This is Daniel Whyte III with the Second Coming Watch Update. This is update #909. Let’s take a quick look at today’s prophecy-related headlines which point towards the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ and the end of the world as we know it.

First, today, under the Sign category of PESTILENCES & FATAL EPIDEMIC DISEASES — According to BBC News, The coronavirus outbreak has been labelled a pandemic by the World Health Organization. WHO chief Dr. Tedros [TEH-DROSE] said the number of cases outside China had increased 13-fold in two weeks. He said he was “deeply concerned” by “alarming levels of inaction”. A pandemic is a disease that is spreading in multiple countries around the world at the same time. Dr. Tedros [TEH-DROSE] said that calling the outbreak a pandemic did not mean the WHO was changing its advice about what countries should do. He called on governments to change the course of the outbreak by taking “urgent and aggressive action”.

Second, today, under the Sign category of MOVEMENT TOWARD A ONE-WORLD RELIGION — According to Neon Nettle, A top UN official has called on world religions to defer their authority on matters concerning law and policy to the United Nations. Ahmad Shaheed [AH-MAHD SHAH-HEED], the UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief, determined that laws based on traditional morality, often religious in nature, must be repealed if they conflict with the opinions of UN experts and human rights scholars. Shaheed [SHAH-HEED] wrote, “States have an obligation to guarantee to everyone, including women, girls, and LGBT+ people, an equal right to freedom of religion or belief”. The obligations of the state include “creating an enabling environment where pluralist and progressive self-understandings can manifest.” In order to enable these “self-understandings,” laws criminalizing abortion or various sexual behaviors would need to be overruled. Shaheed [SHAH-HEED] noted that laws regarding abortion and homosexual behavior often arise from the application of religious teachings regarding the sanctity of life, the family, and sexual morality.

Third, today, under the Sign category of PESTILENCES & FATAL EPIDEMIC DISEASES — According to NBC News, Italy’s Civil Protection Agency confirmed Wednesday that almost 200 people died from the coronavirus in 24 hours — the highest daily increase in absolute terms registered anywhere in the world since the respiratory illness emerged in China at the end of last year. From Tuesday to Wednesday, 196 people died, bringing the total number of deaths to 897. Confirmed cases across the country rose to 12,462 from a previous 10,149. After an initial lockdown in the north failed to prevent the spread, the government on Monday banned all nonessential travel and public gatherings throughout Italy until April 3, halted all sports events and extended a shutdown of schools.

Fourth, today, under the Sign category of THE RISE OF GOG & MAGOG — According to Israel National News, An Islamic Jihad delegation, headed by leader Ziad Nakhala [ZEE-AHD NAHK-LAH], met in Moscow with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. The Palestine Al-Yawm website, which is affiliated with the organization, said that the talks between the sides focused on the US “Deal of the Century” and on Palestinian unity. They were described as “positive” and “profound”. The representatives of the Islamic Jihad expressed their firm opposition to the “Deal of the Century”, which they said strives to “eliminate the Palestinian problem, as well as to give up Jerusalem, the West Bank and the right of return of refugees.” Russia rejected the “Deal of the Century” shortly after it was made public, saying of its provisions “do not fully correspond to the relevant resolutions by the UN Security Council”.

Fifth, today, under the Sign category of WARS & RUMOURS OF WARS — According to Israel National News, North Korea fired three unidentified projectiles on Monday. No details were provided on the projectiles. The incident comes one week after North Korea fired what South Korea said appeared to be two short-range ballistic missiles off its eastern coastal city of Wonsan into the sea. The North’s state media said at the time that leader Kim Jong Un had overseen a “long-range artillery” drill. North Korea has conducted several tests of ballistic missiles in recent months, ever since talks with the US over denuclearization of the Korean peninsula broke down.

——–

The prophetic passage of Scripture that we are looking at today is Ezekiel 1:1-3. It reads: “Now it came to pass in the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, in the fifth day of the month, as I was among the captives by the river of Chebar [KEY-BAR], that the heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God. In the fifth day of the month, which was the fifth year of king Jehoiachin’s [JEH-HOY-AH-KIN] captivity, The word of the Lord came expressly unto Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi [BU-ZEE], in the land of the Chaldeans by the river Chebar [KEY-BAR]; and the hand of the Lord was there upon him.”

Allow me to share with you some commentary on this passage from Exploring Bible Prophecy from Genesis to Revelation, by Tim LaHaye and Ed Hindson.

Both divisions of Ezekiel’s prophecy were visionary. Therefore, it is unwarranted to treat the first division as historical (since fulfillment occurred historically with the destruction of the first temple and the exile), and the second division as symbolic (since fulfillment did not occur historically under the return and the building of the second temple). From the historical perspective of Ezekiel’s audience (as well as that of Jeremiah and Daniel), the whole of the book was certainly to be understood literally (historically) as corresponding promises of the nation’s punishment and pardon. Just as the first was realized in their day, so the second would also be realized in a future day.

If the Lord tarries His Coming and we live, we will continue looking at the prophetic passages of the Bible in our next broadcast / podcast.

Our Second Coming quote for today is from A. W. Tozer. He said, “Christians are never to be caught unawares. They are never to put on their smoking jacket or the lounging robe while it is dark and the call of the trumpet is expected. The only safety for anyone is the blood. While the call of God may come at any minute to take us out of this Egypt we call the world, you and I cannot afford to be careless. Instead of letting the cross keep us always on the alert and ready to go, we have painted the cross and reshaped it, and geared it in with the better element of the world. The people of God are asleep doing their little labors, while we wait for the call of the trumpet that will take us out of this world. Oh, that we might again have that sense of immediacy and urgency that was upon the early church!”

Let’s Pray

***

If you are not ready for the return of Jesus Christ, may I encourage you to get ready today by receiving Him as your Savior. Here is how.

First, accept the fact that you are a sinner, and that you have broken God’s law. The Bible says in Romans 3:23: “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.”

Second, accept the fact that there is a penalty for sin. The Bible states in Romans 6:23: “For the wages of sin is death…”

Third, accept the fact that you are on the road to hell. Jesus Christ said in Matthew 10:28: “And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” Also, the Bible states in Revelation 21:8: “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.”

Now that is bad news, but here is the good news. Jesus Christ said in John 3:16: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

Just believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead by the power of God for you so that you can live eternally with Him. Pray and ask Him to come into your heart today, and He will. Romans 10:13 says, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

Keep looking up for your redemption draweth nigh. Let us join in the prayer of John the Revelator — “Even so, come, Lord Jesus.” God bless you.

This is Daniel Whyte III with the Second Coming Watch Update. This is update #908. Let’s take a quick look at today’s prophecy-related headlines which point towards the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ and the end of the world as we know it.

First, today, under the Sign category of WARS & RUMOURS OF WARS — According to Breaking Israel News, Israel’s Defense Minister Naftali Bennett revealed that the Prime Minister has agreed to a surprise attack in Gaza that “none of our enemies will expect.” He revealed that he spoiled the surprise to let Hamas avoid it from happening. However, he did add that it will happen “soon.” Bennett also said that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and IDF Chief of Staff Aviv Kochavi are preparing a “meaningful move” that will only take place “on our terms and in our time.” He said, “I want to do it on our terms. You want to be effective with a very cruel enemy such as Hamas. You don’t want them to lead you into their game.”

Second, today, under the Sign category of PESTILENCES & FATAL EPIDEMIC DISEASES — According to The Daily Star, A mysterious and horrifying deadly illness killing villagers in Ethiopia could be the dreaded “Disease X”, a concept coined by the World Health Organisation to describe a new unknown pathogen with the potential to cause an epidemic. The gruesome sickness, informally dubbed “bleeding eye fever”, has a higher mortality rate than the plague and has mystified medical professionals for the past couple of years. The Guardian reports one 23-year-old victim first experienced his eyes and palms turning yellow, before he began bleeding from his nose and mouth and his body swelled up. He later died after collapsing with fever. Many of his neighbours suffered the same symptoms and some died. People who report the horrific symptoms are often treated for a short time in hospital, before being discharged and told nothing more can be done. There have been at least 2,000 deaths from the mystery illness since 2014.

Third, today, under the Sign category of TURMOIL IN THE MIDDLE EAST — According to SpaceWar.com, Iran’s UN ambassador in Vienna said Tehran has no obligation to grant the UN’s nuclear watchdog access to sites in Iran when it deems the requests are based on “fabricated information”. It comes a day after a report from the International Atomic Energy Agency reprimanded Iran for refusing access to two sites which diplomats believe could be connected to the country’s historic nuclear activity. Israel has claimed that a trove of information obtained by its intelligence services contains new information on a previous nuclear weapons programme in Iran. The two sites that the IAEA was denied access to were among three locations that the agency had been raising questions over since the middle of last year.

Fourth, today, under the Sign category of PESTILENCES & FATAL EPIDEMIC DISEASES — According to The Jerusalem Post, Israeli Science and Technology Minister Ofir Akunis said scientists are on the cusp of developing the first vaccine against the novel coronavirus. If all goes as planned, the vaccine could be ready within a few weeks and available in 90 days. For the past four years, a team of scientists at The Galilee Research Institute has been developing a vaccine against infectious bronchitis virus, which causes a bronchial disease affecting poultry. The effectiveness of the vaccine has been proven in preclinical trials carried out at the Veterinary Institute.

Fifth, today, under the Sign category of THE RISE OF GOG & MAGOG AND THE KINGS OF THE EAST — According to SpaceDaily.com, two officials in charge of the US Department of Defence program told reporters the United States finds itself behind both Russia and China after the two countries transitioned from hypersonic technologies to working weapon systems, something the Pentagon has yet to accomplish. Mike White, assistant director for hypersonics, said, “In past decades we have been world leaders in hypersonic technology, but we have consistently made the decision to not transition that to weapon applications and build weapons systems out of hypersonic technologies. The Russians and the Chinese quite frankly have both done that. And they have done [that] quite a number of years ago.” Mark Lewis attributed Russia’s success to its Soviet-era legacy, while China, according to him, made “huge investments” and used American studies published since the 1940s.

——–

The prophetic passage of Scripture that we are looking at today is Ezekiel 1:1-3. It reads: “Now it came to pass in the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, in the fifth day of the month, as I was among the captives by the river of Chebar [KEY-BAR], that the heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God. In the fifth day of the month, which was the fifth year of king Jehoiachin’s [JEH-HOY-AH-KIN] captivity, The word of the Lord came expressly unto Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi [BU-ZEE], in the land of the Chaldeans by the river Chebar [KEY-BAR]; and the hand of the Lord was there upon him.”

Allow me to share with you some commentary on this passage from Exploring Bible Prophecy from Genesis to Revelation, by Tim LaHaye and Ed Hindson.

