Israel’s Controversial Nation-State Law

11 Saturday Aug 2018

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Israel in the World Spotlight … Again

Contrary to the natural order of contractions preceding the miracle of birth, yet precisely as God foretold: the nation of Israel would be born (in a single day). Then her birth pains would follow.

This was the central theme of Eye of Prophecy article posted on 7-14-18 entitled: The Remarkable Rebirth of a Nation; based primarily on Isaiah Chapter 66.

Israel’s reverse birth is the most significant Biblical prediction that has come to pass in this generation (past 70 years), proving even more conclusively that the Bible is the Word of the true and living God. Also, demonstrating that the Day of the Lord prophecies (Rapture, Tribulation, Return and Millennial Reign of Messiah Jesus) are imminent in their fulfillment.

Since the United Nations Resolution of November 1947 extended statehood rights to the Jews, and Israel’s First Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion’s declared on May 14, 1948 that Israel was now a sovereign state, this tiny country has been in the international spotlight like no other nation on earth. Although Israel’s stunning victory in the Six-Day War of June 1967 followed by her more difficult triumph in the Yom Kippur War of 1973 garnered world headlines, global attention on Israel has increased dramatically in the last quarter century, beginning primarily with the Oslo Accords of 1993.

(Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, U.S. President Bill Clinton, and Palestinian Authority President Yasser Arafat during signing of the Oslo Accord Agreement of 1993; the Palestinians have kept virtually none of the agreements)

This focus has intensified even more in just the past 3-4 years. Not the least of which is the startling (bordering on unbelievable) alliance between Russia, Iran, and Turkey who were enemies of each other not that long ago—the three most prominent nations of the soon to come Gog/Magog attack against Israel.

Also because of a United States President who, despite his impulsive idiosyncrasies, has expressed support of Israel through action. President Trump’s official recognition (December 6, 2017) that Jerusalem always has been and always will be the eternal capital of Israel was a bold and long overdue (from previous administrations) implementation of the Jewish Embassy Act of 1995, which both houses of the United States Congress had passed by an overwhelming majority. Then a lightning-fast move (way ahead of the projected schedule) of the United States Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem on May 14^th, 2018—to coincide with Israel’s 70^th anniversary as a nation.

Now it was Israel’s turn to pass a (national) law validating their historical God-given right to possess and govern the land promised as a perpetual inheritance to their patriarchal ancestors, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

On July 19, 2018, Israel’s Knesset approved legislation officially completing what unofficially had been accepted by Israeli Jews since the United Nations recognized the Jewish right to a sovereign state. In summary fashion, that law declares: Israel Is a Jewish Nation.

Was the Jewish Nation-State Law Necessary?

Why was this bill even introduced in the Knesset? If Israel is a Jewish State, then why make this obvious fact a law?

Answer: It is a fact, but it wasn’t a law. And the fact is: It needed to be a law. Which is defined (Webster’s) as: “a rule of conduct or action prescribed or formally recognized as binding or enforced by a controlling authority.”

Also, because it wasn’t obvious. Meaning that it (a Jewish Nation) wasn’t acknowledged by Israel’s enemies, by several Western nations, and even by some liberal Jews. And now it is … a law and obvious.

Israel doesn’t have a Constitution as such. However, like the United States, the nation of Israel began with a Declaration of Independence, which proclaims:

“The State of Israel will foster the development of the country for all its inhabitants; it will be based on freedom, justice and peace as envisaged by the prophets of Israel; it will ensure complete equality of social and political rights to all its inhabitants irrespective of religion, race or sex; it will guarantee freedom of religion, conscience, language, education and culture; it will safeguard the Holy Places of all religions; and it will be faithful to the principles of the Charter of the United Nations.”

As with other democratic countries, inhabitants include all residents of that nation; however, a few rights such as voting and holding office are restricted to (legal) citizens. Yet there’s no doubt whatsoever that Israel’s Declaration of Independence in 1948 extended to all Arabs—later called Palestinians—of Israel, in terms of basic human rights.

In 1992, Israel passed the Basic Law: Human Dignity and Liberty. Among other things it states: “The purpose of this Basic Law is to protect human dignity and liberty, in order to establish in a Basic Law the values of the State of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state” (italics for emphasis).

Thus, the newly enacted Jewish Nation-State law is partially duplicative of that Basic Law. But not entirely. In my view, which matches the Israeli majority (58% for … 34% against, the rest undecided), the new law was necessary because the persistent premise of most Palestinians and many Israeli Arabs (citizens of Israel), is that Israel must be exclusively a democratic state … which it is. But not a Jewish State.

That is no different than telling an Italian that Italy is indeed, democratic; however, Italy is not an Italian nation because there are minorities in Italy who don’t think it should be (identified as Italian). If in Rome you wouldn’t want to say that, because the delicious pizza you just ordered may get thrown in your face, toppings and all!

Israel is first and foremost a Jewish nation with national rights no more or less than any country in the world whose greater majority of citizens make that nation distinctive from other nations. Hence, Germans in Germany, the French in France, the English (British) of England, and Americans in America. Granted, the United States of America is unique in that it is the only true melting pot in the world; to which most of our ancestors immigrated from European countries. Thus, our minorities are considered to be non-European ethnic groups.

Israel is the ONLY country in the entire Middle East that affords (across the board) equal rights to its citizens, regardless of race, religion, culture, and gender. This includes 1.8 million Israeli Arabs (citizens) of Israel. Also, 130,000 Druze; the next largest ethnic minority in Israel who trace their heritage back to Moses’ father-in-law, Jethro—whom they revere as a prophet. Even though their main language is Arabic, most Druze identify more with the Jews than with the Arabs.

Israel is often accused by Muslims and even by some non-Islamic nations whose accusers are either uninformed or who deliberately distort facts on the ground, of being an apartheid state. That is absolute nonsense. Israel is nothing like South Africa was for a long time, with 10% of the population (Caucasian) segregating themselves from and curbing the rights of black South Africans (the greater majority). That was true apartheid.

Before we examine the Jewish Nation-State Law up close and personal, let’s first look at:

What Makes a Nation, a Nation?

What are the ingredients that nations are made of; features that distinguish one nation from another?

Webster’s Dictionary tells us that the word nation originates from the Latin word, natio, which means: birth, race, nation. And from natus, “to be born.” Nation is then defined as: “a community of people composed of one or more nationalities and possessing a more or less defined territory and government … characterized by a relatively large size and independent status.”

Nationality is even more important to grasp, because a nation is first and foremost recognized by the preponderant (greater majority) characteristics of its people.

Nationality is defined as: “national character … national status … a legal relationship involving allegiance on the part of the individual and usu. (usually) protection on the part of the state … membership (citizenship) in a particular nation. Political independence or existence as a separate nation … a people having a common origin, tradition, and language” (italics for emphasis, parenthesis mine).

From the concepts found in these definitions, we can break down the typical features of a nation into seven basic categories.

Race: Although the post-Flood earth was repopulated by Noah’s three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth (and their wives!), it’s nonetheless evident that there are four distinctive races on Planet Earth. With Japheth’s descendants splitting into two races. By and large, physical qualities constitute the clearest reference to and understanding of race.

Webster’s defines race as: “a division of mankind possessing traits that are transmissible by descent and sufficient to characterize it as a distinct human type.”

The four races are: Asian, Black, Caucasian, Semitic … the ABC’(S) of race.

With, however, the four racial groupings divided into more specific identities based on the remaining six categories that have contributed to the formation or realignment of nations particularly after World War I and WWII. Two older examples of each race and its nationality subdivisions would be: Asian (Chinese/Japanese); Black (African/Caribbean); Caucasian (British/French); Semitic (Arab/Jew).

Boundaries/Borders: Although a few nations dispute the borders of neighboring countries, boundaries of nations have been delineated and charted across the globe.

With the perceived exception of Israel.

Perceived in the sense that virtually every Muslim nation, both Arab and non-Arab, refutes the British Mandate of Palestine (League of Nations July 1922 affirmation of the Balfour Declaration) and the subsequent November 1947 UN resolution declaring Israel’s right to statehood, both of which were and still are a matter of international law.

Moreover, they do not acknowledge that the Arabs forfeited their right to a (Palestinian) state; because they not only refused to accept those resolutions, five Arab armies (Egypt, Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq) attacked the newborn Jewish Nation the day after Israel’s statehood with the sworn objective of annihilating it. Nor, do they (concerning Israel) acknowledge international law that says: If a “disputed territory” is seized by a nation that is defending itself from unprovoked and/or illegitimate aggression, that territory belongs to the defender.

This indifferent ignorance or deliberate denial of international law is the reason why the Palestinians, all Muslim nations, and even some Western nations have demanded that Israel must “return” (relinquish sovereign control of) to pre-1967 Six-Day War internal boundaries. Which were nothing more than hastily negotiated armistice lines to begin with.

With Israel’s victory in the 1967 Six-Day War, she reclaimed the Golan Heights, (all) Jerusalem, the West Bank (Judea/Samaria), and the Gaza Strip. Israel kept exclusive control of only the Golan Heights, handing over functional control of the other territories back to Jordan and Egypt, who have given the Palestinians administrative supervision. But the fact remains: Israel’s legal (national) borders are with Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, and Egypt—not with the so-called “Palestinian territories.”

Flag/National Anthem: Every member country recognized by the United Nations has a national flag and most likely a national anthem. Both are proud symbols that visibly and audibly identify that nation as unique among the family of nations.

(Of the 193 member countries of the United Nations, a few of those flags are shown here)

Political: There are several forms of government, yet there are far more countries on Planet Earth than types of government. Which means that some nations have the same style of administration, e.g. parliamentary coalition or dictatorship. Nevertheless, the levels and operation of each government is unique, in some way or another.

Religion: In today’s post-modern society, most nations (especially their governments) do not want to be identified by or with a religion. Except, of course, the Muslim nations in which Islam is, by far, the dominating and distinguishing mark of those countries. Most are Arab (nationality, race) countries, but not all—such as Turkey, Iran, and Indonesia. These non-Arab Muslim nations along with almost all the predominately Arab populated countries have become or are becoming an Islamic State Religion, to some degree or another.

However, practically every nation on earth was originally influenced and identified by, and/or founded on (at least in principle), and/or composed of a population majority which followed one of the world’s most recognized religions or offshoots of those religions. Such as Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Shintoism, Zoroastrianism, or simply Polytheism (paganism). Israel is the only nation that espouses Judaism on a national level, which is reflected in its’ Declaration of Independence as previously quoted … based on freedom, justice and peace as envisaged by the prophets of Israel.

Even so, Israel’s government is essentially secular; albeit with two smaller parties of the Knesset composed of Orthodox Jews.

Population Majority: Almost without exception, every country on earth is composed of a racial and/or religious entity that constitutes most of the population. Normally, as the majority goes, so goes the government and its political dynamics. Regarding Israel proper, Jews comprise about 77% of Israeli citizens, with Arab Israelis (the largest minority group) and other smaller minorities 23% of the citizenry. Even if the approximate 3.7 million Arabs (a more accurate count as opposed to the inflated census of the Palestinians) in the West Bank and Gaza combined wanted to become Israeli citizens, the Jews would still be in the majority.

Language: I believe most would agree: The single-most distinguishing feature of a nation or nationality is that of language.

Every nation has a major language, with many countries having enacted that language into law as the recognized (primary) speech of the land. We identify the (majority of) citizens in any given country by the language they speak. In France there are the French. In England (Britain) the English. In Spain, they speak Spanish. In Italy we find Italians who converse in … Italian, what else! In Israel, the Jews speak Hebrew; the same language spoken (with modern words added) thousands of years ago.

These seven components that define and distinguish a nation is what Israel’s Nation-State Law is all about and why it was passed.

Israel is a Jewish Nation-State / Or If Preferred as a Question: Is Israel a Jewish State?

The law contains eleven clauses; the first of which covers the three basic principles written into this Jewish Nation-State law, which also goes by the name of the Nationality Law:

“The land of Israel is the historical homeland of the Jewish people, in which the State of Israel was established”
“The state of Israel is the national home of the Jewish people, in which it fulfills its natural, cultural, religious, and historical right to self-determination”
“The right to exercise national self-determination in the State of Israel is unique to the Jewish people”

The other ten (nationality) clauses reaffirmed such things as Israel’s national flag—the Star of David; Hatikvah, the national anthem; Jewish holidays and days of remembrance; Jerusalem as Israel’s eternal capital; Hebrew calendar as the national calendar; Hebrew as the official language with Arabic a language of “special status.” Incidentally, most nations don’t have a special status for any of their minority languages.

(Jewish Calendar months have 30 days–360 days a year; with the civil New Year beginning on the 1st of the month of Tishrei (Sept., Oct. of Gregorian calendar)

As with any country in which laws are enacted by whatever legislative margin of approval (vote count) is required, there are always legislators and their constituents who oppose all or part of the bill, usually along party lines. Among Jews, the main opposition came from the liberal left-wing … as expected.

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu characterized the law’s enactment as a “defining moment” of Israel’s history. He explained:

“We enshrined in law the basic principle of our existence. Israel is the nation-state of the Jewish people, that respects the individual rights of all its citizens. This is our state—the Jewish state. In recent years there have been some who have attempted to undermine this, to undercut our very existence. Today we made it law: This is our nation, language, anthem, and flag.”

Netanyahu also said: “Israeli citizens’ individual rights have been cemented in a number of laws, including Basic Law: Human Dignity and Liberty. These laws guarantee full equality before the law, from the right to vote and be elected to the Knesset to any other individual right in the State of Israel.”

Continuing: “On the other hand, we have never enshrined the national rights of the Jewish people in our land in a basic law until now… What do ‘national rights’ mean? They define the nature of the flag, the anthem, the language and, of course, the fact one of the fundamental objectives of the state is the ingathering of the exiles here, in the land of Israel, which is the essence of the Zionist vision.”

Toward the end of his speech, Benjamin stated:

“Does the determination that our flag bears the Star of David somehow invalidates the individual rights of any Israeli citizen? Nonsense. This statement does, however, ensure that there will be no other flag…. There is already a proposal to replace the flag and the anthem in the name of so-called equality. Many countries are dealing with defiance against the concept of nationality (here, he is commenting on globalism vs. populism or national sovereignty), but in Israel, this undermines our very existence…” (parenthesis mine).

In direct response to criticism from Israel’s Druze community (some of whom serve in the IDF and different levels of government) who felt the law would discriminate against them, Israeli Culture and Sport Minister Miri Regev poignantly responded:

“You, of all people—you who have been deeply loyal to the State of Israel for decades—should not be fooled by the radical Left. Don’t buy their media spin. Read the actual law. This law doesn’t discriminate against you. You remain equal citizens in the Jewish state, which, as you well know, has nothing but respect for its citizens and especially for its loyal Druze minority.”

She went on to write on her Facebook post that the Nation-State Law, “…doesn’t violate your civil rights or anyone else’s rights—Christian, Muslim, Bedouin or Circassian…. All this basic law seeks to do is complement other basic laws and clarify—to us and to the judiciary (referring to Israel’s Supreme Court which has struck down several Knesset laws), which seems to have forgotten, and to the entire world—that from a national level there is no equality. Israel has and always will be a Jewish state, whose flag bears the Star of David, whose language is Hebrew, and whose capital is and will forever be the united city of Jerusalem. You are equal and respected citizens in this country” (italics for emphasis, parenthesis mine).

(Israeli Sport/Culture Minister, Miri Regev)

In that context, two prominent Druze (Israeli citizens) disagreed with others of their community who felt the law was discriminatory. Said Chairman of the Druze Zionist Council for Israel, Atta Farhat:

“No other Druze community has it better that the Druze community in Israel. I implore all of my brethren in the Druze community to avoid the trap of the Left and back the nation-state law as it is…. Since the state’s founding, we have raised our children on Zionism. The silent majority of the Druze population in Israel loves this country. We have been partners with the people of Israel from the days of Moses … and we will continue to be partners in the future.”

Said Druze Israeli Captain (IDF Reserves) Shadi Halouf, head of the Israeli Christian Aramaic Association: “As soon as Israel stops being the state of the Jewish people, as some in the radical Left and in the Arab parties want—we will no longer be able to enjoy the freedoms and security level Israel provides us…. I support the nation-state law and I am proud to be a citizen of Israel and a member of the Aramean Christian community, like tens of thousands of others.”

Time and space don’t allow for several scathing Palestinian reactions to this law. Except as quoted by one of the Palestinian Authority’s spokesperson, who said: the law is “racist.” That was to be expected, as the Palestinians often say this and other derogatory things about (Jewish) Israel without needing a specific flash point.

The law is not racist; rather, it is racial. The very existence of Israel is that of a Jewish State—race, religion, government, majority population, flag/anthem, boundaries, language—all the distinctive characteristics of a nation …any nation. Racial is synonymous to national.

In fact, concerning the potential creation of a Palestinian State, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has sworn on more than occasion that (a very close paraphrase): “Not one single Jew will be permitted to live in a Palestinian State.”

Those words are as racist as anything could be.

A photo of Abbas would fit comfortably alongside the words racist, apartheid, and ethnic cleansing … the very concepts of which he (falsely) accuses Israel. See Eye of Prophecy article: Ethnic Cleansing of the Jews … The Real Palestinian Agenda (Posted 9-17-16).

The real Arab narrative has not changed since 1948 … make that since the Balfour Declaration of 1917. They do not want a state of their own unless the (Jewish) Nation of Israel ceases to exist.

Examples & Comparisons

Based on the law itself as well as responses to it, I’ll present just three examples (there could be many more) regarding the rationale and results of this Jewish Nation-state law.

Jewish National Self-Determination: National rights include the authority of a Jewish State to decline (for any reason, but especially impossible non-negotiable demands from the Palestinians or those who support the Palestinian agenda) the creation of a Palestinian State within the established borders of Israel.

The fact remains: The West Bank is nothing more than a 20^th century invented term for the region of Israel known as Judea/Samaria. Except for some Israeli housing districts in this beautiful hill country, it is occupied predominantly by Palestinian Arabs (non-citizens of Israel). For Israel to allow this territory (and/or the Gaza Strip) to become a state would be a decision of disastrous consequences to Israel’s security and survival. A few prior Eye of Prophecy articles have addressed this in detail. In fact, the repercussions of a Palestinian state would be (literally) of Biblical proportions. If for no other reason that God himself has declared that the Promised Land must not be divided into any other nation or nations.

The creation of a Palestinian State would be like the confederate states forming a separate nation within the federal geographical boundaries of the United States of America. Whereas, the trigger-point issue between the north and the south was that of slavery, the real underlying problem was that of a few states succeeding from the Union—in direct defiance of the Constitution of the United States. Israel passed the Jewish Nation-State Law because it resembles a Constitution in form and substance.

Hebrew Language: Under this new law, Hebrew is the only official language of Israel.

Arabic has “special status” but no longer can the Palestinians or Islamic nations surrounding Israel demand that Arabic be given equal status, with the residual implication that the Palestinians could lay claim to Israel (or any part thereof) as exclusively their own, for that reason alone. This would be akin to German or Italian communities in the United States demanding that their language on a national level be equal to English. Or Spanish, because the Hispanic minority in America constitutes 17% of the population. To date, the one and only official language of the United States continues to be English.

On a functional level, I don’t see Israel replacing highway and street signs throughout Israel that currently are marked in three languages … Hebrew, Arabic, and English. Rather, it’s the principle of the matter. If Israel wanted all their signs only in Hebrew, they have the sovereign right to do so.

Except for possible exceptions at our border with Mexico, have you seen road signs in America displaying any other language than English? *Note: It’s one thing for private businesses or public entities to accommodate a relatively large minority group with bilingual options. It’s quite another (illegal) matter for them to insist that it be a co-official language of the land.

National Flag/Anthem: Again, we’ll use the United States for comparison. Because we began as a nation of immigrants—continuing to this day (both legal and illegal!)—wouldn’t it be more equitable to have multiple national anthems? For instance: To play the anthem of Germany, Great Britain, Ireland, Italy, and Mexico on say an annual rotation basis. After all, a good portion of our population hails from those countries.

I’m thinking your answer would be the same as Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu: Nonsense!

The lyrics of Israel’s National Anthem, Hatikvah are:

As long as deep in the heart,

The soul of a Jew yearns,

And onward to the East

To Zion, an eye looks

Our hope will not be lost,

The hope of two thousand years,

To be a free nation in our land,

The land of Zion and Jerusalem

And then there’s Israel’s national flag—the Star of David. Though the flag and the anthem and other features of Israel’s Nation-State Law are largely symbolic, many of us appreciate the significance of symbolism. In the United States, most of us stand with our right hand over our heart when pledging allegiance to Old Glory—the Stars and Stripes. Or when singing our national anthem.

The Bible says that David was a man after God’s own heart.

Though Scripture records two grievous sins (Bathsheba/Uriah & the Census) to show just how human he was, David’s life’s passion was to seek the Lord God constantly and consistently, despite his failures (Psalm 34, 51, & 63). To trust the Lord for his salvation, no less than Abraham’s faith was credited to him as righteousness (Psalm 18 & 32). To announce the coming Messiah (a descendent of David’s lineage) who would bring salvation to both Jew and Gentile through his suffering and substitutionary sacrifice (Psalm 22). The Messiah who was the Son of God; who would return to Jerusalem as God’s chosen King to rule and reign over the entire earth in righteousness, justice, and peace (Psalm 2, 110, & 118).

Wrote King David: “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer” (Psalm 19:14).

David adeptly balanced what we call today, church and state. He skillfully merged the twelve Jewish tribes into the unified nation of Israel. All the while recognizing and relying on God’s divine sovereignty … personally and nationally.

His relationship with the Lord prophetically portrayed what would be the essence and experience of Israel upon her rebirth and upon the (imminent) final redemptive restoration of the Jews to Messiah, the prophesied descendant of David. Many of the Psalms intrinsically reflect this correlation. Such as one of the most contemporarily quoted passages in Scripture, written by King David:

Summary

Who better than King David to symbolize (Star of David) the modern reborn nation of Israel which is destined to complete God’s covenants with Abraham and David; that of the whole world blessed through the Promised Child, the eternal King of Israel—Messiah Jesus.

“Now if the Gentiles were enriched because the people of Israel turned down God’s offer of salvation, think how much greater a blessing the world will share when they finally accept it…. For since their (the people of Israel) rejection meant that God offered salvation to the rest of the world, their acceptance will be even more wonderful. It will be life for those who were dead” (Romans 11:12 & 15, parenthesis mine).

That’s what Israel is all about, even though many Jews haven’t yet grasped the full significance of their own flag and corresponding destiny. As a nation, they haven’t yet believed and received their Messiah (Jesus) as Lord and Savior. Israel hasn’t been acknowledged by the entire world, including some of the Jews themselves, as a distinctive national Jewish inheritance. But one day soon, all that will change … permanently.

“And so all Israel will be saved…” (Romans 11:26).

That change is underway before our 20^th and 21^st century eyes. Beginning with the return of God’s people to Israel in great numbers in just the past 70 years.

“…I will gather the people of Israel from among the nations. I will bring them home to their own land from the places where they have been scattered. I will unify them into one nation on the mountains of Israel… Then they will truly be my people, and I will be their God … They will live in the land I gave my servant Jacob, the land where their ancestors lived … forever, generation after generation. And my servant David will be their prince forever” (Ezekiel 37:21-25).

With the most recent development that of Israel declaring what the Bible has announced from the beginning: Israel is a Jewish Nation.

The nation from which Messiah Jesus—”the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29)—has come. And to which he will return to rule and reign from Jerusalem on the throne of David, as the King of all kings (Isaiah 9:6-7; Revelation 17:14).

Things to Ponder

Not one of the seven reasons for or distinguishing characteristics of a nation is necessary to unequivocally proclaim Israel as a Jewish nation.

Only one reason is needed: God, himself—who created and owns the entire universe—gave a small portion of the Earth to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The same God who always does what he says he will do, who knows the end from the beginning. Whose prophecies through his prophets have or will come to pass with 100% certainty and accuracy.

The Lord knew and approved the residency of foreigners in Israel and told his people: “You must not oppress foreigners. You know what it’s like to be a foreigner, for you yourselves were once foreigners in the land of Egypt” (Exodus 23:9).

