thetrumpet--2020-03-20--False Dawns?: Asia Suffering Second Wave of Coronavirus Infections

Shoppers wait in a line , hundreds of people deep , to enter a Costco store in Novato , California , on March 14 .
Hoards of shoppers rushed to stock up on toilet paper , paper towels and cleaning supplies because of coronavirus .
The world is panicking and locking down in response to a virus .
Some are asking , is God angry with mankind ?
The answer should dictate your response .
Why is this happening ?
Coronavirus is grinding the world to a halt .
Countries are locking down , closing borders and banning public gatherings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ events are being canceled .
Cities are eerily quiet .
Masses of people are being forced to stay home .
Hoarding is rampant .
Store shelves are empty .
Shoppers are panicking .
Businesses are being destroyed .
Stocks are plunging , and economies—national and global—are being ravaged .
Is God angry with mankind ?
Is this fulfilling Bible prophecy ?
What can we learn from this extraordinary event ?
When we experience this kind of disruption and trial , we need to learn what we can from it .
We don ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ everything ends as quickly as possible simply so we can return to life exactly as before .
You need to know what the Bible says .
You need to know what a Christian ’ s response should be .
You need to know how to react , physically and spiritually—because even more-serious crises are coming .
United States President Donald Trump declared Sunday , March 15 , a “ National Day of Prayer for All Americans Affected by the Coronavirus Pandemic and for Our National Response Efforts.
” In a White House statement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lot of churches were closing , “ in this time we must not cease asking God for added wisdom , comfort and strength , and we must especially pray for those who have suffered harm or who have lost loved ones.
” He asked for people “ to pray for God ’ s healing hand to be placed on the people of our nation , ” to “ pray for the health and well-being of your fellow Americans , and to remember that no problem is too big for God to handle .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ we will overcome this threat.
” It was a fairly tame proclamation .
It said nothing about why God might be allowing this pandemic .
It avoided talk of humbling ourselves before God or seeking to restore God ’ s favor .
It didn ’ t mention repentance , or turning from sin .
It merely recommended asking God for comfort , strength , protection , health and healing .
Still , many people reacted viscerally .
They ridiculed prayer as being “ anti-science.
” One woman tweeted : “ Wishful thinking isn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ care available to those who are sick .
Wishful thinking isn ’ t going to feed people or pay their bills .
It doesn ’ t keep us warm or safe from harm.
” Rep. Rashida Tlaib issued a vulgar response scorning national prayer .
Others demanded separation of church and state , as if encouraging voluntary prayers is somehow enforcing a state religion .
One woman tweeted : “ This goes against everything the founding fathers stood for.
” Apparently she is unaware that America ’ s founders were deeply religious and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the nation ’ s Declaration of Independence .
Among them were men like John Adams , who said , “ Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people .
It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.
” In the overall national conversation on the news , God is not being talked about .
Instead , you are hearing from every doctor , scientist , celebrity and pundit regarding containment measures and projecting worst-case scenarios .
You are hearing experts speculate that around two thirds of the world @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and that tens of millions could die .
This is creating a lot of hysteria .
Most of the shocks to stock markets have not come from problems already hitting , but from fear of problems that could hit .
Shortages in groceries and general stores mostly aren ’ t resulting from problems with supply , manufacturing or distribution , but from fear , panic and hoarding .
Plenty of food , toilet paper and other essentials still exist , but people are frantically grabbing more , looking after themselves and their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ truths about ourselves—truths certain to prove extremely relevant in the time ahead .
We are getting a preview of how people react in crisis—and Bible prophecy says far more and far worse crises are coming .
What would happen if a more lethal disease or an environmental or financial disaster actually disrupts the supply chain ?
What if earthquakes or other natural phenomena destroy infrastructure or wipe out food production , or long-term economic depression hits , or currency values collapse , or we suffer an energy embargo , or terrorist strikes—perhaps nuclear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ several cities ?
Such threats are very real .
Witness how people are behaving in this comparatively minor crisis .
The world has never reacted to a pandemic as it is reacting today .
Even if worst-case scenarios don ’ t materialize , this shows how quickly an unexpected disaster can arise from nowhere and utterly alter the global landscape .
This is a time we need national days of prayer .
We need to be sincerely looking to God , not just for comfort , strength , protection , health and healing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ yes , correction .
We need to see this from His point of view .
We must see how He is involved and what He is trying to teach us .
Yet the notion of God being involved in something like a disease pandemic is entirely foreign to people .
“ For Christians , this terrible virus is not a punishment but a test of our faith and charity , ” the Telegraph wrote on March 16 .
This author ridicules the idea of divine punishment , and explains how “ Enlightenment ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Very few Christian leaders have blamed the coronavirus on sin ( even if there is a lot of it about ) , and some clerics have been so keen to discourage us from going to church , lest we cough on the congregation , that one is left wondering what faith has to offer when nature goes mad.
” The solution this author provides : Christians should look after other people .
Acts of charity toward those in need are certainly noble—but can we casually dismiss the idea that a crisis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ God ?
Think about this for a moment .
Suppose God did want to correct us .
Suppose He does hate sin and hates how it harms us .
Suppose He wants us to see how selfish , covetous , materialistic we are , how glutted on sports and entertainment .
Suppose He does want us to change , to turn from sin , to turn to Him , and to live better lives .
Suppose God wants to show us that modern conveniences and luxuries are dominating our lives and drawing us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wants to help us see how we trust ourselves too much and to realize how fragile the civilization we have built really is , how tenuous the social fabric .
Suppose God wants us to get a good look at our own selfish human nature and to help us see that we aren ’ t as good-hearted as we think .
Most of us get along well enough as long as we are materially well off—but it ’ s when we experience hardship and deprivation that our true character begins to emerge .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ how little hardship it takes to begin to expose our ugly tendencies like selfishness , tribalism , factionalism ?
What if He wanted to warn us that bigger trials are coming , and to give us a taste of those , a dose of reality , so we could examine ourselves to begin to see who we really are ?
What if God wanted us to stop our sports worship , our entertainment addiction , if He wanted us to hit the pause button on all the movies—so we would slow down a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ think , and consider our ways ?
What if God actually did want to correct His children for their sins , and to lead them to repentance ?
Isn ’ t it possible He could use a disease pandemic to do it ?
God makes the answers to all these questions and more plain in His revelation to mankind , the Bible .
God ’ s Word tells us why events like this are happening .
It explains in detail why God allows trials like this one—at times on a mass scale—to accomplish @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what God expects of us : what God ’ s standards are and how to recognize when we are astray .
It explains how to see the evil in our own hearts and to combat it .
The Bible is also full of examples of God correcting people through trial .
There are biblical examples and many biblical prophecies of God specifically using health trials and diseases to correct people .
So the Bible is an invaluable resource to guide us through an event like this .
It can tell us what to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ choppy waters .
First let ’ s see why God is allowing mankind to go through this ordeal .
God has a magnificent purpose for man .
But that purpose requires that we have free choice ; God will not force us to go His way .
At the beginning of the book , our first parents , Adam and Eve , were given that choice .
God spelled it out for them and let them choose between the tree of life and the tree of death .
They chose death ( Genesis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chapter shows that because of their decision , God pronounced certain curses on them .
He banished them from the Garden of Eden and cut off their access to the tree of life .
Their decision cut mankind off from God , His truth , His knowledge and His guidance .
Ever since , man has been building civilization apart from Him , trying to figure out how to make things work on our own .
This is why the world is so rife with misery : because , with few exceptions , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We are living a way that is leading to our own destruction .
It ’ s a way God prophesied would actually end with our annihilating ourselves from off the planet—if He didn ’ t intervene !
Jesus Christ Himself prophesied this about the time that would occur just before His Second Coming : “ For then shall be great tribulation , such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time , no , nor ever shall be .
And except those days should be shortened , there should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Matthew 24:21-22 ) .
God wants to restore to us the awesome human potential that Adam and Eve turned their backs on .
He wants to convert the heart of every person in the world , to help us see our error in going the wrong way and instill in us a love for His way .
“ The Lord is … not willing that any should perish , but that all should come to repentance ” ( 2 Peter 3:9 ) .
Repentance means comparing ourselves to God ’ s law of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and flawed , and then changing direction and obeying that law !
God ’ s law , for example , commands that you love God with all your heart , mind and strength ( Deuteronomy 6:5 ; Matthew 22:37 ) .
Repenting of not doing this means striving to change .
God ’ s law forbids putting anything before the true God ( Exodus 20:2-3 ) .
Repentance means searching your life for areas where you are prioritizing other interests , people or things before God .
God ’ s law says you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ; Matthew 5:27-28 ) .
That means turning away from all forms of sex outside of marriage , including fornication , pornography and all lust and perversion ( as God defines it , not as society does ) .
God ’ s law is perfect and it is liberating ( James 1:25 ) .
It is a law of love ( Romans 13:10 ) .
God ’ s law defines how He thinks , how He lives , and who He is .
It is the way that Jesus Christ lived .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , that we keep his commandments ” ( 1 John 5:3 ) .
Our own thinking , reasoning and ways are fatally flawed .
The unstable , unjust , unhappy world we have built is abundant proof of that .
God wants each of us to see reality , “ the plague of his own heart ” ( 1 Kings 8:38 ) .
He wants us to avoid the suffering that comes from each of us relying on ourselves and comparing ourselves to others .
He wants us instead to live by His @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for each one of us , and for the world we inhabit .
This is a tremendous ambition for God to have , because each human heart is terribly plagued by weakness and evil ( Jeremiah 17:9 ) .
God is not yet trying to turn people to repentance on a mass scale—but His master plan does eventually include everyone .
God has an amazing future for all those who will be willing to come to repentance .
