Behold, I set thee a Watchman on the Wall" (Isaiah 62:6)
Middle East High Drama – Bill Koenig
July 17, 2001
SETTING THE MIDDLE EAST STAGE
The failure of the Israeli-Palestinian peace talks a year ago came down to the sovereignty over the Temple Mount and the status of East Jerusalem.
Palestinian Chairman Yasser Arafat was offered 95 percent of what he wanted, but that still wasn’t enough. He also wanted sovereign control over the Temple Mount and the neighboring holy sites in East Jerusalem (the Old City), including the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. He even signed a Vatican-Palestinian Agreement in February of last year, calling for Jerusalem to be an international city for Jews, Muslims and Christians.
At about the same time, Syria’s President Hafez Assad turned down Israel’s offer of the Golan Heights because it did not include a 100-meter strip of land along the eastern shoreline of the Sea of Galilee. Today the Palestinians and the Syrians have very little to show for their efforts, and they will never see again what they had on the table.
In effect, both the Palestinians and the Syrians blew their opportunities, and now they are dealing with the much tougher government of Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. The majority of the people of Israel were tired of the frustrating peace process, and the result was the election of Sharon by a landslide.
In reality, however, the peace process is not about the land. It is about an ancient conflict between two faiths, Judaism and Islam. And the leaders of Islam have used the United Nations, the European Union, and the United States to help them in this scheme to defeat their Zionist enemy.
The Islamic scheme hasn’t worked because the one true God, the Lord Almighty, has had other plans, documented in Holy Scripture thousands of years ago. Those who continue to participate in this diabolic plan of Islam will continue to pay a dear price, eventually paying the ultimate price. The Lord is using these events to bring our times (the church age) to a close, just as has been prophesied in the Bible.
The Muslims call this ongoing conflict a religious war, while the Jews—for the most part—do not. The Muslims want to destroy Israel, while the Jews keep indicating that they are willing to live side by side with their Arab neighbors.
The Muslim radicals hardly trust each other, and they can’t even coexist together. They have a history of fighting each other. However, they apparently can come together in solidarity when the central target is Israel.
To further complicate matters, both the American and European business, political and intelligence leaders continue to concern themselves with the steady flow of oil from the Middle East and its economic importance.
Among them, there also continues to be some strong anti-Semitic feelings. These leaders have for many years, especially the last 20-plus years, had a huge impact on political matters in the Middle East and in bringing Israel to its vulnerability at this time. Unfortunately, the Israeli leaders have played into this charade too.
To put things into further perspective, there were 690 resolutions voted on in the U.N. General Assembly before 1990, with almost two-thirds (429) directed against Israel. Of the 175 UN Security Council resolutions passed before 1990, 97 were directed against Israel. The world and the Muslim nations continue to vote against this tiny (but mighty) little nation of Israel.
The U.S. State Department and intelligence agencies have a pro-Arab history and have had a huge impact on Middle East policy. We have only had one Secretary of State [before Colin Powell] in the last 20 years who was pro-Israel (Alexander Haig), and he was forced out of office because of it.
Even the American presidential administrations have been more pro-Arab because of the oil and the concerns over its steady flow. There has also been no national energy policy, resulting in a lot of questionable dealings with the world supply by both U.S. and British oil companies and OPEC.
Leading with this priority, these two nations have compromised Israel and its existence, both defensively and economically, for many years to appease the oil-producing Middle East nations. The U.S. has given billions in aide to Israel, but they have also armed and aided a few of the Muslim nations. The U.S. is reported to be spending $40 billion a year through direct aide and military personnel to insure the flow of oil out of the Middle East.
The Muslim nations have used their oil leverage in an attempt to weaken and eventually eliminate Israel, but in reality, Israel is very capable of taking care of herself. However, when Israel gets to a point where she is at risk, the Bible says the Lord will powerfully intervene. As I said last week, the Muslim oil-producing nations have the world on their side, and Israel has the Lord on her side.
The bottom line is that the Muslims want Israel’s covenant land and want to destroy the Jews in the process. The Lord isn’t real happy about that, and He will respond at the appropriate time. He has also shown us through "Acts of God" that He doesn’t want the covenant land traded for so-called "peace and security."
PROPHETIC FULFILLMENT OVERTURES
Man (and nations) covet oil and seek economic stability. To gain these objectives, man relies on his own ingenuity and intellect. And yet, the Lord uses these goals and these "skills" to bring about fast-evolving events that are compatible with the prophesied end of the age. This world is now at a very key point in human history.
Although, as believers, we might be disappointed and even angered by the world’s super-brokers and their clandestine and covert intelligence efforts on behalf of the Middle East oil companies and producers at the risk of Israel, the Lord is using these activities to expose the world’s scheme against Israel, to bring the prophetic nature of our times to a soon completion, and to evangelize more people to Him in the process.
