Prophecy and Current Events

As I see it, "When They Say Peace and Safety, then sudden destruction shall come upon them."

This is a relatively long report that will probably be a little hard to follow unless you have studied the Ezekiel 38 invasion (You may reference this material by following the links at the end of this article.) I have gathered together a number of news accounts from various sources in an attempt to show you God's hand in the positioning of nations and world events on the stage of world history moving us closer to the Ezekiel 38 invasion of Israel and the ultimate Battle of Armageddon. Take note of the Power alignments between Israel's current and future enemies and ask yourself; How long O' Lord?

Netanyahu is out; Barak is in; and Ezekiel 38 may be one step closer. If you have read the Ezekiel 38 analysis on this web site, you are also aware that when Israel is attacked, the United States may be also be attacked. It should be no surprise to anyone that America is on "borrowed" time. America, the land of the free and the brave, has now spilled the blood of over 40 million aborted babies and their blood is now crying out to God for justice.

America, a country founded on Biblical principals, has virtually erased God from every tenet of secular society; America, a country that is now so morally corrupt, that it approves of infidelity at the highest levels of command; America has been a blessing to Israel, but have we begun to turn away, finding ourselves on the road to becoming a curse and thereby inviting the wrath of God? (Gen 12:3) One can't help but be struck with the overt absence of references to America in the Book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ.

What role did the Clinton Administration play, if any, in Netanyahu's defeat and how does it relate to Genesis 12:3? Let's examine that role. David Bar-Illan, Director of Communications and Policy Planning in Prime Minister Netanyahu's Office, accused the Clinton Administration of waging an unyielding and well-orchestrated campaign against the re-election of Binyamin Netanyahu.

According to Illan, Clinton-supporters Daniel Abraham and Lawrence Tisch were reported to be heavy givers to an extremely heavy anti-Netanyahu campaign which caused the Likud party to lodge a complaint with the police about "conspicuous violation of campaign laws", but the press virtually ignored the story. In addition the Israeli press carried out a relentless campaign against Netanyahu; 90% of all opinion columns opposed him.

Then there was the co-incidental criminal investigations launched against Foreign Minister Sharon, Justice Minister Hanegbi, and the former Dir.-Gen. of Netanyahu's office Avigdor Lieberman. Which hurt Netanyahu's campaign.

Back in the U.S., senators and Jewish leaders are concerned over Clinton's waiver of legislation authorizing the relocation of the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem on the basis of all things, national security. The United States has diplomatic relations with nearly 200 countries, but only in Israel does the U.S. maintain an embassy in a location other than the capital.

The message is clear; if Israel does not "play ball" with the United States, it faces lack of support from the U.S. at a time when Israel is surrounded by its traditional enemies. However, this is not the message being received by Israel's enemies; which is a U.S. waning of support for its greatest ally in the Middle East.

Clinton is putting heavy pressure to get a peace agreement before the end of his presidential. This would be a foreign affairs triumph for his administration that has long been criticized for its ineptitude in foreign affairs. But at what cost to America will this be achieved?

The peace plans are grinding along and Barak has indicated that his government's top priority would be to revitalize peace talks. ``I intend to strengthen the security of the state of Israel with a major effort to bring an end to the dispute with the Arabs" But there are problems.

The Wye accord, signed in Washington last October, requires Israel to hand over another 13 percent of West bank land to the Palestinian Authority in return for tough Palestinian security measures against militants opposed to peace. The United States has said the Palestinians have fulfilled most of their commitments (this is a major stretch of the truth) and has called on Barak to implement Israel's side of the Agreement. Internally, the "Land for Peace" crowd is still at work. Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, the spiritual leader of the ultra-Orthodox Sephardic Shas Party (which gained seats in this last election), has indicated his party's willingness to accept an Israeli withdrawal from the Golan Heights in exchange for a peace treaty.

However, Golan Regional Council Head Yehudah Volman has contacted the Likud party, copying Ehud Barak, asking that The Israeli government treat the Golan Heights as an area of great security, settlement, and national importance.

Jerusalem continues to be the stumbling block in peace negotiations - the so-called "final status talks." The general feeling is while Barak will insist on Jerusalem remaining united under Israeli sovereignty, he will allow a form of "municipal sovereignty" for Palestinians in the city, while handing control of the Moslem holy sites to Jordan's King Abdullah II.

