It’s The Truth :: By Daymond Duck

Published on: August 23, 2025 by RR10

I was at a restaurant that I frequented often.

The waitress was the wife of a fellow pastor and a friend of mine.

I finished my meal and took my bill to the cash register to pay up.

Another friend came up behind me and asked, “How are you doing?”

I replied, “Better than I deserve.”

My waitress friend who was at the cash register to check me out, said, “And he’s telling the truth too.”

I have chuckled about that many times, and I often think about it when someone asks me that question.

Christians know that we don’t deserve:

To be loved by God.
To hear the Word of God.
To have our sins forgiven and go to heaven.
To be saved and sealed by the Holy Spirit.
To approach God in prayer and to have our prayers answered.
To get a new body that will never get sick or die again.
To see our deceased saved loved ones again.
To have freedom of worship.
To be rewarded in heaven for serving God, etc., etc., etc.

Christians know that our good works won’t get us into heaven (Titus 3:5).

Christians know that God has provided a way for us to get to heaven, and there is just one way (Jn. 14:6).

This is my point: My waitress friend was kidding me, but she was right on target.

Every Christian is doing better than he/she deserves, and it’s the truth too.

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

One, following his meetings with Russia’s Pres. Putin in Alaska (on Aug. 15, 2025), and Ukraine’s Pres. Zelensky and others at the White House (on Aug. 18, 2025), Pres. Trump had a phone interview on “Fox and Friends” (on Aug. 19, 2025).

Trump is getting a lot of criticism for saying:

Ending the war could save 7,000 people a week from being killed.
I want to try and get to Heaven if possible.
I’m hearing I’m not doing well.
I hear I’m really at the bottom of the totem pole.
But if I can get to Heaven, this (his role in ending the war) will be one of the reasons.

Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God” (Matt. 5:9).

I do not believe for one minute that Pres. Trump will go to heaven for trying to end the war between Russia and Ukraine, but I do believe that peacemaking could be evidence of his salvation.

I am glad that he wants to get to heaven.

I wish that everyone wanted to get to heaven.

It would be a better world if they did.

I know this: following my acceptance of Jesus as my Lord and Savior, I was a baby Christian who needed to do a lot of growing (and I still do), and I’m telling the truth too.

Update:

On Aug. 20, 2025 Franklin Graham posted the following:

President [Trump] brought up the topic of Heaven on Fox News yesterday morning, and I’m glad he did because many people struggle with the question of how we can get there.
We do get to Heaven by good works — not by our own good works, but by the perfect work of God’s Son, Jesus Christ, when He came to earth, took our sins to the cross, shed His blood, died, was buried, and God raised Him to life on the third day.
We all have the promise of eternal life if we repent of our sins, trust Him by faith, and make Him the Lord of our lives.

Two, in an opinion piece on Aug. 14, 2025, Joshua Katzen, publisher of the Jewish News Syndicate (JNS) said:

Hamas is not an isolated band of terrorists with its own unique ideology; separate from the people it claims to represent.
Hamas is the Palestinian people.
It is an accurate reflection of Palestinian culture, politics and goals as they have been taught, embraced, and passed down for generations.
It is the armed expression of Palestinian society itself—a society steeped in Jew-hatred, committed to Israel’s destruction and willing to sacrifice its own children for that cause.
Poll after poll by Palestinian research firms shows overwhelming support for Hamas’s goals and methods across Palestinian society.
The supposedly moderate Palestinian Authority teaches the same messages as Hamas: that Jews are sons of apes and pigs, that Israel has no right to exist, and that killing Jews is a religious duty.
If Palestinian society is the problem, there are only two paths to lasting peace: Change that society or remove it.

This is the way I understand it: creating a Palestinian State will not change the Islamic belief that killing Jews is the religious duty of Muslims.

Radical Muslims will try to establish a global Islamic caliphate as long as there are radical Muslims.

And that’s the truth too.

Three, concerning an end to the Israel-Hamas war, on Aug. 14, 2025, Prime Min Netanyhu expanded on Israel’s requirements.

Netanyahu said:

The war will only end once no weapons are manufactured in Gaza and no weapons are smuggled into Gaza.
The new Gaza government—not to be run by Hamas or the Palestinian Authority—will be handled by people who don’t educate their children to terror, will not fund terrorism, and won’t dispatch terrorists.

Israel’s Finance Min. called these very correct and just principles.

Four, on Aug. 14, 2025, it was reported that Israel is planning to call up 80-100,000 reservists for a massive ground offensive to capture Gaza City (Update: He called up 60,000 and extended the service of 20,000).

On Aug. 15, 2025, it was reported that Israel plans to evacuate about one million people from Gaza City before its troops attack. As I understand it, the plan is to evacuate the people, encircle the city, and start attacking Hamas in early Sept.
On Aug. 17, 2025, Israel’s Army Radio said, the plan is to besiege Gaza City, with the aim of gaining control of it by Oct. 7, two years to the day from the devastating Hamas attack that sparked the war.
On Aug. 18, 2025, Hamas proposed a ceasefire of 60 days in exchange for the release of hostages in two stages. Israeli sources reiterated earlier statements that the government demands the release of all 50 living and dead hostages.
At 4:02 am on Aug 19, 2025, it was reported that Israeli tanks were advancing on one area of Gaza City.
On Aug. 19, 2025, Israel notified all the hospital officials in Gaza City to prepare to move their equipment and patients out of the city.
On Aug. 20, 2025, Prime Min. Netanyahu instructed his military to shorten the timelines for taking control of the last terrorist strongholds and for the defeat of Hamas.

