This

is sent out by The Testimony Committee to honour the Word and the Name of the Lord of Hosts, Whose zeal will accomplish all His purpose. We ask His blessing upon it, and pray that it will encourage those who long for the Hope of Israel to appear.

Since our 1968 special number there have been considerable changes in the political world, and a marked shift of power into the Middle East. The oil sheiks are coming to think that they have all the trump cards in their hand. Quite recently the Shah of Iran has claimed that his country will soon be one of the five most powerful on this planet! Coupled with the political power conferred by large oil reserves is the bitter hatred of the Arabs for Israel. The Middle East is teetering on the brink of war again.

There are many other international problems—over-population, food shortage, dwindling reserves of vital raw materials, pollution, lawlessness, galloping inflation. And every line of enquiry leads in the same direction and points to the same conclusion—the end of the present order.

But already the dawn glow is beginning to be visible to the watchers. If we are really seeking God’s Kingdom and God’s righteousness we wait on the tip-toe of expectancy for the Sun of Righteousness to appear above the political horizon.

This year—1975—may be the year for which the faithful have waited for nearly 6,000 years.

The prophets of the O.T. are united in their claim that the ever changing drama of power politics matters to God because it matters to Israel

(Ulrich Simon: Behold thy King Cometh)