"We support Syria in retrieving its rights and the Golan Heights, or any occupied Arab land. Furthermore, we and the Syrians want more than that; we want the retrieval of all of Palestine and Jerusalem." He said he expected that the parties would resume negotiations "soon" and that there would be "great achievements before the American President engages in the 2000 elections, because Clinton will exercise pressure to reach a peace agreement." It should be noted that Clinton is dealing with the "Apple of God's eye."

Answering another question, the Iranian Ambassador said, "the positive Syrian signals aim, among other things, at evading American pressure, due to the momentum that Barak brought with him, as a so-called man of peace." He also stated that Israeli withdrawal from Southern Lebanon "means an admission of two defeats: the first, is a military defeat, caused by the operations of the Islamic Resistance [i.e. Hizbullah]; the second, is an admission of a political defeat, because Israel is forced to withdraw from the Golan as a result of its casualties in Southern Lebanon."

Regarding the post peace agreement future of Hizbullah, the Iranian Ambassador to Syria said that Hizbullah, "has several roles: military, political, and security. Achieving a peace settlement - rather than peace - means that Hizbullah would continue to play a political role in Lebanon. More important than that, Hizbullah will activate its security and intelligence capabilities, otherwise, why would its leadership expend all of its efforts and resources to increase these capabilities?"

Ambassador Sheik Al-Islam was asked whether Hizbullah would stop its operations according to Barak's request "to build up trust for withdrawal from South Lebanon."

His answer was: "the relevant parties--Syria, Lebanon, and Iran--are smarter and to experienced to do that, because continuing the operations will pressure Israel to withdraw. I expect the operations to continue after the resumption of the peace talks."

Saddam Hussein also will not give up his fight against Israel until the Jews leave the region or live as citizens under a Palestinian Arab state. "Palestine is Arab. The Zionists must depart from it. Jews who want to live with its (Palestine's) people have a right as citizens of one country. ... If they do not, every emigrant should go back to where he has come from," Saddam said in a televised speech. He noted that Egypt and Jordan already have peace treaties with the Jewish state and indicated that extending a hand of friendship toward Israel while it occupies Jerusalem - a city holy to Muslims, Jews and Christians - would be un-Islamic. "Is it possible for anyone who acquiesces and concedes occupation by the Zionists and al-Quds (Jerusalem) being under the Zionist occupation or captivity to be called a faithful believer and to believe his prayers would be received by God?" he asked.

It is clear that nothing will change the Arab and radical Muslim will to erase Israel from the stage of world history.

Will the policies of the Clinton administration (and Bush's before it) of unrelenting pressure on Israel, provoke another war? Wll the weakened U.S.

military come to Israel's aid? If we didn't send ground troops into Kosovo to stop the slaughter of hundreds of thousands until it was too late, where will we acquire the will to intervene on the ground to save Jews? The United States turned away from the Jews once before in this century. To repeat that error would may be the sin that brings final judgement on a country that is already on borrowed time.

It is my prophetic sense that when the Ezekiel 38 invasion of Israel occurs and America does not come to Israel's aid, that this will be a death knell to America. We already seeing the early signs of America moving away from Israel.

The PLO continues to try to undermine Israel's right to exist. The latest tactic now being employed by the Palestinians is the resurrection the original 1947 U.N. proposal to partition "Palestine," allowing Jews and Palestinians to live side by side.

The1947 U.N. resolution dividing Palestine into a Jewish and an Arab state remains the basis for negotiations with Israel said a senior Palestinian official. Resolution 181 slices into territory now internationally recognized as Israel, including major cities. Israel of course rejects 181 as nullified by subsequent events. However, Saeb Erekat, Arafat's top negotiator, said U.N. resolutions 242 and 338 - calling on Israel to concede territory captured in the 1967 Mideast war and implicitly recognizing Israel's 1949 borders - still hold, but "this should not undermine 181, especially in provisions calling for a two state solution."

In 1947, it might have worked, but it was rejected by the Palestinian side, which began a war against Israel that has never stopped. Palestine Liberation Organization leader Yasser Arafat senses this fraudulent diplomatic ploy might be another means by which he can seize land for his ultimate and never-changing objective: the total destruction of Israel.

America's continued move away from Israel can be seen, in a small way, in US Commerce Secretary William Daley recent of a new U.S. Palestinian Business Advisory Group including 10 Americans and 10 Palestinians, which will be charged with recommending how to promote trade and

reduce trade barriers.

