“Burdensome Stone” Blocking Pernicious Peace
Israel has long been at the center of observation as we watch issues and events unfold in Bible prophecy. God’s Word tells us that Israel, His chosen nation and people, will be at the center of hatred by the entire world at the climax of history leading to Christ’s return.
We’ve looked numerous times at the key Scripture that provides this truth for the wrap-up of the age:
The burden of the word of the LORD for Israel, saith the LORD, which stretcheth forth the heavens, and layeth the foundation of the earth, and formeth the spirit of man within him. Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah and against Jerusalem. And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it. (Zechariah 12:1–3)
While the evil coming against Israel and the Jewish people alive today might, to much of the world, be inexplicable, it is all understandable from the perspective of biblical prophecy. Well, it is at least becoming clearer with each passing day.
We watched what happened on October 7, 2023. The Muslim terrorists of Hamas invaded Israel with a heinous and ferocious assault on Jews, and attending Gentiles as well, during the celebration by young people. Here is Google’s brief statement about the attack:
On October 7th, 2023, the Palestinian Islamist militant group Hamas launched an unprecedented terrorist attack on Israel—The Nova Music Festival was one of the central targets of the attack, where at least 364 civilians were killed and 40 hostages were reportedly taken.
The very fact that Google grossly underreports the numbers and atrociousness involved in the murderous assault by Hamas points to the purpose of this commentary. The reporting was thus light for the most part throughout all mainstream news media throughout the world.
The weeks that unfolded from the assault brought world sympathy—not to Israel, but to the people of Palestine. For much of the reporting, the emphasis was that peace could come of this if the Jewish state would give Palestine the state within its territory—i.e., give up land for peace, which has been a decades-long lament by the Islamists surrounding Israel. The anti-Semites throughout the world claim that genocide is perpetrated by Israel against those the Jewish state have to defend against when Israel is viciously attacked.
Israel and the Jewish people, from that October 7, 2023, point, have become the recipient of anti-Semitism that might soon rival that of the days of Hitler’s rise to power in the 1930s.
The following story shows God’s prophetic Word coming into focus at this very time:
The foreign ministers of eight Muslim countries on Sunday condemned Israel’s rejection of a roadmap for implementing US President Donald Trump’s Gaza peace plan, accusing Israel of obstructing efforts to end the conflict as Hamas and US officials held talks in Cairo on the framework. Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, Pakistan, Indonesia, Turkey, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates said Israel’s opposition amounted to a “direct repudiation” of the peace plan that “jeopardizes its implementation, and fundamentally undermines the collective efforts to achieve a just and lasting peace.” (“8 Muslim countries blame Israel for ‘obstructing’ Gaza framework,” World Israel News, August 17, 2026)
Make no mistake: Even though President Trump hasn’t made the stipulation, at the heart of that protest is the demand that Israel give up part of its land so a Palestinian state can be established. Israel, with territory about the size of New Jersey, is expected to allow an Islamic nation within those tiny borders, a thing that would put those who hate Israel and Jews the most—Islamist terrorists—within God’s chosen nation.
The Lord, of course, has described this satanic development for the end of things leading to Christ’s Second Advent. Nothing takes our Lord by surprise. As a matter of fact, Zechariah the prophet was commissioned to let this generation of believers know that He—God Himself—is directing all of this. His magisterial orchestration is bringing all into view as we anticipate Christ’s call to all believers in the Rapture.
Israel is becoming increasingly hated, as are the Jewish people. They are accused of being at the root of all of earth’s troubles that might lead to a final, nuclear war. Before all is finished, a peace of sorts will come from this war.
It will be a pernicious peace—that is, a peace that will destroy many. (Read Isaiah 28:16–18). It will be the false peace made in the covenant of Daniel 9: 27.
But the real peace will be made by the Prince of Peace, the returning King of all Kings and Lord of all Lords, to put an end to warmaking at Armageddon (Revelation 9: 11).
Our God is absolutely faithful to do what He has promised, and He has promised to put His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, upon the throne for the millennial (thousand-year) reign.
It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. (Lamentations of Jeremiah 3:22–23)
His faithfulness extends to all individuals whom He calls to repentance. And He calls everyone to repentance.
Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved. (Acts 16:31b)
Restraint on Rosh?
In continuing to think on the current Iranian regime that is a threat to Israel and its neighbor nations, the matter of restraint by God the Holy Spirit is all important.
In other commentaries, we’ve looked at that restraint and how President Trump has, for some unknown reason, not yet finished eliminating the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRCG). I believe this strange turn of events—Trump’s unequivocal declaration that he would destroy Iran’s war-making capability and yet his ongoing negotiations despite the IRCG continuing to fire on ships—is due to Holy Spirit restraint.
This usually-in-command president now seemingly giving in to Iran’s deceiving negotiators has no secular rationale. My conclusion, based upon study of Bible prophecy and carefully watching what’s going on in the Iranian matters, is that God Himself is restraining the destruction of this regime. I believe the Lord might be holding back Mr. Trump from doing what he promised—complete obliteration of Iran’s war-making ability—for Bible prophecy about the Gog-Magog destruction (Ezekiel 38 and 39) to be fulfilled. The fulfillment of that prophecy will include the almost total destruction of the Gog-Magog force attacking Israel.
That said, I’m wondering if we aren’t also seeing at this time heavenly restraint of another Gog-Magog participant.
