August 2018 – Volcanoes in the Last Days

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August 2018

Published 10 times annually

All Bible references are from the KJV

(Examining Current Events in the Light of Bible Prophecy)

P.O. Box 13006, Roanoke, VA 24030-3006

E-mail address for general communication: mike@ptnews.org

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Volcanoes in the Last Days

“And I will [show] wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the LORD come.” Joel 2:30-31

By Mike Wingfield

People around the globe, are being confronted with the reality that our planet is experiencing an unusual increase in volcanic activity. Kilauea on the big Hawaiian island continues to erupt at this time, showing no signs of decreasing activity. In addition, several news sources indicate that “A rising blob of hot rock recently detected under Vermont suggests the region might not be as stable as scientists once thought.” (www.newsweek.com, December 19, 2017) Geologists are reporting that there does not seem to be any concern this super volcano under the New England area will erupt any time soon. In addition to these volcanoes, for several years now, a few geologists have had a growing concern that one of the world’s largest dormant volcanoes may be showing signs of rumbling back to life. This super volcano is located in Yellowstone National Park, which covers portions of Montana, Idaho and Wyoming. Yellowstone has witnessed an increase in earthquake swarms and eruptions of geysers that indicate geothermal activity is increasing in the area. If this volcano were to have a major eruption, it would radically change the course of modern history on a global scale for many years. Once again, geologists are telling the public there is no reason for alarm. They claim that all of their studies indicate this volcano will not experience another major eruption for thousands or tens of thousands of years.

While we witness this increase in volcanic activity, those of us who know the prophetic Scriptures need to remind ourselves and others that these secular scientists are the same ones who deny that God created the world. They also deny the solid physical evidence of the horrific consequences of the global flood in the days of Noah, which was accompanied by massive geological upheaval. Furthermore, they do not have a clue concerning the approaching geological cataclysm the Bible predicts will take place in the last days. Let us examine the evidence.

What is a volcano and why do they erupt in certain locations?

Scientists have identified about 1,500 land volcanoes around the world. It is believed there are many more volcanoes in the deep canyons of the oceans. Of these known volcanoes, only about 550 are active. In the last few months, 35-50 of these volcanoes have erupted simultaneously. For several decades, an average of 25 volcanoes erupted at the same time. So this indicates an increase in volcanic activity.

Volcanoes are extremely powerful catastrophic events. For example, when Mount Saint Helens (a category 5 volcano) erupted on May 18, 1980, it released 24 megatons of energy. That is equal to the energy released by 1,200 nuclear bombs like those dropped on Hiroshima, Japan to end WW II. Consequently, we should be reminded that God has much more power at His disposal in His creation than man does with his feeble nuclear arsenal. The sheer volume of energy that will be released when the global earthquakes and volcanic eruptions strike this planet during the Tribulation Period is beyond anything we can begin to imagine.

According to scientific data, the earth is about 4,000 miles from the surface to its center core. The crust of the earth, which contains dirt and rocks, is only 5-25 miles thick. Just below the crust of the earth are thousands of miles of a deep ocean of hot flowing magma (liquid rock). Closer to the crust of the earth the temperatures of the magma are between 1,600 and 4,000 degrees Fahrenheit. It is believed that temperatures at the core of the earth could be around 18,000 degrees Fahrenheit.

Earth’s crust is literally floating on a deep ocean of magma inside of the earth. This could be compared to ice on a lake during the winter. The crust has a multitude of fractures that form what are called tectonic plates. Think of this being like the cracks in the shell of a hard-boiled egg. Picture those pieces of the egg shells like the plates in the earth’s crust. Some are small and some are larger. These fractures are weak places in the crust where most earthquakes and volcanoes occur. There is an enormous amount of pressure in the interior of the earth due to earth’s gravitational forces. Obviously, this internal force is always pushing the magma to find the weakest area in the crust. When this takes place, the pressure causes an eruption on the surface of the earth, releasing steam and magma from inside the earth. This is the mechanism that creates volcanoes.

How are volcanoes described in the Bible?

The word volcano does not appear in the Bible because this word was only coined about 400 years ago. However, the Bible does mention volcanoes by describing their eruption features. The Bible describes volcanoes as blood, fire, pillars of smoke, and brimstone. For example, in Joel 2:30-31, God says: “And I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the LORD come.” While speaking about destroying an invading army against Israel, God said in Ezekiel 38:22: “And I will plead against him with pestilence and with blood; and I will rain upon him, and upon his bands, and upon the many people that are with him, an overflowing rain, and great hailstones, fire, and brimstone.”

