StandingWatch | Audio Podcast

Why was there slavery in the Old Testament? Why didn't the early apostles condemn slavery? Will there be slavery in God's Kingdom and the Millennium? How should Christians view the concept of slavery today?

We are seeing increasingly worldwide hostilities against Jews and anti-Semitic feelings. The hateful and mad utterings of Iran's President Ahmadinejad and Egypt's President Morsi are no exceptions. Denial of the Holocaust becomes more wide-spread, not only in the Arab world. Still, America and Europe continue to collaborate with and militarily support Israel's enemies. Italy's Silvio Berlusconi defends Benito Mussolini, and the attention to Adolf Hitler's rise to power 80 years ago is a grim reminder of what can happen if we are not circumspect. The storm clouds are clearly forming. What does the Bible say about all of this?

Can you trust our media? Can you believe what they tell you? They are charged now with lying to you about President Obama's "success story" and committing blasphemy in attributing to him God-like status, while persecuting Christianity and the Bible. The facts are that there is no realistic hope for improvement of our economy during the President's second term, and big and positive ideas for improving our damaged relationship with other countries are mostly absent.

Some U.S. states allow the use of Marijuana for medical reasons; others allow it also for recreational reasons. Under Federal law, Marijuana use for any purpose is illegal. Whom should a Christian obey? What is the common reaction when using Marijuana? Is it addictive? Listen to some of those who have had first-hand experiences, and be warned.

Japan and Germany are moving away from pacifism, as was prophesied in the Bible. Japan's new cabinet has been described by the Economist as a cabinet of radical nationalists. Fourteen members honor the souls or spirits of dead warriors which are supposedly housed in the Shinzo shrine. Germany, on the other hand, is already the world's third-biggest arms exporter, according to the New York Times. Few realize that we are approaching an all-encompassing World War. Still fewer understand what spiritual powers are behind these developments.

While America is trying to deal domestically with its economic problems, a far greater danger is looming internationally. Very few understand why European unification is inevitable, and why the euro will not disappear. All the doom-mongers have been proven wrong, including the world's leading economists and investors, but they still don't realize why their gloomy predictions have failed. However, European unification is not good news for America and Britain. The Bible tells us why, but most are uwilling to listen.

Gender neutral Bible translations are not new, but the trend is continuing with an alarming rate. The German Family Minister Kristina Schroeder, a Lutheran member of Germany's conservative party, just declared that God could very well be referred to as "it." Modern Bible translations refer to God as "he" and "she" and speak of God as "Father" and "Mother." How do the inspired Hebrew and Greek texts refer to God, and why does it matter that we understand correctly who and what God is?

After the horrific mass murder of schoolchildren and adults on Connecticut, the issue of gun control was raised again. Many countries condemn America for its gun culture in a most hypocritical fashion. Pastor Joel Olsteen refused to take a position on the matter, as he felt it was a political issue that divides people. However, the question pertains to the very core of true Christianity. Will we ever experience peace on this planet? The answer is, Yes, indeed, but not in the way that most people think or expect.

The Muslim Brotherhood of Egypt is a violent Islamist organization which is kidnapping and torturing their opponents. It has become the best friend of the USA which is still supplying Egypt with battle tanks, jet fighters and billions of dollars in military aid. God strongly condemns the American policy of trying to buy friends and allies, which the Bible calls lovers. Far too often, they will turn around and become America's bitter enemies. Egypt will be no exception.

President Morsi of Egypt has been wrongly applauded for his involvement in the Gaza crisis. Subsequently, he showed his true colors and that of the Muslim Brotherhood. The West's ignorant assessment of the Arab Spring is shameful, since the real goals of the radical Islamic movement should have been clear from the outset. Egypts future will be grim, and much turmoil, defeat in war and captivity is in store for the country.

While German Chancellor Angela Merkel backs Israel and the Jewish people, many Germans are becoming more critical. The strong public support of a court decision banning circumcision in Germany is just one example. Antisemitism has had a long history, even though Jesus Christ, the early apostles and the early New Testament Church were Jewish. Sadly, recent Jewish reactions to imagined injuries have added to antagonistic German feelings. The good news is that once the Jewish people accept Jesus Christ as their God and King in the Millennium, anti-Semitism will become a thing of the past.

Perhaps the most cherished Christmas custom of all is the Christmas tree. But did you know that the Christmas tree was a pagan object of worship long before the birth of Christ? Pagans believed that their gods were living in and actually changed into pinetrees. Does the Bible speak about Christmas trees? And if so, does it approve or condemn the custom of decorating pine trees at Christmas time?

What is the real scandal behind David Petraeus' marital infidelity and resignation? And why should you be concerned about the fiscal cliff and the entitlement cliff? Why do all these and other developments show that the signs of the downfall of the USA are obvious? Why the desire of the world to see America on its knees?

Mr. Obama was reelected president, but he has no reason for celebration. The country is as divided as ever. The billion-dollar election did not decide one single thing, writes The Washington Times. America voted for Obama as the lesser of two evils, writes the German press. Der Spiegel speaks about the dirtiest campaign in the history of the US. It claims that Germans and Europeans don't understand America any longer, and that the irreversible downfall of the American empire has begun. The Bible confirms this, but the spiritual reasons are being overlooked.

Should Christians vote in governmental elections? Some feel that they should not do so. However, many will try to argue that one must vote, even it is for the lesser of two evils. But what does the Bible say? In this program, God's position on this important matter will be explained.