PROPHETIC SIGNIFICANCE:
According to Matthew 24:6, "You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come."
Wars have always been an unfortunate part of human history, but in the End-Times, Jesus said they would get worse. In his Olivet Discourse he identified four phases of the future: "The Beginning of Birth Pains," "The Tribulation," "The Great Tribulation," and "After the Tribulation."
We are apparently living in the first phase, "The Beginning of Birth Pains." Jesus said there would be certain signs accompanying this period of time. One of them is "wars and rumors of war." During the past century we have had two world wars, the use of nuclear weapons, the cold war, terrorism, and cyberwarfare.
There will be other wars in the future, including the war of the Second Seal (Revelation 6:3-4), the Beast's campaign to rule the world ( Revelation 13:5-8), the Battle of Armageddon( Revelation 19:11-21), and Satan's Last Stand ( Revelation 20:7-10) after the Thousand Year Reign of Christ.
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Current Events and Links
Prophetic Significance of Wars and Rumors of War
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See more recent articles: After May 1, 2017
North Korea test-fires a ballistic missile that breaks up in flight, US officials say
Apr. 28, 2017 -
North Korea launched a ballistic missile into the Sea of Japan on Friday, but the missile "broke up in flight" and has been deemed a failure, two U.S. officials have confirmed to Fox News.
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Tillerson Says China Asked NK to Stop Nuke Tests
Apr. 28, 2017 - According to U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, China has put pressure on North Korea to conduct no further nuclear tests.
Tillerson says China also told the U.S. that it had informed North Korea "that if they did conduct further nuclear tests, China would be taking sanctions actions on their own."
Source: NewsMax
Trump: 'Major, Major Conflict' With North Korea Possible - NewsMaax
Putin Warns North Korea Situation Has 'Seriously Deteriorated' - Bloomberg
North Korea's Nuclear Weapons Are Not Reason Enough to Start a War - Charlie Campbell - Time
North Korea puts out new video showing the White House in crosshairs and carriers exploding - Washington Post
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Full Senate heads to rare classified meeting at the White House on North Korea
Apr. 26, 2017 - President Trump has invited all 100 senators to attend a classified meeting at the White House today to discuss the growing threats by North Korea.
The meeting will occur in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building auditorium. It will reportedly be made into a "sensitive compartmented information facility"—which means top secret information can be shared.
Source: Fox
N.Korean media issue threat to 'wipe out' US - Space Daily
DC plans 'full-scale' terror attack drill, amid NK tensions - Fox
Expert: North Korea has EMP attack capability - Fox
Report: Military 'Preparations Underway' Against NKorea - NewsMax
U.S. moving missile defense system to South Korea - Israel National News
Report: Russia Wants to Build World's Biggest Aircraft Carrier
Apr. 25, 2017 - Because of escalating world tensions, Russia wants to build the biggest aircraft carrier in the world.
The carrier, coined the "Shtorm," is projected to be similar in size to the U.S. Gerald R. Ford supercarrier with a take-off deck the equivalent of three football fields with room for up to 100 fighters and bombers. The cost is expected to be between $6.15 and $17.5 billion.
The cost for the massive project would be between $6.15 and $17.5 billion.
Trump discusses North Korea tensions with Asian leaders
Apr. 24, 2017 - On a phone call President Trump discussed the North Korea issue with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
Xi told Trump that China strongly opposed North Korea's nuclear weapons program and hoped "all parties will exercise restraint and avoid aggravating the situation,"
Abe said North Korea's missiles pose "an extremely serious security threat to Japan and the international community.
North Korean official vows frequent missile tests as tensions escalate
Apr. 18 -
"We'll be conducting more missile tests on a weekly, monthly and yearly basis," Vice Foreign Minister Han Song Ryol told BBC, adding that "all-out war" would occur if the U.S. took military action.
North Korea attempts but fails to launch missile: South Korea
North Korea attempted to launch a missile on Sunday near Sinpo, on its east coast, but it is believed to have failed, South Korea's military said. The attempted missile launch comes a day after the North held a military parade.
