What Matters Most :: By Daymond Duck

The Prophecy News Watch (PNW) staff is an excellent source of information, and they posted a great article on Mar. 9, 2026.

Here is a small part of the article:

• As the conflict between Iran and the United States alongside Israel intensifies, something striking is happening across the world’s major faith communities.
• Islamic clerics are invoking the return of the Mahdi (the Islamic Messiah).
• Jewish rabbis are speaking openly about redemption and the coming of the Messiah.
• Some Christians are declaring that America or Donald Trump must play a specific role in the end times.
• Prophetic expectation is rising everywhere — but so is confusion.
• Scripture does give us a prophetic framework for the future.
• But it also warns repeatedly about deception, speculation, and misplaced hope.

Concerning Islam, the PNW staff wrote:

• In recent days, some Islamic voices have framed the escalating confrontation with Israel and the United States in apocalyptic terms — portraying the conflict as part of a larger cosmic struggle between Islam and the West.
• Even more striking, certain online commentators and clerics have begun labeling Donald Trump as a potential ‘antichrist-like’ figure opposing the Islamic end-time deliverer.
• The Mahdi of Islamic expectation does not correspond to the biblical Messiah.
• In fact, many Christian prophecy scholars have long noted that elements of the Mahdi narrative more closely resemble characteristics the Bible attributes to the Antichrist — a charismatic global leader who rises during a time of turmoil and gathers widespread allegiance.

Concerning Judaism, the PNW staff wrote:

• Some Jewish voices believe these events could accelerate the arrival of the long-awaited Messiah and usher in a new era (of peace) for Israel.
• This creates a sobering possibility within Christian prophecy teaching: that Israel, seeking peace and security, could one day embrace a global leader who initially appears to fulfill messianic expectations.
• Christians therefore view the prophetic future not only with anticipation but also with concern for their Jewish friends — praying that when the true Messiah returns, they will recognize Him as Jesus.

Concerning Christianity, the PNW staff wrote:

• The Bible is actually silent about the specific role of the United States in end-times prophecy.
• Some commentators have claimed the conflict proves that America must be the prophetic ‘Babylon’ described in Revelation.
• Others portray Donald Trump as a kind of divinely appointed messianic figure leading a spiritual battle against evil.
• So how should Christians respond to a world suddenly obsessed with prophecy?
• With seriousness — but also humility.

Finally, the PNW staff wrote:

• What matters most is that believers understand the Scriptures well enough to recognize the real thing when it comes.
• Only one prophetic timeline ultimately matters — the one written in the Word of God.
• And in that timeline, the final hope of the world is not a Mahdi, not a political leader, and not even a human peacemaker.
• It is the return of Jesus Christ.

Here is a link to the entire PNW staff article:

https://www.prophecynewswatch.com/article.cfm?recent_news_id=9656

Here are some recent events that seem to indicate that the end of the age is near:

One, in a Newsletter to his subscribers, dated Mar. 12, 2026, expert prophecy teacher, Gary Fisher (Lion of Judah Ministry), asked: “Even though the Iranian military has been so weekend, the questions remains, why do they continue to fire rockets even into surrounding countries with the risk of making further enemies and further isolating themselves?”

He replied:

• An answer: In Muslim end-times theology, it is believed that the “12th Imam,” who is called “the Mahdi” a direct descendant of Mohammed, will emerge to rule the world with Shariah law when the world is in chaos.
• Creating this chaos will hasten the appearance of this Imam.
• It is therefore in the interest of Muslim theology to bring about these conditions in which their Imam will appear.
• President Trump has called for Iran’s unconditional surrender, but that is not likely to happen, especially since the 12th Imam is expected.

Here is a link to Fisher’s entire subscriber newsletter:

https://mail.yahoo.com/n/list/folders=1&listFilter=ALL_INBOX/messages/145349?.src=ym&reason=myc&listFilter=ALL_INBOX

Two, concerning Iran: on Mar. 12, 2026, Gary Bauer (Campaign for Working Families), wrote in his End-of-Day Report:

• The Shiite radicals who control Iran believe they have a Quranic obligation to hasten the day when the Mahdi, the Islamic messiah, will appear to purge the world of all non-Muslims.
• They hasten the Mahdi’s appearance by waging war on infidels.
• That’s why Iran’s radical Islamic regime is the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism.
• The Shiite regime is quite literally an apocalyptic doomsday cult that wants to bring about Armageddon.
• That’s why the tyrants of Tehran want nuclear weapons.

Three, on Mar. 12, 2025, Hal Turner Radio reported that Iran’s Khuzestan province contains approximately 80% to 85% of Iran’s onshore oil reserves and serves as the primary hub for the country’s oil production.