True repentance bridges the gap between an individual and God .
Thus , the very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a genuine , deep , complete repentance .
Have you ever repented before God ?
Very , very few people have .
But nobody will ever begin to walk the path toward true happiness and fulfillment before doing so .
We must recognize our own helplessness and inadequacy apart from God .
That is the most fundamental lesson any of us can learn .
This is what was missing from President Trump ’ s declaration for a National Day of Prayer .
As 1 John 3:22 explains , “ Whatsoever we ask @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of him , because we keep his commandments , and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.
” Prayer alone isn ’ t enough : We must also turn to Him in repentance and obedience .
His ears are open to the prayers of the righteous , “ but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil ” ( 1 Peter 3:12 ) .
That is a major reason so many prayers go unanswered—because people simply have not surrendered themselves wholly to God .
They are still living @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can learn more about this in our free book How to Pray . )
Once you understand that God is trying to bring us to repentance , then many of the prophecies of the Bible make sense .
Consider Leviticus 26 and Deuteronomy 28 , known as the “ blessings and curses ” chapters .
They list the blessings God will give , even on the national level , to those who obey Him—and the curses that will come to those who do not .
These chapters are specifically directed at the Israelites @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the United States and Britain .
But the principle applies to us all , even individually .
“ But it shall come to pass , if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God , to observe to do all his commandments and his statutes which I command thee this day ; that all these curses shall come upon thee , and overtake thee : Cursed shalt thou be in the city , and cursed shalt thou be in the field .
… The Lord shall send upon thee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in all that thou settest thine hand unto for to do … because of the wickedness of thy doings , whereby thou hast forsaken me .
The Lord shall make the pestilence cleave unto thee ” ( Deuteronomy 28:15-16 , 20-21 ) .
The word pestilence describes various types of destruction and death ; it could even be violence we commit against each other .
God then gets more specific , even discussing disease : “ The Lord shall smite thee with a consumption [ chronic degenerative diseases ] , and with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ speaking of communicable diseases like influenzas—coronavirus would be included ] , and with an extreme burning … ” ( verse 22 ) .
To have God , who has total power , cursing you is terrifying !
Few take this warning seriously , but this is just one of many biblical passages showing how God corrects His children when we go astray .
He is like any father who loves his children : He will step in when he sees them hurting themselves .
Throughout Deuteronomy 28 , God repeatedly says how these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Him !
If we would turn—and as soon as we turn—the curses would stop !
Only because we refuse to repent will they grow worse and worse .
Amid this current crisis , how many people are seeking God ?
How many are examining themselves according to God ’ s Word ?
How many are concerned about the sins of our peoples that are bringing these curses upon us ?
Instead we see people hoarding , fighting over goods in stores , panic selling , and looking for entertainments to lose themselves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the world population physically distancing themselves from the rest of society , travel restricted , and schools and workplaces shutting down , we can expect a massive increase in ‘ screen time , ’ ” the Telegraph reported .
“ Last week , Telecom Italia reported a 70 percent increase in Internet traffic , much of it due to online games such as Fortnite .
… The coming age of self-isolation means experiencing live events , social interactions and learning through a device .
Parts of life that were once analogue will now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ digital ” ( March 16 ) .
So many of the things society loves are actually idols : sports , concerts , bars , comforts and luxuries , money and materialism , our work , our investment portfolios .
Not that any of those things is evil of itself—but many people put those things ahead of God , which is a form of idolatry .
Now , suddenly , many of these “ gods ” are being forcibly stripped from us .
Perhaps you are among the many people who can not go @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on your hands .
Use this opportunity to direct your attention to the more important things in life that are too often neglected amid the hurly-burly of everyday responsibilities and distractions .
God wants us all to see the error of our ways and turn our hearts to Him !
He wants mankind to recognize just how failed and flawed the civilization we have built apart from Him is .
He can use a crisis like this to try to drive people in that direction .
But if people don ’ t respond @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do ?
If you look from God ’ s perspective at the way people are reacting , you can see why these problems are virtually certain to intensify .
God wants to bring about repentance—so He can make the magnificent future He has for mankind possible .
Thus , He is going to allow this world to endure even greater suffering .
The Bible includes some grim prophecies about disease pandemics in the end time .
Even secular news sources have been quoting some of them .
In that Matthew 24 prophecy , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ precede His Second Coming .
He said , “ For nation shall rise against nation , and kingdom against kingdom : and there shall be famines , and pestilences , and earthquakes , in [ different ] places .
All these are the beginning of sorrows ” ( verses 6-8 ) .
Perhaps the most vivid forecast on this point is in Revelation , the Bible ’ s most detailed book of end-time prophecy .
Here is where you find the imagery of the four horsemen of the apocalypse .
The third of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ And I looked , and behold a pale horse , and his name that sat on him was Death , and Hell followed with him .
And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth , to kill with sword , and with hunger , and with death , and with the beasts of the earth.
” Among the weapons this horseman has , there are disease epidemics .
Along with these other three horsemen , this anemic-looking horseman on a haunting , pallid horse will slay “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ With today ’ s population of 7.7 billion , that means nearly 2 billion people !
Coronavirus is definitely a problem—but compared to the scale of the pestilence that is coming , it is barely significant .
God prophesies of tens of millions of people killed by pestilence !
But do not lose sight of the reason .
God is not destroying indiscriminately : He is punishing the world in love and in measure—to help mankind ultimately turn from the paths of destruction to the way of truth and peace !
God will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mankind to precisely the degree needed to help people repent—no more , no less .
For most people , this will come when God resurrects them again to life in a world that He governs .
( To understand this truth , read “ The Three Resurrections.
” ) God is trumpeting His end-time warning message to this world through this work , literally fulfilling His prophecy in Isaiah 58:1 : “ Cry aloud , spare not , lift up thy voice like a trumpet , and shew my people their transgression , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” But if God can not bring us to repentance through words , then He will try to do so through trials , afflictions and disasters .
When trouble comes , some will finally cry out to God for His intervention in their lives .
But physically , they may be too late .
We must seek God “ while he may be found ” ( Isaiah 55:6 ) .
Must you suffer alongside this world ?
No .
The same God who controls world events is perfectly capable of protecting individuals .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ out , not only after calamity grows worse .
Heed God ’ s words and turn to God now , and you will receive relief from His curses .
He promises to forgive and then to protect each person who repents .
Why wait until the Great Tribulation , the worst suffering mankind has ever experienced , to respond ?
God wants us to change our behavior so we obey Him and seek His will , not ours .
The Bible is filled with examples of individual repentance and individual protection .
If @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just as surely as He protected Daniel from the jaws of the lions .
Not one hair was singed when Shadrach , Meshach and Abednego were cast into the fiery furnace .
Other ancient prophets survived multiple disasters and intense persecution .
God ’ s true Church received divine protection throughout the centuries when His people remained faithful to Him .
God can bless us and be a shield in our individual lives just as He was for Abraham , Isaac , Jacob and so many others .
The Apostle Peter wrote that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the godly from trial , and to keep the unrighteous under punishment until the day of judgment ” ( 2 Peter 2:9 ; Revised Standard Version ) .
This lesson permeates the Bible : God protects righteous , obedient people who seek His protection .
God has power over diseases .
He says in Exodus 15:26 that if we diligently hear Him and keep His laws , “ I will put none of these diseases upon thee , which I have brought upon the Egyptians : for I am the Lord that healeth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ repentance : “ Bless the Lord , O my soul , and forget not all his benefits : Who forgiveth all thine iniquities ; who healeth all thy diseases ” ( Psalm 103:2-3 ) .
This does not mean you will never get sick .
In fact , God ’ s promise of healing wouldn ’ t apply to someone who never came down with a sickness or disease .
Some of God ’ s people may even get coronavirus .
God may allow that as a test of our faith .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these .
The world is panicking and fearful .
People are so terrified of death , that panic is drawing them into ugly behavior and unnecessarily costly policy decisions .
But those who put their trust in God are at peace .
They are full of faith , hope and comfort .
God promises these things .
He also absolutely promises healing .
Yet sometimes God allows His people to get sick—even to die in faith , not yet having received the promise of healing in this lifetime ( Hebrews 11:35-39 ) .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ many who claim that promise are healed , even immediately !
But for some , it will take place in the resurrection .
( If you want more information on this inspiring biblical doctrine , request our free booklet The Plain Truth About Healing . )
God does not promise that you will never die in this physical life .
Actually , God promises that you will experience trials !
But with Christ in you , you ’ ll be able to battle those with faith .
That makes all the difference—whether you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ faithful people are not afraid of death .
God guarantees peace of mind during the worst of crises .
He is in control , and He promises in Romans 8:28 that “ all things work together for good to them that love God , to them who are the called according to his purpose.
” We may experience some of the same troubles that descend on the world .
Yet we have a solid hope in the future God has promised as an “ anchor of the soul ” to keep us stable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you ready for crises to come ?
Start preparing by repenting before God .
That is what God seeks above all .
And to those who turn to Him with supple hearts , He offers individual protection—escape—from the worst of the coming storms ( e.g .
Luke 21:36 ) .
That is the only sure place to invest your faith .
If you want guidance on how to repent and to act on what you ’ re reading , we can help .
We produce a lot of material aimed at helping you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your way of life !
A good place to start is by reading our editor in chief ’ s booklet How to Be an Overcomer , starting with Chapter 1 , “ Repentance Toward God.
” Sign up for our weekly PCG Signposts e-mail ; it gives vital , practical Christian-living instruction to help you make real changes in your life .
You can also find helpful , relevant education on our sister website , pcg.church .
And if you want to speak with a Philadelphia Church of God minister , e-mail us @ @ @ @ @

