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October 2023 – Historical Peace Treaty in the Middle East

PTNews

P r o p h e tic Truth in the N e w s

October 2024

Published monthly by Mike Wingfield Ministries

All Bible references are from the KJV

Download this Newsletter

(Examining Current Events in the Light of Bible Prophecy)

P.O. Box 67, Boones Mill, VA 24065

The Rapture & Feast of Trumpets

“Behold, I [show] you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.” 1 Corinthians 15:51-52

By Mike Wingfield

Historical Peace Treaty in the Middle East

“The people of the prince that shall come … shall confirm the covenant with the many for one [seven of years].” Daniel 9:26-27

By Mike Wingfield

We are living in an exceptional period of human history. Those who closely follow current events in the Middle East know that in the last 100 years, the Arab Muslims of the Middle East have violently opposed the return of the Jewish people to the Promised Land. Since the founding of the Jewish nation in 1948, Israelis have had to continually defend themselves against Arab aggression. However, on the surface that long-standing hatred for Israel may be softening. Some Arab nations appear to be moving in a direction of tolerating Israel.

Currently, six nations [Egypt in 1979, Jordan in 1994, and in 2020, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, Sudan, and Morocco] have formed treaties that are focusing upon normalizing relations with Israel. However, for Israel, the great prize would be a peace treaty with Saudi Arbia, which is viewed as the world’s leading Islamic nation. Recent events indicate that such a treaty is a growing possibility.

During a FOX News interview on September 20, 2023, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman [see photo on page 2] stated, “the prospect of normalizing relations with Israel is getting closer by the day” (CNBC News, September 21, 2023). While speaking to the General Assembly of the United Nations in New York on September 23, 2023, Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu spoke of the benefits of the Abraham Accords that took place with four Arab countries in 2020. He commented, “The Abraham Accords was a pivot of history. And today we all see the blessings of those Accords. Trade and investment with our new peace partners are booming. Our nations cooperate in commerce, energy, water, agriculture, medicine, climate and many, many other fields. …

“There is no question the Abraham Accords heralded the dawn of a new age of peace. But I believe that we are at the cusp of an even more dramatic breakthrough – an historic peace between Israel and Saudi Arabia. Such a peace will go a long way to ending the Arab-Israeli conflict. It will encourage other Arab states to normalize their relations with Israel. It will enhance the prospects of peace with the Palestinians. It will encourage a broader reconciliation between Judaism and Islam, between Jerusalem and Mecca, between the descendants of Isaac and the descendants of Ishmael” (All Israel News Staff, September 22, 2023).

As the Bible prophecy student thinks about these significant developments, it is very apparent that we are about to witness the peace covenant event that could usher the world into the tumultuous Tribulation Period.

As I examine the possibilities of these events, I recognize how they seem to be pieces of a puzzle that are connected to what the Bible says about the future historic agreement that will catapult Israel into the final period of the last days. Let us examine seven biblical facts about this coming peace agreement.

1. The Tribulation Period will begin with a peace covenant.

The final events for Israel and the world in the last days will be a unique time known as the Tribulation Period. Some people have concluded that it will begin immediately after the Rapture of the church. However, that is not what the Bible indicates will happen. A significant covenant with the Jewish people will begin the final seven-years that precede the Kingdom of God (Daniel 9:27). When the ink of the signatures on this document begins to dry, God’s prophetic clock in heaven will begin to tick. This seven-year covenant will set in motion the events that will unfold on earth that will culminate with the Revelation of Christ at the end of the Tribulation (Revelation 19:11-21).

If this proposed treaty between Israel and Saudi Arabia comes to fruition, it could be an enormously powerful indication that the Rapture of the church is imminent!

2. This peace treaty will be the result of the diplomatic efforts of the coming Antichrist.

According to Daniel 9, a “prince that shall come” (Daniel 9:26) will establish a treaty with the Jewish people who have regathered in the Holy Land in the last days. The context of the book of Daniel and of the entire Bible, points to the identification of this prince as the Antichrist.

There is great evidence in the Bible that the Antichrist will be an Arab Muslim. His efforts to destroy the Jewish nation will be the culmination of an ancient conflict that traces its roots back to the conflict between Isaac and Ishmael, and Jacob and Esau. God did not recognize Ishmael and Esau as heirs of blessings in the Abraham covenant. Consequently, in rebellion, both men moved to the desert areas east of Israel. Eventually, their descendants intermarried (Genesis 36). In general, they became the progenitors of the Arab nations in the Middle East (Genesis 25:12-18).

The Scriptures and extra-biblical historical sources indicate that within the Arab nations there has been a continual hatred of Israel that has festered and intermittently erupted from ancient times to the present day. When Nehemiah was leading the Jewish captives from Babylon to rebuild Jerusalem, the Arabs adamantly opposed the Jewish presence in Jerusalem (Nehemiah 2:19; 4:1, 7-8). The prophet Ezekiel indicated that when the Jewish people would return to their land in the last days, the Jews would be rejected by the Arab nations that surround the land of Israel (Ezekiel 36:1-7). This hatred and rejection of the Jewish presence in the Promised Land began decades before the founding of the modern state of Israel in 1948. The constant threat of war, and the ongoing acts of terrorism by the Arabs toward the Israelis continue to this day.

Therefore, this ancient feud between the descendants of Isaac and Jacob with the family-line of Ishmael and Esau set the stage for the final conflict. God at the Battle of Armageddon will suddenly resolve this historic quarrel. The core issue that causes God to gather all nations to Armageddon is the world’s attempt to divide the Promised Land (Joel 3:2). According to the Bible, the nations that will be leading the world to attack Israel will be the Arab/Islamic nations of the Middle East (Psalm 83:1-8; Isaiah 13, 34; Jeremiah 50-51; Obadiah). The head of this confederation of Arab nations that comes against Israel at the end of the Tribulation is the Antichrist. Daniel wrote that the Antichrist will “divide the land for gain” (Daniel 11:39).

The context of the Bible seems to demand that the covenant of the Antichrist with Israel will include the recognition of the Jewish right to occupy the Holy Land. In an interview in 2018, Saudi Prince Mohammad bin Salman stated that “he believes the Jewish people have a right to their own land. … I believe that each people, anywhere, has a right to live in their peaceful nation. I believe the Palestinians and the Israelis have a right to have their own land” (The Jewish Chronicle, April 3, 2018).

