Volume 43 Issue Twelve December 2024
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
What Happens Next?
“After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.”
Matthew 6:9-13
Amid great anxiety and trepidation, the American people went to the polls on November 5, 2024, to elect the 47th President of the United States. The candidates, former President Donald Trump and current Vice President Kamala Harris, were said to be neck-and-neck in the polls in the weeks leading up to Election Day. An article published by Forbes Magazine in the early morning hours of November 5 claimed the candidates were essentially “deadlocked” with Harris holding a very slight edge over Trump. (1) The polling website known as FiveThirtyEight predicted there was a 50 percent chance that Harris would pull out the win while Trump had a 49 percent chance of emerging victorious. (2)
Given how close the polls were, there was a general expectation that the election would be very close and that it could take days or even weeks to tally every vote and determine a winner. The reality was much different from that expectation. In the end, Donald Trump won the election decisively, earning 312 electoral votes compared to Harris’ 226. This total put Trump well over the 270 electoral votes needed to secure the win. (3) Remarkably, Trump flipped the hotly contested states of Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin, Georgia, Arizona, and Nevada, which had all been called for current President Joe Biden in 2020. (4) To make matters worse for the Democrats, the Republican Party retained control of the House of Representatives and took control of the Senate, which, in theory, should allow Trump to achieve many of his goals as President. (5)
In the days following the election, talking heads all over television and on the Internet offered their hot takes on why the Democrats performed so poorly in the 2024 election. A piece published by Axios on November 6, 2024, put it bluntly, declaring in its headline, “Democrats start clawing each other’s eyes out.” (6) Senator Bernie Sanders, the proud socialist from Vermont, lambasted the Democratic Party, stating, “It should come as no great surprise that a Democratic Party which has abandoned working class people would find that the working class has abandoned them.” He then continued, “First, it was the white working class, and now it is Latino and black workers as well. While the Democratic leadership defends the status quo, the American people are angry and want change. And they’re right.” (7) Democratic strategist Julie Roginsky also lashed out, stating in a segment on CNN, “I’m going to speak some hard truths to my friends in the Democratic Party. This is not Joe Biden’s fault. It’s not Kamala Harris’ fault. It’s not Barack Obama’s fault – it is the fault of the Democratic Party in not knowing how to communicate effectively to voters. We are not the party of common sense, which is the message the voters sent to us.” (8)
“After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.”
Matthew 6:9-13
Amid great anxiety and trepidation, the American people went to the polls on November 5, 2024, to elect the 47th President of the United States. The candidates, former President Donald Trump and current Vice President Kamala Harris, were said to be neck-and-neck in the polls in the weeks leading up to Election Day. An article published by Forbes Magazine in the early morning hours of November 5 claimed the candidates were essentially “deadlocked” with Harris holding a very slight edge over Trump. (1) The polling website known as FiveThirtyEight predicted there was a 50 percent chance that Harris would pull out the win while Trump had a 49 percent chance of emerging victorious. (2)
Given how close the polls were, there was a general expectation that the election would be very close and that it could take days or even weeks to tally every vote and determine a winner. The reality was much different from that expectation. In the end, Donald Trump won the election decisively, earning 312 electoral votes compared to Harris’ 226. This total put Trump well over the 270 electoral votes needed to secure the win. (3) Remarkably, Trump flipped the hotly contested states of Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin, Georgia, Arizona, and Nevada, which had all been called for current President Joe Biden in 2020. (4) To make matters worse for the Democrats, the Republican Party retained control of the House of Representatives and took control of the Senate, which, in theory, should allow Trump to achieve many of his goals as President. (5)
In the days following the election, talking heads all over television and on the Internet offered their hot takes on why the Democrats performed so poorly in the 2024 election. A piece published by Axios on November 6, 2024, put it bluntly, declaring in its headline, “Democrats start clawing each other’s eyes out.” (6) Senator Bernie Sanders, the proud socialist from Vermont, lambasted the Democratic Party, stating, “It should come as no great surprise that a Democratic Party which has abandoned working class people would find that the working class has abandoned them.” He then continued, “First, it was the white working class, and now it is Latino and black workers as well. While the Democratic leadership defends the status quo, the American people are angry and want change. And they’re right.” (7) Democratic strategist Julie Roginsky also lashed out, stating in a segment on CNN, “I’m going to speak some hard truths to my friends in the Democratic Party. This is not Joe Biden’s fault. It’s not Kamala Harris’ fault. It’s not Barack Obama’s fault – it is the fault of the Democratic Party in not knowing how to communicate effectively to voters. We are not the party of common sense, which is the message the voters sent to us.” (8)
