The Whole Creation is Groaning
“For the creature was made subject to vanity [futility; frustration], not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God” (Romans 8:20-21).
WILDFIRES
Australia wildfires unprecedented: Now 200+ fires burning; 22 people known dead, many missing; 2,500 buildings destroyed (including 1,400 homes); 5.9 million hectares (15 million acres) destroyed. Extreme heatwave and winds intensified on January 4. 500 million animals are believed dead including 1/3 of the koala population. Smoke from the fires is about 12,400 000 km² (4 800 000 mi2), larger than, for example, the USA, Canada, or China. The bushfires are so big they’re generating “pyrocumulonimbus” clouds, which create their own thunderstorms that can start more fires.
Authorities on Friday urged evacuations for Australians living in parts of New South Wales and Victoria that brushfires were expected to rage out of control over the weekend. Temperatures in the area topped 104 F across much of the state, and no end to the destruction is currently in sight. According to NSW Transport Minister, this is “the largest evacuation of people out of the region ever.”
Wildfires in Australia trapped 4,000 people on a beach. Australians are facing a terrifying start to the new year. Idyllic coastal towns packed with tourists planning to ring in 2020 were cast in apocalyptic red on Tuesday, as smoke blotted out the sun. In Mallacoota in Victoria, around 4,000 people fled to beaches with no way out. They were told to be ready to jump into the ocean if needed. As of this writing, the navy has evacuated 1,000 people and their pets. The smoke became too bad for air rescue.
Many, of course, blame bogus manmade climate change. But just like California, the “greenies” environmentalists have exacerbated the death toll in drought-stricken Australia by refusing to clear undergrowth in the forests. They’ve actually helped eliminate the trees and animals they claimed to want to save. Read Denis Bowden’s “Postcard from Australia” on the Rapture Ready website.
Storms, Floods, Typhoons and Cyclones, etc.
Major winter storm hits US with heavy snow and freezing rain. A major winter storm intensified as it shifted across the Plains and into the Upper Midwest last weekend, and continued disrupting holiday travel through New Year’s Day. Winter storm train to hammer northwestern US well into January 2020. Unrelenting storms will escalate the risk of flash flooding, mudslides and avalanches as ski resorts continue to be bombarded with heavy snow.
In Wisconsin, an ice jam in the river caused a flood emergency on New Year’s Eve in Oconto. Many streets flooded, and people were asked to stay off all roads. It was their worst flooding since 1986.
In Israel: Two die in flooded elevator as downpours hit central Israel, streets inundated. Videos on social media show submerged cars in Tel Aviv and surrounding suburbs; man in north electrocuted to death by heater; 2 treated for hypothermia in other cases.
In Columbia, at least 8 missing following severe flash floods and mudslides in Tolima after heavy downpour triggered flash floods and mudslides Dec. 26. El Mono creek burst its banks, sending mud, rocks, and floodwater raging through the village of La Virginia.
In Jakarta, Indonesia, the death toll from flooding has now climbed to 53 as of this writing. Heavy rains began New Year’s Eve into New Year’s Day. The deluge was “one of the most extreme rainfall” events since records began in 1866. TV footage showed mud-covered cars, some piled on top of each other. Bogus manmade climate change, of course, was blamed by the weather minions for increasing the risk of extreme weather. They warned that heavy rainfall could last until mid-February. Cloud-seeding is being attempted. Planes have been sent up to shoot NaCl (sodium chloride) into the clouds with the goal of making them break before they reach the Jakarta region.
New Delhi, India, records coldest December day since records began over a century ago. The lowest temperature Monday was 2.6C (less than 37F). Normal high this time of the year is 20.8C (over 69F). This makes Monday the coldest December day since at least 1901, as well as the coldest day in the national capital during the December-February period since 1951.
In the Philippines, Typhoon Phanfone (Ursula) brought destructive winds and torrential rain on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Over 50 people were killed and 143 injured. Damages to crops and agriculture estimated at 46.5 million dollars. It was the 21st cyclone this year to hit the Philippines.
Tropical Cyclone Sarai lashed Fiji early this week as a Category 2, causing one death. It passed over Tonga New Year’s Eve as a Category 1 with no deaths reported.
Tropical Storm Calvinia approached the island of Mauritius on New Year’s Eve, flooding some areas and knocking down trees and power lines.
