• August 2019 – Living in a Culture that Loves Satan

    PTNews

    August 2019

    Published monthly

    All Bible references are from the KJV  (Examining the News in Light of Biblical Truth)

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

    Living in a Culture that Loves Satan

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    By Mike Wingfield

    For true followers of Christ, it is very evident that our world is in a free-fall toward the final hour of horrific spiritual darkness. Christians who are walking in the light of the Word and are in fellowship with a holy God can see the spiritual darkness all around them. This shroud of darkness is sucking the souls of people around them into a black hole of deception and death at an unprecedented rate.

    There has been an ongoing spiritual war between the forces of heaven and hell since the fall of man in the Garden of Eden. Satan and his demons know what the Bible says about their future doom and they are consequently focused on intensifying the battle to defeat God’s plans for His Messiah. They know they must attempt to stop Jesus from fulfilling His Father’s eternal agenda.

    When Jesus came to the world the first time, He centered His ministry in Galilee. This area was called “the Galilee of the nations” (Isaiah 9:1). It received this title because the eastern shore of the Sea of Galilee was occupied by wicked pagan Gentiles who were worshiping demons. The entire area, including the Jewish territory on the western side, was influenced by this pagan culture. Likewise, people suffered from demon possession. More than 700 years before Jesus came, the prophet Isaiah predicted that the people occupying this area would be living “in the land of the shadow of death” (Isaiah 9:2). The demons had taken control of the people and they were being “driven to darkness” (Isaiah 8:22). This great prophet of God also proclaimed that the people in this region would see “a great light” (Isaiah 9:2). Most Bible scholars agree that the context of Isaiah 9 is a prophecy about the coming Messiah. Consequently, Jesus, during his time on earth, was constantly rescuing people by casting demons out of them. As Jesus approached His sacrificial death on the cross, He declared, “Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out” (John 12:31).

    On Jesus’ first visit to earth, He triumphed over Satan, his demons, and their evil agenda. About 70 years later, He revealed Himself to His apostle, John, who was isolated on the isle of Patmos and declared, “I am he that [is alive], and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and death” (Revelation 1:18).

    From the perspective of our eternal, omnipotent God, Satan is a defeated foe. However, the spiritual battle is still raging because Satan is desperately trying to defeat God. It is his finite, sinful will that keeps him focused on doing what he fears is impossible. He really has no other option.

    As we approach the end of this age, Satan knows that his time is growing short and that he must intensify his war against God. A part of his strategy is to deceive the nations into following his wicked agenda. His ultimate goal is to have the nations of the world worship and serve him. The Bible tells us that when the end times come, the global population will be in love with Satan (Revelation 9:20). They will openly worship and serve him. Some people will do this in ignorance, while being deceived by others and Satan’s schemes. Satan’s desire is to entice their sensual feelings and appeal to their sinful will. These people will cling to seducing demonic spirits (1 Timothy 4:1). However, there will be others who will be fully cognizant of their commitment to Satan and his demonic hordes. Some will openly and adoringly embrace the devil as their god.

    I recently saw the evidence of this. While waiting at an airport for my flight, I saw a young couple boarding their plane for a flight that preceded mine. They were wearing large black top hats. It was very apparent that they wanted to draw attention to themselves. The young woman was wearing a t-shirt that said, “Satanic Fanatic.” I must admit that I was stunned to see this person proudly wearing her allegiance to Satan as a badge of honor.

    Several weeks before this, I was sitting in my car at a local Walmart. My attention was drawn to the car parked in front of me. I did not want to stare at the car since a young man was sitting in the driver’s seat. In a few moments, he got out of the car and went into the store. I gazed at the car and after a few moments, I decided to get out of my car in order to casually walk around the car to more closely examine it. I could not believe what I saw! In the back window area there were two large black plastic scorpions facing each other. The symbols of death, aliens, and demons were prominently displayed around the car. The word “tattoo” was plastered across the top of the front windshield. The license plate on the car brandished one word– “carnage.”

    As I witnessed this, I immediately thought of the details of Revelation 9. This chapter of the final book of the Bible speaks of one of the most chilling judgments of God that will be poured out upon the earth during the Tribulation. In this divine judgment, God will send one of his angels to open a bottomless pit on earth. The text reads, “And he opened the bottomless pit, and there arose a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit. And there came out of the smoke locusts upon the earth: and unto them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power” (Revelation 9:2-3).

    It is apparent from the text that this chapter speaks of two demonic invasions of earth that will occur immediately before the mid-point of the Tribulation. The first demonic invasion will bring pain and s uffering. Demons will materialize as flying creatures that have scorpion-like tails. They are described in symbolic detail in Revelation 9:7-10. These demons will attack the sinners on earth, striking them with their scorpion-like tails. This sting will bring unbearable pain upon its victims for five months.

    In the last section of Revelation 9, the apostle John wrote about the second wave of this demonic invasion of earth. This invasion will be both painful and lethal. A demonic army, numbering 200 million, will come out of the Euphrates River (the former area of the Babylonian Empire). This same area is today the heart of the Islamic world and the current center of Islamic jihad aimed at creating havoc and carnage to attain global control. This demonic army will slay one-third of the earth’s population (Revelation 9:15). These demons will materialize as weird creatures with serpent-like tails. They are described with in detail in Revelation 9:17-19.

    In my opinion, we are living at a unique time when many people are being prepared to worship these demons and be fascinated with them when they appear. Satan is using various forms of media to carry out his diabolical plot, including sci-fi movies, violent and sensual video games, and rock music to lure people into his trap of death and eternal damnation. People’s fascination with tattoos, body piercings, alien beings from other planets, and the occult give even more evidence that Satan and his demons are hard at work. It is highly likely that when these demons materialize as described in Revelation 9, the demon worshippers on earth will be enamored with them. Sadly, they will run toward these demons, only to be stung with their scorpion-like tails.

    The young man who owned the car that I saw in the Walmart parking lot is certainly focused upon these creatures. The fascinations that flood his mind tell me that he has been captivated by Satan’s agenda which will unfold during the Tribulation Period.

    As we consider all of this, we must recognize that we are living at a time when people have no Biblical insight and have seared their conscience. They are living without any influence from the Holy Spirit to restrain them. As a result, they have no fear of evil, death, and deception. They have reached the spiritual point of no return. They have lost the ability to reason or have any common sense. As I mention in my book, Living in a World with No Conscience, this is the kind of world that is open to demonic possession. You can order copies of my book from this ministry.

