[The following material is from O Timothy magazine, Volume 3, Issue 7, 1986. David W. Cloud, Editor. All rights are reserved. O Timothy is a monthly magazine. Annual subscription is US$20 FOR THE UNITED STATES. Send to Way of Life Literature, P.O. Box 610368, Port Huron, Michigan 48061, fbns@wayoflife.org. FOR CANADA the subscription is $20 Canadian. Send to Bethel Baptist Church, P.O. Box 9075, London, Ontario N6E 1V0. The Way of Life Internet web site is http://www.wayoflife.org/.]

Those who have read the reports of the violence of the communist-inspired terrorist movements in South Africa are aware of the horrors being perpetrated upon (mostly) Black people there. A favorite tactic of the communist groups toward those who do not support their program is to capture the person, tie his hands together, soak an automobile tire in petrol, put it around the neck of their victim (and sometimes another around his legs) then set the tire(s) on fire. The heat is so intense that no one can rescue or help that person, and the pain and torment of such a death is beyond description. The tire burns with fury, as the molten rubber runs down the victim's body and he is tormented and finally suffocates in the black, acrid smoke. And "amidst his cries, the communists gather around and taunt him with a callousness that defies human understanding." (The New American, February 2, 1987, page 16). The murderers dance and shout and raise the clenched fist salute of international terrorism. Those knowledgeable of this horrible thing, say, "after 20 minutes of intense suffering and pain, death mercifully ends the victim's horrible agony." Twenty minutes of this torture before death comes! The communists in South Africa call this "necklacing," and by this means and other murderous and torturous methods they are trying to cause the people there to have such fear that no one will speak against the communists or try to stand against their plans for the overthrow of South Africa.

And what kind of people are being "necklacing"? Is this a method to punish some sort of terrible criminal? No, not at all. The majority being necklaced are quiet working people, those simply not going along with the communist plan and program. If the communists call a strike and someone does not join that strike, that person is a target for necklacing. If someone works for a government-owned company, that person is a target for necklacing. "Township officials and black policemen have also been favorite targets. Other victims have included migrant miners, who were condemned because mines were deemed essential parts of 'the system,' as well as liquor store owners, who were condemned for operating under government licenses... A 20-year-old black youth was once necklaced because he held a party in defiance of a 'people's [communist] ban' on Christmas celebrations." (Ibid.)

The article quoted above gives another illustration of people being necklaced in South Africa for no reason other than communist hatred. It was a 62-year-old black woman named Mary Skhosana. The story of her murder is told by "Comrade Killer," an African National Congress (ANC) member who often executes the necklacings:

"Since the funeral parlor that employed her sold funeral insurance, the 'People's Court' found her guilty of collaborating with 'the system.'...

'She was pleading for mercy and crying and screaming. She said she'd pay us 7,000 rands [$3,080] if we let her go. We told her we didn't need her money; we needed her life. Then we put a tire around her legs and another around her neck and shoulders. We forced her to drink petrol. We poured the rest into the tires and onto her and set her alight. But the fire went out.

Another tin of petrol was fetched, and it took about an hour." (Ibid.) 

"Because of the importance of this tactic in the overall Communist attack on South Africa, murder by necklace has been committed at the rate of one per day over" the year 1986. (Ibid.) 

One per day!

Think about it. If you knew that you or your loved ones could be "necklaced" simply because you did not support the communist groups, what would you do? The average person will simply try avoid all controversy, will not let anyone know his thoughts about the communists. The average person in such circumstances would make an outward appearance that he supports the communist goals, even if he inwardly hates them. Especially is this true for the unsaved who has no supernatural strength through Christ and whose hope is entirely wrapped up in this life. By this means, therefore, it appears as if the average people support the communist program a certain place, whereas the "people's movement" is in reality a movement of fear and terror.

This is popular communist methodology of bringing the people into subjection to their wicked designs. This is the very purpose of terrorism--to disrupt the existing governments and to cause the people to fear to stand against the communists or hinder their activities.

In South Africa, the communist-connected groups at the forefront of terrorism are the African National Congress (ANC), the Southwest African Peoples Organization (SWAPO) and the Pan Africanist Congress. These are the groups with the "necklaces," the bayonets, and torture techniques. They are the groups which are exploding bombs and killing and maiming innocent civilians. These are the ones who are threatening and hurting their enemies, the anti-communists and the Christians.

In light of these facts, the following report is simply amazing. Consider:

In July, 1986, a youth meeting was organized by the South African Council of Churches [Archbishop Desmond Tutu is a leader in this council] and the World Council of Churches. The meeting was held in Harare, the capital of communist Zimbabwe (formerly Rhodesia).

We will quote from the official World Council news service about the events and statements made at this meeting. Because this meeting is so significant and so clearly shows the evils of the World Council and of the groups associated with the WCC, we will quote a lengthy portion of their two-page report: 

HARARE [Zimbabwe] - Participants [met] in a global ecumenical youth meeting on "solidarity in action with the people in South Africa and Namibia" (here, 1-5 July)...

