The End of America in Afghanistan

S P E C I A L R E P O R T THE END OF AMERICA IN AFGHANISTAN

OCTOBER 2021

CHAOS BY DESIGN COVER Scientific experts are dictating theCOVER COVID-19 The world recognizes Joe Biden asresponse, being behind and the worldAfghanistan is blindly disaster, following. but few recognize who is behind Joe Biden. (Gary(Reese Dorning Zoellner/Trumpet)/TRUMPET)

OCTOBER 2021 | VOL. 32, NO. 9 | CIRC. 240,656

Taliban fighters controlling the Kabul airport watch the departure of a United States Air Force C-17 transport.

FEATURES DEPARTMENTS

COVER STORY Why Russia and China WORLDWATCH 26 FROM THE EDITOR 1 Are Rejoicing 15 This Isn’t Incompetence. SOCIETYWATCH 29 This Is Treason! INFOGRAPHIC Spent in Vain 18 PRINCIPLES OF LIVING 33 Why America Really Failed 4 Humility and the Path to Greatness Death of the U.S.— With Enemies Like These, Death of Freedom 20 DISCUSSION BOARD 34 Who Needs Friends? 7 War on the Dollar 22 COMMENTARY 35 A Way of Escape Why Europe Is Shaking 11 A Positive Vision of Empire 24 THE KEY OF DAVID TELEVISION LOG 36 Breaking the Brotherhood 14 MARCUS YAM/LOS ANGELESTIMES/GETTY IMAGES

Trumpet editor in chief Gerald Flurry’s Trumpet executive editor Stephen Regular news updates and alerts News and analysis weekly television program Flurry’s television program from our website to your inbox updated daily theTrumpet.com/keyofdavid theTrumpet.com/trumpetdaily theTrumpet.com/go/brief theTrumpet.com FROM THE EDITOR GERALD FLURRY This Isn’t Incompetence. This Is Treason!

America’s stunning defeat in Afghanistan demonstrates the collapse of a superpower. How could the Biden administration have enacted a policy so devastating to the nation? The answer goes deeper than you realize!

he Afghanistan catastrophe is an abject, and get everyone out no matter how long it took. Biden refused. shameful dishonor for America. The mighty He obeyed his orders from the Taliban! American military simply surrendered to the Joe Biden is commander in chief of the most militarily Taliban. Our nation lost nearly 2,500 soldiers sophisticated nation in world history. He could use that power and spent $275 million per day every day for 7,267 to drive the Taliban and every other terrorist group out of days on that war—more than $2 trillion in 20 Kabul for as long as he wanted! years. Yet our soldiers were evacuated in absurd haste to leave But he didn’t. Instead he begged the Taliban to let our people this nation to barbarians. out. He didn’t want to upset these thugs. He would rather obey This has been the worst foreign-policy disaster in the them, even if it meant enraging and alienating America’s allies Tnation’s history. This terrible defeat was a spectacle seen by and abandoning American citizens! the entire world—and they were watching intently! It will mar Former war correspondent Lara Logan said this adminis- our history, perhaps for the rest of time. tration wants you to believe “that Afghanistan is complicated,” Many people say it proves Joe Biden’s incompetence. But this but, in reality, “the United States wants this outcome.” She said catastrophe isn’t the result of bungling and bad judgment. It is America’s leaders “could do anything they want to change this. a deliberate, planned effort to destroy America. And they’re not.” And it has been terribly successful. She is absolutely right. This is not mere incompetence. It is With its rushed pullout, the Biden administration managed calculated destruction. It is treachery! to squander 20 years of sacrifices in Afghanistan in mere days. It permitted the very extremist group we went in to destroy to America’s Collapse regain control and create another radical Islamist state. Back Just days before the evacuation was to be completed, a terror- in July, it abandoned a massive air base that would have made ist attack at the Kabul airport killed 182 people, including 13 an evacuation far easier and safer. It left 5,000 terrorists in American servicemen. The Taliban have armed checkpoints on its prison that the Taliban were able to set free. It failed to every road leading to that airport. Clearly they allowed suicide evacuate at least hundreds of Americans safely and abandoned bombers and armed gunmen in to commit that heinous act. thousands of Afghan allies. It sent an unmistakable message to But Biden’s people said they needed to work with the Taliban to both allies and enemies worldwide: America does not keep its prevent more attacks. promises. We do not honor commitments. We cannot be trusted even to protect our own people! This has been the worst Now, millions of people are going to be greatly persecuted and killed. Children and women are going to be abused, raped foreign-policy disaster and murdered. The Taliban immediately began gathering up in the nation’s history. girls age 15 and even younger and giving them to their fighters as “wives.” They began publicly executing women for failing to They even gave the Taliban a list of American citizens, green- wear a burka. card holders and Afghan allies, supposedly to facilitate their The Taliban, a primitive organization of around 75,000 fight- evacuation. The Taliban are known to torture, mutilate, ers, threatened America—the most overwhelmingly powerful behead and burn people who have helped America! To give nation in history—that if it didn’t completely vacate by the end them such a list is beyond stupidity—it is a grotesque betrayal! News and analysis updated daily of August, it would face consequences. Many other nations Usually when America retreats from a war zone, if it has theTrumpet.com with people in Afghanistan pleaded with Joe Biden to remain to leave any armaments behind it destroys them so they OCTOBER 2021 1 won’t fall into enemy hands. The Biden administration did The Obama Years the exact opposite! It gave a staggering $85 billion worth of Many of the seeds for this disaster were laid years ago, when Joe U.S. military equipment to this extremist group—including Biden was vice president—second in command to Barack Obama. that massive air base, 2,000 armored vehicles, 45 Black Hawk I have written extensively on how, for eight years, the Obama helicopters, 208 total aircraft, 10,000 air-to-ground rockets, administration was working dangerously against America’s over 2,500 bombs, and millions of U.S. dollars in cash. Victor interests—and why. With a background in radicalism, Marx- Davis Hanson noted that the night-vision equipment, more ism and communism, President Obama enacted a series of than 20,000 grenades and 1,400 grenade launchers, more policies that wreaked havoc on the nation. than 7,000 machine guns and 600,000 small arms, and He stirred up racial hatreds. He opened millions of rounds of ammunition are “the perfect equip- up America’s borders to dangerous illegal ment for jihadist terror operations and asymmetrical street immigrants. He massively expanded the gov- fighting” (August 30). Overnight, America created one of ernment’s control over the private economic the most well-funded, heavily armed terrorist nations sector. He sank the nation trillions deeper in the world! into debt. He attacked and cast aside the Hanson compared this haul of armaments with the military Constitution and other laws. He weaponized aid America has given to Israel over the last 70 years, which the nation’s intelligence services against has totaled around $100 billion. “In other words, in one fell American citizens. He overlooked provoca- swoop, the Pentagon deposited into Taliban hands about tions by powers like Russia and China. He 80 percent of all the military aid that we’ve ever given to trashed America’s relationships with allies Israel since the founding of the Jewish state.” like Britain and Israel. What a wretched deed by the American “superpower”! President Obama also empowered Islamists This is as shameful as anything America has ever done. in many ways. In Egypt he helped oust Presi- America is not just declining, it is in the last throes of death. dent Hosni Mubarak from power and sup- It is being destroyed before our eyes. Many are now in open ported the Muslim Brotherhood. He allowed despair. This Afghanistan disaster is the worst evidence ever of America’s outpost in Libya to be overrun by jihadis, who killed a U.S. ambassador and As president, Obama completely several soldiers. He failed to enforce his own demands on Syria, undermining America’s reshaped the leadership of strength and leaving a murderous dictator in America’s military. place. Most importantly, he empowered the most extreme elements within the world’s how the United States has collapsed as a superpower! number one terrorist nation, Iran. He turned Other nations around the world see this clearly. They are his back on the people of Iran who rose up in taking advantage of this and preparing to replace American protest against their tyrannical leaders. And dominance with their own dominance. as the regime withered under economic sanc- The facts are irrefutable. Many people see the damage Pres- tions, Obama threw it a lifeline: He authored ident Biden is doing. The most clear-eyed analysts recognize the disastrous nuclear deal that gave the that there must be malicious intent behind it. These actions mullahs millions in cash and a clear path to truly cannot be explained any other way. build nuclear weapons! What is particularly stunning is the way all of the civilian Throughout his presidency, Barack Obama and military leaders in Joe Biden’s administration called the pursued treacherous pro-Iran, pro-Muslim evacuation a tremendous success! They repeatedly said that policies. The way that Joe Biden just gifted everything went according to plan, and that it was a “heroic Afghanistan to the extreme Islamist Tali- and historic” operation. Reporters pressed them on whether ban—along with $85 billion in armaments— they felt they made any mistakes, and the answer—time and is entirely consistent with Obama’s policies, and it must be again—was no! viewed in that context. This proves just how arrogant and impervious to correction What Joe Biden did in Afghanistan is a continuation of the these leaders are. But even more—it shows you that they disastrous anti-American policies of Barack Obama. planned for this operation to be so disastrous! It all followed Why would he do that? There is a sinister reason. their plan—to America’s great hurt! Many people can clearly see that Joe Biden is not really in Many people recognize that there must have been malicious charge of the government. He has filled his administration planning and intent behind what America did in Afghanistan. with Obama-era officials, and Mr. Obama himself is really But almost nobody can tell you why the Biden administration directing the show! Some say—correctly—that this is effec- is pursuing a policy so disastrous to America! tively Obama’s third term. However, there is a reason. If you have followed the Trum- Eight years ago, during Obama’s presidency, I wrote my book- pet for any length of time, you probably have a sense of what it let America Under Attack. It explains the reason behind these is. There is a spiritual dimension to what is happening that you ruinous policies. I wrote, “Many people can see that these are must understand. disastrous decisions. But we must understand that this isn’t 2 THE PHILADELPHIA TRUMPET simply the result of ineptitude on the part of this administra- high-ranking officers of their command. Presidents often tion, or naivety about how the world really works. We are seeing change some top military staff, but several retired generals the aftereffects of a calculated, aggressive, satanic attack aimed called what Obama did a “purge.” In 2013, retired Army Maj. at weakening and ultimately destroying the nations of Israel, Gen. Patrick Brady said, “There is no doubt he is intent on starting with the world’s most powerful nation!” emasculating the military” (emphasis mine throughout). That booklet exposes the spiritual reality behind these terrible Retired Navy Capt. Joseph John told World Net Daily that “the actions: Satan the devil is working to bring down America. U.S. Armed Forces have been under relentless attack by the occupant of the Oval Office for five years” (Nov. 4, 2013). Retired Army Maj. Gen. Paul Vallely told Investor’s Business Daily that Obama was “inten- tionally weakening and gutting our military, Pentagon and reducing us as a superpower, and anyone in the ranks who disagrees or speaks out is being purged” (Oct. 29, 2013). President Obama enfeebled America’s armed forces in many ways—but this was perhaps the deadliest! No matter how powerful or numerous or sophisticated the military, if it lacks strong leadership it can accomplish nothing! The leaders Obama put in office prioritized political correctness, racial and gender equality, and other outrageous causes that gutted Amer- ica’s defenses. They supported Obama allowing transgenders into the military. They directed resources toward promoting radical-leftist ideas in foreign countries rather than protecting America’s interests and securing the globe. Their goal was never to train soldiers to love their country and fight and even die to save their country! These leaders often trained soldiers to commit treason against their own country! When Donald Trump became president, he worked to restore the might of America’s military. But even he was disappointed with STILL IN POWER Barack Obama controlled the quality of many of the leaders under his the U.S. when Biden command. And once Joe Biden took over, he stood behind him as vice president (pictured). went right back to the Obama-era madness: Now he controls the U.S. through Biden. offering transgender soldiers “free” gender-reassignment surgery, working to purge “racism” and “right-wing extremism,” and so on. Reading lists for sailors and soldiers feature books that indoctrinate them in anti-American Many biblical scriptures explain and underscore this truth. thinking. Earlier this year, when one lieutenant colonel wrote a You cannot grasp the malevolent intent behind Barack Obama’s book revealing how Marxism had infected the military elite, he actions without recognizing this. (If you have not read this book- was immediately fired! Prior generations of soldiers sacrificed let, please request a free copy.) their lives to stop the ideology that this generation of soldiers is being taught in our military academies! Purging the Military These decisions by America’s leaders have deadly conse- President Obama also specifically prepared for this summer’s quences! What happens when military commanders are more disaster in Afghanistan with some crucial decisions during his dedicated to promoting radical ideas than to defending the administration. country? What happens when they don’t even believe in the One diabolical act of his received little attention. As pres- ideals of the nation they represent? ident, Obama completely reshaped the leadership of Should we be surprised that military leaders no longer America’s military. felt responsible for defending Afghanistan from terror- During his first five years in office, President ists and welcomed the Taliban taking it back?

KRISTOFFER TRIPPLAAR/GETTY IMAGES TRIPPLAAR/GETTY KRISTOFFER Obama relieved close to 200 generals and many other TREASON PAGE 31 u OCTOBER 2021 3 America’s loss of prestige and identity AMERICA’S END is disheartening to many people. But it IN AFGHANISTAN | analysis has a definite, though little-understood, cause.

American Destiny America’s founders sought to establish a lasting beacon of liberty and democracy to the nations. Early American Lyman Beecher said America was “destined to Why America lead the way in the moral and political emancipation of the world.” The founders considered this a noble political Really Failed experiment, one upon which the eyes of the world were set. Abraham Lincoln said the nation’s success or failure would answer the question whether any govern- There is a host of reasons for America’s humiliation in Afghanistan. ment so constituted could long endure. At its core, though, the problem was spiritual. BY JOEL HILLIKER There was a sense of responsibility to the nations: to serve as an example, he shameful departure been far more strident than they have a benefactor, and a haven for the from Afghanistan was been to bring our boys home from oppressed and dispossessed. “Give me agonizing for Americans. Okinawa and Iwakuni, Ramstein and your tired, your poor, your huddled It was embarrassing to Bavaria, Kunsan and Osan, Incirlik, masses yearning to breathe free,” wrote flee from a menagerie of Stavanger, Guantanamo, or any other Emma Lazarus, personifying the iconic Third World terrorists. It of the more than a thousand American Statue of Liberty. The nation believed was humiliating to receive an evacuation bases, forts, annexes, installations, in itself and the light of freedom it rep- deadline from the Taliban—and for the embassies and missions worldwide. But resented. And immigrants, aflame with White House to weakly submit. It was the trend line is clear. A growing number the promise of the New World, flocked Tinsulting to hear the barefaced lies of Americans don’t really see the pur- to America in waves that swelled ever from this administration: that other pose in standing watch on foreign soil. larger by the decade. nations support our withdrawal, that Americans had no trouble reaching the America’s former confidence, patriotism and airport, that the Taliban have reformed, that al Qaeda is no longer a threat, that pride, borne of a sense of purpose and destiny, we accomplished our mission. It was have been supplanted by self-loathing. painful to watch enemy nations gloat over America’s hasty and ugly retreat. It’s not difficult to understand why. We This belief underpinned the sense of Americans are ashamed and angry are filling our public education curricula Manifest Destiny that extended America’s at how this was handled. But the truth with the toxic message that the nation borders clear to the Pacific Ocean and is, even Joe Biden’s political foes agree was founded on genocide, built by slavery, beyond. It informed epic territorial acqui- with him on the basic premise: that and sustained by racism and oppression. sitions by Thomas Jefferson and James we needed to get out. With Americans Many Americans disagree, but the Polk. Theodore Roosevelt led with energy today, stationing troops in foreign coun- “enlightened” masses emerging from our and confidence as he constructed the tries is not popular. universities and filling our bureaucracies, Panama Canal and established the United This wasn’t so in previous generations. legislatures, corporate offices and news- States as undisputed overseer of the After World War ii, the United States rooms view the notion that American Western Hemisphere. This fulfilled God’s established a military presence in 3 out of influence could be positive as egotistical dynamic promise to the seed of Abraham every 4 countries on the planet. The most and imperious. In their values-relative to give them “the gate of his enemies” widely deployed nation in history, it over- world, who’s to say that the Taliban are (Genesis 22:17). This vital passageway saw Pax Americana—the relative world any less deserving of sovereignty than joining the Atlantic to the Pacific proved peace that has prevailed in the Western the white males that dominate America? to be a boon not just for America but world since World War ii. There have America’s former confidence, patrio- also for Panama and many other nations. been no full-scale wars between major tism and pride, borne of a sense of pur- With expansionist ambition, the U.S. powers. The number of battle deaths per pose and destiny, have been supplanted eventually gained control of all the great capita has been at a historic low. by self-loathing. Why maintain a presence Pacific sea lanes, including the Aleutians, Demands to withdraw from Bagram, abroad when we don’t even believe in the the Hawaiian Isles, Midway, Guam, Wake Kandahar and Helmand province have ideals for which the nation once stood? Island and even the Philippines. 4 THE PHILADELPHIA TRUMPET America was blessed mightily with A BYWORD FOR DEFEAT A United States Air Force favorable geography, bountiful resources, transport plane carries almost 650 Afghans with fertile soil, flourishing population, it as it retreats from industrial might and material prosperity. Afghanistan. Many in America would take credit—but the reality is that these blessings were given by the great God. And this wasn’t for the righteousness or greatness of our people, but because of prior promises God had made. These gifts fulfilled the birthright promises God had made to Israel’s latter-day descendants—promises that included this: “And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing” (Genesis 12:2). (This and many related prophecies are richly explained in Herbert W. Armstrong’s landmark book The United States and Britain in Prophecy. If you have not read this book—and even if you have—it is worth devoting the time to study it in light of recent events. We will gladly send you a free copy upon request.) As America prospered, it increasingly embodied a set of noble ideals, enshrined in the nation’s Declaration of Indepen- dence, which proclaimed “that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness,” and the Constitution, which was to “establish justice … promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity.” The nation truly has been a matchless beacon of individual rights, opportunity, equality and liberty. A Byword to the Nations the headlines, similar retreats are hap- Not only has it secured these benefits Colonial-era lawyer John Winthrop was pening elsewhere. On July 22, Joe Biden for millions of native-born citizens and aware of those scriptural warnings when agreed to withdraw all American com- millions more immigrants, it has inspired he said in 1630 to a developing, infant bat forces from Iraq by the end of the peoples the world over to pursue these nation: “We must consider that we will be year. U.S. forces are already pulling out same ideals. It has also devoted enormous as a city upon a hill. The eyes of all people of Somalia, to the benefit of the terrorist resources and efforts to building, stabi- are upon us, so that if we deal falsely with group al-Shabaab. The U.S. is no longer lizing, protecting and defending nations our God in this work we have undertaken supporting Saudi Arabia in Yemen, a across the planet. It has been a genuine and so cause Him to withdraw His pres- boon for Iran-backed Houthis. America blessing to untold multitudes. ent help from us, we shall be made a story is retreating everywhere, from Pakistan It is important to remember this his- and a byword throughout the world.” to the Horn of Africa, to the elation of tory, to better recognize just how much This has happened. This is what is radical groups. Emboldened Islamists America has lost. driving a dramatic reversal of fortunes are increasing attacks on commercial Scripture shows that retaining all in America today. It has been in process vessels in the region. Great nations those promised blessings was condi- for years, but it is epitomized by the everywhere are making cold, pragmatic tioned on obedience to the God who Afghanistan withdrawal—and is proph- decisions on how to conduct themselves gave them. In fact, God promised in His esied to get still worse. And along with a in a post-American world. Word that if we failed to obey—if we cast growing number of our blessings, Amer- Right now, many observers can explain Him aside, ignored His laws, and went ica has also lost its sense of duty to other what is happening—they can tell you our own way—He would replace those nations, its purpose, and its destiny. just how far America has fallen and how

