General Articles

Donation Drive May to July :: By Todd Strandberg

Published on: by RR7

Donation Drive May to July

Over the past quarter, we have continued to build on the strong foundation that has made Rapture Ready the leading site in Bible prophecy. Once again, it is time to reflect on what we’ve accomplished and ask for your continued support.

Rapture Ready remains the top-ranked site in its field. One factor helping to sustain this position is the steady decline in fellow prophecy websites. As other sites disappear, more people are turning to Rapture Ready as a trusted source for insight and information.

At the same time, we are clearly living in the age of artificial intelligence—a technology that is rapidly reshaping nearly every aspect of life. Entire job categories may vanish, while new ones emerge. With the creation of software that can mimic aspects of human thinking, we are entering a period of profound transformation.

However, this advancement also raises serious concerns. Because AI is developed and directed by humans, it inevitably reflects our sinful nature. For that reason, the long-term outlook may not be as promising as it first appears.

Major technology companies have already invested over $1 trillion in data infrastructure and AI development. Progress is accelerating at an unprecedented pace, with some systems advancing through multiple generations in just months—largely because AI itself is being used to improve the next wave of AI tools.

I recently created accounts with ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini to experiment with their graphic capabilities. Terry recently needed a good photo for a podcast interview, so I used Gemini to enhance an older picture of him. The picture was fine, but I needed to edit out a book he was holding.

That same day, I generated an image of a friend in Iowa who was standing on his front lawn with the King of Rock ’n’ Roll himself, Elvis Presley. My mother never owned a gun in her life, so it was both surprising and humorous to create a picture of her sitting at the kitchen table, proudly holding an AK-47 rifle.

AI is an incredible resource, yet it can produce outputs that are peculiar, unsettling, and often deeply concerning. Unfortunately, those with malicious intent have discovered ways to exploit it for their criminal activities.

Recently, a woman contacted me saying she received a call from a number displaying my name. The caller asked for her personal financial information, which was clearly a scam, as we don’t make such calls. I received a call claiming my electric bill was past due and threatening to shut off my power unless I made an immediate payment. The call mentioned Entergy as the power supplier, but our city of Benton, Arkansas, operates its own utility.

A couple of weeks ago, I asked an AI program what the top names in Bible prophecy are in America. The Search result helped explain why prophecy ministries have suddenly become so unpopular. It gave the names of three ministries that are connected to cults. It also listed Jack Impe and Hal Lindsey. These two men have passed away.

Since Rapture Ready was nowhere on their list. I asked ChatGTP and Gemini where our site is ranked. The response was a revelation in how these sneaky programs have marginalized us. It said, “Rapture Ready is considered a premier online resource for eschatology (the study of the end times) within conservative Christian circles.” It noted that RR often “refers to itself as the most visited prophecy site on the web.”

AI admits that RR is highly influential in the digital sphere for prophecy, but we are pigeon-holed as an independent, web-based ministry. RR is a “Top-tier site,” but only on a historical basis. It’s reminiscent of how Billie Holiday was a great jazz musician — for a woman of color. Similarly, Albert Einstein was pretty smart — for a Jewish guy.

We are either a top-visited site, or we are not. Since Google is the King of traffic ranking and popularity, they should know exactly where we stand. Neil Armstrong was the first man to walk on the moon, stepping onto the surface on July 20, 1969. If Mr. Google suddenly claimed otherwise, it would raise serious questions. Pure logic doesn’t apply to sites like RR because the god of this world has no love for us.

Several years ago, all search engines consistently ranked us at or near the top across many key categories. While our overall traffic hasn’t changed dramatically, the landscape around us has shifted. The agenda of social media platforms and search engines has evolved rapidly, and that shift is becoming impossible to ignore.

There is a very select group of end-time believers who face discrimination. For example, I recently looked up one of the groups connected to Seventh-day Adventists. What stood out was the complete absence of any critical perspective. There was no mention of their repeated predictions about the end of the world, nor any acknowledgment that most Christians dispute their end-time teachings.

This kind of imbalance highlights how information is increasingly filtered or framed in a way that leaves out important context. It’s not always about what is said—but what is no longer being said.

A key reason Rapture Ready greatly needs your financial support is that many services which were once free now come with a price. For example, we now have to pay for an option just to track the site’s traffic—something that used to be included with basic hosting packages. New tools, like our new voice program and other software, also come with ongoing annual costs.

In addition, there are numerous plugins and services required to keep the site running smoothly—some essential, others less clear, but all adding to the overall expense. If web hosting were an airplane, you would have to swipe your credit card just to get the airbag to pop out in case of an emergency.

Although costs continue to escalate, I refuse to let the burden of these expenses or their inherent unfairness weigh me down. We are living in a time of rapid change, and I believe the end of all things is drawing very near. The increasing instability we see in the world only reinforces that belief.

