What Israel Knows :: By Daymond Duck

Published on: April 18, 2026 by RR10 Category:Daymond Duck, General Articles

On Apr. 9, 2026, the Prophecy News Watch (PNW) staff posted an article about Israel’s view of war in the Middle East.

In my words, here is my understanding of some of the comments in that excellent article.

There is a dangerous difference between peace and pause (a ceasefire) — and Israel knows it.
The world is talking about de-escalation, but Israel knows that this ceasefire is not the end of the war.
Israel knows that more war is coming.
This is why Israel is still attacking Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Hezbollah is central to Iran’s future war plans.
Israel appears to be operating with a hard reality in mind: if the world forces a pause too early, Hezbollah survives to fight another day.
If Iran’s nuclear ambitions have been significantly disrupted or delayed, then Tehran’s need for its proxy network (Hezbollah, Hamas, the Houthis, etc.) only increases.
If Iran cannot move toward its long-term strategic goals (of destroying Israel and establishing an Islamic world government and religion) as quickly through nuclear leverage, it will need missiles, militias, terror infrastructure, and regional alliances all the more.
That means Hezbollah becomes even more valuable.
While others see a pause, Israel sees preparation.
While others see de-escalation, Israel sees unfinished danger.
While the world wants calm, Israel already sees the next war coming.
And after everything it has learned, it is increasingly clear that it has no intention of waiting politely for that war to arrive.

(My opinion: God is protecting Israel. He used the prophets – Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, etc. – to reveal many things about Israel’s future at the end of the age. Israel knows it must be prepared for those things.)

Here is a link to the entire PNW article.

https://www.prophecynewswatch.com/article.cfm?recent_news_id=9793

(Update: On Apr. 11, 2026, it was reported that Israeli Army and intelligence officials have concluded that Iran’s news leadership is more extreme than the previous one.)

(FYI: According to the Bible, Israel will not have peace until the nation accepts Jesus as its Messiah. Unfortunately, it will accept the Antichrist as its Messiah first, and the nation will have to go through the seventieth day of Daniel – the Tribulation Period – before it accepts Jesus.)

Here are recent events that seem to indicate that the end of the age is close:

One, concerning Israeli attacks on Hezbollah: on Apr. 9, 2026, Israeli Prime Min. Netanyahu said:

The Jewish state would continue to strike Iranian-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon with “force, precision and determination” as it pursues direct talks with Lebanon’s government to achieve the disarmament of Hezbollah and promote peace between the two countries.
Our message is clear: whoever acts against Israeli civilians will be struck.
We will continue to strike Hezbollah wherever required, until we restore full security to the residents of the north (Jews in northern Israel).

Later in the day, Netanyahu addressed the citizens of Israel:

I want to tell you: There is no ceasefire in Lebanon.
We continue to strike Hezbollah with force, and we will not stop until we restore your security.

Two, concerning all the nations turning against Israel at the end of the age: on Apr. 10, 2026, it was reported that:

There is a significant and growing rift between the leadership of the American conservative movement and its younger generations of voters.
The alliance between the U.S. and Israel can no longer be taken for granted.
It is difficult to imagine a future where an American president will intervene so boldly on Israel’s behalf, and raises the possibility of a future where the two nations are no longer strategic allies.

Three, concerning all the nations turning against Israel at the end of the age: on Apr. 14, 2026, the Frum report said:

Turkey, China, Russia, and all Europe are now against Israel – and the U.S. has no answer.
The Western alliance is fracturing in real time — and this week, it became impossible to hide.
Turkey just declared a moral military obligation to respond to what Israel is doing.
Italy’s Giorgia Meloni, one of Europe’s most pro-Israel leaders, publicly said Israel has crossed the line.
Spain called for breaking the EU strategic partnership with Israel entirely.
France, Ireland, and Italy are all on record against the Israeli military campaign.
And while all of this is happening inside NATO, China is confirmed to be supplying Iran with cruise missiles and advanced air defense systems, Russia is providing targeting intelligence, and the United States is responding with confused, contradictory statements that reveal an administration that has lost control of the narrative and the coalition simultaneously.
On top of that, Trump’s tariff threat against China — the country that holds a global monopoly on rare earth magnets that American missiles, satellites, and military hardware cannot be built without — is being laughed at in Beijing.
They already called his bluff once.
They know they can do it again.