Other Democrats are blaming actor George Clooney for the disappointing election results. Clooney was instrumental in forcing Joe Biden to step aside as the Democrats’ candidate for President when he wrote an opinion piece for the New York Times in July 2024. At the time, Clooney wrote that the Democratic Party was not “going to win in November with this president” in reference to Biden. In response to the backlash, a source close to Clooney was quoted as saying, “George feels that the backlash he is getting for Kamala losing is not at all warranted. He thinks it is completely unfair to try and make him a scapegoat for her loss.” (9)
We could spend hours reading and listening to opinions on why Harris lost and Trump won. Yet, we can logically surmise there was not just one reason the election turned out the way it did. Perhaps the voters didn’t appreciate the way the Democrats canceled Joe Biden. Maybe the people believed the lack of notable achievements as Vice President indicated that Harris was a less than ideal candidate for the job. Maybe some voters wondered if Harris really had the fortitude to stand up to autocrats like Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping, and North Korean President Kim Jong Un as the world inches closer to a global conflict. Yet, in many of my recent conversations, the top two reasons people said they were voting for Trump were because they struggled to afford groceries and they were upset about the crisis at our nation’s southern border. Interestingly enough, a piece published by National Public Radio on November 10, 2024, reports that the top two reasons people voted for Trump in three crucial swing states were the economy and immigration. (10) “The food is very expensive. Everything is very expensive. I don't like it,” explained one voter. “It's not because I like his personality, that's for sure,” said another. “I think he's the one to take care of the economy, the oil issues and the border issues,” he opined. (11)
The election results further suggest that Americans are losing trust in the mainstream media. If the narratives presented on television and in newspapers had been believed, it is safe to say that President-elect Trump would have received far fewer votes. As it stands, mass media’s influence is steadily waning. Many young people bypass traditional outlets entirely, getting their news from social media platforms like TikTok or podcasters like Joe Rogan. With most news websites locked behind paywalls demanding hard-earned cash, these trends come as no surprise. A report published by Gallup in October 2024 found that only 31 percent of Americans have a “great deal” or “fair amount” of trust that the media will report the news “fully, accurately, and fairly,” while a staggering 36 percent expressed no trust at all in the media. (12)
Clearly, a large segment of the American population is fed up with the status quo. This simple fact was made poignantly clear in another piece from National Public Radio which admitted in its headline, “In the 2024 election, most of the U.S. shifted to the right.” (13) Other reports note that a larger than usual number of young black and Latino men voted for Trump. (14) Even a larger than normal contingent of the Amish in Pennsylvania went to the polls with the vast majority voting for the Republican candidate. (15) Voter turnout in heavily Amish counties increased by 27,080 over the 2020 total. What inspired so many Amish to vote? Many were upset about the American government’s crackdown on raw milk sales. In one case, the Food and Drug Administration raided an Amish farm in January 2024 and confiscated thousands of dollars worth of products. (16)
Donald Trump ran for President with the pledge to “make America great again.” While this is a noble goal, the ambitious leader will not succeed unless he behaves humbly before God and man, seeks God’s will in prayer, and actively studies and applies the Scriptures. What does it truly take to restore a nation and bring about lasting change? The Scriptures provide an answer in II Chronicles 7:14. The verse instructs, “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”
Making A Run For It
As the reality that Donald Trump will again be President of the United States in 2025 sank in, a grim mix of panic and despair spread among liberals. Even before the polls closed nationwide, Google noted a significant uptick in searches for those interested in moving abroad. For example, searches for “move to Canada” surged by 1,270% in the twenty-four hours following the election. Searches about moving to New Zealand rose by almost 2000%, while queries about relocating to Australia increased by 800%. (17) Evan Green, who is the managing partner at the Canadian law firm Green and Spiegel, could not help but notice the growing interest in moving to the Great White North. “Every half hour there is a new email inquiry,” he marveled. He then went on to say, “Trump is obviously the impetus, but it’s also societal. The majority of Americans voted for him and some people don’t necessarily feel comfortable living in that kind of society anymore. People are afraid they are going to lose their freedoms.” (18)
