Overwhelmed

 Overwhelmed - By Daymond Duck - https://www.raptureready.com/2024/06/08/overwhelmed-by-daymond-duck/ I started studying Bible prophecy more than 50 years ago, and one of the first things I learned was that the prophetic signs would get closer and closer together at the end of the age. Several verses of Scripture revealed that the signs would be like the birth pains of a woman who would soon deliver her baby (meaning the signs would increase in frequency and intensity aswe approached the end of the age). Looking back on my early days as a student of Bible prophecy, it seemed like something major happened about once every 6 months. When asked about the signs of His Second Coming, Jesus said, “Behold the Fig Tree” (Israel), and most prophecy teachers I knew were saying the number one sign is Israel. Later, someone started teaching that we should see all the signs coming on the scene, and they called it “a convergence of the signs.” Having said this, the fulfillment of all the signs has reached the point where I feel overwhelmed by just trying to discover what has happened in the last 24 hours. I am not talking about feeling overwhelmed once every 6 months or once a week. I am talking about feeling overwhelmed every day of the week (7 days a week). The evidence is in the length ofthe weekly articles I write. When I first started writing, I tried to keep the articles to 4 or 5 pages (Some readers sent me e-mails saying they don’t read long articles). My articles are now up to about 9 pages, andI assume that some readers may not read the entire article because of its length (this one is about 10, and I apologize). Please realize that the length is partly the result of the prophetic signs being like birth pains. Think about this: Jesus told us to “Behold the Fig Tree” (Israel), and my daily update has contained something about Israel every day for more than 240 consecutive days. I suspect that Israel makes the news almost every day in many nations. In addition to that, leaders in the UN, EU, Arabs, and others have met to discuss Israel several times, and Israel (one of the tiniest nations on earth) has received a representative or representativesfrom somewhere on earth almost every day that goes by. We have never seen a time like this. Here are some current events that seem to relate to Bible prophecy. One, concerning wickedness and corruption at the end of the age: on May 30, 2024, it was reportedthat Palestinian documents that Israel captured from Hamas in Gaza show that Hamas stole $108 million from Palestinian banks and their branches in April of 2024. Armed groups of Hamas terrorists entered banks, emptied vaults, robbed branches, and used the money to finance their terrorist activities. (My opinion: Some of thatmoney probably came from the U.S.; this is not the first time there have been reports that Hamas robs banks. The Biden administration knows about it, but Biden continues to send money to the Palestinians and support Hamas.) (More: An Israeli soldiersaid Israeli troops have found Yahya Sinwar’s main hideout in a tunnel with offices, bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchens, lots of specialty foods, and millions of dollars in cash.) Two, concerning the loss of jobs, higher energy prices, inflation, the decline of America, etc.:on May 21, 2024, it was reported that the Biden administration’s Bureau of Land Management released a series of new regulations that will make it impossible to mine for coal, drill for oil, or drill for natural gas on millions of acres of federal lands. The Biden administration did this despite the fact: •That many citizens will be put out of work. •That utility regulators said reducing the supply of coal, oil, and natural gas will endanger America’s electric grid. •That already high electric bills will go sky high, and many low-income citizens, retirees on fixed incomes, etc., will not be able to pay them. The head of the American Coal Council said America is committing national suicide in pursuit of a fairy tale (green energy that does not meet our needs). Three, concerning an economic collapse: on May 30, 2024, it was reported that Dr. Vernon Coleman(author of hundreds of articles and more than 100 books that have been translated into 22 languages) said neither the Labour Party nor the Conservative Party wants to win the upcoming UK General election because the UK government has run out of money, theeconomy is going to collapse, neither party wants to be blamed for it, and both prefer that the other party be in charge. Four, concerning