thetrumpet--2020-03-03--Defying odds, Netanyahu Inches Toward Election Victory

jerusalem
Early this morning, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took to the stage in Tel Aviv to declare victory in Israel’s unprecedented third election within a year.
“This is a night of a huge victory for the Likud,” stated Netanyahu, speaking of his political party.
Hours earlier, exit polls showed Likud leading chief rival Benny Gantz’s Blue and White party by five seats in the Knesset: 37 to 32. The result is a dramatic swing from the September vote in which Likud lost to Blue and White 33 to 32. In that case, both Gantz and Netanyahu were unable to bring together a majority coalition in the 120-seat Knesset, necessitating the third election.
In Monday’s election, Netanyahu’s right-wing party fell just short of reaching the 61-seat majority. However, it’s anticipated that over the next few days Netanyahu will be able to cobble together the needed seats with defectors from the losing party. Israelis will largely forgive the defectors if it will prevent a fourth election.
While the final results will not be in for a couple of days, 90 percent of the vote has been counted and largely matches what exit polls predicted.
‘Victory Against All Odds’
“I remember our first victory in 1996 was historic, but this time is even sweeter because it is a victory against all odds,” Netanyahu continued in his speech. “Our rivals said the Netanyahu era is over, but together we turned it around, we made lemonade out of lemons.”
With no sign of fatigue, the 70-year-old fought a tireless campaign (his ninth), outworking his opponents by attending countless rallies and spending hours on live social media throughout the day to encourage his supporters to come out and vote.
And vote they did.
Defying political pundit predictions of voter fatigue, Monday’s elections witnessed the highest turnout of voters in all three recent elections. Seventy-one percent of Israelis came out to vote.
Almost 30 percent of them voted for Likud, its highest share of votes in party history.
Mati Tuchfeld summarized Netanyahu’s victory in Israel Hayom, writing, “This is an almost unprecedented personal coup—a comeback the like of which Israeli politics has never seen. Remember, this isn’t some shiny new candidate who managed to attract a large following, but the longest-serving prime minister in Israeli history who has reinvented himself.”
The Netanyahu victory is made even sweeter considering the ongoing battles by Israel’s legal fraternity to dethrone the leader. Netanyahu has been indicted by Israel’s Attorney General for bribery and other crimes with the trial due to start in two weeks. Borrowing a term used by United States President Donald Trump, Netanyahu has called the case a “witch hunt” to remove him from power.
The vote seems to confirm that many Israelis are in agreement.
Israelis went to the voting booth fully informed of the charges against Netanyahu, and they elected him anyway. Israeli commentator Caroline Glick wrote about the victory over the judiciary, posting on Facebook:
The biggest loser of today’s elections in Israel is the legal junta. Members of the junta, led by Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit have been engaged in a rolling coup, not just against Prime Minister Netanyahu, but against the sovereignty of the public. For a generation, the self-appointed justices and prosecutors have run roughshod over elected officials, the public, the Knesset, the government with politicized criminal probes, cancellation of laws, blockage of bills. With Bibi’s indictments, on crimes that simply don’t exist in the legal code, they thought they completed their seizure of power. But the public said no.
Although the prime minister says he intends to fight the attorney general in court, Israeli law also states that, as prime minister, Netanyahu can continue to serve even while indicted. While the courts will likely continue to hound Netanyahu, the election shows that the will of the people is with its prime minister.
Optimism in Israel
“There is nothing like the citizens of Israel,” stated Netanyahu in his victory speech. “Israeli citizens trust us because they know that we have brought the best decade in Israeli history.”
By most metrics, Israel’s economy has gotten stronger over the past decade. Although it often faces skirmishes with terrorists, fewer Israelis have been killed in the past decade than any decade in its history. And Israel is now on the verge of a revolution in its relationships with Arab states. And since the last elections in September, Israel has now become a net energy exporter for the first time in history.
Also critical to Netanyahu’s victory was the close relationship he shares with President Trump. While most nations disapprove of the American president, a January poll indicated that a massive 71 percent of Israelis support Mr. Trump. Israel and the United States have often enjoyed close ties, but never has the relationship been warmer under Netanyahu’s watch.
Under Netanyahu’s stewardship, President Trump has moved the American Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, declared the Golan Heights sovereign Israel territory, and increased pressure on Iran—Israel’s existential enemy in the region—by exiting the nuclear deal.
Most importantly since the last election, Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Trump held a joint press conference in the White House announcing that the president backs a unilateral Israeli annexation of most of East Jerusalem and 30 percent of the West Bank almost immediately. While there are negative aspects to the deal from Israel’s perspective, the joint announcement symbolized the brotherly bond between the two leaders.
A Prophesied Resurgence?
Combining all these achievements it is easy to see why many in Israel chose to continue with Netanyahu rather than experiment with a party whose main argument seemed to be “anyone but Bibi.”
It’s clear that Israel is in the midst of a stunning resurgence guided largely by the hand of Netanyahu. This is a trend that largely mirrors what is taking place in the United States under President Trump.
And it is a trend that actually has precedent in ancient biblical times as well. This shared resurgence in the U.S. and Israel parallels a period of economic partnership and collaboration in the ancient kingdoms of Israel and Judah. Back then, the resurgence took place under King Jeroboam ii of Israel and King Uzziah of Judah.
How does this history connect to today?
For more than two years, Trumpet editor in chief Gerald Flurry has explained that President Donald Trump is an end-time type of Jeroboam ii. This conclusion is based on an end-time prophecy in Amos 7 that specifically forecasts the emergence in Israel (modern-day America and Britain) of a modern Jeroboam. “God is telling us we have now entered the time frame of Amos chapter 7,” Mr. Flurry writes in his booklet Great Again.
This prophecy has been dramatically fulfilled! Like his ancient predecessor, President Trump has presided over a stunning national resurgence.
Is it possible this same resurgence is taking place in Israel—biblical Judah—as well, just like it did in the eighth century b.c. under King Uzziah?
Israel is indeed thriving under Prime Minister Netanyahu. But how long will it last?
To answer that question and explore the interesting parallels between our time today and eighth-century b.c. Judah, please take the time to read the cover story of the November-December 2019 issue of our Watch Jerusalem magazine, “A Prophesied Resurgence in Israel.”


thetrumpet--2020-03-03--The Bibi Surge, the Soaring Stock Market, and the Cause of Unhappiness Among Young People

Israeli Prime Minister , Benjamin Netanyahu greets Likud Party supporters at the Party ’ s after vote celebration on March @ @ @ @ @ Aviv , Israel .
The Bibi Surge , the Soaring Stock Market , and the @ @ @ @ @ People Benjamin Netanyahu came out on top after Israel ’ s third election in one @ @ @ @ @ seats than his main opposition , Benny Gantz , but still failed to get a @ @ @ @ @ already carrying out terrorist attacks , just days after it signed a “ peace ” @ @ @ @ @ .
The Dow Jones had its biggest single-day gain in its history yesterday .
The @ @ @ @ @ for days due to the coronavirus .
Why is suicide , depression and loneliness so @ @ @ @ @ In this segment , I talk about what is causing young people to be so @ @ @ @ @ solve this problem .
Subscribe to the Trumpet Daily Radio Show on Apple Podcasts , @ @ @ @ @

The Bibi Surge, the Soaring Stock Market, and the Cause of Unhappiness Among Young People
Stats From the Live Trumpet Lecture (4 minutes)
Netanyahu’s Big Win (8 minutes)
Benjamin Netanyahu came out on top after Israel’s third election in one year. He earned more seats than his main opposition, Benny Gantz, but still failed to get a majority.
Taliban Bombings (6 minutes)
The Taliban is already carrying out terrorist attacks, just days after it signed a “peace” agreement with the United States.
Stocks Surging (8 minutes)
The Dow Jones had its biggest single-day gain in its history yesterday. The stock market had been declining for days due to the coronavirus.
Unhappy Young People (15 minutes)
Why is suicide, depression and loneliness so rampant among young people? In this segment, I talk about what is causing young people to be so unhappy, and how to solve this problem.


