Well-known pastor talks end times, North Korea nuclear program: 'I pray America is not destroyed

California megachurch Pastor Greg Laurie is urging Christians to “pray America is not destroyed” as tensions between the U.S. and North Korea burgeon.

“As you know, the conflict with this rogue nation has escalated dramatically in recent days and even hours,” Laurie said  in a Facebook video Monday, referring to North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un.

Last week, President Donald Trump said it is possible the U.S. could have “a major, major conflict with North Korea” if Kim continues with his nuclear ambitions. This year alone, the North Korean regime has launched six missile tests.

And North Korean state-run media claimed last month that the country is prepared to launch a “super-mighty pre-emptive strike” against the U.S. if necessary — a declaration that comes as the Trump administration continues to increase pressure on the Hermit Kingdom.

President Donald Trump told Bloomberg News  on Monday that he’d be “honored” to meet with Kim “under the right circumstances.” White House press secretary Sean Spicer told reporters the North Korean dictator would have to “ratchet down” his provocative behavior before any meeting would take place.

Laurie, who leads a congregation in Riverside, California, said Kim’s threat to launch a nuclear strike against the United States “can’t be dismissed or taken lightly.”

“How does this fit into the prophetic puzzle? Well, in the last days there is no mention of any nation that would resemble North Korea,”  Laurie said, before mentioning Iran, which is present in the biblical end times scenario and could acquire nuclear weaponry from Kim’s regime.

The Harvest Christian Fellowship pastor referred to a recent Breitbart interview with former United Nations Ambassador John Bolton, who suggested that if North Korea develops a nuclear warhead capable of striking the U.S., “Iran could have that capability the next day by writing a check.”

“Here is what concerns me: We do not find the reigning superpower on the face of the earth anywhere in the last days scenario,” Laurie said. “Other nations emerge. So where is America? I pray we are not out of the picture because we have been in some kind of nuclear conflict.”

The California-based evangelist used the issue to encourage Christians of all political stripes to pray for President Trump, regardless of what they might think of him.

“And please,” he instructed, “don’t tell me, ‘Well, he’s not my president. I didn’t vote for him.’ He’s the president of the United States. Pray for him.”

In defending his call to prayer, Laurie cited 1 Timothy 2:1-3, which reads:

I exhort, therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men. For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior.

Laurie went on to say that this week he will be in Washington, D.C., for several White House initiatives centered on Thursday's National Day of Prayer.

“By the way,” he noted, “there’s been no observation in the White House for the National Day of Prayer for the last eight years. But we have one now, and we’re grateful for that.”

The pastor called on all Christians to observe the National Day of Prayer by praying for the United States and for wisdom for Trump.

“We need to be praying for our nation, praying that God gives wisdom to our leaders, that God protects our military, that God helps us to make the right decisions in the days and hours ahead,” Laurie said. “So join me in praying for the United States of America.”