Volume XXXVII Issue VIII August 2018
Last Trumpet Ministries, PO Box 806, Beaver Dam, WI 53916
Phone: 920-887-2626 Internet: http://www.lasttrumpetministries.org
"For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life."
Titus 3:3-7
"A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another."
John 13:34-35
"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."
John 14:27
"I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live."
Deuteronomy 30:19
In this issue of the Last Trumpet Newsletter, we will examine the happenings of a world where conflict is an everyday occurrence and throngs of people around the world are increasingly on edge. The time period we live in today could accurately be called an "age of discontent." Indeed, protests have become so widespread that it has become difficult to keep up with all of the reasons people are angry on any given day. In the month of July, protests have taken place for an assortment of reasons in Haiti, Iraq, Nicaragua, Iran, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Sadly, these protests sometimes devolve into violent riots.
Such was the case in the Caribbean nation of Haiti on July 6, 2018, when massive protests and riots broke out in the capital city of Port-au-Prince. Following the announcement of a price hike for oil-based fuels, including a 38 percent increase for gasoline, a 47 percent increase for diesel, and a 51 percent increase for kerosene, angry Haitians filled the streets. The volatile mob burned tires, blocked roads, attacked hotels, and damaged businesses (1) while leaving tourists and missionaries unable to travel and no doubt fearful for their lives. (2) At least three people were killed, including two rioters who were shot by the police and a security guard who was killed by angry Haitians. (3) The riots in Haiti forced the nation's Prime Minister Jack Guy Lafontant to resign before he could be forced out of office, and fuel prices were returned to normal. Oddly enough, this entire fiasco was caused by the International Monetary Fund, or IMF. It was the IMF who mandated these price increases, (4) which demonstrates just how dangerous these globalist organizations can be. Who is really controlling Haiti? Is it the Haitian government or is it the International Monetary Fund? Even after the upheaval, the IMF still expects the Haitian government to raise fuel prices, although they say it should be done gradually moving forward. (5)
Protests in Iraq have also turned deadly in recent days. Demonstrating against high unemployment and poor living standards, the unrest in the southern region of Iraq has persisted for more than two weeks as of this writing, and fourteen people have been killed. Additionally, 275 protestors and 470 security personnel have been injured while 800 people have been arrested. (6) Regarding the unrest, Amnesty International Deputy Director Lynn Maalouf was quoted as saying, "We are closely monitoring the escalating situation across southern Iraq and are extremely worried by reports that security forces are beating, arbitrarily detaining, and even opening fire on peaceful protestors." (7)
In the Central American nation of Nicaragua, protests which started in April 2018 have turned violent and bloody. The demonstrations originally began over an objection by the nation's people to an increase in pension or social security tax between 1 and 4 percent along with a 5 percent cut in benefits. (8) However, the current government of President Daniel Ortega is widely regarded as corrupt, and these violent protests are seen as backlash against an oppressive regime. The bloodshed has persisted for nearly one hundred days as of this writing, and more than 300 people have been killed by government forces. (9) On July 22, 2018, thousands of Nicaraguans marched in the streets of the capital city known as Managua and demanded that Ortega step down as President. (10) Nevertheless, the embroiled leader has insisted that he will not quit and plans to remain at his position at least until election time in 2021. "We'll have to see who will be voted in," Ortega insisted. (11) Needless to say, the widespread violence in Nicaragua has led to some rather harrowing experiences. On Friday, July 13, 2018, pro-government forces laid siege to a Catholic church in Managua where two hundred people were hiding. As paramilitaries riddled the building with ordnance, the occupants inside were forced to lie on the floor in the hopes that they would not catch a stray bullet. At least two people were killed in the assault which went on and on for an astonishing fifteen hours. (12) As it stands, there is a very high likelihood that Nicaragua could soon face a full-blown civil war. The unrest in Nicaragua bears some resemblance to the unrest in Syria which led to the start of a civil war in 2011 that has continued even to this day.