I refer to the coalition member of the Gog-Magog force called Rosh. This ancient name is thought by most who have studied this prophecy as referring to current-day Russia. The restraint I believe we might be seeing is directed at Vladimir Putin, president of Russia.
Until its quagmire entered upon invading the former Soviet state Ukraine, Putin’s country was looked at as undefeatable. It reportedly has the largest arsenal of nuclear weaponry in the world–even greater in numbers than the US.
It was thought that such an invasion by the powerful Russian military of a weakened Ukraine (due to having given up its own nuclear stockpile following the dissolution of the USSR) would take only weeks to accomplish its victory. Far from such an achievement by Russia, it’s been fighting Ukraine for years and has lost hundreds of thousands of troops. The prospects of Russia ever achieving military victory through current tactics seems unlikely.
The war continues—and becomes less winnable by Russia by the day. Ukraine is really taking it to its invaders, according to news coming from that conflict.
Ukraine’s missiles have struck deeply into the heart of Russia—a thing, if it happened, Vladimir Putin vowed to answer with an attack on America. But there have been no such attacks forthcoming. The restraint is supernatural is what to conclude. One such report is as follows:
On Wednesday a “massive” Ukrainian drone and missile strike was unleashed on Russia’s port city of Novorossiysk, which badly damaged grain export terminals at what also constitutes the the last major Russian naval base on the Black Sea…
Zelensky acknowledged the rocket and underwater drone attack in what he hailed as a “unique operation” to strike the Russian naval base at Novorossiysk.
It seems Zelensky is distinguishing this instance as a hit on a purely ‘military target’ given he did not mention the grain export terminal aspect to the destruction.
“The occupying fleet and all the infrastructure that supports it will not be safe as long as Russian aggression continues,” Zelensky said.
Many Russian assets previously docked at the longtime Russian fleet’s home base of Sevastopol were forced to vacate during earlier phases of the war, given the frequent prior targeting of the historic Crimean naval hub. Some ships have even been relocated as far away as the Caspian Sea in order to protect them…
Reuters has said shutdowns resulted: “Two of Russia’s biggest grain terminals at the southern port of Novorossiysk have suspended operations as a result of overnight Ukrainian drone strikes, four industry sources told Reuters on Wednesday…
Novorossiysk is also home to vital oil export infrastructure. Kiev has essentially declared open season on Russian oil exports, arguing that proceeds fuel Russia’s military machine. (“Ukraine Defies Vance Warning with Massive Strike on Russia’s Key Black Sea Port, Shuttering Grain Terminals,” Reuters, ZeroHedge, August 13, 2026)
The restraint, I believe, might be manifest in that the strongman, former KGB agent of the USSR, hasn’t unleashed the deadly power he possesses. Why has Vladimir Putin not used tactical nukes delivered by the super-fast missiles he’s always bragging about?
It is reported that the people of Russia are extremely angered by the horrific losses suffered involving their young in the unending grinder of war against the formerly thought toothless Ukraine.
It has become more than obvious that Putin will have to do more—much more—to bring victory in this war he started.
Some will say he doesn’t want to be the first of post-World War II to uncork the nuclear genie bottle, last uncorked at Hiroshima and Nagasaki. But Putin is cut from the same mold as Stalin and Khruschev. These were willing to go to any lengths to keep the likes of their state Ukraine under Soviet bondage.
Rosh—Russia—is destined, according to the prophet Ezekiel, to lead the coalition toward God’s chosen nation in the Gog-Magog attack.
It’s likely that God is, like in the matter of restraining Trump’s dealing with Iran, restraining thoughts of total conquest because the leader of that coalition, the one who will be possessed by the Gog satanic spirit, hasn’t yet gotten the “evil thought” that will instigate that assault. Unleashing the nukes might upset the timing and trajectory of that prophetic fulfillment.
Thou shalt ascend and come like a storm, thou shalt be like a cloud to cover the land, thou, and all thy bands, and many people with thee. Thus saith the Lord GOD; It shall also come to pass, that at the same time shall things come into thy mind, and thou shalt think an evil thought.” (Ezekiel 38:9–10)
The Lord’s restraint of Rosh—and on so many prophetic matters in our time—cannot or should not be missed by those who are watching on the wall of spiritually discerned observation in these closing days of this Age of Grace.
This all means that Jesus Christ is about to step onto the clouds of Glory and make the SHOUT, “Come up here!” (Revelation 4: 1). All who are born again will join Him and all believers for the journey into that heavenly realm.
Again, here is how to be part of that journey with Jesus:
That if you will confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and will believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart man believes unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. (Romans 10:9–10)
Watchers on the Wall Alert!
“When you see all these things,” Jesus said. It was a warning from the Creator of all that is. We’re to be especially alert, He was saying, when certain things come into view. We—those who name Christ as Lord—should, individually, serve as watchers on the wall while we observe biblically prophetic progression.
But Jesus gave one word that, to this generation of those who “watch,” should add profound emphasis to Christ’s command. Jesus, God Himself, said God’s children should “look up and lift our heads” when we see certain things “begin” to become observable during our time on earth. Here are the words of this important command from the Lord Jesus:
And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh. (Luke 21:28)
Jesus was speaking to His immediate disciples—the men who followed him throughout His ministry. He was speaking to just a few of them on that day some two thousand years ago. However, He was also speaking, in the prophetic sense, to those who would be alive during some future time to witness things those men on the Mount of Olives asked Him about that day.
Jesus dumbfounded them by saying the beautiful Temple they were looking at on Moriah would be destroyed. He further implied the consummation of things of the earth.
