(13 July 2026) It is now 10 pm MST July 13, or, 5 AM GMT, July 14. We have been watching events centered on Iran and its regime, waiting for escalation of what looks to be the Second Signpost.
The Strait of Hormuz is closed again. The Strait was closed solidly for 112 days starting on March 2, allowing the global inventory of oil to drain to near zero.
It has now been 23 more days that the closure ended and we saw a mixture of Strait opened and closed, but now the Strait is closed again.
It’s another slow news day relatively speaking. So let’s consider some things coming up soon.
The Role of the Second Signpost
It seems impossible to most of us humans—that is, to anyone outside of the Middle East who is not a Twelver Shia Muslim—for the Iranian regime’s military to conquer and occupy the Muslim nations of the Middle East, from Kuwait south to Yemen, west to Iraq and Syria, and even portions of eastern Turkey.
Impossible to us humans. But it is in the impossible situations that God’s glory is magnified as you see Him work.
However, that is what the Signpost theory’s Second Signpost calls for.
Realize, though, what the Second Signpost truly represents. If it is true, it is part of the path from relatively normal civilization, to Christ’s arrival when He rips open the sky. More exactly, it will be the first step of many steps transitioning from “normal” into chaotic and troubling times in the years prior to Christ’s arrival.
Your Sign . . .
So, the Second Signpost, if it occurs, is your definite, physical sign that Christ is coming. It is the call in Matthew 25:6 that the Bridegroom is coming.
It is your sign that we will be completely dependent on God for everything, for every little thing that we need for life, for years.
It is your sign to trust, to hold on to the promise of Matthew 6:33 with all your faith.
It is your sign to love and faithfully share what you have with even the least of your brothers and sisters, as you would not want to see Jesus go hungry or be cold per Matthew 25.
It is your sign to exercise Philippians 4:6 to the point that your faith fully expects God to work with no doubts; instead, you are excited to see how God would work yet again.
It is your sign that normal life for most people is over until the Day of Christ’s return.
It is your sign that most prophecy teaching today such as Amillennialism or a Roman Antichrist, based on all the guesses made by men of God in the centuries prior to the time of the end called out in Daniel 12:4 and 12:9, can be let go and we can rejoice in a God who wrote down His events here in the end time like a script so we can indeed watch the Day approaching so we may be encouraged.
It is your sign, along with the Third and Fourth Signposts, that it is time to work the fields and bring in a harvest of new brothers and sisters for the kingdom, of those people who are seeking Christ because they have nothing else. It will be a harvest far beyond anything you have personally experienced in your life so far.
It is your sign to rejoice that your God is orchestrating all these wonderfully chaotic events as He is in complete control and will help you overcome the world by the power of His Holy Spirit. Like Paul, let us say it again: Rejoice!
It is your sign to rejoice because now you have very real confirmation that you will see the coming of your King to fulfill His promise to exchange your clothing of mortality with your clothing of immortality, and you will soon see your Lord and Savior face to face.
Conclusion
Yes, the Second Signpost with its oil shortages, and economic destruction, is humanly very scary.
And yet, when we see the Second Signpost in its full form, we as His people should cheer instead, for we should heed our Lord’s words in Luke 21:28, “When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”
When the oil facilities are taken out and Iran’s boots on the ground run out, rejoice for all the reasons listed above!
Hallelujah!
Maranatha!
Categories: Signpost #2: Iran, Signpost Theology, teaching
THE FOUR SIGNPOSTS 
Thanx for the encouragement.
I try to live according to Luke 21:28 too, but that does take effort.
If one does not live in denial or blissful ignorance, it is easy to see all the doom & gloom coming, but difficult to see through them.
Yet that we do need to do, for we are supposed to show joy and love in difficult times to be good witnesses of Jesus.
As many saints and martyrs showed in severe persecution and suffering, even unto death.
Humanly speaking, I am utterly incapable of that.
We must trust that Jesus gives us the Grace to go through whatever He leads/allows us to go through, persevering in faith and love despite the circumstances.
What little physical preparations I could make, are ready. Unless Jesus shows me a few more ideas which I can act on while there is still time.
Most of my preparations are to make myself function a little longer in a few sorts of hardship.
So a nagging question remains: How much can I use for myself, and what to give to others? Which others? And when? Hope to get some guidance on that too, per Philippians 4:6…
I purposely never watched more than a few scattered seconds of October 7 Hamas-footage, and I suspect most people share my sentiment. Watching even that little bit shook, as it would anyone of any decency.
My first thought of October 7 was it was a direct foreshadow of the coming Antichrist conquest of Israel at the mid-point of the 70th shabua per Daniel 9. What the world saw on October 7 will be magnified ten-thousand-fold.