Meanwhile, the South American nation of Venezuela is facing a complete breakdown of society. Mind-boggling hyperinflation in the failed socialist state has driven the majority of the population into desperate poverty even as multitudes flee to neighboring countries for better opportunities. According to a report published in May 2018, about one million people left Venezuela over the course of a year, opting instead to find new homes in Colombia. (13) It is no wonder that so many people have felt compelled to leave. According to a report published by CBS News on July 23, 2018, economists are estimating that the rate of inflation in Venezuela could reach one million percent by the end of 2018. (14) To further compound the misery, much of the nation could soon be plunged into darkness as employees at the nationalized power company, Corpoelec, are planning to go on strike. "All we are asking for is a fair wage to provide for our families," said one of the power company's workers. He further went on to say, "We need 30 times the minimum wage." (15) Reuters News Service reported in April 2018 that the Venezuelan government had raised the minimum wage in their country to one million bolivars per month. (16) While that may sound like an impressive amount, the bolivar is a nearly worthless currency, and the present minimum wage in Venezuela is the equivalent of about one US dollar per month. (17)
When we consider the pervasive strife troubling this planet, it becomes clear that our world is like a powder keg waiting to explode. Injustices happen every day, and it is evident that this world is not a peaceful place. Interestingly enough, the clandestine organization known as the Council on Foreign Relations, or CFR, which is headquartered in New York City, maintains a "Global Conflict Tracker" on their official website. (18) This tracker features a map listing numerous hotspots of conflict around the world. Is this group of elitists simply listing these problem areas to be helpful, or is this a list of projects that they influence? The CFR openly admits that they desire to establish a global government. In fact, they even have an initiative known as the International Institutions and Global Governance Program. Regarding this program, their website states, "Today's most pressing challenges-ranging from combatting climate change to advancing global health-are transnational. No country can solve these challenges alone, and responses are frequently most effective when countries cooperate. The International Institutions and Global Governance (IIGG) program aims to provide policymakers and international organizations with creative and practical solutions to improve multilateral responses to global threats." (19) In this haughty statement, we see that the CFR believes that they are the ones who hold the solutions to "global threats," and they insist that countries must cooperate with them.
The twelfth chapter of the book of Daniel warns us that "the wicked shall do wickedly" during the "time of the end." As we draw closer to the return of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, the world will grow increasingly wicked. Thankfully, God has given us His Spirit and we are promised a special peace that comes only from Him. In John 14:27, Jesus tells us,"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." It is God who holds the solution to the world's global threats, and if you desire to have His peace, I urge every reader of this newsletter to repent of your sins and dedicate your life to God if you have not already done so.
The Divided States Of America
It is often said that "time heals all wounds." Yet, recent weeks have shown that time has done little to heal the enormous partisan rift in the United States of America. If anything, the rift is worsening, and the division is growing. Since the election of Donald Trump as the 45th President of the United States, outrage and offense have become part of the American daily life. To be sure, there has never been a President quite like Donald Trump. His actions are often controversial, his words can be impolite, and he has done things in his past that are certainly shameful. As I've said before, if he has not repented yet, he needs to. However, the stubborn intolerance of the leftists and liberals toward conservatives is astonishing. Here let it be noted that the dictionary definition of a "bigot" is "a person who is utterly intolerant of any differing creed, belief, or opinion."Therefore, many liberals today are, in fact, bigots.