U.S. AIR FORCE VIA DEFENSEONE.ORG VIA AIR FORCE U.S. blessings with curses. While Afghanistan has absorbed all fast—but they cannot explain the true OCTOBER 2021 5 LEFT IN RUIN A mother and her children wait among discarded trash near the Abbey Gate at the Kabul airport, where Afghans watched their last hopes fly away.

cause. We see a lot of finger-pointing—at Leviticus 26—from which Mr. Arm- see our sins, and to turn us back to the president, the previous president, bad strong quoted—and Deuteronomy 28 Him. “God’s punishment only reflects advisers, poor military leadership, a lack are two crucial prophetic chapters that God’s love—turning us from causing of foresight and planning. Yet all these list the curses America would suffer evil results to the way that brings happy problems are actually symptoms of a if it rebelled against God. Ask yourself results!” Mr. Armstrong wrote. “God much more serious and elemental cause. whether these are coming to pass: “But is now about to stop us from bringing That cause is revealed with crystal if ye will not hearken unto me, and will colossal evils on ourselves! God is not clarity in the Bible. It explains exactly not do all these commandments … I also angry because we are harming Him— why America has lost its leadership role will do this unto you; I will even appoint but because we are harming ourselves— in the world. In fact, it explicitly foretold over you terror …. And I will set my face whom God loves!” (ibid). it. You cannot understand Afghanistan against you, and ye shall be slain before Several times in these “blessings and without understanding this. your enemies: they that hate you shall curses” chapters of Leviticus 26 and Mr. Armstrong spelled out the biblical reign over you; and ye shall flee when Deuteronomy 28 God warns, If, in spite explanation in The United States and none pursueth you. … And I will break the of all this, you don’t turn back to me, then Britain in Prophecy. Speaking of the pride of your power … And your strength the curses will intensify. prophesied fall of these two nations that shall be spent in vain …” (Leviticus 26:14, Sadly, however, even as Americans are have dominated the world for decades, 16, 17, 19, 20). Consider the fear and sustaining grievous curses, nobody will he wrote, “Do you think so great a fall weakness crippling American foreign take responsibility, let alone hearken could not come to so great powers as policy. Consider the armaments the U.S. to God. Joe Biden repeatedly insists he Britain and America? Do you say, ‘It can’t spent billions of dollars on that is now did everything right. His staff appar- happen here?’ … You need to wake up to in Taliban hands. Consider the terror ently feel they handled this situation the fact that the United States, even still among those who are suddenly American perfectly. They watched thousands of possessing unmatched power, is afraid— refugees. Consider the Americans slain stranded Americans, Afghans and other fears—to use it, just as God said: ‘I will before their enemies—all in vain. nationals shocked at their betrayal, they break the pride of your power’; that “And thou shalt become an aston- see America’s international reputation the United States has stopped winning ishment, a proverb, and a byword, in tatters—and in their minds, it all con- wars—that America was unable, with among all nations …” (Deuteronomy firms the correctness of their decision. all its vast power, to conquer little North 28:37). Winthrop was right to take “So you don’t think … this exit could’ve MARCUS YAM/LOS ANGELESTIMES/GETTY IMAGES Vietnam! The United States is fast riding this warning literally. Today, many are been handled better in any way? No to the greatest fall that ever befell any secretly or openly gleeful at the loss of mistakes?” one reporter asked Biden. nation! The handwriting is on the wall!” American prestige. He responded, “No. … The idea that Mr. Armstrong wrote these words in somehow there’s a way to have gotten 1980. His reference to the humiliation Uncorrectable out without chaos ensuing, I don’t know of America’s retreat from Saigon in 1975 Read through those chapters, and you how that happens.” What would this has now been eclipsed by the nightmare see the purpose behind these curses: man have to see for him to recognize he in Kabul. God is punishing us to try to help us could have handled it better? 6 THE PHILADELPHIA TRUMPET “Seest thou a man wise in his own con- ceit? there is more hope of a fool than of AMERICA’S END him” (Proverbs 26:12). IN AFGHANISTAN | geopolitics Hatred of admitting error is intrinsic to human nature. It matters not how much evidence accumulates, nor how spectacular are the failures that they directly cause, nor how grievous the curses become. Human beings hate With Enemies Like These, saying, “I was wrong.” Isaiah 9 prophesies about our uncor- Who Needs Friends? rectable nations. It criticizes the leaders who “say in the pride and stoutness of The Taliban and Iran are not enemies. They are fighting heart, The bricks are fallen down, but for the same team, and Iran is king. BY BRENT NAGTEGAAL we will build with hewn stones: the sycomores are cut down, but we will mmediately after the United States based on biblical prophecy: “[W]e can change them into cedars” (verses 9-10). invaded Afghanistan in 2001, the see unequivocally that the terrorist Even as punishment from God escalates, Trumpet forecast that it would end in snake will survive America’s aggres- we keep trying to solve our problems defeat for the world’s lone superpower. sion—head intact, and stronger than any way possible—as long as it does not “While the U.S. wants to eliminate terror- ever. … Make no mistake about it: Iran is entail humbling ourselves toward God. Iism and is becoming much more aggres- the head of the snake.” “For the people turneth not unto him sive in trying to do so, its efforts will fall Realize the significance of this that smiteth them, neither do they seek short,” wrote Trumpet managing editor statement: Just as the world’s lone the Lord of hosts” (verse 13). Joel Hilliker. “It frankly does not have the superpower invaded Afghanistan with Many people are angry with Joe Biden necessary will to tackle the enormity of the most sophisticated weaponry ever right now. But this is a national sin. the problem!” (November 2001). used in warfare, we prophesied that Everyone seems to think the problem lies Afghanistan’s collapse to the Taliban by the end of the failed campaign, not with someone else. Yet America is being after America’s ill-conceived and shame- only would Islamic terrorism survive, hammered by all manner of curses—eco- ful retreat has proved that forecast true. but Iran, the chief sponsor of terrorism, nomic curses, health curses, immigra- That same 2001 Trumpet article made would emerge stronger than ever. tion curses, weather curses. Recognize another astounding prediction—also Has that forecast come true? these curses for what they are: punishment from God! God is cursing us for our sins: pride, arrogance, godlessness, family breakdown, immorality and lust, materialism, greed, idolatry, hatred and violence. Our mass-scale sins, in which everyone has a part, have consequences. Those two “blessings and curses” chapters—and the whole Bible—show you the purpose behind punishments. God is correcting us to help us see our sins, and to turn us back to Him. If we refuse to be corrected, then what is God to do? The curses will have to intensify even more. And God Himself will have to intervene even more directly—which is exactly what He prophesies He will do.

Proud Shall Be Made Low The nations of Israel are guilty of wor- shiping money and other idols instead of the Creator God who has had a special relationship with them and their ances- ENEMIES AS ALLIES tors. “Their land also is full of idols; they The Taliban, outfitted with billions in American weaponry, were characterized worship the work of their own hands, that by the U.S. press as “securing” Kabul.

MARCUS YAM/LOS ANGELES TIMES/GETTY IMAGES TIMES/GETTY ANGELES YAM/LOS MARCUS FAILED PAGE 36 u OCTOBER 2021 7 It is easy to recognize America turn- military and ideological boost. And the Taliban training bases in the Iranian ing Afghanistan over to the Taliban as a power that will benefit most is Iran. cities of Tehran, Mashhad and Zehedan victory for Islamist terrorism. Yet how and in the province of Kerman. Initially, will this affect Iran’s dominance as the Campaign to Strengthen the Taliban “Iran was supporting the Taliban finan- head of the terrorist snake? As America retreated, Foreign Policy’s cially,” a senior Afghan official told the For over 30 years, Trumpet editor in Shelly Kittleson was the only main- Wall Street Journal in 2015. “But now chief Gerald Flurry has directed readers stream reporter to show Iran’s role in they are training and equipping them to focus on radical Islam led by Iran as the Taliban’s gains. Writing from Kan- too” (June 11, 2015). being the fulfillment of the “king of the dahar in July and August, Kittleson doc- That same 2015 article interviewed south” prophesied in Daniel 11:40: “And umented several firsthand accounts of a Taliban commander from central at the time of the end shall the king of Iranian intervention inside Afghanistan Afghanistan whose salary was paid by the south push at him: and the king of that welcomed, encouraged, financed Iran. “Iran supplies us with whatever the north shall come against him like and fought alongside the Taliban in we need,” he said. At the time, those a whirlwind, with chariots, and with pushing out the U.S. supplies included 82-mm mortars, horsemen, and with many ships; and he “Several sources I spoke to on the light machine-guns, AK-47 rifles, shall enter into the countries, and shall ground across the country during a rocket-propelled grenades, and materi- overflow and pass over.” This military monthlong reporting trip between als for making roadside bombs. push from the king of the south initiates July and August this year said that Iran This boost in support for the Taliban a forceful response from the king of the has played a major role in the conflict,” was the work of the late Islamic Revolu- north, which is the first step plunging Kittleson wrote. “While I was reporting tionary Guard Corps (irgc) Quds Force the world into great tribulation. from Kandahar, multiple security commander Gen. Qassem Suleimani. This prophecy shows that a power- officials told me that Iranian weapons The Middle East Eye reported that Sulei- fully destructive, radical regime in Iran had been found in the hands of killed mani visited Afghanistan in 2015, where is a direct prerequisite for end-time Taliban fighters in the area” (August 18). he made several deals promising to “pro- events to occur. She noted that when critical vide unlimited financial and technical Yet when Kabul fell to the Taliban, Iran-Afghanistan border crossings fell support” to the Taliban. The Middle East prevailing media opinion was that Iran to the Taliban in early July, Iranian offi- Eye also reported that irgc officers went feared what would come next. “Taliban cials warmly welcomed the terrorists. to Afghanistan to train and advise Tali- Surge Will Force Iran to Forge a New Another curiously timed and under ban fighters. As part of the agreements, Defense Strategy,” reported Haaretz reported act of accord was the Taliban’s Iran provided Taliban leaders safe haven. on August 13. “Iran Braces for Life high-level visit to Tehran in July, right In 2016, Afghan officials in the west- Next Door to the Taliban Once Again,” in the middle of its lightning offensive ern Farah province announced that Bloomberg headlined on August 19. Ger- across Afghanistan. members of the irgc were embedded in many’s Deutsche Welle wrote, “Afghan- Yet these are only recent examples of Taliban ranks. Farah Provincial Council istan: Taliban Offensive Puts Iran in a a brotherly relationship between former head Jamila Amini told Radio France Bind.” These three headlines represent enemies. A search through open-source International at the time that 25 Taliban the broad consensus that while Iran reports reveals that Iran has been allied killed in a December 2016 battle were might be happy America is gone from with the Taliban for almost a decade. actually members of the irgc. Afghanistan, it is terrified of the Taliban. In 2013, representatives of the Taliban A year later, the New York Times pub- This narrative is worse than false. It is participated in a conference on Islam lished an investigative piece titled “In dangerously naive. in Tehran. During the visit, footage cap- Afghanistan, U.S. Exits, and Iran Comes The Taliban gaining power will not tured Taliban officials embracing Iranian In.” It recapped a three-week “Taliban” counter Iran’s hegemony in the region. In Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. siege of the city of Farah, where only a fact, not only did Iran plan for America’s The Wall Street Journal reported that by massive bombardment by the U.S. could eventual exit from Afghanistan—there is the end of 2013, Afghan security officials rescue the Afghan troops. “[O]nly when proof it also worked with the Taliban for had evidence that Iran was training Tali- the smoke cleared did Afghan security almost a decade to bring it about. ban fighters inside its borders. officials realize who was behind the The Taliban takeover gives the forces By 2015, the Taliban had its own foot- lightning strike: Iran,” the Times wrote. of radical Islam a massive economic, print inside Iran. It had established four Among the deceased were four senior Iranian commandos, whose funerals took place in Iran. The wounded were Can the U.S. recover from sent to Iran for recovery. Reporting on the gravity of this Iran-led the Afghanistan fiasco? attack, the New York Times wrote in 2017, The world watched American power crumble in Afghanistan—some in horror, “The assault, coordinated with attacks on but many in glee. What does this mean for the Middle East? Which nation, if several other cities, was part of the Tali- any, will step in and fill the void of American power? The answer is found in ban’s most ambitious attempt since 2001 Bible prophecy; request Gerald Flurry’s free booklet The King of the South. to retake power. But it was also a piece of 8 THE PHILADELPHIA TRUMPET an accelerating Iranian campaign to step into a vacuum left by departing American forces—Iran’s biggest push into Afghani- stan in decades” (Aug. 5, 2017). In 2018, several mainstream media stories further showcased Iran’s role in the Taliban offensive. “Iran Funding Tal- iban to Affect U.S. Military Presence in Afghanistan, Say Police and Lawmakers,” headlined Arab News on May 27, 2018. A month later, on July 2, the Times of London featured a report written from Kabul by Anthony Loyd, titled “Taliban’s Best Fighters Being Trained by Iran.” The first two paragraphs are shocking considering the Taliban’s takeover just three years later: “Hundreds of Taliban fighters are receiving advanced training from special forces at military academies in Iran as part of a significant escalation of support for the insurgents, Taliban and Afghan officials have told the Times. THE MESSAGE IS CLEAR “The scale, quality and length of the Khalil al-Rahman Haqqani, a wanted radical Islamist leader with a training is unprecedented and marks $5 million U.S. bounty on his head, now openly preaches at a mosque in not only a shift in the proxy conflict Kabul while holding a U.S. rifle. between the U.S. and Iran inside Afghanistan, but also a potential change in Iran’s ability and will to affect the outcome of the Afghan war.” Shortly before this Times piece, then Iraq in late December. However, U.S. missiles could not only give the Taliban U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo government officials told cnn that a tactical advantage over the Afghan mil- became the first American official to Suleimani’s push into Afghanistan was itary but also suggest Tehran was trying expose what Iran was doing. He stated also part of the reason. to undermine the American mission as on May 21, 2018, “Iran’s support to the Nevertheless, Suleimani’s death on Jan. it is poised to wind down” (July 30, 2020). Taliban in the form of weapons and fund- 2, 2020, did not slow Iran’s support for the One year on, that article seems almost ing leads to further violence and hinders Taliban. Instead, Suleimani’s number two, prophetic. peace and stability for the Afghan people.” Ismail Qaani, took over the Quds Force. Through 2019, Iran paid bounties to His domain of expertise is Afghanistan. Don’t Ignore Iran the Taliban to target coalition forces in “Even though Suleimani’s death has It is clear that by 2015, Iran was actively Afghanistan. According to a Pentagon affected Iranian subversive activities equipping, funding and training the briefing seen by cnn, the Haqqani across the greater Middle East, its Taliban as Tehran worked to remove the Network (part of the Taliban) was reim- Afghanistan portfolio might actually get U.S. from Afghanistan. Thus, America’s bursed for at least six attacks against the a boost because the man who managed defeat is not just a victory for the Tali- U.S. or coalition forces in 2019. On Dec. it as Suleimani’s deputy is now his ban, it represents a surrender to radical 11, 2019, the Haqqani Network executed successor,” wrote the Hill (Feb. 6, 2020). Islamic forces led by Iran. a well-planned attack on Bagram Air Soon after, sophisticated antitank In the November 2003 Trumpet issue, Base in Afghanistan involving 10 of guided missiles, likely from Iran, started Mr. Flurry prophesied that America’s its members and an explosives-laden to appear on the Afghan battlefield. war on terrorism would fail, specifically vehicle. U.S. air strikes were required to According to the New York Times in because America failed to go after Iran. repel the attack, in which two civilians July 2020, two coalition Black Hawk “The fruits and evidence of the past two were killed and 70 were injured, includ- helicopters were hit by antitank decades overwhelmingly prove where ing four American personnel. missiles. The New York Times wrote, the king of state-sponsored terrorism is! This highly underreported event took “American and Afghan officials claim the The whole world can see that. However, place less than a month before U.S. Pres- weapons used in both strikes were most the solution to terrorism lies in doing ident Donald Trump ordered the killing likely supplied by Iran, but they offered something about it! We must confront of General Suleimani. The justification no evidence to support the assertion. the source. The terrorist movement for his assassination was a strike that The accusation would be alarming if flows from Iran,” he wrote. “If the Ira-

