I can’t sing worth a flip, but several years ago, I agreed to preach at a small church for at least two Sundays. When I showed up, I was told the church didn’t have a song leader or a piano player, and the preacher always leads the singing. I told the congregation I couldn’t sing and asked for a volunteer. No one would do it, so I did.

When I went back the next Sunday, the Church had hired a song leader and a piano player.

Even though I can’t sing, there are some songs that I really like (Midnight Cry; Days of Elijah; The King is Coming; Ain’t No Grave Gonna Hold This Body Down; Sorry I Never Knew You; The Last Sunday; etc.).

Here are some of the words to The Last Sunday by The Cathedrals:

The last Sunday, The last Sunday…
Missus Jones does her knitting in the rocker by the window,
As she watches kids at play across the street.

Down the road and not too far, sitting at the corner bar,
Mr. Daley buys a drink for Mrs. Sweet.

While at 34th and Vine, in the car at the stop sign,
Are the Smiths on their way to Sunday School.

They both wave to Mr. Groat, who is bringing out his boat
He’ll be staying at the lake a day or two

At a church near Valley Station,
The preacher tells the congregation
About social acts and war and civil rights

While many in the subdivision
Sit and watch the television
Hoping that their favorite ball game wins the fight

The Last Sunday in Pleasant Valley township
A trumpet sounds, and the clouds all roll away
They all were warned, but they just did not believe it
The last Sunday, Jesus Christ has come again
The last Sunday, the last Sunday

The Bible says in Matthew 24
“But as the days of Noah were,
So shall also the coming of the Son of Man be.
For as in the days that were before the flood
They were eating and drinking,
Marrying and giving in marriage
Until the day that Noah entered into the ark
And knew not until the flood came,
And took them all away.
So shall also the coming of the Son of Man be.
Then shall two be in the fields
The one shall be taken, the other left.
Two women shall be grinding in the mill
The one shall be taken and the other left.
Watch therefore for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.”

The last Sunday, The last Sunday… (etc., repeat).

We don’t know when we will have our last Sunday, but it is coming, and it could be soon.

What will we do on the last Sunday of the Church Age: go to a bar, go to a lake, watch a ballgame, go to Church, etc.?

None of these things will save us, but our last Sunday will come by death or the Rapture, and we desperately need to be ready.

Here are some recent current events that seem to indicate that it could be soon:

One, concerning the Israel-Hamas war: on Aug. 7, 2025, it was reported that a decisive majority of Israel’s Knesset approved Israeli Prime Min. Netanyahu’s plan to do five things:

• Disarm Hamas.
• Return all of the living and dead hostages.
• Demilitarize Gaza.
• Assume security control of the Strip.
• Create an alternative civil administration that is neither Hamas nor the Palestinian Authority.

(More: On Aug. 8, 2025, several members of the UN Security Council requested an urgent meeting (on Aug. 9) to discuss Israel’s plan to take control of Gaza City.)

(Note: As I understand it, Israel’s goal is not to permanently occupy Gaza; it is to root out and destroy Hamas and replace Hamas and the PA with a government that will accept the existence of Israel.)

(Update: On Aug 10, 2025, Netanyahu said Israel’s mission is not to seize the territory but to free it from the grip of Hamas. He promised to dismantle the terrorist group’s rule and secure a future in which Gazans can live free from fear, oppression, and the violence of jihad.)

(Update: On Aug. 11, 2025, Pres. Trump said Hamas can’t stay in Gaza.)

(Update: Netanyahu said he will not negotiate on any more partial hostage release deals. He will only negotiate on a deal to return all of the hostages.)

Two, concerning the threat of radical Islam, on Aug. 7, 2025, it was reported that Charles Asher Small, founding director and president of the Institute for the Study of Global Antisemitism and Policy (ISGAP), said,

• The Muslim Brotherhood is a century-old reactionary Islamist movement whose goal is to complete the work of Adolf Hitler and kill Jews and destroy the state of Israel.
• It’s just as interested in waging war on the West.
• To that end, it has spawned the Hamas terrorist movement and, with the financial assistance of Qatar, is also spreading its influence in the West.

Small believes the U.S. and Canada are not paying enough attention to the way foreign funders and supporters of terrorism are infiltrating into North America.

Three, concerning Turkey (a Muslim nation that will align with Russia, Iran and others in a latter years and latter days attack on Israel called the Battle of Gog of Magog): on Aug. 9, 2025, Turkey’s Foreign Min. said Muslim nations must act in unison and rally international opposition against Israel’s plan to take control of Gaza City.