Israeli Prime Minister elected Ehud Barak recently indicated that "Israel has to exert a greater effort in order to reach a peace agreement with Syria, if a comprehensive end to decades of conflict in the Middle East are to be closed." He also recognized the lynch pin in any negotiations with Syria -- the Golan heights

However, Syrian Foreign Minister Farouk al-Sharaa recently asserted during his meeting with Finnish Foreign Minister Tarja Halonen that Damascus will demand from Israel one third of the lands it occupied between the years 1948 and 1967 if Israel continues to raise the question of the Golan's borders.

Israel continues to warn Syria regarding continued Hizbullah attacks against Israel's northern border communities which are compicating the peace process with Syria.

The Syrian President has recently returned from Russia, his first visit there since the fall of the Soviet Union eight years ago. It is thought that Syria would like to involve Russia in the Mideast peace process, Syria also needs new weapons, and to discuss the $12 billion debt owed to Russia.

After the meeting both men agreed that Russia should play a significant role in resolving the Middle East conflict, and called for "a

multipolar world order in which no nation can dictate terms to the rest of the world." Yeltsin said that Russia supports a resumption of the negotiations between Israel and Syria

President Bill Clinton called upon Prime Minister Ehud Barak to make the renewing of talks with the PLO Authority (PA) a top priority of his new government and called for the "vigorous pursuit" of peace in the Middle East.

The leaders of the US, Canada, Japan, Germany, France, Britain, Italy, and Russia, said in a statement at the conclusion of their summit that honoring the rights of all sides concerned is but decisive element in finding a peaceful solution that avails the Palestinians to live as free people on their own territories. Of course, from the Palestinian viewpoint, what is considered "their own territories" is all of Israel and hence the G8 has started to turn against Israel, just as the Bible said they would, in spite of Israel being the only pro-democracy friend of the West in the Middle East.

Mubarak (Egypt) called for a suspension of Israeli settlements on the West Bank and in Gaza, where the Palestinians envision having a state, and sharply criticized Israel for retaliating to a Hezbollah rocket attack by bombing southern Lebanon. ``Such actions only poison the atmosphere in the region,'' he said at a joint news conference with Clinton. ``They create an erosion of the people's confidence in the process at a time when we are working hard to encourage the parties to take confidence-building measures.''

In a White House press conference on July 1, 1999 with Egyptian President Mubarak, Bill Clinton said: "I would like it if the Palestinian people felt free and more free to live wherever they like, wherever they want to live. The subtle and not so subtle turn away from Israel is easily discerned.

Movement over the past year in the long-frozen relations between the U.S. and Iran has Israelis worried, however, that they could be the last voice left damning Iran when others, including the American one, die down. In previous discussions with U.S.

The French ambassador to Lebanon, Daniel Juano, has asserted his

country's backing for Israel's comprehensive and complete withdrawal from south Lebanon in implementation of UN resolution 425.

Turkey said it would welcome renewed peacemaking between regional neighbors Israel and Syria despite its own grievances with Damascus.

Turkish President Suleyman Demirel made the remark after meeting Prime Minister Ehud Barak and President Ezer Weizman on the first day of an official visit to Israel.

The timing of his visit, just one week after Barak took office, underscored the importance that mainly Muslim but secular Turkey and Israel attach to their bilateral ties.

``If you are talking about a third country such as Syria, Syria is not our enemy, (it is) our neighbor. If Israel settles the problem with Syria, we'll be very happy,'' Demirel told reporters at news conference with Weizman in Jerusalem. Analysts have said Turkey, whose relations with Israel have blossomed in recent years, was uneasy about Israeli-Syrian peace talks, fearing an accord would harm Turkish interests. Barak, who met Demirel early Wednesday, said the fact that the Turkish president was the first foreign leader to visit since Israel's new government was formed last week ``symbolizes the close relations between the two countries.'' Israel and Turkey signed a military pact in 1996 that reversed years of frosty ties.

