Putin, the war and the west; America’s abortion ban
The Guardian Weekly has a split cover focus this week, depending on where you are reading, with extended coverage of both stories inside the magazine.
For readers elsewhere, we return to the war in Ukraine. In Europe, leaders from the European Council, G7 and Nato were meeting this week, at a critical juncture for the conflict. Amid fears that Russia is gaining the upper hand on several fronts, it seems clear that the west needs a strategic rethink over how to tighten economic and military pressure on Vladimir Putin, without leading to a backlash among western consumers and starvation in the global south as a result of grain blockades.
After two days was the feast of the passover, and of unleavened bread: and the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might take him by craft, and put him to death.Mark:14:1 [5]For we have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes: [6]Who also hath gone about to profane the temple: whom we took, and would have judged according to our law.Acts:24:5-6, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD:
Amos:8:11
Diplomatic editor Patrick Wintour sets the scene at a pivotal moment. Energy correspondent Alex Lawson asks what will happen if Russia shuts off gas supplies to Europe this winter, and Lorenzo Tondo reports from Kyiv, where the spectre of war has returned for the first time in weeks.
For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men.1 Corinthians:4:9The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved.
Jeremiah:8:20 There is a crying for wine in the streets; all joy is darkened, the mirth of the land is gone.Isaiah:24:11
Look out for a couple of great longer reads this week. First, Louisa Lim’s search for the King of Kowloon, an enigmatic street prophet and graffiti artist who died a few years ago, but whose work is mysteriously reappearing around Hong Kong.
Our North America edition splashes on the US supreme court decision to reverse women’s abortion rights. Having been leaked in May, the news was not entirely unexpected but nonetheless sent shock waves around America and the world. With many now fearing what a court dominated by religious conservatives will do next, David Smith examines the political fallout and how, if at all, it could be countered. Then on the Opinion pages, Sonia Sodha argues that liberals’ faith in the courts to preserve abortion rights was misguided from the start.
As the Protestant churches reject the clear, Scriptural arguments in defense of God’s law, they will long to silence those whose faith they cannot overthrow by the Bible. Though they blind their own eyes to the fact, they are now adopting a course which will lead to the persecution of those who conscientiously refuse to do what the rest of the Christian world are doing, and acknowledge the claims of the papal sabbath.
The dignitaries of church and state will unite to bribe, persuade, or compel all classes to honor the Sunday. The lack of divine authority will be supplied by oppressive enactments. Political corruption is destroying love of justice and regard for truth; and even in free America, rulers and legislators, in order to secure public favor, will yield to the popular demand for a law enforcing Sunday observance. Liberty of conscience, which has cost so great a sacrifice, will no longer be respected. In the soon-coming conflict we shall see exemplified the prophet’s words: “The dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.” Revelation 12:17. GC 592.2 – GC 592.3
Before she travailed, she brought forth; before her pain came, she was delivered of a man child.Isaiah:66:7 [5]And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne. [13]And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child.Revelation:12:5,13
[8]Who hath heard such a thing? who hath seen such things? Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? or shall a nation be born at once? for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children. [18]For I know their works and their thoughts: it shall come, that I will gather all nations and tongues; and they shall come, and see my glory.Isaiah:66:8,18. The sons also of them that afflicted thee shall come bending unto thee; and all they that despised thee shall bow themselves down at the soles of thy feet; and they shall call thee; The city of the LORD, The Zion of the Holy One of Israel.Isaiah:60:14
Then, there’s a brilliantly thought-provoking piece on how to explain racism to children – and raise an antiracist – from Ibram X Kendi, an American author who has taught millions of people to think differently.
DeLet this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:Philippians:2:5
As Glastonbury returned after a long, pandemic-enforced absence, we bring you a wrap-up from the world’s biggest greenfield festival. And there’s a candid interview with Phoebe Bridgers, one of the festival’s headline acts, who looks to be on the brink of global superstardom.
Adventist Angels Watchman Radio 