thetrumpet--2020-03-03--A Prophesied Resurgence in Israel

A Prophesied Resurgence in Israel

The Jewish state is confident and strong , and for good reason .
How long can the good times last ?
Israel ’ s economy is strong and growing stronger .
In the last decade , the nation ’ s per capita gross domestic product has grown by 45 percent , significantly better than most Western nations .
Foreign direct investment in the first quarter of 2019 increased by more than $ 45 billion and is currently at a record high .
Israel is a world leader in scientific research and technology innovation and development .
Militarily , Israel is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t the largest military in the Middle East , the Israel Defense Force is technologically superior , more highly trained and better equipped than all the others .
This gives Israel tremendous confidence in its military , intelligence and security establishments .
Israel is also confident strategically and geopolitically .
Terrorist violence is ever present , and the nation remains surrounded by enemies , some of which regularly fire missiles at Israel ’ s towns and cities .
But those seeking Israel ’ s destruction are either weakened by political dysfunction ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ relatively ineffectual before Israel ’ s superior strength .
Israelis believe that as long as they remain strong and alert , they will be safe and secure .
Given these conditions , it ’ s easy to understand why the Jewish state today is feeling confident and optimistic .
Concurrently , it is enjoying a resurgence in its relationship with America .
Donald Trump ’ s view of the Jewish state is basically the polar opposite of his predecessor , who practiced an adversarial foreign policy that sought to undermine Israel and embolden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inaugurated in January 2017 , his basic approach to Israel has been to look at what Barack Obama did , then do the opposite .
America and its president are a major part of Israel ’ s success , and its confidence and optimism .
At a time when anti-Semitism is mounting globally and Israel is being maligned and isolated , having the support of America ’ s president has been extraordinary and indispensable .
Caroline Glick called Mr. Trump “ the most pro-Israel president in U.S. history .
No other president comes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the “ first Jewish president of the United States.
” Shmuely Boteach , a popular American rabbi , described the sentiment many Jews have toward Donald Trump in a Jerusalem Post article in April .
“ Hearing the most powerful man on Earth acknowledge the rise of Jew-hatred all over the globe , and his declaration of war against it , helped to greatly assuage Jewish feeling of isolation and abandonment , ” he wrote .
“ U.S .
President Donald Trump told us that we ’ re not in this fight alone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
There is no Fortress Israel .
The most powerful nation on Earth is by Israel ’ s side ” ( emphasis added ) .
One can appreciate this man ’ s sense of hope , and the general confidence and optimism in Israel today .
But how long can the good times last ?
There are reasons to believe that Israel has too much confidence , too much hope , both in itself and in President Trump .
First , though , consider what Donald Trump has done for Israel .
On @ @ @ @ @ @ @ months after taking office , Donald Trump became the first sitting U.S. president to visit the Western Wall , one of the Jews ’ most revered sites .
It was a very public gesture , delivered early in his presidency—and deeply unpopular with the international community—and was a clear sign of where America ’ s president stood .
Six months later , on Dec. 6 , 2017 , Mr. Trump again made history by becoming the first U.S. president to recognize Jerusalem as Israel ’ s capital .
Then on May 14 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Six-Day War and Jerusalem ’ s unification , America opened its embassy in Jerusalem .
This decision was also deeply unpopular with the international community and within America ’ s political establishment .
This didn ’ t faze Mr. Trump .
America had promised for decades to relocate its embassy to Jerusalem , and he was determined to follow through .
Israel was thrilled and grateful .
At the embassy opening , Israeli President Reuven Rivlin said , “ Finally , we have a leader who promised it and also kept his promise.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ big development in May 2018 .
The week before , on May 8 , President Trump announced America ’ s withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action—the Iran nuclear deal .
“ This was a horrible one-sided deal that should have never , ever been made , ” he said .
“ It didn ’ t bring calm , it didn ’ t bring peace , and it never will.
” This decision was also extremely unpopular .
It infuriated Barack Obama and virtually the entire political establishment , as well as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and most of the international community .
None of this bothered America ’ s president .
Meanwhile , Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the entire nation of Israel were ecstatic .
On March 21 this year , America ’ s president made another pro-Israel announcement .
With one tweet , he overhauled a major American policy on Israel : “ After 52 years it is time for the United States to fully recognize Israel ’ s sovereignty over the Golan Heights , which is of critical strategic and security importance to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” A few days later , the White House made it official .
Again , this decision rankled politicians in America and in the international community .
But that didn ’ t deter Mr. Trump ; Israel came first !
Since January 2017 , within the notoriously anti-Israel United Nations , the U.S. has robustly defended Israel .
Until she resigned last December , Nikki Haley , handpicked by Donald Trump as America ’ s ambassador to the UN , was an absolute warrior for Israel .
She introduced Security Council resolutions condemning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , unrwa and the UN Human Rights Council , all favoring Israel .
America ’ s president has initiated many other significant changes , including cutting aid to the Palestinian Authority ( which , among other corrupt behavior , uses funds to pay family members of terrorists ) , officially designating Iran ’ s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist entity , and routinely and publicly defending Israel and furthering its interests , both domestically and globally .
Under President Trump , America has delivered on promises that have been made for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s actions have been significant , meaningful , even historic .
Considering all these decisions , it ’ s easy to understand Israel ’ s affection for Mr. Trump and why many Israelis and Jews are so hopeful .
There is a certain confidence and comfort that comes with knowing that the leader of the most powerful nation on Earth has your back .
Add in Israel ’ s economic and military strength , and you can understand the nation ’ s optimism .
But is Israel too confident ?
Both Israel and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wise King Solomon : “ Pride goeth before destruction , and an haughty spirit before a fall ” ( Proverbs 16:18 ) .
To understand why , we need to examine what Bible prophecy says about the present situation .
Gerald Flurry , the Trumpet ’ s editor in chief , has explained the prophecy in Amos 7 , which identifies Donald Trump as a modern-day type of King Jeroboam ii of Israel .
King Jeroboam presided over a spectacular renaissance in the kingdom of Israel in the first half of the eighth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) .
Israel attained a level of material prosperity , power and national security it hadn ’ t experienced since King Solomon .
Today , America and Britain are the modern-day descendants of ancient Israel , and these nations are enjoying an obvious resurgence .
( You can read more about this prophecy in our article on page 20 . )
Who is ultimately responsible for this resurgence ?
Verse 27 says that it was God who “ saved [ Israel ] by the hand of Jeroboam.
” Mr .
Flurry explained this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trumpet : “ This resurgence was not because of any personal greatness or leadership skill by Jeroboam .
It was because God took pity on Israel in its affliction .
It was because God did not want the name of Israel blotted out .
It was because God saved Israel !
” The same is true today : God is behind the resurgence in both America and the Jewish state !
The Jews today are the descendants of ancient Judah .
The nation of Israel covers virtually all the territory included within that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Judah experienced a national resurgence at precisely the same time .
You can study Israel ’ s resurgence in 2 Kings 14 and Judah ’ s resurgence in 2 Kings 15 and 2 Chronicles 26 .
The King James Study Bible says during the first half of the eighth century b.c.
, “ both kingdoms were enjoying great prosperity and had reached new political and military heights.
” As is so common with human nature , the material prosperity and power caused the people of both Israel and Judah to grow overconfident and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ But when Uzziah [ Judah ’ s king ] became strong , he became so proud ( of himself and his accomplishments ) that he acted corruptly , and he was unfaithful and sinned against the Lord his God … ” ( Amplified ) .
Both Israel and Judah became overconfident .
They became fixated on material wealth and pursuits and on satisfying carnal passions .
“ It was also a time of idolatry , extravagant indulgence in luxurious living , immorality , corruption of judicial procedures and oppression of the poor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so deceived they actually believed God was blessing their nation for its righteousness .
Anciently , the revivals in both Israel and Judah were short-lived .
As Mr .
Flurry wrote , “ And that resurgence was temporary .
Not long after , Israel was conquered and its people dispersed in captivity to the Assyrians.
” The affluence in the kingdom of Judah lasted a little longer , but it also ended : Judah was soon conquered and enslaved by the Babylonians .
This history is so positive and inspiring , if only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would give it the time and attention it deserves .
God is using this history and its present parallels to warn these nations .
He is giving these nations a resurgence so He can deliver one final warning .
He is trying to communicate with us !
Will you listen to what God is saying ?
Israel should not allow President Trump ’ s ardent support to bait it into the trap of overconfidence .
It must not exaggerate America ’ s long-term commitment and ability to support and defend the Jewish state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and military strength to foster a false sense of security .
After all , what happens if America ’ s president suddenly changes his approach ?
What comes after Donald Trump ?
His current stance on Israel is an exception among world leaders .
At some point , this anomaly will end .
Then what ?
Israel is confident and optimistic , but it must be realistic .
And it makes a grave mistake if it leaves God out of the picture .
For now , Israel has Donald Trump on its side @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , America ’ s president is a powerful force to be aligned with .
But Bible prophecy says Mr. Trump , and the resurgence underway in both America and Israel , is a temporary phenomenon .
Time , geography , global trends and Bible prophecy are on the side of Israel ’ s enemies .

