Sons of Issachar Newsletter: September 8th, 2025
Welcome back to our weekly dive into the headlines that echo the prophecies of Scripture. As we press on through 2025, the "birth pains" described in Matthew 24:6-8—wars, rumors of wars, famines, earthquakes, and more—seem to be intensifying, signaling our progress through the end times and the nearing return of Jesus. We're also seeing rapid advancements in technology, global control systems, and geopolitical shifts that align with Revelation's warnings about a one-world system under the Beast. This week, we'll cover a range of events from natural disasters to tech breakthroughs, economic pressures, and international tensions, all viewed through the lens of biblical foresight. Remember, these are signs to watch and pray over, not to fear, as our hope is in Christ's return.
Birth Pains: Earthquakes, Floods, and Storms Ramp Up
Matthew 24:7 speaks of earthquakes in various places as part of the beginning of sorrows. We're seeing this pattern accelerate, with seismic and weather events occurring at an increasing frequency, much like the contractions that grow closer and more intense before birth. These aren't just random occurrences; they remind us of the earth's groaning in anticipation of redemption, as described in Romans 8:22, pointing to the fulfillment of end-times prophecies where the natural world itself testifies to coming judgment and renewal.
Earthquakes Happening Much More Than Normal: Reports indicate a spike in global seismic activity, with clusters along fault lines worldwide. From Alaska's rumbling volcanoes, where the Iliamna Volcano has shown unusual activity after over a century of dormancy, to Japan's ongoing earthquake swarms that have hammered the region with hundreds of tremors, and increased seismic observations at Taal in the Philippines, Mount Rainier in Washington, and even Yellowstone where animal behavior rumors have sparked eruption fears (though fact-checked as unfounded), it's as if the earth itself is groaning (Romans 8:22). These events, coming in waves and intensifying, mirror the birth pains Jesus described, serving as wake-up calls for believers to prepare for the tribulation ahead, where such signs will culminate in cosmic upheavals. Sources: Various as linked, including ABC News; SciTechDaily; Discern Report; Tribune; PBS; The Travel; Economic Collapse Blog.
Earthquake in Afghanistan: On August 31, 2025, at 23:47 AFT (19:17 UTC), a magnitude 6.0 earthquake struck eastern Afghanistan near the border with Pakistan. This devastating event leveled villages and trapped people under rubble. The death toll has risen to nearly 3,000 according to the World Health Organization, with Taliban reports citing 2,217 fatalities and over 4,000 injuries (including 3,640 confirmed). More than 500,000 people have been affected, including 260,000 children, with at least 8,000 homes destroyed—5,400 in Kunar alone, where up to 65% of buildings collapsed and 98% were damaged. Additionally, 16 health centers and 53 schools were obliterated, and infrastructure like roads was blocked by landslides exacerbated by heavy rains and flash floods that claimed at least five more lives. The quake was followed by 17 aftershocks of magnitude 4.0 or greater, including a M5.6 on September 4 that caused additional deaths and injuries, and the destruction of 330 more homes, and a M5.2 on September 2 that further hampered rescues. International aid has poured in, with the UN allocating $5 million, the EU sending 130 tons of supplies and €1 million, and contributions from countries like India, China, Iran, and the UK, while the Taliban mobilized resources but appealed for more help due to limited capacity. Factors like poor building quality and soft sediments amplified the destruction, making this the deadliest quake in Afghanistan since 1998. This catastrophe not only highlights the fragility of human life but also fits into the broader pattern of increasing seismic activity worldwide, as prophesied in Matthew 24. We all need to be ready to meet the lord, while we know we have the victory through Jesus none of us are guaranteed to wake up tomorrow. If you aren’t already, find out what you need to do to ensure your place in eternity. Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved. In a region already plagued by conflict and instability, such disasters exacerbate humanitarian crises, potentially leading to greater reliance on global aid systems that could foreshadow the centralized control of the Beast era. Source: Wikipedia.
