US tests another ICBM: A message to North Korea or WWIII provocation?

Minuteman launching from Vandenberg

The US test-launched an ICBM today:

August 2, 2017

An unarmed intercontinental ballistic missile was launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base early Wednesday to test the weapon’s reliability to “defend against attacks on the United States and its allies,” the Air Force said.

The Minuteman III missile was fired at 2:10 a.m. from the base northwest of Santa Barbara, according to the Air Force Global Strike Command. The missile, equipped with a single test reentry vehicle, traveled 4,200 miles to a test range near the Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands.

The strike command said the test was “not a response to recent North Korean actions.” Rather the launch “demonstrates that the United States’ nuclear enterprise is safe, secure, effective” and can protect against strikes, the command said.

The test comes after North Korea launched an intercontinental ballistic missile on Friday — the second in less than a month. The two-stage missile crashed off the coast of Japan’s northernmost island, Hokkaido. Independent defense analysts say such a missile may be capable of reaching California and other parts of the West Coast. http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-us-missile-launch-vandenberg-20170802-story.html

Vandenberg is on the West Coast of the USA and is very near Grover Beach, California, where the Continuing Church of God USA office is located. While I did not see this particular launch, I heard it as it was loud enough to awaken me. As mentioned before, I spent nearly 5 years working on Vandenberg: 3 1/2 years while in the military and 1 1/2 working for an aerospace firm.

The USA seems to hope that the success of this test will discourage North Korea. But since North Korea has continued missile launches despite USA threats, this test is not likely to change the minds of the leaders of North Korea. It is more likely that the leaders in North Korea will decide that that there are better ways than long-range missiles to detonate nuclear, dirty, or emp bombs in the USA.

While the messaging from North Korea has been consistent–it says it will continue to develop its nuclear missiles no matter what, the messaging from the USA has been a bit odd. For example:

August 2, 2017

THE WHITE HOUSE —

America’s top envoy is sending a message to North Korea that “we are not your enemy,” while the White House continues to assert that all options remain on the table to halt Pyongyang’s ballistic missile and nuclear weapons programs.

During a rare appearance at a State Department media briefing Tuesday, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said the United States does not “seek regime change, we do not seek a collapse of the regime, we do not seek an accelerated reunification of the peninsula, we do not seek an excuse to send our military north of the 38th Parallel.” …

Graham said during a U.S. television appearance (NBC’s Today) President Donald Trump has told him, “There will be a war with North Korea over their missile program if they continue trying to hit America with an ICBM.”

Graham quoted Trump as saying, “if thousands die, they’re going to die over there.”

Asked about Graham’s comments, White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders initially repeated a statement the administration has used frequently in the past, “All options are on the table.” https://www.voanews.com/a/rex-tillerson-north-korea-we-are-not-your-enemy/3968258.html

August 2, 2017

On Tuesday, Tillerson said the US was willing to talk to North Korea, while US Senator Lindsey Graham said military options are “inevitable if North Korea continues” on its current path of weapons development. http://www.cnn.com/2017/08/02/politics/north-korea-united-states-contradictions/index.html

If North Korea is not an enemy, then why does the USA care about its nuclear program? Other nations have nuclear weapons. Of course, unlike most other nations, North Korea has threatened to use its against the USA and others–I believe that US President Donald Trump does consider North Korea to be an enemy. An enemy he expects to fight. Notice also the following:

August 2, 2017

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) says President Donald Trump is ready for war with North Korea if the rogue nation doesn’t cease its development of a nuclear missile capable of reaching the United States.

“He has told me that. I believe him,” Graham said on NBC’s “Today” on Tuesday. “If I were China, I would believe him, too, and do something about it.”

Host Matt Lauer said military experts believe there is no good military option for handling North Korea. Graham insisted those experts were wrong.

“There is a military option: to destroy North Korea’s program and North Korea itself,” Graham said, adding that he prefers a diplomatic solution. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/lindsey-graham-trump-north-korea_us_598157e6e4b02b36343ecc4a

Why World War 3 could happen in 2017 – threats from North Korea, Syria, Putin and Isis are worse than during the Cold War

2017 has already seen a number of major terrorist attacks, which, coupled with rising tensions around the world and nuclear sabre-rattling from North Korea, have increased fears of a major military conflict.

The Sun has spoken to a range of military and terror experts about the threat of World War Three in 2017 …

Throughout the past year events have been taking unexpected twists and turns. …

there’s North Korea pushing ahead with its ballistic missile tests in its bid to become a nuclear power.

In response Japan has carried out air attack drills and dished out leaflets on what to do should Kim Jong-un’s nukes rain down.