Nowadays, simply working at the White House in Washington, D.C., can get you ejected from a public restaurant. Such was the case for White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders who was asked to leave a restaurant in Lexington, Virginia, on June 22, 2018, simply because she works for the Trump Administration. Speaking of the incident, the restaurant's manager was quoted as saying, "I would have done the same thing again. We just felt there are moments in time when people need to live their convictions. This appeared to be one." (20) Apparently, Maxine Waters, who is a Democrat and a U.S. Representative from the state of California, was emboldened by the incident in Virginia. Speaking of Trump's Cabinet, Waters told an audience in late June 2018, "Already you have members of your Cabinet who have been booed out of restaurants." She then went on to say,"Let's make sure we show up wherever we have to show up. And if you see anybody from that Cabinet in a restaurant, in a department store, at a gasoline station, you get out and you create a crowd. And you push back on them. And you tell them they're not welcome anymore, anywhere."(21) Waters' attempt to incite harassment and violence was swiftly condemned by many, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer who also happens to be a Democrat. "I strongly disagree with those who advocate harassing folks if they don't agree with you. If you disagree with a politician, organize your fellow citizens to action and vote them out of office. But no one should call for the harassment of political opponents. That's not right. That's not American," Schumer stated. (22)
Clearly, concern is growing over the hatred that is now at the forefront of American life. A study conducted in June 2018 byRasmussen Reports found that six out of ten respondents fear anti-Trump zealots will commit acts of violence against conservatives. Thirty-one percent of respondents believe that "it's likely that the United States will experience a second civil war sometime in the next five years." (23) Alarmingly, mainstream media news sources are now planting the seeds of a civil war in the minds of the people. According to a report published on June 21, 2018, by the liberal Bloomberg News, the United States is already at the start of a civil war. The report cites political scientist Thomas Schaller who said, "I think we're at the beginning of a soft civil war. I don't know if the country gets out of it whole." (24) The article also quotes law professor Orin Kerr. "Few things are more corrosive in politics than the conviction that you have been wronged so much that you're justified in breaking all the rules to get even," Kerr explained. (25) USA Todayalso published an article on June 25, 2018, suggesting that a civil war "has already begun." (26)
As tempers continue to flare in the United States, there is a great risk that the masses will be caught up in the hysteria. Yet, Jesus instructs His people in Matthew 10:16, "Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves." Additionally, we find in Titus 3:3-7 that one of the identifying characteristics of evil people is their hatred. These verses tell us, "For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life." Note that wicked men and women do not just hate the Christian people, they also hate one another. Conversely, Jesus taught that His people would be known by their love for one another. John 13:34-35 tells us, "A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another."
A New Supreme Court Controversy
In the tumultuous times we live in, very little happens in Washington, D.C., that is not controversial. In July 2018 there was yet another uproar after Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy announced his soon retirement. This decision has given President Trump the opportunity to select and nominate a new judge to fill the vacancy in our country's highest court. This development has the potential to change the United States for generations and shift the balance of the Supreme Court toward conservative values. On July 9, 2018, President Trump nominated United States Circuit Court Judge Brett Kavanaugh to fill the forthcoming vacancy. (27) Liberals were incensed immediately, although it is quite apparent that those on the left were planning to protest Trump's selection regardless of whoever it would be. The ABC Newsprogram known as "Nightline" declared the President's selection as controversial before it was announced. "Tonight on Nightline, Terry Moran reports on the controversial Supreme Court Justice pick and the possible implications for the country," the television network announced online even before Trump revealed his selection. (28) A leftist group known as Refuse Fascism also jumped the gun and announced plans to protest Trump's Supreme Court pick before they even knew who it was. "The Trump/Pence Regime poses a catastrophic danger to humanity and the planet, and that it is our responsibility to drive them from power through non-violent protests that grow every day until our demand is met," the group stated on their website. (29) As the time of Trump's announcement neared, liberals waited outside the steps of the Supreme Court building with signs already made, just waiting for the name of Trump's pick so they could add that one final touch to their protest material. Shortly after the announcement was made, they furiously began writing the name "Kavanaugh" on their signs and placards. (30) In a rather humorous blunder, the Women's March sent out an email after Trump revealed his nomination, but the group forgot to add Kavanaugh's name to the beginning of their pre-written message. Instead, the introduction in the email began with the words, "In response to Donald Trump's nomination of XX to the Supreme Court of the United States, the Women's March released the following statement." The group did remember to add Kavanaugh's name to the body of the message, though it is evident that their statement was prerecorded well in advance. (31) Apparently, the age of fake news is also the age of fake outrage.