The very fact that God referred to foreigners in Israel demonstrates that Israel was and still is a Jewish nation. Israel and the Israeli Jews do not oppress minorities. It’s just the opposite. Going so far as granting self-governing privileges to Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza who have refused Israeli citizenship, something that hardly any country on earth would allow of its non-citizens.

As alluded earlier, Israel is not to be divided (think two-state proposal) among any other people or nation except the Jews. Lest anyone thinks that’s merely a suggestion or may be inconsequential, read with me:

“At the time of those events, says the Lord, when I restore the prosperity of Judah and Jerusalem, I will gather the armies of the world into the valley of Jehoshaphat. There I will judge them for harming my people, my special possession, for scattering my people among the nations, and for dividing up my land” (Joel 3:1-2).

Exactly what encompasses the land of Israel? Modern-day Israel is a good start in the right direction, but the Biblical Promised Land was much greater in scope. Those parameters are delineated in several Old Testament passages; I’m selecting the book of Obadiah, which is less familiar than the others.

Midway through Obadiah, God warns those who seek to harm Israel:

“The day is near when I, the Lord, will judge all godless nations! As you have done to Israel, so it will be done to you. All your evil deeds will fall back on your own heads” (Obadiah 1:15).

The last three verses of Obadiah describe much (but not all) of Israel’s original land mass. In parenthesis, the modern-day portion of Israel will be inserted to match the Biblical names, some of which are still the same. Notice that the passage uses the word “occupy.” And does so with a matter-of-fact positive connotation. Not the negative occupation accusation by Israel’s enemies (and even some of her “friends”) that is patently false … Biblically, historically, and currently.

“Then my people living in the Negev (still called the Negev … southern part of Israel next to the Sinai Peninsula which is part of ancient Israel that bordered Egypt and Arabia) will occupy the mountains of Edom (southern Jordan and western part of Saudi Arabia). Those living in the foothills of Judah (land and cities south of Jerusalem, including Hebron) will possess the Philistine plains (Gaza Strip) and take over the fields of Ephraim and Samaria (the West Bank). And the people of Benjamin will occupy the land of Gilead (portion of northwestern Jordan and southwestern Syria).

“The exiles of Israel will return to their land and occupy the Phoenician coast as far north as Zarephath (ancient Tyre and Sidon … the coast of Lebanon). The captives from Jerusalem exiled in the north will return home and resettle the towns of the Negev. Those who have been rescued will go up to Mount Zion in Jerusalem (Temple Mount which has belonged to the Jews in perpetuity but currently under administrative control of Jordan and the Palestinians) to rule over the mountains of Edom” (Obadiah 1:19-21a).

(Depicts the ancient and also future borders of Israel during the Millennium)

Guess what (who) comes next?

“And the Lord himself will be king!” (Obadiah 1:21b).

**Two stunning videos of Israel’s National Anthem, Hatikvah. The first one is short–celebrating Israel’s 68th national anniversary at the time. The second video (composed of two renditions, each with beautiful visual scenes of Israel) is longer than the first. Pick one or both.

The Jewish Dichotomy In & Outside Israel

30 Saturday Jun 2018

Posted by garybowers in Current Events

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Polarization

Webster’s Dictionary defines Dichotomy as: “mutually exclusive or contradictory groups; a system of branching in which the main axis forks repeatedly into two branches.”

And the verb form, dichotomize: “to divide into two parts, classes, or groups.”

In much larger geographic and demographic nations like the United States of America (population 327 million) you’d expect a wide-range of political, social, economic, cultural, and religious diversity. But with only 6.6 million Jewish citizens of Israel and only 14+ million Jews on the planet you would anticipate fewer differences and certainly not such dramatic dichotomies within Israel nor among Jews throughout the world.

At the same time, both Israelis and Jews outside of Israel are an extraordinary example of a cohesive dichotomy (an oxymoron) unparalleled on Planet Earth.

Nevertheless, differences between Jews themselves can be troublesome, especially when the Jews as a people and Israel as a nation have so many adversaries. Anti-Semitism and Anti-Zionism are still rearing their ugly global heads.

Though every society contains multiple groups of political, cultural, economic, and religious persuasions, invariably they can be narrowed into factions of two (one ideology or world view against its opposite). For example, the United States is more of a political dichotomy between Republicans and Democrats. Whereas nations like Russia are more defined by an economic schism such as socialism (including communism) versus capitalism. With Israel, the delineation is more along the religious scale.

(The Dichotomy between Republicans and Democrats Requires Two Totally Different Animals and Colors!)

Though there is significant solidarity of Jews within and outside of Israel, there are three basic Jewish dichotomies. Let’s examine this phenomenon; how these seemingly irreversible differences can be resolved and by whom. The remedy will impact the entire world.

First Jewish Dichotomy: Between Secular and Observant Jews

The following is an excerpt from my first book, a novel entitled: O Israel … the end is the beginning for those left behind, published in 2007; reflecting this dichotomy as seen through the eyes of one of the main characters—a Jewish scribe:

Avram marveled at Israel and its people. For a country not much larger than the state of New Jersey, with a population smaller than many of the world’s cities, Israel’s cultural, religious, and political diversity equaled that of many larger countries. No better expression of variance could be found than in the two cities that characterized Israel: Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. They balanced on the distant points of the cultural and religious pendulum, yet both cities were distinctively Jewish.

…It was Tel Aviv that best expressed and defined Israel’s remarkable progress: …beautiful galleries, grand theatres, contemporary concert halls, modern restaurants, seaside skyscrapers, and luxurious beach hotels…

Jerusalem was always the “ancient city.” Here you will find the long, storied past of Israel, with its patriarchs, judges, prophets, kings, and divinely appointed destiny of land and people.

…If a citizen of Israel preferred the label of Israeli, there was a good chance that person lived in Tel Aviv. In Jerusalem or surrounding towns, residents embraced the time-honored appellation of Jew. After all, the word Jew originated from Judah, one of the twelve sons of Jacob and ancestor of one of the twelve tribes of Israel.

Any Jew who had read the Torah, attended synagogue, or passed bar mitzvah, knew that Jacob blessed each of his twelve sons. For Judah, the blessing included two remarkable predictions. Like a lion, Judah would defeat its enemies. And “the scepter will not depart from Judah … until the coming of the one to whom it belongs, the one whom the nations will honor.”

In Israel, the majority of Jewish Israelis agreed they were either hiloni (secular) or masorti (traditional). For Jacob’s descendants who practiced Judaism, whether conservative, orthodox, or ultra-orthodox, Jerusalem was the main attraction. The secular, the atheistic, and the liberals preferred Tel Aviv. For the reformed, either city would do.

But all Israelis passionately exhibited one unifying trait and defended one ultimate purpose: the survival of Israel as a people, as a sovereign democratic state, as a nation reborn from the floods of dispersion and from the fires of Nazi death camps.

Jews synthesized over another common denominator, which Avram had not been afraid or embarrassed to articulate: “an enemy who wants to reduce them to ashes, to drown them in the sea, to erase Israel from memory, from all maps of the civilized world.” (Pages 15-16).

Israel’s parliamentary Knesset consists of 120 members … a fixed number. Although the current 20^th Knesset is composed of 10 main parties (each with its own political platform) including 2 religious parties—Shas and United Torah with a combined 13 members—there is still a substantial separation between the religious and secular. This variance is evident throughout Israeli society; for example, whether all Jewish business should be closed on the Sabbath.

Or the even more divisive issue: whether thousands of young orthodox Jews (those who pursue a career as rabbis or just full-time students of the Torah) should be exempted from mandatory military service for all men and women at age 18. Based on the Jewish population of Israel, this is proportionally far more than just the occasional “conscientious objector” found in the United States or other democratic nations.

(There Are Those Observant Jews Who Gladly Serve in the IDF)

Before we examine the second and third of these dichotomies, let’s look at:

An Astonishing Statement by U.S. President Trump

In a recent interview with former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee on the TBN Christian network, President Trump said in direct reference to his decision of moving the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem:

“I tell you what, I get more calls of thank you from evangelicals, and I see it in the audiences and everything else, than I do from the Jewish people. And the Jewish people appreciate it, but the evangelicals appreciate it more than the Jews.”

He went on to say: “It was a campaign promise; I was going to keep it.”

It’s no secret: Were it not for the hundreds of thousands of evangelical Christians voting for Trump in the 2016 Presidential election, it’s unlikely he would have been elected. Although following through on his campaign promise was the main motivation for President Trump’s decision this past December to move the U.S. Embassy, an equally compelling reason was on behalf of Israel and the Jews. As Trump stated when he made the choice not to sign the waiver that would keep the embassy in Tel Aviv, “It was the right thing to do.”

It was a decision that finally enforced the Jewish Embassy Act of 1995 passed almost unanimously by both the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate; Jerusalem is the eternal capital of Israel. For that reason, our embassy in Israel should rest in Jerusalem, not Tel Aviv.

Trump was referring almost exclusively to Jews in America. Not to Israelis as it’s obvious they were ecstatic about the U.S. Embassy move. President Trump clearly said that (American) Jews were appreciative, but not as much as Christian evangelicals. Yet, it’s a foregone conclusion that most evangelicals do (or should) adamantly support the existence of Israel as the Promised Land given by God himself to the Jews. The people chosen by God to bring the light of his salvation through the Jewish Messiah, Jesus—the scepter from the tribe of Judah and descendant of King David, who established Jerusalem as Israel’s capital 3000 years ago.

I and many Christian supporters of Israel have no problem with the appellation of Christian Zionists. Simply defined, Zionism is the movement that began principally in the late 19^th century for the return of exiled Jews to their ancient homeland. This global exile is called the Diaspora, which we’ll look at in more detail during discussion of the second Jewish dichotomy.

Why, then, wouldn’t American Jews be equally or more appreciative of the United States moving its embassy to Jerusalem than are Gentile born-again believers?

We’ll answer that question as the article progresses. First, a brief review of the stunning prophetic fulfillment or developments of the 20^th & 21^st centuries, as originally itemized in the two-part Eye of Prophecy series, Look Up, Redemption is Near (Posted 7-11 & 7-18-15).

Twelve Flash-Point Signs of the Last Days

Rebirth of Israel as a Sovereign Nation, 1948
Recapture of Jerusalem in the June 1967 Six-Day War
Jerusalem, a Heavy Burden to the Nations
The 3^rd Rebuilt Temple
Israel’s Phenomenal Agricultural Accomplishments
Modern-Day Alignment of Gog/Magog Nations against Israel
National and Ethnic Wars in the 20^th & 21^st Centuries
Amazing Increase of Natural Disasters
Moral & Spiritual Decline & Intense Persecution of Christians
False Messiahs & Prophets
Unequaled Increase in Quantity and Speed of Transportation and Information
Unprecedented Spread of the Gospel of Jesus Christ throughout the World

In terms of the sheer quantity of Biblical prophecies and emphasis, most significant of these signs are the first two on this list: (1) The rebirth of Israel as a sovereign independent self-governed nation followed by the enormous return of Jews to the Promised Land, even exceeding their Exodus from Egypt under Moses. (2) The reunification (liberation) of Jerusalem as Israel’s eternal capital 2,000 years after the Romans destroyed Jerusalem and demolished the second Temple (70 AD).

Although the move of the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem doesn’t (in and of itself) qualify as one of the Biblical prophetic mileposts, it certainly fits into the third item on the above list: Jerusalem, A Heavy Burden to the Nations.

This unprecedented global angst over Israel and Jerusalem was conspicuous in President Trump’s interview with Mike Huckabee. According to Trump, he didn’t fully comprehend why previous U.S. presidents had repeatedly (every six months) disallowed the U.S. Embassy to be moved. That is, not until he received numerous calls from world leaders pressuring him to keep the embassy in Tel Aviv. Then he better understood the staggering scale of international anxiety over Israel, especially Jerusalem.

Hardly a week goes by without world-wide media coverage of the Middle-East, particularly Israel or Jerusalem or both. The move of the U.S. Embassy has been an incessant global issue, with most nations of the earth opposing President Trump’s decision. With, however, a reluctant acknowledgment that their fear of increased overt Muslim hostility (most notably Palestinian) never materialized.

Even the Palestinian “Right of Return” march on Israel’s border with Gaza that began in late March and designed to climax on May 14^th (date when U.S. Embassy was officially moved to coincide with Israel’s 70^th birthday celebration as a nation) was not about the embassy move.

Rather it was what the designation said: the so-called right of return of Palestinian 2^nd, 3^rd & 4^th generation refugees from Israel’s 1948 War of Independence, which would amount to some 5 million Palestinians. That would effectively (by sheer numbers that would uproot many Jewish communities) spell the functional end of the Jewish State of Israel. Which is exactly what the Palestinians and most Muslim nations want. When, in fact, no other indigenous group on earth except the Palestinians have been given United Nations refugee status beyond the original (first) generation, i.e. those who fled their countries as refugees at that time.

Please see Eye of Prophecy articles: What is a Palestine & Who Is a Palestinian? (Posted 12-2-17). Also, The “Right of Return” … For Palestinians or Jews? (4-7-18).

For that matter, the entire world has mostly forgotten, doesn’t know, or doesn’t care to know that when Israel declared statehood in 1948, several Arab nations evicted nearly all their Jewish citizens. By United Nations definition, these Jews became refugees; however, very few claimed refugee status. Instead, many moved to Israel and some to the United States and other non-Muslim countries.

As opposed to most Arabs (before they began calling themselves Palestinians in 1964) who were NOT forced out of Israel in 1948 by the Israelis. But rather by the five Arab armies that attacked Israel the day after statehood, insisting that the Arabs in Israel vacate their homes to make room for the invading Muslim armies, then return after Israel was “annihilated.”

The return of Jews to their homeland began primarily after the Balfour Declaration of 1917. However, by far, the greater number came home following Israel’s rebirth as a nation in 1948, continuing to this very day. Since 1948, some 3.2 million Jews have made Alijah (literally … going up or home to Israel from more than 100 countries). With the greatest number immigrating to Israel from Russia … well over a million.

Those are astonishing numbers, if for no other reason than many of these Jews didn’t need to leave their homes due to persecution, other than the Jews in Arab countries in 1947-1948. And Jews from Iran following the 1979 Iranian coup when it became a completely Islamic state ruled by the Ayatollah. Rather, most Jews who have made Alijah to Israel did so because they wanted to reunite with the heritage of their ancestors, to fulfill the centuries old Jewish dream of “Next Year in Jerusalem.” Even the secular among them knew deep in their heart that this return was a divine providential fulfillment of Biblical prophecy found in hundreds of passages proclaimed directly by God through Jewish prophets. Such as:

It would be (still going on) an Exodus even greater than the one from Egypt.

Read this phenomenal prophecy with me:

“In that day, says the Lord, when people are taking an oath, they will no longer say, ‘As surely as the Lord lives, who rescued the people of Israel from the land of Egypt.’ Instead, they will say, ‘As surely as the Lord lives, who brought the people of Israel back to their own land from the land of the north and from all the countries to which he had exiled them.’ Then they will live in their own land” (Jeremiah 23:7-8).

Because the zenith of Jews returning to Israel has not yet been reached, only a relatively small number of Jews in Israel and a smaller number outside of Israel have verbalized the massive return of Jews to Israel to match what the Lord said they would say. But at the beginning of the soon-to-come (after the Rapture and the seven-year Great Tribulation) Millennial Reign of Messiah Jesus, all or nearly all the (surviving) Jews will be gathered back to Israel.

Jesus, himself said that he (the Messiah) would, “…send out his angels with the mighty blast of a trumpet, and they will gather his chosen ones (meaning God’s chosen people, the Jews) from all over the world—from the farthest ends of the earth and heaven” (Matthew 24:31, parenthesis mine).

Already, the number of Jews who have immigrated to Israel since 1948 (3.2 million) has substantially surpassed the estimated 1.5 to 2 million Jews who were freed from slavery during the original Exodus, resulting in the stunning fulfillment of Jeremiah’s prophecy.

Notice also that the Lord specifically identifies “a land from the north” (in addition to all the countries to which he had exiled them) from which his exiled people would return. This is the same land (country) from the north that will lead the invasion against Israel during the early phase of the Great Tribulation—none other than Russia … Gog. (Ezekiel 38 & 39). Russia is due north of Israel. The fact that about 1/3 of the 3.2 million Jews who have made Aliyah to Israel are from Russia, further validates this prophecy. Not that Biblical prophecies need validation, because they all have come or will come to pass.

There’s more: In this same chapter of Jeremiah, immediately preceding the prophecy of “in that day” (the returning Jews will far exceed in number the Jews during the Exodus from Egypt), we read:

“For the time is coming, says the Lord, when I will raise up a righteous descendant from King David’s line. He will be a King who rules with wisdom. He will do what is just and right throughout the land. And this will be his name: ‘The Lord is Our Righteousness.’ In that day Judah will be saved, and Israel will live in safety” (Jeremiah 23:5-6).

Note: the phrase, for the time is coming (verse 5) matches up precisely with verses 7-8 quoted earlier which begins with in that day.

Which is even more confirmation that during “that day” (generational time frame) of the Second Exodus (which has already exceeded the original Exodus, but still in progress), the return of the King—Messiah, The Lord who is our Righteousness—will be so very near.

Second Jewish Dichotomy: Diaspora Jews and Israeli Jews

Let’s return to the paradox posed by President Trump’s statement that evangelical Christians exhibited more support for the US Embassy move than did American Jews. Along with Jews throughout the world who have not yet returned to Israel, they are still called Diaspora Jews or Jews of the Diaspora. The Diaspora (meaning dispersion or scattered) is the term coined after the Romans demolished the 2^nd Temple, destroyed Jerusalem, slaughtered over a million Jews, conquered Israel, and exiled most of the remaining Jews to the four corners of the earth.

With the term exile used frequently in the Old Testament, applied to the first destruction of Jerusalem and Solomon’s Temple by the Babylonians in 586 BC. An exiled captivity that God through Jeremiah said would end in 70 years. Which is exactly how long it lasted. The second Temple was finished in 516 BC. Which fulfilled yet another prophecy when the Jews were commissioned by the Persian King Cyrus in 539 BC to rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem.

The contemporary situation of Diaspora Jews is remarkably like the Jews exiled to Babylon—specifically those who chose not to return to Israel from the Babylonian or Persian Empires of which there were more than those who did return. First with Zerubbabel, the governor and Jeshua, the High Priest … then later with Ezra, the scribe. And finally, with Nehemiah from the Persian empire.

Yet, Israel never regained sovereign status as a nation for two main reasons: (1) Some of those who returned and particularly the next generation failed to learn the heavy lesson of their Babylonian captivity and, thus, failed to return to the Lord, which was the purpose for God’s discipline of Israel. The books of Ezra and Nehemiah, but especially the last book of the Old Testament, Malachi, demonstrate this in dramatic, but distressing detail. (2) Only a minority of Jews returned to Israel, with the greater numbers remaining in the land of their captors. The Lord did not honor this less than half-hearted return (spiritual and literal … in numbers) of his people to once again trust, obey, and serve Him in the Promised Land of Israel.

All that began to change with the modern-day rebirth of Israel and the return of the Jews in larger numbers even than the Exodus. And in exceedingly greater numbers (proportionally) than the Babylonian/Persian exile.

Referring to Wikipedia (the statistics were up to-date through April 2018), the global Jewish population is 14,511,000. With 83% of Jews living in either Israel or the United States. The five countries with the greatest concentration of Jews:

Israel: 6.5 million

United States: 5.7 million

France: 465,000

Canada: 385,000

United Kingdom: 270,000

And in Russia: (Only) 186,000 left! Just as Scripture said would happen: many Jews of Israel would come from Russia, where several million resided at the outset of World War II.

Thus, for the first time (just in the past couple of decades) since the Diaspora of 70 AD more Jews live in Israel than in any other country on earth. This is a HUGE fulfillment of prophecy. One that tracks closely with end-times prophecies in which the return of Messiah will dovetail with not only the rebirth of Israel and the reunification of Jerusalem, but also with (from Jeremiah’s prophecy) the Second Exodus. And, of course, all the other prophetic signs listed earlier in this article.

In the context of President’s Trump reference to (Diaspora) Jews in America, it’s easy to understand why they wouldn’t have the same level of appreciation as Israeli Jews or even of Christians who ardently support Israel because we value the awesome truths (including prophecy) of the Bible. That these prophecies have unfolded before our 20^th & 21^st century eyes, and because we love and want to bless Israel however and whenever possible. We want to share in Israel’s joy of sovereign statehood and marvel at her amazing technological and agricultural accomplishments. We will speak against those who would seek to denigrate and even destroy Israel.

Undoubtedly the most common universal distinction (polarized dichotomy) between political, social, or religious ideologies is summed up as: Conservatives versus Liberals.

Most liberals are globalists. (See Eye of Prophecy article, Globalism or Populism … Which Will Antichrist Prefer? Posted 9-16-17).

Liberals are found in every society, including those whose agenda is even left of liberalism.

Some of these ultra-liberal Jews live in Israel; even more are American citizens, such as former Democratic presidential candidate, Bernie Sanders. Such as those on what is called “J Street.”

(Sounds Great, Who Doesn’t Want Middle East Peace? It’s Just That the J Street Organization Promotes the Palestinian Cause at the Literal Expense of Israeli Security)

By and large, they are those who do not support Israel’s government nor champion the sovereign existence of the State of Israel. They often accuse the Israeli government of (non-existent) oppression of the Palestinians. Contrary to the greater majority of Israeli Jews, many liberal Diaspora Jews disparage Zionism. Most Jews of the Diaspora (both liberal and conservative) prefer to remain apathetically neutral, if it means defending their Jewish brethren in Israel. With only marginal backing of Israel’s government, particularly when Israeli conservatives like Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (Likud Party) lead the nation.

There is a growing gap (albeit one that is tempered by the fundamental appreciation that the Jews now have their own land where they can not only live and prosper, but also defend themselves from their enemies) between Diaspora Jews and Israeli Jews. For example: Not that long ago, several members of the Knesset and other high-ranking Israeli officials scolded the Diaspora Jews for meddling in Israeli politics. Of being armchair quarterbacks.

Still, there is some solidarity, as seen by the continued economic support of Diaspora Jewry for their brothers and sisters in Israel.

I’m convinced that many American & European (and of course Israeli) Jews have descended from the so-called “ten lost tribes of Israel.” It’s just that most won’t know their ancestral tribe until Messiah returns. But 144,000 Jews will know beyond any doubt (Revelation 7).

See Eye of Prophecy articles One Hundred Forty-Four Thousand Messianic Jews Part I & Part II (Posted 4-23 & 4-30-16). Which leads us to the third dichotomy in Israel and with Jews world-wide:

Third Jewish Dichotomy: Messianic Jews and Non-Messianic Jews

Both in and outside Israel, there remains a meaningful measure of unity between secular and religious, between Israeli Jews and Diaspora Jews. Although the differences between these seemingly polar opposites is not debilitating, it is, nevertheless, disruptive. To the extent that Israel’s enemies gloat over these divisions and are elated when (for example) liberal Jews promote the Palestinian cause no matter the Biblical, historical, and international mandated existence of the State of Israel.

But the greatest distinction among Jews is those who are Messianic and those who are not.

Although few compared to the 14+ million Jews world-wide, there are tens of thousands of Jews who have accepted the New Covenant prophesied in Jeremiah (Chapter 31) by believing and receiving Jesus of Nazareth as God’s anointed Messiah—the Savior of both Jews and Gentiles.

(See Eye of Prophecy article, Messianic Jews … Who Are They? Published 4-25-15)

This dichotomy is deep. With many non-Messianic observant Jews (especially the orthodox) denouncing Jewish believers in Messiah Jesus as traitors and outcasts to Judaism. Conversely, with Messianic Jews sharing the compassion of the most recognized Messianic Jew ever (the Apostle Paul—formerly an ultra-orthodox Pharisee who persecuted 1^st century believers).

Said Paul: “…the longing of my heart and my prayer to God is for the people of Israel to be saved. I know what enthusiasm they have for God, but it is misdirected zeal” (Romans 10:1-2).

Messianic Jews know beyond all doubt that God has kept his everlasting covenant with Abraham through the rebirth of Israel and the reunification of Jerusalem; the Jews will forever possess the Promised Land. They also fully understand that it is they (and Gentile believers) who will rule and reign with Messiah Jesus during the Millennium, in fulfillment of God’s Covenant with King David. Accordingly, it is they who have fulfilled God’s two-part destiny (individual salvation through Messiah Jesus to be followed by national redemption when Jesus returns) for his chosen people.

