Vol.8 No.6
HIV Sources At Home And Abroad
In analyzing world AIDS cases, up to 75% of people who contracted HIV did so through heterosexual transmission. Only 5-10% contracted HIV by homosexual transmission. And only 5-10% contracted the disease through contaminated needles.
These statistics were in stark contrast to the U.S. where heterosexuals account for only 8% of HIV transmission and homosexuals account for 51%. Contaminated needles in illegal drug use account for 25% of transmitted HIV. Homosexuals that share contaminated needles account for another 7%. This raises the total U.S. transmission sources for AIDS from homosexual contacts, contaminated needles, or a combination of both to a whopping 83% of AIDS cases. Current Thoughts and Trends, April 1997.
LG comments: The acceptance and growth of lifestyles that uphold drug abuse and homosexuality has made the U.S. an easy target for a disease that could have been avoided.
Vol.10 No.3
AIDS On The Rise
The AIDS epidemic has not diminished in the last few years; in fact, it is on the rise. Approximately 33 million people worldwide are now infected with HIV. Africa takes the lead with about 22 million. It is believed that an estimated 5,500 funerals are held there daily. In the United States, 75,000 people were infected this year—a figure equal to that of last year’s. About 270,000 people in Eastern Europe and Central Africa have AIDS, with 80,000 of these cases being newly reported. This pandemic “plague” seeks to engulf the world. USA Today, November 24, 1998.
Vol.10 No.4 
HIV Nonchalance
AIDS Atlanta, a research group, reports a 50% increase in the number of HIV-positive tests since 1997. Reasons for this include the introduction of AIDS medication that is enabling homosexuals to continue a healthy enough lifestyle to remain sexually active, thus spreading the disease. The Center for Disease Control reports that of the HIV-positive men in New York and San Francisco, 20% engage in unprotected sex with a HIV-negative partner or someone whose HIV status they do not know. Will, a 38-year old, has seen 68 of his friends die. He takes 26 pills a day in order to treat nausea, diarrhea, and fungus infections, yet, he still has unprotected sex. He says, “In my last days in this planet I do not want celibacy.” World, February 13, 1999.
Vol.10 No.6
AIDS Takeover
The AIDS epidemic in Africa is spiraling out of control. According to the United Nations, 11 million have died from AIDS and 22 million more are HIV-positive. Zimbabwe is the worst affected country in the world with 25% of its adults HIV-positive. In 1990, life expectancy was 61, but has since fallen to 49. Without AIDS, their life expectancy would be around 69.5 years. Intelligence Digest, September 17, 1999.
LG Comment: Jesus describes conditions at the end of time, just before His Second Coming: “ … and there shall be famines, and pestilences [fatal epidemic diseases], and earthquakes …” (Matthew 24:7).
Vol.13 No.5
HIV Increases In China
China is estimating that 850,000 are infected with the HIV virus, a rise of more than 250,000 compared to the previous year. In Beijing, 100,000 have already died. Needle sharing among drug addicts, infected blood supplies, a large moving population, rampant prostitution and increasing sexual promiscuity among youth are the leading causes. The United Nations says that China could have 10 million sufferers by 2010 unless it acts decisively. www.asia.cnn.com April 11, 2002, “China admits AIDS rising sharply”
LG Comment: Jesus said that before His Second Coming there would be “pestilences… in divers places.” Matthew 24:7. The American Heritage Dictionary defines pestilence as “A usually fatal epidemic disease.”
Vol.13 No.2
African Monkey Meat Linked To HIV Virus
Forty million people are now plagued with HIV, which causes AIDS. “There is no reason to assume that this is the last such plague we’ll face. The more science reveals about what’s out there the scarier it looks.” Research has found that among wild monkeys caught in Cameroon, Africa are an abundance of genetically diverse viruses that come from the same family as HIV. These monkeys were in direct contact with people who could have been exposed to contaminated blood by hunting or butchering the monkeys for meat or keeping them as pets. Newsweek, July 8, 2002, pp. 48, 49.
LG Comment: Along with wars, earthquakes and famines that Jesus said would take place around the world before He comes, He also mentioned “pestilences” or fatal diseases. Matthew 24: 7. While we should not be surprised to see increased diseases proliferating around the globe, we can trust that God protects and guards His own.
Vol.13 No.4
AIDS Cases Increase Worldwide
The World Health Organization (WHO) reported: “More than 5 million people worldwide will have contracted the AIDS virus in 2002, bringing the total number of those infected to 42 million, up 2 million from a year ago.” The hardest hit regions were sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. Approximately 610,000 who will die from this disease are under age 15 and nearly half will be women. HIV/AIDS cases are also growing rapidly in Russia, Eastern Europe, and Central Asia. In North America, deaths were dramatically reduced because of the use of anti-viral drugs. About 15,000 are expected. The projection for Western Europe is about 8,000 deaths.
www.cnn.com/2002/HEALTH, “U.N.: HIV cases on the rise worldwide,” November 26, 2002.
LG Comment: The Bible predicts this sad news about starvation and disease as signs of the end of time: “And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences…” Luke 21:11.
Vol.15 No.2
Number Of AIDS Orphans Rises Sharply
The sharp rise in the number of AIDS orphans is dubbed “the cruelest face of the world AIDS crisis” in a new United Nations report. Already, 43.4 million children in sub-Saharan Africa have lost at least one parent to AIDS. Dr. Peter Piot, executive director of UNAIDS, said, “With 60 percent of the world’s population, Asia could soon be faced with a serious orphan crisis unless it takes urgent steps to stop the epidemic in its tracks.” About 87.6 million Asian children have parents with AIDS. International agencies fear many of the orphans themselves could be HIV infected and lack medical access. They are also at risk of exploitation and face limited educational opportunities. WebMD, July 13, 2004.
Their suffering is the sad consequence of their parents’ sins, and God takes no pleasure in it. Children are not accountable for parents’ iniquity. Ezekiel 18:20, 32. However, we must know the signs of the times. In the days of Lot, the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah because their sin was “very grievous.” Genesis 18:20, 21, 19:13. Immorality in our day is surpassing that threshold.
The Bible warns when there is widespread apostasy, “behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, to execute judgment upon…their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed…” Jude 14, 15. Our only safety is in returning to the Lord, so His wrath will not be poured out on us. Revelation 18:4. Have you assurance today of God’s protection? |