Yet, thinking on that offered me (and surely many others, I pray) a very strange reassurance: in addition to the horrific evil visited upon all those people that day and for the next two years, I knew what I was looking at.
(To be sure, I know very well Sudan is the most terrible human tragedy going on in the world today. What differs it from the much-smaller-scale current Israeli-Palestinean conflict is as horrible as the war in Sudan is, it bears no discernible weight upon prophetic history except to in some way prepare Sudan to become a part of the final Caliphate, which imho will be the beast-kingdom foretold in the Bible.)
As I look at the present war in Iran (as of 14 July 2026), I look upon a situation that is beyond all sadness in its own right. Yet, a part of me is serene, even if it is easy to be “serene” from thousands of miles away. (Yes, you and I won the lottery of geography/nationality at-birth)
In broad strokes, I know what is coming, even if Russia, China, and North Korea are absolute wildcards, and a part of me laughs at the Mullahs as well as cries for them. So long as they keep their present course, they are to be pitied as much as reviled. Even Ruhollah Khomenei was himself deceived by his ancestors who in-turn were themselves deceived, but there comes a moment when conscience (that innate sense of objective right and wrong God gives all of us) gives one the opportunity for one to let everything good, right, and holy write for them a new story. If this applies to the Iranian leadership, they on the day of judgement (if they keep their present journey) will have no excuse.
In the years or decades to come, our hearts will be ripped out. Our families will be spiritually-divided or physically maimed and killed (or both), our physical property (of whatever sort) will either be taken or otherwise destroyed not by our own hand, and our cultural icons will be done away with, if only by the arcane conversations and interactions between the highest-level executives in entertainment and their underlings.
For the better way, look to Nineveh in the book of Jonah. Eventually, she was conquered, but in Jonah’s time, she repented and staved off the hammer of God’s justice for at least a while.
If Iran renounces the cause of both Ali and Mohammed, prophecy is put off indefinitely and hopefully until such time as the heat-death of the universe consumes all.
Of course, if Israel fulfills Mathew 23:39 early instead of at the timing described in scripture, we probably skip the entire 70th shabua and go straight to the Millennium. The covenant with death and sheol (Isa.) never happens. The Antichrist may well still rise in such a scenario, but he is dealt with early, and depending on the timing of Israel’s national salvation, the Antichrist-conquest of that place never happens, either.
And yes, this is what we all want. The Bible in the book of Revelation and elsewhere merely describes the absolute worst-case scenario if everything is done as wrong as can be. All of that badness can be avoided.
The fact God gives us as much detail on this absolute worst-case course of events is a mercy. And it is astonishing to me that in Daniel 8 and 11 (within full scriptural context), God gives us the step-by-step process leading up to the revelation of Antichrist.
Look at Daniel 11:20 “19 Then he shall turn his face toward the fort of his own land: but he shall stumble and fall, and not be found. 20 Then shall stand up in his estate a raiser of taxes in the glory of the kingdom: but within few days he shall be destroyed, neither in anger, nor in battle. 21 And in his estate shall stand up a vile person, to whom they shall not give the honour of the kingdom: but he shall come in peaceably, and obtain the kingdom by flatteries.”
Strange that taxes should be mentioned here. Humanity has used taxation to raise funds for governance since time immemorial. Why should the taxes in Dan. 11:20 be any different?
God mentions this taxation because it is important. This taxation is special. And in the context of the paradigm of Islamic-Antichrist, Joel Richardson, C. Mantei, et al are right. There is only one taxation that could be the solution: Jizya.
Asia Minor will attempt to enact Jizya, which in the current course of things, Türkiye or her successor-state will attempt Anatolia’s first jizya in hundreds of years, if not ever.
Morever, the man who attempts to enact Jizya in Anatolia/Türkiye/Asia Minor will not be in office even a week and will die in peace and without fuss.
A special and unique form of taxation – in Anatolia – by its new leader who lives less than a week – such detail!
God wants us to see clearly. He gives us signs to watch for. And in verse 21, we see the point in a new Anatolian leader who comes with his own signs and portents: out-of-the-blue, not given the due “honour of the Kingdom” (not exactly sure what’s going on in that clause), comes in as peaceably as his precedessor is taken out, and obtains the “kingdom” by some sort of intrigue.
God has given us the roadmap, and with all the stupid that’s coming, this is still his world, he is still in control, and he wants us to remember that.
As for the Daniel 8 ram-war, if it is to happen at all, I want it done soon and quickly, if only for the apologetic it will provide for the unsaved. Many Christian icons of theology will be overturned (particularly re Dan. 8 being in the past), and many a denominational reckoning will be under way.