EARTHQUAKES
In Iran, a moderate 5.8 earthquake on Thursday caused limited damage in 14 villages.
A 5.5 earthquake struck the coast of Nicaragua on Friday. No reports of damages.
A 5.8 earthquake struck the Mexican state of Oaxaca late Saturday evening. There were no immediate reports of damage.
Several quakes over 5.0 occurred in the ocean.
VOLCANOES
In Alaska, the Shishaldin Volcano showing increasing activity. “During this heightened level of activity more powerful explosions could occur with little warning and produce higher ash clouds.”
In the Philippines, volcano Anak Krakatau (Child of Krakatau) erupted again, spewing out a 200-meter-high column of ash and smoke that alarmed local residents last Sunday.
The Japan Meteorological Agency raised alert level for Mt. Shimmoe volcano Thursday due to increasing seismic activity. People were asked not to approach the crater, warning of potential eruptions and risk of large airborne rocks and pyroclastic flows within 2 kilometers (1 ¼ miles).
EPIDEMICS
Ebola Virus Still Increasing: The Congo is still fighting the latest Ebola virus epidemic that was declared August 1, 2018. Since the last disease outbreak news published Dec. 19, 29 new confirmed cases were reported (as of Dec. 31) in the ongoing Ebola outbreak in North Kivu province. Confirmed cases this week were reported from eight health areas in four health zones. Since the beginning of the epidemic, the cumulative number of cases stands at 3,373 with a total of 2,231 dead, according to the last count dated Saturday. The provinces of North Kivu and Ituri are most affected. Health authorities state that currently “341 suspected cases are being investigated.” Control efforts are regularly disrupted there due to the insecurity caused by the presence of numerous militias. Ebola facilities are the target of attacks in these areas and members of Ebola teams have been killed or injured in armed attacks.
INIQUITY (LAWLESSNESS, WICKEDNESS) SHALL ABOUND
Shooting at Texas Church kills two parishioners and injures another. The shooter was killed quickly by a security parishioner who is an expert with guns and had also trained other parishioners. Several other parishioners pulled their guns had that first shot not taken the killer down. The murderer was Keith Thomas Kinnunen, and he had a criminal record. He visited the church several times this year and was given food but got angry when officials refused to give him money. He came to church wearing a fake beard, wig, hat and long coat, which drew attention of the church’s security team.
Interestingly, Creepy-Hands-on-the-children Joe Biden, Dem candidate for president, strongly criticized the Texas governor back in September for allowing licensed-gun-owner parishioners to bring guns to church. Wonder how Biden likes the taste of crow. Had no one in the church had a gun, the carnage would have been much worse.
APOSTASY IN THE CHURCHES
United Methodist Church expected to split into more than one denomination in attempt to bring to a close years-long contentious fight over gay marriage. Leaders of the church announced Friday they’d agreed to spin off a “traditionalist Methodist” denomination, which would continue to oppose gay marriage and refuse ordination to LGBT clergy, while allowing the remaining portion to permit same-sex marriage and LGBT clergy for the first time in its history. The plan would need to be approved in May at the denomination’s worldwide conference.
New Church of England Archbishop Believes Christian Views on Sexuality Should Be Adapted ‘To Fit Culture’. The latest senior appointee in the Church of England has made startling remarks about the relevance of the Bible in modern culture. Stephen Cottrell, incoming Archbishop of York, made the controversial comments in 2017 after Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, called for a “radical new Christian inclusion” among the Anglican communion. Cottrell holds “progressive” views regarding sexuality. On same-sex marriage, he said taking a strictly Biblical view can actually “legitimize homophobia.”
Pope Francis Unveils Globalist New World Religion agenda at Summit with UN Leader, and pushed global government. His policies have upset not just Protestants, but a number of Catholics. And let’s not forget his Mother Earth-worshiping agenda. Those who are deceived can’t see past his lamb horns when he speaks, but he’s really a dragon. Those who can read between the lines can hear the strains of John Lennon’s song “Imagine” about a Godless world.