The Jewish state is confident and strong, and for good reason. How long can the good times last?
jerusalem
Israel’s economy is strong and growing stronger. In the last decade, the nation’s per capita gross domestic product has grown by 45 percent, significantly better than most Western nations. Foreign direct investment in the first quarter of 2019 increased by more than $45 billion and is currently at a record high. Israel is a world leader in scientific research and technology innovation and development.
Militarily, Israel is stronger than ever. While it isn’t the largest military in the Middle East, the Israel Defense Force is technologically superior, more highly trained and better equipped than all the others. This gives Israel tremendous confidence in its military, intelligence and security establishments.
Israel is also confident strategically and geopolitically. Terrorist violence is ever present, and the nation remains surrounded by enemies, some of which regularly fire missiles at Israel’s towns and cities. But those seeking Israel’s destruction are either weakened by political dysfunction (e.g. the Palestinian Authority) or relatively ineffectual before Israel’s superior strength. Israelis believe that as long as they remain strong and alert, they will be safe and secure.
Given these conditions, it’s easy to understand why the Jewish state today is feeling confident and optimistic.
Concurrently, it is enjoying a resurgence in its relationship with America. Donald Trump’s view of the Jewish state is basically the polar opposite of his predecessor, who practiced an adversarial foreign policy that sought to undermine Israel and embolden its enemies. Since President Trump was inaugurated in January 2017, his basic approach to Israel has been to look at what Barack Obama did, then do the opposite.
America and its president are a major part of Israel’s success, and its confidence and optimism. At a time when anti-Semitism is mounting globally and Israel is being maligned and isolated, having the support of America’s president has been extraordinary and indispensable. Caroline Glick called Mr. Trump “the most pro-Israel president in U.S. history. No other president comes close.” He has also been called the “first Jewish president of the United States.”
Shmuely Boteach, a popular American rabbi, described the sentiment many Jews have toward Donald Trump in a Jerusalem Post article in April. “Hearing the most powerful man on Earth acknowledge the rise of Jew-hatred all over the globe, and his declaration of war against it, helped to greatly assuage Jewish feeling of isolation and abandonment,” he wrote. “U.S. President Donald Trump told us that we’re not in this fight alone. There will be no modern Masada. There is no Fortress Israel. The most powerful nation on Earth is by Israel’s side” (emphasis added).
One can appreciate this man’s sense of hope, and the general confidence and optimism in Israel today.
But how long can the good times last? There are reasons to believe that Israel has too much confidence, too much hope, both in itself and in President Trump.
Pro-Israel President
First, though, consider what Donald Trump has done for Israel.
President Trump visits the Wailing Wall in 2017. Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty Images
On May 22, 2017, just four months after taking office, Donald Trump became the first sitting U.S. president to visit the Western Wall, one of the Jews’ most revered sites. It was a very public gesture, delivered early in his presidency—and deeply unpopular with the international community—and was a clear sign of where America’s president stood.
Six months later, on Dec. 6, 2017, Mr. Trump again made history by becoming the first U.S. president to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. Then on May 14, 2018, the 51st anniversary of the Six-Day War and Jerusalem’s unification, America opened its embassy in Jerusalem. This decision was also deeply unpopular with the international community and within America’s political establishment. This didn’t faze Mr. Trump. America had promised for decades to relocate its embassy to Jerusalem, and he was determined to follow through. Israel was thrilled and grateful. At the embassy opening, Israeli President Reuven Rivlin said, “Finally, we have a leader who promised it and also kept his promise.”
President Trump moves the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem in 2018. Menahem Kahana/AFP/Getty Images
That wasn’t the only big development in May 2018. The week before, on May 8, President Trump announced America’s withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action—the Iran nuclear deal. “This was a horrible one-sided deal that should have never, ever been made,” he said. “It didn’t bring calm, it didn’t bring peace, and it never will.”
This decision was also extremely unpopular. It infuriated Barack Obama and virtually the entire political establishment, as well as Russia, China, Europe, Britain and most of the international community. None of this bothered America’s president. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the entire nation of Israel were ecstatic.
On March 21 this year, America’s president made another pro-Israel announcement. With one tweet, he overhauled a major American policy on Israel: “After 52 years it is time for the United States to fully recognize Israel’s sovereignty over the Golan Heights, which is of critical strategic and security importance to the State of Israel and regional stability!” A few days later, the White House made it official. Again, this decision rankled politicians in America and in the international community. But that didn’t deter Mr. Trump; Israel came first!
It’s easy to understand why many Israelis and Jews are so hopeful. There is a certain confidence and comfort that comes with knowing that the leader of the most powerful nation on Earth has your back.
Since January 2017, within the notoriously anti-Israel United Nations, the U.S. has robustly defended Israel. Until she resigned last December, Nikki Haley, handpicked by Donald Trump as America’s ambassador to the UN, was an absolute warrior for Israel. She introduced Security Council resolutions condemning Hamas and withdrew U.S. support from unesco, unrwa and the UN Human Rights Council, all favoring Israel.
America’s president has initiated many other significant changes, including cutting aid to the Palestinian Authority (which, among other corrupt behavior, uses funds to pay family members of terrorists), officially designating Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist entity, and routinely and publicly defending Israel and furthering its interests, both domestically and globally.
Under President Trump, America has delivered on promises that have been made for decades. Many of the president’s actions have been significant, meaningful, even historic.
President Trump visits Prime Minister Netanyahu. Kobi Gideon/GPO/Getty Images
Considering all these decisions, it’s easy to understand Israel’s affection for Mr. Trump and why many Israelis and Jews are so hopeful. There is a certain confidence and comfort that comes with knowing that the leader of the most powerful nation on Earth has your back. Add in Israel’s economic and military strength, and you can understand the nation’s optimism.
But is Israel too confident? Both Israel and America ought to remember the words of wise King Solomon: “Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall” (Proverbs 16:18).
To understand why, we need to examine what Bible prophecy says about the present situation.
Prophetic Parallel in History
Gerald Flurry, the Trumpet’s editor in chief, has explained the prophecy in Amos 7, which identifies Donald Trump as a modern-day type of King Jeroboam ii of Israel.
King Jeroboam presided over a spectacular renaissance in the kingdom of Israel in the first half of the eighth century b.c. (2 Kings 14:23-29). Israel attained a level of material prosperity, power and national security it hadn’t experienced since King Solomon. Today, America and Britain are the modern-day descendants of ancient Israel, and these nations are enjoying an obvious resurgence. (You can read more about this prophecy in our article on page 20.)
Who is ultimately responsible for this resurgence? Verse 27 says that it was God who “saved [Israel] by the hand of Jeroboam.” Mr. Flurry explained this crucial point in the May-June 2018 Philadelphia Trumpet: “This resurgence was not because of any personal greatness or leadership skill by Jeroboam. It was because God took pity on Israel in its affliction. It was because God did not want the name of Israel blotted out. It was because God saved Israel!”
The same is true today: God is behind the resurgence in both America and the Jewish state!
The Jews today are the descendants of ancient Judah. The nation of Israel covers virtually all the territory included within that kingdom. Anciently, both Israel and Judah experienced a national resurgence at precisely the same time. You can study Israel’s resurgence in 2 Kings 14 and Judah’s resurgence in 2 Kings 15 and 2 Chronicles 26.
The King James Study Bible says during the first half of the eighth century b.c., “both kingdoms were enjoying great prosperity and had reached new political and military heights.”
As is so common with human nature, the material prosperity and power caused the people of both Israel and Judah to grow overconfident and arrogant. 2 Chronicles 26:16 says, “But when Uzziah [Judah’s king] became strong, he became so proud (of himself and his accomplishments) that he acted corruptly, and he was unfaithful and sinned against the Lord his God …” (Amplified).
Both Israel and Judah became overconfident. They became fixated on material wealth and pursuits and on satisfying carnal passions. “It was also a time of idolatry, extravagant indulgence in luxurious living, immorality, corruption of judicial procedures and oppression of the poor” (ibid). Many were so deceived they actually believed God was blessing their nation for its righteousness.
Anciently, the revivals in both Israel and Judah were short-lived. As Mr. Flurry wrote, “And that resurgence was temporary. Not long after, Israel was conquered and its people dispersed in captivity to the Assyrians.” The affluence in the kingdom of Judah lasted a little longer, but it also ended: Judah was soon conquered and enslaved by the Babylonians.
This history is so positive and inspiring, if only America, Britain and the Jewish state would give it the time and attention it deserves. God is using this history and its present parallels to warn these nations. He is giving these nations a resurgence so He can deliver one final warning. He is trying to communicate with us!
Will you listen to what God is saying?
Israel should not allow President Trump’s ardent support to bait it into the trap of overconfidence. It must not exaggerate America’s long-term commitment and ability to support and defend the Jewish state. It must not allow its economic and military strength to foster a false sense of security. After all, what happens if America’s president suddenly changes his approach? What comes after Donald Trump? His current stance on Israel is an exception among world leaders. At some point, this anomaly will end. Then what? Israel is confident and optimistic, but it must be realistic. And it makes a grave mistake if it leaves God out of the picture.
For now, Israel has Donald Trump on its side. Thanks to God’s sanction, America’s president is a powerful force to be aligned with. But Bible prophecy says Mr. Trump, and the resurgence underway in both America and Israel, is a temporary phenomenon.
Time, geography, global trends and Bible prophecy are on the side of Israel’s enemies.