As strange as it sounds, the Canadian authorities are concerned about an influx of Americans illegally crossing the border into Canada. “We knew a few months ago that we had to start prepping a contingency plan because if he comes into power, which now he will in a few months, it could drive illegal migration and irregular migration into (the province of) Quebec and into Canada,” warned Royal Canadian Mounted Police Sergeant Charles Poirier. He then went on to say, “Worst-case scenario would be people crossing in large numbers everywhere on the territory. ... Let's say we had 100 people per day entering across the border, then it's going to be hard because our officers will basically have to cover huge distances in order to arrest everyone.” (19)
Those interested in migrating to Canada might find that the process is not easy. In October 2024, the Canadian government announced it would reduce the number of new permanent residents by 90,000 in 2025. The number will be reduced again in 2026. (20) Furthermore, the Canadian government usually requires potential residents to have funds on hand before they move. While there are some exceptions, a single person would need a minimum of $14,690 Canadian dollars. That amount increases to $18,288 for two people and jumps to $27,297 for a family of four. (21)
It is easier to leave the United States if you have considerable financial resources. In 2016, when Trump won his first presidency, many celebrities threatened to leave. However, few, if any, actually made good on their threats. Will it be different this time? Actress turned TV personality Whoopi Goldberg recently pondered a move, stating, “Maybe it’s time for me to move, you know. I can afford to go.” Elon Musk’s transgender offspring, Vivian Wilson, who identifies as female, responded negatively to the election results, by stating, “I’ve thought this for a while, but yesterday confirmed it for me. I don’t see my future being in the United States. Even if [Trump] is only in office for four years, even if the anti-trans regulations magically don’t happen, the people who willingly voted this in are not going anywhere anytime soon.” The singer known as Cher complained in 2023 that she “almost got an ulcer” from Trump’s first presidency. She then commented, “If he gets in, who knows? This time, I will leave.” (22) Meanwhile, former talk show host and actress, Ellen DeGeneres has already made her escape. She and her wife, Portia de Rossi, wasted no time in relocating to the United Kingdom after the election results were revealed. According to The Wrap, she’s “never coming back.” (23) Imagine how different the entertainment industry would be if everyone who threatened to leave actually left!
A Direct War
The newly-elected President of the United States will surely have his hands full with foreign affairs. As we close out a tumultuous year, the world remains embroiled in great peril on multiple fronts. The war between Ukraine and Russia has now surpassed one thousand days. Although Russia has made significant advances against Ukraine – they’ve captured about 948 square miles of territory in Ukraine this year – these gains have come at a terrible cost in terms of human life. “The Russians have paid a very high price to keep advancing, but they’re willing to pay that price in lives to gain a few more meters of territory each day,” opined Justin Crump of the British strategic advisory firm Sibylline. (24) In September 2024, The Wall Street Journal reported the number of casualties from the war had surpassed one million. (25)
Over time, the war has involved other countries to varying degrees. Ukraine has relied on the United States and much of Europe for weapons, ammunition, technology, and funding. Russia has received assistance and cooperation from Iran, China, and North Korea. In recent weeks, at least 10,000 North Korean troops have been deployed to Russia. (26) This development suggests that Russia is likely finding it increasingly difficult to replace their soldiers that have been lost in battle. “Insomuch is that these are potentially forces that are coming to replace the massive numbers of losses that Russia is experiencing. I think that’s probably a fair assessment, and I certainly would not want to be a North Korean soldier, right?” said US Major General Pat Ryder. (27)
