Volume XXXVI      Issue IV     April 2017
Last Trumpet Ministries, PO Box 806, Beaver Dam, WI 53916
Phone: 920-887-2626 Internet: http://www.lasttrumpetministries.org

The Destructive Progress Of Mankind!

"Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me. If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me. Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee."

"He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds. He telleth the number of the stars; he calleth them all by their names. Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite."

"And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth."

"How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit."

In this issue of the Last Trumpet Newsletter, we will consider numerous pressing matters in this modern age, including rapidly advancing technology and the destructive progress of mankind. The world we live in today is quite different from the world as we knew it just twenty years ago. In today's world, a majority of people in the United States and other advanced countries are carrying smartphones, which provide consumers with a constant link to the Internet nearly everywhere they go. Small children, even toddlers, are sometimes given tablet computers to play with. Many public schools no longer use paper books, but instead they force children to use electronic devices to access their educational materials. A growing array of household devices are also connected to the Internet, including thermostats, televisions, and even light bulbs. According to a report by The Economic Times, Internet-enabled light bulbs, which are sometimes called "smart lights," are expected to grow in popularity over the course of the next five to ten years. "The next generation of changes (in lighting) that people will adopt will be intelligent, smart lights, which are IoT (Internet of things) devices in the next five to ten years," said Harshvardhan Chitale of Philips Lighting in India. (1) New automobiles, too, often offer Internet connectivity as a feature. According to a Computerworld Magazine article, 89 percent of newly manufactured cars will feature an Internet connection by the year 2024. (2)

Every device that is connected to the Internet opens another pathway into our lives that can be used to watch, listen, track, and surveil the populace. In fact, data collected from such devices is already being used by the authorities in criminal investigations. In February 2016 a fascinating study was published by The Berkman Center for Internet & Society at Harvard University. In this study, the authors report, "Appliances and products ranging from televisions and toasters to bed sheets, light bulbs, cameras, toothbrushes, door locks, cars, watches and other wearables are being packed with sensors and wireless connectivity." The study then further states, "The audio and video sensors on IoT (Internet of Things) devices will open up numerous avenues for government actors to demand access to real-time and recorded communications." (3) As a result of these developments, privacy is very nearly extinct. "When one looks at the expectation of privacy today, it is radically different than it was a generation ago," said digital forensics specialist Erik Laykin. He further went on to say, "The net result of these technologies is that we are forgoing our personal privacy and our personal autonomy and even sovereignty as humans and relinquishing that to a combination of state, harvesters of big data, omnipresent institutions and systems." (4)

How far-reaching is this invasion of privacy? In December 2016 it came to light that a doll known as "My friend Cayla" and a toy known as the "i-Que robot" both have the capability of conversing with children. The conversations between the children and these Internet-enabled toys are then sent to a company known as Nuance Communications for analysis. (5) Meanwhile, so-called "smart" televisions from Samsung are equipped with microphones and cameras, which allow consumers to interact and control the devices with their voice. Samsung's privacy policy for their smart televisions include the following warning: "Please be aware that if your spoken words include personal or other sensitive information, that information will be among the data captured and transmitted to a third party." That third party has been revealed to be none other than the previously mentioned Nuance Communications, (6) a company that reportedly has ties to law enforcement, military, and intelligence agencies. (7)

Do intelligence agencies really take advantage of these Internet-enabled devices to spy on the people? In March 2017 a batch of government documents were leaked to the public by the famous website known as WikiLeaks. This leak revealed secrets of the Central Intelligence Agency, or CIA. The leaked documents reveal that the CIA has sophisticated tools that allow them to intercept smartphone communications, hack into computers, and eavesdrop on people who own smart televisions. It was also revealed that the CIA intentionally refrained from reporting vulnerabilities in smartphones and other devices to manufacturers so that they would have the option to exploit these vulnerabilities themselves. "These vulnerabilities will be exploited not just by our security agencies, but by hackers and governments around the world. Patching security holes immediately, not stockpiling them, is the best way to make everyone's digital life safer," declared Ben Wizner, director of the Speech, Privacy, and Technology Project at the American Civil Liberties Union. (8)