Getting in Touch with “Mother Earth” at Vatican Christmas Concert, channeling their inner goddess. An indigenous woman from Latin America asked the audience to cross their arms over their chest and feel a strong vibration, explaining this is “your heart” but also “the heart of Mother Earth.” Where there is silence, she explained, there is “the Spirit” who allows “to hear the message of Mother Earth.” She added, “… Mother Earth, Hicha Guaia, is everything” because Guaia “gives us food, sacred water, medicinal plants” and therefore receives sacrifices like “the placenta and the first hair of man which are cut.” Cardinals and bishops eagerly followed her instructions.
Feminist who wishes the Bible okayed homosexuality Receives The Gospel Coalition’s 2019 Book Award for Evangelism and Apologetics. Conservative Calvinists at Reformation Charlotte site Exposing “Progressive” Calvinists (Gospel Coalition). Standing next to *Rebecca McLaughlin is Russell Moore (president of Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, the public-policy arm of the Southern Baptist Convention—which has been accused of moving left under Russell Moore. [*Rebecca McLaughlin is married to a man and says she has not given in to her lesbian tendencies, but says she wishes the Bible okayed homosexuality. She’s what are referred to as SSA’s, same-sex attracted people. And she believes God has raised up same-sex attracted Christians.]
You may also want to read this article: “Beware the Far-Left Push at the Pulpit.” Documentary producer Trevor Louden says the 2016 film “Enemy Within” about communism’s influence in American politics opened his eyes to the threat, and he is now working with director Judd Saul to expose that influence in churches and their leaders.
HATRED OF CHRISTIANITY AKA HATRED OF GOD
At an evangelical rally in Miami, Florida, President Trump said, “Our faith is needed now more than ever. While certain fads come and go, it’s an eternal truth that faith and family lead to the stability, happiness, and prosperity of nations. Yet as we speak, every Democrat candidate running for president is trying to punish religious believers and silence our churches and our pastors. Our opponents want to shut out God from the public square so that they can impose their extreme anti-religious and socialist agenda on America.”
MSNBC’s Chuck Todd touts ‘fascinating’ letter mocking Christian Trump supporters who believe in Noah’s ark. He implied that the Bible is a “fairytale.”
“Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts… For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men” (2 Peter 3:3, 5-7).
Hollywood Attacks Christians by Mocking Breitbart Readers. In an attempt at some free publicity, the makers of Faith Based, a movie that mocks Christians and Christianity, targeted Breitbart and Fox News.
Rise of the Nones: Growing percentage of Americans reject organized religion. Pew Research Center polling shows more Americans than ever say they’re not connected to any religious faith. Percentage of the U.S. population that described themselves as “religiously unaffiliated” rose to 26%, up from 17% in 2009. Those describing themselves as Christians declined 12 percentage points over the past decades. “It’s the family unit where you normally play out your faith, where you get your morals, your ethics because it’s lived out in that sense. And you’ve got a high divorce rate. You’ve got kids growing up with no center in their family.”
In India, Christian prayer hall dedicated to Christ attacked by Hindu radicals. Hindus in the area were suspicious that the community hall would be used to convert Hindus to Christianity. A mob of about 20 men attacked with crude bombs and sticks. Four people were injured, including two children.
HATRED OF JEWS AKA HATRED OF GOD
In New York, suspects arrested in last week’s spree of 8 anti-Semitic attacks were being quickly released back into the neighborhoods they terrorized thanks to “bail reform” legislation even before it was to take effect Jan. 1. Most attacks are occurring in Brooklyn. In the latest, two female attackers yelled anti-Semitic slurs at a Jewish man before shoving him to the ground when he tried to film the assault. In this video, a black man speaks against the anti-Semitism in the black community, something the mainstream media doesn’t want to address.
In New York City last Saturday night, Grafton Thomas stabbed 5 Jewish people with a machete inside a rabbi’s home during a Hanukkah celebration. One of the victims (father of seven, grandfather and great-grandfather) is still in a coma and will likely never regain consciousness. The murderer’s family claims he had no history of violence and anti-Semitism and claims he’s mentally ill. Yet, journals were found containing anti-Semitic references, references to Hitler and a swastika, and references to the Black Hebrew Israelite group.
