Dear Arno,

I am a long standing subscriber of Midnight Call, and a reader of a number of your books. Before I get to the reason for this letter, I want to first thank you for your sincere and consistent dedication to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, to His inerrant Word of God, and for your helpful insight as a prophetic voice for the end times.

There are three items I’d like to broach with you:

1. In the article entitled “World Conspiracy in Light of the Bible,” the author wrote, “All of the world conspiracy theories are so irrelevant and unimportant in God’s eyes that He does not waste one word on them in His Word.” This was referring to two prophetic books (I believe the author must mean Daniel and Revelation). There are other books that are prophetic, and I just want to point to Psalm 2:1-6. As I am not knowledgeable about the context of when this passage was written, and how it may apply to the article, 

I prefer to just offer it up for the author to consider and let the text speak for itself, and ask if you could comment. Along the same lines, it came to mind that, when Jesus was betrayed by Judas, that event was sort of a conspiracy between Judas and the religious authorities; it illustrated how God incorporates the deeds of Humankind into His Divine Plan. 

2. The second item I’d like to share with you is this. I recently read in another magazine the statement, “The physical man is a mortal soul that can die.” That statement created cognitive dissonance in me, as I have always believed that our soul does not die, but merely goes to either Heaven or Hell for the rest of eternity. However, I searched the Scriptures to wrestle with this. In Proverbs 10:16, “The wages of the righteous is life, but the earnings of the wicked are sin and death,” and of course, in Romans 6:23, it says, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” My question is, how can a lost soul be both dead and eternally tormented in hell? In Matthew 10:28, it says, “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” The only thing I can think of is my definition of alive needs to be changed. Is a soul being tormented in hell dead?

3. Last, knowing that we are Body, Soul, and Spirit, I have been trying to understand in depth, the differences between man’s Spirit and Soul. In some future article, it would be nice if you could speak to that.

Thank you again for your dedication and your life work. God bless you, Brother Arno.

-F. Campagna, Jr., NJ

Answer: The conspiracy issue relates to the various organizations such as the Freemasons, Bilderbergers, Illuminati, etc., which are supposedly in charge of all economies and finance in the world in order to create a global society. That has some truth to it. After all, you and I could be considered part of this global conspiracy to create a truly unified world. How? By going to work, paying taxes, and purchasing things for ourselves; all that and more contributes to globalization. Thus, “the world conspiracy theories are…irrelevant” for Christians.

Man consists of spirit, soul and body. The spirit concerns itself with the spiritual things. The soul leans toward the here and now, the flesh. That’s why the spirit and flesh are enemies (see Galatians 5:16-17). For the lost, “death” does not mean non-existence; rather, it will continue for all eternity. “The soul that sinneth, it shall die” and suffer for all eternity. 

Dear Friend,

I am writing to you in response to your article, “Does the Church Have a Healing Mandate?”

I have a little booklet entitled, “Promises for Your Healing from Every Book in the Bible” from the Benny Hinn Ministries. For example, Jeremiah 17:14 says, “Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed. Save me, and I shall be saved, for you are my praise.”

Another reference is Exodus 15:26, “For I am the Lord who heals you.” 

Psalm 103:2-3, “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities, who heals all your diseases.”

Also, Psalm 30:2, “O Lord my God, I cried out to you, and you have healed me.”

First Corinthians 12:9, “To another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit.”

When Jesus was on earth, His ministry was healing, teaching, and preaching. Hebrews 13:8 says, “Jesus Christ is the same, yesterday, today, and forever.”

I have heard testimonies from people who have experienced divine healing. I believe if our faith was stronger, there would be more divine healing.

What is your response to this?

-P. Grothe, WI

Answer: We, as believers, thank the Lord always for all things. We praise God when medicine works, or a surgery heals quickly, and bones are mended properly. That is a given. 

I also agree with your quotation of Hebrews 13:8, “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, today, and forever.” That’s true, but the Church is not the same. In Ephesians 2, the last three verses speak of the Church being built upon the apostles and prophets—with Jesus Christ as the Chief Cornerstone. But there is a distinct difference between the “foundation” and the “roof.” During the building of the foundation, sin resulted in instant capital punishment, according to Acts 5. Today, we may sing “All to Jesus I Surrender” but not mean it, and yet no one dies. In chapter 3, we read of a man crippled at birth, and he was healed. Yet in 2 Timothy 4:20, we read, “Erastus abode at Corinth: but Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick.” Paul too was physically ill, but not healed. You see, the healings Jesus performed and those that took place during the foundation of the Church were signs, in particular to the Jews, to show fulfillment of Bible prophecy.

