In Matthew 24, Jesus warns us of the signs that will precede his return, among these signs being pestilences. Yet, despite these clear warnings, many people fail to recognize the fulfillment of prophecy unfolding before their very eyes. One of the most striking signs of our time is the increasing frequency and severity of pestilences—diseases that ravage nations and bring societies to a standstill.
The world is witnessing a significant outbreak of avian influenza, or bird flu, which has been raging through U. S. agriculture for years.
The Department of Agriculture says eggs are about double the price from January 2024, with an ongoing bird flu outbreak blamed as the main culprit. This disease has led to the culling of over 111 million birds across 49 states, drastically affecting the food supply and causing egg prices to soar. Egg prices are up 53% year-over-year.
The price of eggs has risen so drastically that the U. S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has launched an investigation into potential price gouging, signaling how much the cost of this staple item has skyrocketed.
We've got to talk about the price of eggs. The Department of Justice is launching an antitrust investigation into major egg producers. Many people see the economic consequences but fail to recognize the deeper significance.
This is part of the pestilences that Jesus warned about in Matthew 24. The Bible makes it clear that pestilences are not random occurrences but serve as wake-up calls for humanity. When Egypt resisted God's will, he sent plagues as a sign of judgment.
Similarly, in the last days, pestilences will serve as signs pointing to the nearness of Christ's return. These outbreaks remind us that the world is not as stable as it appears and that the systems people trust in can crumble. So, Secretary, you announced a $1 billion investment to curb bird flu.
You rolled out a five-part plan to reduce egg prices. This current outbreak is just one of many warnings. The rapid spread of bird flu, its ability to decimate entire poultry populations within 48 to 72 hours, and the economic distress it causes should alert us that we are living in perilous times.
Just as in the days of Noah, when people continued with their daily lives unaware of the coming flood, many today fail to recognize the prophetic significance of these events. If the world were paying attention, they would realize that these pestilences align with biblical warnings. Instead, they seek solutions that ignore the spiritual aspect of the problem.
Scientists scramble for answers, policymakers debate over strategies, and the media downplays the reality of these signs. But Jesus himself warned that pestilences would increase as the world edges closer to the tribulation period. Jesus warned in Luke 21:34, “Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you suddenly like a trap.
” Many people are so preoccupied with worldly concerns, political debates, financial crises, and personal ambitions that they fail to see the spiritual implications of what is happening around them. In Luke 21:34, Jesus warns us not to let our hearts be weighed down by carousing, drunkenness, and the anxieties of life, lest we be caught off guard when his return comes suddenly. The anxieties of life are not merely concerns about survival; they represent a deeper distraction that blinds people to the urgency of the times.
Many today are consumed by financial stress, health crises, political instability, and personal ambitions, all of which cloud their awareness of the prophetic signs unfolding before them. Instead of seeing pestilences like the ongoing bird flu outbreak as a warning from God, people focus solely on the economic impact—rising egg prices, supply shortages, and government investigations. This worldly perspective ignores the deeper spiritual reality that Jesus foretold in Matthew 24.
The distractions of life are a subtle but effective trap that lulls people into complacency, making them spiritually unprepared for what is to come. Just as in the days of Noah, when people carried on with their routines oblivious to the coming judgment, many today are too preoccupied with their daily struggles to recognize the signs of the times. I understand this struggle personally.
I too have concerns and responsibilities. I have a family to care for, a job to do, bills to pay, and mouths to feed. Life comes with its challenges, and I am not exempt from them.
Yet, despite these concerns, we must always remember that Jesus is coming soon. It amazes me how some Christians become upset or even irritated when I preach about the return of Jesus or the day we will all stand before God to be judged. I often find myself asking, “What Bible are they reading?
” Because the Bible is clear. Believers are called to eagerly anticipate the return of Christ. Scripture repeatedly instructs us to live with the awareness that one day we will stand before God and give an account.
This is not a message of fear, but one of urgency and hope. Our lives should reflect this reality, shaping our priorities, actions, and faith as we await his glorious return. These are the words of Jesus: Luke 21:34, “Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you suddenly like a trap.
” This is not the Lion of Judah YouTube channel warning you; this is Jesus, your Lord, your Savior—the same Jesus who died for you, the same Jesus who loves you and wants the very best for your life. Anxiety causes people to place their trust in governments, scientific solutions, and economic strategies rather than in God. They desperately seek security in a world that is increasingly unstable, never realizing that true peace can only be found in Christ.
