On Apr. 17, 2024, Iran’s president said Iran would completely destroy Israel if Israel proceeds with even the tiniest invasion of Iran.

A few hours later, Germany’s Foreign Minister tried to persuade Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu not to retaliate against Iran for attacking Israel with hundreds of drones and missiles.

Netanyahu said,

• Israel will do whatever it needs to defend itself.
• I appreciate the advice, but I want to be clear: Our decisions we will make ourselves.

I admire Netanyahu for what he has done and said, but according to Bible prophecy, Israel will not do the most important thing it needs to do (accept Jesus as their Messiah) for at least 7 more years.

Here is a short list of Bible prophecies about Israel.

• Israel had to become a nation in one day before she travailed (before the Tribulation Period; Isa. 66:5-9).
• Israel cannot be destroyed again (Israel’s enemies need to pay attention: Amos 9:15).
• Israel must complete 490 years (70 weeks of years, including the 7-year Tribulation Period) before the Jews accept Jesus as their Messiah (Dan. 9:24-27).
• The 7-year (2,520 days on the Jewish calendar) Tribulation Period will begin when the Antichrist confirms a covenant with many for one week of years (Dan. 9:27).
• God will make Jerusalem a problem for the entire world during the Tribulation Period (Zech. 12:2-3). He will defend Jerusalem and destroy every nation that attacks her (Zech. 12:6-9; 14:12).
• God will pour out His Spirit on Israel at the end of the 7-year Tribulation Period, Israel will accept Jesus as their Messiah (Jer. 23:5-8; Ezek. 36:24-28; Zech 12:10-14), He will come back, and all Israel will be saved (Rom. 11:26).

Israel needs to understand that she cannot defend herself, but God can, and Israel’s troubles will continue until the Jews accept Jesus as their Messiah (and they will).

Here are some events that appear to indicate that we are close to the end of the age.

One, concerning God’s protection of Israel and Iran’s attack on Israel: Rabbi Meir Lau (Rabbi of Tel Aviv) said, “God did us a great favor that 99% of all the UAVs were destroyed without harming us. There was only some damage to places and no harm to people. This whole story was a great miracle, but we still have not appreciated its magnitude. We experienced God’s true protection and this connection with the superpowers and our neighbors, as well as other details that are confidential, all I can say is that this was a great divine miracle.”

(More: Prophecy expert Amir Tsarfati said, “Prayer was the most successful air defense system.)

(More: Robert Gottselig, Director of The Friends of Israel, said, “We know that when God’s people pray, and especially when they have been and still are interceding for Israel and the Jewish people, God hears their prayers.”)

Two, on Apr. 22, 2024 (Passover day in Israel), two armed terrorists drove a car into pedestrians in Jerusalem (slightly wounding 3); they emerged from their vehicle trying to fire makeshift submachine guns at their victims and others, but their weapons failed, and they ran to escape. They were spotted by a police helicopter and arrested.

Officials called the minor injuries and failed guns a “Passover Miracle.”

Three, concerning the Israel-Hamas war: on Apr. 17, 2024, Israel said, “IAF planes conducted airstrikes against terrorists and terror infrastructure (in northern Gaza), hitting more than 40 targets over the past day, including underground launching posts, booby-trapped structures, military structures where armed terrorists operated, observation posts, underground terrorist infrastructure, and additional terrorist infrastructure.”

Israel also struck several targets in Rafah.

Four, concerning inflation, the decline of America, and the emptying of America’s strategic oil reserves: on Apr. 19, 2024, the Department of the Interior announced that it will prohibit any new oil drilling project in the U.S. Arctic Ocean as well as on 11 million acres of Alaska’s National Petroleum Reserve and nearly 3 million acres of Alaska’s coastal waters.

Five, concerning a borderless world and illegal immigration: on Apr. 19, 2024, it was reported that illegal immigrants in New York complained that the amount of (free) food they get, their housing, (free) services, and other benefits they are getting are not enough and that this is unacceptable.

Six, concerning corruption in Washington and the belief by many that we can no longer trust the elections: I cannot count the times I have heard someone say that they do not believe the globalists will let Trump win the next election even if it becomes necessary to assassinate him.

I hope it is not true, but on Apr. 19, 2024, Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives proposed legislation to strip Pres. Trump of his Secret Service protection if he is convicted and sentenced for a felony.