This statement by the Saudi Prince clearly indicates that in his eyes, the Jews have a right to a part of their ancestral homeland. However, the Palestinians have a right to part of the contested land also. Therefore, he agrees with the world that the Holy Land must be divided to accommodate both the Jews and the Palestinians. This differs from many other more radical Moslems who do not believe the Jewish people have any rights to any part of the Holy Land.

There are a multitude of passages in the Bible that seem to indicate the Antichrist will be a Muslim. His headquarters in the Tribulation Period will be in the Persian Gulf area (Revelation 17-18). He will have a unique relationship with a powerful religion [depicted as a harlot in Revelation 17]. This religion will control him and his global kingdom. This religion will hate believers in Jesus and will kill them (Revelation 17:6). These believers will be “beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God” (Revelation 20:4). This religion will have a powerful influence over the leaders of the world (Revelation 17:2; 18:3). This religion is rich. It has made governments, merchants, and transporters of her wealth [oil] to manufacture goods all around the world, and become rich (Revelation 18:9-19).

Furthermore, the nature and activities of the Antichrist seem to point to his Muslim identity. He will exalt himself and his religion above the God of the Bible (Daniel 11:36). His religion gives honor to a militant god of military might (Daniel 11:38). He does not honor or respect women (Daniel 11:37). He embraces the occult [“understanding dark sentences”] (Daniel 8:23). His policies will be driven by deception (Daniel 8:25).

3. The Tribulation agreement will be a false peace treaty.

The Bible makes it clear that the Antichrist’s covenant with Israel will be a trick to lure the Jewish people into a trap of annihilation. He will appear to be seeking peace, while he is deceptively plotting their death. Some biblical scholars point to Psalm 55:21 as a prophecy of the Antichrist when he breaks his covenant with Israel, “The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart: his words were softer than oil, yet were they drawn swords.” Notice the new Saudi flag in the picture box.

This has been an historical struggle for the Jewish people. While they long for peace, their enemies prepare for war. Long ago, the psalmist verbalized the Jewish cry for a call of peace while living in the presence of those who were plotting war against them. He said, “Woe is me, that I sojourn in Mesech, that I dwell in the tents of Kedar [the Arabs]! My soul hath long dwelt with him that hateth peace. I am for peace: but when I speak, they are for war” (Psalm 120:5-7).

This seven-year treaty with Israel will be annulled by the Antichrist at the mid-point of the agreement (Daniel 9:27). During the first half of the Tribulation, he will honor his agreement with the Israelis. During this time, he will not harm Israel. However, during this same time, he will be at war with the nations of the world to submit them to his authority (Revelation 6:2-8). He will accomplish global domination over all nations by the middle of the Tribulation (Revelation 13:5-7). At this point he will force the world to submit to him. He will control the world politically, religiously, and economically (Revelation 13:11-18).

At the same time, he will turn on the Jewish people with great vengeance (Matthew 24:15-25). He will take back his control over Jerusalem and the Temple Mount (Revelation 11:1-2). He will desecrate the holy temple in Jerusalem. He will set his image in the temple and declare himself to be god (2 Thessalonians 2:4; Revelation 13:11-14). Jesus called this “the abomination of desolation” (Matthew 24:15).

The last half of the Tribulation will be a literal hell on earth for Israel. The prophet Daniel described this time as “a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation, even to that same time” (Daniel 12:1).

4. The Tribulation treaty will be accepted by liberal Israeli leaders.

The Bible depicts a great division in Israel at the beginning of the Tribulation. There will be a conservative Jewish population in Israel that will be clinging to the truth that all the Promised Land belongs to the Jewish people. These people will not support the division of their land for the prospect of a false peace covenant (Isaiah 28:16).

However, the conservative religious population will be opposed by their liberal and secular government. God calls these leaders “scornful men, that rule this people which is in Jerusalem” (Isaiah 28:14). These “mockers” (Isaiah 28:22) of God’s truth and promises chose to believe the lies of Israel’s enemies who are plotting their destruction (Isaiah 28:15). God calls their treaty with the Antichrist an “agreement with hell” (Isaiah 28:18).

It is very apparent that the stage is set for this deceptive treaty with the secular leadership in Israel.

5. This agreement will be the culmination of an ongoing peace effort with Israel in the last days.

Over the last few decades there have been many attempts to present a peace covenant that would resolve the conflict over the land of Israel. As previously indicated, the covenant of the Antichrist will deal with this thorny issue.

Daniel wrote that the Antichrist will “confirm the covenant with many” (Daniel 9:27). The word “confirm” indicates that a weaker covenant will exist before the Antichrist’s covenant is adopted by Israel. Therefore, this action by the Antichrist will simply strengthen a weaker peace process that involves the actions of the “many” mentioned by Daniel. Previously, Daniel presented the fact that ten kings will precede the Antichrist (Daniel 7:8, 24). Years later, the Apostle John wrote that these ten kings would be contemporary with the Antichrist and would “receive power as kings [for a short period of time] with the [antichrist]” (Revelation 17:12). This probably could be understood to indicate that these 10 kings will formulate a peace covenant with Israel prior to the Antichrist’s covenant with Israel.

As previously mentioned, six Muslim nations have already made peace with Israel. Suddenly, due to the diplomatic efforts of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former U.S. President Donald Trump in 2020, four nations joined Egypt and Jordan in recognizing Israel and normalizing relationships with the Jewish State. Are we about to witnesses another flurry of diplomatic activity that will cause four more kings to join the six and prepare the way for the covenant of the Antichrist?

6. The Tribulation covenant will have a connection to the Temple Mount in Jerusalem.

The Islamic world has made it known that the Temple Mount in Jerusalem is an important religious holy place. According to them, the Temple Mount was the location of their prophet’s famous flight to heaven. Therefore, Mount Zion is the third most holy site in their religion, followed by Mecca and Media in Saudi Arabia.

It is very apparent that the Antichrist will desire to control the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. He will choose this location for one of his centers of domination in his global control over the nations. He will express this when he enters the newly rebuilt Jewish temple at the mid-point of the Tribulation. From there, he will declare himself to be god and demand global worship (Daniel 9:27; Thessalonians 2:4).

When the Antichrist deceives Israel into signing his covenant, he will give them permission to rebuild the Jewish temple on the Temple Mount. This is something that religious Jews have been longing for since the destruction of the last Jewish temple in 70 A.D. by the Romans. Most people do not recognize how significant this is to the Jewish people. This will be a major part of the Antichrist’s deception to lure the Israelis into his death trap.