They are Jewish through and through. It is their ancient ancestors—the twelve sons (tribes) of Jacob whose names will be written on the twelve gates of the New Jerusalem. And the names of Messiah’s twelve Jewish apostles will be written on the twelve foundations stones of this glorious city built by God himself (Revelation 21:10-14).

Since Israel’s rebirth as a nation, the unprecedented restoration of the all but dead Hebrew language, the amazing return of millions of Jews, the remarkable reclamation of Jerusalem as Israel’s eternal capital, and the against-all-odds victory in four wars over vastly superior Muslim armies, the secular among them have recognized that these astounding achievements were in some fashion providential. It’s just that they have stopped short of giving the God of Israel (the only true and living God) credit.

Observant Jews are equally elated with Israel’s rebirth and the relative security of Jews world-wide (compared to past times, especially World War II and the Holocaust) but for a different reason: they once again can practice Judaism with much more freedom and safety. In that regard, they acknowledge the God of Israel as the source of Israel’s very existence, restoration, and final redemption. But not so good because they still refuse to accept that the New Covenant predicted by Jeremiah has come. They are still in practical denial that Temple Mount is devoid of the Temple and that the Levitical Sacrificial System is no more.

Please see Eye of Prophecy trilogy: Where is the Temple? Posted 11-29, 12-6, & 12-13-14.

The following excerpt from Part III is the rolling premise throughout these articles to (with love and respect for God’s chosen people) challenge them to think about the loss of the Temple and the cessation of animal sacrifices, the very existence and essence of which meant redemption. That the exclusive reason is because the New Covenant replaced the Old Covenant when their Messiah Jesus was crucified, buried, and arose on the third day.

No Temple, no sacrificial offerings. No sacrifices, no atonement forgiveness of sins. No forgiveness, no redemption. No redemption, no right standing with God.

This dichotomy between Messianic Jews and their unsaved Jewish brothers and sisters in the flesh is the most noticeable of all, but one that God knew was both inevitable and necessary.

For unless and until God’s people fully realize that Messiah has already come, bringing with him the New Covenant through his once-for-all substitutionary sacrifice for Jew and Gentile alike, and that he is soon to return, they will continue to misunderstand, “…God’s way of making people right with himself. Refusing to accept God’s way, they cling to their own way of getting right with God by trying to keep the law. For Christ has already accomplished the purpose for which the law was given. As a result, all who believe in him are made right with God” (Romans 10:3-4).

Neither the dichotomy between secular and observant Jews nor the divergence between Israelis and Diaspora Jews will be fully resolved until the Jews recognize and turn to their Messiah, thereby fulfilling God’s ultimate purpose for choosing Abraham as the father of the Jewish people. Which was to bring the final Child of Promise to the entire world—the ultimate source of light and life to all people. The One who said:

Then validated that astonishing announcement by rising from the dead! Which is a historical fact.

Things to Ponder

To anyone with a truly open mind and heart, there should be no doubt that God has a Son; the Second Person of the Triune God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The Hebrew scriptures unequivocally declare this (Psalm 2 and Psalm 110).

God affirmed the divinity of the Messiah (Son of God, Son of David, Son of Man) through this magnificent proclamation:

“For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His government and its peace will never end. He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity. The passionate commitment of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies will make this happen!” (Isaiah 9:6-7).

Anyone with that same open mind and heart will search the Scriptures and see that Jesus fulfilled every one of the dozens of prophecies regarding the first coming of Messiah. All one needs to do is to match up the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ to the Hebrew Scriptures, such as found in Psalm 22, Isaiah 52 & 53, Zechariah 9, and other passages.

Anyone who is willing to examine all of God’s Word (both Old and New Testament) will better understand the reason for the world’s ills, including the split within the Jewish race itself (secular—observant; Israeli—Diaspora; Messianic—non-Messianic). As well as the universal dichotomy between light and darkness, good and evil, life and death.

Then to fully realize that the only bridge between moral, spiritual, ethnic, and geopolitical opposites on this planet is none other than the Prince of Peace.

“…and your king will bring peace to the nations. His realm will stretch from sea to sea and from the Euphrates River to the ends of the earth” (Zechariah 9:10).

That one day soon there will be no more rival religions, no polarized politics, no fighting factions, with an end to irreconcilable differences between peoples.

From Jerusalem, “The Lord will mediate between peoples and will settle disputes between strong nations far away (anyone who can settle differences between nations can certainly resolve dichotomies within nations). They will hammer their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will no longer fight against nation, nor train for war anymore. Everyone will live in peace and prosperity, enjoying their own grapevines and fig trees, for there will be nothing to fear” (Micah 4:3-4, italics for emphasis, parenthesis mine).

“And the Lord will be king over all the earth. On that day there will be one Lord—his name alone will be worshipped” (Zechariah 14:9).

Gog/Magog’s Prophetic Clock Is Ticking, Ticking….

16 Saturday Jun 2018

Posted by garybowers in Current Events

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Amazing 20^th & 21^st Century Developments

In the 20^th century and only eighteen years into the 21^st century, Planet Earth has witnessed a phenomenal paradigm predicted in Scripture long ago. This dynamic pattern consists of: (1) last-day’s events impact peoples and nations on a truly global level. (2) When end-times signs unfold, they take place rapidly, on an exponential scale.

Part 1: Global Impact of Last Day’s Events

Over 2,500 years ago, the prophet Daniel portrayed “…the time of the end, when many will rush here and there, and knowledge will increase” (Daniel 12:4).

Since the early 20^th century ingenious invention of the automobile and airplane combined with the incredible advancement of passenger shipbuilding (think Titanic) and super trains, international travel has exploded by ten to whatever power you care to make it. We can literally move at supersonic speed. Many will rush here and there.

These powerful progressions in travel were preceded and paralleled by the telegraph, telephone, and radio. Then eclipsed exponentially by more dazzling transformations of communication—television, the computer, the cellphone, the internet, and pocket-size digital devices never thought possible. All of which have ignited an explosion of knowledge unrivaled in history; information that is literally a click or fingertip touch away.

According to those who have studied this (general … all kinds) increase in knowledge, until the year 1900 knowledge doubled every century. After WWII, every 25 years. And since the advent of the digital age, every 13 months! With the projection that we are fast approaching the doubling of knowledge every 12 hours! Even if it’s (only) every 12 days, it’s a staggering thing to process.

“And knowledge will increase,” wrote Daniel. Notice, that Daniel didn’t say wisdom would spread, just knowledge. An argument could be made that real wisdom (God’s truth found in Scripture) in today’s post-modern world has been cut in half, rather than doubling. Were Daniel to suddenly step foot into the year 2018, he would undoubtedly be dumbfounded at the technology that has expedited this astonishing growth of travel and information, especially the speed of both. On the other hand, I’m convinced he would not be surprised. Why?

Because Daniel and other prophets (as well as we who have believed and received all that Scripture declares) knew beyond any doubt that what God says will happen, always happens. What he says he will do, he always does. It’s as simple and yet profound as that. Hundreds of fulfilled Bible prophecies and miracles are proof positive that the God of the Bible is the only true and living God. It’s baffling that the world-at-large doesn’t see that.

But then, “The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction!” (I Corinthians 1:18a).

Part 2: Last Days Events Unfold Swiftly … Once They Begin

Jesus himself conveyed this feature of the two-part Biblical principle and pattern. He used a plainly understood yet riveting image to show that when the last days began to unfold they would do so rapidly.

“Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in many parts of the world. But this is only the first of the birth pains, with more to come” (Matthew 24:7-8, italics for emphasis).

Global statistics show that natural disasters have increased progressively in both frequency and severity during the 20^th & 21^st centuries. Which vividly matches the analogy of labor pains during childbirth that Jesus used to illustrate the signs of the last days.

Rumors of wars have been more prevalent in the 20^th & 21^st centuries than ever before. Concerning war itself, one need only to look at the unbelievable carnage caused by World War I, even shockingly more catastrophic during World War II. There have been dozens of other wars, but these two global conflicts alone give generational meaning and proof to Messiah Jesus’s description of the end times.

Regarding the rapid unfolding of prophetic events once they begin, it’s not only the signs of the last days. This is God’s pattern throughout history. Here is an excerpt from Eye of Prophecy article, Who Is Messiah? Posted 3-29-14.

God works that way. Though his timing is different (better) than ours, and though we many times must wait for his plan to materialize in our lives individually and nationally; when specific signs of specific prophecies materialize, then the actual fulfillment of those prophecies quickly follow, i.e. in that or the following generation. This was true in Noah’s time; in the time of Moses when he led the Israelites out of Egyptian bondage; in Joshua’s time when he led them into the Promised Land; in King Saul, King David’s time when God allowed the Jews to have a king; in Jeremiah’s time when he prophesied of the Babylonian captivity; in Jesus’s time when he proclaimed that salvation had come to the Jews and the whole world; in the first century when the Romans destroyed Jerusalem and the Temple in less than a generation after Jesus announced this ominous prophecy; and in our generation that has witnessed the rebirth of Israel and the gathering of certain nations against Israel.

Messiah Jesus disclosed other end-time’s signs and painted other pictures regarding the swift succession of these events and his return, demonstrating that when these things begin to unfurl they will increase with kaleidoscope intensity.

“For as the lightning flashes in the east and shines to the west, so it will be when the Son of Man comes” (Matthew 24:27).

Here, Jesus is specifically referring to his return at the end of the seven-year Great Tribulation. However, the lightning imagery is used in the greater context of how things will increase in rapid-fire fashion beginning with the birth-pain signs and culminating with his glorious return that will literally save the world from self-destruction. Which, in turn, gives birth to the glorious Kingdom of God on earth, beginning with the Millennial Reign of Messiah Jesus.

Then in the next verse, he says: “Just as the gathering of vultures shows there is a carcass nearby, so these signs indicate that the end is near” (Verse 28). Here Jesus is consolidating all the end times signals (as he presented in this passage and as predicted in many other places in Scripture).

Then one last metaphor that narrows down the birth-pain model to a time-dedicated period of the last days.

“Now learn a lesson from the fig tree. When its branches and its leaves begin to sprout, you know that summer is near. In the same way, when you see all these things, you can know his return is very near, right at the door. I tell you the truth, this generation will not pass from the scene until all these things take place” (Matthew 24:32-34).

As detailed in several prior Eye of Prophecy articles (such as The Omega Generation, posted 2-15-14 or The Balfour Declaration … Beginning of the Omega Generation Part I & II, 5-13 & 5-20-17), this fig-tree generation comparison has an approximate start time.

There are two primary parameters of a generation in Scripture—100 years and 70 years.

The 20^th century witnessed the beginning of many of these birth-pangs, none more so than two World Wars and two other stunning events, both of which were linked directly to these horrific global conflicts.

100 years ago: World War I ended November 11, 1918. And in November 1917, the surprising Balfour Declaration which paved the way for the subsequent (still unfolding) restoration of Israel and return of the Jews to their Promised Land.

70 years ago: The remarkable rebirth of Israel as a sovereign nation May 14, 1948, just three years after World War II came to an end. That’s as fig-tree generation as it gets!

What used to take centuries, then decades to unfold (e.g. rise of nations, conditions leading to war, establishment of treaties) now take only a few years, months, weeks, and even days. Not the least of which was Israel’s rebirth as a nation in one day!

Other than conflicts fought on more of a containment basis, all-out wars in the 20^th & 21^st century have ended much faster than in previous centuries. The two biggest wars of all time (by far) lasted four-six years each.

And who can ever forget the stunning victory of one small nation against three nations with a combined populace and military far greater. Of course, I’m referring to the astounding Six-Day War of June 1967. Considering the against all odds obstacles, Israel’s defeat of Egypt, Syria, and Jordan (with Iraq & Lebanon also participating but to lesser extent) is considered by many, including military experts, as the greatest (in such a short time) triumph of all time.

The Rapid Global Unfolding of End Times Events Applied to Gog/Magog

Several Eye of Prophecy articles have been written in part or full about the soon-to-come (not long after the Rapture) Gog/Magog invasion of Israel, led by three prominent nations: Russia, Iran, and Turkey. Today’s article is in large part a follow-up to one of those articles: The Gog/Magog Countdown Has Begun. Published 9-10-16.

In a fascinating (unique) prophetic fashion, the Lord tells Ezekiel to prophesy (speak to) Gog of the land of Magog as though Gog and his allies were already planning to invade Israel.

“Get ready; be prepared! Keep all of the armies around you mobilized, and take command of them” (Ezekiel 38:7).

The present tense condition of these words is unmistakable. God is speaking to Gog/Magog as though they were poised to strike Israel. Which is exactly the geopolitical and military position that Russia, Iran, and Turkey are currently occupying in Syria. And only since 2014, when Russia, then Iran, and later Turkey deployed military bases in Syria. It’s as though God, through Ezekiel, was addressing this coalition by email telling them to be on the alert, to get ready for action, to go ahead with their sinister (ulterior) goal of conquering Israel. Because when they do, God will spring into action and it won’t be a pretty scene for Gog and his allies.

In the very next verse, the Lord continues his dressing-down of Gog as though Gog was right there listening. While at the same time reminding Ezekiel and the reader that this present-tense admonition (keep your armies mobilized) would be a long way off from Ezekiel’s time … 2,600 years ago and counting, but now with each tick of the clock.

“A long time from now you will be called into action. In the distant future you will swoop down on the land of Israel, which will be enjoying peace after recovering from war and after its people have returned from many lands to the mountains of Israel. You and all your allies—a vast and awesome army—will roll down on them like a storm and cover the land like a cloud” (Ezekiel 38:8-9).

In the hundreds of Biblical end-times prophecies, rarely, if at all, does the Lord use the phrase, a long time from now or in the distant future. Why here in Ezekiel as applied to Gog/Magog? I’m convinced it’s because the Lord is emphasizing that—although the Gog/Magog alliance would (historically) be a long time in coming—when Gog and his allies were ready to pounce on Israel, the events preceding that invasion would unfold in exceptionally quick sequence. In fact, the passage bookmarks the beginning of that time: the restoration of Israel as a nation and return of the Jews from world-wide exile.

Beginning especially during the Yom Kippur war of 1973, Russia has been as active in its dealings (positive or negative) with Israel as the Western nations, especially the United States. To the unlikely point where Russia and Israel are not only on speaking terms (as we speak) but have recently become as close-knit as any two countries who have multiple differences can be.

Thus, Ezekiel juxtaposes the far-off Gog/Magog invasion of Israel with a present-day reality that prophetically fits the paradigm discussed earlier. Which is: when last-day’s events begin to unfold, they will develop exponentially, fast enough to fit within or very close to a generational period. And they will have repercussions on the entire world. As I have said several times in prior articles (so have others), at no time in history has virtually the entire world been so inordinately focused to the point of perplexity (angst) on the tiny nation of Israel.

The Gog/Magog Systematic Countdown … With Every Tick of the Clock

In the past few years, Iran has been on the “hot seat” as much or more than any other dictatorial nation on earth; earning the dubious distinction of a “rogue nation” along with North Korea and a few less prominent countries. And rightfully so, given its hatred of Israel, the United States, and animosity toward nations that support Israel and the US—whether sincerely or pragmatically for economic and political reasons.

Since President Trump rescinded the United States participation in former President Obama’s (as the instigator) 2015 Nuclear Deal with Iran, the other P5 + 1 nations who were party to that agreement (Great Britain, France, Russia, China, and Germany) have refused to support this withdrawal. This, despite President Trump’s offer to negotiate a different (better) pact, one that would put teeth into the original agreement which Iran has obviously violated in several ways. Such as not allowing the IAEA to send nuclear inspectors on short notice; continuing to develop and deploy long-range ballistic missiles; maintaining plans and facilities to renew uranium enrichment for nuclear warheads.

And though not part of the Nuclear Deal, Iran’s unabated rhetoric that calls for, “Death to Israel,” Death to America” all the while funding terrorist organizations like Hezbollah (Lebanon), Hamas (Gaza), and the Houthis (Yemen).

Earlier this month, Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, once again published a threat against Israel by saying that Iran’s, “…stance against Israel is the same stance we have always taken. Israel is a malignant cancerous tumor in the West Asian region that has to be removed and eradicated: it is possible, and it will happen.” (Whether this post was a reprint from one in the past or a new one, Khamenei has publicized several annihilation tirades against Israel).

Does it get any more disgusting and dreadful than that? What part of “cancerous tumor” and removal and eradication of Israel doesn’t any sensible and presumably intelligent head of state understand? There were token condemnations of Khamenei’s menacing threats, but not nearly enough to see through Iran’s lies, treachery, and true intentions concerning any so-called “deal.” Now it’s up to the P5 nations plus scores of other countries to decide who can better butter their bread … Iran or the United States.

Just a few days ago, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with (one day each), German Chancellor Angela Merkel, French President Emmanuel Macron, and British Prime Minister Theresa May. None of them agreed with Netanyahu (or the United States) that the current Nuclear Deal should be canceled, nor at the very least renegotiated and rewritten. The week before his European tour, Netanyahu spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo concerning Iran’s military presence in Syria.

(Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu & British Prime Minister Theresa May)

In June 2017, Iran prominently displayed a clock in its capital Tehran that has begun to count down the destruction of Israel by the year 2040. Evidently, the ticking of this clock was in connection to another one of Khamenei’s malignant (Iran is the cancerous tumor) and malicious threats saying, “You (Israelis) will not see the coming 25 years and, God (meaning Allah) willing, there will not be something named the Zionist regime in the next 25 years.”

There’s no doubt that the Ayatollah wants Israel destroyed long before the 25 years is up. This is repugnantly reflected in the statement of one of Iran’s top generals, Abdolrahim Mousavi, who made this ominous threat: “Our fingers are on the trigger and the missiles are ready to fire. We need to prevent this illegitimate entity (Israel) from continuing to exist even one more day.”

For the present, Iran prefers that its puppet regime Hezbollah in Lebanon (thousands of Hezbollah troops currently in Syria) and other extremists from several countries (especially Afghanistan and Pakistan) do the proxy fighting for Iran. To that end, Iran has imported 80,000 Muslim Shi’ite terrorist fighters to Syria (ostensibly to fight against ISIS and anti-Assad freedom fighters, but with the more sinister goal of eventually attacking Israel) and transported 130,000 missiles to Syria and Lebanon. And this is just deployment of a conventional military arsenal, with their ultimate objective that of developing nuclear warheads to take out Israel.

An Unexpected Twist in Middle East Alliances … Contradiction of Biblical Prophecy?

In the previously mentioned article The Gog/Magog Countdown Has Begun! I provided in-depth details of the favorable geopolitical interaction beginning just a few years ago between Russia and Iran, Russia and Turkey, Iran and Turkey; each a former adversary of the others. With the overall result of all three nations now bearing a military presence in Syria, right next door to Israel!

However, strange bedfellows are seldom compatible.

If you’ve kept abreast of Middle East developments in just the past few weeks, you know that:

(1) Iran sent an explosive-armed drone into Israel; the first time Iran had attacked Israel directly. The IDF blew the drone out of the sky.

(2) Israel has launched several retaliatory and preemptive air strikes against Syrian and Iranian military and/or missile bases in Syria.

(3) Paradoxically, Russia has condoned (permitted) Israel’s intervention. To even include Israeli advanced notice to Russian military personnel in Syria when and where the strikes will take place, to prevent any collateral damage to Russian installations or accidental “sharing” of the same airspace with Russian planes.

(4) Russia has demanded that all foreign military forces, including Iran and Hezbollah, withdraw from anywhere near the southern Syrian border with Israel. To include Iran’s total withdrawal from Syria when both ISIS and the rebel fighters against Assad’s Syrian government are totally defeated.

(5) This alliance type of agreement between Russia and Israel (to indirectly include Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt, and some Arabic Gulf States) has infuriated Iran, with a consequential chilling of relations between Russia and Iran. President Erdogan of Turkey has sensibly yielded to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s stance, knowing that Russia is currently the dominate foreign power in Syria.

(Turkey’s Recep Erdogan & Iran’s Ayatollah Khamenei Want Their Own Regimes To Be the Head of a Middle-East, Even World-wide Islamic Caliphate)

Assessing the big picture, Middle East expert/scholar Zvi Magen of the Tel Aviv University-affiliated Institute for National Security Studies, and a former Israeli ambassador to Russia and Ukraine stated:

“During the civil war, they were on the same side backing Syrian President Bashar Assad, but now that the war is ending, they are pushing different agendas. Iran and Russia want to control Syria themselves.”

Magen continues: “…there is the problem of Israel since it can spoil things. If there would be a war between Israel and Iran in Syria, it would be bad for Russia, and so they are searching for some kind of solution, part of which was its deal with Israel that pushes the Iranians out of southern Syria.”

Obviously, both Russia and Iran wish to be the prevailing power in Syria—with Iran’s goal of a hostile annihilation of Israel and Russia’s ulterior motive that of overcoming Israel through diplomatic stealth that will catch Israel off-guard, to the point where Russia leads a military campaign against Israel. In Ezekiel 38 & 39, it is Gog (the Russian leader) whom God addresses directly.

It is Russia that will spearhead the Magog invasion of Israel and will do so when Israel is at its highest pinnacle of peace since her glory days of King David and King Solomon. This peace will be orchestrated shortly after the Rapture by Antichrist (Nero) who has “miraculously” returned from the grave. It will be the seven-year treaty foretold by Daniel. At that time, Russia will ostensibly be Israel’s “friend” which is exactly what’s taking place now in the formative stages, in preparation for this soon to come Gog/Magog invasion.

However, there’s a problem. Seemingly, this growing rift between Russia and Iran has no solution, as both countries (and to a lesser extent Turkey) are firmly embedded in Syria, and neither one is prepared to flinch. Russia doesn’t want a hostile conflict with its bedfellow buddy Iran. But even more so, Russia doesn’t want to jeopardize its budding friendliness with the United States and Israel.

Thus, the question whether Ezekiel’s prophecy could possibly come to pass, i.e. a Russian led coalition of Iran, Turkey, and some smaller nations. The answer is found by digging deeper into Scripture beyond the basic understanding that the Gog/Magog invasion of Israel will absolutely take place and will assuredly include Iran.

It’s a matter of evaluating and fitting current events into the greater context of Biblical prophecy, instead of trying to squeeze (thereby, questioning or doubting) Biblical prophecy into seemingly contradictory and ever-changing current events. To carefully examine every feature of any given prophecy; then, if applicable, to compare it to other prophecies of Scripture. (For example, see how this premise applies to the European Union and Antichrist as detailed in Eye of Prophecy articles, The Final Treaty of Rome Part I & II, posted 5-14 & 5-21-16).

It’s looking at the Big Picture from a Biblical perspective.

Regarding the Gog/Magog prediction, Ezekiel is the only place where it can be found. Thus, it’s imperative that we look at every aspect of this stunning prophecy, which has been done in various Eye of Prophecy articles. But for purpose of this week’s article, to eliminate skepticism that such an invasion could take place when Russia and Iran are presently at odds with each other, to the point of being irreversible.

First, to remember the overriding purpose of the Gog/Magog attack: to destroy Israel. Otherwise, each Magog nation will have its own national agenda—foremost to be the main power in the Middle East, which is what Russia, Iran, and Turkey are pursuing as we speak.

Stand Still and Watch God Fight for Israel!

The above heading is the title of an Eye of Prophecy article published 7-30-16.

In it, I provide specifics regarding the only three times that God vanquishes Israel’s enemies without Israel required to do any fighting at all. The first two have already taken place, with the third and final victory yet to come. Do you know what conflict that will be? This week’s article gives it away … the Gog/Magog war!

Except for these three wars, the Jews had to fight in addition to God’s various levels of intervention in their battles. This even included Jericho. Although the Lord supernaturally demolished the supposedly impenetrable walls of Jericho, the Israelites still had to fight the inhabitants of the city to gain the final victory.

We’ll look only at a highly condensed summary of these spectacular incidents, with a special emphasis on how God unilaterally wraps up total victory for Israel. All Israel need do is … pick up the pieces (spoils of war).

