On Feb. 26, 2025, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz addressed the Sovereignty Conference 2025 in Jerusalem.

Cruz said:

• Israel has an absolute right to determine what happens in Judea and Samaria.
• Israel’s right starts in the Bible and extends through modern times.
• As for your enemies, who are also the enemies of America, we know that they seek to weaken you and to weaken us. And then to destroy you. And then to destroy us.

God clearly made an everlasting covenant to give all the land of Canaan to Abraham and his descendants after him in their generation and to be Israel’s God (Gen. 17:7-8).

God clearly said He would bless the descendants of Ishmael, but His everlasting covenant would go through Isaac (Gen. 17:18-21) who had not even been born yet.

Abraham had twin sons (Esau and Jacob). Esau had the birthright as the firstborn, and the covenant should have gone through him, but he sold his birthright to Jacob for a bowl of pottage (Gen. 25:29-34), and God accepted the deal.

Then, the covenant went through Jacob (Gen. 28:13; 35:10-12) whose name was changed to Israel and whose 12 headed up the 12 tribes of Israel.

The Jews wound up as slaves in Egypt; God remembered His covenant (Deut. 7:7-8), sent the Ten Plagues, Pharaoh let them go, and Moses led them to the Promised Land.

The story continues, but Cruz rightly stated that Israel’s right to the land (which includes all of Judea and Samaria and more) begins in the Bible.

It begins with God; it is an everlasting right. God cannot lie, and it will not be fully realized until the Second Coming of Jesus at the end of the Tribulation Period.

The Islamic obsession with destroying Israel and seizing the land is Satanic, and it will not end until Satan is bound and chained (Rev. 20:1).

In the meantime, because the Jews have rejected Jesus as their Messiah, they will not have peace, they will be beset with war, fear, and hardship, many will die, and more, but God cannot lie, God will not forsake Israel (Jer. 31:35-37), and all Israel will eventually be saved.

Here are some related current events.

One, on Feb. 26, 2025, Pres. Trump held the first cabinet meeting of his second term.

18 Cabinet secretaries, White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, National Security Advisor Michael Waltz, DOGE head Elon Musk, and Trump’s nominee for UN ambassador were in the room.

Trump opened the meeting by asking HUD Sec. Scott Turner to pray.

Randy DeSoto reported that Turner prayed:

• Father, we thank you for this awesome privilege, Father, to be in your presence.
• God, thank you that you’ve allowed us to see this day.
• The Bible says that ‘your mercies are new every morning,’ and Father God, we give you the glory and the honor.
• Turner thanked God for allowing them to serve and anointing them to do the job.
• He asked God to give Trump and them the wisdom they will need to lead the country.
• I pray for all of my colleagues that are here around the table and in this room.
• Lord God, we pray that we would lead with a righteous clarity.
• The Bible says, ‘Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD.’
• Thank you for giving us this opportunity to restore faith in this country and be a blessing to the people of America.
• Lord God, today in our meeting, we pray that you would be gloried in our conversation, in Jesus’ name, amen.

Trump congratulated Turner for doing a very good job.

(My opinion: I am not sure how this fits in with Bible prophecy, but praying in Jesus’ name is Biblical. I am delighted to know that the first Cabinet meeting was opened with prayer in Jesus’ name, and I hope all of the Cabinet meetings are opened that way.)

Two, concerning the U.S.: on Feb. 28, 2025, Rev. Franklin Graham said:

• There is one area that no president has control over—that’s the ever-growing moral decadence that seems to have gripped so much of our nation, especially among young people.
• It’s a spiritual degeneracy that can only be cured by repentance and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
• There is no other remedy or hope.
• As Scripture states, “And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold” (Matthew 24:12).

Graham added that the U.S. needs the redeeming grace of God and urged people to pray that it will happen.

(My opinion: Graham is saying Pres. Trump can’t save the U.S., but God can and will if America’s citizens will give up their sins and truly accept the death of Jesus on the cross as a propitiation for their sins. Prayer can change things.)

Three, on Jan. 24, 2025, Pres. Trump pardoned 23 pro-lifers (some were elderly, some were just praying, etc.) who had been sentenced to long terms in prison for peacefully protesting at abortion clinics.

At that time, Trump said they should not have been prosecuted.

On Feb. 25, 2025, a group of pro-life advocates urged the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Oversite to repeal the laws that were used to jail these people.

(My opinion: I believe abortion is wrong, and my belief comes from the Bible.)

Four, concerning Israel having a powerful army at the end of the age: on Feb. 27, 2025, in a special service with prayers and religious blessings and songs, dozens of ultra-Orthodox (religiously observant) Jews were sworn in as the first members of a religious combat unit in the Israeli military.