Following more than a week of declining coronavirus infection rates in Asia, officials in several nations have begun to report a second wave of new cases.
Many among the second wave are “imported” cases, coming from people who traveled to Asia mainly from Europe. A large number of these travelers are Asian individuals who were studying or working abroad but are now returning home due to fears over the global pandemic.
In China, where the covid-19 virus originated in November, months of aggressive, government-mandated lockdowns have reduced the number of homegrown cases to a waning trickle. But about 120,000 people each day are entering China from abroad, and government data this week said the number of cases these individuals have brought into the nation has climbed to 155—up from only 50 two weeks earlier.
“There is a challenge to containment by the increasing number of imported infections in all of these locations at the moment from Europe,” Ben Cowling, an epidemiology professor at the University of Hong Kong, told the Financial Times on March 18. “[I]n the future,” he added, “it could be from other parts of the world as well.”
Cowling said these rates show that China’s apparent triumph in containing the coronavirus may have been “only a temporary success.”
Across the country now, officials are placing anyone arriving from another nation into a mandatory 14-day quarantine, at the traveler’s expense.
South Korea is Asia’s second-hardest hit nation after China. In areas where the virus first emerged in the country, the government’s rigid implementation of mass testing and quarantine measures has achieved a large reduction of new cases. But officials are now shaken by the rise of new clusters, including a large one in the greater Seoul area, which are partly from imported cases.
On March 17, South Korean officials announced a new round of stricter border security for all arrivals from abroad. “We believe,” said senior health official Yoon Tae-ho, “that the next two to three weeks will be very crucial.”
Taiwan, which has maintained one of the lowest infection rates in Asia, has reported more than 30 new imported cases in recent weeks. The nation is now shutting its borders to almost all foreigners and intensifying quarantine requirements for its own people.
Hong Kong reported 208 cases on March 19, up from 116 just 10 days earlier. Around 90 percent of the newly infected came into Hong Kong after traveling abroad. Chief Executive Carrie Lam said on March 19 that if the city can’t contain the spate of new imported cases, it would render “previous efforts to prevent the disease from spreading … completely wasted.”
In Singapore, where the government was praised for its rapid response in containing the outbreak, the infection rate has now jumped nearly 90 percent in the last week, up to 313 cases. Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said the nation is facing “a serious situation” due to the second wave. “We expect more imported cases” and “new clusters and new waves of infection, this time coming from many countries rather than one or two,” he said.
Meanwhile, in Malaysia, the number of confirmed coronavirus infections at the beginning of this week stood around 240. But after several consecutive days of sizable increases, it has soared to 900, making Malaysia Asia’s fourth-most infected country. The country’s director-general of health said the nation may be suffering a “tsunami-like” new wave of infections. On March 19, officials said the nation’s army might be deployed to fully enforce movement controls to stem the increase.
“I hope that this will not be necessary,” Malaysian Defense Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said, “but if the compliance rate remains low, there is a big possibility that the military will be used.”
As the Western world struggles with the first waves of the covid-19 virus, reports of this second wave hitting Asia shows that efforts to definitively contain the virus remain elusive.
In historic terms, the coronavirus still hardly registers as statistically significant. Yet China’s economy appears to have shrunk in the first quarter of 2020, marking its first contraction since 1976. This is an ominous portent for the rest of the planet.
Much remains unknown, and it is possible that global efforts to contain the virus will soon begin making more lasting progress. But Bible prophecy says we should expect increasingly devastating disease pandemics.
The biblical book of Revelation discusses “things which shall be hereafter,” or trends and events that would happen after the era of the Apostle John (Revelation 1:19). In Revelation 6, John was inspired to write about the “seven seals” that lead up to the return of Jesus Christ. The first four are often called the “four horsemen of the apocalypse.”
The first three, discussed in verses 1 through 6, represent religious deception, war and famine.
Regarding the fourth horse and its rider, John writes: “I looked, and there was a pale green horse! Its rider’s name was Death, and Hades followed him …” (verse 8; International Standard Version).
This is a symbol of disease pandemics—sickly, haunting and unyielding. The passage goes on to say that along with the other three riders, the anemic-looking horseman that represents disease will slay “the fourth part of the earth.” With today’s population of 7.7 billion, that number would come to nearly 2 billion.
Revelation 6 is not the only chapter of the Bible to discuss an end-time return of disease outbreaks. Jesus Christ Himself said pandemics would occur prior to His return: “For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be … pestilences … in divers places” (Matthew 24:7; see also Mark 13:8 and Luke 21:11).
Trumpet editor in chief Gerald Flurry and Wayne Turgeon wrote about the impending return of disease pandemics in their booklet The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, emphasizing that these prophecies are mainly for the present age. “We are not discussing some dusty old prophecies,” they write. “These are dramatic, dire prophecies that lie directly in front of us! … Multiple millions of people will perish from sickness and disease ….”
They continue: “[E]ven in the 21st century, despite better medicine and technology, the threat to all societies looms large on the horizon. Even old diseases from world wars fought over 75 years ago are making a silent but deadly return.”
Mr. Flurry and Mr. Turgeon explain that although this points to a dark and devastating future, the Bible shows that God will give a route of escape to those who will turn to Him. “The future appears very bleak,” they write. “But there is a way of escape (Revelation 12:13-17). God will hear and forgive anyone who will repent. The only ones promised divine protection are those few who have yielded to God and His way of life.”
The Scriptures reveal that, whether the first and second waves of the coronavirus are soon contained or not, the “pale-green” horse is not finished with its ride. Yet each individual could have some say as to whether or not he or she will be in its path.
To understand more, order your free copy of The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse.


