(Examining Current Events in the Light of Bible Prophecy)
P.O. Box 67, Boones Mill, VA 24065
The Rise of the Antichrist
Part 1 of 7
By Mike Wingfield
As believers in Jesus Christ, we often forget that our view of time should greatly differ from non-believers. Most of the world celebrated the New Year with no thought of the future that has been revealed to us in the Bible.
I love Psalm 90, written by Moses after he experienced his generation dying in the wilderness because of their disobedience at Kadesh Barnea (Numbers 13-14). He wrote about God teaching him to develop an eternal perspective while experiencing everyday events. Clearly, God desires that we “number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom” (Psalm 90:12).
“For the nation and kingdom that will not serve [the Holy One of Israel]
shall perish; yea, those nations shall be utterly wasted.” Isaiah 60:12
By Mike Wingfield
We live at a time when the nations are stumbling around in spiritual darkness. They are spiritually dead toward the power and purposes of the God of heaven. Collectively, they curse Him and ignore Him, while refusing to give Him the honor, praise, and service that He deserves. Even the professing Christians who attend church services each week around the world are ignorant of the Word of God. They too, like the world, do not see the hand of God or hear His voice as He speaks.
America has once again suffered a major hurricane, Ian. This great storm was sent from God upon the shores of this proud nation, whose people are far away from God. Hurricane Ian formed as a tropical depression off the coast of West Africa on September 19, 2022, and slammed into the coast of Florida on September 28, 2022, only hours after Israelis finished celebrating the Jewish New Year. Thus, God began His new year with His people by bringing a massive calamity upon the eastern shores of America.
In his meticulous well-documented book, As America Has Done to Israel, author John McTernan, illustrates the connection between U.S. natural disasters and the actions of U.S. Administrations forcing Israel to surrender the land given to them by God. Hurricane Ian perfectly fits this historical pattern.
The Bible makes it abundantly clear that God is totally sovereign over His creation and uses natural disasters as a form of His divine judgment against the enemies of His people, Israel. Psalm 148:8 declares that “stormy wind” fulfills God’s Word.
All of this is historically illustrated in the Biblical prophetic book of Nahum. The prophet’s name means “comforter” or “consolation.” God’s message to His people through this prophet is that He comforts His people by defending them and their land by destroying their enemies.
The theme of the book of Nahum is the divine historical destruction upon the city of Nineveh, the capital of ancient Assyria. Assyria was the evil superpower of Nahum’s time. Its armies were known for the cruel and inhumane forms of execution and torture of its victims of war. Assyria was the chief enemy of Israel during Nahum’s life. In 722 BC, Assyria successfully defeated the northern kingdom of Israel and carried most of the 10 Jewish tribes into exile. This little book illustrates God’s vindication upon the enemies of Israel.
God has a unique love for His people, Israel. The Bible is filled with reminders that God will defend and protect His people and destroy all those who come against them and the land He gave to them. Nahum begins his inspired message to his people by causing them to remember the very heart of their God. He wrote, “God is jealous, and the LORD revengeth; the LORD revengeth, and is furious; the LORD will take vengeance on his adversaries, and he reserveth wrath for his enemies. The LORD is slow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked: the LORD hath his way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet” (Nahum 1:2-3).
The records of history demonstrate that God aided the Medes as they were attacking the massive and seemingly impregnable city of Nineveh. God sent a massive storm to flood the city, located on the Tigris River. After a long siege, Nineveh fell in September of 602 BC. Thus, Nahum’s prophecy was fulfilled.
While America is not militarily attacking Israel, some of the past administrations have attempted to weaken Israel by taking up the cause of the Palestinians. The Palestinians have a seething hatred of Israel and they have continually plotted the destruction of the Jewish state.
The Biden Administration is currently siding with the Palestinian cause. U.S. ambassador to Israel, Thomas Nides, has repeatedly stated that he is opposed to any Jewish settlements on the West Bank [Biblical Judea and Samaria]. In March 2022 he publicly stated, “Israeli settlement growth infuriates me … We can’t do stupid things that impede us from a two-state solution” (The Jerusalem Post, March 16, 2022).