North Korea's latest missile test fails, South Korea says -Fox
Ex-British Foreign Minister: NKorean Failed Missile Launch Could Have Been US Cyber Attack - NewsMax
North Korea Missile Test Fails - NewsMax
South Korea: North Korea missile test ends in failure - Associated Press
South Korea North Korean mmissile test fails - CNN
Update 4/17/17 - Pence, speaking near the DMZ, delivers strong message to North Korea - Pence called North Korea's failed missile launch "a provocation." He said the U.S. and its allies will achieve its objectives through "peaceable means or ultimately by whatever means are necessary" -Fox
NBC: US Ready for 'Preemptive Strike' to Stop North Korea
Apr. 13, 2017 - As North Korea prepares to celebrate the 105th anniversary of the birth of its founder, Kim Il-sung, it is thought that the country will launch another missile, or even conduct a 6th nuclear test. American intelligence officials warn that The U.S. could conduct a preemptive strike to keep them from doing so.
"It's high stakes," a top official told NBC News. "We are trying to communicate our level of concern and the existence of many military options to dissuade the North first.
China: War could break out any moment over North Korea - DEBKAfile
North Korea vows response to 'reckless' US Navy move - SpaceDaily
North Korea 'ready for nuclear attack' amid show of force - BBC
Google Searches Spike for 'World War 3' - NewsMax
US military drops 'mother of all bombs on IS' in Afghanistan
The US military says it has dropped a 21,600lb (9,800kg) bomb on a tunnel complex used by Islamic State militants in Afghanistan... [The weapon] known as "the mother of all bombs", is the largest non-nuclear bomb ever used by the US in a conflict.
Analysis: Afghanistan strike may boost Trump, send message to North Korea - USA Today
Update: Afghan official: Massive U.S. bomb death toll rises to 94 - WND
US Navy carrier strike group sets its sights on North Korea
Apr. 11, 2017 - Because of the growing threat by North Korea to develop a nuclear-tipped missiles capable of reaching the United States, President Trump has ordered "America's Favorite Aircraft Carrier," the USS Carl Vinson, to move toward the Korean Peninsula. The 97,000 ton nuclear-powered ship is larger than three football fields. It is accompanied by an impressive assortment of other ships and planes, and about 75,000 sailors.
The president tweeted a warning to North Korea, writing, "North Korea is looking for trouble. If China decides to help, that would be great. If not, we will solve the problem without them!
North Korea warns of nuclear strike if provoked; Trump 'armada' steams on - Reuters
North Korea May Be Preparing Its 6th Nuclear Test - NYT
World of trouble
Apr. 10, 2017 - Hal Lindsey says that he world is staggering like a drunk on the edge of a cliff. The Middle East tensions, threats from Syria, Iran, North Korea, and world powers like Russia and China are very disturbing. We need God's help.
Strikingly, in announcing the U.S. attack, Donald Trump acknowledged that point. He said, "We ask for God's wisdom as we face the challenge of our very troubled world."
Source: Hal Lindsey
US missile attacks on Syria may lead to nuclear war: Russian MP - Iran Daily
U.S. Navy sends strike group toward Korean peninsula
Apr. 9, 2017 -
A U.S. Navy strike group led by the USS Carl Vinson aircraft carrier was making its way towards the Korean peninsula Sunday "to maintain readiness" as Kim Jong Un's regime in North Korea prepared to mark key anniversaries this coming week.
As North Korea prepares to celebrate the 105th birthday of its founding president, Kim Il Sung, it is possible that they may be preparing for a sixth nuclear test. Following the recent U.S. strike against Syria over their use of chemical weapons, North Korea boasted that it was not afraid of the U.S. because it can defend itself with its "tremendous military muscle with a nuclear force."
Source: Washington Post
US launches missiles into Syria in response to chemical weapons attack
The United States launched dozens of cruise missiles at a Syrian airfield early Friday in response to a chemical weapons attack that killed dozens of civilians.
At least 50 Tomahawk missiles struck an airbase at Shayrat, the base was used as the staging point for Tuesday's chemical weapons attack on rebel-held territory.
In a speech, President Trump said, "Even beautiful babies were cruelly murdered in this very barbaric attack. No child of God should ever suffer such horror."
Realtime Coverage - Google
Trump strikes Assad in dramatic turning point in Syrian civil war - Jerusalem Post
Full transcript: President Trump statement on Syria strikes -
"My fellow Americans, on Tuesday Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad launched a horrible chemical weapons attack on innocent civilians. Using a deadly nerve agent, Assad choked out the lives of helpless men, women and children. It was a slow and brutal death for so many. Even beautiful babies were cruelly murdered in this very barbaric attack. No child of God should ever suffer such horror.
