Last week, I reported that Pres. elect Trump’s choice for U.S. Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, said:
- There is no such thing as the West Bank – it’s Judea and Samaria.
- There is no such thing as settlements – they’re communities, they’re neighborhoods, they’re cities.
- There is no such thing as an occupation.
On Nov. 13, 2024, it was reported that Trump’s choice for Sec. of Defense, Pete Hegseth, delivered a speech at a conference in Jerusalem in 2018.
Hegseth talked about how awesome it was to visit the Western Wall, some of the tunnels, and the ancient foundations of the Old City of Jerusalem.
Hegseth said:
- 1917 was a miracle (Allenby’s British liberation of Jerusalem).
- 1948 was a miracle (the recognition of Israel as a nation).
- 1967 was a miracle (Israel captured east Jerusalem).
- 2017 was a miracle (U.S. recognition of Jerusalem as the undivided capital of Israel.
- And there’s no reason why the miracle of the re-establishment of the temple on the Temple Mount is not possible.
- I don’t know how it would happen; you don’t know how it would happen, but I know that it could happen; that’s all I know.
Hegseth also appeared to endorse Israel’s annexation of settlements in Judea and Samaria and to reject the Two-State Solution.
Now it is being reported that Trump’s nominee for Sec. of State, Marco Rubio, is also a staunch supporter of Israel.
In the past, Rubio said:
- Israel has no choice but to seek the complete eradication of Hamas in Gaza (because of Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023 attack on Israel and pledge to destroy Israel.
- I urge the reimposition of a maximum pressure campaign against Iran and fully support Israel’s right to respond disproportionately to stop this threat (because Iran fired about 200 missiles and drones at Israel).
- Iran is the primary source of violence, conflict, suffering, and instability in the Middle East (because Iran foments trouble in other nations and oppresses its own people).
And Trump’s choice of Rep. Elise Stefanik for Ambassador to the UN has strongly repudiated university presidents over their response to campus antisemitism.
Here is why I think Trump chose her.
Last month, Trump said,
- They (educational institutions that do not stop the antisemitism protests) will lose their accreditation and federal taxpayer support.
- We (the U.S.) will not subsidize the creation of terrorist sympathizers. We’re certainly not going to do it on American soil; we’re not going to do it anywhere.
- I will inform every educational institution in our land that if they permit violence, harassment or threats against Jewish students, the schools will be held accountable for violations of the civil rights law.
On Nov. 15, 2024, Mike Huckabee said,
- We have four Americans being held hostage in Gaza — Americans.
- And this is outrageous that we have not put more pressure, not just on Hamas, but on Iran, who’s funded Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis.
- We need to put pressure on Qatar. They have influence over Hamas, and they need to understand that Donald Trump doesn’t play around.
- Hamas cannot control Gaza anymore. They cannot be trusted. Their hatred toward the Jewish people was evidenced on Oct. 7 and their massacre of civilians, including babies and elderly people. So there has to be a change in what happens there.
Pres. elect Trump has been a great blessing to Israel.
- In 2017, Trump recognized Jerusalem as the undivided capital of Israel.
- In 2019, Trump recognized the Golan Heights as part of Israel.
- Now, Trump has selected three men and one woman (Pete Hegseth, Mike Huckabee, Marco Rubio, and Elsie Stefanik) that love Israel to be his Sec. of Defense, his Ambassador to Israel, his Sec. of State, and his Ambassador to the UN.
These people will be a great blessing to Israel (and hopefully a great blessing to the U.S.).
Here are some current events that seem to indicate that the end of the age is near.
One, concerning a covenant of peace and the division of Israel at the end of the age: on Nov. 10, 2024, Jonathan Brentner (author, writer, and Bible Teacher) reported that more than 90 nations (many nations), including representatives from the U.S. and Israel, met in Saudi Arabia in late October to push for the creation of a Palestinian state.
This group of many nations calls itself the Global Alliance.
Brentner’s article was dated one day before a second meeting in Brussels (on Nov. 11, 2024) and about 2 ½ weeks before a third meeting on Nov. 28, 2024.
According to Brentner (an exceptionally reliable source of information, by the way), the goal is to put in place a seven-to-ten-year peace agreement that would divide the Land and the city of Jerusalem via a two-state solution.
Brentner wrote that, “This group (the Global Alliance) consists of ‘many’ nations who want to initiate a peace covenant with Israel, and they are thinking in terms of it being of a specific length of seven to ten years” (see Dan. 9:27).
