Apocalyptic Trends

Volume 40 Issue Eight August 2021

Last Trumpet Ministries · PO Box 806 · Beaver Dam, WI 53916

Phone: 920-887-2626 Internet: http://www.lasttrumpetministries.org

“For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?” I Cor. 14:8

Apocalyptic Trends


“For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these [are] the beginning of sorrows.”

Matthew 24:7-8


“Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.”

II Timothy 3:12-13


“He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.”

Revelation 22:20



As I watched a recent news broadcast, I could not help but notice the dramatic imagery being shown on the screen. There was talk of drought, wildfires, violence in the streets, and a new surge in Covid-19 cases being driven by a variant of the coronavirus which originated in India and is commonly referred to as the Delta variant. The news of our day has taken on a decidedly apocalyptic tone, and it is an undeniable fact that we live in perilous times. While the average American might be reluctant to suggest a spiritual or even prophetic context to current events, those who study God Word faithfully might discern an startling familiarity amid the images we are shown on the news. If it seems like there’s something familiar about what we see happening before our eyes, perhaps it is because the book of Revelation declares the earth would be scorched with a great heat, (Revelation 16:8-9) and we are now seeing heatwaves and wildfires. Jesus Christ warned that there would be famine and pestilence in the days leading up to His return, (Matthew 24:7-8), and we are now seeing devastating drought and the coronavirus pandemic, which appears to be worsening once again. Our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ also warned that the latter days of earth’s existence would bear a strong resemblance to the days of Noah, (Luke 17:26) which were characterized by widespread violence (Genesis 6:11). Not only are we seeing horrifying violence in the streets of our largest cities, but belligerent airline passengers and ornery restaurant customers demonstrate that many people have forgotten the concept of good manners. Additionally, there is intensifying hostility toward those who have chosen not to receive the Covid-19 vaccines, and recent reports suggest that those who continue to decline the shots will be forced to live heavily restricted lives. Evil men and seducers are waxing worse and worse just as the Apostle Paul predicted, (II Timothy 3:13), and as we see worldwide conditions deteriorate, God’s children will no doubt find themselves crying out, “Even so, come, Lord Jesus!” (Revelation 22:20)

The New Segregation

For a time, it seemed as if the coronavirus which causes Covid-19 was finally starting to disappear in the United States. However, in recent weeks, the Delta variant of the coronavirus has been spreading rapidly, and by July 22, 2021, this country was seeing approximately 40,000 cases of Covid-19 each and every day. Dr. Ashish Jha, who is the dean at Brown University’s School of Public Health, believes the situation is going to get much worse. “I think people are underestimating how bad this is going to get,” the doctor said. He further went on to say, “It might peak in September, but we are far away from the peak, right now we’re doing about 40,000 cases a day. It’s going to go substantially higher before it peaks.” (1)

As the Delta variant continues to spread, there is growing acrimony toward those who have refused the Covid vaccines. Speaking of vaccine refusers, in a recent interview West Virginia Governor Jim Justice complained that “they’re not thinking right.” He then suggested that the only way these people will ever agree to be vaccinated is if a lot of people die. “I hate to say this, is what would put them over the edge, is an awful lot of people die. The only way that’s going to happen is a catastrophe that none of us want.” Later in the interview, Governor Justice declared that those who refuse the vaccines are participating in a “death lottery.” (2)

Alabama Governor Kay Ivey, who is a Republican, did not hold back her bitter feelings toward the unvaccinated. “Folks are supposed to have common sense. But it’s time to start blaming the unvaccinated folks, not the regular folks. It’s the unvaccinated folks that are letting us down,” Governor Ivey declared. (3) Notice how she differentiates the “unvaccinated” from the “regular folks” thus implying that those who refuse the vaccines are abnormal, irregular, and inferior. Dr. William Schaffner, who is a professor in the Division of Infectious Diseases at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, also took an accusatory stance when he insisted that “unvaccinated people are potential variant factories.” (4)