Seven, concerning Biden’s efforts to force Netanyahu and Israel to obey him: on Apr. 21, 2024, it was reported that U.S. officials have confirmed that Biden intends to impose sanctions on an Israeli military unit on the West Bank of Israel (Judea and Samaria) for violating the rights of Palestinians.

Netanyahu said, “At a time when our soldiers are fighting terrorist monsters, the intention to sanction a unit in the IDF is the height of absurdity and a moral low.”

(My opinion: Biden is daring God to curse America.)

Eight, concerning America’s unstainable national debt and the economic collapse of the U.S.: on Apr. 3, 2024, it was reported that the White House intends to use funds appropriated to advance America’s national interest (democracy, freedom of speech, free market values, etc.) to train at least 200 LGBTQ+ activists to spread transgenderism in India.

Nine, concerning an increase in wars and rumors of wars at the end of the age: on Apr. 22, 2024, a report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) said military spending is soaring across the globe and it reached an all-time high in 2023.

Ten, concerning the Battle of Gog and Magog: on Apr. 23, 2024, Iran vowed to annihilate Israel if it launches a major attack on Iranian territory.

Iran’s Pres. Raisi said there will be nothing left of the Zionist regime (Israel).

Eleven, concerning hatred for Israel at the end of the age: on Apr. 22, 2024, U.S. Senators Josh Hawley and Tom Cotton asked Pres. Biden to mobilize the National Guard to protect Jewish students on college campuses.

Hawley sent a letter to Biden that said:

• “On college campuses across the United States, Jewish Americans are at risk. … In your statement on Passover, you stated that “in recent days, we’ve seen harassment and calls for violence against Jews. This blatant antisemitism is reprehensible and dangerous — and it has absolutely no place on college campuses, or anywhere in our country.’ Now you must take action to match those words.”

(More: Hundreds of pro-Palestinian students have been arrested at Columbia University, New York University, and Yale University.)

(More: On Apr. 23, 2024, it was reported that 25 Republican Senators sent colleges a warning to shut down the Jew-hating mobs on campus or risk losing their public funding.)

Here is my daily update on the Israel-Hamas war.

Wednesday, Apr. 17, 2024 (Day 194): The one hundred-thirty-ninth day of the resumed war.

• Iran and its proxies (Hezbollah, etc.) have gone on high alert in anticipation of Israel’s retaliation for Iran’s recent drone attack on Israel.

Thursday, Apr. 18, 2024 (Day 195): The one-hundred-fortieth day of the resumed war.

• It is being rumored that the U.S. will impose severe sanctions on Iran for attacking Israel, approve Israel’s actions on Rafah in the south and Hezbollah in the north, and transfer financial aid to Israel, if Israel will not retaliate against Iran.
• The U.S. vetoed a UN Security Council resolution that would open the door for Palestine to become a state in the UN.
• Israel used missiles to launch a limited strike near an airport and a major military base next to Iran’s nuclear reactor. There were simultaneous explosions in Iran, Iraq, and Syria.
• Israel killed a senior Hamas intelligence official.
• Israel captured several terrorists that were hiding in a school in Gaza.

Friday, Apr. 19, 2024 (Day 196): The one hundred-forty-first day of the resumed war.

• Iran played down Israel’s strike on the previous day and signaled that it will not retaliate.
• Israel’s strike on Iran accomplished what Israel set out to do – destroy the Russian anti-aircraft system that was installed to defend Iran’s nearby nuclear facility.
• S. officials confirmed that Israel attacked a terrorist base in Iraq (base destroyed, one terrorist killed, 8 terrorists injured).

Saturday, Apr. 20, 2024 (Day 197): The one hundred-forty-second day of the resumed war.

• Turkey’s Pres. Erdogan urged Palestinian Arabs to unite against Israel.

Sunday, Apr. 21, 2024 (Day 198): The one hundred-forty-third day of the resumed war.

• Israel indicted the sister of Hamas’ top leader Ishmail Haniyeh on charges of inciting Muslims to kill Jews.
• Netanyahu said he will fight sanctions the U.S. imposes on the Israeli military unit on the West Bank (Judea and Samaria).
• Netanyahu said Israel will inflict painful blows on Hamas in the coming days to free the remaining hostages. He compared Hamas to Pharaoh, “It hardens its heart and refuses to let our people go; therefore, we will bring it more painful blows—and it will happen soon.”

