President Trump was recently gathered with many of his military leaders and made the statement: “This is the calm before the storm?” Some pundits have conjectured that this is an indication of an impending war. For those who watch the world through the lens of Bible Prophecy, we have come to understand that Donald Trump may be a sort of Cyrus from the Old Testament who God used during perilous times to accomplish His will.

The statement, “calm before the storm,” is very similar to Paul’s declaration in 1 Thessalonians 5:3: ” For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape.” Paul made this statement in context with the term: “Day Of The Lord,” an inference to the seven year Tribulation Period described by Daniel in chapter 9. At the end of the age, a world leader will appear on the scene who will make a covenant of peace between Israel and the surrounding nations for seven years. During the first three and one-half years there will be a tremendous time of peace on the earth. Suddenly, at the mid-point of the seven years, this world leader will command the world to worship him as God. The Book of Revelation, Jesus, and Daniel, all state that this will begin the Time of Great Tribulation in which two-thirds of the people on earth will die by twenty-one horrendous judgements.

The reference: “Calm before the storm,” carries the same meaning as Paul’s words: “When they say peace and safety, then sudden destruction comes.” The fact that President Trump spoke these words, whether in context with North Korea or some other unknown meaning, is irrelevant. We see examples of men who do not worship the God of the Bible, who say things prophetically inadvertent, without realizing what they have spoken.

During the time that Jesus was arrested the high priest Caiaphas, said “It is better that one man die than the whole nation,” regarding the death of Jesus (John 11:50). Caiaphas didn’t realize that he had just spoken a prophecy of exactly what Jesus was going to accomplish that night, though he was a false religious leader and not serving the Lord at that time. He thought he was simply describing the removal of Jesus as a troublemaker before the Romans came and took away more of their rights. In fact, He was describing exactly what Jesus was doing for the whole world.

It is my feeling that should President Trump be used by God in the same way that He used Cyrus, Trump’s statement today may be a prophetic indication of things to come that concern Israel and an imminent peace plan.

Today, all around us, we are seeing signs that should tell us that something momentous is about to happen. The Bible is very clear that nothing takes place on earth or in the heavens apart from God’s knowledge.

Without the knowledge of many people in the world today, God has been following a carefully scripted plan that He determined before He made the universe.

When we drive down the road and there are signs along the way, do we pay attention to what we see or do we ignore their instructions? Every day we rely upon signs to order our life and prepare us for what’s ahead. If we ignore the signs there will be consequences and we will suffer for our callous disregard.

We are living during days of unparalleled demonic activity in which the devil knows that he has but a short time remaining and has set out to destroy the lives of as many people as possible.

We have recently seen a stunning example of this type of demonic activity by the purely evil acts of Stephen Paddock in murdering 59 innocent people and gravely wounding more than 500. This horrendous event is not a normal occurrence of violence but one with such ferocity that has rarely been seen in human society. The cold, calculating, sinister plots of a deranged man who was bizarre in his behavior. Described as crying aloud and moaning at night while he slept. Distant and secretive. methodical and undetectable. These are all classic symptoms of demonic possession. The entire acts of Stephen Paddock are clearly orchestrated by an ancient evil that has set plans for the destruction of all human beings.

The Bible describes these days we are living as “perilous.” When Jesus crossed over the Sea of Galilee, He came to a town called Gadara. where he met two men who were possessed by demons.

When Jesus had come to the other side, to the country of the Gergesenes, there met Him two demon-possessed men, coming out of the tombs, exceedingly fierce, so that no one could pass that way.  —Matthew 8:28

The term, “fierce,” used here, is translated from the Greek word χαλεπός, chalepos. This is the same word that was used by Paul in describing the “perilous” days that will occur just before Jesus returns. The idea here is that people who are alive in the last days before the return of the Lord will be heavily influenced by demons. The Bible speaks of a time when the devil will understand from the scriptures that he will soon be chained in the Abusso and not have access to earth any longer.

Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time.”  —Revelation 12:12

Because the devil knows his time is short in the last days, he will set out to inflict untold horror upon the people of earth. He will do this primarily by deception and secondly by demonic influence. Those who do not know God nor have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, are described by the Bible as victims of this demonic activity. People who have no relationship with God, are not promised protection from God from these demonic beings. The world in which we live is inhabited by a host of angels as well as demons. The angels are sent by God for the purpose of assisting those who love Jesus, with their salvation.

And of the angels He says: “Who makes His angels spirits And His ministers a flame of fire.” …Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation? —Hebrews 1:7, 14

The demons are fallen angels who lost their bodies during the Great Flood and exist today as soldiers of satan. Their entire purpose is to inflict as much destruction and death upon mankind as possible. Because God is sovereign over the earth, the activities of demons and satan himself, are limited by God’s sovereign will. When Adam fell at the Garden of Eden, he lost his right of dominion over the earth to satan. Since that time, the whole earth has been experiencing the effects of satan’s limited rule.

The sin, suffering, and death that is prevalent upon the earth, all the evil and greed, sexual perversion and selfishness, is greatly enhanced by satan and his demons. Jesus described the devil as one who is a thief—come to rob human beings of their right to eternal life. HIs entire mission is to steal, kill, and destroy.

