WHOSE GOT the NUKES?

Good morning, blog readers, from mostly cloudy and warm (68 degrees) Wisconsin where, on my morning walk, I saw: 30 robins, 7 grackles, 6 deer (including 3 fawns), 6 geese, 5 red-winged blackbirds, 5 crows, 3 cardinals, a dove and heard 2 bullfrogs croaking! Thank You, Jesus!

When we think of nuclear weapons, we tend to think of the “big three” countries: Russia, China and the United States. However, you might be surprised at how many other countries have them. The Staff at Prophecy News Watchers recently wrote: “China is expanding its nuclear arsenal more rapidly than any other country, now possessing three times the number of warheads that India has, according to a report released on Monday by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), a Swedish think tank.

Meanwhile Pakistan maintains a rough parity with India in terms of the number of nuclear warheads. Russia and the U.S. remain far ahead of all other countries, together accounting for 90% of the world’s nuclear weapons. The SIPRI analysis indicates that China’s nuclear warheads increased from 410 in January 2023 to 500 by January 2024, with further growth anticipated. India has 172 (from 164 in 2023 warheads while Pakistan has 170 (unchanged from 20230 warheads.

According to SIPRI, the role of nuclear weapons as a deterrent has increased amid ongoing geopolitical turmoil, such as the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the Israel-Hamas conflict.” And, speaking of Israel, PNW reported: “Regarding IsraeI’s ballistic missile capabilities, up to 50 warheads are likely designated for Jericho ballistic missiles, although Israel has never officially acknowledged possessing such missiles. SIPRI reports Israel is upgrading its missile arsenal from Jericho 2 to Jericho 3, which has a range of up to 4,000 km.”

Let me remind you, in case you didn’t know, John reported in Revelation 6:7-8, “And when He (Jesus) broke the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature saying, ‘Come.’ And I looked, and behold, an ashen horse; and he who sat on it had the name Death; and Hades was following with him. And authority was given to them over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword and with famine and with pestilence and by the wild beasts of the earth.” Question: “Could this be as a result of a nuclear weapon?” Stay tuned, since Jesus told us that one of the “signs” leading up to His return” would be “wars and rumors of war” (Matthew 24:6, Mark 13:7 and Like 21:9).

Yes, this is “scary stuff.” But, Jesus told His disciples, in Matthew 24:6, “And you will be hearing of wars and rumors of war; see that you are not frightened, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end.” Let me remind you that Jesus could be returning at anytime for His bride, the church, made up of all the “born again” believers in Jesus (John 3:3) Who have been saved by God’s grace through faith in Christ, His death, burial and resurrection (I Corinthians 15:1-4) and not by works (Ephesians 2:8, 9). So, if you haven’t already done so, 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 to forgive all your sins and give you eternal life (John 3:16). Love, Doug (6/21/24)

GOG of MAGOG?

Good morning, blog readers, from clear and cool (37 degrees) Wisconsin where, on my morning walk, I saw: 6 deer, a plane, a police officer and the heavens declaring the glory of God (Psalm 19:1)! Thank You, Jesus!

This headline, from the AP (Associated Press), got my attention this morning: “Putin warns again that Russia is ready to use nuclear weapons if its sovereignty is threatened.”

In the article, the AP staff reported: “President Vladimir Putin said Wednesday that Russia is ready to use nuclear weapons if it’s sovereignty or independence is threatened, issuing another blunt warning to the West just days ahead of an election in which he’s all but certain to win another six-year term.

The Russian leader has repeatedly talked about his readiness to use nuclear weapons since invading Ukraine in February 2022. The most recent such threat came in his ‘state-of-the-nation address last month when he warned the West that deepening its involvement in the fighting in Ukraine would risk a nuclear war.

Asked if he has ever considered using battlefield nuclear weapons in Ukraine, Putin responded that there has been no need for that. Still, the remarks appeared to be a message to the West that he is prepared to use all means to protect his gains there. In an apparent reference to NATO allies, he also declared that ‘the nations that say they have no red lines regarding Russia should realize that Russia won’t have any red lines regarding them either.”

Let me remind you that the prophecy of Ezekiel 38-39 is about a Russian leader (Gog of Magog) who leaves a war (Ukraine?) and, along with Iran (Persia), Libya (Put), Turkey (Togarmah), Ethiopia, Sudan, Somalia, and possibly Germany (Gomer) and other Jew-haters, invade an unsuspecting Israel at a time when she is living in peace (certainly not today or anytime soon) “to capture spoil and to seize plunder” from the Israelis (Ezekiel 38:8-12). The result: The Lord God Himself comes to Israel’s defense, destroys her enemies and restores Israel (Ezekiel 38:18-39:29). So, stay tuned, dearly beloved in Christ, and keep watching, waiting, working, witnessing for, walking with and worshiping 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). Blessings with love, Doug (3/13/24)

Do Not Be Afraid!

Good morning, blog readers, from cloudy and cool (32 degrees) Wisconsin where, on my morning walk, for the second day in a row, I saw 5 deer! Thank You, Jesus!

Check out these headlines from this week’s news:

#1. The Biden Administration and the Iranian Regime’s Nuclear Weapons (Gatestone Institute)

#2. Outdoing US, China makes a splash at Emirati defense tech show

In the first article, Dr. Majid Rafizadeh wrote: “In a noteworthy development, for the first time, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has issued a warning, signaling that Iran now holds a sufficient quantity of highly enriched uranium capable of producing multiple nuclear warheads.”

The regime has been actively supporting Hamas against Israel, providing assistance to Yemen’s Houthi terror group to attack ships in the Red Sea, escalating tensions with Pakistan, and providing weaponry to Russia for use against Ukraine. These multifaceted engagements in regional and global conflicts indicate the regimes likely view of nuclear weapons as a means to further its strategic objectives. In the midst of these ongoing conflicts, the last thing we need is an aggressive regime, with terrorist inclinations – and clearly no intention, despite every opportunity the West has given it, of ‘coming in from the cold’ – possessing nuclear weapons.”

In the second article, Agnes Helou, reporting for “Breaking Defense,” wrote of China: “The Asian giant had more than 50 entities present at UMEX 2024, according to organizers, compared to less than two dozen from the US and just a few from Russia.”

And Jesus said to His disciples, in Matthew 24:6,”You will be hearing of wars and rumors of war. see that you are not frightened, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end.”

I don’t know about you, but all these threats of war from China, Russia, Iran plus North Korea who have or will soon have nuclear weapons is frightening. But, remember, Jesus also said to His disciples, in Matthew 28:20: “And lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Note: There are numerous times in the Old Testament and, by my count, 7 in the New Testament when the Lord told His disciples, “Do not be afraid.” Remember, we have the “sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God (Ephesians 6:17) to “extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.” I also like what someone else told me: “Fear knocked at the door; faith answered; there was no one there!”

So, dearly beloved in Christ, despite all the threats from our enemy to frighten and discourage us, let us remember Hebrews 12:2 and “fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of God. 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). And, if you do, I’ll see you in heaven. Love and prayers, Doug (1/27/24)