wars and rumors of wars: on May 30, 2024, it was reported that the Biden administrationsecretly gave permission to Ukraine to attack targets inside Russia with U.S. weapons. (More: On May 30, 2024,Russia warned that its threats to use tactical nuclear weapons in Ukraine are not a bluff.) (More: On June 3, 2024,a Russian official said the U.S. could face “fatal consequences” for providing Ukraine with U.S. weapons to strike targets on Russian soil.) Five, concerning world government and persecution, Tedros Ghebreyesus (director general of the WorldHealth Organization – WHO) recently said: •You know the serious challenge that’s posed by anti-vaxxers, and I think we need to strategize to really push back. •I think they used COVID as an opportunity, and you know all the havoc they are creating. Many reports by reputable scientists and experts have confirmed that the COVID vaccinations were dangerous, ineffective, caused heart problems, caused fertility problems, caused death ratesto increase, and caused autism to increase. It has been proven that some of the vaccines were contaminated. Dr. Fauci (head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases – NIAID) has admitted that he didn’t have scientific data for some of the protocols he “made up” (social distancing,wearing a mask, etc.). And now the head of the WHO (a UN group) wants to really “push back” on people who opposed the contaminated, death-causing, ineffective vaccinations. (My opinion: Empoweringglobalist groups to force their “made up” protocols on everyone on earth will lead to extreme persecution, tyranny, and oppression.) Six, concerning world government and the recent failure of the International Pandemic Treaty: onMay 30, 2024, it was reported that 47 African nations have drafted their own treaty and asked the WHO to call a special session of the World Health Assembly to consider it before the end of 2024. (More: On May 30, 2024,it was reported that Australia asked the World Health Assembly to find a way to advance the WHO’s International Pandemic Treaty.) (More: On June 2, 2024,it was reported that 216 elected officials from 34 nations have signed a letter instructing WHO Director-General Tedros Ghebreyesus that any effort to adopt the proposed WHO Pandemic Agreement or IHR amendments this week would “violate the principles of goodgovernance,” break organizational rules, and usher in an era of “tyranny and oppression.”) (More: On June 3, 2024,it was reported that the WHO plans to complete an International Pandemic Treaty by 2025.) Seven, concerning world government and amendments to the International Health Regulations (IHRs):it has been reported that the WHO violated the rules on June 2, 2024, and rammed through approval of a set of amendments. I don’t know what got passed, but the original amendments would allow the WHO to declare a public health emergency and take control of everyone on earth. The WHO could prevent any nation or individual from doing anything the WHO didn’t want them to do. The WHO could require medical treatments, vaccinations, masks, quarantines, passport restrictions, social distancing, etc. And don’t overlook this: the WHO violated the rules to ram through the IHRs. If they were willing to violate the rules before the IHRs passed, what should we expect if they want to violate the rules after they have more power? What if they want to assassinate the unvaccinated, etc? Here is a link to the article. https://www.lifesitenews.com/opinion/who-passes-invalid-health-regulations-that-must-be-rejected/?utm_source=digest-prolife-2024-06-05&utm_medium=email Eight, concerning a falling away in the Church at the end of the age: in late May 2024, a regionalconference in West Africa with about one million members voted to leave the United Methodist Church over its decision to allow same-sex marriage and the ordination of gay clergy. Approximately 7,500 congregations have disaffiliated with the United Methodist Church over this issue in the last few years. Nine, concerning a worthless peace treaty in the Middle East that causes people to declare peaceand safety and bring sudden destruction (the Tribulation Period) upon the world: on June 3, 2024, a group of so-called UN experts urged all nations to recognize a Palestinian state to ensure peace in the Middle East. According to them, “This is a pre-condition for lasting peace in Palestine and the entire Middle East – beginning with the immediate declaration of a ceasefire in Gaza and no further militaryincursions into Rafah.” (My question: Why