Signs’ life coach, Darren, email him at: signsmag@signspublishing.com.au

Signs of the Times | 37

9

tips for

newlyweds

Karen Holford reflects on what happens to many just-marrieds when the honeymoon is over.

Jupiterimages

M

38 | Signs of the Times

ost newly married couples will experience occasional surprises, disappointments and adjustments along life’s way. And that is perfectly normal.

No matter how much two people love each other, they’re going to make mistakes and tread on each other’s toes now and then. Marriage requires a generous heart, belief in the best about your partner and allowing for a margin of error. In other words, don’t sweat the small stuff, such as whether to roll up the toothpaste tube or leave it flat and

whether the toilet seat should be left up or down.

Following are nine things worth remembering for newlyweds starting their married life together:

1

Keep discovering each other

The more you know about each other’s expectations, hopes, dreams, fears and past experiences, the more you’ll understand each other. So don’t be afraid to ask gentle questions.

Take the case of Phil and Chrissie.

Phil wondered why Chrissie was so distressed whenever he arrived home

Signs of the Times | 39

2

Thank, don’t nag

We all enjoy receiving positive feedback about the efforts we’ve made. These expressions bring us closer to the one we love and gently shape their behaviour in the right direction.

On the other hand, nagging and criticisms push us apart and make us feel demoralised, resentful and defensive. So if you want to reinforce your partner’s good behaviour, express your appreciation whenever they do something you like.

And make your appreciation as specific as possible, such as, “Thank you for clearing the plates and putting them in the dishwasher. It’s really nice when you help me!”

Whenever you feel like nagging your husband or wife, think of something you appreciate and express that. I can assure you, it will make a difference in your relationship!

40 | Signs of the Times

3

Express needs clearly and lovingly

When my husband and I were married, someone taught us a couple of very useful phrases. One is, “I have a problem I think you can help me with.” The other one says, “When _____ happens, I feel_____.

It would really help me if you would _____.”

These phrases are constructive because they turn a criticism into a tactful request. They tell the other person what we really want and exactly what we need him or her to do to help us. When we ask our partners to help us, they feel good, because it shows that we trust them.

6

problem is actually your shared problem, so work on it together and be flexible about the solution.

Money, money, money

Money is one of the biggest sources of conflict in marriage. Stay clear of debt and payment plans, and pay off your credit cards each month.

Agree on a household budget and stick to it. Add your extra money to savings rather than overspending, which will only make you feel stressed and guilty. Nasty arguments about money can leave both of you feeling misunderstood, angry and resentful.

Give yourselves some personal

4 Remember to laugh

Having a giggle together is good for your relationship. So keep up the fun and laughter. When you hear a funny joke or see a humorous cartoon, share it. Play gentle tricks on each other and watch humorous shows together. It’s also helpful to look for the funny side when things go wrong—such as the time you backed into each other’s car!

5

See his or her problem as your problem

Whenever you’ve had an argument, ask yourself what effect it had on your spouse and your relationship. Was the battle worth the damage? Try listening to each other’s fears, needs, wishes and hopes. Their

pocket money so you’re each free to spend some money without having to check with your partner first.

7everyDodaysomething loving

Ask your partner to list the things you do that help them to feel especially loved, and then do these things as often as you can. The more love you give, the more love you’ll get back. Small tokens of love are a good investment.

At the end of each day tell each other, “Today, you made me feel really loved when _____,” or “Tomorrow I’d love it if you could _____.”

borchee—istockphoto.com

10 minutes later than usual. So one day he said, “Chrissie, I can see that you get really upset when I come home a bit late. I’d like to know what you’re most worried about so I can do something about it.”

Chrissie explained that her dad started coming home late from work when she was about 12. Later she discovered he’d been having an affair. The more Phil understood about Chrissie’s fears, the more he understood her behaviour, so he decided to try to get home earlier than she expected rather than later.

Thinking that now that yo you don’t have to try an u are married ymore.

Being too proud to say, “I’m sorry.” e same way twice.

Hurting each other in th

Overspending.

Being selfish.

Yelling instead of listening.

Threatening to leave.

10

things that will damage your marriage

Demanding that your pa do something he or sh rtner e doesn’t want to do.

Having an affair.

Refusing to go for help

when you need it.

Signs of the Times | 41

When you do something that lights up your partner’s face, ask him or her what he or she enjoyed about it. Also, inquire when you become aware that something you do makes your partner withdraw from you and explain that you want to learn how to be more caring.