(My comment: God said this would happen at the end of the age. If we are not there, why is this happening now? Nevertheless, all the world will turn against Israel, but God will not turn against Israel. This means the world will lose.)

(More: Many in the Church will also fall away, and that is happening too. And Jew-hatred is rising all over America, especially on college and university campuses.)

(More: On Apr. 14, 2026, Chinese President Xi Jinping lamented a world in “disarray,” using some of his strongest language yet to describe a collapse of the Western-led international order as he vowed to play a constructive role in the Middle East.)

(My opinion: Global disarray, China’s involvement in the Middle East – one of the Kings of the East – is a sign that the Tribulation Period could be close.)

Four, concerning the global economy: on Apr. 9, 2026, Michael Snyder (The Economic Collapse blog) wrote:

Iran is still holding traffic through the Strait of Hormuz hostage, and the entire world is going to suffer.
Before the war, commercial traffic through the Strait of Hormuz flowed freely, and the global economy functioned normally.
But even though there is a temporary ceasefire, Iran continues to maintain a stranglehold on the waterway, and they are insisting that this will continue to be the case when a permanent deal to end the war is reached.
In other words, the Iranians are making it clear that this is how things are going to operate from now on, and they know that the U.S. and Europe are not eager to do what it would take militarily to reopen the Strait.
Of course, even if there is a military operation to reopen the Strait, it will take an extended period of time before it is safe for commercial traffic to pass through the waterway once again.
Any way that you look at it, the truth is that this is going to be a complete and utter disaster for the global economy.

Here is a link to Michael Snyder’s entire article.

https://theeconomiccollapseblog.com/this-is-going-to-be-a-complete-and-utter-disaster-for-the-global-economy/

(More: On Apr. 14, 2026, it was reported that the International Monetary Fund – the IMF – has downgraded its global growth outlook, warning that the ongoing Iran conflict could push the world economy toward recession if energy disruptions intensify and inflation pressures worsen. And the IMF warned that the U.S. is not immune.)

Five, concerning the expansion of Israel’s borders at the end of the age: on Apr. 9, 2026, Israel’s Finance Min. said:

There will be a political component that completes the outcome in Gaza that will expand our borders.
There will be a political component that completes the outcome in Lebanon that will expand our borders to the Litani [River] within defensible boundaries.
There will be a political component in Syria, the Mount Hermon peak, and at a minimum, the buffer zone.

After that, he commended the government for establishing another new community and 30 others in southern Samaria during his time in office.

Six, concerning wars and rumors of wars and Turkey’s involvement in the Battle of Gog of Magog in the latter days and latter years: on Apr. 12, 2026, it was reported that Turkey’s Pres. Erdogan said:

If Israel doesn’t stop playing with fire and creates hurdles for the peace process in the region, we will make sure Israel learns a good lesson.
Any attack on Lebanon and Iran now will be considered an attack on Turkey.
On the day of the ceasefire, Israel killed hundreds of innocent Lebanese people.
Netanyahu is blinded by blood and hatred.
If it was not for Pakistan mediating the war between the US and Iran, we would have shown Israel its place.

Seven, concerning famine on Apr. 12, 2026: Michael Snyder (The Economic Collapse Blog) posted an article titled “Global Food Shortages Will Hit The World Like A Freight Train In 6 To 9 Months Because Virtually Nothing Will Get Through The Strait Of Hormuz Now.”

(Note: Jesus said there will be famine at the end of the age, and I believe the Rider on the Black Horse in Rev. 6:5-6 is hyper-inflation and famine.)

