The Trumpet Herald

Giving the trumpet a certain sound

October 2002

Homosexual Agenda

The Cathedral of Hope in Dallas, Texas is reportedly the largest majority (90%) gay church in America (3500 members). The Washington Post reported recently that the church is growing rapidly.

"As the largest predominantly gay church in the United States, and possibly the world, the Cathedral of Hope in Dallas is thriving. In doing so, it is challenging old stereotypes about conservatism and intolerance in the nation's ninth-largest city" ("Church's Growing Flock Changes Heart of Texas," The Washington Post, Aug. 25, 2002).

The article noted changes that had also occurred in city government:

"The Dallas city council, which now has two openly gay councilmen, this spring adopted an ordinance barring discrimination against gays in housing and jobs. And in the annual Gay Pride parade, scheduled for next month, half the city council members as well as the mayor are expected to march.

"'Things have changed in the last 10 years,' said Ed Oakley, one of the council's gay members. 'Dallas has become a less intolerant place'" (Ibid.).

Meanwhile on another front, the diversity vice president for Loma Linda University Adventist Health Sciences Center was called upon to defend the school's stance on not hiring homosexuals.

"He retorted immediately, 'Does Loma Linda hire practicing homosexuals or extend benefits to their partners?'

"Not knowingly,' I responded.

"Obviously unhappy with my answer, he chortled, 'How can you all do that?' I wish you could have heard the hush that fell over that room. I prayed silently, 'Lord, give me the grace to defuse this tense situation without giving needless offense'"("Upstream," Adventist Review, Aug. 1, 2002).

One subsequent e-mailed letter to the editor expressed the following thoughts:

"I was both embarrassed and sorely disappointed with the column by Leslie Pollard. Reading his response to the questions posed to him by the others in the meeting made me feel ashamed of being a part of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. To display such ignorance and blatant discrimination and then put it in print is nothing to be proud of.

"I hope both Loma Linda University and my church will take another look at the issue of homosexuality and domestic partnership and study what the Bible really does, or doesn't, say about it" ("Your e-letters" Adventist Review Online, no date).

Five other letters have expressed similar sentiments. There have been no letters published online so far defending Pollard's statement or the position of Loma Linda Health Sciences Center.

Inspired Commentary

The writer mentioned above seems to ask for a reconsideration of what the Bible says about homosexuality.

"For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, … Professing to be wise, they became fools, … Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, … For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in the lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due" (Rom. 1:18, 22, 24, 27, 27 NKJV).

Those who stand against what the Bible calls "shameful" perhaps need to attempt to let their voices be heard. It appears that those who sympathize with that shame are noticeably vocal.

The New Commandments

A columnist for the Melbourne (Australia) Herald Sun wrote recently about some events that occurred in connection with the recent Earth Summit sponsored by the United Nations in Johannesburg, South Africa:

"For instance, at the Earth Summit last Friday, hundreds of delegates and activists held a 'sacred site celebration' to honour a painted wooden chest known as the Ark of Hope, which had been carried there after two months on display at the UN's New York headquarters.

"This Ark of the Covenant -- oops! Ark of Hope -- is, and I'll quote from the official description so you won't think I'm exaggerating, 'a place of refuge for the Earth Charter', which is 'handwritten on papyrus paper.'

"The Ark also contains sacred books of 'collaborative prayers and affirmations for Earth', and is carried on two long poles, which -- no kidding – 'are unicorn horns which render evil ineffective' …

"Having asserted that, yes, the end of the world is nigh, the charter tells us to repent by obeying its 16 new commandments.

"So we must believe 'every form of life has value regardless of its worth to human beings', a mantra of earth-worshippers everywhere.

"We're also told to 'avoid military activities damaging to the environment', which I think means making sure soldiers don't crush daisies when they fall down dead.

"ON it drivels, concluding with a great pagan prayer at Commandment 16(f): To 'recognise that peace is the wholeness created by right relationships with oneself, other persons, other cultures, other life, Earth, and the larger whole of which all are a part'" ("Reason to Repent," by Andrew Bolt, Herald Sun, Sep. 2, 2002).

The Earth Charter Commission is co-chaired by Canadian billionaire Maurice Strong and former Soviet Union President Mikhail Gorbachev.

Inspired Commentary

The following passage from the Bible seems to speak also to the "Earth Charter":

"For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed beasts and creeping things" (Rom. 1:20-23 NKJV).

Giving glory to man and "mother earth" seems to be part of the ongoing and growing rebellion against the real God and His Ten Commandments. May the promised end come soon!

President Seeks War Powers

President Bush has send a suggested two-page resolution to Congress for consideration. The resolution, if passed by Congress, would "authorize the use of United States armed forces against Iraq."

"'The president,' the two-page draft resolution reads, 'is authorized to use all means that he determines to be appropriate, including force, in order to enforce the United Nations Security Council resolutions, defend the national security interests of the United States against the threat posed by Iraq, and restore international peace and security in the region' ("Bush draft on Iraq goes to Congress," The Washington Times, Sep. 20, 2002).

In response, some lawmakers feel the draft resolution is too broad. Sen. Russell D. Finegold, Wisconsin Democrat, said:

"As it is written, it is incredibly broad. Not only does it fail to adequately define the mission in question, it appears to actually authorize the president to do virtually anything anywhere in the Middle East."

The Washington Times reported that "Republicans and at least one key Democrat, on the other hand, warmly greeted the resolution" (Ibid.). Senate Minority Leader Trent Lott, Mississippi Republican, predicted that the American people would back this resolution.

Inspired Commentary

History flows toward the fulfillment of ancient Bible prophecies. Among those prophecies is the one that reveals the final character of a particular entity, symbolized by an animal with horns like a lamb:

"And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon. And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, (Rev. 13:11-13).

The power of government will eventually be used in the service of a false system of worship to force worship of a false god. It seems the groundwork is now being laid.