In recent months, the Saudis have made it known that they want to control the Temple Mount. The Temple Mount in Jerusalem is the location of two important Muslim mosques – Al Aqsa and the Dome of the Rock [see photo below]. In modern times, the Arab Kingdom of Jordan has had custody and control over this Islamic place of worship. However, now, Saudi Arabia wants to take control of this important Islamic holy place. The Jewish Press has reported, “Saudi Arabia wishes to signal to Jordan that it considers itself entitled to set foot in the Al Aqsa Mosque in east Jerusalem, which would make the crown prince and the Al Saud dynasty responsible for the three holy places of Islam: Mecca, Medina and Al Aqsa” (The Jewish Press, August 14, 2023).

Considering the current move toward developing a peace agreement with Israel, this is a very significant statement coming from Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. These amazing details tell us just how close we are to this historic peace treaty.

7. The Tribulation covenant will occur in the context of the world’s desperate call for peace and security.

When the Antichrist and Israel sign their covenant on the first day of the Tribulation Period, it will take place at a time of growing world tensions. Our world is radically descending into a chaotic evil period of wars and rumors of wars. The Apostle Paul declared that the Tribulation Period will begin as the world cries for “peace and safety” (1 Thessalonians 5:3). However, as they call for peace, the world will erupt into deadly wars. Paul said, “Then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child, and they shall not escape” (1 Thessalonians 5:3).

As the United States and the Western nations continue to collapse spiritually, morally, politically, militarily, and economically, the world is facing a new axis of evil – China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea. The one thing all these evil nations have in common is they love power and will not allow any threat to stop them from unleashing their thirst for global control. When Iran joins their ranks with the final development of its nuclear weapons, it will signal to the world that we are entering a deadly period.

One of the reasons why the Saudis want to have a treaty with Israel is because they recognize that Israel is the most powerful military force in the Middle East, and Israel has nuclear weapons. The Saudis comprehend that if Iran gets a nuclear weapon, it will immediately change the face of the Middle East and the entire world. They fully understand that Iran’s ambitions are to destroy the world so that their Islamic messiah, as they believe, will then appear.

Friends, we are standing on the brink of incredible world changing events. Everything is in place for the covenant the Antichrist will sign to begin the Tribulation Period. I am convinced that we will soon hear the shout that will take us out!

Iran’s Nuclear Deception

Times of Israel News has reported that during the third week of September Iran refused to allow a scheduled inspection of its nuclear facilities by the International Atomic Energy Agency. Under the watchful eyes of the international community, Iran had agreed to allow these inspectors to guarantee that their nuclear program was for peaceful purposes, rather than to develop nuclear weapons. Their refusal of this inspection certainly indicates Iran has something to hide.

In response to this news, Netanyahu commented, “Israel is not surprised by Iran’s moves, which prove it is violating all its commitments to the international community and intends to arm itself with nuclear weapons. … Israel will do everything needed to defend itself against this threat” (Times of Israel News, September 16. 2023).

Climate Change Truth

Recently, 1,600 scientists around the globe agreed that the climate change hype concerning man-made emissions being the cause for higher temperatures and increased natural disasters is a political hoax. The real problem, according to the Bible (see Revelation 16:8-9) is the radical solar storms coming from the surface of the sun, and the surge of gases emitted from the increasing number of volcanoes. “The Earth is currently peaking at the hottest it’s been in a long time, thanks to all the geometric solar storms that have been smashing into our planet over the course of the last year.

“According to the reports, scientists are concerned about the Earth’s thermosphere, a vital layer of the atmosphere extending from the mesosphere to the exosphere. Because of these solar storms, the thermosphere has recently experienced a significant temperature increase, the highest it’s been in two decades. And that’s not the worst of the news-according to experts, while the thermosphere is currently hot, it’s about to get a whole lot hotter” (www.msm.com, June 23, 2023).

According to the Bible, this is the beginning of God’s judgment upon the wicked inhabitants of earth. God controls earth’s temperatures, not man!

July 2023 – AI- The Final Rebellion

PTNews

P r o p h e tic Truth in the N e w s

October 2024

Published monthly by Mike Wingfield Ministries

All Bible references are from the KJV

Download this Newsletter

(Examining Current Events in the Light of Bible Prophecy)

P.O. Box 67, Boones Mill, VA 24065

The Rapture & Feast of Trumpets

By Mike Wingfield

AI- The Final Rebellion

Part one- Understanding Artificial Intelligence in light of the Bible

By Mike Wingfield

Artificial intelligence, more commonly known as AI, is capturing the world’s attention as technological advances continue at a breathtaking pace. I am convinced that AI, when examined from a global context in relation to Bible prophecy, is proof that we are living in the last days.

Our world is in its final stage of its evil revolt against God, and Satan is using A1 to capture the minds of the world’s most powerful and influential leaders. It is my opinion that Satan is using some of the world’s most brilliant minds in his final rebellion against the Lord. Like toy soldiers marching to the beat of Satan’s drum, these influential men are leading the world in this revolution. At the heart of this insurrection is the creation and application of AI.

During the first century, the Holy Spirit showed the Apostle Paul the nature of a culture that had reached the final stage of spiritual rebellion — a point of no return. This great man of God wrote about this in Romans 1. When the end comes, God will pour out His wrath against this society because it has suppressed His Word and rejected His “eternal power and Godhead” (Romans 1:20). This final generation will reject the truth that man has been uniquely made in the image of God. With a seared conscience, and the absence of any common sense, Paul describes these arrogant, pride-filled people as those who, “professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man…” (Romans 1:22-23). This is evidenced by the fact that these people are given over to depraved sexual immorality that only exists in the jungles of darkness with wild beasts (Romans 1:24-27). They are given over to unnatural sinful sexual pleasures that demand the judgment of a holy God! Look around you! It is very apparent that we have reached this point in time.

According to the Bible, at the end of this age, Satan will direct his final assault against God before he is once and for all cast into the Lake of Fire (Revelation 20:10). His efforts against God will be driven by his great wrath (Revelation 12:12) directed toward God and all those who serve God, especially the chosen people of Israel (Revelation 12:1-5, 14-17). Furthermore, Satan knows the Bible. He fully understands what God has planned for him according to the revealed eternal plan of God. Satan knows his time is “short” (Revelation 12:12).

Satan’s demons will assist him in this final rebellion against Almighty God. According to Revelation 9, demons will be released from hell to physically attack the wicked during the Tribulation Period. Notice Revelation 9:11, “And they had a king over them, which is the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in the Hebrew tongue is Abaddon, but in the Greek tongue hath his name Apollyon.” These names of Satan mean “destroyer.”

