Current News & Events

Tuesday Watchdog: So Many Wildfires

Rick TryonLeave a comment

No doubt there are going to be those who claim that the current devastating wildfires in Spokane, Greece, Spain, Montana, and elsewhere are God’s wrath being poured out on a sinful and wicked people.

And sadly, this kind of “hellfire-and-brimstone” nonsense will be preached by so-called “Christians,” as it has been countless times when death and tragedy strike a particular community or geographical area. No wonder people are abandoning traditional and Evangelical Christian churches in droves.

Let’s look at the answer Jesus gave to his questioners in Luke 13:1–5 when they asked him about Pilate slaughtering a group of Galileans:

“There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.

And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.

Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.”

Our Lord could not be more clear. Disaster, suffering, and death, whether natural or man-made, are not meted out according to the level of sinfulness present in an area. Bad things don’t happen exclusively to bad people, and tragedy is not a sign of God’s judgment in this present age.

However, there is a time coming when God’s judgment and restoration will fall on the entire creation. The Apocalypse is real, but it is reserved for a future time, and those who have already accepted the sacrifice of the Lamb and are covered by it will be spared from the judgement of that great and terrible day.

Saturday Watchdog: What Does It Mean To Watch

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Watching Without Losing Your Mind

Scroll social media for five minutes and you’ll find someone announcing they’ve finally cracked the prophetic code. Look, a red moon! Wow, another war in the Middle East. Did you hear about that earthquake? A politician whose name could be a 666 code. Is AI the Beast of Revelation?

Apparently, every headline is the headline that proves Jesus is coming back next Tuesday at 3:17 p.m.

Yes, Jesus absolutely told His followers to watch the signs. He pointed to wars, earthquakes, persecution, deception, and upheaval as reminders that history is moving according to God’s grand plan and toward His appointed conclusion. But He never told us to become prophecy detectives obsessed with predicting dates or identifying every newsmaker as the Antichrist.

Instead, He said, “So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.” (Matthew 24:33, KJV)

Watch the signs, but don’t worship or obsess over the signs. They are road markers, not the destination. Their purpose isn’t to make us fearful, distracted, or addicted to doom-scrolling. Their purpose is to remind us that God keeps His promises and that His Kingdom is drawing nearer every day.

So What?

The real question isn’t, “Can I predict the day?” Jesus already answered that: Nope. The better question is, “If He returned today, would He find me faithfully following Him?”

It’s good to stay informed. It’s wise to think about and try to understand what biblical prophecy means for us today. But if we spend more time refreshing the news than reading God’s Word, we’ve probably started watching the wrong thing.

So yes, we’ll keep one eye on the headlines—but we’ll keep busy and focused on the work God is calling us to.

Love God. Love your neighbor. Speak the truth. Be an example and blessing to others. Pray and manifest power and healing by the spirit God has given you. That’s what watching looks like.

Because when the King does return, He isn’t looking for people who guessed the date. He’s looking for people who were faithful while they waited.

Thursday Watchdog: The Stories That Didn’t Trend… But Should Have

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Everyone’s arguing about politics, celebrities, wars, and the latest viral nonsense. Meanwhile, two stories this week barely made a ripple.

In Nigeria, more Christians were murdered in brutal attacks by Fulani extremist militants, including entire families. In India, church leaders continued warning about growing restrictions and violence targeting Christians and Christian ministries. These aren’t isolated headlines—they’re reminders that faith in our risen and returning Savior still carries a real cost for millions of people.
(Source: Persecution.org)

Meanwhile, here in America, people sometimes think being a Christian is “hard” because someone rolled their eyes at a Bible verse on social media. Around the world, many believers are risking prison, losing their homes, or giving their lives simply because they refuse to deny Christ.

Our Lord never promised popularity. He promised hard truth.

“If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.” — John 15:18 (KJV)

Who or what will we be faithful and loyal to, even when the crowd goes the other way?

