(picture from: jpost.com)
PTNews
June & July 2017
Published 10 times annually
All Bible references are from the KJV
(Examining Current Events in the Light of Bible Prophecy)
“Jacob’s Sheep” Return Home
“And I will multiply upon you man and beast; and they shall increase and bring fruit: and I will settle you after your old estates, and will do better unto you than at your beginnings: and ye shall know that I am the LORD.“
By Mike Wingfield
I have been amazed at how God is blessing His chosen people of Israel in their ancient homeland. Through the prophet Ezekiel, God gave them the following promise for the days when they would return from their time of exile among the Gentile nations. Speaking to the land of Israel, God said: “But ye, O mountains of Israel, ye shall shoot forth your branches, and yield your fruit to my people of Israel; for they are at hand to come. For, behold, I am for you, and I will turn unto you, and ye shall be tilled and sown: And I will multiply men upon you, all the house of Israel, even all of it: and the cities shall be inhabited, and the wastes shall be builded: And I will multiply upon you man and beast; and they shall increase and bring fruit: and I will settle you after your old estates, and will do better unto you than at your beginnings: and ye shall know that I am the LORD.” (Ezekiel 36:8-11)
The Jewish people are mimicking the ways of their forefathers. Cities are called by their Biblical names. Crops and animals are raised in the same locations as in Biblical times. They speak the language of their forefathers – Hebrew. Their currency is called “sheqel.” Israel is also attempting to restore the native wildlife that was prevalent during Biblical times. Many of these animals became extinct during the absence of the Jewish people in their land. Therefore, it is not surprising to discover that a unique breed of sheep called “Jacob’s Sheep,” after 2,500 years, are finding their way back home to Israel. According to the Bible, God blessed Jacob while he was working for his father-in-law, Laban, by causing his unique sheep, that were speckled and spotted (Genesis 30:39), to abundantly multiply.
According to an article in The International Jerusalem Post, out of the 1 billion sheep in the world, only about 5,000 are of the same description found in the Bible. “Their impressive horns, black-and-white faces and spotted bodies have no doubt contributed to their popularity and survival.” (The International Jerusalem Report, “Flocking to their land,” April 7-13, 2017, p. 15) Several times in the Bible, God refers to His chosen people as His flock. (Ezekiel 34:11-22) It is amazing that both the people and the sheep are returning to the land in these last days.
These sheep were found on a farm in Canada and 114 of them were transported over land for five days to Toronto. They were then shipped to Israel on commercial flights, only ten at a time. All of this cost more than twice what the sheep were worth. However, like the Jewish people, they have found their way back home. These sheep have now found a new home in the foothills of Jerusalem at Moshav Ness Harim.
To see an 8-minute video of the story of how Jacob’s sheep have returned to the Holy Land, go to the following website: http://friendsofthejacobsheep.weebly.com/.
Jews Being Threatened in the U.S.
A major story is unfolding in the United States that the media are not truthfully reporting. The media are promoting a lie about President Trump, painting him as a supporter of white extremists groups who are promoters of anti-Semitism. This lie originated within political party ranks of the liberals who support the democratic socialists. These lies are fueling acts of anti-Semitism across America.