This unique group of religious soldiers (males and females) will also serve their nation as fighters.

(My opinion: The idea of religious soldiers is in the Bible; Samson, Gideon, etc.)

Five, concerning the Battle of Gog and Magog: following Iran’s third threat in a week to destroy Israel and the U.S., on Feb. 25, 2025,

• Israel’s Defense Min. said, “We are ready.”
• S. Senator Lindsey Graham said, “Don’t get overly attached to your nuclear weapons program.”

At some point, Iran will try to destroy Israel, but God will intervene, and Iran will fail.

(More: On Feb. 26, 2025, the International Atomic Energy Agency warned that Iran has accelerated its production of near-weapons-grade uranium amid mounting tensions between Iran and the U.S.)

(More: On Feb. 25, 2025, Iran rejected talks about stopping its efforts to produce nuclear weapons as long as the U.S. is imposing sanctions on Iran’s oil industry. Iran said we will not negotiate under pressure.)

Six, I am not suggesting that Pres. Trump is the Antichrist, and I don’t think he is, but for years Bible prophecy teachers have said the world will get in a big mess at the end of the age and world leaders will welcome a man with a plan (the Antichrist) to deal with the problems.

On Feb. 27, 2027, it was reported that U.S. Sec. of State Marco Rubio told Breitbart News:

• His conversations with leaders across the Middle East suggest a strong desire in the region to see expansion of the historic Abraham Accords.
• The worldwide planet is thrilled that Pres. Donald Trump is back in the White House.
• The world has been dying for Trump’s kind of leadership again in Washington.

(My opinion: There is no doubt that Trump is a very powerful man with a lot of big plans, but the Bible clearly teaches that the Antichrist cannot be identified while the Church is on earth. Some pundits say the Antichrist will be gay. I don’t know about that, but if it is true, it is more likely to be Obama than Trump. As far as I am concerned, those that are here when the Antichrist appears have been left behind.)

Seven, concerning wars and rumors of wars: on Feb. 28, 2025, it was reported that Israel is planning to resume its war with Hamas within four to six weeks with a significantly changed strategy.

According to the report, Israel is currently working on a plan:

• To deploy a large number of troops,
• To move the Palestinians into humanitarian areas,
• To take control of all aid,
• To provide aid only to those in the humanitarian areas, and
• To defeat Hamas and take over the entire Gaza Strip.

(More: On Mar. 3, 2025, it was reported that Israel will not allow Hamas to continue the ceasefire without releasing hostages. Israel intends to cut off all humanitarian aid, electricity, and water to Gaza – no food, water, or electricity – to encourage people to leave before it unleashes the Gates of Hell with an overwhelming attack on Hamas. Trump has already said if Hamas doesn’t release the hostages, he will support whatever Israel decides to do.)

Eight, concerning Trump’s suggestion that the U.S. take over Gaza: on Feb. 26, 2025, Glen Beck suggested that it is a bad idea Biblically.

Beck said,

• That’s sacred land.
• I think this would be so bad in the spiritual sense for the United States to take that land.
• That belongs to Israel.

(My opinion: Beck is right. The Bible clearly teaches that God gave that land and a lot more to Israel as an everlasting possession. America should not even think about taking one square inch of it.)

(More: On Mar. 2, 2025, it was reported that a recent poll found that only 6% of Gaza’s citizens want Hamas to remain in power in Gaza. Many Palestinians blame Hamas for starting the Oct. 7, 2023 war, preventing them from getting aid, etc.)

(More: On Mar. 4, 2025, the Arab League approved a plan by Egypt to rebuild and govern Gaza. The UN, EU, and PA Chairman Abbas endorsed the plan, but the U.S. and Israel rejected it. A U.S. official said the U.S. is still open to talks, but Hamas cannot have a future role in the government of Gaza. Israel added the plan continues to rely on the PA and UNRWA, and both are corrupt.)

Nine, concerning Israel having a great army at the end of the age:

• On Feb. 28, 2025, the U.S. Defense Dept. authorized a $2.04 billion sale of bombs to Israel starting in 2026 to meet future threats.
• On Mar. 1, 2025, the U.S. Sec. of State Marco Rubio signed a document to expedite $4 billion of military aid to Israel to meet present needs.

The Trump administration has approved nearly $12 billion in military sales to Israel since Trump took office on Jan. 20, 2025.

Ten, concerning Europe having a great army at the end of the age, on Mar. 3, 2025, the Prophecy News Watch (PNW) staff posted an interesting article.