Maybe we shouldn’t be asking, “Why are Christians persecuted?” as much as we should be asking, “If following our Lord cost me something, would I still follow Him?”

That’s a question worth thinking about long after today’s headlines disappear.

Tuesday Watchdog: Don’t Throw Away The Owner’s Manual

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Every generation wants to change the world. That’s not a bad thing. But today’s headlines show something deeper, and more troubling, happening: confidence in free-market capitalism has slipped, many young Americans are questioning the American Dream, and traditional institutions—including marriage and family—continue to lose influence. (The Wall Street Journal)

But, what if we’re tossing out the owner’s manual before figuring out why it worked in the first place?

The Bible isn’t a campaign platform for capitalism or any other political ideology or party. But it does praise honest work, personal responsibility, generosity, faithful families, and wise stewardship. Those aren’t outdated, old fogey ideas—they’re God’s design for human flourishing.

“Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might.” — Ecclesiastes 9:10 (KJV)

If we abandon hard work because it’s difficult, family because it’s inconvenient, or personal responsibility because someone else should fix everything, we shouldn’t be shocked when society starts wobbling. You can’t delete the blueprint and expect the building to stay standing.

Pick one biblical value you’ve been ignoring—work hard, honor your parents, keep your word, or serve someone without expecting anything back. Live it out this week. Don’t just complain about culture.

Be a true rebel and remember—the surest, shortest way to “change the world” is to take care of your family and get involved in your local community.

Saturday Watchdog: The Only Crown That Matters

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Today’s headlines are once again dominated by the White House and Tehran. The conflict between the United States and Iran continues to escalate, with new military strikes, retaliation, and fears of a wider regional war filling every news feed pretty much every day.
CNN

Every generation obsesses over who sits in the palace, the parliament, or the Oval Office. People act like the next election, the next revolution, or the next regime change will finally fix humanity. It won’t

Governments rise and fall. Kings and Queens die, and Presidents leave office. Supreme Leaders get replaced by Regular Old Leaders pretending they are supreme. And all the while the human heart remains desperately wicked and filled with pride, greed, violence, and brokenness.

The Bible points us to a different King. One who is surely coming to set things right.

“For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ.” — Philippians 3:20 (KJV)

That doesn’t mean we ignore politics or world events. Christians should care about justice and pray for leaders. But our ultimate hope isn’t in whoever occupies the White House or the palace in Tehran. Our hope is in the return of the King of Kings, who won’t campaign for righteousness—He’ll establish it forever.

Until then, don’t let headlines rule your heart and mind. Do what you can within your sphere of influence to be God’s image bearer and add value to His creation.

Tuesday Watchdog: The Last Days Are Not What You Think

Rick TryonLeave a comment

Open your news feed for five seconds and you’ll find war, political chaos, AI anxiety, and another prediction that “the end is near.” Things are once again heating up in the Middle East, and U.S.-Iran tensions are at a fever pitch.

It seems like every generation for centuries has had voices claiming that theirs is the generation living in “the last days.” And today, as in every age, there are those who come up with prophetic timetables and predictions that “prove” that they—or we—will be the ones upon whom the end of the world will come.

But we have been in the Last Days since our Lord’s Ascension, and He will come again as a “thief in the night,” not as a Welcome Wagon representative with a 2:30 appointment on Friday so we can have the scones and tea laid out.

The apostle Peter stood up on the Day of Pentecost about 2,000 years ago and declared that Joel’s prophecy about “the last days” was being fulfilled right then (Acts 2:16–17). The writer of Hebrews said that God “hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son” (Hebrews 1:2 KJV). John even wrote, “Little children, it is the last time” (1 John 2:18 KJV). The New Testament wasn’t talking about some distant future—it described the era that began with Christ’s first coming.

Here’s another Bible fact that surprises people: the Greek word often translated “world” is aion, which frequently means “age” rather than the physical planet. When Jesus promised, “I am with you always, even unto the end of the world” (Matthew 28:20 KJV), the phrase is more accurately understood as “the end of the age.” The Bible is focused on God’s unfolding plan through the ages—not merely the destruction of a globe.