Kim responded by reportedly telling its giant neighbour it would be a “piece of cake” to nuke Japan and leave it “blanketed in radioactive clouds”. …

According to a regime defector North Korea’s leader Kim Jong-un‘s New Year’s resolution was to be a fully fledged nuclear power. …

The country also threatened the US with a “full-scale” nuclear war …

In a sign of its dangerously skittish nature, it even threatened to nuke Donald Trump’s home town of New York to silence the President’s ongoing mocking of their missile programme.

In July, 2017, the US Air Force deployed a number of supersonic bombers in a ‘North Korea nuke drill’ amid reports Donald Trump was weighing up a military strike against Kim Jong-un.

Will Donald Trump risk starting a world war?

Arms-control experts say the rest of the world really should be worried about the potential fallout from some of the President’s tweets.

John Andrews, International affairs expert and veteran foreign correspondent, told Sun Online: “He [Trump] will be a real challenge for diplomats.

“One of the reasons is that we’ve become used to there just being one genuinely unpredictable world leader and that was Kim Jong-un. https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/2503419/world-war-3-2017-north-korea-syria-putin-isis-cold-war/

North Korea has clearly tried to provoke Donald Trump and he is unlikely to do nothing but talk. While I do not believe that war with North Korea would start World War III, it could lead to many problems for the USA.

So will Donald Trump just wait?

Some analysts believe it is simply a matter of time before North Korea “has a full-fledged ICBM that could hit any part of the U.S. with a nuclear weapon.” Here are comments related to one:

August 2, 2017

SEOUL, South Korea — It may already be too late for sanctions to halt North Korea’s missile program.

That’s the view of analysts who have watched Kim Jong Un accelerate progress on North Korea’s decades-long quest for a functioning intercontinental ballistic missile.

Friday’s launch, the second in a matter of weeks, showed it’s just a matter of time before he has a full-fledged ICBM that could hit any part of the U.S. with a nuclear weapon.

As North Korea’s economy holds up, and the regime moves beyond the startup costs of its nuclear program, efforts to choke off its finances become less effective, the analysts say.

That leaves U.S. President Donald Trump with limited options. A military strike could have devastating consequences for the Korean peninsula. At the same time the U.S. is loathe to make the concessions that Kim demands to get him to the negotiating table.

“No amount of sanctions will stop Kim Jong Un from having his ICBM,” said Andrei Lankov, a professor of Korean studies at Kookmin University in Seoul, who has written several books on North Korea. “As long as the Kim family stays in power — and they’re likely to stay in power for a long time — denuclearization is not possible. Period.” https://www.stripes.com/news/pacific/north-korea-s-missiles-may-be-too-advanced-for-more-sanctions-experts-say-1.481083#.WYHaKemQwuU

US President Donald Trump, while acting like he hopes China and/or his Secretary of State Rex Tillerson can resolve this, is more likely considering multiple military options.

Military options that could devastate the regime in North Korea, but also have ramifications for those living in South Korea, Japan, and even the USA.

As regular readers of this page are aware, I have long contended that North Korea will basically one day reunite with South Korea and that it would take war for this to happen.

War seems immanent.

Jesus warned of the following:

7 But when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be troubled; for such things must happen, but the end is not yet. 8 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be earthquakes in various places, and there will be famines and troubles. These are the beginnings of sorrows. (Mark 13:7-8)

We are certainly in a time of wars and rumors of wars. Issues related to North Korea, could well cause ‘troubles’ for those in the USA.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

