thetrumpet--2020-01-14--Greta Thunberg and the Rule of Children

Greta Thunberg and the Rule of Children

Greta Thunberg, the young climate change activist from Sweden, was named Time magazine’s 2019 Person of the Year—a potential symbol of one of the biggest trends of 2019. At 16 years old, she has become the pioneer and symbol of a youth movement that is spreading across the globe.
Greta Thunberg is an ordinary teenage girl who, in summoning the courage to speak truth to power, became the icon of a generation #TIMEPOY https://t.co/6X9Bit3V6F — TIME (@TIME) December 31, 2019
Greta’s road to activism is quite literally a depressing one.
According to Time, Greta’s climate obsession began when she was 11 years old. She fell into a “deep depression” with periods of “endless sadness” after a class about the effects of climate change. She couldn’t reconcile how the planet could be in such danger and yet no one was prioritizing the issue. During this period, she barely spoke or ate. She came close to hospitalization due to the malnutrition that has stunted her growth.
This excessive reaction is a hallmark characteristic of Greta’s Asperger syndrome. Asperger’s is often characterized by an inability to understand social cues and an intense or obsessive interest in one specific subject. Individuals with Asperger’s see the world very literally and have trouble understanding humor, sarcasm and irony. Time says this is her greatest asset. “She dislikes crowds; ignores small talk; and speaks in direct, uncomplicated sentences. She cannot be flattered or distracted. She is not impressed by other people’s celebrity, nor does she seem to have interest in her own growing fame. But these very qualities have helped make her a global sensation.”
.@GretaThunberg’s father Svante Thunberg describes how the Swedish climate activist battled depression in the months before she launched Fridays for Future strikes https://t.co/ehDPKAReR5 pic.twitter.com/43bbVfXh1m — Reuters (@Reuters) December 31, 2019
To help her overcome this depression, Greta’s parents encouraged her to take action. In August 2018, Greta began skipping school to strike alone outside the Swedish Parliament. And since her lone protest went viral, she has become a media sensation and an almost global hero.
But what the media as a whole refuses to report is how this young girl has been exploited. Contrary to early reporting, it is no accident that Greta’s protest made headlines. The founder of the social media platform “We Have No Time,” which posted Greta’s first protest online, didn’t happen to stumble across Greta as first believed. In fact, Ingmar Rentzhog had met Greta’s mother three to four months beforehand and was notified of the lone protest a week before it happened by another climate activist. Rentzhog’s Facebook post of Greta’s lone protest quickly went viral.
Ever since, Greta’s vulnerabilities continue to be exploited. In her article “The Weaponization of Western Children,” Melanie Phillips wrote:
What was so distressing was to see this very vulnerable child’s anguish and rage at the world’s failure to put modernity itself into reverse, in order to combat a supposedly unstoppable apocalypse for which no plausible evidence whatever exists but over which nightmarish vision she and countless others are being terrified out of their wits by worthless or outright fraudulent studies which they have been led to believe constitute “settled” and unchallengeable science … and through which bogus emergency they are being used and manipulated to create global hysteria.
The coverage Greta has received is akin to worship. The Time article naming Greta “person of the year” stated:
[Greta] emerged as a standard bearer in a generational battle, an avatar of youth activists across the globe fighting for everything from gun control to democratic representation. Her global climate strike is the largest and most international of all the youth movements, but it’s hardly the only one: Teenagers in the U.S. are organizing against gun violence and flocking to progressive candidates; students in Hong Kong are battling for democratic representation; and young people from South America to Europe are agitating for remaking the global economy. Thunberg is not aligned with these disparate protests, but her insistent presence has come to represent the fury of youth worldwide.
Time credits her with not only the surge in climate protests, but also many other youth movements around the globe. And in it, she has earned the admiration of the rich and powerful. This teenager has been worshiped by and become a sort of moral guide for scholars and world leaders alike. Time continued:
In the 16 months since [her first lone protest], she has addressed heads of state at the UN [United Nations], met with the pope, sparred with the president of the United States, and inspired 4 million people to join the global climate strike on Sept. 20, 2019, in what was the largest climate demonstration in human history. Her image has been celebrated in murals and Halloween costumes, and her name has been attached to everything from bike shares to beetles. Margaret Atwood compared her to Joan of Arc.
Actor Leonardo DiCaprio said that Greta, and the young people she has inspired, “set an example of true leadership that we so desperately need right now.” Prince Harry said that every country, community, school, friendship group and family “needs their own Greta—someone who can lead the way ….”
This 10-year-old is leading the fight against climate change in Colombia - on the streets and in the Senate.
Like Greta Thunberg - Francisco protests for immediate climate action every Friday. pic.twitter.com/Vdk5w9vKKP — AJ+ (@ajplus) January 4, 2020
The praise by these celebrities and leaders is the embodiment of an end-time prophecy in Isaiah 3: “As for my people, children are their oppressors, and women rule over them. O my people, they which lead thee cause thee to err, and destroy the way of thy paths” (verse 12).
This is an exact description of our society today. Children are rising up to oppress us and women are increasingly leading in our homes, in our nations and in every facet of society. And the vast majority of people are not only passively tolerant toward this phenomenon, but are actively promoting its rise.
In the language of the Time’s article: “She is a reminder that the people in charge now will not be in charge forever, and that the young people who are inheriting dysfunctional governments, broken economies and an increasingly unliveable planet know just how much the adults have failed them.” Greta has “become the voice of millions, a symbol of a rising global rebellion.”
This is the exact fulfillment of Isaiah 3! Children are rising in rebellion and oppressing the populace.
And leaders are acting as if these children have become their moral guides. French President Emmanuel Macron said, “When you are a leader and every week you have young people demonstrating with such a message, you cannot remain neutral. They helped me change.” Hillary Clinton said that Greta’s UN speech should be required viewing for every lawmaker. Former president of Ireland, Mary Robinson, said that when she would talk about the effects of climate change it would fall on deaf ears, but “having children say, ‘We have no future,’ is far more effective. When children say something like that, adults feel very bad.” Guardian columnist Jonathan Freedland wrote: “Children skipping classes to take the moral lead is an indictment of adult complacency.”
We have reached the “apotheosis,” or climax, of “St. Greta,” as the Spectator sarcastically put it.
What we are seeing is a complete reversal of the roles God established in family and society. It is being turned upside-down. Children are now ruling over adults who simply bow down in submission.
In his book The Missing Dimension in Sex, Herbert W. Armstrong wrote, “Few people stop to realize to what extent the teenagers have taken over. They pretty well dominate the world picture. Isaiah foretold this day.”
But as Mr. Armstrong brought out in a World Tomorrow radio broadcast, this phenomenon is primarily not the children’s fault: “That 90 percent of the youth problem is irresponsibility of parents and the main trouble, my friends, is that we do not teach respect for authority. … God Almighty is the Supreme Ruler of the universe, and we have the kind of teaching that doesn’t want to acknowledge any authority, doesn’t want to obey; submit to any obedience. We don’t like to submit to law.” Further in the broadcast, Mr. Armstrong said that there is “nothing more important in life to learn than respect for authority and obedience.”
God blames parents for what these children are doing. The parents have failed in their duty to discipline their children and teach them respect for authority.
This upside-down society is not the way God intended it to function. The government God established is ultimately about learning to submit to God as our supreme authority. For more information about true government, read Trumpet editor in chief Gerald Flurry’s booklet God’s Family Government.


thetrumpet--2020-01-14--Barack Obama’s Drone Wars

Barack Obama’s Drone Wars

Yesterday , Britain ’ s royal family met to discuss the ongoing crisis of Harry and Meghan ’ s pseudo abdication from the monarchy .
What a stain this is on the House of Windsor .
As we ’ ve recently learned in more detail , Qassem Suleimani was a central part of the Obama-Iran nuclear deal negotiations .
In looking back on 2015–16 , the Obama administration agreed to all of Iran ’ s demands and got very little in return .
And any time Iran violated one of the terms , the Obama administration quickly provided cover .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ recent history leading up to the signing of the Iran nuclear deal and explain why this is important context for understanding President Donald Trump ’ s current actions against Iran .
The radical left continues to provide cover for the extremist regime in Iran .
The latest criticism of President Trump is that he hasn ’ t been transparent enough about the “ imminent ” threat Suleimani posed to Americans in the region .
They talk as if Suleimani had no history of killing Americans and orchestrating terrorist attacks .
President Trump tweeted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and their Democrat Partners are working hard to determine whether or not the future attack by terrorist Suleimani was ‘ imminent ’ or not , & was my team in agreement .
The answer to both is a strong YES , but it doesn ’ t really matter because of his horrible past !
” In 2012 , Barack Obama ’ s attorney general , Eric Holder , delivered a speech defending the administration ’ s use of drones in the Middle East .
Obama never needed congressional approval to strike terrorists on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ go through a court to get authorization to kill Americans in foreign countries .
He never had to get congressional approval before launching strikes .
He certainly didn ’ t have to reveal any intelligence to Republicans before initiating a strike .
He carried out well over 500 drone strikes during his two terms , incurring hundreds of civilian deaths , and the left-wing media didn ’ t care then—doesn ’ t care now .
What it does care about is blotting out the Trump presidency .
So if President Trump authorizes a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it must be a war crime .
Subscribe to the Trumpet Daily Radio Show on Apple Podcasts , Google Play or by RSS