“New York City police reported over 70 anti-Jewish incidents in the first 100 days after the elections compared with 39 for the same period a year earlier. … During the first 100 days since the election, about 150 telephone threats were made to U.S. Jewish institutions, across some 30 states and in Canada. … Buildings have been evacuated — including [Jewish] schools and nursing homes. Tombstones at Jewish cemeteries in Missouri, New York and Pennsylvania have been overturned.” (The Jerusalem Report, “Anti-Semitism: The Threat and the Divide,” April 3, 2007, p. 12)
A closer examination of these acts of hatred toward Jewish Americans seems to indicate that anti-Semitism is not growing in America. However, there seems to be a more vocal and active militant minority that is behind these acts of violence. An examination of the real facts do not point the finger at President Trump and his administration, but at the militant left that are promoting division and hatred in an attempt to make the Trump presidency look like a threat to America. It is a fact that “while 74 percent of Republicans sympathize more with Israel than the Palestinians, only 33 percent of Democrats side more with Israel than with the Palestinians, according to another PEW survey earlier this year… On January 21, more than 1 million women marched in Washington D.C. against Trump. But the women’s anti-Trump campaign was being co-opted by anti-Zionists activists. … Among the leading voices of the anti-Trump international women’s movement in-the-making is Rasmea Yousef Odeh, formerly of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine. She served time in an Israeli prison for her involvement in a February 21, 1969, bombing of a Jerusalem supermarket that killed two young students, Leon Kanner and Eddie Joffe, and wounded nine others.” (The Jerusalem Report, “Anti-Semitism: The Threat and the Divide,” April 3, 2007, pp. 14-15)
Both Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Israeli President Reuven Rivlin have taken a strong stance in defense of the new U.S. administration and these baseless accusations against them. In his recent trip to Israel, President Trump proved in word and deed that he is a genuine friend of the Jewish people and the nation of Israel. Furthermore, his son-in-law, Jared Jushner, is Jewish.
The baseless lies about our president simply illustrate just how desperate the liberal left has become in their attempt to not only destroy the Trump presidency, but to also divide America to bring about its demise. The liberal agenda is to force the U.S. into a New World Order that promotes a political marriage of liberal socialism and Islamic Sharia law. And, this is exactly what I believe the Bible indicates will unfold in the last of the last days.
Furthermore, if this delusion about the promotion of anti-Semitism by the current administration continues, it could lead to a massive exodus of the U.S. Jewish population to Israel. Should this develop, it would invite the God of Israel to curse those who are cursing His people. (Genesis 12:3) It could also lead to the ultimate demise of the U.S. economy and provide a powerful infusion of wealth and power into the Israeli economy.
Turkey Threatens to flood Europe with Muslim Refugees
The country of Turkey, under the leadership of its powerful Islamic president, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, continues to prepare itself to be the leader of the Islamic world that will usher in an Islamic kingdom. Part of Erdoğan’s strategy is to weaken Europe by flooding the continent with Islamic refugees across the Turkish border into Greece, and further west into Europe. Gatestone Institute reports: “Turkey appears determined to flood Europe with migrants either way: with Europe’s permission by means of visa-free travel, or without Europe’s permission, as retribution for failing to provide visa-free travel.” (https://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/10307/europe-more-migrants) It is reported that almost 10 million Muslims are ready to enter into Europe. This will continue to change the face of Europe. At some point in time, the tipping point will be reached, and a civil war will breakout in Europe. It is highly likely that unless the West begins to wake up, this trend will become a part of the future for other free Western nations.
Prelude to Gog and Magog on Israel’s Northern Border
Israel is watching an ongoing military conflict for power in Syria — which is located on Israel’s northern border. In Syria, Islamic factions are fighting each other to develop a base of operation to eventually attack Israel. From a Biblical vantage point, it appears this could be the prelude to the attack against Israel mentioned in Ezekiel 38-39. In this future military invasion of Israel, a massive coalition of Islamic nations, aided and accompanied by Russia, will attack Israel in the last days. This coalition will include Russia, Iran, Turkey, Libya and Sudan. (Ezekiel 38:2-6) They will attack Israel because of their evil hatred against the Jewish State (Ezekiel 38:10), and their desire to capture a major economic windfall. (Ezekiel 38:12)
The civil war in Syria between radical Islamic forces has been going on for six years. “Half a million people have been killed, one million wounded and 10 million — nearly half of the population — have been uprooted and are now refugees.” (The Jerusalem Report, “Iran’s Creeping Crescent,” April 3, 2017, p. 18) It has been amazing that during this time, the United Nations has been focused upon the condemnation of Israel for defending itself against radical Palestinian elements and Hamas — a Sunni Muslim fundamentalist organization that’s openly committed to Israel’s annihilation. At the same time, the U.N. has almost completely ignored the human atrocities committed against innocent civilians caught in the middle of the power struggle in Syria.