In the Bible, magma is described as the blood of the earth. The Hebrew word for dirt is “adama.” The word for blood is “dam.” Therefore, according to the original language of the Bible, one can see the word blood in the word for dirt or earth. For example, Isaiah 26:21 says: “For, behold, the LORD cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain.”

The following description by geologist Mike Strickler supports the biblical view of earth’s magma: “Basaltic magma is like the blood of the earth – it’s what comes out when the earth’s skin is cut the whole way through. …The earth as an ecosystem is analogous to the human body.” (www.stanfordbloodcenter.org/between_a_rock_1/) Under our skin is a red flowing substance called blood. In a similar way, just below the crust of the earth is a red flowing substance called magma.

Volcanoes are also described in the Bible as fire and pillars of smoke. Anyone who has seen the eruption of a volcano can understand that this is a perfect description of a volcanic eruption. The extremely hot magma burns everything it comes in contact with. Many times, when volcanoes erupt, the eruption is accompanied by ash that is blown upward with terrific force into the upper atmosphere. It certainly looks like smoke coming out of a furnace. Compare this with Revelation 9:2: “And he opened the bottomless pit; and there arose a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit.”

The Bible also describes volcanoes with the word “brimstone.” Brimstone is a yellow-colored stone that contains sulfur. Sulfur is one of the main components of magma that forms the rocks that accompany a volcanic eruption. Archeologists have found great amounts of sulfur rocks at the destruction sight of Sodom and Gomorrah. (www.biblicalscholarship.com) These stones give testimony to the sudden geological upheaval that took place in this region when God destroyed the wicked cities in this region with “brimstone and fire.” (Genesis 19:24)

Are volcanoes a part of God’s divine judgment during the end-times?

According to the Bible, our earth is moving toward major geological upheaval that will alter the planet for God’s future purposes. According to Psalm 102:25-26, the heavens and earth are growing “old like a garment.” This means that God is actively exercising His sovereign control so that the earth will geologically deteriorate, gradually breaking up like a garment, just as He planned before the foundation of the world. That means that the tectonic plates of the earth will continue to become more fragile, so that earthquakes and volcanoes will increase in frequency and intensity. This is exactly what Jesus said about the last days. While speaking about the signs of the Tribulation Period, Jesus said: “And great earthquakes shall be in [different] places.” (Luke 21:11) An examination of a geological map showing earthquakes and volcanic eruptions indicates that they are occurring along the fractures of the tectonic plates. Historical statistical data indicate that earthquakes and volcanoes are increasing in frequency and intensity.

Near the beginning of the Tribulation Period, a massive global earthquake will trigger colossal volcanic eruptions. “And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood …” (Revelation 6:12) Notice that this verse demonstrates that the earthquake created a condition where the sun and moon were darkened, which is the language describing the result of volcanic ash being blown up into the upper atmosphere.

As previously mentioned, enormous geological upheaval was a part of God’s judgment of the earth in the days of the global flood in Noah’s time. God told Noah: “I will destroy them with the earth.” (Genesis 6:13) Genesis 7:11 and 8:2, report that God broke up “the fountains of the great deep” during the 40-day period of judgment. God used His power of nature to unleash His wrath in the past, and according to the Apostle Peter, He will do it again. “Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.” (2 Peter 3:6-7)

During the Tribulation Period, numerous volcanic eruptions will spew large volumes of ash into the upper atmosphere. This ash will gradually collect to form thick clouds that will block the sunlight during the day and the moonlight during the night. Early in the Tribulation Period, the ash will cause one-third of the inhabitants on earth to be in the dark during normal daylight hours. (Revelation 8:7, 12) This thick cloud will continue to grow as ash continues to pour out of volcanoes during the Tribulation. By the end of this 7-year period the entire earth will be enveloped in an eerie darkness. (Revelation 16:10) While speaking about the time of His revelation at the end of the Tribulation Period, Jesus said: “Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light..” (Matthew 24:29) The prophet Joel describes this unique period of time as: “A day of darkness and of gloominess, a day of clouds and of thick darkness…” (Joel 2:2)

Many Biblical texts indicate that the land of Israel will be the center of divine geological catastrophes. At the heart of this geological activity will be one of the most dangerous earthquake fault lines in the world – the Syrian/African Rift Valley. This fault line travels from Lebanon through the Jordan Valley into the Sea of Galilee, then down the Jordan Valley through the Dead Sea, and continues through the Arava Valley and the Red Sea into Kenya. This deadly fault line is where two major tectonic plates (the African Plate and the Arabian Plate) collide with each other. This fault line has been the location of many geological disasters in Biblical history and will play a major role in God’s judgments in the end times. Geologists in Kenya were greatly puzzled that this rift valley started to split open a few months. During the first 10 days of July, there were 10 earthquakes at the Sea of Galilee and several earthquakes at the southern end of the Dead Sea. Geologists in Israel are warning their government that it is time to prepare for the big quake that is coming in Israel.