thetrumpet--2020-03-20--Blue and White Sides with Anti-Zionist Arabs to Oust Netanyahu

jerusalem
On Monday, Benny Gantz of the Blue and White party was tasked by Israeli President Reuven Rivlin to attempt to bring together a coalition government in the Knesset. He has four weeks to work with the political parties to gather the necessary 61 seats to form a majority in the Knesset.
While Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party received the most votes out of any single party in the March 2 vote, his coalition of right-wing and religious parties only made 58 seats.
On Sunday night, Gantz received the backing of his own party, the far-left parties, Yisrael Beiteinu and, stunningly, the Arab List—which received 15 seats in the election, the most it has ever received.
Prior to the election, Gantz and those in his party said repeatedly that they would not form a coalition with the Arab parties. Known as the Joint List, these Arab parties have Knesset members who are openly hostile to the Jewish nature of Israel and many of them have expressed support for terrorist groups, such as Israel’s enemy Hezbollah.
However, in some sort of temporary alliance of convenience, Gantz has welcomed the Joint List in order to get enough seats to prevent Prime Minister Netanyahu from becoming prime minister again.
Ruthie Blum wrote in her column last week:
It’s not unusual for politicians to renege on campaign promises. But this particular flip-flop was jaw-dropping, both given how immediate it was, and considering the Joint List’s platform, which includes, for example, opposing the Jewish Law of Return while supporting the Palestinians’ “right of return.”
Gantz and the Joint List have said they will only come together for enough time for the Knesset to pass a law that forbids a minister under indictment (Netanyahu) from being prime minister.
After which, the Blue and White coalition would lose the support of the Joint List and would then form a minority government in the Knesset. This would be an extremely weak position to work from and could see Gantz’s government quickly dissolved.
Such an eventuation worries some in Gantz’s party, which is why some of the members of his own party might desert and prevent Gantz from getting 61 seats.
Nevertheless, the truth is now out: Gantz and his cohorts are willing to side with anti-Zionists as long as it means getting rid of Netanyahu.
According to the last election, 48 percent of Israelis essentially voted for Netanyahu to be prime minister. But that doesn’t matter for Blue and White, who are willing to side with people who believe in the destruction of the Jewish nature of the State of Israel, over Netanyahu.
This reveals a shocking level of hatred for Netanyahu. “The willingness to ally with the Joint Arab List demonstrates the extent to which hatred prevails in much of Israeli society,” wrote long-time Israeli commentator Isi Leibler.
United by hatred for Netanyahu, the left has embraced the anti-Zionist Arabs.
But it’s actually more than just a hatred for Netanyahu.
Blue and White’s decision also indicates a shocking revolution in thought among the Israeli left. It used to be that the Israeli left and right all believed that Israel was a Zionist state. They had their differences, but both believed that Israel was and should always be the Jewish state. But not anymore. Now many on the left are what we call “post-Zionist.”
Caroline Glick wrote about this dangerous shift among the left, calling out Blue and White party member Ofer Shelah as one of its chief architects:
This week, with the liberal mass media providing wall-to-wall support for Blue and White’s efforts to form a post-Zionist government dependent on the anti-Zionist Joint List, it appears that over the past 19 years, Shelah’s post-Zionism has moved from the margins to the mainstream. The media’s energetic attempts to defend Blue and White’s efforts show that post-Zionism is the predominant position of the Israeli left.
Could it really be that much of the Jewish media, Jewish academia, Jewish intelligentsia have actually moved so far left that they no longer believe in the fundamental tenants of the Jewish state? Glick seems to think so. This is how she concluded her piece:
We don’t know how Israel’s political Gordian knot, the product of yet another inconclusive election, will be cut. But what is clear enough is that Blue and White’s eagerness to form a coalition dependent on lawmakers who reject Zionism and support terrorists is the consequence of a decades-long process that led to the post-Zionist takeover of the Israeli left. This process will not be reversed by the simple formation of a government, regardless of who leads it, and who supports it.
We will see whether some of the members of the Blue and White party jump ship over Gantz’s decision. It’s true that most of Blue and White voters want to see Netanyahu gone. But probably a large number of them aren’t willing to side with anti-Zionist Arabs to get the job done.
Nevertheless, Blue and White’s decision has exposed just how far the left has gone. It exposes the fight that now exists for the Jewish soul. A fight for the preservation of history upon which Israel was established. And for the continuation of the State of Israel as the Jewish state.
Israel’s first prime minister, David Ben Gurion, wrote: “A Jewish state does not only mean Jewish majority in that state—it also concerns the state’s purpose: It will be a state not only of and for its citizens but a state whose mission is to ingather the exiles and to concentrate and ensconce them in the homeland.”
Unfortunately, there are a lot of Jewish Israelis today who do not agree with Israel’s founder and many more who believe such a statement could be classified as racist.
Israel’s current battle for its identity as exposed by its recent election is eerily similar to the battle taking place in the United States and even in the United Kingdom. It is over the historical roots of the countries—roots that are based in the Bible and God’s promises made to the patriarch Abraham.
This shared heritage is under threat. This is something that Trumpet editor in chief Gerald Flurry is increasingly drawing attention to.
We will be coming out with a more comprehensive exposé of the root causes for this anti-American, anti-Israel and anti-British trend, but for now, I suggest that you take time to prove that America, Britain and Israel all have a shared history—a history rooted in the Bible. To do that, please request our free book The United States and Britain in Prophecy.