From the beginning, after his insurrection in heaven (taking one-third of the angels with him), Lucifer came to earth and attempted to recruit man to join him in his rebellion against God. Satan delights in taking control of every aspect of people’s lives, their marriages, their culture, and their governments. It is his aim to use man in his attempt to defeat God and to establish his kingdom of darkness upon this earth. In the past, the Scriptures highlight how the devil directed his efforts to a historical climax at the time of Noah and the global flood in Genesis 6, and at the time of the Tower of Babel in Genesis 11.

In Satan’s first attempt to unite the world in rebellion against God in the days of Noah, he thought he could change the course of humanity by altering the very essence of man. Man was created in the image of God. During the days of Noah Satan attempted to alter the nature of humanity by flooding the global population with demon-possessed people.

In his first attempt in the days of Noah, Satan thought he could change the course of humanity by altering the very essence of man. Man was created in the image of God (Genesis 1:26-27). During the days of Noah (Genesis 6:1-3) Satan attempted to alter the nature of humanity by flooding the global population with demon-possessed people. The emphasis of Genesis 6 focuses upon a global population that was being threatened with the birth of millions of demon-possessed babies. I believe this is the best theological understanding of the reference of the “nephilim” [the Hebrew word translated as “giants”]. These great fallen ones are described as being those who were born in the time before the flood in Genesis 6:4. The results of demonic possession in this text do not focus upon the physical stature of the people, but upon their spiritual wickedness. The core problem, as reported in Genesis 6, was a culture with people who had no conscience (verse 3), were lawless and evil (verse 5), morally corrupt (verses 11, 12), and “filled with violence” (verse 11, 13). This is a clear reference to the oppression and possession of demons in the days of Noah.

These same characteristics are seen today in our world. I believe that a growing segment of our global population is demonically oppressed. This means they are being mentally influenced by demons (2 Corinthians 4:4; 1 Timothy 4:1). Many other people are possessed by demons. This happens when demons take up residence in a person’s body to control their body, mind, and emotions, making that person their slave.

The destroyer is at work, wrecking what is good and that glorifies God. However, Satan seems to be taking everything to another hellish level with the introduction of Artificial Intelligence. It is my conviction that Satan will double his efforts by using demonically controlled people who will be aided by AI robots during the Tribulation Period. These robots are being called “bots,” or “humanoids.”

It is my understanding that demons are always looking for a person who has seared his conscience (1 Timothy 4:1-3). This simply means that this person has no moral inhibitions and is furthermore filled with a blind knowledge of a world that has exchanged the truth of God for lies and deceptive insights (Romans 1:21-25). The person who has no conscience becomes the perfect tool for demons who want to enslave people, recruiting them for Satan’s ultimate rebellion against God. In essence, AI-controlled robots are made to look, speak, think, and act like human beings. However, they have no human body, mind, or conscience. These humanoids will become another satanic instrument to capture the minds and attention of the world at the end of this age.

With this understanding, let us begin to examine Artificial Intelligence is and how it is preparing our world for the final rebellion against God.

1. What is AI?

Ziv Katzir, the head of the National Program for AI Infrastructure at the Israel Innovation Authority says, “By function definition, AI is anything that a computer or other machine does that mimics/resembles/replaces a human being” (The Jerusalem Post, January 15, 2023). The central focus of AI today is the creation of computer enhanced robots that will perform tasks that are usually associated with mimicking human beings. These robots are designed and manufactured to think for themselves, research, collect data, and to speak, act, and look like intelligent human beings.

It is not an accident that Satan has captured the minds of some of the most intelligent people on the planet to produce and promote AI. Satan’s purpose behind AI is a chapter out of his own playbook in his mutiny against God thousands of years ago. It was his pride that caused him to think that he could successfully seize God’s sovereignty. Most theologians have correctly observed that the Bible indicates Satan was created as a good angel in the beginning. Lucifer was probably one of the greatest of all the angels. He was divinely equipped with great intelligence, beauty, and abilities, and given great power (Isaiah 14:12-14; Ezekiel 28:13-17). However, his attempt to defeat God failed. God cannot be overthrown because only Almighty God is infinite and invincible in all His ways and attributes. All of creation, including the angelic world, is finite and dependent upon God for its existence.

A godly man will always realize that knowledge, understanding, and wisdom are found in knowing God and being humble before Him (Proverbs 1:7; 9:10; 15:33; 1 Peter 5:5-7). God’s wisdom is infinite, far beyond the comprehension of finite angels or men (Romans 11:33-34).

Those who have great intellectual abilities tend to view themselves as being superior to others. In some cases, they even reject God because they do not understand that biblical faith isn’t based upon the depraved, flawed, and finite intellectual abilities which formulate their reasoning (1 Corinthians 1:21-2:14).

Arrogant sinners fly into the face of God, thinking they can outwit Him. They do not even think about God or God’s ways or wisdom (Psalm 10:4). It is impossible for unsaved man, no matter how brilliantly intellectual he may be by the world’s standards, to understand the things of God. The Bible says, “But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them because they are spiritually discerned” (1 Corinthians 2:14).

Only a man who has the Holy Spirit living in him can begin to grasp the knowledge of God. The saved man is directed by the Spirit in the Word of God to see things that are invisible, eternal, and heavenly (2 Corinthians 4:18-5:1). The child of God walks by faith, not by human reasoning alone (2 Corinthians 5:7).

We live in a world that worships at the feet of scientists and other intellectuals. Our world is filled with men who have degrees from institutes of higher learning but have no common sense and are moral pagans. These people live in utter foolishness because they refuse to believe in God and the spirit world. Therefore, the world is prepared for the great deception of the end-times, and AI will take them to the highest levels of their arrogant rebellion against God.

2. The Development and Prevalence of AI

AI is no longer a future dream, but a present reality in many nations. The following nations are leading the world with the research and application of AI systems: China, Germany, Norway, Sweden, Canada, Russia, France, Singapore, South Korea, Japan, United Kingdom, the United States, and Israel. Israel is known around the world as the high-tech innovation nation. It is leading the world in AI research and its application.

3. The Current Applications of AI

Like the previous industrial revolution, AI will radically alter the way we do business in the world. It will have many applications, both good and evil. It will aid man in enhancing security and banking industries. It will alter the way we educate the next generation. It will help us to robotically manufacture everything. Robots will steer vehicles and fly aircraft. All military applications will be controlled by AI. It will simplify research. AI will perform medical surgeries with greater precision and more efficiency. AI will continue to enable the entertainment industry to reach new levels of deception that will simulate reality. AI will set the stage for the great deception of the last days!