MARCUS YAM/LOS ANGELES TIMES/GETTY IMAGES TIMES/GETTY ANGELES YAM/LOS MARCUS had killed an American contractor in true, as the influx of anti-tank guided nian leadership were eliminated, the OCTOBER 2021 9 whole course of Mideast history would The Taliban and Iran are not enemies. the past few years. In one sense that was change radically for the better, because They are fighting for the same team, and understandable. But if people had viewed it is the king. Sadly, Bible prophecy Iran is king. those events in the context of Bible reveals that will not happen.” Many observers are focusing on the prophecy, they could have seen that there Indeed, it has not happened. threat Taliban rule might pose for the was an even bigger danger that was being America has been unable to win world, or wondering whether Iran’s overlooked” (Trumpet, January 2018). in Iraq because it refused to go after power in the region will shrink. But That danger is the rise of Iran! While the head of the terrorist snake: Iran. Bible prophecy answers these questions. America’s defeat is an important fulfill- America has now been defeated in Iran’s current push for regional con- ment of prophecy in its own right, we Afghanistan for the same reason. The trol, and its quest for obtaining nuclear must not allow the Taliban takeover to Bible prophesies that Iran—not the weapons to fulfill its genocidal ambitions, cause us to overlook how Iran-led radi- Taliban, nor the Islamic State—will lead demands that we not take our eyes off cal Islam has been strengthened. radical Islam. Whether it be from work- Iran. What Mr. Flurry wrote about the While this fact is concerning, God ing with the Taliban or being called in Islamic State in Iraq in 2014 could be also intends it to provide a profound to help check the Islamic State’s rise in applied right now to Afghanistan: “The sense of hope. Afghanistan, Iran will no doubt emerge shocking barbarity of the Islamic State Recall Daniel 11:40. This prophecy far stronger after the Taliban’s takeover. consumed a lot of the world’s attention says that Iran and its radical Islamist supporters will become strong enough to initiate a violent conflict with a Ger- man-led European empire. This terrible conflict will thrust the whole world into great calamity. But there is good news in the end. Daniel 11 does not just warn of tremendous war. It also describes events leading to Jesus Christ’s return. Daniel 12 is part of the same vision. Verse 1 says the catastrophe and suffering surrounding the coming of the Messiah will be “a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time ….” Thankfully, this period of chaos and war will last only 3½ years (verse 7). At the end of this period of terrible tribulation, God will powerfully intervene in world affairs. Yet this can only happen after the king

KABUL’S NEW SHERIFF of the south makes his prophesied push. In the final days of America’s Afghanistan’s fall to the Taliban surely evacuation, outside the Kabul airport the Taliban accelerates the timetable. used whips, sticks and sharp objects to control crowds of In the context of Bible prophecy, the people hoping to board U.S. planes, including this child. rise of radical Islam led by Iran is a sign that Christ’s return to Earth is imminent. Then He will usher in a new age of peace and prosperity for all men. The AMERICAN AFTERMATH wonderful new world government Afghans surround the charred remains of a prophesied by Isaiah, Jeremiah, Micah vehicle destroyed by a U.S. drone strike in Kabul the and other prophets will be established day before the Taliban- set deadline for U.S. on Earth. At this time, those who were withdrawal. The strike, a MARCUS YAM/LOS ANGELESTIMES/GETTY IMAGES (2) response to a deadly ISIS-K faithful to God “shall shine as the bright- terrorist attack, killed 10 ness of the firmament; and they that people, including children. turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever” (verse 3). Ultimately, this is where the present events in Afghanistan will end: in a dramatic climax that will see Jesus Christ come to end the age of man and begin a new world! n 10 THE PHILADELPHIA TRUMPET Closer to home, Ukraine is similarly AMERICA’S END worried. “[T]he nature of the American IN AFGHANISTAN | geopolitics withdrawal from Afghanistan has set off alarm bells throughout Ukraine and served as a wake-up call for anyone who still believes that continued Western support can be relied upon indefinitely,” Why Europe Is Shaking wrote Alyona Getmanchuk, director of the New Europe Center (Atlantic Coun- cil, August 16). The foundations of European security have been rocked. It’s a question being asked around the How will it react? Prophecy foretells. BY RICHARD PALMER world. British commentator Melanie Phillips warned, “America’s allies can he fall of Kabul is a crisis Russia’s shadow. It has enabled nations now see that the U.S. is a faithless friend, for Europe. Not just because to save vast amounts of money on their the weak link in the chain of Western they are watching their soldiers militaries and to focus instead on defenses and with untold consequences return home in defeat. Not just building generous welfare states or, in for their own security” (August 16). because it could create a terrorist haven. Germany’s case, to build a world-leading Gérard Araud, former French ambas- TNot just because it could trigger a new export economy. sador to the U.S., wrote, “Europeans refugee crisis. After the fall of Kabul, this foundation have nothing to expect from the United It is a crisis because it shakes the of European security looks far shakier. If States in Ukraine, Syria, Libya and foundation of European security: the America forsakes its Afghan allies so com- the Sahel beyond diplomatic support. belief that America will protect its allies. pletely, could it do the same to others? Europe is in flames, but the U.S. fire- Europe right now is in the same position the Afghan government was in six months ago. The Afghan military had nearly 300,000 soldiers. Behind them stood fewer than 5,000 American soldiers stationed in the country. The presence of these relatively few American soldiers, as we now see, was critical. It was, above all, a promise. America was committed enough to keep its personnel in the country, meaning that if the enemy wanted to overrun the Afghan military, it would inevitably run into America. That promise enabled the Afghans to control most of the country. Then America pulled its soldiers out, NATO FEELING BLUE German personnel and suddenly, precipitously, and even with many more in the U.S.- led alliance are ready to thousands of Americans still inside. see war done right. This showed that the promise no longer stood. And the Afghan military collapsed immediately. European Union countries have 2.4 million soldiers. Behind them stand Alarm Bells man will not come” (Atlantic Council, 55,000 American soldiers stationed China hopes so. The editorial board August 18). within their borders. In a full-scale of the Global Times, China’s state- Those fires could break out more and conventional war with Russia, this would run news agency, wrote this threat more often. “If a band of brutal Islamist be too few men to defend a continent. But to Taiwan: “From what happened in extremists can defeat the United States, they symbolize a promise. Most of Europe Afghanistan, they should perceive that China will have no doubt that with is part of the North Atlantic Treaty Orga- once a war breaks out in the Straits, the time, resources and good organization, nization, and the agreement is written island’s defense will collapse in hours it will also prevail against the United in black and white: If a nato member is and the U.S. military won’t come to help. States in its neighborhood,” former U.S. attacked, America will defend it. [Government] authorities will quickly Ambassador to nato Kurt Volker wrote. This promise has enabled geopolitical surrender, while some high-level offi- “Russia will not take seriously any threat

KAY NIETFELD/PICTURE ALLIANCE/GETTY IMAGES ALLIANCE/GETTY NIETFELD/PICTURE KAY pygmies like Estonia to flourish in cials may flee by plane” (August 16). to push back on its military aggression OCTOBER 2021 11 and absorption of territory belonging aid worker in Afghanistan, warned, “We believed he could ease the recent ten- to its neighbors. isis and al Qaeda will can assume that up to 3 million Afghans sions in the trans-Atlantic relationship use the Taliban victory to renew calls will make their way to Europe in the said they regarded the withdrawal from for jihad against the United States” foreseeable future.” Afghanistan as nothing short of a mis- (cepa, August 13). Less than half that number of take of historic magnitude” (August 17). It is America’s commitment that refugees from around the world—1.3 Afghanistan was Germany’s longest, keeps Russia out of Europe. And over million—arrived in Europe in 2015. most extensive military mission since the last five years, the U.S. has been the The resulting political crisis shook the World War ii. The Germans responded to main force restraining Iran and radical foundations of governments across the America’s request for help in Afghanistan Islam. The Afghanistan debacle sends Continent and sparked an outbreak 20 years ago. Now they feel their sacrifice a lightning-bolt message: Europe will of political extremism not seen since has been casually tossed aside. Chair- have to deal with the problems created the 1930s. Can European politics as we man of the Bundeswehr Association by these emboldened powers on its own. know it survive the arrival of 3 million André Wüstner called the situation in That doesn’t mean that this realiza- Afghans? What if, as has occurred Afghanistan “shameful” and claimed that tion will hit Europe with enough force repeatedly in Europe, that mass of refu- veterans would be “enormously furious.” to get it to act right away. Europeans gees harbors even a few terrorists? Armin Laschet, leader of the Christian have enjoyed U.S. protection without Last time around, Europe “solved” Democratic Union and a leading candi- having to pay for it. It will probably take the refugee crisis by paying Turkey to date to become Germany’s next chan- a crisis or two to shake them from that prevent immigrants from traveling cellor, called Afghanistan “the biggest torpor. “I doubt that Kabul will be the to Europe. But Turkey already has 3.7 fiasco” since the founding of nato. wake-up call they need,” said Araud. million Syrian refugees and 300,000 All this means that European But because of Afghanistan, those Afghan refugees. Refugees are now a countries must do more to defend crises could be just around the corner. political issue in Turkey too. This time, themselves. Politico wrote: “At a time that solution may not be available. when some European leaders, including Terrorist Safe Haven The potential for a new migrant crisis French President Emmanuel Macron, The biggest fear about the Taliban’s immediately arrests the attention of EU have been pushing for the bloc to return is that it could lead to another leaders. The day after Kabul fell, French pursue a security policy less dependent 9/11. If it does, there’s every chance that President Emmanuel Macron warned, on America, Afghanistan is bound to this 9/11 occurs on European soil. In the “We must anticipate and protect be used as evidence for why ‘strategic last decade, about 70 people have been ourselves against significant irregular autonomy’ is necessary” (ibid). These killed in Islamist terrorist attacks in the migratory flows that would endanger leaders reason that if they don’t boost United States. In Europe, it’s nearly 400. those who use them and feed trafficking their independent military power right The Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan of all kinds.” A foreign-policy spokesman now, they will be forced to when crises has released hundreds of imprisoned for one of the European Parliament’s worsen and the U.S. declines to step up. al Qaeda fanatics, including some largest parties quickly warned on August known to have been plotting to attack 16, “We must now do everything we can A Prophesied Dynamic the West. A June 1 United Nations to ensure that those fleeing get pro- In these events, we see a clear and spe- Security Council report warned, “Large tection close to home.” In other words: cific Bible prophecy coming to the fore. numbers of al Qaeda fighters and other Make sure they don’t come here! Daniel 11:40 is the crucial prophecy for foreign extremist elements aligned with understanding events in the Middle East. the Taliban are located in various parts Appalled at America It states, “And at the time of the end shall of Afghanistan.” Considering these catastrophic conse- the king of the south push at him: and Perhaps even more dangerous are quences, it’s no wonder Europe is livid the king of the north shall come against Iran’s links to the new regime. Iran about the way America handled its him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and sponsors numerous terrorist groups evacuation. with horsemen, and with many ships; around the world. Working together, France 24 reported: “European leaders and he shall enter into the countries, what will they accomplish? … looked on with dismay at the rapid col- and shall overflow and pass over.” Compounding this is the threat of a lapse of two decades of a U.S.-led West- “The king of the south” refers to rad- new migrant crisis. ern campaign in the country” (August 17). ical Islam, led by Iran. Its main enemy Even before the Taliban took “Across Europe, officials have reacted lies to the north. over, 30,000 people fled with a mix of disbelief and a sense of Other prophetic passages help us iden- Afghanistan each week. betrayal,” wrote Politico. “Even those tify this northern “king.” The book of Rev- Sybille Schnehage, an who cheered Biden’s election and elation describes this dominant power in

Who will fill the power void in the Middle East? Bible prophecy has the answer. Request a free copy of Gerald Flurry’s booklet The King of the South to get tomorrow’s news today. the end time as “the beast.” Revelation 17 depicts it being led by a “woman,” symbolizing a church (e.g. Ephesians 5:22-27). Revelation 17 tells us this beast power is led by a succession of kings: It rises and falls seven times (verses 9-10). In all world history, you can find an empire that is led by a church and has repeatedly risen, fallen and risen again in only one place: Europe. This fits with the geographic references in Daniel 11. But Revelation 17 tells us that some important changes will soon come to this European power. Verses 12 and 13 show that it is composed of 10 kings who pool their military resources to create a gigantic war-making machine. The aftermath of Afghanistan is pushing Europe in exactly this direction. The king of the south “pushes,” or attacks and provokes, this northern power. Nearly 400 terrorist deaths in a decade show this push is already beginning. We can expect it to intensify. What is not said in Daniel 11:40 is another crucial element of this prophecy. “As these two powers build toward confrontation, America, Britain and Judah are nowhere to be found in the Daniel 11 prophecy,” wrote Trumpet editor in chief Gerald Flurry in 2016. “The nations of Israel aren’t even in the picture. They will be helpless victims, not aggressors, in the coming war.” America is allowing itself to be pushed out of the picture. Having once sur- rounded Iran and much of the Middle East, it has withdrawn from Kyrgyzstan in Central Asia, it has withdrawn from Iraq, and now it has disastrously withdrawn from Afghanistan. Iran is free to push Europe even harder. But the Europeans won’t respond in the same weak way as the Americans. Once finally forced to act, Europe will reclaim its “strategic autonomy” by mobilizing a war machine that sweeps through the Middle East like a flood. The vision in Daniel 11 leads right into Daniel 12, and it concludes with a countdown to the return of Jesus Christ to Earth (verse 12). This prophecy points us toward some catastrophic conflicts directly ahead, but it also directs us to Christ’s return. The early stages are IT CAME TO THIS A U.S. Marine lifts an already coming to pass—and we can infant over a barrier at expect events to conclude exactly as God the Kabul airport from a sea of desperate Afghans

COURTESY OF OMAR HAIDIRI/AFP/GETTY IMAGES HAIDIRI/AFP/GETTY OMAR OF COURTESY prophesies as well! n far too numerous to escape on U.S. planes. OCTOBER 2021 13 SIDE BY SIDE American and British troops inside a Kabul airport gate manage a crowd of Afghan evacuees.

AMERICA’S END simply aren’t going to get out. This is a IN AFGHANISTAN | geopolitics really dark moment ….” Another way to put it is: This chaotic, avoidable, inexplicable betrayal is splitting Britain and America. And this split will change British foreign policy. Breaking the Brotherhood The most memorable speech from Parliament’s condemnation of Mr. Will the special relationship be another causality of the Afghan war? Biden came from Conservative M.P. and BY RICHARD PALMER Afghan war veteran Tom Tugendhat. “Like many veterans, this last week has oe Biden’s decision to hastily retreat]. We chose to do it. We did it in been one that has seen me struggle withdraw from Afghanistan has obedience to an imbecilic political slo- through anger and grief and rage,” he created the biggest divide between gan about ending ‘the forever wars’ ….” said, “the feeling [of] abandonment of the United States and the United Whom does Mr. Blair regard as an not just a country, but the sacrifice that JKingdom in decades. imbecile? Slogans about “forever wars” my friends made.” The British government was so were a significant feature of the election But Tugendhat was not just helplessly opposed to the pullout that it tried to campaign of Joe Biden. bemoaning America. He plotted a new piece together a coalition to replace Almost immediately after Kabul fell course for Britain, saying: “We can set American troops before they left. But on August 15, Prime Minister Boris out a vision, clearly articulated, for rein- with the U.S. evacuating so suddenly and Johnson telephoned the White House. vigorating our European nato partners, Britain failing to get enough support from Biden didn’t pick up. British officials to make sure that we are not dependent other countries and unwilling to remain struggled for 36 hours to finally get him on a single ally, on the decision of a in Afghanistan alone, British troops were on the phone to coordinate a response. single leader, but that we can work also forced to hastily fall back. The Tali- As this crisis went from bad to worse together—with Japan and Australia, ban swept across Afghanistan, into Kabul, to even worse, Britain made an obvious with France and Germany, with part- and up to the airport gates. and reasonable request: Extend the ners large and small—and make sure An emergency debate in the House of deadline for withdrawal beyond the that we hold the line together.” Commons devoted hours to condemn- August 31 deadline decreed by the Tal- There it is—a flat statement of what ing the U.S. “The American decision to iban. The fact was clear that not every- many are thinking: Britain cannot