thetrumpet--2020-03-03--Nazi Resurgence on Open Display

Nazi Resurgence on Open Display

One precise sign of Christ ’ s Second Coming has been fulfilled : The Church of God experienced a terrible apostasy .
How could this happen ?
There was a specific reason—and you need to avoid making this mistake !
The Apostle Paul gave a specific sign of the imminent Second Coming of Jesus Christ that not many people pay attention to .
Yet it has happened .
This is a sign you can see .
Anyone can see it—and you can prove to yourself from your own Bible this sign of the soon-coming return of your Savior .
You @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can prove and know .
What is this sign ?
Paul prophesied that nearly all of God ’ s people would turn away from Him in this end time .
What do you know about this great falling away ?
What could be more important than knowing the sign that Jesus Christ is about to return ?
This was a massive spiritual revolt against God .
And it happened in our lifetime .
Now , consider this crucial question : Why would such a thing happen ?
How could tens of thousands of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before Christ returns ?
You need to know the answer .
Whether or not you have personal history with this rebellion , understanding why it happened is still extremely relevant .
It reveals a spiritual flaw that you and I must avoid .
The Bible shows that this is the only way we can escape grievous tribulation that is about to descend on this Earth .
All of God ’ s rebellious people who fail to repent before the Great Tribulation will suffer through that dreadful period .
And 50 percent of them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are prophesied to refuse to repent and will lose their eternal lives !
Though this is a serious warning , it is also a beautiful and inspiring lesson God wants to teach us .
And there is a faithful remnant of God ’ s people delivering this message—a message Paul said had to be delivered in this end time .
These saints will share Christ ’ s throne and work with Him at universe headquarters in Jerusalem for eternity !
Why did so many of God ’ s people fall away ?
Let @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Here is Paul ’ s prophecy : “ Now we beseech you , brethren [ he is talking to God ’ s own Church—his ‘ brothers ’ in the spiritual family ] , by [ or concerning , it should read ] the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ [ this is the context : the Second Coming ] , and by our gathering together unto him , That ye be not soon shaken in mind , or be troubled [ or terrified , it could read ] , neither by spirit , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as from us , as that the day of Christ [ again , His Second Coming ] is at hand ” ( 2 Thessalonians 2:1-2 ) .
Paul is talking about something that can shake or even terrify people !
There is great danger and exceedingly high stakes .
“ Let no man deceive you by any means , ” verse 3 begins .
Paul was fighting individuals who were deliberately trying to deceive God ’ s people !
That word means to lead astray .
This event is marked by deep deception @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or that day [ of Christ ’ s return ] shall not come , except there come a falling away first … ” ( verse 3 ) .
Here is the sign : A massive “ falling away ” from the truth among God ’ s people .
Other translations call this “ the apostasy ” and “ the great revolt.
” The original Greek says this will happen first .
Christ will not return until this has taken place .
This falling away is a sign that Christ is almost here !
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ was a disturbing , terrifying event in this end time .
But realize : It is connected directly to the Second Coming of Jesus Christ !
The New English Translation calls it “ the final rebellion against God.
” Why ?
Because Christ ’ s return comes next .
There will be no rebellion at all until the very end of His thousand-year rule over Earth .
Then Satan will be banished into outer darkness forever , and no one will ever rebel again ( Revelation 20:1-3 , 7 , 10 ) .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a lot more detail about what occurs in this falling away : “ … and that man of sin be revealed , the son of perdition ; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God , or that is worshipped ; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God , shewing himself that he is God ” ( 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 ) .
Note : During this great falling away , an individual Paul calls the “ man of sin … the son of perdition ” is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the temple of God ” —meaning in God ’ s Church .
Perdition refers to destruction , damnation , perishing , waste and utter ruin .
This man placed himself above God and taught God ’ s people the opposite of what God teaches !
He led God ’ s Church into destruction !
The man of sin is a specific human being .
If we are tuned into God and His message , then God reveals this man ’ s identity to us .
Do you know who this man is ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ prove it .
( Request my free book Malachi ’ s Message to God ’ s Church Today to study this proof for yourself . )
The Moffatt translation says Christ will not return “ till the Rebellion takes place first of all , with the revealing of the Lawless One.
” You can know and see this man because his identity was exposed in that great “ falling away.
” He is “ the Lawless One ” —inside God ’ s Church !
And because of him , God ’ s people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at stake because God has called them and given them His truth , yet they turned away from it !
God has to correct them for that , or they are going to lose their eternal lives !
The only other person in the Bible to be called the “ son of perdition ” was Judas Iscariot ( John 17:12 ) .
Judas betrayed Christ Himself !
Scriptures show that Judas was actually possessed by the devil ( Luke 22:3 ; John 13:27 ) .
Satan actually entered his mind the last night @ @ @ @ @ @ @ !
The implication is that this happens in this end time as well !
This end-time man of sin is on the same sinful level as Judas .
It is a betrayal of Christ .
The Church rebellion is the epitome of betrayal !
Satan loves betrayal .
The devil infiltrated God ’ s Church as an angel of light ( 2 Corinthians 11:14 ) and possessed the mind of this man of sin .
Most of God ’ s people were so lukewarm and far from Him , they couldn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ man and inside the Church .
Imagine Satan possessing a man—and God ’ s own people following that man , thinking they are following Christ !
That shows you how easily we can be deceived !
How could this happen ?
I will show you a specific reason , and it is something that could happen to you or me or any human being , depending on how we react to God and His Word .
We must understand Satan and how he operates .
“ And then shall that Wicked be revealed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders ” ( 2 Thessalonians 2:8-9 ) .
The Revised Standard Version renders signs as “ pretended signs.
” It is all deceit .
The man of sin is a fraud emboldened by Satan ’ s impressive power to deceive .
Revelation 12:9 reveals that Satan has deceived the whole world .
But did you know that God ’ s very elect can not be deceived ?
That is what Matthew 24:24 says .
Nobody can deceive them !
If you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ never have to be deceived .
But if we do not stay close to Christ and remain His very elect , we will be deceived .
Notice , though , that verse 8 of 2 Thessalonians 2 also says of this lawless man , “ whom the Lord will slay with the breath of his mouth [ His truth ] , and bring to an end by the appearance of his coming.
” The man of sin is going to have to face Jesus Christ Himself at His Second Coming—and it will not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going to end this man ’ s work !
Verses 10 and 11 reveal why almost every member of the Worldwide Church of God rebelled after Herbert W. Armstrong died in 1986 .
Speaking of the deceptive activity of the man of sin , it says , “ And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish ” —notice : These people are perishing spiritually !
That is how serious this is !
Then comes this illuminating statement : “ because they received not the love of the truth , that they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) .
Why were they deceived ?
Why was Satan able to have such success in deluding them ?
Because they received not the love of the truth .
God ’ s own people didn ’ t love the truth—and passionately love God the Father and Jesus Christ .
Now , they are perishing spiritually !
What could be more serious ?
John 17:17 says God ’ s Word is truth .
That means both the Old Testament and New Testament .
Christ told us we must live by every word of God @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s people fell away from that !
They possessed tremendous understanding and great truth—but didn ’ t love it .
So they followed the devil who came as an angel of light , and were led away from it !
The Philips translation says , “ They have refused to love the truth.
” God ’ s own people just refuse !
They will not obey God ’ s Word !
“ And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion , that they should believe a lie ” ( 2 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to wreck the Church because the people stopped loving the truth .
You can not fake loving God ’ s truth .
Ezekiel prophesied of many people who say they love the truth , but who won ’ t do it and obey it !
“ And they come unto thee as the people cometh , and they sit before thee as my people , and they hear thy words , but they will not do them : for with their mouth they shew much love , but their heart goeth after their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Saying you love the truth means nothing of itself .
God demands action to back up our words .
If you want to avoid deception , love the truth of God .
If you want the ultimate peace and happiness in your life , love the truth of God !
There is a little remnant of that church that shows by their fruits they love the truth by proclaiming and explaining this prophetic message of 2 Thessalonians 2 .
God ’ s loyal remnant delivers the truth , and obeys the truth , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they love the truth !
God ’ s prophets and apostles , heroes of the Bible , loved the truth so much that they would die before they would give it up !
No matter how difficult the circumstances , however severe the persecution , they simply would not give it up !
The truth was more important than anything else in their lives .
And even amid trial , they radiated with joy because they knew that if they clung to the truth , they would be able to enjoy life with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ escape deception ?
Do you want a life filled with happiness and peace ?
Do you want to serve with Christ for eternity ?
Then love God ’ s truth !

This week saw two public displays of anti-Semitism within Europe. These events only add to a growing pattern of anti-Semitism and disregard for recent history that is becoming more evident and more overt with each passing day.
One of these displays occurred in Aalst, Belgium, during its annual three-day carnival. The carnival, which began on Sunday, is said to have originated over 600 years ago. The carnival’s official website explains, “Political satire is also a big part of Aalst Carnival and it is well known for its satire and the way that it makes fun of local and international events. Everything is put on display and absolutely nothing is off limits, not religion, race, politicians or even celebrities.” And apparently, not even anti-Semitism.
This year’s parade featured Nazi uniforms, participants with long fake hooked noses, and a group dressed as Jews with a sign saying, “Don’t tell the truth about the Jew.” Other signs mocked circumcision and costumes of Orthodox Jews as ants, reminiscent of Adolf Hitler calling the Jews “vermin.”
As expected, the display led to an outcry by many, including the Belgian prime minister. But the response by city officials is almost as shocking as the event itself.
Peter Van den Bossche, spokesman for Aalst’s mayor, justified the event, saying that the carnival is just “a weekend of freedom of speech” with no “movement behind it.” He went on to say, “This doesn’t encourage anti-Semitism …. Two hundred percent it’s not anti-Semitic.” Bossche told the bbc that “it’s our humor … just fun.” That is a chilling remark. The 25,000 Jewish Belgians carted off to Auschwitz death camp during World War ii certainly would not call this display “just fun.”
A similar display of anti-Semitism occurred at the Aalast Carnival last year. This celebration is only 19 miles from Brussels, the beating heart of the European Union.
Spain also held a similarly anti-Semitic carnival display last week. A group dressed as Nazi soldiers marched, individuals dressed as Jewish concentration camp prisoners danced, and a float, designed to look like a crematorium with two smoke stacks, followed behind.
The Israeli Embassy in Madrid condemned “the vile and repugnant” display for “making fun of the murder of millions of Jews by the Nazis.” The group responsible apologized and canceled its participation in coming parades, but said in a puzzling statement that it had intended to spread “a message of consideration and respect” toward the Jewish victims.
Germany also received a warning from its Israeli ambassador this week. Jeremy Issacharoff warned that recent attacks on Jews and Muslims were endangering German democracy. “No democratic society can survive if minorities are constantly threatened or harmed,” he warned, pointing to the Holocaust as an example of where such hatred leads. Yet the openly anti-Semitic Alternative für Deutschland is the third-largest party in Germany. That fact alone legitimizes questioning how long Germany’s democracy will last.
What many saw in Belgium and Spain last week, along with neo-Nazi rallies held in Germany every year, is a reflection of the growing levels of anti-Semitism becoming evident in all corners of Europe.
Holocaust revisionism is one example of this anti-Semitism. A poll of 16,000 individuals from 16 European countries found that approximately one fifth of respondents believe that “Jews exploit Holocaust victimhood for their own needs.” More than one third believe that their nation suffered as much as the Jews during World War ii and one fifth believe that a secret network of Jews influence global politics and economics. Twenty-five percent of respondents also believed that Israel’s policies today make hatred toward Jews understandable.
These kinds of responses reveal why anti-Semitism is spreading. From 2017 to 2018, anti-Semitism increased 74 percent in France, 50 percent in the United States, and 20 percent in Germany. Several other countries also saw increases that set new records.
The rise of fringe parties, together with surging anti-Semitism, is the same trend Europe experienced during the 1930s, when the Nazi Party rose to power and anti-Semitism became popular around world, including in Britain and America.
In his April 2020 Trumpet article, “Echoes of the 1930s,” contributing editor Richard Palmer wrote:
The 1930s history remains a powerful warning for the future. Bible prophecy gives us an even clearer warning. And that prophecy tells us there will be some major similarities—as well as some key differences.
In his book The Key of David, Trumpet editor in chief Gerald Flurry explains why history has been filled with so much hatred for Jews—and explains that this hatred will only continue as we draw closer to the rise of the resurrected Holy Roman Empire. Mr. Flurry writes:
Because of the plan of God, the word Jew can really stir up Satan’s wrath. The Jews are a type of what all men are to become spiritually. It is God’s association with the Jews that has turned Satan even more violently against them! Hatred for the Jews has been inspired by Satan. … Satan can stir up vicious hatred. He loves to use out-of-control emotions. A religion taken to the extreme—such as radical Islam—gives him a great field to work in. Nazi Germany exhibited fanatical hatred for the Jews. The Nazis also used emotion to stir up a repugnant hatred. The coming beast power will exhibit the same hatred for the Jews as well.
Such open displays of Nazism and anti-Semitism on the streets of Europe today reveal how chillingly close to the revival of this beast power we are.
To learn more about the resurgence of anti-Semitism, read our article “The One Minority Society Loves to Hate.”