Jesus’ warning is clear: those who allow worldly anxieties to consume them will be caught off guard when judgment comes. comes like a trap snapping shut. The solution is not to ignore life's responsibilities, but to prioritize God above all else.
As believers, we must guard our hearts, remain spiritually awake, and fix our eyes on eternal things rather than being weighed down by the temporal troubles of this world. The anxieties of life may be inevitable, but they must not control us, for those who remain alert and steadfast in faith will be ready when the Lord returns. The bird flu crisis is a perfect example.
Instead of recognizing it as a sign of the times, the world debates over policy responses and economic solutions. The rise in egg prices, the shortages in food supplies, and the disruptions to daily life should prompt people to ask deeper questions: Why is this happening? What does it mean?
What is God trying to show us? But instead, most will remain blind, assuming that governments and experts will solve everything. This blindness is precisely what Jesus warned about.
He said people would be eating, drinking, and going about life as usual, completely unaware that judgment was looming. Spiritual blindness is one of the greatest dangers of our time. Many people, especially in the fields of science, technology, and transhumanism, believe we are getting closer to significantly extending human life.
Some even think we could achieve a form of immortality in the future. They place their hope in human progress, trusting that science and technology will eventually overcome death itself. From anti-aging research and genetic engineering to artificial intelligence and mind uploading, there is a growing movement that believes humanity can outsmart the limits of our own mortality.
Yet, despite all these advancements, one thing remains true: People trust in science, technology, and human wisdom to solve every crisis, but they refuse to turn to God. They believe that medicine, AI, and futuristic innovations will eventually provide eternal life, yet they reject the true source of eternal life, Jesus Christ. Humanity has always sought ways to prolong life, but in the process, many have hardened their hearts against the very one who gives life.
Instead of acknowledging God's sovereignty over life and death, they pursue immortality on their own terms, convinced that they can achieve what only God can grant. This is exactly what happened in ancient times when people turned away from God. They sought to make a name for themselves, as seen in the Tower of Babel (Genesis 11:4).
They wanted to reach the heavens by their own means, just as people today seek to attain eternal life through their own knowledge. But Scripture warns that those who reject God's wisdom in favor of their own will ultimately be lost. While the world panics, we as believers have a firm foundation in Christ.
Psalm 91:3-6 tells us that God will deliver His people from the deadly pestilence and will be our refuge in times of trouble. Though the world may fear disease and economic instability, we must remember that our hope is not in government policies or financial security, but in Jesus Christ. This is not a time to be complacent; it is a time to watch and pray.
The Lord is calling His people to be spiritually awake, to recognize the signs, and to prepare their hearts for His return. Pestilences like the bird flu are warnings for the world to repent and seek salvation. Let us not be like those who were blind to Noah's warnings, but instead be found faithful when Christ returns.
God's protection is real, but it is reserved for those who put their trust in Him. Psalm 91:9-10 says, "If you make the Most High your dwelling, even the Lord who is my refuge, then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent. " This does not mean we will be free from all difficulties, but it means that God will sustain us through them.
While the world is overcome with fear, believers should stand firm in faith, knowing that God is in control. The world is filled with uncertainty, chaos, and fear. Every day, we hear of disasters, wars, financial instability, and personal tragedies that shake people to their core.
Yet, in the midst of it all, believers have a firm foundation: the unshakable truth that God is in control. His protection is real, but it is reserved for those who put their trust in Him. The Bible assures us that when we dwell in God's presence and make Him our refuge, we will experience His divine protection.
Psalm 91:9-10 declares, "If you make the Most High your dwelling, even the Lord who is my refuge, then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent. " This passage does not suggest that believers will never encounter hardship, but it promises that when we place our trust in God, He will sustain and protect us through every trial. God's protection is not about avoiding trouble altogether, but about experiencing His peace, guidance, and deliverance in the midst of life's storms.
Fear grips the hearts of many. People worry about their safety, their future, and the instability of the world around them. But as followers of Christ, we are called to walk by faith, not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7).
We do not have to live in fear because we know that God is sovereign over all things. From the smallest details of our lives to the grand events shaping nations, nothing catches Him by surprise. Nothing happens outside of His divine plan.
The book of Isaiah reminds us of this truth: "I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done" (Isaiah 46:9-10). The same God who created the universe and holds the stars in place is the God who watches over His children. He is not distant or unaware of our struggles.
He is intimately involved in our lives, guiding and. . .
protecting us. God's promises of protection are for those who abide in Him. Psalm 91 makes it clear that God's shelter is for those who make Him their dwelling place.
