*Massive Camp of Refugees from Syria in Za’atri, Jordan*

There have been multiple millions of refugees from Ukraine and many other refugees fleeing from various problems around the world.

June 20th has been designated as World Refugee Day:

World Refugee Day 2024
June 20, 2024

On June 20th, 2024, the World Health Organization (WHO) joins UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, and partners in observing World Refugee Day 2024. In line with this year’s theme, “Solidarity with Refugees”, WHO emphasizes the importance of building inclusive health systems and ensuring equitable care for refugees worldwide. WHO highlights solidarity and health, celebrates refugee resilience, advocates for their health rights, and strives to create a world where everyone, regardless of migratory status, enjoys universal access to quality health care.
UNHCR estimates that by mid-2023, over 110 million individuals worldwide were forcibly displaced, with 40% being children. 75% of these displaced individuals are hosted in low- and middle-income countries. https://www.who.int/news-room/events/detail/2024/06/20/default-calendar/world-refugee-day-2024

The primary causes of the refugee situations around the world include war, political considerations, religious persecution, and economics.

After the millennial Kingdom of God is established, the time will come when every one will have their own home (cf. 1 Kings 4:25, Micah 4:4) and wars will cease:

1 Now it shall come to pass in the latter days
That the mountain of the Lord’s house
Shall be established on the top of the mountains,
And shall be exalted above the hills;
And peoples shall flow to it.
2 Many nations shall come and say,
“Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord,
To the house of the God of Jacob;
He will teach us His ways,
And we shall walk in His paths.”
For out of Zion the law shall go forth,
And the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.
3 He shall judge between many peoples,
And rebuke strong nations afar off;
They shall beat their swords into plowshares,
And their spears into pruning hooks;
Nation shall not lift up sword against nation,
Neither shall they learn war anymore.
4 But everyone shall sit under his vine and under his fig tree,
And no one shall make them afraid;
For the mouth of the Lord of hosts has spoken.
5 For all people walk each in the name of his god,
But we will walk in the name of the Lord our God
Forever and ever. (Micah 4:1-5)

However, before then, there will come another time when all real Christians will be subject to intense persecution (see also Persecutions by Church and State).

But this will come in stages. First, mainly the faithful Philadelphia Christians will be affected:

25 He shall speak pompous words against the Most High, Shall persecute the saints of the Most High, And shall intend to change times and law. (Daniel 7:25a)
33 And those of the people who understand shall instruct many; yet for many days they shall fall by sword and flame, by captivity and plundering. 34 Now when they fall, they shall be aided with a little help; but many shall join with them by intrigue. 35 And some of those of understanding shall fall, to refine them, purify them, and make them white, until the time of the end; because it is still for the appointed time. (Dan 11:33-35)
13 Now when the dragon saw that he had been cast to the earth, he persecuted the woman who gave birth to the male Child. (Rev 12:13)

The Philadelphia Christians who survive will then be protected:

7 “And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write,
‘These things says He who is holy, He who is true, “He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens”: 8 “I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name. 9 Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie — indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you. 10 Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. (Revelation 3:7-10)

The Philadelphia Christians flee to become refugees in a place in the wilderness:

14 But the woman was given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness to her place, where she is nourished for a time and times and half a time, from the presence of the serpent. 15 So the serpent spewed water out of his mouth like a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away by the flood. 16 But the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed up the flood which the dragon had spewed out of his mouth. (Revelation 12:14-16)

Some believe that this place in the wilderness will be in or near Petra in Jordan (see also There is a Place of Safety for the Philadelphians. Why it May Be Petra).

Prophecy scholars tend to recognize that the expression “time and times and half a time” equates to 3 1/2 years. The fleeing to the wilderness happens just after the Philadelphians have successfully preached the Gospel of the Kingdom to the world as a witness (Matthew 24:14) and just prior to the start of the Great Tribulation (Matthew 24:15-21).

Jesus said to watch and pray to be accounted worthy to escape, indicating that not all Christians would be counted worthy:

34 “But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. 35 For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36 Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.” (Luke 21:34-36)

So, what about the rest of the Christians in those days?

The Bible shows that they will be subject to death and persecution:

17 And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. (Revelation 12:17)
25…Then the saints shall be given into his hand For a time and times and half a time. (Daniel 7:25b)

So this second period of persecution, for those who do not flee to the wilderness, lasts 3 1/2 years as well. Those subject to the persecution from the Beast power are mainly Laodicean, Sardisian, and Thyatiran Christians (though some of the Thyatiran remnant may be protected per Revelation 2:22-24). Those Christians would be those that failed to heed various parts of the Bible as they should and will ignore the warnings in Zephaniah 2:1-3 to gather together prior to the time to flee (watch also the video Zephaniah’s ‘Gather Together’ Prophecy).

