May 17, 2024 – Watchman River Tom – Have they found the hostages as the war heats up?

Another good day the Lord has given us to serve Him as we await the pre-tribulation rapture of the church which could happen at any time.

Tom says If I did have time for a snack suggestion today, it would be French onion soup and ice water with a twist of lime, but no time!

From God’s Promises book – Scriptures – What to do when trouble hits your life.

2 Corinthians 4:8-9. “We are hard pressed on every side yet not crushed, perplexed, but not in despair, persecuted but not forsaken, down but not destroyed.”

Psalms 138:7, John 14:1 -” Let not your heart be troubled, you believe in God, believe also in Me.” 

Isaiah 43:2 – He walks through us.

Roman’s 8:28 – “We know all things work together for good to those who love God, called according to His purposes.”

Psalms 31:7, Psalms 121:1-2 I will lift up my eyes to the hills … my help comes from the Lord who made heaven and earth.  Jesus created it all at loves us.

News – 

Israel 7 News – Meeting at International Justice Court.  South Africa charging Israel with genocide.  Israel giving its defense.  South Africa demands Israel ceasefire.

Deputy General of Justice Ministry said the claims of South Africa are unrelated to the reality on the ground.  Said if the war was ordered to stop Hamas would still continue attacks.  Said South Africa claims are a mockery and obscene and should not be heard here.   Said there is a tragic war going on but no genocide.  Reminds that before South Africa brought the claims it hosted a Hamas delegation.  They did not urge Hamas to release hostages, stop targeting Israeli civilians, cease using human shields, operating near and inside hospitals, or UN sites.

Also said South Africa came to get military advantage for its ally, Hamas, who they do not wish to see defeated.  Then said Hamas has an advanced tunnel system in Rafah which includes about 50 tunnels which cross from Rafah into Egypt saying Israel hostages are being held there.  That was unexpected.  One of Israel’s legal team said Israel takes extraordinary measures to minimize  the harm to civilians. Tom said many generals and military leaders agree and said  even they never look out for civilians like Israel does.  The biggest news was about the tunnels and hostages.

Amir gives breaking news. IDF reported the bodies of 3 abductees were found and recovered from Gaza.

Times of Israel

A drone launched with explosives from Lebanon crashed into Israel.  3 soldiers were injured one serious.  Crossfire attacks have been ongoing since the killing of Senior Hezbollah commander this week.  The first time Hezbollah has used a drone that uses missiles rather than explosives from aircraft.

Rocket and drone alerts have been almost non-stop the last 24 hours in Northern Israel in multiple cities.  3,272 alarm sirens going off on multiple on borders with Lebanon.  One of the most intense fighting since October 7.

Amir  said a big war with Hezbollah is approaching.  Over 13 incidents with Israel.  Mostly with explosive drones that IDF struggles to find solutions for due to their small size and short flight route.  

Bubba News – says we are days if not hours from full scale war between Israel and Hezbollah.  Hezbollah attacks for over 15 hours so far.

Israel Today –

 Terrorists from Lebanon have launched over 200 missiles and drones at Israel in the past 24 hours.  Also 75 rockets were fired into Galilee and Golan, dozens intercepted.  

Times of Israel – 13 western countries, including UK, Germany, Italy, Sweden, Netherlands, Finland, France, New Zealand, Australia, Japan, S. Korea and Canada urge Israel not to launch full scale Rafah operation.  Saying it would have catastrophic consequences on the civilian population. Tom says but  already 800,000 of the  civilian population have left.

Houthi terrorists threaten to target all ships heading to Israel, even if they do not pass through the Red Sea.  They will also target in Mediterranean.

Insider Paper – North Korea fires ballistic missiles.   Kim’s powerful sister denies arm shipping to Russia.  North Korea says its upgrading its defenses. Tests  cruise missiles, tactical rockets and hypersonic weapons. 

 A report from Harvard University.  The numbers of homeless Americans has increased by almost 50%. Poverty and homelessness causing rampant thefts and violence across major US cities.

Damaging and devastating storms in Houston Texas last night.  Nearly a million without power, winds reaching 80-117 mph.  Toppled large transmission power lines, shattered skyscraper windows.  At least 4 have died.  Please pray. 

Scientific American – This solar storm did little damage last weekend but another coming.  A geo-magnetic event could push satellites out of orbit, disrupt vital underwater cables for internet causing massive blackouts by collapsing power grid. Tom says maybe, we  don’t know, we  trust Jesus.

Last 24 hour earthquakes 26 over 4.0, 1 over 5.0.

Clown World –

Release of Chat GPT was in November 2022, 16 months ago.  Now hundreds of billions of dollars with public and  private sources  pouring into AI.  Thousands of AI powered products created including new Chat GPT 40 this week.   Everyone from students to scientists uses this.  The world has changed. It could be dangerous if not controlled.   It could gain access to social media accounts, and manipulate people.  Worse, military personnel in charge of nuclear weapons could be manipulated by AI to share their credentials posing a huge threat to humanity.   Totally clown world.

Tom says he has to sign off early  phone as his phone is about to disconnect. Ends saying Jesus is good, trust Him, don’t worry about anything. 

Says if not raptured today,  he will see us tomorrow.  But today is a good day for the rapture

Today’s Scriptures:

2 Corinthians 4:8-9 KJV

[8] We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; [9] persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; 

Psalm 138:7 KJV

[7] Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me: Thou shalt stretch forth thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and thy right hand shall save me.

John 14:1 KJV

[1] Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 

Isaiah 43:2 KJV

[2] When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. 

Romans 8:28 KJV

[28] And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. 

Psalm 31:7 KJV

[7] I will be glad and rejoice in thy mercy: For thou hast considered my trouble; thou hast known my soul in adversities;

Psalm 121:1-2 KJV

[1] I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, From whence cometh my help. [2] My help cometh from the LORD, Which made heaven and earth.