    In my book, I wrote, “the work of the Holy Spirit in man’s conscience is the only means whereby God can restrain a person from the deadly dangers of sin. According to the Bible, a nation or individual can spiritually reach a point of no return. This means that the Lord’s work of grace and restraint in their conscience ceases, and they are left to their own foolishness and ultimate eternal demise. A person or culture reaches this point when the Spirit of God can no longer do a work in the human conscience to produce a fear of evil that can lead them to repentance. When this takes place, God gives them over to their destructive ways (Romans 1:24-27). This spiritual point of no return is irreversible! John MacArthur, Jr. states in his excellent book, The Vanishing Conscience, ‘Obliterate the human conscience, and you will raise an amoral and unredeemable generation.’

    “When this takes place, another horrific spiritual tragedy takes place. When a person no longer has a functioning conscience and is completely driven by his sinful rebellion against God, he will be open to demonic oppression or possession. The Bible informs us that demons, who are fallen angels (see Revelation 12:4), roam the earth looking for individuals to enslave. Simply stated, they are looking for a person who will become their puppet. They want a person whose conscience has been seared. This person will have no inhibitions. Therefore, the demons will be able to use that person’s body and mind to accomplish their hellish agenda while destroying their victim at the same time. 1 Timothy 4:1-2 gives the following warning about the end of this age, “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of [demons]: Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron.”

    When people have no conscience and they are influenced by demons, they will act like animals. They will be filled with a spirit of lawlessness, greed, violence, murder, hatred, immorality and arrogance. (Read the complete list in Romans 1:29-31.) They will exhibit unmerciful behavior, while also being unloving and unthankful. Moreover, they will be fierce, lack self-control, and have a deep passion for sinful pleasure. A person influenced by demons will hate God and all of those who want to be like God. (Read the complete list in 2 Timothy 3:2 thru 5.) If we are honest, we must admit that this is a description of the current American culture.

    “Sadly, the reality of demons and hell is not being taught in our so-called evangelical churches today. And while churches tragically neglect their duties, the Bible says that the future of a nation depends upon the good conscience of its citizens. This creates the foundation upon which a nation lives and works. If that foundation is weakened or destroyed, the nation will be destroyed also. “If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do” (Psalm 11:3)?” (Mike Wingfield, Living in a World with No Conscience, pp. 36-38) If you have not read my book, I urge you to purchase a copy. My book addresses the question – Has America reached the point of no return?

    Satan is very busy preparing this global generation for his final assault on God’s eternal agenda. He is marshaling his forces in his desperate attempt to defeat God.

    As believers in Jesus Christ, we do not need to fear any of this. “Greater is he that is in [us], than he that is in the world” (1 John 4:4). We are on the side of Almighty God! We are on the winning side. When the end comes, Satan will be cast into the Lake of Fire (Revelation 20:10). All of those who follow him will join him in that eternal place of damnation (Revelation 20:15).

    Those who are redeemed will be with their Lord in the New Heaven and the New Earth, where the former sinful and painful things “are passed away” (Revelation 21:5).

    “Even so, come, Lord Jesus” (Revelation 22:20).

    Soldiers and Mike
    Mike with two Israeli soldiers on his last tour

    Latest Population Stats

    Israel recently released its latest population statistics. Now, 9.021 million people call Israel home. Jewish people make up 74.2 percent (6.697million) of the population. The number of Arab citizens now stands at 1.89 million, which is 20.9 percent of the total population. It is estimated that about 45 percent of the world’s Jewish population now lives in Israel (The International Jerusalem Post, May 10-16, 2019, p. 9).

    Just as the Bible predicted, the world’s Jewish population continues to migrate back to their ancient home land. The Bible predicts that eventually, all Jews will move back home to Israel. Listen to the declaration of God in Ezekiel 39:25-28, “Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Now will I bring again the captivity of Jacob, and have mercy upon the whole house of Israel, and will be jealous for my holy name; After that they have borne their shame, and all their trespasses whereby they have trespassed against me, when they dwelt safely in their land, and none made them afraid. When I have brought them again from the people, and gathered them out of their enemies’ lands, and am sanctified in them in the sight of many nations; Then shall they know that I am the LORD their God, which caused them to be led into captivity among the heathen: but I have gathered them unto their own land, and have left none of them any more there.” According to the Scriptures, the final regathering of the Jewish people to Israel will take place at the end of the Tribulation Period. When the millennial kingdom of God begins, the entire Jewish population will be redeemed (Romans 11:26). They will return to Zion to live in the presence of their Messiah in their land.

    Making Water Out of Air

    According to the prophetic Word of God, the end of this age will bring a life-threatening drought and a shortage of fresh water (Revelation 11:6; 16:4-6). There is one nation that is more prepared than any other nation to deal with this calamity – Israel.

    More than one-half of the state of Israel is desert. To the south and east, Israel is surrounded by semi-desert and desert land. Israel does not have adequate water for its present population living on the western side of the Jordan Valley. More than 23 million people depend upon the water sources in this area. Water is being drawn from the Sea of Galilee, the Jordan River, and underground aquafers. However, all of this is not adequate to care for the residential, agricultural, and commercial needs for water.

    Israel is a world leader in the management and creation of water. The Israelis have developed an ingenious series of innovative water conservation measures. More than 86 percent of the wastewater in Israel is collected and filtered for agricultural use. For several decades, Israel has designed and used a drip-irrigation system to grow their crops. A series of plastic pipes are laid down in agricultural areas. Near each plant there is a brass orifice in the pipe where water is pumped and released at each plant near the roots in the soil. Irrigation systems that spray water into the air are inefficient, allowing too much of the water to be wasted as it evaporates. Water tanks are also filled with plant food so that each plant also receives the right amount of nutrients for optimal growth. And electrode is inserted in the ground in a few plants in sections of the field. These electrodes constantly measure the amount of moisture in the ground. When the moisture is too low for plant growth, it sends a signal to the computer that controls the pumping of the water to the plants so that it turns on the water and plant food to flow into the field. When the right amount of water saturation has taken place, the electrode sends another signal to the computer to turn off the water flow to the field. This ensures that the crops will not be over watered, which minimizes the waste of water.

    Israel not only manages its use of water, but it also creates an abundance of fresh water. Israel is a world leader in desalination of ocean water. Their desalination plants produce 55 percent of all of the fresh water consumed in Israel.

    desalination plan Sorek, Israel
    An Israeli desalination plant at Sorek

    One Israeli company, Watergen, has developed the technology to make water out of air. This process operates much like a dehumidifier. The water generator takes in the air through a heat process and removes the moisture. This moisture is filtered, and collected; minerals then added to create pure drinking water. These water generators are being manufactured for homes and larger commercial usage. There are plans to have an application for cars, so that people will have a constant source of fresh water as they travel. All of this ingenuity would also eliminate the demand for plastic bottles, which are a problem for the global eco system (The International Jerusalem Post, May 10-16, 2019, p. 24).