Furthermore, such interpretation does violence to the literary symmetry of Ezekiel’s prophecies by making the description of restoration figurative and spiritual. Such could scarcely have been the hope of the Jewish exiles in Babylon, as the prayer of Daniel (a contemporary exile with Ezekiel) for a literal restoration of Jerusalem and a rebuilding of the temple reveals. Daniel’s prayer, in turn, was based on his understanding of the prophecy of Jeremiah (another exile), whose statements of geography and chronology had to be interpreted literally in order to be the ground of Israel’s hope and Daniel’s petition for restoration.

If the Lord tarries His Coming and we live, we will continue looking at the prophetic passages of the Bible in our next broadcast / podcast.

Our Second Coming quote for today is from A. W. Tozer. He said, “I think we must note that there is a vast difference between the doctrine of Christ’s coming and the hope of His coming. It surely is possible to hold the doctrine without feeling a trace of the blessed hope. Indeed, there are multitudes of Christians today who hold the doctrine. What I have tried to center on here is that overwhelming sense of anticipation that lifts the life upward to a new plane and fills the heart with rapturous optimism. This is largely lacking among us now.”

Let’s Pray

***

If you are not ready for the return of Jesus Christ, may I encourage you to get ready today by receiving Him as your Savior. Here is how.

First, accept the fact that you are a sinner, and that you have broken God’s law. The Bible says in Romans 3:23: “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.”

Second, accept the fact that there is a penalty for sin. The Bible states in Romans 6:23: “For the wages of sin is death…”

Third, accept the fact that you are on the road to hell. Jesus Christ said in Matthew 10:28: “And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” Also, the Bible states in Revelation 21:8: “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.”

Now that is bad news, but here is the good news. Jesus Christ said in John 3:16: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

Just believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead by the power of God for you so that you can live eternally with Him. Pray and ask Him to come into your heart today, and He will. Romans 10:13 says, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

Keep looking up for your redemption draweth nigh. Let us join in the prayer of John the Revelator — “Even so, come, Lord Jesus.” God bless you.

This is Daniel Whyte III with the Second Coming Watch Update. This is update #907. Let’s take a quick look at today’s prophecy-related headlines which point towards the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ and the end of the world as we know it.

First, today, under the Sign category of TURMOIL IN THE MIDDLE EAST — According to Al Jazeera, The United Nations warned that escalating fighting in northwest Syria could end in a “bloodbath” as Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan phoned Russia’s leader to discuss the quickly deteriorating situation. The Kremlin said Russian President Vladimir Putin and Erdogan agreed to intensify talks on Syria’s Idlib region to reduce tensions and implement a ceasefire. Putin told Erdogan he was “seriously concerned” by the “aggressive actions” of rebels in Idlib. Idlib is the final stronghold of rebels fighting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s government during a nine-year war that has killed hundreds of thousands of people and displaced millions.

Second, today, under the Sign category of PESTILENCES & FATAL EPIDEMIC DISEASES — According to BBC, Saudi Arabia has temporarily halted the entry of pilgrims entering the country to visit holy sites, in an attempt to slow the spread of coronavirus. The Saudi government said it would suspend visas for Muslims seeking to visit Mecca and Medina. Millions of Muslims make the journey each year, especially during the month of Ramadan, which starts in April. Saudi Arabia has also suspended visas for tourists from countries with confirmed cases of the virus. It is not clear when the visa restrictions will be lifted or how Ramadan and the major Hajj pilgrimage will be affected.

Third, today, under the Sign category of TURMOIL IN THE MIDDLE EAST — According to The Jerusalem Post, Incoming rocket sirens continued to wail after Palestinian Islamic Jihad announced it would stop firing rockets toward Israel. More than 100 rockets were fired by PIJ on Monday during several barrages from the Gaza Strip toward southern Israel in a second day of violence with the Iranian-backed terrorist group. Nevertheless, an Israeli security official said Jerusalem has received “messages from various ranks within the PIJ regarding a desire for an immediate ceasefire,” but Israel was skeptical of the claims and only would believe actions on the ground rather than words. The official said, “The IDF will continue to act until quiet is restored to the south.”

Fourth, today, under the Sign category of WARS & RUMOURS OF WARS — According to Israel National News, The world powers that remain party to the nuclear deal with Iran expressed ‘serious concerns’ about Tehran’s violations of the pact, while acknowledging that time was running out to find a way to salvage it. Wang Qun, Chinese ambassador to the United Nations in Vienna, told reporters after talks in Vienna between the parties to the deal, including Iran, that they are ‘racing against time to work out a specific solution so as to safeguard’ the 2015 agreement. The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, as the deal is known, promises Iran economic incentives in return for curbs on its nuclear program, with the goal of preventing Iran from developing a bomb. However, Iran has gradually scaled back its compliance with the 2015 deal in response to the US’ withdrawal from the agreement in May of 2018. In one of the moves, the Islamic Republic restarted uranium enrichment at the underground Fordow facility in violation of the deal.

Fifth, today, under the Sign category of RE-ESTABLISHMENT OF ISRAEL — According to Breaking Israel News, recently, scientists have been shocked to discover that the sinkholes appearing around the Dead Sea are quickly filling up with fish and other forms of life previously unseen in the inhospitable region. Now, another rare life form has been witnessed across the northern shoreline of the Dead Sea – colorful floral landscapes. Thanks to Israel’s record rains, the breathtaking flower trails have sprouted from the cliffs to the shoreline of the Northern Dead Sea area. The existence of fish in the Dead Sea, a reality that seems to contradict the laws of nature, has been explained by science and Biblical prophecy as written in Ezekiel 47:8-9.

——–

The prophetic passage of Scripture that we are looking at today is Ezekiel 1:1-3. It reads: “Now it came to pass in the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, in the fifth day of the month, as I was among the captives by the river of Chebar [KEY-BAR], that the heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God. In the fifth day of the month, which was the fifth year of king Jehoiachin’s [JEH-HOY-AH-KIN] captivity, The word of the Lord came expressly unto Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi [BU-ZEE], in the land of the Chaldeans by the river Chebar [KEY-BAR]; and the hand of the Lord was there upon him.”

Allow me to share with you some commentary on this passage from Exploring Bible Prophecy from Genesis to Revelation, by Tim LaHaye and Ed Hindson.

The national and spiritual restoration envisioned by Ezekiel did not occur literally with the post exilic community. The returned Jewish remnant did not even attempt to implement Ezekiel’s detailed plan for a new temple when they constructed the second temple. Therefore, critical scholars argue that a literal fulfillment was never expected. Rather, they say Ezekiel’s “prophetic” language was hyperbolic or exaggerated speech, common to the apocalyptic genre whose imagery served to create an inspirational fiction. Christian scholars accepting these prophecies of Ezekiel as apocalyptic (or as symbolic) have traditionally read Ezekiel’s prophecy of restoration (in chapters 40-48) in light of John’s vision of the church in the New Jerusalem, claiming that just as the vision of the heavenly Jerusalem is largely symbolic, so is the vision of the earthly Jerusalem given in these chapters. However, Ezekiel complained that a symbolic understanding of his prophecies was the problem of the unbelieving constituency of his audience: “Then I said, ‘Ah, Lord God! They are saying of me, “Is he not just speaking in parables”‘”. Ezekiel himself gives the reader every impression that he expected a literal fulfillment of his prophecies.

If the Lord tarries His Coming and we live, we will continue looking at the prophetic passages of the Bible in our next broadcast / podcast.

Our Second Coming quote for today is from A. W. Tozer. He said, “This is the kind of age and hour when the Lord’s people should be so alert to the hope and promise of His coming that they should get up every morning just like a child on Christmas morning—eager and believing that it should be today!”

Let’s Pray

***

If you are not ready for the return of Jesus Christ, may I encourage you to get ready today by receiving Him as your Savior. Here is how.

First, accept the fact that you are a sinner, and that you have broken God’s law. The Bible says in Romans 3:23: “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.”

Second, accept the fact that there is a penalty for sin. The Bible states in Romans 6:23: “For the wages of sin is death…”

Third, accept the fact that you are on the road to hell. Jesus Christ said in Matthew 10:28: “And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” Also, the Bible states in Revelation 21:8: “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.”

Now that is bad news, but here is the good news. Jesus Christ said in John 3:16: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

Just believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead by the power of God for you so that you can live eternally with Him. Pray and ask Him to come into your heart today, and He will. Romans 10:13 says, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

Keep looking up for your redemption draweth nigh. Let us join in the prayer of John the Revelator — “Even so, come, Lord Jesus.” God bless you.

This is Daniel Whyte III with the Second Coming Watch Update. This is update #906. Let’s take a quick look at today’s prophecy-related headlines which point towards the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ and the end of the world as we know it.

First, today, under the Sign category of FAMINES — According to The Guardian, Swarms of locusts ravaging crops and grazing land across east Africa have reached South Sudan, already reeling from widespread hunger and years of civil war. Kenya, Somalia, Eritrea and Djibouti [JI-BOO-TEE] are battling the worst locust outbreak in decades, and swarms have also spread into Tanzania and Uganda. Desert locusts can travel up to 95 miles in a day and eat their own body weight in greenery, meaning a swarm just one kilometre square can eat as much food as 35,000 people in a day. The invasion is worsening food shortages in a region where up to 25 million people are suffering after three consecutive years of droughts and floods.

Second, today, under the Sign category of WARS & RUMOURS OF WARS — According to The Jerusalem Post, Iran’s Amir Ali Hajizadeh [HAH-JIH-ZAH-DAY], commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’s elite Aerospace force, has said that the region must unite to expel “Zionists” and Americans. In what have been daily statements by Iran’s leadership, the regime is claiming it will destroy Israel and get the US to leave Iraq and Syria. Hajizadeh [HAH-JIH-ZAH-DAY] was speaking to pro-Houthi media in Yemen, which means that his comments were also directed at Saudi Arabia. Iran has sent technology – such as cruise missiles, drones and ballistic missiles – to the Houthis to aid their fight against Riyadh. Hajizadeh’s [HAH-JIH-ZAH-DAY’s] comments matter because his units are involved with missiles, drones and air defense, and have been involved in attacks on US forces using ballistic missiles and the exporting of Iran’s technology that can target Israel.

