Gates of the City

If you are an American Christian, I feel that you owe it to yourself to prayerfully consider the following. It is a progressive reasoning of just how America may well be mentioned in scriptures.

We hear it all the time, “Isn’t it amazing that the scriptures are silent about America?” And I thought the same thing myself, at one time, but I don’t believe it to be so anymore. Therefore, I submit the following for those concerned enough to prayerfully ponder whether America is, or is not, in scriptures.

Please do not assume I am anti-America. I’m not. I simply believe God is going to deal with the sins of America like does with every nation. I have only submitted a fraction of information available as  it can be overwhelming to some when first considering this concept. Also, I will endeavor to satisfy any questions posed.

Thank you.

“Here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth. And there are seven kings: five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a short space.And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition.”

Revelation  13-19:4 speaks of the final judgement of the LAST of a concessions of spiritual “Babylons.” To understand who the 8th spiritual Babylon is, we need to give heed to the clues given by the angel to John in chapter 17.

First, we know that the beast “was, and is not, and yet is.” That phrase tells us that there was going to be a point in time when this “seven headed beast” was not going to be represented by a physical country. Yet, after the passage of time the beast would again “rise up out of the sea” and exist briefly as the seventh head, and then ultimately as a final beast (country) that would be “THE EIGHTH… and goeth into perdition,” or complete destruction.

The sea in 17:15, we are told, represents “peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.” This verse is one in this chapter that convinces many that the beast is the Roman Catholic Church, for it has established itself in every corner of the earth. However, I am persuaded that this symbolic Beast is multi faceted and includes a civil nation and not just a religious institution.

The key I believe to understanding who is this 8th Beast is to first understand the importance of Israel. We should take notice that she TOO “was, and was not, and yet is.” Even today Israel is “spiritually called Sodom, and Egypt,” because they rejected Jesus as their promised Messiah (Rev. 11:8).

By continuing in the old Mosaic law (which had fulfilled it’s purpose of portraying the death of Christ thru the prophetic action of animal sacrifices,) they spiritually went back to Egypt. Hence they are called “Egypt” to represent they are still in bondage to their sins, while “Sodom” represents how perverted their religion has become without the Temple, priesthood, and ultimately their lack of acceptance of Jesus, their promise Deliverer.

The beast mention in Revelation 13 -16, is the rise and fall of the final Eight Beast. In chapter 17:1 the angel tells John, “I will shew thee the Judgement of the great whore that sitteth on many waters,” and in verse 7 the angel says, “I will tell thee the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her.” See, there is a clue here, there are two, the woman, and the beast. I am persuaded that the woman, or the whore, can represent false religion of any kind, but in the end time it will be the mass of false Christianity which has diluted the teachings of Christ and have prostituted themselves to the 8th Beast for economic reasons. (In this country, the church/faith based organizations have accepted a tax-exempt status.)

The seven heads of the beast represents several actual empires that will have catered to various false religious systems while at the same time having a direct contact with the nation Israel. A clue the Angel gives to John is “here is the mind which has wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth.” This is where many say these are seven hills of Rome. However the angel continues by saying, “There are seven kings five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come.” Now the seven mountains represents seven different empires that will have had a direct effect on the nation Israel (which was, and was not, and yet is.)

At the time of John the angel says, “five are fallen, and one is.” It is easy to know who all six of these are. The one which was existing at the time of John was Rome. Now Rome “had great iron teeth: it devoured and break into pieces, and stamp the residue with the feet of it and was diverse from all the beast that were before it,” and therefore fulfilled God’s promise of judgement against Israel for not cleaving to Him and obeying His voice as told in Duet. chapter 28. Thus in 70 A.D. Israel ceased to exist as a nation. The Roman General Titus, unable to negotiate a settlement with the stiff neck rebellion of the Jew, was obliged to execute God’s judgement upon them.