Barack Obama’s Drone Wars
[00:30] A Royal Soap Opera (5 minutes)
Yesterday, Britain’s royal family met to discuss the ongoing crisis of Harry and Meghan’s pseudo abdication from the monarchy. What a stain this is on the House of Windsor.
Obama’s Surrender (23 minutes)
As we’ve recently learned in more detail, Qassem Suleimani was a central part of the Obama-Iran nuclear deal negotiations. In looking back on 2015–16, the Obama administration agreed to all of Iran’s demands and got very little in return. And any time Iran violated one of the terms, the Obama administration quickly provided cover. In this segment, I review the recent history leading up to the signing of the Iran nuclear deal and explain why this is important context for understanding President Donald Trump’s current actions against Iran.
Imminent Threat (7 minutes)
The radical left continues to provide cover for the extremist regime in Iran. The latest criticism of President Trump is that he hasn’t been transparent enough about the “imminent” threat Suleimani posed to Americans in the region. They talk as if Suleimani had no history of killing Americans and orchestrating terrorist attacks. President Trump tweeted yesterday: “The Fake News Media and their Democrat Partners are working hard to determine whether or not the future attack by terrorist Suleimani was ‘imminent’ or not, & was my team in agreement. The answer to both is a strong YES, but it doesn’t really matter because of his horrible past!”
Obama’s Drones (20 minutes)
In 2012, Barack Obama’s attorney general, Eric Holder, delivered a speech defending the administration’s use of drones in the Middle East. Obama never needed congressional approval to strike terrorists on foreign soil. He never had to go through a court to get authorization to kill Americans in foreign countries. He never had to get congressional approval before launching strikes. He certainly didn’t have to reveal any intelligence to Republicans before initiating a strike. He carried out well over 500 drone strikes during his two terms, incurring hundreds of civilian deaths, and the left-wing media didn’t care then—doesn’t care now. What it does care about is blotting out the Trump presidency. So if President Trump authorizes a drone strike on an Iranian terrorist, it must be a war crime.


thetrumpet--2020-01-14--Macron and Guttenberg: Europe’s Dream Team?

Prince Harry ’ s dramatic announcement has brought culture wars into the heart of the royal family .
Prince Harry and his wife , Meghan , announced last week that they would be stepping down as senior members of the royal family .
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex ’ s announcement has sparked a public crisis within the royal family .
And the fallout could be massive .
Last week , Prince Harry laid out what he wanted to do : give up the money he receives from taxpayers , step back from his role as a “ senior @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work for whatever businesses or charities he wants .
The trouble is , the money he ’ s giving up is estimated to be only around 5 percent of his income .
He wants to keep the income he gets from his family ’ s large estates in the United Kingdom .
He wants to keep the free home he lives in on the grounds of Windsor Castle , which taxpayers just spent £2.5 million ( us $ 3.2 million ) renovating .
He wants the taxpayer to continue to fund his security—even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expensive by spending most of his time abroad .
And he wants to make money—but the only reason people would be willing to pay him large sums is because of his status as a member of Britain ’ s royal family .
In other words , he wants the perks of being royalty but not the responsibility .
He may want this , but it is unclear whether the other members of the royal family will agree .
He made his announcement before ironing out the details with the Queen and Prince Charles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a direct request from the Queen not to go solo on this .
Royal insiders report that the Queen is not amused .
“ The Queen will be absolutely devastated by this , ” said long-time royal reporter Phil Dampier .
Her husband , the Duke of Edinburgh , is said to have been left “ deeply hurt ” by the “ lack of respect ” shown by Prince Harry and his wife .
So we seem set for something like unto a very public and angry divorce battle .
The Telegraph reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Prince Harry does not get what he wants , “ He and his wife could go public with damaging accusations.
” “ I have some idea of what might be aired in a full , no-holds-barred , sit-down interview , and I don ’ t think it would be pretty , ” wrote Tom Bradby in the Sunday Times .
Even without the interview , it is already not pretty .
Prince Harry and his wife are very close to important figures on the radical left in America .
The Daily Mail reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on their break with the royal family from former United States President Barack Obama and his wife .
The Mail wrote that the Sussexes want to “ mimic the way they had managed to build a successful , but dignified , life for themselves after the White House.
” “ In fact , it is fair to say that their star has soared since leaving the White House , particularly Michelle ’ s , and this is something Meghan admires very , very much , ” the Mail quotes an aide saying .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Prince Harry .
On Thursday , the New York Times published an outrageous opinion piece titled “ Black Britons Know Why Meghan Markle Wants Out.
” By dramatically stepping down , the two were sticking “ two fingers up at the racism of the British establishment , ” the article states .
In claiming that Meghan has been mistreated by the royal family because of racism , it certainly seems the Times is calling the Queen racist .
This was an op-ed piece , but the New York Times editorial board made clear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ titled “ Good for Meghan and Harry , ” the editorial board said the British press had subjected Meghan to “ virulent racism.
” But there ’ s little evidence of any racism .
Scour the headlines from her wedding to Prince Harry , and you ’ ll find little but excitement for the new royal bride .
But Meghan has played the victim—and not just the victim of the press .
Several months ago , a reporter asked Meghan in tv interview how she was doing .
She said that it has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told the reporter , “ Thanks for asking , as not many people have.
” The public accusation that the royal family doesn ’ t really care about her shocked many .
Friends and aides of the Sussexes have accused the royal family of having it in for them from the start .
But the evidence is hard to see .
“ People had bent over backwards for them , ” said one palace aide .
“ They were given the wedding they wanted , the house they wanted , the office they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and had the backing of the family .
What more did they want ?
” The Sussexes ’ declaration also undermines the very basis of the modern monarchy .
The royal family has a privileged position with a lot of money and support from taxpayers .
At this point , that is uncontroversial .
But a big reason why it is uncontroversial is that the Queen uses that privilege and support in service and duty .
“ I declare before you all that my whole life , whether it be long or short @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the service of our great imperial family to which we all belong , ” she said on her 21st birthday .
Though her family has had some major problems , the Queen herself has generally worked to live up to this pledge .
The Queen hasn ’ t used her wealth and power to get wealthier or to travel the world to rub shoulders with celebrities .
But if Prince Harry uses his royal position for himself and not to serve others , more will question whether Britain should even have a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trumpet Daily Radio Show , host Stephen Flurry contrasted the Queen ’ s example of service with the more selfish worldview of her grandson : Talk of duty and service were largely missing from the Sussexes ’ statement .
“ The job of every royal family member is to support the Queen , to play second , third or fourth fiddle , ” wrote Fraser Nelson in the Telegraph .
It ’ s not a role Prince Harry is happy to play anymore .
The timing of this announcement is also particularly unsightly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ husband has stepped back from public duties because of ill health and had to go into hospital last month .
“ To make the decision now , at a time when the family and the monarch needed the younger members to put aside personal animus , is in many ways unforgivable , ” wrote Benedict Spence in the Telegraph .
Some of Prince Harry ’ s former colleagues in the Army are angry .
James Glancy , a former captain in the elite Special Boat Service , said , “ If Harry goes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , I wouldn ’ t raise a toast to him as he wouldn ’ t have my respect.
” He said that others in the Army were “ very upset , if not disgusted by the disrespect to the Queen by not discussing this.
” The monarchy was once a force for unity in the country , an institution that most , regardless of their politics , could get behind .
The monarchy , in a very real and literal sense , brought the country together .
It wasn ’ t a battle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ king of Scotland inheriting the throne of England that eventually led to the two unifying .
But now the throne has become a force for division .
The same culture wars that have torn apart our universities , our politics and our media have arrived in the heart of the monarchy .
It is perhaps this that the Queen fears most about an independent Harry .
Right now , you have a Brexit-voting , Conservative-supporting country .
What if Prince Harry campaigns even more stridently for the other side , taking the stage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ woke , ” left-wing view .
A country that has just shaken off a “ deep state ” attempt to block Brexit could be faced by a member of the royal family pushing that same agenda .
How much division would that create ?
The cover article for our September 2017 Trumpet magazine was “ The Fall of the British Royal Family.
” “ What is wrong with Britain and the royal family ?
” asked Trumpet editor in chief Gerald Flurry .
“ This issue is far more important than people generally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Flurry lamented the decline of the royal family .
Many of the royals have had troubled family lives—something we ’ ve been reminded of with all the media scrutiny of Prince Andrew and his relations with Jeffery Epstein .
The family and the country have drifted away from biblical morality .
Many of the young royals , including Prince Harry , have gotten behind causes that are anti-Bible .
The royal family , he explained , is in “ rapid decline.
” “ God is already changing the way He deals with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2017 has been so tragic so far , ” he wrote .
At the start of 2020 , it is becoming clearer than ever why .
God has a plan for a throne that unifies people , Mr .
Flurry explained in his Key of David episode “ The New Throne of David.
” “ It is going to unify the entire world , ” he said .
He explained that this throne is “ a monumental hope for this world … .
But this truth can galvanize your life and fill you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ else can !
And I ’ m not just saying that .
This is not a fantasy .
You can do that , and it will work in your life.
” It is a throne completely devoted to service , and one that does its duty perfectly .
Britain ’ s royal family , far from bringing hope to the nation , is bringing more troubles and division .
That throne has been hit with a series of crises that are bringing it rapidly into disrepute—exactly the way Mr .
Flurry forecast nearly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ family should be hit by so many serious , once-in-a-generation-or-more-type crises just months after Mr .
Flurry published an article about their “ rapid decline ” should cause us to look more deeply into what is happening here .
And it is worth looking .
The latest news is not pretty .
But behind it , God has a plan full of hope .
This subject contains the solutions , not just for Britain ’ s problems , but for the whole world ’ s .
It explains why the royal family is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reveals how God has very practical plans , right now , for a throne that brings hope to the whole world .
You can learn more about this by requesting a free copy of Mr.
Flurry ’ s book The New Throne of David .