In this war in Syria, the major participants of the conflict have the same selfish goal. Each one wants to maintain power so they will be able to eventually launch an attack upon the Golan Heights, the territory along Israel’s northern border. Iran wants to control Syria so it will have a military base that will make it easier to attack Israel on its northern border. Iran is consumed with a passionate hatred for Israel. For many years, Iran has openly vowed to destroy the Jewish state. Russia wants to control Syria so it can continue to strengthen its military presence in the Middle East. Russia wants to maintain a naval base in Syria to control the strategic waters of the Mediterranean that are just north of Israel’s recent lucrative discovery of natural gas in the Mediterranean. Furthermore, Russia and Iran are plotting to retake the Golan Heights which Israel took from the Syrians in an act of defense against Syrian aggression in 1967 and once again in 1973. Within the last year, Israel has discovered a major oil deposit on the Golan Heights. So, it appears that these enemies of Israel are planning to attack Israel’s northern border to get their hands on the wealth in Israel, just like Ezekiel said 2,600 years ago!
During his country’s bloody six-year civil war, Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad has been able to remain in control because he is being aided by Russia, Iran and Hezbollah — a Shi’a Islamist militant group that serves as a political proxy for Iran in Lebanon. Russia and Iran have also developed a close working relationship with Turkey, the other major member of the coalition mentioned by Ezekiel 2,600 years ago. In light of this, early in May, Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed with President Trump a Russian plan to install a military coalition on Israel’s northern border to keep the peace after the declaration of a cease-fire. This coalition would be comprised of military representatives from Russia, Iran (including Hezbollah), and Turkey. Israel has declared that they will not allow any Iranian military, especially Hezbollah, to be permanently stationed on their northern border along the Golan Heights.
Friends, we are watching the prelude to Gog and Magog develop right before our eyes. Yossi Melman, an Israeli security commentator, recently commented: “If Iran and Hezbollah strengthen their positions in Syria and stay on its soil, sooner or later they will try to deploy their forces on the Israeli border — which Israel can’t tolerate.” (The Jerusalem Report, “Iran’s Creeping Crescent,” April 3, 2017, p. 21)
Israel at 69, and Counting
The modern nation of Israel has just celebrated its 69th anniversary. Anyone who has travelled to Israel will recognize what this youthful nation has accomplished in 69 years is truly amazing. In spite of wars, terrorism, and international opposition, this tiny Jewish nation has developed a thriving modern-day miracle nation. Israel has developed a resilient economy, becoming one of the computer technological giants in the world. Israel has transformed a desolate wasteland and barren desert into a flowering garden. She is a leader in agriculture irrigation and water management, including the development of several desalination plants. Israel has the highest number of academics per capita worldwide. Israel is second per capita for publication of books. The Jewish nation is also a leader in the research and development of military weaponry and in advanced medical discoveries and research.
However, all of this is only a small scale achievement compared to what lies ahead for the nation of Israel during the Millennial Kingdom. According to ancient biblical prophecies, Israel will become the envy of all nations. Israel will become the future spiritual, political, and economic hub of the world. (Isaiah 60:3-22) All nations will be required to show respect to the Jewish nation, which will be the home of Messianic global rule over all nations. (Zechariah 14:16-19)
100 U.S. Senators Threaten the U.N.
Bob Unruh, a former journalist with The Associated Press for more than 30 years, who now writes for World Net Daily, reports that recently a bipartisan group of the U.S. senate has sent a very strong message to the United Nations. These senators are furious with the United Nations’ consistent attack upon Israel and believe that many U.N. policies are a threat to the United States. The recent letter sent to the U.N. threatens that if the U.N. does not stop attacking Israel that the U.S. will leave the U.N. and remove all U.N. funding. This would financially cripple the U.N. “The U.S. pays about $3 billion a year to the general fund and more to specific U.N. projects. It’s more than what 185 other countries pay combined.” (www.wnd.com/2017/04/all-100-senators-to-u-n-quit-targeting-israel/#h1WRSpbBXVvZkHtk.99) Some senators are even calling for the eviction of the U.N. headquarters in New York. If this were to happen, where would the new headquarters be located?