Flooding in Pakistan: Devastating floods have washed away thousands of villages and farms, threatening food security in an already vulnerable region. This catastrophe, driven by unprecedented rainfall and climate shifts, has led to massive displacement and heightened famine risks, directly tying into the famines foretold in Matthew 24 and Revelation 6, where scarcity becomes a tool of judgment. As global weather patterns become more erratic, these events could pave the way for international interventions that centralize power, aligning with prophecies of a one-world system controlling resources during the tribulation. Source: Reuters.
Hurricane Kiko: Barreling through the Pacific as a Category 2 storm with winds up to 110 mph, this hurricane has prompted a state of emergency in Hawaii, with swells expected to reach the Big Island by Sunday and the storm forecast to weaken but still pass north of the islands as a tropical storm by Tuesday or Wednesday. It has caused widespread damage, following a season of record-breaking weather where "1-in-1000-year" events are becoming commonplace. Unprecedented events like this are becoming routine, aligning with the signs of cosmic disturbances in the last days (Luke 21:25-26), including roaring seas and distressed nations. Such storms not only disrupt lives but also strain economies and infrastructures, potentially accelerating reliance on global governance structures prophesied in Revelation. Source: Not specified in provided topics; drawing from ongoing weather patterns as in NBC News and Weather.gov, with updates from NBC News. KHON2. Big Island Video News. Fox Weather. Zoom Earth. CNN. Governor Hawaii. YouTube. NHC.
Continued Flooding and Wildfires: Building on last month's trends, floods persist in multiple regions, with "1-in-1000-year" rainfall events becoming precedented, while wildfires rage despite the rains—a paradoxical reminder of the chaotic weather patterns expected as end-times indicators. For instance, Arizona's Grand Canyon has seen megafires like the Dragon Bravo wildfire, defying wet conditions and highlighting how climate extremes could fulfill prophecies of heavenly signs and earthly turmoil. These dual threats underscore the instability of creation, urging us to heed Jesus' words about not being alarmed but recognizing the approach of His return and looking up. Sources: As linked, including NBC News Floods; NBC News Climate; Weather.gov; Fox Weather.
Geopolitical Tensions: Wars, Rumors of Wars, and Shifting Alliances
Nation rising against nation (Matthew 24:7) is evident in escalating conflicts and preparations for broader wars. These tensions, from proxy battles to nuclear posturing, echo Jesus' warning of wars and rumors of wars as precursors to the end, not the end itself, but signs that the tribulation's global conflicts are drawing near, potentially culminating in Armageddon as described in Revelation 16.
Europe Braces for War: French hospitals are gearing up for "major engagement," signaling heightened readiness amid tensions with Russia. This preparation, amid broader European concerns over political repression and censorship laws, echoes the rumors of wars that Jesus warned would precede the end, fostering an environment where free speech is curtailed and alliances shift toward authoritarian control, much like the Beast's regime suppressing dissent. Sources: Daily Star; also tied to broader European preparations, with reports on free speech recessions and party bans from European Parliament. The Atlantic. European Parliament Think Tank. The Economist. Future Free Speech. House Democrats. EP Think Tank. Heritage. House Judiciary. ProMarket.
Russian Offensive: Russia launches drones and missiles at Ukraine's energy grid, crippling infrastructure and raising fears of a wider NATO involvement. The hot mic between Putin and Xi discussing biotech and longevity—where Putin suggested eternal life via organ transplants and innovations, and Xi noted humans could live to 150 or more—hints at deeper alliances in pursuit of god-like power, reminiscent of the prideful kings in Daniel's prophecies who defy God in their quest for immortality (Daniel 7:25). This conversation, caught during a China parade, underscores how leaders and others are turning to science for salvation rather than seeking the only real salvation via Jesus’s atonement for our sins, mirroring the deception of the last days where humanity worships the creation rather than the Creator. Source: The Express; hot mic details from Reuters. NBC News. The Guardian. CNN. BBC. Foreign Policy. ABC News. France 24. Politico.
Tariffs Pushing India Closer to China and Russia: U.S. trade policies are driving India into the arms of BRICS nations, potentially forming the kind of global coalitions that could support a one-world government as in Revelation 13. As Trump imposes tariffs, leaders like Modi embrace Xi and Putin, creating economic blocs that challenge Western dominance and could facilitate the rise of the Antichrist's unified system to counter threats from the other alliances. Source: The Telegraph.