After President Joe Biden’s visit to Israel and the Palestinian areas in July 2022, the president of the Zionist Organization of America (ZOA), Morton A. Klein, released the following statement: “The policies and statements made by President Joe Biden last week during meetings with Israeli and Palestinian Arab leaders, including terrorist dictator Mahmoud Abbas, make it clear that Biden is becoming one of the most hostile presidents to Israel ever. Moreover, it’s becoming clearer that Biden is being greatly influenced by former President Barack Obama, as these policies are similar to Obama’s anti-Israel policies and virtually all of Biden’s hostile-to-Israel appointments were closely associated with Obama. One might argue that this is really Obama’s third term” (ZOA.org, July 18, 2022).
At these meetings, President Biden demanded that Israel retreat to its pre-1967 indefensible borders. This would make one area of the nation’s borders only nine miles wide (see map). This area would be dangerously close to Tel Aviv, one of Israel’s most populated cities. He also demanded that Israel move toward the creation of a Palestinian State on the land promised to Israel by God more than 4,000 years ago (Genesis 13:14-15). Notice that God’s land covenant with the Jewish people was given to the seed of Israel “forever” (Genesis 13:15).
Biden also demanded that Israel cease to have security checkpoints that restrict the flow of Palestinians with terrorist records into Israeli territory. Obviously, this would make Israel extremely vulnerable to radical Palestinian terrorists who are attempting to murder innocent Israelis. Furthermore, he increased U.S. financial support to the Palestinian government by $316 million, bringing the annual U.S. contributions to $816 million. These funds enable the terrorist-supported Palestinian government to finance their murderous schemes against innocent Israeli citizens. In essence, America’s policies and financial support of the Palestinian leadership are funding the ongoing war aimed at the annihilation of the Jewish nation in its national homeland. U.S. President Donald Trump understood this and that is why he cut off all U.S. funding sent to the Palestinian government.
Since these meetings in July, the Biden administration has ramped up its meddling into Israeli affairs. Biden and his cohorts are making ridiculous demands that would threaten the security and existence of Israel in a volatile Middle East.
Furthermore, Biden has chosen to pursue a nuclear treaty with Iran that is an existential threat to Israel and many of the Arab nations in the Middle East. Once again, Biden is mimicking the evil, anti-Semitic policies of Barak Obama. During his eight years as president, Obama did everything in his power to make Israel vulnerable to the radical Islamic goal of destroying the Jewish nation as a major step toward the creation of a global Islamic empire, known as a califate.
While Biden pays lip service to befriending Israel, his actions indicate otherwise. It appears that the Lord used Hurricane Ian to display his wrath against the U.S. administration and their attempts to make Israel vulnerable to her enemies.
Hurricane Ian was a large and destructive Category 4 Atlantic hurricane. It was one of the most deadly and destructive hurricanes to strike Florida in nine decades. The most devastating aspect of the storm was the massive surge of water that flooded the southern Atlantic coastal areas. Currently, the estimated damage is $75 billion. It took man decades of building and billions of dollars to construct the buildings that God destroyed in a matter of a few hours!
Friends, this is the heavy hand of God. He has spoken. But is America listening? Unless we have a change in the U.S. administration, or the current administration changes its course in the Middle East, America is heading toward massive divine judgment from the hand of God.
Unless we have a change in the U.S. administration, or the current administration changes its course in the Middle East, America is heading toward a massive divine judgment from the hand of God.
Notice that Nahum said God is “jealous” for His people and His land (Nahum 1:2). The Hebrew word for jealous communicates a burning zeal. It points to a feeling of injured justice – to vindicate wrongs done. The righteous God of Israel is seeking to bring His holy and just vindication against the enemies of His people. The prophet Zechariah delivered the same message to Israel. In Zechariah 1:14, God said, “I am jealous for Jerusalem and for Zion with a great jealously.” Later Zechariah spoke about Jerusalem and said, “For he that [touches] you [touches] the apple of [God’s] eye”(Zechariah 2:8).
Friends, it pains me to see that America is beginning to turn away from its support for Israel. A seething hatred for Jews and Israel is moving like a plague across this land. America is rapidly becoming an enemy of Israel. Please understand, the Bible says those who hate Israel also hate God (Psalm 83:2-3). A divine sentence of destruction and death is upon America. Unless we repent, we will continue to witness the demise of America.
When we examine the early days of America, it is clear that God raised up America to serve Him and His purposes. As long as America has honored the God of the Bible and has given Him His rightful place in the nation, the nation has been blessed by God. Psalm 33:12 says, “Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD.” However, Isaiah 60:12 gives this warning, “For the nation and kingdom that will not serve [God] shall perish; yea, those nations shall be utterly wasted.”