A I will be promoted as something good for everyone. AI robots will become available to live in our homes to function as our personal servants to accomplish all the chores of life- cooking, cleaning, and washing clothes. On the evil side, promoters of AI say they will offer AI girl friends that will come to live in people’s homes to do whatever their owners wish.

Elon Musk, a rich visionary businessman who leads multiple companies in fields of space, electric vehicles, and brain-computer interfaces, has a company that has created brain implants called Neuralink. “Neuralink implants connect human brains with computer interfaces via artificial intelligence. The approaching technology would see groups of minuscule, flexible electrode ‘threads’ implanted into the human brain by a neurosurgical robot. These threads detect and record the electrical signals in the brain and transmit this information outside the body”- (www.dezeen.com). The designers of this technology hope these implants will enable them to repair the brain to restore vision to the blind, speech to the dumb, and mobility to the physically impaired. Only a few weeks ago, the FDA gave approval to apply this technology to humans.

It is very significant to note that Israel is a world leader in AI. The tiny Jewish nation is leading the world in security, medical, and military AI applications. Israel has already designed and manufactured miniature robotic tanks [see picture on this page] and antiballistic devices. They are currently leading the world in the creation of a robotic army.

4. The Potential Dangers of AI

Some people are sounding warnings of the potential dangers of AI. A few of the evil and godless minds behind the AI project are attempting to develop a new creation with super intelligent, nonhuman minds that will remove God from their culture. In essence, it is their goal to make man, and the machines man manufacture, gods.

Joel Rosenberg, a born-again Jew living in Israel who is a world leader in biblical writing and thought, warns, “Rooted in the evolutionary, materialist worldview which dominates the scientific and academic worlds, the transhumanist religions have come to permeated much of the Silicon Valley, as well as international institutions like the World Economic Forum and the United Nations” (Joel Rosenberg, allisrael.com, May 3, 2023).

Another danger of AI is the creation of AI robots that will replace millions of jobs around the world. It is believed these automated computer-controlled robots will work tirelessly around the clock, without flawed workmanship. After their initial purchase, they will require no salary or benefits. Their products will be better and cheaper. Some are suggesting that perhaps as many as 40 percent of the employed people around the world will be eventually replaced by AI robots. They are being told that the profits from robotic manufacturing will be channeled by the governments of the world to generate a universal basic income for those who become unemployed. This is the empty proposal of those who are planning a socialist type of international government. Government payments to the unemployed during COVID-19 has helped to set this trap for the mindless millions that are being duped by socialism’s lies.

Some people who formerly promoted AI are now sounding the warning that we may be creating AI robots that will think for themselves and eventually go beyond the control of their creators. These robots may reprogram themselves so that no human can control them. They fear these robots may seek to destroy humanity. However, according to the Bible, we know this will never materialize. We know the end of God’s story in the Bible. God, not man or robots created by man, is in complete control of the destiny of God’s creation (Daniel 4:34-35)!

AI is playing God! They want to re-define truth and reality. They want to change humanity. They want to reverse the consequences of sin and death. They want to reorder morality, mortality, and the divine honor of work. They want to set man free from the reality of God’s creation and divine purposes for his glory.

These warnings should not be ignored. AI poses a great threat to humanity. Elon Musk has warned that artificial intelligence could be more dangerous than nuclear weapons.

5. AI is Man’s Ultimate Rebellion

It is my conviction that at some point, the church will wake up to discover that AI is man’s ultimate rebellion against God. As Bible believers, we must recognize that the promoters of AI are seeking to destroy the God-given distinctions between man, animals, and machines. It is utterly foolish on their part to think they can tinker with machines and computers to create a new kind of being that will enhance and save humanity from aging and mortality. They tragically deny the saving power of God and have put their hope in their own foolish technological salvation.

AI is rooted and grounded in a godless worldview. The creators of AI do not believe in God. They see the earth and matter as being eternal – a god. From their perspective, everything is based on evolution. They view man as only a materialist creature that has evolved from lower life forms. They believe that the evolutionary process of man will ultimately reach its goal of perfection in AI. They believe they can replace man with humanoids that will be perfect and eternal.

To accomplish this, they want to create a digital twin for many people. These digital twins will be made to look and move like their real human twin. Their voices will be duplicated. They will interface the digital mind of these persons so that their robotic twin will have the memory and personality traits of that person. All of this will be accomplished by scanning a person’s brain and uploading it into the computer brain of their digital twin.

Some AI promoters say this is already possible. They state, “Imagine that a person’s brain could be scanned in great detail and recreated in a computer simulation. The person’s mind and memories, emotions and personality would be duplicated. In effect, a new and equally valid version of that person would now exist, in a potentially immortal, digital form. This futuristic possibility is called mind uploading. The science of the brain and of consciousness increasingly suggests that mind uploading is possible – there are no laws of physics to prevent it” (www.theguardian.com/technology/2019/oct/20/mind-up loading-brain-live-for-ever-internet-virtual-reality).

All of this is dangerous, and demonic. AI is playing God! They want to re-define truth and reality. They want to change humanity. They want to reverse the consequences of sin and death. They want to reorder morality, mortality, and the divine honor of work. They want to set man free from the reality of God’s creation and divine purposes for his glory. They want to remove the curse of God upon man’s sin – death and hard work!

Satan’s temptation of Eve deceptively lured her into the trap of thinking she could become a god, and reorder what was good and evil as it suited her wishes (Genesis 3:4-6). The ultimate tragic results of man’s sin in the Garden of Eden led to a full-blown rebellion against God in the days of Noah. Man’s rebellion was aimed at changing the very created nature of man. When Noah’s world got out of control with the birth of demonic-filled offspring, God decided to step into His creation to rescue it from self-destruction.

We are now reaching a similar point. We are entering a very dangerous period of humanity that is demonic in its goals.

Satan is behind all of this. He is now creating a culture and society that will welcome his dark kingdom of death, decadence, and deception.

An examination of the prophetic Scriptures indicate that the high-tech inventions of AI will be a part of the kingdom that promotes the Antichrist as God. This will be the topic of Part II of this subject that will be covered in our August newsletter.

The Current Prophetic Global Context

O ur world is racing toward the final days of the Great Tribulation. The following developments illustrate how close we are getting to the beginning of the time of great sorrows and death – the Tribulation.

