Made Stronger Through Fasting, Pt. 4

Ronald Weinland

May 25, 2024

This weekend we are in the midst of a Churchwide fast, and today will be Part 4 of the series Made Stronger Through Fasting.

This fast will lead into and help produce a greater timely distinction to be made in the Body of Christ. That’s what a lot of this is about; a lot of them have been. Through this Passover and Unleavened Bread season that we’ve recently observed, there’s been a strong focus on the need we have to individually and collectively become more fully cleansed.

Now, for us, that’s just a part of prayer that’s involved with fasting in the first place because as we go toward the end of this series here (I don’t believe I’m getting into that today), but I think in the next part there as we go through things in Isaiah it becomes very clear that some of the primary purpose of humbling ourselves before God is to acknowledge what we are. It is a desire to see more fully what we are so that we can change, so that we can repent, so that we can become more at one with God and to live His way of life.

So, we need God’s help to accomplish that, so we have to go before Him in prayer, and at time in fasting. That’s what fasting is largely about. But this one is also connected with the fact of where we are in time in understanding what God has been doing for some time now, especially since 2012 and 2013, in through there, that it’s a matter that we are to be individually, as we truly in sincerity and truth want to be cleansed before God, want to have things revealed to us that we can’t see.

Because we’ll always have things we can’t see. There will always be things that God can show us in our mind, in our thinking, and especially where they originate, to get to that in time. The more you can get to that, not just the actions of them, but when they start up here, that’s when the battle is more successful in that respect, and a lot has been conquered because that’s where it all starts in the first place. It’s in the mind.

So again, if we’re able to see some of those things and where things originate in our thinking, then to ask God for the help to continue to battle those things. But we have to see them in order to battle them. We have to acknowledge them in order to repent. So, that’s one side of fasting.

Another part of it for the Body, for the Body of Christ, the Church of God, is that we be cleansed, and that God brings to the surface, reveal those things that aren’t in unity and oneness and harmony. That’s a part of the process as we draw closer to Christ’s coming.

So, this fast will lead into and, again, help produce a greater, more timely distinction if you will. I think I’ve already said that anyway but let me repeat it just for good measure. It will help produce a greater, timely distinction to be made in the Body of Christ.

So again, something to understand what God is doing within the Church and He desires that we be fully at one with Him and the process of time as we go through different scriptures even today that reveal this is a must because of where we are in time. It’s unique in the past two thousand years because it hasn’t been required that the Body be completely cleansed.

I’m having to hold back from saying some things because some further sermons because I’ve got five or six ahead now. And just like the Feast, when I work on those it’s hard to stay out of those sermons.

Let’s turn over to Joel, Joel in the Old Testament. Joel 2. I think of some of the Proverbs and then I think of some of the things said as far as what Christ even had to say later on that were given in scripture, and of the parables, and then various other things like here to the minor prophets. There are so many things that the Church has always been able to, in one way or another, through what was given up to that point in time in the sense of the present truth, grasp and understand and apply to their lives, but so much of it is truly geared to the very end because this is where it comes together. After six thousand years this is what God is bringing it all to, and within the Church in order to go into a new age, to have things set and ready for what’s going to be done in a new age.

Joel 2:1 it says, Blow the trumpet in Zion. Well, that’s been done, again, over the past two thousand years at different times. But it’s about the Church. It’s about our being made ready. It’s about what’s taking place as a result of our calling, being impregnated with God’s holy spirit and having that opportunity to change, to be transformed in our thinking until we can be born.

Blow a trumpet in Zion, which, again, is about battle. Sound an alarm in My holy mountain! That’s what we are. It’s about God’s government. The mountain is always about, in that respect, government. And so, it’s throughout the Church in that respect of what God is doing and it’s about warning and it’s about that which God continually gives us from time to time. But I think those have speeded up of recent time even more so.

Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble. Well, they’re not, but they will. That’s what’s coming. Everyone before this is over with is going to have a different mindset and a different mindset toward war in large respect. Those who won’t have a different mindset by a certain time when Christ comes, he’s going to take care of that as well.

But there were some big changes made at the end of WWII and it shook the world up, obviously, but this war is going to be more inclusive of nations. Everyone is going to be involved. No one is going to not be a part of this or is not going to be standing on the sidelines watching it like some did during WWII and weren’t really that engaged. This time, no one escapes. Everyone is involved; every country on earth is going to be affected by what takes place. It’s going to be exceedingly sobering.

Again here, “the inhabitants of the land are going to tremble before it’s done” because of the magnitude of what is happening. Nothing like this has ever happened on earth…and will never happen again, thank God.

For the day of the Eternal is coming. Unless you want to talk about the end of the Last Great Day. That’s a little bit different. But it’s still not the same as a war. That’s going to be one fell swoop and one cleansing all at once time when that happens because it’s the end of life for mankind on earth. That’s it. Because all will be in the Kingdom of God, will be in Elohim, but there will be no more human life from that point on. Incredible, to understand those things that God has given us understanding of His plan and purpose and what’s ahead through time.

For the day of the Eternal is coming. The Bible talks about these things in different ways in different scriptures over and over again because it’s about the execution of God’s judgment. He has let mankind basically go in one respect for six thousand years, except during the time of the flood. That was an intervention of something that changed for a great purpose and so forth. But then when humanity continued to grow over the next nearly four thousand years, incredible things have happened, and the growth of mankind itself on earth, the technology that’s here, what we’ve come to.