If you know of something that annoys your partner, try your best not to do it again. If you forget, make a genuine apology.

8 Bumps in the road

Sooner or later, every marriage experiences times of boredom and disillusionment. Life gets busy, children arrive, the house is a mess, you’re both exhausted and there are bills to pay. So make a plan and decide exactly what you’ll do when you feel discouraged, disillusioned or bored. Make an absolutely firm determination that you will not seek a new relationship. Rather, work through this stage. This will strengthen your relationship.

Try something new every week.

Do something to have fun together.

Support your partner in his or her goals. Surprise your husband or wife by helping with a difficult job.

9 Lifelong learning

Many employers offer their employees the opportunity to attend seminars, get training, read books and discover new ideas on the internet. You can invest the same kind of time and energy in nurturing your

42 | Signs of the Times

marriage. Read good books on marriage, watch videos, go to seminars and ask other people to tell you their best relationship tips.

Romans 12:9–18 is packed with good advice for all relationships but especially for married couples: “Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in . . . love. Honour one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervour, serving the Lord.

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God’s people who are in need. Practise hospitality.

“Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.

“Do not repay anyone evil for evil.

Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”

If your marriage becomes seriously damaged, go for counselling.

Your relationship, the well-being of your family, making your partner feel loved and special, and your own health and happiness, are worth all the cost and effort. Divorce is far more expensive than therapy!

The quality of your marriage is up to you. Work together to make it the very best. ½

food matters

with Sanitarium’s Nutrition Service team

Roast Pumpkin, Walnut and Snow Pea Salad with Balsamic Dressing Preparation Time: 10 MINUTES cooking Time: 45 MINUTES Serves 4

Ingredients: ■■Olive oil cooking spray ■■800 g baby Kent pumpkin,

peeled, seeded and sliced into wedges ■■150 g snow peas, trimmed

and halved lengthways ■■¼ cup walnuts ■■75 g baby spinach leaves ■■1 tbsp olive oil

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 180oC. Line a roasting tray with a sheet of baking paper. Place the pumpkin on the tray and spray with oil, bake for 40 minutes or until golden brown and cooked. Set aside to cool.

2. Place the snow peas in a heatproof bowl and cover with boiling water. Set aside for 30 seconds, drain immediately and refresh under cold running water. Heat a non-stick frying pan over a moderate heat and toast the walnuts for 3 minutes. Set aside to cool.

3. Arrange the baby spinach, roast pumpkin, snow peas and walnuts on serving plates. Whisk together the olive oil, balsamic vinegar and honey. Season and drizzle over the salad. Serve immediately.

PER SERVE: 880 kJ (210 cal). Protein 7 g. Total fat 11 g. Saturated fat 2 g.

Carbohydrate 18 g. Total sugars 13 g. Sodium <10 mg. Potassium 971 mg.

Calcium 85 mg. Iron 2.1 mg. Fibre 4 g.

■■2 tbsp balsamic vinegar ■■1 tsp honey

For further information on healthy eating, please contact Sanitarium Nutrition Service AUSTRALIA: Locked Bag 7 Central Coast Mail Centre, NSW 2252 Freecall: 1800 673 392

NEW ZEALAND: Private Bag 92127, Auckland, New Zealand Phone: 0800 100 257

e h t f o e fat

d e n r a w un T

he Old Testament of the Bible reveals that it was only those nations around Israel (from Greece to India and Turkey to Ethiopia) who received invitations to accept God; only they had the 44 | Signs of the Times

opportunity to hear the words of salvation heralded from Jerusalem.

After the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the first Christians added a few more countries around the Mediterranean to the list, but even these were limited to the Roman Empire, which had a

poco_bw—Istockphoto.com

eve in Jesus li e b o h w se o es that only th hat happens W s, sk a tz The Bible teach n a h c al life. Borge S will gain etern ever heard to those who n about Jesus?

population of less than 45 million people—and that in a world estimated to have a population of 200 million back then.

This really means that in biblical times, millions of people living in what we today call North and South America, Australia and vast areas of Asia, Africa and Europe never had

an opportunity to learn about and become citizens of God’s kingdom.

They were “unwarned.”

For the past 2000 years, missionaries have done a remarkable job of correcting this inequity. However, only one-third of the world’s population today is Christian, while another third, though non-Christian, live within the reach of Christians. The Signs of the Times | 45

final third—about two billion people—remain unreached. Most live in countries and areas where Christianity is forbidden.