thetrumpet--2020-03-02--Negotiating With the Enemy: America’s Failed War on Terror

Jamiat Ulema-e Islam Nazryate activists in Quetta celebrate the signing of the agreement between the U.S. and the Taliban on March 1 .
United States President Donald Trump signed an agreement with the Taliban on Saturday affirming a temporary truce and a full-scale American withdrawal from Afghanistan .
After 18 years of war , spending $ 1 trillion supporting the war effort , and the death of 2,300 American soldiers and more than 150,000 Afghans , America has conceded defeat .
America ’ s retreat from Afghanistan has been a long-standing Trumpet prediction .
In November 2001 , when the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after the September 11 attacks , we predicted : “ The U.S. won ’ t be the victors in this war .
… As we now examine the facts emerging from this war , we can see unequivocally that the terrorist snake will survive America ’ s aggression—head intact and stronger than ever.
” Now , after America ’ s negotiated defeat in Afghanistan , this prediction rings louder than ever .
According to the New York Times , the peace deal signed with the Taliban—one of America ’ s main enemies throughout @ @ @ @ @ @ @ withdraw all of its 12,000 soldiers from Afghanistan within the next 14 months .
According to the Associated Press , immediately after the signing , America will reduce its troops to approximately 8,600 over a period of weeks .
However , the U.S. will keep warplanes in the country in case the Taliban renews its offensive on the Afghan government , along with a small force to protect its embassy .
What did America receive in this deal ?
A promise of peace .
The peace deal calls for negotiations between the Taliban @ @ @ @ @ @ @ month , which should eventually lead to a nationwide ceasefire—though many experts question whether the two parties would ever agree to share power .
The Taliban—guilty of suicide bombings and rocket attacks against Afghan and American troops—also agreed to not harbor terrorist groups , like al Qaeda , within Afghanistan ’ s borders .
The U.S. negotiated with terrorists and made a deal with the enemy .
The War in Afghanistan quickly became a quagmire for the U.S. As expenses and death rates increased , America increasingly wanted out of the miry mess @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to completely withdraw from Afghanistan because each feared underestimating the threat and risking another terrorist attack on American soil .
The motivations to stay were largely political .
Because of these factors , American presidents have wavered : To stay , or not to stay—that was the question .
As a result , the War in Afghanistan became one defined by half measures .
On Sept. 20 , 2001 , then U.S. President George W. Bush said that the “ leadership of al Qaeda has great influence in Afghanistan and supports the Taliban @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” If not for al Qaeda ’ s support , the Taliban could not have controlled the government from 1996 to 2001 .
When American troops quickly ousted it from power and forced it into hiding , the Taliban leadership fled to the Pakistani city of Quetta to regroup .
While there , it received financial and military support from the Pakistani government and al Qaeda .
With international help and a quick victory , the U.S. installed a new government in Afghanistan .
But in 2006 , the Taliban returned from Pakistan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ couple of years , Afghanistan was again in turmoil .
Afghanistan ’ s economy was in shambles .
Its insufficient infrastructure , nonexistent industry and poverty-stricken agricultural community led many local Afghans to blame the newly established government .
As a result , many joined the Taliban as jihadist insurgents .
America responded with a troop surge in 2009 that peaked in 2011 with just over 100,000 troops in Afghanistan at one time .
That year , Osama bin Laden was killed in Operation Neptune Spear .
A poll later that year found @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. had accomplished its purpose in Afghanistan .
President Barack Obama declared victory and ordered a mass withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan .
Troop numbers plummeted to about 8,400 in 2016 .
“ Power players all over the Middle East were watching carefully as America … showed a will to fight , and then quickly tired of the whole affair , ” Vali Naser writes in The Dispensable Nation .
“ Our only goal seemed to be getting out , first of Afghanistan and then the whole region.
” The number one enemy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and ever since , the U.S. has been begging for peace .
The American people have simply lost the will to continue ; they want out of Afghanistan .
However , terrorism still runs rampant in the desert nation and the real head of the snake remains “ intact , and stronger than ever.
” In his November 2001 Trumpet article “ The Head of the Snake , ” Trumpet managing editor Joel Hilliker wrote : America claimed that al Qaeda was the power behind the Taliban and the 9/11 bombings ; @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be the true source of the terrorist power .
In November 2019 , the U.S. State Department released a report that drew special attention to the al Qaeda-Iran relationship .
It states : “ Tehran continued to allow an [ al Qaeda ] facilitation network to operate in Iran , which sends fighters and money to conflict zones in Afghanistan and Syria , and it has extended sanctuary to [ al Qaeda ] members residing in the country.
” Later in November , the Central Intelligence Agency declassified a large trove of documents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bin Laden was killed ) detailing how Hamza , bin Laden ’ s son , was sheltered in Iran .
According to the Atlantic , one 19-page document showed how negotiations between al Qaeda and Iran ’ s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in Tehran discussed the funding and arming of al Qaeda members to strike American targets .
Several sources agree that evidence suggests this al Qaeda-Iran relationship even goes back two decades—before the September 11 attacks on the Pentagon and the World Trade Center , which Iran also played a role in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ al Qaeda and the Taliban in Afghanistan , the real threat , Iran , was free to continue expanding its military and funding terrorism throughout the Middle East .
In 1994 , then Secretary of State Warren Christopher called Iran “ the world ’ s most significant state sponsor of terrorism.
” Most sources claim that Iran spends $ 1 billion a year supporting terrorism ; others say this number could be as high as $ 16 billion annually .
Notice Daniel 11:40 : “ And at the time of the end shall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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.
” No other nation in the Middle East has the power , determination or resources to be this prophesied power .
No other nation in the Middle East is as pushy as Iran .
Iran is the king of the Middle East , the king of radical Islam , the king @ @ @ @ @ @ @ identified this king of the north as a united , German-led European Union .
Iran will push at this emerging European superpower , and in response , as it says in Daniel 11:40-41 , Europe will “ come against him like a whirlwind ” in a storm of fury and will “ overflow ” and conquer many countries .
But notice , the United States is not mentioned in this prophecy !
In 2001 , we wrote that “ there will soon come a point when the U.S. won ’ t even be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a reason why .
On February 26 , Al Jazeera wrote , “ After Vietnam and Iraq , the U.S. seems to have lost its third major war and the longest of them all.
” Herbert W. Armstrong , founder of the Plain Truth , predecessor of the Trumpet , declared after World War ii that “ the United States has won its last war !
” The Trumpet has maintained that forecast .
Following in Mr. Armstrong ’ s footsteps , Mr .
Flurry declared that America would not win its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he wrote , “ If the Iranian leadership were eliminated , the whole course of Mideast history would change radically for the better , because it is the king .
Sadly , Bible prophecy reveals that will not happen.
” At the time of America ’ s invasion of Afghanistan , the U.S. State Department had listed five regimes that sponsor terrorism : Iran , Iraq , North Korea , Sudan and Cuba .
Afghanistan was not on the list .
America dealt with the effect and ignored the cause .
By fixating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has gone after the pawns instead of the king .
As a result , America ’ s strength has been spent in vain .
This catastrophic failure of American policy was prophesied with remarkable accuracy in your Bible .
Leviticus 26:19-20 say , “ And I will break the pride of your power ; and I will make your heaven as iron , and your earth as brass : And your strength shall be spent in vain.
” Because of disobedience , God said He would curse the modern descendants of Israel , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ proof about the identity of these nations , request a free copy of The United States and Britain in Prophecy , by Herbert W .
Armstrong . )
According to this prophecy , America would still have its mighty military , but it would lack the will to use it .
Mr .
Flurry continued : “ Little Israel has more military might than Iran but fears to use it .
The same is the case with Britain .
And certainly that is true of America .
But our nations fear to use @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ‘ pride of [ our ] power ’ has been broken !
We simply lack the will to sustain our war against terrorism ” ( op cit ) .
The Afghanistan Papers , a confidential trove of more than 2,000 pages of government documents , revealed on Dec. 9 , 2019 , show the extent of America ’ s divided approach and its failure to go after the real threat .
The reports revealed U.S. Army generals saying , “ We were devoid of a fundamental understanding of Afghanistan—we didn ’ t know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t have the foggiest notion of what we were undertaking.
” One of the generals said that as a result of U.S. bureaucratic “ dysfunction ” in Afghanistan , thousands of Americans lost their lives “ in vain.
” Since 2001 , more than 775,000 U.S. troops have been deployed to Afghanistan .
According to U.S. Defense Department figures , 2,300 died and 20,589 were wounded in action .
In the same period , the U.S. spent nearly $ 1 trillion , according to inflation-adjusted estimates .
All of the effort , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in its 18-year war in Afghanistan has been “ in vain ” and has only led to America negotiating its own defeat .
The pride of our power has been broken .
For more information about this prophecy , request a free copy of The United States and Britain in Prophecy .