God has always warned that basically, there are two times of great judgment on the earth. We’re about to enter into one which means the execution of God’s judgment. There are things that God has brought about or allowed at different times, even in wars that Israel has fought – and that’s another story because it’s not worldwide. This is something worldwide. At the end of the Hundred Years and at the period we’re about to approach, two massive times of God’s execution of judgment. That’s what it’s about.

For the day of the Eternal is coming; for it is at hand. Is near. That’s what it’s talking about. So for those who lived and died in the past two thousand years, for them, yes, it was near in the sense of their calling and whether or not they were going to be a part of the 144,000. There is a judgment awaiting all those, the masses who were a part of the Church and then were not when they died, obviously. There’s a judgment awaiting them as well in time. But this is referring to a massive judgment upon the world.

It says, A day of darkness and of gloominess.

On down to verse 11. So again, very descriptive here of some of the things being talked about there. Then verse 11 it says, The Eternal shall utter His voice before His army. That’s what the 144,000 and Joshua the Christ are referred to. It’s His army. It’s that which is coming to the earth and the war they’re going to fight, the final one in the sense of what they’re going to engage in because it says they’re going to destroy those who are destroying the earth.

…for His camp is very great. And he is strong who executes His word. What God says will happen. What God says in everything that He’s ever said as far as that which is ahead, happens, has happened, or will happen. It’s absolute.

For the day of the Eternal is great, mighty in what is done. It is exceedingly terrifying. And who can endure it? So, this is dual in the sense of that which is coming. God’s Kingdom that is coming and those in the past two thousand years who have come and gone and also then referring to things within the world itself at the end-time. “Who can endure it?”

So, there are two periods of time in history of mankind that this great execution of God’s judgment will happen to mankind, as I mentioned. Again, we’re fast approaching the end of six thousand years of mankind’s self-rule, and then of course, that final judgment after the last hundred years.

So, both of these periods of time, again, are spoken of in which God has only of recent time revealed more fully to the Church things about what’s going to happen. Again, we can move over here to Revelation 8, and while you’re turning there, I’ll finish what I have written here.

As we are in the midst of a Churchwide fast, if you will, it would be good to be sobered by what is now so very near at hand. I’ll tell you what, if I have some time I’m going to go through some news articles. But I cannot believe… I do, but how ramped up things are and what’s happening in Europe at a very fast speed now. It’s moving fast. And to think that there isn’t something massive coming, a massive war, people are deluding themselves.

There are different ones in power, especially in the military in different areas of the world who are warning, “This is going to happen. This is where we’re headed. Prepare for it because it’s coming; it’s inevitable.” When people talk like that to that degree, it’s strange how human beings react to something like that. It’s like the human mind kind of shuts off, really doesn’t want to hear too much, wants to think that somehow things are going to continue on, that we’re going to escape, or that our place in the world is going to escape. The reality is nothing escapes what’s coming. Nothing.

Revelation 8:13—Then I looked, and I heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven… We know these things, but they’re so close. …saying with a loud voice, Woe, Woe, Woe to the inhabitants of the earth, because of the remaining blasts of the Trumpet, in other words, remaining events to be fulfilled, of the three angels who are about to sound! So, this concerns the Fifth, Sixth, and Seventh events of those Trumpets. Again, we are familiar with these things, but to be sobered by them is wise.

The Fifth Trumpet event that we know of is about ten nations in Europe, primarily spearheaded by Germany. They’re going to be at the forefront of this, and France, because they’re the main ones who are going to be orchestrating all this. There is a tug of war back and forth. But as has always been, God makes it very clear it’s going to be Germany that’s going to be at the forefront in some of the decision-making that takes place here and some of the things they see that they have to do. You see, France is a little farther away from Russia, and Germany is real, real close, and they know what it’s like to have the Russians come in, how they’re a little bit different than what the Allies were coming in. So, they haven’t forgotten history though they would like to many a time.

So again here, the Fifth, as it says in Revelation 9:1—Then the Fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fall from heaven to the earth. And to him was given the key to the bottomless pit. So, that power exists in the world today, but there is going to be far greater power unleashed at this moment in time because this is going to be of Satan himself. That God allows to do what he does, his fulfilling his name of that which is a matter of destruction and allow him to be released in all of his power. Because there is that which is still being held back though his ability and work to prepare some of those things is being done. But this here is being held back for a specific moment in time.

So again here, when you think about what they’re going to do in Europe, and you see the news and you see this battling back and forth. What a marvel in Daniel when it talks about clay and iron mixed together in the toes and in the feet and you couldn’t have anything more perfect as far as a statue like that and a description to see and understand something that’s actually taking place now, that they’re not strong in the sense of being together, being cohesive as one like iron is when you go farther up in the statue.

But when you get down there it’s held together and they have strength because of technology, because of the kind of weaponry, but held together, there’s not a whole lot there. It can easily be crushed in that respect because of the lack of unity and order that exists there. That’s why it’s so amazing to understand what it said that at one moment in time, they’re going to make an agreement to do what is stated here about the Fifth Trumpet, and when they make that agreement and they do it it’s too late to back away from it. It’s going to be done.