This means that since the beginning of time, millions of people have died before they had a chance to hear and accept the salvation God has provided.

how will the unwarned face God? The Bible has promises of salvation for the believer (Psalm 37:39, 40) and damnation for people who reject the offer of entering God’s kingdom (Luke 9:26). It also says that there will be a day of judgement (Daniel 7:9, 10) where both those who accepted Christ and those who rejected Him will be judged.

However, there is no direct “thus saith the Lord” concerning the fate of the millions of people who never heard God’s offer of salvation, either from Jews before the Cross or Christians after. Thus, we struggle with the question, How will a loving and caring God deal with people who never had a chance to accept Him? This issue has generated significant theological debate and many contradictory suggestions have been made.

They can roughly be divided into six main themes: ◗ Christians who believe in predestination (that God has foreordained some people to salvation and others to condemnation) have the issue solved by Providence. God has 46 | Signs of the Times

already decided who will be saved and who will be lost. ◗ Those who believe that salvation is obtainable only with membership in their faith tradition and a belief in their doctrines. These are called exclusivists. ◗ Many Christians believe that only those persons who hear and accept the Gospel about Christ and the salvation He offers can be saved. There is no hope for those who never heard the Gospel. ◗ A fourth option is called inclusivism—those who believe that salvation can be obtained outside their fellowship and special doctrines. ◗ Fifth are universalists, who claim that all people will ultimately be saved. Those who did not accept Christ before they died will be given an opportunity to do so after they die, and God will continue convicting them until they repent and are converted. ◗ Finally, there is a group called pluralists, who believe that all religions lead to salvation.

holy ignorance The Bible says there are hidden things that belong only to God (Deuteronomy 29:29) and subjects that we humans cannot understand fully (John 16:12). Paul writes that “now I know in part” (1 Corinthians 13:12), and Jesus once said, “You do not realise now what I am doing, but later you will understand” (John 13:7).

God seems to appreciate that there are subjects where His children have a limited understanding, and the final fate of the unwarned is among the issues of holy ignorance.

However, a couple of texts in the Bible suggest that those who never heard of the Jewish or Christian religions will have an opportunity to respond to God’s call. In John 3:1–3, Jesus said that in order to be saved, a person must be “born again.” Another name for the new birth is conversion and it happens in our lives through a special work of the Holy Spirit on our minds and hearts. With this in mind, please note that John 1:9 says Jesus is “the true light that gives light to every man [who comes] into the world.”

In other words, in some way, the Holy Spirit reaches out to every human being who was ever born.

And Paul said that even Gentiles who don’t have the law (that is,

God’s truth as revealed in the Bible) sometimes “show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts” (Romans 2:14, 15). To have the law written on the heart means to be converted (Jeremiah 31:33; Hebrews 8:10). Thus, Paul seems to be saying that even Gentiles who never heard the Jewish message before the Cross or the Christian message after the Cross can respond to the impressions of the Holy Spirit on their hearts and be “converted.”

conscience The Bible also makes it clear that a growing understanding of the plan of salvation means greater responsibilities in obedience and service to God. Human beings have been endowed with consciences— the inward judges of actions and thoughts. The judgements are based on people’s concepts of morality and

“but I didn’t know . . .”

e in the Bible: es and cases of ignoranc There are various degre possibility for obtainsed on the lack of or the ba e, nc ora ign nt oce ◗◗ Inn s 4:2; Acts 3:17). ing knowledge (Leviticu ich is rebellion a hardness of heart, wh m fro ing ult res e, nc ◗◗ Guilty ignora (Ephesians 4:18). ver had the chance to t for the millions who ne tha tes ica ind le Bib e ◗◗ Th ding of the divine lack of a full understan hear the Gospel, their the judgement as a mitigating factor in requirements will serve (Romans 2:12-16).

Signs of the Times | 47

ethics as guided by their culture, traditions and religion.

An active Christian conscience will evaluate acts, words and thoughts in the light of the Bible and the Ten Commandments. Of course, sometimes our consciences can be wrong.

The apostle Paul makes it clear that his ignorance—a result of his Jewish upbringing—made him persecute Christians with a clear conscience.

People with a flawed concept of morality need to educate their consciences so that they are in harmony with God’s truth.