United States President Donald Trump signed an agreement with the Taliban on Saturday affirming a temporary truce and a full-scale American withdrawal from Afghanistan. After 18 years of war, spending $1 trillion supporting the war effort, and the death of 2,300 American soldiers and more than 150,000 Afghans, America has conceded defeat.
America’s retreat from Afghanistan has been a long-standing Trumpet prediction. In November 2001, when the U.S. first started its war in Afghanistan after the September 11 attacks, we predicted: “The U.S. won’t be the victors in this war. … As we now examine the facts emerging from this war, we can see unequivocally that the terrorist snake will survive America’s aggression—head intact and stronger than ever.”
Now, after America’s negotiated defeat in Afghanistan, this prediction rings louder than ever.
According to the New York Times, the peace deal signed with the Taliban—one of America’s main enemies throughout the 18-year war—affirms that the U.S. will withdraw all of its 12,000 soldiers from Afghanistan within the next 14 months. According to the Associated Press, immediately after the signing, America will reduce its troops to approximately 8,600 over a period of weeks. However, the U.S. will keep warplanes in the country in case the Taliban renews its offensive on the Afghan government, along with a small force to protect its embassy.
What did America receive in this deal? A promise of peace.
The peace deal calls for negotiations between the Taliban and the Afghan government to start next month, which should eventually lead to a nationwide ceasefire—though many experts question whether the two parties would ever agree to share power. The Taliban—guilty of suicide bombings and rocket attacks against Afghan and American troops—also agreed to not harbor terrorist groups, like al Qaeda, within Afghanistan’s borders.
The U.S. negotiated with terrorists and made a deal with the enemy.
Half Measures
The War in Afghanistan quickly became a quagmire for the U.S. As expenses and death rates increased, America increasingly wanted out of the miry mess. Nevertheless, no president was willing to completely withdraw from Afghanistan because each feared underestimating the threat and risking another terrorist attack on American soil. The motivations to stay were largely political. Because of these factors, American presidents have wavered: To stay, or not to stay—that was the question.
As a result, the War in Afghanistan became one defined by half measures.
On Sept. 20, 2001, then U.S. President George W. Bush said that the “leadership of al Qaeda has great influence in Afghanistan and supports the Taliban regime in controlling most of that country.” If not for al Qaeda’s support, the Taliban could not have controlled the government from 1996 to 2001. When American troops quickly ousted it from power and forced it into hiding, the Taliban leadership fled to the Pakistani city of Quetta to regroup. While there, it received financial and military support from the Pakistani government and al Qaeda.
With international help and a quick victory, the U.S. installed a new government in Afghanistan. But in 2006, the Taliban returned from Pakistan in a ferocious comeback. Within a couple of years, Afghanistan was again in turmoil.
Afghanistan’s economy was in shambles. Its insufficient infrastructure, nonexistent industry and poverty-stricken agricultural community led many local Afghans to blame the newly established government. As a result, many joined the Taliban as jihadist insurgents.
America responded with a troop surge in 2009 that peaked in 2011 with just over 100,000 troops in Afghanistan at one time. That year, Osama bin Laden was killed in Operation Neptune Spear. A poll later that year found that the majority of Americans believed the U.S. had accomplished its purpose in Afghanistan. President Barack Obama declared victory and ordered a mass withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan. Troop numbers plummeted to about 8,400 in 2016.
“Power players all over the Middle East were watching carefully as America … showed a will to fight, and then quickly tired of the whole affair,” Vali Naser writes in The Dispensable Nation. “Our only goal seemed to be getting out, first of Afghanistan and then the whole region.”
The number one enemy in America’s eyes was gone, and ever since, the U.S. has been begging for peace. The American people have simply lost the will to continue; they want out of Afghanistan. However, terrorism still runs rampant in the desert nation and the real head of the snake remains “intact, and stronger than ever.”
Head of the Snake
In his November 2001 Trumpet article “The Head of the Snake,” Trumpet managing editor Joel Hilliker wrote:
While the U.S. wants to eliminate terrorism and is becoming much more aggressive in trying to do so, its efforts will fall short. … [T]he Taliban is just one tendril of the monster. … The real head of the snake of terrorism is referred to in end-time prophecy as the “king of the south” … likely being a potent Middle Eastern country leading a coalition of nations united by radical Islam.
America claimed that al Qaeda was the power behind the Taliban and the 9/11 bombings; however, recent findings reveal Iran to be the true source of the terrorist power.
In November 2019, the U.S. State Department released a report that drew special attention to the al Qaeda-Iran relationship. It states: “Tehran continued to allow an [al Qaeda] facilitation network to operate in Iran, which sends fighters and money to conflict zones in Afghanistan and Syria, and it has extended sanctuary to [al Qaeda] members residing in the country.”
Later in November, the Central Intelligence Agency declassified a large trove of documents from the 2011 raid (during which bin Laden was killed) detailing how Hamza, bin Laden’s son, was sheltered in Iran. According to the Atlantic, one 19-page document showed how negotiations between al Qaeda and Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in Tehran discussed the funding and arming of al Qaeda members to strike American targets. Several sources agree that evidence suggests this al Qaeda-Iran relationship even goes back two decades—before the September 11 attacks on the Pentagon and the World Trade Center, which Iran also played a role in planning.
While America was busy pursuing al Qaeda and the Taliban in Afghanistan, the real threat, Iran, was free to continue expanding its military and funding terrorism throughout the Middle East.
In February 2002, Trumpet editor in chief Gerald Flurry wrote (emphasis added):
We have spent billions [now trillions] of dollars and our young men have given their lives in the Afghanistan war. But Iran is reaping the benefits. This is what happens when you don’t destroy the “center of world terrorism”—the king of terror.
In 1994, then Secretary of State Warren Christopher called Iran “the world’s most significant state sponsor of terrorism.” Most sources claim that Iran spends $1 billion a year supporting terrorism; others say this number could be as high as $16 billion annually.
Notice Daniel 11:40: “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.”
No other nation in the Middle East has the power, determination or resources to be this prophesied power. No other nation in the Middle East is as pushy as Iran. Iran is the king of the Middle East, the king of radical Islam, the king of the south.
The Trumpet has identified this king of the north as a united, German-led European Union. Iran will push at this emerging European superpower, and in response, as it says in Daniel 11:40-41, Europe will “come against him like a whirlwind” in a storm of fury and will “overflow” and conquer many countries.
But notice, the United States is not mentioned in this prophecy! In 2001, we wrote that “there will soon come a point when the U.S. won’t even be a factor in this war.” There is a reason why.
Broken Will
On February 26, Al Jazeera wrote, “After Vietnam and Iraq, the U.S. seems to have lost its third major war and the longest of them all.”
Herbert W. Armstrong, founder of the Plain Truth, predecessor of the Trumpet, declared after World War ii that “the United States has won its last war!” The Trumpet has maintained that forecast.
Following in Mr. Armstrong’s footsteps, Mr. Flurry declared that America would not win its war on terrorism. In 2003, he wrote, “If the Iranian leadership were eliminated, the whole course of Mideast history would change radically for the better, because it is the king. Sadly, Bible prophecy reveals that will not happen.”
At the time of America’s invasion of Afghanistan, the U.S. State Department had listed five regimes that sponsor terrorism: Iran, Iraq, North Korea, Sudan and Cuba. Afghanistan was not on the list. America dealt with the effect and ignored the cause.
By fixating on individual terrorist entities, the U.S. has gone after the pawns instead of the king. As a result, America’s strength has been spent in vain. This catastrophic failure of American policy was prophesied with remarkable accuracy in your Bible.
Leviticus 26:19-20 say, “And I will break the pride of your power; and I will make your heaven as iron, and your earth as brass: And your strength shall be spent in vain.” Because of disobedience, God said He would curse the modern descendants of Israel, primarily Britain and the U.S. (For proof about the identity of these nations, request a free copy of The United States and Britain in Prophecy, by Herbert W. Armstrong.)
According to this prophecy, America would still have its mighty military, but it would lack the will to use it.
Mr. Flurry continued: “Little Israel has more military might than Iran but fears to use it. The same is the case with Britain. And certainly that is true of America. But our nations fear to use their power—because of our sins. The ‘pride of [our] power’ has been broken! We simply lack the will to sustain our war against terrorism” (op cit).
The Afghanistan Papers, a confidential trove of more than 2,000 pages of government documents, revealed on Dec. 9, 2019, show the extent of America’s divided approach and its failure to go after the real threat. The reports revealed U.S. Army generals saying, “We were devoid of a fundamental understanding of Afghanistan—we didn’t know what we were doing. We didn’t have the foggiest notion of what we were undertaking.”
One of the generals said that as a result of U.S. bureaucratic “dysfunction” in Afghanistan, thousands of Americans lost their lives “in vain.” Since 2001, more than 775,000 U.S. troops have been deployed to Afghanistan. According to U.S. Defense Department figures, 2,300 died and 20,589 were wounded in action. In the same period, the U.S. spent nearly $1 trillion, according to inflation-adjusted estimates.
All of the effort, money and manpower the U.S. has expended in its 18-year war in Afghanistan has been “in vain” and has only led to America negotiating its own defeat. The pride of our power has been broken.
Mr. Flurry wrote in 2003:
Our ultimate success will be determined by our relationship with God. If God is for us, we can’t lose. But if God is against us, we can’t win. And Bible prophecy relates that God is against us and is cursing us. We should repent and become a true superpower! … But even if we don’t change our evil ways, this is all leading directly to the return of Jesus Christ. That is the best possible news this world could ever hear! This evil world of terrorism and war is about to end forever. It will soon be replaced by a world full of prosperity and peace.
For more information about this prophecy, request a free copy of The United States and Britain in Prophecy.


thetrumpet--2020-03-02--Are the Media Fair and Balanced With Coronavirus Coverage?