Though there are those who are going to wish they hadn’t done it. But nevertheless, they don’t want a nuclear war on the continent. That’s what’s going to make them come to the decision they do. They’re going to come to a point whether they experience it in part – perhaps in Ukraine, perhaps somewhere else over there, don’t know. But something is going to move them ahead quickly to finally say, “We can’t have that here! It’ll destroy everything!” How many years will anyone be able to live there if it’s a massive matter that takes place? And so, they’re moved to think about a different solution to their problem.

They see this country, that if they act upon it that perhaps that can stave it off and stop it to where they might be able to then get along over there. But it doesn’t work that way. But that’s what’s going to press them into a corner.

Revelation 9:1—Then the Fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fallen from heaven to the earth. And to him was given the key to the bottomless pit.

Verse 11— And they had as king over them, the angel of the bottomless pit whose name in the Hebrew tongue is Abaddon, “Destruction.” It’s what he does. That’s his great power. …but in Greek, he has the name Apollyon, “Destroyer.” One Woe is past. Behold, two more Woes are coming after these.

So, with all my being and what I believe is given, this can’t go on too long. It has to be fast, swift upon the earth these things that take place. That’s why, just to be candid with you, when we go to Europe, I don’t know that we’ll come back. I’ve said this in times past but now this is more real now than any other time it’s been in my mind in the past. Why? Because I believe these things! Because I know these things are going to come to pass! God’s in control and there is a time when it has to happen.

“One Woe is past,” speaking of what is done when this nation is finally struck very powerfully. The first four cripple it, but this one here destroys it in the sense there is no recovery, there is no ability to come together to do anything. They’re not a threat anymore.

That’s why we don’t know how long it’s going to be after the first Four Trumpet events. They're going to be very close together. It’s kind of like what happened during the first Four Seals. They’re tied together. How long they will be carried out? Likely not very long but it’s going to be longer than what happens when the Sixth hits. Because when that hits, it’s either the end of mankind, the end of the world, or God intervenes. That’s what’s a blessing about it all, God’s going to bring it to a stop. Otherwise, we would destroy ourselves.

Revelation 9:14—Then the Sixth angel sounded, and I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar, which is before God, saying to the Sixth angel who had the Trumpet, Release the four angels who are bound in the great river Euphrates. So, the four angels, who had prepared for the hour, a day, a month, and a year, were released to kill a third of mankind.

Some day we’re going to know what that period of time is, but not until it’s taken place, and we can go back. God will show us what it was because it’s about something that’s already been decided or at some point has been decided and then will happen here. Primarily, about Russia and China.

Isn’t that amazing? Now the world is in a little bit in shock of the alliance and of the closeness of Russia and China and yet Herbert Armstrong was given to know a long, long time ago it’s them and they are going to be combined together. They’re going to unite in that respect and cause this destruction. Awesome! God gave that to him a long time ago.

“…prepared an hour, a day, a month, and a year, were released to kill a third of mankind.” It’s hard to imagine things like that and hard to talk about it, but it’s something we have to know. We have to know what’s going to take place. It’s not something to be afraid of though there is going to be fear because of what happens and what we have to live through, but the reality is these are things that have to take place. It’s part of God’s judgment.

Because mankind can’t learn what he needs to learn any other way! Mankind has to be jarred so much. WWII did it in a massive way and it shook people up and they knew they had to do something, so they formed a United Nations. And look what happened! Look what we have! It’s a farce! It’s a fiasco! WHO! W. H. O, in case you want to know what I’m talking about; I’m not imitating an owl. WHO! You think, what a joke! World Health Organization… God is just showing that everything is such a farce. Everything, every organization they have.

Then to plant the statue of someone beating their weapons into plowshares and so forth in front of the United Nations building. That’s really kind of evil. I believe I know where that came from. It didn’t come from God; God didn’t inspire that. But there is a being who inspired it. You think man just came up with that on their own? “Let’s put something out here; show what we’re going to accomplish.” Well, anyway. They can’t do it.

Then you look at the Hague and the rule of certain law that supposedly was given to them about wars and how to judge various things, and then they send out these warrants for the arrest of Netanyahu and you think, people have gone bananas! Maybe if they had a diet of bananas they’d be better off, I don’t know. They’re missing something. Sick, sick, sick, perverted world. Really is.

“To kill a third of mankind.” Well, that doesn’t even count what was destroyed before this. It doesn’t count what was destroyed in the First, Second, Third, Fourth, and then the Fifth Trumpet events. There are massive amounts that are destroyed even before that. Millions. Then you add to that a third of all mankind because of what they do, China and Russia, when they unleash what they unleash on the world? Because what Europe does doesn’t satisfy them at all. All the other two can see primarily, and there are others joined with them, is this body that’s tried to pre-empt. “But they’re going to be a threat. There’s already the pollution. They’re going to push against us next. Take control. Take over the world!”

Some of them are very long-range in their thinking. They don’t care if it takes fifty years to clean things up before they can go in there. “Wipe it out!” That’s their thinking. Their thinking about humanity, of mankind, and life is different than ours. That’s where some of our mistakes come from is thinking that we all think alike around the world about many things.  You think, no, we don’t. The value of life and so forth and why we have those feelings and that thinking because of Israel that migrated and what they carried with them. Even there!