That’s why your support matters now more than ever. If you’ve found value in Rapture Ready, I encourage you to consider making a donation. Your help allows us to continue sharing information during what I believe are the final days of this age.

There are three ways you can contribute to RR: Send a financial gift via our PO box address; make a one-time donation; or make monthly donations. If you’re interested in signing up, find the links on the Donation Depot page. Donations can be sent to our PO Box at:

Rapture Ready
P.O. Box 969
Benton, AR 72018

–Todd

Uncertainty :: By Daymond Duck

Published on: by RR10

On Apr. 30, 2026, the Jewish Insider (JI) posted an article by Matthew Shea titled “GOP senators express uncertainty about authorizing extension of Iran war.”

Among other things, Shea said:

  • Senate Republicans are increasingly skeptical about the future of U.S. military engagement in Iran as the 60-day deadline for the war mandated by the War Powers Resolution approaches this week.
  • Under the 1973 law, the president cannot sustain military operations for more than 60 days without congressional authorization or a formal declaration of war, after which U.S. forces must be withdrawn.
  • The White House can request a 30-day extension should it present “unavoidable military necessity.”
  • Four GOP lawmakers told JI they expect the White House to comply with the statute and notify Congress of a 30-day extension — though they remain uncertain and divided over whether they would support authorizing continued military action.
  • Thom Tillis (R-NC) said he will not “quibble” over whether the exact deadline is met; however, he stressed that the White House should respect the law on the books.

(Update: On May 1, 20026, Pres. Trump sent a letter to congressional leaders that said, “The hostilities that began on February 28, 2026, have terminated.” If he does not get Congressional approval to continue the war, he is required to withdraw U.S. troops in the next 30 days. So, at this point in time, the future of the war is uncertain.)

(My comment: I spend a lot of time trying to keep up with current events and am convinced that there is a lot of deception, confusion, exaggeration, and uncertainty about what is happening.)

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

One, concerning the future of the U.S.-Israel war: on Apr. 30, 2026, Iran’s Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, issued a defiant written statement on ‘National Persian Gulf Day,’ declaring that the future of the region will be “without America” and that the United States has no place in the Gulf except “at the bottom of its waters.”

Khamenei said a “new chapter” is taking shape for the Strait of Hormuz, with Iran controlling its management.

He vowed that 90 million Iranians would use all capabilities — including nuclear and missile powers — to defend the country.

And he called on the Gulf states to distance themselves from US military presence, which Iran argues creates “vulnerability and fragility.”

Two, on May 6, 2026, Axios reported that:

Axios report, which touts the MoU between US-Iran:

  • A Pakistani source has confirmed that the US and Iran are closing in on a one-page memorandum to end their conflict.
  • US and Iran are reportedly closing in on a one-page memo to end the war, Axios reported, citing officials; White House believes it is close to an agreement to end the war and establish a framework for detailed nuclear negotiations.
  • MoU details, as it stands: Declare an end to the war in the region and the start of a 30-day period of negotiations, which could occur in Geneva or Islamabad. Iran committing to a moratorium on nuclear enrichment (at least 12-15 years). US agreeing to lift sanctions and release billions in frozen Iranian funds. Both sides lifting restrictions through the Strait of Hormuz, to occur gradually during the 30-day negotiation.
  • If talks collapsed, US forces could restore the blockade or resume military action.
  • Uranium Component: The duration of the moratorium is being actively negotiated. Sources suggest at least 12yrs and one suggesting 15yrs is likely; Iran sought five, the US wanted 20. Suggested that Iran would agree to its highly enriched uranium being removed from Iran, potentially to the US.
  • Timeline: Iran is expected to respond within 48 hours. While nothing has been agreed upon, sources indicate this is the closest the parties have been to a deal since the war began.
  • Issues: Some US officials remain skeptical that even an initial deal will be reached. Fractures within the Iranian leadership.

Here is a link to the article and a lot more information:

https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/us-and-iran-reportedly-close-mou-end-war-axios-reports-crude-hit-stocks-highs-newsquawk-us

Three, concerning the Holy Spirit causing many Jews to return to Israel at the end of the age: on Apr. 29, 2026, former Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett said his new alliance with opposition leader Yair Lapid will hold and enable the opposition bloc to form a long-lasting government to unseat Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Then, he revealed a plan to bring one million olim (new immigrants) to Israel over the next decade.

He added that his plan will focus on those from the U.S., Britain, and Australia.