New York City Mayor Bill De Blasio also expressed his consternation toward the unvaccinated. “We tried purely voluntary for over a half a year. We tried every form of incentive. But now we’ve got to go further; we’ve reached the limits of a purely voluntary system. It’s time for more mandates,” Mayor De Blasio demanded. He then urged employers to insist their employees get the shots. “I urge every employer to go with whatever form of mandate you are comfortable with because it will help us fight Covid.” Finally, the mayor of America’s largest city linked the vaccines to freedom. “If people want freedom, if people want jobs, if people want to be able to live again, we have got to get more people vaccinated,” he said. (5) This statement presents a startling admission. By linking the vaccines to freedom, Mayor De Blasio is admitting that the American people are not free right now. However, what the mayor seemingly fails to grasp is that if freedom is contingent upon undergoing a mandated medical procedure, it is not really freedom at all.

The mandates that Mayor De Blasio claims are necessary are rapidly being implemented. In fact, De Blasio himself announced on July 26, 2021, that all workers employed by the local government of New York City would be required to take the Covid vaccines or undergo weekly testing for Covid-19. (6) In a similar fashion, Los Angeles, California, Mayor Eric Garcetti has announced that all municipal employees will be required to receive the Covid inoculations. Not to be outdone, California Governor Gavin Newsom has mandated that all health workers and state government employees receive the shots, too. (7) Meanwhile, Denis McDonough, who is the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA), announced that all health workers at VA hospitals will be required to receive the Covid vaccinations. His order will affect about 115,000 employees. These workers have eight weeks to comply with the demand. Failure to do so could result in the termination of employment. (8) This development is especially noteworthy since Veterans Affairs is the first federal institution to demand vaccination against Covid-19.

News is changing quickly even as I write this newsletter on July 28, 2021. CNN is now reporting that President Joe Biden is on the verge of issuing a mandate that will require all federal employees to take the Covid vaccines or undergo frequent Covid testing. Biden, too, is blaming the unvaccinated for the Delta variant surge. "We have a pandemic because of the unvaccinated and they're sowing enormous confusion. And the more we learn about this virus and the Delta variation, the more we have to be worried and concerned. And there's only one thing we know for sure, if those other hundred million people got vaccinated, we'd be in a very different world," Biden said as he villainized one hundred million people in one fell swoop. (9) Oddly enough, Biden’s own Press Secretary, Jen Psaki, was quoted as saying on July 23, 2021, "I don't think our role is to place blame, but what we can do is provide accurate information to people who are not yet vaccinated about the risks they are incurring not only among on themselves, but also the people around them," (10) Evidently, the President does not agree with her.

As blame for the pandemic is now continuously put on the unvaccinated, we see a new segregation taking shape. It is not segregation based on race or gender, but based on who has or has not undergone a medical procedure. Those who refuse to undergo this procedure are often treated like second-class citizens. For example, in the city of Montclair, California, city employees who choose not to wear a face-covering while working must wear a special sticker declaring themselves to be vaccinated against Covid-19. (11) The National Football League has enacted a policy that requires team players and other personnel to wear an identifier that shows they have been vaccinated. The league is recommending teams use color-coded wristbands to fulfill this obligation. (12) In the state of Washington, sports venues have been instructed to separate vaccinated spectators from the unvaccinated. (13) Churches in the state are also expected to separate attendees based on vaccination status. Proof of vaccination status must be presented by congregants looking to be seated in the vaccinated-only areas. (14) Can you imagine walking into a church and being asked to present your vaccination card for inspection?

