April 30, 2024 – Watchman River Tom – Israel into Rafah with or without a deal

Another good day the Lord has made for us.  We will rejoice and be glad in it as we await the pre-tribulation rapture of the church.

The tensions are rising!  May be a good day for French fries and gravy!

Scriptures that praise the Lord –

Isaiah 25:1 – “Oh Lord you are my God, I will exalt You, I will praise Your name for You have done wonderful things. Your councils of old are faithfulness and truth.”

Psalms 150:6 “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord, praise the Lord.”

Psalms 63:3-4 – “Because Your loving kindness is better than life I shall praise You, thus I will bless you while I live, I will lift up my hands in Your name.”

Psalms 28:7 – “The Lord is my strength and my shield.  My heart trusted in Him and I am helped.  Therefore my heart greatly rejoices and with my song I will praise Him.”

Psalms 103 – “Bless the Lord oh my soul and all that is within me, bless His Holy name.”  

Psalms 34:1 – “I will bless the Lord at all times, His praise shall continually be in my mouth.”

Tom says a good way to spend the day is take our eyes off ourself and praise the Lord.

Tom says it feels like the pot is about to boil in the world.  Feels like the rapture causes the chaos and sudden destruction.  Just waiting for Jesus to get us.

News – 

Netanyahu said today  we will enter Rafah to destroy Hamas with or without a deal.  He said the idea that we will halt the war before achieving all of its goals is out of the question.  We will enter Rafah, we will eliminate the Hamas battalions there, with or without a deal in order to achieve total victory.”

Tom asks, how could they resume after a ceasefire, such pressure.  A spiritual war.

Times of Israel – Israel official remarks on other hostage options they suggest if Hamas agrees.

10 week pause in exchange for 33 living hostages.  Also Palestinians moving back to Gaza without security checks or with Egypt being responsible for security checks.

Israel Today – The coming 48-72 hours determines if Israel invades Rafah and Gaza war heats up, or if ceasefire takes hold.  Tremendous international pressure for Israel not to enter Rafah, the last remaining stronghold in Gaza.  Israel seems open, only if hostages are freed.  Seems like a golden opportunity for Hamas yet they continue to reject what Western leaders call a generous Israeli offer.  Says it could be like Pharaoh whose hearts are being hardened so God’s agenda not mans is achieved.

Tom wonders what is next?  It looks impossible – but God.  He is the solution.

Israel Today – Senior defense officials say the entire Israeli security is in favor of a hostage deal with Hamas even if the price is high.  Say the only thing they will not accept is a permanent ceasefire and end to the war.

Strikes already happening in Rafah.  Passover is about to end.  Even with what is happening in the colleges, 72% of Americans are in favor of Israeli maneuver in Rafah. 

Jerusalem Post – EU foreign policy chiefs sat on the sidelines of World Economic Forum special meeting. Say European states expect to recognize Palestinian statehood by the end of May.

State Department said Biden Administration accuses Israeli military of human rights violations.  They say they found 5 units of Israel defense forces responsible for gross violations of human rights.   They talked of cutting funding to Israel. Said these happened before October 7.  Tom says we watch what happens when the US condemns Israel.  The consequences, He doesn’t do it, but He allows it. 

Residents of northern Israel told to stockpile food and medicine for possible all out war with Hezbollah.

Israel Radar – Israel fighter jets bomb Hezbollah terrorists in Lebanon.  With Passover ending, likelihood of larger conflict grows as Israel nears decision time.  May expected to be a dramatic month on Lebanon and Gaza fronts.  This dynamic will not last much longer and a broader war is a very real probability.

At Virginia Commonwealth University it calls for shelter in place due to violent protests and riots.  Columbia locks down all but one entry point as protestors take over.  Protestors took over a campus building, smashing doors and windows.

The Harry Potter castle is burning down after a Russian missile strike in Ukraine.  3 dead, 20 injured.  

Last 24 hour earthquakes,  57 over 4.0, and 5 over 5.0.

This is end days news Tom says. A chicken was offered as sacrifice to the rain god at Mexico Senate.  It took place in one of the courtyards in Mexico’s Federal Senate buildings.

Canadian municipalities now require a QR code for tourist to enter or leave an area of Canada islands with 12,000 residents.   Residents required to show drivers license to enter or leave.  Also charging 30 dollars to enter or leave. Tom says,  $30 to visit Grandma?   Tom  says he’s Canadian French and says Canada is going off the deep end!  It’s spreading all over.

Clown World

NewsWeek article – If social media is a digital heroin for todays youth, AI will be their fentanyl.  The AI picks up on ads given by AI that targets the user based on AI analyzed browsing habits and “private conversations.” A young  person clicks on the ad and is bombarded with AI content ads and deep fake video from influencers that influence in harmful ways.  

Tom says in this world, as we await the rapture, are dark things.  Look to Jesus, trust Him.  Going home soon.

Testimonies and comments –

Said she was working with a Christian that showed his faith.  He was patient when she would mock him about it.  That turned to asking him questions.  She started sharing and they were growing together.  She needed to have it go to not just her head but her heart.  He told her to read John 3:16 putting her name in there.  Said when she did she physically felt the Holy Spirit, forever His.

Everything changes in an instant, absolutely in the blink of an eye.

Gospel –

Through faith in the blood of Christ and Jesus finished work we are forgiven and are saved.  Jesus came from heaven, left a throne, lived a perfect life, only begotten Son of God.  Came to die for all sins ever committed, the  Lamb of God slain from the foundation of the world.

Turn from our way to His way, with belief in what He did.  Become His forever.  Saved, filled with His Holy Spirit, rapture ready, to be with Him forever, all sins forgiven.  

Ephesians 2:8-9 saved by grace alone, nothing we can do, or need to do. 

Warns if don’t receive it will not have sins forgiven and will go to hell forever. 

Tell Him you believe.  Receive salvation today, for forever.

Today’s Scriptures:

Isaiah 25:1 KJV

[1] O LORD, thou art my God; I will exalt thee, I will praise thy name; for thou hast done wonderful things; thy counsels of old are faithfulness and truth. 

Psalm 150:6 KJV

[6] Let every thing that hath breath Praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.

Psalm 63:3-4 KJV

[3] Because thy lovingkindness Is better than life, My lips shall praise thee. [4] Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name.

Psalm 28:7 KJV

[7] The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: Therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.

Psalm 103:1 KJV

[1] Bless the LORD, O my soul: And all that is within me, bless his holy name.

Acts 16:25 KJV

[25] And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. 

Psalm 9:1 KJV

[1] I will praise thee, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works.

Psalm 145:3 KJV

[3] Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; And his greatness is unsearchable. 

Psalm 139:13-14 KJV

[13] For thou hast possessed my reins: Thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb. [14] I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: Marvellous are thy works; And that my soul knoweth right well.

Psalm 34:1 KJV

[1] I will bless the LORD at all times: His praise shall continually be in my mouth. 

Psalm 71:8 KJV

[8] Let my mouth be filled with thy praise And with thy honour all the day.