Many claimed healings today are difficult to prove. Have you ever read of someone born without arms and legs being restored? That would be a genuine, physical miracle. Those things don’t happen, but doubtless can because nothing is impossible with God. However, we now live by faith; we love Him, although we do not see Him. We believe in Him.

The article in question concerns itself primarily with unproven faith healings, which also occur among the pagans: the Muslims, the Hindus, the Buddhists, etc. 

Dear Mr. Froese,

God’s Word takes issue with you concerning your answer to J. Drnec in the November issue of Midnight Call about the seventh day Sabbath (The first thing God made holy). You say “the entire law is nailed to the cross.” If that were true then there wouldn’t be any such thing as sin. This would mean we can lie, cheat, steal, and murder with no punishment.

However, you know the answer you gave is from Satan. God says, “anyone who sins breaks the law” (1 John 3:4). Our dear Savior has this message for you. Read Matthew 5:17-20.

The only things nailed to the cross were forgiveness of sin and the sacrificial law.

-K. Crooks, PA

Answer: Here is what the Bible says, “Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days” (Colossians 2:16).

Galatians 3:13 states, “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree.”

“Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross” (Colossians 2:14).

The Bible gives us liberty regarding holidays in Romans 14:5, “One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.”

You are failing to recognize that it is impossible to keep the law. Even if you offend in one, you have broken all (James 2:10). The new Law is infinitely higher than the old one. Jesus quotes the law in Matthew 5:27, and then says in verse 28, “But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.” Your very thoughts are condemned. Those who try to keep the law and think themselves to be secure, are suddenly confronted with the new Law of Christ which, as you will agree, is virtually impossible to keep—except through grace.

Incidentally, the fact that you make such a statement, “You know the answer you gave is of Satan” points that you are on the wrong path. That road will lead to destruction, but the path of grace will lead to forgiveness, restoration, and a glorious eternity.

Dear Midnight Call,

It was so refreshing to hear a Christian ministry admit that many churches think they have to “evangelize” people during the church service! 

I am referring to the “Pastoral Letter” article in the November issue of Midnight Call. The “church” services should be geared to teaching and encouraging believers! The church is believers! I get very angry when I attend a church service, and the preacher spends most of the time trying to “evangelize” the congregation, and any visitors that they “assume” are not saved! This usually ends with an “altar call,” where he puts doubt in the minds of true believers, thus making them question their own salvation! He should be teaching the church how to witness to friends and relatives, or people they work with! If believers are always made to question their own salvation, they are afraid to share their faith with others. The very term “altar call” irritates me. The altar was for the old covenant, before Christ died and an animal was sacrificed for sin. We have no more need of an “altar,” praise God!

Many times preachers use worldly and deceptive tactics to “trick” people into raising their hand for “prayer”; then if they raise their hand, he tells them that “if” they raised their hand, they must come up to the “altar” to receive Christ. This is horrible, and it is a way of trying to “manipulate” the Holy Spirit! No wonder people don’t want to go to church. Church should not be turned into an evangelistic service.

-J. Demmy, PA

Answer: You should not get angry at pastors who evangelize. Granted, some should be evangelists instead of pastors, but that should not upset you. Whenever the Word of God is open, it is a time for rejoicing.

Unfortunately, we often fail to follow the clear instruction of our Lord. While we are commanded to go into all the world and preach the gospel, we are also guaranteed that Jesus will build His Church. It is His responsibility. All we are to do is follow His command.  Yet when we are done, Jesus said, “Say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do” (Luke 17:10).

It is helpful to read the dialogue between the Lord and Peter in John 21. Jesus asked Peter three times, “Do you love me?” and then gives the instruction, “Feed my lambs…Feed my sheep.” That is the task of the pastor. Luther translates this, “lead my sheep to the pasture.” This reminds us of Psalm 23, “He maketh me to lie down in green pastures.” When we open the Bible, we are passing on the Word of God; we are leading His sheep (they are not ours) to His pasture. There, the sheep may graze and eat as they please. Leading the flock to green pastures becomes a pleasant and satisfying task.