Based upon the prophetic Scriptures, it has been my conviction for many years that at some point the U.N. headquarters in New York would be moved to a location near Babylon, Iraq. The location of the first attempt toward a rebellious global government was at the Tower of Babel, located in Babylon, Iran. (Genesis 11:1-9) Furthermore, the kingdom of the Antichrist will be centered in Babylon, Iraq. In Isaiah 14:4, the Antichrist is given the title “the king of Babylon.” Furthermore, the kingdom of the Antichrist and the related religious power structure that is a part of his evil kingdom is called “MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OS HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.” (Revelation 17:5)
The notion of the U.N. headquarters being moved to Iraq is an idea that is being promoted by several secular leaders around the world. For some, it is believed that if the U.N. was moved to Iraq, it would bring a stability to the Middle East. While commenting on a future move of the U.N. headquarters, a professor and U.S. army leader said: “Where should it go? Try Iraq. While moving the U.N. headquarters to Venezuela or Iran is probably not wise, moving it to Iraq might be a strategic coup. There is even a ready-made location for it—Saddam Hussein’s 600-room palace and compound constructed over the remains of the ancient city of Babylon. Americans might even consider footing the bill for the relocation.” (http://newsweek.washingtonpost.com/postglobal/needtoknow/2007/04/want_middle_east_stability_mov.html)
The Great Falling Away
According to the Bible, when the final days of the Church Age arrives there will be a great falling away from the faith. (Luke 18:8; 1 Timothy 4:1; 2 Timothy 4:1-4) This is currently taking place in the evangelical church. David Regan of Lion & Lamb Ministries states: “An overwhelming majority of Americans — 85% — claim to be Christians, but the evidence of Christianity in the lives of most of them is almost nil. They purchase lottery tickets, frequent R-rated movies, watch trash shows on TV, purchase pornography, idolize crude and vulgar musicians, frequent abortion clinics and compile a divorce rate that equals non-Christians.
They are what might be called ‘Cultural Christians’ — born into a Christian family, raised going to church, but without any personal relationship with Jesus. Another characteristic of Cultural Christians is that they rarely if ever read the Bible. This has resulted in gross biblical ignorance and the undoing of doctrine.
Ignorance of God’s Word has even become true of Evangelical Christians, the very people whose identity in the past was linked to their reliance on the Bible for their ultimate authority in all things.
Surveys by the Barna Group reveal that among those claiming to be Evangelicals today:
19% are living with a partner outside of marriage.
37% do not believe the Bible to be totally accurate.
45% do not believe that Jesus was sinless.
52% do not believe Satan is real.
And 57% do not believe that Jesus is the only way to eternal life.
And 57% believe that good works play a part in gaining eternal life.” (http://christinprophecy.org/)
According to a recent Gallup poll, only 24 percent of Americans believe the Bible is the actual word of God. Many Americans believe the Bible is a book of fables.
“In its annual Values and Beliefs survey, the Gallup polling organization found that record percentages of U.S. adults believe it is morally acceptable to use birth control (91%), get divorced (73%), engage in opposite-sex sexual acts outside marriage (69%), engage in same-sex sexual acts (63%), have a baby outside of marriage (62%), commit physician-assisted suicide (57%), view pornography (36%) and practice polygamy (17%).” (http://www.bpnews.net/48878/gallup-poll-records-humbling-moral-decline)
U.S. President Calls for Peace and Security
On May 20-21, President Trump traveled to the heart of the Islamic world to meet with the leadership of 20 Arab/Islamic leaders at a summit planned by the Saudis. After a hearty welcome of the President by the Saudis, he delivered a speech to about fifty Arab/Islamic leaders in Riyadh about the scourge of Islamic violence and terrorism that has swept across the face of the earth in the last few decades. President Trump must be applauded for his courage to go to the center of the Islamic world to point the finger at Islamic leaders and call for a concerted effort to stop terrorism and the radical Islamic extremism that is fueling hate, violence and death among the nations. While many are criticizing him for not going far enough to place the blame upon many of the leaders at this summit, we all must realize that no other leader of the free world has dared to openly talk about this subject, especially while visiting in the heart of the Islamic world. I am proud that our president is showing the political courage to do something that should have been done long ago!
