Sound The Midnight Cry

“When The Wall Falls”

Most people have heard of the Great Wall of China. It spans more than 3800 miles in length and has existed for almost 600 years. It includes other barriers, like trenches, rivers and hills are added in, the total length of the defensive line comes to 5,500 miles. It was built for defensive purposes and has a history of being successful in repelling most invaders.

Yet today, this wall is useless against an invader that started behind the wall and now has spread around the world at an alarming rate. As the numbers of infected and dead soar exponentially with the Wuhan Coronavirus, its impact is being felt not only among those in the World Health Organization (WHO), it’s beginning to impact the world’s financial markets.

Bloomberg macro strategist Mark Cudmore noted that this ‘black swan’ event is exposing the fragilities, and vulnerability, of financial markets that long ago disconnected from past fundamental foundations.

Mr. Cudmore stated further, “Markets are driven by narratives, and the virus outbreak that has now spread in four continents is finding investors at a particularly vulnerable time, with valuations in many risk assets arguably stretched and volatility near record lows…Less than two weeks ago in this column, I argued that only a black swan event would see expensive stock markets correct lower, since there was no obvious negative catalyst on the horizon. This outbreak has the potential to be that kind of event.”

As of this writing, WHO has declared this a “global health emergency” and the Dow Jones Industrials responded in a drop of 600 points and may go lower.

Not knowing how this coronavirus situation will evolve, it’s already impacting global markets as major airlines announced today stoppage of flights to and from China. This as Chinese authorities admitted that the transmission and death counts are increasing. 

The virus has shutdown major parts of the Chinese economy. China has already extended the Lunar New Year holiday to prevent the spread of the virus. The holiday, which sees hundreds of millions of people travel around the country to visit family, was due to finish on Thursday this week. Meanwhile, restaurants and other public spaces are closed, and public events canceled. This all happening at a normally major consumption period will not only hurt domestic growth, but global companies with business in China will be impacted as China is the growth engine for many economies.

In Luke 21:10-11, Jesus tells his disciples regarding signs or events pointing to the Last Days, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. ¹¹ There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven.” 

Pestilence: not a word often used in the English language. Pestilence means a deadly and overwhelming disease that affects an entire community. The Black Plague, a disease that killed over thirty percent of Europe's population, was certainly a pestilence.

Pestilence is also the name of one of the Four Horseman in the Book of Revelations 6:7-8.

While some will try to say that this latest coronavirus is a fulfillment of that prophecy, they would be wrong. Jesus simply states that these signs are the beginning of “birth pangs” pointing to His return.

So, whether it’s the Wall of China or Wall Street that this or any other virus attacks, let it remind you that Jesus Christ is coming again!

“The Israel - God Connection”

“All things are mortal, except the Jew. Other forces pass but he remains. What is the secret of his immortality?” So wrote Mark Twain a hundred years before modern day Israel came into being in 1948.

It’s a good question as Jews has been the target of hundreds of separate efforts aimed at their annihilation down through the centuries; more so than any other ethnic group in human history. Why is this?

The Jewish people by their very existence, prove the existence of God. Therefore, their destruction would disprove Bible prophecies (God’s declarations); hence, disproving God’s existence.

Jeremiah 31:35-36 says, “This is what the Lord says, he who appoints the sun to shine by day, who decrees the moon and stars to shine by night, who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar—the Lord Almighty is his name: ³⁶ “Only if these decrees vanish from my sight,” declares the Lord, “will Israel ever cease being a nation before me.”

Is it any wonder why we see attempts to erase the nation and thereby the people of Israel?

Anti-Semitism is on the rise all across the globe including in the United States. In Europe, it’s been said that the hatred being shown towards Jews today is worse than before Hitler’s march to eradicate them from the earth.

More than 120 members of Congress issued letters of support to the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR), an anti-Israel organization that was an unindicted co-conspirator in the Holy Land Foundation terror case that proved connections to the terrorist group Hamas and other radical Islamic entities. Democratic 2020 presidential candidates Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Sen. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) and billionaire Tom Steyer issued letters of support.

CAIR and other groups are behind the BDS Movement. BDS stands for the boycott, divest and sanction movement against Israel which aims to strangle the Jewish state economically while at the same time calling for the flooding of Palestinians into Israel to destroy the Jewish character of the state.

The definition of anti-Semitism by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance and officially adopted by the U.S. (and 31 other nations), the BDS movement has been deemed at its core an anti-Semitic movement.