The Black Hebrew Israelite movement asserts that they’re the actual descendants of the ancient Israelites, and are vehemently against Jews (a couple from that same group killed Jews at a deli recently after first attempting to get into the elementary school next door, but the door was locked). Also, Thomas had a sealed court record of arrest, an and incident of punching a police horse. Authorities are investigating whether he’s tied to a recent stabbing near a synagogue. That victim, a father of four, was so badly brutalized that police were initially told he’d apparently been hit by a car. Shortly after that November 20 incident, Ramapo police said they didn’t believe the stabbing was a hate crime.
Disturbing moment 7 teens launch a savage attack on Orthodox Jew in Brooklyn – 14th incident of anti-Semitic violence recorded in New York from Dec.8 to Dec. 24; that’s barely over 2 weeks, not 4 as the original article stated). In Brooklyn’s Crown Heights on Dec. 24, a Jewish man, not identified, was walking down Lincoln Place. He attempted to avoid the teens’ path, but one threw a folding camping chair at his head, then he was chased by two of them who took turns punching him. A third teen picked up the folding chair and threw it at the victim again. The same group was recorded carrying out a second brutal attack on a 56-year-old Jewish man moments later.
San Diego State University invited a Jew-hating Muslim to speak there about so-called “reparations.” She’s a spokesperson of the Nation of Islam. It’s clear what kind of person she is once you listen to a video of her speaking to a Muslim audience. Her repulsive way of speaking about Jews is filled with lies. The truth is the Jewish community helped the Black community during the Civil Rights Movement, and Martin Luther King Jr. supported Israel and the Jewish community. She invented an entire story about the Jewish people not based on any facts, just on hate. She’s bringing shame to people like MLK Jr. who did much for her community. And San Diego University is guilty for supporting people like her.
Fans at international basketball game burn Israeli flag and wave terrorist flags. At a game where an Israeli team was playing against the Greek team AEK, fans of that team burned an Israeli flag, but proudly displayed the terrorist flags of Hezbollah and PLO.
Also, read about Bernie Sanders’ anti-Israel plan in the Traitors section here.
LAST DAYS TRAITORS: A FUNGUS AMONG US
Democrats Fiercely Side with Iran Over the Death of a Terrorist. But of course they would. The Dem Party is the enemy of this nation too, run by Marxists who want to take the US down and rebuild it their way. Meanwhile, we’re supposed to sit back and let Iran’s minions attack US forces and do nothing about it. They’d prefer another Benghazi.
Iranian militia leader Hadi al-Amiri, one of the leaders of the attack on the U.S. embassy in Baghdad, reportedly was a White House Guest in 2011 during the presidency of Barack Hussein Obama.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo accused members of the Obama administration of undermining President Trump’s maximum pressure campaign on Iran by telling the Iranians to “just hang on” until Trump loses in 2020.
The UN is Hiring English-Speaking Disarmament Officers In New York. As the Second Amendment conflict heats up across the US, here’s another…conspiracy theory that has turned out to be true. The United Nations is hiring in New York. What positions are they trying to fill? English-speaking DISARMAMENT, DEMOBILIZATION, AND REINTEGRATION OFFICERS. This job was posted the day after Christmas. So for all the folks who have been saying “nobody is trying to take your guns” you might want to read this job listing and reconsider your opinion.”
Obamanation News: It Involves Common (Commie) Core Leftist Education Initiative. Obama’s plan to ‘fundamentally change” America. “Obama gave Pearson Publishing a government contract worth $350 million for their work to create the Common Core text for his administration’s education initiative. A subsidiary of that same publisher gave Obama roughly $65 million for his book deal after he left office.”
If You Don’t Warn Your Children About Socialism and Communism… From Fox News host Rachel Campos Duffy: “If you’re not talking about the kind of religious liberty and personal free speech liberty you will lose under Socialism, the kind of political repression you see under Socialism and Communism and the poverty that it has always ended up bringing to any country that allows itself to fall into it, you’re not doing your job as a parent. You’re also not doing your job as a Christian. Communism and Socialism are atheistic, anti-religion ideologies, so we as parents have to do a better job. If we cede these issues to the public schools and Marxist professors at our kids’ universities, we will lose this battle for the youth.”
Rep. Mark Meadows (R-NC) suggested that US Attorney John Durham will uncover “very problematic findings” with the FBI’s counterintelligence operation against the Trump campaign – both before and after the 2016 US election. “When we look at the investigation that is going on now with Mr. Durham, he is finding things that will be very problematic. And where they’re problematic is not just in the initial investigation, it is after January of 2017 before the president is actually sworn into office; they’re still operating on trying to take him down when they know they had no case,” Meadows added.
