Sons of Issachar Newsletter: February 25, 2026
Beloved,
As followers of Christ we are called to watch, to pray, and to proclaim the Gospel with urgency in these last days. Scripture reminds us that nation will rise against nation, there will be famines and earthquakes in various places, and all these are but the beginning of birth pains (Matthew 24:6–8 KJV). The past week has brought President Trump’s record-length State of the Union address, the inaugural Board of Peace meeting with major Gaza aid pledges, movement in U.S.-Iran nuclear talks alongside continued Iranian unrest, and continued expansion of digital/data control systems, alongside earthquakes and solar activity that remind us creation itself is groaning.
These developments do not prove we are at the very end, yet they echo the kinds of conditions our Lord told us to watch for. Let us respond not with panic, but with sobriety, prayer, and faithfulness.
President Trump’s Record-Length State of the Union and a Deeply Divided Political Climate
Reuters described President Trump’s February 24 State of the Union as the longest in history at 143 minutes, and its tone reflected both confidence and conflict. He emphasized the economy, tariffs, immigration, and national strength, while also speaking into rising tensions with Iran and various other issues at home and abroad. Reuters also noted the increasingly partisan atmosphere in the chamber and the way the address leaned heavily into political theater and messaging ahead of the midterms. (2 Timothy 3:1 KJV; Psalm 33:12 KJV)
Reuters , Trump delivers longest State of the Union speech in history (February 24, 2026)
Reuters , Takeaways from Trump’s State of the Union address to Congress (February 25, 2026)
One point worth noting from the speech and immediate aftermath was the renewed push for a congressional stock-trading ban. Bloomberg Government reported Speaker Mike Johnson said a House vote could come “soon” after Trump called for such a ban in the address. Whether or not lawmakers act quickly, the moment highlighted how public mistrust in institutions is now reaching across party lines. Any move to lessen corruption in a very corrupt government is a welcome change.(Proverbs 29:2 KJV; Micah 6:8 KJV)
Trump also reiterated tariff-centered economic themes, and Bloomberg’s live coverage noted his argument that tariff revenue could substantially replace portions of the modern income-tax system. Whatever one’s policy view, the broader lesson for believers is that national confidence can rise and fall quickly, and our trust must not rest in markets or politicians. (Psalm 146:3 KJV; Hebrews 13:14 KJV)
Bloomberg , State of the Union 2026 Live: News on Inflation, Tariffs, and More (February 25, 2026)
Board of Peace Debut and Major Gaza Reconstruction Pledges
On February 19, President Trump convened the first meeting of the Board of Peace, focused heavily on Gaza’s post-war future. Reuters reported that major questions remained unresolved, but the event centered on aid, reconstruction, and political arrangements after the ceasefire phase. This week’s reporting continued to frame the effort as a major diplomatic test, especially with regional and international skepticism still present. (Psalm 122:6 KJV; Jeremiah 29:7 KJV)
BBC and AP coverage emphasized the scale of pledges tied to Gaza relief and rebuilding, with billions committed and the effort presented as a long-term reconstruction framework. We can be grateful for any genuine aid to suffering people while still recognizing that fragile political arrangements are not the same as lasting peace. True peace will come only from the Prince of Peace not any board of peace. (Isaiah 9:6 KJV; 1 Thessalonians 5:3 KJV)
BBC News , Trump’s Board of Peace members pledge billions in Gaza relief (February 19, 2026)
AP News , Trump’s Board of Peace pledges billions for Gaza relief (February 19, 2026)
U.S.-Iran Nuclear Talks Show Movement While Iran’s Internal Unrest Continues
Reuters and BBC both reported that negotiators in Geneva said they had reached agreement on “guiding principles” for further U.S.-Iran nuclear talks. That does not mean a final deal is done, but it does mark a significant diplomatic step during a tense period in the region. Reuters’ State of the Union coverage also noted Iran was a major backdrop to the speech and to current U.S. foreign-policy posture. (Luke 21:25 KJV; James 3:18 KJV)
Reuters , Iran, U.S. agree “guiding principles” in Geneva talks (February 18, 2026)
BBC News , Iran says ‘guiding principles’ agreed with US at nuclear talks (February 18, 2026)
At the same time, Reuters and other reporting indicated continued anti-regime demonstrations and unrest tied to memorials and crackdowns inside Iran. This combination, high-level diplomacy on one hand, domestic instability on the other, reminds us how quickly national situations can turn. We should pray both for restraint among leaders and for courage among believers inside closed and hostile places. (Hebrews 13:3 KJV; 2 Thessalonians 3:1–2 KJV)
Reuters , Iranian protests continue amid memorial demonstrations (February 18, 2026)
Critical Threats Project , Iran Update, February 18, 2026
ABC News reported that around a dozen U.S. Air Force F-22 fighter jets landed in Israel, citing a U.S. official, after being observed departing RAF Lakenheath in the UK. The report framed the deployment as part of a broader U.S. military movement toward the Middle East amid escalating tensions with Iran. This is the kind of “threshold moment” that can shift calculations quickly, because deployments are both a deterrent signal and a preparation for rapid action if diplomacy fails. (Matthew 24:6 KJV; Psalm 46:9–10 KJV)
