The Editor, Sir:

I suspect that by the time this letter has been printed Parliament would have already decided on whether to uphold the death sentence or not. Generally, the Bible is not clear cut on whether persons should be executed by the state or not. The Old Testament tends to agree to a death penalty, but the New Testament, while not explicitly saying so, gives inference against it. Be that as it may my concern is for Christians and their reaction to capital punishment.

Have we considered the implications for Christians this side of heaven? Consider the book of Revelation. It tells of a time when governments shall seek to influence the people of the world to serve them according to their way of thinking. This one-world government will first stop people from buying or selling goods if they refuse to take 'the Mark of the Beast'. Finally to remove all opposition, the death penalty will be invoked on all true Christians.

Signing their death warrant

Christians who vote for the death penalty now are signing their own death warrant. They are essentially putting the legislature in place that will be used against them later.

For students of prophecy, they have only to consider two important points to convince themselves of the truth. (1) The world is conglomerating; each country is seeking to join itself to groups with other countries. A one-world order is definitely coming. (2) Most countries are not for the death penalty, but prophecy tells us that this will change. (We can begin to look at which countries still carry out this sentence and the level of influence they exert in the world.)

It is obvious that God has the right to execute capital punishment as we teach that Satan will be finally punished in the flames of Hell. However, does man have this right?

I am, etc.,

KEITH COOMBS

songsofheaven@yahoo.com