Realizing the seven headed beast has direct relationship to Israel, we can simply go back to the birth of Israel to see who the fallen five are.

Joseph, betrayed by his brothers was sold as a slave and ended up sitting on a throne in Egypt. While his brothers meant it for evil, God meant it for good. For by this brotherly betrayal came the fulfillment of God’s promise to Abraham, to make his descendants a mighty nation, and give them the land of Canaan. Through them He would show all the world His greatness.

Nearly 400 years later, Egypt afraid of the multitude of Jewish settlers in the land enslaved them. Thus, Egypt is beast head number one.

Many years later, after the death of King Solomon, his son, Rehoboam was confronted by Jeroboam, who represented the ten northern tribes. Jeroboam asked Rehoboam to lower the previous taxes that Solomon placed upon them. Rehoboam sought the wisdom of “the old men that stood before his father… But he forsook the counsel of the old men which they had given him, and consulted with the young men that were grown up with him,” (1 Kings 12).

The result was a division in the nation. The ten northern tribes revolted and set Jeroboam up as their King. Jeroboam, however, became afraid and said, “If this people go up to do sacrifice in the house of the LORD at Jerusalem, then shall the heart of the people turn again unto their lord, even unto Rehoboam king of Judah, and they shall kill me, and go again to Rehoboam king of Judah.” “Whereupon the king took counsel, and made two calves of gold, and said unto them, it is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem: behold thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.”

What a mistake, for turning the people to idols only brought the judgment of God upon them. God raised up Assyria to take the ten northern tribes in to captivity. Not heeding the commandment not to intermarry, they lost their pure Jewish identity, and became Samaritans. Thus the ten northern tribes were lost, not by misplacement, but rather by forfeit of their pure identity as Jews. Thus Assyria is the second head of the Beast.

Then over two hundred years later, Judah was taken captive by Babylon. Thus Babylon is the third head of the beast. In Daniel 8:20,21, we see that the two empires that would follow Babylon would be the Medes/Persia empire and Greece; heads of the beast number four and five. So at the time of John’s vision in Revelations, the five that had fallen were Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Medes/Persia, and Greece. The six head which was present at John’s time was Rome, and Rome destroyed Israel as a nation.

Since 70 A.D. and prior to 1948, no map recognize any land as Israel, for Israel “which was, was not.” Yet fulfilling his promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, God preserved their descendants and has gathered them back to the land of their inheritance. Thus, Israel “that was, and is not, yet is.” And therefore, so is the beast.

Now what brought Israel back as a nation (apart from God’s sovereignty) was global sympathy for the Jews because of their persecution in World War II, whereupon at that time, their land was part of the British Empire.

History tells us that while Britain was willing to allot a piece of land for Jewish settlers, they did not want to relinquish control or possession of the land. Still, after the Jews frustration with England and the Palestinians, they themselves rose up and fought and prevailed, taking control and occupancy of some land. England then conceded and gave that land to the Jews (under international pressure) so they could once again be a people, a nation.

Now this all may seem good and well, except God requires that when a gift is given, (if it is to be acceptable with God,) it must be given of one’s free will. Otherwise, it is not a gift of charity. Therefore, England, who chose not to bless the descendants of Abraham with a free will offering of charity, chose to forfeit the blessings of God. England therefore, being the seventh head, “when he cometh, he must continue a short space” (Rev. 17:10).

“And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eight, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition” (verse 11). Now rises up out of the sea is the eight beast, which we are told is “of” or from, the seven. Could it mean that the eight beast is a mixture of the seven heads or empires, like some great melting pot? For it does have “peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.”Or is it “of the seven” as a descendant, or offspring of the seventh empire?

Either way, America is the Cinderella for this glass slipper. We are the land of immigrants, as well as the offspring of England as the Brave New World. But what brought us to as place of global supremacy, and until recently the closest ally to Israel? Was it not the same thing that set the stage for the birth of Israel, World War II?