Address letters for publication to: Letters to the Editor, Midnight Call, P.O. Box 280008, Columbia, SC 29228. Include full name, address, and daytime phone number. Without name and address, letters will be discarded unread. All material is subject to editing. Midnight Call assumes all publishing rights on letters sent to the Editor. Note: All letters will be answered by the Executive Editor, Arno Froese.

Letters to the Editor,
The previous question concerning the difference between the 1335 days and the 1290 days (Daniel 12) is this: the 45 days are NOT missing but are the last and most intense days of the Great Tribulation. It probably is when Antichrist enforces the 666 mark upon the Jews. Blessed is he who has the faith to keep waiting through it (Daniel 12:12). It is not a rapture escape (like Titus 2:13). The one who endures by faith to the end of the Great Tribulation will be saved (Matthew 24:13). It is a test of faith, even if they must lose their life! How blessed is he who keeps waiting and reaches day 1335. This is much more than a trivia question as you regarded it. Antichrist requires that no one should be able to buy or sell, except the one who has the mark 666 on them (Revelation 13:17). How many Christians would put their life on the line?

-C. Calef, CT

Answer: We read in Revelation 13:14-18 about the mark of the beast; it’s addressed to “them that dwell on the earth.” That means global; thus, I see no evidence that the Antichrist will enforce the 666 mark upon the Jews. My understanding is that the whole world will gladly and wholeheartedly “receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads.” They will receive it; that means they want it. Note also that the Antichrist is enthusiastically welcomed in verses 3-4 of chapter 13. Actually, in verse 8 it says, “All that dwell upon the earth shall worship him.”

Matthew 24:13 does not relate to the Rapture, but to the Jewish people in Israel. Note verse 31; it speaks of the supernatural gathering of the remnant of the Jews back to the land of Israel. We must distinguish between 1 Thessalonians 4, which speaks of the Rapture, “The Lord himself shall descend from heaven,” and Matthew 24:31, “He shall send his angels.” These are two different events, not related to one another.

Star Trek fans will know about the Tricorder, a handheld device used by Captain Kirk and company to, among other things, scan the biological state of the living creatures they encountered on their interplanetary voyage.
Today, almost 50 years after the science-fiction series first aired on American television, the device is close to becoming a reality.
“It really is very difficult to build, but not impossible,” says Walter De Brouwer, the founder and CEO of Scanadu, a start-up company based in Silicon Valley working with the NASA space agency to build a 21st-century Tricorder, to be put on the market by 2014.
The Tricorder, he says, will be not much more than a smartphone extension and be able to monitor and diagnose your health conditions without needing blood, urine, saliva, physical contact or even cooperation from the patient.
Instead, the Tricorder works with light, says De Brouwer, without going into details. “Advanced optics. Everything is light.”
Most of the devices are either American-made or designed. And not European. De Brouwer himself, a Belgian national, recently moved to California in order to start work on the Tricorder.
“People who decide to live in Silicon Valley are larger than life,” he says. “They are romantics, not afraid to take risks or to fail.”
“In Europe,” he says, “people are of the extreme cautionist school—they only do something if it has proven to work in the US.”
De Brouwer takes the example of the VScan handheld ultrasound device, recently presented by General Electric. “In Europe, people would say: It can’t be done. In the US they say: It will be done.”
And what about the Tricorder? Would it have been possible to build in Europe?
“No,” says De Brouwer. “First in the US, then in Europe.”
-euobserver.com
15 March 2012

Walter De Brouwer hit the nail on the head, “In Europe, people say it can’t be done. In the U.S they say: it will done.” This statement demonstrates the word “united”; in this case, the United States. It is united under one flag, one language, one government—nothing is lost in translation. On the other side, we see Europe divided into about 50 different nations, speaking as many languages. Today 27 nations belong to the European Union. Therefore, the world headquarters of electronic science will continue to be Silicon Valley, San Francisco, U.S.A.
In this case, the issue is healthcare. Man attempts to “monitor and diagnose…health conditions.” If such a device could be built and successfully meet the criteria of medical science, then the doctor will take a step back and science—“the Tricorder”—will take leadership. Will that happen? We believe so for Scripture speaks of a manmade image, being able to diagnose even the thoughts of man, according to Revelation 13:15, “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.”