For those who never had the opportunity to accept Jesus Christ as Saviour, their obedience to the silent voice of conscience may serve as a positive factor in the final judgement. That’s why, in the passage about those who never heard the law yet had the precepts of the law written on their hearts, Paul went on to say that those people’s consciences will accuse or perhaps excuse them in the judgement (Romans 2:15, 16).

great High Priest (Hebrews 4:14) In God’s plan of salvation, Christ the Lawgiver takes the penalty for the lawbreaker, whom He created.

The Saviour is not only Judge but also Advocate for the sinner. He provides these benefits for the redemption of all humankind, including those who have not received a formal introduction to the Gospel. ◗ “For this reason he had to be made 48 | Signs of the Times

like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people” (Hebrews 2:17). ◗ Christ has “entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God’s presence” (Hebrews 9:24). ◗ “Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted” (Hebrews 2:18). ◗ “He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and are going astray, since he himself is subject to weakness” (Hebrews 5:2).

This outstanding service was illustrated at the crucifixion when Christ interceded for all involved in that cruel act with the words: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34).

This Jesus Christ is the Saviour of all people. He loves the unwarned.

The same plea expressed in His divine love for those who crucified Him will also be made for all those who never had a chance to hear about salvation.

God, who is righteous, is also love.

Through Jesus Christ, God accepts the sinner, not as a criminal, but as a son or daughter He loves. Therefore, we can, with confidence, leave the billions of people who never heard about Jesus Christ in the love and care of their Creator, Lawgiver and Judge. He is also their Advocate and Saviour. ½

lifeguide

with family life counsellor Trafford Fischer

Seth Pierce points out that in order to represent God to others, we must first know Him ourselves.

a many splendoured thing

Q:

My neighbours have been married more than 25 years and yesterday left for what they were calling their “third honeymoon.” Is that really possible? our neighbours are pretty smart Y people! They’ve discovered what research is proving to be a vital ingredient in successful, long-term relationships: the ability to keep it alive and vibrant. Too often, couples can become so involved in keeping their work on track, their sporting commitments on schedule and their children’s appointments on target, that they forget to keep their core relationship in focus.

Their love, their sense of fondness and admiration, their respect for each other, their sense of happiness and simple fun get chipped away or buried in busyness.

Even the best marriages become stale if they become predictable. This is where play can make a real difference.

Play recharges our tired batteries and refuels our empty tanks. Couples in close relationships need to initiate some “playtime” in their lives. They need to find time for simple but rewarding tasks of mutual enjoyment that separate them as much as possible from all the usual things they do.

Some couples wander antique stores, get involved in photography, work on

their homegrown vegie-patch or race each other along the beach. They do these things not to compete or for monetary gain. For them, it’s simply because it’s fun!

Marriage and family therapist Dr John Gottman discovered in his research that couples in long-term relationships find ways to nurture their fondness and admiration. He writes, “Fondness and admiration can be fragile unless you remain aware of how critical they are to the friendship that is at the core of a good marriage. By simply reminding yourself of your spouse’s positive qualities—even as you grapple with each other’s flaws—you can prevent a happy marriage from deteriorating.”

A “honeymoon” can be a great opportunity to have fun once again and rekindle fondness and admiration. But we can’t rely on it alone to revitalise our relationships if we haven’t been taking care of each other in our everyday lives.

“The secret to reconnecting isn’t the candles and by-the-sea holiday, but turning toward each other in little ways every day,” writes Gottman. §

Questions to Trafford should be addressed to Lifeguide, Signs of the Times, PO Box 1115, Wahroonga NSW 2076, Australia

50 | Signs of the Times

a

spokesperson

for God

Pacific press

A:

I

spent a great deal of time during my high-school years learning how to play the guitar. I attended music classes, hung out in music stores and practised scales over and over, even while watching the TV! At one point, since I

wasn’t gainfully employed and hadn’t developed a desire for completing homework, I practised for four to six hours a day. I wish I could tell you and all budding guitar players that it was fun, but the truth is that it was a tad repetitious. My fingertips bled, Signs of the Times | 51

my fingers were sore and my social life was as vibrant as a raincloud.

Eventually, however, thanks to all that work, I was able to play fairly well. Not only could I run through pentatonic and harmonic minor scales, but I could hold conversations while doing it. Eighth notes became sixteenth notes and on occasion even thirty-second notes. I could chord without looking and what’s more, I began to feel the music rather than just play it.