They said:
Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? (Matthew 24: 3b)
Jesus, the greatest of all prophets—because He is omniscient and eternal and knows the end from the beginning—gave His immediate disciples as well as us today the answer to the windup of this quickly fleeting Age of Grace (Church Age).
The Lord gave a profound commission that day: Recognize when “these things begin to come to pass.”
God in the flesh (the Second Person of the Godhead, both God and Man) gave specific things to look for. I am convinced that this is the generation that will be part of the consummation of the age He described.
Things we see happening are prophetic developments. This is what my friend, the late Chuck Missler, used to say is “the time of the signs.” If Chuck was still on earth today, his excitement would no doubt be uncontrollable considering the matters of prophetic import now unfolding.
Jesus Gives Signs
The Lord answered His disciples on Olivet (and us, now) about when to look up for Him (our redemption) because He would be drawing very near. That is, He would be about to call to the Church (all believers in Him for salvation/redemption)
Signals the Lord gave are at this moment blazing across our headlines.
Here is Christ’s answer to the disciples’ questions:
Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows. (Matthew 24:4–8)
Deceivers
We don’t have to look very hard to see that deceivers and deception are in every direction. Religiously, many are on the scene giving false teaching—all proclaiming they have (come in the name of) Christ. But many deny the power of Christ (His deity). This fits Paul’s “perilous times” prophecy (2 Timothy chapter 3).
Wars and Rumors of Wars
There are still living members of forces who fought in the greatest war of all history to this point. World War II is proof that horrific wars have “begun” to happen, thus fit Jesus’ warning of what to look for at the end of the age. And rumors of wars, as we easily observe, are there to “watch.” The greatest fear is of world-ending nuclear war, thus end-times cries of “peace and safety” fill our headlines daily.
Nation against Nation
The word for “nation” here, as we’ve looked at many times, is the Greek Word ethnos, meaning “ethnic.”
Even now, many wars around the world are raging involving ethnic differences. Ethnic hatreds are at the center of Middle East wars and rumors of wars. The conflict between Israel and its neighbors has been centered in ethnic differences for thousands of years.
Even in the United States, there are ethnic conflicts, as we saw in the George Floyd death, and even within sports such as the attacks of some women against others in the Women’s National Basketball Association.
Famines, Pestilences, and Earthquakes
We’ve long seen films of children with their stomachs distended because of starvation as appeals are made to feed the hungry in Africa and other places.
The COVID matter, as a pestilence, literally shut down the world’s top economic nation to some extent. Its ramifications still reverberate throughout the world; again, much involved is steeped in deception for the purposes of the love of money and power.
Great, cataclysmic earthquakes are reported almost daily, with 7.0 or higher on the Richter Scale becoming more the norm than the aberration. Witness: the recent 7.4 earthquake in Colombia.
Naysayers charge that this has always been the condition of humankind; it’s just that now these things can be reported instantaneously across the world. That might be true to an extent, but could the Lord Jesus not have known of the prolific distribution of information that would be available at the end of the age?
As a matter of fact, yes; He could have such knowledge when He spoke on the Mount of Olives that day two millennia ago.
Daniel the prophet was given a message from the throne room of God, where certainly Jesus in His preincarnate form resided when the message to Daniel was sent to the prophet:
O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased. (Daniel 12:4)
So, Jesus wants the watchers to be informed of the critical hour so near the time of His return so God’s message of grace—the salvation offered to all fallen humankind—can be put forth as a critical alert.
Be assured: The things we’ve begun to see come to pass—described by our Lord two thousand years ago and recorded for us today—are not coincidental. There is no such Word as “coincidence” in God’s prophetic vocabulary.
It is incumbent upon us, no matter our status in the world’s activities as we live our given increments of time, to consider our number one job to be watching in these quickly passing days. Our witness for Christ is our top priority!
But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father. Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is. For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch. Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch. (Mark 13:32–37)
Rapture Conditions Increasing
While scanning Rapture Ready News, I was stopped by the first headline:
While The World Burns, The Stock Market Is Soaring To New Heights Never Seen Before
The story was written by a person who almost always presents news that shows just how near we are to entering the Tribulation. In some cases, he seems to be saying we are already in the beginning of that terrible time, which also known as “Daniel’s seventieth week.”
At any rate, the writer is an avid anti-pre-Trib Rapture advocate—not believing Christ will rescue Christians from the Tribulation.
I, of course, do believe conditions of the world today are troublesome in many ways. It does seem sometimes that we’re having unusual signals from Heaven of the coming Tribulation plight that the anti-God rebels of earth deserve. Things such as the following make the point: the murder of millions of babies in their mothers’ wombs and the constant “pride” events in Sodom-like displays of homosexuals flaunting their wickedness in God’s holy face.
The first half of the headline could be considered manifestation of Heaven’s displeasure for such anti-God comportment: “While the World Burns…”
These words alone are enough to convince the watchers on the wall that the Rapture of the Church is on the cusp of taking place. But it is the second half of the headline that proves just how near Christ is to stepping onto the clouds of Glory and shouting, “Come up here!” (Revelation 4:1): “The Stock Market Is Soaring to New Heights Never Seen Before.”
The writer, as is his usual way of expressing his belief that we’re about to enter the Tribulation, spends almost the entire article giving conditions that are Tribulation-like. Then he mocks those who look at the good economic news as, well, being not so good, but destined to fail to reach the level of prosperity the Wall-Street types expect.
But for the moment, happy days are here again for just about everyone on Wall Street.