FYI: A reader sent the following to me:

I have many times contemplated the oil and wine reference in the following verse:
“And I heard what seemed to be a voice in the midst of the four living creatures, saying, ‘A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius, and do not harm the oil and wine!’” (Rev. 6:6)
The reader added, “I was just reading one of Michael Snyder’s articles about the Strait of Hormuz. Yields for annual crops such as wheat, barley and corn will be severely affected if the Strait of Hormuz is not opened very soon. But yields for crops that do not have to be planted each year, such as olives and grapes, will not be significantly affected.”
“The oil and wine obviously come from the olives and grapes! In reading that, it suddenly became clear to me the accuracy of the Revelation verse.
Made my heart leap in anticipation of just how close we can be to finally going HOME!

Here are some war reports as they came in from the U.S. and Israel:

The U.S. calls its attacks Operation Epic Fury.

Israel calls its attacks Operation Roaring Lion.

Thurs. Day 41 (Apr. 9, 2026) (Day 2 of the latest two-week ceasefire)

A U.S. drone has disappeared from radar over the Persian Gulf near Iran.
Trump said Iran must comply with the ceasefire agreement or the shooting starts, bigger, and better, and stronger than anyone has ever seen before.
Trump accused Iran of doing a very poor job, dishonorable some would say, of allowing oil to go through the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran announced that the Strait of Hormuz is closed again.
According to Lebanon’s Health Ministry, more than 1 million people in Lebanon have been displaced since last month, and at least 1,500 people have been killed.
NATO’s top official said some NATO allies have begun making concrete pledges of support for a future mission aimed at ensuring the safe passage of commercial ships through the Strait of Hormuz (My note: Why are they TALKING about support in the future? Why not right-now support?)

Fri. Day 42 (Apr. 10, 2026) (Day 3 of the latest two-week ceasefire)

S. Vice President JD Vance is expected to travel to Pakistan this weekend for peace talks with Iran.
Hamas has just hours to respond to the Board of Peace’s proposal that would force the group to disarm.
Negotiations are slated to take place in Washington early next week, when the U.S. will convene the envoys from Israel and Lebanon for rare direct, public talks aimed at reaching a peace agreement between Beirut and Jerusalem.
There were several mysterious major explosions in Iran overnight.

Sat. Day 43 (Apr. 11, 2026) (Day 4 of the latest two-week ceasefire)

An Iranian delegation of at least 170 people, including its highest decision makers, arrived in Pakistan to negotiate a Middle East peace treaty with America’s team (Vice-Pres. J.D. Vance, Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, and others). Iran invited China and Russia to send witnesses. The US invited Saudi Arabia and Qatar to send witnesses. (My Note: The Bible teaches that Saudi Arabia will not help Iran, etc., in the Battle of Gog of Magog, and it is interesting to note that Saudi Arabia is opposing Iran in the current war. It is also interesting to note that Russia is helping Iran in the current war. So, Russia, Iran, and Saudi Arabia are lining up just as the Bible says.)

Several U.S. Navy ships crossed the Strait of Hormuz, and they were not fired upon.
Iran threatened to attack any US Navy ships that enter the Strait of Hormuz shortly after American vessels moved through the channel for the first timesince the war broke out. Iran told the Pakistani mediators that if a vessel continues to move, it will be targeted within 30 minutes, and the Iranian-American negotiations will suffer.
A Greek oil tanker bound for Malaysia passed through the Strait of Hormuz in the Persian Gulf. Two Chinese oil tankers are due to make the same trip. It normally takes a large oil tanker eight hours to get through.
Prime Min. Netanyahu said there is still enriched material in Iran, and it needs to be removed. Either it will be removed by agreement, or it will come out in other ways.