While more vaccine rules are being implemented in the United States, restrictions in Europe are even more severe. This is especially true in France. As of July 2021, French citizens are required to present proof of vaccination before gaining access to many public places such as planes, trains, and all restaurants. Additionally, all medical workers will be required to take the Covid vaccinations by September 15, 2021. (15) As would be expected, many French citizens are unhappy with these new requirements. On July 24, 2021, 160,000 people around the European nation participated in public protests. (16) One bistro owner was quoted by The Guardian as saying, “I think [French President Emmanuel] Macron wanted to frighten people into getting vaccinated, but without ordering them directly to do it. It’s a bit dictatorial – I know about this kind of behavior from when I lived in Turkey. But I never thought it would happen this way in France.” (17) Movie theaters in France are among the venues limited to vaccinated patrons. In the days immediately following the implementation of the new rules, movie ticket sales fell by 70 percent. (18)

Elsewhere in Europe, Italy will be requiring its citizens to present vaccination passports in order to access public places beginning on August 6, 2021. Without the credential, which has been dubbed the “green pass,” Italians will not be able to dine out at restaurants, attend sporting events, visit a casino, or even go swimming in a public pool. (19) According to Helge Braun, who is a top aide to German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Germany, too, may soon ban unvaccinated citizens from certain public places even if they have tested negative for Covid. “This could mean some things such as restaurant, cinema, and stadium visits would not be possible for tested unvaccinated people because the residual risk is too high,” Braun said. (20)

What will happen in the United States? According to a recent report from Business Insider, a growing number of restaurants in America have decided to require proof of vaccination from dine-in customers. The article quotes restauranteur Danny Meyer who claims that his decision to ban unvaccinated customers is “the most logical thing I’ve ever seen.” He further went on to say, “I’m not a scientist, but I know how to read data, and what I see is that this is a crisis of people who have not been vaccinated, and I feel a strong responsibility, on our part as business leaders, to take care of our team and our guests, and that’s what we’re doing.” (21) Down in Atlanta, Georgia, a local restaurant has posted a sign that simply states, “No Vax, No Service.” (22) We could see more signs like this one very soon and not just at restaurants.

Without a doubt, we are seeing coercion and peer pressure tactics used to force people to receive the Covid vaccinations. Even if you have been vaccinated and think the shots are wonderful, it should be appalling to you that the masses are being compelled to undergo a medical procedure which, as of this writing, has not yet even received full approval from the Food and Drug Administration. People should be allowed to decide for themselves if they want the vaccines. Furthermore, recipients of the vaccines are not even allowed to file a lawsuit against Moderna or Pfizer if they suffer negative side effects. (23) Those who follow the news might recall that many negative side effects have been documented in some vaccine recipients, including blood clots and myocarditis, a condition that causes inflammation of the heart. Yet, an opinion piece written by the chief health officer of Indiana University, Aaron E. Carroll, and published by the New York Times on June 28, 2021, advocates a nationwide Covid vaccine mandate for almost everyone in the United States. “When vaccination is the default, most people will get vaccinated,” Carroll wrote. “Mandates still aren’t popular; few public health measures are. But they work.” (24)

A Planet Set Ablaze

On a recent July evening I was driving my car just as the sun was beginning to go down. I looked up at the sky and was slightly taken aback. As the sun was setting in the western sky, it glowed bright red and looked quite unusual. I looked around and noticed a hazy sky and the smell of smoke permeating the air. People in my small community of Beaver Dam began to ask why the sun looked so strange, why the sky was so hazy, and why they seemed to smell fires burning. We learned later that these peculiar conditions were caused by wildfires hundreds of miles away from us in the neighboring country of Canada. The pollution from the fires eventually became so thick that a warning was issued by officials from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources regarding the poor quality of the air. (25)

July has been a rough month for Canadian firefighters. On July 4, 2021, it was reported that more than 180 wildfires were burning in the Canadian province of British Columbia. Many of these fires started after a record breaking heatwave inflicted misery in the province where the little village of Lytton saw temperatures rise to 121 degrees Fahrenheit (49.4 degrees Celsius). Between June 30 and July 1, 2021, more than 700,000 lightning strikes were detected in the region. (26) As for the village of Lytton, the tiny community of about 250 residents was almost entirely wiped out. A fire destroyed 90 percent of the community. (27) To this day, much of Canada continues to burn. A report dated July 21, 2021, indicates that there are 263 wildfires burning out of control in Canada. Another 105 fires are “being held” and 207 are controlled. (28)