didn’tthe so-called experts include no further military attacks on Israel?) Ten, concerning wars and rumors of war: on June 3, 2024, it was reported that Hezbollah in Lebanonattacked Israel 238 times in April and 325 times in May – 563 times in 61 days. (More: The head of Israel’smilitary told troops the need to deal with Hezbollah has become more acute, and a decision on whether to go to war or not is near.) (More: On June 4, 2024,Netanyahu told troops and firefighters in northern Israel that the nation is ready for an extremely powerful response to Hezbollah in Lebanon.) (More: On June 4, 2024,it was reported that representatives of several diplomatic delegations are concerned that a war between Israel and Lebanon is on the horizon. According to the report, officials in the UK believe Israel is gearing up to attack Lebanon around the middle of thismonth.) (More: On June 5, 2024,several Israelis were injured by a Hezbollah rocket. Israel is set to approve the enlistment of 50,000 more reservists.) Eleven, concerning deceit: on June 1, 2024, two members of Netanyahu’s governing coalition saidPres. Biden lied to the world when he claimed a proposal for a ceasefire and hostage deal had come from the Israeli government. They threatened to leave Netanyahu’s government and cause it to collapse if he agrees to the ceasefire that Biden wrongly said Israel agreed to. Netanyahu said there can be no permanent ceasefire in Gaza until Hamas and its governing capabilities are destroyed. Twelve, concerning a worthless peace treaty in the Middle East: on June 3, 2024, the Biden administration’sambassador to the UN introduced a bill in the UN Security Council to impose a ceasefire and hostage release in Gaza. Biden called the bill “Israel’s Proposal,” but Israel is disputing it. Netanyahu said Biden has conveniently overlooked Israel’s goal of defeating Hamas. He said Israel didn’t agree to end the war. Israel only agreed to discuss an end to the war, and Israel wouldonly discuss it after the hostages are released. (My question: Has Bideninstructed the U.S. ambassador to the UN to lie to the Security Council? Does he have dementia? What is going on here?) Thirteen, concerning deceit, world government, and a borderless world: on June 4, 2024, after lettingabout 11 million illegal immigrants into the U.S. and with an election coming up in about 5 months, Pres. Biden issued an executive order that he said would do what Republicans have refused to do: secure the border. Texas Governor Abbott said: Since his first day in office, President Biden dismantled all of his predecessor’s successful border policies, encouraging millions of illegal immigrants – including dangerous criminals andterrorists – into our country. For three years, the President has lied about the existence of the border crisis, deflected blame to Congress, and now contradicts himself by issuing a feckless (worthless) executive order​ months before Election Day. (My question: Pres. Bidenhas often claimed that our border is secure. If he was telling the truth, why do we need an executive order to secure the border?) Fourteen, concerning a worthless peace treaty in the Middle East: on June 4, 2024, it was reportedthat the U.S. and Saudia Arabia are close to an agreement that will likely: •Lead to a normalization agreement between Saudi Arabia and Israel. •Create a Palestinian state in the Middle East. •Lead to the sale of more F-35 fighter jets and other advanced offensive U.S. weapons to Saudi Arabia. •Lead to a commitment of the U.S. and Saudi Arabia to defend each other if one of them is attacked. •S. cooperation on Saudi Arabia’s development of nuclear energy. A U.S. official said it is not a done deal yet, but it is more or less complete. About 2-3 weeks ago, Republican Senator Lindsey Graham indicated he is willing to support many of these things, but the Palestinian Authority must be reformed, and Hamas must be defeated. Israel is clearly opposed to the creation of a Palestinian state. Fifteen, concerning hatred for Israel: on June 2, 2024, during the Israel Day Parade in New YorkCity, which was led by family of some of the Oct. 7 hostages, a protestor wearing a black mask and a Palestinian Authority flag held up a sign with the words “Kill hostages now.” Here is my daily update on the Israel-Hamas war: Wednesday, May 29, 2024 (Day 237): The one hundred eighty-first day of the resumed war. Day 23 of the attack on Rafah. •Hamas terrorists in Israel fired at citizens in an Israeli village. •Israel shot down a cruise missile that they believe