United States - One of Five Countries on High Alert

For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction comes upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. 

But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. 

Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. [1Thess 5:4-6]

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. [1Pet 5:8, 9]

United Stated - One of Five Countries on High Alert

First off, I would like to bring to the attention of any American reader who happens to visit this site to warn of an alert on the NY CBS local news site. The alert came after a video was said to be posted by ISIS.

 There is some buzzing on the internet circulating around that the alert is particularly for the Thanksgiving on November 26, which is Thursday. I have not been able to confirm if the alert pertains to any specific day or date.

Secondly, although the series “Echoes Down Through the Corridors of History” has thus far only focused on the two leaders in North America (specifically, Canada’s newly-elected Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and United States President Barak Obama), these are merely stepping stones that lead up to where I am going in the series.

The series is not about these two individual leaders per se, nor about Christians being involved in politics. They are but an example and a part of a bigger picture that I would like to put before readers to consider.

It does have to do with biblical eschatology and where we are in the time line.  All that we are witnessing in the world around us and the speed and intensity at which events are unfolding is all part of what I am endeavouring to reveal.

Many others are also sounding the alarm and doing their best to warn fellow believers. Frankly, I only discovered this as I began researching, but the Lord has always been faithful to warn people, and down through the ages, He has had many vessels that He used to speak forth His messages. 

The hardest reality of it all is that Satan is the author of confusion and has mirrored God’s message, but with a distorted reflection that is at times obscured.  There are those who purposely send out misinformation or disinformation as mouthpieces for the adversary and antichrists.

We all have to be alert, sober and vigilant, to watch and pray. Abiding and cleaving to the Lord has always been necessary, but never more so than in these darkest of dark days.

The following reports are more pieces to a big puzzle, which is why I insert the information here now, before proceeding on with the series. I shall soon be done with the parts involving the two leaders, Trudeau and Obama.  They are only two rulers in this world of ours, yet all the peoples of the earth are being prepared, whether they know it or not, for precisely what the Bible foretold.

Tread carefully; choose wisely. Pray without ceasing. None of us are beyond being deceived, but there is a way through it all and that is in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. The Creator of all takes no pleasure in the evils that have abounded. He has shouldered much blame, innumerous accusations and much rejection as people question what kind of “God” would allow all these horrific occurrences.

We are ever searching for answers, having an unending quest for knowledge. The temptation to “be as gods”, having the knowledge of good and evil still is very real to this day. It is an appetite that is never satisfied; a thirst that is never quenched. We still want to eat the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, to know all that God knows.

The “need to know” is very real for all of us, particularly when things happen ‘close to home’ that we do not understand.  It behooves us to stay close to the Lord, to submit and obey His leading, and to trust Him, even when we do not like or understand what is going on or why it is happening. Things are escalating and we do well to watch and pray.

For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.  [Mat 24:21, 22]

High Alert - Terrorists

That being said, we should all be aware that many parts of the globe are on high alert. The threat of terrorism is very real, whether it is downplayed or not, and it is indeed a global threat.

Some known terrorist groups: ISIS, Al-Shabaab, Boko Haram, Al-Nusra Front, Al-Qaeda, Ansar al-Sharia, Hamas and Hezbollah. Muslim Brotherhoold is said to be the parent organization behind the terrorist group Hamas, according to one report. (To be discussed later on)

The countries on high alert: United States (specifically New York City), Paris (understandably), Brussels Belgium, Italy (Rome) and Britain, with Canada keeping watch. 

Note the following are excerpts only. To read the full articles, click on links provided. The video that spurred on the reports from the news media has since been taken down.

New York

New York City has gone on high alert in response to the release of a new ISIS video that sets Times Square in the terror group’s bombing or chemical-warfare sights.  City officials, however, say they won’t be cowed.

“We will not submit to their wishes,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio, CBS News reported. “I want to encourage all New Yorkers to go about their business normally.  It’s important to note that there is no credible and specific threat against New York City.”

“And New York Police Department Commissioner Bill Bratton assured on Fox News no city in the nation is “better prepared to protect against a terrorist attack” than the one he oversees.  But the video has set many on edge, just the same.

It was posted by several sources last Wednesday, and opens with remarks that French President Francois Hollande made on the heels of last Friday’s Paris terror attacks.  Interspersed are comments from the terrorists.

