PTNews
P r o p h e c y T o d a y N e w s
October 2022
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
Iran Declares Land Invasion of Israel
“And I will turn thee back, and put hooks into thy jaws, and I will bring thee forth…”
By Mike Wingfield
In this Issue
Iran Declares Land Invasion of Israel
Prelude to the Future Economic Control of the Antichrist
What to do When Surrounded by Evil (part 1)
Israel’s Preparations for the Temple
Israeli Prime Minister Makes Tragic Announcement
Many significant developments indicate that a ground invasion of Israel may soon occur. As predicted in Ezekiel 38-39, the Gog and Magog nations [Russia, Iran, Turkey, Libya, Sudan, and other radical Islamic forces], are becoming an imminent threat to Israel. These developments illustrate just how close we are to the coming of our Lord for His church!
On September 1, 2022, Israel 365 News reported that “Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s website posted an interview with Hossein Salmai, commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, who argued that the Palestinians and Hezbollah must launch a ‘ground war.’ … He added: ‘The Palestinians are ready today for a ground warfare. Israel’s biggest weakness is ground warfare’” (Israel 365 News, September 1, 2022).
Since Russia’s recent invasion of Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin has been pressured by global economic sanctions. In essence, these sanctions have forced Russia to forge a new trading alliance with Turkey and Iran, and other radical Islamic nations in the region. Recently, Putin declared, “Islam is our partner in New World Order” (Israel 365 News, August 30, 2022).
In July, Putin met with Iranian President Ebrahim Rasi, and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Tehran [see photo on page 2] to talk about their coalition efforts to destroy the economic power of the West, especially the United States. According to Israel 365 News, in a recent Iranian Telegram account, “the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) posted a video describing the program transforming Iran’s ‘peaceful’ nuclear program into a weapons program. In the video, the IRGC vowed to retaliate against any threat by turning New York City into a ‘heap of rubble from Hell” (Israel 365 News, August 1, 2022).
Since the Islamic revolution occurred in Iran in 1979, the ruling leaders in Iran have been plotting to fulfill their dream of an Islamic World Order with Iran at the helm. Recently, the Iranian foreign minister, while meeting with European leaders, openly declared, “We shall export our revolution to the whole world. Until the cry ‘There is no god but Allah’ resounds over the whole world” (Gatestone Institute, July 2, 2022).
All these developments are taking place as Israel faces several critical challenges. First, the nation is divided between liberal and conservative political ideologies. This division is viewed by the enemies of Israel as a weakness, making them vulnerable to a military invasion. Second, military analysts in Israel are voicing concern over Israel’s ability to successfully engage in a ground war. They have expressed that most of Israel’s military leaders have focused exclusively on the nuclear and missile threats of Iran and their proxy terrorist organizations that are based on Israel’s northern and southern borders. They have observed that in recent years Israel has been very reluctant to commit ground troops in the war against Hamas and Islamic Jihad in Gaza. Perhaps these enemies of Israel are listening to these assessments, and they are ready to pounce.
According to The Times of Israel, in May, Israeli F-35s “carried out air maneuvers over the Mediterranean Sea simulating striking Iranian nuclear facilities as part of a large-scale military exercise called Chariots of Fire” (Times of Israel, August 24, 2022). Then, just a few weeks later, it is reported that “Israeli F-35 stealth fighters penetrated Iranian airspace on multiple occasions in the last two months” (Times of Israel, August 24, 2022). The world knows that in the last few years, Israeli intelligence services have successfully sabotaged Iranian nuclear facilities and assassinated some of Iran’s top nuclear scientists. These actions and developments may be the proverbial hook in the jaw (Ezekiel 38:4) that will motivate Iran to invade Israel.
The future Gog and Magog invasion of Israel will appear, humanly speaking, as an existential threat to Israel. Ezekiel writes that this invasion against Israel will feature a massive force of ground troops, “like a cloud to cover the land” (Ezekiel 38:9). Currently, Israel is surrounded by 350 million Muslims who hate the Jewish nation. Like many times in the Old Testament, God is allowing Israel to face incredible odds to force them to look to Him for their survival. As Ezekiel prophesied, the supernatural destruction of these invading forces (Ezekiel 38:18-22) will have an incredible spiritual impact upon Israel, turning them back to the Lord (Ezekiel 39:7, 22, 29).
All these preliminary developments are shouting at us that the coming of our Lord is drawing very near. Be ready for the shout that will take us out!
The Prelude to the Future Economic
Control of the Antichrist
Students of the Bible know that in the last days, a ruthless leader, the Antichrist, will burst onto the global stage. The Bible clearly outlines his diabolical plan for the world economy. According to Revelation 13:16-18, the Antichrist will take control of all nations (Revelation 13:7) at the mid-point of the Tribulation (Revelation 13:5). This seizure of power over the nations of the world will result from a three- and one-half-year world-wide military campaign that will lead to the ruthless murder of millions of people (Revelation 6:2; 13:4). The evil military prowess of the Antichrist will be supernaturally promoted and empowered by Satan (Revelation 13:2, 4).