Monday, Apr. 22, 2024 (Day 199): The one hundred-forty-fourth day of the resumed war.

• Israel struck 3 villages in Lebanon, and Hezbollah fired about 35 rockets into Israel.
• An independent Palestinian news anchor reported that Hamas deliberately killed numerous aid workers and stole shipments of food sent to Palestinians because Hamas wanted to be the only entity in Gaza in control of the warehousing and distribution of food.

Tuesday, Apr. 23, 2024 (Day 200): The one hundred-forty-fifth day of the resumed war.

• Israeli intelligence learned that Hamas was loading several launchers in Gaza to fire rockets into Israel. Israeli jets struck the launchers before the rockets were fired.
• Hamas urged Israel’s enemies to attack Israel on all fronts.

Wednesday, Apr. 24, 2024 (Day 201): The one hundred-forty-sixth day of the resumed war.

• Per Biden’s demands to protect Palestinians, Israel will evacuate about 1.4 million civilians from Rafah in preparation for an attack starting about 3 weeks from now (Israel estimates that it will take about 3 weeks to eliminate Hamas in Rafah).

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

 

On Apr. 8, 2024, Bible prophecy expert Hal Lindsey wrote,

• These (nations arming as never before, Russia attacking Ukraine, China threatening Taiwan, etc.) and a host of other things going on today make a perfect setup for events that the Bible says will take place during seven years of tribulation. I believe those years are very close. But they are not imminent. The global conflagrations described in Revelation will not take place until after the Rapture — that is, until after God has evacuated His people from the planet.

I can only speculate on what Hal Lindsey’s list of “other things” would include, but here is a short list of things that I see:

• Israel has come back into being, Jerusalem has been rebuilt, radical Muslims are trying to destroy Israel, the whole world is turning against Israel, Israel has unblemished red heifers, religious Jews want to rebuild the Temple, world leaders are demanding a covenant of peace, etc.
• Europe (the Revived Roman Empire) has reunited, leaders are talking about creating and financing an EU military, etc.
• The New World Order (world government by 2030 or sooner) is rising, a global economic collapse appears to be looming, the price of gold and silver is soaring, the technology to track all buying and selling is almost ready, etc.
• Russia, Iran, Turkey, and others have troops in Syria; Russian troops and Iranian proxies in Syria are moving closer to Israel’s border; Russia is building military sites on Syria’s border with Israel; Iran is threatening to attack Israel, etc.
• Deceit, immorality, false teachings, Satan worship, drug abuse, and murder are rampant.
• Knowledge (artificial intelligence, quantum computers, etc.) is increasing faster than society can adapt.

These things are a perfect setup for the fulfillment of Tribulation Period prophecies, and (as Hal Lindsey noted) the Rapture will happen before that.

Here are recent events that appear to indicate that the end of the age is near.

One, on Apr. 13, 2024, Iran started attacking Israel:

• Israel, Syria, and Jordan went on high alert.
• It took 4-5 hours for the bomb-carrying drones to reach Israel.
• The drones were large because they had to be big enough to carry several hours of fuel and a bomb.
• It is estimated that about 170 drones, 30 cruise missiles, and 120 ballistic missiles and rockets were fired at Israel (and Israel, the U.S., UK, and Jordan shot down about 99% of them).
• Some of the 1% that got through were shot down over Jerusalem. (Oddly enough, Israel wound up protecting the Dome of the Rock from Iran.)
• Hezbollah fired dozens of rockets at Israel.
• Israel called it an unprecedented attack by Iran on Israel.
• Israel’s war cabinet approved a powerful response on Iranian soil.
• The U.S. urged Israel not to retaliate.
• Biden told Israel U.S. forces will not participate in an Israeli attack on Iran.
• The U.S. asked Israel for advance notice before they respond.
• Israel said it will coordinate their response with the U.S.
• Russia warned the U.S. not to attack Iran.
• Russia started moving ships with supersonic missiles to the Middle East.
• Israel said, “The fact that Iran commanded and synchronized the attack with its proxies (Hezbollah and the Houthis) who also launched drones and missiles, is proof beyond doubt that Tehran directs the forces of terror in the Middle East, is behind efforts to destabilize the region, and is the source of the problem in the area.”