Meeting Arranged by the WCC

Besides the South African Council of Churches, the Geneva-based World Council of Churches helped arrange the youth meeting...

Representatives Came from Many Denominations and Youth Groups Councils of churches were involved in choosing many participants. Besides South Africa and Namibia, they came from Egypt, Ghana, Lesotho, Swaziland, Zaire, Zambia, Mozambique, Canada, US, India, Malaysia, Philippines, India, UK, Denmark, FRG (West Germany), France, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, Brazil, Jamaica, and Antigua. Others came on behalf of the Lutheran World Federation, World Alliance of Reformed Churches, World YWCA, and World Student Christian Federation.

The Communist Murderers Were Invited!

Representatives of three groups fighting the government in South Africa and Namibia--Pan Africanist Congress, African National Congress, and SWAPO --attended as observers. They brought greetings, of approximately 10 minutes each, on the final day.

Communist Chants, Slogans Were Used, and Representatives Were Greeted as "Comrades"

The meeting's opening eucharist was formal, in the Anglican cathedral here. The closing eucharist was informal, in the meeting hall. Worship each day was led by participants from a different part of the world. At many points during the meetings there were anti-apartheid chants and songs, and an occasional dance. Also sung at various points were gospel hymns and spirituals, and songs from the U.S. civil-rights movement. Forms of address included "friends", "colleagues", "brothers and sisters", and "comrades".

[Editor's note: In photos of this meeting I have seen participants with their arms held high and their fists clenched in the traditional communist salute of ultimate world victory. It is this same wicked, rebellious salute which is given as the communist murderers dance and mock those they are necklacing in South Africa. You can see the same salute given by convicted terrorists throughout the world as they demonstrate triumph even after their conviction in courts of law for murder and maiming innocent people though terrorist acts. This clenched fist salute is the war flag of international communism. What, you might ask, is such a wicked thing doing in a World Council of Churches meeting? Why, it is right at home there. The same spirit that movivates and sustains one movement motivates and sustains the other.]

The WCC Youth Praised the Murderous Terrorists and Communists 

Besides the concluding press release, the meeting produced a summary of its "conference position"... It observes that participants "reaffirm the legitimacy of the armed struggle presently being waged by the liberation movements in South Africa and Namibia. The conference delegates urge con tinued church support of the liberation movements fighting in South Africa and Namibia" in ways the church sees fit... It expresses "support for all efforts that will bring liberation of the people of Namibia and South Africa"...

[Editor's note: This expression of support for ALL efforts that will bring about liberation would refer to the "necklacing," the bombing of innocent victims, the maimings, the tortures!]

[The report] calls for the "release of all political prisoners, the unbanning of the people's liberation movements, and the return of exiles".

[Editor's note: The most famous "political prisoner" in South Africa at present is Nelson Mendela. He is an avowed communist and was caught by the South African police with enough weapons and explosives to carry on a full- scale war. And that was exactly what he was planning to do. He admitted it in court, and written documents captured with Mendela contained details of their plans of murder and destruction. He said that his plan was to murder South Africans and destroy property until the government was brought to its knees and replaced with one he could support--a communist government! The South African government could have committed him to death for capital treason, but instead he was given the sentence of life imprisonment. He is not confined in terrible conditions, by the way, but has a private cell with his own small library, flowers, paintings and other amenities! South African prison conditions for W. Mendela are certainly not like those our Christian brethren are enduring in communist countries! Recently the South African government told Mendela he could be released if he would promise not to be involved in murder and terrorism. He refused to agree to this and chose, instead, to stay in prison. And yet we see the World Council of Churches and their youth leaders calling for the release of such wicked men.]

In its conclusion, the release says: "We, therefore, uphold the faith of Christ crucified, and share in the redemptive purposes of God in Jesus Christ... We uphold the liberation of God in our acts of liberation...'" (Ecumenical Press Service, WCC, 16-31 July 1986, Year 53/Issue 21, 86.07.16)

[Editor: When these World Council Youth leaders speak of Christ crucified and of redemption in Christ, they are not talking about personal salvation through faith in the Cross and the power of the Holy Spirit. They are twisting biblical terms to refer to political things. This is liberation theology. Such liberal Christians think God's plan through Jesus Christ was to bring in a reign of justice through communist and socialist liberation movements. How wrong they are! We do not see the Lord Jesus Christ organizing rebellions against the Roman government; he led no marches; he exploded no bombs; he made no "necklaces"! All of these things are completely foreign to the Life and Work of the true Jesus Christ. He came rather to "seek and to save that which was lost" (Luke 19:10). He came to die and shed His sinless blood that sinners might be saved through believing on Him (Romans 1-5). After His death and resurrection, Christ ascended back to sit at the right hand of God the Father and await the time of His return. At that hour He will come in glory and power and will destroy the rebellious and subject the nations to His authority. He will rule and reign in this world and build His literal Kingdom with its capital in Jerusalem. For 1000 years He will rule with His saints with a rod of iron, then the unsaved dead will be raised, judged and cast into the lake of fire to be tormented forever and forever (Revelation 19-20). After this the redeemed people of God will live with their God forever in the Eternal City, the New Jerusalem and will delight forever in Christ and serve Him (Revelation 21-22). Amen!