Sun. Day 44 (Apr. 12, 2026) (Day 5 of the latest two-week ceasefire)

S. Vice-Pres. J.D. Vance said following 21 hours of negotiations, Iran has decided not to accept America’s demands. Vance said that is bad news for Iran more than it is bad news for the U.S. (My note: The situation appears to have reached a stalemate, but many events verify that God is in control, so we can believe that He will influence where we go from here.)
Trump said we are fully locked and loaded, and our military will finish up the little that is left of Iran!
Trump announced that the U.S. will block the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump said, any Iranian who fires at us, or at peaceful vessels, will be BLOWN TO HELL.”
Trump ordered U.S. forces to expand enforcement beyond the waterway itself, directing naval units to “seek and interdict” vessels in international waters that have paid what he described as illegal tolls to Iran.
China buys 90% of Iran’s oil. Blocking the Strait of Hormuz will cut off China’s access to that oil. It has been reported that China is livid about Trump’s latest move. (Note: There have been reports that China is already supplying Iran with weapons to use against U.S. forces.)
Trump said I doubt that China is supplying weapons to Iran, but if we catch them doing that, it is a 50% tariff, which is staggering.
The U.S. began clearing mines from the Strait of Hormuz, 34 ships passed through the Strait, and Iran did not attack them.
Trump said we have received a call from the right people, the appropriate people, and they want to work a deal.

Mon. Day 45 (Apr. 13, 2026) (Day 6 of the latest two-week ceasefire)

China warned the U.S. not to block or intercept Chinese ships or tankers moving in or out of the Strait of Hormuz, or it faces consequences that could potentially include military.
Trump set a new 2-week deadline for Iran to make a deal, warning the situation won’t be pleasant” if Iran does not agree by April 27.
A record number of oil tankers are headed to the U.S. to purchase oil.

Tue. Day 46 (Apr. 14, 2026) (Day 7 of the latest two-week ceasefire)

There could be a second round of peace talks between the U.S. and Iran in Pakistan this week.
Iran said it doesn’t trust the U.S., and it is busy preparing for the next round of war.
A Chinese tanker passed through the Strait of Hormuz despite the U.S. blockade.

Wed. Day 47 (Apr. 15, 2026) (Day 8 of the latest two-week ceasefire)

Iran secretly obtained a Chinese-made reconnaissance satellite in late 2024 and used it to help target U.S. military positions across the Middle East during the recent conflict.
Trump declared that the U.S. will not agree to any peace deal with Iran unless Tehran fully abandons its nuclear ambitions.

Finally, are you Rapture Ready?

If you want to be rapture ready and go to heaven, you must be born again (John 3:3). God loves you, and if you have not done so, sincerely admit that you are a sinner; believe that Jesus is the virgin-born, sinless Son of God, who died for the sins of the world, was buried, and raised from the dead; ask Him to forgive your sins, cleanse you, come into your heart and be your Saviour; then tell someone that you have done this.

duck_daymond@yahoo.com

The Coming Reign and Ruin of the Antichrist :: By Joe Hawkins

Published on: April 18, 2026April 24, 2026 by RR10 Category:General Articles

The March Toward Global Dominion

There is a pattern woven throughout Scripture that becomes increasingly clear the closer we move toward the end of the age. The Bible does not present history as a random sequence of events, but as a divinely orchestrated timeline moving toward a climactic confrontation between the kingdom of God and the kingdom of darkness. At the center of that final conflict stands a figure unlike any the world has ever seen—a man who will rise to global prominence not merely as a political leader, but as the embodiment of rebellion against God. Scripture calls him the Antichrist.

According to the biblical record, this individual will emerge just prior to the return of Jesus Christ and will ascend to a level of authority never before granted to a single human being. Revelation 13:7 describes his rule as extending over every tribe, people, language, and nation, marking the first time in history that true global governance is realized under one man. Yet what makes this ruler so dangerous is not simply the breadth of his power, but the deceptive nature of his rise. He will not initially appear as a tyrant. Rather, he will present himself as a solution to the world’s most pressing crises, offering peace, stability, and unity in a time of unprecedented turmoil.