    Jesus was a Palestinian?

    For several decades now, Muslims have been claiming that Jesus was a Palestinian. It is true that Jesus was born in Bethlehem and raised in Nazareth, which are now occupied by Muslim Arabs. However, this does not make Jesus an Arab Palestinian.

    The Bible is adamantly clear about the lineage of the Jews and Arabs. Jewish people trace their ancestry back to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Matthew 1:1-17). The Arab people’s ancestry goes back to Abraham, Ishmael (Genesis 25:12-18), Esau (Genesis 36), and the sons of Abraham and Keturah, Abraham’s second wife after the death of Sarah (Genesis 25:1-11).

    Therefore, the Bible gives overwhelming evidence that Jesus was not an Arab Palestinian. He is an ethic Jew with a proven ancestry. The reason for Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem is because Joseph and Mary were both descendants of King David, the king of Israel, and needed to register for taxes in the city of their ancestry – Bethlehem (Luke 2:1-4). The prophet Micah, 700 years before the birth of Jesus wrote, “But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel: whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting” (Micah 5:2).

    Why would the Islamic world want to make Jesus a Palestinian Arab? They do this in an attempt to erase the Jewish history of Israel. This is part of a larger argument that is based upon a false claim that the Jews are new comers to the Holy Land. The Muslims claim that all of the patriarchs – Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob – were devout Muslims. This is also an attempt to deceive the evangelical Christians into supporting the Palestinians’ claim to the land. Believe it or not, there are many Christian groups who believe these claims and support the Palestinian struggle against Israel’s claim over the land and the city of Jerusalem. This demonstrates that many so-called Christians have twisted the Word of God to their own means. Those who have done this have unknowingly made it impossible for Jesus to be their Savior. Jesus taught that “salvation is of the Jews” (John 4:22). When Jesus sent out His disciples, He instructed them to not go to the Gentiles, but “rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel” (Matthew 10:6). In the book of Revelation, Jesus is called “the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David” (Revelation 5:5). Clearly, if you side with Islam about the identity of Jesus, you are worshipping another Jesus and cannot be saved! Muslims do not believe that Jesus is the Son of God. They do not believe that He died on the cross or arose from the dead. To Islam, Jesus is nothing more than a prophet who is merely a godly man. The Islamic teaching about Jesus is an open denial of all that the Bible teaches.

    “Israel is A Dreamland”

    Some of the Sunni Arab states from the Persian Gulf continue to move toward a reserved recognition of Israel as a Jewish state in the midst of their Islamic world. As this develops, journalists and diplomats from these countries are beginning to visit Israel for the very first time.

    As these Arab visitors come from their arid desert countries, they are wowed by what they see in Israel. One visiting journalist recently said, “This visit to Israel is like touring a dreamland. If only we would be able to bring hundreds of people from our countries so that when they go back, they can tell what they saw and felt.” (worldisraelnews.com, July 23, 2019)

    This reaction of wonder and awe is a testimony to the fulfilled promises that God gave to His people about their return to their ancient homeland. The land of Israel at the beginning of the 20th century was a desolate wasteland. Since the beginning of the return of the sons of Jacob, they, with the blessing and wisdom of God, have been able to transform the land into an agricultural and commercial miracle. Long ago, God spoke to the land of Israel and promised what would take place when her children would return from the nations of the world. “But ye, O mountains of Israel, ye shall shoot forth your branches, and yield your fruit to my people of Israel; for they are at hand to come. For, behold, I am for you, and I will turn unto you, and ye shall be tilled and sown. And I will multiply men upon you, all the house of Israel, even all of it: and the cities shall be inhabited, and the wastes shall be builded: And I will multiply upon you man and beast; and they shall increase and bring fruit: and I will settle you after your old estates, and will do better unto you than at your beginnings: and ye shall know that I am the LORD” (Ezekiel 36:8-11).

    It is amazing to visit the Holy Land and witness the ongoing miracle of the transformation of land as God has promised. I have been going to the land of Israel for more than 30 years and I have witnessed this amazing marvel. However, some of the amazing progress in the greening of the land of Israel has been a result of the hard work and agricultural technological advances of the Israelis over the last 100 years. It has been especially intriguing to watch the gradual greening of the desert in southern Israel. On several occasions, my tour groups have traveled through these desert areas. To our amazement we have witnessed the growth of large Israeli farms (kibbutzim) that are pumping water up from the large underground aquifer to irrigate their crops. They are expanding the massive groves of date palms that flourish in the desert heat, with the application of the irrigation water. These dates are very large and they are scrumptious. I know because I purchase them and bring them home. A stop at kibbutz Yotvata is very rewarding. This desert farm operates one of the most popular dairies in Israel. Their rich fields of alfalfa, watered by irrigation, provide the cows with the perfect nutrients they need. My tour groups have feasted on the dairy products at this kibbutz. Their ice cream of many exotic flavors is creamy and tasteful. It is some of the best ice cream I have ever eaten.

    Amazingly, all of this is only a small token of the incredible miracle that will take place in Israel’s desert at the end of the Tribulation. Then, God will send a massive earthquake in this desert and flood portions of the desert floor, making it a fertile swamp and a place of incredible vegetation (Isaiah 35:1-2, 6-7). Those who walk through this refurbished desert during the kingdom will refer to it as being like “the garden of Eden” (Ezekiel 36:35).

  • July 2019 – Showdown with Iran in the Persian Gulf

    PTNews

    July 2019

    Published monthly

    All Bible references are from the KJV

    (Examining Current Events in the Light of Bible Prophecy)

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

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    As we move into the summer months, escalating tensions between the U.S. and Iran have the potential to lead to a multinational conflict. On May 18, 2018, President Donald Trump removed the U.S. from a nuclear deal with Iran that was signed with Iran under the Obama administration in 2015. At the same time, President Trump announced he would impose sanctions aimed at crippling Iran’s economy until its radical leadership disengaged the nation from its quest to create nuclear weapons.

    It is apparent that the liberal political leaders in the U.S. and Europe are in fervent disagreement with these actions by President Trump. Should war break out, these liberals, with the support of their friends in the global media, will accuse President Trump of being a war hawk.

