The North Korean Crisis Heightens

by Michael G. Mickey

(10-18-06)

In spite of the international community's threats to sanction North Korea heavily after its recent detonation of a nuclear weapon, the North Korean regime of Kim Jong Il is undaunted and apparently in the process, even now, of setting up a second nuclear weapons test, calling any sanctions that may be imposed by the United Nations a declaration of war. The crisis on the Korean Peninsula is, as a result of all this, heightening rapidly with few knowing what to expect next.

With many fearing one of North Korea's crude nuclear bombs could be carried to a target via sea vessel for detonation, Australia is going to ban N. Korean ships from entering its ports. The US and Britain, frightened by the same potential scenario, are in support of sanctions that would allow them to board N. Korean sea vessels - a measure the Telegraph is reporting is being "rejected by [North Korea's] reclusive dictatorship and attacked by China", "raising the threat of a serious military conflagration spreading across the Pacific and beyond."

As tensions continue to rise to unprecedented levels between all parties involved, the Korea Times is reporting that the US is presently reviewing its war plans for the North Korean Peninsula, "aimed at striking weapons of mass destruction in North Korea."

Should the US decide to strike North Korea's WMD program, it is highly likely that, unless a death blow is delivered to the North Korean regime immediately upon the opening of hostilities, a massive battle will take place on the border of North and South Korea, one some have estimated as early as 1994 could see as many as 52,000 U.S. casualties alone in the first 90 days of battle, as seen in a 2003 CNN article.

The Korea Times article seems to indicate present military planning still envisions a battle on that scale if not greater, stating the following:

Washington is reportedly committed to dispatching some 690,000 troops with 1,600 aircraft and 160 ships to the peninsula within 90 days after a war breaks out under OPLAN 5027.

But the US may have considered other methods of dealing with the North Korean threat - scenarios similar to those most of us associate with Armageddon. A Chosun.com article indicates "it has been revealed that the United States researched scenarios in which it used 30 nuclear weapons in the event of a North Korean invasion of South Korea. It also conducted training exercises in which aircraft dropped mock nuclear warheads in preparation for a worst-case emergency on the Korean Peninsula."

We ain't seen nothing yet!

As disturbing as the present crises with North Korea and Iran presently are, particularly where the safety of the United States is concerned, we ain't seen nothing yet as the saying goes!

An AOL News story opens with the following information, a grim reminder of the dangers that exist in this present age:

In a grim warning of nuclear proliferation, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency has said that up to 30 countries beyond the nine known or suspected nuclear weapons states could have the technology to develop such arms "in a very short time."

While the present nuclear crises the United States and the international community faces is frightening, Iran and North Korea are merely the birth pains of things to come. What can the international community even hope to do to stop 30 countries from obtaining the nuclear weapons when it can't even find consensus on how to stop two of the most infamous regimes presently in power? Suffice to say that, as dangerous as our world presently is, the future doesn't bode well for things improving.

One of the new RaptureAlert.com bumper sticker designs begs the following question: Are we living in the end times?

What do you believe the answer to that question is? If it is yes, then I hope with all my heart you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior as the hour of His return is right around the prophetic corner! If it is no, you really need to open your eyes to what's going on around you as there are far more reasons to believe Jesus Christ is coming soon and the prophetic Word of God is perfect, literal truth than at any previous time in recorded history! All we need to do is examine even a few Scriptures to see this is true.

2nd Timothy 3:1: This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

Mark 13:8: For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom:

Matthew 24:6: And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.

A prophecy unique to our nuclear-weapon possessing generation alone is found in Matthew 24: 22: "And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened."

As the North Korean crisis heightens to dangerous levels with the lives of thousands (if not millions) on each side of the conflict hanging in the balance, I am reminded that it is at a time such as this when Christ will return to call His children from among a world that has forgotten its God that those who believe not the truth but have pleasure in their unrighteousness be tried in the Tribulation Period to come. Surely, brothers and sister in Christ, that day is drawing near! May we be ready to meet the Lord in the air upon His call, as well as find someone who presently doesn't know Jesus Christ and prepare them for same that they may take flight with us!

Keep looking up, Church! Jesus Christ is Lord and He is coming soon!