King Jehoshaphat

Judah’s King Jehoshaphat and his people were in a state of paralyzed panic over “a vast army” mustered by their enemies, the Moabites, Ammonites, and Meunites. From the tribe of Levi came a man named Jahaziel who (like Moses, Joshua, and Caleb in the wilderness) knew that God would give Israel the victory. Thus, he declared:

“Listen, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! Listen, King Jehoshaphat! This is what the Lord says: Do not be afraid! Don’t be discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is not yours, but God’s” (II Chronicles 20:15).

The Israelites listened to and trusted the Lord, and the next day began praising and worshipping Him. Here’s what happened:

“At the very moment they began to sing and give praise, the Lord caused the armies of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir to start fighting among themselves. The armies of Moab and Ammon turned against their allies from Mount Seir and killed every one of them. After they had destroyed the army of Seir, they began attacking each other. So when the army of Judah arrived at the lookout point in the wilderness, all they saw were dead bodies lying on the ground as far as they could see. Not a single one of the enemy had escaped. King Jehoshaphat and his men went out to gather the plunder…” (II Chronicles 20:22-25).

These wars (two historical, one future) in which God destroys Israel’s enemies without the Jews lifting a finger, reveal three distinct ways in which the Lord alone achieves the victory. In this case, God providentially caused Israel’s enemies to turn on themselves to the extent of complete annihilation.

King Hezekiah

Although the Lord had allowed the mighty nation of Assyria to conquer and disperse the ten northern tribes of Israel in 722 B.C. (of which the Lord had warned his people for decades would happen if they didn’t turn back to him), he would not permit Assyria to destroy the remaining two southern tribes, Benjamin and Judah. That would come 136 years later, and it would be Babylon that would conquer Judah.

In 701 B.C. King Sennacherib of Assyria amassed his armies to besiege Jerusalem. Once again, the Israelites were terrified of this enormous, seemingly undefeatable army. King Hezekiah pleaded with the prophet Isaiah to seek God’s help. Isaiah assured Hezekiah that Assyria wouldn’t even begin an attack against Jerusalem, imparting God’s words, “Listen! I myself will move against him (Sennacherib)…” (II Kings 19:7).

Let’s go directly to the shocking finale.

“That night the angel of the Lord went out to the Assyrian camp and killed 185,000 Assyrian soldiers. When the surviving Assyrians woke up the next morning, they found corpses everywhere. Then King Sennacherib of Assyria broke camp and returned to his own land. He went home to his capital of Nineveh and stayed there” (II Kings 19:35-36).

*Note: Picture Sennacherib and what was left of his army slinking back to Assyria with the proverbial tail between the legs. And when Sennacherib got to Nineveh, he “stayed there.” That says it all. Not long thereafter, two of Sennacherib’s sons assassinated him, just as God said would happen through Isaiah … that Sennacherib would die by the sword.

In contrast to God’s providential intervention by (indirectly) causing Israel’s enemies to turn on each other, we see in this situation that the Lord directly intervened by killing an astounding 185,000 soldiers. Overnight!

Gog/Magog

Soon, for the third time in Israel’s (future … the future is the present to our timeless God) history, the Lord will fight for his people, without the Jews needing to go to battle. Only this time, God will employ a combination of the previous two strategies.

“But this is what the Sovereign Lord says: When Gog invades the land of Israel, my fury will boil over! In my jealousy and blazing anger, I promise a mighty shaking in the land of Israel on that day … all the people on earth will quake in terror at my presence. Mountains will be thrown down; cliffs will crumble; walls will fall to the earth. I will summon the sword against you on all the hills of Israel, says the Sovereign Lord. Your men will turn their swords against each other. I will punish you and your armies with disease and bloodshed; I will send torrential rain, hailstones, fire, and burning sulfur! In this way, I will show my greatness and holiness, and I will make myself known to all the nations of the world. Then they will know that I am the Lord” (Ezekiel 38:18-23, italics for emphasis).

God will obliterate this Russian-led coalition by a supernatural unleashing of nature’s power AND the Magog nations turning on each other. The overwhelming implication and application is that the alliance between Russia, Iran, and Turkey will be strong in the framework of their mutual goal of conquering Israel, but tenuous regarding their selfish desires to, “capture vast amounts of plunder” (Ezekiel 38:12) in Israel, and to dominate the Middle East region. Which explains what’s taking place (preliminary stages) with this unexpected discord between Russia and Iran, making their alliance even more fragile.

The Gog/Magog invasion of Israel will very likely begin with Gog (Russia) saying to its “allies” something like, “You’re welcome to join us, but we will be in charge of this operation—the planning, the execution, and the aftermath control of Israel.” With Iran and Turkey overtly agreeing, but covertly devising their own scheme to occupy Israel.

And, oh, will they all wish they hadn’t. As is said, “it won’t be a pretty sight.”

“You and your army and your allies will all die on the mountains. I will feed you to the vultures and wild animals. You will fall in the open fields, for I have spoken, says the Sovereign Lord. And I will rain down fire on Magog and on all your allies who live safely on the coasts. Then they will know that I am the Lord” (Ezekiel 39:4-6).

Then, “It will take seven months for the people of Israel to bury the bodies and cleanse the land. Everyone in Israel will help, for it will be a glorious victory for Israel when I demonstrate my glory on that day, says the Sovereign Lord. After seven months, teams of men will be appointed to search the land for skeletons to bury, so the land will be made clean again” (Ezekiel 39:12-14).

Things to Ponder

On the authority of the only true and living God (who certainly isn’t Allah) and of his Scriptures, we can know for certain: Israel will still be here in 2040. Whether it’s the year 2040 or perhaps a smaller numbered year if God changes time again (due to the return of Messiah Jesus) as was done when God’s Son came to earth the first time. In fact, Israel, will endure forever. In the beautiful Dry Bones prophecy just one chapter before the Gog/Magog passage, we read that the Lord will (has already begun to) miraculously revive and restore the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob to the land given to them by God, himself:

“…They and their children and their grandchildren after them will live there forever, generation after generation… I will give them their land and increase their numbers… I will make my home among them. I will be their God, and they will be my people. And when my Temple is among them forever, the nations will know that I am the Lord, who makes Israel holy” (Ezekiel 37:25-28).

Iran’s Ayatollah has a choice. To believe what the God of Israel has declared will happen, or to believe his satanic god Allah who orders Muslims to subjugate the Jews and Christians and kill them if they don’t submit willingly.

Personally, I’ve placed my trust and hope in the historical fact that Jesus of Nazareth arose from the dead, after giving himself as the ultimate once for all sacrifice for forgiveness and pardon of my sins.

In his magnificent post-ascension appearance to John, Jesus said:

Jesus Is the Messiah!

Not some Muslim imam (or any other religious leader or would-be messiah) who has done nothing for humanity except to corrupt and falsify the truth of God’s salvation, the only redemption that will assure eternal life in heaven.

It’s Iran (along with Russia, Turkey, other Gog allies, then later Antichrist and the remaining armies and people on earth who defy God and seek to destroy Israel), that will be eradicated as they march on Israel.

Take heed, Mr. Ayatollah and all who, “…plot together against the Lord and against his anointed one … the one who rules in heaven laughs. The Lord scoffs at them. Then in anger he rebukes them, terrifying them with his fierce fury” (Psalm 2:2-5).

Those who seek to destroy Israel, beware: “The day is near when I, the Lord, will judge all godless nations! As you have done to Israel, so it will be done to you. All your evil deeds will fall back on your own heads. Just as you swallowed up my people on my holy mountain, so you and the surrounding nations will swallow the punishment I pour out on you. Yes, all you nations will drink and stagger and disappear from history” (Obadiah 1:15-16).

So, Iran swears that Israel will disappear as a nation by 2040 does it? Go ahead, Ayatollah and set your watch. But watch out for the God of Israel who has already set His time for the hour of your doom, and for the utter destruction of your Magog comrades.

God’s prophetic clock is ticking. One day we’ll see, For Whom the Bell Tolls.

Jerusalem / City Above All Cities

19 Saturday May 2018

Posted by garybowers in Current Events

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Israeli-Palestinian conflict

Great Cities of the World

The creativity God gave to humanity is truly remarkable. But, then, the Lord is The Creator … of all things. And he created us in his image. Although we tend to focus on innovation that produces music, paintings, sculptures, and literature (fiction, non-fiction), everyone is gifted in some way or another. Each person has a special intelligence; an aptitude to be or do something better or different than most.

I am particularly impressed with those who design and build (architects, draftsmen, engineers, contractors, and craftsmen) such things as automobiles, ships, trains, airplanes, giant cranes, and intricate equipment and machinery of all kinds. But especially buildings— spectacular skyscrapers, colossal castles, beautiful museums, exquisite galleries, grand theatres, splendid stadiums, luxurious hotels, and just ordinary houses, that one after another grow into great cities all over the earth.

One of my favorite television programs is called Aerial America, which began as a flyover (with a historical narrative) of every state in the United States; and, recently, has morphed into Aerial Cities. There’s nothing like the stunning vista of mountains, valleys, canyons, rivers, lakes, prairies, landmarks, buildings, and entire cities from the air.

Preferring an aisle seat when flying, I, nevertheless, peer left or right through an airplane window to view the city as we approach it. The experience gives visual validation to the maxim: the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.

The geographic size and demographic population of dozens of large cities world-wide is staggering. Because there’s more than one criterion to measure the size of a city, on-line statistical sites vary in their rankings of cities by population. But there seems to be near-unanimous consensus of the largest city in the world. Do you know which one it is?

In answer to that question, the web-site I chose was www.worldatlas.com

Answer: Tokyo, Japan. By far. Population: 38,001,000.

The next largest: Delhi, India, 25,703,168.

Third place: Shanghai, China, 23.740,778.

Sixth place: Mexico City, 20,998,543.

New York City sits in 10^th place: 18,593,220. Paris, 25^th place at 10,843,285. And London comes in at number 28: 10,313,307.

(Seoul, South Korea … population nearly 10 million)

These and others are considered great cities, at least in terms of the first definition of great as found in Webster’s Dictionary: “Notably large in size.”

Now, some shocking news: with a sudden shift to the final (21^st)and most devastating of God’s judgments portrayed in the apocalyptic book of Revelation. I’ve quoted this passage in a few Eye of Prophecy articles, including an article that dealt extensively with the man-made carnage plus God’s wrath poured out on a wicked world—during a seven-year period that will be more devastating than all previous man-made and natural calamities combined: Shocking Statistics of the Great Tribulation (Posted 6-6-15).

“Then the thunder crashed and rolled, and lightning flashed. And a great earthquake struck—the worse since people were placed on the earth. The great city Babylon (Rome) split into three sections, and the cities of many nations fell into heaps of rubble … And every island disappeared, and the mountains were all leveled. There was a terrible hailstorm, and hailstones weighing as much as seventy-five pounds fell from the sky on the people below” (Revelation 16:18-21, italics for emphasis, parenthesis mine).

Can you wrap your mind around what you just read? I hope you can do a better job that I have, as indicated in the following excerpt from the article referenced above (in italics):

Every time I read it, I shake my head in disbelief. I repeat the words, but they still do not compute. My imagination lags far behind the stunning reality of it all.

I went on to say:

Once again, absolutely incredible! Not just cities all over the earth crumbling into rubble, or every single island—think of the Hawaiian Islands—completely disappearing (giant tsunamis that not only inundate but sink the islands), and all the earth’s mountains flattened into level plains. No, that isn’t what causes the unrepentant who are left on the earth to curse God once again. It was the giant hailstones that obviously were even more devastating than the other colossal calamities.

An Intriguing Correlation

Jesus gave a lengthy answer to his disciples’ question, “…What sign will signal your return and the end of the world?” (Matthew 24:3).

Early in his response, Jesus used the following analogy: “But all this is only the first of the birth pains, with more to come” (Verse 8).

In the 20^th century, we experienced the first of the birth pains. Some, like the rebirth of Israel, are exceptionally good. Others, like two World Wars and countless other wars, rumors of war, and international terrorism are not good (to say the least).

In this 21^st century, I firmly believe we are in the more to come phase of labor pains. One of the more to come is the completion of the coalition that has recently begun to take shape with what many considered to be an unlikely, if not impossible, alliance between Russia, Iran, and Turkey—the three prominent nations of the Gog/Magog confederation.

(Let’s admit it men, we’ve never worked–labored this hard in our life)

Messiah’s analogy to a woman’s birth pangs is precisely what’s happening in our world. The contractions (earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, hurricanes, tsunamis) are increasing in record numbers and severity. The painful spasms of wars and rumors of war and ethnic rivalries continue with kaleidoscope intensity. But birth pains also signal that something so very good is about to happen. Concerning God’s providential purpose and plan for humanity, it is the birth of the Kingdom of God on earth, headquartered in Jerusalem.

Jerusalem, The City That God Loves Above All Cities on Earth

The rebirth of Israel (May 14, 1948) as a sovereign nation was both miraculous and peculiar.

This is how the Lord foretold it through the prophet Isaiah:

“Before the birth pains even begin, Jerusalem gives birth to a son. Who has ever seen anything as strange as this? Who ever heard of such a thing? Has a nation ever been born in a single day? Has a country ever come forth in a mere moment? But by the time Jerusalem’s birth pains begin, her children will be born. Would I ever bring this nation to the point of birth and then not deliver it? Asks the Lord. No! I would never keep this nation from being born, says your God” (Isaiah 66:7-9, notice that Israel and Jerusalem are inseparable in this birth process).

That’s exactly what has transpired with Israel; she was reborn in record time—one day. Then after her birth, the labor pains began in the form of intense persecution from surrounding Muslim nations resulting in four major wars and subsequent suicide bombings, terrorist attacks, and BDS actions that continue to this day.

This paradoxical birth was extraordinarily evident this past Monday. Some 800 Israeli and United States officials celebrated Israel’s 70^th anniversary as a nation. At the same time tens of thousands of Palestinians from Gaza (now in its seventh week of rioting) stormed the fenced border, and certainly not as peaceful protestors. In an acceleration of this rampage, Palestinians hurled firebombs, grenades, and stones at IDF troops. They fired guns toward the IDF and attempted to plant land mines near the fence. Many brought with them cutting tools to breach the fence. And they continue to attach fire bags to kites and fly them into Israel. Thus far, hundreds of acres of Israeli cropland have been destroyed.

Such a peaceful “Right of Return” march!

Sixty Palestinians were killed (most of them Hamas terrorists embedded in the huge crowd of Palestinians estimated at 40,000, with some “civilians” paid by Hamas to breach the fence) by the IDF who has every right to defend their people against the real intention of Hamas. To attack and overrun Israelis—many of whom live only a short distance from the border.

(For the past six weeks, every day that Palestinians march on the border, they burn tires–a literal smokescreen to try to breach the border fence)

The next day (May 15^th), even more Palestinians were to march on Israel, as it was Nakba Day (Arabic for day of disaster). In remembrance of the Arab’s painful defeat when five Muslim countries attacked newborn Israel on May 15^th, the day after Israel declared statehood.

Instead of the projected 100,000, only about 4,000 Palestinians showed up. Two more Palestinians died while attempting to breach the fence.

What happened? Why the drastic (fortunate) reduction in the number of Palestinians streaming to Israel’s border?

What happened is something the mainstream media has not fully reported; however, a handful of media outlets have. The following excerpts are from a May 16^th, 2018 article by Daniel Siryoti posted in on-line news source Israel Hayom (in italics):

Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was summoned urgently to Cairo Monday, where Egyptian officials severely admonished him over the terrorist’s group’s insistence on instigating violent demonstrations on the Israel-Gaza Strip border.

General Intelligence Service head Maj. Gen. Abbas Kamel leveled scathing criticism at him over Hamas “riot policy.”

…Egyptian officials were stunned by the high number of casualties and angered by information provided by Israel that proved Hamas was paying civilians, including children, to place themselves in harm’s way by approaching the fence and clashing with IDF soldiers so as to allow Hamas operatives to blend into the crowd and try to carry out terrorist attacks….

Quoting the Egyptian official being interviewed, the article’s author writes:

“Kamel kept Haniyeh waiting outside his office. It was humiliating. When Haniyeh was finally called in, you could hear him (Kamel) yelling. Haniyeh didn’t answer back.

“Haniyeh was told, in no uncertain terms, that the blood of the dead was on his and (Hamas military leader) Yahya Sinwar’s head…”

The official said that “Haniyeh was stunned” by the Egyptian rebuke… Egyptian intelligence officers, “made it clear to him (Haniyeh) that the Hamas leadership will be held responsible for any more deaths in border riots. They told him history won’t forgive the Hamas leadership for such senseless deaths.

“Kamel demanded that Haniyeh order his people to cease the border riot campaign immediately. It was a very stern message,” the official said.

…As a result, the Nakba Day demonstrations on the border on Tuesday … were far less violent than expected.

Egypt still has a great deal of influence over Gaza Strip Palestinians and their terrorist organization Hamas, from the days when Egypt controlled Gaza almost exclusively. Despite Egyptian President Abdel el-Sissi and his government’s animosity toward the Muslim Brotherhood—the parent organization of Hamas—Egypt has allowed the Palestinians (under Hamas) to do pretty much want they wanted, in terms of hostility toward Israel. However, Egypt wants the West Bank (Judea/Samaria) Palestinian Authority to resume control of the Gaza Strip, something that could happen were it not for Hamas refusal to give up their weapons. A condition imposed by Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.

(Photo of Mahmoud Abbas to the right and of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh to the left. Among other tirades against Israel Haniyeh has said: “Israel is a cancerous tumor that must be removed and uprooted.” Some 4-5 years ago when his one-year old daughter was seriously ill to the point of death, he asked and was given permission by Israeli officials for his daughter to be treated in an Israeli hospital. They saved her life!)

Egypt is currently one of only two Muslim nations (Jordan is the other) that officially recognizes Israel has a sovereign nation. However, most Egyptians continue to loathe the idea of a Jewish State and many still deplore Jews as a people. Which makes Egypt’s ultra-harsh reprimand of Hamas’ leaders dumbfounding. Here we have a Muslim nation (Egypt) supporting the truth espoused by the United States and Israel and a couple of other nations like Australia: it is Hamas who is responsible for the death of their own people. As opposed to Muslim heads of state and several leaders of other nations (particularly in Europe) that are holding Israel exclusively responsible for the Palestinian deaths, because they refuse to accept or they lie about the obvious—this so-called right of return march is anything but peaceful. At the very least, they assert that Israel’s response is disproportionate.

Please see Eye of Prophecy article, The Right of Return … For Palestinian or Jew? Posted (4-7-18) during the first week of this march on Israel, which not only explained the ulterior motive and not so subtle methods of Hamas, but also dealt extensively with the real right of return belonging to the Jews.

Another unexpected event took place this past Wednesday: Hamas official Salah Bardawil admitted that 50 of the 60 Palestinians killed on Monday and Tuesday were members of Hamas. Weeks prior to that, Hamas refused to acknowledge that more than just a handful of those killed or injured up to that time were Hamas operatives. The connection of Egypt’s scathing criticism of Hamas’ top official (Haniyeh) to another Hamas official making this concession is unmistakable; as is the huge reduction of rioters on Tuesday. It’s deductively clear that Hamas made this admission to placate Egypt … by revealing that most of the Palestinians killed were Hamas agents, not Palestinian “civilians.”

At best this concession is a technicality, considering that non-Hamas Palestinians killed had either been paid by Hamas or ideologically and materially support terrorism. On the other hand, it exonerates Israel (not that Israel’s needs acquittal) from biased world-opinion that “innocent, non-violent” Palestinians are being indiscriminately wounded or killed.

The Heart of Israel Has Been Transplanted Back to Jerusalem

Let’s get back to the prophetically fulfilled good news that Israel is 70 years old, a significant generational benchmark of end-times prophecy. And in that context, a liberated, reunified Jerusalem is 50 years old, which is a representation of the 50-year Jubilee of Scripture (See Eye of Prophecy article, Jubilee and Messiah … They Go Together! Posted 1-23-16).

For nearly two thousand years, exiled Jews all over the world frequently and passionately exclaimed, “Next year in Jerusalem.” Beginning in 1948 and continuing in greater numbers to this day, many Jews are instead saying, “This year in Jerusalem!” (Here we are!) Nearly 6.5 million Jews are now living in the land promised to them by God, himself.

Said U.S. President Donald Trump in a video message played in Jerusalem during Israel’s 70^th Birthday celebration on May 14^th, this past Monday:

“Today, Jerusalem is the seat of Israel’s government; it is the home of the Israeli legislature and the Israeli Supreme Court, and Israel’s prime minister and president. Israel is a sovereign nation, with the right like every other sovereign nation, to determine its own capital. Yet for many years, we failed to acknowledge the obvious. The plain reality that Israel’s capital is Jerusalem. Today we follow through on this recognition and open our embassy to the historic and sacred land of Jerusalem.”

President Trump went on to say that the embassy opening was, “many, many years ahead of schedule.”

Said Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during the ceremony: “What a glorious day for Israel. Remember this moment. This is history. President Trump, by recognizing history you have made history. All of us are deeply moved, all of us are deeply grateful. The truth and peace are interconnected. A peace that is built on lies will crash on the rocks of Middle Eastern realities. You can only build peace on truth. And the truth is that Jerusalem has been and will always be the capital of the Jewish people, the capital of the Jewish State.”

Although those in attendance were obviously focused on this remarkable historical achievement, they were not oblivious to what was happening at Israel’s border with Gaza. Said U.S. Middle-East Envoy Jared Kushner: “As we have seen from the protests of the last month and even today, those provoking violence are part of the problem and not part of the solution.”

That’s another way of saying that Palestinians in particular and others (Muslims and some national leaders even from Western nations) in general are not facing the reality that Jerusalem has been the capital of Israel for 3,000 years, long before Muhammad invented Islam as a religion. Let alone the absurd claim that Arabs were in Israel before the Jews. Or ignoring the equally embarrassing evidence that Jerusalem is not mentioned even one time in the Koran, as opposed to over six hundred references to Jerusalem in the Bible.

(See Eye of Prophecy article, The Myth of Al-Aqsa Mosque, posted 4-16-16. It is primarily this myth on which Muslims base their false narrative that Jerusalem belongs to Arabs and Muslims).

(Depiction of Muhammad’s fictitious night journey to heaven from Jerusalem)

Said Israeli Minister of Education Naftali Bennett, “America made the first courageous and bold move, and now we expect other states to follow. Do they want to take part in history or miss out? It’s theirs to decide, but Jerusalem is here to stay.”

I do not know whether Naftali Bennett has read Old Testament prophecies concerning Israel’s restoration and Jerusalem’s reunification as Israel’s capital. However, whether observant or secular, nearly all Israelis understand the monumental magnitude of Jerusalem as the physical and spiritual heart of Israel—indeed, of the entire world.

“Nevertheless, the time will come when I will heal Jerusalem’s wounds and give it prosperity and true peace. I will restore the fortunes of Judah and Israel and rebuild their towns … Then this city will bring me joy, glory, and honor before all the nations of the earth! The people of the world will see all the good I do for my people, and they will tremble with awe at the peace and prosperity I provide for them” (Jeremiah 33:6-9).

The fulfillment of this prophecy and others like it is underway in our generation. Paving the way for an even more spectacular fulfillment of prophecy when Messiah Jesus returns as the King of all kings to rule and reign from Jerusalem.

“For this is what the Lord says: David will have a descendant sitting on the throne of Israel forever” (Jeremiah 33:17).

God’s Providential Plan for Jerusalem’s Destiny

The striking significance of Jerusalem as the City of God, as the eternal capital of the Promised Land of Israel, cannot be emphasized enough. Jerusalem was the dwelling place of God for about four hundred years—in the Holy of Holies in Solomon’s Temple on Temple Mount. It is to Jerusalem that Messiah Jesus will return to set up his Kingdom of righteousness, justice, and peace for 1,000 years, immediately after the Great Tribulation ends. It is in the New Jerusalem where the magnificent Triune God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—will dwell throughout eternity with all those (Jew and Gentile) who have been redeemed by believing and receiving the salvation offered by the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob through the substitutional sacrificial death of God’s Son, Yeshua.

Let’s examine Jerusalem’s prominence as promoted in Scripture in the framework of the following terms: Her Personification, Purpose, Protection, Prosperity, and Peace.

Although there are hundreds of passages in Scripture, by obvious restriction of time/space in this article, each of the listed categories will come with only two or three references.