Syria, North Korea, and Prophecy On April 7, 2017, 59 US Tomahawk missiles hit a military installation in Syria. While praised by NATO nations, Israel, and Saudi Arabia, this was denounced by Syria, Russia, and North Korea. Is this the start of World War III? Will the Bashar al-Assad regime remain as it is? What about North Korea? What will happen to North Korea? What does the Bible show will happen? Dr. Thiel answers these questions and more. This is a video.
USA in Prophecy: The Strongest Fortresses Can you point to scriptures, like Daniel 11:39, that point to the USA in the 21st century? This article does. A related sermon is titled: Do these 7 prophesies point to the end of the USA?
Korea in Prophecy, Any Witness? Where did the Korean people come from? Does God have a plan for the Koreans? Is Korea mentioned in any prophecies? Will Koreans be among the first in the Kingdom of God? Here is a machine-translated link to that article in Korean: 한국의 언어로 : 한국 예언, 모든 증인에?; here is a link to that article in Mandarin Chinese: 在预言中的韩国：有任何证人吗？.
What is the Gospel? True religion should be based upon the true gospel. What are some of the different gospels and where did they come from? Do you believe the true or a false gospel? Who is preaching the gospel? Here is a version in Korean 복음이란 무엇인가?.
China, Its Biblical Past and Future, Part 1: Genesis and Chinese Characters Where did the Chinese people come from? This article provides information showing that the Chinese peoples must have known about various accounts in the Book of Genesis up until their dispersion after the Tower of Babel. Here is a link to a version of this article in Spanish: ¿Prueban los caracteres chinos la exactitud de la Biblia?
China, Its Biblical Past and Future, Part 2: The Sabbath and Some of God’s Witness in China When did Christianity first come to China? And is there early evidence that they observed the seventh day sabbath?
Japan, Its Biblical Past and Future, Part 1: Any Witness? Where did the Japanese people come from? Have they had any witness?
Japan, Its Biblical Past and Future, Part 2: Prophecy Japan in prophecy. What is prophesied for Japan? Will God save the Japanese?
Asia in Prophecy What is Ahead for Asia? Who are the “Kings of the East”? What will happen to nearly all the Chinese, Russians, Indians, and others of Asia? China in prophecy, where? Who has the 200,000,000 man army related to Armageddon? A YouTube video of interest may be Is China THE Threat to the United States of America?
World War III: Steps in Progress Are there surprising actions going on now that are leading to WWIII? Might a nuclear attack be expected? Does the Bible promise protection to all or only some Christians? How can you be part of those that will be protected? A related video would be Is World War III About to Begin? Can You Escape?
Russia and Ukraine: Their Origins and Prophesied Future Russia in prophecy. Where do the Russians come from? What about those in the Ukraine? What is prophesied for Russia and its allies? What will they do to the Europeans that supported the Beast in the end? There is also a video sermon available: Russia in the Bible and in Prophecy and a video sermonette available: Ukraine in Prophecy?
Is Russia the King of the North? Some claim it is. But what does the Bible teach? Here is a link to a video, also titled Is Russia the King of the North?
Ezekiel 38: For Russia & Iran in Our Day? Is Ezekiel 38 about to be fulfilled? A related video is available titled Ezekiel 38: For Russia, Ukraine, & Iran Now? Another could be Russia, Iran, Syria, & the Bible (Code).
When Will the Great Tribulation Begin? 2017, 2018, or 2019? Can the Great Tribulation begin today? What happens before the Great Tribulation in the “beginning of sorrows”? What happens in the Great Tribulation and the Day of the Lord? Is this the time of the Gentiles? When is the earliest that the Great Tribulation can begin? What is the Day of the Lord? Who are the 144,000? Here is a version of the article in the Spanish language: ¿Puede comenzar la Gran Tribulación en 2016 o 2017? ¿Es el Tiempo de los Gentiles? You can also see the English language sermon videos: The Great Tribulation from the Mount of Olives and Can the Great Tribulation begin before 2020? A shorter video is: Will the Great Tribulation Start in 2017?
Donald Trump in Prophecy Prophecy, Donald Trump? Are there prophecies that Donald Trump may fulfill? Are there any prophecies that he has already helped fulfill? Could a Donald Trump presidency be apocalyptic? A related video is titled: Donald: ‘Trump of God’ or Apocalyptic?
Trump Presidency Magic 8 Ball or Bible Prophecy? BBC reported that one might as well use a ‘Magic Eight-Ball’ to try to predict what will happen in the remaining time of Donald Trump’s presidency. What is a ‘Magic Eight-Ball’? Dr. Thiel not only explains that, but also briefly goes over 10 biblically-based warnings he wrote would happen if Donald Trump were elected that have already began to come to pass. He also goes over something he wrote back in 2008 that the Trump presidency is also helping lead to fulfillment. Should you trust Bible prophecy or not? Dr. Thiel says that Bible prophecy can be trusted, despite the view of skeptics and others that either overlook or despise the Bible. This is a video.
Donald Trump and America’s Apocalypse This 188 page book is for people truly interested in prophecies related to Donald Trump and the United States, including learning about several that have already been fulfilled and those that will be fulfilled in the future. The physical book can be purchased at Amazon for $12.99 from the following link: Donald Trump and America’s Apocalypse.
Donald Trump and America’s Apocalypse-Kindle Edition This electronic version of the 188 page print edition is available for only US$3.99. And you do not need an actual Kindle device to read it. Why? Amazon will allow you to download it to almost any device: Please click HERE to download one of Amazon s Free Reader Apps. After you go to for your free Kindle reader and then go to Donald Trump and America’s Apocalypse-Kindle Edition.