When Russia and Iran and their Magog coalition invade Israel in the future, Israel will experience a major earthquake that will trigger some or all of the 15 dormant volcanoes that dot the landscape of the Golan Heights in Israel and Syria to erupt. (Ezekiel 38:18-22) With Russia, Iran, and Turkey already in Syria, and the earthquake activity in the Galilee area, it appears that things are shaping up for the fulfillment of this prophecy.

At the end of the Tribulation Period, a series of geological catastrophes will take place around Jerusalem, which is only 14 miles from the Great Rift Valley. The gigantic earthquake mentioned in Revelation16:18 at Christ’s return will trigger a major volcanic eruption on the Golan Heights and Galilee area that will create a river of magma that will flow down the Jordan Valley to the level of a horse’s bridle. Understanding that the blood in Revelation 14:14-20 is the blood of the earth helps to solve a riddle that has puzzled Bible students for hundreds of years. This also helps to explain the nature of the mysterious death of the Antichrist’s army as described in Zechariah 14:12: “And this shall be the plague wherewith the Lord will smite all the people that have fought against Jerusalem; Their flesh shall consume away while they stand upon their feet, and their eyes shall consume away in their holes, and their tongue shall consume away in their mouth.” This is a perfect description of what happens when human flesh comes into contact with magma.

This same earthquake will split the Mount of Olives and lift up Jerusalem, exposing a major water aquifer that will produce a river that will flow out of the Temple Mount. (Zechariah 14:4-10; Joel 3:18; Ezekiel 47:1-12) At this same time, this earthquake along the Rift Valley will force the huge water aquifer under the Arava Valley to be lifted up so that it will flood the desert. Then, the prophecy of Isaiah about the desert will be fulfilled. “The desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose [actual Hebrew word indicates this flower will be a water lily] … [and] in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert. And the parched ground shall become a pool, and the thirsty land springs of water: in the habitation of dragons, where each lay, shall be grass with reeds and rushes.” (Isaiah 35:1, 6-7)

What are God’s purposes behind the geological cataclysm in the last days?

The Lord will unleash numerous global earthquakes, volcanoes, and tsunamis during the end-times. Why? There are at least three major reasons for all of the geological calamities at the end of this age. First, as in the days of Noah, God will unleash His fury against the wickedness of man. Isaiah wrote: “For, behold, the LORD cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity.” (Isaiah 26:21) Mankind would do well to know that God is not ignoring the daily acts of violence and rebellion against Him and His law. I am often reminded of the fact that more people live on earth now than at any other time in the history of the planet. There are currently 7.6 billion people on earth. Many of them will die as a result of the carnage of the Antichrist’s wars. The Antichrist and his demonic kingdom will “devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces.” (Daniel 7:23) However, the majority of the world’s population will die as a result of the horrific judgments of God’s wrath poured out upon the entire earth. God revealed to the prophet Isaiah that as a result of the global geological disasters, “the inhabitants of the earth are burned, and few men left.” (Isaiah 24:6) The entire 24^th chapter of Isaiah gives a detailed description of the geological holocaust that will unfold during the 7-year Tribulation Period. Isaiah 24:19 says: “The earth is utterly broken down, the earth is [thoroughly cracked], the earth is moved exceedingly.”

The second major purpose for the geological upheaval of the Tribulation Period will be to prepare the earth, and especially Israel and Jerusalem, for their role during the millennial kingdom. The earth’s surface before the flood did not have high mountains and deep valleys. “Mountains were relatively low and ocean beds relatively shallow as compared with present conditions.” (John W. Whitcomb, Jr. & Henry M. Morris, The Genesis Flood, p. 268) As a result of the geological upheaval during the time of the flood, the earth’s surface was radically altered. Before the flood the earth was probably one big land mass that made it possible for all of the land animals to travel to the ark. The prophetic Scriptures indicate that the geological destruction of the Tribulation Period will probably return the earth’s topography back to the way it was before the great global flood in Noah’s time. Isaiah points to this in his revelation about the kingdom: “Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain.” (Isaiah 40:4) The Tribulation Period will end with the most powerful earthquake in the history of planet earth. John describes this earthquake in Revelation 16:18: “and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great.” As a result of this earthquake “every island fled away, and the mountains were not found.” (Revelation 16:20) This certainly speaks of the formation of a uniform global topography, much like the earth’s topography before the global flood.