Now the number of the army of the horsemen was two hundred million, and I heard the number of them. Then notice what it says about mankind even after all the destruction and death. I think, how hard-headed, how evil mankind has become. Every week mankind becomes more evil in the earth. It spreads. It’s just spreading more and more, the evil is. This sick, perverted, hideous thinking of human beings. You think, “You can’t think like that in greater masses of people.” Yeah, you can.

Verse 20—But the rest of mankind, who were not killed by these Plagues, in essence saying those not yet killed that are going to die in numbers, did not repent of the works of their hands. What are they doing? Destroying the earth. That’s who it’s talking about, those who are in the war doing the war. …did not repent of the works of their hands, that they should not worship demons, and idols of gold, silver, brass, stone, and wood, which can neither see nor hear. It doesn’t change anything as far as their morality and how they think. After everything that’s happened, you think surely people are going to be turning to God somehow in what they know and understand and think. Nah.

Verse 21—So, they did not repent of their murders, or their sorceries, or their sexual immorality, or their thefts. Sick. Sick, sick, sick. What was it? You think mankind isn’t evil to the core? That a nation in Europe, the one I mentioned a while ago who spearheads Europe and what they’re going to do, has decriminalized child pornography. It’s like it’s okay.

It’s like what’s happening in this country. It’s okay to have all the drugs you want. If people are going to do it en masse, in all parts of society, we can’t put everybody in jail. Because that includes a bunch of the leaders and judges and different ones as well, and people in corporations and lawyers and across the board. So, they’re going to be put in jail too if they’re caught so let’s just decriminalize pot first, you know, let everything go to pot and then decriminalize the other things that have to do with drugs and so forth.

There’s only one word that describes it. Sheer evil. Evil. Evil! A being that is behind all that, a being that pushes that and makes it greater in the sense of what’s already in the minds of people to do. I’ll tell you what, it’s not so hard to vex your righteous soul day by day of what we see on this earth and where we see mankind has come, and that it has to agree with God. This must be stopped.

This is a war to end all wars! It has to be. That’s what we’re blessed to be a part of. War to end all war because we support, we’re part of, we back, we believe. The only solution to it all, it’s the King of kings who comes with the kind of power he does, with the 144,000 who destroys a lot. I believe far, far more than what is said that the Sixth Trumpet event is about when it says a third of mankind.

So, what’s left is going to be easier to work with, though they’re not all that easy because human beings aren’t that easy to work with. Even after going through a great war like that you think people are going to want to live differently? Well, a lot of them are. They are going to be so moved by the horrible things they’ve seen and what they’ve come to and come to understand that God is right, that if He hadn’t of stepped in we would have destroyed ourselves. There wouldn’t be anything left – no life on earth. Thank God He isn’t going to allow that.

So, I want to read a little news just of what pertains to what we’ve just read in Revelation. Not all the other things having to do with the economy and all the other things that are taking place in the world, all the other Thunders that are taking place. Just this that’s leading up to what’s going to come.

“Ukraine Army Chief Admits 'Tactical' Retreat Underway.”[1] Now, this is big in Europe. Not so big here. We give it a little bit of lip service here and there. Some will talk about it a little bit; it’s not very long. But they know something is happening over there and so every once in a while someone is interviewed who will admit and acknowledge, yes, this is what’s happening, and if this happens then this is how Europe is going to have to react in time. They’re being forced, as they think, into a great conflict. And they believe it. See, we’re not affected by it here. They are. And so, the more they see Russia coming into Ukraine the more they believe with all their being – they believe this – they have to invest in it and stop it there because they don’t want it on their land. That’s what war comes down to.

“Biden admin accuses Israeli military of human rights violations in stunning condemnation.”[2] I hate to even read that kind of… you know what I want to say. Because that’s what it is. Feces at its worst.

“Europe planning new ‘nuclear umbrella’ with 300 French nuke missiles spread across the continent for showdown with Russia.”[3] You think they don’t believe something is coming? And they want to be a part of this. “We have three hundred. If they’re just in France some of them are going to get blown out of the air, but if we get them closer to the border, a little closer over there we’re going to be able to strike more quickly if they start something.” That’s how their minds are thinking.

Another one here: “Nuclear Threat Issued to US by Russian State TV.”[4] Well, nothing new, but when they do it and say certain things, this is how they’re thinking. That’s what it kind of reveals. “If NATO countries deploy their forces to Ukraine in order to deal strategic defeat to Russia, then that very moment will come of which Putin has spoken: 'Why do we need a world if Russia's not in it?'” That’s what they believe, so hey, they’re going to act. They’re going to continue to do what they want to do and what he wants to do, and what he wants to do is not a hidden secret. He wants the USSR again.

“‘In that case, we'll send everything flying everywhere! Sarmat, Yars, and Avangard missiles…’ Putin said during his annual state-of-the-nation address in Moscow on February 29 that his ‘strategic nuclear forces are in a state of full readiness.’” He’s rattled a lot of sabers, but he still holds back a little bit. How long? Well, people just keep pushing the big bear, no desire to talk, no desire to try to meet and really work things out because there are people who have agendas – including them.