Europe’s greatest need in 2020 is leadership. There are plenty of ideas to make the European Union more effective, more powerful and more united. French President Emmanuel Macron proposed many of these ideas in 2017. But he lacks a powerful partner in Germany to makes his vision reality. In 2020, we could see a German leader emerge who not only shares Macron’s ambitions but wants to take them even further: That man is Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg.
Macron and Guttenberg share many similarities. Both had an early political career, served as economic ministers in their respective countries, and are greatly shaped by their Catholic faith. They also share a common vision for Europe. Both are strong proponents of reviving Europe’s cultural heritage, support the idea of a European army, and want to abolish the principle of unanimity in some EU decisions.
Macron and Guttenberg are both disappointed that the current German government doesn’t share their enthusiasm.
In “France and Germany—A Disappointed Love,” Die Welt wrote on September 17, “For many years, Angela Merkel was perceived as the leader of Europe. Now it is Macron who’s in the spotlight, [former Harvard Professor Moisi told Die Welt.] In Germany, the feeling of jealousy may be currently prevailing. France looks on Germany with disappointment [because] Angela Merkel left the president out in the rain.”
In an interview published on Feb. 1, 2019, by Austrian magazine Datum, Guttenberg said: “I firmly believe that Macron’s speech at the Sorbonne gave a long-awaited controversial impulse that urgently needed an answer from Berlin. And this answer didn’t come until recently, and when it came, it was comparatively meager.” Guttenberg even indicated that France’s domestic protests were, in part, caused by Germany’s failure to support Macron in his endeavors.
France needs Germany to accomplish its goals for Europe. And Germany needs a leader who not only supports those goals, but leads Europe himself.
Guttenberg has plenty of such ambitions. Die-Wirtschaft.at noted on November 27: “According to Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg, Europe must quickly move closer together and show strength—also militarily.”
“The opportunity is currently given for [Europe to develop] a geopolitical agenda of its own with corresponding strength,” Guttenberg told Die-Wirtschaft.at. “Agreeing on specific goals is a process that requires a great deal of patience, but also a portion of courage.”
Guttenberg proceeded to list things that Europe needs to change or do to prove itself on the world stage. For example, he said the EU’s principle of unanimity in foreign and security policy issues would need to change and that European armed forces would be worth pursuing.
As to the question who would lead these endeavors, he said: “Theoretically every single one. France, with Emmanuel Macron, has already taken the lead in this debate. I would like to see more impulses coming from Germany. However, one would have to overcome some understandable historical complexes.”
Die-Wirtschaft.at asked at the end of the interview: “Would it be conceivable that you would return to politics and initiate appropriate reforms?”
“I think a lot of people will be happy if I keep saying no,” Guttenberg responded.
Soon, however, Germany and all of Europe will cry out for strong leadership.
Germany is undoubtedly Europe’s strongest nation, economically and politically. It is also Europe’s most populous country, which gives it the greatest say in Brussels. But without a strong leader, all this strength is of little value.
“Macron recognizes that Germany lacks strong leadership right now,” Trumpet editor in chief Gerald Flurry wrote in “France Rejects America—and Empowers Germany!” “He knows Europe needs a strongman. And he thinks he can do the job! He believes that if he bashes America and woos Germany—Europe’s economic powerhouse—then he will become the new Charlemagne.”
But as time goes on, France will realize more and more that the European project will not succeed unless Germany provides the leadership. Without that leader Europe is stuck playing a relatively minor role in the world.
The Bible prophesies that Germany will get such a leader—and Europe will dramatically change. The Prophet Daniel wrote his book for the end time (Daniel 12:4). Even he did not understand the prophecies he wrote down (verse 8). Daniel 11 contains a prophecy that leads up to the Second Coming of Jesus Christ (verse 22). Verse 21 foretells of a strong leader rising to power: “And in his estate shall stand up a vile person, to whom they shall not give the honour of the kingdom: but he shall come in peaceably, and obtain the kingdom by flatteries.”
This man will assume power through flatteries; he isn’t voted into office through normal democratic means. The question every student of the Bible should be asking is, Who is this leader? The answer concerns the whole world.
“[S]ome leader is going to hijack the European Union!” Mr. Flurry wrote in the November 2002 Trumpet issue. “The person who leads Germany will also lead Europe. Germany already dominates Europe—to a degree that is shameful, if you consider its past. Remember, it started both world wars—in which 50 to 60 million people were killed. Nobody should forget or ignore that past—including the German people!”
The Apostle John saw this European superpower in a vision, which he recorded in Revelation 17. Verses 13-14 explain the symbols he saw: “And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast. These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast.” Ten powerful kings in Europe will be united under one overarching government. These leaders will be of one mind and share common goals and ambitions. Guttenberg and Macron could be two of these 10 kings.
To fully understand this prophecy, please request our free booklet Daniel Unlocks Revelation, by Gerald Flurry. You can also read “Is KT zu Guttenberg About to Come to Power?” to learn where Europe’s emerging new leadership will take this world.