was fired at the Golan Heights from Iraq. •Nearly 400 Evangelical and Jewish leaders from 40 nations met for the Jerusalem Prayer Breakfast and to stand with Israel during this time of war. •Israel gave the UNRWA 30 days to vacate its offices in Jerusalem and to destroy anything they have built there. •The U.S. is the largest donor to the UNRWA and has given them more than one billion dollars over the last 5 years. Thursday, May 30, 2024 (Day 238): The one hundred eighty-second day of the resumed war. Day 24 of the attack on Rafah. •Israel discovered weapons, explosives, and Hamas uniforms at a UNRWA school complex. They discovered shafts inside the school that led to a vast network of tunnels. •Prophecy teacher Amir Tsarfati said Israel found the body of a hostage inside a building built by the UNRWA. •During the last 7 days, Israel has discovered 20 Hamas tunnels near the 8.7-mile-long border with Egypt, but Egypt denies any knowledge of their existence. •An Israeli official said Hamas will not release any more hostages unless there is a permanent ceasefire, and Israel will not agree to a permanent ceasefire. It appears to be a stalemate thatwill only end with the defeat of Hamas. •S and UK strikes on Houthi sites in Yemen killed 16 people and wounded 35. •The U.S. House of Rep. passed a bill to send a frozen weapons shipment to Israel, but Biden threatened to veto it if the Senate approves it. Friday, May 31, 2024 (Day 239): The one hundred eighty-third day of the resumed war. Day 25 of the attack on Rafah. •Heavy seas caused considerable damage to the multi-million-dollar pier the U.S. military built for delivering humanitarian aid, and it will be a while before the military can get the resourcesto repair it. Critics are suggesting that God is judging the Biden administration. •Netanyahu has been invited to address Congress. (It will probably be a few weeks from now.) •Biden made a speech and seemed to say Israel has agreed to a permanent ceasefire in Gaza. Saturday, June 1, 2024 (Day 240): The one hundred eighty-fourth day of the resumed war. Day 26 of the attack on Rafah. •Israel wanted a powerful group in Gaza to replace Hamas and the Palestinian government, but Hamas assassinated the group leader and several of his associates. Sunday, June 2, 2024 (Day 241): The one hundred eighty-fifth day of the resumed war. Day 27 of the attack on Rafah. •Biden said if Israel rejects the ceasefire agreement he claims Israel made, there will be consequences. •Israel said they are steadily choking Hamas and working on an alternative government. •Israel said they will not accept a Hamas government in Gaza. •Israel killed an Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) leader in Syria. Monday, June 3, 2024 (Day 242): The one hundred eighty-sixth day of the resumed war. Day 28 of the attack on Rafah. •Israel assassinated a prominent Hezbollah leader in southern Lebanon. •Hezbollah rockets and drones caused several wildfires in northern Israel. •Israel found the bodies of 4 more deceased hostages. •Six reserve soldiers and five civilians were injured while fighting fires that were ignited by Hezbollah attacks on Israel from Lebanon. •Citizens in northern Israel are demanding that the Israeli government restore security there. (Tens of thousands of Israelis have been driven out of their homes, Hezbollah is disobeying aUN resolution, and there is no uproar by the UN, U.S., EU, etc.) Tuesday, June 4, 2024 (Day 243): The one hundred eighty-seventh day of the resumed war. Day 29 of the attack on Rafah. •Israel discovered and destroyed a mile-long tunnel and many weapons in central Gaza. Wednesday, June 5, 2024 (Day 244): The one hundred eighty-eighth day of the resumed war. Day 30 of the attack on Rafah. •The head of the IRGC said Israel will pay for killing one of their commanders on Sunday. FYI: God does not send anyone to Hell (all of us are born with a sin nature and destined to go toHell because we sin), but God has provided a way (Jesus) for everyone to go to Heaven (and He is the only way to get there; John 14:6). Finally, are you Rapture Ready? If you want to be rapture ready and go to heaven, you must be born again (John 3:3). God loves you, and if you have not done so, sincerely admit that you are a sinner; believe that Jesus isthe virgin-born, sinless Son of God who died for the sins of the world, was buried, and raised from the dead; ask Him to forgive your sins, cleanse you, come into your heart and be your Saviour; then tell someone that you have done this. duck_daymond@yahoo.com