The Growing Threat of the Destruction of the U.S. – The United States is not mentioned in the prophetic portions of the Bible that speak about the last days. There is growing hatred toward America and this nation’s days as a world leader are ending. “Today, China, Russia, North Korea and Iran continue to invest in technologies to expand their capabilities to hit the United States with nuclear weapons. All four countries have also escalated their threatening rhetoric, indicating their willingness to use nuclear weapons in a military conflict. By expanding their nuclear programs, each has made clear that our nuclear arsenal is no longer a deterrent to their potential use of nuclear weapons” (Rep. Mike Turner, chairman of the House Intelligence Committee and a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee, Fox News, May 4, 2023).

Growing War Over Jerusalem’s Temple Mount -Israel’s biblically conservative government is determined to allow Jews to pray on the Temple Mount, where the two Jewish temples mentioned in the Bible were located. Israeli lawmaker, Amit Halevi’s political party (the political party of Prime Minister Netanyahu) has proposed a plan to divide the Temple Mount. He wants to make the northern end of the mount a place where Jews can pray, while the southern end of the area (where Muslims pray at El Aqsa Mosque) would be dedicated to Muslim prayer. Palestinian groups and other Muslims in the Middle East consider this to be a declaration of war.

According to the Bible, Jerusalem will be a flash point for war until the very end of the Tribulation Period. God has warned that Jerusalem and its Temple Mount will become a “cup of trembling” and “a burdensome stone” to all nations during the end-times (Zechariah 12:2-3).

The Sons of Israel are Coming Home– In recent months Israel has seen a dramatic increase in the number of Jews returning to Israel to make it their permanent home. It is the highest surge in 30 years! This is the work of God (Ezekiel 36:24).

Millions of Fish are dying and littering the beaches around the world – In recent years, millions of fish have died and have washed up on shore all over the world because of the warming temperatures of the oceans that are causing algae to give off toxic poison. This is being called “red tide.” This is only the beginning of this tragedy. According to the book of Revelation, during the Tribulation, the ocean will turn to a red blood-like color and eventually kill all marine life in the oceans around the world (Revelation 8:8-9; 16:3).

Be ready for the shout that will take us out!

April 2023 – Iran’s Armageddon Dream

PTNews

P r o p h e tic Truth in the N e w s

October 2024

Published monthly by Mike Wingfield Ministries

All Bible references are from the KJV

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(Examining Current Events in the Light of Bible Prophecy)

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The Rapture & Feast of Trumpets

By Mike Wingfield

Iran’s Armageddon Dream

“And upon Elam [the ancient name for Iran] will I bring the four winds from the four quarters of heaven, and will scatter them toward all those winds: and there shall be no nation whither the outcasts of [Iran] shall not come.” Jeremiah 49:36

By Mike Wingfield

For more than 30 years, Israeli leaders, and especially Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, have warned the world about Iran’s desire to develop a nuclear bomb. Not surprisingly, these warnings have fallen on deaf ears. The world has drifted deeper into the abyss of spiritual darkness and rebellion against God. This deadly spiritual darkness numbs the conscience of man to the point that he does not recognize or respect life-threatening dangers.

As a result of the world’s blindness, it will soon face the reality of a new form of nuclear madness. Recently, world leaders have learned that Iran is on the verge of having enough nuclear enrichment to acquire a nuclear weapon. That means that the world’s leading terrorist state will soon have a weapon of mass destruction at its disposal. In my opinion, this development signals that our world will soon be catapulted into the deadly days of the Tribulation. As Jesus described it, this will be a time of “wars and rumors of wars” (Matthew 24:6).

At the end of World War II in 1945, the United States became the first nation to develop and use an atomic weapon. The use of this deadly force against Japan stunned the entire world. People were horrified by the sheer magnitude of these weapons that leveled two large Japanese cities and killed more than 200,000 people. Many of the victims were instantly vaporized by the enormous thermal blasts! Thankfully, such weapons have not been used in warfare since 1945. However, thermonuclear weapons have since been developed. These weapons are hundreds or even thousands of times for powerful than atomic weapons.

For almost 78 years, the world has lived under the fear of a maniacal tyrant or an evil regime using a nuclear weapon to kill millions of innocent people. Today, there are approximately 13,080 nuclear devices in the arsenals of nine countries (the United States, China, Russia, the United Kingdom, France, India, Pakistan, Israel, and North Korea). Some of these nuclear bombs are 3,000 times more powerful than the atomic bombs used in 1945!

It is believed that the fear of retaliation has served as a deterrent to using weapons of mass destruction since the end of World War II. In other words, a nation with nuclear capability has not used such weaponry because it fears massive retaliation from the nation it strikes. A nuclear strike would bring unspeakable death and devastation to a nation. Furthermore, the territory impacted by the radioactive fallout of the nuclear implosion would be uninhabitable for decades.

Nonetheless, some world leaders realize that the fear of reprisal does not penetrate the radical mindset of the ruling mullahs in Iran. The radical Islamic doctrine embraced by these mullah makes them willing to die for their faith. Therefore, their devotion to annihilating their perceived enemies of Allah would motivate them to use a nuclear bomb without hesitation. This radical Islamic leadership views Israel and the United States as the avowed enemies of Allah.

Clearly, Israel is in the crosshairs of Iran. Iran has made it very clear to the world that it is consumed with hatred for the modern state of Israel. Iran’s statements and actions over the past 40 years have demonstrated they are committed to the annihilation of the Jewish state. This has been their declared goal since the Islamic Iranian revolu-tion began in 1979. Following centuries of Islamic anti-semitic doctrines, the founder of the Iranian revolution, the Ayatollah Khomeini, fanned the fires of hatred against Israel and sparked the Islamic revival that we are seeing in the last days. Since 1979, the followers of radical Islam in Iran have been openly calling for the death of Israel and America.

In January 2001, the current Supreme Leader of Iran, Khomenei, declared, “It is the mission of the Islamic Republic of Iran to erase Israel from the map of the region.” One month later, Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, a former president of Iran, said, “If one day, a very important day, of course, the Islamic World will also be equipped with the weapons available to Israel now, the imperialist strategy will reach an impasse, because the employment of even one atomic bomb inside Israel will wipe it off the face of the earth.” In 2005, the president of Iran, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, stated, Israel “must be wiped off the map.” In recent months, General Hossein Salami, the Commander- in-Chief of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards forces, bragged, “Our strategy is to erase Israel from the political map.” Furthermore, Khomenei, published a 416-page book, in which he outlined how Iran will destroy Israel.