“The Russian leader has said since September 2022 that Russia would be prepared to use nuclear weapons to defend its ‘territorial integrity,’ adding that ‘this is not a bluff.’” … “‘American decision-making centers and launch sites on land and sea are already in our crosshairs…’” People would be stupid not to listen. They are. They know exactly. They monitor wherever all these are, whether it be in the oceans or it’s on land that are being moved, they’re on top of it as we are on them.

“‘France, as a nuclear power, will have to be disarmed in an instant.’” That’s what they’re saying. That’s what they think they would have to do. “‘The British Isles will simply go underwater.’” Do you think they mean what they say? If it comes down to that do you think that’s what they would do? Well, that’s the Sixth Trumpet event. That’s what they’ll try to do. “‘We have the technologies for this. And we've spoken about them before.’”

Why do they say they’d be underwater? Because they’ve already let it be known they have things they can use in the ocean, nuclear weapons under the ocean that can cause such a tsunami that it’s so high that it’ll blow your mind. And whether people could believe that or not that it’s so great? Anyway.

Another one here: “Putin's dictator ally Alexander Lukashenko boasts of having 'several dozen' Russian nukes in Belarus and 'moves combat-ready troops closer to Poland' to go 'head to head' with NATO after warning of nuclear 'apocalypse.’”[5]

Another one: “Macron unleashes the geographical weapon against Russia.”[6]  “...not only is the Russian Federation seen as the main threat, but they are claiming that we will attack NATO countries.” So, this is from the Russian’s perspective of what they’re saying about them. “Some have even named the supposed dates for such attacks. …And here it is time to return to big politics. It is safe to say that we are now in the process of considering how to proceed: whether to separate completely – out of sight, out of mind – or to leave the door slightly ajar.”

“But there is a strong sense that this door is about to slam shut. And there is not much time left to stop it. So the demand for European tourist trips is justified – you should seize the opportunity while it lasts. Events are moving too fast. Macron has changed, one might say, from a dove to a hawk before our very eyes.” And he has! “It’s hard to imagine now that he was once scolded for his apparent loyalty to Russia.” Now it’s totally flip-flopped. Anyway. Insane world.

“Pentagon Chief Engaged In Pressuring EU Countries To Give Up Their Patriot Systems.”[7] Some of these things sometimes make you so sick and irritated with what takes place and the pressure that’s put on other countries to do some of the things they’re doing.

“Earlier this month a disturbing report by Financial Times identified Greece and Spain as being under the most pressure from Western allies to give up what few Patriot anti-air defense systems that they possess.” Zelensky is begging for them right now, these. He says without it basically they’re done, in one sense.

“US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said Tuesday he's been actively encouraging countries to donate their Patriot missile systems to Ukraine.” “Actively encouraging countries.” Do you know how the US does that? You think there’s not pressure behind that and little things attached to it? That’s how they work.

I’m sorry but I get so frustrated with some of this stuff! And the things that governments do and how they treat each other or treat other people, everybody thinking they’re superior and that everybody else should do what they think. It’s kind of like human nature, isn’t it? We kind of judge things that “If people would just do it the way I do it and the way I think your life would be better. I know.” Sick human nature.

“‘There are countries that have Patriots, and so… what we’re doing is continuing to engage those countries,’ Austin testified before a House Armed Services Committee hearing. ‘I have talked to the leaders of several countries... myself here in the last two weeks, encouraging them to give up more capability or provide more capability,’ he said.”

I don’t even want to read the rest of the article!

Another one here: “F-16s could arrive in Ukraine this month – official.”[8] Russia has already said, “You do this and if they show up, game on.” It’s getting closer. You think there are going to be some shipped in there, going to be there before long? Absolutely!

“U.S. sanctions nearly 300 targets in Russia; accuses Kremlin of using chemical weapons.”[9]

Another one: “Macron vows to send TROOPS to Ukraine if Putin's forces break through front lines and Zelensky asks for reinforcements - further raising the risk of NATO going head-to-head with Russia.”[10]

Another one here; “Member state calls for EU ‘heavy brigade.’”[11]

Another one: “EU Leaders Talking About 'War in Europe' Shows Their Real Intentions – Orban.”[12]

Another one: “China’s H-6K Bomber Fires Air-Launched Ballistic Missile For The 1st Time In A 'Direct Warning' To US Navy.”[13] It’s just ratcheting up more and more. Every couple of weeks here it’s just like, you’ve got to be kidding! How far are we? At this pace, I would not be shocked at all if even by Pentecost something massive happens. That’s what I’m looking at. Things work in a particular way in time. We’ll know later on. But we need to be wise and on guard.

Another one here: “Ukraine fall would empower China to ‘go after’ Taiwan: Gen. Wesley Clark”[14] had to say.

Another article here: “Apocalypse goes mainstream: The end of the world is becoming normal conversation—Study Finds.”[15] Isn’t that amazing? People will talk about it, but they don’t want to hear the truth. Instead, you get cut off, you get punished. What is the word that is kind of used out there? Cancelled. The world has gotten good at that.

Another one here: “World 'on brink of hybrid World War 3' which will lead to 'radioactive Europe.'”[16] See, might not be the most popular kind of newspaper. Kind of looked down on as kind of a tabloid. But you know what happens sometimes, sometimes they get really close to the truth of what’s really going on out here, and this one kind of hits pretty close. Because you see, this is what’s in their minds when it comes down to it. Europe does not want a “radioactive Europe.” That’s why they’re going to do some of the things they do when it comes to the Fifth Trumpet event.