The third divine purpose for the geological upheaval of the Tribulation Period is to glorify God and force man to be humbled before the Him. In Isaiah 2:10-22, Isaiah repeatedly states that the Lord will arise “to shake terribly the earth.” (Isaiah 2:19, 21) In this passage he declares the intended divine results. It will be “for the glory of [God’s] majesty.” (Isaiah 2:10, 19, 21) And, “the LORD alone shall be exalted in that day.” (Isaiah 2:11, 17) In this same passage, the prophet repeatedly states that the Lord will shake the earth in order to humble man and to destroy his pride and arrogance.

At the end of this age, many of the inhabitants of earth are living in luxury. We have become very dependent upon our utility systems, transportation systems, creature comforts, the abundance and variety of food, entertainment opportunities, and communication systems. For many, they are so independent and comfortable that they think they do not need God. Therefore, abruptly, and without warning “sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child, and they shall not escape.” (1 Thessalonians 5:3) Suddenly, life will take a horrific turn that will leave most of these people in life-threatening circumstances.

I am convinced that Psalm 46 has been written for those who will be living through the geological upheaval of the Tribulation Period. This psalm talks about a time when “the earth be removed” (verse 2), “the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea” (verse 2), “the waters thereof roar and be troubled” (verse 3), and “the earth melted” (verse 6). Finally, the psalmist exclaims: “Come, behold the works of the LORD, what desolations he hath made in the earth.” (verse 8) After all of this, God declares: “Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.” (verse 10)

During the Tribulation Period, God will strip away all of the forms of man’s modern lifestyle. Mankind will be forced to either shake his fist at God in defiant rebellion, or humble himself and be still and know that He is God. We know what they did in the days of Noah and we know what they will do in the future. They will blaspheme God and die in their sin. (Revelation 16:11)

As volcanoes continue to erupt around the world, let us keep listening for the shout that will take us out!

May 2018 – Golan Heights

Meeting on the Golan Heights — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened the Israeli cabinet for a historic meeting on the Golan Heights in April 2016.

PTNews
May 2018
Published 10 times annually
All Bible references are from the KJV

(Examining Current Events in the Light of Bible Prophecy)
P.O. Box 13006, Roanoke, VA 24030-3006

The Golan Heights and the Last Days

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“And I will bring Israel again to his habitation, and he shall feed on Carmel and Bashan [Golan Heights], and his soul shall be satisfied upon mount Ephraim [East Bank] and Gilead [West Bank].” Jeremiah 50:19

By Mike Wingfield

According to the sovereign plans of our eternal God, the area of Israel that is currently known as “the Golan Heights” will play a major role in His prophetic calendar in the events of the last days. Since the 6-Day War in June 1967, Israel has occupied this territory. The international community considers it to be “disputed territory.” Like the entire land of Israel, this tiny piece of property is at the center of the tug of war between God and Satan – heaven and hell. As we examine the current events surrounding this small piece of property, it will become clear that the final stages are being set to fulfill what the Jewish prophets wrote about thousands of years ago.

We all need to wake up and realize that we are living in the most significant time in all of church history. We are living in the days of the fulfillment of Biblical prophecy! The eternal plans of God are taking shape right before our eyes and the church in America is a spiritual slumber. As the Apostle Paul admonished the church at Rome: “And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.” (Romans 13:11-12)

Continue reading “May 2018 – Golan Heights”

March 2018 – The War of Evil in North Korea

The War of Evil in North Korea

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“The face of the LORD is against them that do evil, to cut offthe remembrance of them from the earth.” Psalm 34:16

By Mike Wingfield

One of the most evil nations on the planet is North Korea. This evil is displayed in their denial of the very existence of God and their hatred of His revelation and followers. While North Korea as a nation is not mentioned in the prophetic Scriptures, it certainly illustrates the trend of evil that is permeating our world. North Korea is modeling the kind of murderous policies against believers in Jesus Christ that will be employed in the future by the Antichrist and his brutal global kingdom.

Most people in America and abroad are focused upon the nuclear threat of North Korea to the United States and other nations in its region. While this threat must not be taken lightly, it is equally important to look at the evil, ultra-dictatorial communist leadership of North Korea, and the wicked atrocities it is carrying out on its own citizens.