The Personification of Jerusalem

“Because I love Zion, I will not keep still. Because my heart yearns for Jerusalem, I cannot remain silent. I will not stop praying for her until her righteousness shines like the dawn, and her salvation blazes like a burning torch. The nations will see your righteousness. World leaders will be blinded by your glory. And you will be given a new name by the Lord’s own mouth….

Never again will you be called, ‘The Forsaken City’ or ‘The Desolate Land.’ Your new name will be ‘The City of God’s Delight’ and ‘The Bride of God,’ for the Lord delights in you and will claim you as his bride…” (Isaiah 62:1-4).

Then later in that chapter:

“They will be called, ‘The Holy People’ and ‘The People Redeemed by the Lord.’ And Jerusalem will be known as ‘The Desirable Place’ and ‘The City No Longer Forsaken’” (Verse 12).

The personification (image, name characterization) of Jerusalem described in the above passage will be even more prominent in the not-so-distant future, exemplified by the presence of God with and love for his people. It is love that a husband has for his bride (but infinitely greater).

“But Judah will be filled with people forever, and Jerusalem will endure through all generations. I will pardon my people’s crimes, which I have not yet pardon; and I, the Lord, will make my home in Jerusalem, with my people” (Joel 3:20-21).

*Note: Pardon for crimes (sins, transgressions against God) for Jews (and Gentiles) individually took place when Israel’s Messiah died for the sins of the whole world, then rose from the dead to seal the New Covenant. God’s discipline of Israel as a nation ended in 1967, when Gentile domination of Israel ceased through the liberation and reunification of the Holy City of Jerusalem in the Holy Land of Israel.

In one of the many Old Testament Messianic passages, we read what the Lord (God the Father) says about His Messiah (God’s Son as established in other passages):

“…He has sent me (Messiah) against the nations which plunder you (Zion … Jerusalem), for he who touches you, touches the apple of His eye” (Zechariah 2:8, NASB, parenthesis mine).

That’s personification at its best … Jerusalem as the apple (pupil) of God’s eye.

The Purpose for Jerusalem

“Rather, you must seek the Lord your God at the place of worship he himself will choose from among all the tribes—the place where his name will be honored” (Deuteronomy 12:5).

As we know, Jerusalem became God’s central choice (eternal capital of Israel) where his name would be honored. Moses’ prophetic admonition (just quoted) was confirmed in the following passage:

“May the God who has chosen the city of Jerusalem as the place to honor his name destroy any king or nation that violates this command and destroys the Temple. I, Darius, have issued this decree. Let it be obeyed with all diligence” (Ezra 6:12).

After King Solomon’s death, Israel’s ten northern tribes rejected Judah’s rightful heir (king) in Jerusalem. However, Jews—both before the Babylonian captivity and afterward—knew full well that Jerusalem was the heart and soul of Israel, where the Lord was to be honored in all the ways the Lord had specified to his people. Such as the requirement that all Jewish men travel to Jerusalem to attend three of the seven Jewish festivals—Passover, Festival of Weeks, and Festival of Shelters (Sukkot).

Astonishingly, here (through the Lord’s providential appointment and divine orchestration) we see a Gentile king issuing a decree for the “Right of Return” of the Jews to Israel … to rebuild the Temple. Sure enough, God’s prophecy through this king came to pass. Both the Babylonian and Roman Empires that destroyed the first and second Temples, were themselves destroyed by other nations.

The Lord’s ultimate purpose (in our near future) for Jerusalem is stunningly foretold by the prophet Micah.

“People from many nations will come and say, ‘Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of Jacob’s God. There he will teach us his ways, and we will walk in his paths. For the Lord’s teaching will go out from Zion; his word will go out from Jerusalem. The Lord will mediate between peoples and will settle disputes between strong nations far away. They will hammer their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will no longer fight against nation, nor train for war anymore” (Micah 4:2-3, italics for emphasis).

Do you see the (unmistakable) correlation between the word of the Lord—proclaimed primarily by Messiah Jesus during his Millennial Reign on earth—and no more war? Under his divine leadership, there will be many astounding changes on the earth. But can you think of anything better than NO MORE WAR. Not even any training or preparation for war!

The Protection of Jerusalem

As in the glory days of King David, King Solomon, and a few kings thereafter—like Hezekiah—God will (has once again begun to) protect Israel and Jerusalem to the point of invincibility.

“But in that coming day no weapon turned against you will succeed. You will silence every voice raised up to accuse you. These benefits are enjoyed by the servants of the Lord; their vindication will come from me. I, the Lord, have spoken!” (Isaiah 54:17).

Then in the above captioned chapter we read: “Even the strongest will quake with terror, and princes will flee when they see your battle flags, says the Lord, whose fire burns in Zion, whose flames blaze from Jerusalem” (Isaiah 31:9)

Even before the dynasty of Israel’s kings, God providentially protected his people from their enemies if they trusted and obeyed him. That Mosaic Covenant condition is no longer applicable.

Why is God’s protection and preservation of Israel unconditional in these last days? Because the Lord has unilaterally begun to accomplish His destiny for Israel, by fulfilling the promise set forth in his Covenant with Abraham. The hundreds of years when God withdrew his protection of Israel was for a prophetically set period (See Eye of Prophecy trilogy, Seven Times Seven (to the 4^th power) and The Omega Generation, posted January-February 2014). That time of Israel’s discipline is over.

Plus, when Israel and Jerusalem experience one last perilous time as Antichrist and his ten-nation coalition commence the last days battle for Jerusalem (toward the end of the Great Tribulation), all Israel will turn their undivided attention and loyalty to and unwavering trust in their Messiah—Jesus of Nazareth who will return to deliver them one final time.

“The Lord’s voice will roar from Zion and thunder from Jerusalem, and the heavens and the earth will shake. But the Lord will be a refuge for his people, a strong fortress for the people of Israel” (Joel 3:16).

The Prosperity of Jerusalem (all Israel)

Since her rebirth in 1948 as God’s special possession, the tree of Israel has grown straight and tall and has produced bountiful fruit, just as the Lord said would happen in the last days and beyond.

“I will bless my people and their homes around my holy hill. And in the proper season I will send the showers they need. There will be showers of blessing. The orchards and fields of my people will yield bumper crops, and everyone will live in safety…. And I will make their land famous for its crops, so my people will never again suffer from famines or the insults of foreign nations … And they will know that they, the people of Israel, are my people, says the Sovereign Lord” (Ezekiel 34:26-30).

Israel’s agricultural accomplishments since 1948 (in a mostly arid land) is stunning … the envy of even the most productive nations on earth. Her irrigation and water/land conservation systems are state of the art. Israel is also exceptionally avant-garde regarding computer, cell-phone, medical, and other sophisticated technology.

The Palestinians falsely claim that Israel belongs to them, the Arabs. Okay, then. Do they really think that they could continue the remarkable success of the Jews in agriculture (and other areas of technology and commerce), let alone improve on it—in direct reversal to the desolation of the land when the Arabs outnumbered the Jews in Israel and oppressed them? The few prosperous Arab/Muslim nations in the world are so for one reason only … Oil. Even then, only a small portion of Arabs in these Gulf-states share in this wealth.

Since Israel was reborn in 1948, the Jews have flourished collectively as a people and nation. Israel now has the sovereign state freedom and authority to determine her own destiny, to include entrepreneurial endeavors that are (in proportion to their population) amazing.

“The time will come, says the Lord, when the grain and grapes will grow faster than they can be harvested. Then the terraced vineyards on the hills of Israel will drip with sweet wine! I will bring my exiled people of Israel back from distant lands, and they will rebuild their ruined cities and live in them again. They will plant vineyards and gardens; they will eat their crops and drink their wine. I will firmly plant them there in their own land. They will never again be uprooted from the land I have given them, says the Lord your God” (Amos 9:13-15).

(A Terraced Vineyard in Israel)

The Peace of Jerusalem (means peace for the whole world)

From time immemorial, events in and conditions of the world have demonstrated that mankind is not capable of establishing ongoing regional peace and certainly not global peace. Peace has proven as elusive in our generation as it ever has been. Not only in the Middle East, but in every continent on earth. In fact, even harmony within nations is evaporating as fast as a morning fog.

Here in the United States, we need go no further than our country’s boundaries to realize that not since the Civil War has America been so socially, culturally, economically, and politically divided as we are now.

To be sure, we are to strive for peace. Our President’s bold decision to fully and finally recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s rightful capital, attested by his action of moving the U.S. Embassy, is a step in the right direction. (See Eye of Prophecy article, U.S. President Agrees with God … Jerusalem Is Israel’s Capital, posted 12-9-17).

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem; May they prosper who love you” (Psalm 122:6, NASB). In Hebrew, the first part of that verse reads: Sha’alu Shalom Yerushalayim.

When we pray for the peace of Jerusalem, we are praying for the (soon) return of Messiah Jesus. Because, ultimately, lasting peace will come only through him as the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6). And this peace will come only from Jerusalem, the City of God.

In a sweeping announcement of Messiah’s first and second coming, we read these powerful promises:

“Rejoice, O people of Zion! Shout in triumph, O people of Jerusalem! Look, your king is coming to you. He is righteous and victorious, yet he is humble, riding on a donkey—riding on a donkey’s colt. I will remove the battle chariots from Israel and the warhorses from Jerusalem. I will destroy all the weapons used in battle, and your king will bring peace to the nations. His realm will stretch from sea to sea and from the Euphrates River to the ends of the earth” (Zechariah 9:9-10).

Things to Ponder

“On the holy mountain stands the city founded by the Lord. He loves the city of Jerusalem more than any other city in Israel” (Psalm 87:1).

If the Lord loves Jerusalem more than any city in Israel, we can know for certain that this love is more than any city on earth.

“When the Lord brought back his exiles to Jerusalem, it was like a dream! We were filled with laughter, and we sang for joy…” (Psalm 126:1).

Joy and laughter filled the land of Israel when she was reborn as a nation in 1948. Then again in 1967 with the liberation of Jerusalem. And other times of festivities in the 70 years of Israel’s resurrected existence. Then this past Monday’s 70^thcelebration of Israel’s birthday, combined with the opening of the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem, when this Psalm was quoted by U.S. Ambassador to Israel, David Friedman. That dream has become reality in Israel!

Soon to come is the reality of Jerusalem’s everlasting elevated position, literally and figuratively, over the entire earth. Earlier we read about cities flattened and mountains leveled by the final judgment of God during the Great Tribulation, in a world intent on defying God and destroying Israel.

“And the Lord will be king over all the earth. On that day there will be one Lord—his name along will be worshipped. All the land from Geba, north of Judah, to Rimmon, south of Jerusalem, will become one vast plain. But Jerusalem will be raised up in its original place….” (Zechariah 14:9-10).

Listen to more amazing words of another prophet: “In the last days, the mountain of the Lord’s house will be the highest of all—the most important place on earth. It will be raised above the other hills, and people from all over the world will stream there to worship” (Micah 4:1).

This is not virtual streaming on a computer or smart phone screen. This is actual streaming (travel) to Jerusalem which will, by that time, have been literally elevated above all other places.

Jerusalem is forever the heart and soul of Israel, and one day will be for the entire world.

Jerusalem is the center of the universe! It is the City of God!

The “Right of Return” … For Palestinians or Jews?

07 Saturday Apr 2018

Posted by garybowers in Current Events

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March of Return

The Middle East (News) Beat Goes On and On

Are you keeping up with the news in the Middle East? If not, then you’re missing some electrifying events that are part of end times Biblical prophecy which tells us what to expect in the last days … just before the return of Messiah Jesus.

Biblical prophecy is centered around two subjects: Israel and the Messiah. God’s purpose for humanity consists of two plans; each plan composed of two parts.

Israel: God’s selection of the Jews as his special possession to be a light to all nations, which included discipline of his people through exile to foreign nations because of their disobedience. Then final restoration of Israel as a sovereign nation, accomplished by return of the Jews to Israel, which began substantially in 1948.

The Messiah: First, to implement the New Covenant proclaimed by Jeremiah (Chapter 31) and prophetically pinpointed by Isaiah (Chapter 53): Fulfilled through Messiah’s once-for-all redemptive sacrifice that took place when Jesus of Nazareth died on the cross and rose again from the dead. Second, for this same risen (Jewish) Savior to return as King of all kings to complete Israel’s physical and spiritual restoration in the soon to come Kingdom of God on earth.

World headlines once again focused on Israel this past week. Such concentration is continuous; but some Middle East incidents—most of which include Israel—garner more press than others.

On March 30^th, an estimated 30,000 Gazan Palestinians marched on the border fence separating the sovereign state of Israel from the Gaza Strip, a “territory” (nonetheless part of Israel) occupied exclusively for over twelve years by “Palestinian” Arabs.

In late 2005, Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon (now deceased) ordered the eviction of some 8,000 Israelis from Gaza; thereby, uprooting his own people from their homes. Although the ostensible objective was to better ensure the safety of Israelis from Palestinian attacks in the Gaza, the ulterior motive was the ill-advised “exchange of land for peace.” A strategy that has never worked in or for Israel. Not long after the Israelis withdrawal from Gaza, the terrorist enclave of Hamas took over Gaza from the Palestinian Authority headquartered in the West Bank and began to lob thousands of mortars and rockets into Israel.

(Sadly, Some Jews Had To Be Forcibly Removed from Their Homes, by Their Own Soldiers)

Because Israel has every right to defend her people, these attacks have led to three wars with Hamas, a more secure border fence, and Israeli destruction of terror tunnels. Consequently, mortar attacks and illegal border crossings from Gaza into Israel have subsided, much to the chagrin of Hamas. Not, however, from West Bank Palestinians or Israeli Arab citizens in Israel itself who continue “lone-wolf” attacks that have killed dozens of Israelis, especially in the past three years. Hamas is embarrassed that their rival Palestinian Authority (supposedly the “moderate” of the two groups) can kill more Jews that Hamas. Thus, Hamas is (at least for now) switching strategies to appease world preference for a more peaceful means of advancing their agenda.

It is an attempt to reverse the Biblical David and Goliath duel by identifying the Palestinians as/with David (a Jew, no less) and Israel (Jews in a Jewish nation) as the pagan Philistine Goliath. It is not only a perversion of history, it denies the beginning of God’s modern-day miraculous restoration of Israel to the glory years of King David when Israel was the most prominent nation on earth. A position among the nations that God has solemnly sworn will be restored; culminating with Messiah (Jesus) ruling Israel and the nations as King of all kings. We are witnessing the unfolding of this magnificent prophecy in our generation.

The “March of Return” … What It Is & What Most of the World Thinks It Is (But Isn’t)

A. What the March of Return Isn’t (About)

The phrase “March of Return” is based upon the Palestinian doctrine/demand for The Right of Return of nearly seven million Palestinians and (mostly) their descendants since the Israeli/Arab War of 1948.

The terrorist regime Hamas of the Gaza Strip isn’t being subtle as to what the march is all about. Contrasted to their rival Palestinian Authority of the West Bank led by PA President, Mahmoud Abbas—still in office 13 years after what was supposed to be a four-year election term—who usually appeals to world opinion under the softer guise of wanting “peace,” for his people. Who, however, is himself becoming more blatant in expressing his real agenda—a Palestinian State in place of Israel, not one that “peacefully” exists within Israel.

(1) It Is Not a Peaceful Protest

Despite Hamas propaganda that this “March of Return” is and will continue to be a peaceful protest of (alleged) Israeli occupation of (alleged) Palestinian territory. Which territory is, according to Hamas leaders such as Ismail Haniyeh and Yehya Sinwar, “from the river to the sea.” In no uncertain terms, they are referring to ALL of Israel … from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea.

This “peaceful protest” began on March 30^th and is supposed to continue for six weeks cresting with Palestinian remembrance of Nakba Day on May 15^th. The tactic will be constant probing of the security fence with mass demonstrations each Friday of the six-week “March of Return.”

Nakba is an Arabic term for disaster or catastrophe. What was that catastrophe?

Generally, it was the entire Israeli War of Independence to defend the reborn Jewish nation against Arab armies that attacked the Jews the day after Israel declared statehood on May 14^th, 1948. More specifically, it was the humiliating defeat of all five Arab nations—Egypt, Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, and Jordan—by the fledgling Jewish State of Israel against all odds. Nakba focuses on one Palestinian demand more than any other: The so-called “Right of Return” of Palestinian “refugees.” With their (supported by the corrupt United Nations agency UNRWA) classification of refugee extending to all descendants of the original Palestinian refugees defined as only those who left Israel between December 1947 and January 1949.

Question: How can a protest march be peaceful, when Gazans (many of whom are members of Hamas) hurled rocks, Molotov cocktails, and other fire bombs against Israeli soldiers. Or by brandishing weapons such as hatchets and a few guns. And by firing some of those guns toward the IDF. Or by rolling burning tires into the border fence to breach it by creating a huge smoke screen? If there was a breach in the fence, several thousand “peaceful demonstrators” would have poured into Israel and even more would have been killed. Which is exactly what Hamas wants … the killing of their own people that would spark world outrage (already has) of Israel’s “disproportionate response.”

(Israeli Soldiers On One Side & Palestinians on the Other Side of the Border Fence. The IDF Didn’t Use Live Ammunition Unless Firebombs, Rocks (slingshot) or Guns Were Used by the Palestinians. Could/should the Israelis Have Just Withdrawn? No, Because Thousands of Palestinians Would Have Torn the Fence Down and Poured in Israel)

Seventeen Palestinians were killed, and hundreds injured (the number of injured grossly inflated by Palestinian sources), with Israel identifying by name and photos eleven of those killed as militant members of Hamas. Obviously, the march was anything but peaceful. You don’t bring weapons to peacefully protest anyone or anything. And you certainly don’t attempt to breach the borders of a sovereign nation. There is absolutely no country on the face of the earth that would willingly permit such an intrusion onto their sovereign soil.

This isn’t the first time such an incident occurred. The last time was in 2011, when Syrian Palestinians attempted to forcibly enter Israel and occupy the Golan Heights which Israel reclaimed in its amazing Six-Day War victory in June 1967. A dozen “protestors” were killed during that incident; which, unlike the current one, didn’t pretend to be peaceful.

(2) It Is Not About the Current Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza

However, much of the world thinks it is. Worse, that Israel is responsible because of (alleged) border restrictions on Gaza Palestinians. It’s true that Israel maintains a naval blockade (from the Mediterranean Sea) to prevent Iran, Hezbollah, and other terrorist groups from smuggling weapons into the Gaza Strip. However, the land border checkpoint to and from Israel is open to Gazans (for essential goods including medical supplies and for tens of thousands of Palestinians to work in Israel) at the northern Gaza border, called the Erez crossing. This includes hundreds of foreign journalists, diplomats, and international aid agencies crossing the border into Gaza throughout the year. In 2017, this border crossing was open 280 days. When Israel closes the border it’s for a legitimate reason.

In contrast, the southern Rafah border was closed permanently by the Egyptians for most of last year; opened earlier this year and then for only 2-3 days at a time. Foreigners, including Arabs, who want to help the Palestinians in Gaza are not allowed passage through the Rafah crossing most of the time.

Why, then, don’t the Gazans march on the Egyptian border crossing? Simple answer: Egypt’s reaction would be far more severe than Israel’s response. Egypt would use artillery and warplanes to indiscriminately shoot and kill as many protestors as necessary to force them to withdraw, peaceful or otherwise. Besides, world reaction wouldn’t be nearly as negative against Egypt as it is against Israel.

Leaders of rogue nations or territories contrive incidents to divert world attention from serious issues and conditions going on in those countries. The humanitarian crisis in Gaza is a direct result of long-term Palestinian mismanagement and corruption, but also the recent increase in hostilities between the Palestinian Authority and Hamas. Including, but not limited to, Mahmoud Abbas’ decision to severely curtail electrical power (controlled by the PA from the West Bank) to the Gaza Strip until Hamas agrees to abide by the “agreement” between the PA and Hamas that includes the disarmament of Hamas’ military wing. Which, of course, isn’t going to happen. Like the P5 +1 Nuclear Agreement (deal) with Iran, the agreement between the PA and Hamas is the most disagreeable agreement possible.

($50 Million-Dollar Personal Mansion Built for PA President Mahmoud Abbas. Palestinians Are Banned From Staging Protests At This Site or Anywhere in Front of Abbas or His Headquarters)

(3) It Is Not to Reinforce The Palestinian Demand for Their Own State

Virtually all nations and their leaders, including the United States, still believe that the only viable option of peace between Israel and the Palestinians is that of a Palestinian State (Two-State solution). The world buys into this (what would be the worst solution for peace) paradigm because they still nod to the notion that Jews in Israel are “occupying” Palestinian territories.

I (and a few others) have written much about this so-called occupation and the dangers of a Palestinian State within the geographical borders of Israel itself. Including the necessity to define Palestinian and a Palestinian State. And the (unreasonable) pre-negotiation demands for such things as: East Jerusalem as the Palestinian capital; all Jews expelled from the West Bank (to coincide with expulsion of Jews from the Gaza Strip); Israel’s withdrawal to pre-1967 Six-Day War cease-fire lines (including return of the Golan Heights to Syria). All of which would seriously jeopardize Israel’s line of defense against Muslim attacks from nations outside Israel and a Palestinian State within Israel.

And, of course, the Palestinian right of return, which is the main topic of this week’s article.

B. What the “March of Return” Is (About)

Unlike what this March of Return is not about—demands for more autonomy or better living conditions which Arabs in Israel enjoy far more than Arabs in Muslim countries—Palestinians leaders know better than anyone that they are responsible for the plight of their own people. To divert world attention on the real cause for the Palestinian maladies, they have ratcheted up their incessant rhetoric that Israel is responsible for all Palestinian woes. Much of the world buys into this hype.

Ultimately there’s only one purpose for such a protest march; one that represents the true Palestinian agenda.

It’s quite simple: Elimination of Israel as a sovereign state, replaced by a Palestinian State. By any means possible, including return of millions of so-called “Palestinian refugees” to flood Israel with a demographic imbalance that would be untenable for Israelis … economically, politically, socially, and logistically.

There’s an abundance of reasons why a Palestinian State is not only dangerous to Israel, but also to Palestinians. Starting with the implausible idea that there could be a single Palestinian State at all. When two bitter rivals (PA and Hamas) refuse to budge an inch on who would control that state, whether elections were held again or not. Short of a Palestinian civil war (which Israel would never allow to happen), a Palestinian State isn’t feasible.

As it stands today, both Hamas and the Palestinian Authority know that there’s no way they could conquer Israel militarily. The only possibility of Hamas and the PA agreeing to share administrative and military authority between them is if they conclude that other Muslim nations or terrorist groups might join them in an attack against Israel, from without and from within (the borders of a Palestinian State).

Thus, the biggest demand—as great or even greater than East Jerusalem as a Palestinian capital—and the one that appeals to most Palestinians (people and leaders alike) is, The Right of Return.

If some seven million Palestinians refugees (who are not refugees by any world standard or definition) were to deluge Israel from within and without (Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Jordan, and a few other countries), Israel would functionally cease to exist as a Jewish nation.

Why is it that a normal, reasonable person (including heads of state) won’t take seriously Hamas’ boast (supported by Hamas’s rival Palestinian Authority whose common enemy is Israel) when they both state and imply that this “March of Return” would be a clear path to destroy Israel, or at least thwart any “peace plan” proposed by the United States?

What part of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh’s or Yehya Sinwar’s statement that such a march would lead to “liberation of all of Palestine from the Mediterranean Sea to the Jordan River,” don’t many world-leaders accept at face value? Not to mention incessant threats by the rogue terrorist nation of Iran (staunch supporter of Hezbollah and Hamas) to “erase Israel from all maps of the world.” And then give Iran the (time-capsule) capacity to resume manufacturing of nuclear weapons in a few years. As the title of the 1963 movie says (but much more seriously): It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World. And most of this madness is directed toward Israel. Just as the Bible predicted long ago.

On What or Whose Authority Can the Palestinians Claim a “Right of Return”

Return to what? To a land that never belonged to them in the first place? To a (Palestinian) nation that doesn’t exist? By Islam, whose religious text, the Koran, never mentions Jerusalem even once, with the obvious inference that neither Israel nor Jerusalem were of any real importance to Islam or Arabs except to oppress and suppress Jews (including the number thereof) in the Holy Land? And to expel the Crusaders in the 11^th & 12^th centuries.

