Compass Point

Yesterday I spoke at a funeral for a man who had no formal religious affiliation. By all accounts he was a good man who worked hard, loved his family and loved to fish. But he did not go to church. The question for some is what is his fate? What happens now?

Some give vague answers like "God know those who are His".  But what is the future for those who profess no religious faith? What about those who deny God and profess atheism?  What about those who live truly evil lives? What does the Bible say?

Two scriptures from Revelation give us the answer. Revelation 20:5, "But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished..."  The rest of the dead are those who died never having been called to true knowledge of God and His great plan.

Revelation 21:1 says "Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first passed away. Also there was no more sea. The I John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem,  coming down out of heaven from God , prepared  as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with then, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former thinks have passed away."

Here is a description of the world the "rest of the dead" will see when they awake in the resurrection. We need not worry about their eternal fate.

Climate Threat in Military's Sights

Australia is in the midst of drought as our lead story in this month's WNP details. Now this article from the Sydney Morning Herald reports the Australian Defense Force has developed plans to deal with climate change and terrorism as a national security threat. This may be the first major nation to create such a plan.

Iran A Year Away From Nuclear Bomb?

"If all Iran wanted to do was destroy the
State of Israel, it would simply invest in the 1300 kilometer range
Shihab - 3 missile, which which it already has,"  say former Israeli ambassador Dore Gold said, adding that
Iran was however developing North Korean missiles with far great ranges.

Is it more than Israel that is in danger?

Jerry Falwell's Legacy

Cal Thomas worked with Jerry Falwell in the early days of the Moral Majority. Thomas left the movement and went on to other things . His writings show a disillusion with the effect of political engagement by religious conservatives. This article offers an insider's view of Falwell and his legacy in American religion.