Wildfires have been a concern in the United States, too. Considering the fact that much of the western portion of this country is facing widespread drought, wildfires were not difficult to see coming. As such, Governor Kate Brown declared a state of emergency in Oregon on June 30, 2021, in anticipation of wildfires. (29) Her decision was prescient. On July 6, 2021, the Bootleg Fire broke out. By July 23, 2021, more than 400,000 acres had burned in the fire, and it was reported to be the third-largest fire in state history since the year 1900. (30) On a national level, there are presently 82 large fires burning in 13 states as of July 29, 2021. Year-to-date, there have been 37,218 fires which consumed 3,418,328 acres of land. (31)

As we move through time, wildfires are growing in severity and frequency. According to news reports, large blazes have broken out in Russian Siberia in places that usually do not have fires. “New fires have appeared in the north of Yakutia, in places where there were no fires last year, and where it had not burned at all before,” said a reconnaissance pilot from the Siberian region. (32) Thomas Smith, an assistant professor in Environmental Geography at the London School of Economics also noted the intensifying fires. “The fire season is getting longer, the fires are getting larger, they’re burning more intensely than ever before,” he said. (33) Indeed, even as I write this newsletter, the Middle Eastern country of Turkey is battling unprecedented wildfires. Nearly sixty fires broke out in Turkey in just one week (34) which prompted Antalya Mayor Muhittin Bocek to say, “Something like this has never happened before.” (35)

While witnesses are marveling at the intensity of the fires that we are now seeing on this planet, the biggest wildfire is yet to come. According to Scripture, in the end, the entire planet will be set ablaze. II Peter 3:10 declares, “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.” As we see massive fires engulfing much of the earth, it is getting easier to imagine the day spoken of by the Apostle Peter. In fact, the pictures and videos of these fires we see on the news present a jarring preview of what is to come.

Historic Flooding

While much of the world burns, other areas of the world suffered from jaw-dropping historic flooding in July 2021. Such was the case in Europe which was hit with a deluge beginning on July 13, 2021. By the 20th of July, it was reported that at least 165 people had perished in Germany, and 31 more lost their lives in Belgium. (36) After surveying the damage in her country, German Chancellor Angela Merkel was almost lost for words, stating, “It is a surreal, eerie situation. It is shocking – I can almost say that the German language doesn’t have words for the destruction that’s been wreaked.” (37) Residents from the town of Schuld described their ordeal. “Caravans, cars, were washed away, trees were uprooted, houses were knocked down. We have lived here in Schuld for over 20 years and we have never experienced anything like it. It’s like a war zone,” said a 65-year-old resident. (38) Much of the damage was caused by a swelling river, which usually has a depth of about 3.3 feet, in the ordinarily quiet town. As the rains poured, the river rose to more than 26 feet. The flooding happened quickly. “The water kept rising and 10 minutes later it had penetrated the house. The water took everything with it,” lamented a 53-year-old resident. (39) A resident from another town about 30 miles away from Schuld also marveled at the rapid speed of the flooding. “At 11:30 p.m. there was only a little water. 1:00 a.m.; everything was underwater – our flat, our houses, our neighbor’s houses – within 15 minutes.” (40) Scientists were stunned by the destruction in Europe and especially in Germany. “This event was really unprecedented in a lot of ways. We’ve heard from a lot of the local meteorological agencies in Germany and other parts of western and central Europe where the level of rainfall that we saw within a matter of 24-48 hours was beyond what many of them have ever recorded,” said Steve Bowen, managing director and head of catastrophe insight and impact forecasting at the insurance firm known as Aon. (41)