The Question of Origin: Tracing the Roots of Power

The question of his origin has long intrigued students of Bible prophecy. While some have speculated that he might arise from the Middle East due to historical parallels with figures like Antiochus Epiphanes, the weight of biblical evidence points instead to a connection with the ancient Roman Empire. In Daniel 9:26, the Antichrist is referred to as “the prince who is to come,” and he is identified as being from the same people who destroyed Jerusalem and the Temple. History leaves no ambiguity regarding that event—the Romans carried out the destruction in 70 A.D. This strongly suggests that the Antichrist will emerge from the cultural, political, or geographical sphere of the old Roman Empire, which in modern terms corresponds to Europe.

This understanding aligns with the broader prophetic framework found in the book of Daniel, where a succession of Gentile empires culminates in a final kingdom that arises from the remnants of Rome. Unlike previous empires that rose through military conquest, this final configuration appears to develop through a process of political consolidation and cooperation. When viewed through the lens of current events, it is difficult not to notice the increasing integration of European nations and the growing emphasis on centralized governance. While no single institution can yet be definitively identified as the prophesied system, the trajectory is unmistakable. The infrastructure for such a power base is being assembled in real time.

Scripture also provides clarity regarding the Antichrist’s identity as a Gentile. In Revelation 13, he is depicted as rising from the sea, a symbolic representation consistently used in prophetic literature to refer to the nations of the world. This stands in contrast to the False Prophet, who arises from the land—a term often associated with Israel. Together, these two figures will form a unified political and religious system that exerts unprecedented control over humanity.

A Revived Empire, Not a Resurrected Man

There has been considerable speculation over whether the Antichrist might be a resurrected historical figure such as Nero or Judas Iscariot. However, such interpretations fail to account for the broader symbolic context of the passages in question. The “fatal wound” described in Revelation 13 is more accurately understood as referring to the revival of a political system rather than the literal resurrection of an individual.

The Roman Empire, which once dominated the known world, experienced a form of “death” through its fragmentation into nation-states. Yet prophecy indicates that this system will be revived in a new form, serving as the foundation for the Antichrist’s rule. History has already witnessed multiple attempts to resurrect this empire through military means, but the final revival appears to be unfolding through diplomatic and economic integration rather than conquest.

Is He Alive Today? Reading the Signs of the Times

One of the most compelling questions facing believers today is whether the Antichrist is already alive. While Scripture does not provide a definitive answer, it does offer indicators that strongly suggest we are living in the final generation. Jesus taught that the generation that witnesses the rebirth of Israel would also see the fulfillment of end-time prophecy. Since Israel’s reestablishment as a nation in 1948, we have observed a series of developments that align remarkably with biblical predictions, including the regathering of the Jewish people and the centrality of Jerusalem on the world stage.

When these factors are considered alongside the rapid advancement of global technology, surveillance capabilities, and economic integration, the conclusion becomes increasingly difficult to dismiss. We are not merely approaching the conditions described in prophecy—we are witnessing their formation. If the Antichrist is indeed alive today, it is unlikely that he currently understands his future role. Scripture indicates that his full revelation will occur only after he is empowered and indwelt by Satan.

The Man Behind the Mask: Character of the Antichrist

This moment of empowerment transforms him from a charismatic political leader into a figure of unparalleled evil. The Bible describes his character in vivid and unsettling detail. He will be a master of rhetoric, using persuasive speech to captivate and deceive the masses. His words will be smooth and appealing, yet they will conceal a heart driven by ambition, deception, and violence. He will exhibit a complete disregard for moral and spiritual truth, openly blaspheming God and exalting himself above all that is worshiped.

This transformation is not merely ideological—it is supernatural. The Antichrist will operate under the direct influence of Satan, performing signs and wonders that will lead many to believe in his legitimacy. In this sense, his rise represents the ultimate counterfeit. Just as Jesus Christ came to reveal truth and bring salvation, the Antichrist will come to promote deception and lead humanity into spiritual destruction.