On Apr. 14, 2024,

• At America’s request, the G-7 met to coordinate a diplomatic response to the attack.
• At Israel’s request, the UN Security Council met to discuss the attack.
• Israel notified the UN that it reserves the right to retaliate against Iran if it decides to do so.
• Iran said the matter is concluded, but if Israel makes another mistake, our response will be more severe.
• Israel’s war cabinet met to discuss a response to Iran’s attack but did not make a final decision.
• Some U.S. and Israeli experts said Biden’s timid Iran policy led Iran to believe they could attack Israel and get away with it.
• Iran threatened to strike U.S. bases in the Middle East if Israel retaliates against Iran.

(More: Concerning the Battle of Gog and Magog, God said, “Thou (Russia and her allies) shalt ascend and come like a storm, thou shalt be like a cloud to cover the land, thou, and all thy bands, and many people with thee.” Iran’s drones headed toward Israel like a cloud. When Russia and her allies attack Israel, the planes and drones will head toward Israel like a cloud: Ezek. 38:9.)

(More: God promised Israel, “No weapon formed against thee shall prosper.” Iran’s drones failed, and the planes and drones of Russia and her allies will fail: Isa. 54:17.)

On Apr. 15, 2024,

• An Israeli official said an Israeli strike on Iran may be imminent.
• Iran vowed to launch 1,500 missiles at Israel if Israel retaliates for Iran’s drone attack.
• According to Israel Channel 12, an unsourced report said, “The response will be designed to send the message that Israel ‘will not allow an attack of that magnitude against it to pass without a reaction. The response will also be designed to make plain that Israel will not allow the Iranians to ‘establish the equation’ they have sought to assert in recent days. This appears to be a reference to Iran’s warning that future Israeli strikes on Iranian territory, including its international diplomatic premises, will henceforth again be met by Iranian retaliatory strikes on Israel.”
• Iranian citizens posted messages on X urging Israel to kill the ruling Iranian leaders and free them from being oppressed.
• Saudi Arabia blamed Iran for the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel.

On Apr. 16, 2024,

• Israel’s war cabinet expects to make a final decision on retaliation against Iran today.
• The U.S. and EU are considering more sanctions on Iran. (My opinion: Sanctions on Iran are not enforced, and they are a sham that doesn’t work.)
• Israel’s war cabinet decided to retaliate against Iran, but they did not set a date due to the complexities of preparation. Another report said Israel’s retaliation will likely be after Passover so citizens can celebrate the holiday before the fighting spreads.
• Turkish Pres. Erdogan blamed Netanyahu and his “bloody administration” for Iran’s first-ever attack on Israel (think Gog and Magog).

On Apr. 17, 2024,

• The Iranian-backed terrorist group Hezbollah launched a drone in Lebanon that struck a community center in Israel and injured 18 civilians and reservists (4 serious, 14 moderate to light).
• Iran warned that the tiniest invasion by Israel would bring a massive and harsh response.

Two, concerning the decline of America: on Apr. 15, 2024, protestors in NY City,

• Waved Hezbollah (a terrorist group) flags and chanted “Death to America.”
• Grabbed a U.S. flag out of the hands of a young man, set it on fire, and it caught his clothes on fire.

Three, concerning deceit and the coming economic collapse: on Apr. 10, 2024, it was reported that “Democrat economist Larry Summers (served Clinton and Obama administrations; Harvard Univ. Professor; Chief Economist of World Bank, etc.), who repeatedly warned President Joe Biden in 2021 that his reckless government spending would lead to a serious inflation crisis, warned again this week that things have not improved and inflation is running much higher than the official government numbers state.”

As I understand it, this influential, highly respected Democrat warned that the American public is not being told the truth about the rate of inflation and the danger it poses for the U.S.

(More: On Apr. 13, 2024, it was reported that the price of oil has started back up, and if gas reaches $4 a gallon, Biden may sell more oil from America’s strategic oil reserves to improve his chance of being re-elected.)

(More: On Apr. 16, 2024, the Institute for Energy Research said the Biden administration and its allies have taken over 200 actions against the oil and natural gas industries that are deliberately designed to make it harder to produce energy here in America. This is contributing to the price increase, and they may try to cover it up by finishing off America’s already low strategic oil reserves.)