In mid-November 2024, outgoing American President Joe Biden surprised the world when it was announced that he had given Ukraine permission to fire American-made Army Tactical Missile Systems, or ATACMS, deep into Russian territory. (28) Biden’s decision was met with swift condemnation from the Russian government. “It is obvious that the outgoing administration in Washington intends to take steps, and they have been talking about this, to continue adding fuel to the fire and provoking further escalation of tensions around this conflict,” said Russia’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov. (29) France and the United Kingdom have also given Ukraine the go-ahead to use long-range missiles to strike Russia. According to former Russian spokesman Sergey Markov, these decisions mean the West is now directly involved in the war. “It is a very dangerous decision. The point is these rocket-missiles cannot be fired by the Ukrainian army, technically. Because these rocket-missiles need to have very good map of the Russian territory and only the US has this map, even Great Britain and France do not have this map.” In other words, Peskov is saying that Ukraine cannot fire these long-range missiles without direct assistance from the United States. He then added, “So we regard this as the start of a direct war by Britain, America, and France against Russia, another nuclear power. American rocket-missiles against our territory. This is a clear escalation of the war.” (30)
On November 19, 2024, Ukraine fired six American-made ATACMS into Russian territory for the first time. (31) Days later, Russia fired a newly developed hypersonic missile at Ukraine, an action that Russia described as a warning to the West. “The main message is that the reckless decisions and actions of Western countries that produce missiles, supply them to Ukraine, and subsequently participate in strikes on Russian territory cannot remain without a reaction from the Russian side,” Peskov declared. (32)
Much to the chagrin of the Russians, the United States military recently opened a new missile defense base in Poland. Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova warned that Russian forces might attack this base. “[The base] has been added to the list of priority targets for potential destruction, which, if necessary, can be executed with a wide range of advanced weapons,” she said. (33) Russian President Vladimir Putin also issued a warning, stating, “We consider ourselves entitled to use our weapons against military facilities of those countries that allow their weapons to be used against our facilities.” (34)
Much of Europe is on edge as concern grows that there could soon be an all-out war with Russia. Lieutenant General Sir Rob Magowan has declared that the British Army is ready to fight if necessary. “If the British Army was asked to fight tonight, it would fight tonight.” He further stated, “If the Russians invaded Eastern Europe tonight, then we would meet them in that fight.” (35) The governments of Sweden, Finland, and Norway have issued new guidelines to their citizens on what should be done if there is a war. (36) Meanwhile, Ukraine’s former military Commander-in-chief, Valery Zaluzhny, believes World War III has already begun. “ believe that in 2024 we can absolutely believe that the Third World War has begun,” he commented. “Because in 2024, Ukraine is no longer facing Russia. Soldiers from North Korea are standing in front of Ukraine. Let's be honest. Already in Ukraine, the Iranian 'Shahedis' are killing civilians absolutely openly, without any shame.” (37) With a sense of great foreboding, the world waits to see what will happen next.
Thy Will Be Done
Without question, we have much to pray about in these perilous times. When Jesus taught His Sermon on the Mount, as recorded in Matthew chapters 5-7, He gave us an example of how to pray. These verses, commonly known as the Lord’s Prayer, instruct us in Matthew 6:9-13, “After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.” This beautiful prayer emphasizes the need for us to surrender our will to God and trust Him.
The divine will of God is a recurring theme throughout Scripture. While we, as frail human beings, often do not understand what God is doing and why He is doing it, the Scriptures reassure us that God always has a plan. Psalm 115:3 declares, “But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased.” Isaiah 40:28 tells us, “Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding.” In a similar fashion, Isaiah 46:9-10 reminds us, “Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure.”
There are more than eight billion people alive on Earth today. While we are all limited in our knowledge and understanding, God sees every person on every continent. He even sees you. He knows when and where to intervene in our lives and how to inspire actions that will bring about His will. Most importantly, He has extended His amazing grace to each and every one of us. Titus 2:11 declares, “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men.” With so much uncertainty in the world, I take great comfort in knowing that, ultimately, God is in control. My father, who left this world more than fourteen years ago, kept a small plaque in his office that read, “I don’t know what the future holds, but I know who holds the future.” These words still ring true today. If you have not yet repented of your sins and dedicated your life to God, I urge you to do so now.
Thank you all for your kind support of this ministry. This is the final issue of the Last Trumpet for the year 2024. If you receive this newsletter by mail, please remember to send us your renewal form as soon as possible. We want to make sure you receive every issue in 2025, which will no doubt be a very important and eventful year. If you have any prayer needs, we invite you to send them our way. Our team of intercessors give each 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.