Pennsylvania Muslim Democrat state rep Movita Johnson-Harrell is accused of stealing $500k from a charity. She used the money for fur coats, vacations and her campaign, money which was supposed to be used for the mentally ill and drug-addicted poor. Prosecutors say she spent years siphoning the money from the charity. She was hailed earlier this year as the first female Muslim lawmaker elected in the state. She has resigned.
Dem presidential candidate Bernie Sanders relies on supporters of the anti-Semitic Boycott Divestment & Sanctions (BDS) movement to run his campaign and speak on his behalf. He’s suggested diverting military aid from Israel to support “Palestinians” in Gaza. Sanders hides behind his Judaism to deflect criticism, but legitimizes anti-Semitism by embracing people who support hatred of Jews. These include campaign surrogate Linda Sarsour and endorsers like U.S. Reps. Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar – all Muslim Jew-haters.
Flashback: Democrat Senators Took Bribe Money from Iran Lobby Before Vote on Obama’s Nuke Deal — Iran Threatened to Out the Bribed Officials. In May 2018 President Trump withdrew from the sham Iranian nuclear deal. He knew the deal mullahs was not working and not worth the paper it was written on. Iran’s Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hossein Ansari reportedly warned Western officials that “If Europeans stop trading with Iran and don’t put pressure on the US, then we will reveal which western politicians and how much money they had received during nuclear negotiations to make the Iran deal happen.”
Chinese Nationals Spying in the US. Chinese national Lyuyou Liao was arrested at a Navy base in Florida and charged with taking photos of the base’s restricted facilities. In September last year, another Chinese national, Zhao Qianli, was arrested on the same base. Authorities found images of defense installations when they searched his phone and digital camera. In September, a Chinese woman was convicted of one count of trespassing and one count of lying to a federal agent after being accused of trespassing at President Trump’s Florida resort and lying about why she was there.
U.N. Approves China-Backed Internet Convention, Alarming Rights Advocates. The UN approved a Russian-led bid backed by China that aims to create a new convention on cybercrime. The US, European leaders and rights groups fear the language is code for legitimizing crackdowns on expression, with numerous countries defining criticism of the government as “criminal.” In 2016 Obama relinquished U.S. government authority over ICANN, the global nonprofit that manages the internet’s domain name system. Those opposed to Obama’s action warned that giving up that control would lead to an online power grab by countries like China and Russia and threaten freedom of speech around the world.
LAST DAYS RETURN TO DAYS OF LOT
UK Sex Grooming Gangs Victimized 19,000 Children in 2019. “But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe unto the world because of offences! …woe to that man by whom the offence cometh! Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off…it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire. And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out…it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire. Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven” (Matt 18:6-10).
Debauchery On Display On Live TV Courtesy Of CNN. As Andy Cohen and Anderson Cooper downed shots of tequila on CNN’s New Year coverage, a giggling Cooper used the “c-word” as he recounted a conversation with his mother about who has the biggest male one in Hollywood. The shot-downing gay duo celebrated LGBTQ milestones. “Family-friendly debauchery courtesy of the vulgarians at the nation’s lowest-rated cable television network. The show featured another news anchor jumping into a rum bath, another anchor cavorting with a drag queen in a giant shoe. There was also a photo of a naked person tanning their nether regions. And Lord only knows what Don Lemon was doing.”
A very LGBTQ decade: Gay marriage, trans rights and a gay rainbow wave. NBC seems to be proud of all the milestones. From the article: “At the dawn of the year 2010, few Americans could predict that the coming decade would revolutionize the legal and cultural landscape for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people. After all, it was only in 2003 that homosexuality was decriminalized across the country, thanks to a landmark Supreme Court ruling.” In the 2018 midterm elections, over 150 LGBTQ’s were elected to office.
Trans Activists Seek Respelling of “Woman” to “Womxn.” “In modern, 20th-century feminism, the term womyn was coined by feminists who rejected so-called male superiority represented by the -men suffix in women. This itself is a brazen rejection of God’s created order, for we are told in Genesis 2:23 that the first woman was named as such because she was “taken out of man.” Now, transgender activists are using the same move, using the word womxn to describe any man, woman, or beast who identifies as a woman, particularly with the goal to obscure biological and legal differences between men and women.”