On Tuesday, the S&P 500 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average both smashed their old record highs…
Stocks had a banner day Tuesday, with the S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average scaling to fresh record highs, thanks to strong earnings and another decline in oil prices driven by hope that the Strait of Hormuz could be reopened.
The broad market index gained 1.8% and hit a fresh high for the first time since June, while the Nasdaq Composite popped 2.6%, as Palantir Technologies rallied 29%. The Dow surged 907 points, or 1.7%, led by a 6% rise in Caterpillar, surpassing its intraday record from last month.
The general consensus on Wall Street is that all of the troubles that we are facing now are just temporary.
Of course I disagree.
I believe that all of the troubles that we are facing now are just a preview of much bigger troubles that are ahead.
But investors don’t want to hear that.
What they want to hear is that stock prices will just keep going higher and higher.
So for now the buying frenzy continues, but it will not last forever. (While The World Burns, The Stock Market Is Soaring To New Heights Never Seen Before,” by Michael Snyder, End of the American Dream)
Again, I want to emphasize that the writer is an excellent wordsmith. However, he is against the idea of a pre-Trib Rapture, which I believe the Bible plainly teaches.
I agree that human economy is destined to fail. The Tribulation laid out in Revelation is on the way.
But the news he is mocking about the tremendous economic upturn just released is proof of just how near the Tribulation era is. The economic conditions are bound to look very good when Jesus next intervenes into the Sodom-like wickedness of humankind. It will be just like it was in Lot’s day in Sodom, which was probably the most prosperous region in the Middle East at the time.
Sodom also held, perhaps, the most wicked population in post-Flood history—that is, until today…
Jesus said it will be just like it was in Lot’s day when He will, like He did with Lot and his family, take all believers out of that place that is due God’s justice and judgment:
Also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed. (Luke 17:28–30)
The tremendous upturn in economic conditions might not last. There might be another downturn of some sort. But it will be in a time of uptick when Jesus calls God’s family into the clouds of Glory.
Rapture conditions are in that state at this moment!
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God Restrains while Punditry Complains
President Trump showed beyond any question that he would use the American military to, as he put it, “obliterate” Iran’s nuclear development facility. Operation Midnight Hammer did just that apparently, despite pundits and news sources on the left offering their doubts about the destruction Trump proclaimed.
Therefore, knowing this president’s proclivity to deliver on what he promises—he has proved this many times—the question arises: Why does he keep holding off finishing the job of destroying Iran’s war-making ability? Why does he keep going back to the negotiation table time after time when the Iranian regime reneges on agreements about giving up their nuclear program and continue to assault shipping in the Strait of Hormuz?
It could be conjectured that this incongruity is because Mr. Trump is a master negotiator; after all, he wrote and has lived his book, The Art of the Deal. He likely believes he can work around the Iranian regime negotiators’ lies and deception. He thinks, I imagine, that he can thereby peaceably resolve impending war.
From the biblical prophecy perspective, it seems that he couldn’t be less understanding of what’s ahead for that region of the world and for all of humanity. No matter the results of the endless negotiations or the eventual military action by this president to end Iran’s nuclear ambition and open the Strait of Hormuz, Bible prophecy will prevail. God cannot lie, and His Word on things to come says that Persia will bring a force against Israel. A Persian (Iranian) regime of some sort, hate-filled against Israel, along with the Gog-Magog coalition members, will storm toward Jerusalem. The prophet Ezekiel, in chapters 38–39 of the book by his name, lays out the prophecy.
I will let you look it up.
As of this writing, the situation is that President Trump has decided, despite attacks by Iran on ships passing through the Strait, thus again breaking all negotiation promises, to again refrain from completely destroying Iran’s war-making ability. Here is a report:
WASHINGTON (AP)—President Donald Trump says he has reached the “parameters” of a deal with Middle East allies aimed at ending the Iran war—while for now, holding off on fresh U.S. strikes that could further inflame an already dangerous conflict.
In a Saturday evening post on social media, Trump said that the emerging agreement would include the immediate, complete, and total opening of the Strait of Hormuz, alongside an end to what he described as Iran’s nuclear threat. He said he agreed to cancel attacks “for the future benefit of the WORLD” and “likewise, the survival of a successful and prosperous Iran,” adding that the pause would last only so long as Washington could rapidly make a deal.
Trump’s message also indicated Israel would join the U.S. in pushing to finalize the understanding. Iran, meanwhile, offered no immediate public response.
The announcement marks another sudden turn in a war now about five months old—one that has repeatedly shifted in purpose, timing, and intensity. When the United States and Israel began strikes on Feb. 28, the stated objectives included destroying Iran’s missile capabilities, preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, and ending support for allied armed groups across the region. But the administration’s timeline and operational targets have come under strain, as the conflict has swung between negotiations and escalation. (“Trump Says Mideast Allies Have Reached Outlines of Deal to End Iran War, Says US to Stop New Strikes,” SRN News (AP) August 3, 2026)
Many pundits on the political left, and even those on the right who agree with most of the Trump administration policies, have accused that Mr. Trump is falling prey to Iran’s (Persia’s) legendary ability to outwit those with whom they deal. Others express that the Trump brain trust is just making sure all-out war doesn’t break out just before mid-term elections. This might greatly sway voters to vote against such a war-making president, thus against his party’s candidates for Congress.
My own thinking on this is quite different. I’m of the conviction that at the center of all of this are considerations found within the pre-Trib view of God’s prophetic Word (the view that, incidentally, makes the most sense in the overall prophetic truth I find in the Bible).