This means living in close fellowship with Him, seeking Him daily in prayer, obeying His Word, and trusting in His faithfulness. It is not a passive belief but an active faith that chooses to rely on God rather than the world's security. In Proverbs 3:5-6, we are instructed, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. " When we put our trust in God, we release our worries and surrender to His perfect will, knowing that He works all things together for the good of those who love Him. The world will continue to experience trouble, but believers are called to stand firm in faith.
Jesus Himself warned, "In this world you will have trouble, but take heart. I have overcome the world. " (John 16:33).
This means that no matter what happens, God remains in control, and His power is greater than any trial we face. We are not called to live in fear but to walk boldly, knowing that the Almighty God is our protector. While the world trembles in uncertainty, we can rest securely in the arms of our Heavenly Father.
Let us make the Most High our dwelling place. Trust in His sovereignty and stand firm in the confidence that God is in control. We live in a world where tragic events occur daily, but some tragedies go unnoticed by the majority.
Recently, reports emerged that at least 70 Christians were found beheaded in a church in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. According to various sources, the attack is suspected to have been carried out by the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), an Islamist militant group. The victims were reportedly abducted and later found beheaded inside a Protestant church in the village of Casanga.
It is important to clarify that there is still an ongoing investigation regarding this horrific event. The United Nations Peacekeeping Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (Monusco) has acknowledged these reports but stated that they remain unverified and are being examined further. Nevertheless, this tragedy highlights the harsh reality faced by our Christian brothers and sisters in many parts of the world, where persecution is not just a possibility; it is a daily reality.
We are called to pray for the nations we live in. There are countries where Christians face severe persecution, and we must lift them up in prayer. Likewise, we need to pray for the leaders of our own nations so that we may live peaceful and godly lives.
If you live in a nation where you can freely be a Christian without risking your life, please do not take that for granted. Do not take it for granted. This is not the reality everywhere.
Christians are being persecuted all around the world. The events unfolding in the Democratic Republic of the Congo are not isolated incidents; they are part of a larger global pattern of rising Christian persecution. Reports from organizations like Open Doors and Voice of the Martyrs consistently highlight the suffering of Christians across the world.
Yet, despite the growing number of attacks against believers, the world remains largely silent. This silence is not just concerning; it is an indictment of the state of our culture and the spiritual battle taking place before our very eyes. One of the most concerning aspects of this tragedy is the media blackout surrounding it.
If you were to browse mainstream news outlets, you would likely find little to no coverage of this heartbreaking event. I have personally searched for coverage on major media platforms and found nothing. Perhaps one or two outlets have mentioned it, but I couldn't find them.
If they did cover it, it was not in a way that brought widespread awareness to the issue. This raises an important question: Why is the brutal slaughter of 70 Christians in a church not making global headlines? Why does mainstream media remain silent when Christians are being persecuted for their faith?
Compare this to other stories that make headlines. Let a celebrity pastor be caught in adultery, and you will see major news outlets covering it nonstop. Take for instance the Hillsong pastor who was caught in adultery—major news channels covered his affair, and I am pretty sure multiple documentaries were made regarding his situation.
Let a Christian leader fail, and the world will jump at the opportunity to highlight their fall. But when Christians are martyred for their faith, silence. I firmly believe that when pastors are caught in sin, it needs to be exposed.
However, I also believe that an event of this magnitude, like what has happened in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, deserves even greater coverage. The hypocrisy of the media is evident. If a crime or injustice fits a particular narrative, it receives widespread attention.
But when the victims are Christians, when the persecutors do not fit the politically accepted narrative, the world looks away. This is a direct reflection of a spiritual reality. John 3:19 states, "And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their deeds were evil.
" Jesus Himself warned us in John 15:18, "If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. " It is no accident that Christian persecution is ignored; the enemy does not want people to see the reality of the war between good and evil. He does not want the world to recognize the faithfulness of the saints who stand firm under persecution.
He would rather distract the masses with scandals and trivial controversies than allow them to focus on the real suffering of the church. This should not surprise us. The media's silence on Christian persecution.
. . is a reflection of the growing hostility toward Christ and His followers.
The world does not want to acknowledge the suffering of believers because to do so would mean acknowledging the reality of evil and the battle between light and darkness. What happened in the DRC is a stark reminder that Christianity is not a faith of comfort and ease. It is a faith that calls us to take up our cross and follow Christ, even if it costs us everything.
The early church understood this reality. The apostles were beaten, imprisoned, and killed for preaching the gospel. The blood of the martyrs has always been the seed of the church.