When the Antichrist arrives at this juncture in the Tribulation Period, he will have the necessary tools to carry out his diabolical plan to dominate every person on the planet. He will accomplish this by controlling the world economy, affecting each person’s economic ability to survive (Revelation 13:16-17). While we cannot begin to know the exact nature of his economic plan, we can be sure its implementation will take place. It is apparent that we are living at a time when the governments of the world have the necessary tools to monitor and manipulate the financial affairs of every person on earth.
With the help of the World 
Economic Forum, and the strategies being supported by the evil elite of the world, we are being told that a digital currency is already being unveiled and implemented in some smaller countries. Those who want to seize the wealth of the citizens of the world have developed a way to monitor and steal our assets if we do not comply with their demands.
The last few generations have been deceptively prepared to accept a digital currency. People now have the ability to participate in a digitalized monetary system. Bank accounts, checks, credit cards, and online banking are just a few options available in our current digitalized economic system. In stark contrast to this, in recent years, people have also had the right to use cash in almost all financial transactions. However, this is beginning to change. Very slowly, people around the world are being forced to surrender their right to use cash.
Most people do not know this is an orchestrated plan to force them to surrender their economic security and rights into the hands of evil people who are waiting to seize all their assets. In the U.S., the Federal Reserve (a group of elite bankers and wealthy people who control the wealth of America and are not a part of the federal government) are working with other global elites to develop a more complete digitalized economy. Currently, there is not enough cash in banks to cover all the savings and investment accounts in America. Our bank statements are nothing more that digital records of financial units that are symbolically attached to the value of the U.S. dollar. In essence, this is a digitalized monetary system. However, they now want to do away with all paper money.
Paper currency gives people the freedom to operate with some level of privacy. Those who want to control our lives and assets know that to gain complete control, they must remove currency from circulation.
A Central Bank Digital Currency [CBDC] has been created that has the ability of tracking each transaction of every person in a matter of seconds. This is much like what transpires when we use our credit cards to purchase something. When the nations are ready to implement this digital monetary system, they will remove all physical currency. People will be forced to adopt this new method of economic power if they want to financially participate in local, national, and global markets.
The CBDC dollars will be able to control and monitor all our purchases. If they do not want us to purchase some items [like guns, ammunition, or items of food, etc.] they can place a block on our account at the central bank headquarters so that we will not be able to purchase anything that is on their forbidden list. Or, if we do not comply with their demands [like taking the COVID-19 injections] they can shut down our digital account and we will not be able to purchase or pay for anything until we comply with their demands.
On March 9, 2022, President Biden signed an executive order that called for the federal government to consider establishing a U.S. Central Bank Digital Currency. Sources indicate that sometime in the late spring or early summer of 2023, the federal government will be ready for the central banks to move to a seamless digital payment system throughout the U.S.
It would be wise for all of us to prayerfully consider the dramatic changes that are about to take place when this system goes into effect. At some point in time all cash will become worthless.
As we anticipate these radical changes, we need to remind ourselves that our God, not government, is in control. He has faithfully taught me that I can trust Him for all my needs. This would be a great time to read and study Matthew 6:24-34.
What to do When Surrounded
by Evil (part 1)
It is apparent to all of us who are walking in the light of God’s Word and His holy character, that our world is rapidly descending into a horrible pit of spiritual darkness. Our world is becoming more immoral, violent, deceptive, and lawless. The Bible has warned us this would happen in the last days. “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come … evil men and seducers [imposters, cheaters] shall [grow] worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived” (2 Timothy 3:1, 13).
When we are surrounded by wickedness, it is very easy to take our eyes off the Lord and be overwhelmed by the avalanche of evil around us. Even godly people can face this feeling of helplessness (Psalm 40:12). What does the Bible admonish us to do when we feel the tentacles of fear gripping our soul? I would like to share with you eight spiritual realities to cling to when you feel overwhelmed by an avalanche of evil. I hope you will spend some time reading and prayerfully reflecting upon these spiritual realities to help you as we wait for our Lord to rescue us out of this world at any moment. My wife and I daily claim the promise of James 1:5. We cry out to God to give us the wisdom we need to honor Him and make good decisions as we anticipate the difficult times that are approaching.
Reality #1- Deliverance from evil begins by asking God to deliver you!
We must humbly realize that the battles we face in life belong to the Lord! Godly people have been steadily reminded of this in difficult circumstances (1 Samuel 17:47; 2 Chronicles 20:15). The battles we face in life are filtered by our caring heavenly Father. We have been given the following promise, “There [has] no temptation [test] taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not [allow] you to be tempted [tested] above that ye are able; but will with the temptation [test] also make a way of escape, that ye may be able to bear it” (1 Corinthians 10:13). Before we face any problem, He has determined that we can be victorious if we trust Him and rely upon His strength. He does not want us to fail. What happens to us is not our fight. We belong to Him. Our fight is His battle for His glory!
