Time and space will not permit me to adequately cover this subject, but here are some of my understandings that I think people should know:

>Some say that many Muslims are peace-loving moderates, but it is a mistake to overlook the violent nature of the fundamentalists. They say that only one to two percent support terrorism. This is a whitewash job, but if it was true, there would still be millions of supporters of Islamic terrorism in the world.

>Some say that Islam began with Abraham, but I believe it really began with Muhammad around 570 A.D. (about 2,500 years after Abraham).

>Muhammad was a caravan trader who often went to Mecca in Saudi Arabia. He was troubled because the Saudis worshipped about 360 gods and goddesses, and he believed there was just one god. He started having visions and believed he was called to be a prophet. He started speaking against idolatry, abuses of the wealthy, and advocating for the poor. Christians would agree with some of his teachings.

>Some in Mecca plotted to kill him, and he had to flee for his life. He went to Medina, was well received, gained political power, and eventually, after more than one try, conquered Mecca.

>At first, he was friendly toward Christians and Jews, but some of his teachings became an issue, and he drove them away.

>This set the stage for a major problem today. No one is allowed to question the teachings of Muhammad. And many Muslim communities will not tolerate the presence of Christians and Jews.

>Muslims are reluctant to sign peace treaties with non-Muslims. But if they sign a peace treaty, they believe it is nothing more than a temporary truce to allow them time to build up their military. Once they think their military is strong enough, they see nothing wrong with breaking their peace treaty (because Muhammad signed and broke a peace treaty at Mecca).

>It is a long story, but Muhammad eventually got rid of 360 or so gods and goddesses at Mecca, except for the moon God called Allah. Many historians say the crescent shape of the moon on the Muslim flag and the crescent shape of the moon over Muslim mosques is there because Allah was the moon god in the days of Muhammad.

>Muslims believe the Bible has been distorted, that it is filled with mistakes, that God’s real truth has been suppressed, and that Christianity and Judaism are nothing more than altered or misunderstood forms of Islam.

>They want to replace the Bible with the Koran, replace Jehovah with Allah, replace Jesus with Muhammad, replace Israel with the Palestinians, and replace the church with the umma (the community of faithful followers of Islam).

>They believe in Adam, Noah, etc., but they believe they were Muslims; they believe Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Jesus were prophets, but they believe Muhammad was a greater prophet, and they believe what Muhammad said supersedes what all the others said.

>According to the Koran, Islam is the only true religion. This is why some Muslim countries have banned all other religions, why some Muslim clerics preach death to the Jews, and why some Muslim countries persecute Christians and Jews.

Here are some other quick facts about Islam:

• • A man is superior to a woman.
  • A man’s testimony carries twice as much weight in court as a woman’s testimony.
  • A man’s inheritance shall be twice as much as a woman’s.
  • A man can beat his wife to punish her.
  • A man can have more than one wife.
  • A Muslim cannot marry a non-Muslim unless she converts.
  • A Muslim can force his enemy to submit to Islam.
  • A Muslim cannot befriend a Christian or Jew.
  • Allah cannot be known in a personal way.
  • Allah is not love.
  • Allah is not a Father.
  • Allah is not the Son.
  • Allah requires total obedience to Islam.
  • Everyone has two angels: one records our good works; the other records our bad works.
  • Jesus didn’t die in our place.
  • Someone died in His place.
  • Jesus was not the Son of God.
  • God has no sons.
  • The Holy Spirit is the angel Gabriel.
  • Non-Muslims will be cast into hell.
  • Theft is punishable by amputation of the hands.

Muslims have something called the Five Pillars of Faith.

One—Affirmation or profession.

• To be a Muslim, a person must repeat the creed, “There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is his messenger.

Two—Prayer.

• A Muslim is required to pray five times a day while kneeling and facing Mecca.

Three—Almsgiving.

• A Muslim must give two and one-half percent of his income to the poor, the mosque, or the Islamic state.

Four—Fasting.

• Every Muslim must fast during the daylight hours in the month of Ramadan.

Five—Pilgrimage.

• At least once during their lifetime, all Muslims who can afford it must make a pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia.

Some Muslims have a sixth (Jihad or the spread of Islam through holy war).

(Note: The Ayatollah Khomeini said he wants to hear the cry “There is no god but Allah” all over the world.”)

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

One, concerning Islam: on June 28, 2025, an Iranian Shiite Ayatollah issued a fatwa (Islamic religious ruling) calling for the death of Pres. Trump, Israel’s Prime Min. Netanyahu, and other high-ranking Israeli officials.