Iran is well known as the leading sponsor of global terrorism. Looking at the geopolitical landscape of the Middle East (see the map above), it is clear that Iran is spreading its hatred of Israel. Iran is inching closer to the implementing a dream it has pursued for more than 40 years! Recently, Iran displayed a ballistic missile that was painted with a message on its side, “Death to Israel.”

Iran’s thoughts and actions are being fueled by its commitment to their Shiite Islamic doctrines. The Iranian leaders believe their coming messiah, the “Hidden Imam,” or the “Mahdi,” will not come until they institute global chaos. They believe that Iran must first bring about global destruction that will remove Jews, Christians, and non-Muslims from power. After this global destruction, they believe their Messiah will suddenly appear on a white horse. Their commitment to make this happen dominates their political and military strategies. They are willing to commit national suicide to make it happen. The fact that thousands of suicide bombers have attacked Israel and points around the world demonstrates they must be taken seriously. The 9-11 attacks against the United States in 2001 illustrate their mindset.

It is apparent that the nations of the world, including the Biden administration in Washington, do not take these Iranian threats seriously. In 2007, Senator Joe Biden exclaimed, “My concern is not that a nuclear Iran someday would be moved by messianic fervor to use a nuclear weapon as an Armageddon device and commit national suicide in order to hasten the return of the Hidden Imam.”

We must remember that here in the West, the secular leaders do not consider religion to be an important part of society. This is especially true when it comes to political or military matters. However, this is not the case in the Middle East. The Israelis live in this region. They know and understand the mindset of the Muslims.

In an exclusive interview of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with American Israeli communications strategist Joel Rosenberg in 2007, Netanyahu made the following remarks, “I think the West fundamentally misunderstood, and still misunderstands, the threat of Radical Islam. It is a fanatical messianic ideology that seeks to have an apocalyptic battle for world supremacy with the West. It seeks to correct what it sees its disciples see as an accident of history where the West has risen, and Islam has declined. And the correction is supposed to be done by the resurrection of an Islamic empire and the acquisition of nuclear weapons and the use of nuclear weapons, if necessary, to obliterate Islam’s enemies and to subjugate the rest. This is a pathological ideology, much like Nazism was, and it poses a threat, in my judgment, in many ways bigger than Nazism. Because Hitler embarked on a world conflict and then sought to achieve nuclear weapons, whereas the leading radical Islamic regime in Iran, is seeking to first acquire nuclear weapons and then embark on a world conflict. And that is what is not yet understood in the West. And certainly, if it’s understood, it’s not acted upon.”

“You’ve already seen what the Sunni stream does, which is to smash into buildings in Manhattan with collective suicide, to smash into the Pentagon with collective suicide,” Netanyahu added. “And there’s no reason to believe that the militant Shiites, once they have atomic weapons, will not be suicidal. They say openly that they intend to remove Israel. Their first position – we’re the Little Satan. But remember that their goal is to get the United States, the Big Satan. We’re just a station, one station, on the way to world conquest. And to have such a regime that believes in an apocalyptic Armageddon with the West in which millions will die on both sides – but the Muslim millions go to a Muslim heaven with all the trappings – to have that crazy ideology in charge of a country that is developing atomic weapons is unbelievably dangerous and it should stop. Everything else is secondary to this” (Interview by Joel Rosenberg, 2007).

I am personally convinced the global hatred for Israel and the Jewish people is once against reaching a dangerous level. This hatred is so great that the world is secretly hop-ing that Iran will use a nuclear bomb against Israel and wipe it off the face of the earth. The United Nations is overwhelmingly controlled by Muslims, Communists, and Socialists. Outside of Israel, there is no leader that is condemning Iran for its repeated calls for the annihilation of Israel. Even here in America, anti-Israel sentiment is spreading like cancer. The administrations of Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden have in essence supported Iran’s march toward nuclear supremacy. In recent years, only President Donald Trump has understood the danger of the Iranian mindset.

Thanks to the current godless and evil leadership of the West, we are now only days away from a nuclear Iran. We cannot begin to imagine how this will change our world! The Middle East is a ticking time bomb waiting to explode.

The Israelis have clearly stated they will not allow Iran to acquire a nuclear bomb. They know the evil Iranian leadership is deadly serious about using nuclear weaponry against their homeland. Israel is only 45 miles wide and about 230 miles long. A relatively small nuclear weapon would effectively destroy the nation and make the land uninhabitable for many decades. Based upon the promises and plans of God, we can rest assured this will never happen! God’s sovereign eternal plans can not be altered by Satan, his demons, and all the evil leaders and armies of the nations!

In recent months the political and military leadership in Israel have readied themselves for the day when they will need to use military force to thwart Iran’s nuclear advances. During a public security conference in Tel Aviv, on February 22, 2023, Netanyahu said, “I can tell you that I will do everything in my power to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. That is not merely an Israeli interest; it’s an American interest; it’s in the interest of the entire world.” It is not a matter of “if” Israel will do this. It is only a matter of “when!” We have now arrived at a very critical time for the Middle East and our world.

From a biblical viewpoint, Iran’s desire to deceive the nations and destroy Israel is an Armageddon dream. According to Revelation 16:13-16, the Battle of Armageddon will be a demonically induced war of deception against Israel by the Antichrist and the nations. The Shiite Muslims believe the coming of their Mahdi is imminent. Could it be that the Muslim messiah will be the one the Bible calls the Antichrist? In 2 Thessalonians 2:9, the Apostle Paul told the church at Thessalonica that the Antichrist will be “the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders.”

The faithful followers of Islam’s prophet, Muhammed, believe their coming messiah must be one of the great imams who descended from Muhammed. According to their teaching, the last of these imams (the 12^th one) disappeared in the 9^th century. They believe that he will suddenly reappear to rule over the global Islamic empire at the end of this age. Could it be that the “lying wonders” of the end would be a deceptive resurrection of this imam, the Madi? We cannot be dogmatic about this. We can only wonder! Given the current developments, it would seem this is a possible scenario. If not, it certainly demonstrates that we are living in times when the stage for the fulfillment of biblical prophecies is being set.

The Bible repeatedly declares that at the end of this age the world will be fixated upon the removal of a Jewish presence and control over the city of Jerusalem. A study of the conflict in the Middle East demonstrates that this is at the core of the Islamic hatred of Israel and their plot to destroy the Jewish nation. Discussions in the United Nations and other international ruling bodies of the nations that include the United States, prove the world is determined to surrender the Old City of Jerusalem (the ancient biblical city) to the Palestinians. The prophet Zechariah, in chapters 12-14, wrote about the Battle of Armageddon and the events that surround this final conflict of the Tribulation Period. According to this text, the ancient city of Jerusalem will be the focal point of the attack against Israel during the Battle of Armageddon. In this text, God revealed to Zechariah that the city of Jerusalem will be like “a burdensome stone” (Zechariah 12:3) that will ultimately crush all the nations in their conflict with God. Concerning this final attack upon Jerusalem, the Lord said, “I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem” (Zechariah 12:9).