Four, concerning the tracking of all buying and selling during the last half of the Tribulation Period: on Apr. 26, 2026, NBC News reported that:

  • The long-running fight to rein in the government’s power to search Americans’ phone calls, emails and text messages without a warrant has gained new urgency on Capitol Hill over concerns that AI will supercharge state surveillance.
  • Privacy advocates warn that if the law enabling warrantless monitoring of Americans is not meaningfully reformed, many citizens could be subject to increasingly invasive AI-powered analysis of communications swept up by foreign intelligence programs as well as commercially available location and behavioral data.
  • “Imagine instead of doing a query with one person that you turned AI loose on these databases,” Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., said at a press conference announcing a new bill to close data-collection loopholes.”
  • “There’s virtually nothing the government can’t know about you.”

Five, concerning Israel being a great army at the end of the age: on May 3, 2026, Israel announced that it will double the size of its F-35 fleet from 50 to 100 and its new F-15IA fleet from 25 to 50 over the next ten years.

Israel’s Prime Min. Netanyahu said, “Israel is stronger than ever, and Israel must always be much stronger than our enemies.”

(More: On May 4, 2026, it was reported that the first of six midair refueling planes that Israel has purchased from the U.S. will be delivered next week.)

Six, concerning the accuracy of the Bible: on May 3, 2026, it was reported that archaeologists have found a badly damaged statue of an Egyptian Pharaoh that they believe was Ramses II, the Pharaoh who reigned when God sent the Ten Plagues on Egypt.

The statue has been moved to a location in preparation for precise and urgent preparation work.

Seven, concerning natural disasters and famine at the end of the age: on May 6, 2026, raptureready.com posted an article by Everett Sloane that says:

  • Winter wheat is dying in Kansas fields that should be green by now. Ranchers in New Mexico are selling cattle they cannot afford to feed. Reservoir levels along the Colorado River system are dropping weeks ahead of the season when mountain snowmelt is supposed to refill them. Across roughly 63% of the contiguous United States, drought rated moderate to exceptional on the federal scale has taken hold, and the first three months of 2026 were the driest the nation has recorded in 131 years of continuous measurement.
  • Federal forecasters say the parched footprint is more likely to grow than shrink as spring advances, leaving farmers, water managers, and fire agencies bracing for a summer that could test infrastructure already running on thin margins.

Here is a link to the entire article.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/weather/topstories/worst-spring-drought-in-131-years-grips-63-of-the-us-with-no-end-in-sight/ar-AA22egcu

Eight, concerning God blessing those who bless Israel and cursing those who curse Israel: on May 7, 2026, it was reported that:

  • The United States has overtaken Saudi Arabia as the world’s largest exporter of crude oil over the past nine weeks, as Iranian attacks on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz severely disrupted Middle Eastern energy exports and forced global buyers to seek alternative supplies.

Nine, concerning Israel being prosperous (silver and gold, cattle and goods) at the end of the age: on May 7, 2026, it was reported that:

  • Due to the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz, Israel will transfer jet fuel to Germany.
  • The request from Berlin for assistance in jet fuel and natural gas was received in recent days by the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, and Cohen instructed the professional bodies to make an effort to respond positively.
  • After an inspection by the fuel manager at the ministry, it was found that there is a surplus production that can be exported.

Here are some war reports as they came in from the U.S. and Israel:

The U.S. calls its attacks Operation Epic Fury.

Israel calls its attacks Operation Roaring Lion.

Thurs. Day 62 (Apr. 30, 2026) (Day 9 of Trump’s latest ceasefire extension)

  • Since Apr. 13, 3036, the U.S. Navy has prevented 42 tankers from transporting Iranian oil through the Strait of Hormuz.
  • The Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre raised the United Kingdom national terrorism threat level from SUBSTANTIAL to SEVERE, according to its official assessment, meaning a terrorist attack is highly likely.

Fri. Day 63 (May 1, 2026) (Day 10 of Trump’s latest ceasefire extension)

  • Today is the deadline for Iran to send a revised peace proposal to Pakistan following the U.S. rejection of Tehran’s earlier proposal that offered to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to all traffic but push off nuclear talks.
  • In the past 24 hours, Israel has struck more than 40 Hezbollah targets.

Sat. Day 64 (May 2, 2026) (Day 11 of Trump’s latest ceasefire extension)

  • Israel’s Security Cabinet will meet tomorrow to discuss a renewal of the war with Hamas in Gaza. A source said Israel is looking to see concrete steps taken toward the disarmament of Hamas and the installation of the new technocratic government.