The current leader of North Korea, Kim Jung Un, is the third heir to the Kim dynasty that began in 1948. Korea was divided into two nations following the defeat of Japan during World War II. Russia was given the responsibility to administer North Korea and the United States became the administrator of South Korea. Russia established a communist government in North Korea, appointing Kim Il Sung as the leader. Following the example of emperor worship in Japan, Kim Il Sung quickly promoted himself as a messianic figure. He created a cultic religion that promoted himself as a god. His religion was a religious philosophy called “Juche.” This religious belief “holds that an individual is ‘the master of his destiny,’ and the North Korean masses are to act as the ‘masters of the revolution and construction’ to achieve true socialism.” (Whistleblower, “Light vs. Darkness,” December 2017, p. 11) In essence, like all forms of communism and socialism, this religion elevates man and denies the existence of God. It is a devious form of atheism.

In this state religion, most of the people openly worship their leaders, past and present. Pictures of their leaders are placed in a very prominent place in each home. Many daily bow before these photos and praise their leaders as god. There are more than 34,000 statues of Kim Jung Un throughout the country [that is one for every 750 people]. He has ordered everyone to wear a badge with his image on it.

Under this dictatorial rule, “every aspect of life is regulated, from speech to food, employment and travel – millions of North Koreans have died in recent years, either of starvation or in labor camps.” (Whistleblower, “Light vs. Darkness,” December 2017, p. 11) For example, there are published photos of only a few styles of haircuts for men and women that are permitted.

After Kim Il Sung’s death in 1994, his son, Kim Jong Il became the leader. He was affectionately called “the son of god,” deceptively mimicking the Father/Son imagery in the Bible. After his death in 2011, his second son, Kim Jung Un, became the dictator and recognized god in North Korea. Under the leadership of the Kim dynasty, and especially the current leader, Christianity is outlawed and Christians are persecuted and killed. Owning or possessing a Bible is illegal and punishable by death. The organization that officially ranks the top 50 countries in the world that persecute and kill Christians, Open Doors, last year ranked North Korea as number one on its list. (www.opendoorsusa.org) North Korea has a population of 25 million, and considers its approximately 300,000 Christians to be a threat. They believe Christianity is evil and therefore attempt to eliminate all Christians, making all Christian activity illegal and punishable by death. “The government views Christianity as a ‘sin’ and as a way the West tries to invade its country with Western and capitalist ideas. Some have reported that the North Korean government even likens Christianity missionary work to ‘vampirism.’” (The Voice of the Martyrs, February 2018, p. 9) No Christian is safe to openly serve the Lord or share the gospel. Children have been taught to report their parents, friends, or anyone else who is suspected to being a Christian. Compare this with Luke 21:16.

According to some who have escaped from a work camp, “Prisoners live in bunkhouses with 100 people per room, and some 30 percent show markings of torture and beatings, including torn ears, gouged eyes and faces covered with scars. … Torture includes forcing prisoners to stand on their toes in tanks filled with water up to their noses for 24 hours. The tiny rations force prisoners to hunt rats and snakes, and some search through animal dung for undigested seeds to eat. Prisoners are used as practice targets during martial arts training, and guards routinely rape female inmates.” (Whistleblower, “Light vs. Darkness,” December 2017, p. 12)

In November 1996, five church leaders were executed. “They were bound hand and foot and made to lie down in front of a steamroller … [while 20 of their church members] were held just to the side. The condemned, accused of being Protestant Christian spies, were told that if they abandoned their religion and served only Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il, they would not be killed. None of the five said a word, … Some of the fellow parishioners who had assembled to watch the execution cried, screamed out, or fainted when the skulls made a popping sound as they were crushed beneath the steamroller.” (Whistleblower, “Light vs. Darkness,” December 2017, p. 12)

Everyone should visit www.NorthKoreanChristians.com. This site reports: “North Korean Christians aren’t simply killed for their faith in Christ. They are pulverized with steamrollers, used to test biological weapons, shipped off to death camps or shot in front of children, while newborn babies have their brains pinched with forceps in front of their mothers. Crimes against humanity reminiscent of Auschwitz and Treblinka to which the world declared ‘Never Again!’ more than 70 years ago are being perpetrated today against the North Korean Christians.” I encourage you to visit this website and watch some of the videos and read some of the testimonies of our brothers and sisters in Christ who have suffered greatly for our Lord.

