LISTEN: Trump pulls back from launching military strikes against Iran (Second Coming Watch Update #876)

This is Daniel Whyte III with the Second Coming Watch Update. This is update #876. Let’s take a quick look at today’s prophecy-related headlines which point towards the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ and the end of the world as we know it.

First, under the Sign category of WARS & RUMORS OF WARS — According to the New York Times, President Trump approved military strikes against Iran in retaliation for downing an American surveillance drone, but pulled back from launching them on Thursday night after a day of escalating tensions. As late as 7 p.m., military and diplomatic officials were expecting a strike, after intense discussions and debate at the White House. Officials said the president had initially approved attacks on a handful of Iranian targets, like radar and missile batteries. The operation was underway in its early stages when it was called off. Planes were in the air and ships were in position, but no missiles had been fired when word came to stand down.

Second, today, under the Sign category of DISTRESS AMONG NATIONS — According to The Associated Press, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Thursday that he’s open for a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump but doesn’t expect quick progress on easing tensions with Washington. The Russian leader also strongly warned the United States against using force against Iran, saying it will trigger a “catastrophe.” Putin noted that Iran has abided by the terms of a landmark nuclear deal despite the U.S. withdrawal from the accord, adding that he considers U.S. sanctions against Iran unfounded.

Third, today, under the Sign category of DISEASE & PESTILENCE — According to The Associated Press, Asian nations are scrambling to contain the spread of the highly contagious African swine fever, with Vietnam culling 2.5 million pigs and China reporting more than a million dead in an unprecedentedly huge epidemic that some governments fear has gotten out of control. Smaller outbreaks have been reported in Hong Kong, Taiwan, North Korea, Cambodia, and Mongolia after cases were first reported in China’s northeast last August. The UN Food and Agriculture Organization is expected to release a weekly update on the scale of infections, which could show the numbers rising significantly.

Fourth, today, under the Sign category of EARTHQUAKES IN DIVERS PLACES — According to the Japan Times, at least 26 people were injured, including one seriously, after a magnitude 6.7 earthquake struck Japan’s northwestern region late Tuesday, causing landslides and power outages in some areas. The quake hit Niigata Prefecture, recording a maximum of upper 6 to 7 on the Japanese earthquake intensity scale. The Fire and Disaster Management Agency said more than 800 people in the affected region evacuated.

Fifth, today, under the Sign category of WARS & RUMORS OF WARS — According to Fox News, U.S. Central Command released new images this week showing the aftermath of mine attacks against two oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman last week, including some images purporting to show Iranian forces removing an unexploded device from the hull of one of the vessels. cting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan announced that he had approved a request to send approximately 1,000 additional troops to the Middle East “to address air, naval, and ground-based threats” in the region. Shanahan said, “The United States does not seek conflict with Iran.  The action today is being taken to ensure the safety and welfare of our military personnel working throughout the region and to protect our national interests.”

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The prophetic passage of Scripture that we are looking at today is Jeremiah 31:31-32 which reads: “Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the Lord:”

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

Jeremiah 31:31-34 announces the coming of a New Covenant, and verse 31 begins with the prophetic words, “Behold, days are coming.” These words push the prophecy into the time of Israel’s salvation and restoration. In those days God “will make a new covenant” with both houses of Israel. Verse 32 then mentions the Mosaic Covenant, which was a temporary, conditional covenant. God says the New Covenant will “not [be] like the covenant which I made with their fathers.” This will be a separate and distinct covenant, unrelated to the one that was made with Moses. To make it clear it is the Mosaic Covenant of which he is speaking, God refers to “the day I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt.” The covenant God made with Israel at the exodus was the Mosaic Covenant. This covenant will not continue; it will be replaced by this New Covenant. Then God explains the need for a replacement—the Mosaic Covenant had been broken. “Although [God] was a hus-band to them: the people of Israel broke the covenant.

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

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

Let’s Pray

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

You can read these stories in more detail and get more prophecy-related news at SecondComingHerald.com.