Barak said while he considered the United States to be a major partner in peacemaking, it should stop acting as "abitrator, policeman and judge. I don't think the CIA should be involved in counting the number of policemen in the Gaza Strip to check up on the Palestinians," Barak, a former army chief, told the Times. He said redefining the U.S. role was one objective for his meetings with President Clinton. On Jul 17,1999, Israeli television said that Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak and U.S. President Bill Clinton agreed on November 2000 as an ultimate date to reach final peace agreements with Syria, Lebanon and Palestine. Israel's channel 2 said that Barak informed Clinton that he could reach peace with Syria within a year.

Israeli sources said that Barak told Clinton he would undertake implementation of the agreements signed between Israel and the Arab states and that the Israel forces' withdrawal from south Lebanon will not take place except in the framework of a comprehensive peace agreement with Syria.

Russian President Boris Yeltsin told Prime Minister Ehud Barak on Monday that the Oslo process with the PLO Authority (PA) was moving along too slowly. Mr. Yeltsin told the visiting prime minister that he and his government would be willing to assist in advancing the process. Mr. Barak spoke to the Russian leader during his one-day visit dealing with many issues, including the recent increase in anti-Semitic attacks, Russian aid to Iran and Syria as well as the ongoing Oslo process with the PA.

Despite no reported progress in the investigations into recent synagogue bombings and a stabbing attack against a local Jewish leader, President Yeltsin promised Barak to take action to curtail the racist attacks. "The acquisition of nuclear weapons by any country, including Iran," is not in Russia's interest, Prime Minister Sergei Stepashin said following his meeting with Barak. "If there are any fears or suspicions that know-how ...is leaking from Russia, Moscow is ready to discus these issues," Stepashin added.

Russia is maintaining close ties with Iran and Syria, reportedly providing them with technological assistance as well as weapons deals. Israel, assisted by the United States, is working to run interference and stop any deals, which would significantly shift the balance of military power in the region.

Lebanon says Israeli withdrawal must be complete, unconditional

Clearly the stage is being set that is mentioned by Zechariah -- that the whole world will be against Israel and Jerusalem is the stumbling block as Barak is expected to continue to resist a return to 1967 boarders, and to uphold a no compromise on Jerusalem as Israel's capital under the Israeli flag. It is also felt that Barak will continue to insist on a significant Israeli military presence west of the Jordan river, and will only be willing to give up those settlements whose size and location make them totally non-viable.

On July 11,1999, Barak met today with PA Chairman Yasser Arafat. He told Arafat of his intent to combat terror "more diligently than did Binyamin Netanyahu." Barak also presented to Arafat a proposal to combine the Wye withdrawals with the "final status" talks. Later, the two leaders held a joint press conference, where each delivered a short speech and fielded reporters' questions. "Our primary objective today was to establish a basis of mutual trust, so crucial to the possibility of any future agreements," Barak said. "Both sides have suffered enough." Barak then stressed that Israel's security would not be compromised:

Ehud said: "I spent all of my life in the army, and I am therefore committed to the security of the State of Israel. Labor MK Sneh rejected implications that Clinton could "toy" with Barak: "The Americans know that nobody has the ability to budge the Prime Minister in all matters relating to the security of Israel."

1TH 5:3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.

Under the accord signed in October (WYE) , the Palestinians were to assume full or partial control of 40 percent of the West Bank before heading into talks on a permanent peace agreement with Israel. Netanyahu halted the three-stage troop withdrawal after the first phase, charging that the Palestinians were not keeping their promise to crack down on Islamic militants. "Clearly implementation of Wye should begin so they (the Palestinians) will see that something has changed, and that we are determined to move and not just to speak," Barak told The New York Times. "But full implementation now is too risky. It would reduce our chances of achieving permanent peace."

Barak apparently wants to resume talks with the Palestinians on a permanent peace agreement after the second Wye troop pullback. Arafat's reaction has been ambiguous. After meeting with Barak , Arafat said at one point that he expected Wye to be implemented in full before final status talks could begin, but then seemed to leave open the possibility of partial implementation. Barak said regardless of progress in the final status talks, he would eventually set a date for a third pullback. He told The Washington Post that he hoped to complete the withdrawal by the end of the year. The Wye agreement gave the United States an unprecedented role in monitoring implementation - a result of the deep distrust between the PA and the Netanyahu government. The Clinton administration only reluctantly stepped up its involvement.

Will the United States betray that trust and turn its back on Israel?