thetrumpet--2020-03-20--The History of Lucifer

The History of Lucifer

The story of a powerful archangel explains why the world is suffering so severely today .
The archangel Lucifer originated evil in the universe .
We must go back to the beginning of this “ movie ” to understand events taking place today .
Lucifer ’ s rebellion drastically changed the course of God ’ s master plan .
God sent Lucifer and a third of the angels ( Revelation 12:4 ) to Earth to rule and to finish its creation .
They failed because they hadn ’ t developed the character to properly administer God ’ s government .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ trust the angels to govern the Earth and later the universe , so God decided to re-create Himself in man !
Only God Himself—including His spirit-born sons—is capable of completing such a massive mission .
Lucifer , whose name meant “ light bringer , ” rebelled and became Satan , meaning “ adversary.
” His decision permanently damaged the angels under his authority : “ And the angels which kept not their first estate , but left their own habitation , he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) .
Satan led the angels astray .
They have lost their universe-ruling potential !
They are just “ wandering stars ” ( verse 13 ) , like planets out of orbit—all because they rejected God ’ s government .
Everything fails when God ’ s government isn ’ t implemented .
God ’ s very elect today must stay within the orbit of His government and law to avoid becoming wandering Church members .
God has established a framework for our peace and joy within His one true Church , where we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into action throughout the universe one day soon .
Satan and his demons are aware that they are heading toward the black abyss of eternal imprisonment .
They are more hateful and miserable than any beings in the whole universe !
Before he rebelled , Lucifer was a covering cherub at God ’ s throne ( Ezekiel 28:14 ) .
The angels learned directly from God how to rule His way .
Soon after God created the angels , He created the universe ( Job 38:4-7 ) .
The angels may have known @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the universe—if only they had succeeded on Earth .
Common sense would have indicated this , since only God , the Word and the angels were alive at that time .
The angels were thrilled by their purpose as described to them by God .
But then Lucifer became bitter and jealous of God ’ s superior authority .
Satan convinced the angels one by one to betray God .
This may have taken millions of years—the Bible doesn ’ t say .
Up to this point , there had been no sin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sin , committed by Lucifer , was against the very government of God !
Lucifer was highly educated , but look what happened to his mind : “ For thou hast said in thine heart , I will ascend into heaven , I will exalt my throne above the stars of God : I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation , in the sides of the north ” ( Isaiah 14:13 ) .
In other words , Satan schemed to kick God off His throne !
He organized the fallen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ army for this purpose .
There have been two attempted overthrows—one possibly millions of years before humans existed ( Luke 10:18 ) , and another in this end time ( Revelation 12:7-9 ) .
Satan ’ s army was decisively defeated both times .
Satan and all the demons possess minds vastly superior to ours .
They had the capacity to think deeply and choose God ’ s way of life for themselves , but they decided to turn away and become totally evil—the total opposite of God !
Their character is now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are composed of spirit and are permanently bound to that one choice .
There is no truth in them !
( John 8:44 ) .
God is truth .
His Word is truth ( John 17:17 ) .
The Titanic Battle of the Ages The original angelic rebellion wrecked the entire Earth .
Genesis chapter 1—after verse 1—is all about God re-creating the Earth , restoring it to its initial perfection .
Two thirds of the angels did not rebel .
Still , God switched to Plan B : re-creating Himself in human @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of converting humans into members of the God Family !
That ought to make us faint !
God calls angels His sons only in the sense that He created them .
But they will never be born into God ’ s Family as God beings .
Only humans can become God ’ s spirit-born sons !
Satan is the ruler of the Earth—the god of this world ( 2 Corinthians 4:4 ) .
He has great power , including the ability to broadcast his rotten moods , attitudes and impulses straight into human @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had the right to offer all worldly kingdoms , since he owns them , to Jesus Christ ( Matthew 4:8-9 ) .
Matthew 4 is the account of the titanic battle of the ages .
Christ fasted 40 days to be in peak spiritual condition for this fight against Satan .
He resisted Satan ’ s attacks and qualified to replace Satan on Earth ’ s throne .
He is now in heaven , waiting to be inducted into office .
Matthew 24 shows that Christ ’ s Second Coming is “ at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as Ruler of the Earth—and you have a chance to rule alongside Him at that time .
Christ proved absolutely loyal to His Father .
He said , “ [ M ] y Father is greater than I ” ( John 14:28 ) .
Today , God has called a select group of firstfruits out of the world to learn how to rule on King David ’ s throne with Christ .
To seize that reward , we must qualify by overcoming Satan as Christ did ( Revelation 3:21 ) .
Christians have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sword of the Spirit , which is God ’ s Word ( Ephesians 6:17 ) .
Christ quoted Scripture to conquer the devil in Matthew 4 .
Use your Bible to go on the attack !
Support God ’ s Work as it gives His message of hope to the world .
Follow God ’ s man as he follows Christ ( 1 Corinthians 11:1-2 ) .
In the Garden of Eden , the first Adam failed to resist Satan .
The second Adam , Jesus Christ , succeeded magnificently where the first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) .
Christ ’ s perfect sacrifice makes possible the execution of Plan B .
All humans will soon have a chance to join the God Family !
The big lesson to learn from the history of Lucifer is about God ’ s government : The state can never be without a head .
In this end time , God ’ s Church lost its Head , Christ ( Colossians 2:18-19 ) .
The vast majority of God ’ s own people turned away from God , just like Lucifer and Adam did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the first Sabbath day .
They received instruction about God ’ s law , the same as Lucifer and the angels he commanded did .
God always teaches how to administer His government before assigning anyone to rule .
The human potential is to rule in God ’ s government with more stature than the angels will ever have !
Satan and the demons work every day to prevent us from achieving that future reward .
“ The heart is deceitful above all things , and desperately wicked : who can know it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ God didn ’ t create our evil human nature !
He hates this way of thinking !
Human nature is Satan ’ s nature , the devil ’ s thinking !
It comes straight from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil that Adam and Eve wrongly chose .
It is the way of death !
“ Because the carnal mind is enmity against God : for it is not subject to the law of God , neither indeed can be ” ( Romans 8:7 ) .
Because of Satan ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hostile toward God .
The world around us has chosen to go its own way—to form its own systems of government , education , religion , industry and science .
The source of all of this is Satan .
Almost nobody understands that .
Satan is the reason the world is filled with vanity , selfishness and war .
Apart from God , mankind can ’ t discern spiritual knowledge .
“ For what man knoweth the things of a man , save the spirit of man which is in him ?
even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ man , but the Spirit of God .
Now we have received , not the spirit of the world , but the spirit which is of God ; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God .
Which things also we speak , not in the words which man ’ s wisdom teacheth , but which the Holy [ Spirit ] teacheth ; comparing spiritual things with spiritual .
But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God : for they are foolishness @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them , because they are spiritually discerned ” ( 1 Corinthians 2:11-14 ) .
The human spirit alone won ’ t help us know right from wrong .
God must give us this understanding through the Holy Spirit .
There is a cause for world troubles—misery , pain , destruction and plagues like the coronavirus .
God told ancient Israel to obey Him to avoid disease !
God protects !
Italy and Iran have been particularly affected by the coronavirus .
Curses like this are a result of mankind rejecting God ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ teach them .
God is calling a few out of the world today to answer the call and to help finish His Work .
We have the opportunity to tell the world why it is suffering !
Abel , Enoch and Noah were the only three men of God in the first 1,900 years of human existence !
Abraham , Isaac , Jacob and Joseph obeyed God after the Flood .
To this day , God calls an extremely small number of people to serve Him .
Turning to God is the only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even more punishment .
God ’ s angels protect humans from accidents , calamities and plagues , and will even fight our enemies for us ( 2 Peter 2:11 ; Psalm 34:7 ; 35:1-6 ; 91:1-12 ) .
God ’ s angelic armies can be on your side !
You can be surrounded by fiery angels like Elisha and his servant were ( 2 Kings 6:15-17 ) .
As the whole world panics , we have absolutely nothing to fear .