Third, today, under the Sign category of MOVEMENT TOWARD A ONE-WORLD RELIGION — According to Breaking Israel News, At an address to Vatican diplomats last month, Pope Francis announced that the Vatican will be hosting a global event titled, “Reinventing the Global Compact on Education.” The Pope said when he first proposed the summit, “A global educational pact is needed to educate us in universal solidarity and a new humanism.” The education initiative is a continuation of the Pope’s global vision as laid out in his Document on the Human Brotherhood for World Peace and Common Living Together signed by Pope Francis and Sheikh Ahmed el-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, in February 2019 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Fourth, today, under the Sign category of THE RISE OF GOG AND MAGOG — According to SpaceWar.com, The Russian capital’s air and missile defence system is one of the most sophisticated in the world, and includes a dense layer of anti-aircraft missile launchers, interceptor systems, and a unique tetrahedral truncated pyramid radio-radar station so powerful it can detect space debris. Missile defence forces commander Maj. Gen. Sergei Grabchuk [SER-GEY GRAB-CHUK] has revealed in the event of an enemy attack, Moscow’s air defences would intercept and destroy enemy missile targets in the space of less than a minute. The officer explained that, in the first place, Russia’s global missile launch detection network would calculate enemy missiles’ projected targets, taking account of warheads and potential dummy warheads. When all is said and done, Grabchuk [GRAB-CHUK] noted, “the missile defence battle is short-lived, and can last less than a minute.”

Fifth, today, under the Sign category of PESTILENCES & FATAL EPIDEMIC DISEASES — According to New York Post, the director of the Centers for Disease and Control and Prevention said coronavirus can be spread through people who aren’t exhibiting symptoms of the illness, Dr. Robert Redfield confirmed reports out of China that the virus can spread when the person is still asymptomatic. Redfield said, “There’s been good communication with our colleagues to confirm asymptomatic infection, to confirm asymptomatic transmission, to be able to get a better handle on the clinical spectrum of illness in China.” Redfield said it’s not known how much the asymptomatic cases are contributing to the spread of the virus — which has sickened more than 60,000 people worldwide — but the discovery is concerning.

——–

The prophetic passage of Scripture that we are looking at today is Ezekiel. Ezekiel 1:1-3 reads: “Now it came to pass in the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, in the fifth day of the month, as I was among the captives by the river of Chebar [KEY-BAR], that the heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God. In the fifth day of the month, which was the fifth year of king Jehoiachin’s [JEH-HOY-AH-KIN] captivity, The word of the Lord came expressly unto Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi [BU-ZEE], in the land of the Chaldeans by the river Chebar [KEY-BAR]; and the hand of the Lord was there upon him.”

Allow me to share with you some commentary on this passage from Exploring Bible Prophecy from Genesis to Revelation, by Tim LaHaye and Ed Hindson.

In both divisions of Ezekiel, the Jerusalem temple figures prominently as the sign of God’s relationship with national Israel. Therefore the first division, which deals with the Lord’s judgment on Israel, is displayed in terms of the nation’s desecration of the temple and its destruction by foreign nations under the terms of discipline announced in the Mosaic Covenant. The second division deals with the reversal of the condition of exile and foreign domination of the land imposed as the result of the discipline. Return to the land with the ultimate restoration of national sovereignty and national spiritual rebirth is the promised blessing of the New Covenant, whose conclusive sign is the rebuilding of a temple to which God’s own presence has been restored.

If the Lord tarries His Coming and we live, we will continue looking at the prophetic passages of the Bible in our next broadcast / podcast.

Our Second Coming quote for today is from A. W. Tozer. He said, “The crux of the whole matter is this: our wonderful, created world will be restored to its rightful Owner. I for one look forward to that day. I want to live here when Jesus Christ owns and rules the world. Until that hour, there will be conflict, distress and war among the nations. We will hear of suffering and terror and fear and failure. But the God who has promised a better world is the God who cannot lie. He will shake loose Satan’s hold on this world and its society and systems. Our heavenly Father will put this world into the hands that were once nailed to a cross for our race of proud and alienated sinners. It is a fact. Jesus Christ is returning to earth.”

Let’s Pray

***

If you are not ready for the return of Jesus Christ, may I encourage you to get ready today by receiving Him as your Savior. Here is how.

First, accept the fact that you are a sinner, and that you have broken God’s law. The Bible says in Romans 3:23: “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.”

Second, accept the fact that there is a penalty for sin. The Bible states in Romans 6:23: “For the wages of sin is death…”

Third, accept the fact that you are on the road to hell. Jesus Christ said in Matthew 10:28: “And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” Also, the Bible states in Revelation 21:8: “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.”

Now that is bad news, but here is the good news. Jesus Christ said in John 3:16: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

Just believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead by the power of God for you so that you can live eternally with Him. Pray and ask Him to come into your heart today, and He will. Romans 10:13 says, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

Keep looking up for your redemption draweth nigh. Let us join in the prayer of John the Revelator — “Even so, come, Lord Jesus.” God bless you.

This is Daniel Whyte III with the Second Coming Watch Update. This is update #905. Let’s take a quick look at today’s prophecy-related headlines which point towards the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ and the end of the world as we know it.

First, today, under the Sign category of WARS AND RUMOURS OF WARS — According to The Times of Israel, A former leader of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards has warned that Iran is just looking for an excuse to attack Israel and ‘raze Tel Aviv to the ground,’ blaming Israel for allegedly helping the US kill top commander Qassem Soleimani [KAH-SEM SO-LEH-MAH-NEE]. Speaking to Lebanon’s Hezbollah-affiliated al-Mayadeen [MA-YA-DEEN] TV station on Saturday, Mohsen Rezaei [MOH-SEN RE-ZA-EE] was asked if Iran would carry out its previous threats to attack Israel in the event of a war with the US. Rezaei [RE-ZA-EE] said: “You should have no doubt about this. We would raze Tel Aviv to the ground for sure. We have been looking for such a pretext. If they (the US) do something, we can use it as a pretext to attack Israel, because Israel played a role in the martyrdom of General Soleimani [SO-LEH-MAH-NEE]. We were waiting for the Americans to give us a pretext to strike Tel Aviv, just like we attacked Ayn Al-Assad [AYN AL-AH-SAHD].” Rezaei [RE-ZA-EE] also said Iran was extensively monitoring US troops and shipping in the Middle East and could easily target them in a conflict. “Naturally, we have precise information. All the American bases are under our surveillance now. All the American aircraft carriers are under our control. We know the number of American ships in the Indian Ocean and the Sea of Oman, and where they are in the Persian Gulf, and what they have in Qatar and Bahrain, and [we know about] their activity in Iraq.” He said Iran even tracked individual US soldiers, and had information on hotels they stayed at, who their friends were and even “where they get their meat and food.” Rezaei [RE-ZA-EE] said: “Our information is very precise. We bombed the Ayn Al-Assad [AYN AL-AH-SAHD] base on the basis of detailed calculations. We knew that it was a very important site for the Americans that we had to strike.”

Second, today, under the Sign category of THE RISE OF GOG AND MAGOG — According to The Associated Press, Iraq and Russia discussed prospects for deepening military coordination amid a strain in Baghdad-Washington relations after a U.S. airstrike killed a top Iranian general inside Iraq. The ministry statement followed a meeting in Baghdad between Iraqi army chief of staff Lt. Gen. Othman Al-Ghanimi [OTH-MAN AL-GA-NEE-MEE] and Russian Ambassador Maksim Maksimov [MAK-SIM MAK-SI-MOV], as well as a newly arrived defense attache. The meeting comes during an uncertain moment in the future of Iraq-U.S. military relations, following the Jan. 3 U .S. drone strike that killed Iran’s most powerful military commander, Gen. Qassem Soleimani [KAH-SEM SO-LEH-MAH-NEE], and Iraqi senior militia leader Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis [AH-BUU MAH-DEE AL-MUU-HAHN-DEEZ] near a Baghdad airport. The attack prompted powerful Shiite parties to call for an overhaul of the existing strategic set-up between Iraq and the U.S.-led coalition. According to the ministry statement, Al-Ghanimi [AL-GA-NEE-MEE] praised Moscow’s role in the battle against the Islamic State group, saying they had provided “our armed forces with advanced and effective equipment and weapons that had a major role in resolving many battles”. The statement said the sides discussed prospects for “cooperation and coordination.” Both parties emphasized the importance of exchanging information and coordination to prevent the resurgence of IS. The statement said Maksimov [MAK-SI-MOV] extended an invitation to al-Ghanimi [AL-GA-NEE-MEE] to visit Russia and meet with his counterpart “within the framework of strengthening cooperation between the two sides.”

Third, today, under the Sign category of PESTILENCES AND FATAL EPIDEMIC DISEASES — According to Reuters, the head of the World Health Organization said China’s coronavirus outbreak poses a “very grave threat for the rest of the world” and should be viewed as “Public Enemy Number 1”. WHO director-general Tedros [TEH-DROSE] urged countries to step up measures to detect and contain the virus, especially in at least 30 countries with weaker health systems, where it could “create havoc”. The virus has been named COVID-19, for coronavirus disease 2019, with no geographical association. Tedros [TEH-DROSE], referring to some governments’ counter-terrorism measures, said: “To be honest, a virus is more powerful in creating political, economic and social upheaval than any terrorist attack. A virus can have more powerful consequences than any terrorist action. If the world doesn’t want to wake up and consider this enemy virus as Public Enemy number 1, I don’t think we will learn from our lessons”. Tedros [TEH-DROSE] said, China has reported 42,708 confirmed confirmed cases, including 1,017 deaths, noting that there were fewer than 400 cases in 24 other countries with one death. WHO began a two-day meeting, where it appealed for sharing virus samples and speeding up research into drugs and vaccines.

Fourth, today, under the Sign category of TURMOIL IN THE MIDDLE EAST — According to Israel National News, The IDF Spokesperson’s Unit confirmed that three rockets were fired from Gaza towards Israeli territory after Red Color sirens were sounded shortly after midnight, in Netivot [NET-EH-VOH] and in other communities near the Gaza border. The rockets exploded in open areas. There were no reports of damages, but two people suffered light injuries after falling while making their way to a protected space. They were treated at the scene. Over the last week, there has been an uptick in the number of rocket and incendiary balloon attacks from Gaza on southern Israel. In retaliation, IDF fighter jets and helicopters attacked several Hamas terrorist targets in the northern Gaza Strip, including a structure which serves as a military war room.

Fifth, today, under the Sign category of HOSTILITY TOWARD ISRAEL — According to Arab News, Despite the inclement weather in Jerusalem, for the second week in a row tens of thousands of Palestinians came out for pre-dawn prayers at Al-Aqsa Mosque, Islam’s third holiest site, and remained at the site until noon prayers. Arab Israeli citizens said police turned their buses away to prevent them from reaching Jerusalem’s holy places. Palestinians have been protesting the Israeli security forces’ heavy-handed tactics in putting down Palestinian protests against the US/Israeli peace plan that was announced at the White House on Jan. 28. Four Palestinians, including one policeman, have been killed since Wednesday — three in the northern West Bank city of Jenin and one in Jerusalem. Talal Abu Afifeh [TAH-LAL AH-BU AH-FEE-FEH], head of the Jerusalem Intellectual Forum from the Shufat refugee camp in Jerusalem, told Arab News: “People came out to pray at the mosque and to declare their opposition to the American/Israeli plan. There are protests throughout the occupied territories against this plan that is aimed at liquidating the Palestinian cause, denying our rights and encroaching on our religious holy sites.” Pro-Netanyahu daily Israel Today called on Israeli security forces to “deal with firmness yet with wisdom” against Palestinian demonstrators and to avoid collective punishment “in order to prevent another Palestinian Intifada from taking place.”

