PTNews
March 2019
Published 10 times annually
(Examining Current Events in the Light of Bible Prophecy)
P.O. Box 13006, Roanoke, VA 24030-3006
Peace and Security Summit
By Mike Wingfield
On February 13, sixty world leaders gathered in Warsaw, Poland under the banner “Peace and Security in the Middle East,” to speak out against the Iranian aggression leading the Middle East toward war. U.S. Vice President Mike Pence hailed this as a “new era” in the Middle East. Pence said that the “gathering of Middle Eastern countries ‘breaking bread together’ was the sign of ‘a hopeful sign of a brighter future.’” (World Israel News, February 14, 2019). In attendance were Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and many high ranking dignitaries from the Arab Gulf states., “sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child and they shall not escape” (1 Thessalonians 5:3). This simply means that while the unbelieving world is seeking for peace and security, the horrors of the Tribulation will engulf them and they won’t be extracted from the trouble and distress that will overwhelm the nations.
The threat of a nuclear Iran is driving the Arab nations of the Middle East to seek some type of cooperation with Israel. These former enemies of Israel see the Jewish state as the only nation in the Middle East that is militarily powerful enough to deal with the Iranian threat. Iran is on Israel’s northern borders entrenched in Syria and Lebanon. And the Iranians are supporting Hamas on Israel’s southern border. Israel is facing the constant threat of “wars and rumors of wars” (Matthew 24:6). The Israeli Defense Force has assured the nation they are ready for any military attack. The Israeli military and the public have a very high level of confidence in their ability to defend the nation against any threat.
In light of Ezekiel 38, this summit seems to indicate we are moving very close to the time when the Gog and Magog invasion of Israel will become a reality. It is extremely revealing to examine the list of countries that were in attendance at this summit and those who were not. Those who did not attend included the nations that will invade Israel – Russia, Iran, Turkey and their allies. Those who did attend and are in cooperation with Israel are also mentioned in Ezekiel 38:13 as opposing this invasion.
Ezekiel 38:13 states that “Sheba, and Dedan, and the merchants of Tarshish, with all the young lions thereof” will speak in opposition to this invasion of Israel. Many Bible scholars indicate that Sheba and Dedan are references to the Arab Gulf states. The others mentioned possibly point to European nations, also including “the United States of America, Canada, Australia, and other present-day western democracies” (Arnold G. Fruchtenbaum, The Footsteps of the Messiah, p. 73). If these observations are correct, we have just witnessed a major development that was predicted by Ezekiel more than 2,500 years ago. It certainly would indicate that the events moving our world closer to the fulfillment of this text are dramatically near.
As all of this is happening, we are being told that a major announcement is coming soon about a peace deal between Israel and the Palestinians. We have witnessed numerous failed attempts to bring peace to the Middle East. However, according to Daniel 9:27, the Antichrist will confirm a covenant of peace with Israel that will begin the Tribulation Period of seven years. Is the antichrist about to step onto the world scene with his peace plan? Current events seem to be pointing in that direction.
From my understanding of the timing of Ezekiel’s revelation about Gog and Magog, we are very close to the Rapture of the church. When I initially read the reports concerning the Peace and Security Summit in Warsaw, Poland, I was stunned by the clarity of what we are witnessing. If anything has become a neon light flashing out the signs of the last days, this would be it! Get ready for the shout that will take us out!
Israeli Medical Team Finds Cure for Cancer
United with Israel has just announced, “Using cutting-edge genetic coding to kill diseased cells, Israeli researchers may have discovered the first complete cure for cancer…. According to Dan Aridor, chairman of the board of the company developing the treatment, ‘Our cancer cure will be effective from day one, will last a duration of a few weeks and will have no or minimal side-effects at a much lower cost than most other treatments on the market.’ The treatment is called MuTaTo (multi-target toxin). MuTaTo uses a combination of several amino acids to specifically target and kill cancer cells.” (E-mail from United with Israel)
This treatment is amazing. It attacks only the cancer cells in the tumor, but does not harm the healthy tissue around the cancerous tumor. In only two weeks it can destroy all cancer cells in 70 percent of cancerous tumors, while shrinking the remaining 30 percent, making a surgical removal of the tumor possible. After going through all of the legal tape, this Israeli firm will be able to ship the treatment in a regular box to hospitals where the patient will have an out-patient daily treatment for two weeks and in most cases be cancer free.