 “Be aware, but do not be afraid.  The NYPD will protect you,”  Bratton said, Fox News reported. “We cannot be intimidated and that’s what terrorists seek to do. They seek to create fear. The seek to intimidate. We will not be intimidated and we will not live in fear.”  WND (World Daily News)

ALBANY, N.Y. -- New York State Police Superintendent Joseph A. D'Amico issued a statement Friday night, saying he was placing all troopers on "high alert" following the terror attacks in Paris.

In addition to ordering the state's 4,800 troopers to "remain vigilant," D'Amico said the state police and its intelligence assets were in contact with federal officials and local law enforcement agencies including the New York City Police Department.

"As a precaution, State Police have increased surveillance of critical infrastructure, and will be deploying additional Troopers to large public gatherings," D'Amico said.  See also: Syracuse news (AlbanyNY)

Brussels Belgium

NY Times (Associated Press) wrote an article today, “Citing “imminent” Threat, Brussels Extends High Alert”

Citing a "serious and imminent" threat of attack, Belgium's prime minister announced Monday that Brussels will remain at the highest alert level for at least another week, maintaining security measures that have severely disrupted normal life in the capital.

In France, police said an explosive vest without a detonator was found by a street cleaner in a pile of rubble in the southern Paris suburb of Montrouge and was being analyzed by investigators. A police official said the vest contained bolts and the same type of explosives as those used in the Nov. 13 Paris attacks that claimed 130 lives and left hundreds wounded.

The device was found Monday in the same area where a cellphone belonging to fugitive suspect Salah Abdeslam was pinpointed by geolocalization on the day of the Paris attacks, two police officials said. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the investigation.

Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel said Brussels, which houses the headquarters of the European Union and NATO, faced a "serious and imminent" threat that required keeping the city at the highest alert level, while the rest of the country would stay at the second-highest level. Belgium's crisis center said the alert level would only change if a significant breakthrough warranted it.  NYTimes 

As investigators in Paris examine what appears to be a suicide belt and could be a break in the investigation into Salah Abdeslam, Rory Mulholland reports on the ongoing lockdown in Brussels sparked in large part by Abdeslam's disappearance.

An armoured personnel carrier was parked in front of the town hall in the square, flanked by heavily-armed soldiers and police officers.

They were part of the vast security operation deployed across the city after the Prime Minister Charles Michel announced on Saturday that a gang of terrorists were plotting mayhem and murder similar to the Islamist attacks in Paris that killed 130 people.

The city’s metro system was promptly shut down, sporting events and concerts were cancelled, and shops, bars and restaurants in the city centre started getting calls from the mayor of Brussels asking them to close.

The answer came early on Sunday evening when, after a national security council meeting, the Prime Minister repeated that a terror attack was still an “imminent and serious” possibility and said the state of siege would continue for at least another day.

Shortly after he spoke, hundreds of police and soldiers raided buildings across the city, arresting a score of people but failing to capture Europe’s most wanted man, Salah Abdeslam, who is accused of being one of the men behind the Paris massacres. Telegraph.co.uk news

Italy              

                                 

Meanwhile, the United States warns Italy about potential targets in Italy, specifically Rome, after the Paris attacks. On Thursday, November 19, 2015, the ABC7 Chicago news reported:

Rome – Italy is searching for five people flagged by the FBI in response to a U.S. warning about potential targets following the Paris attacks.

Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni told RAI state broadcaster on Thursday that Italian law enforcement had been searching for the five people since Wednesday afternoon.

The State Department issued a warning Wednesday that St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, Milan’s cathedral and La Scala opera house, as well as churches, synagogues, restaurants, theaters and hotels had been identified as “potential targets”.

Gentiloni adds that the U.S. alert didn’t warn people to stay away from Italy. He said: “We cannot be prisoners of worry.” ABC7chicago

In yet another report, Brussels Belgium has also been put on high alert. The Telegraph news in the UK posted a report: “Fear and frustration in Brussels as lockdown continues”.  Following are excerpts from the report. Click the link at the end for full report.

Interestingly, as many countries open their doors for the Syrian refugees, including Canada and the United States, one can only hope that every possible measure is taken to make sure that infiltrators (terrorists) from ISIL do not slip through security.

Britian – UK

Paris attacks: Special forces on streets of UK amid fears Britain could be next target for Isil

Elite Special Reconnaissance Regiment (SRR) backing up undercover armed police officers as extra uniform police step up security at key public locations

Britain has launched the largest security response since 7/7 as counter terrorism sources revealed up to 450 radicalised Britons have returned to the UK from Syria.

