Sons of Issachar Newsletter: August 6th
Dear fellow watchers,
Welcome to this week's edition of our ongoing series, where we examine current events and emerging trends through the prophetic lens of Scripture. As we approach what many sense are the final days, it's crucial to discern how today's headlines echo the warnings in books like Matthew, Revelation, and the prophets—signs of birth pains, the division of lands, persecution, technological control, and the rise of deception. Remember, these are not meant to instill fear but to encourage vigilance, faith in God's sovereign plan, and drive us to spread the Gospel… that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.
Let's dive into the key developments from the past week, tying them to biblical foresight where relevant.
Recognition of Palestine: A Step Toward Dividing the Land?
Multiple nations continue to push for Palestinian statehood, aligning with prophecies about the division of Israel in the end times (Joel 3:2 speaks of God judging nations for parting His land). Canada has now joined France, Britain, and Australia in recognizing Palestine, despite not acknowledging Taiwan's status. This move highlights selective geopolitics, favoring entities like Hamas. Meanwhile, three-quarters of UN members now recognize Palestine as a state, bringing us perilously close to a formal split of the Holy Land. Recall the delayed summit on this issue, postponed due to the Iran conflict—could this be setting the stage for the covenant in Daniel 9:27?
This surge in antisemitism, fueled by the Gaza war and scandals like Jeffrey Epstein's ties to Israeli figures, is also promoting replacement theology. This view—that the Church has supplanted Israel—overlooks God's unbreakable covenants with Abraham's descendants (Genesis 17:7-8) and the purpose of the Time of Jacob's Trouble (Jeremiah 30:7) as a refining fire for Israel. We must distinguish between critiquing governments and harboring hatred toward God's chosen people, or anyone else for that matter, as our own nation commits similar wrongs.
Birth Pains: Natural Disasters Intensifying
Matthew 24:7-8 describes earthquakes, famines, and other calamities as the "beginning of birth pains"—contractions growing in frequency and intensity before the end. This week, we've seen a cascade of such events:
- A tsunami struck the Pacific following a major earthquake off Russia's coast, triggering volcanic activity at Klyuchevskoy Volcano.
- Another fault line in Alaska, the Tintina Fault, shows signs of impending major activity, as scientists warn of potential unleashing.
- Continued flooding ravages regions worldwide, making "unprecedented" events routine.
- Paradoxically, massive wildfires persist despite the rains, like the Dragon Bravo megafire near Arizona's Grand Canyon.
- Additionally, a magnitude 3.0 earthquake struck Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey, late Saturday night, with tremors felt in parts of New York City but no immediate injuries or damage reported. Another quake were felt there Tuesday.
These aren't isolated; they're part of a pattern, reminding us to watch and pray as the earth groans (Romans 8:22).
Technology and Control: Marching Toward the Beast System
Advancements in tech often promise progress but pave the way for control mechanisms akin to the Mark of the Beast (Revelation 13:16-17, where no one buys or sells without allegiance). President Trump announced a new national health tracking database, building on wearables, Starbase, and Palantir initiatives—integrating tech deeper into our bodies and lives. Ostensibly these moves can usher Americans into a golden age of AI-driven health insights where heart defects are caught early, diabetes is managed before it develops, and no one loses a mother or sister to breast cancer. But typically once the government has a power, they never stop using it and it expands in scope and application until the once optional and limited becomes pervasive and mandatory. The ability to peer within our bodies may give the government, or anyone tech savvy enough to breach their systems, access to enough data to determine how we feel about a given topic, whether we should be insurable, or if some opinion or belief precludes your ability to receive public benefits or exercise your rights to freedom of speech and religion.
Neuralink implanted its ninth patient, performing two procedures in one day and aiming for 20-30 more this year. Elon Musk claims it will change lives for millions, perhaps billions, aiding the disabled but opening doors to electronic mind-reading or manipulation. Peter Thiel, a key figure in building surveillance systems like Palantir (which just secured a $10B DOD contract) and a key donor and string puller behind uniting JD Vance and President Trump on the 2024 ticket, warned in an interview about the Antichrist and apocalyptic tech—ironic, given his role in what could become the Beast's infrastructure.
IVF screening has advanced beyond basics, now selecting for traits like height or eye color via services like HeraSight, echoing genetic tampering that might relate to end-times deceptions or the days of Noah (Genesis 6:4). Compounding the potential issues with this type of active decision making attempting to take God’s sovereignty away, typically this type of IVF would fertilize many embryos, effectively resulting in many children murdered for each child selected for implantation. Many potential parents may not even be aware this is occurring.
Politicians' insider trading persists, enriching themselves through bribes rather than justice—condemned in Scripture (Micah 3:11). And Trump's posts about arresting sanctuary mayors signal authoritarian shifts, even if aimed at immigration enforcement. When taken along with the AI, health, and other changes the potential expansion of the ability and control exercised by the federal government could be unprecedented.
Wars, Rumors of Wars, and Persecution
Matthew 24:6 warns of wars and rumors thereof, but "the end is not yet." President Trump issued a short deadline to Putin on Ukraine, heightening tensions between nuclear powers with potential for catastrophic escalation or a speedy end to the years-long conflict.
Persecution of believers ramps up, fulfilling Matthew 24:9. Attacks on Christians in Syria, the Congo, and Nigeria claimed lives, including a funeral procession for 27 slain in Nigeria—signs of the hatred Jesus predicted.
Former President Obama faces potential charges for weaponizing agencies like the FBI around the “Russiagate” fabrication and IRS targeting conservatives at his direction, combined with other bureaucratic actions such as suppressing the Hunter Biden laptop story or “misinformation” that was later proven to be true. While speculation abounds, this could expose deep corruption which would be great to shine some light on, while also distracting from other scandals such as the continued lack of progress around meaningful numbers of deportations, a lack of disclosure about a number of topics, and the lack of any meaningful budgetary changes for next year. Trump has accused Obama of treason, escalating attacks over the 2016 Russia probe.
Though not directly prophetic, early phone access links to rising pre-teen suicide rates, highlighting online dangers that erode mental health. Instead of phones and social media perhaps we can encourage more face to face time with friends and family, time outdoors rather than screen time, or even time at church “liking” posts by the most influential influencer to ever walk on the sea of Galilee.
As always, these events urge us to stay rooted in Scripture, sharing the Gospel while watching for Christ's return. What are your thoughts? Join us tonight, or any other Wednesday at 6PM for our potluck or at 7PM for discussion of these and other topics.
Until next Wednesday, stay vigilant.
In His service,
The Sons of Issachar team