Another one here: “Russia issues military ultimatum to UK.”[17] I don’t know if you’ve heard about some of this in the news because they talked about it a little bit. But again here, “Moscow will retaliate against British targets in Ukraine or elsewhere if Kiev uses UK-provided missiles to strike Russian territory, the Foreign Ministry told London’s ambassador on Monday. ‘Casey was warned that the response to Ukrainian strikes using British weapons on Russian territory could be any British military facilities and equipment on the territory of Ukraine and beyond.’” More in the corner. The more you push someday – someday, it starts.

That’s why I say some of these don’t have to fit in specifically to a specific Trumpet event. There are things that can happen that still is a matter of a great Thunder that happens in that part of Europe, in Ukraine, or wherever, and lead into why people do the follow-up here.

Anyway, another one here: “Lithuania Ready to Send Troops to Ukraine, PM Says.”[18] And of course, the response to that is if some of these other countries get involved it’s really on.

Another one here: “EU state’s PM reminds Macron that Ukraine is not in NATO.”[19] So, there is this pushback between these different people within the EU itself. There are some who want to push forward and there are some who say don’t push. Iron and clay.

Another one here: “100 French Foreign Legion Troops Already in Ukraine, Ex-DoD Official Says.”[20] They just keep playing with fire. For several months now, we’ve been going through some of these, and it just keeps ratcheting up more and more and more. We started out with different weapons in the beginning, kind of measly in that sense, and then they talked about different other kinds of stronger artillery or missiles and so forth, and jets. And now we’re there.

Another one here: “Russia Warns It Can Hit UK's Military ‘Beyond’ Ukraine Amid Nuclear Saber-Rattling.”[21]

Another article: “Majority Of Germans Reject Muslim Immigration, Express Fear Of Becoming A ‘Minority In Germany.’”[22] Isn’t that amazing what’s taking place in Europe? They allowed immigration to come in, but so much so that because of the beliefs and so forth it has so divided places in Europe that they fear what’s taking place. Germany is not one to take this too much longer. They’re not going to let them become a majority at all. And so, the rifts that are taking place and the hatred that’s building up there. Horrible place to be in some of these instances.

Another one here: “Russia Will Treat F-16s in Ukraine as Nuclear-Capable Aircraft - Foreign Ministry.”[23] I don’t know how many of you knew this or understood this but again here, “‘We cannot ignore the fact [this is Russia] that these planes are dual-purpose platforms that can be used both for nuclear and non-nuclear tasks.’” Now, if you know this and you know they’re coming your direction, what do you do? Does it justify some kind of attack on a major scale as a warning or to stop something that could possibly be there?

If we saw that type of device coming into this country, a jet that was capable of carrying, whether it was or wasn’t, not knowing what do you do? Spin the wheel and say, “Oh, let’s see, what do we do?”

“‘… No matter what modification of the aircraft will be supplied [in other words, to Ukraine] we will treat them as nuclear-capable and we will consider this step of the United States and NATO as a purposeful provocation,’ the ministry said in a statement.”

Another article: “Ukraine Warns Nationwide Power Outages Coming Amid 'Massive' Russian Strikes.”[24]

Another article: “A chill has descended on Europe – Cameron.”[25] I want to read this one. “British Foreign Secretary David Cameron has stoked fears of a potential Russian invasion in Western Europe when the Ukraine conflict ends. In a major speech in London on Thursday, Cameron claimed that the world is ‘more dangerous’ than ever before, citing the war ‘in the heart of Europe.’”

So, that’s what they believe is coming. They believe if Ukraine is overrun this is what’s next’ they’re just going to keep moving. It’s not going to stop, and they have to act. That’s why they’re fidgety and doing the things they’re doing. That’s why France is doing what it’s doing.

“He added that Western Europe must be ‘tougher and more assertive’ regarding relations with Russia. … From Tallinn to Warsaw, Prague to Bucharest, a chill has once more descended across the European continent,’ Cameron said, referring to the conflict in Ukraine. ‘Those nations closest to Russia seeing what is happening in Ukraine and wondering if they will be next,’ he added.”

Another one here: “Ukraine Formally Asks NATO To Send Troops For First Time, Pentagon Mulling.”[26] Mulling it over. I’m not going to read the rest of it but just that. They’re hurting. They know they’re losing. They know that Russia is ramping up things this summer. They’ve already started part of it. There are certain places ready to fall. He’s begging for the Patriot Missiles saying that the West isn’t doing enough, and then the West has to decide, “What do we do,” and “How do we do it,” and “How much more involvement can we have before NATO is involved?” And there you go, just gets closer and closer.

These things to me are sobering. They should be sobering to us. They’re real. We’re seeing it happen. It’s that front-row seat again. Told Johnny many of times I’d rather be up in the bleachers way in the back. I don’t necessarily want the front-row seat. But we have it because we know what’s coming and why and everything that’s unfolding. God wants His blessing of being witness of all this. Incredible.

Now, as I was reading the news there are a couple of times I almost laughed because of something my daughter told me here recently, that I was reading a thing about China or reading an article on the news, and I got to a point where it had the “#” sign and China. And I said, I don’t know what this is, # (pound) China (hashtag China). You can click on to it and it’ll take you. So, it caused her to break out laughing when she was reading it because she saw it in the writing because they have the write-up of it by the time they watch or listen, and then she’s listening to it and nearly had to crack up laughing in services. So, I’ll be more careful from now on reading that part of an article.

