Newsletter: Antibiotic-Resistant Diseases, Middle East Happenings, Praising and Thanking God (November 17, 2017)

[Linda O'Donnell]

News from Hal Lindsey Media Ministries (This was copied from an email that I received on November 17th)

November 17th, 2017

In the 14th century, the bubonic plague -- or Black Death, as it is known in history -- wiped out 60% of the entire population of Europe.

Modern medicine, particularly antibiotics, effectively defeated bubonic plague and relegated it to occasional, relatively minor outbreaks.

Well, the Black Death is back.

Several nations are once again experiencing outbreaks of bubonic plague. This outbreak began in Madagascar, an island off the east coast of Africa.

It has now spread to at least ten African nations. The death toll, thus far, is in the hundreds. Thousands have been infected, including many healthcare workers.

With the ready availability of antibiotics and the quick response of the world's medical community, a massive bubonic plague outbreak seems unlikely. But no one knows. After all, Jesus predicted that in the time just before His return, the world would see an alarming increase in "pestilences." And bubonic plague can certainly be classified as a pestilence.

But I think we're facing an even greater problem: antibiotic-resistant diseases.

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), in the United States alone, approximately two million people each year become infected with bacteria that is resistant to antibiotics. The CDC estimates that 23,000 die from those infections each year.

Sadly, this may be only the beginning. Colistin is often referred to as "the antibiotic of last resort." It's the powerful, last-gasp alternative reserved for those cases that don't respond to anything else.

According to The Guardian of London, "Scientists attending a recent meeting of the American Society for Microbiology reported... that bacteria containing a gene... which confers resistance to the antibiotic colistin... had spread round the world at an alarming rate since its original discovery 18 months earlier."

It has gotten so bad that England's Chief Medical Officer, Professor Dame Sally Davies recently told a conference, "The world is facing an antibiotic apocalypse."

Precisely as Jesus warned for these days in which we are living.

Wow, strange things are happening in the Middle East.

After accepting Hezbollah as a "partner" in Lebanon's government during the past year, Saad Hariri, the Prime Minister of Lebanon, flew to Saudi Arabia and briefly disappeared. Last week, he appeared on Saudi television and announced his resignation as Prime Minister of Lebanon.

Hariri blamed Hezbollah, which is internationally recognized as a terror group, and its master, Iran, which is internationally recognized as the greatest state sponsor of terrorism. He said he feared for his life.

Even now, Hariri insists he is not being detained against his will. But Lebanon -- and Hezbollah -- accuse the Saudis of "kidnapping" their Prime Minister.

Meanwhile, the Houthis of Yemen launched a ballistic missile at Saudi Arabia. The Saudi air force intercepted it and destroyed it mid-flight.

The Houthis are a radical Yemeni group funded by Iran -- which also founded and funds Hezbollah.

Since Iran funds the Houthis and supplied the missile that was fired at Saudi Arabia, and since Hezbollah is, likewise, a proxy of Iran and is a full partner in Lebanon's official government, the Saudis have drawn an interesting conclusion.

Saudi Arabia is accusing Lebanon of committing an "act of war" against it.

So the Saudis accuse Lebanon of an "act of war" and the Lebanese accuse the Saudis of kidnapping their Prime Minister. The whole affair has the Middle East on edge.

Some analysts believe the Saudis accuse the nation of Lebanon of this aggression in order to fan sectarian conflict in Lebanon. The thinking is that if the Saudis can cause the 40% of Lebanon's population that is Christian, and the 30% that is Sunni Muslim (as opposed to Shi'ite Muslim like Hezbollah and Iran) to rise up against Hezbollah, they may be able to stop the takeover of Lebanon by Iran.

The Saudis may be setting the stage for a possible intervention in Lebanon. If that happens, Iran won't respond nicely and the region could explode.

The human suffering caused by the Syrian civil war (in which Iran and Hezbollah are allies of Assad), has been surprising and tragic. It has changed the character of the Middle East and, because of the mass "refugee" migration, of Europe.

But it may be just the beginning.

Finally, as we prepare to celebrate this Thanksgiving season, I want to share with you why I think it's more important than ever to understand the power of praise in thanksgiving to God. Our nation faces real and present dangers. As I report weekly on "The Hal Lindsey Report," the threats are mounting and the odds appear to be impossible. But it's precisely at those moments of darkness that the power of praise and gratitude to God can be our pathway to victory.

Don't miss this week's Report on TBN, Daystar, CPM Network, various local stations, www.hallindsey.com or www.hischannel.com. Check your local listings.

Have a wonderful and blessed Thanksgiving.

God Bless,


Hal Lindsey
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