While we Christians go through our day to day lives, the Bible is clear that those who live long enough are going to be subject to intense persecution and becoming refugees.

Basically ALL end time Christians will be refugees or at least subject to terrible persecution.

Did you know what seems to be the second most looked up verse in the Bible is?

The first is John 3:16, but the second is found in Jeremiah. Here are three translations of it:

11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11, NIV)
11 For I know the thoughts that I think towards you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of affliction, to give you an end and patience. (Jeremiah 29:11, Douay-Rheims)
11 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. (Jeremiah 29:11, New Living Translation)

Some quote Jeremiah 29:11 as proof that God has a plan for them. And while God does have a plan for all, many tend to not consider the verse in context.

Notice what the Bible teaches:

11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. 12 Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. 13 And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you, says the Lord, and I will bring you back from your captivity; I will gather you from all the nations and from all the places where I have driven you, says the Lord, and I will bring you to the place from which I cause you to be carried away captive. (Jeremiah 29:11-14)

Notice that the plan was exile. To be a sojourner, to be a refugee.

So as you consider the plight of the millions of refugees on the Earth, you may also consider that if you are truly a Christian, that you will be subject to intense persecution and even being a refugee yourself.

As far as wars and rumors of wars go, notice the following tweet and article related to Hezbollah, an Iranian-linked group in Lebanon:

Hezbollah leader warns ‘no place safe’ in Israel if war erupts
June 19, 2024
Hassan Nasrallah, Hezbollah’s leader in Lebanon, warned Wednesday that no place would be safe in Israel if a war erupts between the country and the Lebanese militant group.
Nasrallah said in a televised address that Iran-backed Hezbollah has a “bank of targets” that would be subject to precision strikes if the sporadic fighting between the two foes turns into a broader conflict.
“There will be no place safe from our missiles and our drones” in Israel, Nasrallah said.”
On Tuesday, Hezbollah released what it said was drone footage of sensitive sites deep within Israel.
“We now have new weapons,” Nasrallah said Wednesday. “But I won’t say what they are. …The enemy knows well that we have prepared ourselves for the worst … and that no place … will be spared our rockets.”
Israel is well aware of Hezbollah’s weapons, Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi, chief of staff of the Israel Defense Forces, said Wednesday during a trip near Israel’s border with Lebanon.
“The enemy only knows a small part of our capabilities and will see them at the needed time,” he said.
Israel and Hezbollah, an ally of Hamas, have exchanged strikes since October, when the war in Gaza erupted. In eight months, more than 400 people have been killed in Lebanon, mostly Hezbollah fighters, but also at least 80 civilians. In Israel, 16 soldiers and 11 civilians have been killed in the fighting.
In his broadcast, Nasrallah threatened Cyprus, accusing it of opening “Cypriot airports and bases for the Israeli enemy to target Lebanon.” That move, he said, “means that the Cypriot government has become part of the war, and the resistance will deal with it as part of the war.” https://www.voanews.com/a/hezbollah-leader-warns-no-place-safe-in-israel-if-war-erupts/7662970.html
June 19, 2024
Amid widespread reports and statements that Israel and Hezbollah are on the brink of full-scale war, the Shia paramilitary group’s leader Hassan Nasrallah has warned of a war “without rules or ceilings” if Israeli forces launch an offensive in Lebanon.
The words were given in response to Israel’s top generals the day prior announcing that battle plans have been approved for a Lebanon offensive and widening of the war. The IDF statement said it is preparing to “accelerate readiness in the field.”
“The enemy must wait for us by air, land, and sea. We repeat: If war is imposed on Lebanon, the resistance will fight without rules, controls, or ceilings,” Nasrallah responded Tuesday.
“Storming the Galilee is a possibility that remains present within the framework of any war that the occupation may launch against Lebanon,” Hezbollah’s Secretary-General continued. https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/nasrallah-says-no-place-safe-even-threatens-cyrus-if-israel-invades-lebanon

The Bible prophesies that God will remove the protection of Judah (modern tiny nation called Israel) and that great damage will hit Jerusalem in Isaiah 22:6-9 from a confederation that looks to involve Iran, Syria, and parts of Lebanon. Hezbollah seems to wish to help fulfill those prophecies (see also Hezbollah actions and denials, the IDF, and some of what PCG has wrong).

Anyway, in addition to death and destruction, wars tend to cause more refugees.

Pray, as Jesus said (Matthew 6:10), for God’s Kingdom to come.