withdraw was not just a mistake—it was one would be evacuated by the end of depend on America and should turn MARCUS YAM/LOS ANGELESTIMES/GETTY IMAGES an avoidable mistake, from President the month: Afghans who helped British more to allies like France and Germany. [Donald] Trump’s flawed deal with forces and even British citizens would This is not official government policy, the Taliban to President [Joe] Biden’s be stranded, effectively hostages—or yet. But after the fall of Kabul, Britain decision to proceed, and to proceed in victims—of the Taliban. Labour Shadow found itself much closer to France and such a disastrous way,” said Sir Ed Davey, Foreign Secretary Lisa Nandy said, “The Germany than to the U.S. These three leader of the Liberal Democrats. painful reality is that there will be many countries in particular worked together, Former Prime Minister Tony Blair people—Britons and the Afghans who often in opposition to the U.S., trying to wrote on August 21, “We didn’t need [to supported us over two decades—who pick up the pieces. 14 THE PHILADELPHIA TRUMPET This pivot to Europe is exactly the response the Bible said Britain would take in reaction to a falling America. AMERICA’S END Hosea 5:13 warns, “When Ephraim IN AFGHANISTAN | geopolitics saw his sickness, and Judah saw his wound, then went Ephraim to the Assyrian, and sent to king Jareb: yet could he not heal you, nor cure you of your wound.” Ephraim in Bible prophecy refers Why Russia and to Britain (find proof in our free book The United States and Britain and Prophecy). China Are Rejoicing “Hosea prophesies that wounded Judah and sick Ephraim will go to Germany for help,” writes Trumpet editor in chief Ger- America’s rivals in the East are ald Flurry in his booklet Hosea: Reaping walking on Central Asian sunshine. the Whirlwind. “Why? Because America BY JEREMIAH JACQUES is even sicker than both of them and can be of no help at that point!” ho are the main victors of China waged war on the island, the U.S. The entire 20-year war in Afghan- America’s chaotic Afghan- would mobilize forces to defend it. istan, and most of all its defeat and istan withdrawal? At first But now China sees Afghanistan as catastrophic retreat, is compelling glance, it may look like the proof that those assurances are just proof that America is sick. It may recover, Taliban came out on top. Within weeks empty rhetoric. On August 16, China’s temporarily, under strong leadership Wof the United States’ ignominious exit, government-controlled Global Times from Donald Trump in the future. But the Islamic terrorist organization took emphasized the blood and treasure the spirit of Hosea 5:13 is clearly visible control and, with state-of-the-art U.S. America spent in Afghanistan and said in Britain already: We cannot rely on the weaponry, suddenly became the best- that was the reason for the hasty with- Americans. We must turn to Europe. equipped militant organization in history. drawal and abandonment of U.S. part- This divide is a serious problem for But in the broader geopolitical picture, ners in the Afghan government. It then both nations. In the July 2021 Trumpet, the even bigger winners are China and gleefully asked, “[H]ow many lives of U.S. Mr. Flurry wrote: “Britain and America Russia. troops and how many dollars would the have done great things by working U.S. sacrifice for the island of Taiwan? together. Winston Churchill dedicated China Taunts Taiwan … From what happened in Afghanistan, much of his life to building a special rela- For the last 70 years, the Chinese Com- [Taiwan’s leaders] should perceive that tionship between America and Britain. munist Party has considered itself the once a war breaks out in the Straits, the They fought together in World War i and government of not only mainland China island’s defense will collapse in hours won the war. The same occurred in but also of the island nation of Taiwan. and the U.S. military won’t come to help.” World War ii. Had Britain been left to The Taiwanese have worried that the “[T]he U.S. would have to have a much itself, it could not have won! When these regime will use military force to absorb greater determination than it had for nations are divided, both are less secure. their country. But they have managed Afghanistan, Syria and Vietnam if it … The division developing between our to stay independent because of political wants to interfere,” the Times stated. nations is a deadly weakness.” support, weapons sales and, most impor- Chinese officials previously spoke in Mr. Flurry then explained a prophecy tantly, security assurances from the U.S. terms of “if” war breaks out. Since the of a time when men would work to These assurances have been inten- Afghanistan withdrawal, they speak of blot out the name of Israel—referring tionally ambiguous since the late 1970s, “once” a military conflict erupts. to Britain and America, the modern but it has been well understood that if The Chinese also pointed to the U.S. nations of Israel. “People are creating and aggravating divisions within America and Britain— regarding race, class, politics and anything else they can think of,” he continued. Why should anyone “Now they are sowing divisions between these two nations. Splitting Britain and care about America and America apart from one another means that they cannot help each other.” Britain’s relationship? The Afghan fiasco exposes how Is this just some irrelevant artifact of history? No! Their shared history, which divided these two powers already are. goes much farther back than you think, informs their shared future. To learn And it is yet another proof that you can about both the real history and future of the American and British people, trust Bible prophecy. n request Herbert W. Armstrong’s The United States and Britain in Prophecy. failure to subdue the Taliban as proof that America has become a paper tiger, unable to defeat China even if it tried. “No major power was behind the Afghan Taliban, but the U.S. lost anyway,” stated another Global Times article. “The U.S. calls the move a drawdown. It is, in the truest sense, a meltdown” (August 16). The Chinese are emboldened. And the likelihood that Chinese President Xi Jinping will solve the “Taiwan problem” with an invasion has grown far greater. The same may be true of Russian President Vladimir Putin in some of the former Soviet space.

Russia Eyes Ukraine Ukraine is a top priority for Russia. SURVEYING THEIR OPTIONS China’s Xi Jinping (left) and Putin forcibly annexed Ukraine’s Russia’s Vladimir Putin see opportunity in America’s loss Crimean Peninsula in 2014 and ignited of fighting spirit and prestige. a smoldering uprising that put the country’s eastern regions under the control of Russia-backed separatists. Ukrainian officials say the conflict has killed 14,000 people so far and worry that Putin could crisis. Both understand that America important military bases abroad is in use the simmering violence as a pre- would have a difficult time mobilizing its Tajikistan, and the Taliban now controls tense for major invasion at any time. partners to fight shoulder-to-shoulder the entire Afghanistan-Tajikistan border. To deter such a move, Ukrainian offi- again—whether for the type of unified Neither China nor Russia want to cials have worked to strengthen their and far-reaching alliance it led in Afghan- send their militaries into Afghanistan, partnership with the U.S. and to bring istan, or even for the kind of smaller particularly since the latter failed to win Ukraine into the U.S.-led North Atlantic “coalition of the willing” it led in Iraq. a demoralizing, decade-long war there Treaty Organization. So far, America And both are enraptured by this new during the Soviet era. To safeguard their has limited its involvement to supplying reality and the possibilities it opens up interests, they are instead focusing on weapons and training, but U.S. officials in their drive toward global dominance. political and diplomatic strategies. have promised to help the nation defend In July, Chinese Foreign Minister itself in the event of a Russian invasion. Inroads Into Afghanistan and Beyond Wang Yi and the leader of the Afghan But as the world watched America’s It is true that both China and Russia Taliban Political Commission, Abdul rushed exit from Afghanistan, one of have plenty to worry about regarding Ghani Baradar, held a landmark meeting. Russia’s highest-ranking security offi- the instability and jihadi extremism Wang repudiated America’s treatment of cials said it meant U.S. promises to the that the U.S. left behind in Afghanistan. the nation and dangled major economic Ukrainian government were empty. While this chaos is 8,000 miles from prospects in front of the Taliban, includ- The U.S. abandoned its Afghan allies to America, for China and Russia it’s just a ing an offer to extend the China-Pakistan “the whim of fate,” said Nikolai Patrushev, Taliban-piloted Super Tucano away. Economic Corridor into Afghanistan. secretary of Russia’s Security Council and Some of China’s most crucial Belt Baradar and other Taliban leaders called a close ally of Putin, during an August 19 and Road Initiative infrastructure runs China a “warm friend” and pledged to interview with Izvestia. Ukraine’s leaders through the region, including the vast safeguard its investments in the region. are “obsequiously serving the interests network of highways, railways and “The Afghan Taliban will never allow of its overseas patrons, striving to get ports that make up the China-Pakistan any force to use the Afghan territory to into nato,” Patrushev said. “But was the Economic Corridor. China also shares engage in acts detrimental to China,” a ousted pro-American regime in Kabul a border with Afghanistan and deplores Chinese statement after the meeting said. saved by the fact that Afghanistan had the possibility of jihadis entering its Andrey Serenko, head of the Center the status of a principal U.S. ally outside territory, or Uyghur separatists in of Contemporary Afghan Studies, said: nato?” Obviously not. He continued: “A China using Afghanistan as a base of “China has all the trump cards now. China GREG BAKER/AFP/GETTY IMAGES similar situation awaits supporters of the operations. Meanwhile, Russia has influences Pakistan; China retains its American choice in Ukraine.” several important allies—former Soviet position inside Afghanistan; they hold Both Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin see states—that border Afghanistan and the Taliban accountable” (Financial that the U.S. is deeply divided, war weary still considers the region a key part of its Times, August 17). China could ultimately and in the midst of a profound leadership sphere of influence. One of Russia’s most cause the Taliban regime to become so 16 THE PHILADELPHIA TRUMPET MIGHTILY RETREATING Under the tail of an advanced transport plane bearing the American flag, an air crew prepares to board a fraction of those Afghans desperate to leave.

economically reliant on it that it could the ultimate failure of this campaign However, we are in the outer edges of transform Afghanistan into a Chinese shows that the temperate Anglo-Ameri- this catastrophic storm.” client state. can era is ending. Clouds are gathering That was written 20 months ago. In Meanwhile Russia, despite having for a dark new global epoch. light of Afghanistan’s transition from followed America’s lead and declared the During His ministry on Earth, Jesus Israelite control to Gentile rule, it is Taliban a terrorist organization in 2003, Christ prophesied of this approaching clear that we are even deeper into the has built a significant relationship with age, calling it “the times of the Gentiles” outer edges of that “catastrophic storm.” the group in recent years. The Russians (Luke 21:24). The term “Gentiles” simply In His forecast about the tempestuous see the Taliban as a power broker they means nations of the world which did days ahead, Christ said it would be a need to work with and have gone so far not descend from the patriarch Israel. time of “[m]en’s hearts failing them for as to host its members for bilateral and The Israelite peoples include the Jewish fear” (Luke 21:26). But in the very next multilateral meetings. These efforts are nation called Israel and also the United verse, He promises that the destructive already paying dividends. While the U.S. States, Britain and other related nations. storm will eventually break up and and many other countries scrambled to “Once you understand who Israel is, give way to an unparalleled radiance: evacuate their embassies in Afghan cities, then you can understand how the Gen- “And then shall they see the Son of man Russia and China continued to operate tiles—the non-Israelite peoples—have coming in a cloud with power and great their Kabul embassies at normal capacity. started to take charge of the world glory” (verse 27). The situation is complex for both China already,” Trumpet editor in chief Gerald These times of the Gentiles—the over- and Russia. But the bottom line is that Flurry wrote in the February 2020 issue. cast outer edges of which the world has as a result of the United States’ chaotic “[W]hen this prophecy is completely already entered—lead directly to Jesus withdrawal and the ineptitude demon- fulfilled there will be two major pow- Christ’s return! He will end the era of strated by the Biden administration, both ers—one revolving around Russia and mankind’s violent rule. And for Afghans, countries are growing more influential China, and the other around Germany.” Americans, Chinese, Russians and the in Afghanistan, and stand to become far He noted: “These ‘times of the whole world, He will bring in a new age more influential throughout Central Asia. Gentiles’ are yet to be fully realized. of peaceful skies. n

A ‘Catastrophic Storm’ For decades, the Americans and British stabilized much of the world and helped advance civilization for many peoples. It’s their time now. America’s campaign in Afghanistan Russia and China are some of the big winners of America’s pull out accomplished this for some Afghans of Afghanistan, and their rise will have worldwide catastrophic and helped apply pressure against the consequences. Request your free copy of Russia and China in

TAYLOR CRUL/U.S. AIR FORCE/GETTY IMAGES FORCE/GETTY AIR CRUL/U.S. TAYLOR nation’s neighbor to the west, Iran. But Prophecy to study what the Bible prophesies will happen. Some 3,500 years ago, God promised America’s ancestors that if their descendants AMERICA’S END turned away from His law, then He would correct them. “And if ye will not yet for IN AFGHANISTAN | infographic all this hearken unto me, then I will punish you seven times more for your sins. And I will break the pride of your power; and I will make your heaven as iron, and your earth as brass: And your strength shall be spent in vain” (Leviticus 26:18-20). Perhaps no single event highlights the fulfillment of this prophecy like the Biden administration’s evacuation from Afghanistan. Over the past 20 years, the United States has sacrificed nearly 2,500 soldiers and spent over $2 trillion defending Afghanistan from the Taliban. All this blood and treasure truly has been “spent in vain” as the U.S. has now surrendered the country of Afghanistan and $85 billion worth of military equipment and cash to the very Spent in Vain terrorist organization that it set out to defeat as the beginning of the “war on terror.” THE HUMAN COST Thousands of Americans spent time overseas to combat terrorism. Not all of them made it back. Not all of them made it back in one piece.

TROOP DEPLOYMENTS BY YEAR U.S. MILITARY DEATHS IN THE WAR ON TERRORISM U.S. MILITARY INJURIES IN THE WAR ON TERRORISM

150,000 800 8,000

Iraq Afghanistan: 2,452 Iraq: 4,586 112,500 600 6,000

75,000 400 4,000

Afghanistan

37,500 200 2,000

2001 2021 2001 2021 2001

THE FINANCIAL COST In addition to lives lost and forever changed, the United States spent trillions of dollars trying to defeat terrorism. In total, it cost us more than World War II—the last war we won.

$5.4 TRILLION TOTAL COST FOR THE WAR ON TERROR

$2 TRILLION $2.3 TRILLION IRAQ WAR AFGHAN WAR $4 TRILLION TOTAL COST FOR WORLD WAR II (ADJUSTED FOR INFLATION) Some 3,500 years ago, God promised America’s ancestors that if their descendants turned away from His law, then He would correct them. “And if ye will not yet for THE RESULT all this hearken unto me, then I will punish you seven times more for your sins. Taliban Influence And I will break the pride of your power; and I will make your heaven as iron, and In a matter of weeks after the insignificant your earth as brass: And your strength shall be spent in vain” (Leviticus 26:18-20). U.S. abandoned Bagram Air Minimal Perhaps no single event highlights the fulfillment of this prophecy like the Biden Moderate administration’s evacuation from Afghanistan. Base, the Taliban took control High Over the past 20 years, the United States has sacrificed nearly 2,500 soldiers and of nearly all of Afghanistan. Complete Control spent over $2 trillion defending Afghanistan from the Taliban. All this blood and treasure truly has been “spent in vain” as the U.S. has now surrendered the country of Afghanistan and $85 billion worth of military equipment and cash to the very JUNE 21 AUGUST 31 terrorist organization that it set out to defeat as the beginning of the “war on terror.”

Not all of them made it back in one piece.

U.S. MILITARY INJURIES IN THE WAR ON TERRORISM

This arsenal automatically Afghanistan: 32,455 America left $85 billion worth catapults the Taliban to one Iraq: 53,117 of equipment in the hands of the world’s top military of Taliban fighters. That powers. $85 billion in military equipment includes … equipment is …

2,000 armored vehicles 75,989 total vehicles 49% OF TOTAL U.S. ARMS EXPORTS IN 2020 45 UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters 50 MD530G Scout attack helicopters 30 military-version Cessnas

2021 85% 4 C-130s OF AMERICA’S TOTAL MILITARY AID TO ISRAEL SINCE 1948 29 A-29 Super Tocano light attack aircraft 600,000+ small arms In addition to lives lost and forever changed, the United States spent trillions of dollars 61,000 M203 grenades trying to defeat terrorism. In total, it cost us more than World War II—the last war we won. 116% 20,040 grenades OF THE ANNUAL DEFENSE BUDGET OF INDIA (THE WORLD’S 16,000+ night-vision goggles THIRD-LARGEST MILITARY SPENDER) 10,000 2.75-inch air-to-ground rockets $1.1 TRILLION 2,520 bombs HOMELAND SECURITY Pallets of millions of U.S. dollars 4X THE TOTAL GROSS DOMESTIC 30 Million+ rounds of ammunition PRODUCT OF AFGHANISTAN

MAP DATA FROM FDD’S LONG WAR JOURNAL Death of the U.S.— Death of Freedom

The United States is paving the way for a new world of authoritarianism. BY JOSUÉ MICHELS

he global trend toward author- state. But during the days itarian governments has greatly of the coronavirus, another, T accelerated during the so-called lesser-feared power has coronavirus pandemic. Eighteen revealed its true face. months ago, no one could have pre- Europe is pushing for global dicted unprecedented lockdowns, control of the movement of arrests of people not wearing masks, or every person, the exchange enforcement of mandates with experi- of every word, and the mental vaccines. What can we expect in transaction of every cent. the next 18 months? The authoritarian These alarming trends are the warn- response to covid is actu- ing signs of what a world without free- ally a symptom of a world dom would look like. In World War ii, rejecting U.S. leadership. the United States prevented a tyranny After Afghanistan, that from wrapping its tentacles around the leadership carries less world. Then it fought communism and weight then ever—and we can expect a the cure-all they were purported to be. sought to safeguard democracy, free more authoritarian world as a result. Still, many elites say the average press and free speech. The dollar rose person does not understand the science as the reserve currency, enabling free Ignoring the Science and needs to trust government experts. trade and aid for countries in need. An Imperial College–London study Thus, even with the pandemic on its Fundamental principles the U.S. once released in March 2020 was the study way out, we are seeing an intensification stood for are under attack—including that prompted lockdowns in the U.S. of the attack on people’s liberties. Some free speech, freedom of religion, free- and United Kingdom. It was wrong. Its governments now say that only the dom of movement, the free flow of cash. worst-case scenario predicted that 2.2 vaccinated should have basic freedoms. Subverting these principles erodes the million Americans and half a million Refuse the jab, and you can’t travel, foundation of free society. Britons would die. It suggested a peak in meet in groups, patronize restaurants, Now these pillars of our current world daily deaths after about three months. exercise or, in some cases, even work. system are crumbling. The one power Applying the same model to Sweden, Leaders claim this is necessary to stop that restrained authoritarianism is Swedish scientists predicted 85,000 a “pandemic of the unvaccinated” that falling. The United States is virtually the deaths if the country did not lock down. risks the lives of all. only country in the world in which lead- But the Swedish government refused Leaders are finding a succession of ing politicians have successfully resisted to be scared into submission. To this excuses to block people from everyday elements of the new covid tyranny. But day, not even a third of these numbers life. Their motive is not public health even the U.S. does not have the same have been reached. Sweden saw less but absolute control. belief in freedom that it once had. The than a fifth of the projected number. Look particularly at Europe. There, spirit of tyranny is rising again—even By August of this year, Sweden was leaders are pushing for control of within the U.S.—this time equipped nearing zero covid-19 deaths a day, after the movement of every person, the with cameras, fingerprint sensors, experiencing fewer than 15,000 total exchange of every word, and the trans- biometric data, financial data and mon- covid-related deaths. action of every cent. “Europe’s response itoring capabilities that megalomaniacs Comparing restrictive California to the pandemic is accelerating the once only dreamed of. with open Florida is telling. As of this fulfillment of one of the most crucial