But how many of us in the western world are prepared for such a cost? We are accustomed to religious freedom, to attending church without fear of violence, to reading our Bibles openly. But our brothers and sisters in many parts of the world do not share that luxury.
For them, every act of worship is an act of defiance against the forces of darkness. Every prayer, every gathering, every declaration of faith is a risk. Jesus never promised that following Him would be easy.
He promised that it would be worth it. He told us in Luke 9:23, "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. " The Bible tells us in Hebrews 13:3, "Remember those who are in prison as though in prison with them and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body.
" There are still many Christians in the DRC, and their lives are at risk. We must intercede for them, asking God to strengthen their faith, protect them, and comfort those who have lost loved ones. The enemy seeks to destroy the church, but we know that the gates of hell will not prevail against it.
Pray for the families of the martyrs. Pray for the churches in the DRC. Pray for courage, for strength, for supernatural protection.
Pray that even in the face of persecution, the gospel will continue to spread. Let us also be vigilant. Persecution is not something that happens over there; it is increasing worldwide.
We must be prepared. We must be firm in our faith. We must take our walk with Christ seriously.
As we reflect on the tragic persecution of Christians in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and around the world, we must recognize that this is not just an isolated event. It is part of a greater prophetic reality, one that Jesus and the apostles warned us about. Persecution is a clear sign that we are living in the last days.
Jesus Himself prophesied in Matthew 24:9-10, "Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name's sake. And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. " These words are unfolding before our very eyes.
We see Christians being targeted, attacked, silenced, and even killed simply for their faith in Jesus Christ. This hatred is growing worldwide—from believers being imprisoned and executed in countries like North Korea, Afghanistan, and Nigeria to the increasing hostility toward biblical truth in Western nations. For many believers in the West, persecution is often associated with distant lands where Christianity is openly suppressed and churches are burned down.
However, the Bible does not limit persecution to physical violence alone. In many parts of the world, persecution takes the form of legal restrictions, censorship, social exclusion, and growing hostility toward biblical values. As the last days draw near, the pressure on those who stand for Christ will only increase.
If you stand for biblical truth, you will face opposition. No matter how much the world tries to silence the gospel, it cannot be stopped. Let us stand firm.
Let us not be shaken. And let us pray fervently for those who are suffering for the name of Jesus. A lot of people are scared of the future.
They are scared of nuclear war. They are scared of World War III. Because of current events, we are witnessing the beginning of sorrows in full swing.
Different nations are rising against different nations. There are wars and rumors of wars. The accuracy of Bible prophecy is staggering.
It is astonishing just how precisely Bible prophecy describes the world we live in today. Every single day, events unfold that align perfectly with what the Bible predicted thousands of years ago. This should not surprise us, for God's word is truth, and His prophecies will always come to pass.
Yet, in the midst of all this chaos, I want us Christians to focus on one verse: Psalm 46:10, "Be still, and know that I am God. " This verse is not a suggestion; it is a command. It is a call to faith—a call to trust in the sovereignty of our God despite the turmoil that surrounds us.
Before going back to this verse, let us first look at current events. On March 7th, 2025, President Donald Trump sent a letter to Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei proposing negotiations aimed at addressing concerns over Iran's nuclear program. This was a significant diplomatic move—an attempt to prevent further escalation and global conflict.
I do want to take a live look here at the White House, as Iran's Supreme Leader has now rejected President Trump's demand for talks relating to a nuclear deal. Now, we know that a letter was sent days ago, but we hadn't heard any response from Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Now we have learned from his office that he is not willing to speak with President Trump over that nuclear deal.
Still, a lot is left to figure out here as we wait for President Trump's response to that response. The world is already on edge, and tensions in the Middle East only add to the unease many people feel. However, Iran's.
. . Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei firmly rejected the notion of engaging in talks, describing U.
S. efforts as bullying tactics. He made it clear that such negotiations are merely a means for dominant powers to impose their demands, which Iran will not accept.
His rejection of these talks has further fueled speculation about the potential for greater conflict. The world is watching. The Middle East remains a powder keg, and the possibility of conflict looms heavily over international relations.
The Bible tells us in Matthew 24:6, "And ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that ye be not troubled, for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. " These words of Jesus remind us that what we see unfolding is part of God's prophetic timeline.
The world is growing darker, but we are not to be troubled, for we know how the story ends. Then, on March 9th, 2025, in an interview aired on Fox News, President Donald Trump discussed a range of pressing global issues. One of his statements has gone particularly viral: the end of the world.