The situation in the Middle East is at a very serious stage. Many prophecy watchers believe that, as the Bible forecasts in Daniel 9:27, the world is nearing the time for a peace "covenant with many for one seven (year period)," but it will only last for half that time.
At the same time, it is not difficult for any prophecy student to discern also that the world is moving towards the fulfillment of key Biblical "end-time" scenarios. These would be the world’s final Middle East battles:
Those spoken of in Isaiah, chapters 17 and 19, having to do with the devastation of Damascus, Syria and Egypt by Israel. The Gog and Magog War of Ezekiel, chapters 38 and 39, having to do with the Russian and Islamic invasion of Israel in which they are defeated by Israel through the Lord’s help. And the final battle, the Battle of Armageddon, where the world’s armies come against Jerusalem as mentioned in Joel 3:1-3 and Revelation 16:16.
The Lord said through Zechariah 12:9 (KJV), "And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem."
WHO ARE (OR HAVE BEEN) THE PLAYERS?
Listed below are the main Middle East power brokers: This is a remarkable list of the world’s most powerful leaders, and they are Israeli, Arabs, Americans, Europeans, and United Nations participants. Yes, it is astounding that all these people have been involved in the "peace and security" talks of a tiny Middle East nation.
ISRAEL’S LEADERS
MUSLIM LEADERS
COUNCIL ON FOREIGN RELATIONS (CFR) MEMBERS
Click here for the CFR web site: http://www.cfr.org/p/
EUROPEAN UNION
UNITED NATIONS SECRETARIES GENERAL
MIDDLE EAST SHORT TAKES OCCUPIED BY WHOM?
In an Agence France Presse (AFP) article, it was stated that U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for the Near East, William Burns, said that Washington wanted "to break the cycle of violence" so as to re-launch the peace process between Palestinians and Israelis.
He also emphasized the commitment of the U.S. Administration toward a return to the peace process on the basis of U.N. Security Council resolutions 242 and 338, requiring Israel to give up "occupied" territory and espousing the principle of trading land for peace. With friends like the U.N. and the United States, who needs enemies? What is meant by occupied?" It is Israel’s land.
AMERICAN - EUROPEAN HARMONIZATION?
"I think the Mitchell report is an American-European product." Israeli Foreign Minister Shimon Peres said. "There is harmonization, and God bless the harmonization. I think that as long as they work together, the better it will be. What unites them is the fight against terror; what may break this is if we shall begin to de-legitimize Arafat."
"For us, the harmonization of Europe and America is more important than to break it in order to single out Arafat." He said de-legitimizing Arafat would destroy the harmony, since there are some European countries which do not accept that Arafat is a terrorist.
Peres said the Israeli public is mistaken if it thinks that the problem is Arafat, and that the problem would be solved if he would suddenly disappear.
PROUD OF HIS WORK?
Jewish and Arab businessmen were proud of their efforts in the planning behind the scenes of the Oslo Accords. I know because I met with a prominent Jewish businessman in Dallas. He proudly shared with me pictures of his Arab and Jewish counterparts along with Yasser Arafat.
This man really believed there would finally be lasting peace in Israel. Talk about wishful thinking! It has been a total failure, and worse yet: it has put Israel at great risk. It is remarkable how many people have been involved, at many levels, all over a small amount of land in Israel.
Unfortunately, the radical Muslims, who took control once the peace talks began, caught this very nice and honorable man, a conservative Jew, off guard. It wasn’t the diplomats in charge; it has been the terrorists. In addition, this man is not aware that the land they were dealing with was the land that God gave to Israel, and that it was not to be given for peace and security. He certainly wasn’t aware of the importance of the Abrahamic Covenant.
However, all of this hasn’t surprised those who are prophetically tuned into the significance of what has happened in Israel the last ten years. As much as we have hated to see what has transpired, along with the U.S. role, there shouldn’t be any surprises because this has all been prophesied in our Bible.
A MATTER OF PRIORITY
The Council on Foreign Relations (CFR), its leaders and policy makers at the State Department and the White House and at the United Nations, has been the policy-maker in the Middle East rather than the Word of God.
The CFR’s plan has been to bring world peace and to insure the steady flow of oil for the world’s economy. They could have referred to the Word of God for His direction, but of course they haven’t, and thus they have brought the current scenario to a potentially cataclysmic point.
The CFR has mistakenly relied on man and not on the Lord to handle the Middle East problem. The CFR has also totally misread (or been in total denial) about the desires of the radical Muslims, who call for the destruction of Israel and its people.
LAND GIVEAWAY CONFIRMATION
The Israeli settlers have become pawns in this "peace game," and as John McTernan showed us in "God’s Final Warning to America," that makes the Lord very mad.