I even started improvising, playing my own rhythms and solos without having to think about what I was doing and without reading any of the music in front of me. I could

walk into any jam session and begin playing along.

music as an experience I’m not a accomplished musician by any means and I have friends who are far better experts than I will ever be. Many of them have composed their own songs and sold them to people like me! Because they spent so much time learning, they developed a deep insight into the art of music. To me, that is the ultimate in music talent—to be able to experience it as an art, to feel it, to understand it in the heart and as I said, to have insight into it.

The Japanese have a term called

gen no sen and also mushin, which is a state of mind that can be translated as “mind no mind.” Rather than focusing on a sheet of music crammed with enough chords and scales to make you go cross-eyed, the mind-no-mind musician can take in everything at once. It isn’t some trick or method that can be taught but is rather a level of mastery that comes with years of experience.

And musicians aren’t the only ones who are able to achieve this level of familiarity with their art. Athletes can execute their techniques while talking to you. Painters as well, after years of practise. I was astounded by Bob Ross, who used to have a TV

show called The Joy of Painting. He could whip out a beautiful landscape as he spoke casually into the camera. It looked so easy and effortless.

When I tried it, even without talking to anyone, my paintings resembled nonsensical lines and splashes of colour. My four-year-old daughter can paint better than that!

As I reflect on this level of expertise, I’m drawn to people in the Bible who had a deep experience with God, the result of which was tremendous insight that helped others to have a more intimate relationship with Him. Only, in this case, it didn’t come with practise or repetition. It came as a gift of grace from

your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.”

4. What do unfulfilled predictions show? Jeremiah 28:9 “But the prophet who prophesies peace will be recognised as one truly sent by the Lord only if his prediction comes true.”

Bible discovery with Errol Webster

the spirit of prophecy According to Christian radio broadcaster Harold Camping, the end of the world is now slated to occur on October 21, 2011—that’s this month!

On that day, the righteous will be raptured to heaven and the world will be destroyed. This is not the first such prediction that Camping has made.

Previously, he had predicted judgement days on September 6, 1994, and on May 21 of this year.

From time to time, there are people who claim to have the prophetic gift.

What does the Bible say about prophets?

1. How did God reveal His messages to people in the Old Testament?

52 | Signs of the Times

Hebrews 1:1 “In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways.”

A prophet is a spokesperson for God who communicates God’s will to His people (Amos 3:7). In the past, God sometimes revealed His message in visions and dreams (Numbers 12:6).

Other times He spoke directly (Exodus 3:4–6; 1 Samuel 3). Women also received the prophetic gift (Exodus 15:20, 21; Judges 4:4; 2 Kings 22:11–20).

2. On the Day of Pentecost, what did Peter say will be in the church? Acts 2:17 “In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy,

The “last days” is the period between the First and Second Advents (see Hebrews 1:1, 2). Prophecy is one of the gifts of the Spirit (Romans 12:6–8; 1 Corinthians 12:7–10; Ephesians 4:11).

3. What warning did Jesus give concerning future false prophets and how to recognise them? Matthew 7:15, 16 “Watch out for false prophets.

They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognise them.”

For example, Jesus said, “No-one knows about that day or hour” of His second coming (Matthew 24:36). Thus, anyone who sets a date for His second coming is a false prophet.

Of course, some predictions are conditional (Jeremiah 18:7–10; Jonah 3:10). While prophets testify of Jesus and their gift is to be tested by the Bible (Isaiah 8:20), true prophets are not infallible. For example, John the Baptist, languishing in prison, doubted that Jesus was the Messiah (Matthew 11:2).

5. Do true prophets give their own interpretations? 2 Peter 1:20, 21 “No prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation. For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God Signs of the Times | 53

God (2 Peter 1:21). We call it “the gift of prophecy.”

an experience with God Throughout the Old Testament, we see people to whom God gave this special experience, after which He sent them out with a special message to the world. Jeremiah was a preacher’s kid, who felt he was far too young to speak for God. Nevertheless, God called him and gave him a difficult message to deliver.

And he did so faithfully for the rest of his life.

Another example is Isaiah, to whom God gave a vision of judgement and heavenly things. Following this vision, Isaiah cried out that he was a “man of unclean lips,”

who was not worthy to speak of such things (Isaiah 6:5). However, an angel touched his lips with a hot coal from an altar in heaven and purged him of all uncleanness, making him a fit vessel for God to use (verses 6, 7).

