In a few days, the latest round of US sanctions against Iran are supposed to go into place. Iran is upset and is hoping that the Europeans will help them. While Europe is looking at ways around the US dominated international banking system (see Iran charges USA with ‘economic warfare, but perhaps sanctions are not so ‘swift’) and some day will do so (consistent with various prophecies), right now the Europeans are trying to see how to trade with Iran without getting massive retaliation from the US.
A murderous man killed 11 people at a Jewish synagogue in the USA (see ‘The Pittsburgh Synagogue Attack: What We Know’). Antisemitism is not limited to Europe. Plus historically, Church of God members have also sometimes been targeted because of biblical practices such as Sabbath keeping. More attacks and persecution are coming.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel announced that she would be stepping down as the head of her party by 2021. Some believe that this will cause instability in Germany (see Germany’s Merkel out in/by 2021: ‘Don’t underestimate the instability the passing of the Not-Quite Iron Chancellor will engender’). Biblically, we expect instability in Europe and that this will lead to a reorganization that will result in the rise of the Beast of Revelation (Revelation 17:12-13). The timing of this leader’s future rise may coincide with Angela Merkel’s decline in influence.
Brazil elected a new president and some feel that this could result in the rebuilding of a massive third Jewish temple in Jerusalem (see Brazil elects Jair Bolsonaro: ‘First Stage in Building the Third Temple?’). Some others have pointed towards Donald Trump being an end time ‘Cyrus’ who could for help cause that (see CT: ‘Is Trump Our Cyrus?’).
While a massive third temple in Jerusalem is NOT required for animal sacrifices to resume (cf. Ezra 3:6), the political will to allow such sacrifices basically is needed (see Why is a Jewish Temple in Jerusalem Not Required?). We know that animal sacrifices must start as biblically we are told that they will stop (Daniel 9:27; 11:31). It will require political changes for them to begin, and likely the confirmation of a particular ‘peace deal’ such as alluded to in Daniel 9:27.
Perhaps it should be pointed out that the King of the South (Daniel 11:40) will arise prior to the breaking of the deal in Daniel 9:27.
Now, while there are still issues with the Palestinians and Jordanians (see Palestinians votes to suspend recognition of Israel; Jordan wants farms back from Israel), it may be that the situation in Saudi Arabia could change and also help pave the way for the coming King of the South (see Are things fine in Saudi Arabia? Or might there be a coup?).
Radio News Reporter: John Hickey.
News sound effect: Recorded by Maximilien.