Less than a week after the disaster in Europe, China experienced historic flooding, too. On July 16, 2021, heavy rain began to fall in China’s Henan province. The torrential rain, which has been ongoing, has thus far affected 13,912,800 people in 1,616 villages and towns. (42) The flooding has been especially dramatic in the city of Zhengzhou where an astonishing 7.95 inches of rain fell in just one hour on July 20, 2021. Rain continued to pour, and by the end of the day, twenty-four inches had saturated Zhengzhou. This was nearly a year’s worth of rain in just one day. (43) This sudden downpour quickly overtook the city’s subway tunnels and left about 500 train passengers trapped. Tragically, twelve of those passengers lost their lives. (44) A piece published by The Wall Street Journal recounts the harrowing ordeal. According to a 26-year-old woman who was aboard the train, she and her fellow passengers were trapped for hours. It was difficult to breathe as the air supply was limited, and before she was finally rescued, the water had reached all the way to her neck. The woman was unsure of how she survived but was thankful to walk away unharmed. “I don’t know if someone did something to stop the water from rising further, or God had mercy,” she said. (45)

Meanwhile in India, the rain throughout the month of July has been unrelenting. Rainfall has been especially heavy in India’s western state of Maharashtra. According to reports, the state’s Ratnagiri District received 77.1 inches of rain between July 1 and 22. The Satara District received 42.3 inches of rain in just a 48 hour period ending on July 23, 2021. (46) “Unexpected very heavy rainfall triggered landslides in many places and flooded rivers. Dams and rivers are overflowing. We are forced to release water from dams, and, accordingly, we are moving people residing near the river banks to safer places,” said Chief Minister Uddhiv Thackeray, who leads Maharashtra’s state government. (47)

Historic Drought

While portions of Europe, China, and India received far more rain than they needed in July, the same cannot be said for the western United States. Nearly 90 percent of the American West is dry, and scientists are now saying this is the worst drought the region has suffered in 122 years. (48) An article published on June 30, 2021, by the farm journal known as AG Web states, “California has fallen under a drought of biblical proportions.” The report notes that 95 percent of the state was already suffering severe drought before summer even started. (49) Water allocations for farmers in California have already been reduced significantly this year, and the State Water Resources Control Board is set to vote on a plan on August 3, 2021, that would prevent farmers from taking water out of rivers and streams. “We don’t take this action lightly; we know that it’s going to impose hardship on folks,” said the board’s director Eileen Sobeck. (50) The drought in California could impact the nation’s food supply. According to the California Department of Food and Agriculture, California grows over one-third of the country’s vegetables and two-thirds of the country’s fruit and nuts. (51) Drought in one state is bad enough. However, since most of the west is dried out, the full consequences of the historic drought of 2021 are not yet completely comprehended.

It is a remarkable thing that our planet is suffering historic wildfires, historic drought, and historic flooding simultaneously, but these are remarkable days. As we continue to watch and pray, it becomes all the more obvious that we are living in a time unlike any other in history. Thankfully, we still have an opportunity to turn to our God for help in the time of need. Revelation 3:20-21 declares, “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.” If you have not yet repented of your sins and dedicated your life to God, I urge you to do so now.

Again, I thank you all for your support of this ministry. We appreciate your help which makes this newsletter possible. If you have any prayer requests, we invite you to contact us. We always give each prayer request individual attention. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

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 at http://lasttrumpetnewsletter.org/donate.


