PTNews
P r o p h e c y T o d a y N e w s
September 2021
Published monthly
All Bible references are from the KJV
(Examining Current Events in the Light of Bible Prophecy)
P.O. Box 13006, Roanoke, VA 24030-3006
By Mike Wingfield
We have all experienced the radical changes in our lifestyles since the onset of COVID-19. As 2020 began, who would have predicted the global repercussions of a virus that would impact almost every person on the planet? This serves to illustrate that at any moment, our world can experience a development that can radically alter our lives.
The Bible indicates in 1 Thessalonians 5:3 that at some point in the last days, an event or series of events will bring sudden destruction upon the entire world. No one can pretend to know what will happen or what will trigger this abrupt and life-threatening event. But the Bible does tell us that it will be like a woman who suddenly gives birth to a baby. While no one can predict with exact precision when a baby will be born, there is usually some evidence that gives us an idea of its approximate time of arrival. So, the Bible is saying that the world will be pregnant with warnings of the sudden destruction before it arrives.
One such life-altering event for our world is rapidly approaching. The world has been warned in the last 40 years that Islam is serious about the destruction of America and Israel, the eradication of Christianity, and the establishment of a one-world Islamic Empire, called a Caliphate.
About a year ago, President Donald Trump was leading the United States to openly support Israel. He moved the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem. He declared that the Golan Heights should be recognized as a legitimate part of Israel. He publicly announced that the Jewish communities in the West Bank [biblical Judea and Samaria] were not in violation of any international law. He withdrew the U.S. from the Iranian nuclear deal brokered by President Barak Obama’s administration in 2015. And he advanced peace between Israel and many of her Arab neighbors, called the Abraham Accords. All of these policies helped to make the Middle East more secure with the hope of peace for the first time since Israel became a nation in 1948.
Within a few months of his arrival in Washington D.C., Democrat President Joe Biden took a wrecking ball to all of President Trump’s accomplishments. In the aftermath of his actions, the Israelis and the Sunni Arabs are warning President Biden that he is bringing the region to the brink of a major confrontation with Iran. President Biden refuses to listen to the voices of warning of his own friends in the Middle East. He is determined to renew the former nuclear deal with Iran and to pay them tens of billions of dollars in sanctions relief. Everyone in the Middle East knows that this will further embolden Iran to develop a nuclear weapon and ramp up their terrorist war against Israel, Saudi Arabia, and other Sunni Arab states in the Persian Gulf.
In his first 6 months in office, President Biden has consistently stood on the side of evil in the Middle East. In February, Biden removed the Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen from the international terrorist list. He has made known that he supports a two-state solution, forcing Israel to surrender the heart of the Promised Land to an enemy that is sworn to its destruction. He wants the Palestinians to have the old city of Jerusalem [the ancient biblical city of Jerusalem] as their capital. He has unconditionally resumed U.S. financial aid to the Palestinians, who continue to pay terrorists in Israeli jails that have murdered Israelis in the past. In recent weeks Biden has pledged $75 million of U.S. aid to rebuild Gaza, after Israel’s war with them several months ago. Recent history would demonstrate that these funds will end up in the pockets of Hamas to be used to fund the next round of war against Israel.
In a high-level meeting in June with Russian President Vladimir Putin (see photo above), President Biden informed the Russian leader that he did not support Israel’s right to attack Iranian military positions in Syria. For years, Israel has made it clear to the Russians and everyone else that they will not tolerate Iran’s efforts to set up military bases in Syria only a few miles from Israel’s northern border along the Golan Heights. As a result Russia has turned against Israel and is installing a more advanced antiballistic missile defense system in Syria to make life more dangerous for Israeli pilots who attack Iranian military positions in Syria.
It is very apparent that, like President Obama, President Biden is strengthening the enemies of Israel and other U.S. Arab allies in the region. This is dangerous. It is fueling the eruption of a major war in the Middle East. It is a threat to the entire world. He is strengthening the enemies of America – Iran, Russia, and China.
Furthermore, President Biden has ordered the removal of all U.S. troops from Afghanistan by August 31. This withdrawal of the U.S. military presence in the Middle East is sending the wrong message to the enemies of Israel. They view this as a sign of weakness. It invites them to attack and defeat America and her allies.
A recent article in the International Jerusalem Post listed “10 possible outcomes that American politicians, the military, and intelligence services will have to grapple with in the coming years.
1. Islamic terrorism will find both new and old havens from which to plot mayhem against the U.S. and Israel.
2. Iran will increase its military activity at the region’s two strategic choke-hold points at the Straits of Hormuz and Babel Mandeb, threatening international shipping lanes.