In this regard, I have no doubt it is God Himself who is holding things up at this point, in the matter of Trump considering whether to negotiate with or destroy militarily what’s left of Iran’s war-making capability. God, the Holy Spirit, is the Restrainer, God’s Word informs. He—the Restrainer—is holding back the complete destruction of this evil regime. He is doing so for the fulfillment of the entirety of Bible prophecy.
This might seem confusing until one knows and accepts that the God of all Creation is outside time that governs this earthly sphere. He knows the end from the beginning and has, to a large degree, said what will come to pass in the near and distant future.
God has said the Persians (Iranians) will attack His chosen people, Israel. He Himself will destroy all but one-sixth of the Iranian (Persian) force as it comes with the Gog-Magog coalition in that future assault described in the prophetic Word. So, whether those of the current evil regime are in control or a future such regime is formed, an army of Iranians (Persians) will come down over the mountains of Israel from the north They will be, as Mr. Trump would say, “obliterated”—all but totally destroyed by the very hand of Almighty God.
I strongly suspect that this—the restraining hand of God—is at the heart of the incongruency apparent in the Trump-Iranian negotiation/military action matter. Thus so that there will be at least a nucleus of that wicked regime to gather forces when the prophetic timing is in place for the Gog-Magog attack.
This will not be God being complicit in the evil intended by those forces that will come against Israel; rather, it will be proof of His omniscience and His omnipotent control in bringing this world that opposes Him to judgment. The Ezekiel prophecy says that through this God will reveal to the world Who He is:
Thou shalt fall upon the open field: for I have spoken it, saith the Lord GOD. And I will send a fire on Magog, and among them that dwell carelessly in the isles: and they shall know that I am the LORD. (Ezekiel 39:5–6)
King Jesus is the ultimate proof of God’s staying hand of restraint and judgment. Christ will, one millennial day, sit on the throne ruling and reigning for a thousand years. Present-day arrangements are being orchestrated by that restraining hand in preparation for Heaven’s promise as follows:
Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion. I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee. Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession. Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel. Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth. Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him. (Psalms 2: 6-12)
Pakistani Ministry
Note from Terry James: These are Pastor Anil’s words of his Ministry Message and gratitude to all who have contributed to distribution of my books in Pakistan, which he translated into the language there. It is most of all his Thankfulness to the Lord of Heaven Who has Touched lives in that spiritually dark area of the world.
He and his family face dangers daily to carry forth God’s Truth. You have been a big part of that outreach.
Message from Pastor Anil – Pakistani ministry
There are many Scriptures in the Bible that bring comfort, strength, and hope to believers in times of trouble. One of my favorite passages is found in Luke 21:28, where our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ says:
“And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.” — Luke 21:28
These words are especially comforting when we find ourselves in the mire of problems, sorrow, fear, or uncertainty. The difficulties of life may sometimes appear overwhelming, but there is no problem greater than the love of God, and there is no circumstance beyond the reach of His promises.
Look Up, for Your Redemption Draws Near
Jesus warned His followers that difficult times would come. He spoke about false leaders and deceivers, wars and rumors of wars, natural disasters, hatred, persecution, and the suffering of His people. These things would be signs of the difficult days ahead.
Yet Jesus described them as only “the beginning of sorrows.” As the world moves toward the events described in biblical prophecy, Scripture teaches that the troubles of humanity will become increasingly intense.
For believers, however, these warnings should not produce hopelessness. Jesus gave us a different response: “Look up, and lift up your heads.”
Why should we look up? Because our hope is not in this world. Our hope is in God.
The Lord has promised that He will come again. For those who belong to Christ, His coming is not a message of despair but of redemption and hope. When the world appears to be falling apart, believers can remember that God remains sovereign, faithful, and unchanging.
Lift Up Your Eyes to the Lord
The psalmist expressed this same attitude of dependence upon God:
“I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.” — Psalm 121:1
The following verse gives the answer:
“My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.” — Psalm 121:2
The ultimate source of our help is not human strength, political power, wealth, or earthly institutions. Our help comes from the Lord, the Creator of heaven and earth.
The real strength of Christianity is God Himself.
When we are surrounded by problems, we should not separate ourselves from our Creator. Instead, we should draw closer to Him through prayer, worship, His Word, and faith. The presence of God gives strength to the weary heart and hope to those who feel overwhelmed.
Remember What God Has Done for You
Every human being exists because God is the Creator. He knows us, sees our struggles, and calls us to Himself.
For the Christian, the greatest demonstration of God’s love is found in Jesus Christ. Through His Son, God has provided forgiveness and redemption from sin. Christ offers salvation and eternal life to those who place their faith in Him.
The believer’s hope does not end with this earthly life. Scripture promises the resurrection of the dead and the transformation of believers into imperishable bodies. Jesus also promised His followers a place with Him:
“I go to prepare a place for you.” — John 14:2
What a wonderful promise! The believer’s future is not determined by the troubles of the present world. Our destiny rests in the hands of the One who conquered sin and death.
Pray When You Are in Trouble
If you are facing a difficult situation today, do not believe that you are alone. Take your burden to God in prayer.
You may not know how your situation will be resolved, but God knows. You may not see a way forward, but God sees the whole path. You may feel weak, but God’s strength is sufficient.
Throughout Scripture, God’s people cried out to Him in times of trouble, and He proved Himself faithful. His help may come in ways we do not expect, sometimes through people, circumstances, provision, protection, or what Scripture describes as His angelic ministry.