On October 1, Lebanese President Emile Lahoud said yesterday in a letter to the Lebanese army on the occasion of Army Day that Lebanese soldiers should be in a state of exceptional alert to be ready for coming regional developments, the Lebanon National News Agency said. Lahoud said that Lebanon opposes conditional withdrawal of Israeli occupation troops from south Lebanon, adding that if Lebanon had agreed to conditions, Lebanese absorption of refugees would have been one of the conditions called for by Israel. He also reiterated committment to the unity of the Syrian and Lebanese peace tracks, NNA said.

Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Moussa has emphasized the importance of the European role in fulfilling the Middle East peace process, adding that this topic will be tackled during discussions between President Mubarak and Finnish Foreign Minister Tarja Halonen who the European Union's envoy for the Middle East peace process. Miguel Moratinos. Moussa added that he would hold talks with his Finnish counterpart, whose country is the current president of the EU, addressing the activation of the European role in the revitalization of peace.

Moussa said his talks with Halonen would also tackle the Egyptian - European partnership, and Euro - Mediterranean cooperation in light of the Barcelona process. The Finnish minister's visit to Egypt will be a part of tour that will take her to Israel,Syria, Palestine, Jordan and Lebanon.

Within the framework of continued consultation and coordination between Palestinian President Yasser Arafat and Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, Mubarak received Arafat in the coastal city of Alexandria to relaunch the Mideast peace process. Senior Palestinian official Nabil Abu Redina said yesterday that the talks between Mubarak and Arafat were to tackle the efforts to carry out the transitional agreements between the Palestinians and Israelis, including the Wye River accord, in light of the talks held between Arafat and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak last Tuesday, and Mubarak and Barak's talks on last Thursday in Alexandria. It's not Wye, it's Oslo

However, one "no" from Yasser Arafat was enough for Ehud Barak to dispense with the diplomatic niceties and reveal what he really thinks about the Oslo process. The prime minister believes Oslo was a bad agreement, drafted in negligence, which will only perpetuate the conflict under terms more beneficial to the Palestinians. He disliked the deal with Arafat from the very beginning. As IDF chief of staff, Barak warned of the "difficult and complicated defense situation" that the Oslo agreement would create on the ground. As a minister in the government of Yitzhak Rabin, he refrained from voting on the second Oslo accord because of his opposition to the phased withdrawal plan. Barak believed Israel would be giving up territorial bargaining cards in return for vague Palestinian promises to behave in the future. This week, as prime minister, he said virtually the same thing.

The Oslo agreement provides for an Israeli withdrawal from most of the West Bank, in stages, even before a permanent-status agreement is reached, and with no direct recompense from the Palestinians. Shimon Peres believed that giving up territory would change the relationship between Israel and the Palestinians in such a way that negotiations on the thorny issues - permanent borders, the settlements, Jerusalem, refugees - would be much easier. Benjamin Netanyahu and Ehud Barak, united in their opposition to the Peres view, tried to use delays in the withdrawals as a bargaining chip. Netanyahu insisted that the Palestinians wage war on terrorism and cancel the covenant that called for Israel's destruction. Barak is trying to squeeze a diplomatic concession out of the Palestinians and to force them to sign a permanent-status agreement that will be favorable to Israel.

Barak's demands are much more far-reaching, it turns out, than Netanyahu's petty insistences - like the former prime minister's complaints of discrimination against homosexuals in the Palestinian Authority.

Within six months, Barak wants Arafat to commit to leaving intact settlement blocs in the West Bank, to concede that Jerusalem will not be the capital of Palestine and to give up the fight for a right of return for Palestinian refugees. In other words, Barak wants Arafat to give up the Palestinian national ethos. In return, Arafat is to receive Israeli recognition of an independent Palestinian state, a slightly more generous withdrawal package than the Likud was offering, a long bridge between Hebron and Gaza and generous economic support.

Barak has gone from one world leader to the next trying to sell a tempting offer. Give me backing, Barak has been saying, and I'll take the Iraeli-Palestinian conflict off your agenda. Barak's interlocutors were delighted to see Netanyahu leave the stage and greeted his successor ecstatically. But that is a long way from withdrawing the international support that is Arafat's strongest card.