"Tonight I ordered a targeted military strike on the airfield in Syria from where the chemical attack was launched. It is in this vital national security interest of the United States to prevent and deter the spread and use of deadly chemical weapons. There can be no dispute that Syria used banned chemical weapons, violated its obligations under the Chemical Weapons Convention and ignored the urging of the U.N. Security Council.
"Years of previous attempts at changing Assad's behavior have all failed and failed very dramatically. As a result the refugee crisis continues to deepen and the region continues to destabilize, threatening the United States and its allies.
"Tonight I call on all civilized nations to join us in seeking to end the slaughter and bloodshed in Syria and also to end terrorism of all kinds and all types.
"We ask for God's wisdom as we face the challenge of our very troubled world. We pray for the lives of the wounded and for the souls of those who have passed, and we hope that as long as America stands for justice, then peace and harmony will in the end prevail. Good night, and God bless America and the entire world. Thank you."
- Politico
US missiles blast Syria; Trump demands 'end the slaughter' - Associated Press
Full Coverage of Syria Attack - Fox
How the World Reacted to President Donald Trump's Air Strike On Syria - Time
Syria airstrikes: International community reacts to US bombing of airfield - Fox
Putin Calls U.S. Syria Strike Aggression, Ends Airspace Pact - Bloomberg
US attack on Syria could send North Korea clear message - Fox
U.S. Strike in Syria: Israel Lauds Trump for 'Setting Example for Free World' - Haaretz (Israel)
Tillerson says coalition forming to target Assad, Trump hearing military options
Apr. 6, 2017 - Followiong news yesterday that the Syrian government had used chemical weapons against its own citizens, including many children, Trump warned that the chemical strike would not be tolerated.
Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said Thursday that "steps are underway" on an international coalition to pressure Syria's Bashar Assad from power, as President Trump was being briefed on military options for Syria.
North Korea's 'reckless' actions must be stopped, Mattis says
Apr. 1, 2017 - At a news conference in London, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said that North Korea's "reckless" actions in regards to its nuclear weapons and missile programs "has got to be stopped."
How North Korea could kill 90 percent of Americans - The Hill
Trump: If China Doesn't Take Care of N Korea, 'We Will' - NewsMax
Tillerson: Military action against North Korea 'an option'
Mar. 17, 2017 - Until now the U.S. has practiced "strategic patience" with North Korea, but that policy has not worked. It may be necessary to take pre-emptive military action. to stem their agressive activities.
Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said the option was "on the table" if the threat from the North's weapons program reached a level requiring it.
Tillerson also said the US was exploring other diplomatic and economic measures.
UN Ambassador Haley: 'New Approach' Needed on NKorea - North Korea has completed 24 ballistic-missile tests in the last year – along with two tests of nuclear missiles – as well as the "assassination" of Kim's half-brother. - NewsMax
US, China to cooperate on 'dangerous' N.Korea situation - Space Daily
Navy SEAL Team Six Practicing NKorean Decapitation Strike
Mar. 13, 2017 -
Four elite U.S. military units [the highly secret SEAL Team Six, Army Rangers, Delta Force, and Green Berets] — are slated to practice taking out North Korea's leadership during a military exercise with South Korea.
U.S. nuke 'killing power' boosted by factor of 3
A little-known change in the U.S. nuclear weapons arsenal has boosted the killing power of the W-76 warheads used on submarine-based missiles by a factor of three, prompting concern that Russia will "undertake countermeasures."
Source: WND - From a report in Joseph Farah's G2 Bulletin
North Korea tests four more missiles
Mar. 6, 2017 - North Korea launched four missiles that landed in the Sea of Japan near Japan's economic zone.
It came not a month after North Korea tested a solid-fuel rocket that it claims is part of an intercontinental ballistic missile capable of hitting the United States, and three weeks after the assassination in Malaysia of ruler Kim Jong Un's half brother.
North Korea Says It Was Trying to Hit US Bases in Japan With Missiles - Fox
Thaad: US begins deploying missile defence system in South Korea - BBC
THAAD deployment threat stokes US tensions with Beijing, Moscow - China said Tuesday it would take measures against the U.S. missile system deployed in South Korea. - Fox
Pentagon Calls North Korean Missile Launches 'Very Serious Threat' - Voice of America
China calls on N Korea to suspend missile and nuclear tests - BBC
N. Korea has large chemical weapons stockpile: Seoul
Feb. 28, 2017 -
North Korea has up to 5,000 tons of chemical weapons, South Korean experts said Friday, including the toxin used to assassinate its leader's half-brother.
