Afghanistan: America’s $4 Trillion Mistake

The nation of Afghanistan has fallen to the Taliban at a pace that has many western leaders scratching their heads in wonderment. A couple of weeks ago, the State Department was warning that Kabul could fall within 6 months. A few days later, the date was switched to 90 days. After it was revised to 72 hours, the downfall of Kabul only took 8 hours.

President Ashraf Ghani greeted a Taliban delegation at the presidential palace after signing an agreement to resign and transfer power to the Taliban. According to the Russian embassy, he then fled the country with four vehicles and a helicopter full of cash.

The Afghanistan military had a force of over 300,000, with an annual budget of $3-4 billion, equipped with Humvees, Mobile Strike Force Vehicles, helicopters, A-29 fighters, and advanced weapons. It crumbled to the Taliban’s lightly armed forces of 75,000 men.

As Afghan cities were falling like dominoes, the Pentagon was singing the praises of the Afghanistan military. “They have an air force, a capable air force,” something the Taliban does not have, Pentagon press secretary John Kirby said. “They have modern equipment. They have the benefit of the training that we have provided for the last 20 years. It’s time now to use those advantages.”

The downfall of Afghanistan reminds me of when ISIS militants took control of the city of Mosul in June of 2014. It only required 300 fighters to capture a city of 2.5 million people. During their three-year reign, ISIS committed many atrocities. By the time the Iraqi military liberated Mosul, large areas of the city were completely destroyed.

In both cases, Islam is the cause of the defeat. When you have a demonically controlled people fight against another group of demonically controlled people, you will see the outcomes that often defy simple logic.

Islam doesn’t even work well in oil-rich nations. I recently watched the video that pointed how much the United Arab Emirates is a mess. The Burj Khalifa is the world’s tallest building, and it’s not linked up to a sewage system. Each morning, 30 tanker trucks line up to pump out tons of human waste. Hundreds of homes that were built on fake islands are all slowly sinking into the Persian Gulf.

The workers in UAE are mostly the equivalent of slave labor. The people with the money are rich because they get welfare from the government. So when the oil runs out, the whole system will collapse. The old joke about when the oil runs out, sand will be the only export is not even true. The sand in the Middle East is too dirty to be of any use.

I have a non-Muslim example of how demonic influence destroys a nation. The people of Haiti follow a version of Roman Catholicism that is infused with voodoo rituals and beliefs. Haiti was founded by a large portion of the population pledging their allegiance to Satan for independence from France. This pact with the devil is the only way I can explain why this nation is the poorest nation in the Western world.

The Biden administration has had to face criticism and anger over the scale of just how fast things have deteriorated. Many of the images coming out of Kabul look very familiar to the fall of Saigon. Biden made America look bad by our military leaving the country with its tail between its legs. Every President going back to President Bush deserves some blame for staying in this hell hole.

It was foolish for us to think we could bring stability, security, and ultimately, prosperity to the people of Afghanistan. We invaded the country because we thought it was the headquarters of the group that carried out the 9/11 attack. It turned out most of them came from Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.

We only lost about 2,500 soldiers in the war, but we have taken on huge financial burdens. We have thousands of people who received injuries that will lead to medical bills of $1 trillion over their lifetime. Since we spent an average of $100 billion per year on the Afghanistan war, that amounts to $2 trillion. If you add up the compounding interest on the debt for 20 years, our total bill for this Afghanistan folly will be around $4 trillion.

The Bible proves itself time and time again that scripture is the only way to understand world events. Secular planners thought they could turn Afghanistan into a productive democracy. I doubt they admit their error, but it’s clear to me that they were wrong.

“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” (Ephesians 6:12).

–Todd

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“Only on evil”

Looking around today’s cultural/societal landscape, I searched my cerebral, biblical files of recollection for one brief reference that might best speak to where this generation stands on God’s prophetic timeline. The thought almost immediately landed upon things surrounding the book of Genesis—particularly, on the following:

And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. (Genesis 6:5)

We don’t have to stretch our powers of observation very far to grasp that we are indeed in a time that this scriptural pronouncement fits. But the above reference seemed still a bit too general in its indictment. I searched for refinement of that judgment through God’s Holy Word.

Next these words came to mind: God hates certain things. As a matter of fact, there are seven things He specifically hates:

These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren. (Proverbs 6:16–19)

We can look at these one at a time in order to determine if they fit the cultural/societal characteristics of our current national environment.