But it’s really sobering to think about some of these things, every once in a while, to read these news articles, and to see where we are in time. To take more to heart, especially because of this thing about fasting and what we’ve done and why we’ve done it, of a desire to be more at one with God, a desire to grow closer to God, a desire to fight and fight and fight to the end, whatever that end is no matter what happens, that our life is in God’s hands and where else would we want it?

And there’s some more series coming up that just drive these things home more and more how blessed, how mightily blessed we are to be called by God, to have been given the things we’ve been given, to understand what we understand. Then to put up with some of the stupid things that human beings can do once they have God’s spirit in them, it’s disheartening! Why give up? And yet knowing that this is going to happen right up to the end, it’s mind-boggling, it really is.

So, we, each of us have to decide, what are we doing? What are we fighting? Are we in this to the end? Are we committed to God? Do we love God? Do we love His way of life? Are we in agreement with God, of all these things that are coming to pass and why they’re coming to pass, and agree this is how it has to be done? There is no other way. There is no other way to usher in the Millennial period of mankind. There is no other way!

God is perfect in how He molds and fashions us, how He molds and fashions the world in the best way possible to give mankind an opportunity to change and grow and be transformed and become a part of His Family. Few there will be that go that direction it looks like through time…through time.

I’m not deceived. I believe in the Great White Throne as many as are going to be resurrected there are not going to be a massive number of people who choose God. There are going to be massive numbers of people at the end who come to an end of life when there is no more mankind on earth.

What a sobering thing to know, to understand, the mind of human beings. We all have choices. We’re responsible for our own choices and you can’t change anyone. As disheartening as that is, as hard as that is.

Now, let’s return to the Woes that are mentioned here in Revelation.

Revelation 11:14—The Second Woe is past. Behold, the Third Woe is coming quickly. Thank God! To give that in there, to understand that when it starts it’s not going to last very long. You start a massive nuclear conflict on the earth with Russia and China, and knowing the numbers of weapons that are going, and you know they’re coming out of Europe, and they’re headed in the same direction that it’s coming from in a massive way, they’re throwing so much into it. And to understand that God has to stop this at some point quickly…quickly. That’s why it’s written this way. Beautiful. Encouraging. Helpful.

“Behold, the Third Woe is coming quickly.” So, it’s not going to last very long, especially when it gets to that point when the most destruction takes place.

So, this is an event talking about here, the Third Woe of the Seventh Trumpet. And I marvel, as I mentioned earlier, how that God has only given some of this in recent time to understand some of these things, to understand that the Third Woe has two moments in time that it’s going to be fulfilled. The first is when Christ comes with the 144,000. The last is at the very end, the Third Woe upon mankind. God’s execution of judgment on the masses, masses of humanity at the end of six thousand years and at the end of the last hundred. Because that’s something that God does, His army does, if you will.

The Second Woe is past. Behold, the Third Woe is coming quickly. Then the seventh angel sounded, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever! Awesome! Beautiful!

Think of the first four thousand years when people believed there was a Messiah that was to come. They had no idea the massiveness of what was said, yet they believed in a time, especially as Israel, a physical nation, that they would have deliverance just as they did at the time of Christ, that he had come to remove the burden of the Romans over them.

They were looking for a Messiah to save them, and yet that isn’t what it was about. It was something far, far, far greater. But they didn’t know it. It wasn’t given to them. Then Christ began to talk about certain things that broadened that and was given more in time, and then the disciples were given more and then more, a lot more was given to Herbert Armstrong and continues on.

God’s Kingdom and the one who’s going to reign and what it really means that he is the Messiah, the King of kings, to save those who will make the choice of wanting to be saved. Because not all will.

Then the twenty-four elders who sat before God on their thrones fell on their faces and worshiped God, saying, We give You thanks, O Lord God Almighty. We should do it too on a continual basis. “We give You thanks, Lord God Almighty, Yahweh Elohim, the Great Creator of All. All is Yours and You’re offering all to us to inherit.” Hard to grasp and comprehend because we really can’t. We don’t grasp the greatness of everything that’s created and what God has planned and in store for all that for His Family.

“We give you thanks, O Lord God Almighty.” This is something we should be doing on a continual basis day by day. It should be coming from inside of us, deep inside of our being because we grasp what we have, because we grasp what God has given to us in such a massive way.

The One who is, and who was, and who is to come, because You have taken Your great power and reigned. What an awesome time when finally God is going to have that power to be taken. He’s going to give it. It’s Christ's to do and to perform until all enemies are under their feet, in that respect, until the end of the Hundred Years. But all that power, it’s from God and God has given it to His Son to accomplish and fulfill.

You have taken Your great power and reigned. The nations were angry, and Your wrath has come, and “wrath” is about judgment. It’s about the execution of judgment. It isn’t because God sits there and is angry and just foaming. It’s there is a time when He has to do what He’d prefer not to do.