    In recent days, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that anyone who does not agree with President Trump is “living on another planet.” The world is blind to the reality of Iran’s aggressive quest to acquire nuclear weapons. Those who oppose Trump and Netanyahu fail to consider that Iran is the largest global state sponsor of Islamic terrorism. Iran’s radical Islamic régime is driven by an apocalyptic vision of destroying the world in order to bring about the appearance of the Islamic messiah, known as the Madhi. They believe this will lead to the establishment of a global Islamic empire. These religious fanatics already have the blood of hundreds of thousands of people on their hands. They believe it is their religious obligation to sacrifice themselves in order to achieve their Islamic agenda that is a part of their doctrine of the last days. One can only imagine what they would do if they acquired nuclear weapons.

    It must be understood that the architects of the Iranian nuclear deal have a common goal with the liberal political leaders around the world. They want to move us to a New World Order that openly embraces socialism. The Democrats in the U.S. and the liberal socialist leaders of Europe believe they can advance socialism and bring about a New World Order if they continue to create chaos that will lead to the collapse of our current political structure.

    Their chief objective in brokering the Iranian nuclear deal was to bring the West to its knees, and to advance the foundation to achieving their political agenda.

    In other words, it appears that the liberal socialists of the world and the radical Islamic leaders, like those in Iran, are playing a political game of chicken. Both of these groups want to control the world and create a one-world government. For the moment, they have decided to tolerate each other to ruin their political opponents, like Trump and Netanyahu. Finally, according to their wishful thinking, when that is accomplished, they plan on turning on each other to fight for the right to control the world.

    The Bible indicates that when the end does come, the Antichrist will rule the world. I am convinced that the Antichrist will be a Muslim and his global kingdom will be an Islamic Empire, centered in the area of the ancient Babylonian Empire. In Isaiah 14:4, the Antichrist is called “the king of Babylon.” In Revelation 17-18, he is depicted as a beast that is controlled by a religious harlot, Islam, that bears the title, “MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH” (Revelation 17:5). In Revelation 16:12-16, the Antichrist’s call for Armageddon comes from the shores of the Euphrates River, located in Iraq – ancient Babylon. Furthermore, Revelation 17:12-13 indicates that several non-Muslim political leaders will join the global kingdom of the Antichrist. Then, at the very end, these leaders will turn against the Antichrist and his kingdom and attack him (Revelation 17:16-17).

    What we are see in the Persian Gulf this summer is very critical in the developments that are moving our world closer to the end-time events. Let us review the words and actions that have brought us to this point.

    On April 22, Iran threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz with force. The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow passage way in the Persian Gulf, which is a vital shipping lane to 88 percent of the oil and gas exports that flow out of the nations of the region to other parts of the world, including Japan, China, and India. This shipping lane is extremely busy as empty oil tankers and full oil tankers pass each other every few minutes, carrying 40 percent of the world’s oil. Crude oil is the number one export among the economies of the world. Any attempt to close the Strait of Hormuz would be a serious threat and create a global economic crisis in a very short period of time.

    In response to this threat, on May 9, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo warned the Iranian leadership that the restraint of the U.S. administration should not be misinterpreted as a lack of resolve to engage Iran in its quest for nuclear weapons. Pompeo made it clear that the U.S. will not tolerate Iran’s aggression in the Middle East. He said, “The regime in Tehran should understand that any attacks by them or their proxies of any identity against the U.S. interests or citizens will be answered with a swift and decisive U.S. response.”

    In preparation for a confrontation with Iran, on May 10, the Pentagon sent B-52 bombers and a Marine Expeditionary Unit to the Persian Gulf area. The next day, May 11, Patriot missile defense batteries were deployed to the region. Almost two weeks later, on May 24, the U.S. announced it would send an additional 1,500 troops to the Middle East and would also sell $8.1 billion in new weapon systems to Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (all located on the Persian Gulf near Iran).

    On June 9, as the tensions with Iran continued to mount, the Pentagon ordered the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier to the Persian Gulf region. This move was designed to send a very powerful message to the Iranian leadership. This aircraft carrier is one of the finest and most powerful in the U.S. Navy’s nuclear fleet. If Iran should decide to start a war with the U.S., we are prepared to quickly respond to any military aggression. On June 10, the Pentagon sent additional B-52 bombers to the Persian Gulf.

    On June 12, in the face mounting military might arrayed against them, Iran continued to escalate the situation by using their terrorist proxies in South Yemen to fire missiles at a civilian airport in southern Saudi Arabia, wounding 26 civilians. The next day, Iran sabotaged two Japanese oil tankers operating in the Persian Gulf by magnetically attaching mines to their hulls. Four days later, Iran announced that it would increase the amount of uranium it will enrich, which is in direct violation of the nuclear agreement that is still in force with the European countries that signed the deal with Iran in 2015.

    On June 18, the day after Iran’s announcement to increase uranium enrichment, the U.S. sent an additional 1,000 troops to the Middle East. On June 20, Iranian terrorist proxies in Yemen fired missiles into Saudi Arabia, damaging a desalination plant. On the same day, Iran shot down a $240 million U.S. Global Hawk unmanned surveillance drone that was flying in international airspace over the Strait of Hormuz. Iran claimed the drone was in its airspace and that its presence was a clear provocation of international law. The Iranian military leadership stated it did not want to go to war with the U.S., but it is up to the task if needed.

    On the same day, the U.S. prepared to strike three targets in Iran, but at the last minute President Trump canceled the attack due to estimates that up to 150 Iranians would be killed. President Trump’s decision demonstrated to his political opponents that he has great patience and he is not anxious for a war with Iran. This is not political weakness, but a sign of political strength and moral character.

    The objective of the Trump administration is to pressure Iran to give up its goal to create nuclear weapons and to cease its state-sponsored terrorism around the world. The Trump administration is calling upon our European allies and the international community to impose sanctions to help cripple the Iranian economy. However, some nations are balking at Trumps’ call and they continue to do brisk business with Iran. The main violator is China. China is one of Iran’s major oil customers. Approximately 33 percent of Iran oil is exported to China. India, Italy, and Japan are also among Iran’s major oil customers.

    If a war between Iran and the U.S. and its allies in the Middle East materializes, it will help set the stage for the next big biblical war in the last days – the battle of Gog and Magog in Ezekiel 38-39. Russia has already signaled that it will support Iran in this current crisis. (See our ministry website for details.)

    Israel is rightfully concerned that Iran may ask its proxy terrorist partner in Lebanon, Hezbollah, to attack the Jewish nation as a means of distracting the U.S. Iran wants the U.S. off its back so it can continue to develop nuclear weapons. Israeli and American leadership are adamant saying they will not allow Iran to acquire nuclear weapons.