Barak's proposal for altering the Wye agreement violates a cardinal principle of international relations - that agreements, once signed, must be honored. Israeli opponents of the peace process always claimed that Jerusalem could not sign agreements with Arab leaders, dictators who did not necessarily represent their constituents, because their successors were liable to toss the agreements out the window. Reality proved that argument a canard. Israel signed peace accords with Anwar Sadat and King Hussein; today, the successors to both dead leaders have kept the peace intact. Whereas in Israel, every elected government tries to fix up the agreements signed by its predecessor. In the next few weeks, Barak is going to have to find his way down from the tree he has climbed. Even if he does, the deep divide recently revealed between him and Arafat will remain.

Adding to Israel's woes is severe drought that has caused the water to be turned off in some place. Water is becoming a major political consideration in the middle East and one that could lead to conflict.

The bottom line is that the stage is being set for both the Ezekiel 38 invasion of Israel and the eventual Battle of Armageddon. The Ezekiel 38 invasion of Israel may be very close -- and in concert with it, the destruction of America; if America will not repent and/or will not bless Israel. America is already over ripe for judgement and if America fails to help Israel when the invasion occurs, we will be most likely be judged based on Genesis 12:3.

Look up for your redemption is at hand.

Of prophetic significance is the fact that several of the theories locate the Jewish Temple at a site that would allow it to be rebuilt, albeit without the Outer Court (which would overlap the Dome of the Rock). Remember that John, in his vision (Rev 11:1-2), was told to measure the Temple, but not the Outer Court, which was to be given back to the heathens. The Dome of the Rock has an inscription around the outside of the dome, stating that ``God was not begotten and neither does He beget.'' This is certainly a disavowal of Jesus Christ as the Son of God.

In this scenario, the outer court will have been given back to the heathens.

Is the Temple going to be rebuilt? According to the Bible, it will be. (Matthew 24:15, Revelation 11:1-2 and 2 Thes 2:4) Preparation of the implements necessary for Temple worship are nearly completed. The Jews have fashioned the solid-gold Menorah, the bronze implements required for handling the sacrifices, and have computerized looms on which to weave the seamless linen worn by the priests. Over 200 priests from the tribe of Levi have now been trained to serve in the Temple.

Those stumbling blocks -- which a few years ago seemed insurmountable -- are falling by the wayside, as God executes His time-table for the redemption of the world. For example, the royal blue dye required for the garments of Temple worship came from a certain marine snail that was thought to be extinct. A few years ago, this snail suddenly re-appeared in the Red Sea. Also, the ashes of an unblemished red heifer are required to cleanse the priests. The existence of these animals was questionable, but after searching the world, embryos were finally found in Europe and transplanted into cows on an Israeli cattle ranch. The herd now numbers 500. Things are indeed heating up. Not only do we have the peace treaty of Daniel 9:27 in view, but we also have the physical Temple preparations nearly completed. Everything is coming into alignment. Although it is evident that the various players in the peace process all have hidden agendas, nonetheless we are moving toward peace (be it a short-lived one) in the Middle East.

And, finally, the Jewish people are no longer looking for the Messiah of the Bible. The average Jew, when asked how they will recognize the Messiah, will say that it will be the person who brings peace and will allow the Temple to be rebuilt. This person will be the false christ, the Anti-Christ that will be accepted by the Jews as the Messiah. There will be a temporary peace in the Middle East. But the Bible says that when the Jews cry ``peace and safety'', ``then sudden destruction will come upon them.'' (1 Thes 5:3)

Syria continues as a wild card in the peace process. Syria backed out of the original Madrid peace process that led to the PLO accord, but President Clinton is wooing Syria as he wooed Jordan by giving them a 950 million dollar credit, canceling their debt to the United States. There are clearly powerful forces in play to accomplish this peace in the Middle East.

However, tensions with Syria are getting worse. On August 16, 1999 it was reported that Syria, with the help of North Korea, has constructed a network of five tunnels throughout the country to conceal its nuclear weapons program and its arsenal of ballistic missiles (SCUD-500 Kilometer range and capable of being tipped with nonconventional warheads carrying Saran Nerve Gas), reported Steve Rodan, editor of Middle East Newsline. The report also indicated that nine additional fortified tunnels were underway so with the five already completed in aggregate all 1,000 missles in Syria's arsenal could be protected from conventional Israeli attack.

This is prophetically significant as Isaiah 17:1 points out that, sometime in the future, Damascus will be totally destroyed. We know it has to be future since it has not happened to date. And it is well known that if Israel is backed into a corner, they will order preemptive strikes utilizing whatever technology they deem appropriate, including nuclear arms. If Syria and Israel do have a military confrontation, will Syria's military alliance with Russia be the ``hook in the jaw'' mentioned in Ezekiel 38 that draws Russia into its end-times invasion of Israel? Keep your focus on God, but watch Israel.