Special forces were deployed on the streets to monitor stations, shopping centres and key public places amid fears the UK could be the next target for an Isil terror outrage.

Personnel from the elite Special Reconnaissance Regiment (SRR) were backing up undercover armed police officers to protect the UK in the wake of the Paris massacre

It can also be disclosed that Scotland Yard is currently investigating 600 terror cases related to Syria and Iraq.

What Global Leaders Said about the Paris Attacks

US President Barack Obama: “We’ve seen an outrageous attempt to terrorize innocent civilians; this is an attack not just on Paris, it is an attack not just on the people of France, but it is an attack o all humanity and the universal values we share.”

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau:  “I am shocked and saddened that so many people have been killed and injured in violent attacks in Paris. Canada stands with France at this dark time and offers all possible assistance.”

David Cameron: “I am shocked by events in Paris tonight. Our thoughts and prayers are with the French people. We will do whatever we can to help.”

London Mayor Boris Johnson: “Saddened to hear the terrible news from Paris – my thoughts and those of Londoners are with Parisians tonight.”

Russian President Vladimir Putin:  The Kremlin condemned the “hateful” string of attacks and the “inhuman murders” in Paris Friday, spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.  President Putin has offered his condolences and support to his counterpart Francois Hollande and the French people.

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon: “The Secretary-General condemns the despicable terrorist attacks carried out today in various locations and around Paris,” his spokesman said.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel:  “Deeply shocked” by events, the German foreign office said.

Queen Elizabeth II:  “Prince Philip and I have been deeply shocked and saddened by the terrible loss of life in Paris.  We send our most sincere condolences to you, the families of those who died and the French people.”

Francois Hollande:  “In these difficult moments, we must – and I’m thinking of the many victims, their families and the injured – show compassion and solidarity. But we must also be united and clear-headed.  Faced with terror, France needs to be strong; it must be great and the state authorities must be firm. We will be.

Everyone must be responsible. What the terrorists want is to scare us and fill us with dread. There is indeed reason to be afraid. There is dread, but in the face of this dread, there is a nation that knows how to defend itself, that knows how to mobilize its forces. And, once again, will defeat the terrorists."

Hillary Clinton and others made public statements. The above and further information can be found at: Telegraph.co.uk News

Canada "Concerned"

Lone-wolf assault, copycats main concern for Canada after Paris attack: Goodale (CP24 news)

Canada’s Public Safety Minister says the country’s security and intelligence services are not aware of any direct, specific threat to Canada in wake of Friday’s bloody terror attacks in Paris, but lone-wolf and copycat attacks remain a top concern.

“From all the information we have gathered, there does not appear to be any reason to change the risk assessment for Canada,” Ralph Goodale told CTV News Saturday. “There does not appear to be any Canadian connection (to the Paris attackers), and there don’t appear to be any Canadian deaths.”

But Goodale says the prospect of single individuals mounting attacks in Canada, as two men did in separate attacks on Parliament Hill in Ottawa and in St. Jean-sur-Richelieu, Que. in 2014, remains a serious concern.

In the writing of this series, information has been given about the Islamic Foundation of Canada. Below is a press release that the Islamic Foundation sent out.

In a press release sent out Saturday night, the Islamic Foundation of Toronto says it rejects ISIS “and their claim to represent Islam.”

“Our community stands in solidarity with the people of France, the families, and friends who lost their near and dear ones to the insane and dastardly act.”

On the Liberals’ promise to bring 25,000 Syrian refugees, Goodale said the government is staying the course in wake of the Paris attacks, but also will not cut corners on security screening procedures to meet its self-imposed Jan. 1, 2016 deadline.

“The timeframe remains the same and the requirement about security checks remains the same.”

In Ottawa on Saturday afternoon, Conservative Party interim leader Rona Ambrose told reporters that her party wants the Liberals to reverse their pledge to bring Canadian fighter aircraft home from the air campaign against ISIS in Syria and Iraq in light of what occurred in Paris on Friday. Source: cp24 news

See also:

Trudeau Arrives in Anatalya Turkey – Briefed on Paris Attacks

And when ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars, be ye not troubled: for such things must needs be; but the end shall not be yet.  For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginnings of sorrows. [Mat 24:7, 8]

for His glory alone

Bonita                                           dovesofthevalleys4@gmail.com