Four, concerning the sacrifice of a red heifer: it has been reported that Byron Stinson (the Texas businessman and rancher who raised the five perfect red heifers that were moved to Israel) said Israel sacrificed a perfect red heifer on July 1, 2025.

Stinson urged people to recognize that this has taken place.

(My opinion: I don’t know if the ashes will be used to purify priests to rebuild and serve at a third Temple or not, but I am skeptical. Nevertheless, I have long believed that the third Temple will be rebuilt early in the Tribulation Period, the Rapture is imminent, and imminent means that the Rapture can happen at any time without warning.)

(Update: On Aug. 11, 2025, it was reported that Byron Stinson said the good news is, we do have more pure heifers in Texas. So, in God’s time, this – a rebuilt Temple – will all happen. It is written. So it will happen.)

Five, concerning deceit at the end of the age: on Aug. 7, 2025, Frontpage Magazine reported that French Pres. Emanuel Macron “publicly claims to oppose antisemitism, but he permits Hamas propaganda on university campuses, grants platforms to intellectuals advocating for boycotts of Israel, and cooperates with Islamist coalitions embedded in France’s educational, judicial, and security institutions.”

(More: On Aug. 9, 2025, U.S. Sec. of State Marco Rubio said the ceasefire talks with Hamas fell apart on the day Macron made the unilateral decision that he’s going to recognize the Palestinian state. And then you have other people come forward, other countries say, ‘Well, if there’s not a ceasefire by September, we’re [also] going to recognize a Palestinian state.)

(My opinion: A few prophecy teachers think Macron could be the coming deceiver that is called the Antichrist. He definitely seems to have a problem with the truth.)

Six, concerning perilous times and the Islamic effort to create a global Islamic caliphate on earth: on Aug. 9, 2025, The Jerusalem Post published an opinion piece by Catherine Perez-Shakdam that is very interesting.

Here is just a small part of what she said:

• In attacking Israel, Europe has quite possibly mortgaged its own future. The self-sabotage is breathtaking.
• What was once called a terrorist is now a “militant.”
• What was once hostage-taking is now “armed struggle.”
• What was once mass rape is “resistance.”
• In turning on Israel, it did not become more moral – it became more vulnerable.
• In refusing to name Islamism as a threat, it did not become more tolerant – it became less free.
• In alienating the Jews, it did not become more inclusive – it became more ignorant.
• And the caliphate, if it is declared, will not weep over Europe’s museums and libraries. It will thank them for their silence.

Here is a link to the entire article.

Europe’s silence on radical Islam may lead to its collapse | The Jerusalem Post

Seven, concerning the Two-State Solution: on Aug. 11, 2025, Australia announced that it will recognize a Palestinian State at the UN General Assembly Meeting on Sept. 22-23 of this year.

Israel’s Prime Min. Netanyahu said:

• The Palestinians are not about creating a state—they’re about destroying a state.
• The real reason that this conflict persists is not because of the absence of a Palestinian state, but the persistent Palestinian refusal to recognize a Jewish state in any boundary.

Netanyahu called the actions of Australia and Europe shameful.

(My opinion: Dividing Israel and creating a Palestinian State with its capital in Jerusalem is self-sabotage or suicide because God said He will cut the nations into pieces for doing that; Zech. 12:1-3. Also, as I understand it, the General Assembly recommendation will have to be approved by the UN Security Council, and I doubt that Pres. Trump will do that.)

Eight, concerning the Two-State Solution and a UN General Assembly of a Palestinian State: on Aug. 11, 2025, The Jerusalem Post published an article by Mathilda Heller titled “What does recognizing a Palestinian state mean, and does it change anything on the ground? – analysis.”

Among other things, Heller said:

>International recognition of a Palestinian state does not automatically lead to the state’s creation.

>International law regarding the creation of a state is generally based on the Montevideo      Convention of 1933.

>This lists four specific criteria in order for something to qualify as a state: First, it must have a permanent population. Second, it must have a defined territory. Third, a government. And fourth, the capacity to enter into relations with other states.

>Palestine does not necessarily meet all of these four criteria. While it is generally considered to have a permanent population, it doesn’t have a stable government (the Palestinian Authority has only limited control over the West Bank and no control over Gaza) and has disputed borders.

>An agreement would have to be reached over Jerusalem. Israel considers all of Jerusalem to be its capital, while Palestinians believe East Jerusalem to be theirs.