Source: Space Daily
Four NATO Nations Would Pick Russia Over U.S. to Defend Them
Feb. 18, 2017 - Just before Friday's annual gathering of the transatlantic security community in Germany, A new Gallup poll confirmed that most countries would chose the U.S as its defense partner.
At the same time, however, China and Russia picked each other, war-torn Ukraine and Iraq split down the middle, while those four members of the U.S.-led North Atlantic Treaty Organization -- Bulgaria, Greece, Slovenia and Turkey -- plumped for Russia.
Russia spy ship located near U.S. Navy base in Virginia
Feb. 18, 2017 - On Wednesday the Viktor Leonov, a Russian spy ship, was near the U.S. Naval Submarine Base New London in Connecticut, known as the "Home of the Submarine Force." On Friday it was located near another U.S. naval base in Virginia.
Last week a group of Russian jets buzzed a U.S. destroyer in the Black Sea and the U.S. accused Russia of secretly deploying cruise missiles capable of carrying a nuclear warhead.
North Korea test-fires missile, apparently challenging Trump
Feb.2, 2017 -
North Korea reportedly fired a ballistic missile early Sunday ... its first such test of the year and an implicit challenge to U.S. President Donald Trump, who stood with the Japanese leader as Shinzo Abe called the move "absolutely intolerable."
President Trump said, "TheUnited States of America stands behind Japan, its great ally, 100 percent."
Source: U.S.News and World Report
Japan, US condemn North Korea's missile launch over the Sea of Japan - Fox
President Trump Faces Foreign Policy Challenge After North Korea Tests Ballistic Missile - Time
New alarms sounded over North Korea's EMP potential - WND
New US Missile Hits Target in Space
Feb. 8, 2017 - A branch of the Department of Defense has conducted a sucessful test of a missile that intercepts enemy threats in space.
The SM-3 IIA missile can sense ballistic missile attacks from space and neutralize the threats. The SM-3 made its debut by eliminating a ballistic missile fired from the Navy's USS John Paul Jones destroyer.
Russia sends Syria its largest missile delivery to date, US officials say - Fox
Islamic State claims Eilat rocket attack, threatens more - Times of Israel
Iron Dome intercepts three rockets from Sinai headed for Eilat - Times of Israel
Russia Deploys Missile, Violating Treaty and Challenging Trump - NY Times
Mattis: US will defend Japanese islands claimed by China
Feb. 4, 2017 -
US Defense Secretary James Mattis on Saturday reaffirmed Washington's commitment to defending Japan, including a group of disputed islands which have been claimed by China. ... Article 5 of the US-Japan Security Treaty applies.
Apocalypse is 30 seconds closer, say Doomsday Clock scientists
Jan. 26, 2017 - This morning the prestigious group of scientists who publish the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists announced that it believes the world is moving closer to a nuclear holocaust. The world condition is described by them as "two and one-half minutes to midnight." At one point, in 1953, after the testing of the hydrogen bomb, it stood at "two minutes to midnight."
In a report, the BPA said President Trump's statements on climate change, expanding the US nuclear arsenal and the questioning of intelligence agencies had contributed to the heightened global risk.
Bulletin of Atomic Scientists
North Korea intends to launch long-range nuclear missiles to ruin Trump's big day
Jan. 19, 2017 - News sources say that two North Korean missiles have already been placed on mobile launchers, and it is possible that they will be tested on Donald Trump's inaugural day.
US-based monitoring project 38North said evidence suggested Pyongyang may also be preparing to resume operations at a plutonium production reactor at the Yongbyon Nuclear Scientific Research Center 90km north of the capital.
Source: News.com.au
US ability to shoot down North Korean missile not guaranteed, report says
Jan. 10, 2017 - The Pentagon's weapons testing office says the U.S. has a "limited capability to defend" its homeland from North Korea or Iran.
The report said that the U.S. maintains ground-based interceptors based in Alaska and California, but they cannot be counted on with any degree of certainty due to "lack of ground tests," according to Bloomberg.
However, Vice Admiral James Syring, the director of the missile defense agency, says he has a "high confidence" in the existing defense system.
Kim Says North Korea Close to Testing Nuclear Missile That Can Reach US
Jan. 1, 2017 -
Kim Jong Un said North Korea is in the "last stage" of preparations to test-fire an inter-continental ballistic missile, refusing to slow his nuclear arms development as President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office in Washington.
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