Jesus told His disciples that when the end came, they would “be hated of all nations for my name’s sake” (Matthew 24:9). The nation of Israel and the Jews are hated more than any other people group in the world. For decades, the world has told Israel that it does not have the right to defend itself against lethal force and threats of annihilation. The world has repeatedly condemned Israel for retaliating against those who viciously attack them! However, it seldom condemns Israel’s enemies who attack the Jews. In recent weeks, the U.S. State department has told lies about Israel, making Israel look like the aggressor against the Palestinians. The European Union is helping the Palestinians to illegally take over the West Bank. Israel has its back against the wall. No nation, including the U.S., is standing with Israel! The Bible tells us that when Armageddon comes, “all nations” will come against Israel (Joel 3:2; Zechariah 14:2).

When Israel does attack Iran, how will the world react? The U.S. Department of State and a spokesman for the U.N. recently told Israel that any attack upon Iran would be considered “illegal.” China, Russia, Turkey, and North Korea all do business with Iran. Any attack upon Iran will instantly anger these allies of Iran. It is my opinion that Israel’s attack upon Iran could trigger the Gog and Magog invasion mentioned in Ezekiel 38.

J eremiah 49:36-39 seems to hint that there will come a time when Iran suffers a great defeat that will cause its population to be scattered around the world. The Bible states that the leadership of “the king and the princes” of Iran will be removed, so that the people of Iran can eventually worship the Lord and be a part of His kingdom (Jeremiah 49:38). Could it be that the dispersion of the Iranian population would be necessary due to its land becoming uninhabitable due to radioactive materials scattered across its land? Should Iran launch a missile toward Israel, Israel has the technology to destroy that missile over Iranian airspace. If that Iranian missile is carrying a nuclear payload, it would result in the dispersion of radioactive material over its own country.

Another development should be considered. “Iran is one of the most seismically active countries in the world, being crossed by several major faults that cover at least 90 percent of the country. As a result, earthquakes in Iran occur often and are destructive” (www.wikipedia.org). If Tehran would suffer an earthquake of 7.0 or greater, geologists estimate that more than one million people in Tehran would be killed.

Iran’s nuclear facilities are spread out in many locations. They are entrenched in bunkers deeply buried under the mountains of Iran. The Iranians have chosen this kind of construction to protect their nuclear sites from powerful bunker-busting bombs. However, this would also make them very vulnerable to powerful earthquakes. Perhaps in His time, the Holy One of Israel will choose to display His power and destroy these weapons that have been designed to destroy the Holy Land, the Holy City, and His chosen people. God has given His people the following promise, “Whosoever shall gather together against thee shall fall for thy sake. … No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD” (Isaiah 54:15, 17). According to Ezekiel 38:18-20, a powerful global earthquake will be used by God to stop the invasion of the Russian/Islamic coalition in the last days.

Friends, I believe we are witnessing the final events at the end of the Church Age. The events happening in Israel and around the globe are shaping our world for the lawless one – Satan’s Antichrist – to appear.

As believers in Jesus Christ, we need to be wise. We shall soon stand before our blessed Lord Jesus. When He comes, He will be our judge. Are you ready for His judgment? We need to be “redeeming the time, because the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:16).

If you are not saved, please do not hesitate to call upon the Lord for salvation. The Bible says, “Behold, now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2). Do not delay. Give your life to Christ now before it is too late. Listen to this warning that will accompany the coming of the Antichrist. “And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness” (2 Thessalonians 2:11-12). People do not come to Christ because they love their sinful pleasures too much. They do not want to give up their immoral lifestyle, drugs, alcohol, or other things that displease God. Do not let the love of sin stand between you and spending eternity in heaven!

All sin is an offense to our holy God! He hates sin! Sin does bring temporary pleasure. However, it carries a heavy death penalty. The Bible declares, “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23). There is only one way to receive eternal life and to escape the penalty of sin. Jesus exclaimed, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6). Eternal life does not come through a church or religion. All our work or efforts cannot take away our sin. The Bible says, “For by grace [the mercy of God] are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9).

Why not cry out to God and ask Him to save you? He is waiting for you to come to Him now.

Be ready for the shout that will take us out!

The Approaching Economic Earthquake

We recently witnessed the second- and third-largest bank failures in U.S. history, involving Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank. Will this be the beginning of a domino effect that will lead to the collapse of financial institutions around the globe?

Michael Snyder, a Christian leader who researches and writes about global economic affairs in light of Bible prophecy, recently commented, “The mainstream media continues to tell us that the economy is in fine shape, and you can believe that if you want. But evidence continues to mount that indicates that we are headed for very serious trouble.

“Inflation is out of control, home sales have fallen for 12 months in a row, large corporations all over America are conducting mass layoffs, and hunger is spreading like wildfire as economic conditions rapidly deteriorate. … A major economic meltdown has begun, and it will eventually get a whole lot worse. We aren’t just witnessing the end of an economic cycle. What we are witnessing is the end of a deeply corrupt, deeply flawed system. The greatest debt bubble in the history of the entire planet is starting to burst, and the whole world will soon be experiencing severe pain as a result” (Michael Snyder, The Economic Collapse Blog, March 13, 2023).

According to the Bible, the opening months of the Tribulation will include global wars, terrorism, famine, hyper-inflation, and earthquakes (Revelation 6:1-17). The food crises will become so severe that a couple loaves of bread will cost an entire day’s wage (Revelation 6:6). In some parts of the world, this is already a reality. In the U.S. our affluence has somewhat sheltered us from what is taking place in other countries. However, it will soon catch up to us. Now is the time to prepare for the financial storm that will brew until Jesus comes.

Presently, more than 30 countries, including the United States, have unsustainable debt. The world is teetering on the edge of an economic collapse and one major event could trigger it all. A financial collapse in the U.S. would trigger a global financial meltdown, because the U.S. is the largest consumer of commercial goods. It is only a matter of time before this occurs. We are facing a situation like the world has never seen before. Our world is in dire straits.

Rejoice with me that our hope is in the Lord, not our money. “In God we trust.”