>The U.S. can veto the recognition of a Palestinian State in the UN Security Council (and that is probably going to happen), but a future U.S. government might vote for it.

Here is a link to the article and additional information.

What does recognizing a Palestinian state really mean? | The Jerusalem Post

Nine, concerning the Two-State Solution: on Aug. 13, 2025, Israel’s Foreign Min. said the Two-State Solution would be the end of Israel.

He argued that creating a Palestinian state within the 1967 borders, with its capital in eastern Jerusalem, would endanger Israel’s major population centers and leave the country with “indefensible” boundaries.

(My understanding: A Palestinian State would have the right to have a military – army with tanks, air force with planes and bombs, etc. – and Israel cannot allow that on their borders. Just know that no weapon formed against Israel will prosper.)

Ten, concerning the coming global economic collapse (the Rider on the Black Horse; Rev. 6:5-6): America’s national debt has just passed 37 trillion dollars, and it continues to rise fast.

Some experts believe Pres. Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill and tax cuts will cause it to accelerate.

(My opinion: The collapse of America’s economy will trigger a global collapse.)

Eleven, concerning the Days of Noah and an increase in wickedness at the end of the age: on Aug. 11, 2025, Pres. Trump took control of the Washington, DC police in a crackdown on crime, homelessness, and drug abuse.

Trump sent in 850 federal agents on Monday and 800 National Guard troops on Tuesday.

Twelve, concerning an increase in the frequency and intensity of natural disasters at the end of the age: on Aug. 12, 2025, Chattanooga, TN. received 6.4 in. of rain in one day (some areas received 2 in. of rain in one hour).

This was the second wettest day on record for the city since records began in 1879.

Three people died, and one is missing.

FYI: God does not send anyone to Hell (all of us are born with a sin nature and destined to go to Hell because we sin), but God has provided a way (Jesus) for everyone to go to Heaven (and He is the only way to get there; John 14:6).

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

 

Most Christians take Communion (the Lord’s Supper) on a regular basis.

Most have heard a sermon on the following passage (I Cor. 11:23-32).

>For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, that the Lord Jesus, the same night in which he was betrayed, took bread:

>And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.

>After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, this cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.

>For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come.

>Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.

>But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.

>For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.

>For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.

>For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.

>But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.

During 25 years of pastoring churches, I had a small number (three, I think) of members who refused to take communion.

They said they were unworthy, and they didn’t want to get sick or die anytime soon.

I told them that all of us are unworthy.

“All have sinned and come short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23).

“But if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (I Jn. 1:9).

That is why I always tried to have a prayer of confession before the bread and wine were served.

Confession allowed us to take Communion as forgiven and cleansed sinners.

One result of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus is the fact that God accounts (or treats) His people as righteous.

Jesus was talking about the Tribulation Period and Second Coming when He said, “Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man” (Luke 21:36).

None of us are worthy of being Raptured and escaping the Tribulation Period.

But all who have truly accepted Jesus as their Lord and Saviour will be accounted (treated) as though they are worthy.

Here are some recent events that seem to indicate that the Rapture is close:

One, concerning the expansion of Israel’s borders at the end of the age: on July 30, 2025, Israel used international mediators to warn Hamas to accept Israel’s current ceasefire offer within a matter of days or Israel will start annexing portions of the Gaza Strip.

(More: On Aug. 1, 2025, it was reported that Israel now believes the prospect of securing the release of hostages through an agreement is out of sight. Thus, Israel is preparing to intensify the campaign to defeat Hamas.)

(More: On Aug. 4, 2025, it was reported that the United States has given Israel the green light to initiate ‘powerful military actions’ in Gaza, and likely to annex or indefinitely occupy parts of the Gaza Strip.)

Two, concerning the hostages and wars and rumors of wars at the end of the age: on July 31, 2025, Israel refused to release captured living terrorists in exchange for the bodies of deceased hostages.

U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff warned that the war may soon escalate if there is no real progress toward the release of the hostages.

Three, concerning wars and rumors of wars at the end of the age: on July 31, 2025, U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff met with Israeli Prime Min. Netanyahu to discuss the growing threat from Iran.

Four, concerning deceit and claims that Israel is starving Palestinians to death: on Aug. 1, 2025, U.S. Ambassador Huckaby spent five hours in Gaza assessing the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) food distribution system.

Huckaby said Hamas hates the GHF system because the food is going to the people, and Hamas can’t steal and sell it.