Therefore, do not allow fear to drive you away from God. Let your troubles drive you toward Him.
Our Hope Is Greater Than Our Problems
The world may become increasingly troubled. Wars may arise, nations may experience instability, persecution may increase, and people may become fearful about the future. But Christians must remember that our hope is not founded upon the stability of this world.
Our hope is founded upon the promises of God.
The darker the night becomes, the more precious the light of God’s promises becomes. When circumstances tell us to be afraid, faith reminds us to trust. When problems tell us to give up, God’s Word tells us to persevere. When the world tells us to look down in despair, Jesus tells us to look up.
“Your redemption draweth nigh.”
These words should fill the heart of every believer with hope.
So, whatever difficulty you are facing today, do not give up. Do not turn away from your Creator. Lift your eyes toward the Lord. Spend time in His presence. Pray. Read His Word. Hold firmly to His promises.
And let us declare with confidence the words of the psalmist:
“My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.” — Psalm 121:2
Our problems may be great, but our God is greater.
Our circumstances may change, but His promises remain.
The world may shake, but the Lord remains our refuge.
Therefore, believer, look up, lift up your head, and trust in the Lord—for your redemption draweth near.
Praying for the future distribution of Terry’s books among persecuted Christians in Pakistan.
Love and thanks for your kind support.
Pastor Anil Jasper
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Write checks in my name Terry James and send to:
Terry James
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Thanks so much for your help! –Terry
Tribulation Temple Talk
It is significant, I think, that there is suddenly increased talk among the Jewish religious hierarchy about building a temple in Jerusalem.
We learn of this in the following:
Sanhedrin rules it will formally petition Heaven to reveal Mashiach and rebuild the Temple
The nascent Sanhedrin issued a formal ruling this week, asking the Holy One, Blessed be He, to remove hostile forces from the Jewish people and the Land of Israel, reveal the Mashiach (Messiah), rebuild the Beit HaMikdash (Holy Temple), and restore prophecy to Israel. The written ruling, dated 6 Menachem Av, 5786, follows a session the court’s members described as several hours long, during which two of the judges argued against moving forward before ultimately joining the majority. (“Sanhedrin rules it will formally petition Heaven to reveal Mashiach and rebuild the Temple,” Israel365 News, July 30, 2026)
The observation of this development by those who are truly watchers on the wall is far different from most who view this.
The Jewish people who observe Judaism generally believe this is an answer to the long-echoed call, “Next year in Jerusalem!” By this, it’s meant that there is great hope that the construction of a third temple will begin as soon as possible. This is the genuine longing by all who believe their Messiah must soon come to enter that future temple and bring peace and prosperity to all of Israel.
Of course, secular Jews have several thoughts about this. The primary thinking is that it really makes no difference one way or the other. A second thought is that a temple would be nice as a tourist attraction. A third thought is wrapped in tremendous fear that building such an edifice would bring an even greater hatred, and possibly war, from all of Israel’s surrounding enemies–and increased hatred by the rest of the world.
Many Jewish people fear that the title “God’s chosen people” is a primary reason for the world’s long history of anti-Semitism. And they’re probably right.
Satan has no doubt used this to induce hatred in the minds of those who harbor some sort of inferiority complex. From these types come much of the Islamist terrorism, I believe.
There is another thought by we who are watchers on the wall.
The third temple will undoubtedly be built—no question about it. But it will not be cherished by Jewish people in Israel or around the world.
It won’t benefit any people anywhere in the world because it will not be the Jewish Messiah who enters and occupies this Temple on Moriah. Instead, it will be the one God’s Word calls “the man of sin” and “the son of perdition.”
This, of course, will be Antichrist, a false messiah who will promise a false peace. He will instead bring the most terrible time of all history to the world (Matthew 24: 21).
A third temple will be built at a future time, Bible prophecy says. Solomon built the first one, which Nebuchadnezzar destroyed in 587 BC.
The second temple was built following Israel’s Babylonian captivity. It lasted from 516 BC to AD 70. It became known as Herod’s Temple when the king commissioned it to be greatly expanded and beautified to the extent that it was considered magnificent by those who looked upon it.
This temple was destroyed by the Roman military in AD 70, when Roman Emperor Vespasian sent his son, General Titus, to put down insurrection in Jerusalem. This was a fulfillment of Daniel’s prophecy in Daniel 9:26–27 and of Jesus’ words in Matthew 24:1-2.
The third temple is said to be in place during the last seven years of human history prior to Christ’s return. Daniel prophesied about Antichrist: “In the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease” (Daniel 9:27b). This last, most vicious tyrant will enter the third temple and desecrate it.
Paul the apostle says of that future temple and Antichrist:
Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. (2 Thessalonians 2:4)
So, all the information coming from the Jewish hierarchy is Tribulation temple talk; there’s no other way to describe this news from the Israeli Sanhedrin.
All this means that Israel’s real Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ, is poised to call God’s family—all born-again believers—into the clouds of Glory.
Following the Rapture of the Church, the Tribulation will begin with Israel signing the covenant of false peace offered by the one who will become Antichrist (Daniel 9:27).
Seven years later, Israel’s True Messiah, Jesus Himself, will enter a supernaturally created Temple atop Mount Zion in Jerusalem, from which He will rule and reign for one thousand years. This will be the Millennium, during which supernatural saints—those who return with Jesus—will be given assignments within the governance of King Jesus!