As the United States fails to stand past March, in Florida, 8,979 people per end-time prophecies of your Bible!” EMMA MOORE/TRUMPET up for the freedoms it once defended, 100,000 were infected; in California, Trumpet editor in chief Gerald Flurry another power is filling the void. The that number was 9,079. The death rate wrote in our July 2020 issue. He called Chinese Communist Party has already in Florida was 146 per 100,000; in Cali- this “one of the most important effects implemented a fearsome surveillance fornia, 135. Clearly, lockdowns are not of the global panic over covid-19.” 20 THE PHILADELPHIA TRUMPET Europe is seeking absolute control, Europeans are getting accustomed to a more secure and efficient financial and there is a profound reason. authoritarian rule, police control and world. Yet they also give government intimidation tactics. Vaccine passports central banks absolute control. Vaccine Passports ensure the government knows where you Digital currencies would allow The Italian government introduced a are at every point of the day. The technol- governments to track every cent in the “Green Pass” on August 6, without which ogy being used today to track, check and financial system, from businesses to the citizens are barred, fined or arrested exclude people from activities of the gov- digital wallets of individuals. for many normal activities. The app was ernment’s choosing could easily be used Some leaders may have good inten- reportedly downloaded 20 million times for whatever purposes authorities want. tions, but their desire for control is in its first three days. It is now manda- The virus may vanish, but will the spinning quickly out of control. tory for long-distance public transport government control apparatus vanish On Oct. 19, 2020, the International and for those who work at schools. with it? Monetary Fund hosted a discussion The vaccination efforts have the bless- Ross Clark warned for the Spectator on how central bank digital currencies ing of the Vatican. Pope Francis was vacci- that vaccination passports and elec- nated in January and requested his Green tronic ID cards are quickly morphing Pass as soon as they were introduced. into something like China’s social credit Some leaders may At first, only the vaccinated, recovered system, which blacklists people for have good intentions, or tested could use the Green Pass. Then antisocial offenses and rewards them but their desire for European governments took the next for good behavior. The UK, he wrote, has step: They removed the option to prove already stepped in that direction: “[T]he control is spinning you had tested negative or made tests an government is planning to introduce a quickly out of control. impossible financial burden. health app in January which will mon- But tens of thousands have protested itor our shopping, our exercise levels, might facilitate cross-border payments. the pass. Giorgia Meloni, party leader of or intake of fruit and vegetables—and In the discussion, the bis’s general the Brothers of Italy, said this “ghastly” reward us with virtue points which we manager, Agustín Carstens, a powerful trend is “unconstitutional madness. can exchange for discounts, free tickets figure in global monetary policies, said: For us, individual freedom is sacred (to what kind of event is not clear) and “We don’t know who’s using a $100 bill and unassailable.” She called it the “last other goodies” (July 24). today, and we don’t know who’s using step toward the realization of a George What we are seeing in Europe in a 1,000-peso bill today.” But with the Orwellian society” (Frankfurter Allge- particular portends worse to come. Mr. central bank digital currency, “the meine Zeitung, July 14). Yet such Orwel- Flurry warned: “The people of Europe central bank will have absolute control lian measures are sweeping Europe. are being conditioned to accept more on the rules and regulations that will On August 20, France made its health tyrannical leadership” (op cit). In fact, determine the use of that expression of pass compulsory for employees who this trend lays the foundation for modern central bank liability, and also we will work in the leisure, cultural, catering, tyrannies described in Bible prophecy. have the technology to enforce that.” long-distance transport or commerce Today, leaders will arrest you for sectors. Anyone who works face-to-face Digital Currencies taking a walk. Imagine how they will use with the public must get the jab or take While governments are deciding which “absolute control” over your cash flow a covid test every 72 hours at their own citizens can and cannot take part in and “the technology to enforce that.” expense. Around 1.8 million people are social events and business, they are also Former German Economics Minister affected by the new law. undertaking a related project: waging a Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg wrote a Millions of people fear exclusion from war on cash. thesis about the high level of corruption work, from school, from most of society Banks can track credit-card and in cross-border payments. His solution because they have not taken the vaccine. debit-card spending, and can pass this to criminals and terrorists abusing the Thousands have demonstrated against information on to governments. Cash, ability to send payments is the same as these measures. Videos went viral of however, provides an easy way around Carstens’s: more supervision and intro- police brutality against demonstrators. that. This could soon change. ducing digital currencies that are tightly The German government has responded In January, the European Central controlled by governments. by putting certain citizens under nation- Bank and the European Commission Money Metals Exchange director wide surveillance: monitoring meetings, agreed to cooperate on the technical Clint Siegner warned that with such use, intercepting e-mails, screening bank implementation of a digital euro. A 2021 government digital currencies become accounts and tracking financial flows. survey by the Bank for International Set- “a tool for eliminating privacy and for Those surveilled are not right-wing tlements (bis) found that 86 percent of central bankers to force citizens to use extremists or terrorists but in some central banks are researching a poten- currency exactly when, where and how cases just critics of the government’s tial digital currency, 60 percent are they are told.” He said it gives bureaucrats coronavirus measures. experimenting with the technology, and extraordinary power: “Officials could These measures do not save lives. But 14 percent have already deployed pilot limit spending to certain geographic they do increase government control. projects. These technologies promise boundaries, and thereby impose a OCTOBER 2021 21 restriction on travel. They could pick win- founding, many other countries have fol- state since 1941. So while some religious ners and losers, favoring some merchants lowed America’s example to some extent, activity must be limited, endorsing or industries or crushing others” (July 12). giving religion a small part in public life. Catholicism is apparently fine.) People like Carstens insist they only Now, however, this trend is reversing. Across Europe, secular and religiously want to target criminals, but say they’ll This development, more than any other, pluralistic nations are encouraging protect people’s freedoms. But these were reveals where our world is heading. And Catholicism at the same time that their the same promises we heard when covid again, it is Europe we must watch closely tolerance for other religions shrivels. passports were introduced. Despite on this point. The Hungarian government, while assurances that they would not curtail On July 23, France’s National Assem- taking strict stands against immigration freedoms, they are proving to do just that. (which is mostly Islamic), has entered The war on cash is a war on liberty. a strong cooperation with Catholic and It is no coincidence that politicians are The authoritarian Protestant churches. Next door, Austria pushing for a digital euro and digital trends sweeping under Catholic Chancellor Sebastian passports at the same time. Europe take on Kurz has done the same. Germany, after There have been a lot of problems 16 years of Chancellor Angela Merkel’s with the U.S.-led financial system. But greater significance in rule, could also soon have a staunch look at the systems now competing to light of prophecies of Catholic chancellor with Armin Laschet. replace the dollar. A switch to a euro- or One can understand why historically renminbi-based financial system would Europe’s future. Catholic Europe would seek to clamp not merely change the color of the paper down on the spread of Islam within its that people use. It would change the bly passed a new law aimed at regulating borders given the flood of immigration it character of the whole system. religious groups, particularly Islamic has absorbed and the Islamist terrorist ones. The bill seeks “to strengthen the attacks it has suffered in recent years. Religious Control respect of the principles of the republic”; But this trend must be viewed in light America was in part founded on the it strictly requires these groups to report of Catholicism’s defining role on the basis of religious freedom. Many ances- to the government and restricts wearing Continent. tors of U.S. citizens fled across the Atlan- religious symbols in public. (Interest- For centuries, Europeans lived under tic because of the religious persecution ingly, just the week before, President the dictatorial rule of the Holy Roman they suffered in Britain and Europe. This Emmanuel Macron visited the historic Empire as it experienced a series of ideal of religious freedom has uniquely church of Notre Dame de Lourdes—the revivals and collapses. This history is shaped America. In the decades since its first pilgrimage of a French head of filled with bloody crusades, inquisitions War on the Dollar he World Economic Forum, other global and the global reserve regional institutions, and powerful individuals like Bill currency. Instead, T Gates are calling for a “great reset” of the economy in he warned, it response to the pandemic. They say this will help eliminate would become poverty. Plans include the introduction of wealth taxes, gov- a local currency ernmental regulations and infrastructure-spending programs. that is no longer After shutting down the economy, they plan to rebuild it in a used to determine socialist style. the price of oil nor as the settlement and balance of payments This is a direct attack on the current global financial sys- between countries. The large corporations could then “publish tem—specifically on its dependence on America. The corona- their financial results in sdrs, not in dollars.” virus is being used as a pretext. Since their creation, sdrs have been allocated only four One system already in place is intended to replace the United times. The record high was $250 billion, allocated in 2009 States dollar as the global reserve currency. In the 1970s, people during the Obama administration. Now the Biden administra- feared the dollar would lose its value. The proposed solution tion, largely controlled by Obama, has allowed an allocation was special drawing rights (sdrs) allocated by the International more than twice that: On August 2, the imf announced the Monetary Fund (imf). sdrs were created as “the principal “historic” allocation of $650 billion in sdrs. reserve asset in the international monetary system.” Thus far, This extreme measure was allegedly taken to help poor coun- they have gotten little use. But because of the pandemic, sdrs tries replenish their financial reserves, which were decimated ISTOCK.COM/DONY have received fresh life. in the coronavirus crisis. In reality, most of the allocations go American economist and author Jim Rickards warns that to economically strong countries. Even worse, each nation that the use of sdrs could cause the dollar to cease to function as is given sdrs could technically trade them in for U.S. dollars 22 THE PHILADELPHIA TRUMPET and pogroms, motivated by a church that arrive, the answers will be more author- as a “beast” (request Who or What Is felt responsible to convert humanity to itarian. And it’s clear America lacks the the Prophetic Beast? for proof). Those the “only true religion.” And it repeatedly strength to go against that grain. who refuse to accept the mark of this used the military and political muscle of Bible prophecy confirms this, giving beast will not be able to hold a job or civil leaders to enact its aims. a shocking picture of a post-American engage in business. Today, some people Unbeknown to many, the U.S. van- world. believe that vaccine mandates are this quished one of these revivals by defeating All the authoritarian trends sweeping “mark of the beast.” Others believe that Adolf Hitler in World War ii. That was the through Europe take on far greater a digital currency will be this mark. sixth of seven prophesied resurrections significance in the context of the Bible’s Indeed, these can both lead to people of this empire. (These resurrections are prophecies of Europe’s future. being excluded from business. But they explained in our free booklet The Holy The final rise of this ancient European are not what this prophecy is referring Roman Empire in Prophecy.) religious empire will bring specific con- to. (Read our article “Coronavirus and In our day, “when the transgressors sequences for individuals around the the Mark of the Beast” at theTrumpet are come to the full” and because of the world. Revelation 13:17 warns of a time .com/22230 to learn more about this.) world’s sins, God is allowing this ancient, coming when “no man might buy or sell, Still, the infrastructure we currently see bloody empire to rise again, one final save he that had the mark, or the name rising may be the means through which time (Daniel 8:23). Prophecy shows that of the beast, or the number of his name.” the mark of the beast is enforced. it will be this church-state system that Revelation 18 describes the financial The fall of the U.S. opens the way for replaces U.S. dominance in the world. system led by this new power. It dom- this beast to rise once more. Thankfully, As it has done so often in the past, this inates the world, and businessmen however, prophecy also reveals that empire will suppress freedom, trample benefit—but it is very different from this empire will be confronted and sup- on human rights and establish a dictato- America’s. Trade goods includes “slaves, planted by Jesus Christ Himself, who will rial religious regime. and souls of men” (verse 13). then rule this world as “King of kings and The Bible symbolizes this government Lord of lords” (Revelation 19:15-16). n The Beast of Revelation America and Britain have upheld principles of relative freedom for 200 years. We take them for granted. We see a free world The “mark of the beast” revealed! as the default. But we’re already seeing Do not trust the ideas or opinions of men; the truth comes straight from a world with radically different political the Bible. Request Herbert W. Armstrong’s free booklet Who or What philosophies. As future emergencies Is the Prophetic Beast? to learn the facts.

at low cost. While they could also trade renminbi’s share in its basket of currencies and diminish the them in for euros or renminbi, the dollar share the dollar holds. At some point the dollar would become is the far more favored currency. Most one of many equal reserve currencies connected through sdr. countries have to get dollars to trade Importantly, those contributing to the basket of currencies anyway, and sdrs are an easier way to also have a say on who receives sdrs in the future. As the U.S. get them. loses power, this trend could quickly escalate. Republican Sen. Marco Rubio wrote A recent example shows what power the imf could soon on March 24 that “there is absolutely no reason to promote an hold. On August 18, Reuters reported that the imf suspended international reserve currency over the U.S. dollar.” He warned Afghanistan’s access to its resources, including $440 million in that tyrannies such as Russia and China could make use of the new monetary reserves. The U.S. requested the ban because of allocated sdr and harm the U.S. Unsurprisingly, the main pow- the Taliban’s takeover of Kabul. In this case, few criticized the ers calling for sdr allocations are China and Europe. action. But who knows whom the imf may exclude tomorrow if Also noteworthy is that the imf is considering a digital China and Europe call the shots? version of the sdr. China and the EU are also actively working However it may occur, the world is preparing to shun the on digital currencies. By themselves, China and Europe may dollar as the primary reserve currency. Once this happens, not have the strength to replace the dollar, but together, con- the U.S. loses its economic clout. This would open the door nected through the imf, they may break its neck. sdrs, while for another power to control world trade according to its own they harm the dollar, actually strengthen the other currencies rules and dictates. in the imf’s basket. For example, sdrs can be traded in for Chi- Once the dollar is replaced and a digital currency is estab- nese renminbi, thus strengthening China’s currency as a global lished, we will wake up in a radically different world. reserve. China in turn could request that the imf increase the JOSUÉ MICHELS OCTOBER 2021 23 AMERICA’S END IN AFGHANISTAN | hope A Positive Vision of Empire

Empire has a bad name today. But what happened in Afghanistan shows why the world needs empire! BY GERALD FLURRY

nother world power has The lodestar that guided Chur- of the heinous things that dictators do to failed in Afghanistan. They chill’s actions was his desire to their own people, let alone their enemies. call that country “the sustain the British Empire. Think of nations who terrorize the graveyard of empires.” Lord Moran, Churchill’s doctor for the world with suicide bombs and who are Several empires have failed last 25 years of his life, said, “If Winston working to get nuclear missiles. Don’t there and entered decline. has believed in anything at all in the you want to be part of an empire that Now the American superpower has course of his long life, it has been in the stops those evils with overwhelming dramatically failed. All human empires British Empire and all that it stands for.” power and force? Don’t you want to help eventuallyA die. So strong was this motivation that as many who are suffering as possible? The end of America’s world dom- when Britain prevailed and ended You can do that with an empire. inance follows that of the British World War ii, and the world could see Churchill realized the value of an Empire before it. Even though these Churchill’s role in saving it, he felt like empire and how much it can accomplish related nations did a lot of good for the a failure. The reason was that although if everybody is behind it. It was a high world, Britons and Americans today are Britain had survived and won the war, he and noble purpose in his mind. The ashamed of their history as great powers. knew the British Empire was collapsing. British Empire was working with peo- What they do not realize is that these Why was the empire so important to ples who had languished in poverty and two nations actually point to an empire this man? It wasn’t just about winning under barbaric practices. For millions of that is going to last forever and bring wealth, status, power or pageantry for people, the empire provided prosperity, peace to this whole world! his nation. Kirk Emmert summarized freedom and direction that civilized their What happened in Afghanistan has Churchill’s view this way: “The glory lives. Churchill was willing to give up caused a lot of people to despair. But of the British Empire was its service to anything, even his own life, for that cause. it points to an inspiring hope that this a cause that transcended Britain, that In Emmert’s words, Churchill believed world acutely needs. transcended history, that transcended in “the fostering of civilization as the time itself, that acts to lift human life highest purpose of empire.” Beyond Churchill’s Motivation away from barbarism and savagery that, he said that “empire civilizes both Historian Martin Gilbert wrote the towards civilization and human excel- the ruled and their rulers.” Yes, empire seven-volume official biography of Brit- lence” (Winston S. Churchill on Empire). thinking ennobles those who believe in ish Prime Minister Winston Churchill. That truly is a motivating and inspiring it, like it did Churchill. James Anthony This great man accomplished the stag- vision! Look around and you know this Fraude wrote in Oceana, “A man … who gering feat of saving the Western world world is filled with “barbarism and sav- is part of an institution, who has devoted from Nazi tyranny! You would think agery.” Afghanistan under Taliban rule is himself to a cause—or is a citizen of an that revealing Churchill’s motivation a perfect example. There is a reason why imperial power—expands to the scope would take up an entire volume. The people were so desperate to escape when and fullness of the larger organism …. first book that Churchill himself wrote the Taliban closed in around Kabul. An His thoughts are wider, his interests less was about the theme that motivated him empire that lifts human life away from selfish, his ambitions ampler and nobler.” so powerfully. Yet Gilbert wrote little such degradation and “towards civiliza- Nineteenth-century British Prime Min- about Churchill’s highest purpose. He tion and human excellence” is truly good. ister Benjamin Disraeli stated in a famous apparently did not understand or was This world needs that kind of an empire! dictum: “I have endeavored to develop wary of providing the big picture—the Think of the terrible cultural prac- and strengthen our empire, believing motivation of Winston Churchill. tices human nations have devised. Think that combination of achievement and 24 THE PHILADELPHIA TRUMPET responsibility elevates the character and condition of a people.” Developing and strengthening an empire the right way builds character in people! An empire transcends the individual, the self—it transcends politics and petty divisions. That motivation makes leaders stronger, and it makes followers into leaders. And if your empire is a force for good in the world, it is amazing what you can achieve!

