Karl-Theodore zu Guttenberg on Syria; Israel launches missile test.

Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg (World Economic Forum)

Former German Defense Minister, Baron Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg had an article he co-authored published in the New York Times related to the situation in Syria:

In the wake of the chemical weapons attack near Damascus, Western military strikes against Syria seem imminent. And Germany will once again demand a special role.

With elections less than four weeks away, the developments in Syria are putting Chancellor Angela Merkel in a tough spot. Certainly, Berlin has felt compelled to ratchet up its rhetoric vis-à-vis President Bashar al-Assad, dubbing his regime’s alleged use of chemical weapons as the “breaking of a taboo” and a “crime against civilization.”

On the other hand, an escalation of the conflict could derail Merkel’s plans to coast to easy re-election on Sept. 22…

Unfortunately, prominent German political leaders across party lines continue to believe that the country’s economic weight creates enough leverage to compensate for Germany’s failure to realize its full potential as a capable and responsible member of the Atlantic alliance and the international community.

At a time when Europe’s global reach, influence and credibility are threatened by rapid decline, “checkbook diplomacy” by the biggest European Union member is not a viable substitute for contributing military assets to the joint defense of our common values and interests…

Ten years later, the Merkel government may try to chart a path that shows a certain degree of solidarity with whatever Washington and other allies decide to do in Syria, perhaps using German naval reconnaissance assets off the coast of Syria and Lebanon to collect intelligence. Or German Patriot missile defense units currently deployed in Turkey could see action in the unlikely event that Damascus tries to retaliate against Ankara. Finally, Germany might provide support to Israel against potential attacks from Hezbollah units in southern Lebanon.

At the same time, Merkel and Westerwelle will be extremely careful to deny the opposition parties any political opening. http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/31/opinion/global/syria-tests-germanys-culture-of-reluctance.html?_r=0

Herr Guttenberg has long called for changes in NATO (called the “Atlantic alliance” above) and it seems clear that he wants more active military involvement from Germany.

A reader sent me an article in German, related to Karl Guttenberg’s article in the New York Times, and the following machine-translated comment was interesting.:

September 3, 2013

Zu Guttenberg, once the hope of the Union, and resigned in 2011 from his political posts. Previously, it was revealed that the lawyer had copied large parts of his doctoral thesis. Since the resignation Guttenberg lives with his family in the U.S. state of Connecticut and is a “Distinguished Statesman” (“Distinguished Statesman”) at the Washington think tank Center for Strategic and International Studies performed. CSU leader Horst Seehofer had offered to {have} zu Guttenberg return to German politics. http://de.nachrichten.yahoo.com/zu-guttenberg-rechnet-mit-merkel-ab-083201021.html

Barron Guttenberg was the hope of his political party (called ‘the Union” above) to become the next German Chancellor.

Because of his plagiarism scandal, he is often ridiculed in the press. A reader sent me a link to the following article:

“Actions which fall within the scope of this Regulation should respect fundamental rights and observe the principles acknowledged in particular by the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union. Such actions should be in conformity with any legal obligation and with ethical principles, which include avoiding any kind of plagiarism.“

The previous rules for the participation in the 7th Framework Program do not include any particular reference to plagiarism, and so I think we can safely call this paragraph “the Guttenberg paragraph“* of the future Horizon 2020 – if EU Council and Parliament agree to keep this reference throughout the co-decision procedure. http://polscieu.ideasoneurope.eu/2011/12/15/horizon-2020-and-plagiarism-the-guttenberg-paragraph/

Despite direct and indirect references to him and his scandal, he is one who, however, could possibly be the final Beast of biblical prophecy or at least one who may be involved in his rise. Of course, Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg could simply be a somewhat politician with many ups and downs. And all his intentions could be fine, despite him being repeatedly insulted. We will see.

Getting back to the situation in Syria, Israel had a missile firing exercise today:

September 03, 2013

Israel says it has carried out a joint missile test with the United States in the Mediterranean Sea.

The Israeli Defense Ministry announced the joint military exercise on Tuesday, shortly after Russia’s Defense Ministry said it had detected the launch of “ballistic objects” in the region.

Israel’s ministry says it launched one Ankor-type missile that was controlled from a base in “the center of Israel.” http://www.voanews.com/content/israel-fires-missile-in-joint-exercise-with-us/1742183.html

September 3, 2013

President Obama said Tuesday he is confident that Congress will vote to authorize military action against Syria, and that he is willing to work with lawmakers on the wording of a specific resolution. http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2013/09/03/obama-syria-strike-chemical-weapons-congress-g-20-russia/2756991/

September 3, 2013

Israel’s Defense Ministry said in a statement the test of its “new version of the Sparrow target missile” was “successful.” The Sparrow is an anti-missile system developed by the Israeli firm Rafael in conjunction with Boeing. http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2013/09/03/russia-missiles-mediterranean-syria/2756767/

The situation with Syria is tense. Karl zu Guttenberg wants stronger German involvement, USA President Obama wants action, and the Israelis are showing that they are capable of taking action. The situation in Syria will change. Because I believe that Syria biblically is one of the nations that will support the final King of the South (Daniel 11:40-43), either Assad will change, die, or be exiled. Israel needs to realize that it can be damaged, perhaps severely by retaliation from Syria and/or its ally Iran (cf. Isaiah 22:1-14). Ultimately, Damascus will be destroyed (Isaiah 17:1), and it may be because of damage done to Israel.