The archangel Lucifer originated evil in the universe. We must go back to the beginning of this “movie” to understand events taking place today. Lucifer’s rebellion drastically changed the course of God’s master plan.
God sent Lucifer and a third of the angels (Revelation 12:4) to Earth to rule and to finish its creation. They failed because they hadn’t developed the character to properly administer God’s government. They proved that God couldn’t trust the angels to govern the Earth and later the universe, so God decided to re-create Himself in man! Only God Himself—including His spirit-born sons—is capable of completing such a massive mission.
Lucifer, whose name meant “light bringer,” rebelled and became Satan, meaning “adversary.” His decision permanently damaged the angels under his authority: “And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day” (Jude 6). Satan led the angels astray. They have lost their universe-ruling potential! They are just “wandering stars” (verse 13), like planets out of orbit—all because they rejected God’s government. Everything fails when God’s government isn’t implemented.
God’s very elect today must stay within the orbit of His government and law to avoid becoming wandering Church members. God has established a framework for our peace and joy within His one true Church, where we can learn how to put His government into action throughout the universe one day soon.
Satan and his demons are aware that they are heading toward the black abyss of eternal imprisonment. They are more hateful and miserable than any beings in the whole universe!
Before he rebelled, Lucifer was a covering cherub at God’s throne (Ezekiel 28:14). The angels learned directly from God how to rule His way. Soon after God created the angels, He created the universe (Job 38:4-7). The angels may have known they would receive a chance to rule the universe—if only they had succeeded on Earth. Common sense would have indicated this, since only God, the Word and the angels were alive at that time.
The angels were thrilled by their purpose as described to them by God. But then Lucifer became bitter and jealous of God’s superior authority. Satan convinced the angels one by one to betray God. This may have taken millions of years—the Bible doesn’t say. Up to this point, there had been no sin in the entire universe. The first sin, committed by Lucifer, was against the very government of God!
Lucifer was highly educated, but look what happened to his mind: “For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north” (Isaiah 14:13). In other words, Satan schemed to kick God off His throne! He organized the fallen angels, or demons, into an army for this purpose. There have been two attempted overthrows—one possibly millions of years before humans existed (Luke 10:18), and another in this end time (Revelation 12:7-9). Satan’s army was decisively defeated both times.
Satan and all the demons possess minds vastly superior to ours. They had the capacity to think deeply and choose God’s way of life for themselves, but they decided to turn away and become totally evil—the total opposite of God! Their character is now set—they can’t repent because they are composed of spirit and are permanently bound to that one choice. There is no truth in them! (John 8:44). God is truth. His Word is truth (John 17:17).
The Titanic Battle of the Ages
The original angelic rebellion wrecked the entire Earth. Genesis chapter 1—after verse 1—is all about God re-creating the Earth, restoring it to its initial perfection.
Two thirds of the angels did not rebel. Still, God switched to Plan B: re-creating Himself in human beings. He is in the process of converting humans into members of the God Family! That ought to make us faint! God calls angels His sons only in the sense that He created them. But they will never be born into God’s Family as God beings. Only humans can become God’s spirit-born sons!
Satan is the ruler of the Earth—the god of this world (2 Corinthians 4:4). He has great power, including the ability to broadcast his rotten moods, attitudes and impulses straight into human minds (Ephesians 2:2). He had the right to offer all worldly kingdoms, since he owns them, to Jesus Christ (Matthew 4:8-9).
Matthew 4 is the account of the titanic battle of the ages. Christ fasted 40 days to be in peak spiritual condition for this fight against Satan. He resisted Satan’s attacks and qualified to replace Satan on Earth’s throne. He is now in heaven, waiting to be inducted into office.
Matthew 24 shows that Christ’s Second Coming is “at the door”! He will return as Ruler of the Earth—and you have a chance to rule alongside Him at that time.
Christ proved absolutely loyal to His Father. He said, “[M]y Father is greater than I” (John 14:28). Today, God has called a select group of firstfruits out of the world to learn how to rule on King David’s throne with Christ. To seize that reward, we must qualify by overcoming Satan as Christ did (Revelation 3:21).
Christians have only one offensive spiritual weapon: the sword of the Spirit, which is God’s Word (Ephesians 6:17). Christ quoted Scripture to conquer the devil in Matthew 4. Use your Bible to go on the attack! Support God’s Work as it gives His message of hope to the world. Follow God’s man as he follows Christ (1 Corinthians 11:1-2).
In the Garden of Eden, the first Adam failed to resist Satan. The second Adam, Jesus Christ, succeeded magnificently where the first Adam failed! (1 Corinthians 15:22). Christ’s perfect sacrifice makes possible the execution of Plan B. All humans will soon have a chance to join the God Family!
Mind Control
The big lesson to learn from the history of Lucifer is about God’s government: The state can never be without a head. In this end time, God’s Church lost its Head, Christ (Colossians 2:18-19). The vast majority of God’s own people turned away from God, just like Lucifer and Adam did.
God taught Adam and Eve on the first Sabbath day. They received instruction about God’s law, the same as Lucifer and the angels he commanded did. God always teaches how to administer His government before assigning anyone to rule. The human potential is to rule in God’s government with more stature than the angels will ever have! Satan and the demons work every day to prevent us from achieving that future reward.
“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9). God didn’t create our evil human nature! He hates this way of thinking! Human nature is Satan’s nature, the devil’s thinking! It comes straight from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil that Adam and Eve wrongly chose. It is the way of death!
“Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be” (Romans 8:7). Because of Satan’s influence, our minds are naturally hostile toward God. The world around us has chosen to go its own way—to form its own systems of government, education, religion, industry and science. The source of all of this is Satan. Almost nobody understands that. Satan is the reason the world is filled with vanity, selfishness and war.
Apart from God, mankind can’t discern spiritual knowledge. “For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy [Spirit] teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned” (1 Corinthians 2:11-14). The human spirit alone won’t help us know right from wrong. God must give us this understanding through the Holy Spirit.
Angelic Protection
There is a cause for world troubles—misery, pain, destruction and plagues like the coronavirus. God told ancient Israel to obey Him to avoid disease! God protects!
Italy and Iran have been particularly affected by the coronavirus. Curses like this are a result of mankind rejecting God’s government. Humans refuse to let God teach them.
God is calling a few out of the world today to answer the call and to help finish His Work. We have the opportunity to tell the world why it is suffering! Abel, Enoch and Noah were the only three men of God in the first 1,900 years of human existence! Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph obeyed God after the Flood. To this day, God calls an extremely small number of people to serve Him.
Turning to God is the only way to receive protection and to avoid even more punishment. God’s angels protect humans from accidents, calamities and plagues, and will even fight our enemies for us (2 Peter 2:11; Psalm 34:7; 35:1-6; 91:1-12). God’s angelic armies can be on your side! You can be surrounded by fiery angels like Elisha and his servant were (2 Kings 6:15-17).
As the whole world panics, we have absolutely nothing to fear.