Sun. Day 65 (May 3, 2026) (Day 12 of Trump’s latest ceasefire extension)

  • Trump said he has thoroughly reviewed Iran’s 14-point proposal to end the war, and it is unacceptable to him.
  • Hal Turner Radio said reports are coming in saying there are at least eleven US air refueling tankers now airborne over Jordan and Iraq, with a “large (fighter) jet activity” behind those tankers. No word of any strikes… yet.
  • Trump ordered the U.S. Military to begin escorting ships through the Strait of Hormuz.
  • Trump is calling this a humanitarian operation, not military.
  • An Iranian official said the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf waters will not be managed by the delusional tweets of the American president.
  • The IRGC has started ordering ships that are anchored near the UAE in the Strait of Hormuz to raise their anchors and move toward Dubai.
  • Israel received about 6,500 tons of military supplies this week, as the U.S. accelerated efforts to bolster the Jewish nation’s defense amid growing expectations that fighting with Iran could reignite within days.

Mon. Day 66 (May 4, 2026) (Day 13 of Trump’s latest ceasefire extension)

  • The U.S. and Iran launched new attacks in the Gulf as they wrestled for control over the Strait of Hormuz, with dueling maritime blockades shaking a fragile truce.
  • The United States is launching a military operation to ensure the security of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, deploying guided-missile destroyers and approximately 15,000 personnel. The operation, named “Project Freedom,” begins today and involves escorting commercial vessels through the strategic waterway. More than 100 land and sea-based aircraft, as well as multi-role unmanned platforms, are involved in the mission.
  • The IRGC said it fired missiles at at least two ships in the Persian Gulf; at least one ship was hit, and the missile exploded. The U.S. said none of its ships have been hit.
  • Iran fired missiles at more ships.
  • A small group of Republicans is drafting an Authorization for the Use of Military Force (AUMF) against Iran.
  • The IRGC declared the Strait of Hormuz closed and said, “Any vessel under any flag trying to transit the strait will be destroyed.”
  • The UAE issued an emergency alert urging its citizens to take shelter.
  • The U.S. fired upon and destroyed 6 Iranian fast-speed attack boats.
  • Iran launched drone strikes against a merchant vessel and launched missiles against the UAE. The vessel, and what appears to be an oil terminal, are burning. The UAE stressed that it will not tolerate any aggression against its security and sovereignty, and that it will respond with full force and firmness to these attacks in a manner that fully protects its national security and the safety of its citizens and residents, in accordance with international law.
  • There have been reports of explosions in Dubai.

Tues. Day 67 (May 5, 2026) (Day 14 of Trump’s latest ceasefire extension)

  • Trump said, “Based on the request of Pakistan and other Countries, the tremendous Military Success that we have had during the Campaign against the Country of Iran and, additionally, the fact that Great Progress has been made toward a Complete and Final Agreement with Representatives of Iran, we have mutually agreed that, while the Blockade will remain in full force and effect, Project Freedom (The Movement of Ships through the Strait of Hormuz) will be paused for a short period of time to see whether or not the Agreement can be finalized and signed.”
  • Michael Snyder (author, blogger, etc.) reported the following: Somewhere around 2,000 commercial vessels are currently trapped in the Persian Gulf. The sailors on those commercial vessels are running out of food and fresh water. Sadly, 10 sailors have already died. The Trump administration would love to get those commercial vessels out of the Persian Gulf, but the Iranians are not cooperating. Instead, the Iranians are telling us that the strikes they have conducted already this week are just the beginning.
  • S. Sec. of State Marco Rubio said, “Operation Epic Fury has ended, and the United States has transitioned to taking defensive action in enforcing its blockade of Iranian ports.”
  • (My note: A reader sent me the following comment, and I totally agree: Every day, the narrative changes with such extremes that all credibility is lost.)

Wed. Day 68 (May 6, 2026) (Day 15 of Trump’s latest ceasefire extension)

  • French shipping group CMA CGM said one of its vessels, the San Antonio, had been targeted in an attack while transiting the Strait of Hormuz, resulting in injuries among crew members and damage to the vessel.
  • Trump once again warned the mullah regime in Tehran to accept his terms for ending the war, or else Iran will face a renewed and significantly intensified bombing campaign.
  • Israel’s Prime Min. Netanyahu said Israel remains in constant coordination with the United States regarding Iran, emphasizing that there are “no surprises” between Jerusalem and Washington as reports swirl about a possible U.S.-Iran agreement aimed at ending the war before fully dismantling Tehran’s nuclear program.
  • Trump said Iran has one week to respond to Washington’s latest proposed peace deal.

Thurs. Day 69 (May 7, 2026) (Day 16 of Trump’s latest ceasefire extension)

  • US President Donald Trump’s decision to pause a US operation to guide ships through the Strait of Hormuz came as a result of pressure from Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia informed the US that it would not allow US military aircraft to fly from the Saudi Prince Sultan Airbase or through Saudi airspace to carry out the effort to escort stranded vessels out of the strait. Saudi Arabia’s refusal to allow the U.S. to use its airbase and Saudi airspace to provide an umbrella for U.S. ships in the Strait of Hormuz made the operation too dangerous for the U.S. navy.

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