Volume XXXVII      Issue VI      June 2018
Last Trumpet Ministries, PO Box 806, Beaver Dam, WI 53916
Phone: 920-887-2626 Internet: http://www.lasttrumpetministries.org

The Manifold Threats Of Our Time

"The Lord is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me? The Lord taketh my part with them that help me: therefore shall I see my desire upon them that hate me. It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man. It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in princes."

"We will rejoice in thy salvation, and in the name of our God we will set up our banners: the Lord fulfil all thy petitions. Now know I that the Lord saveth his anointed; he will hear him from his holy heaven with the saving strength of his right hand. Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the Lord our God."

"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."

In this issue of the Last Trumpet Newsletter, we will direct our focus to the manifold threats facing our world today. In this time of great conflict, there are threats of war, threats of disease, and threats against morality as the devil continues to exert spiritual pressure on the world's population. We also see the United States of America undergoing a drastic change as the older generations of Americans gradually cede control of the nation's direction to a younger generation with much different values. This reality has been in the making for decades. In fact, my father, Pastor David J. Meyer, used to warn that socialism and communism were being taught at American schools and universities. People found this claim difficult to believe, but current trends indicate that his assertion was correct. We are now seeing the results of mass indoctrination wherein a large segment of the American population favors a socialist government.

In an article published by The National Review in March 2017, the headline declares that "Socialism's Rising Popularity Threatens America's future." According to the report, a survey of Americans aged eighteen years and older found that four out of ten now say they "prefer socialism." (1) In a more recent survey conducted by the University of Chicago, it was revealed that 45 percent of respondents aged eighteen to thirty-four have a favorable view of socialism. (2) Amazingly enough, the membership roll at the Democratic Socialists of America has increased from 5,000 members to 35,000 members since November 2016. (3) Additionally, numerous political and judicial candidates are now openly proclaiming their affiliation with the socialist movement, a fact noted by the New York Times in April 2018. This includes a criminal court judge nominee in Houston, Texas, by the name of Franklin Bynum who proudly said, "Yes, I'm running as a socialist. I'm a far-left candidate. What I'm trying to do is be a Democrat who actually stands for something and tells people, 'Here's how we are going to materially improve conditions in your life.'" (4) Other candidates include Kaniela Ing in Hawaii who is running for Congress and Gayle McLaughlin who is running for Lieutenant Governor in California. (5) A pair of socialist candidates running for the state's House of Representatives also notched victories in the Pennsylvania midterm primary election on May 15, 2018. This development prompted Arielle Cohen, the co-chair of the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America, to boast, "We're turning the state the right shade of red tonight." (6) Regarding this trend toward socialism in America, Jorge Roman-Romero of the Democratic Socialists of America chapter in Tulsa, Oklahoma, was quoted as saying, "People are more willing to come out and say 'I'm a Democratic socialist running.' It's not a liability to say that anymore." (7)

Under a socialist system, the government controls the means of production and distribution of goods. Therefore, it is impossible for a private citizen to own a business, and there is no free enterprise. It is the government that decides what is best for the people and there is no right to self-determination for the common man. It is a system where people must turn to the government for their needs, and under such circumstances, the government becomes the god of the people. Interestingly enough, research published in April 2018 claims that the larger a government is, the less likely it is that people will be religious or believe in God. The report which is entitled "Religion as an Exchange System: The Interchangeability of God and Government in a Provider Role" declares the following: "If a secular entity provides what people need, they will be less likely to seek help from God or other supernatural entities." It later goes on to say, "The power and order emanating from God can be outsourced to the government." (8) Thus, when a country has a socialist or communist government, the more secular and atheistic the people become. Could such a culture become a reality in the future for the United States of America?

The Creation In Travail

As I sit at my desk on May 25, 2018, it seems like a quiet and calm afternoon. Yet, we live in a world that is constantly shaking, quaking, and breaking apart. According to the US Geological Survey, 126 earthquakes have been reported today. (9) Over the course of the last thirty days, an astounding 2,605 quakes have shaken this fragile planet. (10) Many of these earthquakes are directly related to the increased volcanic activity on the big island of Hawaii.

