RISCO & ROIDS!

Good morning, blog readers, from mostly sunny and mild (57 degrees) Wisconsin where, on my morning walk, I saw: 6 robins, a dog and a plane! Thank You, Jesus!

As most of you know, I enjoy watching for “earthquakes” because Jesus said, in Matthew 24:7 and Mark 13:8 that, before His return, “there will be earthquakes in various places.” Now, this might not sound like a big deal to you but, over the last 24 hours, there was a “very minor” (2.8) earthquake WSW of Risco Missouri (population: 348, as of 2010). So, you might ask: “What’s the big deal about this “very minor quake?” Well, I’m glad you asked. This quake just happened to be about 14 miles west of, drum roll, New Madrid Missouri where, in 1811 and 1812, there were two of the largest earthquakes in the states. Stay tuned!

Next, this headline, from Live Science, also got my attention this morning: “Car-size Can asteroid discovered 2 days ago flies 30 times closer to Earth than the moon.” In the article, Brandon Specktor reported: “In the glare of the sun, an unknown number of near-Earth asteroids move on unseen orbits. A new generation of space telescopes could be our best defense against potential disaster. I (Doug) am voting for the Lord Jesus as our “best defense against asteroids.”

Spektor continued: “Events like these are, fortunately, uncommon. … To date, astronomers have mapped the orbits of more than 33,000 near-Earth asteroids and found that none pose a risk of hitting our planet for at least the next century.” Doug: “Then, again, there is, what I like to call the “Jesus factor!” Keep in mind, the Lord simply said the word and the sun, the moon and the stars were created (Genesis 1). Read Revelation 6:12-17, Chapters 9,10 and16 and you will see what the Lord Jesus will do when He judges the earth. I don’t know about you, but I am glad and thankful I will not be around for these judgments. How about you? Now, let me remind you: You can be spared of these judgments by simply agreeing with God you are a sinner who needs a Savior Who is Jesus (Romans 3:23, 24) and believe He died on a cross for your sins, was buried and raised from the dead (I Corinthians 15:1-4) to forgive all your sins and give you eternal life (John 3:16). And, if you do, I’ll see you in heaven! In the meantime, keep watching, waiting, working, witnessing for, walking with and worshiping Jesus until He comes. Blessings with love in Christ, Doug (4/12/24)

GLADSTONE!

Good morning, blog readers, from cloudy and cool (46 degrees) Wisconsin where, on my morning walk, I saw: one deer! Thank You, Jesus!

Question: “Does the name ‘Gladstone’ ring a bell for you?” It did for me, as I remembered, there was a “light” (4.8) earthquake there recently which shook New York City. Well, guess what? Yesterday, according to the USGS, there was a “very minor” (2.6) aftershock near Gladstone, New Jersey. Coincidence? Or, what I like to call, using an expression from Jesus. in Matthew 24:8, “the beginning of birth pains.” All I can say is: “Stay tuned!”

Oh, and here’s another, perhaps prophetic and dangerous, headline from the recent news: “COVID Pandemic Made the Rich Even Richer – Wait Till You See What the WHO (not the rock group) Is Planning Next.”

David Bell, of the Brownstone Institute, reported: “Relax for a few minutes, sit back, and pretend morals and business ethics are redundant. Then imagine an infallible, risk-free business scheme in which you get to create the market, decide the product, manage its regulation and then have the power to confine people to their homes or remove their income until they submit to buying it. And no one can sue you or take you to court if all goes wrong (sound familiar?). No legitimate government would allow that within its borders (except perhaps a few family-run or completely totalitarian ones), so aim higher and make this international, as it then ceases to be a fantasy. All this is being negotiated within the World Health Organization (WHO) pandemic documents to be agreed by your government in two months’ time.

Your organization will be a public-private partnership, so using taxpayer money but guided by the private sector. You spin a story that a series of plagues are about to engulf humanity, exponentially increasing in frequency and severity (like “birth pains”), your partners own the media, so don’t be troubled by reality).” All I can say is: “Stay tuned and get ready for a rough ride before Jesus returns.” And, yes, He is coming! So, as believers in Jesus, keep watching, waiting, working, witnessing for, walking with and worshiping Jesus until He comes.