In this speech, President Trump viewed himself as a messenger from the nations, calling for a concerted effort on the part of Muslim leaders to move the world toward peace, security, and hope. As I listened to this speech that was heard around the world, I was reminded of the words of the Apostle Paul almost 2,000 years ago, when he said, “… the day of the Lord (the Tribulation Period) so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they (the world) shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they (the world) shall not escape.” (1 Thessalonians 5:2-3) President Trump’s call for peace and security comes at a critical time when the world is facing the daily threat of Islamic terrorism. While I applaud President Trump’s efforts, I also realize that according to the prophetic Word of God, his efforts will not bring real lasting peace to the region. Islamic jihad and efforts to control the world are at the heart of true Islam as it was proclaimed and modeled by their founding prophet, Mohammad.
In his speech to these leaders he repeatedly called for “peace” (11 times), “safety” (2 times), and “security” (12 times). In light of all other world developments, I believe that this speech, and others like it, are a clear sign of the world’s desperate call for peace and safety that will precede the destruction at the beginning of the Tribulation Period. The day of the Lord is very near!
While we cannot understand all that will transpire in the weeks and months that follow, we know that ultimately the Antichrist will offer a false peace deal to Israel that will begin the Tribulation Period. (Daniel 9:27) The desire for peace and safety will implode in the face of our world and then sudden destruction, anarchy, revolutions, wars, and conflicts will be advanced by the Antichrist and his kingdom at the very beginning of the Tribulation Period. (Revelation 6:1-8)
True and lasting peace will not come to Israel and the nations of the Middle East until Jesus Christ crushes the rebellion of the nations gathered against Him at Armageddon. Then, and only then, will the world have true and lasting peace. Only after Jesus comes will the nations not “learn war anymore.” (Isaiah 2:4) Not until then, at the beginning of His kingdom, will the nations of the Middle East offer respect and dignity to God’s chosen people, Israel. (Isaiah 60:6-12) “The sons also of them that afflicted thee shall come bending unto thee; and all they that despised thee shall bow themselves down at the soles of thy feet; and they shall call thee, The city of the LORD, The Zion of the Holy One of Israel.” (Isaiah 60:14) Then, and not until then, will violence in the land of Israel cease. (Isaiah 60:18)
This is why we should pray: “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:10) Before the kingdom of peace comes, the darkness of the Tribulation must come. We are watching the gathering clouds of darkness at this hour. Before the Tribulation begins, the age of grace will end and the Lord will suddenly take His bride, the church, home to heaven. Get ready for the shout that will take us out!
Amazing Prophetic Statement by President Trump
As President Trump addressed more than 50 leaders from 20 different Arab/Muslim nations on May 21 in Riyadh, he stated that the region of the Persian Gulf “should increasingly become one of the great global centers of commerce and opportunity.” In light of the book of Revelation, this is an amazing statement. In Revelation 17-18, the kingdom of the Antichrist, which is called “Mystery Babylon,” will become the center of global commerce. According to Revelation 18, the kingdom of the Antichrist will be a religious kingdom in the desert that will have a resource that is transported by sea that will make the kings and merchants of the earth rich. The only religion and geographical area that fits this description is the physical center of Islam in the oil-rich Persian Gulf.
President Trump’s words will come to pass. I believe that the Antichrist will be a Muslim who will rule the world from Iraq at the ancient city of Babylon. (See comments in previous article.)
With amazing accuracy, our world is being shaped for the final seven years of man’s rule on this earth. Friends, I pray that you have received Christ as your Lord and Savior. By God’s eternal plan and sovereign choice, there is only one way to receive His gift of eternal salvation. (John 14:6)
The Bible declares: “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:8-10)
The age of God’s grace is about to come to an end, and the age of God’s wrath is about to begin. You do not want to miss the Rapture. The Bible says: “… behold, now is the accepted time; behold now is the day of salvation.” (2 Corinthians 6:2) If you have never accepted Christ and received His gift of eternal life, please turn from your sin and surrender your life to Him today. Bow your head and humble yourself before Him and ask Him to forgive you of your sins. He is waiting to save you!