His fatwa cites the Koran and declares that Trump and Netanyahu are enemies of Allah for threatening the Ayatollah Khomeini.

Iran also wants terrorist sleeper cells to step up attacks in the U.S.

Two, on June 25, 2025, Israel’s nascent (powerless) Sanhedrin (70 Israeli Jewish leaders) issued the following religious declaration to all our cousins, the seed of Ishmael, and all Muslims everywhere in the world.

• The religious court explicitly connects Israel’s military achievements to biblical prophecy, stating that all of humanity now sees the Israeli attacks on Iran that amaze the entire world, and as believers, we all understand that the Creator of the world, the God of Israel, is the one who gives his children, the children of Israel, these wonderful successes and victories.

(My opinion: They rightly declared that Old Testament prophecy is being fulfilled and that Israel’s great victory is God’s doing.)

Three, concerning wars and rumors of wars (including the Battle of Gog and Magog): on June 25, 2025, in remarks following his presence at the NATO Summit, Pres. Trump told a reporter the ceasefire between Iran and Israel may not hold.

Trump said, “Someday, it could maybe start again soon.”

(My opinion: It is not over. Iran cannot be trusted. Gog and Magog is coming.)

(More: On June 25, 2025, Pres. Trump said the U.S. and Iran will discuss a ceasefire in the coming week, but Iran responded that it will not give up its nuclear program.)

Four, concerning Iran’s efforts to build nuclear weapons: on June 25, 2025, Pres. Trump said the U.S. will launch further strikes against Iran if it attempts to rebuild its nuclear infrastructure.

(More: On July 1, 2025, it was reported that satellite images show that Iran has moved heavy equipment to its bombed nuclear reactor at Fordo and is actively clearing the underground debris.)

(More: On July 2, 2025, it was reported that a bipartisan group of lawmakers in the U.S. House of Rep. introduced new legislation this week that would grant Pres. Trump the authority to provide Israel with access to B-2 stealth bombers and bunker-busting bombs should Iran resume efforts to develop nuclear weapons.)

Five, concerning Israel being a great army at the end of the age: Iran had 2-3,000 missiles in many locations, drones, a supposedly very powerful military, and yet Israel had them begging for help in about one week and agreeing to a ceasefire in just twelve days.

Six, concerning the Abraham Accords and peace treaty with many in the Middle East: on June 25, 2025, Pres. Trump’s Special Envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, said the White House will have big announcements about other nations joining the Abraham Accords soon.

Seven, concerning a ceasefire in Gaza: on June 26, 2025, it was reported that the U.S. and Israel have agreed to five proposals:

• The hostilities in Gaza will cease within two weeks;
• Four Arab nations (including Egypt and the UAE) will oversee Gaza’s administration, replacing Hamas;
• The remaining Hamas leaders will be exiled while hostages are being freed;
• Various countries will accept Gazans who want to emigrate;
• An expansion of the Abraham Accords will lead more Arab nations to recognize Israel officially.

It was also reported that Israel might be willing to accept a Palestinian State contingent upon reforms by the Palestinian Authority, and the U.S. might agree to limited Israeli authority in Judea and Samaria.

(My opinion: It is hard for me to believe that everyone will accept this – but if they do, and even if they declare peace and safety in the Middle East – I don’t think God will accept it because it ignores His promise to give all of the Promised Land to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and their descendants after them in their generation. Jacob’s descendants are the Jews. The Jews will get all of the Promised Land, and they cannot give part of it away and get away with it.)

(Update: On June 27, 2025, Pres. Trump said he believes it is possible that a ceasefire in the Gaza conflict will be reached by next week.)

(Update: On July 1, 2025, Pres. Trump said Qatar and Egypt will deliver a U.S. and Israel FINAL ceasefire proposal to Hamas.)

(Update: On July 2, 2025, Israel’s Prime Min. Netanyahu said, “There will be no more Hamas. It’s over. We will free all of our hostages, and we will eliminate Hamas down to its very foundations.”)

(Update: On July 2, 2025, Hamas said it is ready to accept any initiative that clearly leads to the complete end to the war.)

Eight, concerning peace in the Middle East: on June 26, 2025, Pres. Trump’s Press Sec. Karoline Leavitt said:

• Trump wants peace in the Middle East.
• He is not afraid to use strength if he needs to.
• He believes the Middle East is on its way to peace and prosperity.
• He hopes that negotiations will lead to a new era of peace in the Middle East.

(My opinion: I believe the Bible teaches that there will be a treaty with many for peace in the Middle East for seven years. At some point, the Antichrist will confirm – strengthen – it, and that will begin the Tribulation Period. I also believe the Pre-Trib Rapture view is the correct view.)