And, if you are not a believer in Jesus, please agree with God you are a sinner who needs a Savior Who is Jesus (Romans 3:23, 24) and believe He died on a cross for your sins, was buried and raised from the dead (I Corinthians 15:1-4) to forgive all your sins and give you eternal life (John 3:16). Then, be about the “six ws” above until He comes. Blessings with love, Doug (4/11/24)

WILL JESUS RETURN & WHEN?

Good morning, blog readers, from sunny and clear (45 degrees) Wisconsin where, on my morning walk, I saw: one robin, but heard a number of them singing beautifully! Thank You, Jesus!

Recently, there has been a lot of talk, even speculation among Christians, of the Lord’s return. Some even thought the recent earthquake in New York and eclipse of the sun were “signs of the time” leading up to His return. However, we are still here and Jesus still hasn’t come.

Years ago, I read of a priest who said that, “because Jesus had not yet come as He had promised, we should look for another, perhaps even an alien, to be our Savior!”

So, let me ask you two questions:

#1. How do we know that Jesus is coming again?

#2. And, if so, will there be “signs” of His return?”

For the answers to these questions, let’s go right to the one and only source: the Bible where, in John 14:2, 3, Jesus said to His disciples: “In My Father’s house (heaven) are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, you may be also.”

In response to question #1, Jesus was telling His disciples then and now that, at sometime in the future, He will be coming back for them to take them to heaven.

And, in response to question #2, Jesus gave His disciples a list of eight “signs” to look for leading up to His return which you can find in Matthew 24:, Mark 13, Luke 21 and in my book, “Birth Pains: An Introduction to Bible Prophecy” which you can purchase on Amazon or from me. P. S. I am also praying about publishing my blogs on “Substack.” Let me know what you think.

And, if you are a believer in Jesus, keep watching, waiting, working, witnessing for, walking with and worshiping Jesus until He comes. And, if you are not a believer in Jesus, simply agree with God you are a sinner who needs a Savior Who is Jesus (Romans 3:23, 24) and believe He died on a cross for your sins, was buried and raised from the dead (I Corinthians 15:1-4) to forgive all your sins and give you eternal life (John 3:16). And, if you do, I’ll see you in heaven. Blessings, Doug (4/10/24)

TRAINS, PLANES & QUAKES!

Good morning, blog readers, from cloudy and cool (44 degrees) Wisconsin where, on my morning walk, I saw: a plane and heard the horn of a freight train! Thank You, Jesus, for the various modes of transportation we have!

Yesterday, I wrote about one of my favorite subjects: earthquakes. Today, I would like to continue on that subject and give you some information on the frequency of earthquakes, based on estimated observations since 1900: Great quakes (8.0+): 1 per year; Major quakes (7.0-7.9), based on observations since 1990: 17 per year. Strong quakes: (6.0-6.9): 134 per year; Moderate quakes (5.0-5.9): 1,319 per year; Light (4.0-4.9) quakes: 13,000 per year; Minor (3.0-3.9): 130,000 per year; and Very Minor (2.0-2.9): 1,300,000 per year.

And, just this morning, according to the USGS (United States Geological Survey), there were two “strong” (6.6 and 6.0 quakes in Indonesia, two “moderate” (5.2 and 5.0) quakes in Japan and Tonga, two “very minor” (2.5, 2.6) quakes in Alaska, a very minor (2.8 quake in New Mexico, a very minor (2.8) quake in Hawaii and 2 very minor (2.8, 2.6) quakes in Nevada. Remember, Jesus said, in Matthew 24:7 and Mark 13:8 that, before His return,” there will be earthquakes in various places.”

So, stay tuned, dear brothers and sisters in Christ, and keep watching, waiting, working, witnessing for, walking with and worshiping Jesus until He comes. And, if you are still not a believer in Jesus, please agree with God you are a sinner who needs a Savior Who is Jesus (Romans 3:23, 24) and believe He died on a cross for your sins, was buried and raised from the dead (I Corinthians 15:1-4) to forgive all your sins and give you eternal life (John 3:16). See you in heaven! Love, Doug (4/9/24)

FIRST TRIMESTER?

Good morning, blog readers, from sunny, clear and cool (44 degrees) Wisconsin where, on my morning walk, I saw: 10 deer! Thank You, Jesus!