( 7 minutes ) Yesterday ’ s Live Trumpet Lecture was built around that pivotal question .
In the lecture @ @ @ @ @ it by examining what the Scriptures say about this matter .
In this segment , @ @ @ @ @ pertinent material .
( 7 minutes ) Listen to some of your feedback about yesterday @ @ @ @ @ !
( 13 minutes ) Just last Friday , the United States signed a peace @ @ @ @ @ effectively hands Afghanistan over to terrorism .
America is negotiating with the enemy on the @ @ @ @ @ and uphold its agreements with mere words .
Where is this deal leading the U.S. @ @ @ @ @ Be sure to read our latest article on this topic : “ Negotiating With the @ @ @ @ @ Failed War on Terror .
”

(7 minutes)Yesterday’s Live Trumpet Lecture was built around that pivotal question. In the lecture, I discussed and answered it by examining what the Scriptures say about this matter. In this segment, we review some of this pertinent material.(7 minutes)Listen to some of your feedback about yesterday’s Live Trumpet Lecture!(13 minutes)Just last Friday, the United States signed a peace deal with the Taliban that effectively hands Afghanistan over to terrorism. America is negotiating with the enemy on the grounds that it will honor and uphold its agreements with mere words. Where is this deal leading the U.S. and the Middle East? Be sure to read our latest article on this topic: “Negotiating With the Enemy: America’s Failed War on Terror.”


thetrumpet--2020-03-02--EU Wants To Create Huge Facial Recognition Database

A leaked European Union report from November 2019, seen by the Intercept, sheds light on discussions between 10 member nations regarding the creation of an EU-wide facial recognition database. The goal is to pass legislation allowing all EU police forces to access each other’s facial recognition data. Austria, leader of the program, wants all databases to be connected “as quickly as possible.”
The report is not yet released to the general public, but what is known sheds light on the EU’s ambitious and secretive goals to exploit facial recognition technology. Considering the technology already exists, turning this into reality could take only a few years or less.
Though it sounds like something out of a spy movie or George Orwell’s 1984, facial recognition is rapidly becoming one of the most powerful weapons in the arsenal of European law enforcement agencies. A French police officer searching for a thief, smuggler or terrorist would be able to match the suspect’s face to surveillance footage captured in Belgium, Germany, Italy and anywhere else in the EU—possibly even in the United States. European police forces already use facial recognition databases. Countries whose police forces have this include Germany, France, Italy, Austria, the Netherlands, Portugal, the Czech Republic, Slovenia, Ireland and Finland, in addition to the entire UK. More countries are preparing to deploy it.
The databases already in existence could easily be linked together with existing technology. The only step remaining is to table and pass the legislation.
A Dutch member of European Parliament told Euractive that the approach to such powerful technology has become “technocratic” and has moved “like a thief in the night.” At the time the report was circulated, the EU was still telling the public it would put a five-year ban on such technology. Now, Europe’s true intentions have been exposed.
Considering previous data-sharing agreements, it is possible European police could access facial recognition data on Americans as well. This would happen if Europe’s national police databases are linked to the Prum database, which exists to facilitate visa-free travel between the U.S. and participating European countries. It holds dna, fingerprints and vehicle registration for millions of Europeans and Americans.
However, this runs into serious constitutional issues.
Neema Singh Guliani, senior legislative counsel at the American Civil Liberties Union, told the Intercept that giving national governments and law enforcement agencies access to such sensitive information carries serious risks for freedom. “Once you have the access, you ultimately have the ability to identify almost anyone, anywhere,” she said.
“It raises many questions,” she added. “How police are using facial recognition and gathering images, as well as in the U.S. with regard to due process and First Amendment expression.”
Unelected bureaucrats in the U.S. have a track record of spying illegally on American citizens. A prominent example was the fisa court ruling that illegally authorized spying on Carter Page, a Trump campaign adviser. Facial recognition opens up even more possibilities for government overstep.
Today’s cities are full of cameras. Connecting them to a central monitoring station is the next step for governments that seek authoritarian control over their citizens. China has done this more completely than anyone so far, instituting social credit systems based on vast networks of facial recognition cameras.
In London, the average person is caught on camera 300 times throughout the day. London has one of the world’s highest numbers of security cameras, at about 68 per every 1,000 people. All cities with higher ratios are found in China. Though European cities have fewer cameras, they are still capable of tracking people and vehicles in real time. Not many cameras are needed to create a comprehensive surveillance state.
The EU will not necessarily become a police state right away. Europe’s leaders are not yet organized or unified enough to create a comprehensive EU police state. They are hampered by bureaucracy and the consensus voting system. In time, that will change.
Increased threats from terrorism and extremism are providing EU lawmakers an excuse to enact stricter laws. France’s digital tax and Germany’s hate speech bill are some recent examples. However, under the wrong leadership, this powerful technology could be used for more than just catching terrorists.
When a government has great power, there is great potential for its misuse.
An EU-wide facial recognition system will be promoted as a positive step toward establishing greater safety in a dangerous world. But it could also be used by a strongman to enforce pan-European policies, with disobedience leading to arrest.
The Bible prophesies that Europe will be hijacked by a German strongman. Daniel 8:23 discusses a “fierce king” who will lead Europe in the time right before Jesus Christ’s return. “This soon-coming ruler could literally be called a king,” writes Trumpet editor in chief Gerald Flurry in his free booklet A Strong German Leader Is Imminent. “Even if he is not, the Bible gives him that label. When the Bible talks about a king, in most cases it’s saying that this is not a democratic government.”
Germany is leader of the EU in all but name. Ursula von der Leyen, a German, is president of the European Commission. This year’s Commission has pushed its rules for the digital realm as never before.
The German economy is vital to the eurozone. And its security contributions to Europe also matter. When the world calls for stronger leadership from Europe, those calls are generally aimed at Germany.
German politics are currently beset by a leadership crisis. This will need to be resolved soon. Especially as terrorist attacks pressure Germans to find a strong leader.
The empire this German strongman will lead is prophesied to have a distinctive feature. The book of Revelation says “that no man might buy or sell” except for those who have “the mark” (Revelation 13:17). This is talking about a centralized government that has power to stop anyone from engaging in business if they fail to comply with state laws.
This system will operate with a strong religious element. Revelation 17:3 discusses a church, represented by a woman, which rides a beast, or secular empire. This church-state combine has risen repeatedly throughout Europe’s past and is forming again. The “mark” discussed in Revelation 13 is about the enforcement of religion within this rising superpower. Anyone who fails to obey will be shut out of the economy. (For proof, read Who or What Is the Prophetic Beast?)
China has already shown how this is possible. Europe’s facial recognition technology could help turn this striking prophecy into terrifying reality.
Watch Europe’s crackdown on freedom. Few expect an undemocratic empire to rise in modern Europe, but your Bible warns that the rising European superpower will exercise tyrannical control over its subjects.
You can read more about what the Bibles says on this superpower and its use of surveillance technology in our article titled “Surveillance State: A Preview of Your Future?”


thetrumpet--2020-03-02--Is CNN Guilty of Treason?

Is CNN Guilty of Treason?

Television news outlets should truthfully inform the public. They should not operate on behalf of an ideology or political party, nor should they “create” news to serve that end by using biased coverage and selective editing.
But today’s media bias has become rampant among all news media in the United States. It would not be unreasonable to claim that the political left virtually “owns” not only television news, but also the publishing and entertainment worlds as well. The most prominent of these contaminated news sources is the Cable News Network (cnn). By sacrificing its political neutrality, cnn has forfeited its credibility as a news source.
For almost three years, analytical observers have witnessed how cnn has pursued an incessant vendetta against the president while disregarding all negativity associated with the untouchable, ideologically insular Democratic Party. Any who care about democracy should be concerned over this development. This should alarm the entire Western world.
Sadly, most Western democracies seem to have fallen in line with cnn. They too support the deconstruction of the West’s social and political traditions in favor of some form of international socialism or globalism.
Whether or not Americans realize it, overseas viewers regard cnn as the voice of America. What effects does cnn expect its constant criticism of the president and his government to have on viewers overseas, especially among avowed enemies like Russia, Iran, Iraq, Syria, North Korea and China? The message they take away is surely that America is in a state of socio-political chaos.
What is really happening here? How should one describe the actions of cnn and its obvious cohort, the Democratic Party? The legal words for individuals or groups seeking to dislodge or unseat their legally elected government are sedition and treason. Sedition is conduct against a government that tends toward insurrection. Treason is criminal disloyalty to the state.
cnn’s tactics include deliberate misrepresentation, innuendo, slander, doomsday hypotheses, critical information from unidentified and unverifiable sources, and distributing classified information that could only have been obtained from treasonous government employees, possibly by illegal means.
If unidentified sources make significant political statements and claims critical of the president and his administration—yet are too cowardly to reveal their identities and political orientation—then what they say has no value and should be ignored.
Recently, cnn and Democrats expressed concern about President Donald Trump pardoning or reducing the sentences of several high-profile white-collar criminals. As usual, there was no balance in their reporting of these incidents. They purposefully omitted any specific comparison with similar behavior on the part of past presidents. No mention was made, for example, of the fact that President Barack Obama issued more executive pardons and commutations than any other president in U.S. history.
By the end of his tenure, President Obama had used his powers to dispense pardons, commutations of sentences, remissions of fines or restitutions, and reprieves to 400 individuals convicted of federal crimes. Of his acts of clemency, 1,715 were commutations (including 504 life sentences), mostly of criminals convicted on drug charges. On his last full day in office, he ordered 330 commutations, causing his total number of commutations to surpass the prior 13 presidents combined.
By way of justification, it was stated that the crimes committed were “victimless.” But none of those perpetrators cared about the violence that would, in some cases, result from the poisons they were peddling on America’s streets, nor about their effects on the nation’s youth. The individual rap sheets of the released criminals reveal that many had been armed during the crimes they committed, so these were by no means harmless criminals. A November 2015 National Public Radio report stated that the Obama administration was responsible for releasing 6,100 prisoners, sentenced primarily for drug offences and consisting largely of Hispanics and African-Americans, due to prison and sentencing reforms. Of these, 1,700 were undocumented immigrants, who would likely have otherwise been deported, and some went on to commit further crimes. Certainly, President Trump’s intentions regarding presidential pardons pales to nothing when compared to the actions of Barack Obama. But the mainstream media and Democrats would prefer to suppress such information.
With regard to those white-collar criminals Trump has shown concern for, Roger Stone stands out, and his case is most interesting. He was imprisoned for lying and refusing to provide information to a congressional investigative committee about President Trump’s possible illegalities. But surely, as the Senate found the president not guilty of criminal or impeachable misdemeanors, the issues for which which Stone was convicted have evaporated. And if no crime was committed, then it could not have been a crime to have concealed information about what happened. Thus, President Trump’s potential pardoning of Stone seems well justified.
cnn and other mainstream news outlets are going to extraordinary lengths to discredit Trump, his cabinet, and therefore their country. They are colluding with “deep state” agents to try to illegally overturn the results of a democratic election, all to the benefit of their own leftist ideology and that of their ally, the Democratic Party.
Describing the state of the world in the end time, the Prophet Isaiah wrote, “Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!” (Isaiah 5:20). This is an apt description of the hypocritical mainstream media today.