(My opinion: The Hamas effort to destroy Israel and prevent the rebuilding of the Temple is not turning out the way they expected.)

Five, concerning God’s promise to bless those that bless Israel and curse those that curse Israel: on Aug. 13, 2025, Democratic Socialists of America voted to expel members who support Israeli self-defense.

On Aug. 14, 2025, Pete Buttigieg (former U.S. transportation secretary and possible candidate for the Democrat party’s nomination for Pres. In 2028) said he supports an arms embargo on the Jewish state.

On Aug. 15, 2025, it was reported that the Democrat Party’s National Committee is scheduled to vote (on Aug. 26, 2025) on two resolutions that have been introduced.

One calls for the Democrat Party to support an arms embargo on Israel and for members of Congress to recognize Palestine as a state. It totally ignores the facts that Hamas attacked Israel, killed hundreds of Jews, is holding hostages, etc.
The other supports a credible, negotiated pathway toward a two-state solution that ensures equal measures of dignity, freedom and opportunity for Israelis and Palestinians alike, and it opposes any unilateral steps by either side that undermine the prospects for two states.

(My opinion: The Democrats are divided over these things, but the party is becoming more radical, and it is dangerous for America. What the nations try to do to Israel, God will do to them. He will drag them into the Battle of Armageddon for dividing His land and scattering the Jews.)

(More: On Aug. 15, 2025, U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham said, “If America pulls the plug on Israel, God will pull the plug on us.”)

Six, concerning false religion, persecution, wars and rumors of wars, etc. at the end of the age: on Aug. 17, 2025, it was reported that the son of a Hamas co-founder said:

He was taught from childhood that Jews must be killed, Christians eliminated, and “infidels” subjugated.
The purpose of Hamas’ attack on Israel is to replace Judaism and Christianity with radical Islam. If the world does not understand this, everyone will pay the price.
Hamas is a death cult. It does not seek compromise. It seeks annihilation.
Hamas’ murder of 1,200 people on Oct. 7, 2023, was 1,200 war crimes.
If Hamas and its allies succeed, it will not end with the Jews. Christians and all free peoples are next.

(My comment: These are the words of a former Hamas insider who was raised and indoctrinated in Islam. He was risking his life when he said these things. But it is the truth, and non-Muslims should believe it.)

(My comment: God loves the Muslims. Jesus died for them too. He wants them to be saved. But He will not allow them to destroy Israel or to ultimately prevail against the Church.)

Seven, concerning perilous times at the end of the age: during Iran’s 12-Day War with Israel, Iran launched about 550 missiles at Israel.

On Aug. 17, 2025, an Iranian official said:

Iran’s military is able to carry out missile strikes on every city in Europe, as well as major American cities on the East Coast.
We can move our ships to within 2,000 kilometers of the US and from there target Washington, New York, and other cities.
Right now, all European countries are within our range.

This is the point: The U.S. and EU desperately stop Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, and it’s the truth too.

(FYI: Many Bible prophecy teachers believe the Bible teaches that nuclear weapons will be used during the Tribulation Period; Zech. 14:12; Rev. 6:14-17).

Eight, concerning the Holy Spirit drawing Jews back to the land of Israel at the end of the age: on Aug. 20, 2025, 225 Jews immigrated from the U.S. to Israel.

They said they weren’t motivated to flee from North America; they were motivated to move to Israel.

Moving to Israel in the midst of a war sends a strong message about God’s influence over their lives.

Nine, concerning the controversy over Jerusalem, the expansion of Israel’s borders and Jews living in Judea when the Antichrist defiles the Temple at the Middle of the Tribulation Period, in response to France, Canada, Australia and dozens of other nations announcing their intent to recognize a Palestinian State: on Sept. 22-23, 2025, Israel has approved plans to build 3401 housing units in a disputed area near East Jerusalem.

World leaders and Muslims are having a hissy fit, but Israel’s Finance Min. said Israel cannot trade its survival for international applause.

Israel has moved to protect East Jerusalem with Jewish neighborhoods before the area is populated with Muslims demanding a capital in East Jerusalem.

Ten, concerning America’s 37 trillion-dollar national debt and a future global economic collapse during the Tribulation Period: on Aug. 20, 2025, it was reported that the Trump administration has:

Removed 275,000 illegal aliens from the Social Security system.
Removed 12.4 million names of people recorded as over 120 years old.

Eleven, concerning Israel becoming a great military at the end of the age: it was reported that Israel has 4 refueling airplanes, and they are preparing to sign an agreement to purchase 2 more.

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 Last Sunday :: By Daymond Duck

Published on: August 16, 2025 by RR10

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.

Finally, are you Rapture Ready?

duck_daymond@yahoo.com