    The Global Threat of Islam

    According to a recent e-mail from World Net Daily, there are many voices from around the globe warning that the radical elements of Islam are planning to conquer the world. Moderate Muslims are warning, “If Christians don’t wake up, if Christian leaders don’t wake up, then we Muslims who fled from extremists can’t help you anymore. We tried warning you.” Recently, a Palestinian sheikh, Abu Hanifa Awda, addressed Islamic worshippers at the silver dome structure, al Aksa Mosque, on the temple mount in Jerusalem. He said, “Indeed, oh people of Jerusalem, this is the heartland. This is the land of the oath of allegiance. This is where the banners of the Caliphate [Islamic Empire] will flutter. This is where the military convoys will gather, and this is where the brigades will assemble under their banners, heralding in a new dawn – dawn of justice – and the birth of a divine state: the Caliphate that will follow the guidance of the Prophethood. … Policies will be designed here. From here, armies will set out to conquer the world – the mighty army of Islam, with all its brigades. One brigade will liberate Palestine. Another one will ‘ravage the homes’ [as is written in the Quran]. A third brigade will ‘destroy whatever would fall into their hands.’ A fourth brigade will take revenge against Bashar Al-Assad and Russia. A fifth brigade will liberate all the plundered Muslim countries. A sixth brigade will cross the oceans and put the enemy to shame. A seventh brigade will lay siege to Rome. An eighth brigade will turn the White House black. A ninth brigade will impose the [Islamic slave] tax on London. A tenth brigade will pray to fend off fear and danger on the slopes of the Rocky Mountains and the Andes.”

    I remind you that this threat came from an Islamic preacher in Jerusalem. This will be a part of the global control center of the Antichrist from the mid-point of the Tribulation. And it will continue until the final hours of Armageddon (Zechariah 14:2; 2 Thessalonians 2:4; Revelation 11:1-2). The voices of darkness know what the Bible has declared will come to pass.

    Asteroid to Hit Earth in September?

    Scientists are saying there is a remote possibility that a rather large asteroid may strike earth on September 9. They are saying there is only a one in 7,000 chance this will happen. Some are predicting that it will pass by earth at only 4.2 million miles (Breaking Israel News, June 10, 2019).

    This article also mentions one of the most dramatic encounters earth has had with an asteroid. “Perhaps the most severe asteroid impact in modern history was the Tunguska event in 1908. The explosion over the sparsely populated Eastern Siberian Taiga flattened 770 square miles of forest, yet caused no known human casualties. The explosion is generally attributed to the air burst of a meteor since no impact crater has been found. The object is thought to have disintegrated at an altitude of 3 to 6 miles. Early estimates of the energy of the airburst range from 10–15 megatons of TNT or roughly 1,000 times greater than that of the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima, Japan. Studies have yielded different estimates of the meteoroid’s size, on the order of 200 to 620 feet” (Breaking Israel News, June 10, 2019).

    In light of this report it is interesting to observe that Revelation 8:10-11 declares that an asteroid will implode in earth’s atmosphere. It will contaminate the earth and much of its fresh water rivers, lakes, and fountains with a bitter substance. This development will take place as a part of the third divine trumpet judgment, probably about a year or more after the beginning of the Tribulation.

    Israel Dedicates Trump Heights

    On Sunday, June 16, Israel dedicated a new village on the Golan Heights in honor of U.S. President Donald Trump. Many times since his election in 2016, President Trump has demonstrated that he is a true friend of the state of Israel. This was especially evident with the United States’ official recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. The U.S. Embassy was relocated to Jerusalem on the 70th anniversary of Israel, May 14, 2018. Earlier this year, President Trump signed an official document in Washington that recognizes the formerly disputed area of the Golan Heights as being a sovereign part of the state of Israel. The Israeli government is now showing their gratitude to President Trump by establishing a new village in this historic part of ancient Israel.

    According to the Bible, this part of the Promised Land, called “Bashan,” was given to the Jews by God. It was conquered by Israel and given to the tribe of Manasseh under the direction of Moses, as recorded in Deuteronomy 3:1-13. According to Jeremiah 50:19, after the defeat of Israel at the hands of the Babylonians almost 2,600 years ago, God promised that in the last days, He would return His people to this part of the Promised Land.

    The Golan Heights was given to the Syrians as a part of the French mandate after World War 1. The Syrians used this high ground as a military launching pad to make life miserable for the Jewish farmers living in the Galilee. Finally, the Syrians were defeated and driven out by Israel during the 6-day war in June, 1967. In 1981, Israel annexed this land as an official part of the state of Israel. However, all of the nations, including the U.S., failed to officially recognize Israel’s declaration of sovereignty and referred to this area as “disputed land.” With these recent announcements by President Trump, the world is now being force to decide if they will recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and the Golan as a sovereign part of the state of Israel.

    According to the prophetic Scriptures, Israel and the U.S. are standing against world opinion on these matters. However, God is on Israel’s side. The nations are about to enter into their final confrontation with God. This conflict will lead to two major wars mentioned in the Bible – the Battle of Gog and Magog on the Golan Heights (Ezekiel 38-39) and the Battle of Armageddon in Jerusalem (Zechariah 12, 14).

    God’s prophetic clock in heaven is ticking and it is getting very late! Get ready for the shout that will take us out!

    Check out the following link to watch the dedication of Trump Heights. www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue =7&v=Hw1-LPR_WqA

    Christian Persecution Alarming

    A BBC report in May indicated that genocide and persecution of Christians is reaching alarming levels. The report indicates that Christians are the most persecuted religious group in the world. Moreover, Gatestone Institute reports, “Religion ‘is at risk of disappearing’ in some parts of the world,” it noted, and ‘in some regions, the level and nature of persecution is arguably coming close to meeting the international definition of genocide,’ according to that adopted by the UN.” (www.gatestoneinstitute.org) As expected, most of this persecution is coming from areas where Muslims rule.

    Here are some of the most alarming facts from the BBC study as reported by Raymond Ibrahim of Gatestone Institute:

    – “The persecution of Christians is perhaps at its most virulent in the region of the birthplace of Christianity—the Middle East & North Africa.”

    – “In countries such as Algeria, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Syria and Saudi Arabia the situation of Christians and other minorities has reached an alarming stage.”

    – “Christianity now faces the possibility of being wiped-out in parts of the Middle East where its roots go back furthest.(https://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/14281/genocide-of-christians).”

    “Super Trump”

    No other American president has ever supported Israel like our current president. As a result, praise for President Donald Trump is soaring in Israel. Israel has a new hit song, “Super Trump,” sung by the Jerusalem Boys’ Choir.