Nine, on June 27, 2025, i24NEWS reported that a Syrian source said Israel and Syria are expected to sign a peace agreement before the end of 2025.

(My opinion: Notice all of this talk about peace in the Middle East. World leaders are crying out for peace in the Middle East, and it is badly needed. They should want peace. But it must be on God’s terms or it will fail. And that is what the Bible says will happen. They will agree to a peace treaty that ignores God’s promises to Israel in the Bible. God won’t accept it, and it will fail.)

Ten, on June 30, 2025, Israel confirmed that it is actively pursuing peace deals with Syria and Lebanon but denied that it will give back the Golan Heights.

Israel’s Foreign Min. said, “The Golan Heights will remain part of the State of Israel.”

(More: On July 1, 2025, the Golan Heights Regional Council Governor said, “While we welcome real peace efforts, we are very clear: any future agreement must recognize Israel’s sovereignty over the Golan.)

(More: A second report on June 30, 2025, said Syria has made it clear that under any agreement, Israel will not be permitted to operate or strike targets within Syrian territory. Israel, on the other hand, insists on retaining the ability to address security threats, particularly in scenarios where Israel withdraws from the buffer zones.)

Eleven, concerning offerings at a rebuilt Israeli Temple, on June 29, 2025, it was reported that the Israeli milling company Shtibel has announced plans to produce semolina, specifically kosher and pure, for the Temple offerings—including the minchah (meal offerings) and the shtei halechem (Two Loaves) offering brought on the Festival of Shavuot (Lev. 2:14, 23:17).

According to the report, “For many, it is more than a flour product—it’s a sign of redemption taking shape, one grain at a time.”

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

 

The death of a loving spouse can be tragic.

I had a loving wife.

Things were going well for us.

We had a good income, a good place to live, a good family, a good Church.

My wife and I were both Christians.

Almost five years ago, she was told she had Covid-19.

She died seventeen days later.

I quickly learned what life without my wife was like (what it is to live alone, eat alone, go places without her, have no one to talk to, to go home to, etc.).

Through the years, several people have asked me if they will see their deceased spouse again.

Be aware that I am referring to Christians.

Whether or not both were saved by grace through faith in Jesus makes all the difference in the world.

As a Christian, will I see my deceased wife in heaven?

I believe the answer is “Yes,” and here are some of the reasons:

• When Jesus was raised from the dead, people saw Him, touched Him, knew Him, etc.
• When Jesus was raised from the dead, many Old Testament saints were raised with Him.
• When the rich man saw Lazarus in Paradise (a true story, not a parable), the rich man knew Lazarus.
• Following their departure, Moses and Elijah appeared unto Jesus and talked with Him.
• When the Rapture happens, the deceased Christians will be raised from the dead first, and all Christians will be caught up into the air at the same time to be with Jesus. Paul said God doesn’t want ignorance in the Church about this and that Christians should comfort one another with this message.
• When Saul got the witch of Endor to call Samuel back from the dead, Saul and Samuel knew each other.
• When David’s son by Bathsheba died, David said, “I shall go to him, but he shall not come to me.” David could go to his deceased son when he died.

The separation of Christians by death is just temporary.

We have a Christian spouse for a while, then we’re separated by death, and then we’ll see them again.

With God, all things are possible, and His Word must be fulfilled.

(BTW: When we see our spouse again, both of us will have a new immortal, incorruptible body and will never get sick, or die, or sin again. We can’t imagine how wonderful that will be.)

Here are some recent events that cause me to believe that it won’t be long until living Christians see their deceased Christian spouses again.

One, concerning wars and rumors: here is a continuation of my update on the Israel-Iran war.

Day Seven of the Israel-Iran war (Thursday, June 19, 2025):

• Israel believes they have destroyed about half of Iran’s missile launchers.
• Trump’s envoy to Iran, Steve Witkoff, has delivered a proposal to Iran to de-escalate the war that he says is completely rational.
• Trump’s Press. Sec. said Pres. Trump will decide whether to attack Iran or not in two weeks, pending negotiations with Iran.
• Israel said if Pres. Trump doesn’t attack Iran’s heavily fortified nuclear facilities at Fordo, Israel will.
• A senior IRGC commander claims that all enriched uranium stored at Iran’s nuclear sites was secretly relocated to hidden locations before Israel’s bombing campaign began.
• S. officials said they are confident bunker-busting bombs can destroy Iran’s Fordo facility, but the use of a tactical nuclear weapon remains on the table as a contingency.
• Israeli jets are striking many targets in Iran.
• The U.S. has confirmed that China is delivering military aid to Iran.
• Massive amounts of military aid from the U.S. and Germany have arrived in Israel.