Drone Strike from Yemen Hits Israeli Airport: A drone launched from Yemen by the Houthis struck the passenger terminal at Ramon Airport in southern Israel, injuring two civilians (a 63-year-old man and a 52-year-old woman) with shrapnel, closing the airport for hours and halting flights despite limited damage. This rare successful breach of Israeli defenses, claimed by the Houthis amid escalating Gaza operations, highlights vulnerabilities in the region. With Netanyahu's trial resuming amid ongoing Gaza strife—where starvation and aid attacks persist—we're watching for fulfillments like the division of the land (Joel 3:2) and Damascus's potential destruction (Jeremiah 49:23-27), as Middle East conflicts draw in global powers, setting the stage for prophetic wars. Sources: Jerusalem Post; Gaza context from Haaretz, Reuters, Wikipedia Gaza Famine, Times of Israel, Wikipedia Aid Killings, Jerusalem Post; drone strike from Al Jazeera. AP News. Reuters. New York Post. CBS News. NYT. YouTube. PBS. Jerusalem Post.
Trump Threatens U.S. Action in Gaza: President Trump issues an ultimatum to Hamas for hostage release, vowing consequences. This could draw the U.S. deeper into the region, aligning with prophecies of global armies gathering (Zechariah 14), as American involvement in Middle East conflicts escalates, potentially hastening the end-times alignment of nations against Israel. Source: Fox News.
US Stations Jets in Puerto Rico for Drug Trafficking Ops: The U.S. has deployed 10 F-35 stealth fighter jets to Puerto Rico to target drug cartels, including a recent strike on a speedboat likely carrying members, as part of a broader campaign against Venezuelan-linked trafficking amid rising tensions. This military buildup shows intensified border and security measures, but it could foreshadow broader surveillance systems and authoritarian overreach, echoing the control mechanisms of the Beast that monitor and restrict global movements. Source: Not explicitly linked; inferred from NDAA and security trends (Congress Report), with details from CBS News. The Guardian. Newsweek. YouTube. Reuters. Facebook. NY Post. Al Jazeera. The Hill. France 24.
Undersea Cables Cut, Disrupting Internet: Sabotage or accidents have severed key cables, causing outages. In an increasingly digital world, such vulnerabilities could be exploited in the Beast system's control over buying and selling (Revelation 13:17), as disruptions force greater dependence on centralized tech infrastructures that track and limit freedoms. Source: NBC News.
Technology and Control: March Toward the Beast System
Advancements in AI, biotech, and surveillance continue to pave the way for the mark of the Beast and a controlled society. These innovations, while promising convenience and longevity, often encroach on human autonomy and spirituality, fulfilling warnings in Revelation 13 about a system where no one can buy or sell without allegiance to the Beast, and where technology enables widespread deception.
Elon Musk on Grok Imagine: Musk announces updates allowing users to create half-hour shows and video games, with a big update in weeks and full launch by spring 2026, positioning Grok as a tool for "superhuman imagination" in generating media from text or uploads. This could occupy the masses—the "useless eaters" in elite parlance—distracting from spiritual truths while AI encroaches on divine roles, like interpreting tongues or guiding lives, potentially leading to the great deception where AI mimics miracles or prophecies. Source: Direct quote from user topics; related to AI trends (Fox News; Christian Post); updates from X. Reddit. Mashable. MSN. Times of India. Facebook. Business Today. PC Gamer. Instagram. Analytics Vidhya.
Major Meeting Between President Trump and Tech Titans (No Elon): Trump convened with over 30 industry leaders like Sam Altman, Mark Zuckerberg, Tim Cook, and Bill Gates at a White House dinner, where CEOs praised his policies and discussed tariffs on semiconductors, but notably excluded Musk amid reported tensions. Following the GENIUS Act and programmable money trends from July, this pushes us toward a cashless, trackable economy essential for Revelation's Beast system, where tech elites shape policies that could enforce the mark. Source: AP News; GENIUS Act (The Conversation; Federal Reserve; Treasury AU; Global Government Fintech); meeting from CBS News. Spectrum News. PBS. YouTube. The Guardian. Yahoo Finance. YouTube. WSJ. USA Today.