thetrumpet--2020-01-14--Russia Opens New Gas Pipeline to Turkey

Russia Opens New Gas Pipeline to Turkey

An Indonesian rescue worker helps his colleague as they navigate through a flooded neighborhood on January 2 in Jakarta , Indonesia .
As weather disasters intensify , so does the deadly climate change deception .
Weather disasters around the world made headlines in 2019 and continue to do so in 2020 .
From drought in Africa and Australia , fires in California and Australia , and floods in Europe , Asia , the United States and Africa , recent cataclysms are some of the worst on record .
The catastrophes have brought increasing vehemence of the proponents of environmentalism and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rise in voices blaming mankind ’ s industrial activity for the weather problems .
Two things are undeniable : Weather-related disasters have been cataclysmic , and man is responsible .
But are man ’ s industrial practices the main cause ?
In 2019 , Australia and California were devastated by alarmingly intense wildfires .
In California , several destructive fires broke out beginning in October .
Hundreds of thousands of people were evacuated from their homes , San Francisco and Los Angeles issued air quality alerts because of the thick smoke , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million people to limit the spread of wildfires .
These fires led California Governor Gavin Newsom to declare a state of emergency on October 27 .
In Sonoma County , more than 30,000 acres burned and nearly 200,000 people were evacuated .
Earlier in 2019 , fires in Northern California destroyed over 150,000 acres of land and killed 85 people .
In total , over 6,800 fires were recorded in the state , across an estimated 250,000 acres of land .
Since 2017 , the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suppression costs .
Over $ 25 billion have been spent on damages .
On the other side of the world , bushfires in Australia have burned over 13 million acres of land , a significant increase over the 700,000 acres burned over the previous five years .
At least 18 people have died in the fires since September , and authorities are concerned that this number will rise .
According to Angela Burford of the Rural Fire Service , the devastation is “ unprecedented ” because Australia is “ only halfway through the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fire to date is in Gosper ’ s Mountain , New South Wales , and covers over 1 million acres of land .
Conditions are expected to worsen with no rainfall forecast until the end of January .
Queensland firefighters have been battling flames for more than six months .
Kevin Reading , acting chief superintendent of the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services , says he “ hasn ’ t seen a season like it.
” As of December 23 , over 829 houses have been destroyed in New South Wales , 86 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and 28 homes and 58 outbuildings in Queensland , as well as significant devastation in Tasmania , Western Australia and Victoria .
The only “ absolute miracle ” right now is that more lives have not been lost , according to Adelaide Hills Premier Steven Marshalls .
Australia is devastated by bushfires every year , but rarely to this scale .
Fires in 1974 burned across a slightly larger area but mostly affected the remote grasslands in far-west New South Wales that had become overgrown due to above-average rainfall .
The current @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in populated regions and are fueled by the country ’ s record-breaking drought .
Soil moisture is at a historic low , and the first eight months of 2019 saw record-low rainfall .
As David Bowman , director of the Fire Center at the University of Tasmania , told the Guardian , the most unusual aspect of these fires is their sheer size .
He said , “ The geographic range , and the fact it is occurring all at once , is what makes it unprecedented.
” He went on to say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ situation where there has been a fire from southern Queensland , right through nsw , into Gippsland , in the Adelaide Hills , near Perth and on the east coast of Tasmania ” ( emphasis added throughout ) .
Australia ’ s fires are so terrible because of the nation ’ s record-breaking drought—but there are places where the drought problem is even worse .
In Southern Africa , 2019 brought the worst drought in a century .
The biggest casualty is the drying up of one of the seven natural wonders of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Zambezi River , which feeds Victoria Falls and borders Zambia and Zimbabwe , is losing 437 million cubic meters per second through evaporation .
According to the Zambezi River Authority , the water level is at the lowest it ’ s been in 25 years .
Dominic Nyambe , a local shopkeeper , told Reuters that the falls have never been this bad .
“ In previous years , ” he said , “ when it gets dry , it ’ s not to this extent .
This [ is ] our first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ All across Southern Africa , populations are reeling from the devastating drought and its impact .
According to the United Nations , 45 million people face food and water crises because of the drought , a significant increase on recent years .
In Zimbabwe ’ s second-largest city of Bulawayo , residents are forced to flush toilets only at mandated times or risk paying a fine .
In Zambia , crops have been destroyed and families are on the brink of starvation .
Namibia has seen over 30,000 drought-related livestock deaths since April @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shortages is the consequent power outages .
The hydro-electric power plants have increasingly dwindling water supplies , leaving many residents without power for longer and longer periods of time .
South Africa ’ s electricity woes are worsening , while Zimbabweans usually only have electricity between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. With such severe drought devastating sub-Saharan Africa , it is ironic that other areas of the world have been impacted by near relentless flooding .
Indonesia ’ s capital , Jakarta , suffered its worst rainfall in 24 years on December 31 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the consequent flooding and landslides , with over 60,000 reportedly missing .
The heavy rainfall is expected to continue .
The Meteorology , Climatology and Geophysics Agency declared , “ The rain falling on New Year ’ s Eve … is not ordinary rain.
” In November , Venice , Italy , suffered its highest tide in nearly 50 years , with the resultant floods damaging centuries-old buildings and structures .
Toto Bergamo Rossi , director of the Venetian Heritage Cultural Foundation , said , “ I ’ ve been living here @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seen anything like that.
” Worse still , the city is anticipating more intense floods this month to add to the $ 1.1 billion of damage already inflicted .
In March 2019 , Cyclone Idai struck Southeast Africa , displacing 600,000 people and killing over 1,000 others .
Widespread flooding in Iran displaced half a million individuals .
A month later , Cyclone Fani hit India and Bangladesh , displacing 3.4 million .
According to UN Children ’ s Fund , Hurricane Dorian , which overwhelmed the Bahamas at the beginning of September @ @ @ @ @ @ @ displaced 14,000 .
The Category 5 hurricane was the strongest ever to strike the Bahamas .
Meanwhile , the Midwest and Southern United States were inundated by flooding , affecting about 14 million people in the 11 states that border the Missouri , Mississippi and Arkansas river systems .
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration , the U.S. endured its wettest 12 months since record-keeping began in 1895 , with May 2019 being the second-wettest month on record .
Referring to this phenomenon , Bryan Tuma of Nebraska ’ s Emergency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ describe it as biblical.
” With all these storms , floods , droughts and fires , it is clear that man is in unchartered territory .
And with the tumultuous weather disasters , there has been an increase in demand for action against the near ubiquitously agreed cause : man-made climate change .
Climate activists have been sounding the alarm since before 1975 , when American scientist Wallace Broecker coined the phrase “ global warming ” in a scientific paper .
In the years that followed , many regional and international conferences were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Kyoto Protocol , aimed at globalizing the effort to reduce greenhouse emissions .
Today ’ s environmentalism almost universally attributes global warming as the cause of weather disasters : The Guardian says the climate crisis is lengthening the fire season in Australia ; Zambian President Edgar Lungu said Victoria Falls is a reminder of what climate change is doing to the environment ; the Wall Street Journal claims deforestation is driving global warming and the droughts in Southern Africa ; Venice Mayor Luigi Brugnaro tweeted that the floods are “ the result @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of this cause has been epitomized by the popularity of such activists as Greta Thunberg and U.S. Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez .
Recently crowned the youngest-ever Time magazine ’ s person of the year , Thunberg made headlines all over the world as the 16-year-old climate activist led young people to protest outside government buildings , confronting adults and governments over inaction against climate change .
“ Greta Thunberg led the way , ” Guardian columnist Jonathan Freedland wrote .
“ Children skipping classes to take the moral lead is an indictment of adult @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rise , championing her Green New Deal and saying , “ People are going to die if we don ’ t start addressing climate change asap .
It ’ s not enough to think it ’ s ‘ important.
’ We must make it urgent.
” As a result of these protests , together with the abundance of scientific “ proof , ” more people than ever before view anthropogenic climate change as the real issue .
According to a 2018 Pew survey , 59 percent of Americans believe global warming is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the country .
The majority of people in 23 of the 26 surveyed countries see it as a major threat , with 13 of those countries viewing climate change as the top threat ahead of North Korea ’ s nuclear weapons program , terrorism and cyberattacks .
The climate change crusade is making an immense impact .
As universally accepted as it is , climate change is not the problem .
Our booklet Why ‘ Natural ’ Disasters ?
explains : Human activity does cause weather-related problems .
The environment is harmed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the replacement of forests with cities and asphalt , and the gaseous release from the exhaust of cars , planes and trains .
But there is another far more significant reason for these disasters , and it is spiritual in nature .
This mainstream and almost universally accepted threat of climate change is a deadly deception !
The idea that greenhouse emissions are primarily responsible for all these terrible disasters is the exact opposite of what God says .
Many often ask why God allows such disasters to strike .
Some believe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is no God .
However , as that booklet states , “ One reason God sends storms is for correction .
Yes , sometimes God bathes the earth with gentle rain to show His loving concern and mercy—and other times God uses the weather to correct people !
Do you believe in that God ?
” The Bible shows that God has power over the rain , He can “ dry up all the rivers , ” and He has control over storms ( Nahum 1:3 ; Job 38:28 ; Amos 4:7 ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ however , is dependent on mankind ’ s obedience or disobedience to His laws .
Notice Leviticus 26:3-4 : “ If ye walk in my statutes , and keep my commandments , and do them ; Then I will give you rain in due season , and the land shall yield her increase , and the trees of the field shall yield their fruit.
” However , God warns in verses 14 , 19 and 20 : “ But if ye will not hearken unto me , and will not do all these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heaven as iron , and your earth as brass … your land shall not yield her increase , neither shall the trees of the land yield their fruits.
” God clearly outlines the cause and the effect : Disobedience to His commandments is the cause , and droughts , fires and floods are the effect !
The climate change theorists wholly attribute the weather disasters we experience to man ’ s mismanagement of the planet .
To be sure , God does command mankind to be good stewards of His creation ; He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2:7 ; Revelation 11:18 ) .
However , far worse to Him are the practices of climate change proponents : homosexuality , abortion , fornication , pornography , violent crimes , drug abuse and other transgressions of His law of love .
The danger in the climate change deception is that it blinds mankind to these sins as the real cause of all these disasters , which makes it impossible to identify the only effective solution : repentance .
2 Chronicles 7:14 states , “ If my people , which are called by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and pray , and seek my face , and turn from their wicked ways ; then will I hear from heaven , and will forgive their sin , and will heal their land.
” This is a promise from God .
Satan has promoted climate change to mask the true cause of “ natural ” disasters .
Even as weather disasters in 2019 displaced record numbers of people , destroyed vast swaths of land , and caused more devastation than most people have seen in their lifetimes , there is a way of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ man ’ s sins and transgressions worsen , so will the natural disasters God uses to correct us .
But His Word also shows us how to avoid these disasters .
Climate change is a misdiagnosis that offers ineffective solutions to these disasters .
The Bible , however , shows us the true cause for these disasters and the real solution to the problem .
Read our free booklet Why ‘ Natural ’ Disasters ?
to gain a full understanding of the real cause and the real solution .

Russia and Turkey began operation of the undersea TurkStream natural gas pipeline on January 8 after an official opening ceremony the previous day. Running from the Caucasus to Turkey, it allows for direct supply to Southern and Southeastern Europe, bypassing Ukraine.
Russian President Vladimir Putin announced on Jan. 16, 2019, that the pipeline would open in approximately one year. His prediction was correct. TurkStream’s opening comes as tensions over other gas pipelines threaten peace in the Mediterranean.
The TurkStream pipeline will carry 31.5 billion cubic meters of gas per year, according to its operator, Gazprom. It increases Moscow’s control over gas supplies, further allowing Russia to pick and choose who gets gas and, in certain situations, who doesn’t.
The Turkish president and his Russian counterpart inaugurate the TurkStream gas pipeline, which will carry Russian natural gas to Europe through Turkey pic.twitter.com/7nO7XDJX6X — TRT World (@trtworld) January 8, 2020
The most ominous part of the new pipeline is that it will bypass Ukraine. This will allow Russia to shut off supplies to Ukraine or even Poland during a conflict. Meanwhile, the rest of the European Union would remain connected.
Turkey already benefits from the operational Blue Stream pipeline. TurkStream serves to cement the growing alliance as Turkey drifts from the United States.
Given the tensions with Ukraine and possible future Russian aggression, the new pipeline is a concerning Russian power grab.
This also makes Europe more dependent on Russian gas. The first Nord Stream pipeline was a major step toward this. When Nord Stream 2 is completed, Europe will be 35 percent reliant on Russian gas supplies.
For Europe, this is heavy reliance on an unpredictable country. Russia historically has fought numerous wars with both Europe and Turkey.
Turkey is currently taking major steps to increase its energy supply. It faces possible EU sanctions over gas drilling in Cypriot waters. So far, this has not materialized. The EU drew up the legal framework but stopped short of adding names to the list. This may be an attempt by Germany to preserve its close relations with Turkey.
TurkStream and the alliance it represents is a development you need to watch.
All of this has an anti-American strategy at heart. When Nord Stream 2 was announced, Trumpet editor in chief Gerald Flurry warned that it “binds Russia and Germany together in a way that undermines nato.” TurkStream is doing the same thing. Coming in the wake of Turkey’s decision to buy Russia’s S-300 land-to-air missile system, and its ejection from the F-35 program, a closer alliance with Russia is wrecking the stability Turkey once brought to the eastern side of nato.
By completing this pipeline, Russia is getting more power over Europe and driving a wedge between Germany and America. Germany has chosen to trust Russia. History proves that is a dangerous mistake.
Turkey and Germany are drawing closer to Russia, as was predicted long ago. The Bible forecasts an alliance between Germany and Turkey, described in Psalm 83 (read “A Mysterious Prophecy,” by Gerald Flurry).
Mr. Flurry has drawn attention to the Nord Stream 2 deals as a prime trend to watch. The relationship between Turkey and Russia is doomed to fall apart. Watch Russia and Germany’s pipeline deals. It is a dangerous alliance, leading eventually to all-out war. Mr. Flurry wrote:
History shows that in between wars, Germany and Russia often work together. Most infamously, just before World War ii, the two made a deal in which Adolf Hitler’s Germany basically said to Joseph Stalin’s Russia: Stay out of it, Russia, and we will take over Europe. Then the two of us can split up Poland and other countries between ourselves. … That infamous agreement, called the Molotov-Ribbentrop pact, set the stage for the most devastating war mankind has ever suffered! … The fact that Russia and Germany are charging ahead with Nord Stream 2 today despite objections from other European nations and the United States is even more reason to believe that these two may already have worked out a modern Molotov-Ribbentrop deal. History shows that Germany and Russia are not actually partners. When they enter into peace deals and economic partnerships, it is a signal that either or both are preparing for some kind of imperialistic exploit.
Bible prophecy is the only source of proven, accurate forecasts for this turbulent and rapidly changing world. You need to watch Nord Stream 2. Germany will draw closer to Russia, just before it leads the world into another war.
Do you want real answers about how Russia, Turkey and a rising European power are about to change the world you live in? Read “Germany and Russia’s Secret War Against America,” by Gerald Flurry, for more on this crucial subject.