——–

The prophetic passage of Scripture that we are looking at today is Ezekiel. Ezekiel 1:1-3 reads: “Now it came to pass in the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, in the fifth day of the month, as I was among the captives by the river of Chebar [KEY-BAR], that the heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God. In the fifth day of the month, which was the fifth year of king Jehoiachin’s [JEH-HOY-AH-KIN] captivity, The word of the Lord came expressly unto Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi [BU-ZEE], in the land of the Chaldeans by the river Chebar [KEY-BAR]; and the hand of the Lord was there upon him.”

Allow me to share with you some commentary on this passage from Exploring Bible Prophecy from Genesis to Revelation, by Tim LaHaye and Ed Hindson.

The second division (chapters 33-48) contains more distant predictions of Israel’s restoration in the end time and is therefore eschatological. These prophecies concern predictions of national Israel’s return, regathering, rebirth, and restoration (chapters 33-39). In this section Ezekiel observes the problem of Israel’s “false shepherds” and predicts the advent of the True Shepherd who will establish the New Covenant (chapter 34). Having laid this spiritual foundation, the prophet predicts the rebirth of the nation (chapters 35-36), its national regeneration, and its reunion in the millennial kingdom. This is punctuated with the prophecy of divine victory over the foreign armies in Gog’s invasion of Israel (chapters 38-39). The temple is the subject of chapters 40-48, which present the design and function of the messianic temple and the revival of the sacrificial service (chapters 40-48). These chapters provide the necessary climax to the prophecy of Israel’s final restoration because only the rebuilding of the messianic temple could sustain Israel’s spiritual relationship under the New Covenant and fulfill its national destiny to be a kingdom of priests.

In both divisions of Ezekiel, the Jerusalem temple figures prominently as the sign of God’s relationship with national Israel. Therefore the first division, which deals with the Lord’s judgment on Israel, is displayed in terms of the nation’s desecration of the temple and its destruction by foreign nations under the terms of discipline announced in the Mosaic Covenant. The second division deals with the reversal of the condition of exile and foreign domination of the land imposed as the result of the discipline. Return to the land with the ultimate restoration of national sovereignty and national spiritual rebirth is the promised blessing of the New Covenant, whose conclusive sign is the rebuilding of a temple to which God’s own presence has been restored.

If the Lord tarries His Coming and we live, we will continue looking at the prophetic passages of the Bible in our next broadcast / podcast.

Our Second Coming quote for today is from A. W. Tozer. He said, “For many there is no emotional yearning for the return of Jesus. The best hope they know is a kind of intellectual, theological hope. But an intellectual knowledge of what the New Testament teaches about the return of Christ is surely a poor substitute for a love-inflamed desire to look on His face!”

Let’s Pray

***

If you are not ready for the return of Jesus Christ, may I encourage you to get ready today by receiving Him as your Savior. Here is how.

First, accept the fact that you are a sinner, and that you have broken God’s law. The Bible says in Romans 3:23: “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.”

Second, accept the fact that there is a penalty for sin. The Bible states in Romans 6:23: “For the wages of sin is death…”

Third, accept the fact that you are on the road to hell. Jesus Christ said in Matthew 10:28: “And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” Also, the Bible states in Revelation 21:8: “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.”

Now that is bad news, but here is the good news. Jesus Christ said in John 3:16: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

Just believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead by the power of God for you so that you can live eternally with Him. Pray and ask Him to come into your heart today, and He will. Romans 10:13 says, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

Keep looking up for your redemption draweth nigh. Let us join in the prayer of John the Revelator — “Even so, come, Lord Jesus.” God bless you.

This is Daniel Whyte III with the Second Coming Watch Update. This is update #904. Let’s take a quick look at today’s prophecy-related headlines which point towards the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ and the end of the world as we know it.

First, today, under the Sign category of TURMOIL IN THE MIDDLE EAST — According to BBC News, US President Donald Trump has presented his long-awaited Middle East peace plan, promising to keep Jerusalem as Israel’s undivided capital. He proposed an independent Palestinian state and the recognition of Israeli sovereignty over West Bank settlements. Standing alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House, Trump said his proposals “could be the last opportunity” for Palestinians. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas dismissed the plans as a “conspiracy”. Abbas said in a televised address from Ramallah in the West Bank: “I say to Trump and Netanyahu: Jerusalem is not for sale, all our rights are not for sale and are not for bargain. And your deal, the conspiracy, will not pass.” The blueprint, which aims to solve one of the world’s longest-running conflicts, was drafted under the stewardship of President Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner. Thousands of Palestinians protested in the Gaza Strip, while the Israeli military deployed reinforcements in the occupied West Bank.

Second, today, under the Sign category of FAMINES — According to BBC News, The UN has called for international help to fight huge swarms of desert locusts sweeping through east Africa. A spokesman for the UN’s Food and Agricultural Organisation, called for aid to “avert any threats to food security, livelihoods, malnutrition”. Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia are all struggling with “unprecedented” and “devastating” swarms of the food-devouring insects. The agency fears locust numbers could grow 500 times by June. The FAO said earlier this week that Ethiopia and Somalia have not faced an infestation on this scale for 25 years, while Kenya has not seen a locust threat this size for 70 years. South Sudan and Uganda are also at risk if the swarms continue to grow and spread. The FAO said: “The speed of the pests’ spread and the size of the infestations are so far beyond the norm that they have stretched the capacities of local and national authorities to the limit.” The only option left was “aerial control” – spraying insecticide from aircraft. The swarms have spread from Yemen across the Red Sea. Heavy rainfall at the end of 2019 created ideal conditions for the food-devouring insects to flourish. And the problem could get worse as the year goes on. Aside from growing numbers in east Africa, locusts have also been breeding in India, Iran and Pakistan, which could turn into swarms in the spring.

Third, today, under the Sign category of EARTHQUAKES IN DIVERS PLACES — According to ABC News, A magnitude 7.7 earthquake occurred between Cuba and Jamaica. According to the United States Geological Survey service, the epicenter was located in the Caribbean Sea about 83 miles north of Montego Bay, the capital of St. James, and about 87 miles south of Granma, Cuba. It was a relatively strong but shallow quake with a depth of about 6 miles. A 7.7 magnitude earthquake is at the high end of the Richter Scale. It was initially reported at 7.3 but was quickly revised up to 7.7. There were no immediate reports of injuries or damages. According to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, a tsunami warning was issued for areas off the coasts of Belize, Cuba, Honduras, Mexico, Cayman Islands and Jamaica in the quake’s wake. The center said those areas could experience waves as high as 3.3 feet above tidal level.

Fourth, today, under the Sign category of ARAB HOSTILITY TOWARD ISRAEL — According to The Jerusalem Post, ISIS spokesman and second Caliph Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi [HAA-SHEE-MEE] al-Quraishi [KUU-REH-SHEE] sent a recorded message to all the organization’s operatives, mainly those in Sinai and Syria, to begin conquering Israeli “settlements,” referring to both West Bank settlements and Israeli cities. It is the second time the terrorist group sent a recorded message since the death of its leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, in October. In the recording, Quraishi [KUU-REH-SHEE] said that despite what the US and other countries may have thought of as the end for the terrorist organization with the death of al-Baghdadi, “we are still here, and we are ready to start a ‘new stage’ – hitting Israeli targets.” The newly-incumbent leader of the terrorist organization called upon supporters of ISIS to attack Jews in Israel and abroad with chemical weapons, declaring a religious war. Quraishi [KUU-REH-SHEE] also called on all Muslims worldwide to thwart US President Donald Trump’s peace plan, and added that “the Muslims who live in Palestine… will be at the forefront of the fight against the Jews [and] foiling the ‘Deal of the Century.'” The message instructed the operatives to begin targeting Jewish communities and markets, and to turn the conquered territories into fields of weapons and rocket experiments. Quraishi [KUU-REH-SHEE] said: “Today we have begun a new phase in our struggle with you. Our eyes now look towards Jerusalem.”

Fifth, today, under the Sign category of TURMOIL IN THE MIDDLE EAST — According to Reuters, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said the Palestinian Authority has cut all ties with the United States and Israel, including those relating to security, after rejecting a Middle East peace plan presented by U.S. President Donald Trump. Abbas was in Cairo to address the Arab League, which backed the Palestinians in their opposition to Trump’s plan. The blueprint, endorsed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, calls for the creation of a demilitarised Palestinian state that excludes Jewish settlements built in occupied territory and is under near-total Israeli security control. Abbas said: “We’ve informed the Israeli side … that there will be no relations at all with them and the United States including security ties.” Israel and the Palestinian Authority’s security forces have long cooperated in policing areas of the occupied West Bank that are under Palestinian control. The PA also has intelligence cooperation agreements with the CIA, which continued even after the Palestinians began boycotting the Trump administration’s peace efforts in 2017. Abbas also said he had refused to discuss the plan with Trump by phone, or to receive even a copy of it to study it. Abbas said: “Trump asked that I speak to him by phone but I said ‘no’, and that he wants to send me a letter … but I refused it.” Abbas said he did not want Trump to be able to say that he, Abbas, had been consulted. He reiterated his “complete” rejection of the Trump plan, saying, “I will not have it recorded in my history that I sold Jerusalem.”

——–

The prophetic passage of Scripture that we are looking at today is Ezekiel. Ezekiel 1:1-3 reads: “Now it came to pass in the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, in the fifth day of the month, as I was among the captives by the river of Chebar [KEY-BAR], that the heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God. In the fifth day of the month, which was the fifth year of king Jehoiachin’s [JEH-HOY-AH-KIN] captivity, The word of the Lord came expressly unto Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi [BU-ZEE], in the land of the Chaldeans by the river Chebar [KEY-BAR]; and the hand of the Lord was there upon him.”

Allow me to share with you some commentary on this passage from Exploring Bible Prophecy from Genesis to Revelation, by Tim LaHaye and Ed Hindson.