thetrumpet--2020-02-29--The Bravest Woman in England

The Bravest Woman in England

Alena Pettitt might be the bravest woman in all Britain .
Last month , in a feat of great and admirable daring , Pettitt went on one of Britain ’ s most popular morning tv shows and discussed her decision to quit her job and embrace a career in homemaking and obedience to her husband .
In the interview , Pettitt spoke cheerily about “ obeying ” her husband , doing all the housework , receiving an allowance , and greeting her husband at the door when he arrives home from work .
The looks of bewilderment and consternation on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Holly Willoughby were priceless ; it was like they were interviewing a tribesman from a newly discovered people from deep inside the Amazon .
Alena Pettitt is a contented and unapologetic “ tradwife , ” a term that refers to the growing number of women in Britain and America who are quitting the workplace and taking on the role of traditional housewife .
Before she became a homemaker , Pettitt was a marketing manager in London .
“ It was a really creative and lovely job , ” she explained , “ but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I arrived home I would feel like I was finally in the place where I really wanted to be.
” Hurrah !
Bravo !
What a plucky and wonderful thing to admit—and on national television .
Western society , and especially itv ’ s studio in downtown London , is dangerous terrain for people like Pettitt—people who value tradition and hold fast to Judeo-Christian morality .
Radical feminism is on the warpath , and when it comes to the subject of women these days , it ’ s all about freedom and equality @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and total equality with men .
Left-wingers loathe people like Alena Pettitt because she defies everything they stand for .
It ’ s not only that she appreciates the traditional role of wife and homemaker .
The thing they hate the most is that Pettitt is fulfilled and happy in this role .
This came through so powerfully in the interview .
Pettitt was poised and confident , and appeared to be genuinely content and happy .
The radical left hates it when people practice Judeo-Christian laws and traditions and then experience the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this have become worryingly rare .
Every time I see someone like Pettitt gaped at ( and often abused ) for holding fast to Judeo-Christian tradition , I marvel at just how upside down the world has become .
And this brings to mind the prophecy in Isaiah 59 , which describes a society that has lost its moral compass , where the “ truth has fallen in the street , and equity can not enter ” ( verse 14 ) .
Isaiah 59 gives a perfect description of modern America and Britain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ practices that were once right are now wrong and beliefs and practices that were once wrong are now right .
Worse still , those who engage in the thing that was once right are denounced and punished as unrighteous .
“ Their feet run to evil , ” verse 7 says , “ and they rush to shed innocent blood ….
” Meanwhile , those who practice a thing that was once wrong are adored as enlightened heroes .
Take Phillip Schofield , one of the hosts who interviewed Pettitt ( and a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kingdom ) .
Schofield recently revealed that he is homosexual .
He also revealed that he was aware of his sexuality when he married his wife 27 years ago ( with whom he has two children ) .
There was a time when such an announcement would have shocked and offended Britain .
But when the news broke earlier this month , it was greeted across the board with gigantic smiles and huge celebration .
What a stunning moral transformation , and it has occurred in such a short span of time .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ better .
Are they right ?
Not enough people seriously consider this important question : Has the dramatic moral revolution created more peace ?
“ The way of peace they do not know , and there is no justice in their paths .
Their roads they have made crooked ; no one who walks in them knows peace ” ( verse 8 ; New Revised Standard ) .
Are those who reject tradition , despise the Judeo-Christian heritage , and hate God ’ s law happier and more fulfilled ?
Actually , radical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , angry , unfulfilled , unsatisfied , unbalanced and unreasonable people you will ever see .
Their repugnance for laws and standards , for morals and tradition , creates mental , emotional and spiritual confusion and instability .
Many have material knowledge , but mentally and spiritually they “ grope like the blind along a wall , groping like those who have no eyes … ” ( verse 10 ; nrs ) .
Their views on all the big issues are very often contradictory and confusing .
Many are hypocrites ; talking about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prejudice .
Fundamentally , this unhappiness and confusion are caused by the rejection of truth and law .
The further you get from God ’ s law , the less peace you have .
Alena Pettitt came to see this : She realized that she had more peace in her God-ordained role as a housewife than she did as a successful career woman .
And she was brave enough to act on what she learned !
Pettitt is not a perfect example of someone who obeys God ’ s law .
However , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ upside-down society , encapsulates a wonderful and foundational biblical truth , and a truth that we should all deeply ponder : “ Happy are those whose lives are faultless , who live according to the law of the Lord .
Happy are those who follow his commands , who obey him with all their heart ” ( Psalm 119:1-2 ; Good News Translation ) .

Alena Pettitt might be the bravest woman in all Britain. Last month, in a feat of great and admirable daring, Pettitt went on one of Britain’s most popular morning tv shows and discussed her decision to quit her job and embrace a career in homemaking and obedience to her husband.
In the interview, Pettitt spoke cheerily about “obeying” her husband, doing all the housework, receiving an allowance, and greeting her husband at the door when he arrives home from work. The looks of bewilderment and consternation on the faces of hosts Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby were priceless; it was like they were interviewing a tribesman from a newly discovered people from deep inside the Amazon.
Alena Pettitt is a contented and unapologetic “tradwife,” a term that refers to the growing number of women in Britain and America who are quitting the workplace and taking on the role of traditional housewife. Before she became a homemaker, Pettitt was a marketing manager in London. “It was a really creative and lovely job,” she explained, “but I absolutely flourished at home. Whenever I arrived home I would feel like I was finally in the place where I really wanted to be.”
Hurrah! Bravo! What a plucky and wonderful thing to admit—and on national television.
Western society, and especially itv’s studio in downtown London, is dangerous terrain for people like Pettitt—people who value tradition and hold fast to Judeo-Christian morality. Radical feminism is on the warpath, and when it comes to the subject of women these days, it’s all about freedom and equality. Freedom from convention and tradition, and total equality with men.
Left-wingers loathe people like Alena Pettitt because she defies everything they stand for. It’s not only that she appreciates the traditional role of wife and homemaker. The thing they hate the most is that Pettitt is fulfilled and happy in this role. This came through so powerfully in the interview. Pettitt was poised and confident, and appeared to be genuinely content and happy.
The radical left hates it when people practice Judeo-Christian laws and traditions and then experience the positive benefits that result!
Moments like this have become worryingly rare. Every time I see someone like Pettitt gaped at (and often abused) for holding fast to Judeo-Christian tradition, I marvel at just how upside down the world has become. And this brings to mind the prophecy in Isaiah 59, which describes a society that has lost its moral compass, where the “truth has fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter” (verse 14).
Isaiah 59 gives a perfect description of modern America and Britain. In both nations, beliefs and practices that were once right are now wrong and beliefs and practices that were once wrong are now right. Worse still, those who engage in the thing that was once right are denounced and punished as unrighteous. “Their feet run to evil,” verse 7 says, “and they rush to shed innocent blood ….”
Meanwhile, those who practice a thing that was once wrong are adored as enlightened heroes. Take Phillip Schofield, one of the hosts who interviewed Pettitt (and a pretty major celebrity here in the United Kingdom). Schofield recently revealed that he is homosexual. He also revealed that he was aware of his sexuality when he married his wife 27 years ago (with whom he has two children). There was a time when such an announcement would have shocked and offended Britain. But when the news broke earlier this month, it was greeted across the board with gigantic smiles and huge celebration.
What a stunning moral transformation, and it has occurred in such a short span of time. Many would say it is for the better. Are they right? Not enough people seriously consider this important question: Has the dramatic moral revolution created more peace? “The way of peace they do not know, and there is no justice in their paths. Their roads they have made crooked; no one who walks in them knows peace” (verse 8; New Revised Standard). Are those who reject tradition, despise the Judeo-Christian heritage, and hate God’s law happier and more fulfilled?
Actually, radical leftists are some of the most restless, angry, unfulfilled, unsatisfied, unbalanced and unreasonable people you will ever see. Their repugnance for laws and standards, for morals and tradition, creates mental, emotional and spiritual confusion and instability. Many have material knowledge, but mentally and spiritually they “grope like the blind along a wall, groping like those who have no eyes …” (verse 10; nrs). Their views on all the big issues are very often contradictory and confusing. Many are hypocrites; talking about tolerance, for example, while practicing prejudice.
Fundamentally, this unhappiness and confusion are caused by the rejection of truth and law. The further you get from God’s law, the less peace you have. Alena Pettitt came to see this: She realized that she had more peace in her God-ordained role as a housewife than she did as a successful career woman. And she was brave enough to act on what she learned!
Pettitt is not a perfect example of someone who obeys God’s law. However, this interview, beyond exposing our totally upside-down society, encapsulates a wonderful and foundational biblical truth, and a truth that we should all deeply ponder: “Happy are those whose lives are faultless, who live according to the law of the Lord. Happy are those who follow his commands, who obey him with all their heart” (Psalm 119:1-2; Good News Translation).