It is important to remember that there are more than a dozen New Testament admonitions to watch and be alert to the signs of the times in the last days (see Matthew 24:42-44; 25:13; Mark 13:33-37; Luke 21:34-36; Acts 20:31; 1 Thessalonians 5:6, 20).

Some links of possibly related interest may include:

Might German Baron Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg become the King of the North? Is the former German Defense Minister (who is also the former German Minister for Economics and Technology) one to watch? What do Catholic, Byzantine, and biblical prophecies suggest?
Europa, the Beast, and Revelation Where did Europe get its name? What might Europe have to do with the Book of Revelation? What about “the Beast”?
Who is the King of the North? Is there one? Do biblical and Roman Catholic prophecies point to the same leader? Should he be followed? Who will be the King of the North discussed in Daniel 11? Is a nuclear attack prophesied to happen to the English-speaking peoples of the United States, Great Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand? When do the 1335 days, 1290 days, and 1260 days (the time, times, and half a time) of Daniel 12 begin? What MUST happen BEFORE the Great Tribulation?
Damascus and Syria in Prophecy Will Bashar Assad hold power as he has it? Does the Bible show that Damascus, the capital of Syria, will be destroyed? What will happen to Syria? Will the Syrians support the final King of the South that the Bible tells will rise up? Which scriptures discuss the rise and fall of an Arabic confederation? Does Islamic prophecy predict the destruction of Syria. This is a YouTube video.
The Arab World In the Bible, History, and Prophecy The Bible discusses the origins of the Arab world and discusses the Middle East in prophecy. What is ahead for the Middle East and those who follow Islam? What does Islam teach about the Imam Mahdi?
Is the Future King of the South Rising Up? Some no longer believe there needs to be a future King of the South. Might Egypt, Islam, Iran, Arabs, or Ethiopia be involved? Might this King be called the Mahdi or Caliph? What does the Bible say?
The Future King of the South is Rising Does the Bible teach that there will be a future King of the South in Daniel 11? Is this kingdom rising up now? Did the old Worldwide Church of God (WCG) teach that there would be another one? And who is the King of the South? How will this involve Egypt? Is the final King of the South some type of Arab-Muslim confederation? Can Iran be involved? Is there a group that seems to be supporting the goals of the King of the South? Has the Obama Administration supported the rise of this power? This is a YouTube video.
The Muslim Brotherhood and the Rise of the King of the South The Bible tells of the formation of a power of nations that are in the Middle East and North Africa that are part of the final “King of the South” (Daniel 11:40-43) The Muslim Brotherhood wishes to have an Islamic empire with basically the same nations. This YouTube video explains what to expect from such a confederation.
Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel Are the Americans, Canadians, English, Scottish, Welsh, Australians, Anglo (non-Dutch) Southern Africans, and New Zealanders descendants of Joseph? Where are the lost ten-tribes of Israel? Who are the lost tribes of Israel? What will happen to Jerusalem and the Jews in Israel? Will God punish the U.S.A., Canada, United Kingdom, and other Anglo nations? Why might God allow them to be punished first?
Will the Anglo-Nations be Divided and Have People Taken as Slaves? Will the lands of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand be divided? What about Jerusalem? What does Bible prophecy teach? Are there non-biblical prophecies that support this idea? Who will divide those lands? Who will end up with the lands and the people? Here is a link to a video titled Will the USA and other Anglo-nations be Divided and Their People Made Slaves?
Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Second Edition for Second Obama Term This is a 160 page book for people truly interested in prophecies related to Barack Obama and the United States, including learning about many that have already been fulfilled (which the book documents in detail) and those that will be fulfilled in the future. It also has a chapter about a Republican choice. This book is available to order at www.barackobamaprophecy.com. The physical book can also be purchased at Amazon from the following link: Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States: Is Barack Obama Fulfilling Biblical, Islamic Catholic, Kenyan, and other America-Related Prophecies? What About Republican Leaders? Second Edition for Second Obama Term.
Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Second Term-Amazon Kindle edition. This electronic version is available for only US$2.99. And you do not need an actual Kindle device to read it. Why? Amazon will allow you to download it to almost any device: Please click HERE to download one of Amazon s Free Reader Apps. After you go to for your free Kindle reader and then go to Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Second Term-Amazon Kindle edition.