    Here are the lyrics:

    “Super Trump, is Jerusalem’s prince

    Super Trump, to the sky he will reach,

    Halleluya from the city of Zion In the name of our Lord,

    He will fight like a lion If the whole world stands against us

    And only Micronesia is rooting for us

    When the sons of Ishmael harm our land Don’t you worry, Trump takes a stand

    If in ISIS they are shouting S.O.S And in Gaza the Hamas, have started packing bags

    If UNESCO joins with the B.D.S. Don’t you fret at all,

    Trump is standing guard

    If Iran is cracking nukes every single morning

    And the world shuts up, and doesn’t even care

    One fine day, no one will hear them calling Cause super Trump is here, and always standing guard.”

    To hear this song, check out this link and enjoy. www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=3&v=vFK6a4JBrWU

    Mike’s Report from Israel

    I want to thank many of you for praying for my tour group to Israel, May 27- June 3. People in my group were from Virginia, Indiana, Vermont, Pennsylvania, Kansas, and New Hampshire. We had a wonderful tour. Everyone was spiritually blessed. We especially enjoyed a tour of the Golan Heights area, looking into Syria and Lebanon. We visited Caesarea Philippi where Peter made his confession about Jesus in Matthew 16. This is also the location of the beginning of the major tributary of the Jordan River. The abundant water there gives testimony to the abundant rainfall Israel enjoyed this past winter.

    Other highlights of the tour in Galilee included a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee, and a devotional time on the Mount of Beatitude. We enjoyed walking in the footsteps of Jesus in Capernaum where Jesus spent so much of His time preaching and performing miracles. It was also my privilege to baptize eight people of our group in the Jordan River.

    After our tour in Galilee, we made our way down the Jordan Valley. It is always a treat for me to watch everyone’s reaction as the scenery changes and we transition from the lush green vegetation around the Sea of Galilee into a semi-desert climate as we approach the lowest place on earth near the Dead Sea. Just the day before, our group stood at the base of snow-capped Mount Hermon (over 9,200 feet in elevation). The next day, we drove through the arid desert at the Dead Sea. This is one of the things that make a visit to Israel so intriguing. The country is very small and yet it has great diversity when it comes to climate, vegetation, birds, and animals.

    Our visit at the Dead Sea took us to the rocky mountain fortress of Masada, where almost 1,000 Jews made their last heroic stand against Rome in the first century. From this lofty mountain we could look to the south to the area of Sodom and Gomorrah. Next, we visited the place where the Dead Sea scrolls were discovered more than 70 years ago. After this visit, it was time for fun. Some in our group experienced the unique ability to float in the waters of the Dead Sea that are about one-third salt and minerals.

    After this, we began to leave behind the desert as our tour bus made the winding climb from 1,400 feet below sea level to Jerusalem, just 17 miles up in the Judean mountains, about 2,400 feet above sea level. Our emotions soared as our bus traveled into the city and we saw the city of Jerusalem and its famous Temple Mount.

    Jerusalem is always the highlight of my tour. After breakfast the next morning, our first stop began with a visit to Calvary and the Garden Tomb. After standing in these holy places, we gathered under the trees of the beautiful garden for a time of worship that touched our souls forever. From here our bus took us to the top of the Mount of Olives for a majestic view of the Old City and the Temple Mount. We walked down the Mount of Olives to the Garden of Gethsemane at the foot of the mountain. Here, we gathered under the ancient olive trees to worship and mediate upon the suffering of our Savior on this holy ground.

    The following days took us in and around the old city of Jerusalem as we traced the footsteps of Jesus in the closing hours of His earthly ministry. At one place, we stood on the very stones where Jesus was abused by the Roman soldiers before He began His journey to Calvary.

    Our group always enjoys our visit to the Wailing Wall. Here we touched the ancient stones and prayed at the only wall in Jerusalem left standing from the time of Jesus. This year, we were privileged to be in the Old City during Israel’s celebration of Jerusalem Day. The streets were packed with young Israelis celebrating the reunification of the city of Jerusalem during the 6-day war in June 1967.

    Why not pray about joining me in March next year.

  • June 2019 – The Looming Global Financial Crisis

    Financial crisis. Word «Crisis» on dollar banknotes.

    PTNews

    June 2019

    Published monthly

    Published monthly

    All Bible references are from the KJV

    Examining Current Events in the Light of Bible Prophecy

    .pdf download

    The Looming Global

    Financial Crisis

    By Mike Wingfield

    According to the Bible, when the end of this age comes, the global population will experience a horrific financial catastrophe. Shortly after the rapture of the church, and near the beginning of the time of the tribulation, the world will be engulfed in the grip of hyperinflation, meaning the value of currency will plummet and prices of goods will escalate. During this economic crisis a man’s daily wage will only buy two loaves of bread (Revelation 6:5-6).

    There are many parts of the world where this is already a reality. Several years ago, I visited Cairo, Egypt, home to a population of more than 12 million people. I learned that the average adult living in the Cairo area was struggling to survive on a couple of dollars of income per day. As a result, children were forced to work to help their family survive. Furthermore, the Egyptian government subsidized the cost of bread that was being sold on the streets. According to the Bible, this kind of financial madness will become a global reality near the beginning of the seven-year tribulation period.

    Therefore, at some point in time, America and the rest of the world will be rapidly sinking in the quicksand of a deadly financial upheaval. It is only a matter of time before this occurs.

    For the last several decades there have been many voices warning that a financial collapse of the U.S. economy is imminent. This warning is being voiced again, and some experts are saying it will happen this year. We cannot be sure when it will come. We do not know if it will happen before or after the Rapture. However, we do know that at some point in time, this will become a reality because the Bible predicts it will happen.

    Without question, we are living at the time of the greatest debt bubble in the history of the world. The sad reality is that the U.S. is the leading culprit in this financial madness that is sweeping the world. In 1980, during the administration of President Ronald Reagan, America’s total government and personal debt was about $3 trillion. Now, this total debt is almost $42 trillion. That means that every household in America would need to pay $338,000.00 to pay off this debt. Obviously, that is not going to happen.

    These massive debt figures above do not include U.S. corporate debt. Government, corporate, and personal debt in America is now at $73.8 trillion. However, this is not the total debt the American government has incurred. Some have calculated that America’s unfunded liabilities (pensions of government workers and military personnel, social security, Medicare and Medicaid, etc.) now stands at $210 trillion. That means that the true U.S. debt totals $283.8 trillion. The total national assets are valued at 136 trillion. Therefore, our government owes twice as much as America is worth! Most Americans do not grasp the threat this poses to our national security. We are already bankrupt as a nation. This debt madness is nothing more than financial national suicide! I highly recommend you take time look at the ongoing updated U.S. debt clock at https://usdebtclock.org/. This will blow your mind!