Selling the food helps Hamas finance its war against Israel.

A recent editorial in the Jerusalem Post stated there is no denying that Israel should help feed hungry Palestinians, but Israel does not bear sole responsibility for feeding them.

The problem doesn’t seem to be the availability of food.

The problem is who controls the food, and do the hungry people get it free from GHF or do they have to pay Hamas for it.

(More: On July 31, 2025, GHF said they have delivered one million meals to the Palestinians in the past two months. If there is hunger, it is because other humanitarian groups – including the UN – are not stepping up.)

(Question: Hamas started a war with Israel when it attacked Israel. Many of the Palestinians have supported Hamas. Why should Israel be required to feed her enemies in a war? Is Russia feeding the Ukrainians? Are the Houthis feeding Israel? It is my understanding that the UN has 1,000 truckloads of food that has been purchased for the Palestinians, but the United Nothing is refusing to deliver it. Why?)

(Update: On Aug. 5, 2025, Axios reported that Pres. Trump plans for the US to take a leading role in Gaza aid efforts. And Israel Channel 12 reported that Trump plans to propose US-led reconstruction of Gaza with significant American funding, on the condition that Hamas is no longer in power.)

Five, concerning the effort by many as 140 nations to recognize a Palestinian State in Sept. 2025: U.S. Sec. of State Rubio recently said:

• It is counterproductive and meaningless.
• None of these nations has the ability to create a Palestinian State.
• Sustainable statehood must emerge through negotiated agreement rather than unilateral declaration.
• There can be no Palestinian state unless Israel agrees to it.

According to the article:

• The Oslo Accords, signed in the 1990s, established the principle that final status issues—including Palestinian statehood—must be resolved through direct negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians.
• This framework requires that any Palestinian state emerge as the result of a negotiated settlement rather than through unilateral recognition by third parties.

(My opinion: I hope Rubio is right, but I know Israel will eventually be divided, and it goes against the Word of God. I strongly believe that we are witnessing a major step toward the division of Israel and eventually the Battle of Armageddon. It is a terrible thing to fall into the hands of an angry God.)

(More: On Aug. 4, 2025, it was reported that more than a dozen House Democrats have signed a letter to Pres. Trump urging him to recognize the existence of a Palestinian state. One Muslim Congressman said he intends to introduce a bill in the House in the next few days for the U.S. to recognize a Palestinian State. I don’t think it will pass, but I believe he is daring God to judge America.)

Six, concerning the nations recognizing a Palestinian State in Sept.: the Prophecy News Watch (PNW) Staff said (on Aug. 2, 2025):

>Make no mistake: this is not about peace. It’s about power. It’s about appeasing an ideology that has raised its children to hate Jews and murder Israelis.

>Scripture warns—repeatedly—that dividing the land of Israel is a direct provocation against God’s purposes (Joel 3:2; Zech. 12:3).

>In their rush to impose a “solution,” the nations are sowing the seeds of divine wrath. They believe they are peacemakers, but in reality, they are playing with fire—eternal fire.

>A recognized Palestinian state will not be satisfied with the West Bank. The heart of their campaign has always been Jerusalem—particularly East Jerusalem and the Temple Mount. Once statehood is secured, international pressure will mount to divide the Holy City. That, according to Zechariah 14, is the line God Himself will not allow the nations to cross without consequences.

>The nations of the earth may gather to vote, legislate, and divide—but the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob will not be mocked. His promises still stand. And those who seek to divide what He has declared indivisible will find themselves facing something far more fearsome than public opinion: the judgment of the Lord of Hosts.

The entire PNW article can be found at this link: https://www.prophecynewswatch.com/article.cfm?recent_news_id=8592

Seven, concerning the nations recognizing a Palestinian State in Sept. 2025: on Aug. 3, 2025, highly renowned author, writer, and Bible Teacher Jonathan Brentner said the result of the July 28-29 UN meeting was a document titled, “New York Declaration on the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution.”

Brentner said, “In many ways, this conclave and resulting declaration are what we might expect to happen during the period of time leading up to the start of Daniel’s seventieth week.”

He added:

• The document uses the phrase “peace and security” (peace and safety) five times.
• The words “peace” or “peaceful” occur twenty-eight times.
• “Security” (safety) appears twenty-four times.
• We are living at a time when the words of 1 Thessalonians 5:3are coming to life: “For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.”

This is stunning.

The Rapture precedes the Tribulation Period.