On May 3, 2018, a volcano in Hawaii known as Kilauea, began to erupt. As of this writing, the ongoing eruptions have caused twenty-two fissures in the area. This volcanic activity has destroyed more than forty-five homes and has forced thousands of Hawaiians to flee from their homes. Further complicating matters, reports indicate that a geothermal power plant could potentially be damaged by the lava flow of this volcano, which puts the island's power supply at risk. (11) As Kilauea continues to erupt, a plume of ash has risen 10,000 feet into the air while spewing toxic gases and volcanic rocks. This development prompted the US Geological Survey to warn on May 16, 2018, "At any time, activity may become more explosive, increasing the intensity of ash production and producing ballistic projectiles near the vent." (12) Additionally, the Hawaiian Volcanic Observatory issued a warning to aircraft pilots indicating that the plume of ash could potentially stop the engines on their planes. (13) American President Donald Trump has declared this region in Hawaii to be a major disaster area. (14)

While volcanic eruptions in Hawaii are nothing new, the increased volcanic activity in recent days is a reminder of the potential threat our planet faces each and every day. There are about 1,500 "potentially active" volcanoes around the world, including 169 in the United States. (15) Revelation, chapter 6, warns us that there will be a great earthquake in the end days. Revelation 6:12-14 tells us, "And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood; And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind. And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places." I suspect that when this earthquake occurs, the volcanoes around the world will erupt. We are also told in Joel 2:30-31, "And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and terrible day of the Lord come." If you examine pictures of active volcanoes taken from above, it is quickly evident that the eruptions look very much like "fire and pillars of smoke."

Even as the earth continues to shake and volcanic eruptions spew forth lava, the earth itself is literally cracking apart. In the month of April 2018, an enormous crack appeared quite suddenly in the African nation of Kenya. The fissure is fifty feet deep and sixty-five feet across at its widest point according to CBS News. (16) Meanwhile, the American state of Florida has been forced to contend with a growing number of sinkholes in recent years. This is especially true in a central Florida community known as The Villages, which is geared towards retirees. In 2017, thirty-two sinkholes were reported in this region. During the first three months of 2018, eleven more sinkholes suddenly formed in the area. (17) Sinkholes have been known to form elsewhere in the United States as well. In fact, it was reported on May 23, 2018, that a sinkhole had suddenly formed on the North Lawn of the White House in Washington, D.C. This gaping hole is reportedly near the press briefing room where members of the press and news media routinely gather. (18) In a way it seems fitting, especially since one of the dictionary definitions of a sinkhole is "a place into which foul matter runs." (19)

Truly, our world is threatened by many disasters. Last year brought an unusually active hurricane season, which caused calamity of Biblical proportions in the American states of Texas and Florida. The American territory of Puerto Rico was also pommeled by a hurricane and to this day has not yet fully recovered from the devastation. Meteorologists are now predicting that 2018 will be another active year for tropical storms and hurricanes. Experts from North Carolina State University and Colorado State University have predicted that there will be between fourteen and eighteen named tropical storms this year impacting the United States with seven to eleven of them being hurricanes. (20)

At this present time, we see many examples of the creation in travail. Romans 8:22 tells us, "For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now." As the weight of sin continues to afflict the creation, I believe this travail will grow even stronger in the days ahead.

A World Conformed To Sin

Those who read the Bible infrequently may be surprised to learn that the Scriptures instruct the people of God to be non-conformists. In Romans 12:2 we are admonished by the Apostle Paul, "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." Increasingly, we are seeing professing Christians who are afraid to stand up for Biblical values for fear of being ostracized. As such, even some religious institutions have become conformed to the sinful nature of the world.

A very common sin in the land today is homosexuality. Public opinion on the matter has changed dramatically over the course of the last decade, and it is now a widely accepted lifestyle. Traditionally, most religious denominations have taught that homosexuality is a sin. Yet, recent trends indicate that even some religious denominations that bill themselves as traditional and conservative are moving closer to accepting the homosexual way of life.

In recent weeks Pope Francis made headlines for a story that claimed he expressed doubts regarding the existence of hell during a private conversation he had with reporter Eugenio Scalfari. Now the Pope has caused a stir again, this time for comments made to a homosexual man that suggests homosexuality is acceptable to God and that God made the man to be attracted to the same gender. "God made you that way and loves you as you are," the Pope reportedly told Juan Carlos Cruz. (21) The Vatican was unwilling to confirm or deny the statement from their leader. "We don't normally comment on the pope's private conversations," a spokesman at the Vatican stated. (22) American Jesuit priest James Martin, who has advocated for the acceptance of homosexuality by the Roman Catholic Church, was clearly excited about the Pope's comments. "This is a big deal. I cannot remember the pope making a comment about gay people being born that way." He further went on to say, "Pope Francis has repeated what all reputable biologists and psychologists say - you don't choose your sexual orientation. And that is a great comfort to many gay and lesbian Catholics who have been told by priests that they have chosen their orientation and are therefore guilty." (22)

Meanwhile, officials within the United Methodist Church denomination are now debating whether or not to change its official position on homosexuality. It has been proposed that the church allow same-sex marriage and the ordination of openly homosexual people. The proposed plan, which is called "The One Church Plan," calls for the denomination to change the language in its Book of Discipline, which currently states that homosexuality is "incompatible with Christian teaching." This new plan has been endorsed by the United Methodist Church Council of Bishops and the matter will be voted on in February 2019. (23) Regardless of the outcome, God's Word does not change.

Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which are commonly known as Mormons, are also becoming more accepting of homosexuality. A survey in 2017 found that 40 percent of Mormons now support same-sex marriage. Amongst respondents between the ages of eighteen and twenty-nine, the level of acceptance is 52 percent. (24) This is a startling turn-around for a religious denomination that fought to ban same-sex marriages in the state of California in 2008.

Without a doubt, young people are far more likely to accept homosexuality as an acceptable way of life than those who come from older generations. One of the reasons for this schism is the fact that young people are often exposed to homosexual propaganda in public schools. In May 2018 the Senate in the state of Illinois approved a bill known as Senate Bill 3249, which, if it becomes law, will require public schools in Illinois to teach LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) history. (25) Senator Heather Steans, a Democrat from Chicago who sponsored the legislation, was quoted as saying, "By teaching students an inclusive curriculum, Illinois classrooms will promote acceptance and a more accurate portrayal of history. LGBT students will also learn about people who had some similar qualities to them and became historical models." (26)

Another teaching tool which is used to shape the minds of impressionable youth comes from Hollywood in the form of movies and television shows. It is not uncommon to see gay characters portrayed in many of these productions, and it has come to light that a vast amount of people who work in the film industry are homosexuals. According to gay movie star Ian McKellen, who admits that he likes to desecrate Bibles when he finds them in hotel rooms, "half of Hollywood is gay." (27) Despite the fact that more than 12 percent of all movies produced by Hollywood feature LGBT characters, this is not good enough for the homosexual advocacy group known as GLAAD. This perverse organization is hoping the percentage of films featuring gay characters will rise to 50 percent by the year 2024. (28) According to Scriptures, the prevalence of homosexual acceptance is a bellwether of the end times. Jesus warns us in Luke 17:28-30, "Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed."

An Assortment Of Pernicious Diseases

Over the course of the last century, much progress has been made in the medical field. As a result, life expectancy has risen significantly over the years. In the year 1900, the average life expectancy for American men was 48.3 years and 51.1 years for women. (29) Despite this progress, the world today is contending with an assortment of pernicious diseases, and medical experts today are struggling to keep up.

During the years of 2014-2016, an Ebola Virus outbreak in the African nations of Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea caused an astonishing amount of damage. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC, this outbreak claimed the lives of 11,316 people. (30) Now Ebola is back. It was reported in May 2018 that an outbreak of the Ebola Virus has surfaced in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. To date, thirty-five cases of the disease have been reported and ten people have already died. (31) Alarmingly, the disease has been reported in the city of Mbandaka, which is located directly on the Congo River. "The scenario has changed, and it has become most serious and worrying, since the disease is now affecting an urban area," said emergency coordinator Henry Gray of Doctors Without Borders. (32) The presence of the disease in a major city with easy access to the Congo River could potentially allow the disease to travel more rapidly since the river is a major transportation conduit for the region. "The Congo River connects three national capitals and multiple other large cities. The fact that there are now several cases in an urban center of more than a million people underscores the potential for this outbreak to get out of control," warned Jeremy Konyndyk from the U.S. Agency for International Development's Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance. (33) I pray that this outbreak will be quickly contained and end swiftly.

Another disease is causing a dramatic impact in Australia. According to a report published in May 2018, a disease known as Human T-cell Leukemia Virus, or HTVL-1, is spreading in Australia's Northern Territory and has especially impacted the town of Alice Springs. This disease, which can spread by intimate contact, breastfeeding, and through blood, causes a weakening of the immune system, nervous system disorders, and a condition called bronchiectasis, which damages the lungs. The virus is particularly prevalent among groups of indigenous Australians with an infection rate exceeding 40 percent of the adult population in some regions. (34)