Those of you, who have been following my blog, know that I have been charting earthquakes for some time (about 18 years). And, as I have been watching them, I have noticed that, on any given day, most of the quakes fall into the “moderate” (5.0-5.9) category. For example, yesterday there were 6 “moderate” quakes around the world. Today, there were 8 “moderate” quakes.

Now, keep in mind that Jesus said that one of the “signs,” leading up to His return, would be: “earthquakes in various places” (Matthew 24:7, Mark 13:8). And, He also said, in Matthew 24:8, these would occur like “birth pains,”

So, in light of the fact that a woman’s pregnancy, for the most part, has been divided up into “three trimesters,” I have come up with the idea (and I could be wrong), that the so-called “seven-year tribulation” period could also be divided up into three trimesters. And, if I am right, then the frequency and intensity of the “signs/pains” will increase in frequency and intensity. And, in case you didn’t know, the Richter Scale has divided up earthquakes into 7 different categories: “very minor (2.0-2.9), “minor” (3.0-3.9), “light” (4.0-4.9). “moderate” (5.0-5.9). “strong” (6.0-6.9), “major” (7.0-7.9) and “great “8.0+). And, if you dare, check out the “greats” which John told us about in Revelation 6:12; 11:13; ,16:18-21.

And, one more thought before I go. Max Obeidin and Bill Koenig draw a parallel between today’s eclipse and a possible “Major New Madrid Earthquake if America facilitates a two-state agreement that divides Israel.” Sadly, much of Israel, that is the Jewish people, have rejected Jesus as their Messiah and Savior and will suffer the consequences of that, as we read in Zechariah 14:7-9: “Awake, O sword, against My Shepherd, and against the man, My Associate,” Declares the Lord, of hosts. “Strike the Shepherd that the sheep may be scattered; And I will turn My hand against the little ones. And it will come about in all the land,” declares the Lord, “that two parts in it will be cut off and perish; But the third will be left in it. And I will bring the third part through the fire, Refine them as silver is refined, And test them as gold is tested. They will call on My name and I will answer them; I will say, ‘They are My people,’ And they will say, ‘The Lord is my God.'”

Yes, dear friends, Jesus is coming! Questions: “Do you know Him as your Messiah, Savior and Lord?” Have you agreed with God You are a sinner Who needs a Savior Who is Jesus (Romans 3:23, 24) and believed He died on a cross for your sins, was buried and raised from the dead to forgive all your sins and give you eternal life (I Corinthians 15:1-4; John 3:16). If so, then you are on your way to heaven. So, report for duty and watch, wait, work, witness for, walk with and worship Jesus until He comes. Blessings with love and prayers, Doug (4/8/24)

NUKES & QUAKES!

Good morning, blog readers, from clear and cool (33 degrees) Wisconsin where, on my morning walk, I saw the heavens declaring the glory of God (Psalm 19:1) and 5 deer. Thank You, Jesus!

This headline, from yesterday’s Newsweek, caught my eye this morning: “Russia Threatens Finland.”

In the article, the Newsweek staff reported: “Russian ambassador had harsh words for Finland on Saturday, warning that the country would retaliate against the new member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) if nuclear weapons are placed on Finnish soil.”

And, to follow up on the “light” (4.8) earthquake which rattled New York City and New Jersey on Friday morning, Jeanine Santucci, Zach Wichter, Christopher Cann and Mary Walrath-Holdridge wrote: “A 4.8 magnitude recorded in New Jersey that shook residents in surrounding states and New York City on Friday morning was one of the strongest in state history.

The temblor was reported about 5 miles north of Whitehouse Station, New Jersey, at about 10:23 a.m. Friday, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS). The epicenter was about 45 miles from New York City, where residents reported shaking furniture and floors. … People reported feeling the shaking as far north as Maine and as far south as Norfolk, Virginia, following the quake, according to the USGS. Scientists said those in the affected area should listen to local emergency officials and be prepared to seek cover if aftershocks occur.”

Once again, let me remind you Jesus told His disciples, in Matthew 24:7-8 and Mark 13:7-8, “For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and in various places there will be famines and earthquakes. But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs (pains).”