One Israeli doctor said, “We are already saving lives in the trials. It’s amazing to see patients who have been told their life expectancy is in weeks get treatment under local anesthesia and, 60 days out, they’re clear, they have no evidence of any tumors.” This quote is taken from, https://unitedwithisrael.org.
I have been saying for about 20 years that the Israelis would discover a cure for cancer. It has now come to pass. The Lord promised the Jewish people, “And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing” (Genesis 12:2). Once again, Israel has blessed the world. Isn’t it amazing that most of the people in the world hate the Jews? Satan has deceived the world into hating the people through whom God is blessing the nations.
Radical Shifting of Earth’s Magnetic Field
When a person wants to pinpoint his location he can take a compass and find his position in terms of the North Pole. The compass will always point north toward the North Pole due to the earth’s magnetic field. Scientists know the earth has a magnetic field that is created by the movement of ferrous fluids that travel around the earth’s core. While they do not completely understand this effect, they have been able to determine that the earth’s magnetic field is changing. They have noted that the magnetic point known as the North Pole is traveling southward. Thirty years ago, this was taking place at a rate of 9.3 miles per year. However, now it is moving at the rate of 34 miles per year.
According to Breaking Israel News, “Scientists confirm that the magnetic pole shift is happening and that it will have a major impact on the planet. Researchers estimated that the planet’s magnetic field has already lost 30 percent of its intensity in the last 3,000 years and predict it will drop to near zero in the next few centuries.”
The shifting of this magnetic field is having a major impact upon all navigational systems being used today. Breaking Israel News states, “On January 30, the World Magnetic Model governing modern navigation systems is due to undergo an unscheduled update. This update, delayed because of the U.S. Government shutdown, is a vital component of almost every navigational system in use today. The current model set up in 2015 was expected to remain valid until 2020 but the magnetic pole is shifting so quickly that officials decided it needed to be adjusted.”
The reduction of the earth’s magnetic field also has a more dangerous result. Most scientists concur that this magnetic field protects earth from most of the sun’s harmful radiation and particles. Therefore, as the magnetic field continues to deteriorate, it could cause certain areas of the earth’s surface to become unbearably hot.
If this trend continues, it could cause a complete reversal of earth’s magnetic field. The North Pole would become the South Pole and vice versa. A study of earth’s rocks indicates this happened several thousand years ago. It is possible that this is what happened to bring about the sudden climate conditions that prevailed upon the earth at the time of the global flood in Noah’s day.
This also sounds like what will happen during the Tribulation. While referring to the geological upheaval of the Tribulation, Isaiah 24:1 says, “Behold, the LORD maketh the earth empty, and maketh it waste, and turneth it upside down, and scattereth abroad the inhabitants thereof.” Read the entire chapter. This is what is coming upon the earth. It will cause major global warming. Read Revelation 16:8-9. This should humble all of us. God is in control of His creation. God has His hand on earth’s thermostat, not those who speak of dooms-day global warming for political scare tactics.
Get ready friends. Jesus is coming for His church. He is coming soon!
European Hatred for Jews on the Rise
During the last World War, the aggressors who were attempting to change the world were driven by anti-Semitism. Germany’s chancellor, Adolf Hitler, devised an insidious strategy to wipe out the Jewish race. This was based upon the false doctrine of replacement theology. Martin Luther, a German theologian who is credited for leading the Protestant Reformation, hated the Jews. Luther called for radical treatment of the Jewish people – destroying their homes, desecrating their cemeteries, burning their books, and calling for the demolition of their synagogues. While these kinds of expressions were not new, it set the tone for the doctrine of the German church that laid the foundation for the radical thinking of Adolf Hitler. We must be reminded that this same dangerous doctrine is sweeping through churches in the United States. More than half of the pastors and churches in America believe in replacement theology and favor the Palestinians over the Israelis.
The stage is being set for another holocaust that will eclipse the one of almost 80 years ago. Many biblical texts indicate that the most horrific time for Jews and believers in Jesus Christ will come during the Tribulation (Daniel 12:1; Matthew 24:21-22).