Or because that 1948 generation of Arabs fled Israel because Israel forced them to leave? As opposed to the accurate historical record that most Arabs voluntarily left Israel, and did so at the request (orders) of the five Arab nations that attacked Israel the day after Israel declared statehood on May 14, 1948? That many of them expected to return after a quick and decisive Arab victory over Israel. Guess what didn’t happen?!

This is explained in varying detail in a few previous Eye of Prophecy articles. The most recent of which is: Palestinian Refugees … Are They Really Refugees? Posted 1-27-18. And, What Is Palestine & Who Is A Palestinian? Posted 12-2-17.

Here is an excerpt from the first of the above-mentioned articles (In italics):

What we see today are Palestinians (Arabs) still alive who fought with or supported or cheered Egypt, Syria, and Jordan in these wars (and their children and grandchildren who don’t know any better or who know and don’t care) who were defeated in battle; yet, who make demands as though they were the victors in these wars. That and rewriting history itself by making preposterous claims that they were in the land of Israel first, or there the longest, or that they bear sovereign status over the Jews because for a while Arabs ruled over Israel (when it was called Palestine). When, in fact, both before and after the Arabs (beginning with Mohammed) took possession of most of Israel, it was the Romans, then the Crusaders, then the Arabs (again), then the Ottoman Turks, and finally the British who seized and maintained control of the Promised Land for varying intervals of time.

One of the indefensible Palestinians arguments is that for hundreds of years Arabs outnumbered Jews in Israel, whose name had been changed to Palestine (a territory) by a Roman Emperor in the 2^nd century A.D. If, however, that rationale is used, then contemporary (facts on the ground) numbers create an exceedingly stronger case for statehood or land rights, which is the current situation of Jews outnumbering Arabs in Israel and has been for decades.

Which is what the Right of Return propagandized by the “March of Return” is all about. If millions of Arabs (erroneously designated and wrongfully detained in camps by Muslim countries as Palestinian refugees) can “return” to Israel, then the population explosion would virtually overnight make the Jews a minority in their own country. This would be unconscionable to a Jewish State that is already outnumbered by hundreds of millions of Arabs around Israel with land masses infinitely greater than Israel.

The Real Right of Return Belongs to the Jews

There are four fundamental reasons why the Jews have (always had) the Right of Return to the Promised Land of Israel. The first three will be listed in chronological cause and effect order, with any one of these ratifying why Israel belongs to the Jews. With, however, the fourth foundational principle vastly superseding the other three; in fact, rendering them (as convincingly valid as they are) irrelevant.

(1) The United Nations Resolution of 1947

On November 29, 1947, the United Nations General Assembly approved Resolution 181 in which the British Mandate over Palestine would be abolished allowing for partition of Palestine into a Jewish and Arab State. The Jews accepted the resolution, the Arabs rejected it. In principle and practice, Arab Palestinians (not called Palestinians until the 1960s) have refused a state alongside Israel ever since. Although they attempt to convince liberal sympathizers to the contrary, the Palestinian objective is crystal clear: They want a state in place of Israel, not inside Israel.

It was the first time in history that the international community supported the Jewish Right of Return to their ancient homeland. It was a monumental decision by the newly formed United Nations that has changed the course of history. And for an obvious reason: Despite (irrational) Anti-Semitic persecution of Jews for thousands of years, people were horrified at the Holocaust. Six million Jews slaughtered; at the hands of a national government (Third Reich), no less.

For one brief shining moment, more nations and peoples than not knew in their individual and national heart that this must never happen again. The Jews must have their own country. And what better place than… their own county—Israel!

Sadly, the United Nations has since deteriorated into Nations United Against Israel.

Many people forget that the Arabs had a golden opportunity to create a state alongside the State of Israel in 1948. They forfeited that right by rejecting UN Resolution 181. Which was an international recognition of Israel’s right to statehood approved by the United Nations itself, no matter if the Arabs consented or not. Instead the Arabs viciously attacked the infant state of Israel the very next day. Which leads us to the 2^nd reason why Israel legally and legitimately belongs to the Jews, and why the Jews alone had (still have) the Right of Return … for those still in Diaspora.

(2) A Righteous War of Self-Defense

There is an innate time-honored tradition that any nation or people have the right to reactively or preemptively defend themselves from armed attack. In fact, it’s moral common sense. This includes the prerogative, if exercised, to annex or purchase land (Jews have purchased most of the land on which Israelis reside) within the geographical boundaries of that nation. When obviously justified, it also includes adjacent territory (such as the Syrian section of the Golan Heights) from which an enemy had constantly rained down rockets, shells, and small arms fire.

As opposed to a unilateral unprovoked assault on neighboring nations for the exclusive purpose of taking over all or part of another country … an unrighteous war of aggression.

The historical record is indisputable: Israel was forced to defend herself when attacked by an Arab coalition that far outnumbered and outgunned the Jews. Against insurmountable odds, Israel won her “War of Independence.” An independence that had already been granted by a convincing majority of the UN’s member countries.

But the world at large sees it differently. To this day, many entertain the notion that the Arabs made a mistake. So, give them another chance to reconsider acceptance of the UN Resolution. Or, even that UN Resolution 181 still applies to the Arabs—which it doesn’t because the Arabs rejected it. Or, PA President Mahmoud Abbas’ farcical fantasy that Resolution 181 is invalid, much like his accusation that the Balfour Declaration of 1917 was illegitimate.

The Arabs made more mistakes, one after another. I’m referring to three more wars in which Israel was forced to fight for its very survival; Suez War of 1956, Six-Day War of 1967, and the Yom Kippur War of 1973. In the Six-Day War, Israel reclaimed ALL of what was formerly called Palestine, including the historic liberation of Jerusalem itself. Israel had every individual, national, and international RIGHT to keep those liberated lands of the Golan Heights, Judea/Samaria (West Bank), the Gaza Strip, the Sinai Peninsula, and ALL of Jerusalem.

Instead, Israel relented to international pressure and has since given back jurisdictional control of Gaza, West Bank, and Sinai Peninsula to the Arabs and Egyptians. This despite the sacrifice of Israeli blood and lives to protect themselves and the land that has belonged to them for some 3,500 years.

The Palestinian mistakes continued, this time politically. On two separate occasions, the Palestinian Authority rejected massive concessions made by two Israeli Prime Ministers (Ehud Barak in 2002 and Ehud Olmert in 2008) to yield control of 98% of the West Bank to the PA. This was tantamount to and could have (probably would have) resulted in Palestinian State.

With the summary highlight of this point being: The Jews didn’t “invade, conquer, and occupy” a territory that didn’t belong to them. They defended and liberated their ancient and now modern homeland.

(3) Majority Numbers Within a Nation

We’ve already touched on this issue. Aside from the United States of America (a truly eclectic mix of nationalities from all over the world), most nations on earth have a majority population based primarily on race (nationality), religion (Muslim nations), ethnic and cultural identity, or all the above. One reason so many countries have been formed in the 20^th and 21^st centuries is because of post-World War I (somewhat) arbitrary creation of countries; or because an ethnic minority group or groups succeeded from the parent country and were given nation-state status.

(This Is Just a European List of New Countries After WWI. Other Nations Came Later Especially in the Middle East Before or After WWII, Such as Iran–formerly Persia–and Iraq, and Israel)

The Jews first came to the Promised Land when God called Abraham to be the father of a special people and nation, nearly 4,000 years ago. And as a nation when Joshua led them to victory after victory over the wicked Canaanite tribes, some 3,300 years ago. The Canaanites were a pagan people whom God told Abraham would be given 400 years to repent of their evil ways, during which time the Hebrews would live in a foreign land (Egypt). Then 3,000 years ago, Jerusalem became the eternal capital of Israel.

Said God to Abraham: “But I will punish the nation that enslaves them, and in the end they will come away with great wealth … After four generations (400 years) your descendants will return here to this land, for the sins of the Amorites (representing all the tribes of Canaan) do not yet warrant their destruction” (Genesis 15:14-16, parenthesis mine).

Which leads us to the fourth reason for the Jewish Right of Return to Israel.

(4) Israel Is the Land Promised and Given to the Jews by God Himself

Absolutely no other reason is needed. If anyone disagrees, then they can take it up with the God of the Bible … the ONLY true and living God. (*Note: Whether they lose the debate now or in the next life…. Well, why debate in the first place?). He has proven this time and time again by mighty miracles and powerful (fulfilled) prophecies that no other god or prophet of any other religion has done or can do.

“Present the case for your idols (man-made gods), says the Lord. Let them show what they can do, says the King of Israel. Let them try to tell us what happened long ago so that we can consider the evidence. Or let them tell us what the future holds, so we can know what’s going to happen. Yes, tell us what will occur in the days ahead. Then we will know you are gods. In fact, do anything—good or bad! Do something that will amaze and frighten us” (Isaiah 41:21-23, parenthesis mine).

This Right of Return has been accomplished in spectacular fashion three times in Israel’s history, each one foretold in Scripture. With the last two returns after God disciplined his people by exile to foreign nations. A right of return promised and orchestrated by God himself. With the final return and/or result of that return prophesied in hundreds of Biblical passages.

“But despite all this, I will not utterly reject or despise them while they are in exile in the land of their enemies. I will not cancel my covenant with them by wiping them out, for I am the Lord their God. For their sakes, I will remember my ancient covenant with their ancestors, whom I brought out of the land of Egypt in the sight of all nations, that I might be their God. I am the Lord” (Leviticus 26:44-45).

That covenant was none other than God’s promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob that their descendants (the Jews) would forever possess the Promised Land of Israel.

It was the right of return to Israel after 400 years of enslavement by the Egyptians. A right proven to both Egyptians and Israelites by one awesome miracle (ten plagues) after another. Miracles that humbled an arrogant and defiant Pharaoh, that terrified and devastated the entire nation of Egypt. A right demonstrated by the splitting of the Red Sea allowing God’s people to cross on dry land and drowning Pharaohs’ charioteers and soldiers who dared pursue the Israelites. Then more spectacular signs in the wilderness, like water gushing from solid rock and bread (manna) from heaven that fed God’s people for forty wilderness years.

Miracles performed by the same God who promised them the right of return after 70 years of captive exile to Babylon, during which time God spared and protected a remnant of his people. A return prompted by a decree from a Persian king whose name the Lord identified some 150 years before Cyrus was even born! During the Babylonian captivity, the Lord revealed marvelous prophecies to Daniel and Ezekiel of the end times. Such things as the Gog/Magog invasion and the Antichrist-led ten nation coalition, both of which are soon to come during the Great Tribulation.

The God who miraculously wrote on the wall of the Babylonian palace, warning the Gentile king of a pagan nation that he and his nation were about to end. A warning that applies in perpetuity to all leaders and nations who have dared defy the true and living God and attempted to enslave or destroy God’s people the Jews.

It was the right of return after 1,900 years of dispersion to practically every nation on earth. A prophetic right that was fulfilled by the miraculous rebirth of Israel in a single day (May 14, 1948).

Providentially planned and divinely orchestrated by the same Sovereign Lord who foretold such a birth: “Who has ever seen anything as strange as this? Who ever heard of such a thing? Has a nation ever been born in a single day? Has a country ever come forth in a mere moment? By the time Jerusalem’s birth pains begin, her children will be born” (Isaiah 66:8).

A final right of return that has seen Israel’s population increase exponentially in just 70 years, and the numbers are growing.

A return accomplished by more mighty miracles of God supernaturally assuring Israel of victory in four major wars against enemies that (without God’s intervention) would have otherwise overwhelmed the Jews. The same God who finally ended the discipline of his people and delivered them (forever) from Gentile domination in the phenomenal Six-Day War when the Holy City of the Holy Land was liberated.

A return made possible by preserving the Jews and their customs during their exile to foreign nations. Then restoring their all but dead language of Hebrew which is now the main language of Israel.

There is no question. The Right of Return to Israel belongs exclusively to her people, the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Foreigners are welcomed, but not to replace or to displace the Jews. Isn’t that true of any nation? Why, then, don’t billions of people recognize the devastating result of millions of Arabs “returning” to Israel? But you see, many do know. In fact, they would love to see that happen, especially Muslims.

Any peaceful coexistence must be through the lawful requirements of residency extended by the national rights of Israel as a sovereign nation to permit citizenship to those who qualify. Not to those who through violence and terror assert a right of return that never has and never will belong to them. A return shrouded in the sinister strategy of eliminating Israel as a Jewish state.

Things to Ponder

This Right of Return for God’s people is part of His providential plan not only for the Jews but for the Gentiles. It began when the Lord said he would bless the nations through Israel, and curse those who hold Israel and the Jews in contempt (Genesis 12, and other passages).

“This is what the Lord says: ‘I will give Jerusalem a river of peace and prosperity. The wealth of the nations will flow to her … I will comfort you there in Jerusalem as a mother comforts her child. When you see these things, your heart will rejoice. You will flourish like the grass! Everyone will see the Lord’s hand of blessing on his servants—and his anger against his enemies’” (Isaiah 66:12-14).

Said Ezekiel in the 6^th century B.C., not long before God gave the Jewish exiles in Babylon (and Persia) the right of return to Israel, a prophetic promise that would begin to unfold in 1948:

“When I bring them home from the lands of their enemies, I will display my holiness among them for all the nations to see. Then my people will know that I am the Lord their God, because I sent them away to exile and brought them home again. I will leave none of my people behind. And I will never again turn my face from them, for I will pour out my Spirit upon the people of Israel. I, the Sovereign Lord, have spoken!” (Ezekiel 39:27-29).

Thousands of (Messianic) Jews world-wide have embraced Jesus as Messiah and Savior, and the Spirit of God has been poured in and upon them, as well as Gentile believers. Most have not, but that will soon change.

We who love Israel and the Jews echo the passionate hope of the Jewish Pharisee who recognized and accepted the risen Jesus as Messiah. Said the Apostle Paul:

“Dear brothers and sisters, the longing of my heart and my prayer to God is for the people of Israel to be saved, I know what enthusiasm they have for God, but it is misdirected zeal. For they don’t understand God’s way of making people right with himself. Refusing to accept God’s way, they cling to their own way of getting right with God by trying to keep the law. For Christ has already accomplished the purpose for which the law was given. As a result, all who believe in him are made right with God” (Romans 10:1-4).

One day soon, Israel’s physical and spiritual redemption will be complete. God’s chosen people will recognize their (our) Jewish Messiah, Jesus of Nazareth, as both Savior and Lord—the very Son of God.

And when that day comes….

A Government Crisis in Israel

17 Saturday Mar 2018

Posted by garybowers in Current Events

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Knesset

Can Israelis Endure This Crisis?

The Palestinians certainly hope not.

While continuing his incessant rhetoric and relentless campaign through the United Nations (of which the Palestinians are not even a member) to denigrate and delegitimize Israel—the only democratic state in the entire Middle East—Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas is ecstatic over the turmoil within the Knesset, the seat of Israeli government. His narrative tracks with Muslims and Islamic governments: Wouldn’t it be great if Israel would implode from within … it would save them the risk of destroying Israel.

Regarding governments, the following is an excerpt from Eye of Prophecy article: Kingdom of God, posted 1-17-15. (In italics).

From the dawn of human existence virtually every kind of government has been in place at one time or another. A country’s government is often a reflection of its people … their race, beliefs (religious or secular), moral values, ethnic upbringing and tribal territory. But sometimes government can be an ill-conceived and unwanted bureaucracy with leaders vying for power and supremacy. All too often, innocent people are victimized by such power struggles, both citizens of the country and residents of neighboring nations that take exception to such Machiavelli type systems.

The common people, representatives of those people, wealthy entrepreneurs, ambitious leaders (good and bad), or all of the above can determine whether a country will become a parliamentary or a democratic representative republic; an absolute (king/queen) or constitutional monarch; an autocratic ruler or state controlled (communism or fascism) dictatorship; an aristocratic or military oligarchy; a cleric-run theocracy or even a true Theocracy. The idea of a theocentric government is, “having God as the central interest and ultimate concern.” (Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary).

… Moreover, the destiny of nations (both good and bad) has often been determined by the benevolence or malevolence of rulers … the laws they make and enforce, the decrees they issue, decisions they make, benefits they provide, and goals they aspire to. As the leaders go, so go the people. A ruler with integrity, compassion, and wisdom can be, and often is, a moral compass to the entire nation. Conversely, a selfish, deceitful, evil ruler can bring an entire nation down.

Although our United States republic form of government is quite impressive (as are a few constitutional monarchies with parliamentary democracies such as Canada, Australia, Great Britain, and some European countries), I’m not alone in my opinion that Israel’s coalition Knesset—in principle and practice—is the optimum representative government on this planet. Though sometimes complicated, the Israeli government allows the voice of its citizens to be heard as much or more than any other nation.

(A Young Elizabeth II, Queen of the United Kingdom. Though not directly involved in England’s Parliamentary Government, The Royal Throne of England still carries considerable prestige and positional authority to balance democracy with monarchy)

(A 2012 photo of Queen Elizabeth II. Currently she is 91 years old and has reigned for 66 years)

As effective as the two-party system is in America; once a Republican or Democrat President is elected, short of impeachment we’re stuck (good or bad depending on your point of view) with that administration for four years. This was especially revealing in the past three presidential elections. Seldom in our history have Americans been so diametrically divided, so poignantly polarized. After Donald Trump’s election to the highest office in America, many democrats exclaimed, “He is not our President.” This was more than mere rhetoric; it was an expression of fermented frustration and seething hatred. Republicans effectively said the same thing when Barack Obama was elected, not once but twice.

Mid-term elections for the House of Representatives and the Senate sometimes level the playing field between a Republican or Democrat administration and Congress. However, they also can partially paralyze an administration’s platform, by refusing to cross-vote approval (bipartisan) of Presidential policies, to the detriment of the greater American populace.

Israel’s Knesset

Israel’s government is unique. Unlike America’s two-party system (sometimes a third party can influence the outcome of an election, but not often) and other democratic countries that have three, four, or five parties, the Knesset normally has ten or more coalition blocs. The current Knesset has eleven parliamentary groups each with a certain number of representatives that constitute the 120 members of the Knesset, called MKs. After an election, the Prime Minister must form a composite (minimum) 61-seat coalition consisting of any number of the parties who agree to be part of that majority. All the remaining parties (seats) constitute the “opposition.”

The current Knesset is the 20^th since Israel’s rebirth as a nation in 1948. The Prime Minister and his/her government is elected for a four-year term. But when you do the math, it doesn’t add up. Israelis will celebrate their 70^th year as a nation this coming May. Which means this should be the 17^th Knesset (70 years of statehood divided by four-year Knesset terms). Why the discrepancy? Answer: Because Israeli law allows for any Knesset government to be dissolved, with special (between terms) elections held to form a “new” government, which may or may not retain the current Prime Minister.

In fact, the current Israeli government came into being by such a special election in March 2015. The 19^th Knesset with Benjamin Netanyahu as Prime Minister was elected in 2013 but lasted less than two years. The current administration’s term is set to expire in November 2019, with actual elections taking place earlier next year.

Theoretically, Israelis have the best of both worlds: The same (or different) Prime Minister they support as a unified whole with a new-look coalition government that still represents the entire population. One of the remarkable features (proofs) of that cross-section representation and voice is that Avigdor Liberman, head of the Yisrael Beitenu party composed currently of only 6 seats.

Liberman is Israel’s Defense Minister, one of the more prominent and powerful positions in the Israeli government, appointed by the Prime Minister (just like the U.S. President appoints Department heads). You would think that the Defense Minister would come from the Likud (Netanyahu’s party) which currently has 30 of the 120 Knesset seats. Such is the political sharing of power and responsibility in the Israeli government. For example, how often does a Democrat President of the United States appoint a Republican as Secretary of State or Defense? Or vice versa?

In the United States, we have two main parties (platforms) to choose from. In Israel, each of the current 10 parties has a primary platform with several secondary agendas—all of which have potential to be implemented in some form or another. This despite the adage (paraphrasing): If you put three Jews together, you’ll get at least four opinions. I repeat this saying as a compliment to Jews and to Israel; proportionate to their numbers, they get more done for themselves and for humanity than any other race. Which is one of the reasons they have been irrationally persecuted through the ages … Anti-Semitic jealousy.

Nonetheless, whenever a special election in Israel has taken place with a new coalition government and possibly Prime Minister, it has occurred under trying times and controversial circumstances. To some degree or another, it is a crisis that can compromise Israel’s stability and jeopardize her security.

Troubling Times in Israel

Since when has Israel not had troubling times? Here, I’m referring to the more obvious turbulent trials and tests from Israel’s not-so-friendly (understatement) neighbors. Some of whom want to destroy Israel as a nation. Others stop short of threatening Israel’s annihilation, but still want Israel to become Palestine again, free of all Jewish presence. Despite the Biblical and historical fact that this land promised by God to Abraham and his descendants has been Israel for 3,000 years.

Internally, Israel is experiencing some exceptionally troubled times especially in the past few weeks. Beginning with inordinate focus by some on whether Benjamin Netanyahu should remain as Israel’s Prime Minister. Should Netanyahu call for a special election or should the Knesset dissolve itself to determine if the people want him to stay or to be replaced?

Like many leaders of free nations—as opposed to tyrannical countries whose citizens are forbidden to openly criticize their government, and whose dictator is virtually immune from legal prosecution—Benjamin has been under suspicion of misconduct (whether illegal or only unethical or neither remains to be seen). In this case, it pertains to alleged kickbacks and/or coercion in the private sector.

(Although Israel can barely been seen, by color its rating is “high.” For many reasons, Israel should be colored green on this chart. What other nation in the world allows those who don’t even acknowledge the sovereignty of the nation to serve in government? See Knesset chart above that shows the Arab party as the 3rd largest in the Knesset!)

Although these “scandals” are still in the investigative stage (much like former US President Obama’s birth certificate issue or President Trump’s supposed complicity with Russia’s interference in U.S. elections or any number of suspected improprieties of other democratic leaders the world over), there are those who have demanded that Netanyahu resign from office. Which is tantamount to admitting guilt without even being charged, let alone convicted.

These issues have been compounded by the recent threat of the (ultra-Orthodox) United Torah Judaism party (6 seats in the Knesset) to abandon the current 66-seat majority held by Netanyahu’s coalition(s), which could jeopardize not only passage of the pending national budget but would end (numerically) the coalition itself. Reason for United Torah’s threatened exit from the coalition: insisting their bill to amend IDF conscription for Jewish religious students must be voted on before the budget vote. This was countered by Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman’s staunch support of conscription laws for ALL Jews; so that secular Jews would not bear the unequal burden of defending Israel alone.

Other parties and their leaders (each party has one main leader) were in favor of a special election or not, depending upon whether they (according to the polls) would gain or lose seats in the Knesset. For example: Opposition party, Yesh Atid, which stood to double their Knesset seats (11 current seats) and the Meretz party (would gain 1-3 seats) called for dissolution of the Knesset. Which, if approved, would mandate a special election whether one had been called for by the Prime Minister or not. By law, this special election must take place within three months. In fact, there were several bills introduced in rapid-fire succession to dissolve the Knesset. All of them have failed to pass.

Time/space does not permit extensive elaboration on the ins and outs of what was, could have been, and what still may happen in Israel. Except to say that the repercussions of an unwarranted (or if warranted through due process of law) premature removal of any free-world leader, especially someone of the prominence of Benjamin Netanyahu, could do substantially more harm to a nation than allowing the leader to remain in office until he/she is arraigned, but also convicted. At the very least, the opposition parties in Israel should wait to see if Netanyahu will be charged with any wrongdoing. This also appears to be the passionate position of most Israelis.

A premier example of such a situation was that of former US President Richard Nixon. Before and even after his illegal circumvention of the law (Watergate), he orchestrated some major improvements in America’s diplomacy with several foreign nations, particularly China. He also sent massive aid to Israel during the Yom Kippur War of 1973. Without such aid, Israel would have been hard pressed to win that war. I’m not defending Richard Nixon for what he obviously should not have done. Rather, I’m putting it in a broader perspective of his accomplishments until the facts proved him complicit in/of burglary.