A Vision Lost Look at America and Britain today, though, and it is clear that this noble A FORCE FOR GOOD sense of cause is absent. Fewer and A United States soldier gives a ready-to-eat fewer are willing to dedicate or lose meal to an Afghan child. their life for what our nations stand for. As a whole, our peoples cannot even agree on what our purpose should be. The very concept of empire has been viciously attacked. That thinking infected A Different Kind of Empire legacy is very different from that of the the British Empire for decades and led God revealed to the Prophet Daniel empires of Abraham’s descendants. to its dissolution and fall. After World ii, a vision of a different kind of empire. Notice how the quality of metal in people began using the word “common- He prophesied of four world-ruling the statue degenerates as it progresses, wealth” to describe Britain rather than empires that would rise and fall symbolizing how these four successive “empire.” Only nations that want to build throughout history. empires degenerate in their dignity an empire like that word. (Germany, for Daniel explained this to the king of and culture over time. Mankind is not one, loves it.) That change revealed a total the first of those empires, Nebuchad- getting better and better. turnaround and retreat from everything nezzar of Babylon: “Thou, O king, sawest, Look at history, and look at what is that made the British Empire so success- and behold a great image. This great happening in this world and how evil ful! And today, even Britain’s common- image, whose brightness was excellent, people can be to one another. In Dan- wealth is accused of being a racist and stood before thee; and the form thereof iel 7, a companion prophecy, these four oppressive institution—a ridiculous, was terrible. This image’s head was of successive empires are symbolized by ignorant, baseless charge. fine gold, his breast and his arms of beasts—ferocious beasts that love to kill! Did you know that GOD was the one silver, his belly and his thighs of brass, Note briefly, too, the details recorded who gave Britain its empire and who His legs of iron, his feet part of iron and about that last empire—with two legs made America such a dominant power? part of clay” (Daniel 2:31-33). (symbolizing Rome’s division into two This should be a source of great pride This prophecy provides a stunning parts, with capitals in Rome and Con- to our nations—not shame! overview of world history! Daniel stantinople), feet of iron and clay, and Regarding the birthright nations that explained that the statue’s head of gold finishing with 10 toes (Daniel 2:41-43). descended from the great patriarch represented the rule of the Babylonian Put together with other prophecies, we Abraham, God promised He would make Empire (verses 37-38). This empire recognize that this describes the mod- one (Britain, modern-day Ephraim) an would be overcome and succeeded by ern-day resurrection of that old Roman empire and the other (America, modern the Medo-Persian Empire, which would Empire, coming together in Europe Manasseh) the greatest single nation subsequently be supplanted by the today. It is disunified like iron mixed ever to exist (Genesis 35:11). He prom- Greek Empire, which would then be with clay, and it will ultimately include ised to give them strategic sea gates that overtaken by the mighty Roman Empire. 10 kings (e.g. Revelation 17:12). would protect them and allow them to Daniel described that empire: “And the The great majority of this extraordi- overcome their enemies (Genesis 22:17). fourth kingdom shall be strong as iron: nary prophecy has already been fulfilled, When God wants to make a nation into forasmuch as iron breaketh in pieces step by step! So we can be confident an empire, He really can make it great! and subdueth all things: and as iron that the remaining details are cer- Britain and America did an enormous that breaketh all these, shall it break in tain to come to pass. amount of good in the world, compared pieces and bruise” (verse 40). What a fit- Notice, then, what happens next. Dan- to other empires in history. Yet even ting description of Rome at its imperial iel 2:34-35 show a great stone smashing their power and beneficence is only a peak! These Gentile empires truly can be the entire statue, breaking it to pieces and small foretaste of what God is going to brutal. Though they had some stunning reducing it to powder that is carried off by accomplish with His Empire, the King- achievements, at their worst they bring the wind! Then the stone grew to become

SGT. SAMUEL RUIZ/U.S. MARINE CORPS/GETTY IMAGES CORPS/GETTY MARINE RUIZ/U.S. SAMUEL SGT. dom of God! terrible suffering and oppression! Their EMPIRE PAGE 30 u OCTOBER 2021 25 FRANCE PASSES NEW LAW TO CONTROL RELIGIONS Firefighters battle WORLDWATCH a fire near Athens, rance’s National Assembly the government, which must Greece, on August 16. passed a new law on July 23, be renewed every five years. If placing heavy regulations they receive funds from abroad, Fon religious groups, particularly their accounts must be audited Islamic ones. It contains strict each year. new requirements on how The law also regulates intimate these groups must report to family decisions. Parents who the government, and it seeks to choose to homeschool their chil- reduce the wearing of religious dren must receive government symbols in public. Paradoxically, authorization of the curriculum French President Emmanuel they will teach. Muslim men who THE MEDITERRANEAN Macron, who supports the bill, refuse to allow their wives to be has taken unprecedented steps examined by male doctors face IS ON FIRE to draw closer to the world’s fines of up to $89,000 and up to largest religion. five years in jail. Religious neutrality of society, The Trumpet closely monitors weather system named hit with both fires and floods. the government and public the interactions of European “Lucifer” turned the Al Jazeera reported on August institutions is legally enshrined leaders with the Catholic Mediterranean region into a 16 that at least 77 people had died in the French Constitution. The Church. Despite its tradition of Ahothouse, bringing the region its in flooding in the Black Sea region, 1905 law on the Separation of hottest recorded temperature on with 47 missing. the Churches and the State is the August 11. Floridia, a town in Sicily, Is the answer to why disasters foundational document for this reported a temperature of 119.8 like this happen really climate pillar of French society. Several degrees Fahrenheit. Wildfires change? Or is there a deeper additions have since been afflicted 47 Sicilian towns. cause? proposed and adopted. Wildfires also plagued Algeria, The Bible reveals that God is in Under the new law, the killing 90 people. Although much control of the weather. “[T]he government can shut down Muslims in France of the North African country is Lord hath his way in the whirl- religious gatherings it judges attend a memorial for a Catholic priest desert, much is also covered in wind and in the storm, and the to be preaching incitement to murdered by jihadists. forest. Neighboring Tunisia, mean- clouds are the dust of his feet. He hatred or violence. This can be while, recorded the hottest-ever rebuketh the sea, and maketh it done without a court order. The separating church and state, temperature for its capital, dry, and drieth up all the rivers definition of hatred or incitement the French government is now Tunis: 120 degrees Fahrenheit …. The mountains quake at him, to violence is open to interpreta- seeking power over religious on August 10. Wildfires also and the hills melt, and the earth tion. While this type of teaching is groups. The Bible warns that surged in Greece. Prime Minister is burned at his presence …” a problem, the new law risks the church-state separation will Kyriakos Mitsotakis called it the (Nahum 1:3-5). To learn more abuse of governmental powers. ultimately disappear, leading to country’s worst heat wave in about why, read our booklet Why All religious groups are now the seventh resurrection of the over three decades. Turkey was ‘Natural’ Disasters? n required to obtain a permit from infamous Holy Roman Empire. n ANGELOS TZORTZINIS/AFP/GETTY IMAGES, CHARLY TRIBALLEAU/AFP/GETTY IMAGES, STEFANO GUIDI/GETTY IMAGES

ITALY FOLLOWS is “unconstitutional madness. For that do not enforce the laws FRANCE IN MANDATING us, individual freedom is sacred are subject to fines. In France, VACCINE PASSPORTS and unassailable.” police are patrolling the streets he Italian government But the Vatican is siding and punishing people in outdoor introduced a “Green Pass” largely with the government’s cafés who are not carrying coronavirus passport on Italian Green Pass push. Pope Francis was immu- proper vaccine documentation. TAugust 6 and banned access to nized in January and requested Europeans are getting restaurants, gyms, music venues and working at schools. his Green Pass as soon as it accustomed to authoritarian and many other aspects of public Tens of thousands of Italians was introduced. “The head of rule, police control and tactics life for those who do not have have protested the pass. Frank- the Catholic Church is thus of intimidation. Trumpet editor it. The Green Pass app, used furter Allgemeine Zeitung quoted explicitly and publicly supporting in chief Gerald Flurry warned in to provide proof of a COVID-19 Giorgia Meloni, leader of the Italian government’s the July 2020 issue: “European vaccination certificate, was the Brothers of Italy party, vaccination campaign,” Germa- leaders are increasingly behaving downloaded 20 million times describing the regulations as ny’s Welt noted on August 10. like dictators and assuming dicta- in three days. The government “ghastly” and the “last step toward Only those who are torial power. The people of Europe has extended its ban to include the realization of a George vaccinated, recovered or tested are being conditioned to accept long-distance public transport Orwellian society.” This, she said, can use the pass. Institutions more tyrannical leadership.” n 26 THE PHILADELPHIA TRUMPET to Iran’s most radical elements. him as a “commander of peace,” Abdollahian’s post came three Abdollahian has served as and was once photographed weeks after Ebrahim Raisi was ambassador to Bahrain, deputy kissing his forehead. When the appointed president. Raisi is an foreign minister for Arab and U.S. assassinated Suleimani Islamist hard-liner. He is infamous African affairs, and adviser for in January 2020, Abdollahian for ordering mass executions in international affairs for speakers issued the first public vow of the years after the 1979 Islamic of the Iranian parliament. As retaliation by the IRGC. Revolution and has been called ABDOLLAHIAN deputy foreign minister, he imple- The new foreign minister is “the butcher of Tehran.” mented foreign policy in Syria, also very close with Ayatollah Ali These appointments by NEW FOREIGN Iraq and Yemen, working with Khamenei, Iran’s supreme leader. Khamenei’s regime sends a MINISTER, SAME the Islamic Revolutionary Guard The Middle East Institute reports clear, openly hostile message RADICAL AGENDA Corps (IRGC), which the United that at least 10 analytical articles to the West: It is ready to push ossein Amir-Abdollahian States has officially designated as on Khamenei’s own website are harder with its radical Islamic has replaced Mohammed a Foreign Terrorist Organization. authored by Abdollahian, which agenda and nuclear weapons Javad Zarif as Iran’s foreign He also worked closely with is “unusual and noteworthy, program. In The King of the Hminister. Many in the West consid- Gen. Qassem Suleimani, the infa- as the publication of even a South, Trumpet editor in chief ered Zarif a “moderate ally” they mous leader of the IRGC’s Quds single exclusive analysis on this Gerald Flurry shows that radical could work with. Abdollahian is Force. Abdollahian said he knew website is viewed as a significant Islam, led by Iran, will push the an anti-West hard-liner with ties Suleimani “closely,” praised privilege for an Iranian official.” world toward World War III. n

ROUHANI’S PARTING from us want to be confident PUTIN: SOVEREIGN GIFT: A KEY TO LOCK Iran that they can take our oil under UKRAINE DOES NOT Goreh Oil Terminal HORMUZ G any conditions …. [O]n a rainy day, EXIST ore h-Jas utgoing Iranian k Pipeline it would be us who would be in here is no such thing as Khorg Island President Hassan Rouhani trouble [if the Strait of Hormuz a separate Ukrainian Persian Mobarak announced on July 22 the Gulf Point were to close]. We have got past people,” Russian President Strait of Hormuz Oopening of the export terminal Gulf of this problem.” “TVladimir Putin asserted in a Oman for the Goreh-Jask oil pipeline. The pipeline and export 5,000-word manifesto in July, Iran exports most of its oil from terminal give Iran greater control a political declaration of intent the terminal at Kharg Island, capacity by about 50 percent. It over one of the most important toward Ukraine. deep in the Persian Gulf. But the also enables Iran to continue choke points in oil trade and The manifesto Goreh-Jask terminal on the Gulf significant exports even if it or a viable threat to cripple the came in response of Oman bypasses the Gulf and another nation causes a conflict oil-dependent economies of to a law passed the Strait of Hormuz. in the Strait of Hormuz. the West. And now the key is by the Ukrainian The Goreh-Jask pipeline can Regarding a closure of the controlled by an even more openly government

transport 1 million barrels of oil strait, Rouhani said earlier this radical regime led by Iran’s new PUTIN stating its intent per day, increasing Iran’s export year, “[C]ustomers who buy oil president, Ebrahim Raisi. n to protect Tatar, Karaite and Krymchak minority groups within the country. Most July 11, coordinated through approval, the Cuban Communists of these populations reside in social media and mobile Internet, would have been hard-pressed Ukraine’s Crimean Peninsula, which has existed in Cuba for or unable to shut down the which Putin forcibly annexed only three years. Protesters Internet—and the people. in 2014 and claims Russian Cubans protesting organized marches, warned But with China’s help, Cuba sovereignty over. government corruption are arrested on July 11. each other of secret police, and killed the Internet and the “They are one with the broadcast their message to the protests. The Communist Party Russians,” he wrote, adding CHINA EXPORTS world. The Communist Party of of Cuba is now identifying that the “state of Ukraine is an TYRANNY TO CUBA Cuba shut down Internet and protest leaders and tightening its artificial creation” and a “fluke of fter Cubans staged the mobile networks and selectively grip on the Cuban people. history that should be grateful to largest protests in six cut landline phone service. Bible prophecy indicates Russia for allowing it to exist.” decades against the island’s Cuba’s only Internet provider that China’s role in Cuba could As Anders Aslund, an adviser ACommunist government, the is Etecsa. All of the company’s directly affect not only the Cuban to Putin’s predecessor, Boris regime shut them down with vendors are Chinese—ZTE, people but also the United States Yeltsin, put it: “Putin is setting the help from the Chinese Commu- Huawei and TP-Link—and are and, indirectly, the world. n stage for war.” n nist Party, according to an therefore controlled by the Read “Preparing to Storm Read The Prophesied ‘Prince’ August 3 report in the Diplomat. Chinese Communist Party. America’s Castle” (theTrumpet. of Russia, by Gerald Flurry

FATEMAH BAHRAMI/ANADOLU AGENCY/GETTY IMAGES, ALEXEI NIKOLSKY/TASS/GETTY IMAGES, YAMIL LAGE/AFP/GETTY IMAGES LAGE/AFP/GETTY YAMIL IMAGES, NIKOLSKY/TASS/GETTY ALEXEI IMAGES, AGENCY/GETTY BAHRAMI/ANADOLU FATEMAH The protests broke out on Without the Chinese Communists’ com/18555). (theTrumpet.com/go/prince). OCTOBER 2021 27 On July 2, satellite imagery nuclear-capable missiles and revealed about 120 new silos bombs, it is also developing a new under construction near Yumen strategic stealth bomber. and another 25 across China. China’s rapid expansion of Another 110 are under construc- nuclear firepower is occurring at tion in Hami, meaning that China the same time as advancements will soon have 12 times as many in Russian nuclear missiles, silos: a total of about 250. That improvements in nuclear equates to more silos than delivery systems in North Korea, China displays intercontinental Russia and more than half of the increased vulnerability in Paki- strategic nuclear missiles during a 2019 parade. number operated by the United stan’s nuclear arsenal, and a race States. Depending on the missiles in Iran to develop its own nuclear CHINA MULTIPLYING ITS NUCLEAR MISSILE SILOS that are loaded, these silos could program. Meanwhile, training is hina is building a new Experts believe that, after accommodate between 415 and increasing for German personnel nuclear silo field near the its first nuclear weapons test 875 nuclear warheads. to use American nuclear bombs city of Hami in Eastern in 1964, the Chinese regime The Chinese Communist deployed in Germany. CXinjiang, the Federation of maintained 200 to 300 nuclear Party’s nuclear arsenal also The United Nations and other American Scientists announced weapons for decades, with only includes about 100 mobile organizations have failed to stop on July 26. The field is the 20 operational silos for liquid-fuel launchers and six Type 094 the global nuclear threat. n second recently discovered by intercontinental ballistic missiles. Jin-class submarines, which Read Nuclear Armageddon specialists examining satellite But under Chinese leader Xi carry up to 12 missiles each. In Is ‘At the Door,’ by Gerald Flurry images of China. Jinping, this strategy is changing. addition to existing shorter-range (theTrumpet.com/go/door).

CYBERATTACK ON U.S. COMPANY Donald Trump responded, TRIGGERS CHAIN REACTION “[T]his is not an infrastructure bill; p to 1,500 businesses were schools in New Zealand were this is the beginning of the Green hit by a vast cyberattack also affected. A group called New Deal.” The Green New Deal over the July 4 weekend. REvil claimed responsibility. was radical legislation presented UThe attack is considered by some “America is the greatest by radical leftist Rep. Alexandria to be the largest ransomware superpower this world has Ocasio-Cortez in 2019 that aimed Kamala Harris announces passage attack ever. ever known,” Trumpet editor of the infrastructure bill. to tear down and remake the U.S. Florida technology firm Kaseya in chief Gerald Flurry wrote in economy to become 100 percent and its virtual system adminis- the January 1995 issue. “But we $1.2 TRILLION reliant on so-called clean energy, trator software, which computer have a very vulnerable point in SPENDING BILL PASSES as well as to supposedly eliminate administrators worldwide use our military—our own Achilles’ he United States Senate poverty and to increase collective to manage systems remotely, heel. It is so dangerous that I passed a $1.2 trillion ownership of companies. am amazed it hasn’t received infrastructure deal on This agenda would cause the more publicity.” He identified this TAugust 9. The 2,700-page bill was collapse of key industries that critical vulnerability as the heavy supported by Democrats and 19 give the U.S. its economic power reliance of the military—and Republicans, including Senate and force the nation to rely on society—on technology. Minority Leader Mitch McConnell. weaker, unproven, unreliable “They have blown the trumpet, Though no one has read the technology that, ironically, still