The church in America is numb to the suffering of their brothers and sisters in Christ abroad. It is as if we really do not care what happens to them. Have we forgotten that there is only one church made up of all true believers in the world? While the church of Corinth was exhibiting this kind of selfish behavior, the Apostle Paul wrote to them about the nature of the church. He explained that the true church is like a human body. He wrote: “For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. … For the body is not one member but many.” (1 Corinthians 12:12, 14) In the same context, Paul admonished the church that all members of the body of Christ are needed and are dependent upon one another. Therefore, there should be no division in the body. He wrote: “… there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it …” (1 Corinthians 12:25-26) Hebrews 13:3 adds: “Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them: and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves in the body.”

Satan is the mastermind behind these brutal attacks against believers in Jesus Christ. While speaking to His Jewish disciples about the end of this age, Jesus describe it as a time when “they [shall] deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake. And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.” (Matthew 24:9-10) The persecution and martyrdom of believers is escalating around the globe. It is reported that there were more believers killed in the 20th century than in the previous 19 centuries of church history. The beginning of this 21st century indicates this trend is on the rise.

Satan has two very powerful agents of evil that are focused on the eradication of the church and the destruction of Israel. They are the atheist, communist (socialist) governments and the radical Islamic jihadists around the world. There seem to be some common elements within the circles of governments that are anti-Christ. They deny the God of the Bible and instead venerate man as god. They openly attack Christians and make any form of true worship illegal and punishable by death. They use images to represent their god and force the people to accept this image as a part of their submission to their dictatorial authority. They control every aspect of people’s lives, making them a slave of their godless government. The Antichrist and his brutal, murderous kingdom will follow this satanic pattern of rule.

As Christians in America we wonder why the members of the liberal left in this country are so open to socialism or the godless tenants of Islam. While answering this question about the liberal left and its attachment to Islam, award-winning Christian journalist and chief-editor of World Net Daily, David Kupelian, writes: “Because the left’s real enemy is not Islam, it is the Judeo-Christian biblical precepts and commandments that for centuries served as Western civilization’s moral foundation. The left does not feel threatened by Islam because Islam doesn’t shine as a light on the left’s sins; it just represents a different form of darkness and therefore causes no spiritual conflict or shame. Moreover, for now at least, the left is strategically comfortable allying with Islam because ‘the enemy of your enemy is your friend,’ and both Islam and the atheistic left are at war with Christianity.” (Whistleblower, “Light vs. Darkness,” December 2017, p. 7) The same can be said for the atheistic nations, like North Korea, within the communist/socialist circles of power.

We must remind ourselves that the communists and Islamic nations control the United Nations. They are working in tandem to carry out their agendas. A perfect example of this is the level of respect and cooperation between North Korea and Iran. Much of the nuclear and ballistic missile technology developed in North Korea has been shared with Iran in the last three decades. These nations hate America, Israel, and all believers in Jesus Christ. This reveals whose side they are on! These evil nations are the embodiment of the prophetic Scriptures in Psalm 2:1-3: “Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed [Christ], saying. Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.”

Many sources indicate that 252 million Christians are facing extreme persecution at this moment. As one examines the list of 50 nations that persecute and kill Christians, North Korea has been at the top of this list for 14 consecutive years! Most of the other nations are either Islamic or Communist countries. As these forms of evil dictatorial rule continue to escalate around the world, they are preparing the way for the most wicked and brutal of them all – the Antichrist.

On the basis of many Scriptures, I do not believe the leadership of North Korea is a viable antichrist candidate. However, he, along with many others from the past and present, are one of the many antichrists that Jesus and His apostles warned us would come. Near the end of the first century, the aged Apostle John wrote: “Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.” (1 John 2:18) The brutal and godless Kim regime in North Korea continues to take orders from their master, Satan. While speaking about Satan to the godless Jewish government of His day, Jesus said: “Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father will ye do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.” (John 8:44)

There is no relief in sight for the inhabitants of earth until the Prince of Peace comes. He will be a dictator and rule the world with “a rod of iron.” (Revelation 19:15) However, this dictator will rule over all of earth’s citizens with justice and peace. For the first time since the fall of man, peace will rule over all of the earth. It is no wonder that our Lord has taught us to pray: “Thy kingdom come.” (Matthew 6:10)

It Is About Time They Faced the Truth

“As far as Israel is concerned, denial of the Jewish historical and religious connection to this land, and especially to Jerusalem, is the primary roadblock to peace at present.”.(www.israeltoday.co.il) Finally, a U.S. administration is standing with Israel on this issue. When President Trump stated that his recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel was based upon reality, he shook the world, which is filled with lies, deception, fake history and fake news. For too long the governments of the world have tried to appease the Palestinians and Muslims in the Middle East by making compromises for peace that were based upon lies. If you want reconciliation between two parties or people that are verbally seeking reconciliation, they must both face reality, not how they feel or what they believe, but what are the real facts. What people believe and how they live must be based upon facts and honesty.