    No other nation in all of history has accumulated this kind of debt. It is total madness. The sad reality is that when the American economy tanks, we will take the rest of the world with us because we are one of the world’s largest consumers. Since World War II, the global economy has been driven by the U.S dollar. Current events cast their shadow on the future and what we are seeing is uniquely setting the stage for the largest financial collapse in all of human history. We really cannot fathom the full impact this will have upon the global economy.

    Furthermore, an examination of the personal debt records in America is staggering. According to the U.S. debt clock, American personal debt is now $19.7 trillion. Americans owe $15.6 trillion on their mortgage debt and more than $1 trillion on their credit card debt. The growing number of Americans who are delinquent on their debt payments indicates we have reached a very dangerous point in the nation. Americans are drowning in debt. Seven million are delinquent on their auto loans and 37 million are failing to make credit card payments. When a greater number of Americans default on these loans it will wreak havoc on major financial institutions across the nation. This would likely trigger a domino effect that would bring the ultimate demise of the U.S. economy and set off a world-wide financial catastrophe.

    Statistical data indicate that more than 78 percent of American households are living from paycheck to paycheck. This means that when the next major financial crisis strikes America, most people will not have any savings to help address an immediate emergency. The Bible exhorts us to not spend all of our income. It is always wise to save a little for the emergencies that come our way. Proverbs 21:20 says, “There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish man spendeth it up.” Everyone should know that they will face some type of adversity in life. It Proverbs 24:10 states, “If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small.” The word “strength” in this context refers to financial strength (see verses 3-5). So, the Bible is exhorting us to be wise and prepare for the days of adversity that are coming. For the student of Bible prophecy, we know we are living in such a time. Therefore, our faith should guide us to act on God’s Word and prepare for these difficult times.

     

    At the same time, we should honor another warning from God. The Bible teaches us to avoid interest and accumulating debt. Romans 13:8 says, “Owe no man anything.” Collecting interest from a believer or family member was forbidden under the Old Testament law (Deuteronomy 23:19). Debt should be avoided if possible. Proverbs 22:7 states, “The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is [a slave] to the lender.” God does not want us to be chained to debt. We are to be His servant, not a slave to money. He wants us to be free to use His resources which He has entrusted to us to do His will. God never indented for us to waste His resources to meet our lavish and greedy desires.

    According to the Bible, God is the owner and giver of all wealth (Ecclesiastes 5:18, 19). He entrusts His wealth to us so that we may enjoy it and invest it for His glory (Matthew 6:19, 20). Most Christians cannot give to God or help the poor because they have selfishly and foolishly overextended themselves financially to satisfy their prideful desires.

    God expects us to obtain our wealth through hard work and smart investments (Proverbs 13:11). He does not want His children to have an entitlement mentality or to be lazy (Proverbs 26:13-15; Romans 12:11). The wealth God gives us is not just for our personal consumption (Luke 12:13-21). We need to have the faith of Moses. He chose the treasures of Christ rather than the riches of Egypt so that He might obey and serve God (Hebrews 11:24-26).

    The Bible repeatedly warns us that material wealth can be a spiritual snare (1 Timothy 6:17-19). It can become an idol that consumes us to serve it. The love of materials things can keep us from reading and obeying the Bible (Mark 4:19). Money can become an idol or god that demands our worship and service (Matthew 6:24). The Bible gives us this solemn warning, “If riches increase, set not your heart upon them” (Psalm 62:10).

    Jesus warned that it is difficult for a rich person to trust in Christ and be saved. He said, “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God” (Matthew 19:24). Those who have material things may think they do not need God. From their finite, self-centered, earthly perspective, they have everything they need. Why do they need to trust God when they have their riches? Instead, they trust their riches rather than God. However, the Bible warns us to not trust in riches. Riches do not last forever (Proverbs 27:24). Proverbs 23:4, 5 gives us a very practical warning, “Labor not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom. Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? For riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.”

    America is drowning in covetousness. We are blatantly violating the 10th commandment, “Thou shalt not covet…” (Exodus 20:17). Americans are being driven by desire to have the material wealth that other Americans have. What they do not know is that most Americans cannot afford what they have. They are overextending themselves and drowning in credit card debt and other forms of debt. We are seeing an epidemic, people are seeking to keep up with their neighbor and they borrow money they do not have to own things they cannot afford, and do not really need.

    Credit cards are a scheme of this godless system to tempt people with lust and covetousness. Most people do not have the discipline to used credit cards wisely. Most Americans do not realize that living from paycheck to paycheck and using credit cards to survive is a very dangerous game to play. If you are not careful, you will eventually pay more interest than principle on the item you purchased with the credit card. A recent USA Today article noted: “If a credit-card borrower only made the minimum payments on $5,000 of debt, for example, they’d be in debt for more than 18 years and would end up paying $6,372 in interest based on national average interest rates, according to Ted Rossman, industry analyst for CreditCards.com.”

    History demonstrates that the accumulation of wealth without God is a recipe for sin and ultimate divine judgment. When people become wealthy, they tend to forget God. Instead, they immerse themselves in materialistic pleasures. In Deuteronomy 6:10-12, God gave this warning, “And it shall be, when the LORD thy God shall have brought thee into the land which he sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give thee great and goodly cities, which thou buildest not, And houses full of all good things which thou filledst not, and wells digged, which thou diggedst not, vineyards and olive trees, which thou plantedst not; when thou shalt have eaten and be full; Then beware lest thou forget the LORD which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage.” Israel did not heed this warning. They forgot God and were eventually driven from the land.

    The horrific judgment of fire that fell upon Sodom in the days of Abraham came about as a result of sins that included an abundance of wealth that caused them to turn away from God. In Ezekiel 16:49, 50, God gave the following indictment that caused the judgment to fall upon Sodom, “Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, pride, fullness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy. And they were haughty, and committed abomination before me: therefore I took them away as I saw good.”

    According to James 5:1-6, mankind will heap “treasure together for the last days” (verse 3). In this text, James is rebuking the rich for living as if the coming of Jesus is not imminent. Obviously, if people believe they will soon stand before a holy God and be judged, they will not be focused upon the collection of material possessions that will soon pass away. James warns them that their wealth will not help them when the day of God’s judgment comes. Their gold and silver will be worthless.