The Tribulation Period will begin when they (unbelievers) declare peace and security (peace and safety).

And 140 nations have just approved a document demanding peace and security (peace and safety) that they want the UN to approve in September.

(My opinion: If approved by the UN in Sept., this won’t be the document that begins the Tribulation Period, but it could be the document that is confirmed (strengthened) by the Antichrist. And that would begin the Tribulation Period.)

(FYI: I believe the Antichrist will come out of the EU, and many of the 140 nations that signed the “New York Declaration on the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution” are members of the EU.

Eight, concerning the UN wannabe world government: on July 31, 2025, a senior U.S. State Dept. official told Congress the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) exists to provide cover for Hamas. They are completely corrupt and should be disbanded.

Nine, concerning Jerusalem and the Temple Mount: on Aug. 3, 2025 (Tisha B’Av, a Jewish Holy Day that remembers the destruction of the first two Israeli Temples), Israel’s Defense Min. went to the Wailing Wall, prayed, and promised to strengthen Israel’s sovereignty over Jerusalem and the Israeli Holy sites including the Temple Mount.

(More: On Aug. 3, 2025, Mike Johnson, Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives and a congressional delegation visited the Wailing Wall in Israel to pray and offer support for Israel.)

Concerning the Temple Mount and a rebuilt Temple: on Aug. 4, 2025, Prophecy News Watch (PNW) reported that:

>Israel’s National Security Min. went up on the Temple Mount, he prostrated himself, openly prayed, and led thousands of Jews in songs and worship.

>Jewish visits have soared in recent years. From fewer than 20,000 visits in 2020 to over 56,000 so far in the current Hebrew year, this movement has grown despite opposition from both religious and political establishments.

>The Temple Mount Institute has accelerated its preparations for a future Temple, holding training for Levite priests, rehearsing burnt offerings, and preparing for this week’s Annual Conference of Temple Research, which will address recent temple updates, including issues related to the Red Heifer.  They have also just posted to their Facebook page a bold and provocative logo as a call to action – “It’s Time To Build – Synchronize Your Watches!”

>For Jews, the Temple’s rebuilding is a return to covenant, the revival of ancient worship, and the final step in national restoration. For many Christians, it signals something else: the nearing of the end of the age.

>What once seemed impossible–Jewish worship on the Temple Mount–is now reality. What was once a dream–the return of the Temple–feels nearer than ever. The question is not if something has changed. It is whether we are ready for what comes next.

>Let the nations take notice. The Temple Mount is stirring.

(Reminder: I believe the Rapture will take place before the Temple is rebuilt.)

(Update: On Aug. 6, 2025, the Temple Institute in Jerusalem announced that all the red heifers that were moved from Texas to Israel in Sept. 2022 have now been disqualified. They said the effort to produce an unblemished red heifer will continue full steam ahead, and they believe they will have one when God sees fit.)

Ten, concerning natural disasters: in one week (July 28-Aug. 4, 2025), a large area of southern Taiwan received extremely heavy rains.

The Kaohsiung’s Maolin area received 114 inches of rain in seven days.

The Wutai township recorded 93.07 inches of rain.

(More: On Aug. 5, 2025, Isesaki, Japan recorded a temperature of 107.2°F) at 14:26 LT, setting Japan’s highest temperature on record and marking the second time in one week that the national record was broken.)

(More: Bejing, China usually receives about 6.5 inches of rain on July 26-28. This year, Bejing received 21.4 inches—more than 3 ½ times normal. The flooding and devastation were widespread.)

Eleven, concerning persecution and wickedness: well-known Pastor Jack Hibbs of Calvary Chapel Chino Hills in Southern Cal. recently told his congregation that a proposed bill called AB 495 is the most dangerous bill he has ever seen.

Hibbs said:

• The bill would allow any non-related adult, a neighbor, teacher, ex-relative, or even a complete stranger, to take custody of your child without your knowledge or consent. No background check. No court order. No parent’s signature. Just a piece of paper.
• If this bill passes, I am going to ask you to leave the state of California. You’re gonna need to pack up and get out; you gotta get out. You gotta run with your kids. You gotta go.

(My opinion: The bill has to be dangerous for a pastor to tell his church members he intends to ask them to leave the state if it passes.)

FYI: God does not send anyone to Hell (all of us are born with a sin nature and destined to go to Hell because we sin), but God has provided a way (Jesus) for everyone to go to Heaven (and He is the only way to get there; John 14:6).

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