Once the Temple is completed and sacrifices begin, we know from the book of Daniel that the Anti-Christ will soon be revealed. He will confirm an existing peace treaty with ``the many'', but at the midpoint of the seven years leading up to the return of Christ (The 70th week of Daniel), he will defile the Temple, causing the daily sacrifices and offerings to cease. He will then declare himself to be god and demand to be worshiped. Clearly, in order to put an end to the daily sacrifices and offerings, the Temple must have previously been rebuilt. And in order to confirm a covenant, there must already be one in place. When it is confirmed, God's final countdown will begin.

This is why what is going on in Israel today is of such prophetic importance. We are close to fulfillment of the final prophesies which will culminate with the return of Jesus Christ.

As an aside, it is interesting (if not prophetic) that ``the many'' of Daniel, chapter 9:27, comes from the same Hebrew root word from which we get Rabin. It was Rabin who executed many of the peace accords. Could the Holy Spirit have given us a little additional insight into the current Middle East peace process as it relates to Daniel 9. All the peace treaties are cumulative, each building on the one before. Is it possible that Rabin's initiatives will form the basis of the final peace treaty that will be confirmed and usher in the Anti-Christ?

It is like watching a storm approaching on the horizon. You don't know the exact time it will hit, but because you are watching, you know it is coming. As it approaches, the signs of the storm intensify; the wind increases, the thunder becomes louder and the lightning grows ever brighter. It finally gets so close that you expect it to be upon you at any moment.

This is how the hour of Jesus' return will be. We cannot know with 100% certainty the exact day or hour, but if we are faithful to his command to watch, we will see the signs intensify, and we will know that it is ``time to look up for our salvation draweth nigh.'' However, if we fail to watch and take heed, we will be caught off guard. Will you then have enough oil in your lamp to meet the Bridegroom (Matthew 25:1-13)?

What to Do in Light of These Events

These are exciting topics to be sure, but as we see daily movement toward fulfillment of these prophecies, what should our response be?

First of all, as a ``watchman on the wall'' it is our God-given responsibility to sound the warning so all who have ears to hear will take heed. It is the listener's responsibility to diligently search the scriptures to see if what we tell you is in fact true according to the Bible (Acts 17:11, 1Thes 5:21).

Secondly, as we continue to explore additional prophecies in the months ahead, we believe that there will be little doubt in your minds that Jesus' return is very close. Recognize that the coming of Jesus Christ is the reason for the signs themselves, so that the Church, when it sees the signs, can point to them as evidence of His coming. And the purpose of that evidence is to convict the sinner to seek and get right with God before it is too late. It also serves to to encourage Christians to be holy and godly (2 Peter 3:11-14). The daily fulfillment of prophesy is evidence that the Bible is true. And if the Bible is true, then the Bible is correct when it says that salvation, eternal life, is found in only one person and that being Jesus Christ.

Therefore, don't get caught up in fear, but do the work of an evangelist. Don't get so caught up with the future that you forget that many shall die before Christ's Return. Today is the day of salvation for many who are perishing. Their tomorrow shall not see His return in glory to judge the living and the dead. Today is the day of their salvation. Many are called but few are chosen. Do the work of an Evangelist day in and day out, for the time is short.

And lastly, do not neglect the daily reading of the scriptures and your time in prayer. Remember, bitterness has no place with God. Purify your hearts and thoughts through the washing of the Word. Think on Him continually. He will not fail you but will accomplish all that He will through you. Do not be easily discouraged. There remains much to be done before the fulfillment of all things.

Jesus is coming soon. Seek the Lord while it is still light, for the darkness is coming where no one may seek Him.

Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus.

Maranatha!

``Watch and pray, therefore, that you would be counted worthy to escape the judgment that is coming upon the earth and be able to stand before the Son of Man'' (Luke 21:36).

Maranatha!

In Christ,

Vince

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Knowing Jesus

Prophetic Links:

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

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

References:

Various News Sources

"Watch and pray, therefore, that you would be counted worthy to escape the judgment that is coming upon the earth and be able to stand before the Son of Man" (Luke 21:36).

Maranatha!

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