The Times of Israel also reported the F-22 deployment to an Israeli airbase, describing it as unusual and tied to a massive U.S. regional buildup. Separately, Reuters on February 20 reported the U.S. and Iran were “sliding rapidly towards military conflict,” with diplomats and officials describing one of the biggest U.S. deployments in the region in decades. These are not proof of prophecy in a simplistic way, but they do echo the “wars and rumours of wars” atmosphere Scripture tells us will characterize this age. (Luke 21:9 KJV; Psalm 2:1–4 KJV)
Our prayer is for restraint, for protection of innocents, for wisdom in diplomacy, and for the Gospel to advance while there is still time. When nations posture and threaten, the church must stay anchored: Christ is King, and His people must not be driven by fear or propaganda. (John 14:27 KJV; Hebrews 12:27–28 KJV)
ABC News , US Air Force stealth fighters land in Israel, official says (February 24, 2026)
Political Tension in the U.S. Continues Beyond the Speech
The State of the Union itself showed the temperature of the moment: sharp partisan reactions, pointed attacks, and visible division inside the chamber. Reuters highlighted clashes with Democrats and the increasingly partisan tone of an address that historically has often been presented as a national unifying event. This does not mean the nation is uniquely beyond hope, but it does mean believers should reject the temptation to mirror the world’s anger and contempt. (Romans 12:18 KJV; Philippians 2:14–15 KJV)
Reuters , Takeaways from Trump’s State of the Union address to Congress (February 25, 2026)
This week also brought continued debate over tariffs, taxation, and economic direction. When political leaders speak in sweeping terms about replacing major systems or restoring a national “golden age,” Christians should remember that every earthly kingdom or nation is temporary. We pray for justice and wise policy, but our hope and citizenship is in Jesus’s kingship, not in any administration. (Hebrews 11:10 KJV; Daniel 2:44 KJV)
Bloomberg , State of the Union 2026 Live: News on Inflation, Tariffs, and More (February 25, 2026)
Reuters , Takeaways from Trump’s State of the Union address to Congress (February 25, 2026)
“Epstein Files” Aftershocks Reach the Gates Foundation and Global Public Life
On February 25, Reuters reported that Bill Gates addressed staff at the Gates Foundation about the reputational damage caused by his association with Jeffrey Epstein, with the foundation saying Gates “took responsibility” for his actions while reiterating he did not participate in Epstein’s crimes. In a polarized information environment, controversies like this rapidly become fuel for broader distrust, of elites, institutions, and even legitimate philanthropy, whether or not the underlying allegations are substantiated. (Proverbs 18:17 KJV; Luke 12:2 KJV)
CBS News also reported on February 25 that Gates apologized to foundation employees over his Epstein ties in a staff town hall, describing his meetings with Epstein as mistakes that had “overshadowed” the foundation’s work. Even when public figures attempt to close a chapter with admissions and apologies, the social and political effects often persist, because scandal trains people to assume the worst, and because truth gets mixed with rumor at high speed. (James 1:19–20 KJV; 1 Timothy 5:21 KJV)
For the church, the response is not gloating. It is sobriety, compassion for victims, and a renewed commitment to integrity in our own lives and leadership. The Lord is not mocked, and every hidden thing will be brought to light, so we live in the light now. (Galatians 6:7 KJV; Ephesians 5:11–13 KJV)
CBS News , Bill Gates apologizes to Gates Foundation staff over Epstein ties (February 25, 2026)
“Control Infrastructure” Expands Through Data Policy, AI Policing, and Digital Systems
This week’s Reuters reporting provided several examples of what many have been watching for years: not one single global system yet, but a steady expansion of the infrastructure that supports more centralized control. Reuters reported that the U.S. State Department (in a cable signed by Secretary Rubio) ordered diplomats to push back on foreign “data sovereignty” and localization rules, framing the issue around AI, cloud services, censorship, and cross-border data flows. This is not merely a tech debate, it is a contest over who can set the rules for information and access. Maintaining systems that can talk directly to each other across international lines is directly in line with the control systems we see infer will exist from Revelation 13:16–17 KJV
Reuters , Exclusive: US orders diplomats to fight data sovereignty initiatives (February 25, 2026)
A parallel pressure point surfaced this week around government access to some AI models. Reuters reported that the Pentagon has been pushing to broaden how leading AI systems can be used on classified networks, and that Anthropic has “dug in” over usage restrictions it wants to keep in place. Reuters noted the Pentagon has been negotiating AI contracts with multiple large-model providers and has signaled it wants fewer restrictions as these tools move deeper into national-security environments. This matters because capability plus classified deployment, especially under pressure to relax guardrails, can accelerate state power far faster than the public realizes. (Matthew 10:16 KJV)
Reuters , Anthropic digs in heels in dispute with Pentagon, source says (February 24, 2026)
Reuters also reported Germany’s plan to modernize key security bodies with expanded data-sharing and AI tools to identify suspects and process large volumes of information, as it cracks down on organized crime and financial offenses. In the U.S., Reuters reported Microsoft publicly addressed scrutiny over ICE’s use of cloud and AI-enabled tools, saying it does not believe its technology is being used for mass civilian surveillance, while also confirming broad cloud support to DHS/ICE. These are not identical policies, but together they show a broader pattern: governments and institutions are increasingly linking AI capability, large-scale data, and enforcement capacity, and the slope tends to be one-directional.