The American state of California is contending with a troubling outbreak of disease, too. During the year 2017, there was a 45 percent increase in cases of the sexually transmitted diseases - chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis. These diseases, which could be easily avoided by abstaining from inappropriate behavior, are most prevalent among people under thirty years of age. (35) Dr. Jeffrey Klausner, who is a professor of medicine at the University of California in Los Angeles is highly dismayed by this new epidemic. "For California to have a steady increase in congenital syphilis is shameful. We've known how to control syphilis since early 1900s. Seeing it come back like this is a sign of failure of the public health safety net," Dr. Klausner declared. (36)

While treatment options do exist for sexually transmitted diseases, these treatments could become ineffective in the future. Such is the case for a man in the United Kingdom who recently contracted an untreatable gonorrhea infection that is resistant to all antibiotics. Doctors believe this may be the start of a trend that could potentially grow much worse. "The bacteria that cause gonorrhea are particularly smart. Every time we use a new class of antibiotics to treat the infection, the bacteria evolve to resist them," explained Dr. Teodora Wi of the World Health Organization. She further went on to say, "These cases may just be the tip of the iceberg, since systems to diagnose and report untreatable infections are lacking in lower-income countries, where gonorrhea is actually more common." (37)

Viruses and diseases are certainly problematic in this modern age. Even diseases caused by insect bites are on the rise in the United States. According to the CDC, diseases caused by bites from mosquitos, ticks, and fleas tripled in number from the years 2004-2016. "People really do need to take this seriously," said Dr. Lyle Petersen of the CDC. (38) Thankfully, we have a God who can solve the unsolvable and treat the untreatable. In Luke 1:37 we read, "For with God nothing shall be impossible."

Uncertainty In The Days Ahead

There is no region of the world more unstable than the Middle East. In the Israeli State and in particular the city of Jerusalem, there have long been attempts to establish peace to no avail. Recent events show that this region of the world is no closer to establishing peace today, and in fact, may soon be engulfed in a war. Even as the American President's daughter, Ivanka Trump, and her husband, Jared Kushner, attended the dedication of a new United States Embassy in Jerusalem on May 14, 2018, (39) violence flared at the Gazan border with more than sixty Palestinians killed by Israeli military forces. (40) A report published on May 15, 2018, claims that twenty-four of the people who were killed were known to be terrorists. In total, about 40,000 people had gathered to protest the opening of the new embassy. (41)

Meanwhile, Iran is fuming after American President Donald Trump canceled a deal established by his predecessor, former President Barack Obama. The deal was made under the auspices of curbing Iran's development of nuclear weapons, though President Trump had expressed skepticism that the deal would produce the desired goal. Prior to Trump's announcement of the deal's cancellation, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani was quoted as saying, "If the United States leaves the nuclear agreement, you will soon see that they will regret it like never before in history." (42) What this threat actually means remains to be seen, but French President Emmanuel Macron believes that it could mean war. "That would mean opening Pandora's box, it could mean war," Macron opined. (43)

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has claimed that Iran has moved weaponry to Syria in anticipation of an attack on Israel and suggested that an armed conflict could transpire very soon. "We are determined to lock the Iranian entrenchment, even at the cost of confrontation. We don't want an escalation, but we are prepared for every scenario. We don't want confrontation, but if there needs to be one, it is better now than later," Netanyahu said. (44) Is this just rhetoric designed to put the world on edge, or could there really be war? Time will tell, and we could find out very soon.

In closing, today's modern world is filled with many threats. These threats can certainly make people feel vulnerable, and I believe that in some cases, that is exactly what the devil and his minions want. Yet, as the people of God, we know that regardless of what happens, the best thing we can do is put our trust in God. Consider Psalm 118:6-9 which declares, "The Lord is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me? The Lord taketh my part with them that help me: therefore shall I see my desire upon them that hate me. It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man. It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in princes." Human beings have a propensity to disappoint, but God can save our souls. Psalm 20:5-7 assures us, "We will rejoice in thy salvation, and in the name of our God we will set up our banners: the Lord fulfil all thy petitions. Now know I that the Lord saveth his anointed; he will hear him from his holy heaven with the saving strength of his right hand. Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the Lord our God." Finally, Proverbs 3:5-6 tells us, "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." This is the key to finding peace in such a threatening world. If you have not already done so, I urge every reader of this newsletter to fully trust God, repent of your sins, dedicate your life to Him, and give Him your heart.

Thank you all for your kind support of this ministry. It is truly amazing how quickly we are moving through time, but we are grateful for the opportunity to serve you and thankful for all that God has done for us. Please remember us in your prayers, and we will certainly pray for any prayer requests that you may have. Our teams of intercessors give each prayer request individual attention. Grace and peace be unto you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.