Remember, Revelation 13-16 is about the rise and fall of the Eight Beast that goes into perdition, and chapter 17 clarifies who the eight was by giving us a progression of empires? Well in chapter 13:3 we see the eighth beast receiving a wound to one of its heads “as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast.”

I seriously proposed we consider the possibility that this wound to the head, from which we amazingly recovered, was Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor, a historical event that keeps resurfacing. It was this event that brought America into the war. And yet, despite Japan’s fury, speed, and might, Pearl Harbor somehow survived and came back to defend itself. Incredible.

But do we recall how the war ended? It was with the dropping of The Bomb on Hiroshima and the second bomb on Nagasaki.

Such display of power was never before witnessed. The whole world said, “Who is like unto the beast? Who is able to make war with Him?” John beheld in his vision “another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns of a lamb, and he spake as a dragon. And he exercises all the power of the first beast… and he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire [The Bomb]come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men.” (vrs.11-13).

This second beast that looks like a lamb (having two horns) and SEEMS to be for peace, “exercises ALL the authority of the first” is none other than the office of the Presidency. Yet while he seems to be for peace, His mouth is really speaking the agenda of the dragon.

Now we see this more clearly as EX-President Clinton and his wife, took posture against Israel. They expressed their views as to the rights of a Palestine State. EX-President Bill Clinton pressured Israel with the threat of losing American support if they didn’t comply in the Peace talks and policies. Arafat has declared there WILL BE a Palestine State, to which Israel has issued warning not to try it. Read again the fate of the eighth beast from Rev. 13-18. Who else fits this better than us?

So much has happened in recent past years to turn the European Union and the UN against America, as well as the enabling the E.U. to be a viable threat against America with the establishing of the E.U. military, headed up by a Germany General.

DIDN’T Germany start the last 2 world wars?

The revelation of the rise of the 8th Beast begins in Rev. 13 and in that passage there is no mention of the woman sitting upon the beast at the time of it’s coming to “his power, and his seat, and great authority.” Chapters 14 and 15a speak of the iniquities of the beast and of the judgment that would befall it in chapters 15b and 16.

This vision so overwhelmed the Apostle that in chapter 17 the angel clarifies what he had seen, as well as why and how her judgment would come.

Chapters 18 and 19 speak of the absolute destruction and glory given to God for His righteous judgments.

It seems to me that when the 8th Beast rises to its might (in Rev. 13), there is a separation between the beast (civil) and the woman (religious), because the woman is not mentioned . . .  perhaps representing a separation between church and state. BUT, in order for the civil government to do what it is prophesied to do in the last days, initiate a new economic system, it will need the support of the religious sector, or faith based organizations, to assure that such an economic system is ok, hence in chapter 17 the woman is on the beast.

Seeing how the church/religious systems have allowed herself/themselves to be regulated by the civil authorities in order to enjoy tax exempt status, she/they will feel obliged to assure her populace that the new economic structure is not “the mark of the beast.” This will not be difficult to do for the whoring daughters of confused Babylon, for they have perpetuated many false end time doctrines and have “waxed worst, deceiving and being deceived.”

Our adversary has spewed out a flood out of his mouth of these false end time message and doctrines with which he might cause the true Church to be carried away with the flood of error that is rampant in these other whoring pseudo churches, who are serving mammon instead of God and compromising God’s Truth for their increased attendance, lest they offend the contributors.

Just as God always had His civil leaders and His spiritual leaders, so likewise the devil has always imitated this structural order in his attempt to defeat God’s people; hence the beast AND the woman which rides it. They will selfishly merge, becoming “one” in heart and purpose, because of their greed for filthy mammon in these final days. Not unlike the nation of Israel back when she rejected her Redeemer.

Remember, you cannot serve God and mammon both.