God’s judgment against the Gentile nations (chapters 25-32) is included to demonstrate that the divine discipline of Israel is extended justly to all sinful nations, especially because the sin of these nations had been their oppression and persecution of the people of Israel, who represented God on earth. This is noted in the opening indictment against each of these nations by the words “because you said/did (something against Israel), therefore, I will” (specifics of judgment). This formulaic expression reveals that the standard for this judgment is that found in the Abrahamic Covenant: “I will bless those who bless you [Abraham’s descendants–national Israel] and the one who curses you I will curse”. The historical record supports the accuracy of these judgments in their fulfillment.

The second division (chapters 33-48) contains more distant predictions of Israel’s restoration in the end time and is therefore eschatological. These prophecies concern predictions of national Israel’s return, regathering, rebirth, and restoration (chapters 33-39). In this section Ezekiel observes the problem of Israel’s “false shepherds” and predicts the advent of the True Shepherd who will establish the New Covenant (chapter 34). Having laid this spiritual foundation, the prophet predicts the rebirth of the nation (chapters 35-36), its national regeneration, and its reunion in the millennial kingdom. This is punctuated with the prophecy of divine victory over the foreign armies in Gog’s invasion of Israel (chapters 38-39). The temple is the subject of chapters 40-48, which present the design and function of the messianic temple and the revival of the sacrificial service (chapters 40-48). These chapters provide the necessary climax to the prophecy of Israel’s final restoration because only the rebuilding of the messianic temple could sustain Israel’s spiritual relationship under the New Covenant and fulfill its national destiny to be a kingdom of priests.

In both divisions of Ezekiel, the Jerusalem temple figures prominently as the sign of God’s relationship with national Israel. Therefore the first division, which deals with the Lord’s judgment on Israel, is displayed in terms of the nation’s desecration of the temple and its destruction by foreign nations under the terms of discipline announced in the Mosaic Covenant. The second division deals with the reversal of the condition of exile and foreign domination of the land imposed as the result of the discipline. Return to the land with the ultimate restoration of national sovereignty and national spiritual rebirth is the promised blessing of the New Covenant, whose conclusive sign is the rebuilding of a temple to which God’s own presence has been restored.

If the Lord tarries His Coming and we live, we will continue looking at the prophetic passages of the Bible in our next broadcast / podcast.

Our Second Coming quote for today is from Tony Garland. He said, “Brethren, I do not wonder that worldlings and half-Christians have no love of this doctrine, or that they hate to hear about Christ’s speedy coming. It is the death knell of their gaieties and pleasures—the turning of their confidence to consternation—the conversion of their songs to shrieks of horror and despair. There is a day coming, when ‘the loftiness of man shall be bowed down, and the haughtiness of man shall be made low.’”

Let’s Pray

***

If you are not ready for the return of Jesus Christ, may I encourage you to get ready today by receiving Him as your Savior. Here is how.

First, accept the fact that you are a sinner, and that you have broken God’s law. The Bible says in Romans 3:23: “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.”

Second, accept the fact that there is a penalty for sin. The Bible states in Romans 6:23: “For the wages of sin is death…”

Third, accept the fact that you are on the road to hell. Jesus Christ said in Matthew 10:28: “And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” Also, the Bible states in Revelation 21:8: “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.”

Now that is bad news, but here is the good news. Jesus Christ said in John 3:16: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

Just believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead by the power of God for you so that you can live eternally with Him. Pray and ask Him to come into your heart today, and He will. Romans 10:13 says, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

Keep looking up for your redemption draweth nigh. Let us join in the prayer of John the Revelator — “Even so, come, Lord Jesus.” God bless you.

This is Daniel Whyte III with the Second Coming Watch Update. This is update #903. Let’s take a quick look at today’s prophecy-related headlines which point towards the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ and the end of the world as we know it.

First, today, under the Sign category of WARS & RUMOURS OF WARS — According to Ynet News, A senior official from the Islamic militant group Hamas said incendiary balloons Palestinians launched from the Gaza Strip recently were a signal to Israel to accelerate unofficial “understandings” meant to ease the crippling blockade on the Hamas-ruled territory. The resumption of flammable balloons and other explosive devices flown across the border broke a month of calm that has largely prevailed since Hamas suspended its weekly protests along the Israeli-Gaza frontier. The quiet is meant to bolster an informal truce between Israel and Hamas brokered by international mediators. Speaking to journalists, Hamas official Khalil al-Hayya [KHUH-LEEL AL-HEY-UH] accused the Israelis of moving too slowly. He said the balloons had been launched by disgruntled individuals, not Hamas. But he said his group was “satisfied” with the launches and is ready to send more “if the occupation doesn’t pick up the message.” Israel and Egypt imposed a blockade on Gaza after Hamas, a militant group that seeks Israel’s destruction, seized control of the territory in 2007. The blockade, combined with Hamas’ mismanagement, has devastated the local economy. The incendiary balloons have not caused any damage or injuries on the Israeli side. But last week, an Israeli military helicopter struck an alleged Hamas target in Gaza in response to the resumption of the launches.

Second, today, under the Sign category of PESTILENCES AND FATAL EPIDEMIC DISEASES — According to Reuters, China put millions of people on lockdown in two cities at the epicenter of a coronavirus outbreak that has killed 18 people and infected more than 630, as authorities around the world worked to prevent a global pandemic. Health officials fear the transmission rate could accelerate as hundreds of millions of Chinese travel at home and abroad during week-long holidays for the Lunar New Year. Giving details on infections in China, state television said 634 cases had been confirmed. By the end of Wednesday, China’s National Health Commission confirmed 17 dead in the central province of Hubei [HOO-BAY]. The previously unknown virus strain is believed to have emerged late last year from illegally traded wildlife at an animal market in the capital of Hubei [HOO-BAY] province, Wuhan [WOO-HAHN]. Most transport in Wuhan [WOO-HAHN], a city of 11 million people, was suspended and people were told not to leave. Hours later, neighboring Huanggang [HWONG-GONG], a city of about 7 million people, announced a similar lockdown. The newly identified coronavirus has created alarm because there are a number of unknowns surrounding it. It is too early to know just how dangerous it is and how easily it spreads between people. There is no vaccine for the virus, which can spread through respiratory transmission.

Third, today, under the Sign category of RE-ESTABLISHMENT OF ISRAEL — According to Ynet News, At leats 6,300 police officers and other security forces were deployed to Jerusalem ahead of the arrival of high-profile dignitaries including Russian President Vladimir Putin, U.S. Vice President Mike Pence and other leaders from 49 countries, including 41 heads of state, the diplomatic event is set to become the biggest in the country’s history. The two-day event, which includes political meetings between world and Israeli leaders where discussions are expected to be held on the latest Iran tensions and the Mideast peace process, culminating in commemorations ceremony at Yad Vashem [YAD VAH-SHEM] Holocaust memorial and museum. France’s Emmanuel Macron met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Reuven Rivlin. The prime minister during the meeting urged the French leader to join the United States and Israel in putting pressure on Iran to stop its “aggressive nuclear activity.” Macron replied that France will be “inflexible” about Iran’s nuclear ambitions and that his country is determined Tehran will never acquire nuclear weapons. Netanyahu later said the two have agreed to “establish a strategic dialogue” between the two countries in an effort to advance common interests.

Fourth, today, under the Sign category of TURMOIL IN THE MIDDLE EAST — According to Haaretz, according to Israeli army intelligence estimates for 2020, Iran will have a sufficient amount of enriched uranium to produce one nuclear bomb by the end of the year. However, the Israeli army believes that at this stage, Tehran does not possess a missile capable of carrying a nuclear warhead, and would need at least two years to develop such capabilities. The United States’ exit from the nuclear agreement signed in 2015 brings intelligence officials to estimate that Iran’s nuclear program is running again after years of not violating the agreement. Intelligence evaluations reveal that by the end of the current year, Iran will have the 40 kilograms of 90% enriched uranium needed to produce a single nuclear bomb. The information available to the defense establishment indicates that Iran is currently at four percent enrichment. By mid-year will reach 20 percent enrichment, which is 70% of the bomb production process, and by the end of the year, Iran will be able to reach the required amount of enriched uranium for one bomb. On June 17, Iran said that it would surpass the deal’s 300-kilogram limit on low-enriched uranium, and quadrupled its production. It also threatened to raise enrichment closer to weapons-grade levels on July 7 if the three European countries that still support the 2015 agreement didn’t offer a new deal.

Fifth, today, under the Sign category of TURMOIL IN THE MIDDLE EAST — According to Israel Hayom, a survey released by the International Committee of the Red Cross has found that the majority of Israeli and Palestinian youth believe that the bitter Israeli-Palestinian conflict “will never end.” According to the ICRC survey of people between the ages of 20 and 35 living in war-affected areas, 65% of Israeli and 52% of Palestinian respondents said that they expected the rivalry to last for years, if not for the decades to come. The survey also revealed millennials to be anxious across the board, with 42% expecting a major catastrophic war to break out in their lifetime, and more than half fearing that a nuclear strike will be conducted within the next decade. The ICRC said in a statement: “In general, the results indicate that millennials are nervous about the future, and heightened tensions in the Middle East are likely to deepen these fears.” The simmering conflict has been ongoing for decades, and, formally, there are currently no peace talks between Israeli and Palestinian leaders – however, reports of Israel’s under-the-radar ceasefire talks with Hamas, the terrorist group that controls the Gaza Strip, have been emerging recently. Despite that, recent days saw yet another escalation, with the IDF bombing Hamas targets in Gaza following terrorist rocket fire on Israeli communities near the border.

——–

The prophetic passage of Scripture that we are looking at today is Ezekiel. Ezekiel 1:1-3 reads: “Now it came to pass in the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, in the fifth day of the month, as I was among the captives by the river of Chebar [KEY-BAR], that the heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God. In the fifth day of the month, which was the fifth year of king Jehoiachin’s [JEH-HOY-AH-KIN] captivity, The word of the Lord came expressly unto Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi [BU-ZEE], in the land of the Chaldeans by the river Chebar [KEY-BAR]; and the hand of the Lord was there upon him.”

Allow me to share with you some commentary on this passage from Exploring Bible Prophecy from Genesis to Revelation, by Tim LaHaye and Ed Hindson.

Ezekiel, whose name means “God strengthens,” was raised as a priest in Jerusalem until he was taken captive by Nebuchadnezzar to Babylon in 597 B.C., some 11 years before the destruction of the city and burning of the temple by the Babylonians. A contemporary with the prophets Jeremiah and Daniel, who shared the exilic experience, Ezekiel resided in the Babylonian village of Nippur [NIP-PUR] (Tel Abib [AH-VEEV]) beside the river Chebar [KEY-BAR], which served as Nebuchadnezzar’s royal canal. In the fifth year of his exile (592 B.C.) Ezekiel was called to prophesy to his fellow exiles for about 22 years, reminding them of the reason for God’s judgment of the nation and reassuring them of God’s promise of future restoration. God apparently desired to use a man with priestly training to bring this unique prophetic message focused on the temple and its priestly service. As a priest, Ezekiel would have uniquely been concerned for the re-establishment of the legitimate Zadokite [ZA-DOH-KITE] priesthood. The very fact that the Zadokite [ZA-DOH-KITE] priesthood was not reinstated with the return to Jerusalem and the rebuilding of the second temple indicates that the prophecies of Ezekiel were intended for fulfillment in the eschatological (millennial) age.

