Sons of Issachar Newsletter: January 21, 2026

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

As we enter the third week of 2026, the birth pains continue to intensify (Matthew 24:8 KJV). The past two weeks seem to have crammed about six months of action in and have brought dramatic unrest in Iran, fragile movement in Gaza, international conflict over Greenland, and notable geopolitical disruption out of Davos—alongside continued normalization of identity and surveillance systems, earthquakes, solar flares, and political unrest here in the United States. These developments echo Scripture’s warnings of wars and rumours of wars, distress of nations, and Jerusalem as a burdensome stone (Matthew 24:6–7 KJV; Luke 21:25 KJV; Zechariah 12:2–3 KJV). Yet amid shaking, the Lord calls His people to watch, pray, and proclaim the Gospel with urgency (Matthew 24:14 KJV; Matthew 24:42 KJV).

1) Iran: Crackdown, Blackouts, and the Cost Paid by Ordinary People

Reports in the last two weeks describe rapidly escalating unrest, with sharply disputed death tolls and mass arrests amid severe restrictions on communications. Iran’s state television reported 3,117 dead, while outside tracking groups have cited higher confirmed counts (and thousands more under review). In Reuters witness reporting, families describe bystanders being killed, not only protesters—underscoring how quickly violence spreads when force becomes the tool of control.

Sources: AP — “Iranian state TV issues first official death toll…” (Jan 21, 2026), Reuters — “Iran deaths went beyond protesters, hitting bystanders too…” (Jan 21, 2026)

Scriptural lens: Persia/Iran appears in prophetic contexts (Ezekiel 38:5 KJV); Jesus warned of rising global distress (Luke 21:25 KJV). God remains sovereign over rulers (Proverbs 21:1 KJV); the cries of the innocent matter to Him (Psalm 10:8–9 KJV). Pray for Gospel access and bold witness (Romans 10:14–15 KJV).

2) Iran and the Information War: When a State Can Flip the “Off Switch”

Iran’s blackout shows how modern regimes can treat basic connectivity like a permission—throttling truth, documentation, commerce, and even family-to-family confirmation of safety. Reuters reported Iran may consider lifting the internet ban “in a few days,” while also reporting a state TV hack—both signals that information control is now an active battlefield, not a side issue. This should be a warning to ensure we aren’t counting on the internet, or even electricity for access to our Bibles.

Sources: Reuters — “Iran to consider lifting internet ban; state TV hacked” (Jan 19, 2026)

Scriptural lens: God brings hidden things to light (Luke 8:17 KJV); truth is liberating (John 8:32 KJV).

3) Gaza: “Phase Two” Begins, and Governance Becomes the New Front Line

As ceasefire language gives way to governance structures, conflict often shifts from rockets to legitimacy, policing, demilitarization, and the control of reconstruction flows. Reuters reported the U.S. launching the second phase of its Gaza plan and the formation of a 15-member Palestinian administration body led by Ali Shaath. At the same time, pressure points around aid remain: Reuters reported Israel restricting entry for some foreign aid workers unless organizations comply with new requirements, and Reuters also reported the UN Secretary-General warning Israel he may refer the country to the ICJ over laws targeting UNRWA and seized assets.

Sources: Reuters — “US launches Gaza plan’s second phase…” (Jan 14, 2026), Reuters — “Israel bars some aid workers from Gaza…” (Jan 8, 2026), Reuters — “UN chief warns he could refer Israel to world court…” (Jan 13, 2026)

Scriptural lens: Jerusalem remains a burdensome stone (Zechariah 12:3 KJV); true peace comes through the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6 KJV).

4) Davos: Trump, Greenland, and Alliance Strain in Real Time

At Davos, Greenland became a live test of alliances and sovereignty. Reuters reported President Trump calling for immediate negotiations to purchase Greenland; Reuters also reported he ruled out force and tariffs while saying a framework had been reached—remarks that immediately reverberated through allied diplomacy.

Sources: Reuters — “Trump says he wants immediate negotiations to purchase Greenland” (Jan 21, 2026), Reuters — “Trump rules out force, tariffs, says Greenland deal framework reached” (Jan 21, 2026)

Scriptural lens: Nations rage, but God is not shaken (Psalm 2:1–4 KJV). Pray for restraint and wisdom in leadership (Romans 13:1 KJV).

5) Davos and AI: Harari on “AI Taking Over Religion,” and Why Physical Bibles Matter

At Davos, Yuval Noah Harari argued that because AI can generate and manipulate words at scale, it will increasingly “take over” domains built on words—including religion—especially “religions of the book.” Whatever one thinks of his worldview, the moment is a sober reminder for believers: God’s Word is not a malleable data stream but an eternal, settled testimony—“Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away” (Matthew 24:35 KJV), and “For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven” (Psalm 119:89 KJV). In an age when digital texts can be silently edited, censored, region-blocked, or “updated” by platforms and AI systems, it is wise and practical to possess physical copies of the Bible (and read them, not just leaving them in a closet or on some shelf or in a drawer), using digital tools as supplements—not substitutes—while holding fast to the warning against tampering with God’s words (Revelation 22:18–19 KJV) and remembering that Scripture is God-breathed and sufficient for doctrine and endurance (2 Timothy 3:16–17 KJV). How can you hope to have discernment if you don’t know what is true?