As it was then, so it is now; end stage in the fall of a nation: “As for my people, children [those not fit to be leaders] are their oppressors, and women rule over them. O my people, they which lead thee cause thee to err, and destroy the way of thy paths. The Lord standeth up to plead, and standeth to judge the people” (Isaiah 3:12-13).
And speaking of the above Bible passage: DEPOPULATION AGENDA & 2 TIMOTHY 3:1-7
Abortion Was the Leading Cause of Death Worldwide in 2019, Killing 42.3 Million People. More human beings died in abortions than any other cause of death in 2019 (Worldometers statistics). A heartbreaking reminder about the prevalence of abortion. The independent site collects data from governments and other reputable organizations, then reports the data, along with estimates and projections based on those numbers.
Abortion to take center stage at Supreme Court as 2020 election approaches. The high court will hear arguments in March on a case which involves a Louisiana law that requires doctors who perform abortions to have admitting privileges at a nearby hospital. Several hundred members of Congress filed supporting briefs in a closely watched upcoming Supreme Court case that could decide the future of abortion access. The brief was signed by 207 mostly Republicans. The opposing brief was signed by 197 mostly Democrats. Republicans argued that Louisiana clinics are rife with safety violations and that the time is ripe to reconsider the legal underpinnings of Roe v. Wade, the 1973 Supreme Court case that established a constitutional right to abortion.
ISLAMIZATION OF THE NATIONS
Muslims in Kentucky will celebrate “Muslim Day” next month at its state capitol. The chairman of the terror-supporting group CAIR says the event is to encourage more Muslims to engage in politics and run for office. Other states have dedicated special Muslim days. Examples: In Ohio, Islamic Day has been recognized the 2nd Saturday in Oct since 1987. Islam Day was a day of Islam recognition in Hawaii in Sept 2009.
From Islam’s Hadith: “The messenger Muhammad said: Verily Allah has shown me the eastern and western part of the earth, and I saw the authority of my Ummah (nation) dominate all that I saw (#2889).
Muslim Population of England Exceeds 3 Million For the First Time – Christians Continue to Decline. The Muslim population in England will continue to exponentially increase because Muslim men are allowed to have multiple wives, and each wife usually has five children. In just the five years between 2011-2016, the number of Muslims living in England and Wales increased from 2.7 million to 3.14 million — that is over 400,000 people and roughly a 16% increase. In 2016, an estimated 32.7 million people in England and Wales identified as Christian, now down to 33.2 million. The name “Mohammad” is in the 10 most popular baby boy names in England. England is finished.
ISLAMIC TERRORISM
Hamas outraged after Israel seizes terrorists’ salaries aka pay for terrorism. “These [terrorists’] families received money from the “Palestinian” Authority [aka evil PLO] for years for the terrorist acts [of their family members]. The murder of Jews will stop paying off,” Bennett stressed. Last week, Bennett authorized the seizure of hundreds of thousands of shekels’ worth of funds paid to jailed terrorists and their families, in a precedent-setting administrative order. The move came weeks after Bennett declared he would tighten the use of economic sanctions against terrorists.
French Philosopher: ‘Left-wing Islamism and antisemitism have a future’. One of France’s most important philosophers and a widely recognized public intellectual, Alain Finkielkraut, sounded strong alarm bells over the rise of left-wing Islamism and radical antisemitism.
WARS AND RUMORS OF WARS (It’s been quite a start to the New Year.)
Iran Warns US Its Middle East Dominance Is Over After Naval Drills With Russia and China. “Today, the era of American free action in the region is over. They must leave the region gradually,” Iran’s Rear Admiral Hossein Khanzadi said last Sunday. The joint drills coincided with an attack on American forces in Iraq, suspected to have been launched by an Iranian-backed militia.
A rocket attack on an Iraqi military base last Friday killed an American civilian defense contractor and wounded 4 service members. In response, the U.S. conducted airstrikes on Iranian-backed forces in Iraq and Syria last Sunday. U.S. military struck 5 facilities used by an Iran-backed militia in Iraq and Syria (3 in Iraq; 2 in Syria), killing four Shiite militia members including a commander, and wounding 30 others.