thetrumpet--2020-01-13--Trump Calls for EU Takeover of the Middle East

Following Iranian retaliation over the United States’ assassination of Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Quds Force Gen. Qassem Suleimani, U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday called on nato to become more involved in the Middle East.
After the U.S. killed Suleimani, President Trump received significant backlash for the decision, including a lot of fearmongering that his decision would lead to an escalation of violence in the Middle East.
“Today I am going to ask NATO to become much more involved in the Middle East process,” said @realDonaldTrump. “The civilized world must send a clear and unified message to the Iranian regime: your campaign of terror, murder, mayhem will not be tolerated any longer.” pic.twitter.com/mVIkF6anhE — Power & Politics (@PnPCBC) January 8, 2020
But Iran’s retaliation, which consisted of firing over a dozen ballistic missiles at a U.S. base in Iraq, actually represented a deescalation in the situation. As Trumpet contributor Brent Nagtegaal wrote in his January 8 article, this was merely a “face-saving” attack. He added:
Contrary to how it will be painted in Iran, the missile strike against America will be seen elsewhere as a fundamentally weak response to the death of its arch-terrorist general. It was not an accident that Iran struck these U.S. bases with so many missiles and without the death of any U.S. servicemen.
As Nagtegaal suggested, because no U.S. servicemen were killed—Trump’s redline—the U.S. will not respond to the attack. However, in the president’s statement following Iran’s retaliation, Mr. Trump did make one significant announcement. He called on nato to take on a bigger role in the Middle East, saying, “The civilized world must send a clear and unified message to the Iranian regime: ‘Your campaign of terror, murder, mayhem will not be tolerated any longer. It will not be allowed to go forward.’ Today, I am going to ask nato to become much more involved in the Middle East process.”
Aside from the U.S., nato is primarily comprised of European nations, so by asking nato to become more involved in the Middle East, he is speaking directly to Europe. As Trumpet executive editor Stephen Flurry said in his January 9 Trumpet Daily Radio Show, “The stage is being set for the United States to hand over the Middle East to Europe.”
Through this statement, President Trump was also indirectly telling Iran that if the conditions are right, if Iran will stop threatening American interests, then the U.S. will leave the region. This sentiment is backed up by the letter sent to Iraq saying the U.S. would be pulling out its troops from the region. While U.S. officials backpedaled after the letter was released, saying it was a draft and the U.S. is not leaving now, it does reveal where this is all leading. Be assured, the U.S. will leave the Middle East.
And Germany is keen to lead the way in maintaining a military presence in Iraq.
On Friday, German-Foreign-Policy.com wrote (emphasis added):
German foreign politicians are pressing for a continuation of the Bundeswehr’s deployment in Iraq, bringing the withdrawal of U.S. troops into play and, at the same time, calling for stronger influential activities by the Western European powers in the Middle East. He can imagine that the United States “withdraws from the region” and, at the same time, “we Europeans are gaining” greater “weight in the region within the framework of a trans-Atlantic burden sharing,” explains the chairman of the cdu – csu parliamentary group for foreign policy, Roderich Kiesewetter.
These statements are extremely important in the light of Bible prophecy. The European Union is preparing to replace the U.S. in the Middle East.
Daniel 11:40 says, “And at the time of the end shall the king of the south push at him: and the king of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass over.”
Regarding this verse, Trumpet editor in chief Gerald Flurry writes in his booklet The King of the South:
The stage is being set for an Islamic group of nations to be led by Iran as the prophesied king of the south, which will push at the king of the north, the European Union. The blatantly bold and aggressive foreign policy of Iran must lead to war. It will either conquer or be conquered. Bible prophecy makes it clear that Iran will be conquered—but not at the hand of America and Britain. … A new superpower is rising in the European Union. The Bible labels this conglomerate the king of the north. It takes one king to topple another king. The time when Britain and America were superpowers, or kings, is history!
President Trump is preparing for a U.S. withdrawal from the Middle East and pushing for the rise of the EU. This is leading to the direct fulfillment of this prophecy. A German-led Europe will crush Iran in this “time of the end,” and Germany is preparing for this role right now.
Keep watching as events unfold in the Middle East. While America displayed a show of force by taking out General Suleimani, it is only too eager to exit the region. Meanwhile, Germany is preparing to lead Europe into the emerging power vacuum in the Middle East. Your Bible foretold these exact events.
For more information on how this prophecy will be fulfilled, read Gerald Flurry’s free booklet The King of the South.


Britain’s Beleaguered Monarchy

Elizabeth II , Meghan , Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry , Duke of Sussex watch a flypast to mark @ @ @ @ @ Air Force from the balcony of Buckingham Palace on July 10 , 2018 in London @ @ @ @ @ of the British Royal Family ( 35 minutes ) The British royal family is falling @ @ @ @ @ s marriage to Meghan Markle has led to bitter division in the family , as @ @ @ @ @ as celebrities rather than commit to a life of service and duty in the royal @ @ @ @ @ , Queen Elizabeth II embarked on her journey as Queen with the motto , “ @ @ @ @ @ that many in the royal family no longer adhere to .
In this segment , @ @ @ @ @ Christ gave to His disciples on leadership .
Subscribe to the Trumpet Daily Radio Show @ @ @ @ @ Play or by RSS

Britain’s Beleaguered Monarchy
The Fall of the British Royal Family (35 minutes)
The British royal family is falling apart. Prince Harry’s marriage to Meghan Markle has led to bitter division in the family, as the young couple seeks fame as celebrities rather than commit to a life of service and duty in the royal family. In sharp contrast, Queen Elizabeth II embarked on her journey as Queen with the motto, “I serve”—a motto that many in the royal family no longer adhere to.
Bible Study: Live to Serve (8 minutes)
In this segment, we examine a lesson Jesus Christ gave to His disciples on leadership.
E-mail Feedback (5 minutes)


thetrumpet--2020-01-13--New Quds Force Commander Likely To Shift Iranian Strategy Towards Africa