World War Flu

Members of the Emergency Military Unit deploy for the fight against coronavirus in Malaga , Spain .
On Saturday , March 21 , there will be a special live Trumpet Daily Radio Show .
We will begin the program two hours later than the usual start time .
The show will begin at 2 p.m. ( BST ) , or 9 a.m. ( CST ) .
You can listen to or watch the program in the places you normally would during the week .
The Cure Is Worse Than the Disease ( 8 minutes ) Look at the measures being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bad flu .
What about the side effects of the cure ?
In a truly bizarre twist , major media outlets in the United States are now praising China for its efforts to contain the spread of coronavirus .
Have we forgotten that China covered up the outbreak early on , silenced whistleblowers , and refused outside help ?
The media continues its hysterical coverage of the coronavirus outbreak—spreading panic and fear throughout the nation .
State and local officials are behaving more like generals in a war zone .
Subscribe to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Google Play or by RSS

World War Flu
Special TDR (2 minutes)
On Saturday, March 21, there will be a special live Trumpet Daily Radio Show. We will begin the program two hours later than the usual start time. The show will begin at 2 p.m. (BST), or 9 a.m. (CST). You can listen to or watch the program in the places you normally would during the week.
The Cure Is Worse Than the Disease (8 minutes)
Look at the measures being implanted to stymie the spread of a bad flu. What about the side effects of the cure?
U.S. News Praises China (30 minutes)
In a truly bizarre twist, major media outlets in the United States are now praising China for its efforts to contain the spread of coronavirus. Have we forgotten that China covered up the outbreak early on, silenced whistleblowers, and refused outside help?
World War Flu (15 minutes)
The media continues its hysterical coverage of the coronavirus outbreak—spreading panic and fear throughout the nation. State and local officials are behaving more like generals in a war zone.


thetrumpet--2020-03-21--Special Saturday Edition: Lockdown

Special Saturday Edition: Lockdown

A San Francisco street , usually filled with iconic cable cars , lays dormant after millions of residents were ordered to stay home to slow the spread of coronavirus as part of a lockdown in California .
The Bible plainly reveals that Satan is the god of this world .
It ’ s vital that we understand Satan ’ s main goal and how he carries out his attacks .
In this segment , I explain the impact of the real spirit world on current events .
The United Kingdom is taking unprecedented action to try to stymie the impact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Conservative politicians are now leading the rush to socialism .
History shows that once these state-run programs start , they very rarely get rolled back .
The Spectator wrote this week : “ It is the most extensive intervention in the economy ever made by a supposedly free market government anywhere in the world .
In effect , we will all soon be working for the government.
” An important prophecy in the book of 2 Kings explains why God , in His mercy , is saving the modern nations of Israel .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ throughout the month of December .
By the time it started to become known there was an outbreak , the U.S. media was obsessed with impeachment and paid no attention to the virus .
When President Trump responded to the outbreak by restricting travel from China , “ experts ” in the media and even the World Health Organization said the move was counterproductive and xenophobic .
Today , the media are inciting panic over the coronavirus outbreak and putting the blame on President Trump .
What is driving their suddenly hysterical reaction @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they ’ re now praising China for its efforts to contain the virus !
We can ’ t forget that the radical left will stop at nothing to get power—even if it means taking down the world economy .
You ’ re living in the most exciting time in human history !
This is the “ last time ” before Jesus Christ returns !
The Bible prophecies of historic troubles and hardships before His return .
In this last segment , I go through an encouraging Psalm about God ’ s promise for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Radio Show on Apple Podcasts , Google Play or by RSS

Special Saturday Edition: Lockdown
Satan’s World (13 minutes)
The Bible plainly reveals that Satan is the god of this world. It’s vital that we understand Satan’s main goal and how he carries out his attacks. In this segment, I explain the impact of the real spirit world on current events.
UK in Wartime (6 minutes)
The United Kingdom is taking unprecedented action to try to stymie the impact of the coronavirus on its economy. Conservative politicians are now leading the rush to socialism. History shows that once these state-run programs start, they very rarely get rolled back. The Spectator wrote this week: “It is the most extensive intervention in the economy ever made by a supposedly free market government anywhere in the world. In effect, we will all soon be working for the government.”
Saved Temporarily (9 minutes)
An important prophecy in the book of 2 Kings explains why God, in His mercy, is saving the modern nations of Israel.
Hysteria Hoax (50 minutes)
The coronavirus outbreak was concealed by China throughout the month of December. By the time it started to become known there was an outbreak, the U.S. media was obsessed with impeachment and paid no attention to the virus. When President Trump responded to the outbreak by restricting travel from China, “experts” in the media and even the World Health Organization said the move was counterproductive and xenophobic.
Today, the media are inciting panic over the coronavirus outbreak and putting the blame on President Trump. What is driving their suddenly hysterical reaction? And in another bizarre twist, they’re now praising China for its efforts to contain the virus! We can’t forget that the radical left will stop at nothing to get power—even if it means taking down the world economy.
Encouraging Psalm (9 minutes)
You’re living in the most exciting time in human history! This is the “last time” before Jesus Christ returns! The Bible prophecies of historic troubles and hardships before His return. In this last segment, I go through an encouraging Psalm about God’s promise for protection.


thetrumpet--2020-03-21--The Preliminary Stages of ‘Great Tribulation’