References
01. Forbes Magazine, November 5, 2024, By Sara Dorn, forbes.com.
02. Ibid.
03. The New York Times, November 21, 2024, nytimes.com.
04. Ibid.
05. Associated Press, November 14, 2024, apnews.com.
06. Axios, November 6, 2024, By Andrew Solender, axios.com.
07. New York Post, November 6, 2024, By Ryan King, nypost.com.
08. New York Post, November 7, 2024, By David Propper, nypost.com.
09. Blast News, November 10, 2024, By Favour Adegoke, news.yahoo.com.
10. National Public Radio, November 10, 2024, By Paul Boger, Chuck Quirmbach, and Sarah Kallis, npr.org.
11. Ibid.
12. Gallup, October 14, 2024, By Megan Brenan, gallup.com
13. National Public Radio, November 21, 2024, By Domenico Montanaro, Connie Hanzhang Jin, and Daniel Wood, npr.org.
14. Associated Press, November 10, 2024, By Matt Brown, Fernanda Figueroa, Hannah Fingerhut, and Linley Sanders, apnews.com.
15. The New York Post, November 12, 2024, By Caitlin Doornbos, nypost.com.
16. Ibid.
17. Reuters, November 8, 2024, By Lewis Jackson, reuters.com.
18. Ibid.
19. Reuters, November 8, 2024, By Anna Mehler Paperny, reuters.com.
20. Reuters, October 23, 2024, By Anna Mehler Paperny, reuters.com.
21. Government of Canada, canada.ca.
22. Marketwatch, November 18, 2024, By Marianee Garvey, marketwatch.com.
23. The Wrap, November 20, 2024, By Josh Dickey, thewrap.com.
24. Associated Press, November 17, 2024, By Hanna Arhirova, apnews.com.
25. The Wall Street Journal, September 17, 2024, By Bojan Pancevski, wsj.com.
26. ABC News, November 5, 2024, By Luis Martinez, abcnews.go.com.
27. Ibid.
28. Associated Press, November 17, 2024, By Aamer Madhani, Colleen Long, Zeke Miller, Matthew Lee, and Ellen Knickmeyer, apnews.com.
29. Associated Press, November 18, 2024, By Samya Kullab and Illia Novikov, apnews.com.
30. The Express, November 18, 2024, By Emily Wright, the-express.com.
31. The New York Times, November 19, 2024, By Marc Santora and Eric Schmitt, nytimes.com.
32. Reuters, November 22, 2024, By Dmitry Antonov and Andrew Osborn, reuters.com.
33. The Daily Mail, November 21, 2024, By David Averre, Olivia Christie, and Will Stewart, dailymail.co.uk.
34. London Evening Standard, November 22, 2024, By Anthony France, standard.co.uk.
35. Ibid.
36. BBC News, November 18, 2024, By Alex Maxia, bbc.com.
37. Politico, November 21, 2024, By Ketrin Jochecova, politico.com.
Source
We could spend hours reading and listening to opinions on why Harris lost and Trump won. Yet, we can logically surmise there was not just one reason the election turned out the way it did. Perhaps the voters didn’t appreciate the way the Democrats canceled Joe Biden. Maybe the people believed the lack of notable achievements as Vice President indicated that Harris was a less than ideal candidate for the job. Maybe some voters wondered if Harris really had the fortitude to stand up to autocrats like Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping, and North Korean President Kim Jong Un as the world inches closer to a global conflict. Yet, in many of my recent conversations, the top two reasons people said they were voting for Trump were because they struggled to afford groceries and they were upset about the crisis at our nation’s southern border. Interestingly enough, a piece published by National Public Radio on November 10, 2024, reports that the top two reasons people voted for Trump in three crucial swing states were the economy and immigration. (10) “The food is very expensive. Everything is very expensive. I don't like it,” explained one voter. “It's not because I like his personality, that's for sure,” said another. “I think he's the one to take care of the economy, the oil issues and the border issues,” he opined. (11)
The election results further suggest that Americans are losing trust in the mainstream media. If the narratives presented on television and in newspapers had been believed, it is safe to say that President-elect Trump would have received far fewer votes. As it stands, mass media’s influence is steadily waning. Many young people bypass traditional outlets entirely, getting their news from social media platforms like TikTok or podcasters like Joe Rogan. With most news websites locked behind paywalls demanding hard-earned cash, these trends come as no surprise. A report published by Gallup in October 2024 found that only 31 percent of Americans have a “great deal” or “fair amount” of trust that the media will report the news “fully, accurately, and fairly,” while a staggering 36 percent expressed no trust at all in the media. (12)