There is also a movement within Christian denominations that attempts to spiritualize the Jews, transfer God’s promises to the Church, and deny Bible prophecy by claiming all was fulfilled in AD 70 with the destruction of the Temple. This is known as “Replacement Theology” and is being taught in churches across the United States and other nations. The existence of Israel is a difficult problem for their theological worldview, and so are Christians who support that existence based on the authority of Bible prophecy.

Zechariah 12:3 says, “One day all the nations on earth will come together to attack Jerusalem, but I will make it like a heavy rock; anyone who tries to move it will get hurt.” 

This verse speaks of a specific time in the near future, but we are already seeing the formation of this prophecy today.

When the disciples of Jesus asked him about the signs of the Last Days, he told them, “Learn a lesson from the fig tree: When its branches become green and soft and new leaves appear, you know summer is near. 33 In the same way, when you see all these things happening, you will know that the time is near, ready to come.” 

The attempt to eradicate the Jews, Israel and the existence of God are another bloom on the fig tree; Jesus is coming soon!

“The Russian Bear Sharpens Its Claws”

Imagine waking up tomorrow morning to find that the entire United States Government resigned; what would your first thoughts be? It sounds like the opening scene of a science fiction techno-thriller movie.

As crazy as it sounds, something along those lines happened this past week as the entire Russian government led by former Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev resigned. It happened after Russian President Vladimir Putin gave a speech on bringing about constitutional reform in Russia.  

The Russian PM Medvedev stated that this was “to give President Vladimir Putin room to carry out the changes he wants to make to the Russian constitution.” He said that the constitutional reforms presented by Putin would make significant changes to the country's balance of power and so it made it necessary for the current government structure to be dissolved. Medvedev also added that “All further decisions will be taken by the president”.

The announcement came during Putin's annual state of the nation address during which he proposed changes to the Russian constitution that would give Parliament a more powerful role.

The changes Putin proposed to the Russian constitution will give more authority to parliament, including the power to choose the prime minister and senior cabinet members, instead of the president as under the current system.

Proposed changes would also include enhancing the role of regional governors, tightening the residency requirements for presidential candidates and other top officials, and giving the Federation Council, Russia's upper chamber, powers over the appointment of security officials.

The package of reforms will be presented sometime in the future to allow the citizens to vote for or against it. However, considering that the whole government has now resigned, it appears that a vote may be for appearance sake.

The move is intended according to many, for Putin to retain power after the end of his presidency in 2024. Putin is suffering a drop in public confidence as a recent poll revealed that two out of five Russians would not like to see President Vladimir Putin stay in office after his current term ends in 2024.

Alexey Chesnakov, a political analyst who previously served as a Kremlin aide, told The Wall Street Journal, “It's not clear what role he will play, what will his status be. The only thing which is clear is that he will keep his role as the No. 1 person”.

The former KGB operative has been in power for more than 20 years, longer than any other Russian or Soviet leader since Josef Stalin, who led from 1924 until his death in 1953. 

Some political insiders believe that the proposed reform is a way for Putin to continue ruling Russia after his fourth Kremlin term, perhaps as a behind-the-scenes role. This could make Putin Russia's President or shadow leader for life.

It is clear that Putin is sharpening the claws of the Russian Bear; for what reasons, only time will tell. But the Bible does tell us that a powerful leader from the North will lead an invasion into the land of Israel. The names of the nations involved in it clearly point to Russia and a confederacy of nations.

Israel’s recent discovery of oil and gas make it a prime target. With the current Middle East situation heating up and with Putin’s hand right in the middle of it, one has to wonder how long before the Russian Bear will make its move?

This is one more sign pointing to the fulfillment of biblical prophecies that point to the ultimate sign—the return of Jesus Christ to earth as King of kings and Lord of lords!

“Red Flag Warning”

A red flag warning is a forecast warning issued by the National Weather Service in the United States to inform the public, firefighters, and land management agencies that conditions are ideal for wildland fire combustion, and rapid spread.

A red flag warning at a beach is also used to warn swimmers of severe hazards in the water. One red flag means that the surf is high or there are dangerous currents or both. Two red flags, however, means that the water is closed to swimming, as conditions are too dangerous for even the strongest swimmers.

Most Americans have no clue about as recent red flag warning and its implications to them and the rest of the world.

For the first time in history, a blood red flag is being flown over the famous Jamkaran Mosque. The hoisting of this flag was broadcast on Iranian state television to send a message to Shiites everywhere. What was that message?  

According to Shiite tradition a red flag represents both “blood spilled unjustly” and is a call for retaliation. The Iranians want blood and will never forgive us for the killing of General Qassem Soleimani. They believe that their faith requires that his death be avenged.

