The Venezuela crisis is rapidly intensifying as the U.S. government, under President Trump, escalates military operations off Venezuela’s coast. Since September 2025, dozens of Venezuelans have been killed in targeted boat strikes, with the U.S. claiming these vessels are linked to drug cartels. However, no evidence has been presented to support these claims, raising serious questions about legality, motive, and truth. The Trump administration has rebranded the Department of Defense as the Department of War and designated Latin American drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations. This move allows for military action without due process, blurring the lines between counterterrorism and political theater. Venezuela, historically not a major drug exporter, is being portrayed as a narco-terrorist threat—despite data showing that countries like Colombia and Mexico play far larger roles in the drug trade. Behind the scenes, the crisis appears less about narcotics and more about regime change. Diplomatic efforts with Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro have been abruptly cut off. U.S. warships, bombers, and troops are amassing in the Caribbean, signaling a shift from negotiation to confrontation. The administration’s rhetoric suggests a calculated campaign to destabilize Venezuela, using drug war language as a smokescreen for deeper geopolitical ambitions. This unfolding Venezuela crisis is not just a regional issue—it’s a global flashpoint. With echoes of Cold War tactics and post-9/11 justifications, the situation demands scrutiny. As the U.S. ramps up its presence and dismisses diplomatic overtures, the risk of full-scale conflict grows. Understanding the true motives behind this aggression is essential to grasping the future of Venezuela and the broader implications for international law, sovereignty, and global stability. This is part 1 in a four-part series on the Venezuela Crisis.

In the Kings and Prophets series finale, we examine the background to books such as Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, Malachi, Zechariah, and Haggai. While the majority of the captives remained in Persia and Babylon, many returned to Jerusalem. It was here that the prophets came to gain a new understanding of God's purposes among His people.

In this penultimate episode of the series, we examine how the Word of God, the message of God, evolved during the Babylonian captivity. Through prophets like Daniel, Ezekiel, and others, the people began to see a picture of God far bigger than they imagined before.

This episode looks at the final invasion of Babylon, the destruction of Jerusalem, and the beginning of the Jewish captivity in Babylon. The era of the kings is now over. The era of the prophets would now explain and give understanding to what it meant to be the people of God. It was a painful moment for the children of God, but it was the beginning of a great unfolding and unveiling of God’s higher designs and intents.

In today’s episode in our Kings and Prophets podcast series, we continue to look at the life of Jeremiah and specifically his ministry during the reign of King Jehoiakim. This wicked king made one fateful and stupid move after another that set the nation of Judah up for the invasion of Babylon.

In this episode, we look at the life and influence of Nebuchadnezzar and the Kingdom of Babylon. These entities are more than historical realities, but key figures and symbols used throughout scripture to define the systems and powers of this world that stand against the Kingdom of God.

In this episode, we look at the beginning of the life and ministry of the prophet Jeremiah. He is, in a subtle way, one of the most influential figures in all of scripture due to his behind-the-scenes operations and writings as the Kingdom of Judah began to collapse.

In today’s episode, we will explore no fewer than three different kings of Judah: some quite terrible and one truly incredible. We examine the lives of King Manasseh, King Amon, and finally King Josiah, the great reformer king. Multiple prophets will make an appearance in this week’s episode, including one of the greatest of the prophets - Jeremiah! 

In this episode of the Kings and Prophets podcast series we complete our look at the reign of King Hezekiah. He would be one of the last of the great kings of Judah, and from here a dark cloud begins to cover the kingdom.

In this episode, we look at the rise of King Hezekiah. The Bible marks him as among the greatest of Judah’s kings, probably even greater than Solomon. Much of his greatness is established by what he came out of when we consider who his father was. It is also based upon the great acts he took in the governance of Judah that would serve the nation well in the days ahead.

In this week's episode, we look at the life of the prophet Isaiah. The book of Isaiah is the longest book of prophecy in the Bible, at 66 chapters. He is the most quoted prophet in the New Testament. As influential as his prophecies and work were, however, many people are not familiar with his life. Here we cover that story, including his ministry that spanned the reigns of multiple kings of Judah.

In this week’s dramatic episode, we arrive at the finale and end to the northern Kingdom of Israel and Samaria. The long foretold and anticipated judgment finally arrives in the form of the mighty empire of Assyria. We will explore the ultimate collapse of Israel-Samaria, the prophets Amos, Hosea, Jonah, and Joel. We will also look at the Assyrian Empire and the idea of the Lost Tribes of Israel.

We are going to cover a lot of ground in this week's podcast as we shift our gaze from the northern Kingdom of Israel and Samaria to the southern Kingdom of Judah. We will see the first and last Wicked Queen of Judah, a boy king whose life is miraculously saved, and another king taken captive by the north. Jerusalem will even be invaded in this episode!

In 'The House of Jehu" we look at the man God used to bring judgment to the House of Ahab and Jezebel. This story includes some of the most brutal, violent, and graphic imagery recorded in scripture. There is a reason for that! We look at who Jehu was, where he went right and where he went wrong as this king of Israel steers the nation ever closer to its ultimate destruction. 

As we continue our story on the Kings and Prophets of I and II Kings, we have spent the last couple of episodes looking at the life of the prophet Elisha. In today's episode, we look at how Elisha interacted not only with Israel-Samaria and Judah but also with surrounding nations. It was a unique development in the role of the prophet among the people of God. 

In our last episode, we looked at the call and the beginning of Elisha's prophetic ministry. Today, in episode 11 of the Kings and Prophets podcast series we look at The Ministry of the Prophet Elisha among the people of Israel. He was a very active and engaged prophet with the surrounding society, beginning to feel the hardship of God's judgment on the land.  

In Episode 10 of the Kings and Prophets podcast series we look at the calling of Elisha and how God set him apart from the prophets who followed Elijah. 

For the last three episodes, we have been focused on events in the northern kingdom of Israel/Samaria with the stories of Elijah, Ahab, and Jezebel. Today, we turn our focus back to the south to see what was taking shape during this same time period. We look at the good king Jehoshaphat who was succeeded by his terrible son Jehoram. 

In this episode of our Kings and Prophets podcast series we conclude the story of Elijah and Ahab. While Jezebel outlives them both, her day of judgment is not far away. Ahab goes to war against the Kingdom of Aram. He and Jezebel steal Naboth's vineyard, and Elijah rides the whirlwind. 

In episode 7 of our Kings and Prophets podcast series we come to one of the most famous stories of the Old Testament with Elijah's confrontation of the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel. Immediately after this, we encounter a sudden and dramatic turn of events as Elijah falls into despair. We will unfold both events, looking at all the details you might have missed in these incredible stories.