Strive to live as a Philadelphian Christian.

Related Items:

There is a Place of Safety for the Philadelphians. Why it May Be Petra This article discusses a biblical ‘place of safety’ and includes quotes from the Bible and Herbert W. Armstrong on this subject–thus, there is a biblically supported alternative to the rapture theory. There is also a video on the subject: Might Petra be the Place of Safety? Here is something related in the Spanish language: Hay un lugar de seguridad para los Filadelfinos. ¿Puede ser Petra?

Zephaniah’s ‘Gather Together’ Prophecy Is it safe to be ‘independent’ or in a non-Philadelphian Church of God? What did God inspire Zephaniah to write? This is a video.

Persecutions by Church and State This article documents some that have occurred against those associated with the COGs and some prophesied to occur. Will those with the cross be the persecutors or the persecuted–this article has the shocking answer. There are also three video sermons you can watch: Cancel Culture and Christian Persecution, The Coming Persecution of the Church, and Christian Persecution from the Beast. Here is information in the Spanish language: Persecuciones de la Iglesia y el Estado.

Prophecies Showing Persecution of Sabbath Keepers Are Sabbath-keepers going to be persecuted in the 21st century? Are there biblical and non-biblical prophecies that point to this type of persecution?

The Gospel of the Kingdom of God This free online pdf booklet has answers many questions people have about the Gospel of the Kingdom of God and explains why it is the solution to the issues the world is facing. It is available in over 1,000 languages at ccog.org. Here are links to four kingdom-related sermons: The Fantastic Gospel of the Kingdom of God!, The World’s False Gospel, The Gospel of the Kingdom: From the New and Old Testaments, and The Kingdom of God is the Solution.

Iran in Prophecy Is Iran in Bible prophecy? If so, what does the Bible teach? What names, other than Persia, may be used to describe Iran? There are also two related videos: Iran In Prophecy and Iran and Israel Conflict.

Gaza and the Palestinians in Bible Prophecy What does the Bible teach about Gaza and the fate of the Palestinians? Here is a link to two related videos: Gaza and Bible Prophecy and Gaza and Palestine in Prophecy.

Damascus and Syria in Prophecy Will Bashar Assad hold power as he has it? Does the Bible show that Damascus, the capital of Syria, will be destroyed? What will happen to Syria? Will the Syrians support the final King of the South that the Bible tells will rise up? Which scriptures discuss the rise and fall of an Arabic confederation? Does Islamic prophecy predict the destruction of Syria. This is a YouTube video.

When Will the Great Tribulation Begin? 2024, 2025, or 2026? Can the Great Tribulation begin today? What happens before the Great Tribulation in the “beginning of sorrows”? What happens in the Great Tribulation and the Day of the Lord? Is this the time of the Gentiles? When is the earliest that the Great Tribulation can begin? What is the Day of the Lord? Who are the 144,000? A related video is: Great Tribulation: 2026 or 2027? A shorter video is: Tribulation in 2024?

Could God Have a 6,000 Year Plan? What Year Does the 6,000 Years End? Was a 6000 year time allowed for humans to rule followed by a literal thousand year reign of Christ on Earth taught by the early Christians? Does God have 7,000 year plan? What year may the six thousand years of human rule end? When will Jesus return? 2031 or ? There is also a video titled: When Does the 6000 Years End? 2031? 2035? Here is a link to the article in Spanish: ¿Tiene Dios un plan de 6,000 años?

The Arab and Islamic World In the Bible, History, and Prophecy The Bible discusses the origins of the Arab world and discusses the Middle East in prophecy. What is ahead for the Middle East and those who follow Islam? What about the Imam Mahdi? What lies ahead for Turkey, Iran, and the other non-Arabic Muslims? An item of possibly related interest in the Spanish language would be: Líderes iraníes condenan la hipocresía de Occidente y declaran que ahora es tiempo para prepararse para el Armagedón, la guerra, y el Imán Mahdi.

Is the Future King of the South Rising Up? Some no longer believe there needs to be a future King of the South. Might Egypt, Islam, Iran, Arabs, or Ethiopia be involved? Might this King be called the Mahdi or Caliph? What does the Bible say? Two videos of related interest are: The Future King of the South is Rising and The Rise and Fall of the King of the South. Here is a version the Spanish language: ¿Esta Surgiendo el Rey Del Sur?

Islamic and Biblical Prophecies for the 21st Century This is a free online book which helps show where biblical and Islamic prophecies converge and diverge. Here are links to related sermons: Seeing Christianity Through Islamic Eyes. Imam Mahdi, women, and prophecy., and Terrorism, Iran, and Fatima.

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