So, let’s not obsess over predicting the end. Instead, let’s spend today living like our Lord could return at any time to usher in the new age

Our Free Monthly Newsletter: Called To Someone

Rick TryonLeave a comment

We are called as God’s people, and we are each called individually. But what is it that we are called to?

I always come back to something I read in the Os Guinness book, ‘The Call’: “…we are not called to something or somewhere, we are called to Someone.“

When I think about that truth, I picture a child playing in the backyard on a sunny day, and a father coming outside through the back screen door of the house into the yard, opening his arms and calling to his child by name.

The child stops playing, turns his head to his father’s voice, and runs joyously across the yard straight into his father’s arms.

And I see my whole life as running across the yard into my Father’s arms. That’s what we’re called to.

What you do in life isn’t as important as who you are in life.

You can have the desire and talent to be a doctor, or a teacher, or a plumber, or a dancer, or an engineer, or whatever, but your career or job isn’t really your calling. Your calling is to Him.

Your life is a journey. It’s not a dead end, it’s a race across the years God is giving you and it will end up with you leaping into His loving arms. Hold that picture in your mind’s eye every day.

Subscribe here to our FREE newsletter coming to your email box every month.

Rick Tryon
Editor/Publisher Bible Rebel


June/July Highlights

Armchair Apocalypse: Revelation Mail Call

Questioning The Assumptions Of Religious Tradition

They Said It: Four Quotes On The Book Of Daniel

Video Mini Message: Why Are You Here?

Ten-episode Bible 101 video series completed

Watchdog Alert: Why God Allows The Earth To Shake

Looking For Heaven In Washington DC?

Coming in July/August

More of our Armchair Apocalypse series.

“Your Life and What Comes After” book available.

More in-depth content on deeper biblical studies and theological issues.

More Video Mini Messages like this – Does What You Do Matter?

You can find all of the current Bible 101 episodes and One-Minute Mini Messages here on our YouTube Channel, and you can subscribe to our YouTube channel here.

We’ll also be continuing our regular features, guest articles, and series:

  • Your Life And What Comes After: Plugging Into God’s Forever Plan Now
  • Armchair Apocalypse
  • They Said It: Poignant quotes on a variety of topics
  • Guest articles
  • And more…

Watchdogs

As always, we’ll be keeping a watchdogs eye on all of the latest political, religious, biblical archaeology, and cultural news and events from around the world and bringing to you in bite-size chunks to keep you informed.

Finally, are you interested in contributing content to Bible Rebel?

Bible Rebel is always looking for interesting, compatible content for our biblerebel.com website/blog. We are accepting writing and video submissions for review and possible publication on our platform.

If you have a teaching series, opinion piece, research piece or other content that fits with the Bible Rebel mission we’d like to see it!

If your content fits our mission and creed, included below, then email it to us at in**@********el.com. Written pieces should be no more than 500 words and video content no longer than 7 minutes – either can be submitted as part of a longer series for consideration.

Thanks, and stay tuned for our next newsletter.

Oh, and please go over and give us a follow on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter).

Rick Tryon
Editor/Publisher
Bible Rebel & biblerebel.com

Thursday Watchdog: Be Like Jehoshaphat

Rick TryonLeave a comment

Today’s headlines are full of escalating conflict. U.S. strikes on Iranian military targets, Iranian retaliation, threats to close the Strait of Hormuz, and fears of a wider regional war have the world wondering what happens next. (Reuters)

The Bible tells a battle story in 2 Chronicles 20 when King Jehoshaphat faced an overwhelming coalition of enemy armies. On paper, Judah had no chance, but instead of panicking or pretending the danger wasn’t real, the king prayed: “Neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon thee.” (2 Chronicles 20:12, KJV)

God didn’t promise there would never be wars and battles. He reminded His people that He was still in charge. The biggest army wasn’t the one with the most soldiers—it was the one standing with God.