Clearly, a large segment of the American population is fed up with the status quo. This simple fact was made poignantly clear in another piece from National Public Radio which admitted in its headline, “In the 2024 election, most of the U.S. shifted to the right.” (13) Other reports note that a larger than usual number of young black and Latino men voted for Trump. (14) Even a larger than normal contingent of the Amish in Pennsylvania went to the polls with the vast majority voting for the Republican candidate. (15) Voter turnout in heavily Amish counties increased by 27,080 over the 2020 total. What inspired so many Amish to vote? Many were upset about the American government’s crackdown on raw milk sales. In one case, the Food and Drug Administration raided an Amish farm in January 2024 and confiscated thousands of dollars worth of products. (16)
Donald Trump ran for President with the pledge to “make America great again.” While this is a noble goal, the ambitious leader will not succeed unless he behaves humbly before God and man, seeks God’s will in prayer, and actively studies and applies the Scriptures. What does it truly take to restore a nation and bring about lasting change? The Scriptures provide an answer in II Chronicles 7:14. The verse instructs, “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”
Making A Run For It
As the reality that Donald Trump will again be President of the United States in 2025 sank in, a grim mix of panic and despair spread among liberals. Even before the polls closed nationwide, Google noted a significant uptick in searches for those interested in moving abroad. For example, searches for “move to Canada” surged by 1,270% in the twenty-four hours following the election. Searches about moving to New Zealand rose by almost 2000%, while queries about relocating to Australia increased by 800%. (17) Evan Green, who is the managing partner at the Canadian law firm Green and Spiegel, could not help but notice the growing interest in moving to the Great White North. “Every half hour there is a new email inquiry,” he marveled. He then went on to say, “Trump is obviously the impetus, but it’s also societal. The majority of Americans voted for him and some people don’t necessarily feel comfortable living in that kind of society anymore. People are afraid they are going to lose their freedoms.” (18)
As strange as it sounds, the Canadian authorities are concerned about an influx of Americans illegally crossing the border into Canada. “We knew a few months ago that we had to start prepping a contingency plan because if he comes into power, which now he will in a few months, it could drive illegal migration and irregular migration into (the province of) Quebec and into Canada,” warned Royal Canadian Mounted Police Sergeant Charles Poirier. He then went on to say, “Worst-case scenario would be people crossing in large numbers everywhere on the territory. ... Let's say we had 100 people per day entering across the border, then it's going to be hard because our officers will basically have to cover huge distances in order to arrest everyone.” (19)
Those interested in migrating to Canada might find that the process is not easy. In October 2024, the Canadian government announced it would reduce the number of new permanent residents by 90,000 in 2025. The number will be reduced again in 2026. (20) Furthermore, the Canadian government usually requires potential residents to have funds on hand before they move. While there are some exceptions, a single person would need a minimum of $14,690 Canadian dollars. That amount increases to $18,288 for two people and jumps to $27,297 for a family of four. (21)
It is easier to leave the United States if you have considerable financial resources. In 2016, when Trump won his first presidency, many celebrities threatened to leave. However, few, if any, actually made good on their threats. Will it be different this time? Actress turned TV personality Whoopi Goldberg recently pondered a move, stating, “Maybe it’s time for me to move, you know. I can afford to go.” Elon Musk’s transgender offspring, Vivian Wilson, who identifies as female, responded negatively to the election results, by stating, “I’ve thought this for a while, but yesterday confirmed it for me. I don’t see my future being in the United States. Even if [Trump] is only in office for four years, even if the anti-trans regulations magically don’t happen, the people who willingly voted this in are not going anywhere anytime soon.” The singer known as Cher complained in 2023 that she “almost got an ulcer” from Trump’s first presidency. She then commented, “If he gets in, who knows? This time, I will leave.” (22) Meanwhile, former talk show host and actress, Ellen DeGeneres has already made her escape. She and her wife, Portia de Rossi, wasted no time in relocating to the United Kingdom after the election results were revealed. According to The Wrap, she’s “never coming back.” (23) Imagine how different the entertainment industry would be if everyone who threatened to leave actually left!