Iran’s foreign policy is about to undergo one of its most significant developments. Just hours after the assassination of Quds Force Cmdr. Qassem Suleimani, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei named Brig. Gen. Ismail Qaani the new commander of the elite Quds Force, praising him as one of Iran’s most prominent leaders.
Who is this largely unrecognized man, and what does his appointment mean for the direction of Iran’s foreign policy?
Ismail Qaani was born in the city of Mashhad, Iran’s second-largest city and an important pilgrimage site for Shiite Muslims. Iranian media quoted Qaani calling himself and Suleimani “children of war.” Like his former commander, Qaani joined the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (irgc) when he was 20 years old, when Iraq invaded Iran in 1980. From his youth, Qaani grew up devoting his life to the Islamic Republic and its ideology.
Throughout the Iran-Iraq War (1980–1988), Qaani served in various divisions of the irgc. In December 1982, he was appointed commander of the newly established Fifth Nasr Division, and later of the 21st Imam Reza Division. During the war, Qaani quickly rose in prestige and began developing a close relationship with then President and current Supreme Leader Khamenei.
Esmail Qaani was #QasimSoleimani’s deputy in the Quds Force. Like Soleimani, he was a revolutioary guards commander during the 1980-88 Iran-Iraq War. Qaani (second from right) in this picture from, circa 1986, with then president and now leader @khamenei_ir (with glasses) #Iran pic.twitter.com/c1Y1mlsrl9 — IranWire (@IranWireEnglish) January 3, 2020
As reward for his heroic actions in the war, on Aug. 17, 1988, irgc Cmdr. Mohsen Rezaei appointed Qaani the new deputy commander of the irgc Ground Forces in Mashhad. In June 1992, Qaani oversaw the brutal crackdown on Kurdish protesters in the province.
Qaani was likely appointed deputy commander of the Quds Force in 1997, the same year Suleimani was appointed commander. In addition to serving as the deputy commander of the Quds Force, in 2006 Qaani was appointed as the irgc counterintelligence deputy.
‘Close Relations’ With Africa
As deputy commander of the Quds Force, much of Qaani’s role revolved around overseeing the distribution of funds and military shipments.
While the charismatic and Arabic-speaking Suleimani focused on expanding Iranian influence in Syria and Lebanon and building a close relationship with Syrian President Bashar Assad and Hezbollah Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah, Qaani functioned as a perfect counterpart, focusing on Iranian influence in Afghanistan and throughout Africa.
Qaani made several trips abroad to African nations. On Nov. 23, 2009, he traveled with then President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to several countries, including Gambia and Senegal.
According to the Jerusalem Post, Qaani “was responsible throughout the years for the distribution of funds to proxy groups such as Hezbollah and other terrorists in Africa.”
A U.S. Treasury Department statement in March 2012 said that Qaani oversaw the “financial disbursements to [Quds Force] elements, including elements in Africa.” The department held Qaani responsible for a 2010 weapons shipment bound for Gambia but intercepted in nearby Nigeria.
“This [Quds Force] weapons shipment—hidden among construction materials—contained grenades, rockets, mortars and ammunition,” the Treasury Department said. “While Iran publicly downplays Iranian government involvement in the lethal aid shipment, the highest levels of the [Quds Force] were involved.”
Undersecretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence at the time, David S. Cohen, said: “Today’s action again exposes Iran’s malign influence in the Middle East, Africa and beyond … to foment violence in Syria and Africa.”
In 2012, as a consequence of his involvement, Qaani was added to the Treasury Department’s Specially Designated Nationals list according to Iran Watch, which effectively froze his financial assets under U.S. jurisdiction.
According to a 2012 biography of Ismail Qaani by Ali Alfoneh of the American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research, “While Suleimani is usually more direct in his speeches, Qaani hides behind official rhetoric.” According to the report, which cites Farsi open-source material, Qaani saw the Arab Spring “as continuity of ‘the path of Iran’s Islamic revolution.’”
The Arab Spring took root throughout North Africa, causing thousands of anti-government protests to erupt across the continent, toppling regimes in Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Tunisia and Yemen. Qaani saw the Arab Spring as the next step in extending Iranian control to Africa.
“[B]ased on this information … while Suleimani attends to the security concerns in western Iran, such as developments in Iraq, Syria and Lebanon,” the 2012 biography concluded, “Qaani may oversee the [Quds Force] activities in … more distant countries in Africa.”
This is supported by an interview by the political deputy in the supreme leader’s Military Politico-Ideology Bureau translated by Will Fulton, a Farsi translator and Iran analyst, on Twitter, highlighting Qaani’s “close relations” with resistance groups in Africa, according to an Iranian general:
Brig. Gen. 2nd Class Rasoul Sanaei Rad explained that Qaani’s “primary work” as [Quds Force] deputy commander has been in “implementing staff affairs, organizing [forces], and logistics.” … He described him as “a figure in the shadow the Quds Force” who avoided any media attention. … More importantly, the elements of Qaani’s career that the irgc and Office of the Supreme Leader choose to highlight (e.g. ties in Africa) are indicators of what might be expected from Qaani’s leadership.
According to these assessments, with Qaani now spearheading the elite Quds Force, we can expect Iran to shift its focus more toward increasing Iranian influence in Africa.
Iran’s Strategy
It is possible we are already seeing Qaani’s new Africa strategy being implemented.
The day after the U.S. assassination of Suleimani and Qaani’s appointment, militants from the al Qaeda-linked al-Shabaab terrorist group conducted their first attack against a U.S. base in Kenya, resulting in the deaths of three Americans. Details of the attack indicate that it was hastily organized and poorly executed, as if done in a rush as retribution for Suleimani’s death.
Geopolitical Futures reported, “Shabaab claimed that it attacked the military base for the sake of ‘al-Quds’ [Arabic for Jerusalem], which is similar rhetoric to that used by the Iranians to legitimize previous operations of Suleimani.”
Al-Shabaab militants are also believed to have received training from Iran in Afghanistan on waging asymmetric and surprise warfare. This training was likely coordinated by Qaani because of his many years of experience in the rugged country. The support for al-Shabaab and the recent attack on the U.S. in Kenya show that Iran is working to gain control of Africa.
Prophecy foretells such a shift in Iranian policy.
Daniel 11:40 says: “And at the time of the end shall the king of the south push at him: and the king of the north [a German-led European Union] shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass over.”
For years, the Trumpet has identified radical Islam, led by Iran, as the end-time fulfillment of the biblical king of the south. Today, Iran is an extremely pushy and aggressive nation. This has become increasingly more obvious over the past few weeks and months as it is becoming bolder and bolder in its willingness to attack foreign entities.
However, with Suleimani dead and regional tensions looming nearer to war, we can expect the new commander, who has managed to avoid media coverage, to redirect its focus to Africa where Iran can better cover its malign activities, just as the Bible prophesies.
Daniel 11:42-43 describe Iran as forming an Islamic alliance in which it will exert some form of control over the nations of Egypt, Libya and Ethiopia—likely referring to the Horn of Africa region as a whole.
A U.S. Africa Command statement on January 6 said it “has observed other nations, including Iran, seek increased influence in the Horn of Africa.”
Notice: The United States is not mentioned in this end-time clash prophesied in Daniel. There is a reason why.
Iran is seeking to exert influence in the Horn of Africa primarily to gain control over the vital Red Sea shipping lane. An estimated 4.8 million barrels of crude oil and refined petroleum flowed through this strait each day in 2016, more than half of it sailed toward Europe and the United States.
Trumpet editor in chief Gerald Flurry writes in his booklet The King of the South (free upon request):
The stage is being set for an Islamic group of nations to be led by Iran as the prophesied king of the south, which will push at the king of the north, the European Union. … The two nations of Libya and Ethiopia are mentioned in Daniel 11:43, along with Egypt. These two nations are the key that unlocks the strategy of radical Islam. That strategy is going to shake the U.S. and Europe to their foundations! … So you need to watch Libya and Ethiopia. They are about to fall under the heavy influence or control of Iran, the king of the south.
While Iranian activities in Africa are nothing new, the combination of timing and focus will make this one of the most significant developments to watch throughout this new decade.
Iran already has a firmly established position in Yemen via its Houthi proxy. After the Arab Spring overthrew leaders in Egypt and Libya, we briefly saw radical Islam gain control of both countries’ governments. Now, renewed discontent and protests throughout the region are resurrecting fears of a second Arab Spring. This time, there will be considerably more Iranian support.
As world events continue to race forward at an accelerated pace, watch for the new Quds Force commander, Ismail Qaani, to redirect Iran’s attention toward Africa and to ultimately gain control of the Red Sea shipping lane.
To prove Iran is the king of the south, read and study The King of the South by Gerald Flurry.


thetrumpet--2020-01-13--The Green Sebastian Kurz and Europe’s Future

Sebastian Kurz was officially sworn in as Austria’s chancellor on January 7. Kurz has made a dramatic turnaround from governing with the far-right Freedom Party to governing with Austria’s Green Party. Perhaps the only thing the Greens have in common with the far right is enabling Kurz’s rise to power.
Many analysts see the coalition government between Werner Kogler’s Green Party and Kurz’s People’s Party (övp) as a model for Europe’s future. Focus Online headlined: “Why Sebastian Kurz and Austria Serve as Good Examples for Germany” (Trumpet translation throughout).
Europe’s young people especially are concerned about the future of our planet. Many believe that climate change is the cause of various weather disasters, causing Europe’s Green parties to experience a dramatic boost in popularity.
Allying with this increasingly popular movement was a clever political power move for Kurz.
Kurz’s Power Play
Just a few years ago, European environmentalists were overshadowed by the refugee crisis. Starting in 2015, millions of refugees from Africa and the Middle East sought a new life in Europe. Civil wars, government breakdowns and shifting economic conditions motivated many to risk the journey. Thousands died on the way; millions found a temporary dwelling in Europe.
Europe’s willingness to help was plenteous, in the beginning, but it also gave rise to Europe’s far right and demands for a closed border policy. Sebastian Kurz was Austria’s foreign minister at the time and heard the people’s cry. He opposed the stance of German Chancellor Angela Merkel, initiated the closure of the Balkan routes for refugees, and skyrocketed in popularity. Through various political power plays, he became Europe’s youngest head of government.
At the time, Austria’s far right helped bring him to power.
Kurz’s sudden shift to allying with the Greens has caused some to wonder if he is only seeking power.
Kurz himself claims there are no contradictions with his previously stated goals for Austria: “It is possible to protect the climate and the borders at the same time,” he said.
Europe’s Green parties, of course, have greater ambitions than the mere goal of protecting the climate. On the political spectrum, they could almost be called far left. From their founding, socialist and Communist ideas have been imbedded into their agendas but disguised as environmentally friendly policies. (Read “The Greens and the Extremes” to learn more about the parties’ origins and policies.)
In the election campaign, Kurz often ridiculed the Greens’ extreme policy proposals. But now he claims he has found a way to combine the best of their ideas with the best of his. Austria’s Krone editor Claus Pandi wrote that Kurz has delivered a masterpiece of political power and negotiating tactics. “A steely will to power, a portion of cold-bloodedness and perfect craftsmanship are the foundations of his rise,” Pandi noted.
As with his coalition with the Freedom Party, it is clear that Kurz’s power position is unquestioned. Kurz again makes the promise that the core demands of both parties will be fulfilled: “It is possible to reduce the tax burden and to ecologize the tax system,” he said.
Kurz intends to keep a tight rein on the Green Party. Through a parliamentary speaker, Kurz announced “that the övp believes the tax cut should be carried out immediately—but that large Green projects, such as the CO2 tax, on the other hand, will first be extensively evaluated in a task force,” n-tv.de noted.
Kurz Accused of Being ‘Baby Hitler’
Though Kurz is entering a coalition with one of the most migrant-friendly parties there is, his stance on the topic hasn’t changed. In an interview with the German Bild Zeitung, Kurz said that his strong stance on the migration question will remain at “the core of his government.”
Concerning private sea rescuers off the coast of Libya, he said that “private sea rescuers sometimes support the tug boat without intending to. And so the actions of the private sea rescuers ultimately lead to more deaths. It is like this: By saving [those] in the Mediterranean and [giving them] a direct ticket to Europe, more and more are encouraged to take the journey and more and more drown.”
In other words, Kurz is saying if you let refugees drown in the Mediterranean, others will learn the lesson and not attempt the journey.
His comments promoted a tweet from Mission Lifeline’s sea rescuers that stated, “#BabyHitler in the BILD: extreme right.”
The Greens’ decision to enter a coalition government with Kurz has likely disappointed many of their core voters. Going forward, the Greens may have a similar experience to that of Kurz’s previous coalition partners, who fell in polls from 26 percent in 2017 to 16 percent in last year’s election.
Rising Strongmen
Some hope that Austria’s chancellor is starting a wave of green economic policies that will sweep throughout Europe. While Kurz may bring about a few more environmental policies, another trend is more important: his rise as Austria’s strongman.
Kurz is dominating his party and Austria’s government as a whole. In 2017, when he took over the party leadership of the övp, Kurz said that his party would go into the election under a new name: Liste Sebastian Kurz-the New People’s Party.
Today, Kurz is known around the world, while hardly anyone outside of Austria could name his predecessor.
He is rising in popularity, while opponents diminish into insignificance. The young chancellor was willing to endure criticism for cooperating with the far right. He had an explanation for every scandal and smiled at those who accused him of being a brutal, power-hungry politician.
Kurz is Austria’s strongman.
His rise not only affects the few million Austrians; it denotes a trend the Bible foretells will impact all of Europe.
Austrian writer Karl Kraus noted during World War i that Austria was “the laboratory for the end of the world.” To this day, historians and political analysts often refer to events in Austria as a sort of harbinger for Europe’s future.
In some ways, this is true. Various European leaders see what Kurz is doing and seek to imitate his success.
The Bible’s prophecies about modern Europe foretell that it will be ruled by 10 kings, or strongmen, who will rule a European superstate: “And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast. These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast” (Revelation 17:12-13). The time frame for this prophecy is the last days, or the time right before Jesus Christ’s Second Coming.
During his first trip to Brussels in 2017, Kurz was greeted “like a king,” Bild reported. And as each year passes, Kurz is ruling Austria more and more like a king.
Europe, during the time of the Holy Roman Empire, was ruled by kings. The Bible reveals that this empire will rule Europe again in these last days, though their leaders may use different terminology for their rulership positions.
For decades, the Trumpet and its predecessor, the Plain Truth, have predicted that Austria would be part of this empire.
The late Herbert W. Armstrong, editor in chief of the Plain Truth, asked in a co-worker letter dated Aug. 27, 1980: “Will Poland free itself from Soviet domination and join with Yugoslavia, Romania and possibly Czechoslovakia—and with Germany, Italy, France, Spain, Portugal and Austria—in a resurrected medieval ‘Holy Roman Empire’ to dominate Europe and equal the ussr and the U.S.A. in world power?”
Poland broke away from Soviet rule in 1989. And as Trumpet editor in chief Gerald Flurry explained in “The Holy Roman Empire Goes Public—Big Time!”, Austria is well on its way to resurrecting the rule of the Holy Roman Empire.
The Bible clearly shows that instead of a green wave, a wave of strongmen will sweep through Europe and dramatically change the direction of the Continent. If you want to know what this direction will look like, I encourage you to read “The Holy Roman Empire Goes Public—Big Time!” by Gerald Flurry.