In the New Testament, Paul wrote to the Corinthian church about spiritual gifts, one of which is the gift of prophecy. By reading everything he said on the topic, it becomes clear that prophets are people who act as spokespersons or messengers for God. Like those who have a deep, intimate knowledge of their art, prophets have a deep, intimate knowledge of God and are able to see spiritual things that others can’t see. God commissions them to

Bible discovery with Errol Webster (continued) as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.”

6. What characterises God’s faithful followers? Revelation 12:17 “Then the dragon was enraged at the woman and went off to make war against the rest of her offspring—those who obey God’s commandments and hold to the testimony of Jesus.”

7. What is the “testimony of Jesus”?

Revelation 19:10 ”For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”

The Bible is the product of the spirit of prophecy. God has guided His church in both the Old and New Testaments through the gift of prophecy, and this gift is to be manifested right up to the end.

54 | Signs of the Times

8. About whom do all the prophets testify? Acts 10:43 “All the prophets testify about him [Jesus] that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”

The central message of the Bible is about Jesus Christ and His crucifixion.

One of my favourite writers, Ellen White, has said, “The sacrifice of Christ as an atonement for sin is the great truth around which all other truths cluster” and “No discourse should ever be delivered without presenting Christ and Him crucified as the foundation of the gospel.”

And that is the central message of all true prophets.

reveal His will to those who are having trouble understanding it.

It’s important to note that, while prophets may at times predict future events and while supernatural signs sometimes follow them, the vast majority of their work is simply instructing people and guiding them on how to carry out God’s will for their lives. Prophets aren’t circus sideshows. Their roles are to speak straight truth, often unpopular truth, to those who have trouble understanding truth.

In Revelation, a book of prophecies, an angel told John, “I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers [and sisters] who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy” (Revelation 19:10; emphasis added). Much of Revelation is about the close of earth’s history, which suggests that the “spirit of prophecy” John spoke about is a gift that will be active within the body of believers until the end of time. And note that its primary goal is to be a testimony of or about Jesus, pointing people to Him.

a modern example In my faith tradition, we believe that the spiritual gift of prophecy was at work in the life of a woman named Ellen White. White had only a third-grade education and she battled sickness during her early years.

Nevertheless, she produced voluminous writings that helped a handful

of believers to grow into a worldwide church of 16 million people.

She wrote on topics as wide ranging as nutrition, evangelism, education, foreign missions and parenting.

Many, even of those from outside my tradition, recognise her as an influential Christian thinker.

White described her ministry as pointing people back to the Bible, which points to Jesus. She said, “Little heed is given to the Bible, and the Lord has given a lesser light to lead men and women to the greater light.” Her great passion was to direct people’s attention to Jesus.

She said, “I point you to the cross of Calvary. I bid you in the name of Jesus, Look and live.”

Ever calling attention to Jesus, she wrote hundreds of letters to erring believers who needed correction. She was not one to sit idly by and let people destroy themselves with sin.

Sometimes she was quite pointed in her advice.

However, she had a healthy perspective on her own status and authority. She never claimed infallibility, for she said that “God alone is infallible.” She had her own struggles and needed a Saviour as much as anyone else. A casual glance at the leaders in the Bible reveals that all of them needed Jesus—even the prophets.

I’m thankful that throughout history God has given His people prophetic insight to help them see Jesus more clearly. ½ Signs of the Times | 55

A look at faith, science and intelligent design.

“God created man in His Own Image.

The genealogy of our race, as given by inspiration, traces back its origin, not to a line of developing germs, mollusks, and quadrupeds, but to The Great Creator.”

a mother s ’ touch

$24.9.959) (NZ$34

Harold Harker traces the life of Susanna Wesley, commonly referred to as the “mother of Methodism.”

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Mail coupon to: Enclosed is a cheque/money order of $__________ payable Australia: Signs Books to Signs Publishing Co, OR charge my MasterCard / VISA. PO Box 201 Warburton Vic 3799 or phone (in Australia) 1800 805 990 Name on card ______________________________________________________ New Zealand: Signs Books PO Box 97019 Manukau Expiry date ___________ Signature______________________________________ City, Manukau 2240 *Offer available in Australia and New Zealand only, while stock lasts. Price includes postage and GST. Seventh-day Adventist Church (SPD) Limited ACN 093 117 689

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usanna Wesley was born in January 1669, the twentyfifth (and last) child of the Reverend Samuel Annesley, a dissenting minister of the Church of England. As an adult, she mothered one of the most influential Reformers England has known, imparting to him values that he would bring to the pulpit over decades of ministry.