Here’s what Prime Minister Netanyahu said to the opposition parties, with emphasis that he wanted to keep his current six-party (66 seats) coalition intact. In my opinion, he was not boasting. Instead he was simply summarizing the current state-of-affairs within Israel and outside of Israel, including the amazing diplomatic progress Israel has made with foreign nations. Whether they like Netanyahu personally or not, Arab nations such as Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and some of the Gulf-Coast nations are beginning to acknowledge Israel’s achievements and presence on the world stage. These and other non-Arab governments also realize that Israel is the only Middle-East nation that has the military might and national courage to stand up to their common enemy, Iran.

Said Netanyahu:

“I do not think we had to get to this point. We have an excellent government that carries out its duties responsibly, with the proper discretion and with stability. This is a government that marks great achievements for Israel. I call on all the coalition partners, and chief among them (Yisrael Beitenu party) Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman, to remain in the government and continue this partnership in order to ensure security, prosperity and stability for Israel.”

Netanyahu repeated the need for a “solid, stable government,” then went on to say:

“Should there be an election, we will run and we will win” (Note: that statement was based on several polls recently taken in Israel).

“But we are not there yet. The hour is late, but not too late. We have to make an effort—a supreme effort—to preserve the government in its current composition.”

Why Is This Dilemma Different or Could Be More Damaging?

Why is the current situation more acute and potentially more dangerous than difficulties experienced by past Israeli governments which did or didn’t survive their four-year term? Two mains reasons:

(1) It comes at a time when Israel’s overall posture in world affairs and global scrutiny has never been better. A time that (slowly) began at Israel’s rebirth in 1948; then its extraordinary agricultural, economic, scientific, cultural, medical, and military achievements. It is a growth phenomenon that has developed exponentially, particularly in the past few years under the superb leadership of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He has adeptly promoted Israel’s accomplishments and willingness to share (in principle and in practice …. by helping those who wants Israel’s help) these advancements with other nations.

(2) Muslims may see the current crisis in Israel as an opportunity to act more quickly … meaning in the not so distant future. Since defeat in the Yom Kippur War of 1973, Islam in general and Muslim nations have been content with a patient, plodding plan based partly on the Koran, in which Muhammad (allegedly from Allah) believed that whatever Jews remained in their land would eventually self-destruct through corruption of some sort. Unlike the true and living God and God’s prophets through whom God forecasted the future, Muhammad could not have known (and probably has, as they say, turned over in his grave) the miraculous return of the Jews to and restoration of the Promised Land of Israel. And approaching a pinnacle not experienced since the glory years of King David and King Solomon.

However, in the past few years and even months, Muslims (whether Arab or not) have grown impatient. They see Israel progressing rapidly, not regressing as they had been told and hoped would happen. This impatience is fueled (mostly) by the radical Shi’ite Muslim terrorist government of Iran, embodied in its supreme leader Ayatollah, with a menacing motive that the Muslim messiah (Mahdi) will soon appear to subjugate all Jews and Christians.

(Time will soon tell who will appear as the true Messiah!)

(Please see Eye of Prophecy articles: The World Wants a Messiah … But Needs (The) Messiah, posted 1-28-17. Also, Globalism or Populism … Which Will Antichrist Prefer? Posted 9-16-17)

These are counterfeit copy-cat versions of the amazing anticipation of many Christians that the true Messiah is about to return. Many Jews also harbor great expectations for the coming Messiah, but only Messianic Jews know (believe) him to be Jesus. Obviously, there is night and day differences between the true Messiah and these false messiahs.

For example: Radical Muslims believe their Mahdi won’t appear until or unless moderate Muslims actively (instead of just passive agreement) support and expand Jihad on a greater global scale, to accomplish their sinister goal of a Caliphate (Islamic World Government).

Listen to this direct quote from Turkey’s Prime Minister Recep Erdogan (keeping in mind that Turkey is a member of NATO): “The term ‘moderate Islam’ is ugly and offensive. There is no moderate Islam. Islam is Islam.”

(For an in-depth expose on “radical Islam” vs “moderate-Islam” and Islam in general, please see Eye of Prophecy articles, A Religion of Peace! Part I & II. Posted 4-11 & 4-18-15).

Now, I’m going to propose a surprising and even illogical premise:

The current crisis in Israel is a good thing.

Because it fits with another premise: Which is in the form of a covenant oath made by the true and living God with Abraham that Israel would belong to Abraham’s descendants forever. From the God of all who are his children because they (Jew and Gentile alike) have believed and received his Son’s sacrificial death for sins, by the New Covenant of Grace promised by God through Jeremiah the prophet. The Lord began his post-Noah relationship with humanity as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Then after the Moses-led Exodus and subsequently the Joshua-led victory into the Promised Land, he became the God of Israel. The same God who said Israel would be a light to all the nations (through Messiah). That he would bless those who bless Israel and curse those who curse Israel.

Problem Resolved (For Now)

Following some whirlwind negotiations with the divergent parties, Prime Minister Netanyahu addressed the Knesset earlier this week. He said:

“I promised to preserve the government and I kept my word. I thank my partners in the coalition for demonstrating responsibility so that we can continue to lead Israel with determination and success in security, economy, society and foreign relations.”

Alluding to the potential adverse aftermath of an unsuccessful resolution of the problem, Netanyahu went on to say with a bit of humor: “That was scary, wasn’t it? I see you have some color back in your cheeks. I know that I spared you some anguish… The public’s support for us is tremendous.”

(Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaking at the Knesset)

Shas (religious party with 7 seats) leader, Aryeh Deri said: “I congratulate the coalition partners for acting responsibly in the moment of truth and allowing this good government to carry on in its activities, which benefit the entire public.”

Thus, the current crisis—seemingly resolved between the involved Knesset parties, but one that could erupt again—is ultimately good for Israel. It’s good because both secular and observant Jews realize that too much disunity could adversely affect Israel’s solidarity within the nation; but also jeopardize Israel’s security with its enemies. It’s good because the secular among them will hopefully see more clearly that ultimate (optimum) uninterrupted unity is only possible by once again returning to their God, the God of Israel. For secular and religious alike to fully realize that God’s appointed Messiah (the Son of God, Psalm 2, Psalm 110) will be the only one who can (and will) redeem and restore Israel to what God intended for them in the beginning—a nation of born-again priests—who will rule and reign with Messiah in Israel. And yet who are one in Messiah (Jesus) with Gentile believers, who have been grafted in to the prophetic tree of Israel. In that regard, they will fulfill their (Israel’s) destiny.

It’s also good for the United States and other nations/peoples when we more fully appreciate the miracle of Israel itself. That against all odds, Israel has won (survived) four wars against Arab nations. And not only survived but has grown in prosperity and posture among the nations.

Despite the sometimes-debilitating disputes among themselves, Jews in Israel (and all over the world) passionately exhibit one unifying trait and defend one ultimate purpose: the survival of Israel as a people, as a sovereign democratic state, as a nation reborn from the floods of dispersion and from the fires of Nazi death camps.

Jewish citizens of Israel synthesize over one common denominator: an enemy who wants to reduce them to ashes, to drown them in the sea, to erase Israel from memory, from all maps of the civilized world.

The Final Kingdom of God on Earth … Jew & Gentile, One in Messiah

Though I love all of Scripture, I will quote (as done in a few previous articles) one of my favorite passages in the Bible; a sweeping prophecy portraying both the first and second coming of Messiah:

Here is another excerpt from the earlier mentioned article, Kingdom of God (in italics):

Paul proceeds to tell us more about God’s splendid plan for the human race. In fact, he calls it a mystery, because at the time that God gave it to him even the new Christians didn’t completely understand the eternal implications of what Christ would achieve at his first coming and would continue at his second coming. Listen to these extraordinary words:

“God has now revealed to us his mysterious plan regarding Christ, a plan to fulfill his own good pleasure. And this is the plan: At the right time he will bring everything together under the authority of Christ—everything in heaven and on earth” (Ephesians 1:9-10).

That plan is none other than: THE KINGDOM OF GOD (on earth) ….

Jesus spoke often of the Kingdom of God; for example, comparing it to a mustard seed … the smallest of seeds that when planted grows into an enormous tree. Which is exactly what has happened to the body of Christ; an exponential growth down through the ages, to now consist of believers from virtually every nation and language on earth. It is the Kingdom of Heaven in the hearts and minds of those who have been redeemed by the shed blood of Christ. Next, will come the final physical Kingdom of God on this earth; at which time all people, all governments, all nations will be brought under the authority of God’s magnificent Son. He will rule the nations with firmness, but fairness

Isn’t that what most people want? They want: law, order, equality, safety, peace. And they want someone who has the kind of authority to realize those dreams, but also someone who is kind and considerate with that authority. One who truly cares about people and what’s best for them; who can rule and judge with impartiality and kindness. A truly wise and benevolent King whose attributes perfectly reflect who and what he is: Love, Truth, Justice, Mercy.

Summary

Beginning with another excerpt, this one from Eye of Prophecy article: Israel Is Here To Stay … Forever! Published 4-15-17. (In italics)

In the first century A.D., thousands throughout Israel believed Jesus was the Messiah. Tragically, most of the religious leaders and many people did not—despite the dozens of miracles they witnessed or heard of first hand. Even after Jesus arose from the dead, most did not believe in him. Then, just as Jesus predicted, Jerusalem and the Temple were destroyed by the Romans less than 40 years after he ascended back to heaven. This happened because God’s own people rejected Messiah, just as Jesus said would happen with these poignant words:

“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones God’s messengers! How often I have wanted to gather your children together as a hen protects her chicks beneath her wings, but you wouldn’t let me. And now, look, your house is abandoned and desolate. For I tell you this, you will never see me again until you say, ‘Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord!’” (Matthew 23:37-39).

God withdrew his protection of Israel. He would leave them to their own fate until the appointed time when the Lord would unilaterally initiate the completion (fulfillment) of his covenant with Abraham. Which was the sovereign possession of the Promised Land forever by the Jews.

That appointed time has come.

Despite 1,900 years of exile and persecution at the hands of many nations and peoples (even by Christians … with the vast majority Christian in name only, not true born-again believers), culminating in the unimaginable Holocaust perpetrated by a perverse man and his equally sadistic Third Reich, Israel is alive and well. According to the sure word of Biblical prophecy, the Jews will never again be uprooted from their Promised Land. They will never again be decimated, dominated, or defeated by Gentile nations.

I repeat with Biblical authority for emphasis: NEVER AGAIN.

Persecuted, yes. Attacked, also yes—by the Gog/Magog coalition in the first half and by the ten-nation confederation of Antichrist Nero in the second half of the Great Tribulation. But not destroyed.

Only those who oppose Israel will be soundly defeated and destroyed. That should be a cause for pause for peoples or nations that would seek to harm the pupil of God’s eye.

…Despite our many individual and national faults, I love the United States of America. And I love Israel and the Jews. They are God’s special possession, chosen to give the world God’s awesome Word, including the Living Word of God, Messiah Jesus. With the Apostle Paul (once named Saul, once a devout Pharisee and defender of the Mosaic Law who was changed forever by a direct encounter with Jesus), I also say:

“Dear brothers and sisters, the longing of my heart and my prayer to God is for the people of Israel to be saved. I know what enthusiasm they have for God, but it is misdirected zeal. For they don’t understand God’s way of making people right with himself. Refusing to accept God’s way, they cling to their own way of getting right with God by trying to keep the law. For Christ has already accomplished the purpose for which the law was given. As a result, all who believe in him are made right with God” (Romans 10:1-4).

There is only one nation on earth that has been guaranteed everlasting existence … Israel. That ironclad promise is unfolding before our 21^st century eyes. No more will Israel implode from within as she did before the Babylonian Captivity of 586 B.C. and the Roman Dispersion of 70 A.D. No more will she be exploited and exploded from without by nations who tried to destroy the very existence of the Jews as a race and Israel as a nation in perpetuity.

The Kingdom of God and the reign of its Messiah King will last forever.

“He (Messiah) was given authority, honor, and sovereignty over all the nations of the world, so that people of every race and nation and language would obey him. His rule is eternal—it will never end. His kingdom will never be destroyed” (Daniel 7:14)

The Kingdom of God will rule from Jerusalem, Israel. Thus, the eternal undivided capital of Jerusalem and Israel are also eternal.

“How great is the Lord, how deserving of praise, in the city of our God, which sits on his holy mountain! It is high and magnificent; the whole earth rejoices to see it! Mount Zion (Jerusalem), the holy mountain, is the city of the great King! … It is the city of our God; he will make it safe forever” (Psalm 48:1-2 & 8).

“…I will raise up a righteous descendant from King David’s line. He will do what is just and right throughout the land. In that day Judah will be saved, and Jerusalem will live in safety. And this will be its name: ‘The Lord is Our Righteousness.’

“For this is what the Lord says: ‘David will have a descendant sitting on the throne of Israel forever’” (Jeremiah 33:15-17).

Quoting again from the article: Israel Is Here To Stay … Forever!

AS ISRAEL GOES SO GOES THE WORLD

Israel is alive and well!

God will fulfill his promise to Abraham. Not only to give the Promised Land in perpetuity to the Jews, but to also richly bless the Gentile nations from the land where Messiah himself will one day (soon) live and rule. We would do well as individuals and as a nation to support and defend Israel, both in word and deed.

Then later in that article:

Against impossible odds, the Jews have returned to Israel; Hebrew has been resurrected from a dead language; Israel is once again a sovereign nation among the family of nations on this earth. This has never happened to any other people or nation. There is one and only one reason for it: The sovereignty of the one and true living God. What the Lord says he will do, he does. What he says will happen, happens.

Recording and reviewing history without including the God of the Bible—a timeless book, past, present, future—is like pretending that a watch doesn’t have a watchmaker. Or that the watch was not created to measure and tell time…. The Bible is not only the measure of universal divine truth, it is also a historical timeline of timely events integral to God’s prophetic plan.

Things to Ponder

“Great is the Lord! He is most worthy of praise! … Honor and majesty surround him; strength and beauty fill his sanctuary. O nations of the world, recognize the Lord; recognize that the Lord is glorious and strong. Give to the Lord the glory he deserves! … Worship the Lord in all his splendor. Let all the earth tremble before him. Tell all the nations, ‘The Lord reigns!’ The world stands firm and cannot be shaken… (unless and until the Lord shakes it himself … Haggai 2:21).

“…He is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world with justice, and the nations with his truth” (Psalm 96:4-13, parenthesis mine).

Since we declared our independence in 1776, for the most part the United States of America has heeded these words of wisdom and warning. That is until the past few decades—our current (Omega) generation that I’m convinced will see the Day of the Lord, beginning with the Rapture.

Sadly, we’ve fallen into a perilous condition that the Apostle Paul graphically described as characteristic of the final generation:

“You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God” (II Timothy 3:1-4).

On the other hand, we’ve seen many of the wonderful positive things that would occur, not the least of which is Israel’s rebirth and an explosion of the gospel throughout the world. To include the salvation of thousands upon thousands of Jews, unprecedented since the first century. I personally know some of these Messianic Jews, one of whom I consider a good friend.

(There are an estimated 350,000 Messianic Jews–Christian Jews / Jewish Christians– in the world)

Said the Apostle Paul: “I ask then, has God rejected his own people, the nation of Israel? Of course not! I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham and a member of the tribe of Benjamin. No, God has not rejected his own people, whom he chose from the very beginning…” (Romans 11:1-2).

One day soon, “…all Israel will be saved” (Romans 11:26).

“Arise, Jerusalem! Let your light shine for all to see. For the glory of the Lord rises to shine on you. Darkness as black as night covers all the nations of the earth, but the glory of the Lord rises and appears over you. All nations will come to your light; mighty kings will come to see your radiance” (Isaiah 60:1-3).

One day soon, “…the Lord will be king over all the earth. On that day there will be one Lord—his name alone will be worshipped” (Zechariah 14:9).

The Terrible Trio of Gog and Magog

17 Saturday Feb 2018

Posted by garybowers in Current Events

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Signs of the Time

Iran’s Direct Attack on Israel … A New Strategy

“Israel and the Islamic Republic of Iran are on a collision course, a leading expert said on Sunday in the wake of Saturday’s clash between the Jewish state and forces loyal to Iran in neighboring Syria.”

These are the opening words of an article written by Benjamin Kerstein originally posted in the Israeli online news source, Algemeiner.com on February 12, 2018.

Before and especially after the outrageous Iran Nuclear Deal (finalized in April, 2015 … see Eye of Prophecy article, A Deal That Will Live in Infamy, posted 8-1-15), Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned Iran directly and the world-at-large secondarily that Israel cannot risk and will not tolerate a nuclear-armed Iran. Nor will Israel condone the transfer of precision-guided Iranian missiles (sold by Russia to Iran) through Syria into Lebanon. For several years now, Israel has launched strikes into Syria against these armament convoys. It’s clear that the IDF’s surgical strikes have been a deterrent to an even greater build-up and deployment of missiles in Syria and Lebanon.

This past Saturday (February 10^th), in the early morning hours, an Iranian “stealth” drone was launched from a caravan near the T4 (Tiyos) airbase in the central desert of Syria, not far from Palmyra. The “elite” Iranian Quds Force took over this airbase some time ago and operates it to transport and release drones and missiles throughout Syria. In the past (it’s been several years), Hezbollah has fired rockets into Israel, but Iran itself has not.

Until now.

(Iranian Drones & Iran’s Ayatollah)

The article by Benjamin Kerstein continues: “There is a ‘major strategic clash on the horizon,’ said Amos Yadlin, the former head of IDF Intelligence and Executive Director of the Institute for National Security Studies. ‘We are speaking about an attempt that has never been made before,’ Yadlin said of the drone infiltration, and added that the motivation was Iran’s desire to prevent Israel’s ongoing attempts to prevent weapons transfers to the Hezbollah terrorist organization in Lebanon.

‘The Iranians … wanted to show Israel that it is also capable of attacking (Israeli) territory,’ Yadlin commented. The Iranians hoped that Israel would not respond to the escalation, but were quickly proven wrong.”

*Note: The more immediate motive for Iran’s unprecedented action was retaliation for Israel’s raid on an Iranian/Syrian weapons production facility near Damascus a few weeks earlier. Yet, in the past Iran had not responded to Israeli raids on Syrian weapons facilities. Therefore, this was Iran’s audacious attempt to directly strike a blow against Israel, and to test Israel’s resolve.

The article concludes with, “Yadlin stated in a conference call that the ongoing conflict is born of ‘Iran’s determination to build a force in Syria, and Israel’s determination not to let them.’

“A former IAF pilot, Yadlin took part in 1981’s legendary Operation Opera, which destroyed Iraq’s nuclear facility in Osirak.”

Note: That daring Israeli attack into the heart of Iraq was subsequently acknowledged by the United States and most Western nations as the main reason why Saddam Hussein never developed nuclear weapons.

Iran’s Futile Scheme to Surprise Israel

As though the Iranians thought they would catch Israel off-guard or outwit Israeli defenses, they directed the flight-path of the drone through Syrian airspace into Jordan, with the drone then manipulated suddenly into Israeli airspace. After monitoring the entire course of the drone, Israel waited 90 seconds to determine if the drone would remain in Israeli territory. When the Israeli Defense Force concluded that the drone was heading deeper into Israel, an IDF Apache helicopter shot it out of the sky.

Slightly over an hour later, eight Israeli F-16 fighter jets were scrambled to deal with the original source of what could have been several Israeli casualties had this drone fired on whatever target the Iranians may have selected in Israel. Even if it was just a “spy” drone, there’s no excuse for entering Israeli airspace.

Not only did the IDF destroy the caravan that carried this drone to its propulsion point, it also took out nearly half of Syria’s air defense installations including Iranian military sites. Some of these targets were destroyed in the first wave of Israeli F-16 air attacks; others in a second wave after a surface to air missile brought down one of the fighter jets, which crashed in northern Israel. Fortunately both the pilot and navigator survived, albeit the pilot sustained serious injuries. This was the first fighter jet lost in battle by the Israelis since 1982 … the Lebanon War.

Said Ammon Ein Dar, head of the Israeli Training and Doctrine Division, “We carried out a wide-scale attack on the aerial defense system: radars, missiles, batteries, and posts.”

Here is the count of Israel’s swift and stunning damages to Iranian and Syrian fortifications, a total of twelve separate sites: Syria’s largest airbase, with 54 runways and a control tower destroyed; 3 weapons depots; 6 Syrian military installations; 2 Iranian military bases.

In an article posted on February 11, 2018 in the online news source Jewish News Syndicate (JNS), Yaakov Lappin writes: “The escalation is the latest in an epic struggle building between Iran, which is trying to turn Syria into a forward Iranian military base, and Israel, which is determined to prevent this from happening at all costs. Iran is now trying to set a new ‘rules of the game’ and limit Israeli defensive operations in Syria.”

Lappin concludes his article by saying, “The Israeli strikes hinted at an ability to do far more significant damage should Iran decide to escalate further. Iran has no assurance that its own territory would remain immune to Israeli firepower in the event of a future conflict. The stakes of this struggle remain very high. Iran will have to decide if it will again try to challenge Israel’s freedom to operate over Syrian airspace. The situation remains explosive. Israel does not seek war, but the signals coming out of Jerusalem indicated that it has no intention of backing down from its red lines.”

Meanwhile, the Syrian civil war is anything but over. In fact, fighting has intensified once again, including the recent killing of over 200 civilians by Bashar Assad’s Syrian government forces aided by Hezbollah troops, Russian airstrikes, and Iranian missiles. The humanitarian crises is getting even worse. In all, nearly 500,000 have lost their lives in this woeful war of attrition.

(Homs, Syria … Shows Massive Damage to Just One of Many Cities in Syria. See Eye of Prophecy Article, There’s No Place Like Homs; Posted 3-12-16)

Will Things Continue as Usual?

The Apostle Peter told believers that there would be many in the last days who would scoff at the very truth of Scripture, and would mock the idea that Christ would return anytime soon, if at all.

“This is my second letter to you, dear friends, and in both of them I have tried to stimulate your wholesome (healthy, sensible, practical) thinking and refresh your memory. I want you to remember what the holy prophets said long ago and what our Lord and Savior commanded through your apostles.

“Most importantly, I want to remind you that in the last days scoffers will come, mocking the truth and following their own desires. They will say, ‘What happened to the promise that Jesus is coming again? From before the times of our ancestors, everything has remained the same since the world was first created’” (II Peter 3:1-4, parenthesis mine).

Keep in mind that 1^st century Christians (first and foremost the apostles) eagerly expected that Messiah’s return would happen in their lifetime. With, however, the Holy Spirit inspiring Peter to also remind believers of God’s perspective of time: “A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day” (I Peter 3:8).

Jesus arose from the grave in the very early morning hours on the 3^rd day. It’s been two thousand years since his resurrection. Might the 3^rd millennium A.D. that began just 18 years ago be the early morning hours of the 3^rd day that will see his return?!

(See Eye of Prophecy article, Just How Imminent is Messiah’s Imminent Return? Posted 11-18-17)).

Jesus himself said:

Day or hour is literal (no one knows the specific day or hour) and also expressive or indicative of years; but not an indefinite period of time. In fact, Jesus narrows this down to a generational time-span in his lengthy and fascinating end-times discourse (Matthew Chapters 24 & 25). That’s why he said, keep watch. Watch for what?

Answer: The signs of the “birth pains” (Matthew 24:8). Which prefaces Peter’s advice to know and understand the end-time signs predicted by the Old Testament prophets (remember what the holy prophets said long ago).

Continuing with the Apostle Peter: “They deliberately forgot that God made the heavens by the word of his command, and he brought the earth out from the water and surrounded it with water. Then he used the water to destroy the ancient world with a mighty flood. And by the same word, the present heavens and the earth have been stored up for fire. They are being kept for the day of judgment, when ungodly people will be destroyed” (II Peter 3:5-7).

No different, said Peter, than the generation of the Great Flood. Like so many today, they were oblivious to or in denial disregard of the ark built right in front of them. They ignored Noah’s preaching for 120 years regarding the (obviously implied by Scripture) reason the ark was being built, including what they must do to survive God’s judgment of a world filled with evil and violence. In contemporary times, we have far more markers than just one ark. Indicators that are (should be) as obvious as an ark being built with no body of water nearby.

Jesus used the same analogy: “When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah’s day. In those days before the flood, the people were enjoying banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat. People didn’t realize what was going to happen until the flood came and swept them all away. That is the way it will be when the Son of Man comes” (Matthew 24:37-39).

