Many Christians call the gospel as the “Good News.” One sentence can’t adequately cover the subject, but it is basically the Bible teaching that a loving God has freely provided a way for anyone to enter His kingdom through a sincere faith and acceptance of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus as a personal atonement for their sins.

The idea that sinners can be forgiven and brought into a right relationship with God by believing what the Bible says about Jesus and truly accepting Him as Lord and Saviour, asking for forgiveness, and asking Him to come into one’s heart is truly the greatest of all good news.

But this article is about two different kinds of good news.

The first item of good news concerns a “Resolution in Support of Israel.”

“Resolved, That the messengers to the Tennessee Baptist Convention meeting in Sevierville, Tennessee, November 15-16, 2016, commit to bless Israel (Genesis 12:3; Numbers 24:9) and be it further.”

“Resolved, That we support the right of Israel to exist as a sovereign state and reject any activities that attack that right by promoting economic, cultural, and academic boycotts against Israel; and be it.”

“Resolved, That at this critical time when dangerous forces are mounting up against the nation of Israel, we recommit ourselves to pray for God’s peace to rule in Jerusalem and for the salvation of Israel (Psalm 122:6; Romans 10:1), for the Gospel is ‘God’s power for salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew’ (Romans 1:16) and be it finally.”

“Resolved, That we pray for Israel and for all nations of the Middle East, that God would change hearts and bring peace through the work of grace in His Son, Jesus Christ.”

I was not present at the meeting, but I have been told that the resolution passed by more than 900 to 1. Praise God for the wisdom, faith, sound theology and courage of the Tennessee Baptist “Messengers.” God promised to bless those that bless Israel so their Biblical stand truly is good news (Gen. 12:3).

A second item of good news concerns a growing awareness of what is needed for America to be great again.

It has been reported that Donald Trump believes the good news of the Bible and he has accepted Jesus as his Savior.

After that, he selected a proven Christian (Mike Pence) to be his running mate.

After that, he promised to protect religious freedom and he took a strong pro-Israel stand.

After that, he announced the establishment of a new “Evangelical Executive Advisory Board” which includes Michele Bachman, James Dobson, Robert Jeffress, David Jeremiah, Richard Land, James Robison and several other highly respected spiritual leaders.

But he didn’t ask these leaders to endorse him. He asked these leaders to meet regularly and advise him on issues that are important to evangelicals and others of faith in the U.S.

After that, Dr. David Reagan wrote a three-part article contending that America’s greatest need is not Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton, but spiritual renewal (Lamplighter Magazine, Lamb & Lion Ministries, Nov.-Dec. 2016).

Then, Sean Osborne called for Donald Trump’s “Evangelical Executive Advisory Board” to establish a National Day of Prayer and Repentance, and to have a meeting in the President’s White House office to pray and dedicate it as a place for the Lord’s will for America to be done (eschatologytoday.blogspot.com; Global SITREP D12-16).

This (or something like it) needs to be done. Donald Trump can’t make America great again, but God can. And Trump’s Evangelical Executive Advisory Board could get the ball rolling on Jan. 20, 2017 or before.

There is hope for America if Christians and ministries will ask for forgiveness and try to do what God wants us to do. But there is no hope for America if we don’t.

To God be the glory.

Prophecy Plus Ministries
Daymond & Rachel Duck
duck_daymond@yahoo.com

The Bible clearly teaches that God raises up kings (and leaders), and God brings down kings (and leaders; Dan. 4:17). If this is true, and it is, then it is not unreasonable to ask, “Why did God raise up Donald Trump?”

I was recently asked this question and I cannot be dogmatic about the answer, but here are some interesting possibilities:

One possibility for the election of Donald Trump is Jerusalem.

On Nov. 2, 2016, Mr. Trump signed a document committing himself to the implementation of the Jerusalem Embassy Act of 1995. If he keeps his promise, this means he will move the U.S. Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Doing that would amount to official recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

On Nov. 9, 2016, the day after Donald Trump was elected to become the 45th President of the U.S., a Trump adviser said, “It (moving the U.S. Embassy) was a campaign promise and there is every intention to keep it.”

The Creator of the heavens and the earth said He will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling and a burdensome stone for the whole world at the end of the age (Zech. 12:1-3).

America’s recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel will dramatically energize the controversy over Jerusalem. It is a controversy that won’t end until the terrible battle of Armageddon takes place.

A second possibility for the election of Donald Trump is the Jewish Temple.

At least four Scriptures teach that the Jewish Temple will be rebuilt at the end of the age (Dan. 9:27; Matt. 24:15; II Thess. 2:4; Rev. 11:1-2).

On Nov. 11, 2016, DebkaFile reported that Vladimir Putin has sent Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev to visit the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem. Mr. Medvedev reportedly told the Jerusalem Post, “Russia never denied Israel’s or the Jewish people’s rights in Jerusalem and in its holy sites.”

Put another way, Russia recognizes that the Palestinians are not the only ones that have rights on the Temple Mount. Russia believes Israel also has rights on the Temple Mount.

The next day, Nov. 12, 2016, Breaking Israel News (BIN) reported that Vladimir Putin visited the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem in 2012. BIN said Mr. Putin told a soldier “he came there to pray for the Temple to be built again.”

The Jewish Sanhedrin quickly sent letters to Trump and Putin asking them to support Jewish efforts to rebuild the Temple.

A third possibility for the election of Donald Trump is a Psa. 83 war.

Psa. 83 was written by Asaph who was both a prophet and a priest (II Chron. 29:30). Asaph asked God to protect Israel from neighbors that want to take possession of the Jewish holy sites (Temple Mount, etc.).

Not all prophecy teachers believe Psa. 83 is a prophecy, but some including this one believe it is. It was written by a prophet and there is no proof that all of it has ever been fulfilled.

Israel’s neighbors have always rejected any nation’s recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. Their hatred for the Jews and their satanic lust for the Jewish holy sites will surge if Mr. Trump moves the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem. They will most surely try to destroy Israel and repossess the Temple Mount.

With God on Israel’s side and a strong ally in the White House the days of world leaders restraining Israel’s all-powerful military are probably over. The gloves will come off. Israel will quickly drive her enemies back and greatly expand her borders.

A fourth possibility for the election of Donald Trump is Syria.

Escalating events in Gaza, Egypt and Jordan could bring Syrian and Hezbollah troops into the fray on Israel’s northern border. Northern Israel would likely come under attack and suffer heavy damage. Damascus would likely be destroyed in one night (Isa. 17:1-14).

A fifth possibility for the election of Donald Trump is the Battle of Gog and Magog.

Mr. Trump doesn’t like the agreement that Pres. Obama and others signed with Iran relative to that nation’s nuclear weapons program. As a candidate for President of the U.S. Mr. Trump called it “the worst deal ever negotiated.” He said he would use force if necessary to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear bomb.

Iran has violated the agreement twice and Pres. Obama has done nothing. If there is violation under the Trump Administration, some think Pres. Trump will respond (Jer. 49:34-39).

Russia and Iran keep moving troops and weapons into Syria. Iran wants to attack Israel. Russia has pledged to protect Iran’s nuclear reactor.

This writer doesn’t really know why God raised up Donald Trump or what will happen, but Bible prophecy will be fulfilled and some or all of these events could drag Russia, Iran and others into the Battle of Gog and Magog.

Prophecy Plus Ministries
Daymond & Rachel Duck