“He [rules] by his power forever; his eyes behold the nations: let not the rebellious exalt themselves.”
Psalm 66:7
Hurricane Ian was not just a random disaster. Its timing and path were guided by the sovereign hand of the King on His throne in heaven. God rules over all the nations. Psalm 22:28 declares, “The kingdom is the LORD’S: and he is the governor among all the nations.” The Bible proclaims, “He [rules] by his power forever; his eyes behold the nations: let not the rebellious exalt themselves” (Psalm 66:7).
America and the nations need to humble themselves before the God of heaven. In our sinful human pride, we think we are so powerful. However, before the God of heaven, the nations with all their armies, weapons, wealth, and technology are nothing compared to the Almighty! Isaiah 40:15, 17, 22 declares, “Behold, the nations are as a drop of a bucket, and are counted as the small dust of the balance: behold, he taketh up the isles as a very little thing. … All nations before him are as nothing; and they are counted to him less than nothing, and vanity. … It is he that sitteth upon the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers.”
There is coming a time when all the redeemed nations during the Millennial Kingdom will go up to Jerusalem to worship the King on His throne (Isaiah 2:2-3) The nations will also give honor to His people and His land (Isaiah 60). Speaking of that time, Isaiah wrote, “For the nation and kingdom that will not serve thee shall perish; yea, those nations shall be utterly wasted” (Isaiah 60:12).
Before the kingdom of God comes upon this earth, the Lord will arise “to shake terribly the earth” (Isaiah 2:19). The strong shaking of global earthquakes during the Tribulation will humble a remnant of those living in the nations. The Lord will use these earthquakes to produce the “fear of the LORD, and for the glory of his majesty” (Isaiah 2:10). The pride of man will be destroyed during the Tribulation Period. The devastating shaking of the earth will destroy all of man’s ability to be independent of God. The modern lifestyles of living in this technological age will come to a grinding halt. Isaiah declares, “The lofty looks of man shall be humbled, and the haughtiness of men shall be bowed down, and the LORD alone shall be exalted in that day” (Isaiah 2:11).
Our world is ripe for the judgment of God. The nations are in revolt against Him. They are turning to the spirits of hell to satisfy their sinful longings. Satan’s demons are no longer masking their presence. The manifestation of their wicked, rebellious, violent, and immoral presence is all around us! Our world is prepared for the one-world government of the Antichrist. Soon, and very soon, the Rapture of the church will take place.
Friends, be ready for the shout that will take us out!
What to do When Surrounded
by Evil (part 2)
In the October 2022 newsletter, I began to sharing eight spiritual realities to cling to when you feel overwhelmed by an avalanche of evil. As we continue to live in a world that is filled with violence, wickedness, and immorality, we are tempted to be overwhelmed with fear. This is not pleasing to God. Fear and faith are not compatible in the heart and life of the child of God. What can we do?
We have examined the first two of the spiritual realities. Let us now continue to examine additional truths that we must focus upon to overcome evil for the glory of God.
Reality #3- Continually Recognize the Presence of God
From the moment we are saved, God is living in us. The same Holy Spirit Who raised Jesus from dead has taken up residence in our bodies (Romans 1:4). Meditate on that and let it sink in! Why should we be afraid of anything or anyone? His powerful presence is in us and with us. Jesus has promised, “I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world” (Matthew 28:20).
No matter how threatened we may feel, He is with us! We are never alone to face an enemy. The Lord reminded Joshua, “Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with [you wherever you go]” (Joshua 1:9). King David of Israel faced many life-threatening situations. He said to the LORD, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou are with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me” (Psalm 23:4).
Far too often, we do not see the hand or presence of God. We move through our daily routine without ever recognizing that He is dwelling inside of us and surrounding us with His protective care. That is why we are commanded, “In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths” (Proverbs 3:6).
The core problem today is that believers do not know God. Our faith is no greater than our knowledge of God. Read Psalm 46. During the storms of life, God says, “Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10). Getting to know God happens when we stop long enough to examine and meditate upon the very nature of God revealed in the Word of God. This should be the greatest passion of our life! The Bible speaks of the “fear of God.” That simply means we are in awe of Him. Are you amazed at the greatness of our God? The Bible says, “In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge. The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death” (Proverbs 14:26-27).