In response to the leak, the CIA issued a statement saying, "We have no comment on the authenticity of purported intelligence documents released by WikiLeaks or the status of any investigation into the source of the documents." The agency then attempted to calm the public by stating that the "CIA is legally prohibited from conducting electronic surveillance targeting individuals here at home, including our fellow Americans, and CIA does not do so." (9) Even if the CIA is telling the truth about not using these invasive surveillance techniques on the American people, it does not mean that other government agencies, such as the National Security Agency and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, are not employing similar methods. In fact, FBI Director James Comey said at a recent cybersecurity conference, "There is no such thing as absolute privacy in America; there is no place outside of judicial reach." (10)

Without a doubt, we live in a day of great advancements. Technology can certainly make our lives easier and the Internet does make remarkable things possible. This ministry has been using the Internet since the late 1990s to reach people all over the world. However, there are forces at work that plan to use technology not only to infringe on privacy, but also to connect the entire world to a world wide web that will form the backbone and infrastructure of a one world government. In September 2015, notable figures such as Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, Microsoft founder Bill Gates, and Bono, who is the front man for the famous rock band known as U2, collaborated to publish a document they called "The Connectivity Declaration." In this declaration it is stated, "I believe Internet access is essential for achieving humanity's global goals." The coalition seeks to provide universal Internet access by the year 2020, and it is working with the United Nations to achieve this goal. (11)

We know from God's Word that Satan has always aspired to be like God. In Isaiah 14:12-14 we read, "How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High." Of course, there are certain characteristics of God that the devil could never match. God is omnipresent, which means He is everywhere throughout the universe. God is omniscient, which means he knows everything. Psalm 147:5 tells us, "Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite." By harnessing the power of technology, the devil might actually be foolish enough to believe that he can be omnipresent and omniscient too. Such a scheme will never be successful, however, because our God is also omnipotent, which means He is Almighty, and always will be. In Revelation 19:6 we read, "And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth."

Synthetic Meat Is Now A Reality!

Many years ago I recall hearing a rumor which purported that the fast food chain of restaurants known as KFC was no longer using real chicken meat in their products. According to this rumor, the famous purveyor of chicken was actually using genetically manipulated chickens grown in laboratories. Of course, such a story seemed very far-fetched, and it was soon revealed to be a hoax perpetrated by someone with an overactive imagination. As it turns out, the premise is not as far-fetched as it seemed. In reality, the hoax was simply ahead of its time. It was recently reported by USA Today that a company known as Memphis Meats has successfully grown chicken strips from animal cells in a laboratory. This synthetic meat, which currently costs about $9000 a pound, was sampled by the public for the first time in March 2017. "Americans spend roughly $90 billion per year - just on chicken. But while poultry products are delicious and satisfying, the process by which they are made is not. It involves environmental degradation, animal welfare concerns, and public health risks," the company said in a statement. (12) Memphis Meats also made headlines in 2016 when they managed to successfully grow a meatball from beef cells. (13)

It is amazing how quickly the scientific community is progressing in their quest to perfect synthetic meat. The world's first synthetic hamburger was cooked and consumed in London, England, back in 2013. Oddly enough, this venture was financed by Google co-founder Sergey Brin. (14)

While some folks may have reservations about consuming lab-grown meat, it would not surprise me if the production and consumption of conventional meat is banned in the future. In 2010 the United Nations urged the world to adopt a vegan diet, claiming that the consumption of animal based products causes poverty and is a major contributor to climate change. "Animal products cause more damage than [producing] construction minerals such as sand or cement, plastics, or metals. Biomass and crops for animals are as damaging as [burning] fossil fuels," declared Professor Edgar Hertwich at the behest of the United Nations. (15) One thing is certain, the United Nations intends to seize control of the world's food supply. One of the stated goals in the United Nations' 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is as follows: "By 2030 ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices that increase productivity and production, that help maintain ecosystems, that strengthen capacity for adaptation to climate change, extreme weather, drought, flooding, and other disasters, and that progressively improve land and soil quality." (16)

Hollywood Is Presenting Homosexuality To Children!