An interesting note:

President Roosevelt’s speech after Pearl Harbor attack:

“Yesterday, December 7, 1941-a date which will live in infamy-the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan . . . As Commander in Chief of the army and navy I have directed that all measures be taken for our defense. Always will we remember the character of the onslaught against us. No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory. . . . With confidence in our armed forces-with the unbounding determination of our people-we will gain the inevitable triumph – so help us God. . .”

What does the word of God say about one who boasts in the strength of their flesh?

“Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD. For he shall be like the heath in the desert, and shall not see when good cometh; but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land and not inhabited.”

Interestingly, President Franklin D. Roosevelt suddenly died nearly 3 ½ years after making this famous speech and did “not see when good cometh.

Rev. 13:5 – “And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.”

My studies have brought me to the conclusion that America is the eighth and final beast, partly because America “the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.” The rise of sorcery, wicca, false cults, blatant immorality, hate groups, etc. . . .

Also, while there have been some who have claimed the Catholic Church was the beast; she cannot meet the full criteria of the beasts. The Catholic Church, as I said in the first post, may be part of the Woman which rides the beast, maybe, but it is not the beast itself.

For one, the Catholic Church has been a hoarder wealth, but not distributer of it. Where, or when, could we apply to the Catholic Church how “the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies?” Or “Alas, alas, that great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness!?”

Or how would one apply to the Vatican “Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all. And the voice of harpers, and musicians, and of pipers, and trumpeters, shall be heard no more at all in thee; and no craftsman, of whatsoever craft he be, shall be found any more in thee; and the sound of a millstone shall be heard no more at all in thee; And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived.”

“Sorceries” here I believe are to imply witchcraft/as perhaps the manipulation of men’s wills. So . . . “For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD.” 1Sam. 15:23 Certainly America has not embrace God’s word and submitted herself to Him.

Still, other things that have help to strongly persuade me are, first, our history and our involvement/circumstances which ushered in the rise of America’s might, the rebirth of Israel and ultimately the events that led up to the ending of WW2.

I admit, I only casually researched this for years, but I was surprised when I ran across The Frank Report, June 11, 1945. It is a “Memorandum on Political and Social Problems of the Bomb by scientists at the Metallurgical Laboratory of the University of Chicago, Manhattan Project.”  This was a letter was that written to President Truman, who inherited the “Project” after Pres. Roosevelt died, around 3 ½ years after Pearl Harbor. Hmmmm . . .

However, President Truman never received this letter before the bomb was dropped on Hiroshima because Secretary of War Mr. Stimson had intercepted it. He is documented as stating in regards to bombing decisions on Japan, “This is one time I’m going to be the final deciding authority. Nobody’s going to tell me what to do on this.” (http://www.nuclearfiles.org/menu/library/correspondence/groves-leslie/corr_diary_groves.htm)

“The President never received the letter and all the scientists’ initiatives were frustrated because of the opposition of Byrnes, Groves, Oppenheimer, and other policy makers and scientists in control of the nuclear program.” (See in paragraph heading, “SUCH ATTACKS ON JAPAN COULD NOT BE JUSTIFIED” @http://www.dannen.com/decision/45-07-17.html).

Dwight Eisenhower’s expressed view on using the Atomic Bomb –

“In 1945 . . . , Secretary of War Stimson visited my headquarters in Germany, [and] informed me that our government was preparing to drop an atomic bomb on Japan. I was one of those who felt that there were a number of cogent reasons to question the wisdom of such an act . . . During his recitation of the relevant facts, I had been conscious of a feeling of depression and so I voiced to him my grave misgivings, first on the basis of my belief that Japan was already defeated and that dropping the bomb was completely unnecessary, and second because I thought that our country should avoid shocking world opinion by the use of a weapon whose employment was, I thought, no longer mandatory as a measure to save American lives. It was my belief that Japan was, at that very moment, seeking some way to surrender with a minimum loss of ‘face.’ The Secretary was deeply perturbed by my attitude, almost angrily refuting the reasons I gave for my quick conclusions.”

