1990
Dear Editor,
With all the euphoria about Mikhail Gorbachev winning the Nobel Peace
Prize, I would like to offer another perspective. Though it may be more sobering, it must
be considered.
There is no doubt that Gorbachev has affected monumental change in the
world. The popular and overwhelming sentiment in the world is that these changes have been
for the betterment of mankind. Views to the contrary are not popular at all.
Is it possible, however, that the Soviet Union and the various
communist satellites are merely taking one major step backward before taking their final
and triumphant two steps forward?
Before balking at this possibility, please read the following statement
of strategy written by Anatoliy Golitsyn, a former Major in intelligence for the KGB (bear
in mind that this was written in 1985, before any of the drastic changes took place):
"The new methodology examines current developments in relation to the objectives of
the long-range policy. It sees that policy as having three phases.... The first phase is
the creation of favorable conditions for the implementation of the policy; the second is
the exploitation of Western misunderstanding of the policy to gain specific advantages....
The beginning of the third, and final, offensive phase is marked by a major shift in
communist tactics in preparation for a comprehensive assault on the West in which the
communist world, taking advantage of the West's long-term strategic errors, moves forward
toward its ultimate objective of the global triumph of international communism. (p. 89, New
Lies for Old.)
I, like you, wish that the changes taking place were not merely
strategic facades. Perhaps you may still chose to believe that the changes are genuine and
that communism really is dead. But first please consider a few prophecies that must be
considered in this context.
Paul warned that "the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the
night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon
them...." (1 Thessalonians 5:2,3.)
Speaking to the righteous who are seeking to understand the signs of
the times, Paul continues, "Therefore let us not sleep as do others; but let us watch
and be sober." (5:6.)
Daniel's prophecy is even more sobering in light of the recent Peace
Prize award. Speaking of the latter-day tyrant who will tread down all the earth and make
war with the saints for a time, he said, "...By peace shall [he] destroy
many...." (Dan. 8:25.)
The most sobering thought that comes when considering these things is
that if what I am saying is true, then many good people are being deceived. Yet didn't
Christ warn that in the last days there would come false saviors who would deceive even
the very elect. We need not look any further than the newspaper we are reading to see the
level of that deception (editor, I dare you to publish that).
No wonder it is only those who take the Holy Spirit for their guide
that will not be deceived -- and will not be cut off from among the people of the covenant
in the day of the Lord's wrath.
If the cry of "Peace, peace, when there is no peace" is the precursor to
major destruction, we might take a good hard look at what is going on in the world now.
(Jeremiah 6:14) But more importantly, each of us must take a good hard look at our own
hearts, for that is where peace must begin -- not forcefully imposed from the outside.