During the week of October 11, Jewish settlers on 15 West Bank hilltops in Israel were evicted. The settlers resisted this eviction and the confrontation was reported in the national media throughout the week. Remember, President Clinton was the power behind Israel’s giving land for peace.
On October 16, the New York Times ran a front-page article about this confrontation titled, "On the West Bank, a Mellow View of Eviction." What is amazing, also on the same front page was an article titled, "Big Sell-Off Caps Dow’s Worst Week Since October ‘89." During the week, the market lost 5.7 percent, and it was the worst week since October 1989.
While Israel was forcing settlers off the covenant land, the stock market was melting down. On October 15, the market lost 266 points! Also on October 15, Hurricane Irene hit North Carolina, and on the morning of the 16th, a powerful 7.1 earthquake rocked the Southwest. (Read Ezekiel 11:17).
THE MAIN PLOT: U.S.-ISRAEL CONNECTION
In John McTernan’s book, "God’s Final Warning to America," the author noted that the United States held its presidential election on November 7. The election resulted in total political chaos as neither candidate was declared a winner. The State of Florida hung in the balance to determine who would be elected president.
The election dragged on and on until the Florida results went to the United States Supreme Court. On December 12, the court ruled and George W. Bush was declared the winner. From November 7, until December 12, the U.S. government was in chaos. There was no elected government.
The Israeli government was de-stabilized by the direct actions of former President Bill Clinton. At almost the exact time that the Israeli government was in chaos, the U.S. government was de-stabilized and in chaos. On December 9, the election was set in Israel, and a few days later the U.S. election was settled.
Both governments were in chaos at nearly the exact time! What was happening to the Israeli government, was happening at the same time to the U.S. Government. The country that was responsible for de-stabilizing Israel was itself de-stabilized at the very same time.
While the United States presidential election was in total chaos from the worst crisis in over 100 years, President Clinton invited Yasser Arafat to Washington to try and re-start the peace talks, which had completely broken down after the Camp David "summit" in July and the intifada, which started in September.
Arafat arrived in Washington on November 9, just two days after the election, while the voting results were in doubt and the process was melting down! On November 9, the media headlines were shared by the election crisis and the Arafat meeting with Clinton!
SUB-PLOT: PRESIDENT VISITS POPE
National Security Advisor Condoleeza Rice offered the following information on President Bush’s trip to Europe at a White House Press Conference on Friday, July 13. The information had to do with President Bush’s visit to Britain, Italy for the Genoa G-8 conference, and a scheduled meeting with Pope John Paul II.
Tensions are certainly increasing in Israel, and I am curious what the Pope will tell President Bush about that situation. I am sure it will be something along the line of what the Pope said in Damascus, Syria, on May 6. As a reminder, he called for lasting peace in the Middle East and for all parties to fulfill the U.N. Resolutions and the Geneva Convention.
Ms. Rice said, "At the Vatican, the President is looking forward to his meeting, for the first time, with Pope John Paul II, one of the great thinkers, moral and religious leaders of our time. You should also know that the Vatican and the United States have a close dialogue on international issues of common interest."
She continued. "The U.S. values, in particular, the Vatican’s significant contributions to international peace and human rights. The U.S. and the Holy See share many common views and consult regularly about issues of religious freedom."
CLUE: FLAWED POLICIES
It is a sad irony that many in America believe that the U.S. has stood by Israel. In reality, this nation has led them to the edge of the abyss, though the flawed policies of the Reagan, Bush (the elder), and Clinton Administrations.
The State Department and the White House’s past policies have been designed to protect the flow of Middle East oil. This is the same concern that President George W. Bush has. Regardless of the intentions, bad or good, the American policies have put the "apple of God’s eye" in harm’s way.
The United States has put a noose around Israel’s neck by sponsoring, or co-sponsoring, Madrid, Oslo, Wye, Tenet, and the Mitchell plans. Yet the U.S. thinks we are standing by Israel. The United States’ misguided Middle Eastern policy has been designed around protecting the flow of oil from that region. And Israel has been used as insurance, through a presence there, to keep a foothold in the region. It has also cost the U.S. taxpayers billion of dollars in aide to our so-called Arab "allies" who have all sided against Israel since her independence in 1948. But then again, as I mentioned above, the oil issue has moved prophetic matters to a closer fulfillment. In other words, God’s is in control, and His plans play out to perfection.
CONFRONTING THE MIDDLE EAST REALITY
The United States has prospered in the past, in spite of our social condition, because this nation has been there to protect Israel, and because of our Christian heritage. However, if United States policy causes Israel to go to war, will the same happen to the United States? If the United States had been unconditionally in favor of Israel all along, so that if anybody attacked her, we would respond, the country would be in a better position right now. The USA also would have developed a national energy program which was not reliant on the unpredictable Muslim nations.