According to reports, protests at the Supreme Court following Trump's announcement were quite menacing, even to the point that Fox News anchor Shannon Bream was forced to scrap her plans for a live broadcast outside the Supreme Court building. "Very few times I've felt threatened while out in the field. The mood here tonight is very volatile,"Bream wrote. (32)
Wasting no time, Nancy Pelosi, who is the Minority Leader of the United States House of Representatives, quickly sent out an email soliciting funds. "I just learned that seconds after Trump's announcement… Republicans will launch an unprecedented $1.4 million ad blitz to support his nominee. I'm worried this will eviscerate our chance to make Republicans pay for the Supreme Court seat they stole from President Obama,"Pelosi wrote in reference to Barack Obama's failed nomination of Merrick Garland to the Supreme Court. Pelosi later went on to write, "I'm determined to avenge President Obama if it's the last thing I do." (33)
Why are the Democrats so hopping mad? With a conservative majority on the Supreme Court, there is a glimmer of hope that the disastrous Roe vs. Wade Supreme Court decision of 1973, which made abortion legal in the United States, could be overturned. This heinous ruling has led to the death of more than sixty million unborn babies. (34) It would truly be a miracle if Roe vs. Wade was overturned, and it is certainly one of the best things that could ever happen in this country. Sadly, a study published by Gallupin July 2018 revealed that 64 percent of the Americans who were polled believe that Roe vs. Wade should stand, while only 28 percent of the respondents said the ruling should be overturned. Nine percent of respondents had no opinion. (35)
Some states are already taking measures to ensure that if Roe vs. Wade is overturned, the slaughter of innocents will continue unabated. This includes the state of Massachusetts where Republican Governor Charlie Baker signaled that he plans to sign a bill that will revoke a state law barring abortions. The state law, up to this point, was never revoked because it was superseded by federal law. Speaking of this development, Massachusetts Senate President Harriette Chandler was quoted as saying, "I think people are beginning to realize these are strange times we live in. Nothing is impossible, and we've got to have a 'Plan B.' If these laws are enforced, what do we do? We're not willing to sit back and say, 'Well it's not going to happen here.' The word for that is denial." (36) The bill has been dubbed the "NASTY Women Act." (37)
In New York, Governor Andrew Cuomo signed an executive order protecting abortion rights in his state. He also urged the New York state Senate to pass legislation that would codify the Roe vs. Wade decision as New York law. In an effort to justify his support of infanticide, Governor Cuomo defiantly declared, "God told me I was a feminist when he gave me three daughters." (38) Which god are you referring to, Governor? Certainly not the same God who inspired Moses to say in Deuteronomy 30:19, "I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live."
Blasphemy On Television
Television has changed a lot over the years. In fact, you no longer even need a television to watch TV programs. With the advent of the Internet, people can now watch shows on a slew of devices, including laptop computers, tablet computers, and smartphones. Gone are the days when you had to wait around for your favorite television show to be broadcast. Now such programming is on demand. There is more content to watch than ever before, and it is more accessible than ever before. One of the biggest providers of television content today is a company known as Netflix. They have more than 118 million subscribers, and this year their shows were nominated for a record-breaking 112 Emmy Awards. (39)
Sadly, Netflix has shown itself to be a company that has no problem showing blasphemous content. In July 2018 an episode of a television shown known as "The Break with Michelle Wolf" featured a segment entitled "The Break's 10th Annual Salute to Abortion." During this segment, Michelle Wolf, who is supposedly a comedienne, boisterously declared,"Abortion, I salute you! Women, if you need an abortion, get one! If you want an abortion, get one! If you're not pregnant but you think eventually might be and want to order a future abortion, get one! If you're pregnant and you want to be pregnant, don't get one! It's up to you, and it doesn't have to be a big deal. It's actually a great deal. It's about $300 - that's like six movie tickets. Movie tickets: a big deal! And women, don't forget: you have the power to give life and men will try to control that - don't let them! God bless abortions and God bless America!" (40)
Netflix is also planning to release a show in the future entitled "American Jesus." The show is centered on a twelve-year-old boy who supposedly discovers than he is the reincarnation of Jesus Christ. "He can turn water into wine, make the crippled walk, and, perhaps even raise the dead,"the program's description says. (41) The show's premise displays a blatant ignorance of God's Word. We know there is no such thing as reincarnation for Hebrews 9:27 clearly says, "it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment." We also know that when Jesus does return, He will be coming as He left. In Acts 1:11 one of God's angels told the disciples of Christ, "…this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven."
Truly, there is great conflict, turmoil, and trouble in our world today. Even as protests and riots continue around the world, there is still war in Syria, Yemen, and elsewhere. Violence continues to erupt between the Israeli State and the Palestinians. There are reports of disastrous flooding, and extraordinary record-breaking heatwaves. In fact, a region of northern Siberia, which is typically known for its cold temperatures, reached an astounding 90 degrees Fahrenheit in July 2018. It was a temperature 40 degrees above normal for this time of year. (42) It is evident that we need our Saviour now more than ever. Thankfully, Jesus assures us in Matthew 28:20, "… Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen."