They said, “The abrupt fallout between President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has not only shaken diplomatic relations but has also sparked renewed calls for Europe to establish its own army—one independent of the United States.”

They asked:

• Could this be the fulfillment of a prophetic moment leading toward the rise of a European superstate?
• And could this pave the way for the prophesied leader who will unite Europe under a single banner?

They said, “While we cannot predict exact timelines, the convergence of global events suggests that we may be witnessing the early stages of a prophetic fulfillment.”

Here is a link to the entire article: https://www.prophecynewswatch.com/article.cfm?recent_news_id=7967

(More: On Mar. 4, 2024, it was reported that the EU will free up $840 billion to quickly spend on defense.)

(My comment: They have been talking about doing this for years, but it has been all talk and no action. In less than two months, Trump has got them scrambling to do it immediately.)

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

But God…

• Mockers say Bible prophecy is not being fulfilled, but God said every word of Bible prophecy will be fulfilled.
• Radical Islam is determined to destroy Israel, but God said Israel cannot be destroyed.
• Russia, Iran, Turkey, and several Islamic allies are plotting to attack Israel, but God said He will destroy their armies on the mountains of Israel.
• Many world leaders are determined to divide Israel and give Judea and Samaria to the Palestinians, but God said He will drag their armies into the Battle of Armageddon for doing that.
• Many world leaders think they can divide Jerusalem and establish peace with the Muslims, but God said He will cut the nations into pieces for doing that.
• Many world leaders are determined to establish a godless world government, but God said He will destroy their much-desired world government seven years after they establish it.
• Pres. Trump is determined to negotiate a normalization agreement between the Arabs and Israel, but God said Israel will not have peace until the Jews accept Jesus as their Saviour.
• Many world leaders think they can force a peace treaty on Israel and establish peace, but God said when they say peace and safety, then sudden destruction will come upon them.
• Orthodox Jews believe the Messiah will give them permission to rebuild the Temple and resume the animal sacrifices on the Temple Mount, but many Christians believe the one that gives them permission to do that will be the Antichrist.
• Many world leaders are working on an economic system (one-world currency and Mark) to track and control everyone on earth, but God said all who take that Mark will perish in Hell, and multitudes will refuse to take it.
• Satan believes he can destroy the Church, but God said the gates of Hell will not prevail against the Church.

(My opinion: What God has said will happen, will happen. He revealed these things and told us to watch to comfort us as we see the day approaching.)

One, concerning wickedness as in the days of Noah, on Feb. 20, 2025, Phyllis Chesler (JNS) asked:

• What kind of a liberation movement purposely, with malice aforethought, murders a 9-month-old infant, a 4-year-old toddler, and their terrorized mother?
• What kind of world praises Hamas’s atrocities?
• How “civilized” can people in the civilized West be if, in response to the Hamas-led terrorist attacks on October 7, 2023, they continue to support the rape, torture, murder, and kidnapping of civilians from southern Israel?

(More: Forensic experts concluded that the bodies of the two children were the correct bodies and that the children were brutally murdered.)

(Update: On Feb. 20, 2025, it was reported that the body that was alleged to be the body of the mother (Shiri Bibas) was the body of a Palestinian woman and not the body of Shiri. Israel called this a serious violation of their ceasefire agreement with Hamas and demanded the release of Shiri’s body and all of the hostages.)

(Update: On Feb. 22, 2025, Hamas returned Shiri’s body. Forensic experts confirmed that it was Shira – a 32-year-old mother who was kidnapped at her home with her two young children – and that she was brutally murdered.)

(More: Concerning the victims of the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel: on Feb. 20, 2025, messianic Jewish prophecy teacher, Amir Tsarfati, said, “They were students, farmers, soldiers, tradespeople, homemakers, young people, and old folks who looked forward to spending their remaining days with their ever-expanding families. In other words, they were everyday people, just like you and me, whose lives were suddenly, brutally, and permanently destroyed because of the raging violence of a hateful army of terrorists and civilians.”)

(FYI: There are still more than 60 hostages or hostage bodies that have not been returned. Hamas said it will kill them if Israel resumes the war.)

Two, concerning wars and rumors of wars at the end of the age: on Feb. 18, 2025, the commander of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Forces said Iran is poised to launch missile strikes on hundreds of targets in Israel and many U.S. targets near Iran, and Iran will definitely do it at the appointed time.

Three, concerning wars and rumors of wars: on Feb. 21, 2025, it was reported that Pres. Trump is fed up with the NATO nations for not paying what they agreed to pay to defend their nations.

Trump accused the NATO nations of prolonging Ukraine’s war with Russia and costing U.S. taxpayers trillions of dollars.