The better angels of my nature weep and rejoice, both.
Adamant,
Thanks and my sentiments too. Humanly, this is all impossible. Humanly I would want to do what many might do is stock up on the guns and groceries and defend them to the death.
Though living on the Front Range of Colorado in a relatively rural area, in which God allowed me to live, and thus allows me a very large veggie garden, and two flocks of chickens – one for eggs and the other for meat – it really is not much bigger than your own preparations because next to what we will need, both are preparations that pale in comparison.
I see Matthew 25 and Philippians 4:6 going hand-in-hand. I am commanded to share whatever I have with God’s people. But to do so requires flexing the faith muscle of Phi 4:6. I see the preparations I made as a way to feed and soothe the brothers and sisters that come my way, whom the Lord puts on my doorstep, to bridge from sleeping contentment currently to screaming panic time, to allow a little extra time for Christians to learn to exercise Phi 4:6 to rely solely on Him. This goes for me too, since my preps won’t last long if God has a crowd visit me.
So you asked how much for me and how much for others? My mindset is that for others, it is however much they need, and whatever saints God puts on my doorstep. Does that mean me and my family get half? A quarter? A tenth? 1 percent? Share half of my last meal in the house with a dear brother that shows up hungry on my doorstep? Absolutely.
God’s Word is uncompromising. Philippians 4:6 commands DON’T BE ANXIOUS, and Matthew 25:31-46 commands WHENEVER YOU DID THESE THINGS. So how much do we ourselves get? It depends on who God puts on our doorstep. With all this said, I suspect you will be exercising your faith muscle 100% before I exercise mine 100%, but only God knows, and at some point you and I will be in the same boat. But we will both be exercising, and neither of us will be able to do this from our own selves, but only by the power and love of the Holy Spirit.
God bless you, Adamant!
Hi Jeff,
Most of what you write I agree with, with a few points I disagree.
You are right, Sudan will be in the thick of the AC’s kingdom, being listed right after Persia in Ezekiel 38, joining at the end of the Fourth Signpost.
You are right on how you put October 7, and the lottery, and the Mullahs.
And it is too bad that God’s Word writes out the script for a worst-case scenario. Unfortunately, just like Daniel 9:24-27, God put in His Word how He has sovereignly declared things will happen. As another reader said on this site, prophecy doesn’t happen in a vacuum. Yes, the Mullahs could repent, but not likely. And Daniel 8 will play out as His Word states, though of course details not mentioned can vary, like the invasion happens on October 22 instead of September 30.
So, like you, I praise God that in his mercy He has written out the end times major events like a script.
The one topic I take exception to, is Daniel 11. Yes, Chris and I had our differences and we were discussing them when he passed. And now he knows the answers, or gloriously doesn’t care about the answers.
Linked here is the Appendix B from my third book (App B is available for download on this site). It shows in detail the ancient history of the Hellenistic Realm fulfilling Scripture all the way up to Daniel 11:35.
But regarding Daniel 11:20, “The next king of Syria, Seleucus IV, son of Antiochus III, now has to pay a heavy tax to the Romans as part of the treaty following his father’s defeat in 190 BC. He sent his minister named Heliodorus to take the temple treasury in Jerusalem to raise money. Upon returning, Heliodorus kills Seleucus IV and takes the throne for his own. Heliodorus reigns for only a few months during 175 BC, i.e. “a few days.””
So that tax was indeed historical.
And the Antichrist, as Islamic writing says of the Mahdi to come, will do away with the jizya, i.e. there will be no tax – the choice will be Islam or death.
In addition, the chiastic flow of the words of Daniel 11:21-45 (Fig. 76 of my third book which I will post said figure later today next to the appendix B), shows a parallel progression of vs 21-30 of Antiochus (which is documented history) with vs 36-45, which is future history. But in the middle are vs 31-35. In chiastics, if a middle section is between two related parallel passages, that means the middle section is related to both passages. Now vs 31-35 were fulfilled by Antiochus. But the placement of those 5 verses means Antichrist will also fulfill those verses, making those 5 verses very special indeed – they will likely be fulfilled to the full, to the letter, exactly twice. Many prophecy passages have foreshadows, and thus “partial fulfillment” is a misnomer, but here we see something to be fulfilled twice, which is extraordinary. So my answer to all those theologians who argue vs 31-35 applies to Antiochus vs Antichrist, I say simply, it is both.
Finally as an example of this parallel chiastic, the words of the phrase, “whom they will not give the honor of royalty” in verse 21, said and documented of Antiochus (because Antiochus was royalty in the line of the Seleucids, but wasn’t treated as such) echoes the words of the phrase from verse 36 of the coming Antichrist: “…shall exalt and magnify himself”. Antichrist is indeed not royalty, and so must exalt himself for no one else will, at first. But Antiochus was cheated. But the words of both phrases allude to the same thing.