Here is a startling excerpt from “The Franck Report” signed by the scientists who worked on the Manhattan Project states “All of us, familiar with the present state of nucleonics, live with the vision before our eyes of sudden destruction visited on our own country, of a Pearl Harbor disaster repeated in thousand-fold magnification in every one of our major cities.” (See Franck Report @ http://www.nuclearfiles.org/menu/key-issues/ethics/issues/scientific/franck-report.htm )

A reading of this report will show just how our President and other government leaders, like Rehoboam in the Bible did, rejected the counsel of the wise. After the scientists realized their letter had not been delivered they wrote a petition to President Truman, from which the following comes . . .

“The war has to be brought speedily to a successful conclusion and attacks by atomic bombs may very well be an effective method of warfare. We feel, however, that such attacks on Japan could not be justified, at least not unless the terms which will be imposed after the war on Japan were made public in detail and Japan were given an opportunity to surrender.”

“If such public announcement gave assurance to the Japanese that they could look forward to a life devoted to peaceful pursuits in their homeland and if Japan still refused to surrender our nation might then, in certain circumstances, find itself forced to resort to the use of atomic bombs. Such a step, however, ought not to be made at any time without seriously considering the moral responsibilities which are involved.”

“The development of atomic power will provide the nations with new means of destruction. The atomic bombs at our disposal represent only the first step in this direction, and there is almost no limit to the destructive power which will become available in the course of their future development. Thus a nation which sets the precedent of using these newly liberated forces of nature for purposes of destruction may have to bear the responsibility of opening the door to an era of devastation on an unimaginable scale.”( http://www.dannen.co…n/45-07-17.html )

To read the solemn warnings that were given to President Truman and to think he rejected their counsel is horrifying. Even General MacArthur, who was leading the war against Japan, didn’t agree with the bomb. He didn’t even know there was such a bomb until 48 hours before the first one was dropped. He objected to its use stating the war was over; it was just a matter of negotiating the surrender so as to allow the Japanese people to save face because they were a proud (honorable) people.

Still, or perhaps, regardless, President Truman was the one who ordered the “fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men.” God told us, “If any man have an ear, let him hear. He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword [weapon of war] must be killed with the sword.”

“Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her. And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning, Standing afar off for the fear of her torment [radiation], saying, Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is thy judgment come.”

I have said for years, before the cold war was over, that Russia was not our real threat, but rather the European nations. People would just laugh, but I would tell them the Bible says, “the ten horns . . . shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire. For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled.”

They would say there isn’t a national army over there big enough. At least not until this year anyway, 2002. Not until the recent formation of the new European Army headed up by a German General. Didn’t Germany start the two World Wars???

And why will we all go to war??? Money of course, or filthy mammon that is. We in America are rapidly headed for an E-Cash system, where one could send their daughter E-Cash and she “can store the money any way she wants–on her laptop, on a debit card, even (in the not too distant future) on a chip implanted under her skin. And, perhaps best of all, you can program the money to be spent only in specific ways.” (Time APRIL 27, 1998 VOL. 151 NO. 16)http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,988228-4,00.html

Also mentioned in this article in Time was how the “smart card” for the E-cash system could ALSO keep your medical history. Wasn’t it ex-president Clinton and his wife who were trying to get all Americans issued such a card so they could all have medical insurance???? Is really about OUR health? or is it really about THEIR wealth and control???? And now we have President Obama-Care which requires all to have an implantable RFID chip.

Back in 2002 when I first wrote this article I spoke about how the European Union is rapidly printing out their new “Euros” and ready to begin distribution that year. Back then I comment on how the EU common currency would only prove to add to the conflict of global momentary standards. The Bible says, “The rich man’s wealth is his strong city, and as a high wall in his own conceit” (Pr 18:11).

Now, with the current global economic crisis, I’m persuaded America will eventually attempt to force upon the European Union (and perhaps parts the rest of the world) our soon coming E-cash credit debit method of economics  . . .  which I believe  the European Union will deceptively consent. For “the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast. These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast.”