thetrumpet--2020-01-12--American Politics and Othello

American Politics and Othello

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks about in the Grand Foyer of the White House in Washington , DC , January 8 , 2020 .
The division in Washington today reveals Iagos , Othellos and our own political tragedy .
Watching recent antagonism and vitriol in American politics and the press against the president reminds me of William Shakespeare ’ s Othello .
Othello is a great general who has just married Desdemona and appointed Cassio as his lieutenant .
Othello ’ s standard-bearer is Iago .
Things begin to go awry when Cassio gets drunk at a party and commits @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him from being lieutenant .
Soon after , Othello begins to hear things about his new wife that concern him .
Iago reluctantly reveals that he has some suspicions , but he says he doubts his own perceptions and is loath to share them .
But this is about his wife , so Othello convinces Iago to speak up .
Humble Iago , emphasizing his devotion to Othello , lays out his case , piece by piece , concluding that Desdemona and Cassio are committing adultery behind Othello ’ s back .
Could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ loyal and faithful .
The idea that she would be so treacherous is nonsense .
But it rattles Othello ’ s mind .
Then she begins to petition Othello to reinstate Cassio .
This strengthens the notion to Othello that she and Cassio are guilty .
Tormented , Othello angrily demands “ ocular proof ” from Iago of his accusation .
Tragically , Iago produces it : A special handkerchief that Othello had given Desdemona is found in the chamber of Cassio .
Step by painful step , the story leads to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could feign such devotion to him and yet be committing adultery with one of his officers , Othello finally murders her .
The great tragedy , though , is that Desdemona was faithful .
She was completely devoted to Othello from beginning to end .
She and Cassio never had any romance at all .
Her petitions on Cassio ’ s behalf were innocent and pure—and prompted by Iago .
The truth is that , from the first scene , this tragedy was all planned by Iago .
His observations were lies , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were forgeries , and his humility and devotion were deceits .
Jealous of Cassio , hateful to Othello , and willing to destroy lives to satisfy his own ambition and vengeance , he intentionally , craftily , subtly poisoned Othello ’ s thinking .
I take two main lessons from this play that are relevant to the tragedy unfolding in American politics today .
The first lesson is the appalling damage that can be done by a lying , two-faced , unscrupulous villain .
Washington well shows us that the perverse destruction wrought @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Iago character is essentially the devil .
Jesus Christ said “ he is a liar , and the father of it.
” He is willing to do anything to accomplish his evil purposes .
He will lie , cheat , steal , destroy reputations and murder , all while appearing to be harmless , impartial , kind , virtuous and peaceful : an “ angel of light ” ( 2 Corinthians 11:14 ) .
“ When devils will the blackest sins put on , // They do suggest at first with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now , ” Iago says .
Motivated only by his own sinister self-interest , an Iago will willingly destroy anyone who , knowingly or unknowingly , happens to impede his ambitions .
Someone operating without restraint in this way is terribly destructive !
Trumpet editor in chief Gerald Flurry ’ s Key of David program this last weekend , “ The Hidden Antiochus , ” is about this very thing .
In this deep and deeply worthwhile program , Mr .
Flurry talks about the 175 b.c .
Seleucid king Antiochus Epiphanes , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ history .
Antiochus sought to stamp out the faith of the Jews over whom he ruled .
He pursued this plot through deceit , then through coercion and violence .
Mr .
Flurry showed that Daniel 8 uses this history to prophesy end-time events .
A type of Antiochus rose to power within God ’ s own Church and has worked to destroy the faith of its people .
Daniel 8 also prophesies of an end-time Antiochus who leads Europe to wreak great destruction .
Beyond that , Mr .
Flurry showed , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ working to destroy what is left of the nation ’ s rule of law , morals and strength .
This Antiochus deceives , pretends to be something he isn ’ t , presents himself as smooth , attractive , flattering , patriotic .
He comes as an angel of light , but he is subverting and poisoning the nation .
That has happened in America .
An individual has already fulfilled much of this destructive role .
He still leads a growing movement that operates in the spirit of Antiochus and continues to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ You must understand the devil to grasp the scale of what is happening .
As the apostle said , being “ ignorant of [ Satan ’ s ] devices ” enables him to “ get an advantage of us ” ( 2 Corinthians 2:11 ) .
The character of Iago perfectly depicts this spirit at work in American politics today .
There are unquestionably people with an ambition to destroy the state and destroy lives to accomplish their goals .
Lying , cheating , deceit , duplicity , violence : virtually nothing is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is being exposed more and more , if you are paying attention .
The second lesson I take from Othello is the danger in faulty preconceptions .
Mistaken assumptions about Satan and his methods are deadly !
If you are ignorant of Satan ’ s devices , ignorant to the workings of an Iago or an Antiochus , you will be deceived and you will become his victim .
As the Trumpet so often emphasizes , the inexplicable troubles besieging this country are completely explainable once you realize that the spirit world is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to help you see this invisible enemy .
Othello is unwise to Iago ’ s deceit , and is thus susceptible to suggestion and insinuation .
Once he becomes convinced of his innocent wife ’ s betrayal , then everything he sees serves to confirm it .
Even his own mind begins to manufacture evidence proving his suspicions .
His wife ’ s most innocuous words and acts become convicting evidence of her supposed villainy .
Iago observes : “ Trifles light as air // Are to the jealous confirmations strong // As @ @ @ @ @ @ @ illustrates the danger of confirmation bias , the tendency to process information by looking for , favoring and interpreting information that affirms one ’ s existing beliefs .
In other words , your preconceptions shape your perception .
It can lead to your seeing crimes that are not there .
You work yourself into a frenzy over things that are imaginary .
This is playing out in grand fashion in American politics today .
There are definitely , unquestionably some Iagos at work .
Some people are deliberately , subtly , strategically telling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stories just to bring their enemies down and accomplish their own evil political ends at any cost .
But there are also many Othellos .
Many Americans are buying into these lies , allowing themselves to be influenced by disinformation .
And now their own imaginations are concocting evidence of criminality where none exists .
Everything they see confirms the fictional treachery of which they have convinced themselves .
Viewed through this distorting lens , the killing last week of Iranian Gen. Qassem Sulimani—the world ’ s most dangerous terrorist mastermind—becomes a reckless @ @ @ @ @ @ @ beloved military hero—or , at best , as one msnbc commentator bizarrely expressed it , “ Right decision , wrong commander in chief.
” Even when President Donald Trump is right , he ’ s wrong !
To those who are looking through this lens , no amount of exculpatory evidence can convince them the president isn ’ t guilty of collusion with the Russians , or being Putin ’ s stooge , or blowing a dog whistle to rally white supremacists to undertake the genocide of black people—or any number of other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fact , contrivances of their imagination .
It seems that once someone goes down this path far enough , it can be nearly impossible to open his eyes to the truth .
As Shakespeare indicated , it can lead to the most tragic , perverse and grievous of outcomes .
How will America ’ s story end ?
The spirit of Iago , of Antiochus—of the devil—is strong .
More and more people are becoming dangerously influenced by it .
I saw a video the other day of a conservative student at a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ table with a sign at a public square advertising his views .
Another student told him to take his sign down and get out , because he was “ inciting violence.
” The first student said he wasn ’ t inciting violence , he was just exercising his freedom of speech to state his political views .
The “ you ’ re inciting violence ” student suddenly punched him in the face .
I ’ m sure this violent student felt perfectly justified in his own mind , coldcocking someone for the sake @ @ @ @ @ @ @ influences us in more subtle ways too .
It doesn ’ t start with the blatant hypocrisy of this student , or the obviously twisted reasoning of an msnbc commentator .
It starts small : Just ask Iago .
We all need to open our eyes to recognize the devil ’ s influence in our world and in ourselves .
Learn more about the devil ’ s influence on America today by reading Gerald Flurry ’ s booklet America Under Attack .
Don ’ t be ignorant of his devices .
Don ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you .
Recognize that Satan is playing human nature to sow division and hatred within America .
Prophecy says it will get far worse .
And the story we are writing as a nation is turning into a genuine tragedy .