The book of Ezekiel follows the prophetic pattern of announcing ruin and then restoration for national Israel. While the whole of the book was once prophetic, from the exilic and postexilic perspective it may be divided into two divisions with respect to historical and eschatological fulfillment. The first division (chapters 4-32) contains near-fulfillment predictions, which were necessary to confirm Ezekiel’s credentials as a prophet as well as meet the need of the Babylonian exiles who were awaiting word concerning their nation’s fate. This division may be subdivided as the judgment of Judah (chapters 1-24), the judgment of the seven Gentile nations that surrounded Israel in all directions (chapters 25-32), and the judgment of those Judeans who remained in the land during the exile (chapter 33). This first section has been historically fulfilled, principally in the events of the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem and the deportation of Judeans to Babylon (586-538 B.C.). Ezekiel’s prophecies in this first section focus on Judah’s cultic desecration by both priests and people alike, and Jerusalem’s destruction in accord with the curses contained in the Mosaic law for national covenant violation (Ezekiel 4-24). These prophecies were communicated through symbolic demonstration (chapters 4-5), sermonic pronouncements (chapters 6-7), prophetic visions (chapters 8-11), and various prophetic signs and parabolic declarations (chapters 12-24).

If the Lord tarries His Coming and we live, we will continue looking at the prophetic passages of the Bible in our next broadcast / podcast.

Our Second Coming quote for today is from Tony Garland. He said, “Jesus came the first time in humiliation; He will return in exaltation. He came the first time to be killed; He will return to kill His enemies. He came the first time to serve; He will return to be served. He came the first time as the suffering servant; He will return as the conquering king. The challenge the book of Revelation makes to every person is to be ready for His return.”

Let’s Pray

***

If you are not ready for the return of Jesus Christ, may I encourage you to get ready today by receiving Him as your Savior. Here is how.

First, accept the fact that you are a sinner, and that you have broken God’s law. The Bible says in Romans 3:23: “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.”

Second, accept the fact that there is a penalty for sin. The Bible states in Romans 6:23: “For the wages of sin is death…”

Third, accept the fact that you are on the road to hell. Jesus Christ said in Matthew 10:28: “And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” Also, the Bible states in Revelation 21:8: “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.”

Now that is bad news, but here is the good news. Jesus Christ said in John 3:16: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

Just believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead by the power of God for you so that you can live eternally with Him. Pray and ask Him to come into your heart today, and He will. Romans 10:13 says, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

Keep looking up for your redemption draweth nigh. Let us join in the prayer of John the Revelator — “Even so, come, Lord Jesus.” God bless you.

This is Daniel Whyte III with the Second Coming Watch Update. This is update #903. Let’s take a quick look at today’s prophecy-related headlines which point towards the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ and the end of the world as we know it.

First, today, under the Sign category of WARS & RUMOURS OF WARS — According to Ynet News, A senior official from the Islamic militant group Hamas said incendiary balloons Palestinians launched from the Gaza Strip recently were a signal to Israel to accelerate unofficial “understandings” meant to ease the crippling blockade on the Hamas-ruled territory. The resumption of flammable balloons and other explosive devices flown across the border broke a month of calm that has largely prevailed since Hamas suspended its weekly protests along the Israeli-Gaza frontier. The quiet is meant to bolster an informal truce between Israel and Hamas brokered by international mediators. Speaking to journalists, Hamas official Khalil al-Hayya [KHUH-LEEL AL-HEY-UH] accused the Israelis of moving too slowly. He said the balloons had been launched by disgruntled individuals, not Hamas. But he said his group was “satisfied” with the launches and is ready to send more “if the occupation doesn’t pick up the message.” Israel and Egypt imposed a blockade on Gaza after Hamas, a militant group that seeks Israel’s destruction, seized control of the territory in 2007. The blockade, combined with Hamas’ mismanagement, has devastated the local economy. The incendiary balloons have not caused any damage or injuries on the Israeli side. But last week, an Israeli military helicopter struck an alleged Hamas target in Gaza in response to the resumption of the launches.

Second, today, under the Sign category of PESTILENCES AND FATAL EPIDEMIC DISEASES — According to Reuters, China put millions of people on lockdown in two cities at the epicenter of a coronavirus outbreak that has killed 18 people and infected more than 630, as authorities around the world worked to prevent a global pandemic. Health officials fear the transmission rate could accelerate as hundreds of millions of Chinese travel at home and abroad during week-long holidays for the Lunar New Year. Giving details on infections in China, state television said 634 cases had been confirmed. By the end of Wednesday, China’s National Health Commission confirmed 17 dead in the central province of Hubei [HOO-BAY]. The previously unknown virus strain is believed to have emerged late last year from illegally traded wildlife at an animal market in the capital of Hubei [HOO-BAY] province, Wuhan [WOO-HAHN]. Most transport in Wuhan [WOO-HAHN], a city of 11 million people, was suspended and people were told not to leave. Hours later, neighboring Huanggang [HWONG-GONG], a city of about 7 million people, announced a similar lockdown. The newly identified coronavirus has created alarm because there are a number of unknowns surrounding it. It is too early to know just how dangerous it is and how easily it spreads between people. There is no vaccine for the virus, which can spread through respiratory transmission.

Third, today, under the Sign category of RE-ESTABLISHMENT OF ISRAEL — According to Ynet News, At leats 6,300 police officers and other security forces were deployed to Jerusalem ahead of the arrival of high-profile dignitaries including Russian President Vladimir Putin, U.S. Vice President Mike Pence and other leaders from 49 countries, including 41 heads of state, the diplomatic event is set to become the biggest in the country’s history. The two-day event, which includes political meetings between world and Israeli leaders where discussions are expected to be held on the latest Iran tensions and the Mideast peace process, culminating in commemorations ceremony at Yad Vashem [YAD VAH-SHEM] Holocaust memorial and museum. France’s Emmanuel Macron met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Reuven Rivlin. The prime minister during the meeting urged the French leader to join the United States and Israel in putting pressure on Iran to stop its “aggressive nuclear activity.” Macron replied that France will be “inflexible” about Iran’s nuclear ambitions and that his country is determined Tehran will never acquire nuclear weapons. Netanyahu later said the two have agreed to “establish a strategic dialogue” between the two countries in an effort to advance common interests.

Fourth, today, under the Sign category of TURMOIL IN THE MIDDLE EAST — According to Haaretz, according to Israeli army intelligence estimates for 2020, Iran will have a sufficient amount of enriched uranium to produce one nuclear bomb by the end of the year. However, the Israeli army believes that at this stage, Tehran does not possess a missile capable of carrying a nuclear warhead, and would need at least two years to develop such capabilities. The United States’ exit from the nuclear agreement signed in 2015 brings intelligence officials to estimate that Iran’s nuclear program is running again after years of not violating the agreement. Intelligence evaluations reveal that by the end of the current year, Iran will have the 40 kilograms of 90% enriched uranium needed to produce a single nuclear bomb. The information available to the defense establishment indicates that Iran is currently at four percent enrichment. By mid-year will reach 20 percent enrichment, which is 70% of the bomb production process, and by the end of the year, Iran will be able to reach the required amount of enriched uranium for one bomb. On June 17, Iran said that it would surpass the deal’s 300-kilogram limit on low-enriched uranium, and quadrupled its production. It also threatened to raise enrichment closer to weapons-grade levels on July 7 if the three European countries that still support the 2015 agreement didn’t offer a new deal.

Fifth, today, under the Sign category of TURMOIL IN THE MIDDLE EAST — According to Israel Hayom, a survey released by the International Committee of the Red Cross has found that the majority of Israeli and Palestinian youth believe that the bitter Israeli-Palestinian conflict “will never end.” According to the ICRC survey of people between the ages of 20 and 35 living in war-affected areas, 65% of Israeli and 52% of Palestinian respondents said that they expected the rivalry to last for years, if not for the decades to come. The survey also revealed millennials to be anxious across the board, with 42% expecting a major catastrophic war to break out in their lifetime, and more than half fearing that a nuclear strike will be conducted within the next decade. The ICRC said in a statement: “In general, the results indicate that millennials are nervous about the future, and heightened tensions in the Middle East are likely to deepen these fears.” The simmering conflict has been ongoing for decades, and, formally, there are currently no peace talks between Israeli and Palestinian leaders – however, reports of Israel’s under-the-radar ceasefire talks with Hamas, the terrorist group that controls the Gaza Strip, have been emerging recently. Despite that, recent days saw yet another escalation, with the IDF bombing Hamas targets in Gaza following terrorist rocket fire on Israeli communities near the border.

——–

The prophetic passage of Scripture that we are looking at today is Ezekiel. Ezekiel 1:1-3 reads: “Now it came to pass in the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, in the fifth day of the month, as I was among the captives by the river of Chebar [KEY-BAR], that the heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God. In the fifth day of the month, which was the fifth year of king Jehoiachin’s [JEH-HOY-AH-KIN] captivity, The word of the Lord came expressly unto Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi [BU-ZEE], in the land of the Chaldeans by the river Chebar [KEY-BAR]; and the hand of the Lord was there upon him.”

Allow me to share with you some commentary on this passage from Exploring Bible Prophecy from Genesis to Revelation, by Tim LaHaye and Ed Hindson.

Ezekiel, whose name means “God strengthens,” was raised as a priest in Jerusalem until he was taken captive by Nebuchadnezzar to Babylon in 597 B.C., some 11 years before the destruction of the city and burning of the temple by the Babylonians. A contemporary with the prophets Jeremiah and Daniel, who shared the exilic experience, Ezekiel resided in the Babylonian village of Nippur [NIP-PUR] (Tel Abib [AH-VEEV]) beside the river Chebar [KEY-BAR], which served as Nebuchadnezzar’s royal canal. In the fifth year of his exile (592 B.C.) Ezekiel was called to prophesy to his fellow exiles for about 22 years, reminding them of the reason for God’s judgment of the nation and reassuring them of God’s promise of future restoration. God apparently desired to use a man with priestly training to bring this unique prophetic message focused on the temple and its priestly service. As a priest, Ezekiel would have uniquely been concerned for the re-establishment of the legitimate Zadokite [ZA-DOH-KITE] priesthood. The very fact that the Zadokite [ZA-DOH-KITE] priesthood was not reinstated with the return to Jerusalem and the rebuilding of the second temple indicates that the prophecies of Ezekiel were intended for fulfillment in the eschatological (millennial) age.

