There has been even more “sabre rattling” between the USA and North Korea this week (e.g. UN approves North Korean sanctions as USA prepares for a ‘defensive war’). But I would like to comment that Donald Trump’s assertion yesterday that “there will never be a time that we are not the most powerful nation in the world!” (see Donald Trump tweets ‘there will never be a time that we are not the most powerful nation in the world!’ COGwriter posts: ‘The Bible disagrees!’). That view is in biblical error. The Bible clearly foretells the destruction of what appears to be the strongest military at the start of the Great Tribulation (cf. Daniel 11:39). Furthermore, about 3 1/2 years later all the world’s governments will be replaced with Jesus as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords (Revelation 11:15) and the world’s militaries defeated (Revelation 19:11-21). Those who believe that the USA will always continue and be the world’s most powerful nation are overlooking several biblical prophecies.

Speaking of prophecies, the Bible foretells of a time that Europe will dominate international trading (cf. Revelation 18) and will trade with nations like Russia (cf. Ezekiel 27:12-14). The Russian sanctions bill that the US Congress passed, and that Donald Trump reluctantly signed this past week, has upset not only Russia (see Russia warns of full-scale trade war over US sanctions), but continues to upset the Europeans as well. Furthermore, this bill is driving Europe more towards Russia and away from the USA (see ‘Imperial Folly Brings Russia And Germany Together’) and the UK (see ‘Now, A Trade War; Next A Shooting War?’ USA-UK dividing from EU-Russia? USA to fight North Korea?). World events continue to align with properly understood biblical prophecies.

Over in China, drills were done to practice shutting down websites that the government does not approve of (see China’s internet censorship drills: Another prelude to the coming famine of the word?). The Bible tells of a coming ‘famine of the word’ (Amos 8:11-12) and I believe that this will involve internet censorship of at least some of what we teach. While China will not be the only power to restrict internet access, once Matthew 24:14 is fulfilled, look to one or more governments in the world getting content off the internet like our booklet The Gospel of the Kingdom of God, which is available in 90 or so languages. It is possible that the Chinese drills will uncover some techniques that other governments may also use to prevent access to various biblical truths.

Over in Africa, there have been violent protests in Kenya over its presidential election this week (see Kenyans protesting preliminary election results). Essentially, protesters believe that the controlling party intentionally has misreported the actual vote and that the opposition leader should have won. While there have been voting discrepancies noted, violent protests are not the answer. The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commissions is looking into this–whether or not that will change the outcome, or help, is not clear at this time.

Over in South America, many Venezuelans have not been pleased with their recent election giving the government more authority nor the direction of their country (see Venezuela: Problems continue). There is much poverty now in a mismanaged nation that is believed to have more oil reserves than Saudi Arabia.

We all need to pray for God’s Kingdom to come as Jesus instructed His followers to do (Matthew 6:10).

Radio News Reporter: Jay Chang

News Sound Effect: Recorded by Maximilien