(For more on this subject, read The Coming Digital God, Item 1046.)
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In an extraordinary act of regional cooperation, Israel, Iran, Jordan and Turkey are to jointly provide funds for a particle accelerator as part of their commitment to a UNESCO-sponsored scientific project.
Each of the four countries has pledged $5 million toward the SESAME facility, which is being built near Amman. SESAME stands for Synchrotron-light for Experimental Science and Applications in the Middle East. According to the UNESCO website, the project aims to “foster scientific and technological excellence in the Middle East and neighboring countries (and prevent or reverse brain drain) by enabling world-class research,” and to “build scientific and cultural bridges between neighboring countries.”
The project is slated to go online in 2015.
The $20 million isn’t enough to cover the accelerator project. Another $15 million is being sought from Europe and the United States. The SESAME center will ultimately cost $100 million.
“This announcement is a breakthrough in terms of the financial infrastructure,” said Prof. Eliezer Rabinovici, a physicist at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, who has attended SESAME planning meetings.
“SESAME had enough money to build the building to house the accelerator, and to install its first components, which are being donated by the Germans. Now this commitment will enable the purchase of a light source for the accelerator,” he said.
Moshe Vigdor, who heads the Planning and Budgeting Committee of Israel’s Council for Higher Education, said that without this agreement the project would have collapsed.
As for Iran’s involvement, he said, “Science crosses borders and Israel participates in many international scientific forums that include Iran.”
While terror attacks in the late 1990s moved the working meetings to Europe, work on the project continued, getting a major boost with the donation of a German synchrotron, which will serve as the base for the new accelerator.
Unlike accelerators such as the Large Hadron Collider in Switzerland, the synchrotron is not based on particle collisions but on the cyclic beaming of electrons within the accelerator. When the electrons are accelerated they radiate, and this radiation can be used for screening in archaeology, physics, life sciences, pharmacology and other fields.
There are 60 such synchrotrons in the world, but none in the Middle East.
-www.haaretz.com
15 March 2012

Indeed, “science crosses borders” and scientists the world over have one goal—discovering the hidden intricacies of creation. Amazing progress has been made, for instance in transportation. Less than two centuries ago, the only mode available was on land by animal power, and on the water by ships powered by wind. That fact limited communication. For example: Rome could not have known that Jesus Christ was crucified under Roman authority in Jerusalem, Israel. It took weeks, if not months, before that news reached Rome. Today, with the information explosion, news can be received from any part of the world in only seconds.
 This “particle accelerator” is a purely scientific research project, but it has a unifying effect: the bitterest political enemies have been drawn into one camp. Iran’s participation, associating themselves with archenemy Israel, is only made possible through science. Where will science lead? There is only one answer: reliance on man’s own capability to produce a peaceful, secure, and prosperous global society. That certainly is a noble goal, yet Bible prophecy clearly predicts it will lead to the greatest catastrophe the world has ever known. Jesus spoke of it in Matthew 24:21, “For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.”
(For more on this subject, read One World, Item 2203.)
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The European Union wants to tighten controls on the rules that determine which products can carry the “Made in Germany” label. Germany’s leading industry group is outraged, warning the move could hinder the success of the world’s second-largest exporter.
Whether it’s attached to a car, a dish washer or pepper grinder, the “Made in Germany” label is key to selling products made in the country. But if the European Union has its way, goods carrying the tag will soon have to comply with higher standards, much to the consternation of German industry representatives.
EU Commissioner Algirdas Sementa plans to restrict the sought-after “Made in Germany” label to products where at least 45 percent of the value content comes from Germany. Until now, EU rules defined the country of origin as the place where “the last substantial, economically justified processing” took place.
Under that rule, products tagged “Made in Germany” today can be almost completely produced abroad but given their finishing touches in a German factory.
The plan for stricter definition has outraged Germany’s industry lobby, though. President of the Association of German Chambers of Industry and commerce (DIHK), Hans Heinrich Driftmann, told Sunday’s edition of Die Welt that “if in the future the origin and value of materials are considered crucial, many products will no longer be considered German.” He predicted the changes would inflict “immense damage” on the German economy.
The final decision on the controversial amendment to product origin rules has yet to be taken. The move must first be approved by member country governments before taking effect.
-www.spiegel.de
16 January 2012