3. With America’s retreat, allies worldwide will know that American security commitments can be expected to have expiration dates.
4. Iran, Russia, and China will be the new superpowers of the Middle East.
5. Israel will be more isolated if Saudi Arabia and the Gulf states move toward Iran out of desperation. Still, Israel hopes they decide to continue normalization (Abraham Accords), seeing them as the better choice of an ally.
6. Iran will feel less inhibited in risk-taking, knowing the U.S. will not want to challenge the Islamic regime, lest it withdraw from the nuclear agreement.
7. Iran will set its sights on Jordan, the next domino to fall, after Iraq and Lebanon, under Iranian influence.
8. The Taliban will retake Afghanistan (see photo on this page), making all the gains achieved for women and minorities disappear instantly. [Note: This has already happened.]
9. The chance for regional conflicts will grow.
10. Nuclear proliferation will arrive sooner or later in the Sunni [Arab] world, to nobody’s benefit.”
Michael Oren, Israel’s former ambassador to the U.S., has said, “If you think the United States as a global power can pull out of the Middle East and not endanger itself, you are deluding yourselves” (The International Jerusalem Post, May 14-20, 2021, p. 19).
Most significant of all, these latest decisions by the U.S. administration to stand with the enemies of Israel will force the curse of God upon the America (Genesis 12:3). President Biden is standing against God. God is the one who has sworn to defend Israel (Psalm 121:4-8; Isaiah 29:7-8; 54:17; Zechariah 12:9).
As the clock keeps ticking toward the day when Iran will have a nuclear weapon, will Israel move against Iran to destroy Iran’s nuclear capabilities? In recent weeks, the new Israeli leadership has promised that it will do just that. If this happens, what will be the world’s reaction? When Israel defended itself against Hamas in Gaza a few months ago, the world erupted in acts of hatred toward Israel and Jews living around the world. What will be the reaction of Iran’s allies – Russia and China? This could set the stage for the military attack against Israel mentioned in Ezekiel 38-39.
Friends, it is my opinion we are watching the calm before the storm. As America is about to remove its restraining force against Islamic terrorism in the Middle East, evil is ready to escalate at a rapid pace. In the midst of it all, this would be the perfect time for the Rapture.
Be ready for the shout that will take us out!
Islamic Goal: Eradicate Christianity
While American believers sit comfortably in their homes and worship the Lord in their churches without fear, many Christians around the world are suffering for their Lord. In a recent article for Gatestone Institute, Raymond Ibrahim, wrote a shocking 10-page report entitled, “Their Goal is Really to Eradicate Christianity.” (www.gatestoneinstitute.org). Reading this report is very troubling. It openly states and illustrates that the elimination of Christianity is a major goal of Islam. For Islam, Christianity is a religion of infidels that must be eradicated. It is the belief of radical Muslims that this would allow them to invite their Islamic messiah, known as the Mahdi, to appear on the global scene and rule the world.
This is a stark reminder of what is in the future for all believers in Jesus Christ during the horrific Tribulation Period. Jesus warned His disciples, “the time cometh, that whosoever kills you will think that he does God service” (John 16:2).
It is chilling to think that there are people brutalizing, persecuting, and killing believers in Jesus because they believe it pleases their god. To my knowledge, there is only one global religion that promotes this kind of hatred – radical Islam. According to www.opendoors.org, one out of every eight Christians in the world, 340 million, is suffering “high levels of persecution and discrimination for their faith” (World Watch List 2021: Trends · Serving Persecuted Christian’s Worldwide (opendoors.org) ). This trend is growing each year.
In our world today, 50 nations are listed as the top persecutors of Christians. They are all Islamic Republics and Communists nations. Where Muslims, Communists or socialists are in control, Christians are facing dangerous trials, unspeakable suffering, and rejection (see photo below). As we watch the advance of socialism in America, Christians have a right to be concerned. It is time to wake up! Christianity is in the cross hairs of the radical left in America. They want to silence us by intimidation and elimination.
The book of Revelation testifies that during the Tribulation Period the persecution of believers in Jesus Christ will become global. The Apostle John in Revelation 7 reported that he saw the souls of the martyrs of Jesus that came “out of great tribulation” (verse 14). These dear saints of God were “a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues” (verse 9).
The Lord has a special reward for those who suffer and die in His Name. Revelation 7 records the honor that will be given to them, “Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes” (Revelation 7:15-17).At the end of the Tribulation, these martyred saints will live and reign “with Christ a thousand years” (Revelation 20:4) in His earthly kingdom.