The region is responsible for over 80% of Iran’s total oil production and houses roughly 60% of its natural gas reserves.

The Arab tribes of Khuzestan just released a political declaration.

• They REJECT the Islamic Republic.
• They demand a secular, democratic Iran.
• They want their fair share of oil revenues
• They affirm national unity — this isn’t separatism.
• This is regime rejection.

Iran is being bombed from the OUTSIDE.

And now the people who sit on top of Iran’s oil are turning against the regime from the INSIDE.

• No oil = no money.
• No money = no war machine.
• No war machine = no regime.

Four, concerning Iran’s oil and the price of gasoline: on Mar. 13, 2025, Pres. Trump said:

• The US executed one of the most powerful bombing raids in the history of the Middle East and totally obliterated every (more than 90) MILITARY target in Iran’s crown jewel, Kharg Island.
• For reasons of decency, I have chosen NOT to wipe out the Oil Infrastructure on the Island.
• However, should Iran, or anyone else, do anything to interfere with the Free and Safe Passage of Ships through the Strait of Hormuz, I will immediately reconsider this decision.
• I will not allow a terrorist regime to hold the world hostage and attempt to stop the globe’s oil supply.
• And if Iran does anything to do that, they’ll get hit at a much, much harder level.
• In the long run, oil supplies will be dramatically more secure without the threat of Iranian ships, drones, missiles.

Update: On Mar. 14, 2026, Tania Koenig wrote the following.

• The conflict between Iran, Israel, and the United States entered a far more consequential phase today as attention shifted toward one of the most critical nodes in the global energy system: Iran’s Kharg Island oil terminal.
• What began days ago as a military confrontation focused on missiles, drones, and strategic infrastructure is now touching the economic arteries of the Middle East and, by extension, the entire global market.
• Until recently, the primary battlefield involved air defenses, missile launch systems, drone bases, and command structures inside Iran.
• Israeli and American operations focused on degrading Tehran’s capacity to strike Israel and threaten U.S. assets across the region.
• But the war is now intersecting with the oil economy that sustains the Iranian state and helps power the global energy system.

(My comment: I believe the Bible teaches that there will be a global economic collapse – Rider on the Black Horse, Rev. 6:5-6) – early in the Tribulation Period, and now the global energy system and global economy are in danger.)

Update: On Mar. 16, 2026, Tania Koenig addressed the question as to why the markets have not collapsed.

According to her:

• One major reason is that the United States deliberately avoided destroying Iran’s oil infrastructure outright.
• While strikes have targeted military capabilities and strategic assets, Washington has not triggered a full-scale collapse of the global oil supply.
• That distinction matters enormously.
• Markets understand the difference between a campaign designed to degrade military capacity and a campaign designed to blow up the entire energy system.
• At the same time, strategic petroleum reserves have helped stabilize expectations in the market.
• These reserves cannot last forever.
• Every analyst knows they have a time frame.
• But their existence reassures traders that sudden disruptions can be absorbed in the short term.
• Their purpose is not to replace global energy flows indefinitely.
• Their purpose is to buy time, prevent panic, and allow markets to adjust.
• Even more important is the transformation of the American energy sector.
• Today, the United States is the largest oil producer in the world, producing roughly 13 million barrels per day.
• That reality gives Washington enormous flexibility.
• When supply elsewhere is threatened, American production can increase exports, calm markets, and offset shortages.
• Another factor is the actual leverage Iran possesses over the Strait of Hormuz.
• Tehran has long used the threat of closing the strait as an economic weapon, but completely shutting it down is far more difficult than many assume.
• The U.S. Navy maintains overwhelming presence in the region, mines can be cleared, and shipping lanes can be protected.
• Investors understand that disruption is possible, but they also assume it is more likely to be temporary than permanent.
• Markets currently assume that the Strait of Hormuz will remain open, that oil supplies will be replaced through alternative production and reserves, that escalation will remain limited, and that global powers will intervene if systemic disruption threatens the world economy.

(My comment: This aligns with my belief that the global economic collapse – Rider on the Black Horse, Rev. 6:5-7 – is approaching, but it will be after the Rapture.)

(Update: The EU and NATO rejected Pres. Trump’s request for nations to send ships to help keep the Strait of Hormuz open. Whether or not other nations will help remains to be seen.)

(More: On Mar. 17, 2026, Hal Turner Radio said the real story about the NATO countries refusing to help the United States is not that they disagree with American policy. In fact, they’re very happy we’re eliminating Iran as a threat. They’re just afraid of all the Muslims they let in to their countries, so they won’t say it out loud, and they don’t have a military that’s capable of performing the mission.)