Since same-sex marriage was legalized in every American state in June 2015, the floodgates have opened and homosexuality has become a cultural norm. It is not unusual to see commercials on television featuring same-sex couples. For example, commercials from Tylenol (17), Campbell's Soup (18), the greeting cards company known as Hallmark (19), and even the National Football League (20) have featured same-sex couples. Television shows and movies have also been known to feature gay characters, and in February 2017, a film called "Moonlight" became the first gay-themed movie to win an Academy Award for Best Picture. (21) None of this is surprising, but it is particularly distressing that homosexuality is now being promoted in entertainment material geared toward children and teenagers.

In late February 2017, an episode of a Disney animated program known as "Star vs. the Forces of Evil," featured a scene with two men kissing. According to reports this was a first for Disney television shows. (22) As if that is not bad enough, a new version of a classic Disney film also puts homosexuality on display. A live-action version of "Beauty and the Beast" features a gay character named LeFou. According to the film's director, the movie features a gay moment. "LeFou is somebody who on one day wants to be Gaston and on another day wants to kiss Gaston. He's confused about what he wants. It's somebody who's just realizing that he has these feelings," said movie director Bill Condon. He later went on to say, "It's a nice exclusively gay moment in a Disney movie." (23) It should be noted that Condon is a homosexual himself, who has great disdain for the Bible. In a 2007 interview, Condon was asked what he likes to do in hotel rooms. His response was, "I wish I could say I'm like Ian McKellen and immediately go rip pages out of the Bible, but there don't seem to be Bibles in the hotel rooms I stay in these days." (24) Condon's remark references the behavior of famous gay actor Ian McKellen, who has admitted to defacing Bibles when he stays at hotels. "Yes it's true. It's Leviticus 18:22 that I object to, or is it 22:18, I've always got to look it up. 'Thou shalt not lie with a man as with a woman, it is an abomination.' And they, I think the punishment for an abomination was being stoned to death," McKellen said in 2007. He then continued, "I think it's rather obscene and pornographic, and shouldn't be there, so I remove it." (25)

Another film geared toward young people features a lesbian character. According to the Hollywood Reporter, the new movie "Power Rangers," which is based on a children's television show from the 1990s, features the "first queer big-screen superhero." In a pivotal scene in the movie, one of the female characters known as Yellow Ranger Trini is shown to be having "girlfriend problems." "For Trini, really she's questioning a lot about who she is. She hasn't fully figured it out yet. I think what's great about that scene and what the scene propels for the rest of the movie is, "That's OK.' The movie is saying 'That's OK,' and all of the kids have to own who they are and find their tribe," said the movie's director Dean Israelite. (26)

Without a doubt, homosexuality has been normalized in the United States. It is a lifestyle that now permeates modern entertainment, and it is becoming increasingly difficult to find movies and television shows that are worthy of our attention. What society deems as normal is increasingly divergent from what God's Word teaches us, and as such, we need to be vigilant about what we watch and the entertainment we consume.

Forces Of Darkness At Work In Our World!

If you were to ask people what they think of witchcraft and the occult, most would likely say they believe it is all just fantasy and that there is no such thing as real witchcraft. Some might even regard it as harmless fun. After all, the Harry Potter books and movies have enjoyed great popularity over the years. Are there really people out there who go around claiming to be witches? Yes, and apparently, a large number of them hate President Donald Trump.

According to BBC News, witches around the world united in February 2017 to cast binding spells against Trump. One of the spells used was designed by a writer and witch known as Michael Hughes. This self-professing "magical thinker" was quoted by the BBC as saying, "This is not the equivalent of magically punching a Nazi. Rather it is ripping the bullhorn from his hands, smashing his phone so he can't tweet, tying him up, and throwing him in a dark basement where he can't hurt anyone." Future plans call on witches to continue casting spells against the President each day there is a waning crescent moon for as long as he is in office. (27)

As usual, members of the Satanic Temple have also been busy in the United States. This odd group claims to not believe in Satan, yet they perform grotesque and perverted satanic rituals, in which, I am sure, the devil delights. "We decided that Satan was the ultimate rebel, and we realized the power of that symbol," said William Morrison, the co-founder of the Los Angeles, California, chapter of their satanic religion. He later went on to say, "I love sitting in our meetings because we represent exactly what we should be in Los Angeles. It's not a bunch of white, Goth kids. We're Asian, black, Hispanic, right across the board, and it's a mix of people from all walks of life, who have all come together under a common mission." (28) Apparently, that mission includes invading public schools and teaching children about Satan. The group is presently endeavoring to establish "After School Satan Clubs" in schools across America. What are their other major concerns? They are also dedicated to promoting two of their favorite sins, abortion and homosexuality. "We want first amendment [rights], we want women to have control of their bodies, and we want the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) community to have equal rights," Morrison explained. (29)

