I have been traveling to Israel and have closely followed the news coming from the Middle East for more than 35 years. One of the things I have observed is that the Israeli Defense Force (IDF) is one of the best in the world. They are powerful and almost invincible because the Holy One of Israel has their back (Psalm 121). He has formed Israel for His glory (Isaiah 43:1-7). He has promised that those who war against them will be as nothing (Isaiah 41:10-12). No weapon that is used against them will be fatal to the nation (Isaiah 54:17).
However, there is another reason for Israel’s military success. They are one nation. They fight as a family. If their enemy wins, the enemy can go home. However, if Israel does not win, they do not have a home to go back to. They fight for their mothers, dads, and siblings. I was recently blessed by the following video- youtube.com
In the May PTNews [Newsletter] Mike addressed the fact that the Bible predicts that the end of this age will encounter a world-wide food crisis. The recent pandemic crisis is a clear warning of this impending disaster. Even before the pandemic started, many voices were sounding the warning of an approaching global famine. In a recent article of Breaking News Israel, David Beasley, the executive director of the World Food Program, said, “The world is heading towards widespread famine ‘of biblical proportions’ due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the chief of the UN’s food relief agency warns. He added that we only have a small window to act before hundreds of millions starve …. Over 30 developing worldwide could experience widespread famine. In 10 of those countries, over 1 million people are on the brink of starvation” (Breaking Israel News, April 26, 2020).
Please read the May PTNews. In the June issue, Mike will share some practical insights from the Bible as to how we should respond to living in these last days. We need to cry out to the Lord for wisdom to know how to live, pray, think, hope, prepare, and plan in these unique days. He has promised to give us wisdom (James 1:5). As COVID-19 has illustrated, we are living in unprecedented times. We need to learn how to biblically “occupy” until Jesus comes.
During this coronavirus crisis, God is in control, and is doing some incredible things in the lives of many people. Recently, someone shared the following video with me. I was so blessed, I wanted to share it with you. It is about a young man in Ireland who had the virus and saw the Lord reach out to him. He sent him a special servant to touch his heart. Please watch the following video and let God bless you as He did me! youtube.com
I believe that the present circumstances in Israel are preparing the hearts of many Israelis to find salvation in Jesus as their Messiah and Savior. The effects of the coronavirus are having a big impact upon the tiny nation of Israel. Israelis have a great value for the sanctity of human life. Therefore, they have been taking great measures to protect their people for this very contagious virus.
The entire country is on a strict quarantine to remain in their homes. Presently, 25 percent of all the adults in Israel are unemployed. This ongoing condition is bringing many Israelis to their knees emotionally and economically.
Added to this is the political dilemma in Israel. Israel has been without an elected government for one full year and may now be facing an unprecedented fourth election in a little over one year. Furthermore, Israel continues to hear the call for their destruction from Iran and the other terrorist groups on their borders.
As a result of all of this, Israelis are being humbled and spiritually broken. They are seeking for help and many are turning to the Lord. Recently, many Jewish residents in the disputed territories gathered on their balconies to sing Psalm 54. To watch this go to
Looking at our present world conditions, it appears that our Lord could come at any moment. I remind you that the Tribulation Period will begin with a massive Jewish spiritual turning to the Lord for salvation (Ezekiel 39, 7, 22; Joel 2:28-32; Revelation 7). Salvation requires that people humble themselves and turn to the Lord for salvation. Could it be that we are witnessing the work of the Spirit that is preparing Israel for the great moment of salvation of tens of thousands of Jews at the opening of the Tribulation?
Once again, our world is facing the horrific scourge of a highly infectious, lethal disease. One of the trademarks of our modern culture in the last century has been the spread of these kinds of diseases. Jesus said that this would be one of the signs of the final generation before He returns. Read Matthew 24:7 and Luke 21:11.
In my lifetime our world has been plagued with Mad Cows Disease, Avian Flu, Sars, HIV (Aids), and Ebola. One of the most lethal of all pandemics was the Spanish Flu in 1918. This disease killed at least 100 million people around the world. That was about 5 percent of the global population.
One of the reasons why the coronavirus is so dangerous is because of its’ highly infections rate. The contagious rate of this disease is one reason why we must all do our part to limit our social contacts (keeping a distance of at least 6 feet away from others).
This is a new disease. The human body does not have any immunity with which to resist this disease. Therefore, the entire global population is at risk. It is estimated that 70 percent of the global population will contract this disease. The disease attacks the respiratory system. Therefore, the death rate among the elderly and others with respiratory issues is much higher. It is believed that the morality rate of this disease is about 3 percent. Therefore, that means that about 155 million people will die from this disease.
We are being told that this virus may be with us for more than a year until a vaccination is found and produced in enough quantities that we can vaccinate the global population. Until that time comes the only course we have is to slow the contagious rate down by limiting our social contacts. In some cases, this will require us to make great sacrifices to self-quarantine ourselves to limit the spread of the virus.
Some people are not taking this virus seriously because they do not feel personally threatened. This virus is not usually fatal to people less than 60 years old. However, that is a very selfish approach to helping the world deal with this threatening disease. The fear is that if the coronavirus cases multiply too fast it will overwhelm our medical system. That would mean that there would not be enough facilities and equipment to help all those who develop the pneumonia like symptoms. Therefore, this would push the morality rate even higher. Let us look at it in a personal way. What if you do not limit your social contacts? You can contract this virus but not have any symptoms for 3-5 days. Data suggests you will probably come in contact with about 250 people during the time of your incubation of the disease. Therefore, you will have infected 250 people and about 7 of them will die. Do you want to be responsible for that?
The Bible tells us that we are to think more about the welfare of others than we do about ourselves. “Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others” (Philippians 2:4). Your life and the lives of others are very important. Life is more important than things or wealth. As believers in Jesus Christ we are sending a message to the world about life and death.
As the Scriptures command us, let us pray for our government leaders. Read 1Timothy 2:2. Pray that they will have wisdom to guide us through this difficult time. We need to obey them. Read Romans 13:1-7.