It’s just like in the Church. I hate having to send out disfellowshipment letters that “You’re no longer a part of the Body of Christ. You don’t grasp what you’ve done!” It’s like we had to do again last week. Horrible! But it has to be done because it’s the execution of judgment and God holds each one of us responsible to execute right judgment in our thinking, that we’re in agreement with Him, whatever that means.

The nations were angry. That’s a word that really doesn’t grasp the magnitude of what it’s going to be. They’re angry now and they’re going to get a whole lot angrier, and it’s all the nations involved in it around the world. They all have a part and they’re all beginning to take sides more and more because they see things coming.

…and Your wrath has come and the time of the dead, that they should be judged. So, it’s kind of a dual thing here in that respect but part of this being about those who have been under judgment in the past six thousand years who are a part and because of what they’re going to receive when they’re resurrected. But it’s not a matter of wrath for them, it’s a matter of blessings of becoming a part of Elohim.

And that You should reward Your servants the prophets, that’s what it’s about, and the saints, and those who fear Your name. It’s not being afraid but it’s loving God to the point that it would be so atrocious in our own minds that we would fear to do anything different than what God has said, that we would fear not honoring Him with first tithe, with Holy Day offerings. Because those are the things that test us so often as human beings. Or with second tithe. Those are the things that reflect how we think about God. And I’m getting into future sermons.

But it reveals how we think. There are so many things that reveal how we think, what we do, how we act, how we think toward one another, how we treat one another.

“And those who fear Your name.” It leads into a matter of unity and oneness, of reverence to God because we love God. How can you even say it? To think differently, to think differently than loving God, to wanting to be someone after His own heart? If we don’t have that in us what do we have? If we don’t want to be at one with Him, to be in agreement with Him, to be thankful for the things that He’s brought us into agreement with, what else is there?

The short lifespan you have physically, and that’s it. And if that’s all you want, so be it. It’s not just a matter of living longer, it’s a matter of living right longer in peace. Sometimes as I think about some of these things I think I can’t imagine a world, a place where there is no jealousy, no pride … no pride, no selfishness, no drama. But there is peace and a fullness of life and enjoyment of life that’s pure because of right thinking and right living.

…who fear Your name, small and great, and that You should destroy those who are destroying the earth. So, it’s a two-edged sword. Used the right way, powerful and mighty. It has to be used in another way to correct – it’s powerful and mighty.

Well, I whizzed through that a little faster than I thought. Plenty to drink in, however, so hopefully this has been a great fast for the Church, and I know we’ll see more fruit of it as we go along. We always have. We’ve always been so blessed.

[1] https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/ukraine-army-chief-admits-tactical-retreat-underway

[2] https://www.foxnews.com/politics/biden-admin-accuses-israeli-military-human-rights-violations-stunning-condemnation

[3] https://www.the-sun.com/news/11216916/europe-russia-france-uk-nuclear-umbrella-missiles/

[4] https://www.newsweek.com/russia-ukraine-war-nuclear-threat-us-nato-1895047

[5] https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13353165/Putins-dictator-ally-Alexander-Lukashenko-boasts-having-dozen-Russian-nukes-Belarus-moves-combat-ready-troops-closer-Poland-head-head-NATO-warning-nuclear-apocalypse.html

[6] https://www.rt.com/news/596765-dmitry-drize-macron-europe/

[7] https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/pentagon-chief-says-hes-pressuring-eu-countries-give-their-patriot-systems

[8] https://www.rt.com/russia/596846-f16-ukraine-arrive-may/

[9] https://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2024/05/02/Russia-Ukraine-war-sanctions/7631714624503/

[10] https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13375319/Macron-vows-send-TROOPS-Ukraine-Putins-forces-break-lines.html

[11] https://www.rt.com/russia/596877-poland-eu-heavy-brigade/

[12] https://sputnikglobe.com/20240503/eu-leaders-talking-about-war-in-europe-shows-their-real-intentions---orban-1118238469.html

[13] https://www.eurasiantimes.com/chinas-h-6k-bomber-fires-air-launched-ballisti/

[14] https://www.newsnationnow.com/world/russia-at-war/no-timetable-ukraine-war-wesley-clark/

[15] https://studyfinds.org/apocalypse-mainstream-conversation/

[16] https://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/world-news/world-on-brink-hybrid-world-32726583

[17] https://www.rt.com/russia/597075-russia-military-ultimatum-uk/

[18] https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2024/05/08/lithuania-ready-to-send-troops-to-ukraine-pm-says-a85063

[19] https://www.rt.com/news/596983-slovakia-macron-ukraine-nato/

[20] https://sputnikglobe.com/20240505/boots-on-the-ground-french-foreign-legion-dispatched-to-ukraine-ex-dod-official-claims-1118274817.html

[21] https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/russia-says-it-can-hit-uks-military-ukraine-and-beyond-putin-orders-tactical-nuke

[22] https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/majority-germans-reject-muslim-immigration-express-fear-becoming-minority-germany

[23] https://sputnikglobe.com/20240506/russia-will-treat-f-16s-in-ukraine-as-nuclear-capable-aircraft---foreign-ministry-1118291898.html

[24] https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/ukraine-warns-nationwide-power-outages-coming-amid-massive-russian-strikes

[25] https://www.rt.com/news/597311-chill-descended-europe-ukraine-cameron/

[26] https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/ukraine-formally-asks-nato-send-troops-1st-time-pentagon-mulling

1. Chapter 1