So, Trump has given Europe and NATO an ultimatum:

• You have three weeks to agree on terms to end the Ukraine war!
• If you don’t do it, the U.S. will withdraw from Europe!

(My opinion: I believe the EU will quickly strengthen its military before the Antichrist rises to power. Trump is telling EU leaders to stop relying on the U.S., stop dragging their feet, and strengthen their military now.)

(More: According to the article, EU leaders thought Trump would never do it. France is panicking, Germany is in shock, and NATO is scrambling.)

Four, concerning Trump’s maximum pressure on Iran for trying to build nuclear weapons: on Feb. 19, 2025, it was reported that China has banned oil tankers that are subject to U.S. sanctions from delivering oil to China.

As a result, Iranian oil shipments to China have declined by more than 50%.

Five, concerning wars and rumors of wars and the destruction of Damascus in one night: on Feb. 25, 2025, it was reported that Israel struck several military (vehicle and weapons storage, command centers, etc.) sites in Syria about 12 miles south of Damascus.

Israel said it will not allow Syrian forces or terrorist groups to take over the security zone between Israel and Syria.

It must remain demilitarized, and the 700-800,000 Druze that support Israel must be protected.

Israel’s Defense Min. said, “We will not allow southern Syria to become southern Lebanon.”

Six, concerning wickedness as in the days of Noah: during a recent speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), U.S. Vice-Pres. Vance said,

• Our message to the drug traffickers is get the hell out of our country.
• Your free ride is over because President Trump is back in the Oval Office.
• You’re not welcome.
• We’re going to go after you, wage war on you.
• And certainly we want you out of the United States of America.

Seven, concerning Israel having a great army at the end of the age: on Feb. 19, 2025, it was reported that Israel’s navy has six new missile ships with stealth technology that allows them to operate thousands of miles from the battlefield.

Eight, concerning Israel expanding its borders at the end of the age: at a Trump-Netanyahu press conference on Feb. 5, 2025, Trump was asked about Israel annexing Judea and Samaria. Trump responded, “People do like the idea, but we haven’t taken a position on it yet. But we will be making an announcement probably on that very specific topic over the next four weeks.”

On Feb. 21, 2025, with Trump’s decision on sovereignty over Judea and Samaria looming, it was reported that thousands of Christian pastors and religious leaders are signing a petition that will be given to Pres. Trump supporting Israel’s historical, legal, and moral claim to this area of its Biblical heartland.

Bible-believing Christians are convinced that Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, King David, and King Solomon lived and traveled through the Biblical heartland of Judea and Samaria.

(More: In a recent interview, Trump’s ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, said he “felt an overwhelming spiritual reality of understanding this (Judea and Samaria) is the land that God has given to the Jews.”)

Nine, concerning the UN wannabe world government: on Feb. 25, 2025, it was reported that Senator Mike Lee of Utah and Congressman Chip Roy of Texas have reintroduced legislation to completely stop U.S. funding and involvement in the UN, and with Trump in the White House, it could happen.

(My opinion: I hope they succeed, but this would probably be the end of the UN, and I believe it will ultimately be restructured – Ten Kings – not shut down.)

Ten, concerning God blessing those that bless Israel and cursing those that curse Israel: this week, Apple announced that it will spend $500 billion to expand its facilities in the U.S. and create about 20,000 new jobs.

Eleven, concerning perilous times, America’s new Director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, recently warned that “radical Islamist terrorism” poses the greatest threat to the safety of the American people.

People need to realize that the goal of radical Islamic terrorism is to take over the world and establish Islam as a one-world religion.

Twelve, concerning perilous times, wickedness, murder, etc.: on Feb. 25, 2025, four Hamas terrorists (the Oct. 7 group that murdered, raped, and kidnapped Jews) went on trial in Germany for storing weapons in Europe and plotting terrorist attacks on Jews and a U.S. Air Force base in Germany.

(My opinion: If Hamas will store weapons to plot terrorist attacks against Jews and U.S. soldiers in Germany, they will do it in the U.S.)

Thirteen, concerning Islam in America: on Feb. 24, 2025, it was reported that the New York Police Dept. has 1,200 Muslim police officers (10 are women that wear hijabs), and they are looking forward to another 100,000 ladies wearing hijabs in the near future.

(My opinion: I am for freedom of religion, but I believe it is a mistake to empower a religious group that forces its religious beliefs on other people, and Islam does that when they get the upper hand.)

(My opinion: Radical Islam is trying to convert the world – the “little Satan” first and the “big Satan” next – but God said Israel cannot be destroyed, and the gates of Hell will not prevail against the Church. Islam’s future will not turn out the way they believe.)

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