But then again, God’s Word, the Bible, has foretold all these current events, leading our world to the completion of the church age and the coming reign of Jesus Christ. Even the church today, struggling with the apostasy prophesied in the same Holy Bible they purport to follow, falls under the shadow.
Most Catholics, Methodists, Presbyterians, Episcopalians, and other denominations believe the church has replaced Israel, and they don’t understand the importance of Israel. They casually regard the Bible as a book and not the active Word of God. Even the Reform and Conservative Jews who have been involved in the peace talks have stepped in, trying to come up with a deal in the pursuit of peace and security to make life better in Israel. They tried to use the land (God’s land) and not the Lord to help resolve the problem.
The radical Muslim leaders have called upon and used the peacemakers of the United Nations and the United States. These are the same Muslims who want to destroy the nation of Israel and drive its people into the Mediterranean.
This American administration has been warned about not participating in the Israeli land giveaway through letters, books, and other published material. Unfortunately, attitudes and commitments have come so far that it isn’t easy to turn back. If the U.S. did change direction, it would greatly complicate political matters, but it would be a courageous, faith-led decision. Unfortunately, it doesn’t appear likely.
Additionally, the Arafat administration of the Palestine Liberation Organization has studied the work of Dr. Joseph Goebbels, Hitler’s propaganda mastermind in Nazi Germany. He hated Jews. His method was to stir something up, blame it on the Jews, and then call for martial law.
Arafat follows a similar "modus operandi;" he starts the violent intifada, blames it on the Jews, and then calls for United Nations peacekeepers. The whole world, except the United States, now seems to be in favor of U.N. peacekeepers.
FINALE: ISRAEL IS GOD’S NATION
Israel has her shortcomings, just like other nations of the world, but the Lord will not allow her to be sacrificed or put at risk without responding forcefully. He has certainly given the United States many warnings on the same day Israel was pushed to give up its land by three different Presidential Administrations in the last ten years.
Should the American church go unpunished for its replacement theology, naiveté, apostasy, and apathy towards Israel? Putting the Middle East process into perspective, let’s review the church background of a few of the following peace participants.
Here is the current problem. These leaders don’t know of the importance of Israel in God’s plan or the reality of an active, supernatural Lord in their own lives. Instead, they rely on their intelligence and idealism to solve problems in a fallen world. All these people are good and decent people, but they are not aware of the Abrahamic Covenant, which makes it clear that God’s land is not to be given away or compromised for peace and security.
It is obvious who has had the clout in the affairs of the Middle East. I listed many of them above. These are the people—American, Europeans, Israelis and Muslim leaders—who have shoved Israel to the brink of war whether they were aware of it or not.
And whether they know it or not, there will be a huge price to be paid and consequence—not only for the United States, but for the countries in the United Nations who have placed Israel in harm’s way. These are the countries who have approved 429 resolutions (out of 690) against Israel before 1990.
However, their actions are prime examples in today’s world that these people are not aware with whom they are dealing, Apparently, they will soon find out, and He will respond accordingly.
LINKS TO MIDDLE EAST UN RESOLUTIONS AND PEACE COVENANTS
CREDITS:
United Nations Resolution 242 – November 22, 1967
http://www.yale.edu/lawweb/avalon/un/un242.htmUnited Nations Resolution 338 – November 22, 1967
http://www.yale.edu/lawweb/avalon/un/un338.htmRemarks at the Opening Session of the Middle East Peace Conference in Madrid, Spain – President George H.W. Bush - October 30, 1991 -
http://bushlibrary.tamu.edu/papers/1991/91103000.htmlOslo 1: Declaration of Principles on Interim Self-Government Arrangements - September 13, 1993 -
http://www.israel.org/mfa/go.asp?MFAH00q00Olso 2: Treaty Of Peace Between The State Of Israel And The Hashemite Kingdom Of Jordan October 26, 1994 -
http://www.israel.org/mfa/go.asp?MFAH00pa0Wye River Memorandum – October 23, 1998
http://www.state.gov/www/regions/nea/981023_interim_agmt.htmlThe Mitchell Report On Israeli-Palestinian Violence – April 30, 2001 --
http://www2.haaretz.co.il/breaking-news/kuku/362927.htm
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05/02/2001 - Ezekiel 38, Abortion, and Judgement on America - Part 1
05/07/2001 - Ezekiel 38, Abortion, and Judgement on America - Part 2
Spirit-Led Prayer - Part 1
A Prayer for America
What in Heaven is Happening to America - Part 1
What in Heaven is Happening to America - Part 2
What in Heaven is Happening to America - Part 3
The Invasion of Israel - Part 1
The Invasion of Israel - Part 2
The Invasion of Israel - Part 3
The Invasion of Israel - Part 4
The Invasion of Israel - Part 5
The Invasion of Israel - Part 6
The Invasion of Israel - Part 7
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