Their deceptive acceptance of America’s proposal (which will most likely be pushed forcefully upon the EU with the same arrogance that dropped the bomb), will only be their buying of time to carry out a plan to eliminate the competition.

(Note: I believe part of the reasoning given will be for America and the EU to stay of China’s yuan replacing the dollar and euro)

“And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire. For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled. And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth.”

Evidence that the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki was a crime against International Law

(Documents located at: http://www.dannen.com/decision/int-law.html#D)

PROTECTION OF CIVILIAN POPULATIONS AGAINST BOMBING FROM THE AIR IN CASE OF WAR

UNANIMOUS resolution of the League of Nations Assembly,

September 30, 1938.

The Assembly,

Considering that on numerous occasions public opinion has expressed through the most authoritative channels its horror of the bombing of civilian populations;

Considering that this practice, for which there is no military necessity and which, as experience shows, only causes needless suffering, is condemned under the recognised principles of international law;

Considering further that, though this principle ought to be respected by all States and does not require further reaffirmation, it urgently needs to be made the subject of regulations specially adapted to air warfare and taking account of the lessons of experience;

Considering that the solution of this problem, which is of concern to all States, whether Members of the League of Nations or not, calls for technical investigation and thorough consideration;

Considering that the Bureau of the Conference for the Reduction and Limitation of Armaments is to meet in the near future and that it is for the Bureau to consider practical means of undertaking the necessary work under conditions most likely to lead to as general an agreement as possible:

I. Recognizes the following principles as a necessary basis for any subsequent regulations:

1) The intentional bombing of civilian populations is illegal;
2) Objectives aimed at from the air must be legitimate military objectives and must be identifiable;
3) Any attack on legitimate military objectives must be carried out in such a way that civilian populations in the neighborhood are not bombed through negligence;

II. Also takes the opportunity to reaffirm that the use of chemical or bacterial methods in the conduct of war is contrary to international law, as recalled more particularly in the resolution of the General Commission of the Conference for the Reduction and Limitation of Armaments of July 23rd 1932, and the resolution of the Council of May 14th, 1938

Appeal of President Franklin D. Roosevelt on Aerial Bombardment of Civilian Populations, September 1, 1939 –

The President of the United States to the Governments of France, Germany, Italy, Poland and His Britannic Majesty, September 1, 1939

The ruthless bombing from the air of civilians in unfortified centers of population during the course of the hostilities which have raged in various quarters of the earth during the past few years, which has resulted in the maiming and in the death of thousands of defenseless men, women, and children, has sickened the hearts of every civilized man and woman, and has profoundly shocked the conscience of humanity.

If resort is had to this form of inhuman barbarism during the period of the tragic conflagration with which the world is now confronted, hundreds of thousands of innocent human beings who have no responsibility for, and who are not even remotely participating in, the hostilities which have now broken out, will lose their lives. I am therefore addressing this urgent appeal to every government which may be engaged in hostilities publicly to affirm its determination that its armed forces shall in no event, and under no circumstances, undertake the bombardment from the air of civilian populations or of unfortified cities, upon the understanding that these same rules of warfare will be scrupulously observed by all of their opponents. I request an immediate reply.  FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT (Documents located at: http://www.dannen.com/decision/int-law.html#E)

Truman’s Speech, August 9, 1945 (excerpt)

In a radio speech to the nation on August 9, 1945, President Truman called Hiroshima “a military base.” It seems likely, considering his July 25 diary entry, that he was not aware that Hiroshima was a city. Otherwise, he was being untruthful about the nature of the target. Truman delivered his speech from the White House at 10 P.M. Washington time on August 9, 1945. By this time, a second atomic bomb already had destroyed the city of Nagasaki. Because of the great length of the speech, most of which dealt with Germany, only the relevant paragraph is quoted here.