Her father was the son of a minister and one of some 2000 ministers

expelled from their pulpits in 1662, as a consequence of the British government’s Act of Uniformity. Her mother was also the daughter of a minister, so it’s no surprise that Susanna was steel-willed, deeply spiritual and highly moral.

early life In 1682, at the age of 13, Susanna left her father’s church despite his objections and joined the establishment Church of England. It was Signs of the Times | 57

58 | Signs of the Times

dropped by a careless maid and suffered permanent disability. The family then moved to Epworth, where the rest of the 19 children were born, eventually including two sons, John and Charles. n Susanna’s work at home must have been constant and trying. She homeschooled all of her children, including her daughters. All were expected to learn the alphabet by the age of five, when they began their education.

When Samuel was away on one his many extended trips, she read to the family, usually the best-written sermons she could find. One of the servants told his parents and they joined the group, which soon grew to around 200. The young assistant pastor became jealous, complaining to Samuel in a letter that she was getting a better attendance at her meetings than he was at his.

Samuel wrote to Susanna counselling her to get someone else to read the sermon. She replied that there was not a man who could read a sermon without spoiling it! The young pastor continued complaining, so Samuel wrote again. Susanna’s reply tells of her independence, ethics and spirit. She said, “If you do, after all, think fit to dissolve this assembly, do not tell me that you desire me to do it, for that will not satisfy my conscience; but send me your positive command, in such full and express terms as may absolve me from all guilt and punishment, for neglecting

this opportunity of doing good, when you and I shall appear before the great and awful tribunal of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

family influence

tarinoel—istockphoto.com

there she met a young Samuel Wesley, whom she married six years later.

Samuel had just completed five years of study at Oxford and had been ordained in the Church of England. He possessed some of his father-in-law’s grating, autocratic personality. This, along with his support of the ruling class, would later put him at odds with his Epworth parishioners, who twice set fire to the rectory! n Although university was never open to her, Susanna was well read.

Her father, who was something of a poet and hymn writer as well as a minister, always encouraged her to think for herself. She was familiar with the Bible and points of theology and religion as preached by her father and from her own reading.

Soon after the first of her 19 children was born, the young couple was invited to minister in the small hamlet of South Ormsby, Lincoln­ shire, where they lived in a mud hut that consisted of one small room and a loft.

The appointment must have brought little excitement or enjoyment to her life, but it did help her to identify with the needs of the poor who inhabited the towns and villages of England.

Here, their second child, also named Susanna, was born, but being sickly, she soon died, as did other children, including twins.

More children followed—another Susanna, then Mary, who was

Despite the pressures of constant pregnancy, homeschooling, an absent husband and many children, Susanna always spent an hour one-on-one with each of her children each week. She taught them the great biblical principles of the Gospel and how to live them in their own religious experiences. This practice touched the lives of each child.

John Wesley, who established the Methodist Church, had Thursday nights. Following a house fire, when John was nearing seven years of age, Susanna spent special time with him, calling him a “brand plucked from the burning.” It was a title that stuck.

Susanna’s final resting place is in Bunhill Fields Cemetery in London, just across the road from Wesley Chapel where John conducted his ministry. She rightly shares the grounds with such notables as John Bunyan, author of Pilgrim’s Progress, Isaac Watts, the great hymn writer, and Daniel Defoe, the author of Robinson Crusoe.

Many of the great “methods” of religious practice and belief that John later introduced into his Methodist Church were based on the way Susanna organised their home life. No wonder Susanna Wesley is called “the mother of Methodism”! ½

Methodism traces its roots to John Wesley’s evangelistic revival movement within Anglicanism in the eighteenth century. His younger brother, Charles, wrote many of the hymns that later became favourites of both Methodists and many other denominations.

Susanna Wesley’s ordered life with the regular study of Scriptures was the underlying pattern followed by John, who wrote many lessons for his church to help members in their daily study and growth.