Today, the church is almost non-existent in parts of the European Union. Furthermore, radical Islamic immigrants are flooding Europe, bring their hatred of Israel and the Jews with them. Consequently, anti-Semitism is once again raising its ugly head and setting the stage for another world war – the last one – Armageddon. “The Commission of the European Union recently published a survey which showed that 75% of British Jews feel that anti-Semitism has become a very large and serious problem. As a result a third of British Jewry is considering emigration due to the upsurge in anti-Semitism.” (The Jerusalem Report, January 28, 2019, p. 10)
Studies now indicate that new Palestinian school curriculum is growing more radical. Funded by the EU, this curriculum does not promote peace between the Palestinians and the Israelis. It teaches children that Jews have no part in their land. And, it promotes jihad and martyrdom to accomplish the radical goal of eliminating Israel. The next generation of Palestinians is being educated to be more radical and more anti-Semitic. From a human vantage point, there is no real hope for peace in the Middle East.
This also spells trouble for Christians. The radical Muslims have a saying, “First comes Saturday then comes Sunday.” This means that their war of eradication of all non-Muslims is aimed first at Jews, then at Christians. This is evidenced all over the Middle East where the Jewish and Christian population is dwindling. Israel is the only country in the Middle East where the Christian population is safe and growing.
We need to understand that the enemies of Christians and Jews are the same. This present state of affairs will only worsen as we approach the final days at the end of this age. The coming world dictator, the antichrist, like Hitler, will lead an all-out war to annihilate Jews and those who will be saved during the Tribulation. We can see the storm coming. We only pray that our exit through the Rapture is imminent. “Even, so, come Lord Jesus” (Revelation 22:20).
Israel is Safe
I have been going to Israel for 34 years and have always experienced the calm assurance that I am in a safe place. Contrary to world opinion and the biased American news media coverage, Israel is much safer than many areas within the United States.
In a recent article in The Jerusalem Report, the Israeli author expressed how safe it is to live in Israel. “Israel is safe now. I live here with my children and I would not do so unless it was a safe place. … Since 1948, Israel has succeeded in building a thriving and stable economy, impressive health and educational system, and world class academia. It is also one of the most innovative countries in the world. With a strong and sophisticated army, effective security organizations and a young but deeply rooted democratic tradition – all these make Israel a safe, comfortable, prosperous and interesting country in which to live. …
“I live in Jerusalem, a city safer than the majority of American and European cities. Even at the height of the last knife intifada three years ago, Jerusalem was safer than New York, London, Paris, or even Portland. I would not have raised my children in a war zone, nor in a country whose future is uncertain. I encourage you to believe this Israeli, who decided to live in this country, and raise his children in its capital – because, really, Israel is safe.” (Amir A Segal, The Jerusalem Report, “Israel is Safe,” January 28, 2019, p. 6, 7)
If fear has been keeping you from going to Israel with me on a tour, you have been deceived by the world’s lies. Contrary to what many have been told, most Jews and Arabs get along together and they have developed friendships where they live and work together. Just like here in the U.S., it is always the militant minorities who cause problems and get all of the attention. Believe me when I say I always feel safe in Israel. Come and enjoy Israel with us.
The National Redemption of Israel
Part One
[This article will be continued in the April newsletter.]
It should be obvious to those who read the Bible and have a heart for God that the Lord has a special love for His people, Israel. There are numerous statements in the Bible that indicate this. And, the actions of our Lord in His first visit to earth certainly illustrated this fact. For example, as Jesus rode the donkey down the slopes of the Mount of Olives on Palm Sunday, amid the worship of His believers around Him, He stopped to gaze upon Jerusalem. As He did, He wept over His people. He wept over their rejection of Him and the subsequent deadly, divine judgment that would come upon Jerusalem and the entire nation only 40 years later at the hands of the cruel Romans. He knew the Romans would level the city and slaughter the people.
Later, near the end of the first century, the apostle John would write the final gospel and note the painful rejection that Jesus faced. John wrote, “He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not” (John 1:10, 11). John was saying that Jesus came to His own people – the Jews, and they rejected Him.
The Jewish nation, from the time of Abraham, has held a special place in the heart and plans of God. Six hundred years after the time of Abraham, the Lord told Moses that He had chosen Israel “to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth” (Deuteronomy 7:6). Even through all of the rejection of Him and His Word, the Lord continued to keep His promise to love the nation with an everlasting love. Seven hundred years after Moses, God spoke through the Jewish prophet Amos and said, “You only have I known of all the families of the earth” (Amos 3:2). Numerous times throughout the Old Testament, God referred to the Jewish people as “my people” (Exodus 3:7; 1 Kings 6:13; Joel 3:2; and Zechariah 8:7-8).