Liberation theology is heresy and God commands that true Christians mark those who teach such false things and avoid them lest we be deceived by their good words and fair speeches (Romans 16:17-18). Let us then obey God and avoid so-called liberation theology--every form of it!

By the way, we mentioned at the beginning of this section that the World Council of Churches also supports terrorism. In this we did not mean they support it just with their lips and meetings. The WCC actually gives money to world communist terrorist groups. Not only that, but they boast in it!

In 1986, for example, four groups in Africa received grants totaling $226,000 from the World Council of Churches Program to Combat Racism [should be called Program to Propagate Communism!]. The breakdown was like this--

African National Congress, $80,000
Pan Africanist Congress (PAC), $26,000
South West People's Organ. (SWAPO), $110,000
S. African Congress of Trade Unions, $10,000
(Ecumenical Press Service, 11-18 October 1986, 86.10.98) 

Note that the two groups that are the most deeply involved in murder--in necklacing, for example--are the two groups that received the most money from the WCC: African National Congress and SWAPO. That, dear friends, is no coincidence.

Some of you might be thinking, "Is this is the same Program to Combat Racism that was exposed in the READER'S DIGEST a few years ago and which caused so much furor among various denominations who support the WCC?" Yes, this is the Program. Most past reports, including that one, have focused on SWAPO's terrorist activity in former Rhodesia, now Zimbabwe, and the missionaries and many other innocents they brutally murdered--all the while receiving financial aid from the WCC. These things have been reported by a great number of publications worldwide.

But though these things have been exposed broadly, even in the secular press, you can see that the WCC hasn't changed at all. The previous financial figures are from the latest report for the year just past, 1986.

No amount of bad publicity will turn the WCC from the evil of their ways.

And this includes those apostate Protestant denominations which compose the member bodies of the WCC. The only WCC member that made a move of protest because of the exposure of the wicked Program to Combat Racism was the Salvation Army. They resigned their formal relationship with the WCC because of this Program. Yet even they did not truly break off relations with the World Council and still participate closely with most of the Council's activities. The withdrawal was mostly a big show for the supporters of the Salvation Army; behind the scenes nothing really changed.

If you read the listing of participants of WCC meetings and other activities today invariably you will read "The Salvation Army." Sadly, they are still there.

All of these apostate groups have a part to play in that prophetic scene in Revelation 17, and play it they will. The Bible says of wicked end-time religious leaders such as those of the WCC--

"For there are certain men crept in unawares, WHO WERE BEFORE OF OLD ORDAINED TO THIS CONDEMNATION, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God unto laciviousness, and denying the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ" (Jude 4).

"... there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, AND BRING UPON THEMSELVES SWIFT DESTRUCTION... WHOSE JUDGMENT NOW OF A LONG TIME LINGERETH NOT, AND THEIR DAMNATION SLUMBERETH NOT" (2 Peter 2:1,2).

"Now as Jannes and Jambres, withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. BUT THEY SHALL PROCEED NO FURTHER: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as their's also was" (2 Timothy 3:8,9).

"And he saith unto me, the waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth are peoples and multitudes, and nations, and tongues. And the ten horns which thou sawst upon the beast, THESE SHALL MAKE DESOLATE AND NAKED, AND SHALL EAT HER FLESH, AND BURN HER WITH FIRE. For God hath put in their hearts to fulfill 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" (Revelation 17:15-18).

The Bible prophesies that there will arise in the earth one final great worldwide, interconnected false religious body. It is called in Scripture MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH" (Revelation 17:5). It is going to join forces with the final, endtime political government set up by the antichrist's power. Yet though the religious system is seen riding the political system, it is the anti- christ who will arise shortly after the union and will utterly destroy the one world religious empire with its seat in Rome.

Today, the WCC and practically every Protestant denomination has its face toward Rome. The charismatic movement has its face towards Rome. Even a great percentage of those who claim to be evangelical have their faces toward Rome. The governments of the world have their faces toward Rome.
Even the heathen religions now have their faces toward Rome. The Bible leaves no doubt as to what is going to happen in all of this ecumenical activity, nor what its end will be.

And knowing that some true Christians--because of ignorance, or stubborness, or pride, or because they are too easygoing--will be affiliated with these end-time ecumenical movements, the very next chapter of Revelation contains this warning: "And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues" (Revelation 18:4).