(My opinion: It seems to me that it would be wiser to spend money to replace the oil that has already been taken out of our strategic oil reserves than it is to finance drag shows, transgender surgeries, gay rights, and abortions in America and other countries.)

Four, concerning deceit and bias in the media: a senior editor (a Democrat) at the National Public Radio (NPR) organization recently admitted that 100% of staff in editorial positions are registered Democrats (87 Democrats and no Republicans).

U.S. taxpayers are NPR’s primary source of funding, so Republicans are asking why the organization only employs registered Democrats to edit its programs.

Five, concerning a borderless world and the surrender of America’s sovereignty: on Apr. 11, 2024, a group of 20 state attorneys general sued the Biden administration for flying “hundreds of thousands of illegal aliens from crime-plagued nations directly into cities across the United States.”

(More: On Apr. 11, 2024, a federal judge ruled that Georgia’s law requiring voters in Georgia to be citizens of the state of Georgia is legal. Plaintiffs argued that using their driver’s license, etc., to prove they live in the state is an unfair and illegal burden. In essence, the judge ruled that it is reasonable and not illegal.)

(More: On Apr. 13, 2024, former Pres. Trump met with the U.S. Speaker of the House to discuss new legislation to prevent illegal aliens from voting in U.S. national elections and possibly impacting the outcome. The Biden administration opposes attempts to require voters to prove they are citizens.)

Six, concerning deceit, a borderless world, and the decline of America: on Apr. 16, 2024, the U.S. National Security, Border, and Foreign Affairs subcommittee is expecting to be told that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Service officials are monitoring 6 million illegal immigrants that have been let into the U.S., and approximately 617,000 of them have criminal convictions or criminal charges pending against them.

The subcommittee expects to be told that many of these criminals are gang members, drug dealers, and outlaws.

Incidentally, the Biden administration has been telling us that our border is secure.

Here is my daily update on the Israel-Hamas war:

Wednesday, Apr. 10, 2024 (Day 187): The one hundred-thirty-second day of the resumed war.

• S. and Israeli sources said an Iranian retaliatory attack on Israel is a matter of when, not if.
• Netanyahu warned Iran that Israel will attack Iran if Iran attacks Israel.

Thursday, Apr. 11, 2024 (Day 188): The one hundred-thirty-third day of the resumed war.

• The U.S. notified Israel that its commitment to Israel’s security is ironclad.
• An Israeli news site reported that Iran has decided to delay an attack on Israel or alter its retaliation plans (perhaps retaliate through proxies) because the U.S. said it might intervene on Israel’s side.
• Netanyahu said, “We set a simple principle: Anyone who hits us, we hit them.”
• 1,000 Jewish protestors marched to Netanyahu’s home in Jerusalem to demand an Israeli attack on Rafah to find and release the hostages.

Friday, Apr. 12, 2024 (Day 189): The one hundred-thirty-fourth day of the resumed war.

• Israeli officials said they believe Hamas is delaying a ceasefire in hopes that world leaders will force Israel to withdraw from Gaza without Hamas being defeated or releasing the hostages.
• An Israeli plan to attack Iran on Iranian territory was approved in the event that Iran attacks Israel on Israeli territory.
• Biden sent Iran a message: “Don’t. We are devoted to the defense of Israel. We will support Israel. We will help defend Israel, and Iran will not succeed.”
• The U.S. is moving warships to the Middle East.
• Israel killed a Hamas commander in the West Bank in Israel.

Saturday, Apr. 13, 2024 (Day 190): The one hundred-thirty-fifth day of the resumed war.

• It was reported that a captured Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) spokesman admitted under interrogation that the terrorists used all the Gaza hospitals and many of the hospital ambulances during the war. He also admitted that the PIJ manipulates the media to create a false narrative about the war.

Sunday, Apr. 14, 2024 (Day 191): The one hundred-thirty-sixth day of the resumed war.

• Following Iran’s attack on Israel, Hamas rejected a ceasefire proposal in its war with Israel in Gaza.

Monday, Apr. 15, 2024 (Day 192): The one hundred-thirty-seventh day of the resumed war.

• Israel warned Palestinians that it would be dangerous to return to northern Gaza with the war still going on.

Tuesday, Apr. 16, 2024 (Day 193): The one hundred-thirty-eighth day of the resumed war.

• Israel killed a senior Hezbollah commander.
• Israel killed a second Hezbollah commander.

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