However, those that understand their idea of Islam know that something much bigger than simply extracting sufficient revenge for the death of a deeply loved national leader. Iranians seem to be using this moment as a call to wage jihad against all of the enemies of Shia Islam.

And there is another interesting aspect to this Red Flag event: The Jamarkaran Mosque is considered to be one of the holiest sites in Shia Islam, and it is also associated with the future reappearance of the Mahdi (the Muslim Messiah). 

As the flag was raised in Qom, the mosque speakers called, “O Allah, hasten your custodian reappearance,” a reference to the end-times reappearance of the Mahdi.

This is why most politicians fail to understand the futility in trying to broker peace in the Middle East. Most of the national leaders in Iran and around the world that ascribe to the Shia version of Islam, believe that the 12th imam, Muhammad al-Mahdi, was born in Iraq in 869 and never died. They believe that he is in hiding and waiting for the opportune moment to reappear. Their “End Time” belief is that just before judgement day, the Mahdi (their Messiah) will reappear along with Jesus during a time of war and chaos “to bring peace to the world and establish Islam as the ruling faith across the globe”.  

This is why the former president of Iran, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, spent millions of dollars building roads and facilities in preparation for the return of The Mahdi. He even stated before the UN Assembly that his purpose in life was to create the needed chaos to force the Mahdi to reappear.

This is why it is so important to understand the mindset of these radical Shiites. The Mahdi is supposed to return during the coming apocalyptic war and establish Shia Islam as the faith of the entire planet. For this reason, they could care less what President Trump, or any nation threatens. If they die as martyrs, they will be rewarded as such in the afterlife. If they live through the coming holy war, they will get to see the coming of the Mahdi, and they will help to institute the global rule of Shia Islam. Either way, they believe they can't lose.

The Bible is clear that a man of perdition is coming in the Last Days. It also says that the end of the age will be marked by war and violence around the world with a focus on Israel.

The red flag event over the Jamkaran Mosque is pointing to danger now—but also to the fulfillment of biblical prophecy. Those with understanding of those prophecies, are looking for the return of the true Messiah—Jesus Christ!

Are you?

 

“Upside-Down World”

Imagine waking up from a coma after 20 years and trying to grasp hold of the changes that have happened while you were unconscious. This happened to Sarah Scantlin in 2005 and during that time we saw major historical events and cultural changes take place including 9/11.

That’s kind of what I experienced last week when I read that Pope Francis said that Christians should never try to convert others to Christianity.

Now, the current Pope has said a lot of controversial things over the years, such as “Muslim terrorism does not exist”. He told a gay man that “God made you that way”, and recently called Christian fundamentalists as “a scourge”.  

His latest statement however, is the proverbial “icing on the cake”. A high school student asked him, “If an atheist came to you and asked you a fundamental reason to start believing what would you answer?” His response? They should respect people of other faiths and not attempt to convert them to Christianity, insisting “we are not living in the times of the crusades.”

He continued by saying, “If someone says you are a disciple of Jesus and comes to you with proselytism, this is not a disciple of Jesus. Proselytism is not done; the Church does not grow by proselytism.”

Regarding people of other faiths or no faith, the Pope said, “we are all the same, all children of God” and that true disciples of Jesus do not proselytize.

And in case misunderstood his statement, he reiterated it again: “Football teams proselytize, this can be done. Political parties can be done there. But with faith there is no proselytism.”

So, in his Upside-Down World, Christians are never supposed to try to convert anyone with the message of the Gospel.

The problem with that position, however, is it directly contradicts the words of Jesus Christ! Just a few Scriptures are needed to disprove the Pope’s statement (though many could be cited):

Matthew 28:19-20 - Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ teaching them to observe all things I have commanded you.

Mark 16:15-16 - He said to them, “Go into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved. But he who does not believe will be condemned.

These and other passages clearly state that the mission of the Church is declare the Gospel of Jesus Christ and make disciples to His teachings.

As to the idea that Christians should never “speak” the Good News, then the Apostle Paul who wrote most of the New Testament, was in error. We are told in Acts 17:4, “As was his custom, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures.”

If Christians are not supposed to share their faith through words, then Romans 10:14 should be ripped out of the Bible. “How, then, can they call on the One they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the One of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?”

One has to wonder “why?” anyone, least of all a church leader, would tell Christians not to “tell” people about the only path to hope and security that is attained only in Jesus Christ?

The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the greatest news that anyone could possibly ever receive, and every person that professes to be a Christian, should be trying to share it with everyone that they can. 

If the early church leaders were to look at the Christian Church today, they would surely think the world has flipped upside down.

I think it’s time to turn it “right-side up”!