Day Eight of the Israel-Iran war (Friday, June 20, 2025):

• Israel has discovered several concealed missile launch sites and is beginning to take them out.
• Israel destroyed three Iranian missiles on the ground before they could be launched.
• More than 60 Israeli jets struck sites in Tehran.
• Iran said it is willing to discuss limits on its uranium enrichment, but it is unwilling to accept zero enrichment (My opinion: discussions with Iran accomplish nothing. World leaders need to require zero enrichment.)
• Iran launched about 20 missiles at Israel. At least twenty Israelis injured, three in serious condition.
• An Iranian missile hit a mosque in Israel.
• An Iranian missile injured 45 Israelis (two are serious, one is moderate), and damage is extensive.
• There was a terrorist attack in London, and captured suspects are Iranian.

Day Nine of the Israel-Iran war (Saturday, June 21, 2025):

• Israel killed two Iranian commanders and attacked Iran’s nuclear research center in Isfahan (Iran’s largest nuclear facility).
• Trump indicatedthat his June 19, 2025, two-week timeline for a decision on US military involvement in Iran is the maximum amount of time, and he could make up his mind sooner.
• Fourteen of Iran’s top nuclear scientists have been eliminated.
• Israel is not trying to start a new war. Israel is trying to end an old war that has been going on for decades.
• Six U.S. B2 stealth bombers that can carry the MOAB (Mother of All Bombs) are on their way to Guam in case Pres. Trump decides to attack Iran’s nuclear facilities at Fordo. Iran’s effort to enrich enough uranium to make nuclear bombs cannot be stopped until Fordo is taken out.
• Israel claims that it has already set back Iran’s ability to build a nuclear bomb by two to three years.
• On Truth Social, Pres. Trump wrote, “We have completed our very successful attack on the three Nuclear sites in Iran, including Fordo, Natanz, and Esfahan. All planes are now outside of Iran’s airspace. A full payload of bombs was dropped on the primary site, Fordo. All planes are safely on their way home.”
• Initial estimates are that Fordo was destroyed, but no one knows, and we will have to wait to see.

Day Ten of the Israel-Iran war (Sunday, June 22, 2025;

• The U.S. notified Iran that it is not planning any more attacks on Iran and it is not seeking regime change.
• Russia’s former Pres. Medvedev said a number of nations are now ready to supply Iran with nuclear weapons. He added that the enrichment of nuclear material and the production of nuclear weapons will continue.
• Iran’s Parliament voted to close the Strait of Hormuz. The Supreme Council is expected to approve it before this day is over. It would be illegal and likely lead to more conflicts. 20% of the world’s oil goes through the Strait; it could cause the price of oil to soar, possibly cause economies to collapse, and more.
• Israel destroyed two Iranian jets, eight missile launchers, and other Iranian assets.
• A terrorist attack on a Church in Damascus killed at least 20 Christians and injured dozens more.
• Prime Min. Netanyahu said Israel has interesting information about Iran’s relocated enriched uranium.

(Note: Iran’s threat to close the Strait of Hormuz is why a large port, called Al Faw Grand Port, has been built at Iraq – the ancient land of Babylon. Construction started in 2020, and it is now complete. Billions of dollars have been pledged, and there is a plan to build a canal and a road to bypass Iran’s threats to close the Strait of Hormuz and the Houthis attacks on shipping through the Red Sea. Global traders are anxious for an alternate route. This threat may lead to the fulfillment of Rev. 18.).

Day Eleven of the Israel-Iran war (Monday, June 23, 2025;

• Iran fired a barrage of fifteen missiles at Israel (no major damage).
• The U.S. said Iran is building a new underground nuclear reactor.
• Israel attacked Iran’s underground nuclear reactor at Fordo again.
• Iran accused Russia of not doing enough to help Iran. The Ayatollah Khamenei had his Ambassador to Russia take a letter to Putin asking him to take a stronger stand against the U.S. and Israel.
• The U.S. said closing the Strait of Hormuz would be a serious mistake.
• Iran launched ten missiles at a U.S. base in Qatar. There are no reports of damage yet.
• Iran warned that all U.S. bases are a target.
• Trump announced a ceasefire between Israel and Iran beginning about midnight Eastern Time in the U.S.