We must remember that the Bible is a self-revelation from God. It is about Him. He is not like all of the other fake gods that have been created by the imagination of men with the help of demonic empowerment. Our God is a God of grace, mercy, love, patience, and kindness. That is why much of His revelation about Himself is revealed through His great love story of redemption of undeserving sinners. His revelation of redemption is like a thread that runs throughout the entire Bible.
From man’s perspective, as revealed by an eternal God, God’s plan of redemption was in the heart and mind of God’s eternal purposes before the creation. Jesus Christ was God’s lamb that would freely shed His blood “from the foundation of the world” (Revelation 13:8).
God’s heart is good and full of mercy and grace. He “is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). God has no pleasure in the sinner’s eternal damnation and separation from Him, especially those of the household of Israel. In Ezekiel 33:11, God said, “As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked: but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?”
In the Bible, there is no greater love story of redemption that runs like a continuous thread throughout the Bible as God’s pursuit of the Jewish people. For 4,000 years, God has been waiting for the nation to repent and come to Him for salvation. The record of the Scriptures demonstrates just how obstinate and rebellious the Jewish people have been down through the ages. And yet, the Bible foretells the final redemption of the entire nation of Israel. Nothing like this has ever happened in all of human history. The entire story of Israel is a story of the miraculous intervention by God to graciously demonstrate to them and through them that He is a great God of redemption.
The Holy One of Israel is passionate about the final redemption of His people. He has declared, “For Zion’s sake will I not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest, until the righteousness thereof go forth as brightness, and the salvation thereof as a lamp that burneth” (Isaiah 62:1).
In this article, let us examine the what, when, how, and why of this amazing redemptive work of God.
1. What? – All of Israel shall be saved.
Numerous biblical passages declare that a time will come when all of living Israel will be saved. Here is a brief list: Deuteronomy 30:1-6; Psalm 130:7-8; Isaiah 4:3-4; Ezekiel 36:25-27; Zechariah 12-13; and Romans 11:25-27. God has made a new covenant with the house of Israel that guarantees their future salvation. “Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah. … After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. And they shall teach no more every man his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more” (Jeremiah 31:31, 33-34).
2. When will Israel’s national salvation take place?
According to the Bible, since the days of Israel’s apostasy in the days of Isaiah, there remains a judicial spiritual blindness upon the great majority of the Jewish people (Isaiah 6:9-10). This spiritual blindness continued in the days of Jesus’ earthly ministry (Matthew 13:10-15) and was evident during the ministry of the apostle Paul (2 Corinthians 3:12-16). During these years, only a remnant of Jewish people came to saving faith in Jesus Christ. According to Romans 11:25, this temporary spiritual blindness will continue in part “until the fullness of the Gentiles be come in.” This would indicate that the great movement of redemption by the Holy Spirit upon the Jewish people will not begin until the Rapture of the predominately Gentile church. The process of the national redemption of Israel will begin at the time of the Rapture.
This redemptive work of the Holy Spirit among the Jewish people is also connected to the battle of Gog and Magog in Ezekiel 38. When the Lord destroys the enemies of Israel upon the mountains of Israel, it will be very evident to Israel and the nations of the world that this invading force was supernaturally defeated. God said, “Thus will I magnify myself, and sanctify myself, and I will be known in the eyes of many nations, and they shall know that I am the LORD. … So will I make my holy name known in the midst of my people Israel; and I will not let them pollute my holy name anymore. … So the house of Israel shall know that I am the LORD their God from that day and forward” (Ezekiel 38:23; 39:7, 22).
This process of Israel’s redemption will take place during the entire 7-year Tribulation. This is one of the major purposes of this time of great stress and difficulty for the Jewish people. While speaking of this period of time, the Lord declared, “And it shall come to pass, that in all the land, saith the LORD, two parts therein shall be cut off and die; but the third shall be left therein. And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, it is my people: and they shall say, The LORD is my God” (Zechariah 13:8-9). This would indicate that only one-third of the world’s Jewish population will survive the Tribulation. However, all of those who survive will call upon the Lord and be saved.
At the conclusion of the battle of Armageddon, the remaining Jewish survivors will all call upon the Lord for salvation. “And it shall come to pass, that he that is left in Zion, and he that remaineth in Jerusalem, shall be called holy, even every one that is written among the living in Jerusalem. When the LORD shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and shall have purged the blood of Jerusalem from the midst thereof by the spirit of judgment, and by the spirit of burning” (Isaiah 4:3-4).
This article will be concluded in the April newsletter.