As a practical application for believers: keep physical copies of Scripture in your home, teach your children the Word, and do not rely only on digital access that can be filtered, revised, or denied. This is not fear-driven preparation; it is simple wisdom, especially in an era when systems of identity, information, and transactions are becoming more integrated. (Psalm 119:11 KJV)
Financial Rails and “Digital Dollar” Power Plays: USD1 Stablecoin Volatility and Global Tariff Shock
On February 23, Reuters reported that the Trump family-backed stablecoin USD1 (from World Liberty Financial which we previously discussed) briefly dipped below its $1 peg during what the company called a “coordinated attack,” then recovered. The episode matters because it highlights two realities: the ongoing push to build “new financial rails” outside traditional banking, and how quickly confidence events can shake digital instruments that are marketed as stable. This crypto activity is exactly what has driven the President’s wealth to levels nearly double what they were before his current term. (Proverbs 22:1 KJV; 1 Timothy 6:10 KJV)
In the same week, PBS reported on February 21 that President Trump said he was raising the global tariff he wants to impose to 15% (up from 10% announced a day earlier), after a Supreme Court decision, another sign of how quickly the rules can shift. Tariffs, sanctions, and digital-asset experiments may seem unrelated, but they all speak to the same theme: nations are retooling economic power, and households feel the downstream effects. The church should be ready to help neighbors, teach contentment, and keep our hope fixed on Christ, not on economic systems that can be rewritten overnight. (Hebrews 13:5 KJV; Philippians 4:11–13 KJV)
“Alien Files” and the Politics of Disclosure: Curiosity, Distraction, and Discernment
On February 19–20, Reuters reported that President Trump said he would direct federal agencies to begin identifying and releasing government files related to aliens/UFOs/UAP, citing strong public interest. The story spread quickly because it merges two powerful forces: institutional secrecy and popular fascination. But believers should be careful here, high-interest topics can become mass distraction, and they can also become a new channel for confusion and deception. (Matthew 24:4–5 KJV; 2 Thessalonians 2:9–10 KJV)
Reuters , Alien files incoming: Trump orders government release of UFO records (February 19, 2026)
In the immediate aftermath, TIME reported Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the Pentagon is “working” on identifying and releasing such files and that the department would be “in full compliance” with the directive, framing it as an active task now underway, but without a clear public timeline for what will be released and when. That uncertainty is important: it leaves room for speculation to outrun facts. The church should refuse the temptation to fill gaps with rumor. (Proverbs 18:17 KJV; 1 Thessalonians 5:21 KJV)
DefenseScoop reported that transparency advocates reacted with fresh momentum but also caution, emphasizing that credibility depends on follow-through, and that meaningful disclosure typically requires a structured declassification process across multiple agencies. The same report noted the Pentagon said it looked forward to working with interagency partners to fulfill the directive, while also highlighting longstanding concerns about incomplete statutory reporting and public trust erosion. Practically, this is one reason “government posting” can become messy in real time, declassification barriers, institutional caution, redactions, and bureaucratic delays often shape what the public sees and when. We should watch soberly: not with obsession, not with mockery, and not with fear, because the church’s mission is not to chase mysteries but to proclaim Christ and His Word. (Acts 1:7–8 KJV; Colossians 2:8 KJV)
AARO , UAP Records/Information Papers (accessed February 2026)
Watch and Pray
Pray for world leaders to exercise restraint, wisdom, and justice in moments of war-risk and unrest (1 Timothy 2:1–2 KJV).
Pray for Israel, Gaza, and the surrounding region, for mercy, for truth, and for many to come to Christ (Psalm 122:6 KJV).
Pray for believers in Iran and other hard places to stand firm and shine brightly (Hebrews 13:3 KJV).
Pray for the Church to grow in discernment as digital systems and AI infrastructure expand (Philippians 1:9–10 KJV).
Pray for our own households to be rooted in Scripture, with physical Bibles open and read daily (Deuteronomy 6:6–7 KJV).
Pray that we would watch without fear and labor while it is day (Luke 21:34–36 KJV; John 9:4 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)