Sources: WEF session page — “An Honest Conversation on AI and Humanity” (Annual Meeting 2026), Newsweek writeup referencing the clip (Jan 21, 2026)

6) Control Infrastructure: Biometric Normalization in Retail and Travel

In retail, Wegmans publicly confirmed facial recognition use in a small fraction of stores and noted mandated signage in New York City—an example of how quickly “optional” surveillance becomes background normal. In travel, TSA’s PreCheck Touchless ID (facial biometric) is slated to expand broadly, reflecting the same direction: convenience tied to identity systems.

Sources: Wegmans — “Statement on Facial Recognition Technology”, Grocery Dive — coverage and context (Jan 9, 2026), TSA — “TSA PreCheck Touchless ID”, Travel Weekly — expansion details (Jan 7, 2026)

Scriptural lens: Revelation describes a future commerce-linked enforcement system (Revelation 13:16–17 KJV). Not every biometric program is the mark, but the conditioning is real—pray for discernment (Proverbs 14:15 KJV).

7) Domestic U.S.: Policy Conflict, Conscience, and Social Volatility

In the U.S., the last two weeks have continued to feature sharp conflict lines—especially around life, conscience, and speech. A federal judge temporarily blocked South Dakota’s effort to pressure a nonprofit to remove abortion-pill ads (a speech fight), while the Trump administration warned Illinois it could lose federal health funding over a state law requiring abortion referrals that federal officials say violates conscience protections. These disputes are part of the broader churn driving social volatility and distrust.

Sources: Reuters — “US judge says South Dakota can’t push nonprofit to take down abortion pill ads…” (Jan 20, 2026), Washington Post — “Illinois faces federal defunding for state law requiring abortion referrals” (Jan 21, 2026)

Scriptural lens: “Woe unto them that call evil good…” (Isaiah 5:20 KJV). Pray for courage, clarity, and true repentance (2 Chronicles 7:14 KJV).

8) Earthquakes: The Ground Moves, and the Illusion of Control Breaks

Jesus explicitly listed earthquakes among the signs that accompany the “beginning of sorrows” (Matthew 24:7–8 KJV); Luke adds “great earthquakes” (Luke 21:11 KJV). This 14-day window included multiple significant quakes internationally (e.g., M6.7 Philippines and M6.8 Indonesia) and notable U.S. sequences (e.g., the M4.9 near Joshua Tree followed by 200+ aftershocks).

Sources: Reuters — “Magnitude 6.7 earthquake strikes near Baculin, Philippines…” (Jan 7, 2026), Reuters — “Magnitude 6.8 earthquake strikes off Indonesia’s Talaud Islands…” (Jan 10, 2026), SFGate — Joshua Tree aftershock swarm (Jan 21, 2026), USGS — Significant Earthquakes page

Scriptural lens: God alone is unshakable (Hebrews 12:27–28 KJV).

9) Solar Flares and Space Weather: “Signs in the Sun” and Real-World Disruption

Jesus spoke of “signs in the sun” alongside distress and perplexity among nations (Luke 21:25 KJV). NOAA reported G4 (Severe) geomagnetic storm levels reached on Jan 19 from CME arrival, and also reported an S4 (Severe) solar radiation storm in progress. NOAA further noted an X1.9 flare (R3-Strong) on Jan 18. These are not only “sky events”—they can disrupt communications, GPS, satellites, and operations.

Sources: NOAA SWPC — “G4 (Severe) Geomagnetic Storm Levels Reached 19 Jan, 2026”, NOAA SWPC — “S4 (Severe) Solar Radiation Storm in Progress, January 19th, 2026”, NOAA SWPC — “X-class Flare Activity Observed – 18 January 2026”, Space.com — flare/CME overview (Jan 19–20, 2026)

Scriptural lens: heavenly signs appear in end-times framing (Joel 2:31 KJV; Acts 2:20 KJV). Our anchor is Christ, not spectacle.

Watch and Pray

Beloved, do not fear—watch, pray, and be ready (Matthew 24:42 KJV; Mark 13:33 KJV). Pray:

• Iran: mercy, protection for the oppressed, restraint on violence, and Gospel breakthrough (Psalm 82:3–4 KJV).

• Gaza/Israel: protection of civilians, humanitarian access, and true peace through Christ (Psalm 122:6 KJV).

• Leaders and nations: wisdom and restraint amid Davos-era volatility (1 Timothy 2:1–2 KJV).

• Discernment: clear minds in an age of digital manipulation and accelerating control systems (1 John 4:1 KJV).

Maranatha,

Sims Corner Church

“Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)” (Hebrews 10:23 KJV)