Dear Members and Co-Workers,

Just a few weeks ago, no one could have predicted that Russia would have trampled Georgian sovereignty with tanks and troops, catapulting nearly 100,000 innocent civilians into destitute homelessness, or that a top General from Moscow would be threatening to nuke Poland. And we haven't heard the last of it.

The stationing of defensive U.S. supplied anti-missile batteries in Poland has been under discussion for a long time. Now that an agreement has been executed to install them, Russia has adopted the Ahmadinejad style of threatening bluster, with one major difference. Russia has the immediate ability to carry out such a threat! You think things can't happen quickly? Look how rapidly the world's attention has been drawn to central Europe, where Bible prophecy indicates a "beast power" will hold sway over the entire civilized world in the "last days."

As a member or co-worker with an interest in the Garner Ted Armstrong Evangelistic Association, we assume you are attuned to developments on the world stage that involve the heart of Europe and the Middle East. Obviously, we cannot "report the news" with near the specificity or detail that is now more widely available than ever by means of satellite television transmission, or instantaneous reports and communications by way of the internet. We can and do, however, direct our readers and viewers to unfolding events that directly contribute to the prophetic scenario.

NATO held emergency meetings this week, trying to formulate a response to Russia's naked aggression into Georgia. There is also an implied threat to the rest of those eastern European countries subjugated by the former Soviet Union from the end of World War II until just after the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989.

And the big news is? NATO is virtually toothless. The emergency meetings failed to produce a coherent response. European members couldn't come up with anything that might induce Russia to back down. The situation is hopelessly complicated by Europe's utter dependence on Russian oil. Now Russia has seized control of the major Georgian pipeline that until two weeks ago represented the only source out of central Asia they didn't control. Under the circumstances, neither NATO nor the EU has any leverage over Russia beyond the untenable options that existed throughout the decades of Cold War. And that boiled down to mutually assured destruction.

Almost overnight the world balance of power has reverted back to a situation that existed prior to the breathtaking accomplishments of Ronald Reagan. But things are far more complicated this time around. The radical Islamic movement has matured and spread throughout Great Britain, Europe, and to a lesser known degree, the United States. India and Pakistan are the proud owners of nuclear arsenals. Iran is well along the way toward the achievement of its own nuclear capabilities, and vocally threatening Israel's existence on a constant basis.

Israel faltered in its southern Lebanon war with Hizbollah in the summer of 2006, and is no longer seen as invincible by Iranian proxies that have stockpiled missiles in untold quantities in Gaza and in southern Lebanon. Israel's internal political situation is currently tangled, with Prime Minister Olmert under criminal investigation and pledged to resign. It's an open question as to who will succeed him at a time when Israel is seen to be in "final preparations" to mount an attack against Iran's nuclear facilities.

In fact a current report claims the U.S. is refusing to supply some Israeli military orders for fear they maybe on the brink of moving against Iran! Russia factors into this scenario as well, as Iran's ally and business partner in the nuclear business. On top of that, Russia has just concluded additional agreements with Syria giving Russian naval access to Syrian ports and guaranteeing Syria's defense.

Despite America's technological and military superiority, the U.S. looks to be stretched thin by Iraq and Afghanistan. Our economy has absorbed numerous blows with more serious troubles predicted. Like Europe, we are dependent on foreign, unfriendly sources for our energy needs. Israel, in political disarray, faces threats that drastically supersede those of the past.

All of Europe, and perhaps to the greatest degree, England has allowed an influx and virtual colonization of Islamic communities bent on establishing a society of Sharia law that will forcibly engulf host nations and ultimately rule the world. That's their plan, and they make no secret of it.

There are so many factors driving the prophetic scenario at this time, it's hard to know exactly which aspect is the most important. My Dad, Garner Ted Armstrong, believed that Europe might well cast off the weaknesses of the bloated, politically correct EU to establish another entity altogether. A powerful military entity that would comprise a final resurrection of the Holy Roman Empire, capable of fulfilling the role predicted by Bible prophecy. He suspected that an economic meltdown combined with a stranglehold on oil supplies would be the catalyst, and said so in sermons and articles.

With oil as cheap and plentiful as we've seen in recent years and a booming world economy, it hasn't always been easy to envision. Even now, there are quite a few developments that will be required that are not now readily apparent. But how readily apparent were Moscow's intentions only a few weeks ago? We've just had a shocking lesson in how suddenly world events can change everything. And this time it's in the heart of Europe, with major implications for the Middle East and the entire western world. If you don't yet have it, request a copy of The Culmination of Prophecy on CD by Garner Ted Armstrong. Or, return the enclosed card for a free copy of ARROGANCE and the True Religion on DVD. It's an eye opener for God's people, with applications that will inform and inspire you.

With Sincere Thanks,