The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy.  —John 10:10

The deception that has taken place in the lives of countless human beings is preparing them for the entrance of the devil himself in the man called, “the antichrist.”.

This man of great power and supernatural abilities will enter the world-scene, just after the return of Jesus for His church. At that time, the antichrist will be permitted to enter human history and nearly two-thirds of the people on earth will be killed.

Sound The Warning

In every occasion where God is going to bring judgement, He always gives warning first. It is important to understand that judgment is God’s last resort. There is no place in the Bible where the Lord immediately destroyed a nation or people when He announced judgment. Even in the case of the Canaanites who sacrificed their children to the fiery hot arms of their god, Molech, the Lord warned these people for over 900 years before His wrath arrived.

When God told Noah that He would cover the earth with water, it would be 100 years before the first drops of rain were felt.

As we consider the judgment of the seven year Tribulation, Jesus warned the world about this event over 2,000 years ago. Even in announcing that a period of unparalleled horror would come upon the earth, Jesus told us the signs that would precede the Tribulation. He did this so that when these things began to happen, people would remember what Jesus had said and turn to God before the Tribulation starts.

When we ask why Jesus has delayed His return to earth we find in the New Testament that it was for the sake of mercy that there has been such a long time.

…knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming?… But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. —2 Peter 3:3-9

It is always the hope of God that His judgements might cause our hearts to change and turn to Him. The sad truth of judgment is that threats and punishment never soften the human heart. It is the kindness of God that leads us to repentance. As we see all of the good things that the Lord gives to us each day and all throughout our life, we realize how Good God is. Though we are sinners He still loves us and hopes to change our hearts by being good and blessing our lives.

When we endure suffering, sorrow, and hurt, these difficulties serve as God’s attempt to bring us to the end of ourselves. While in our suffering we are humbled and realize our great need for God in our lives. Some people imagine that God is punishing us when we suffer but this is not at all how God deals with us. If it was the intention of God to destroy human beings, He would already have done so. The fact that He allowed His Son to come to earth and become one of us—dying on the cross for our sins—is great evidence that He genuinely wants to save us.

Cyrus, The Shepherd And Donald Trump

Cyrus—who vanquished Babylon, only to be told that God had chosen him even before he was born—He did exactly as God has said that he would. Cyrus commanded that the Temple in Jerusalem should be rebuilt. Cyrus  learned very quickly, the power of God’s word, and how He is able to accomplish everything that He has spoken.

The amazing power of the prophetic word is seen in the internal evidence of the scriptures that establishes the Bible as an extraordinary and dynamic book. Those who have not taken the time to study the history contained in the various books of the Bible; events that were recorded with such accuracy that no other secular document in the history of the world, can match. Even Cyrus, the king of Persia who stood in utter amazement before Daniel at the conquest of Babylon; when this humble prophet of God presented this mighty king a letter that God had written to him 150 years before Cyrus was born—was obedient to the will of God.

God told Cyrus that He was His “shepherd”. The one to whom the Lord would use as His instrument of judgment against the sins of His people. Many see Donald Trump in a similar role today. Cyrus would be the one that would issue a command to set free the captives of Judah held in Babylon for the past seventy years—during the “servitude”, and bring these objects of his displeasure back into their own land again. Cyrus will command that the Temple at Jerusalem should be rebuilt, returning to the Jews the former items taken from the temple by Nebuchadnezzar.

Thus says the Lord, who says of Cyrus, “He is My shepherd, And he shall perform all My pleasure, Saying to Jerusalem, ‘You shall be built,” And to the temple, “Your foundation shall be laid.  —Isaiah 44:28

• In 605 B.C., Nebuchadnezzar took the best and brightest from Judah, including the young man Daniel. This began the “servitude” of Judah for 70 years. 
•
• In 536 B.C., Cyrus becomes the king of Persia. The 70 years of “servitude” are at an end. Cyrus orders the temple in Jerusalem rebuilt. This command will not be obeyed for another 17 years until 520 B.C., when the “desolations” of Israel have finished their 70 year duration.
• In 520 B.C., on December 17, the foundation for the temple is laid at Jerusalem. The 70 years of the “desolations” of Jerusalem have been completed. It is the second year of Darius reign.
• In 517 B.C. The temple is finished.
Cyrus: A King Called From the Womb
  Isaiah 44:28 and 45:1 describe Cyrus as the Lord’s shepherd and his anointed.
  Isaiah 44:24, 28 (Thus says the Lord) Who says of Cyrus, “He is My shepherd, And he shall perform all My pleasure, Saying to Jerusalem, ‘You shall be built,” And to the temple, “Your foundation shall be laid.” ’

“Thus says the LORD to His anointed, To Cyrus… ” —Isaiah 45:1

What is amazing about this prophecy from Isaiah 44, is that the Lord spoke the name “Cyrus” one hundred and fifty years before he was born. This future pagan king would be the instrument that God would use to allow His people, who He had placed in captivity under Nebuchadnezzar for 70 years, to be sent back home to Jerusalem, according to Jeremiah’s prophecy.