Our generation has unlimited access to war footage, hot takes, and doom-scrolling, but before you check the next breaking-news alert, spend five quiet minutes reading 2 Chronicles 20.

Ask God for wisdom and peace in your own life and heart. You can’t control what happens in Iran—but you can decide who you’re trusting when the world starts shaking. “Our eyes are upon thee”.

Saturday Watchdog: Looking For Heaven… In Washington?

Rick TryonLeave a comment

Today’s headlines show two trends moving at the same time. A new Wall Street Journal/NORC poll found Americans—especially younger generations—are losing confidence in capitalism, democracy, patriotism, and even religion.

Meanwhile, other recent polling shows growing openness among many young Americans to socialist ideas, driven largely by frustration over housing costs, inequality, and the feeling that the system is stacked against them. (The Wall Street Journal)

Young people aren’t embracing socialism because they’re lazy or stupid. Most are looking around and thinking, “This system doesn’t seem to be working for me.” Rent is crushing. Homes feel impossible to buy. Trust in institutions is falling faster than your phone battery at 2%.

That’s a Real Problem

Human beings don’t stop believing in something. We simply move our hope somewhere else. For some, it’s politics. For others, money, technology, fame—or the promise that a different economic system will finally fix what’s broken.

The Bible says the deepest problem isn’t capitalism, socialism, or any other “-ism.” It’s the human heart.

“For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” — Matthew 6:21 (KJV)

Christians should care about poverty, injustice, and helping people in need. The Bible commands it as a matter of personal faith and obedience. But Scripture never teaches that government, markets, or political movements are the vehicles by which we are to live out our commitment to helping those in need. And they are certainly not to be the object of our faith and hope.

If your ultimate hope rests in Washington, Wall Street, or the next political revolution, you’re asking broken people to build heaven on earth. They never have and they never will. That day will come only when Jesus Christ returns as King of kings and Lord of lords.

The real revolution here and now begins with changed hearts, not with tired old socialist and utopian slogans and agendas. Changed hearts build stronger families, healthier communities, and societies marked by justice, mercy, and responsibility.

And only God can truly change hearts.

So What?

Before you put your faith in an ideology, ask yourself this: Can it change human nature? If the answer is no, keep looking.

Thursday Watchdog: More Middle East Messiness

Rick TryonLeave a comment
Picture via Lara Jameson pexels.com

U.S. Launches New Strikes on Iranian Military Targets After Hormuz Shipping Attacks

Following Iranian-linked attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, the United States carried out a broad wave of strikes against Iranian military infrastructure, while both sides accused each other of violating previous agreements. Oil prices jumped and fears of a wider regional war intensified.
AP

Always keep in mind that Jeshua, our Messiah, warned us that “wars and rumours of wars” would characterize this age until He returns. By the way, we’ve been living in the last days since His resurrection and ascension.

Israel Continues Operations in Southern Lebanon Despite Diplomatic Pressure

Hezbollah attacks against Northern Israel and Israeli military operations against Hezbollah-linked targets have continued in southern Lebanon even amid renewed diplomatic efforts, keeping tensions high along Israel’s northern border.
The Guardian

Every new ceasefire seems destined to fail sooner rather than later and humanity keeps proving the Bible right about the brokenness of the human heart. Come, Lord Jesus.

Iran Holds Funeral for Former Supreme Leader While New Leadership Signals Defiance

Millions participated in funeral events for Iran’s former Supreme Leader, while Iran’s new leadership used the occasion to emphasize resistance against the United States and Israel and project strength despite recent military losses.
Reuters

Regimes rise, rulers fall, and history keeps moving—but God’s kingdom isn’t waiting for the next election or revolution. Let’s not overly concerns ourselves with who occupies the palace in Tehran or the White House; rather, lets make certain our hearts are turning toward the King of Kings and His return to establish righteousness—forever.