President Trump’s team is reminding the Palestinian leadership that they must stop denying the Jewish historical connection to Jerusalem and the Promised Land. This is proven by the Bible, archeology, and many secular historical records, including Muslim historical records. The denial of all of this began with Yasser Arafat and has been repeated to an entire generation of Muslims that believe these lies. I applaud our current administration for finally standing on the side of truth. It is about time the Muslims of the world face the truth, which is supported by their holy books, including the Koran.

Many Israelis also blame many of those on the liberal left within their own government in its attempt to deny reality and to appease those who are sworn to the destruction of the Jewish state. A recent article in Israel Today addresses this with the following remark: “The current Israeli-Palestinian conflict is itself an example of the persistent failure of short-term deals made to keep the ‘peace’ with Arab parties ever since the Balfour Declaration was published 100 years ago. Instead of getting on with it and immediately implementing its declared goal – the resettlement of Jews from the Diaspora in the Promised Land – we dithered and dallied for decades in a fruitless effort to please all parties. The enemies of Israel saw it as weakness, which they exploited to the hilt with violence that had us chasing our tails looking for a way out of the awesome responsibility we had been given.” (www.israeltoday.co.il)

Is this the Prelude to the Gog and Magog War?

The recent escalation between Israel, Russia and Iran in Syria is raising questions in Israel concerning ancient Biblical prophecies. According to the prophet Ezekiel (chapters 38-39), Russia, Iran, Turkey and other Islamic nations will invade Israel on its northern border in the last days. (Ezekiel 39:2; Joel 2:20) Ezekiel stated that God will cause certain conditions to develop that will provoke this invasion: “And I will turn thee back, and put hooks into thy jaws, and I will bring thee forth…” (Ezekiel 38:4) What will be the nature of this divine provocation?

All of Israel is talking about the developments on their northern border. Those who know these Biblical prophecies are wondering, as I am, are we witnessing the provocation that will start this war? In the last few months, Israel has been attacking Iranian positions in Syria to stop the flow of dangerous military equipment to their proxy army, Hezbollah, in Lebanon. However, in the last few days this has escalated. Recently, Iran sent a military drone (unmanned aircraft) into Israeli territory. Israel considers Iran to be an enemy that has openly sworn that it will destroy the Jewish state. Therefore, Israel retaliated. The Israeli Air Force flew into Syria and bombed the command center of the military drone that infiltrated Israeli air space. In the process, the Russian-made air defense system in Syria successfully damaged an Israeli F-16, forcing it to crash in Israeli territory. Thankfully, both pilots ejected themselves from the aircraft and safely landed, with some injuries, inside of Israel. This marked the first time since 1982 that Israel has lost an aircraft. Consequently, Israel once again sent a squadron of fighter jets into Syrian territory, destroying 12 major Syrian military installations. One of the installations that Israel destroyed was a major military command center. Syria, Iran, and Russia were shocked because they all thought this was a secret facility that Israel did not know existed.

Many Islamic enemies of Israel, in Iran, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinians, etc. danced in the streets when they heard that Israel had lost an F-16 in its confrontation in Syria. They saw this as a major military victory over Israel. One needs to understand that in the past, it has been this kind of scenario that has provoked a dangerous escalation of war with Israel. Many of the enemies of Israel view the downing of this F-16 as an indication that Israel is not invincible and that the time has come when they need to take advantage of this perceived moment of Israeli military weakness.

About a week before these developments, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made a special trip, along with some of Israel’s military commanders, to talk with Russian President Vladimir Putin and other Russian military leaders about the developments in Syria along Israel’s northern border. The Israelis made it clear that they did not want to harm Russian military personnel deployed in Syria. However, Netanyahu boldly communicated to Putin that Israel would not be deterred from destroying any Iranian effort to develop a military presence in Syria, or to transfer missiles to Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Given the blind hatred that Iran has for Israel, and its determination to destroy the Jewish homeland, there is no question that all of this is about to escalate. What will happen if Iran continues to provoke Israel? What would happen if Israel were to accidentally kill some Russia military personnel in one of its defensive responses to another Iranian provocation? Will Iran give Hezbollah the green light to begin a war against Israel?