• A PROUD LOOK

With the possibility that some might be offended, I question whether this generation is affected and infected by this particular characteristic. The Internet and social media sites give this generation countless venues via which to put forth pridefulness. Many present “proud looks” on their accounts, sometimes boasting and even being untruthful about their accomplishments.

• A LYING TONGUE

During the past years, we’ve witnessed an entire news media that has put forth some of the most egregious lies imaginable. Our society and culture, although wise to the lies being perpetrated by mainstream media and the many alternate websites, nonetheless are swayed in what direction to take. They are easily persuaded by the smooth, lying tongues of media masters.

• A SCHEMING, WICKED HEART

This can be seen by organizations and political office holders that champion anti-God ideologies in order to win votes, thus to feather their personal nests with large contributions from those who buy their influence.

These concoct and pass legislation that often goes against God’s order for mankind—for example, changing laws that formerly governed perverted activity, and even pedophile activity to make such evil acceptable rather than wicked and even illegal.

• FEET THAT RUN SWIFTLY TOWARD MISCHIEF

I can see this in those within America’s political processes who construct total fabrication against their opponents. And the next thing God hates is akin to it.

• A FALSE WITNESS OF SPEAKING LIES

Again, we see this through the political process. And, of course, this sort of devious activity takes place throughout the business world, and is rampant today in the personal sense.

• SOWING DISCORD

We’ve watched as the nation has been torn apart. America is split almost down the middle in political ideology. I’m convinced that the educational system has worked feverishly to bring about this schism. The nation has, in this sense, sown to the wind. It is soon to reap the proverbial whirlwind, because of allowing the anti-God educators to plant seeds of discord. A house so discordant, so divided, cannot stand, Jesus said.

Perhaps you noticed that we skipped one particular matter God hates. I believe it to be the most troubling societal/cultural sin of all, one that’s especially egregious in the Almighty’s holy eyes.

• HANDS THAT SHED INNOCENT BLOOD

Is there any among us who are innocent? All have sinned and come short of the glory of God, the Bible says. So, who are the “innocent” referenced in this condemnation?

For the Loving God to say He “hates” is perhaps an infinite concept that’s beyond my ability to grasp. But I believe that babies in the womb and very small children fit this category of “innocent.”

This nation is, I think it can be accurately said, among the guiltiest of shedding innocent blood, of slaughtering tiny innocents, even in the place they should be most protected—in their mothers’ wombs.

But now this sin God hates so much becomes even more horrendous, as the following news item validates.

Various abortion programs at the University of Pittsburgh have been getting the school slammed in recent days, with accusations it assembled a tissue bank holding hearts, legs and brains from unborn babies who were cut up and stored.

But one of the more horrific accusations has now come from the Centers for Medical Progress, which charged that the organs are removed from the unborn babies’ bodies before they are dead.

The CMP explained that the school has admitted that “ischemia time” that it cited in an application for federal tax money for its abortion program “refers to the time after the tissue collection procedure.”

The CMP explained, “Ischemia starts when the organ (the kidneys primarily in Pitt’s GUDMAP project) is cut off from blood circulation. The NIH defines ischemia as ‘lack of blood supply to a part of the body.’ The university states the fetal organs do not undergo ischemia—lose their blood supply—until ‘after the tissue collection procedure.’”

Officials in 1 state altered spoiled ballots to count them, the report says.

“This means the organs are still receiving blood supply from the fetal heartbeat during the ’tissue collection,'” CMP explained.

“Pitt is now admitting to news media that the aborted babies are still alive at the time their kidneys are cut out for NIH grant money,” explained CMP chief David Daleiden. (Bob Unruh, “Race-based aborted baby-parts operations reminiscent of Kermit Gosnell scandal,” WND, August 5, 2021)

Jesus said that the time just before His Second Advent will be just as it was in the days of Noah. The antediluvians’ thoughts were “only on evil continually.”

At this moment, babies—the only truly “innocent” among us, because they are not accountable for their sinful nature at this point—are being slaughtered by the thousands. Their blood cries out to the God of Heaven who loves them. Can it be any wonder that He literally “hates” this most heinous evil imaginable?

Abortion is the nation’s number-one national sin, I am convinced. The souls of these tiny, innocent ones must even at this moment—like those martyrs described in Revelation chapter 6—be crying out.