The name Methodist came about because John Wesley’s followers were so methodical in the way they ordered their lives. Susanna Wesley had a great influence in John’s development of this lifestyle. She saw her role as mother as a Godgiven responsibility and despite difficulties that we might see as handicaps, she fulfilled her role well, ensuring the religious development of her children, thereby influencing the spiritual life of millions of people for years to come.

a mother’s

influence

Signs of the Times | 59

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with Nick Matiske

Paul Collins:

Judgment day

T

he reception of the proposed Australian carbon tax illustrates the thesis of historian Tony Judt in his recent insightful polemic Ill Fares the Land that we in the West now find it extremely difficult to conduct debate in terms other than economic. Australian theologian Paul Collins argues that we need a sea-change in our thinking to be able to tackle the environmental challenges that face us, and he finds, in the Christian tradition and in the language of sin and redemption rather than New Age trendiness, terms to recast the debate.

Collins argues that Christianity shares some of the blame for the problems the world faces, because of the biblical exhortation to “subdue” the earth, a focus on the next world rather than this one and a focus on sexual morality. But Christianity offers positives too, of course, and Collins borrows particularly from theologians Thomas Berry and Thomas Aquinas to argue that it is not just the human world where God is at work and that therefore we need to look more holistically and humbly at our situation. If the 60 | Signs of the Times

mysticism he relates is hard to take, with his talk of Matthew Fox’s Cosmic Christ and James Lovelock’s Gaia, we can simply find in the Bible ethical principles that can be applied to the environmental debate, namely care for the poor and marginalised, and a suspicion of human wealth and power.

No doubt acting ethically will cost us, but Christianity is about doing the right thing even at a cost. We have a tendency to put ourselves first (what theologically we term sin), but there is no getting around the fact that the Bible teaches us to direct our attention away from ourselves to God (and by extension the whole of His world). Besides, Collins argues, we need nature for our spiritual health, as it helps to reorient us to God’s values rather than our own. ½ Paul Collins, Judgment Day, UNSW Press, 2010. The book was awarded third prize in the 2011 Australian Christian Book of the Year Awards.

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sly While we consciou know that beauty is not just about appearances, do we actually believe it? Adele Nash takes a look.

is it only

M

y favourite Disney film was Beauty and the Beast, which was released in 1991. It’s a tale with the noble moral of reminding viewers to look beyond the physical appearance to see what’s on the inside—the inside

62 | Signs of the Times

of a big, hairy, grumpy Beast, in this case. (Although in reality, what is usually on the inside of big, hairy beasts are the remains of smaller, equally hairy, but significantly slower beasts.)

However, with some magic of Disney fairytale dust, the beast of this story is one who must love the tale’s

Sergey3d—Istockphoto.com

? p e e d n i sk

heroine, Belle, and win her love in return, to become a prince again.

Of course, it all works out, because otherwise he would have remained a beast forever, which would mean an eternity of not being allowed on the couch. Although physical beauty is involved, the nod to the importance of inner beauty is a nice touch.

In real life, you meet people with personalities as ugly or as beautiful as their physical looks. You’ll also meet people who are physically beautiful but with personalities that would be more at home in large, hairy, ill-tempered animals. Likewise, you find beautiful personalities in people who won’t ever grace the cover of Vogue. And, occasionally, you meet people beautiful both inside and out. n Although there are people who will debate it, it’s commonly accepted that the Mona Lisa is a beautiful painting, Angelina Jolie is a pretty woman, red roses are delightful, diamonds are sparkle-rific and the Swiss Alps are scenic perfection.

But when you move beyond the commonly accepted items of beauty and begin defining beauty around unique, unusual or different things, opinion becomes divided, if not hotly debated. (Just look at the way Brutalist architecture is embraced by some, who claim it’s simply misunderstood.)

You also come to accept that you won’t always meet people who feel

the way you do. I know I won’t always meet people who feel passionately about carnivorous plants (such as nepenthes and sarracenias), modern art, French actor Daniel Auteuil or the South Island of New Zealand. And I’m okay with that.

After all, beauty is in the eye of the beholder (or the be-hearer in the case of music). n There’s a great example of this in the Bible. In 1 Samuel 16:1–13 is recorded the story of David being chosen to be the next king of Israel.

Samuel, a prophet, went to choose the new king from among the sons of Jesse. Upon seeing Eliab, David’s first brother, Samuel thought he was definitely the Lord’s anointed.

But God said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height . . . . The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (verse 7).

The more we give ourselves the chance to see and celebrate beauty in any form, the more opportunities we allow ourselves for happiness. As French author Marcel Proust wrote, “It has been said that beauty brings a promise of happiness, but it could be otherwise that the possibility of joy is the beginning of beauty.” ½

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