Jobs in Space: Expanding space economy promises new opportunities, but it also evokes the "stars falling" imagery in Revelation 6:13 and Matthew 24:29 and the eagle ascending to the stars from Obadiah 1:4 , possibly linking to cosmic events or deceptions like extraterrestrial narratives that could explain away the rapture or introduce false messiahs. Source: Yahoo News.
Societal and Spiritual Shifts: Deception and Moral Decay
False christs and deceivers will abound (Matthew 24:5), and we're seeing moral lines blur as society embraces changes that challenge biblical truths, leading to the apostasy foretold in 2 Timothy 3:1-5, where people become lovers of self and pleasure rather than God.
Pope Pushes for Two-State Solution: The Vatican insists on dividing Israel, potentially fulfilling Joel 3:2's judgment on those who partition the land, as more nations recognize Palestine, accelerating prophetic divisions that invite divine reckoning. Source: LA Times. Related recognitions: France (BBC), Canada/Australia/Britain (Guardian; EU News; Wikipedia Taiwan).
Catholics Accepting LGBT Positions: Reports of LGBTQ Catholics gathering in Rome suggest shifting doctrines, echoing the apostasy of the last days (2 Timothy 3:1-5), as traditional teachings yield to cultural pressures, potentially paving the way for a unified false religion under the False Prophet. Source: Yahoo News.
Trans NFL Cheerleaders: Cultural pushes like Justine Lindsay, the NFL's first crossdressing cheerleader who announced he won't return to the Carolina Panthers for the 2025 season after making history in 2022 and being crowned Ms. Charlotte Black Pride Lady, prompt reflection—perhaps it's time to rethink entertainment that objectifies and inherently leads many into dangerous ground per Matthew 5:28, as society drifts further from biblical standards on gender and identity (Genesis 1:27), contributing to the moral confusion of the end times. Source: OutSports. PinkNews. The Root. TikTok. Facebook. The Sun. Daily Mail. Instagram. YouTube.
European Free Speech Limitations: Banning parties and enforcing social media could head to the U.S., suppressing truth and enabling the deception of the Antichrist, as EU laws on hate speech and censorship expand, chilling expression and aligning with a world where proclaiming biblical truths becomes perilous.
Politicians' Insider Trading and Influencer Payments: Corruption thrives, from Qatari payoffs to MAGA influencers to ongoing scandals like Epstein and Obama distractions. The Bible condemns such greed (Ezekiel 22:12), as leaders prioritize personal gain over justice, mirroring the lawlessness that increases in the last days (Matthew 24:12). Sources: Epstein (Twitter Video); Obama (Guardian; NYT; Reuters).
Economic Pressures: Record Beef Prices: Soaring costs, with all-fresh retail beef at a record $8.90 per pound in July and ground beef hitting $6.34 per pound amid the smallest U.S. herd since 1961, point to the third seal's scarcity (Revelation 6:5-6), as tight supplies and tariffs drive inflation, foreshadowing global famines where a day's wages buy minimal food. Prudence may lead us to returning back to some practices from the last century where rural families and those with yards turn some lawn space into productive food production. Source: Continual records; tied to famines list (Wikipedia Famines); details from Farm Progress. DTN PF. MSU Extension. Food & Wine. Newsweek. NACS. Drovers. USDA ERS. Axios.
Attacks on Christians: Continuing from August, persecutions in Syria, Congo, and Nigeria fulfill Matthew 24:9's promise of hatred toward believers, as attacks intensify, reminding us that tribulation will test the faithful before Christ's return. Sources: BBC Syria; BBC Congo; Morning Star News Nigeria.
Closing Thoughts
These events aren't isolated; they're threads in the tapestry of prophecy unfolding before us every day. From the Beast system's building blocks in digital money and AI to the birth pains shaking the earth, we're called to stay vigilant (1 Thessalonians 5:6). Next week, we'll track how these develop. Until then, keep your lamps lit and eyes on the skies—Maranatha!
If you have thoughts or additional topics to share, Join us Wednesdays at 6:00 for our potluck or 7:00 for our discussion of these topics. God bless.