Acknowledgments

01. CNBC, July 22, 2021, By Emily DeCiccio, http://cnbc.com.

02. ABC News, July 4, 2021, By Lauren Lantry, http://abcnews.go.com.

03. CNN, July 23, 2021, By Veronica Stracqualursi, http://cnn.com.

04. CNN, July 3, 2021, By Maggie Fox, http://cnn.com.

05. The New York Post, July 23, 2021, By Nolan Hicks, http://nypost.com.

06. National Public Radio, July 26, 2021, By Laurel Wamsley, http://npr.org.

07. Ibid.

08. Ibid.

09. CNN, July 27, 2021, By Phil Mattingly, http://cnn.com.

10. CNN, July 23, 2021, By Veronica Stracqualursi, http://cnn.com.

11. ABC 7 News, July 25, 2021, By Leticia Juarez, http://abc7.com.

12. Pro Football Talk, July 16, 2021, By Mike Florio, http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com.

13. Q13 News, May 3, 2021, By Q13 News Staff, http://q13fox.com.

14. King 5 News, May 3, 2021, By King 5 Staff, http://king5.com.

15. CBS News, July 25, 2021, By Associated Press, http://cbsnews.com.

16. Ibid.

17. The Guardian, July 21, 2021, By Phil Hoad, http://theguardian.com.

18. Variety Magazine, July 29, 2021, By Elsa Keslassy, http://variety.com.

19. Associated Press, July 21, 2021, By Frances D’Emilio, http://apnews.com.

20. The Hill, July 25, 2021, By Mychael Schnell, http://thehill.com.

21. Business Insider, July 29, 2021, By Avery Hartmans, http://businessinsider.com.

22. Business Insider, July 25, 2021, By Taylor Ardrey, http://businessinsider.com.

23. CNBC, December 17, 2020, By MacKenzie Sigalos, http://cnbc.com.

24. The New York Times, June 28, 2021, By Aaron E. Carroll, http://nytimes.com.

25. NBC 15 News, July 20, 2021, By Jimmie Kaska, http://nbc15.com.

26. National Public Radio, July 4, 2021, By Jeanette Muhammed, http://npr.org.

27. Accuweather, July 3, 2021, By Mary Gilbert, http://accuweather.com.

28. Canadian Wildland Fire Information System, July 21, 2021, http://cwfis.cfs.nrcan.gc.ca/report.

29. KATU News, June 30, 2021, By KATU Staff, http://katu.com.

30. CNN, July 23, 2021, By Aya Elamroussi, http://cnn.com.

31. National Interagency Fire Center, July 29, 2021, https://www.nifc.gov/fire-information/nfn.

32. CNN, July 22, 2021, By Ivana Kottasova, http://cnn.com.

33. Ibid.

34. Reuters News Service, July 29, 2021, By Mert Ozkan, http://reuters.com.

35. Reuters News Service, July 28, 2021, By Reuters, http://reuters.com.

36. Science Magazine, July 20, 2021, By Warren Cornwall, http://sciencemag.org.

37. The Times of Israel, July 18, 2021, By Christof Stache and Deborah Cole, http://timesofisrael.com.

38. The Times of Israel, July 16, 2021, By Jean-Philippe Lacour, http://timesofisrael.com.

39. Ibid.

40. Ibid.

41. CNBC, July 19, 2021, By Holly Ellyat, http://cnbc.com.

42. China News Network, July 29, 2021, By China News Network, http://chinanews.com.

43. The Washington Post, July 21, 2021, By Matthew Cappucci, http://washingtonpost.com.

44. Los Angeles Times, July 21, 2021, By David Pierson, Alice Su, and Molly Hennessy-Fiske, http://latimes.com.

45. The Wall Street Journal, July 24, 2021, By Wenxin Fan, http://wsj.com.

46. The Watchers, July 23, 2021, By Teo Blaskovic, http://watchers.news.

47. Reuters News Service, July 23, 2021, By Reuters, http://reuters.com.

48. Fox News, June 25, 2021, By Julia Musto, http://foxnews.com.

49. AG Web, June 30, 2021, By Greg Henderson, http://agweb.com.

50. Associated Press, July 23, 2021, By Associated Press, http://apnews.com.

51. The California Department of Food and Agriculture, http://cdfa.ca.gov/Statistics/.

Source