Now, I could be wrong, but I am thinking we might just be in the “first trimester of the birth pains.” And, if I am right (and I could be wrong), they will continue to increase in frequency and intensity until Jesus comes. So, if you are a believer in Jesus, “stay on the alert,” as Jesus told His disciples in Mark 13:33, 35, 37 and keep watching, waiting, working, witnessing for, walking with and worshiping Jesus until He comes. And, if you are not a believer in Jesus, please, I beg of you, agree with God you are a sinner who needs a Savior Who is Jesus (Romans 3:23, 24) and believe He died on a cross for your sins, was buried and raised from the dead (I Corinthians 15:1-4) to forgive all your sins and give you eternal life (John 3:16). Praying I’ll see you in heaven! Love, Doug (4/7/24)

JESUS & EARTHQUAKES!

Good morning, blog readers, from clear and cool (29 degrees) Wisconsin where, on my morning walk, I saw: 3 planes and a deer! Thank You, Jesus!

Yesterday morning, I got a call from our daughter, Laura, in New Jersey to let me know she had just experienced an earthquake. According to the USGS (United States Geological Survey), it was a “light” (4.8) quake which, according to the AP (Associated Press), “shook millions of people from New York and Philadelphia skyscrapers to rural New England on Friday, causing no widespread damage but startling an area unaccustomed to temblors (earthquakes). The USGS said over 42 million people might have felt the midmorning quake with a preliminary magnitude of 4.8, centered near Whitehouse Station, New Jersey, or about 45 miles (72 kilometers) west of New York City and 50 miles (80 kilometers) north of Philadelphia.”

Oh, and by the way, there was a “minor” (3.8) aftershock this morning, 7 km SW of Gladstone, New Jersey. So, you might ask, “What does Jesus have to do with earthquakes?” Well, I’m glad you asked. In Matthew 24:7 and Mark 13:8, Jesus told His disciples that, one of the “signs” leading up to His return, would be: “earthquakes in various places.” For example, over the last 24 hours, there was a “strong” (6.8) quake in the Maug Islands Region of the North Mariana Islands and “moderate” (5.0-5.8) quakes in China, the East Pacific Rise, India, Indonesia, Japan and Taiwan. Stay tuned!

Yes, Jesus is coming! And, though we will not know the “day or the hour” of HIs return (Mark 13:32), I believe we will know the “season” of His return, based on the “signs” He gave us. In fact, Jesus said, in Luke 21:28, “But when these things (the signs) begin to take place, straighten up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” And so, dearly beloved in Christ, let us continue to “watch, wait, work, witness for, walk with and worship Jesus until He comes.” And, if you are not a believer in Jesus, why not become one today by agreeing with God you are a sinner who needs a Savior Who is Jesus (Romans 3:23, 24) and believe He died on a cross for your sins, was buried and raised from the dead (I Corinthians 15:1-4) to forgive all your sins and give you eternal life (John 3:16). And, if you do, I’ll see you in heaven! Blessings with love, Doug (4/6/24)

RUMORS to WAR?

Good morning, blog readers, from partly cloudy/sunny and cool (31 degrees) Wisconsin where, on my morning walk, I saw: a bunny! Thank You, Jesus!

This headline, from the Daily Express U. S., is a follow-up to yesterday’s blog where I reported of a possible, retaliatory attack by Iran on Israel. The headline read: “The CIA has warned Israel that Iran will attack the country in the next 48 hours after Israel killed two Iranian military commanders with a strike on Teheran’s consulate in the Syrian capital in Damascus.” Stay tuned!

Also of note, was a “light” (4.2) earthquake, WNW of Belden, California (population: 22, as of 2010) with four small aftershocks (4.4, 3.0, 2.7, 2.6). Note: There were also 10 “moderate” (5.0-5.2) quakes in the Azores, India, Japan, the Mid-Atlantic Ridge (5), Taiwan and Mexico.

Dearly beloved in Christ, stay tuned and keep watching, waiting, working, witnessing for, walking with and worshiping Jesus until He comes. And, if you are not a believer in Jesus, you can become one right now, simply by agreeing with God you are a sinner who needs a Savior Who is Jesus (Romans 3:23, 24) and believe He died on a cross for your sins, was buried and raised from the dead (I Corinthians 15:1-4) to forgive all your sins and give you eternal life (John 3:16). And, if you do, I’ll see you in heaven! Glory to God! Thank You, Jesus! Blessings with love, Doug (4/5/24)

RETALIATION OPTIONS?