A Direct War
The newly-elected President of the United States will surely have his hands full with foreign affairs. As we close out a tumultuous year, the world remains embroiled in great peril on multiple fronts. The war between Ukraine and Russia has now surpassed one thousand days. Although Russia has made significant advances against Ukraine – they’ve captured about 948 square miles of territory in Ukraine this year – these gains have come at a terrible cost in terms of human life. “The Russians have paid a very high price to keep advancing, but they’re willing to pay that price in lives to gain a few more meters of territory each day,” opined Justin Crump of the British strategic advisory firm Sibylline. (24) In September 2024, The Wall Street Journal reported the number of casualties from the war had surpassed one million. (25)
Over time, the war has involved other countries to varying degrees. Ukraine has relied on the United States and much of Europe for weapons, ammunition, technology, and funding. Russia has received assistance and cooperation from Iran, China, and North Korea. In recent weeks, at least 10,000 North Korean troops have been deployed to Russia. (26) This development suggests that Russia is likely finding it increasingly difficult to replace their soldiers that have been lost in battle. “Insomuch is that these are potentially forces that are coming to replace the massive numbers of losses that Russia is experiencing. I think that’s probably a fair assessment, and I certainly would not want to be a North Korean soldier, right?” said US Major General Pat Ryder. (27)
In mid-November 2024, outgoing American President Joe Biden surprised the world when it was announced that he had given Ukraine permission to fire American-made Army Tactical Missile Systems, or ATACMS, deep into Russian territory. (28) Biden’s decision was met with swift condemnation from the Russian government. “It is obvious that the outgoing administration in Washington intends to take steps, and they have been talking about this, to continue adding fuel to the fire and provoking further escalation of tensions around this conflict,” said Russia’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov. (29) France and the United Kingdom have also given Ukraine the go-ahead to use long-range missiles to strike Russia. According to former Russian spokesman Sergey Markov, these decisions mean the West is now directly involved in the war. “It is a very dangerous decision. The point is these rocket-missiles cannot be fired by the Ukrainian army, technically. Because these rocket-missiles need to have very good map of the Russian territory and only the US has this map, even Great Britain and France do not have this map.” In other words, Peskov is saying that Ukraine cannot fire these long-range missiles without direct assistance from the United States. He then added, “So we regard this as the start of a direct war by Britain, America, and France against Russia, another nuclear power. American rocket-missiles against our territory. This is a clear escalation of the war.” (30)
On November 19, 2024, Ukraine fired six American-made ATACMS into Russian territory for the first time. (31) Days later, Russia fired a newly developed hypersonic missile at Ukraine, an action that Russia described as a warning to the West. “The main message is that the reckless decisions and actions of Western countries that produce missiles, supply them to Ukraine, and subsequently participate in strikes on Russian territory cannot remain without a reaction from the Russian side,” Peskov declared. (32)
Much to the chagrin of the Russians, the United States military recently opened a new missile defense base in Poland. Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova warned that Russian forces might attack this base. “[The base] has been added to the list of priority targets for potential destruction, which, if necessary, can be executed with a wide range of advanced weapons,” she said. (33) Russian President Vladimir Putin also issued a warning, stating, “We consider ourselves entitled to use our weapons against military facilities of those countries that allow their weapons to be used against our facilities.” (34)
Much of Europe is on edge as concern grows that there could soon be an all-out war with Russia. Lieutenant General Sir Rob Magowan has declared that the British Army is ready to fight if necessary. “If the British Army was asked to fight tonight, it would fight tonight.” He further stated, “If the Russians invaded Eastern Europe tonight, then we would meet them in that fight.” (35) The governments of Sweden, Finland, and Norway have issued new guidelines to their citizens on what should be done if there is a war. (36) Meanwhile, Ukraine’s former military Commander-in-chief, Valery Zaluzhny, believes World War III has already begun. “ believe that in 2024 we can absolutely believe that the Third World War has begun,” he commented. “Because in 2024, Ukraine is no longer facing Russia. Soldiers from North Korea are standing in front of Ukraine. Let's be honest. Already in Ukraine, the Iranian 'Shahedis' are killing civilians absolutely openly, without any shame.” (37) With a sense of great foreboding, the world waits to see what will happen next.
Thy Will Be Done
Without question, we have much to pray about in these perilous times. When Jesus taught His Sermon on the Mount, as recorded in Matthew chapters 5-7, He gave us an example of how to pray. These verses, commonly known as the Lord’s Prayer, instruct us in Matthew 6:9-13, “After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.” This beautiful prayer emphasizes the need for us to surrender our will to God and trust Him.