(My opinion: I am thankful that God is putting some Bible-believing Christians in the White House that love Israel, but I pray that they will oppose the Two-State Solution. God clearly said He will judge the world for dividing the Land of Israel.)
Here is a link to Brentner’s excellent article.
Two, concerning a covenant of peace in the Middle East, on Nov. 15, 2024, it was reported that Jared Kushner (Trump’s son-in-law, married to Trump’s daughter Ivanka) will not take an official position in the Trump administration but will likely agree to be an outside advisor to advance normalization agreements between Israel, Saudi Arabia, and other nations in the Middle East.
Three, concerning Israel having a great army at the end of the age (Ezek. 37:10): on Nov. 14, 2024, it was reported that Pres. elect Trump said, “On the first day of my term, I will cancel all restrictions and delays on the transfer of armaments and combat equipment” (to Israel).
Four, concerning the destruction of Damascus, Syria, in one night at the end of the age (Isa. 17): on Nov. 14, 2024, Israeli jets struck targets in Damascus and a suburb of Damascus.
15 people, including 2 terrorist commanders, were killed and 16 were wounded.
This was the second Israeli attack in Syria in 24 hours.
Israel’s attacks are increasing and getting more destructive.
Five, concerning deceit and Iran’s denial that it is seeking to produce nuclear weapons: on Nov. 16, 2024, it was reported that when Israel struck Iran about 3 weeks ago, Israel has learned that it apparently struck a sensitive secret Iranian nuclear weapons research facility.
(FYI: Biben threatened to cut off U.S. weapons sales to Israel if Israel attacked Iran’s nuclear facilities and/or oil wells.).
(My opinion: No weapon formed against Israel will prevail. God apparently caused Israel to destroy a nuclear research facility that Israel didn’t know existed, and He is putting a more pro-Israel administration over the U.S. government.)
(More: On Nov. 16, 2024, it was reported that Trump’s transition team is preparing executive orders to be released on his first day in office to apply maximum pressure on Iran to try to force Iran to negotiate a new nuclear deal.)
(More: On Nov. 16, 2024, it was reported that Sen. Lindsey Graham told Benjamin Netanyahu to do what you have to do to prevent the Iranian ayatollah from acquiring nuclear weapons capability.)
Six, concerning the deliberate decline of America’s military and the surrender of America’s sovereignty to a world government,
- On Nov. 13, 2024, it was reported that Trump’s transition team is preparing an executive order to establish a committee to compile a list of high-ranking military officials that should be demoted.
- On Nov. 14, 2024, it was reported that Trump’s team is compiling a list of senior officers, including some members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, for possible removal. According to the report, Trump’s team is compiling the list in response to Trump’s criticism that “woke military officers” were promoted because of their opinions on diversity initiatives rather than their ability to promote combat readiness.
There have been past reports that said the reason Trump selected Pete Hegseth, a Fox News commentator and former Army officer to be Sec. of Defense is because Hegseth has written that reshaping the senior ranks of the U.S. military is crucial to ensuring that the U.S. military can defend our nation.
Seven, concerning the decline of America, on Nov. 16, 2024, Todd Starnes (author and radio host) reported that some official U.S. Air Force documents are now referring to mothers and fathers as non-birthing parents.
When Pres. Trump’s nominee for Sec. of Defense, Pete Hegseth, learned about it, he replied, “not for long.”
Eight, for several years, the most important political leaders of Hamas operated out of Qatar.
But following intense pressure from the U.S., they were ordered to leave, and they are now being warmly received by Turkey.
Russia, Iran, Turkey, and others will attack Israel in the latter years and latter days.
Nine, on Nov. 11, 2024, U.S. Sec. of State Blinken met with an Israeli official to discuss a ceasefire in Lebanon.
On Nov. 13, 2024, World Israel News reported that Israel’s new Defense Min. said:
- We will not agree to just any ceasefires, we will not take our foot off the gas, and we will not accept any agreement that does not include achieving the war goals.
- An agreement should include the disarmament of Hezbollah, its withdrawal beyond the Litani River, and creating the conditions for the residents of northern Israel to return to their homes in safety.
- Also, Israel should have the right to enforce any ceasefire deal and act against any terrorist activity and organization.