Soleimani Was Planning ‘Imminent Attacks’ against American Facilities in Middle East, Says Top U.S. Official on Iran. Very Solid Intelligence Evidence: Brian Hook, U.S. Special Representative for Iran, said, “The President’s first responsibility is the safety of the American people. Qasem Soleimani was plotting imminent attacks in the region against Americans in Iraq, Syria and Lebanon that could have resulted in the deaths of hundreds of people. The President has a constitutional responsibility to prevent those actions from killing Americans. He took an entirely lawful action. I have seen all of the intelligence that supports the decision. It was very solid intelligence.”
US Embassy Attacked in Iraq: fire damage seen in new photos following militants’ attack. Fire damage can be seen in a reception room of the U.S. embassy compound, that was burned by pro-Iranian militiamen and their supporters, in Baghdad, Iraq. On Tuesday, dozens of protesters broke into the compound, trashing a reception area, smashing windows and setting a fire.
Iraqi militia vows to retaliate after US airstrikes: ‘Nothing will stop us.’ Yet, the US was only responding to being attacked first in Iraq by an Iran-backed militia. Iraqi security forces made no effort to stop the protesters.
The U.S. Army’s 82nd Airborne Division’s alert brigade ordered to deploy rapidly to Kuwait amid the unrest in Baghdad. On New Year’s Eve, at least 500 paratroopers were are already making their way to Kuwait. The alert brigade of roughly 4,000 paratroopers, known as the DRB (Deployment Ready Brigade) were told to pack their bags for possible deployment in the days ahead.
President Trump vowed the situation “will not be a Benghazi” — a pointed reference to the deadly 2012 embassy attack in Libya during B. Hussein Obama’s and Hillary’s watch after officials at the embassy had requested enhanced security for weeks and were denied.
The US and its allies suspended training of Iraqi forces due to the increased threat they face. In a letter to German lawmakers, US Lieutenant General Pat White said he’s decided to further increase the level of protection for the forces deployed in Iraq under Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR), which he commands. “The directive is binding for all partner nations involved in OIR at the training sites in Iraq.” Germany has around 120 troops deployed in Iraq under the US-led Operation Inherent Resolve.
Israel National News headline: “Iran mistook a sleeping lion for a dead one.”
Reuters headline: “Inside the plot by Iran’s Soleimani to attack U.S. forces in Iraq.”
Jerusalem Post headline taken from a German news headline: Soleimani was a monster, wanted atomic cloud over Tel Aviv – German newspaper. The title of Reichelt’s commentary was, “Trump has freed the world from a monster.”
The (left-leaning) Atlantic headline: Qassem Soleimani Haunted the Arab World. Even this left-leaning website admitted that Soleimani was evil. “In much of the Middle East, and even in Iran, the military commander was feared, and his death has been greeted with elation.”
HMS Montrose & HMS Defender accompanying British-flagged oil tankers to Strait of Hormuz.
- British troops are being given heavier weapons and switching to force protection.
- President Trump said he will strike 52 Iranian sites if they retaliate to the US drone strike.
- Anti-war protests broke out in the US and London.
- Thousands in Iraq chanted ‘Death to America!’ during Soleimani’s funeral in Baghdad. [Yet other videos show many in the Middle East celebrating Soleimani’s death.]
Iranian Ambassador to the UN said the US killing of Soleimani was tantamount to opening a war against Iran. “The response for a military action,” he said, “is a military action.” Iran told the UN Security Council and Sec-General Guterres that it reserves its right to self-defense under international law after the US killed Soleimani. Of course, Iran made no mention of Iran and its proxies being the ones to start the ball rolling.
Iran Unfurls Red flag Call for Revenge. The Red flag symbolizes a call to avenge what they perceive as blood spilled unjustly. As the flag was raised, speakers called, ‘O Allah, hasten your custodian reappearance,’ calling for their Mahdi. In Shiite belief, especially Iran, the Mahdi who’s been hiding for 1,000 years will usher in end-of-days wars and bring the world under Islam. Letters can be sent to him in running water or a well; the favorite place is the well in the mosque in this video. Abuhamzeh, Iran’s IRGC commander, was quoted as saying, ‘Vital American targets in the region have long since been identified by Iran…Some 35 US targets in the region as well as Tel Aviv (Israel’s largest city) are within our reach.”