Believe in Christ today—for today, at this moment, is the only time promised. Tomorrow it might be too late.
For the scripture saith, whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. (Romans 10:11–13)
Again, if you believe prophecyline to be worthy of support, please consider sending donations to the following, making checks to my name, Terry James.
Send to:
Terry James
P.O. Box 38
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Thank you so much for your support.
“Something has got to change…”
An article the past week struck an observational nerve. The commentary I read dissected the many troubling and disgusting assaults being inflicted by nefarious afflicters against this republic.
The bottom line the writer left the reader with is: “Something has got to change.”
The author went to great lengths to describe how so many constitution-eviscerating assaults are active in destroying this republic given us by the founding fathers. And it certainly is difficult to find reasons to argue against his findings.
Some of his description included how our constitutional republic was created based on conditions that no longer exist. The American population was 95 percent Christian. The implementation of “patriarchy” was widespread and embraced as the most solid foundation for society. Meritocracy was absolute. Cultural identity was rooted in Western civilization without any deviation or distraction.
Marxism, the author declared, did not exist. Atheism was rare. Degeneracy was shunned or punished. Shame was an effective social tool. Psychopathy was easy to identify and remove from within the smaller population. Women were expected to raise families and care for the home. Men were expected to protect feed and those families; perhaps even die for them.
He implied that the Christian ethic and even worship has been pushed aside by the general populace and mentioned a founding father’s indictment against such evil.
As John Adams stated in 1802:
We have no government armed with power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion. Avarice, ambition, revenge, or gallantry, would break the strongest cords of our Constitution as a whale goes through a net. Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other,
The author offered that the inclusivity demanded and legislated into the voting processes, allowing every sort of ideology and even religious aberration to corrupt governmental structure, had so negatively affected our way of life that something was going to have to change.
He particularly wrote about the voter ID laws that Congress seems reluctant to pass to assure election integrity.
He charged that 80 percent of the American voting public wanted the voter ID changes, while the 20 percent that leaned radically left were getting their way in preventing passage. He wrote in this regard the following.
Is representative democracy even possible when a large portion of the population is actively fighting to burn our republic to the ground by any means necessary? How can our elections and our government maintain integrity when people who want to destroy everything are allowed to vote or take political office?
Maybe that 20% of militant leftists and Neo-Cons should NOT be allowed to vote. (“Election Integrity: Is Representative Democracy A Foolish Fantasy?” by Brandon Smith, ZeroHedge, July 19, 2026)
Our republic is indeed under assault, as is all of humanity. The things mentioned by the author are but the tip of the proverbial iceberg. Satan is fully engaged with the help of his demonic and human minions to bring his Antichrist son of perdition to head up the new world order longed for throughout the decades by those infected with the lust for power.
There is a need for change, and because of the evil that seems to be taking over in every sense, it is about to take place, and Heaven will be the changemaker! That change will take place in a twinkling-of-an-eye moment we call the Rapture!
It will take place instantaneously–at least it will begin to change from the moment all believers in Jesus Christ are instantaneously caught up into the Clouds of Glory.
Daniel 9: 27 describes the beginning of the changes on earth, with the making of a false covenant of peace between Israel and its millennial-long enemies. Satan’s man of sin will have the answers—although false answers—to the great fear that will have fallen on all who were left behind when the moment of mass disappearances took place.
Most people on earth at this moment believe this to be fanciful foolishness and radical religious fearmongering.
But it is from the Word of God, who cannot lie. It is the change that is going to take place, and the signs of these troubled times indicate that removal of believers (the Church) might take place at any second.
Again, here is the apostle Paul’s prophecy about that stupendous change about to take place, given him by the Holy Spirit of God.
Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? (I Corinthians 15: 51-55)
You want to be part of this change into immortality. Here is how to assure that you are with those who go to Christ when He calls.
That if you will confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and will believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart man believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. (Romans 10: 9-10)
“Something has got to change…”
An article the past week struck an observational nerve. The commentary I read dissected the many troubling and disgusting assaults being inflicted by nefarious afflicters against this republic.
The bottom line the writer left the reader with is: “Something has got to change.”
The author went to great lengths to describe how so many constitution-eviscerating assaults are active in destroying this republic given us by the founding fathers. And it certainly is difficult to find reasons to argue against his findings.
Some of his description included how our constitutional republic was created based on conditions that no longer exist. The American population was 95 percent Christian. The implementation of “patriarchy” was widespread and embraced as the most solid foundation for society. Meritocracy was absolute. Cultural identity was rooted in Western civilization without any deviation or distraction.
Marxism, the author declared, did not exist. Atheism was rare. Degeneracy was shunned or punished. Shame was an effective social tool. Psychopathy was easy to identify and remove from within the smaller population. Women were expected to raise families and care for the home. Men were expected to protect feed and those families; perhaps even die for them.
He implied that the Christian ethic and even worship has been pushed aside by the general populace and mentioned a founding father’s indictment against such evil.
As John Adams stated in 1802:
We have no government armed with power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion. Avarice, ambition, revenge, or gallantry, would break the strongest cords of our Constitution as a whale goes through a net. Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other,
The author offered that the inclusivity demanded and legislated into the voting processes, allowing every sort of ideology and even religious aberration to corrupt governmental structure, had so negatively affected our way of life that something was going to have to change.
He particularly wrote about the voter ID laws that Congress seems reluctant to pass to assure election integrity.