even to make all ready; but whole bill, Republican Sen. Kevin produces pollution. LIU BIN/XINHUA/GETTY IMAGES, ALEX WONG/GETTY IMAGES, ISTOCK.COM/GARGANTIOPA none goeth to the battle: for my Cramer indicated that it allocates God instructed the nation of wrath is upon all the multitude only $450 billion to roads, bridges Israel in Deuteronomy 28 and thereof” (Ezekiel 7:14). Regarding and other actual infrastructure. other chapters of the Bible that this prophecy, Mr. Flurry wrote The main $800 billion in spending economic and other blessings was the target. Kaseya said the that when everyone expects the goes to initiatives including result from obedience to His attackers encrypted data used military to act, a great tragedy climate change programs, laws, and that curses come by 800 to 1,500 companies occurs. “Will it be because of a clean energy research, massive from disobedience. He warned worldwide and demanded a computer terrorist?” he asked. government expansion into the that if the Israelites or their ransom of $70 million to decrypt America has become so energy network and sweeping descendants, which include it. Nations around the world heavily reliant on computer government regulations on motor the Americans, disobeyed, they witnessed major disturbances. systems that one major attack vehicles. The bill, still pending, would suffer economic ruin. Hundreds of Coop supermarkets could throw society into turmoil constitutes a Trojan horse to Guilty of economic and other sins, in Sweden, for example, were and damage or destroy the force through the radical left’s Americans’ economic dominance forced to close. At least nine nation’s war-fighting ability. n agenda to transform America. is now disappearing. n 28 THE PHILADELPHIA TRUMPET SOCIETYWATCH On February 11, Biden agreed to 6% purchase 600 million COVID-19 vaccines from Moderna and 12-Month consumer Price Pfizer. On February 27, he Index percentage change approved Johnson & Johnson’s 4% vaccine for emergency use. Government responses to a disease similar in significance and scale to the regular flu 2% have consistently destroyed the finances and independence of the middle and lower classes COVID-19 MAKING BIG and consistently benefited Big Tech and big pharma. Before this January 2016 July 2021 TECH AND BIG PHARMA is over, giant corporations may be the only businesses left. BIDEN’S SPENDING EVEN BIGGER This economic transformation HAS STOLEN YOUR is reminiscent of a transforma- SAVINGS tion that occurred in ancient oe Biden and Congress have conomists estimate that than doubled in value since the Israel during the reign of King authorized huge amounts of the costs of the COVID-19 pandemic was declared, and Jeroboam II. Israel expanded spending since taking power. pandemic and its lockdowns government pressure and in power, but a new class of JDemocrats have claimed that Eare a staggering $16 trillion. mandates for vaccinations are powerful elites arose and used this manufacturing of money Eighty percent of small-business providing Merck, Moderna, their wealth to exploit their own has not caused the inflation that owners say lockdowns have hurt Sanofi, Pfizer and Johnson & people, and the gap between Americans are experiencing, their businesses. While money Johnson with an estimated $40 the rich and the poor grew and that those rising prices are has flowed out of the middle billion in profits. larger (Amos 6:1-7). This history temporary. But many Americans class, it has flowed in torrents The pharmaceuticals and is also prophecy, and Amos see that this is false. into huge technology and phar- health products industry donated condemned these elites in Amos On July 13, the Bureau of maceutical companies, which more than $5.9 million to Joe 8:4-7 as they that “swallow up Labor Statistics reported that are making record profits. Apple, Biden’s presidential campaign, the needy, even to make the poor the consumer price index had Microsoft and Google have more and now it is reaping dividends. of the land to fail.” n risen 5.4 percent over 12 months, the most significant jump since the 2008 Great Recession. John BIDEN’S WHITE HOUSE TELLS FACEBOOK WHAT TO CENSOR Williams, of shadowstats.com, hite House Press our health and the health of our Facebook claims it is not respon- says that if inflation were still Secretary Jen Psaki said loved ones.” Psaki called for an sible for what its users write and calculated the way it was back on July 15 that the Amer- “all-of-society approach to fight therefore cannot be sued, yet it in 1980, the official inflation rate Wican government is working misinformation.” acts as a publisher, working with over that period would be about with Facebook to censor certain Despite the spin, the fact is partisan federal bureaucrats, 13 percent. information. Speaking about that the federal government and actively edits out content. Forty years ago, the late the government’s response This collusion against freedom news forecaster Herbert W. to COVID-19, she said the of speech is out in the open, and Armstrong wrote an article president’s team is “flagging many have protested against titled “What’s Happening to the problematic posts for Facebook it, yet the Biden administration U.S. Standard of Living—and that spread disinformation.” feels bold enough not only Why?” This article addressed the She defined “health misinfor- to continue the practice but causes of American economic mation” as “false, inaccurate or to chide Facebook for not decline and explained that misleading information about censoring what it considers God blessed America with the health, according to the best “violative posts” quickly enough. highest per capita income on the evidence at the time.” PSAKI A prophecy in Amos 8:11 fore- planet because of a promise He “[T]oday we live in a world tells of a time when government made to Abraham in response where misinformation poses an has admitted that it pressures censorship will grow so bad that to his faith and obedience. Abra- imminent and insidious threat a powerful private company to even those preaching the truths ham’s descendants in America to our nation’s health,” she said. censor certain information— of the Bible will be silenced. have shown neither faith nor “[T]he truth is that misinforma- while that company enjoys Society is swiftly approaching obedience, and will therefore tion takes away our freedom to immunity from many lawsuits this “famine … of hearing the see their inherited financial

CHRISTOF STACHE/AFP/GETTY IMAGES, YASIN OZTURK/ANADOLU AGENCY/GETTY IMAGES AGENCY/GETTY OZTURK/ANADOLU YASIN IMAGES, STACHE/AFP/GETTY CHRISTOF make informed decisions about thanks to a special federal law. words of the Lord.” n blessings evaporate. n OCTOBER 2021 29 u EMPIRE FROM PAGE 25 the governors over all the wise men of has been building the leadership of a great mountain that filled the whole Babylon” (Daniel 2:46, 48). Daniel truly the World Tomorrow. There are people Earth. Verse 44 explains the symbolism: was trained and prepared for kingship! qualifying right now for a job in that “And in the days of these kings [the 10 Daniel’s friends, too—Shadrach, Empire of God! European kings in the end time] shall the Meshach and Abednego—were exalted God’s Kingdom is this world’s only God of heaven set up a kingdom, which (verse 49). They went on to bear powerful hope! And God’s Church today is in the shall never be destroyed … but it shall witness for God, standing up to one of the final phases of preparation for its estab- break in pieces and consume all these most potent and terrible leaders in world lishment on Earth. The Church is, in kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.” history without flinching (Daniel 3). You fact, that Empire in embryo! God “hath We are living in the final days before can be sure that they too thus qualified made us kings and priests unto God and this magnificent Empire of God is estab- for high office in God’s Kingdom. his Father” already (Revelation 1:6). lished! God is about to break all these These men received high offices even Anyone who has that “empire vision” other empires to pieces. We can thank within physical kingdoms during this will live their life with great purpose! God for that! Watch world events, and age of man. God knows that with men Anyone with that lodestar—to build you quickly realize you wouldn’t want who respond to Him like that, men who God’s Empire and all that it stands for— anything other than this outcome! believe in God’s noble cause enough to will be highly motivated to do the work The history of empires and nations sacrifice anything for it—even to die for of God, whatever it requires. teaches us that men cannot rule over it—He can do great things! He can use In a.d. 70, when the Jews were about men. Only God can rule justly. He is their help in building an empire that to be destroyed, they believed that these about to establish His Empire in place will truly change the world! prophecies of Daniel were going to be of the governments of this world. And Through the ages, this same scenario fulfilled in their time. So they fought He is right now preparing an organized has played out in the lives of dozens, fiercely because they believed the Mes- government of leaders who will rule as hundreds and many thousands of saints siah was coming! He guides and directs. whom God has called out of this world: If you have that hope in your mind— When that Empire is established, it Abraham and Sarah, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, you know Jesus Christ is about to come will bring beauty to this world and to the Moses, Joshua, Hannah, Samuel, David, and you want to help Him bring justice, universe that is truly breathtaking! and so many others. God prepared these civilization, prosperity, freedom and people for imperial rule! The Apostle hope to all people—then you are going Preparation and Training Paul and all his assistants—Barnabas, to be one fierce spiritual warrior. That The Bible is full of wonderful details Silas, Timothy, Titus, Luke, Mark, Phile- will really make you stand up for God! about the rule of this coming Empire. mon—were all specifically prepared to That is a vision that changes you! It It truly will lift human life away from govern the Gentiles! And they will do so smashes your selfishness, expands your barbarism and savagery—and toward a with authority and love that will truly be thinking, and makes your ambitions transcendent civilization like this Earth a blessing to those they govern. ampler and nobler! It elevates your has never seen! In his World Tomorrow booklet, Mr. character and condition. It turns lowly Herbert W. Armstrong wrote a Armstrong wrote about all the saints people into great people, and transforms booklet called The Wonderful World through the ages who are about to be them from followers into leaders! Tomorrow—What It Will Be Like. Its resurrected to hold high office in God’s Get this vision into your mind. See Bible-based descriptions of that Empire coming Empire: “Every one of these men what God is about to achieve, and it will are truly inspiring! We will gladly send was freed from the shackles of pagan motivate you in any difficulty or trial you you a free copy upon request. teaching, tradition, erroneous knowl- may face. This transcends everything on That coming government will be edge, false sense of values, and pagan this Earth! implemented by Jesus Christ, oversee- customs. Every one was trained in God’s An empire is coming that will never ing resurrected and glorified servants of way, based on God’s law, and the prin- be destroyed! It will bring God’s loving God like the Prophet Daniel. ciples of that law. They were trained in government to every human being on Yes, by giving him responsibilities and the ways of righteousness. They became Earth and beyond. God is offering you the even throwing him into close contact skilled in applying the principles of unparalleled opportunity to be a part of with mighty kings, God was actually God’s commandments, laws, statutes that. Respond to Him, obey Him, stand for preparing Daniel for rulership in this and judgments.” Him—and allow Him coming Empire. After hearing Daniel’s Throughout this age of man—with to start your imperial prophecy, “the king Nebuchadnezzar all its barbarism and savagery—God training today! n fell upon his face, and worshipped Daniel, and commanded that they You read a lot of bad news out should offer an oblation and sweet odours unto him. … Then the king made there, so here is some good news. Daniel a great man, and gave him many All the suffering, pain and violence are coming to an end! To peek at the great gifts, and made him ruler over the world under the rule of Jesus Christ, order your free copy of Herbert W. whole province of Babylon, and chief of Armstrong’s The Wonderful World Tomorrow—What It Will Be Like. 30 THE PHILADELPHIA TRUMPET u TREASON FROM PAGE 3 I believe Barack Obama intended Biden to take the flak for This is a dramatic fulfillment of God’s prophecy in Isaiah 3:1-3, what has happened here. Joe Biden has talked about getting where He promises to curse America by removing “[t]he mighty out of Afghanistan for years. He really believed it was best man, and the man of war, the judge, and the prophet, and the for America. And now this man is rashly carrying out this prudent, and the ancient, The captain of fifty, and the honour- policy in the worst way possible both to humiliate America and able man,” and other effective leaders. empower our enemies, heedless of all the horrifying evidence of what tragedy it is creating. Negotiating With Terrorists I do not know exactly how this was orchestrated, but it has When America announced it would be out of Afghanistan by all fulfilled Mr. Obama’s desires perfectly. America has August 31, the Taliban began taking over the country at light- retreated, it has proved itself to be a spent power, Islamists ning pace. Some sources say the offensive was masterminded control Afghanistan and are ascendant in the Middle East, and by Khairullah Khairkhwa, a jihadist who has long aimed to Joe Biden is taking the fall for all of it. eliminate America’s presence from Afghanistan. This past From the beginning, Kamala Harris was Obama’s preferred spring he promised the White House that if the U.S. removed candidate for president. She has been invisible throughout the all its troops, the Taliban wouldn’t attack. He became the chief Afghanistan ordeal and is taking none of the blame. Neither is Taliban negotiator speaking with the Biden administration. The fact that Biden’s team would talk with this man is deeply condemning! It turns out, America knows him well. He had been captured and was confined at Guantanamo Bay Prison. “Mullah Khairkhwa previously served as the Taliban’s interior minister in Afghanistan, where he oversaw enforcement of brutal Islamist punishments, including beheadings and stonings,” the New York Post reported. “After 9/11, he was arrested in Paki- stan and sent to Gitmo in 2002. The Penta- gon accused him of closely associating with Osama bin Laden and bin Laden’s al Qaeda henchmen” (August 16). Khairkhwa and four other high-ranking Taliban terrorists were to be lifetime prisoners there. The Pentagon called them the “hardest of the hardcore”

among Guantanamo prisoners. HIGH COST But these five men were released—by Joe Biden and other top officials attend a transfer Barack Obama. He let them go in 2014 in ceremony at Dover, Delaware, for the last 13 exchange for U.S. Army deserter Bowe troops killed in Afghanistan. Bergdahl. This was another move by Obama that proved to be deadly! As soon as Khairkhwa was released, he reportedly went back to his terrorist activities. Now he has helped deal a crushing blow to Obama. This is all by design! Something is causing many of Joe America! Biden’s most loyal supporters to turn on him dramatically and Still, Mr. Obama—through the Biden administration—is fiercely! treating this man as a trustworthy negotiation partner. Will we see a change in America’s leadership soon as a result This is treasonous! of this debacle? It also directly links the current disaster in Afghanistan with former President Barack Obama. Blotting Out Israel Certainly the Biden administration’s eagerness to treat The biblical book of Kings is part of the former prophets. And the Taliban—these brutal terrorists who have killed so many most of its prophecy is for this end time. Americans in the past 20 years, not to mention Afghan citi- I have often pointed to the prophecy in 2 Kings 14:26-27. It zens—as a legitimate partner is very consistent with the way is speaking of the modern-day descendants of ancient Israel— Obama has been working for years. America most of all. It says, “For the Lord saw the affliction of Most people, however, are only looking at the surface. All Israel, that it was very bitter: for there was not any shut up, nor the blame and anger over the Afghanistan fiasco is being any left, nor any helper for Israel. And the Lord said not that he directed almost solely at Joe Biden! People are failing to see would blot out the name of Israel from under heaven: but

SAUL LOEB/AFP/GETTY IMAGES LOEB/AFP/GETTY SAUL the bigger picture. he saved them by the hand of Jeroboam the son of Joash.” OCTOBER 2021 31 Somebody is trying to blot out the very name of Israel! earthshaking event that it is? This should shake us all to And the only thing that is going to prevent that is God’s our core and cause us to acknowledge that God is cursing intervention. America! That is the real aim of what Barack Obama has been doing Ultimately, this is not caused by a bad president. It is not and continues to do through the Biden administration. This caused by the wickedness of the radical left. God is cursing gets to the truth in a way that no one else can recognize. Every- us for the sins of the whole nation. We all need to turn thing is happening in a way that causes maximum destruction to God in repentance! We as a people are disobeying God and to this country! are facing the terrifying consequences! And because we refuse The real mastermind is not even Barack Obama—it to acknowledge this, these wretched events are going to get far is Satan the devil! He is the one who “made the earth to worse before this is over. tremble”! (Isaiah 14:16). A human being could not plan out God has given America incomparable blessings, and He these events to create such scale of devastation. But the devil wants to continue to bless us. But He cannot do so while we live is extraordinarily shrewd and skilled at sabotage and destruc- in rebellion against Him. He is correcting us—as a father who tion. And he intensely hates America, to which God gave the loves his children! (e.g. Hebrews 12:5-7). birthright blessings promised to the descendants of ancient And 2 Kings 14:27 indicates that, even if we fail to repent Israel. (Request The United States and Britain in Prophecy for a collectively, in His mercy, God is going to ensure that the name thorough explanation.) So he is passionately attacking America. of Israel is not blotted out! He is going to save America “by Ephesians 2:2 calls Satan “the prince of the power of the the hand of Jeroboam”—temporarily. air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of dis- As I have written for years, the end-time type of Jeroboam obedience.” Yes, this evil spirit works in people! He is able in this prophecy is Donald Trump. When he came to power, to influence people’s thinking and emotions. The more that we saw a sudden and dramatic reversal in the direction of the human beings allow themselves to be influenced by him, the nation! Mr. Obama’s plans were abruptly halted. So he and his more they can do terrible things! And you see a lot of that in people determined to do whatever was necessary to prevent our nations today. Mr. Trump from getting a second term—including stealing the 2020 election! That too reveals just how much they are being influenced by the devil in his worst wrath. The startling truths that God has But that is not the end of the prophecy. Verse 28 shows that revealed about Barack Obama over this Jeroboam is going to war to “recover” something. I am the past several years have been convinced that is talking about the stolen election. Somehow, Donald Trump will return to power. He could even have the made all the more vivid and plain support of the military in doing so. I explain this in my article by the Afghanistan disaster. “What Will Happen After Trump Regains Power” (theTrumpet .com/23957). This prophecy suggests that the diabolical influ- Revelation 12:7-9 is an end-time prophecy that describes a ence of Barack Obama will be stopped. war in heaven between righteous angels and the devil and his The Bible provides the keys to understanding these other- demons. It says that “the dragon [Satan] fought and his angels wise incomprehensible events. The startling truths that [demons], And prevailed not; neither was their place found God has revealed about Barack Obama over the past sev- any more in heaven. And the great dragon was cast out, that eral years have been made all the more vivid and plain by old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the the Afghanistan disaster! whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels As Amos 3:7 says, “Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but were cast out with him.” Can you see that the whole world he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.” God has fallen prey to the devil’s deceptions? He is far more active explains all these truths so we can recognize what is happening, in world events than people realize! heed His warnings, and turn from our sins! He also gives the out- Verse 12 warns: “Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of line of where these events will lead so we can see God’s hand in the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great what is happening as events unfold according to His prophecies! wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.” Every American needs to recognize this and act on it! But As his time grows shorter, Satan is more wrathful than ever! regardless of what happens nationally, God gives you the power Why is God allowing this satanic attack on America? Look and the choice individually to do so. n closely at 2 Kings 14:27, and you see that God will prevent the With editorial assistance from JOEL HILLIKER devil from blotting out the name of Israel. But how severe will He allow the attack to get?