Now may be a good time for those who haven’t, to read Isaiah 17 and Ezekiel 38-39.
THE OIL, THE GAS, AND THE SPOIL AND THE PLAYERS IN LAST DAYS PROPHECY
Putin want to be the one to control the oil and gas, and Israel stands in his way with its discovery of oil and gas in recent years. Russia is prophesied to be the leader of the Russian-Arab confederacy that will come against Israel which will include Iran, Turkey, Libya and others. They will end up food for the fowls when God personally deals with them.
An experimental supply of natural gas from the Leviathan gas field was pumped to Jordan from Israel on Wednesday. [Yet, there have been heathen protests against it in Jordan.] Energy Minister Yuval Steinetz said, “With this, Israel is becoming for the first time in its history, an energy exporter.” The minister added that gas flow to Egypt would begin within a week to ten days.
Greece, Israel and Cyprus signed an agreement to build an undersea pipeline to ferry natural gas from offshore fields in the eastern Mediterranean to Europe, a project that would ease the European Union’s energy dependence on Russia. Yet the agreement has angered Turkey.
Erdoğan and Russia in Libya. The Turkish tyrant who wants to reform the Ottoman Empire plans to shortly deploy troops to Libya in an attempt to shift the balance of power in the war-torn country in favor of the side that wants an Islamic caliphate/ Sharia Law. Turkish navy units will patrol the oil-rich North African country’s coast. The maritime deal was denounced as a violation of international law, and angered at least four countries in the Mediterranean: Greece, Cyprus, Egypt, and Israel. Russia’s Putin is carving out a second strategic enclave in Libya, after Syria, in the Mediterranean, and perhaps advance construction of a Russian naval port. Turkey and Russia are working for different sides of the war in Libya, but both leaders have learned to find common ground even in the midst of harsh conflict.
KINGS OF THE EAST
As of late, Xi’an has been building China a fleet of airlifters that can help make its geopolitical aspirations abroad a reality, as well as providing updated long-range bombers to support its emerging anti-access military strategy.
North Korea’s Kim Jong Un threatens to renew testing nuclear weapons, long-range missiles. I don’t believe Lil’ Kim ever stopped his devious plans.
WHAT’S UP WITH THE NORTH POLE?
Earth’s magnetic north pole has now crossed the prime meridian. An update earlier this year was needed because changes were affecting compass apps, maps, and GPS services. “It’s the fastest recorded shift seen since the mid-16th-century,” said Dr. Ciaran Beggan, a geophysicist at the British Geological Survey. “The north magnetic pole in 1990 suddenly accelerated, gaining speed over the past 30 years, from less than 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) per year to almost 60 kilometers (37 miles) per year.”
An extraordinary outbreak of stratospheric clouds around the Arctic Circle showed up for the last couple days of the decade. Longtime residents say it’s a “once in a lifetime event,” and they’re being mistaken by tourists as “daytime auroras.” These clouds are newsworthy because normally the stratosphere has no clouds. These rare clouds can form only when temperature in the polar stratosphere drop to extremely low levels (minus 85C; minus 121F). Local villagers over age 70 said they’ve never seen anything of this size, scale, or intensity. They were so bright, they even lit up the surrounding landscape after sunset.
THE BIBLE ALWAYS PROVES TRUE!
‘Corner of God’s Altar in Shiloh’ takes 2nd place in 2019 top discoveries. “Each year, discovery after discovery adds to our knowledge of the biblical world… and to the mounting evidence that demonstrates the Bible is historically reliable,” Bryan Windle said. – from Jerusalem Post
It’s sad that many Jews don’t recognize the truth of the New Testament also. But the Bible tells us, “For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in” (Romans 11:25). That time appears to be fast approaching. Come, Lord Jesus!
“Every word of God is pure…” (Prov 35:5). “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” (2 Tim 3:16). “For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty…when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased…We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place… For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost” (2 Peter 1:19-21).
CONCLUSION TO THE WHOLE CREATION IS GROANING
“For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body” (Romans 8:15-23).
“But with righteousness shall he [Jesus] judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth: with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked. And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins. The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them. And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice’ den. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea” (Isaiah 11:4-9).