The US agrees that Hezbollah should retreat north of the Litani River, that there should be a way to force them to keep the agreement, but they prefer that someone other than Israel enforce it.
France and Hezbollah have rejected Israel’s demands.
Ten, concerning the Battle of Gog and Magog (Russia and others attacking Israel in the latter days and latter years: on Nov. 19, 2024, it was reported that approximately 60-70% of the Hezbollah weapons that Israel has captured in Lebanon were made in Russia, and many have been made since 2020.
(More: Concerning the fact that armies from Russia, Turkey, Iran, and others will be destroyed by God when they attack Israel on the mountains of Israel, on Nov. 18, 2024, Russia announced that it has increased the number of troops that it has deployed in Syria near the Golan Heights (mountains of Israel).).
Eleven, concerning wars and rumors of wars at the end of the age:
- With Biden’s approval, this week, Ukraine fired several U.S. made long-range missiles into Russia.
- Putin authorized his military to consider using nuclear weapons if there is a missile attack by any non-nuclear state with the participation or support of a nuclear state (such as the U.S. or UK).
- Then, Germany offered to host 800,000 NATO troops if they are needed to move against Russia.
- Finland, Norway, and Denmark are sending out information on seeking shelter, storing food and medical supplies, etc. in case a nuclear weapon is used.
Here is my weekly update on the Israel-Hamas war.
Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024 (Day 405) The three hundred and fiftieth day of the resumed war. Day 183 of the attack on Rafah.
- An Israeli study found that more than 10% of principals and senior education staff employed by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) in the Gaza Strip are members of Hamas or Palestinian Islamic Jihad.
- Israeli jets struck a road between Syria and Leban that was used for moving weapons from Syria to Lebanon.
Friday, Nov. 15, 2024 (Day 406) The three hundred and fifty-first day of the resumed war. Day 184 of the attack on Rafah.
- Lebanon’s caretaker prime minister asked Iran to help secure a ceasefire in the war between Israel and Hezbollah and appeared to urge Iran to convince Hezbollah to agree to a deal that could require Hezbollah to pull back from the Israel-Lebanon border.
- Israel assassinated a high-ranking commander in the Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorist organization in Gaza.
Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024 (Day 407) The three hundred and fifty-second day of the resumed war. Day 185 of the attack on Rafah.
- Israeli troops reached its deepest penetration into Lebanon (about 3 miles) since the war began, but strong resistance from Hezbollah pushed them back.
- During a small-scale raid into southern Lebanon, Israeli troops found a large underground weapons storage facility with crates of explosives, ammunition, grenades, and a truck equipped with a mobile rocket launcher. As they continued to search the facility, they found anti-tank missiles, mortar shells, and combat vests. Then they found more than 25 crates of new rockets, prepared for immediate launch. They seized and destroyed everything, including the underground facility.
Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024 (Day 408) The three hundred and fifty-third day of the resumed war. Day 186 of the attack on Rafah.
- Two unexploded bombs were found on the grounds of Netanyahu’s home. The Netanyahu family was not at home, and there was no damage.
- An Israeli strike on a building in central Beirut killed Hezbollah’s media relations chief.
Monday, Nov. 18, 2024 (Day 409) The three hundred and fifty-fourth day of the resumed war. Day 187 of the attack on Rafah.
- An Israeli intelligence report says more than 450 terrorists in Gaza, mainly Hamas, are also employed by UNRWA.
- Netanyahu said Israel will not allow Hamas to govern Gaza again.
Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024 (Day 410) The three hundred and fifty-fifth day of the resumed war. Day 188 of the attack on Rafah.
- Netanyahu warned Hamas, “Whoever dares to harm our hostages — their blood is on your head. We will pursue you, and we will find you.”
- Netanyahu pledged that those providing information leading to the rescue of the hostages would be rewarded with $5 million and safe passage out of the Gaza Strip.
FYI: God does not send anyone to Hell (all of us are born with a sin nature and destined to go to Hell because we sin), but God has provided a way (Jesus) for everyone to go to Heaven (and He is the only way to get there; John 14:6).
Finally, are you Rapture Ready?
If you want to be rapture ready and go to heaven, you must be born again (John 3:3). God loves you, and if you have not done so, sincerely admit that you are a sinner; believe that Jesus is the virgin-born, sinless Son of God who died for the sins of the world, was buried, and raised from the dead; ask Him to forgive your sins, cleanse you, come into your heart and be your Saviour; then tell someone that you have done this.