Without question, in light of the prophetic Scriptures, these developments certainly indicate that the war that Ezekiel wrote about is just over the horizon. Many rabbis in Israel are alerting the nation that these developments are heralding the coming of their long-awaited messiah. One rabbi said: “It is not a matter of whether or not the War of Gog and Magog is coming. It is a matter of time and at this point, we are counting the days.”
(www.breakingisraelnews.com)

I personally believe that the battle of Gog and Magog will happen before the Rapture. If this is a true assessment, we are very close to the Rapture. Get ready to fly! It appears we are going home soon.

Seal of the Prophet Isaiah Found in Jerusalem

Archeologists are fairly certain they have recently discovered a clay seal with the name of Isaiah on it. The clay seal has been damaged. However, Isaiah’s name is clear, but part of his title, “prophet,” is missing. The strong supporting evidence of this seal belonging to the prophet Isaiah is that it was found only a few feet away from the royal seal of King Hezekiah that was discovered a few years ago. According to the book that bears his name, Isaiah had several encounters with King Hezekiah. Therefore, to find both of these seals only a few feet apart at the same historical level in the debris left behind from that period is a sure indication that this damaged seal belonged to the prophet Isaiah.

These finds in ancient Jerusalem continue to amaze Israelis and believers around the world. Our gracious Lord is certainly sending a strong message to the entire world concerning the historical authenticity of the Bible. Many of us do not need such physical evidences. We have long ago placed our complete trust in the perfect Word of God. However, it is wonderful to confront the doubters and scoffers with such physical evidences. I am convinced that this is being used by the Holy Spirit to prick the consciences and souls of Israelis who are being prepared for the sudden appearance of Moses and Elijah at the beginning of the Tribulation Period. (Revelation 11:3-6) Suddenly, in the opening days of the Tribulation Period, 144,000 young Jewish men will come to grips with the reality that Jesus is the Messiah and God. They will place their faith in Him and begin to spread this gospel around the world, just as the Jewish apostles did in the first century. (Revelation 7:1-8; 14:1-5)

The Political Attack on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

As many of you know, the sharp liberal left and media in Israel are attempting to destroy the leadership of Benjamin Netanyahu. Netanyahu is presently being charged with political corruption. Those who are attempting to bring him down are pointing out that over the last several decades, even before he became the prime minister of Israel, he and his wife have received numerous expensive gifts from individuals. These political opponents are attempting to promote the idea that Netanyahu has been receiving these gifts in exchange for political favors. While it is not being disputed that Netanyahu and his wife were the recipients of these expensive gifts, it has not yet been proven or determined if these donors did receive political favors as a result of the gifts. These are serious charges and are worthy of impeachment should they be discovered to be true.

It is my opinion that Israel is suffering from the same political war between the liberal left and the more conservative right as here in the United States. We know that the liberal socialists in this country are bent not only in the ousting of President Trump from office, but ultimately bringing down our democratic form of government to be replaced by socialism. In essence, they are attempting to destroy the America that has existed since its founding days in order to make our country fit in with their dream of a New World Order and become like other socialistic and Islamic forms of government that are ruled by merciless dictators.

A similar political war is being waged in Israel at this very moment. I believe that it is all a political power struggle that finds its roots in the demonic powers that are working in the spiritual realm, setting the stage for the entrance of the Antichrist and Satan’s final attempt to defeat God. It is not an accident that President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu are friends and political allies. They both promote freedom for their citizens and want to protect them. They are the only international leaders who occasionally quote Scripture in some of their speeches. There is no evidence that suggests either of them are born-again believers. However, I believe, both of them have been divinely chosen and placed in office for such a time as this. Both of these leaders are also hated by the world leaders and the international media. They are not respected within the United Nations.

Satan has a game plan. It appears that both the United States and Israel are strong nations with capable militaries that are equipped to protect their citizens. However, Satan’s plan is destroy these nations from within by sharply dividing the people. When Jesus cast out demons in Matthew 12:22-30, his religious enemies falsely charged Him by saying He was using Satanic powers to cast out demons. Jesus reminded them of their foolish charges. Why would Satan want to defeat his own agents of evil? Jesus declared: “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought down to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand: And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself: how shall then his kingdom stand?” (Matthew 12:25-26) Satan knows that if he can successfully divide America and Israel, he can destroy these two nations and quickly advance his political kingdom on this earth to prepare for his final stand against God. When the end comes, all nations will be in league with Satan’s messiah – the Antichrist. Speaking of this, the Apostle John wrote: “… and power was given him [the Antichrist] over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.” (Revelation 13:7)

With all that is transpiring at this time, it is evident that Satan is orchestrating the activities of all who have been deceived into playing into his deadly and deceptive hands. Pray for President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu. (1Timothy 2:1-2)