The avalanche of evil will overwhelm you if you do not remain focused upon the presence of our awesome God!
Reality #4- Examine His Testimonies of Deliverance
The Lord has recorded for us in His Word many testimonies of how He delivered His people from danger and death. This is one of the great values of studying the Old Testament. Speaking of this, the Apostle Paul wrote, “Now all these things happened unto them for [examples]: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come”(1 Corinthians 10:11). Many children of God have been encouraged by the testimonies of God’s deliverance of His people. The Psalmist said, “The wicked have waited for me to destroy me: but I will consider thy testimonies” (Psalm 119:95).
Consider the following promises given to us. Psalm 97:10– “… he [preserves] the souls of his saints, he [delivers] them out of the hand of the wicked.” Psalm 121:7– “The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul.”Proverbs 3:25-26– “Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it [comes]. For the LORD shall be thy confidence and shall keep thy foot from being taken.”
Some of my favorite testimonies of His deliverance are:
The supernatural release of Peter from prison- Acts 12
I take great joy in reading these accounts about the hand of God in the lives of those who completely trusted in Him. We serve the same God who is able to deliver us. We do not need to be afraid!
Reality #5- We must learn to think like God!
We have inherited from our forefathers a mindset that is fixed upon the finite limitations of man. When we come to Christ for salvation, we must know that He wants us to reprogram our minds so that we begin to think in terms of His holiness, grace, mercy, and power. Our finite thoughts always fall woefully short of His thoughts (Isaiah 55:8-9).
The only way we can reprogram our minds to be more like His mind is to immerse ourselves in the Word of God. Our minds need to be saturated with His Word. “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God” (Romans 12:2).
When our minds are flooded with the Word of God, we will stop looking at threatening situations with fear. Instead, we will know that our God is always able to overcome whatever obstacle lies before us. In His infinite power and wisdom, He will also “make a way to escape” (1 Corinthians 10:13).
This article will be concluded in the December newsletter.
God’s Boomerang
When explorers went to Australia, they found that the wild aboriginals had a curious weapon. It was a stick, with an angle over 90-degrees, curved, and weighing about 8 ounces. They used it for war and hunting. The skilled hunter could throw it about 100 yards. If it missed its target, it would come back to him.
When the wicked throw their wicked schemes against the Lord and his people, their sinful deeds will come back upon them. This is the testimony of many Scriptures.
Psalm 7:15-16– “He hath made a pit, and digged it, and is fallen into the ditch which he made. His mischief shall return upon his own head, and his violent dealing shall come down upon his own [head].”
Psalm 10:2– “The wicked in his pride doth persecute the poor: let them be taken in the devices that they have imagined.”
Matthew 7:2– “For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure you [measure out], it shall be measured to you again.”
In God’s righteous vengeance, He has ordained that the very devices of evil that have been designed against Him, and His people will backfire upon the wicked. It will be like a boomerang and come back upon the wicked to their own demise. Pharaoh tried to destroy the Jewish nation, and he drowned in the Red Sea. Haman prepared gallows to hang Mordecai the Jew. Instead, he was hung on the same gallows. Daniel’s opponents [the presidents of Persia] plotted to have him thrown in the lions’ den. Later, they were cast into the same lions’ den.
This will happen again in the future. The wicked leaders of the world are plotting how they might remove 80 percent of the global population. During the Tribulation, God’s judgments will remove far more than 80 percent of the wicked population of earth. These same evil leaders are twisting scientific information to promote their Green New Deal. In the Tribulation, God will send real burning climate change. The same nations that are plotting the demise of the nation of Israel will be destroyed by God in the final battle of this age at Armageddon.
God’s boomerang is called divine justice. He has declared, “Vengeance is mine: I will repay” (Romans 12:19).
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!
Israeli Prime Minister Makes
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.
ancient Assyria. Assyria was the evil superpower of Nahum’s time. Its armies were known for the cruel and inhumane forms of execution and torture of its victims of war. Assyria was the chief enemy of Israel during Nahum’s life. In 722 BC, Assyria successfully defeated the northern kingdom of Israel and carried most of the 10 Jewish tribes into exile. This little book illustrates God’s vindication upon the enemies of Israel.
The core problem today is that believers do not know God. Our faith is no greater than our knowledge of God. Read 
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. 