And this whole land shall be a desolation and an astonishment, and these nations shall serve the king of Babylon seventy years.  —Jeremiah 25:11

For thus says the LORD: After seventy years are completed at Babylon, I will visit you and perform My good word toward you, and cause you to return to this place.  —Jeremiah 29:10

Even more amazing is the fact that before Cyrus was born, the Greek historian Herodotus records that Cyrus mother, “Mandane,” suffered a sinister plot by her father, King Astyages. According to Herodotus, King Astyages had a dream that deeply troubled him. He saw his daughter Mandane with a river of water flowing from her that filled the kingdom and flooded all of Asia. When King Astyages asked for the interpretation of this dream, he was told that his daughter, the mother of Cyrus, would have a son who would take his kingdom from him.⁠3

The King dispatched his servant Harpagus to kill Cyrus, the newborn son of his daughter. The servant could not find it in his heart to kill the child, so he gave the task to a local shepherd, who also could not bring himself to take his life. Cyrus was raised by this shepherd as his own son, and later became the king of Babylon; to whom God calls by name, before he existed. ⁠4

When the Lord speaks a word of prophecy, He will not allow His word to fail. Not one of the prophecies of the Old Testament have ever failed.

Cyrus was born in Persia in 590 B.C. He conquered three great world-wide empires; the Medes, the Lydian’s, and the Babylonians. Cyrus founded the great Archaemenian dynasty and united all of the middle east into a single empire stretching from the Mediterranean Sea to India. He was the King over the largest empire the world had ever known during his life time. Cyrus died at the age of 60 in 530 B.C.

Perhaps it was due to his upbringing by a gentle shepherd—Cyrus had a heart for people that was far different from most other conquering kings. He allowed the nations that he subdued to continue in worship of their gods and allowed the vanquished to keep their long held customs and traditions.⁠5 Even the Greeks who later conquered Cyrus, considered him with great respect because of his high character and moral values.

When Cyrus came to Babylon, unknown to him at the time, he already had the promise of the God of Israel that he would subdue and conquer Babylon. This was despite the fact that no other nation in past history, had been able to overcome the incredible fortress of Babylon’s walls and water barrier that surrounded the city. In Isaiah’s prophecy, Cyrus is not only told that he is the Lord’s shepherd (Isaiah 44:24), he is also informed precisely how he will overcome Babylon and enter the city. Cyrus will learn of this prophecy written by Isaiah, from Daniel, who is within the city of Babylon that he is about to capture. It is believed, that as a result of Daniel revealing these prophecies of Isaiah 45 to King Cyrus, that this resulted in the king doing exactly as the prophecy describes—to allow the Jews return to Jerusalem and rebuild their temple.

“Thus says the LORD to His anointed, To Cyrus, whose right hand I have held—To subdue nations before him And loose the armor of kings, To open before him the double doors, So that the gates will not be shut:” —Isaiah 45:1

There are many who study these events in the former history of the world who believe that Donald Trump may have been called by God for similar reasons that Cyrus was formerly called.

The Trump Temple Coin

President Donald Trump in silhouette with king Cyrus of Persia

An Israeli educational center has minted a unique coin in commemoration of President Donald Trump’s decision to move the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem. This monumental announcement effectively recognizes Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.

According to Rabbi Mordechai Persoff, Trump made a “big declaration that Jerusalem is the capital of the holy people” very similar to king Cyrus.

The center will mint 1,000 coins, each of which can be purchased with a minimum donation of $50. The coins are purely commemorative, so will not be swapped for Make America Great Again hats anytime soon.

America is in a nearly identical situation to that of Israel at the time that Cyrus came into the world. The United States is on the precipice of losing the life and liberty that God has given to its citizens. Every callous error that Israel made that resulted in the loss of their nation, America has repeated in the past 50 years.

The incidents of murder, violence, riots, unparalleled weather events, and lawlessness in the United States are merely symptoms of  The Impending Storm.

Today, we see that the hearts of a vast number of people are against God and Jesus Christ. They are quite militant in opposing anyone who seeks to bring the message of Jesus’ cross. We see a lawlessness that has not existed on earth since the days of Noah. Jesus said that when the time of His return is near, the world will once again resemble the days of Noah. People were eating and drinking and going about their lives with not thought of God. Suddenly destruction will fall upon them and it will be too late.

Only Noah and his family were saved from the judgement that God warned the world about for over one hundred years. After scoffing and laughing a Noah for his preaching about the coming flood, that day arrived and the whole world was lost.

If these subject interest you, I recently wrote a detailed new book about the events of the last days:. “The Great Tribulation: Time of the End.” On Sale Now At Amazon For Just $1.99

Categories: America Abandons God, Great Tribulation: Time of the End, Prayer For America, Robert Clifton Robinson, The Las Vegas Massacre

Tags: Demonic Influence, Donald Trump the antichrist, Las Vegas Massacre, Stephen Paddock, The Calm Before The Storm, The Last Days, The Trump Temple Coin, When They Say Peace And Safety