It truly is an embarrassing and shameful fact that a group such as the Satanic Temple can thrive in the United States. Yet, the Internal Revenue Service does not seem to have any issues with the organization. Under the Obama Administration, the IRS granted tax exempt status to the Satanic Temple's Reason Alliance in just ten days after receiving the application. "While the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) makes conservative groups wait years for tax-exempt status, an 'After School Satan Club' launched to hinder Christian-based counterparts got its nonprofit ranking in just ten days. The classification is offered to charitable, religious, and educational organizations that operate as nonprofits. Under the Obama administration, IRS political appointees illegally targeted conservative groups, either making them wait up to seven years for tax-exempt status or denying their application altogether," said Judicial Watch in a statement issued in March 2017. (30)

At this point, I do want to remind God's people that while spell-casting witches do indeed exist, and defiant Satanists are constantly making noise and kicking up a fuss in the United States, we do not need to be afraid of such people. God's power is far greater than all the evil forces of darkness in the world. In I John 4:4 we are told by John the Apostle, "Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world."

The Chaotic Presidency Of Donald Trump!

I cannot help but wonder if Donald Trump is regretting his decision to run for President of the United States. As of this writing, he has been in office for less than 70 days, and up to this point it has certainly not been smooth sailing for the often polarizing world leader. In March 2017 it was revealed by FBI Director James Comey that his agency is "investigating the nature of any links between individuals associated with the Trump campaign and the Russian government and whether there was any coordination between the campaign and Russia's efforts." (31) The announcement has further emboldened Democrats, who it seems have always believed that Hillary Clinton's defeat in the presidential election of 2016 was due to Russian interference. In fact, numerous Democrats characterized the alleged interference as an "act of war" committed by Russia. "I think this attack that we've experienced is a form of war, a form of war on our fundamental democratic principles," said Representative Bonnie Watson Coleman, a Democrat from New Jersey. Representative Jackie Speier, a Democrat from California, shares a similar opinion. "I actually think their engagement was an act of war, an act of hybrid warfare, and I think that's why the American people should be concerned about it," Speier stated. Representative Eric Swalwell, another Democrat from California, also agrees. "This past election, our country was attacked. We were attacked by Russia. I see this as an opportunity for everyone on this committee, Republicans and Democrats, to not look in the rearview window, but to look forward and do everything we can to make sure that our country never again allows a foreign adversary to attack us," Swalwell declared. (32) According to a former analyst of the National Security Agency, the alleged misconduct could bring an end to Trump's presidency. "If, not just the people around him, but the president himself is facing possible indictment down the road, that could be a game changer. He could be removed from office for that, whether he wants to be or not," said former NSA analyst John Schindler. (33)

Whether Trump is guilty or not guilty of colluding with Russia, I cannot say with any certainty. What I do know is that I do not automatically believe everything that I read in the newspapers. If it is God's will for Donald Trump to remain President of the United States, he will remain President. In any case, the United States will face many challenges in the days ahead. Trump has already learned firsthand that keeping promises is not always an easy thing to do. On March 24, 2017, the House of Representatives in Washington, D.C., pulled a bill designed to repeal and replace Obamacare after it failed to gain enough support from the Republican Party. (34) It also seems increasingly likely that Democrats will attempt to block the confirmation of Trump's nominee for the United States Supreme Court, Neil Gorsuch. (35)

In closing, we live in a time of great challenges. The storms of this life will always come, but if we put our faith in God He will give us the strength to withstand. In Matthew 7:24-27, we are told by our Saviour, "Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it." If you have not yet repented of your sins and dedicated your life to God, I urge you to do so now.

Thank you all for your support of this ministry. It is a privilege to serve you and I pray that God will bless you. If you have any prayer requests, we are ready to pray for you and whatever your needs may be. We take prayer seriously, and every request is given individual attention. Grace and peace be unto you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Samuel David Meyer