Here the statement, “Expensive labor produces expensive products” and the opposite, “Cheap labor produces cheap products” seems to fit. The top five highest compensated workforces in the world—Norway, Germany, Denmark, Austria, and the Netherlands—have little problem with export, while countries with cheaper labor cost are struggling.
Now Germany is in a difficult situation regarding outsourcing. Will some of Germany’s products no longer be marked, “Made in Germany”? That seems to be the issue. Identifying the true origin of a product is important to the EU. 
This also has spiritual application for the Church of Jesus Christ. We cannot rely on our church, pastor, family, or denomination—we can’t take credit for the work done by others. We are admonished in Scripture to fight the good fight of faith. It does not depend on other good people or our nation, but on the individual. Second Timothy 2:5 reads, “And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.” The Apostle Paul joyfully exclaimed, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing” (2 Timothy 4:7-8).
(For more on this subject, read Why It Pays to Be a Christian, Item 1054.)
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Japan’s Asahi Kasei Corp will buy U.S. medical equipment maker Zoll Medical Corp for $2.21 billion as it looks to build a global healthcare business and reduce reliance on its chemicals and fibers operations.

Asahi Kasei, which is seeking to expand its presence in the United States, will buy Zoll in an agreed cash deal for $93 a share, a 24 percent premium to Zoll’s closing price, the companies said in a joint statement. The deal is Asahi Kasei’s biggest acquisition by far.

Healthcare makes up just 7 percent of sales and 8 percent of operating income, but President Taketsugu Fujiwara said the 80-year-old company had identified the sector as a growth area.

“This transaction will allow us to build on Zoll’s strong U.S. business position and technology leadership, with Zoll forming the cornerstone of our critical care business,” he said.

Japanese companies have become increasingly acquisitive overseas in recent years as the domestic market has shrunk and a rising yen has provided more financial firepower. The yen rose to a record high of 75.31 per dollar in October, up 47 percent from the end of 2007.

The $200 billion spent on by Japanese companies on overseas acquisitions over the past four years is more than double the amount spent in the previous four-year period.

In May last year, Japan’s largest drugmaker, Takeda Pharmaceutical, agreed to buy privately held Swiss firm Nycomed for 9.6 billion euros ($12.5 billion), the biggest overseas acquisition by a Japanese company since a $19 billion tobacco industry deal in 2007.

The $2.2 billion takeover of Zoll dwarfs Asahi Kasei’s previous biggest deal, which was for about 10 billion yen ($122 million), a spokesman said.

Asahi Kasei plans to boost healthcare net sales by over 60 percent by its financial year 2015 from 2010, and operating income by 18 percent, it said in a presentation at an investment conference.

It described ageing as a “megatrend” that would lead to emerging demand for healthcare.

Last year, Asahi Kasei earmarked 450 billion yen for mergers and acquisitions and investments in new growth areas, saying medical would be one of its main targets. The company had 115 billion yen in cash and deposits at the end of December.

-www.reuters.com, 12 March 2012




Japan is preparing for more old people; subsequently, healthcare related purchases of equipment are one avenue.

Japan’s extreme success is shown by figures from the CIA World Factbook:

Japan                                                                                                       U.S.A.

Infant Mortality               2.21                                                                   5.98

Life Expectancy             83.91                                                                 78.49

Health Expenditures      9.3% of GDP                                                    16.2%

Physicians Density       2.063 per 1000 population                                 2.67

Hospital Bed Density    13.75 per 1000 population                                  3.1




Healthcare the world over, particularly in the rich countries, is in fierce competition. Nevertheless, in the end there is no difference between any form of healthcare. The Bible says, “It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.” What an awesome responsibility we as Christians have to remind people that life ends; that we in reality do not have a future here on earth, regardless of life expectancy. But the wonderful and glorious message is the eternal life obtained through faith in Jesus Christ, the Messiah of Israel, the Savior of the world.

(For more on this subject, read When Death Comes, Item 1056.)

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