And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? (Revelation 6:10)

This world system that eagerly sheds innocent blood is on the cusp of paying an eternal price for this wickedness. But the individual sinner, even who has been involved in the satanically driven abortion industry, can escape the wrath of God to come.

• Romans 6:23: “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
• Romans 10:13” “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

—Terry

—Terry

Food Productions Update

Farmers all around the world are unable to get a break from bad weather. In a previous article, I noted that China has had record flood damage to many crops. This is the second year in a row that China has had a failed growing season.

The corn and soybean crop in the US has been a mixed bag. Some of the northern states like North and South Dakota and Minnesota have been too dry. The crops in the rest of the Midwest are rated as being in excellent condition. The crop is not safe until it makes it into the silo. Last year’s Derecho that ripped through Iowa proves that point.

The drought in California continues to get worse. The water levels of many reservoirs are at all-time lows. California already had 500,000 acres not get planted this year because of the lack of water.

California grows more than a third of our vegetables and two-thirds of our fruits and nuts. Millions of trees have had to be cut down because the farmers could not get the water needed to keep them alive. Salt damage, caused by the lack of drainage with fresh water, is taking tens of thousands of acres of farmland out of production.

Southern Africa is suffering through its worst drought in several decades and perhaps a century.
Diminished and late rainfall, combined with long-term increases in temperatures, has jeopardized the food security and energy supplies of millions of people in the region, most acutely in Zambia and Zimbabwe. The drought in South Africa is bad because it is normally a major exporter of grains to other nations.

The only good news I could find is in Australia. Grain production down under is expected to be strong in the 2021-22 marketing year following a record-breaking wheat production year, according to a report from the Foreign Agricultural Service of the US Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Food production in South America has been an absolute disaster. In Brazil, drought and frost caused second corn yields in the country’s center-south to hit their lowest level in 10 years. Crop losses due to unfavorable weather may result in shortages and persistent food inflation due to Brazil being a top player in global corn production.

Reuters, citing a new report via agribusiness consultancy AgRural, said drought, then frosts destroyed much of the crop this year. Brazilian farmers expect to harvest around 51.6 million tons of corn, down 19 million from last season’s 70.5 million.

“Failure of the 2021 corn crop, planted with much delay due to the later soybean harvest, was the result of the lack of rain in most of the producing areas in April and May,” AgRural said. “The frost starting at the end of June and lasting until now reduced yields and also caused quality problems.”

Besides corn – citrus trees, coffee, and sugar cane in Brazil have also been heavily impacted by adverse weather conditions. Prices for coffee beans are up 50% in the past 12 months, hitting seven-year highs in July on news of the frost.

Chile is not a major producer of food but is suffering such a massive drought, it raises concern for its neighbors. The drought in Chile is now in its 10th year, going from bad to worse due to a scorching July, a month which typically brings midwinter weather showering the capital Santiago in rain and snow.

The USDA’s quarterly Grain Stocks report, released with the June 30 Acreage report, shows sharp declines in corn, soybean, and wheat stocks.

Corn stocks totaled 4.11 billion bushels, down 18 percent from the same time last year. Soybeans stored totaled 767 million bushels, down 44 percent from last year. All wheat stored totaled 844 million bushels, down 18 percent from a year ago.

What helped draw down US grain stocks is China importing a record amount of grains in 2020. The nation bought 11.3 million tonnes of corn, exceeding the annual quota, set at 7.2 million tonnes, for the first time. It also imported a record 8.38 million tonnes of wheat. As China works to rebuild its swine herd, the country imported over 100 million tonnes of soybeans, with nearly 40 million tonnes coming from the United States.

It was just two years ago that China said it was going to boycott America’s grain supplies. With Brazil a bust for this year, Chinese grain ships are going to be lining up at American ports. Washington DC is probably starting to wonder how much grain we can afford to sell to our Asian trading partner.

As we get close to the last days, food production is likely to become more problematic. Since the Bible predicts a deadly famine will take place in the tribulation, it explains why we are having one bad year after another.

“And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand. And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine” (Rev. 6:5-6).

–Todd

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Replacing God

At the heart of iniquity—the evil God’s Word says indwelt Lucifer when he decided to make himself more important than the Creator—festers the wicked desire to replace God.

This rebelliousness has been deeply ingrained within all of humanity since the Fall in Eden.  That iniquitous desire is dramatically manifested in the biblical account of Israel’s Exodus of Moses’ time.

The scene centers on Pharaoh, the most powerful potentate of the world in that day.