Jeroboam Will America As The United States and Britain in Prophecy proves, many Bible prophecies explain why God is allowing all this to take place. be great again? God is correcting America for its sins! (You can read more Learn why America is falling fast— about this in “Why America Really Failed,” page 4.) but its greatest glory ever is imminent. Do you recognize the Afghanistan disaster as the Request your free copy of Great Again. 32 THE PHILADELPHIA TRUMPET PRINCIPLES OF LIVING are right while you and I actually are right. We are all deeply JOEL HILLIKER infected by Satan’s self-is-right attitude. When we trust our own reasoning, we are doing what Adam and Eve did before us, and what Satan did before them. And the devil can manipulate us because of it, just as he manipulated our first parents. Humility and the In Proverbs 6, God tells us He hates “a proud look.” As com- forting as pride in ourselves seems to us, God knows what it Path to Greatness leads to: millenniums of deceit, self-justification, emptiness, suffering, hopelessness and death. “The fear of the Lord is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and A powerful lesson amid recent painful events the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate” (Proverbs 8:13). God warns in Proverbs 16:18 of this law of cause and effect: f all the plagues in today’s world, one of the Pride always leads to destruction. greatest is the arrogance of our leaders. You see it in This way of thinking, promoted by the subtle and persuasive their handling of the coronavirus pandemic, in Amer- serpent—“the spirit that now worketh in the children of dis- ica’s disastrous evacuation of Afghanistan, in crisis obedience” (Ephesians 2:2)—is fatal. And it is impossible to after crisis. Despite mountains of evidence proving that they cure—without God. Oare making major, even fatal errors, our leaders act as if they From its first pages to its last, the Bible advocates for men, couldn’t be more right! even kings, to cultivate humility and the fear of God. King David History is liberally populated by men who believed they were developed this beautiful attitude, and expressed it throughout right, that they were solving problems and helping people. And his psalms. King Solomon told God he regarded himself as a the Earth is stained with the blood of the millions they killed. “little child: I know not how to go out or come in.” This wasn’t Man can be so disastrously wrong—and so unwilling to false humility. It was a recognition of fact: Our minds are wrong, acknowledge it! and God is right. When you under- Refusing to admit error is not stand the truth about human just a problem in our leaders. It Despite mountains nature, you realize how terrible is a problem with every human of evidence proving the universal sin of self-pride is, being, whether leading a nation, a that they are making and how necessary and wonderful business, a community, a school, major, even fatal is the attitude of exalting not your a family or even just his or her errors, our leaders own will but God’s instead. own life. In pursuit of making act as if they couldn’t The greatest Being of all exis- things right according to their own be more right. tence and all eternity, next to God, definition of right, people destroy became a man. He set minds alight lives. And it is our nature to refuse with His teaching, healed people to confess error. instantly, resurrected people from Where does this way of thinking the dead, and sacrificed Himself come from? Why is it so deeply for the world. Jesus Christ, the ingrained in us, even when it is greatest human being of all time, clearly wrong and harmful? was also the greatest example of Whittaker Chambers, a reformed humility toward God. He said, “I Communist, described the founda- can of mine own self do nothing …” tion of communism as the exalting (John 5:30). of human reason as the highest The Apostle James wrote, “… authority in the universe. He called it “man’s second-oldest faith. God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. Its promise was whispered in the first days of the creation under Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he the tree of the knowledge of good and evil: ‘Ye shall be as gods.’” will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to Who actually established this faith? Someone who had you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye lived in a peaceful environment governed by God—but who double minded. … Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, then began to rely on his own mind. Someone who became and he shall lift you up” (James 4:6-10). convinced and, despite a universe of evidence to the contrary, What a profound lesson to draw from these recent painful remains convinced that he is right! events. Here is real, powerful, true hope: If you will humble Lucifer’s efforts to “improve” things based on his own ideas yourself, the super-powerful Satan will flee from you because caused universal cataclysm! (Isaiah 14:12-14). Everything he you will be drawing near to the all-powerful God! has done since has produced destruction, yet he still thinks Jesus Christ, the most humble and submissive Being ever, his way is better than God’s! And he tempted the first human is about to return with overwhelming force to take over all beings to adopt that same belief. human governments. With Him will be those who have learned Each of us has accepted this attitude, whether we realize it to submit, repent and obey His law of love. Humble yourself in

BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/GETTY IMAGES SMIALOWSKI/AFP/GETTY BRENDAN or not. It’s not that our leaders are wrongly insisting that they the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up. n OCTOBER 2021 33 DISCUSSION BOARD

Our government can’t be trusted (“Wolves in Wolves’ Clothing: The Myth of a Friendly Taliban,” theTrumpet.com/24499). That being said, I still love our country. It is still the greatest country in the world, and I will stand for our country. I am proud of our country. I am not proud of the resident in the White House. Sherry Shaw Miller social media

I want to tell you that the of her work and others like her years ago, my dad used to listen Philadelphia Trumpet is riveting. who work tirelessly to bring to Mr. Armstrong on the radio It has depth of insight and light to God’s Word in a dying and enjoyed him so much. I’m them and there’ll be no shortage wisdom that can only come world. I also want to thank the very interested in prophetic of the Word of God. It’s really from God. It is supernatural. It Armstrong College students who events. Could I request a copy of enriched my life a great deal absolutely blows my mind. Mr. made it possible for Dr. Mazar to Ezekiel—The End-Time Prophet? just reading the truth. I’m from Flurry is such a man of God. I achieve such a task. Her work I’ve read chapters 37-39 in the the Worldwide Church of God; I have such fondness and respect has given us all an insight to book of Ezekiel several times, used to listen to Mr. Armstrong for him, I can’t even tell you. And God’s ancient past. That’s one of and it’s beginning to look like it’s when I was 14 years old. Thank I want to add something that the reasons we as humans enjoy starting to shape up! you so much; all these books are will probably surprise you: I am Bible dictionaries, encyclopedias Sharon Thompson south dakota wonderful. a very devout and practicing and documentaries—because Leila Craig oregon Catholic, and yet all the things of people like her to help us My grandfather was a member you say about the Catholic understand what is going on. of the Worldwide Church of God. I remember listening to Herbert

Church—what you see coming Larry Pagan louisiana As a child, I loved to read the Armstrong’s radio program at a with the pope—I agree with. Plain Truth magazine with him. very young age. What stands out But when I say I’m devout, I am. I’ve been a Trumpet follower for It is so refreshing to see how most clearly was the message Thank you for what you do, you well over 10 years now. It’s so you report real and important from some of the ministers change the world in a world easy to see God’s Spirit within world events with utmost truth regarding prophecy—I was very that is a science-fiction movie of you guys! I love you and try not to and sincerity. Mr. Armstrong shaken by what I heard—which shame and evil. You bring order miss anything that you teach of always exposed those who had the ring of truth about it. and stability. God bless you. God’s Word. I have known little were opposed to God, and Mr. Thus I’ve watched the situation

Robin Harrington voicemail about the Bible on my own, but Flurry has continued in this bold unfold with our country I thank The Key of David and Mr. tradition of standing up for God’s descending into chaos, as well as I was surprised to find that Dr. Gerald Flurry and Trumpet Daily people. the catastrophe in Afghanistan.

Eilat Mazar died at such a young and Mr. Stephen Flurry. David Roberts ohio I see God’s prophecy being age (“Remembering the World’s Ronald Elias Campbell canada fulfilled while unwittingly people Most Important Archaeologist,” I just wanted to tell you how think that all is well! I continue theTrumpet.com/24166). I hope I so enjoy the Philadelphia much the books you gave me for to watch. Thank you for all you’re all Trumpet readers throughout Trumpet magazine as well as free enriched my life. I stocked doing in this harrowing time! the world realize the significance your e-mail newsletter. Many up on them and now I can read Carolyn Risen oregon ISTOCK.COM/ALERNON77,ISTOCK.COM/MARCOPHOTO, ALEX WONG/GETTYIMAGES

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top article top article top video top podcast The True Lesson of Afghanistan Is Vitamin D a COVID Killer? Set Your Affection Joebama and the Fundamental theTrumpet.com/24471 theTrumpet.com/24450 on Things Above Transformation of America theTrumpet.com/24337 theTrumpet.com/24383 34 THE PHILADELPHIA TRUMPET COMMENTARY JOEL HILLIKER

A Way of Escape

When you don’t know “SAVE US” what to do about disasters Afghans desperate for escape run alongside a U.S. transport as it taxis for takeoff. like Afghanistan, here Some clung to it and fell to their deaths. is what to do.

n the final chaotic days of America’s withdrawal, tens “Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be of thousands of Americans, Afghans and others desperately accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to hoped to escape the nightmarish rule of the Taliban. They pass, and to stand before the Son of man” (verse 36). tried to navigate chaotic city streets. They were getting Do you crave escape from this madness? Then obey Christ’s caught and beaten—or worse—by gunmen. They tried to climb direct command: Watch and pray. Iover walls and press through razor wire. Young girls screamed God does offer protection. As in Noah’s day, He is raising not to leave them to become Taliban “wives.” Parents passed up a work to match the magnitude of the times. This work, their babies through crowds in the general direction of U.S. and as did Noah’s, teaches God’s prophecies and warnings. Today, allied soldiers atop the airport walls. as in Noah’s time, most are uninterested. But there is a sliver What they wanted was a plane. To be one of those stuffing of time left in which you can watch, pray, “take heed to your- themselves into cargo jets. Some even clung to the sides of self,” and repent of the human nature and sins that are the aircraft taking off, falling to their deaths. It all brings to mind ultimate cause of catastrophes, past and future, individual images of people clawing at the sides of Noah’s ark when God and international. sent the Flood. The consuming craving is the same: escape. Learn the lesson of Afghanistan, and that of the history of That desperation is a poignant symbol of the dangers spread- all human civilization and every human’s individual life: All ing across this dying world. The Bible prophesies that what we human attempts to make our own decisions and our own are seeing in Afghanistan is a sign of even worse crises that will governments ourselves apart from God are fatally flawed and ultimately saturate human civilization! grossly corrupt! Our only hope is the institution of the literal Watching it all and fearing what is now happening to those government of God over all nations. Our only hope is that “the left behind in Afghanistan—and to this world—makes you feel kingdom of God is near at hand.” helpless. Helpless for those Afghans, helpless for those soldiers, “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the helpless for when this madness finally reaches your own family. world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not But there is something you can do. in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and “… Behold the fig tree, and all the trees; When they now the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust is now nigh at hand. So likewise ye, when ye see these things thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever” come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand” (1 John 2:15-17). (Luke 21:29-31). This is the perspective you need. Are you going the way of Face the fact that this season of human civilization itself is this world, which is indeed passing away in spectacular fashion, ending. But realize that this also means a new civilization is or are you striving to forsake lusts and sins and submit to the coming: the Kingdom of God! will of God, the law of God and the work of God? “And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts God’s work is a plane taking off from the disaster zone of be overcharged with surfeiting [carousing], and drunkenness, this world, its societies and its wars. But it is not evacuating in and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares,” shame; it is carrying the world’s only hope: God’s message! It is Jesus warned. “For as a snare shall it come on all them that on a mission. If God is calling you (John 6:44), He is calling you dwell on the face of the whole earth” (verses 34-35). to board it—not as a refugee, but as the crew. As the most blessed nation in world history succumbs to its Look up from the despair of this world. Heed the command own sins, is there not a lesson to be learned in this—a personal of Jesus Christ: Watch and pray always that you might be lesson? Jesus Christ is telling you there is. Watch the news and accounted worthy to escape and to stand before God. n understand Bible prophecy, yes. But also realize that you must Request your free copies of A Pivotal Sign of the End Time and

TWITTER/@MUKHTARWAFAYEE change your life. How to Pray. OCTOBER 2021 35 u FAILED FROM PAGE 7 which their own fingers have made,” the Prophet Isaiah wrote. Then, he prophesied of God’s dramatic entrance: “Enter into the rock, and hide thee in the dust, for fear of the Lord, and for the glory of his majesty. The lofty looks of man shall be humbled, and the haughtiness of men shall be bowed down, and the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day. For the day of the Lord of hosts shall be upon every one that is proud and lofty, and upon every one that is lifted up; and he shall be brought low” (Isaiah 2:8, 10-12). This describes the return of Jesus Christ to literally take over the government of all nations. He will first punish mankind, then put down all rebellion and mortify Philadelphia Trumpet editor their arrogance. Verses 17-19 say, “And the loftiness of in chief Gerald Flurry appears man shall be bowed down, and the haughtiness of men each week on The Key of David shall be made low: and the Lord alone shall be exalted in explaining the meaning behind that day. And the idols he shall utterly abolish. And they world events and teaching the shall go into the holes of the rocks, and into the caves of inspiring truths of the Bible. the earth, for fear of the Lord, and for the glory of his The program is also available at majesty, when he ariseth to shake terribly the earth.” keyofdavid.com. God will humble America’s leadership, and the Amer- ican people, including the conservatives—as well as the ALL TIMES ARE A.M. LOCAL TIME UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED Taliban and the nation’s gloating enemies. He will make all men realize how small and pitiful they are! UNITED STATES Nationwide Satellite Panama City WECP 7:00, Sun; WJHG-DT “God is going to take mankind to the point where peo- Galaxy 3 Trans. 17 11:30 ET, Tue/Thu 8:30, Sun ple will know there is no hope in man and they are willing Nationwide Cable Tallahassee WTWC 10:30, Sun; WTXL 7:30, to heed God’s Word—the Bible,” writes Gerald Flurry in CW Plus 5:30, 9:30 ET/PT, Sun, 4:30, 8:30 Sun; WTLF/WTLH-DT 9:30, Sun CT/MT, Sun; 5:30, Mon-Fri; Tampa KXLY 6:00, Sun; WTTA 8:30, Sun; The Epistles of Peter—A Living Hope. “The experiment of This TV 8:30, Sun WXPX 6:00, Fri human government will prove itself a grandiose failure, Alabama, Birmingham WVUA 8:30, Sun West Palm Beach WPBF 11:00, Sun; WPXP Dothan WTVY-DT 8:30, Sun 6:00, Fri and people will begin to recognize that they do need Huntsville WHDF (Chan. 15) 8:00, Sun Georgia, Albany WALB-DT4/WGCW-LD God’s help. What a world that will be! When human Montgomery-Salem WBMM-DT/WNCF-DT 8:30, Sun; WALB 6:30, Sun; WSWG-DT arrogance has been leveled, people will be humble and 8:30, Sun 9:30, Sun Opelika WLTZ-DT 9:30, Sun Augusta-Aiken WAGT-DT 9:30, Sun childlike, ready to be taught by God! But to reach that Alaska, Anchorage KYUR-DT 8:30, Sun Brunswick WPXC 6:00, Fri stage, mankind must experience destruction just short of Fairbanks KATN-DT 8:30, Sun Columbus WLTZ-DT 9:30, Sun; WRBL Juneau KJUD-DT 8:30, Sun 6:30/12:00 p.m., Sun destroying all humanity—every man, woman and child.” Arizona, Phoenix KSAZ 5:30, Sun Macon WMAZ-DT 9:30, Sun How about you? Will you need to receive greater and Yuma KECY-DT 8:30, Sun Savannah WSAV-DT 9:30, Sun greater chastisement from God before you recognize Arkansas, El Dorado KNOE-DT 8:30, Sun Thomasville WTLF/WTLH-DT 9:30, Sun Fayetteville KHBS-DT/KHOG-DT 8:30, Sun Hawaii, Hawaii Na Leo Chan. 54 6:30, Sun; how much you need Him? Or will you humble yourself Fort Smith KFTA 9:30, Sun; KHBS-DT/ 8:30, Wed before Him and be taught by Him—today? KHOG-DT 8:30, Sun Kaui Ho’ Ike Chan. 52 9:30, Tue Jonesboro KAIT3-HD 9:30, Sun; KJOS/ Maui/Lanaii/Molokai/Niihau/Akaku Realize that this is what it feels like to be in the last WLMT 8:30, Sun Chan. 52 6:30 pm, Sun; 3:30, Mon minutes of the millenniums of human civilization. Rogers KFTA 9:30, Sun; KHBS-DT/KHOG- Oahu Focus Chan. 49 7:00, Sat DT 8:30, Sun Idaho, Boise KYUU-LP/KBOI-DT 8:30, Sun America’s will is gone, its society is imploding, and its Springdale KFTA 9:30, Sun; KHBS-DT/ Idaho Falls KIFI-DT 8:30, Sun remaining positive influence on the world is fast evapo- KHOG-DT 8:30, Sun Pocatello KIFI-DT 8:30, Sun rating. These curses are only going to heighten. California, Bakersfield KGET-DT 9:30, Sun Twin Falls KMVT-DT 8:30, Sun Chico KHSL-DT 9:30, Sun; KRCR 9:00, Sun Illinois, Bloomington WEEK-DT 8:30, Sun What suffering you can be protected from, individu- El Centro KECY-DT 8:30, Sun Chicago WCIU 9:30, Sun ally, if you will learn the lesson that America is collec- Eureka KECA-LD/KVIQ-DT 9:30, Sun Peoria WEEK-DT 8:30, Sun n Los Angeles KTLA 12:00 p.m., Sun Rockford WREX 10:00, Sun; WREX-DT tively failing to learn today. Monterey KION 9:30, Sun 8:30, Sun; WTVO 1:00, Fri Palm Springs KCWQ/KESQ-DT 9:30, Sun Quincy WGEM-DT 8:30, Sun Redding KHSL-DT 9:30, Sun; Indiana, Fort Wayne WISE-DT 9:30, Sun KRCR 9:00, Sun Indianapolis WIPX 6:00, Fri; WTHR 5:00, Salinas KION 9:30, Sun Sun Another San Francisco KBCW 10:00, Sun; KKPX Lafayette WLFI-DT 9:30, Sun 6:00, Fri South Bend ESBT/WSBT 7:30, Sun; WBND prophecy Santa Barbara-Santa Maria KSBY-DT 12:30 p.m., Sun 9:30, Sun Terre Haute WTHI-DT 9:30, Sun come to pass Colorado, Colorado Springs KXRM 9:30, Iowa, Keokuk WGEM-DT 8:30, Sun Sun; KXTU 10:30, Sun Mason City KTTC-DT 8:30, Sun America can’t win a war as forecast. Grand Junction KJCT-DT 8:30, Sun Ottumwa KWOT/KYOU-DT2 8:30, Sun Find out why the Trumpet has Montrose KJCT-DT 8:30, Sun Sioux City KTIV-DT 8:30, Sun Florida, Gainesville WCJB-DT 9:30, Sun; Kansas, Pittsburg CWPL 8:30, Sun; KFJX- been so accurate. Request our WCJB 6:30, Sun DT2 8:30, Sun; KSXF 9:30, Sun free booklet He Was Right. 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It’s worse than you think, and there is only one way to solve this gigantic problem. Request your free copy of America Under Attack.

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n o c h a r g e • n o f o l l o w - u p • n o o b l i g a t i o n TAYLOR CRUL/U.S. AIR FORCE/GETTY IMAGES FORCE/GETTY AIR CRUL/U.S. TAYLOR