The book of Ezekiel follows the prophetic pattern of announcing ruin and then restoration for national Israel. While the whole of the book was once prophetic, from the exilic and postexilic perspective it may be divided into two divisions with respect to historical and eschatological fulfillment. The first division (chapters 4-32) contains near-fulfillment predictions, which were necessary to confirm Ezekiel’s credentials as a prophet as well as meet the need of the Babylonian exiles who were awaiting word concerning their nation’s fate. This division may be subdivided as the judgment of Judah (chapters 1-24), the judgment of the seven Gentile nations that surrounded Israel in all directions (chapters 25-32), and the judgment of those Judeans who remained in the land during the exile (chapter 33). This first section has been historically fulfilled, principally in the events of the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem and the deportation of Judeans to Babylon (586-538 B.C.). Ezekiel’s prophecies in this first section focus on Judah’s cultic desecration by both priests and people alike, and Jerusalem’s destruction in accord with the curses contained in the Mosaic law for national covenant violation (Ezekiel 4-24). These prophecies were communicated through symbolic demonstration (chapters 4-5), sermonic pronouncements (chapters 6-7), prophetic visions (chapters 8-11), and various prophetic signs and parabolic declarations (chapters 12-24).

If the Lord tarries His Coming and we live, we will continue looking at the prophetic passages of the Bible in our next broadcast / podcast.

Our Second Coming quote for today is from Tony Garland. He said, “Jesus came the first time in humiliation; He will return in exaltation. He came the first time to be killed; He will return to kill His enemies. He came the first time to serve; He will return to be served. He came the first time as the suffering servant; He will return as the conquering king. The challenge the book of Revelation makes to every person is to be ready for His return.”

Let’s Pray

***

If you are not ready for the return of Jesus Christ, may I encourage you to get ready today by receiving Him as your Savior. Here is how.

First, accept the fact that you are a sinner, and that you have broken God’s law. The Bible says in Romans 3:23: “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.”

Second, accept the fact that there is a penalty for sin. The Bible states in Romans 6:23: “For the wages of sin is death…”

Third, accept the fact that you are on the road to hell. Jesus Christ said in Matthew 10:28: “And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” Also, the Bible states in Revelation 21:8: “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.”

Now that is bad news, but here is the good news. Jesus Christ said in John 3:16: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

Just believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead by the power of God for you so that you can live eternally with Him. Pray and ask Him to come into your heart today, and He will. Romans 10:13 says, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

Keep looking up for your redemption draweth nigh. Let us join in the prayer of John the Revelator — “Even so, come, Lord Jesus.” God bless you.

This is Daniel Whyte III with the Second Coming Watch Update. This is update #902. Let’s take a quick look at today’s prophecy-related headlines which point towards the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ and the end of the world as we know it.

First, today, under the Sign category of WARS & RUMOURS OF WARS — According to The Times of Israel, Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani said the country is now enriching more uranium than it was before a 2015 deal with world powers that was supposed to scale back its nuclear activities, and in particular enrichment. Rouhani said in a televised speech according to the Reuters news agency, “We are enriching more uranium than before the deal was reached. Pressure has increased on Iran but we continue to progress.” Rouhani also said he is working “daily to prevent war” as relations between Tehran and Washington go through a new period of maximum tension. He said: “The government is working daily to prevent a military confrontation or war,” and insisted that though dialogue between Iran and the world was difficult, it was still “possible.” The 2015 nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, or JCPOA, seeks to prevent Iran from producing a nuclear weapon — something Iran insists it does not want to do — by putting curbs on its atomic program in exchange for economic incentives. After one of its top generals was killed in a US drone attack earlier this month, Iran announced that it would no longer respect limits set on how many centrifuges it can use to enrich uranium. Tehran said the new move was a “remedial step” in line with the deal and that it could be reversed.

Second, today, under the Sign category of THE RISE OF GOG AND MAGOG — According to USA Today,
Russian state news agency Tass reported that Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev resigned along with the country’s entire Cabinet. Medvedev made the announcement after Russia’s President Vladimir Putin unveiled a series of constitutional changes that Medvedev said would alter the country’s balance of power. Medvedev is a longtime close Putin ally. He has served as Russia’s prime minister since 2012. Before that, he spent four years as president, 2008-12. Mikhail Mishustin [MIK-HAI-IL MIS-HU-STIN], the head of Russia’s tax agency, was named the new prime minister. Tass said Putin thanked Medvedev for his service but noted that the prime minister’s Cabinet failed to fulfill all the objectives set for it. The news agency said Putin plans to name Medvedev as a deputy in Russia’s Security Council. It was not immediately clear whether Putin asked for Medvedev to go and if his role in the Security Council – which he accepted – is a promotion or a demotion. Putin, who has been in power in Russia for more than two decades, is a former KGB officer who rose out of the shadows of Russia’s intelligence agencies when it was still the Soviet Union. Medvedev’s resignation could be a sign that Putin wants to try to extend his 20-year rule after his term of office formally expires in 2024.

Third, today, under the Sign category of PESTILENCES AND FATAL EPIDEMIC DISEASES — According to Voice of America News, Chinese officials and the World Health Organization are trying to contain an outbreak of pneumonia in the central Chinese city of Wuhan [WOO-HAN]. Health experts suspect that the pneumonia cases could be linked to a new form of coronavirus. The virus is blamed for at least one death. The WHO has said there may have been limited human-to-human transmission of the virus within families. Chinese officials say a seafood market in Wuhan [WOO-HAN] is thought to be at the center of the outbreak. Officials said some of the sick have denied visiting the market. The outbreak comes two weeks before the start of the Lunar New Year holiday, when many of China’s 1.4 billion people will be traveling to their hometowns or overseas. WHO and Chinese officials are taking steps to ensure the disease does not spread. The officials in Wuhan confirmed that Thailand has quarantined a Chinese woman. It is the first case of the mystery strain of coronavirus to be found outside of China. The coronavirus is from a family of viruses that can cause both the common cold and more serious diseases. The outbreak in Wuhan [WOO-HAN] has made some in China think of SARS, short for severe acute respiratory syndrome. SARS is a coronavirus that first struck southern China in late 2002. It then spread to more than 24 countries, killing nearly 800 people.

Fourth, today, under the Sign category of TURMOIL IN THE MIDDLE EAST — According to Al Jazeera, the Syrian army said Israeli jets have attacked the main T4 airbase in Homs province, adding that its air defences downed several missiles in an attack that caused material damage. An army spokesman told state media that four Israeli missiles did reach the base but said air defences intercepted and destroyed several others. According to state news agency SANA, there were no casualties in the attack. An army statement said, “The Israeli air force conducted new aerial aggression and immediately our air defences confronted the enemy missiles.” The Israeli military did not immediately comment. Syrian state television initially did not say who was behind the attack on the major airbase, located some 25 miles from the city of Palmyra [PAL-MAI-RUH]. Israel accuses the base of hosting an Iranian military presence and has targeted it several times in recent years.

Fifth, today, under the Sign category of WARS & RUMOURS OF WARS — According to SpaceWar.com, Firebrand Iraqi leader Moqtada Sadr [MOK-TAH-DAH SA-DUR] called for a peaceful “million-strong march” against US troops in Iraq, days after parliament urged their departure following Washington’s killing of an Iranian general in a drone strike. Further upping the pressure on the American deployment, Katyusha [KAH-TOO-SHAH] rockets targeted an Iraqi airbase north of Baghdad where US-led coalition forces are based, in the latest attack on American forces in the country. Sadr [SA-DUR], a populist Shiite politician and cleric, wrote on Twitter, “The skies, land and sovereignty of Iraq are being violated every day by occupying forces.” He urged Iraqis to hold “a million-strong, peaceful, unified demonstration to condemn the American presence and its violations”, without giving a date. The United States on January 3 killed Iran’s revered Quds [KUDS] Force chief Qasem Soleimani [KAH-SEM SO-LEH-MAH-NEE] in a Baghdad drone strike that also killed a senior Iraqi military official. The Iraqi parliament responded by voting on January 5 to oust foreign forces — including some 5,200 American troops — who have backed the fight against Islamic State jihadists since 2014. Bases where US forces are stationed have been under a steady stream of rocket attacks for several months that have killed one American contractor and one Iraqi soldier.

——–

The prophetic passage of Scripture that we are looking at today is Lamentations. Lamentations 1:21-22 reads: “They have heard that I sigh: there is none to comfort me: all mine enemies have heard of my trouble; they are glad that thou hast done it: thou wilt bring the day that thou hast called, and they shall be like unto me. Let all their wickedness come before thee; and do unto them, as thou hast done unto me for all my transgressions: for my sighs are many, and my heart is faint.”

Allow me to share with you some commentary on this passage from Exploring Bible Prophecy from Genesis to Revelation, by Tim LaHaye and Ed Hindson.

This book is a poetic dirge written by the prophet Jeremiah. It serves as an eyewitness account of the destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians in 586 B.C. Lamentations contains no future eschatology. Rather, it is an expression of the prophet’s sorrow as he laments the fulfillment of his own prophecies. In a series of poignant portraits, he pictures Jerusalem as a mourning widow (chapter 1), a fallen queen (chapter 2), a broken man (chapter 3), a tarnished treasure (chapter 4), and an orphan child (chapter 5). Yet in the very heart of his lament Jeremiah triumphantly exclaims, “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. The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore I will hope in Him”. Perhaps that is the greatest prophetic hope of all. No matter what happends, God is in control!

Lamentations contains only a few passages of an eschatological nature. In 1:21 Jeremiah asks God to “bring the day which You have proclaimed,” the day of God’s judgment of Israel’s enemies. In verse 22 Jeremiah asks God to punish those enemies.

In 3:31 Jeremiah predicts that the Lord will not cast Israel off forever. He will show compassion according to the multitude of His mercies. Following this, Jeremiah asks God to repay Israel’s enemies, give them a veiled heart, put a curse on them, and destroy them. Then in 4:21-22 the prophet announces specifically that Edom will be judged and punished.

Next, in 5:19, Jeremiah proclaims that God and His throne will remain forever. And finally, in 5:21 he asks God to turn Israel back to Him and restore the people as a nation.

The prophecies concerning Israel’s enemies will ultimately be fulfilled during the Tribulation and as Jesus Christ returns to the earth to establish His promised messianic kingdom. The throne and kingdom of Christ are eternal, as is His commitment to His covenants with Israel.