And Pharaoh said, Who is the LORD that I should obey his voice to let Israel go? I know not the LORD, neither will I let Israel go. (Exodus 5:2)

Pharaoh’s fate ended no better than will Lucifer’s, ultimately. Neither will the fate of anyone of any generation who seeks such position be any better than that of the one now called Satan. To desire to make oneself one’s own god is a fool’s errand, to be sure. The eternal lake of fire is the God-guaranteed end of that endeavor.

Yet most of humanity, especially those who consider themselves to be the elite, is determined to do what is right in their own eyes. The deeper mankind moves into history, the more pronounced their determination to cast off God’s moorings. They have become creators themselves, and like described in the prophecy of Psalm 2, they want to break the bands that God puts in place to govern them in the ultimate sense.

Nothing in last-days movement into history more illustrates the truth that man was created in God’s image than their own creative ability. We’ve made truly remarkable progress in terms of inventions that, in juxtaposition against previous century’s, border on miraculous. And now, as their genius pierces into uncharted technological atmospherics, the future seems to circle back to the past. The writer of Proverbs is again proven right: “There is nothing new under the sun.”

God said in that Genesis account that nothing people could think to do would be kept from them; they could do anything they could imagine. Thus He came down and interfered with their Tower project. He then scattered them about the earth—because their corporate mind again came to be like in the days before the Flood. They had determined to, like Lucifer, put their collective will into opposing the Creator, to cast His cords from themselves.

And, like during those antediluvian times, their thoughts were only on evil continually. Things they could produce from that sin-fallen thinking would, inevitably, bring man to its destruction.

This ultimate destruction of mankind, of course, has been Lucifer’s intention from the time he was evicted from Heaven along with his complicit hordes to, like a roaring lion, seek and devour all human beings.

And now it appears that both mankind and Satan have reached the moment of rebellious progression—like in times of the pre-Flood era and the time of Babel. The earth-dwellers have nearly reached a moment when they can shed God’s tethers and become their own gods: do what is right in their own eyes. Therefore, we sense the Lord is about to again intervene as He did in those previous junctures of human history. Jesus spoke of this time in which we’re living in His “days of Noah, days of Lot” forewarnings as recorded in Matthew 24:36–42 and Luke 17:26–30.

This sense of God’s imminent intervention comes from a number of different kinds of signs prophetic progression. But the one sensed most keenly is a specific, burgeoning scientific development of these frenetic times.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is that specific indicator.

Man’s creative genius has reached the point that the luciferian thinkers now believe they can surpass human intelligence. They can, they believe, construct intelligence that will free them to do whatever is right in their own eyes. They need no deity to encumber their utopian plans. They have, in their superior minds, replaced God.

We’ve been bombarded in recent decades with fictional scenarios of technologies getting out of control. These Hollywood dystopian fantasies have most often ended with the day being saved by one hero or group of heroes or the other. Humans have regained control and all ends well. A few cases see the climaxes of the movies go in the other direction, resulting in man’s downfall. One prophecy writer says the following.

Most accredited universities have within their computer science departments, active programs for the creation of artificial intelligence. At some point in the not-too-distant future, man is going to cross that technological threshold between fantasy and reality and launch a system that is “self-aware.” Scary thought!…

We have moved firmly into the realm of creating a super-intelligent AI system. We have developed the technology to create “deep fakes” that can fake audio and video, making it indistinguishable from the real thing. We have further developed cloud technology. Cryptocurrencies are proliferating. Drone and robotic technology are continuing to improve at an incredible pace and scale. Genetic manipulation (to include data storage) is continuing to be refined and enhanced…

And between man’s desire to live forever through artificial means (trans-humanism and singularity) and AI’s ability to solve seemingly unsolvable problems, it will be a Babel-like moment when God will have to step in and intervene, yet again. (“Even the Elect, Part I: Deception,” Pete Garcia, https://rev310.com)

There is coming another like the leader of the rebels of earth at the time of the Tower of Babel. But the neo-Nimrod will have technology far superior to that of the first Nimrod’s time to carry out his regime’s evil. There will be no place on planet earth to hide (except that provided by God Himself) when Antichrist’s technology of control is released upon those alive during the Tribulation.

The current striving of the principalities and powers to replace God will fail miserably. Christ will rule and reign upon a pristine planet that will have been restored to its original glory.

That Babel moment is coming. God will again take total charge as He did then.

And the LORD said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do.  (Genesis 11:6)

—Terry