Thursday, October 20th, in the year of our Lord 2016

By Kevin Swanson

Tonight’s Presidential Debate Focused Somewhat More on Issues than Personalities

The third presidential debate last night focused slightly more on the issues than the personalities of the combatants. Donald Trump criticized Hillary Clinton on her support for late-term abortion, and added that late-term abortion “is not ok with me” as it would allow the “ripping of the baby from the womb” after nine months of pregnancy. Clinton responded, saying “Government should not make that choice.” Donald Trump registered his concern about voter fraud, and he WOULD NOT commit to accepting the election results come November. Trump won the interruption contest in the debate, cutting in 35 times to Hillary’s 11.

Proverbs 12:5-6 says, “The thoughts of the righteous are right: but the counsel of the wicked are deceit. The words of the wicked are to lie in wait for blood: but the mouth of the upright shall deliver them.”

Both Trump’s and Clinton’s Tax and Spending Plans Would Significantly Increase National Debt

Donald Trump promises huge tax cuts, and several conservative think tanks are estimating his tax and spending plans would add another $5-$7 trillion dollars to the national debt. Clinton’s tax increases and spending plans would also add at least a trillion dollars of debt.

Iraqi Christians Continue to Face Persecution After Moving to Turkey

Tens of thousands of Iraqi Christians have left their homeland for Turkey because of intense persecution in Iraq and Syria. However, their condition in Turkey has not proved to be much better. The U.S. State Department has rejected their pleas for sanctuary. The World View spoke with Juliana Taimoorazy, Founder and President of Iraqi Christian Relief Council and Senior Fellow at Philos Project, about the decline of Christianity in Iraq.

“The Assyrian church, which is the original church in Iraq, was founded, or planted, by Saint Thomas the apostle himself, and Saint Thaddeus and Bartholomew. So this is how old our Christian history goes back; to the first century AD. And the churches that you see being destroyed, we’ve had over 120 of our churches in Iraq be destroyed since 2003.”

Juliana gave an encouraging report on the faith of believers amidst this persecution.

“The faith has grown stronger. We were in Iraq a few months ago, and in Jordan, and they all told us, the refugees and internally displaced people have told us, that because of the Islamic State, our faith has grown stronger. We would rather die than give up Jesus Christ.”

Juliana also gave a call for the Western church to pray for and support the persecuted church.

“As they’re returning to their homes that they’ve held on to, at least in their mind’s eye, for so long, for 2 and a half years, there’s a new heartache that is waiting for them. Because they are going to go back to destruction. So we, as the Western church, are even more obligated to embrace these people in our Christian love, in our Christian embrace, and help them, emotionally, help them financially, help them just to rebuild their families, rebuild their communities.”

To learn more, visit www.VictimsOfIsis.org.  

Military Forces Closing in on Mosul

Iraqi and U.S. forces are closing in this week on the ISIS held city of Mosul, according to reports from Fox News. ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi is believed to be holed up in Mosul. Liberation of the city would be the biggest blow to the Islamic State to date.

Pro-Life Measure to Be Debated in UK House of Lords

One of the most important pro-life measures of the last 50 years will be debated in the UK House of Lords on Friday. According to Christian Today, Lord Shinkwin’s Abortion (Disability Equality) Bill aims to strike down two major sections of the UK’s original Abortion Act of 1967 which allowed for murder of unborn babies with disabilities.

Psalm 82 says, “Give justice to the weak and the fatherless; maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.”

U.S. District Court Confirms Nationwide Ban on Obama’s Transgender Bathroom Policy

U.S. District Court Judge Reed O’Connor has reaffirmed a nationwide ban on the Obama transgender school bathroom policy, ruling against the Obama administration’s request to lift this injunction.

Video Evidence Shows that Democrats Have Been Inciting Violence at Republican Events

According to evidence obtained in a video sting investigation conducted by James O’Keefe’s Project Veritas, Democrats have been “bird-dogging” and inciting violence at Republican events across the nation, including Trump campaign rallies. The videos reveal activist and convicted felon, Robert Creamer, leading a group of consultants ostensibly hired to help Hillary Clinton and the Democratic National Party.

Man Without Arms or Legs Preaches the Gospel in Eastern Europe

What would you do with no arms or legs? Nick Vujicic (https://www.lifewithoutlimbs.org/) has neither, but has not allowed his circumstance to render him unfruitful for Christ. He has seen thousands come to Christ across Eastern Europe as he preached the Gospel, according to a report from Christian Headlines. Nick gives all the glory to God. He says, “With me, in my life, I know that there are people who can get encouraged to see how God can use a man without arms and legs to be His hands and feet, but I wanted people to know that I am not a superhero, it is not about me, or how well I speak or articulate — it is the Spirit of God. It is an active relationship with Him.”

​The Apostle Paul suffered, but the Lord told him, “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”  (2 Corinthians 12)

Facebook Activity Related to Donald Trump Is Increasing

Every week, Donald Trump generates more Facebook activity, according to USA Today. Last week alone, the Republican presidential candidate garnered 307 million likes, comments, shares and posts. Clinton’s Facebook interactions came in at 206 million. However, recent polls show Clinton leading Trump in the single high digits, reported CNN.

Muslim Fulani Herdsmen Continue to Kill Christians in Nigeria

Last Saturday, at least 48 Christians were killed in Kaduna, Nigeria by Muslim Fulani herdsmen, according to Morning Star News. The herdsmen killed eight people from that area in late September. Please pray for this devastated Christian community and for the Muslim herdsmen to be brought to repentance.

Boko Haram Releases 21 of the Girls They Kidnapped

Muslim militant group Boko Haram released 21 girls last week of the 220 schoolgirls they kidnapped from Chibok, Nigeria. Eight three more of the girls may released very soon, according to Christian Today.

School Shooting in San Francisco Bay Area Wounds Four Students

Four students were wounded at a school shooting in a parking lot of a high school in the San Francisco Bay Area on Tuesday. Police are still looking for suspects.

And that’s the World View in Five Minutes.