“The world will note that the first atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima, a military base. That was because we wished in this first attack to avoid, insofar as possible, the killing of civilians. But that attack is only a warning of things to come. If Japan does not surrender, bombs will have to be dropped on her war industries and, unfortunately, thousands of civilian lives will be lost. I urge Japanese civilians to leave industrial cities immediately, and save themselves from destruction.”

What does this all mean? It means the bombing of Japan was not only against the counsel of the those who developed the bomb, it was also illegal according to international law and contrary to President Roosevelt’s own international petition.

Government and military leaders responses to Dropping the Bomb –

“…the greatest thing in history.”

-Harry S. Truman – President of the United States during the Atomic Bombing

“It always appeared to us that, atomic bomb or no atomic bomb, the Japanese were already on the verge of collapse.”

-General Henry H. “Hap” Arnold
Commanding General of the U.S. Army
Air Forces Under President Truman

“I had been conscious of depression and so I voiced to (Sec. Of War Stimson) my grave misgivings, first on the basis of my belief that Japan was already defeated and that dropping the bomb was completely unnecessary, and secondly because I thought that our country should avoid shocking world opinion by the use of a weapon whose employment was, I thought, no longer mandatory as a measure to save American lives. It was my belief that Japan was, at this very moment, seeking a way to surrender with a minimum loss of ‘face.’ “
-General Dwight D. Eisenhower

“Japan was at the moment seeking some way to surrender with minimum loss of ‘face’… It wasn’t necessary to hit them with that awful thing.”

-General Dwight D. Eisenhower

“It is my opinion that the use of this barbarous weapon at Hiroshima and Nagasaki was of no material assistance in our war against Japan. The Japanese were already defeated and ready to surrender… My own feeling was that in being the first to use it, we had adopted an ethical standard common to the barbarians of the Dark Ages. I was taught not to make war in that fashion, and wars cannot be won by destroying woman and children.”

-Admiral William D. Leahy
Former Chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

“I am absolutely convinced that had we said they could keep the emperor, together with the threat of an atomic bomb, they would have accepted, and we would never have had to drop the bomb.”

-John McCloy

This next one just absolutely amazes me . . .

“P.M. Churchill & I ate alone. Discussed Manhattan [PROJECT] (it is a success). Decided to tell Stalin about it. Stalin had told P.M. of telegram from Jap Emperor asking for peace.”

-President Harry S. Truman
[17 DAYS BEFORE BOMBING HIROSHIMA]
Diary Entry, July 18, 1945

“Some of my conclusions may invoke anger and even ridicule. For example, I offer my belief that the existence of the first atomic bombs may have prolonged — rather than shortened – World War II by influencing Secretary of War Henry L. Stimson and President Harry S. Truman to ignore an opportunity to negotiate a surrender that would have ended the killing in the Pacific in May or June of 1945. And I have come to view the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings that August as an American tragedy that should be viewed as a moral atrocity.”

-Stewart L. Udall
US Congressman and
Author of “Myths of August”

“Certainly prior to 31 December 1945, and in all probability prior to 1 November 1945, Japan would have surrendered even if the atomic bombs had not been dropped, even if Russia had not entered the war, and even if no invasion had been planned or contemplated.”

-U.S. Strategic Bombing Survey’s 1946 Study

“Careful scholarly treatment of the records and manuscripts opened over the past few years has greatly enhanced our understanding of why Truman administration used atomic weapons against Japan. Experts continue to disagree on some issues, but critical questions have been answered. The consensus among scholars is the that the bomb was not needed to avoid an invasion of Japan… It is clear that alternatives to the bomb existed and that Truman and his advisers knew it.”
-J. Samuel Walker
Chief Historian
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission

Yet now please consider prayerfully my fellow believers just what says the word of God in regards to the use of weapons –

“If any man have an ear, let him hear, He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword [or whatever weapon of war] must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.”