Watching recent antagonism and vitriol in American politics and the press against the president reminds me of William Shakespeare’s Othello.
Othello is a great general who has just married Desdemona and appointed Cassio as his lieutenant. Othello’s standard-bearer is Iago.
Things begin to go awry when Cassio gets drunk at a party and commits an indiscretion, causing Othello to demote him from being lieutenant. Soon after, Othello begins to hear things about his new wife that concern him. Iago reluctantly reveals that he has some suspicions, but he says he doubts his own perceptions and is loath to share them. But this is about his wife, so Othello convinces Iago to speak up. Humble Iago, emphasizing his devotion to Othello, lays out his case, piece by piece, concluding that Desdemona and Cassio are committing adultery behind Othello’s back.
Could it be true? Desdemona seems so loyal and faithful. The idea that she would be so treacherous is nonsense. But it rattles Othello’s mind. Then she begins to petition Othello to reinstate Cassio. This strengthens the notion to Othello that she and Cassio are guilty.
Tormented, Othello angrily demands “ocular proof” from Iago of his accusation. Tragically, Iago produces it: A special handkerchief that Othello had given Desdemona is found in the chamber of Cassio.
Step by painful step, the story leads to the fateful conclusion. Enraged that his wife could feign such devotion to him and yet be committing adultery with one of his officers, Othello finally murders her.
The great tragedy, though, is that Desdemona was faithful. She was completely devoted to Othello from beginning to end. She and Cassio never had any romance at all. Her petitions on Cassio’s behalf were innocent and pure—and prompted by Iago.
The truth is that, from the first scene, this tragedy was all planned by Iago. His observations were lies, his insinuations were slanders, his proofs were forgeries, and his humility and devotion were deceits. Jealous of Cassio, hateful to Othello, and willing to destroy lives to satisfy his own ambition and vengeance, he intentionally, craftily, subtly poisoned Othello’s thinking.
I take two main lessons from this play that are relevant to the tragedy unfolding in American politics today.
Beware Iagos
The first lesson is the appalling damage that can be done by a lying, two-faced, unscrupulous villain. Washington well shows us that the perverse destruction wrought by Iago is not confined to fiction.
The Iago character is essentially the devil. Jesus Christ said “he is a liar, and the father of it.” He is willing to do anything to accomplish his evil purposes. He will lie, cheat, steal, destroy reputations and murder, all while appearing to be harmless, impartial, kind, virtuous and peaceful: an “angel of light” (2 Corinthians 11:14). “When devils will the blackest sins put on, // They do suggest at first with heavenly shows, // As I do now,” Iago says. Motivated only by his own sinister self-interest, an Iago will willingly destroy anyone who, knowingly or unknowingly, happens to impede his ambitions. Someone operating without restraint in this way is terribly destructive!
Trumpet editor in chief Gerald Flurry’s Key of David program this last weekend, “The Hidden Antiochus,” is about this very thing. In this deep and deeply worthwhile program, Mr. Flurry talks about the 175 b.c. Seleucid king Antiochus Epiphanes, one of the worst villains in Jewish history. Antiochus sought to stamp out the faith of the Jews over whom he ruled. He pursued this plot through deceit, then through coercion and violence.
Mr. Flurry showed that Daniel 8 uses this history to prophesy end-time events. A type of Antiochus rose to power within God’s own Church and has worked to destroy the faith of its people. Daniel 8 also prophesies of an end-time Antiochus who leads Europe to wreak great destruction. Beyond that, Mr. Flurry showed, there has been an Antiochus within America working to destroy what is left of the nation’s rule of law, morals and strength.
This Antiochus deceives, pretends to be something he isn’t, presents himself as smooth, attractive, flattering, patriotic. He comes as an angel of light, but he is subverting and poisoning the nation.
That has happened in America. An individual has already fulfilled much of this destructive role. He still leads a growing movement that operates in the spirit of Antiochus and continues to wreak a horrifying amount of damage.
You must understand the devil to grasp the scale of what is happening. As the apostle said, being “ignorant of [Satan’s] devices” enables him to “get an advantage of us” (2 Corinthians 2:11).
The character of Iago perfectly depicts this spirit at work in American politics today. There are unquestionably people with an ambition to destroy the state and destroy lives to accomplish their goals. Lying, cheating, deceit, duplicity, violence: virtually nothing is off the table. This brutal reality is being exposed more and more, if you are paying attention.
Don’t Be Othello
The second lesson I take from Othello is the danger in faulty preconceptions.
Mistaken assumptions about Satan and his methods are deadly! If you are ignorant of Satan’s devices, ignorant to the workings of an Iago or an Antiochus, you will be deceived and you will become his victim. As the Trumpet so often emphasizes, the inexplicable troubles besieging this country are completely explainable once you realize that the spirit world is real and active. We are trying to help you see this invisible enemy.
Othello is unwise to Iago’s deceit, and is thus susceptible to suggestion and insinuation. Once he becomes convinced of his innocent wife’s betrayal, then everything he sees serves to confirm it. Even his own mind begins to manufacture evidence proving his suspicions. His wife’s most innocuous words and acts become convicting evidence of her supposed villainy. Iago observes: “Trifles light as air // Are to the jealous confirmations strong // As proofs of holy writ.”
This tragically illustrates the danger of confirmation bias, the tendency to process information by looking for, favoring and interpreting information that affirms one’s existing beliefs. In other words, your preconceptions shape your perception. It can lead to your seeing crimes that are not there. You work yourself into a frenzy over things that are imaginary.
This is playing out in grand fashion in American politics today.
There are definitely, unquestionably some Iagos at work. Some people are deliberately, subtly, strategically telling lies and poisoning the air with false stories just to bring their enemies down and accomplish their own evil political ends at any cost.
But there are also many Othellos. Many Americans are buying into these lies, allowing themselves to be influenced by disinformation. And now their own imaginations are concocting evidence of criminality where none exists. Everything they see confirms the fictional treachery of which they have convinced themselves.
Viewed through this distorting lens, the killing last week of Iranian Gen. Qassem Sulimani—the world’s most dangerous terrorist mastermind—becomes a reckless mistake, the unjust murder of a beloved military hero—or, at best, as one msnbc commentator bizarrely expressed it, “Right decision, wrong commander in chief.” Even when President Donald Trump is right, he’s wrong! To those who are looking through this lens, no amount of exculpatory evidence can convince them the president isn’t guilty of collusion with the Russians, or being Putin’s stooge, or blowing a dog whistle to rally white supremacists to undertake the genocide of black people—or any number of other crimes and sins that are, in fact, contrivances of their imagination.
It seems that once someone goes down this path far enough, it can be nearly impossible to open his eyes to the truth.
As Shakespeare indicated, it can lead to the most tragic, perverse and grievous of outcomes.
How will America’s story end? The spirit of Iago, of Antiochus—of the devil—is strong. More and more people are becoming dangerously influenced by it.
I saw a video the other day of a conservative student at a college campus. He sat at a table with a sign at a public square advertising his views. Another student told him to take his sign down and get out, because he was “inciting violence.” The first student said he wasn’t inciting violence, he was just exercising his freedom of speech to state his political views. The “you’re inciting violence” student suddenly punched him in the face. I’m sure this violent student felt perfectly justified in his own mind, coldcocking someone for the sake of “preserving peace.”
But Satan influences us in more subtle ways too. It doesn’t start with the blatant hypocrisy of this student, or the obviously twisted reasoning of an msnbc commentator. It starts small: Just ask Iago.
We all need to open our eyes to recognize the devil’s influence in our world and in ourselves. Learn more about the devil’s influence on America today by reading Gerald Flurry’s booklet America Under Attack. Don’t be ignorant of his devices. Don’t let him gain an advantage over you.
Recognize that Satan is playing human nature to sow division and hatred within America. Prophecy says it will get far worse. And the story we are writing as a nation is turning into a genuine tragedy.