Sudanese rescue teams and security forces gather next to damaged vehicles at the site of an assassination attempt against Sudanese Prime Minister Hamdok in the capital Khartoum on March 9 .
Was the attack due to warming ties with Israel ?
Sudanese Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok , ouster of former strongman Omar al-Bashir , survived an attempted assassination on Monday in what Sudan ’ s official statement has called a foreign terrorist attack .
According to state television , a car bomb exploded as the premier ’ s convoy drove by ; however , state radio said the convoy was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ witness told Reuters , “ I saw the moment of the explosion and the strike , and the strike came from a high building.
” The explosion was followed by several rounds of gunfire targeting the convoy .
Generally , traffic police drive through the streets ensuring that they are clear of nearby vehicles , with the convoy staying a safe distance behind .
This has raised questions regarding the security forces and whether they can be trusted , as some even believe the attack may have been coordinated from within .
Displeased @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , several soldiers within the intelligence branch of the armed forces mutinied last month after their unit was disbanded .
According to The EastAfrican , however , the official statement from Information Minister Faisal Mohammad Saleh did not link the attack to the mutiny .
After the attack , the prime minister assured the Sudanese people , “ I am well and completely healthy.
” He continued to work from his office .
No deaths have been reported as a result of the attack .
Ever since he was appointed by the Sovereignty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hamdok has been trying to bring Sudan away from the “ old regime ” of Omar al-Bashir and its ties to the Muslim Brotherhood terrorist organization .
Hamdok has been working tirelessly to lead Sudan down the “ path to democracy ” and away from its dictatorial past .
This has led to several stark differences in Sudan ’ s domestic and foreign policy , most of which have been met with support from the Sudanese people .
However , a recent meeting with Israel was met with significant internal backlash .
Brig @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Sudan ’ s Transitional Sovereignty Council , met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on February 3 in Entebbe , Uganda .
This historic meeting was a first for both nations as they mutually decided to normalize relations .
Sudan has historically been one of the most hostile nations toward Israel .
After the meeting , Satie Al-Hajj , a leader in the Forces for Freedom and Change alliance , which forms part of the coalition government , condemned the normalizing of relations with Israel .
The alliance called the meeting “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it was not informed that the meeting was going to take place .
However , General Burham said he had notified the prime minister two days prior to the meeting .
A portion of the public also demonstrated , expressing anger against the meeting and frustration with the leaders of the government .
While a direct tie is yet to be found , the timing of the attempted assassination of Sudan ’ s prime minister , following the groundbreaking meeting with Israel , is interesting , especially considering the region ’ s history @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first time such a scenario has played out .
In 1977 , Egyptian President Anwar Sadat reached out to Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin in hopes of normalizing and strengthening diplomatic relations between the two nations .
Sadat became the first Egyptian president to visit Israel , even speaking as a guest in the Knesset .
The two leaders met at Camp David and signed an agreement that maintained peace between Israel and Egypt for more than 30 years .
They also began planning the construction of a world peace center at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
W. Armstrong , founder of the Plain Truth , predecessor to the Trumpet , frequently met with both leaders and was deeply involved in the Sadat-Begin peace accords .
Mr. Armstrong called it the most incredible peace overture of modern times .
According to him , it was the sacrifice that made it so incredible .
Trumpet editor in chief Gerald Flurry writes about this history in his booklet The Way of Peace Restored Momentarily ( free upon request ) .
Mr .
Flurry highlights : As Mr .
Flurry points out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for true peace.
” Despite his best efforts , the tumultuous hatred for the Jews throughout the Arab world proved insuppressible .
On Oct. 6 , 1981 , Muslim Brotherhood assassins , posing as soldiers , opened fire on Mr. Sadat as he watched Egypt ’ s annual military victory parade .
This lesson from fairly recent history shows just how dangerous it is for Muslim leaders to show any hint of favor toward Israel .
Will There Be Peace ?
Two weeks ago , another terrorist attack was foiled and the leader @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Eastern Nile district of Khartoum .
According to The EastAfrican , Sudan ’ s Criminal Investigations department said “ his intention was to assassinate the prime minister and other state officials.
” The Sudan Tribune said the arrested members of the terrorist group belonged to a violent Islamic group and had just arrived with forged documents from their training in Syria .
After the first attempt failed , the next attempt was put into action .
Both the foiled attack and the attack on the prime minister ’ s convoy occurred after Sudan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sudanese democratic leaders have nailed their flags to the mast ; they have shown themselves willing to talk with Israel .
However , these attempts at peace will not succeed .
According to the bbc , 57 percent of polled Sudanese citizens see Israel and the United States as their greatest threats .
Based on the same poll , Sudan sees Israel as its single greatest enemy .
A dangerous tide of “ intense hatred ” for the Jews is building throughout North Africa and the Arab world .
In “ The Hidden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” we showed how these peace agreements with the Arabs are temporary and only last as long as they are beneficial to the Arab states .
In that article , we went through a prophecy in Psalm 83 that foretells a coming confederation of Arab nations that will unite for the purpose of blotting out the name of Israel .
Many of these nations today , such as Saudi Arabia , Jordan and the United Arab Emirates , are temporarily at peace with Israel .
However , as we noted , this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as the Iranian threat is present .
Once Iran has been crushed , as Daniel 11:40 says it will be ( for proof , request The King of the South ) , the scathing Arab hatred for the Jews will once again rise to the surface and an Arab uprising will take half of Jerusalem by force ( Zechariah 14:2 ) .
Yet Jerusalem ’ s captivity will lead directly to the Mount of Olives cleaving in two at the coming of the Messiah .
He will “ smite all the people that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as “ king over all the earth ” ( Zechariah 14 ) , and usher in a millennium of true , lasting peace when “ nation shall not lift up a sword against nation , neither shall they learn war anymore ” ( Micah 4:3 ) .
For more information , please read The Way of Peace Restored Momentarily , by Gerald Flurry .

Coronavirus is only the beginning—and a very small beginning at that! Last Wednesday, the World Health Organization declared that it recognizes the coronavirus disease (covid-19) as a pandemic, stating, “Pandemic is not a word to use lightly or carelessly.” The last pandemic was swine flu in 2009, which killed about 200,000 people worldwide, including some 15,000 Americans.
United States President Donald Trump on Friday said he was authorizing actions to “unleash the full power of the federal government,” and said, “I am officially declaring a national emergency, two very big words.”
As of this writing, there are about 200,000 confirmed cases of the Wuhan flu, causing about 8,000 deaths. The U.S. has suffered about 100 coronavirus deaths so far.
For perspective, this article gives daily totals of how many people die every day from all causes, including 4,383 people dying from diabetes worldwide, 3,287 from car crashes, and more than 1,100 from homicides.
So on one hand, the media hype over this pandemic is overblown, especially when you compare it to previous pandemics and other, more serious, dangers we face on a daily basis. That said, it is refreshing to see government officials, public health experts and ordinary citizens take some positive action when it comes to stopping the spread of a dangerous disease. To see the world suddenly concerned about certain laws of quarantine and hygiene after blatantly disregarding these principles for so long is truly a sight to behold!
But without God and His inspired Word as our sure foundation, mankind never seems to find the right balance. Last week, for example, the media scolded President Trump for shaking hands with world leaders and for not being tested for covid-19, even though he had absolutely no symptoms. This is what distresses the left-wing media!
Over the weekend, the governor of Illinois said, “No matter how healthy you feel, if you can, stay home” (emphasis added throughout). Quarantining healthy people to arrest the spread of disease goes well beyond the principle of God’s law of quarantine. But that is what many health-care officials are now calling for. America’s go-to expert on infectious disease, Dr. Anthony Fauci, said Sunday, “If it looks like you’re overreacting, you’re probably doing the right thing.”
This is now how we fight the spread of infectious disease—by overreacting?
If public health officials encourage you to remain calm and not panic, that is rotten advice, says columnist Peggy Noonan. We need overreaction and mass hysteria—so say the experts.
President Trump, the man who enacted travel bans on China and Europe, has actually been criticized for not being apocalyptic enough when discussing covid-19!
Consider this doomsday report from Saturday’s New York Times: “Between 160 million and 214 million people in the United States could be infected over the course of the epidemic. … That could last months or even over a year, with infections concentrated in shorter periods, staggered across time in different communities, experts said. As many as 200,000 to 1.7 million people could die.”
So far, about 8,000 people have died. But experts say it could be 1.7 million! The Times went on to say that as many as 21 million Americans might require hospitalization—and America has less than a million hospital beds available! And they wonder why Americans are fighting with each other at supermarkets for food, medicine, bottled water and toilet paper.
These scaremongers are advocating total surrender to panic, fear and mass hysteria. Fear of disease is adding more problems to the disease itself!
If only we would fear God and consider our ways!
President Trump called for a National Day of Prayer to be held Sunday, March 15, for all those affected by the coronavirus pandemic. He encouraged Americans to “pray for God’s healing hand.” He even quoted one of my favorite verses: “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you” (1 Peter 5:7).
Sadly, though, there was nothing in the proclamation about repentance from sin or obedience to God’s laws, whether spiritual or physical.
God’s Word says, “And whatsoever we ask [in prayer], we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight” (1 John 3:22). God answers the prayers of those who turn to Him in repentance and faithful obedience. His ears are open to the prayers of the righteous, “but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil” (1 Peter 3:12).
“Here is one of the major reasons why so many prayers are not answered. God will not listen to a person who rebels and persistently disobeys His Word” (Herbert W. Armstrong College Bible Correspondence Course, Lesson 14).
God is trying to get the attention of our disobedient nations before it is too late. As my father noted in his most recent Trumpet article, “Coronavirus and Other Modern Plagues in Prophecy,” we are, even now, in the very preliminary stages of what the Bible calls “great tribulation”! In other words, what we are seeing happen in the world today is just a tiny preview of the curses that will soon overwhelm this planet! (Read Leviticus 26 and Deuteronomy 28.)
My father wrote, “God is in close control over exactly how much devastation these beings [the four spirits of Zechariah 6] are allowed to unleash. He is not destroying indiscriminately: He is punishing the world in love and in measure—to help mankind turn from the paths of destruction to the way of truth and peace!”
Here is the lesson God wants us to learn during these trying times: Consider your ways, repent toward God, and then you can truly cast all your care upon Him; for He cares for you.