Thank you all for your kind support of this ministry. I pray that God will bless you all and strengthen you in the days ahead. Please remember that we are here to pray for you and whatever your needs may be. We give each request individual attention. While humanity is very limited, we know that God can do anything, and we know that God hears our prayers. Grace and peace be unto you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Samuel David Meyer
This newsletter is made possible by the kind donations of our supporters. If you would like to help us, you may send your contribution to our postal address or donate online athttp://lasttrumpetnewsletter.org/donate.
Acknowledgments
01. Miami Herald, July 14, 2018, Updated July 15, 2018, By Jacqueline Charles, http://miamiherald.com.
02. UPI, July 8, 2018, By Daniel Uria, http://upi.com.
03. RJR News, July 7, 2018, By RJR News, http://rjrnewsonline.com.
04. Miami Herald, July 14, 2018, Updated July 15, 2018, By Jacqueline Charles, http://miamiherald.com.
05. Ibid.
06. Rudaw News Service, July 24, 2018, By Rudaw, http://rudaw.net.
07. Ibid.
08. The Washington Post, April 27, 2018, By Francisco Toro and James Bosworth, http://washingtonpost.com.
09. CBS News, July 24, 2018, By CBS News, http://cbsnews.com.
10. CBS News, July 23, 2018, By CBS News, http://cbsnews.com.
11. CBS News, July 24, 2018, By CBS News, http://cbsnews.com.
12. National Public Radio, July 16, 2018, By Merrit Kennedy, http://npr.org.
13. The Guardian, May 9, 2018, By AFP in Geneva, http://theguardian.com.
14. CBS News, July 23, 2018, By CBS News, http://cbsnews.com.
15. The Times, July 24, 2018, By Stephen Gibbs, http://thetimes.co.uk.
16. Reuters News Service, April 30, 2018, By Reuters Staff, http://reuters.com.
17. Reuters News Service, July 25, 2018, By Brian Ellsworth, http://reuters.com.
18. CFR Global Conflict Tracker, July 25, 2018, http://cfr.org.
19. Council on Foreign Relations, http://cfr.org.
20. The Washington Post, June 25, 2018, By Avi Selk and Sarah Murray, http://washingtonpost.com.
21. USA Today, June 25, 2018, By William Cummings, http://usatoday.com.
22. Ibid.
23. Washington Examiner, June 27, 2018, By Paul Bedard, http://washingtonexaminer.com.
24. Bloomberg News, June 21, 2018, By Francis Wilkinson, http://bloomberg.com.
25. Ibid.
26. USA Today, June 25, 2018, By Glen Harlan Reynolds, http://usatoday.com.
27. Associated Press, July 10, 2018, By Catherine Lucey, Zeke Miller, and Mark Sherman, Washington, D.C.
28. Newsbusters, July 9, 2018, By Scott Whitlock, http://newsbusters.com.
29. The Daily Caller, July 9, 2018, By Jessica Kramer, http://dailycaller.com.
30. The Washington Free Beacon, July 10, 2018, By David Rutz, http://freebeacon.com.
31. Ibid.
32. Mediaite, July 9, 2018, By Joseph A. Wulfsohn, http://mediaite.com.
33. Fox News, July 9, 2018, By Gregg Re, http://foxnews.com.
34. Life News, January 18, 2018, By Steven Ertelt, http://lifenews.com.
35. Politico, July 12, 2018, By Rebecca Morin, http://politico.com.
36. CNN, July 24, 2018, By Jamie Ehrlich, http://cnn.com.
37. Ibid.
38. Fox News, July 9, 2018, By Kaitlyn Schallhorn, http://foxnews.com.
39. Forbes Magazine, July 12, 2018, By Louis Columbus, http://forbes.com.
40. CNS News, July 9, 2018, By Craig Bannister, http://cnsnews.com.
41. The Wrap, July 17, 2018, By Jennifer Maas, http://thewrap.com.
42. Yahoo News, July 23, 2018, By Jerry Adler, http://news.yahoo.com.
To learn more about the history of our ministry and our founder, Pastor David J. Meyer, please visit http://pastormeyer.org.
Comments regarding this newsletter or topic suggestions may be submitted to editor@lasttrumpetnewsletter.org.
If you would like to submit a prayer request, you may send email to prayer@ltmmail.org or mail it to our postal address.
Our new music CD entitled "Victory in Jesus" is now available. For more information, please visit http://ltmstudios.org/music.
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