The divine will of God is a recurring theme throughout Scripture. While we, as frail human beings, often do not understand what God is doing and why He is doing it, the Scriptures reassure us that God always has a plan. Psalm 115:3 declares, “But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased.” Isaiah 40:28 tells us, “Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding.” In a similar fashion, Isaiah 46:9-10 reminds us, “Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure.”
There are more than eight billion people alive on Earth today. While we are all limited in our knowledge and understanding, God sees every person on every continent. He even sees you. He knows when and where to intervene in our lives and how to inspire actions that will bring about His will. Most importantly, He has extended His amazing grace to each and every one of us. Titus 2:11 declares, “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men.” With so much uncertainty in the world, I take great comfort in knowing that, ultimately, God is in control. My father, who left this world more than fourteen years ago, kept a small plaque in his office that read, “I don’t know what the future holds, but I know who holds the future.” These words still ring true today. If you have not yet repented of your sins and dedicated your life to God, I urge you to do so now.
Thank you all for your kind support of this ministry. This is the final issue of the Last Trumpet for the year 2024. If you receive this newsletter by mail, please remember to send us your renewal form as soon as possible. We want to make sure you receive every issue in 2025, which will no doubt be a very important and eventful year. If you have any prayer needs, we invite you to send them our way. Our team of intercessors give each 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.
References
01. Forbes Magazine, November 5, 2024, By Sara Dorn, forbes.com.
02. Ibid.
03. The New York Times, November 21, 2024, nytimes.com.
04. Ibid.
05. Associated Press, November 14, 2024, apnews.com.
06. Axios, November 6, 2024, By Andrew Solender, axios.com.
07. New York Post, November 6, 2024, By Ryan King, nypost.com.
08. New York Post, November 7, 2024, By David Propper, nypost.com.
09. Blast News, November 10, 2024, By Favour Adegoke, news.yahoo.com.
10. National Public Radio, November 10, 2024, By Paul Boger, Chuck Quirmbach, and Sarah Kallis, npr.org.
11. Ibid.
12. Gallup, October 14, 2024, By Megan Brenan, gallup.com
13. National Public Radio, November 21, 2024, By Domenico Montanaro, Connie Hanzhang Jin, and Daniel Wood, npr.org.
14. Associated Press, November 10, 2024, By Matt Brown, Fernanda Figueroa, Hannah Fingerhut, and Linley Sanders, apnews.com.
15. The New York Post, November 12, 2024, By Caitlin Doornbos, nypost.com.
16. Ibid.
17. Reuters, November 8, 2024, By Lewis Jackson, reuters.com.
18. Ibid.
19. Reuters, November 8, 2024, By Anna Mehler Paperny, reuters.com.
20. Reuters, October 23, 2024, By Anna Mehler Paperny, reuters.com.
21. Government of Canada, canada.ca.
22. Marketwatch, November 18, 2024, By Marianee Garvey, marketwatch.com.
23. The Wrap, November 20, 2024, By Josh Dickey, thewrap.com.
24. Associated Press, November 17, 2024, By Hanna Arhirova, apnews.com.
25. The Wall Street Journal, September 17, 2024, By Bojan Pancevski, wsj.com.
26. ABC News, November 5, 2024, By Luis Martinez, abcnews.go.com.
27. Ibid.
28. Associated Press, November 17, 2024, By Aamer Madhani, Colleen Long, Zeke Miller, Matthew Lee, and Ellen Knickmeyer, apnews.com.
29. Associated Press, November 18, 2024, By Samya Kullab and Illia Novikov, apnews.com.
30. The Express, November 18, 2024, By Emily Wright, the-express.com.
31. The New York Times, November 19, 2024, By Marc Santora and Eric Schmitt, nytimes.com.
32. Reuters, November 22, 2024, By Dmitry Antonov and Andrew Osborn, reuters.com.
33. The Daily Mail, November 21, 2024, By David Averre, Olivia Christie, and Will Stewart, dailymail.co.uk.
34. London Evening Standard, November 22, 2024, By Anthony France, standard.co.uk.
35. Ibid.
36. BBC News, November 18, 2024, By Alex Maxia, bbc.com.
37. Politico, November 21, 2024, By Ketrin Jochecova, politico.com.
Source
No comments:
Post a Comment