Five, concerning the war with Iran: on Mar. 12, 2026, an article in The Washington Post said,

• If the conflict ends tomorrow, Iran will have lost nearly all its nuclear facilities and scientists, most of its missiles and missile launchers, most of its weapons factories, most of its navy, and much of the command and control for its military, intelligence and security forces.
• But the regime survives.
• It has taken America’s best punch, and it’s still standing.
• Tiers of senior military, intelligence and political leaders are dead, but they have been replaced by others.
• There’s no sign of a popular uprising.
• The cadres of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps hide among piles of rubble, but they haven’t been eliminated.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2026/03/12/trump-iran-regime-attack-forever-war/

Six, concerning peace and security (peace and safety) in the Middle East: on Mar. 13, 2026, Pres. Trump said,

• Countries of the world that receive oil through the Hormuz Strait must take care of that passage, and we will help — a lot!
• The US will also coordinate with those countries so that everything goes quickly, smoothly, and well.
• This should have always been a team effort, and now it will be.
• It will bring the World together toward harmony, security, and everlasting peace!

(FYI: The Tribulation Period will begin when the world declares that they have achieved peace and safety. And the Rapture will occur before the Tribulation Period.)

Seven, concerning Israel being hated by all nations at the end of the age: on Mar. 17, 2026, the Prophecy News Watch (PNW) staff reported:

• New polling suggests that American attitudes toward Israel are undergoing a historic transformation–and the shift is being driven largely by younger voters, Democrats, and independents.
• Americans are now slightly more likely to sympathize with Palestinians than with Israelis–41% to 36%–marking the first time in more than two decades of polling that Israel has trailed in overall sympathy.
• For decades, Israel consistently enjoyed a strong advantage in American public opinion.
• That era may now be ending.

Eight, concerning distress of nations at the end of the age: on Mar. 17, 2026, it was reported that Cuba’s power grid has totally failed, people are starving to death, and protesters set the Communist Party HQ on fire, while shouting “Freedom!” and “Down with communism!”

War reports as they come in from the U.S. or Israel:

The U.S. calls its attacks Operation Epic Fury.

Israel calls its attacks Operation Roaring Lion.

Thurs. Day 13 (Mar. 12, 2026)

• Hezbollah fired about 200 projectiles from Lebanon into Israel.
• As of March 11, the UAE’s Ministry of Defense reported that its air defenses had engaged 268 ballistic missiles, 15 cruise missiles and 1,514 UAVs.
• Russia called on Israel and the United States to end their attacks on Iran and come to the negotiating table.
• In a messageread on Iranian state TV, Iran’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei declared that Iran would continue to keep the Strait of Hormuz closed, and he demanded that Middle East nations expel U.S. military forces.
• Six U.S. crew members were killed in a refueling accident in Iraq.

Fri. Day 14 (Mar. 13, 2026)

• It was reported that Iran’s new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, has lost at least one leg and is in a coma. The report has not been verified; the situation is being closely monitored.
• The US government announced a reward of up to $10 million for information leading to the identification or location of key Iranian officials, including Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei.
• Five U.S. Air Force aerial refueling aircraft were reportedly damaged during a missile strike targeting a Saudi Arabian air base.
• A US official said that roughly 2,500 Marines and at least one amphibious assault ship is headed for the Middle Eastin a major addition of troops.
• General Dan Caine said that today will be the heaviest day of bombing Iran since the beginning of the war. The main targets are their ability to hit Iran’s mine layers and their ability to disrupt the Strait of Hormuz.
• Israel struck and killed two senior members of Iran’s emergency intelligence command.
• Israel’s military said on it has carried out more than 7,600 strikes across Iran and over 1,100 in Lebanon during two weeks of “Operation Roaring Lion.
• According to the White House, the U.S. has struck over 6,000 Iranian targets.

Sat. Day 15 (Mar. 14, 2026)

• Trump said the US “will be bombing the hell out of the shoreline” and “one way or the other, we will soon get the Hormuz Strait open, safe and free.”
• The Israeli Air Force knocked out the Iranian Supreme Leader’s official aircraft in a “precise strike” at Tehran’s Mehrabad International Airport.
• Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman, has been advising US Pres. Donald Trump to keep hitting the Iranians hard.

Sun. Day 16 (Mar. 15, 2026)

• The U.S. State Department has issued a security alert telling Americans in Iraq to leave immediately after a missile strike damaged the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad. The warning cites Iran-aligned militias that have targeted U.S. personnel and facilities across Iraq, including the Iraqi Kurdistan Region.
• B-52 bombers dropped heavy bombs on about 20 sites is southern Iran on Sat. night and Sunday morning.