He is protecting us from evil and He expects us to be like little children who run into the arms of their loving father when they are afraid. He expects us to cry out to him, “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen” (Matthew 6:13).
Reality #2- Evil cannot overcome God and His eternal purposes
As we face difficult times, the Lord does not want us to be overwhelmed. God is always bigger and more powerful than any problem or test we could possibly face. Psalm 112:7 declares, “He [a good man] shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the LORD.” Isaiah 26:3-4 is a passage I go to very often when I face any difficulty. “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he [trusts] in thee. Trust ye in the LORD forever; for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength.”
No matter how great the threat or tempest, God is our only shelter in the time of storms. “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore, will not we fear …” (Psalm 46:1-2). God allows the evil deeds of sinners to set the stage for His divine blessings. Satan and his evil servants sometimes think they are attacking God and defeating His purposes. However, God will advance His cause despite the wickedness of man and satanic opposition. For example, despite what Joseph’s brothers did to him, Joseph realized the Lord was in control of the difficult circumstances in his life. At the end, he was able to look into the eyes of his brothers and say, “Fear not: for am I in the place of God? But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive” (Genesis 50:19-20). Satan and evil men cannot overcome God and His eternal purposes in us for His glory.
[This article will be continued in later newsletters.]
Israel’s Preparations for the Temple
According to biblical prophecy, the Jewish people will begin to construct a temple on Jerusalem’s Temple Mount during the first half of the Tribulation Period (Daniel 9:27; Matthew 24:15; 2 Thessalonians 2:4; Revelation 11:1-2). The blood sacrifices at this temple will be like those before the death of Christ. The sacrifices at the Old Testament Tabernacle and Temples pointed forward to the sacrifice of the coming Messiah. The Jewish temple in the Tribulation will point back to the sacrifice of Jesus the Messiah. Jesus has been and always will be the Lamb of God.
Many Jewish people in Israel are anticipating the coming of the Messiah at any moment. They are looking at the same signs of the Tribulation that we are speaking about. Israel 365 News recently released the following report, “Israel is upgrading its already impressive international airport. The government is also working on a railway infrastructure that will bring international travelers directly from the airport to the Temple Mount. This will enable all nations to come to worship God in Jerusalem’s House of prayer, a vision that the government has already hinted is their true intention.”
It is also being reported that five red heifers were transported from the U.S. to Israel on September 15. This is in preparation to fulfill the commands given in Numbers 19 concerning the sacrifice of a pure red heifer to make ritual waters for the purification of the priests. These priests must be sanctified by the water mingled with these ashes so that they can minister at the newly rebuilt temple and the offering of animal sacrifices on the holy altar on the holy mountain of the Lord.
These preparations prove that we are inching ever closer and closer to the fulfillment of the prophecies that will come to pass after we have been raptured to heaven.
Be ready for the shout that will take us out!
Tragic Announcement
On September 22, Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid spoke to the General Assembly of the United Nations in New York. I applauded most of his bravely articulated comments. However, in this address, he lied when he said that most Israelis support a two-state solution with Israel and the Palestinians. This is simply not true. The overwhelming majority of Israelis know that the possibility of true peace with the Palestinians is currently impossible.
The Islamic culture among the Palestinian people and throughout the Muslim world does not accept the presence of the Jewish people in the land that God gave to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in an everlasting covenant. All Palestinian children have been taught to hate the Jewish Israelis and to never accept their presence in the land once called “Palestine.” They are consistently taught that all the land, from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea, belongs to the Palestinian people. Humanly speaking, until this changes, real lasting peace can never take place.
I want what is best for Israelis and Palestinians. The Bible makes it clear that anyone who attempts to remove the Jewish people from the Land He gave to them, will be in conflict with God. The return of the Jewish people to their ancient homeland is the work of God. He said, “For I will take you from among the [nations], and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land” (Ezekiel 36:24).
According to the Bible, the conflict over the land of Israel will continue until the end of this age. Then, the Lord will rescue His people from the invading forces of the Antichrist at Armageddon when He returns to fight for them (Zechariah 14:2-3). All of Israel’s efforts to establish a peace with the Palestinians have been met with rejection, more terror and death. There is no reason to believe this will change until the Prince of Peace comes to establish His Kingdom of Peace. Only then will the words of Isaiah be fulfilled, “Violence shall no more be heard in thy land” (Isaiah 60:18).
The avowed enemies of Israel view the words of peace from Prime Minister Lapid at the U.N. as a sign of weakness. His comments will only strengthen the enemies of Israel in the Middle East and around the world. We are about to witness a renewed level of conflict over the Promised Land and the city of Jerusalem. According to Daniel 12:1, there is coming “a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time.” I fear this time is coming soon for the Jewish people.