Good morning, blog readers, from cloudy and cool (32 degrees) Wisconsin where, on my morning walk, I saw: 2 robins and got a wave from a truck driver! Thank You, Jesus!

This recent headline, from Reuters, got my attention this morning: “Many Iranian options to retaliate against Israel, but all carry risk.

In the article, Idrees Ali and Arshad Mohammed reported: “Iran faces a dilemma following an Israeli attack on its embassy in Syria: how to retaliate without sparking a wider conflict that Middle East analysts said Tehran appear to want. Monday’s strike, which killed two Iranian and live military advisers at Iran’s embassy comes as Israel accelerates a long-running campaign against Iran and the armed groups it backs. Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has vowed revenge.

Tehran has options. It could unleash its proxies on U.S. forces, use them to strike Israel directly or ramp up its nuclear program which the United States and its allies have long sought to rein in (though I, Doug, might add: “the U.S. has poorly failed in its attempt to do so.”

So, stay tuned! Remember, as I have said before, according to the prophecy of Ezekiel 38-39, at sometime in the future, Russia, Iran and a host of others nations will invade Israel when she has recovered from war and is living in peace (certainly not now) to “capture spoil and to seize plunder,” from the Israelis, only to be destroyed by the Lord God Himself, according to Ezekiel 38:18-39:29.

This certainly is an exciting and scary time in which to live. See what Jesus had to say about this in Matthew 24, Mark 13 and Luke 21. He even said, in Matthew 24:21, it would be the “worst time in human history!” Personally I believe (not all Christians do), we will not be here for this time.

Yes, dearly beloved in Christ, He is coming! Are you ready? Are you watching, waiting, working, witnessing for, walking with and worshipping Jesus? And, are you even a believer in Jesus? If not, here’s what you need to do: Agree with God you are a sinner who needs a Savior Who is Jesus (Romans 3:23, 24) and believe He died on a cross for your sins, was buried and raised from the dead (I Corinthians 15:1-4) to forgive all your sins and give you eternal life (John 3:16). And, if you do, I’ll see you in heaven. Glory to God! Love and blessings, Doug (4/4/24)

QUAKES & RUMORS!

Good morning, blog readers, from snowy, windy and cool (31 degrees) Wisconsin where, on my morning walk, I saw: 4 robins, well below my high of 80+, some years ago in the summer! Thank You, Jesus, for the robins and the different kinds of birds You created!

Here are a couple of headlines which got my attention this morning:

#1. Taiwan’s strongest earthquake in 25 years kills at least 9 (NBC News)

#2. Many Iranian options to retaliate against Israel, but all carry risk (Reuters)

Most of the earthquakes I have been monitoring of late have been in the “moderate” (5.0-5.9) category. This morning’s quake in Taiwan was a “major” (7.4) quake which was then followed by a “strong” (6.4) quake and some 14 “moderate” (5.0-5.7) aftershocks. According to Reuters, the “major” (7.4) quake has killed nine and injured hundreds.” Stay tuned for more aftershocks in or near Taiwan. And, by the way, there were also “moderate” quakes in Ecuador, the Mid-Indian Ridge, the Northern Mariana Islands Region, the Philippines and Vanuatu.

In the second article, Idrees Ali and Arshad Mohammed reported: “Iran faces a dilemma following an Israeli attack on its embassy in Syria: how to retaliate without sparking a wider conflict that Middle East analysts said Tehran doesn’t appear to want. Monday’s strike, which killed two Iranian generals and five military advisers at Iran’s embassy compound in Damascus comes as Israel accelerates a long-running campaign against Iran and the armed groups it backs. Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has vowed revenge.” Stay tuned!

Got to go for now. Lord willing, I will write tomorrow, as I am led by the Holy Spirit, keeping you updated on the “signs” Jesus gave us to watch for in Matthew 24, Mark 13 and Luke 21. And, if you are still not a believer in Jesus, why not become one right now by simply agreeing with God you are a sinner who needs a Savior Who is Jesus (Romans 3:23, 24) and believe He died on a cross for your sins, was buried and raised from the dead (I Corinthians 15:1-4) to forgive all your sins and give you eternal life (John 3:16). And, if you do, I’ll see you in heaven! Love, Doug (4/3/24)