Mon. Day 17 (Mar. 16, 2026)

• Israeli troops started moving into southern Lebanon to clear and expand the buffer zone between Israel and Lebanon.
• Israel’s Defense Min. said hundreds of thousands of Shi’ite residents of Southern Lebanonwill not return to their homes south of the Litani [River; about 17 miles from Israel’s northern border with Lebanon] area until the safety of [Israel’s] northern residents is guaranteed.
• Israel’s Defense Min. said if the government of Lebanon and the Lebanese Armed Forces want to change anything, they must take action to stop the attacks carried out by Hezbollah from Lebanese territory toward Israel. So far they have not done anything significantto stop this.
• An Israeli spokesman said Iran is already weakened and we will continue to weaken it more and more each day. We can still hit thousands of targets. The entire IDF is prepared and determined to complete the mission and remove the threats facing the State of Israel.
• Israelconfirmed that it has killed Ali Larijani, the head of Iran’s National Security Council.
• Israel said an Iranian-launched missile exploded over Jerusalem, with debris falling on the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the Armenian Patriarchate, the Jewish Quarter and the Temple Mount. The Temple Mount, known to Muslims as al-Haram al-Sharif, is home to the Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock. The nearby Western Wall is Judaism’s holiest prayer site, while the Church of the Holy Sepulchre is revered by Christians as the site of Jesus’s crucifixion and burial.

Tues. Day 18 (Mar. 17, 2026)

• Trump said the U.S. is prepared to continue military operations against Iran without support from NATO allies, signaling a willingness to act alone to secure the Strait of Hormuz and counter Tehran’s growing aggression.
• The US military dropped 5,000-pound bunker-buster bombs on underground Iranian missile sites near the Strait of Hormuz.
• Israel said it killed several more leaders in an Iranian terrorist group when it killed Ali Larijani on Mar. 16, 2026. The group had temporarily moved to a new hiding place. Israel tracked and killed them.
• Here is a partial list of Iranians that Israel has killed in Operation Roaring Lion: Supreme Leader Khamenei; Ali Larijani, de facto leader; Basij commander Gholamreza Soleimani; roughly 300 Iranian Basij commanders and field officials; 200 top mullahs; the minister of defense; the head of the military bureau of the Supreme Leader; the head of espionage; the chief of the general staff of the Iranian army; the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps; the head of the supply department for the Iranian military; the head of the intelligence directorate; and the head of supply, Logistics, industrial research and the head of operations and planning for the Iranian military. That’s a partial list. It is incredible.

Wed. Day 19 (Mar. 18, 2026)

• S. and Israeli strikes have destroyed the Islamic Republic’s ballistic missile production capabilities. At this time, they are running out of missiles, and they unable to produce more.
• The U.S. and Israel struck the Iranian South Pars natural gas field. Pumping stations, pipelines, storage tanks, were apparently hit, causing massive natural gas explosions and numerous fires, all of which are presently burning out of control. Iran could soon face an energy crisis, and this could have a huge impact on Iran’s ability to keep fighting.
• Israel and the US also struck the Asaluyeh gas processing plant in Bushehr. Iran said the enemy committed suicide. We have moved to a full economic war.
• Iran issued an urgent warning, calling for the evacuation of petrochemical facilities in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates.
• The war has expanded. Iran is attacking Saudi Arabia. Qatar has expelled the IRGC from Doha. Oil prices are expected to go higher. Iran may be trying to stop the war by making the cost of war unbearable.
• The Pentagon has requested an additional 200 billion dollars in funding for the continuation of the war.
• Trump said, “We’re doing very well. We’re knocking them for a loop. They can’t have a nuclear weapon, and they now understand that very strongly.”
• Russia has significantly expanded its intelligence sharing and military cooperation with Iran, providing satellite imagery and advanced drone technology to bolster Iran’s ability to target U.S. forces across the Middle East

FYI: God does not send anyone to Hell (all of us are born with a sin nature and destined to go to Hell because we sin), but God has provided a way (Jesus) for everyone to go to Heaven (and He is the only way to get there; John 14:6).

Finally, are you Rapture Ready?

If you want to be rapture ready and go to heaven, you must be born again (John 3:3). God loves you, and if you have not done so, sincerely admit that you are a sinner; believe that Jesus is the virgin-born, sinless Son of God, who died for the sins of the world, was buried, and raised from the dead; ask Him to forgive your sins, cleanse you, come into your heart and be your Saviour; then tell someone that you have done this.

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