Day Twelve of the Israel-Iran war (Tuesday June 24, 2025;

• Netanyahu said Israel has met its objectives in the war and Israel agrees to a ceasefire.
• One missile was launched from Iran, breaking the ceasefire.
• Israel ordered intense fire against Iran for breaking the ceasefire.
• Iran first denied, then admitted to and apologized for breaking the ceasefire.
• Israel retaliated by striking a military site in Iran and said the strike was before the ceasefire took effect. (My comment: Although there are different opinions about when the Battle will take place, the Bible clearly teaches that Iran will submit to Russia’s leadership in the Battle of Gog and Magog, and they and other allies will try to destroy Israel. Iran’s request for Russia to take a stronger stand should not be overlooked.)
• Iran vowed to renew its quest for nuclear weapons.
• The U.S. warned Iran to stay away from its destroyed nuclear reactors and not try to recover enriched uranium.

Two, concerning God’s promise to bless those that bless Israel and curse those that curse Israel: on June 21, 2025, Pres. Trump addressed the nation about his decision to bomb Iran’s nuclear reactors:

Here is how he closed his message:

• I want to just thank everybody.
• And, in particular, God.
• I want to just say, we love you, God, and we love our great military.
• Protect them.
• God bless the Middle East. God bless Israel and God bless America. Thank you very much. Thank you.

 

Three, on June 21, 2025, Harbingers Daily reported that Franklin Graham said:

• Iran wants Jews erased from the earth, and that’s exactly what they would do with an atomic weapon.
• Israel has had no choice but to defend itself.

Four, on June 22, 2025, Israeli Prime Min. Netanyahu, his wife, and several others went to the Western Wall to pray and thank God for America’s help with taking out Iran’s nuclear reactors and to pray for Pres. Trump and ask God to bless him for helping Israel.

Five, concerning hatred for Israel and deceit at the end of the age, a Muslim, Zohran Mamdani, is running for Mayor of New York City, and he refuses to acknowledge that Israel has a right to exist.

On June 20, 2025, it was reported that the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) is funneling money to Mamdani’s campaign.

CAIR blames Israel for the Hamas attack on Israel that started the current war.

Some Arab nations have designated CAIR as a terrorist organization.

(Update: On June 24, 2025, Mamdani won the Democrat nomination for Mayor of New York City. He has been described as a very extreme, foreign-born, anti-Israel socialist.

Six, concerning wars and rumors of wars at the end of the age: following Lebanon’s call for Hezbollah to stay out of Israel’s war with Iran and Hezbollah’s refusal to do so, on June 20, 2025, Israel’s Defense Min. said:

• Israel has lost patience with terrorists who threaten it.
• If there is terrorism — there will be no Hezbollah.

Seven, concerning wars and rumors of wars at the end of the age: at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum on June 20, 2025, Russia’s President Vladimir Putin said,

• The whole of Ukraine belongs to Russia.
• Where the foot of a Russian soldier steps, that is ours.

Eight, concerning God’s promise that Israel will never be destroyed again: on June 24, Elie Mischel wrote,

• Israel has brought Iran to its knees—a small nation dismantling a powerful regional enemy in just days. Then came President Trump’s decisive action, halting Iran’s nuclear ambitions. These are not ordinary military victories; they feel like miraculous reversals that our ancestors could only dream of.

(My opinion: It is a miracle and it is evidence that God keeps His word.).

Nine, with Iran threatening to retaliate against the U.S. for bombing its nuclear reactors, concerning illegal immigrants entering the U.S. from Iran: on June 22, 2025, it was reported that the Biden administration:

• Apprehended 48 in fiscal 2021 and released 12 into the U.S.;
• Apprehended 197 in 2022 and released 40 into the U.S.;
• Apprehended 462 in 2023 and released 229 into the U.S.;
• Apprehended 797 in 2024 and released 448 into the U.S.

These numbers do not include gotaways and other Iranians that were apprehended at ports of entry.

On June 22, 2025, the U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security issued a national terrorism advisory in the U.S.

One U.S. official said America’s open border has left the U.S. vulnerable to sleeper cells that can be activated by Iran.

(More: On June 25, 2025, it was reported that ICE arrested 11 Iranian nationals suspected of having terrorist affiliations or criminal histories while living illegally in the United States.)

Ten, concerning an increase in the frequency and intensity of natural disasters at the end of the age: the National Weather Service (NWS) has warned that Montana could get 12-24 inches of rain and wind gusts up to 45 mph on June 20-22, 2025, at elevations above 6,000 ft.

The NWS warns of the potential for slick roads, reduced visibility, sudden whiteout conditions, downed trees and power lines.

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