The Catalyst: Chaos Following the Rapture

The event that sets his rise into motion is the removal of the Church through the Rapture. According to 2 Thessalonians 2, the Antichrist cannot be revealed until the restraining influence currently holding back evil is taken out of the way. This restraint is widely understood to be the work of the Holy Spirit operating through the Church. When believers are suddenly removed from the earth, the resulting chaos will create a power vacuum unlike anything the world has ever experienced.

Entire industries will be disrupted, governments will be destabilized, and societies will be thrown into confusion and fear. It is within this environment of crisis that the Antichrist will emerge as a stabilizing force. Empowered by Satan and possessing extraordinary charisma, he will present solutions to the world’s problems and quickly gain influence over a coalition of nations, particularly within Europe. Through skillful negotiation and political maneuvering, he will consolidate power and position himself as the leader capable of restoring order to a fractured world.

The Seven-Year Deception: From Peace to Global War

The formal beginning of his reign is marked by a covenant with Israel, a peace agreement that allows for the rebuilding of the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem. This treaty initiates a seven-year period known as the Tribulation. For a time, it will appear that the Antichrist has succeeded in achieving what generations of leaders could not—peace in the Middle East.

However, this peace is temporary and deceptive. As his power grows, resistance from various regions of the world will lead to a series of devastating conflicts. The scale of destruction described in Revelation is staggering, with billions of lives lost as a result of war, famine, and divine judgment. Humanity will experience suffering on a scale never before seen in history.

Total Control: Economy and Worship Under One System

At the midpoint of the Tribulation, the Antichrist will reveal his true nature in an event known as the Abomination of Desolation. He will enter the rebuilt Temple, halt the sacrificial system, and declare himself to be God. From this moment forward, his control over the world becomes absolute.

Central to this control is the implementation of a global economic system in which all transactions are regulated through a specific mark. Revelation 13 states that no one will be able to buy or sell without this mark, effectively eliminating economic freedom and forcing compliance with the Antichrist’s authority. In addition to economic control, a global religious system will be established under the direction of the False Prophet, who will compel humanity to worship the Antichrist. Those who refuse will face severe persecution, leading to a mass martyrdom of believers who come to faith during this period.

The War Against Israel: Satan’s Final Campaign

As the Tribulation progresses, the Antichrist’s focus increasingly shifts toward the Jewish people. This shift is driven by Satan’s long-standing hatred for Israel and his desire to thwart God’s promises. Scripture indicates that a significant portion of the Jewish population will perish during this time, making it one of the darkest periods in human history.

Yet even in the midst of this devastation, God preserves a remnant, demonstrating His faithfulness to His covenant and His unwavering commitment to His promises.

Armageddon: The Sudden End of a Global Empire

The final stage of the Antichrist’s reign culminates in a global military confrontation known as Armageddon. As forces from various parts of the world converge in the Middle East, the stage is set for what appears to be the ultimate battle for control of the earth.

However, this conflict is abruptly ended by the return of Jesus Christ. In a display of divine power, He defeats the assembled armies and brings the Antichrist’s reign to an immediate end. The Antichrist and the False Prophet are then cast into the lake of fire, marking the beginning of their eternal judgment.

Our Blessed Hope: Watching for the True King

For believers, the study of the Antichrist is not intended to produce fear, but awareness. The Church is never instructed to look for the Antichrist, but rather to anticipate the return of Christ. The promise of the Rapture serves as a reminder that those who are in Christ will be delivered from the wrath that is to come.

As we observe the convergence of global systems, the advancement of technology, and the increasing push toward centralized control, it becomes evident that the world is moving in the direction described by Scripture. While we cannot identify the Antichrist with certainty, we can recognize the conditions that will enable his rise.

These developments should not lead to speculation, but to vigilance. The call of Scripture is clear: remain watchful, stay grounded in truth, and be prepared for the return of the true King.

The story of the Antichrist is not the end of the narrative. It is a prelude to the ultimate victory of Christ, who will establish a kingdom that will never be shaken.

Stay Awake! Keep Watch!

Website: Prophecy Recon | Bible Prophecy & Current Events

Podcast: One Minute After the Rapture https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_FvFaOdZMI