President Trump expressed concerns about the catastrophic potential of nuclear weapons, referring to them as "monster nukes" that could lead to the end of the world if ever used. "We spend a lot of money on nuclear missiles, nuclear weapons. The level of destruction is beyond anything you can even imagine.
It's just bad that everybody has to spend all this money on something that, if it's used, it's probably the end of the world. " He emphasized that nuclear weapons pose one of the greatest threats to humanity. His words have resonated deeply with many, as people all over the world fear the possibility of World War III.
The power of nuclear destruction is unlike anything the world has ever seen. Many believe that just one wrong decision by a world leader could bring about global catastrophe. We live in a world teetering on the edge of destruction, where the threat of nuclear war looms like a dark shadow over humanity.
"They talk about the climate, and they talk about the dangers of the climate, but they don't talk about the dangers of a nuclear weapon, which could happen tomorrow. They say 300 years; I watched Biden for years say the existential threat. He loved the term existential threat.
His greatest existential threat is from the climate. I said no; the greatest is sitting on shelves in various countries called nuclear weapons that are big monsters that can blow your heads off for miles and miles and miles. " And they never mention it.
With the rise of global tensions, the fear of an apocalyptic conflict has never been more real. Technology has advanced to the point where one wrong move, one miscalculation, could trigger an irreversible catastrophe. One of the most terrifying realities of our time is the existence of the "dead hand," a Cold War-era Soviet nuclear system designed to ensure retaliation even if Russia's leadership is wiped out.
This system, reportedly still operational, can launch nuclear missiles without human approval if it detects an attack. It embodies the chilling truth of our age: we have created weapons so powerful that they could end civilization in mere moments. And yet, they remain at the fingertips of fallible men.
Sometimes I think about the people who created nuclear weapons. Did they truly understand what they were unleashing upon the world? J.
Robert Oppenheimer, the scientific director of the Manhattan Project, often called the father of the atomic bomb, was instrumental in developing a weapon unlike anything humanity had ever seen. But once it was created, did he realize the full weight of what he had done? Can you think of anything more wicked than creating something with this much destruction?
A weapon capable of wiping out entire cities, ending millions of lives in seconds, and leaving behind a legacy of suffering that lingers for generations. Nuclear weapons are not just tools of war; they are instruments of annihilation created with the full knowledge that their use would bring unfathomable devastation. As of today, there are approximately 12,500 nuclear warheads in existence, owned by a handful of nations.
While some are actively deployed, others remain in storage. Yet, each one holds the power to unleash catastrophic destruction. The sheer magnitude of this arsenal is beyond comprehension.
It is estimated that just 100 nuclear detonations in urban centers could trigger a nuclear winter, devastating the planet's climate, food supply, and ecosystems. But we don't just have 100 weapons; we have thousands. In fact, it has been calculated that the world's nuclear arsenal has enough destructive capability to obliterate human civilization multiple times over.
Some estimates suggest that the existing stockpile could destroy the world at least 15 times over, reducing everything we know to ashes. "Well, the Russians have got a lot of nuclear weapons: 5,500 nuclear warheads, and that's about—it's more than the Americans have got, but they've got several thousand as well. " When the first successful nuclear test, codenamed Trinity, detonated on July 16th, 1945, Oppenheimer is said to have recalled a line from the Hindu scripture, the Bhagavad Gita: "Now I am become death, the destroyer of worlds.
" That single moment changed everything. It was no longer just theoretical physics or scientific advancement; it was death and destruction on an unimaginable scale. Oppenheimer's words reveal a deep sense of guilt, an awareness that what had been created could never be undone.
The world would never be the same. Humanity now had the power to destroy itself in an instant. "Now I am become death, the destroyer of worlds.
" Jesus warned us in Matthew 24:6 that we would hear of wars and rumors of wars. But he also commanded, "See that ye be not troubled. " While world leaders debate diplomacy and deterrence, Christians must fix their eyes on God, knowing that no war, no weapon, not even the dead hand can.
to seek him with all our hearts. We must anchor our faith in Jesus, trusting that he is in control of all things. As we witness the chaos and turmoil in the world, let us remember that our hope lies not in the circumstances around us, but in the promises of God.
We are called to be lights in the darkness, to share the gospel, and to be agents of peace in a world that so desperately needs it. So take heart, and let your faith be a beacon for others. Stand firm, for the Lord is with you always, even to the end of the age.
To be watchful, to live in holiness, and to share the gospel with urgency. The world may fear, but we have hope. Jesus is coming.
Are you ready?