For a comprehensive daily report of global Islamic terrorism, go to: www.thereligionofpeace.com/ . Every believer needs to know about the global advance of Islamic terrorism. We can be glad that we will be raptured before the greatest persecution comes. However, we have no guarantee that American believers will not suffer persecution for their faith before the Rapture takes place. Be aware and pray!
“Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator” (1 Peter 4:19).
Pray for our brothers and sisters who are being persecuted. “Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body” (Hebrews 13:3).
Jesus declared, “I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18). Islam is trying to destroy the church by killing and persecuting Christians. However, their scheme will not work. Church history demonstrates that when the enemies of Christ attempt to destroy the church, it has just the opposite effect. Where the church is persecuted, it grows rapidly. That is what is happening today. The fastest growth in Christian evangelism is in Iran. The second largest is in Afghanistan. Statistical data indicate that in the top 20 countries where the gospel is being accepted, 11 of them are Muslim countries!
This is a testimony to the mercy, grace, and power of the Lord Jesus. Satan cannot stop the gospel. “It is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth” (Romans 1:16).
As Muslims suffer at the hands of their religious leaders, Jesus appears to them and comforts them, calling them to salvation. Next month I will share with you why this is a powerful indication that the Church Age is coming to completion.
Israeli Archeologists Discover Ancient Jerusalem Wall
Most of the world continues to deny Israel’s historical right to the Promised Land. However, Israeli archeologists continue to dig up more compelling evidence that proves the accuracy and reliability of the Bible. The Bible repeatedly and consistently declares that in an unconditional, eternal covenant with the Jewish people, God gave them the Promised Land (Genesis 13:14-17; Joshua 1:3-4).
While almost being driven to tears, recent Israeli archeological teams found the remains of a massive wall [16.5 feet wide] that is 2,700 years old. This wall (see photo on previous page) was a part of the defense structure of the city of Jerusalem when the Babylonians defeated and plundered Jerusalem in 586 B.C.
According to the Bible, Jerusalem had survived many attacks until the Babylonians were successful (2 Kings 25:1-10).
An article in The International Jerusalem Post, reports that this team of archeologists found the remains of the wall and some of the houses that were behind the wall. The article reports as follows: “We found ashes that we believe date back to the Babylonian invasion…. [We] uncovered multiple artifacts that offer a glimpse into the daily life of Jerusalem when the wall was still standing, and after its fall in 586 B.C.: fragments of pots, pans and other vessels, seal impressions, some of them carrying inscriptions – for example, ‘lamelech’ (Hebrew- ‘to the king’), which was usually featured on jars used for tax collection. The jars bear ‘rosette’ type handles, in the shape of a rose, associated with the final years of the kingdom of Judah. A bulla, stamp seal impressions made of clay, bearing a personal name, Tsafan, in ancient Hebrew script (see photo on this page) was found not far from a small Babylonian seal stamp made in stone, depicting a figure standing in front of symbols of the two Babylonians gods Marduk and Nabu” (The International Jerusalem Post, July 23-29, p. 17).
The Iranian Threat
The clock is ticking towards Iran’s creation of a nuclear warhead. Thanks to North Korea and others, the radical mullahs in Iran already have the technology to deliver a missile with a nuclear payload. The world has been forewarned. A nuclear Iran will alter the balance of power in the Middle East and threaten to interrupt international peace. Iran is dead serious about its plans to rule the world through an Islamic Empire. This development is one giant step toward the Tribulation Period.
Dr. Majid Rafizadeh, a business strategist and advisor, Harvard-educated scholar, political scientist, board member of Harvard International Review, and president of the International American Council on the Middle East, in an article for Gatestone Institute writes, “The Iranian regime appears just a few months away from obtaining nuclear weapons, all while the Biden administration is completely silent and has not articulated any clear policy for preventing this dangerous and predatory regime from becoming a nuclear state like North Korea.
Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz told ambassadors from countries on the United Nations Security Council during a briefing at the Foreign Ministry in Jerusalem on August 4, 2021: ‘Iran has violated all of the guidelines set in the [2015 nuclear agreement] and is only around 10 weeks away from acquiring weapons-grade materials necessary for a nuclear weapon… Now is the time for deeds – words are not enough. It is time for diplomatic, economic and even military deeds, otherwise the attacks will continue” (www.gatestoneinstitute.org/17653/iran-obtaining-nuclear-weapons, August 21, 2021).