God bless you, brother!
And God bless you, too!
One of my many projects is to go through the absolute door-stop that is your “Chronicles of the End Times”. It deserves such treatment, but alas, real life always intervenes.
As for Daniel 11, I will need to come up with that one devastating YouTube video that will destroy your argument that way. I continue to find compelling the argument that Daniel 10-12 are a single episode. I will need to sit down with all of this when I get the time, assuming God allows me or anyone else to have such.
I better stop now. I feel another very long post coming on.
Jeff,
Doorstop is right! It is a tome. As for something that might destroy my argument, please, bring it on whenever. And yes, Daniel 10-12 is one episode, and that whole episode with Daniel 1 and 8 and 9, all has a cohesive chiastic structure.
Alas, for me as well for many of us, the time for preparations is trumping the time for study.
In Europe in WWII not only some Christians hid Jews in their homes, and/or provided food for them, and died for them if they were found out. Some Socialists, Communists & Liberals did so too. Even a few Nazi’s; people like Oscar Schindler. People with consciences and strong morals who discerned that the persecution was evil and had to be opposed. During some recent terrorist attacks by Muslims, there were sometimes even a few other Muslims who risked their lives to protect Jews.
For this reason, I think / hope that in the end-times proper it will not be just Christians who care for Christians and Jews. Again some Atheists, Agnostics & Pagans with strong morals and consciences will act. Now these will be surprised when at their Judgement, by the very Jesus they did not believe in, He praises and rewards them for helping the least of His brothers!
Outside of the areas with the Mark of the Beast, they may keep going on with their good work until Jesus returns. Where the Mark is required for survival, at some point most of them will have to choose Islam or death too. Some of them then may call on the name of Jesus just before their decapitation, having been exposed to Jesus by the people they helped. As I read somewhere in the Bible that in the worst persecution ever, just calling on His name will be enough to be saved.
What is your take on this?
Adamant,
Interesting scenarios.
Regarding not having the mark, in territory “requiring” the mark, there is a third option. That is the promise of Matthew 6:33 whereby pursuing his righteousness and these things (food, etc.) are provided to you as well. Hebrews 11:37-38 speaks of the saints were destitute, imprisoned and tortured, but never starved. In fact it says they wore sheepskins so they had clothes of a sort. Come to think of it, I can’t think of a single instance in the whole Bible in which a saint or righteous person starved to death (can you or anyone? maybe I’m just having a senior moment). The miracles of God’s provision are many in the Bible – the manna, the flour/oil, feeding the 5000, the ravens, the bread on the rock. Plenty of times though that idolaters starved to death as part of judgment. The mark will be for all those caught in AC’s territory who do not have the Holy Spirit and so would cling to the mark for dear life.
Regarding those who have consciences and help God’s people, I do believe there are instances in which someone calls out to the Lord and would be saved. The thief on the cross is one example. Yet to be saved, Romans 10:9 says believing in your heart must accompany the calling out. I believe the calling on the name of the Lord (Jesus/Yeshua/Jehovah) per Acts 2:21 and Joel 2:32, is equivalent because one wouldn’t call on Him for help unless one believed.
Just my two cents as it were.
Mark,Hopeful thoughts you have here. Indeed, I do not recall any example in the bible of a believer dying by starvation, and many examples of God providing food naturally (Joseph in Egypt) or miraculously.Apart from Noah Joseph was the biggest Prepper ever. And God does miracles where and when we cannot prep, or not enough.We should not get picky though. As a child I imagined that the ravens brought bread and pastries to Elijah. That is not impossible, but now I imagine them bringing dead animals and meat that ravens naturally hunt for, with Elijah having to frie them above fire.If only God does not provide grasshoppers for me like John ate, I would need special grace to be able to eat that… 🙂
Adamant, what surprised me was when I found out grasshoppers are kosher.
K,
Yes, grasshoppers / locusts eat only plants like cattle, so they are healthy, and even kosher. They also get big enough to not have to eat myriads to get a fill <shudder>. John probably fried them like most people nowadays who eat them.
I once bought insect burgers at my local supermarket, but my mental associations made them impossible to enjoy, even though the taste was OK in itself.
K and Adamant: So the Bible teaches we will eat bugs and be happy?………Just have to have a little fun here.
Karl,
No, the Bible teaches John the Baptist ate bugs and was happy. =)
John the Baptist learned to rely on God, that’s the point I guess. Taste, like beauty, fades.