    In light of many prophetic Scriptures, the rich who are left behind to enter the tribulation will suffer great loss. Their wealth, luxuries, comforts, and conveniences will suddenly be ripped away from them. At the onset of the tribulation, the Antichrist will conduct a campaign of global wars and terrorism that will trigger a major financial collapse (Revelation 6:5, 6). Then, there will be catastrophic natural disasters around the globe (Revelation 6:1-17; 8:7-9). This will be followed by an asteroid that will explode upon impact when it enters earth’s atmosphere (Revelation 8:10, 11). This judgment will bring death and destruction to sea creatures and ships. Great darkness will cover one-third of earth’s sky, probably as a result of a massive collection of volcanic ash in the atmosphere. Consequently, man’s modern way of living will be wiped away and financial conditions will worsen.

    We cannot begin to imagine how this will impact the financial systems of our world. It will shut down and destroy all of our utility systems. It will disrupt the flow of food and manufactured goods to our supply chains. As the apostle Paul warned in 1 Thessalonians 5:3, “sudden destruction [will come] upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.”

    No one will escape the brunt of the financial catastrophe that the tribulation will bring. Read Isaiah 24. This chapter describes in great detail the global destruction that will come upon the earth during the tribulation. All citizens of earth, regardless of their financial capabilities, will be devastated by the global natural disasters (verse 2). Isaiah 24:3 says, “the land shall be utterly emptied and utterly spoiled [robbed of its wealth]…” People will not be able to turn to entertainment or music to sooth their fears (7, 8).

    Friends, this message is very troubling. It troubles the mind to think about what is coming upon this earth. For those of us who are believers, we must remember that we should be looking for the Lord Jesus to come and take us home to be with Him at any moment. Most of the future troubles we have addressed in this article will not take place until after we leave this earth in the rapture. The Lord has promised His church that He will deliver us “from the wrath to come” (1 Thessalonians 1:10). He has promised us, “I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth” (Revelation 3:10).

    If you are saved, you must tell others about what is coming upon this earth. It is our obligation to warn them. God called Noah not to only build an ark, but to warn his generation of the deadly global flood that was coming upon his generation. We must share the gospel with everyone around us. There is only one way they can escape what is coming. Jesus is the only way of salvation from the fires of hell and the judgments of the tribulation. Jesus declared, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father but by me” (John 14:6).

    Friend, if you have not repented of your sin and surrendered your life to the Lord Jesus, please do so now. Why not call out to Him to save you? He is your only hope. He lived a perfect, sinless life and became God’s perfect sacrifice for the sins of the world.

    As we wait for and anticipate our Lord’s return, we cannot be sure that we won’t suffer some of the consequences of inevitable collapse of the American economy. We need to pray that we might imitate the hope of Job. Job lost everything he had in a very short time. Yet, Job did not turn away from the Lord. He said, “Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD” (Job 1:21). We need to remember the exhortation in 1 Timothy 6:6-8, “But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and [clothing] let us be therewith content.”

    Wealth cannot buy us salvation or joy. The Bible says, “Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith” (Proverb 15:16). Despite the claims of those who espouse the prosperity gospel, the Lord has not promised us an easy and prosperous lifestyle. He said, “In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

    Real peace does not come from living in a peaceful environment. Real peace comes from knowing and abiding in the Prince of Peace. Many men and women have died a cruel death with a smile on their face because their eyes were fixed upon Jesus. “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee” (Isaiah 26:3).

    Make preparations now for the coming financial storm. No matter how bad it might be, He will always be with us. Nothing else really matters!

    Earthquakes Rock Israel

    All of the residents of Israel felt an earthquake on May 15. It was the fifth earthquake to hit Israel in the last year. These quakes are reminding Israelis that a big one is coming. The Jordan Valley, just 15 miles east of Jerusalem is a part of the Syrian-African Rift Valley. This valley stretches from Africa through the Red Sea, up through the Arava Desert, through the Dead Sea and Sea of Galilee, and up to Turkey. It is one of the most dangerous earthquake fault zones in the world. According to geological records, this area is overdue for a major earthquake. According to the prophetic Scriptures, several of these earthquakes will take place during the events of the last days. Once again, this reminds us that we are living in unique times. The signs of the end of this age are all around us.

    The Bible- Israel’s Deed to the Land

    Recently, Israeli UN Ambassador, Danny Danon, addressed the UN Security Council, using the Bible to validate the Jewish peoples’ claim to the land of Israel. The International Embassy in Jerusalem released the following quote from his address: “Israel’s Ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon addressed the Security Council on Monday [April 29, 2019] in New York, telling them among other things that Israel’s existence derives legitimacy from four things, including the Bible, history, legality and the pursuit of international peace and security. ‘This is our deed to our land,’ he said, pointing to a Bible. ‘From the book of Genesis; to the Jewish exodus from Egypt; to receiving the Torah on Mount Sinai; to the gates of Canaan; and to the realization of God’s covenant in the Holy Land of Israel; the Bible paints a consistent picture. The entire history of our people, and our connection to Eretz Yisrael, begins right here.’ 

    “The Quran itself accepts the divine deed of the Jewish people to the Land of Israel,” he continued. “Even the Romans themselves admitted the land was ours. Those of you who have visited Rome may have seen that Emperor Titus famously commemorated his victory and the Jewish expulsion by building an enormous arch on the Via Sacra in Rome. If you look at the Arch, it includes an illustration of his men carrying away the menorah from the Jewish Temple. (But) the Romans attempted to destroy that link by renaming the land Palestina. This is how the narrow strip of land in Eretz Yisrael, nestled between Egypt in the south and Lebanon in the north, came to be called ‘Palestine.’ For two millennia, Jews across the world continued to pray three times every day for our long-awaited return home to Zion and Jerusalem. As we just said on Passover last week, as we do every year, ‘Next year in Jerusalem!’” (News brief from The International Christian Embassy in Jerusalem, April 30, 2019)

    UN Consistently Opposes Israel

    Have you ever wondered why the United Nations continually focuses upon the little nation of Israel? The UN rejects Israel, opposes Israel, and takes every opportunity to unjustly condemn Israel. Why?

    If you examine the voting record of the 193 nations in the UN, you will discover that the communist/socialist block of nations always join with the Islamic nations to vote against the United States and Israel. Susan Michaels of the International Christian Embassy writes, “The Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), whose original purpose was within the context of the Cold War, now has 120 member nations who control every corner of the United Nations except for the UN Security Council. NAM is an umbrella for the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). Fifty-seven member states are affiliated with the OIC and twenty-two of those states are members of the Arab League. This is a significant voting bloc in the United Nations.” (News brief from International Christian Embassy, May 18, 2019)

    According to the Bible, when the end of this age comes, all nations will be against the Jewish nation of Israel. In preparation for the final battle, Armageddon, God said, “For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle…” (Zechariah 14:2). The world is preparing for their battle with God!