Project
Restore   >> Trumpet Herald contents >> January 2005 ..

The Trumpet Herald

Giving the trumpet a certain sound

January 2005

Contaminated Feed In Canada

A recent article in the Vancouver Sun reported on some secret tests done by the Canadian federal government on cattle feed labeled "vegetable only." The test findings gave cause for alarm:

According to internal Canadian Food Inspection Agency documents - obtained by The Sun through the Access to Information Act - 70 feed samples labelled as vegetable-only were tested by the agency between January and March of this year. Of those, 41 (59 per cent) were found to contain "undeclared animal materials." "The presence of animal protein materials [in vegetable feeds] may indicate . . . deliberate or accidental inclusion of animal proteins in feeds where they are not supposed to be," said an internal memo to the president of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency last April that described the test results as "worrisome." ("Secret tests reveal cattle feed contaminated by animal parts," canada.com, Dec. 16, 2004)

How much contamination does it take to pass along mad cow disease?

Controlled experiments have shown an animal needs to consume as little as one milligram of infected material - about the size of a grain of sand - from an animal with bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) to develop the brain-wasting disease.

Inspired Commentary

Disease in animals is a sign of the increasing evil of mankind, leading to the second coming:

For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. (Rom. 8:22, 23) Disease in animals is increasing in proportion to the increase of wickedness among men. The time is near when, because of the iniquity of the fallen race, the whole animal creation will groan under the diseases that curse our earth. (Counsels on Diet and Foods, p. 366)

Day-Specific Credit Card

Would it be possible to have credit cards issued that would not work for Sunday purchases?

TEL AVIV, Israel - All over the globe the weekend is the busiest time for shopping.

Consumer life in Israel is no different, despite the religious observance of the holy day of Sabbath from sundown on Friday until sundown on Saturday. For example, the biggest revenue day at the Shfaim shopping center, just 15 miles north of Tel-Aviv, is Saturday.

However for Jews who strictly observe the Sabbath - the holy day of rest, according to the Jewish religion - shopping and any form of entertainment are forbidden. Moreover, ultra-orthodox Jews are even stricter and will boycott shops and restaurants that operate on Saturdays.

Now, Bank Leumi, one of Israel's largest banks, and a group of ultra-orthodox leaders and entrepreneurs see a business opportunity in this niche market. They plan to introduce a special credit card that will not work on the Sabbath and that will not function in stores that don't observe the Sabbath.

A special chip will be added to the card so that it won't work on the Sabbath, officials said. ("New credit card for Jews won't work on Sabbath," MSNBC.com, Dec. 6, 2004)

Inspired Commentary

Lack of technology will not likely be a barrier to fulfillment of the following prophecy:

And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed. And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. (Rev. 13:15-17)

The Religious Right After the Election

After a significant percentage of voters in the recent US presidential election mentioned the consideration of "moral values," MSNBC reported on the thinking of some prominent evangelicals about what to do next:

But if the big-name evangelicals lay low before the election, they have since begun a very public victory dance. Pointing to the wave of anti-gay-marriage ballot measures approved in 11 states and the 22 percent of voters who cited "moral values" as their chief concern, the right is eager to claim credit for Bush's win. In past elections, evangelicals helped get out the vote but then quietly returned to their pulpits. Not this time. After years of frustrating Democratic rule followed by a gridlocked Congress under Bush, they now hold daily conference calls and meetings to review a long legislative wish list: conservative judicial appointments, a federal amendment banning gay marriage, abortion restrictions, tougher obscenity laws, school vouchers, a ban on all human cloning. And they're counting on Bush to deliver. "We're going to strike out and demand a conservative agenda," says direct-mail guru Richard Viguerie. "If we don't do it now, when do we do it?" ("Of Prayer and Payback," Newsweek on MSNBC.com, Nov. 22, 2004)

Inspired Commentary

The religious right's legislative agenda does not appear to call for any Sunday legislation, but inspiration indicates that emphasis will eventually become prominent:

Political corruption is destroying love of justice and regard for truth; and even in free America, rulers and legislators, in order to secure public favor, will yield to the popular demand for a law enforcing Sunday observance. Liberty of conscience, which has cost so great a sacrifice, will no longer be respected. In the soon-coming conflict we shall see exemplified the prophet's words: "The dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ." Revelation 12:17." (The Great Controversy, p. 592)

Baby Stolen from Womb - Mother Murdered

The news was sad and shocking:

An 8-month-old fetus cut from the womb of her strangled mother in Missouri turned up healthy and very much alive Friday in Kansas, where police arrested a woman for kidnapping and suspicion of murder. ("Fetus Survives Killing of Mother," washingtonpost.com, December 18, 2004)

Inspired Commentary

Let us also examine our own hearts for traces of sinful selfishness.

And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. (Matt. 24:12-13)