He charged that 80 percent of the American voting public wanted the voter ID changes, while the 20 percent that leaned radically left were getting their way in preventing passage. He wrote in this regard the following.
Is representative democracy even possible when a large portion of the population is actively fighting to burn our republic to the ground by any means necessary? How can our elections and our government maintain integrity when people who want to destroy everything are allowed to vote or take political office?
Maybe that 20% of militant leftists and Neo-Cons should NOT be allowed to vote. (“Election Integrity: Is Representative Democracy A Foolish Fantasy?” by Brandon Smith, ZeroHedge, July 19, 2026)
Our republic is indeed under assault, as is all of humanity. The things mentioned by the author are but the tip of the proverbial iceberg. Satan is fully engaged with the help of his demonic and human minions to bring his Antichrist son of perdition to head up the new world order longed for throughout the decades by those infected with the lust for power.
There is a need for change, and because of the evil that seems to be taking over in every sense, it is about to take place, and Heaven will be the changemaker! That change will take place in a twinkling-of-an-eye moment we call the Rapture!
It will take place instantaneously–at least it will begin to change from the moment all believers in Jesus Christ are instantaneously caught up into the Clouds of Glory.
Daniel 9: 27 describes the beginning of the changes on earth, with the making of a false covenant of peace between Israel and its millennial-long enemies. Satan’s man of sin will have the answers—although false answers—to the great fear that will have fallen on all who were left behind when the moment of mass disappearances took place.
Most people on earth at this moment believe this to be fanciful foolishness and radical religious fearmongering.
But it is from the Word of God, who cannot lie. It is the change that is going to take place, and the signs of these troubled times indicate that removal of believers (the Church) might take place at any second.
Again, here is the apostle Paul’s prophecy about that stupendous change about to take place, given him by the Holy Spirit of God.
Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? (I Corinthians 15: 51-55)
You want to be part of this change into immortality. Here is how to assure that you are with those who go to Christ when He calls.
That if you will confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and will believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart man believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. (Romans 10: 9-10)
Without Excuse
We think of the heathen of the world in terms of their knowing little to nothing about God’s truth regarding the only way to salvation. This brings to the lips of some the accusatory rant that God is unfair. They say He sends people who have never heard the gospel to eternal punishment.
But God’s Word says the following about those in even the darkest regions throughout human history:
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath showed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. (Romans 1:18–23)
In other words, people have no excuse, because God reveals to all, even if they live in uncivilized regions of the world and/or have a lack of information. God will never be unfair. All have enough inward information to know they need Him. When people instead carve out idols for themselves, they’re deliberately rejecting the God who plants in the people’s hearts the innate ability to know Him for their personal redemption.
The same is true of “civilized” heathen. I think of the Hollywood cabal who push God aside. They know Him, yet don’t know Him—that is, they don’t know Him as their Heavenly Father. They deliberately ignore and even, in some cases, cast Him and those who are Christians in derogatory roles.
Proof that they are made aware, however, comes through in the films they produce. We remember the Cecil B. DeMille movie, The Ten Commandments. It was quite accurate in its depiction of the Exodus account.
In Herman Wouk’s The Winds of War, the scriptwriters had American naval officer Victor “Pug” Henry say something like, “Mankind is destined to kill each other in war until the Second Coming of Christ.”
The Hollywood people are aware that this fictional statement has played out in fact since World War II, as murderous conflicts continue to this day. Killing in war is prophetically scheduled to become even more prolific as time moves forward toward Christ’s Second Advent. All of humanity’s interaction points starkly at Heaven’s foretold intervention into the affairs of humankind.
Hollywood was and is thoroughly aware of Jesus Christ and His coming again. They are without excuse.
No people on earth are more under God’s assessment of being “without excuse” than the people of the United States.
There are churches on many corners of most cities. There are means of communications that pour out the gospel message every hour of every day. There are so many Bibles that it is the most published and sold volume ever in America and the world. Yet, it is probably one of the fewest read and studied.
But it isn’t only America that comes under God’s condemnation of being “without excuse.” Europe long ago shut down most of its churches. Many are merely now museums for tourists to photograph.
The results of this dismissal of Heaven’s authority are blatant in all the world, not just in our country. As pointed out in recent commentaries, Paul’s words tell of the foolhardiness and its results regarding people who turn their backs on the God who created them:
And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient. (Romans 1:28)
Can there be any argument of substance against the proof that the Creator has turned this generation of God-deniers over to a “reprobate mind”?
The things we have witnessed in recent years offer evidence that would convict in any sane court of justice.
Government and the ideological left claim everything we do must be to protect the most innocent—the children. Regulations of every sort—in food production, medicine, and other such things—are in large part for children. Proposed gun control is so that the children can live happily and, above all, live safe lives.
Yet that same government and leftist, hypocritical ideology declares it’s their right to slaughter babies by the millions while still in their mothers’ wombs.
This, folks, is what qualifies as a prime example of what the God of Heaven calls the “reprobate mind.”
And we could go on and on telling things like teaching kindergartners about adult sexual activity, about letting porn-star transvestites who commit the most disgusting acts in film come before children as young as five to teach them about their abominable lifestyles.
So, humankind is without excuse. And all who do not know the Lord Jesus as Savior will suffer eternal condemnation because of their unbelief. Thus, “Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither was thankful.”
You, I—we all are without excuse. We all must come to Christ, for He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No person comes to the Heavenly Father but by Him (John 14:6).
Here is how you can make sure you are not under the condemnation “without excuse”:
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. (Romans 10:9–10)