If the Lord tarries His Coming and we live, we will continue looking at the prophetic passages of the Bible in our next broadcast / podcast.

Our Second Coming quote for today is from Martin Luther. He said, “I hope that the day is near at hand when the advent of the great God will appear, for all things everywhere are boiling, burning, moving, falling, sinking, groaning.”

Let’s Pray

***

If you are not ready for the return of Jesus Christ, may I encourage you to get ready today by receiving Him as your Savior. Here is how.

First, accept the fact that you are a sinner, and that you have broken God’s law. The Bible says in Romans 3:23: “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.”

Second, accept the fact that there is a penalty for sin. The Bible states in Romans 6:23: “For the wages of sin is death…”

Third, accept the fact that you are on the road to hell. Jesus Christ said in Matthew 10:28: “And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” Also, the Bible states in Revelation 21:8: “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.”

Now that is bad news, but here is the good news. Jesus Christ said in John 3:16: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

Just believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead by the power of God for you so that you can live eternally with Him. Pray and ask Him to come into your heart today, and He will. Romans 10:13 says, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

Keep looking up for your redemption draweth nigh. Let us join in the prayer of John the Revelator — “Even so, come, Lord Jesus.” God bless you.

This is Daniel Whyte III with the Second Coming Watch Update. This is update #901. Let’s take a quick look at today’s prophecy-related headlines which point towards the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ and the end of the world as we know it.

First, today, under the Sign category of WARS & RUMOURS OF WARS — According to Israel National News, Iran launched more than a dozen ballistic missiles against US military and coalition forces in Iraq. The Pentagon confirmed in a statement: “It is clear that these missiles were launched from Iran and targeted at least two Iraqi military bases hosting US military and coalition personnel at Al-Assad [AL-AH-SAHD] and Irbil [ER-BILL]. We are working on initial battle damage assessments. In recent days and in response to Iranian threats and actions, the Department of Defense has taken all appropriate measures to safeguard our personnel and partners. These bases have been on high alert due to indications that the Iranian regime planned to attack our forces and interests in the region. As we evaluate the situation and our response, we will take all necessary measures to protect and defend US personnel, partners, and allies in the region.” Iran state TV said that Tehran launched “tens” of surface-to-surface missiles at the Ain Assad [AYN AH-SAHD] air base which houses US troops in Iraq. State TV described the attack as Tehran’s revenge operation over the killing of Gen. Qassem Soleimani [KAH-SEM SO-LEH-MAH-NEE], head of the Quds [KUDS] Force of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard. The network said the operation’s name was “Marytr Soleimani” [SO-LEH-MAH-NEE] and added the Guard’s aerospace division, which controls Iran’s missile program, launched the attack. The Revolutionary Guards warned the United States and its allies in the area against responding to the missile attack. They threatened that “US allies in the region would be attacked if the US uses them for attacks against Tehran.” A US defense official said Iran launched 15 missiles, of which 11 hit their targets and four failed in flight. There were no reports so far of US casualties in the attack.

Second, today, under the Sign category of PESTILENCES & FATAL EPIDEMIC DISEASES — According to the BBC, the World Health Organization said the number of people killed by a measles epidemic in the Democratic Republic of Congo has passed 6,000. The WHO says the epidemic is the world’s largest and fastest moving. Around 310,000 suspected measles cases have been reported since the start of 2019. The Congolese government and the WHO launched an emergency vaccination programme last September. More than 18 million children under five were vaccinated across the country in 2019. But poor infrastructure, attacks on health centres and a lack of access to routine healthcare have all hindered efforts to stop the spread of the disease. Every one of the country’s 26 provinces has reported cases of measles since the outbreak was declared in June last year. DR Congo is also experiencing the second most deadly outbreak of Ebola the world has ever seen but this has killed less than half as many people as measles in the country.

Third, today, under the Sign category of TURMOIL IN THE MIDDLE EAST — According to Israel National News, Speaking at the Kohelet [KOH-HEH-LEHT] Forum Conference in Jerusalem, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that Israel would strike a “resounding blow” if attacked by arch foe Iran, as regional tensions soar after the US killing of a top Iranian general. The premier told the Kohelet [KOH-HEH-LEHT] Policy Forum conference in Jerusalem that “anyone who attacks us will receive a resounding blow,” after Iran launched a salvo of retaliatory missile strikes on bases used by US troops deployed to Iraq. Netanyahu has described the target of last week’s US drone strike – Major General Qassem Soleimani [KAH-SEM SO-LEH-MAH-NEE], commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards foreign operations arm — as a “terrorist-in-chief”. Despite the threat, however, sources in Israel’s security establishment estimated that Iran’s response to the latest escalation would be measured, and that Iran would most likely not target Israel.

Fourth, today, under the Sign category of EARTHQUAKES IN DIVERS PLACES — According to The Associated Press, Thousands of people fled their homes on Puerto Rico’s southwest coast after a 10-day string of earthquakes crescendoed in a powerful magnitude 6.4 tremor that crushed an elderly man, injured at least eight other people and sent buildings tumbling to the ground. Hours after the predawn quake cut power to the entire U.S. territory, a large swath of southern Puerto Rico was shaken by smaller quakes late into the afternoon. Seismologists said there was no way of knowing when the series of quakes would ease, prompting Puerto Ricans to stay with friends or family or even sleep outdoors far from the coast, fearful of collapsing buildings or a tsunami. Most of the damage occurred in Guánica [GWAN-EE-KAH], where a three-story school collapsed. The morning quake cut electricity to the island as power plants shut down to protect themselves. Authorities said two plants suffered light damage and they expected power to be restored later. Puerto Rico’s governor, Wanda Vásquez, declared a state of emergency and activated the territory’s National Guard. She said some 300,000 households remained without running water, and several hundred people were in shelters. She said: “We’re talking about an event that Puerto Rico hasn’t experienced in 102 years and we’re talking about something that we can’t predict.”

Fifth, today, under the Sign category of WARS & RUMOURS OF WARS — According to Israel National News, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards warned the US against “more provocations” and threatened to attack its allies, including Israel, if Washington retaliates for an Iranian missile attack on bases in Iraq hosting US soldiers. The IRGC said in a statement: “We warn the Great Satan, the bloodthirsty and arrogant regime of the US, that any new wicked act or more moves and aggressions (against Iran) will bring about more painful and crushing responses. We are warning all US allies who gave their bases to its terrorist army that any territory that in any way becomes the starting point of hostile and aggressive acts against the Islamic Republic of Iran will be targeted. We in no way consider the Zionist regime (of Israel) to be separated from the criminal US regime in these crimes.” The IRGC urged the American people to call for the return of US forces from the region in order to prevent further losses and not to allow the Washington government to put the lives of American troops at risk any more. Earlier, the Pentagon confirmed that Iran launched more than a dozen ballistic missiles against US military and coalition forces in Iraq. The Iranian attack follows several days of back-and-forth threats between the US and Iran following Qasem Soleimani’s [KAH-SEM SO-LEH-MAH-NEE’s] death. Soleimani’s [SO-LEH-MAH-NEE’s] successor, Brig. Gen. Esmail Ghaani [IS-MAY-EL GAH-NEE], threatened the US hours after the air strike which killed Soleimani [SO-LEH-MAH-NEE], saying, “Everyone should be patient a little to see the bodies of American soldiers all over the Middle East.”

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The prophetic passage of Scripture that we are looking at today is Jeremiah 50-51. Jeremiah 51:59-64 reads: “The word which Jeremiah the prophet commanded Seraiah [SER-RUH-RY-UH] the son of Neriah [NUH-RY-UH], the son of Maaseiah [MAH-UH-SY-UH], when he went with Zedekiah the king of Judah into Babylon in the fourth year of his reign. And this Seraiah [SER-RUH-RY-UH] was a quiet prince. So Jeremiah wrote in a book all the evil that should come upon Babylon, even all these words that are written against Babylon. And Jeremiah said to Seraiah [SER-RUH-RY-UH], When thou comest to Babylon, and shalt see, and shalt read all these words; Then shalt thou say, O Lord, thou hast spoken against this place, to cut it off, that none shall remain in it, neither man nor beast, but that it shall be desolate for ever. And it shall be, when thou hast made an end of reading this book, that thou shalt bind a stone to it, and cast it into the midst of Euphrates: And thou shalt say, Thus shall Babylon sink, and shall not rise from the evil that I will bring upon her: and they shall be weary. Thus far are the words of Jeremiah.”

Allow me to share with you some commentary on this passage from Exploring Bible Prophecy from Genesis to Revelation, by Tim LaHaye and Ed Hindson.

This is the point of the symbolic action: Just as the scroll will sink because of the weight of the rock, so will Babylon sink because of the weight of Babylon’s sins and because of the principle of Genesis 12:3: “The one who curses you I will curse.” Babylon cursed the Jews, and now God will curse Babylon. Just as the rock will keep the scroll from ever rising to the surface, so will Babylon never rise again.

The Babylon of Jeremiah 50-51 is not the ancient Babylon of history, but the future Babylon of prophecy. The Babylon of prophecy is yet to be rebuilt. It will become the economic and political capital of the world and then be destroyed in the second of the eight stages of the campaign of Armageddon. It is after this destruction that Babylon will never be built again. Instead, it will become a continual wasteland of burning pitch and brimstone, including during the 1,000-year millennial kingdom. According to Revelation 18:1-3, indeed, no man will live there, no animal will live there, but demons will reside there as part of God’s divine judgment.

If the Lord tarries His Coming and we live, we will continue looking at the prophetic passages of the Bible in our next broadcast / podcast.

Our Second Coming quote for today is from Vance Havner. He said, “Some of the saints are singing about the Second Coming, but it is one thing just to sing the national anthem during the war and quite another to go into battle. The best evidence that the Lord’s return has really gotten hold of us is when we occupy till He come, do business for God, buy up the opportunities, because the days are evil.”

Let’s Pray

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If you are not ready for the return of Jesus Christ, may I encourage you to get ready today by receiving Him as your Savior. Here is how.

First, accept the fact that you are a sinner, and that you have broken God’s law. The Bible says in Romans 3:23: “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.”

Second, accept the fact that there is a penalty for sin. The Bible states in Romans 6:23: “For the wages of sin is death…”

Third, accept the fact that you are on the road to hell. Jesus Christ said in Matthew 10:28: “And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” Also, the Bible states in Revelation 21:8: “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.”

Now that is bad news, but here is the good news. Jesus Christ said in John 3:16: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

Just believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead by the power of God for you so that you can live eternally with Him. Pray and ask Him to come into your heart today, and He will. Romans 10:13 says, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

Keep looking up for your redemption draweth nigh. Let us join in the prayer of John the Revelator — “Even so, come, Lord Jesus.” God bless you.