Thus, Peter said: “I want you to remember … I want to remind you.” Not the least of which was Jesus’s profound time-dedicated prediction: “…this generation will not pass from the scene until all these things take place” (Matthew 24:34).

Despite the extraordinary events of the 20^th & 21^st centuries and the ominous developments in the Middle East, most unbelievers and those Christian in name only continue to do what Jesus and the Apostle Peter said they would do in the last days. Sadly, in fact, many evangelical Christians have sometimes said pretty much the same thing, but not with a “mocking” mentality. Nonetheless, they are skeptical that the return of Messiah Jesus is very near, citing the constant chain of events in the Middle East and around Israel as an ongoing conflict with no end in sight. With a vague view that it could be decades or hundreds of years longer. That and they’ve forgotten the “generational” time frame that Jesus himself said would constitute the beginning (birth pangs) of the end.

As mentioned in several Eye of Prophecy articles, there are two time-parameters of a generation in Scripture: One hundred years and seventy years. One of the most prevalent prophecies of the Old Testament is the return of the Jews to Israel (including Israel’s rebirth as a nation), many of which were linked to Messiah’s coming to earth (his return) to rescue Israel from the godless Gentile nations. Two of these staggering predictions were the Gog/Magog invasion (Ezekiel 38 & 39) and the final assault led by the Antichrist such as found in Daniel 7, 9, and 11.

So, will things continue as usual? Answer: Yes and No.

Yes. The preponderance of people on this globe continue with (reckless) abandon their pursuit of the partying mentality at all cost, disregarding the “Arks” going up in plain sight around them. Signs that will affect their eternal destiny. For them, it is business as usual.

(Lasting Two Weeks, It’s The Longest Annual Celebration in the US. The Last Day of Mardi Gras Was This Past Tuesday, 2-13-18, Known as “Fat Tuesday” From the French: Mardi … Tuesday and Gras … fat).

Jesus isn’t saying there’s anything wrong with (in moderation) banquets and celebrations and business as usual. Messiah’s first miracle (along with dozens of other subsequent miracles) proving that he was the Son of God and God the Son took place at a wedding in Cana … turning water into wine.

What is wrong and eternally risky is to ignore obvious signs that the return of Messiah Jesus is drawing so very near.

Thus, the answer to the question is also, No. These amazing 20^th & 21^st century prophetic arks (end-time indicators) are anything but ordinary. When compared to the 18 centuries before (the 1^st century A.D. was exceptionally uncommon) they are as unusual as it gets.

Things Are Different Now!

Considering Bible prophecy and its dramatic fulfillment, I don’t get how anyone could trivialize let alone ignore the notable end-times implications of events in the last 100 years. Our grandparents, parents, we and our children have seen or read about 20^th & 21^st century occurrences unprecedented in the annals of the human race.

Beginning with the First World War ever. One that, before it was even over, saw the mighty British Empire endorse Lord Balfour’s declaration that the Jews had a right to return to Israel, because it was their land to begin with. Then another World War, vastly more destructive than the first. Which, if it hadn’t (through God’s sovereignty) ended when it did, would have resulted in the success of Hitler’s diabolically malicious plan to exterminate the Jews. Then the rise of the United States to superpower status. A nation originally founded on Biblical Judaic/Christian principles, predicated on and patterned after the nation of Israel—God’s chosen and special possession. Then only three years after World War II, the miraculous rebirth of Israel as a sovereign nation, just like the Bible predicted long ago. Followed by a remarkable return to Israel of Jews from all over the earth.

Also the establishment of a United Nations; a European Union; a Russian-led hub of socialist countries; an Arab League of over 50 Muslim nations; the awakening of a sleeping giant (China—kings of the East); and two rogue-nation governments (Iran and North Korea) that threaten world security like no others. All of which have been inordinately focused for decades on the tiny nation of Israel … mostly in a negative way. With this spotlight increasing exponentially to the point where you can hardly pick up a newspaper or click online without more news of what’s happening in the Middle East, particularly in, around, and to Israel.

(See Eye of Prophecy article, Global Obsession with Israel … In Biblical Proportions! Posted 1-6-18)

ALL of these extraordinary new developments intricately tie in with old Bible prophecies. The old has become new again. It is more relevant now than ever before. It is an unusual interruption of business as usual. To include the amazing advancement of transportation, communication, and knowledge that has reduced the Global community to the size of the town where you live.

(See Eye of Prophecy article, The Seal of Approval, Posted 11-15-14)

Things are certainly not the same as they were before the 20^th century, especially after Israel’s rebirth as a sovereign nation that set the last day’s wheels in motion. These dramatic developments are not only a fulfillment of Bible prophecy, they are also sovereignly (God’s plan) suggestive of Israel’s original birth as a nation, then their fall from God’s favor and protection when they abandoned the Lord. And now the beginning of Israel’s final restoration and redemption.

To become a nation the Jews had to fight against countries that were Israel’s immediate neighbors—in Joshua’s time, during the time of the judges, and finally when the twelve tribes were united under King David with Jerusalem as the eternal capital of Israel. Nations like Egypt, Moab, Ammon, Edom, Philistia, and others that Israel defeated in war. And peace treaties reached with a few nations either after Israel defeated them or instead of war.

However, when the Lord disciplined Israel beginning some two hundred years after the split of the twelve tribes when King Solomon died, he used powerful Gentile nations far away from Israel. Nations whose people had strange (wicked) practices and spoke strange languages as indicated in the Old Testament. Countries whose people were not descended from Lot or Ishmael or Esau nor who were Arabs. Nations like Assyria, Babylon, Persia, Greece, and finally Rome.

Remarkably, this paradigm resurfaced after Israel was reborn as a nation in 1948. The day after statehood was declared, Israel was attacked by modern-day versions (representations) of those enemy nations adjacent to Israel before the Jews were conquered by far away nations beginning in 722 B.C. (Assyria), then Babylon in 586 B.C., then under rule of Persia, Greece, and Rome for hundreds of years.

These nearby 20^th& 21^st century nations are Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, and (to a lesser extent) Iraq. Against all odds, Israel defeated her Arab neighbors in the 1948 War of Independence. Likewise in the Suez War of 1956, the Six-Day War of 1967, and finally the Yom Kippur War of 1973.

The Arabs of these nations, including Palestinians living in Israel, realize they cannot defeat the Jews in a conventional war. Thus, they have resorted to terrorism, BDS, writing their own (false) history of the Middle East, and persuading the UN to pass (false, unjustified) resolutions against Israel.

(Height of Ignorance, Not Only Flying in the Face of God, But Boycott of Israeli Businesses Hurt Many Palestinians Employed By These Businesses)

(Good For You, New York!)

But now Israel has a peace treaty with Egypt and Jordan, and an implied understanding with Lebanon (it is the terrorist group Hezbollah who threatens Israel, not necessarily Lebanon itself). Iraq is no longer a viable threat because of its civil war, nor is Syria for the same reason.

In terms of national military threats, who are Israel’s main enemies now?

General Answer: Nations much further away from Israel, just like when the Assyrians, Babylonians, and Romans conquered Israel and dispersed the Jews. With Persia and Greece exercising control over the exiled Jews.

In the end times, things would be reversed between Israel and her enemies. God would use Israel (directly and indirectly) as a source of punishment for nations that would seek to once again destroy Israel. Rather than the Lord using those nations to punish Israel.

Which leads us to the more specific answer of who are Israel’s main enemies today?

Specific Answer: Russia, Iran, and Turkey, three non-Arab countries who will constitute, by far, the largest and most powerful components of the Gog/Magog coalition. Do you see this precedent and pattern?

In years past Russia, Iran, and Turkey have desired a dominant foothold in the Middle East nations surrounding Israel. And now all three have their wish. When the appointed time arrived, God would accommodate the warped wish of these nations, even to the extent of enticing them to march against Israel.

Said God to Ezekiel: “Son of man, turn and face Gog of the land of Magog … prophesy against him. Give him this message from the Sovereign Lord … I will turn you around and put hooks in your jaws to lead you out with your whole army…” (Ezekiel 38:2-4).

He also told Ezekiel that this would happen “in the distant future” (verse 8).

Does over 2,500 years qualify as the distant future? I certainly believe it does! That’s exactly what is transpiring before our 21^st century eyes. Moreover, the global balloon full of war and rumors of war and threats and counter threats is far too full, not to burst in the near future. The chain of current events has been stretched so tight and so fast that there’s no way it can keep from snapping.

Revisiting Gog/Magog

In just the past two years or so there have been dramatic developments in the Middle East involving the three major nations that will comprise the Gog/Magog confederacy, Russia, Iran, and Turkey. As we’ve seen, the most recent is Iran’s first direct intrusion into Israel via the drone—a test of Israel’s resolve and a measure of Israel’s response. Also a demonstration that the Iranians not only intend to remain in Syria, but will continue to enlarge their surrogate sway over Lebanon (Hezbollah) and perhaps even a greater influence over Bashar Assad’s Syrian government than their partner in crime, Russia.

With a practical and predictable rule-of-engagement result: Israel dealt both Iran and Syria a devastating blow, inflicting massive damage to twelve military and weapons sites in Syria. Which has undoubtedly led to Iran’s realization (now or soon) that it cannot accomplish its treacherous boast of eliminating Israel from the face of the earth without Russia and (more reluctantly) without Turkey. That mindset is precisely what will lead to the formation of the Gog/Magog invasion of Israel in the near future—but after the Rapture.

In the past few weeks, Russia, Iran, and Turkey have bolstered their tenuous political, military, and diplomatic ties as a (terrible) trio, each nation with the other. Not all that long ago they were at each other’s throats. What originally brought them together?

Two-part answer: (1) ISIS … a common enemy. However, Turkey is known to have actually assisted ISIS, mainly because Turkey hates the Kurds based in Iraq, Syria, and Turkey much more than it fears ISIS. The Kurds have inflicted more damage on ISIS than all other freedom fighting groups in Syria battling both ISIS and Bashar Assad’s government troops.

(2) Syria’s Civil War. Russia and Iran have supported Assad’s troops, mostly with air support and missiles, respectively. Also, both nations have advisors and Special-Ops in Syria. Here again, President Erdogan of Turkey doesn’t like nor directly supports Bashar Assad; nevertheless, Erdogan is more than willing to overlook this animosity if Turkish relations with Iran and Russia are enhanced.

One huge advantage of Turkey cozying up to Russia and Iran: both of those countries extending carte blanch authority to and approval of Turkey’s latest incursion into Syria in the past two weeks to do battle with the Kurds. As a reminder or if you didn’t know, the United States supports the Kurds both militarily (air strikes and military advisors) and, to a lesser extent, politically.

It just may be the strangest, most complicated war (several wars into one) of all time. Even a simplified version of it is mind-boggling: A is fighting B who is fighting C who is fighting A … often wondering who they will be fighting today. All of them fighting D (ISIS). With the United States (and its allies) and Russia actually coordinating their bombing raids with each other!

With, however, fulfillment of Biblical prophecy an absolutely direct result. Which as alluded earlier: Russia, Iran, and Turkey cooperating not long after each was a staunch opponent of the other two.

Concerning Israel: Iran’s hatred of and overt animosity toward Israel is the most obvious. By establishing military bases in Syria and now attempting to build missile factories in Lebanon—through their puppet regime of Hezbollah—Iran is nearing the threshold of Israel’s northern border.

(“Come, they say, let’s wipe out Israel as a nation…” Psalm 83:4. The Modern Day Threat to Eliminate Israel Is Yet Another Fulfilled Biblical Prophecy)

Russia’s design for Israel is more subtle as currently demonstrated by its friendly approach toward Israel; nonetheless a shrewd scheme to take over the newly developed Israeli oil and gas fields in the Mediterranean Sea. (See Eye of Prophecy: Gog, Magog, and Leviathan posted 1-3-15).

Russia’s President, Vladimir Putin is clever. He understands this strategy of diplomacy will take him much further and more quickly than outright hostility toward Israel. Plus, he knows that the United States would instantly come to Israel’s aid should he (with or without Iran and Turkey) decide to do something about Israel now. Which is one reason the Gog/Magog attack won’t begin until after the Rapture—when millions taken from the United States will cripple America’s superpower status. That and the fact that Antichrist’s treaty with Israel will give the Jews a false sense of security; enticing Russia, Iran, and Turkey to take advantage of this peace treaty while Antichrist (Nero) is still forming and consolidating (forcing three nations … see Daniel 7:8) his powerful ten-nation coalition during the first half of the Tribulation.

Turkey is somewhere between Russia’s olive branch approach to Israel and Iran’s malicious motive to eliminate Israel altogether. Turkey’s President Erdogan loathes Israel; however, he, too, realizes the folly of taking on Israel alone. On the other hand, Turkey will jump at the opportunity to invade Israel, should Russia and Iran invite Turkey to join them.

At Putin’s incentive, three times in the recent past these three nations have convened to discuss and devise a partition type map of Syria, with the assumption that Assad will win the war against Syrian freedom fighters. Although a measure of agreement was reached to establish four demilitarized zones (no military operations), by and large these meetings have failed in their objectives. The latest was held in Sochi, Russia called, “A Congress of the Syrian People.” It failed miserably. Pending is another tripartite meeting called by Putin, with a date not yet specified. Ironically, it’s the failure of these resolution meetings that will keep Russia, Iran, and Turkey that much more entrenched in Syria.

(One of Several Recent Meetings Between Vladimir Putin and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu)

The signs of the times are mounting with incredible frequency and intensity. Here again is a list of twelve major indicators of the Omega Generation (the last generation that will lead directly to the Rapture, Tribulation, and Millennial Reign of Messiah Jesus) originally summarized in Part II of Eye of Prophecy articles, Look Up, Redemption is Near (posted July 2015):

Rebirth of Israel as a Sovereign Nation, 1948
Recapture of Jerusalem in the June, 1967 Six-Day War
Jerusalem, a Heavy Burden to the Nations
The 3^rd Rebuilt Temple
Israel’s Phenomenal Agricultural Accomplishments
Modern-Day Alignment of Gog/Magog Nations against Israel
National and Ethnic Wars in the 20^th & 21^st Centuries
Amazing Increase of Natural Disasters
Moral & Spiritual Decline & Intense Persecution of Christians
False Messiahs & Prophets
Unequaled Increase in Quantity and Speed of Transportation and Information
Unprecedented Spread of the Gospel of Jesus Christ throughout the World

Looking Back to 2016

The following excerpts are from one of several Eye of Prophecy articles about Gog/Magog, entitled: The Gog/Magog Countdown Has Begun! Posted 9-10-16. Since then, the terrible trio of Russia, Iran, and Turkey have tightened their ties and proliferated their presence in Syria that much more.

Russia and Iran

*Note: The first paragraph is an excerpt within the excerpts … from an earlier article, entitled. Beginning of the End, posted 3-5-16. As you read these excerpts (in italics) remember that they date back to 2016.

The two most powerful nations referenced in Ezekiel’s predictions are Russia, by clear inference, and Iran, by actual name. Once enemies by virtue of the Iranian’s (Persians) national adherence to Islam, directly opposed to Russia’s atheistic communism, Iran is now an ally of Russia. They have set aside their differences for the common cause of establishing a footing in the region, under the pretense of supporting Bashar Assad and his Syrian government. Russia’s main agenda is to take over the gas fields off the coast of Israel and newly discovered oil reserves in Israel. Iran’s objective is much less subtle. Their hatred of Jews and Israel has been repeatedly voiced by their leaders with genocidal threats to: Wipe Israel from the face of the earth.

To demonstrate how much stronger this unlikely alliance between Russia and Iran is getting: Less than a month ago, for the first time ever, Iran permitted a foreign nation’s (Russia, of course) fighter bombers and jets to take off from Iran’s Hamedan Air Base. If you’ve kept up with just a little of what’s happening in the Middle East, you’ll know that this military liaison between Russia and Iran pretentiously serves the purpose of striking ISIS targets in Syria. Because both Iran and Russia support the Syrian Government still led by Bashar Assad, they also bomb and strafe Syrian rebel militia fighting against Assad. These freedom fighters are supported by the United States and some Western nations. Although Iran subsequently restricted Russia’s use of the air field to refueling only, the sure fulfillment of the Gog/Magog prophecy will eventually lead to unhindered cooperation between these two nations. Their anti-God (of the Bible) and anti-Israel agenda will override any differences.

Turkey and Iran

In that same article, Beginning of the End, I also wrote about an improbable joint military exercise (war games) between primarily Saudi Arabia and Turkey that took place this past February, called Northern Thunder. It was meant to be a show of force directly against Syrian President Assad and indirectly against Iran, which supports and subsidizes Assad in Syria and Iran’s puppet regime Hezbollah in Lebanon.

…Just like Erdogan of Turkey and Putin of Russia have cozied themselves and their countries together; in just the past three weeks, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Zarif (the same Iranian official who met with the P5 + 1 nations to seal the Iranian nuclear deal last year) met with his Turkish counterpart, Mevlut Cavusoglu. In a joint press conference, Zarif announced that Iran has every intention of resolving all remaining disputes with Turkey.

Emboldened by its sudden reconciliation with Russia and Iran, Turkey just a few days ago sent tanks and soldiers into Syria, to ostensibly strike at ISIS targets. However, as any of us who monitors the pulse of the Middle East knows: Turkey’s main interest was to attack the Kurds who seek their own independent state.

Turkey’s incursion into Syria and the Turks newfound affinity for the Russians pleases Iran to no end. In his Gatestone Institute article published August 26^th, Burak Bekdil quotes Meira Svirsky at the Clarion Project: “Not only will Turkey have to digest that (Russian-Iranian-Syrian) line, it will have to join it, entering into a pact with Putin and the ayatollahs. Clearly this is where Erdogan has decided is the best place to pledge his allegiance.”

*Note: A current reminder that in just the past couple of weeks Turkey reentered Syria to intensify its war on the Kurds.

Russia and Turkey

Next, is the unimaginable reconciliation between Turkey and Russia? It was only last November that Turkey shot down a Russian warplane that allegedly strayed into Turkish airspace. The infuriated Russian President Vladimir Putin immediately leveled economic sanctions against Turkey, which cost the Turkish economy billions of dollars. The sabre rattling of the two nations against each other was heard around the world, to include absurd boasts by Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan that Russia was no match for Turkish military power!

In the article, Beginning of the End (March, 2016) I made this observation:

Although diplomatic relations between Turkey (the third most prominent nation in this Gog/Magog confederation) and Russia are currently strained, that will change dramatically…. In the classic mode of “if your enemy is also my enemy,” Turkey will go all in with Russia and Iran if it means conquering Israel.

Since that article was posted, the strained relations between Russia and Turkey have, indeed, changed dramatically. This past July, (once again, this would have been the year 2016) Erdogan apologized for shooting down the Russian warplane; in August he flew to Russia, and shook hands with Putin as a prelude to normalizing diplomatic relations between the two (former) rivals. Subsequently, they have set aside their differences to the point where the Russians not only didn’t oppose Turkey’s entrance into the Syrian civil war just a couple of weeks ago; they welcomed Turkey’s sudden and direct participation.

Things to Ponder

Essentially, we can dismiss the pretentious reasons that all three nations are establishing a foothold in Syria! Ultimately, it is not because Russia and Iran want to keep Assad in power or that Turkey wants to keep the Kurds from declaring an independent state in Syria and Iraq, next to the Turkish border.

Their ultimate goal: Israel. They all have Israel in their sights.

Which is the biggest (final) mistake they and the other nations joining Gog and Magog will ever make. For to do so is to make an enemy of the God of Israel.

“Give him this message from the Sovereign Lord: Gog, I am your enemy!” (Ezekiel 38:3).

“It is a terrible thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Hebrews 10:31).

The Lord told Israel: The result of their refusal to enter the Promised Land because they didn’t trust the Lord to give them victory over the Canaanites, would be painful. Read with me what God said:

“Because your men explored the land for forty days, you must wander in the wilderness for forty years—a year for each day, suffering the consequences of your sins. Then you will discover what it is like to have me for an enemy” (Numbers 14:34)

If the Lord (temporarily) made his own people an enemy, how severely will he deal with those nations who deny and defy him and who seek Israel’s destruction?

“O Lord, pay back our neighbors seven times for the scorn they have hurled at you. Then we your people, the sheep of your pasture, will thank you forever and ever, praising your greatness from generation to generation” (Psalm 79:12-13).

Scripture’s repeated predictions that Israel would be reestablished as a sovereign nation—with Jerusalem as its capital and return of exiled Jews to Israel—has taken place in our generation. And they have returned to stay, as exemplified in the following passage:

Nearly all of the Old Testament prophetic books (Isaiah through Malachi) contain warnings of Israel’s punishment and also God’s wrath against godless Gentile nations, especially those that participated in or condoned Israel’s destruction. Correlating secular history (dates) with Biblical history, one phenomenon you’ll find is that, for the most part, once a prophet first forecasted what would happen to Israel if they didn’t return to the Lord their God, the event normally occurred within 100 years. As the time of punishment (whether Assyria’s or Babylon’s conquest of Israel and Judah, respectively … or other events) drew closer, God’s warnings through his prophets increased in frequency and descriptive severity. In principle and pattern, that’s exactly what’s happening in and around Israel in our generation.

The Balfour Declaration of 1917, followed by Israel’s rebirth in 1947-48, then Israel’s liberation of Jerusalem in 1967 (when Gentile domination of Israel ended) have all occurred within a 100, 70, and 50-year generational time span.

The big difference, of course, is that the current events will lead to a totally different result. In our time, “…the Lord will make you (Israel) the head and not the tail, and you will always (from now on) be on top and never at the bottom” (Deuteronomy 28:13, parenthesis mine).

Although there are other indicators of the last days, the frenzied pace of the Gog/Magog formation in which the three most prominent nations of that confederacy have a foothold right next to Israel, can only mean that it’s a matter of just a short time before Russia, Iran, and Turkey cooperatively conspire to invade Israel. Which, in turn, means that the Rapture is at hand like never before!

Palestinian Refugees… Are They Really Refugees?

27 Saturday Jan 2018

Posted by garybowers in Current Events

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UN Refugee Agencies

And the beat goes on…

The brutal beat of Islamic and Palestinian terrorism; the shameful sound of geopolitical horns blatantly blasting President Trump’s decision for the United States to officially acknowledge Jerusalem as Israel’s eternal capital; the demonstrative drums of war banging threatening messages of Israel’s demise by her sworn enemies; and the raging roar of Muslim rhetoric with convoluted claims that the Jews don’t belong in the sovereign nation of Israel.

Among other derogatory denunciations against President Trump and Israel, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas recently placed a curse on Donald Trump: “May your house be demolished”… presumably referring to the White House. In this same rambling two-hour speech to the PLO, he repeated that the Palestinians will no longer participate in peace negotiations with Israel if the US is involved.

Abbas then refused to meet with US Vice President Mike Pence during Pence’s recent trip to Egypt, Jordan, and Israel. Instead, Abbas flew to Brussels; attempting again to persuade the European Union to unilaterally and arbitrarily declare a Palestinian State in Israel with all of the rewritten history conditions and unrealistic pre-condition demands that the Palestinians have made for years.

The top three of those demands are:

(1) A Palestinian State with pre-1967 (Six-Day War) borders that really weren’t borders in the first place. Rather, they were armistice lines established on a temporary basis—until Israel and the Palestinians could agree on more permanent boundaries including those for Judea/Samaria (so-called West Bank).

In the Six-Day War, Israel reclaimed and liberated ALL of today’s Israel, especially the entire city of Jerusalem. If Israel were to agree to such lines, she would be virtually defenseless in the Jordan Valley, the Golan Heights, and most of Judea/Samaria. If a Palestinian State is created with sovereign borders, Mahmoud Abbas has already boasted that no Jews will be allowed to live in that state. Whereas, many Israeli-Arabs would continue to live in Israel, undoubtedly with visitation rights of Palestinian relatives to/from Israel.

See Eye of Prophecy article: Ethnic Cleansing of Jews … The Real Palestinian Agenda, published 9-17-16.

Consequently, any Israeli excursion into those territories (for example to hunt down a terrorist who had just murdered a Jew) would be considered an act of war. You can bet your life-savings that, under those conditions, the Palestinians would never agree to prosecute and certainly not extradite the offender to Israel. But the biggest concern for Israel would be rogue nations like Iran gaining a foothold in a Palestinian State as a safe sanctuary to wreak havoc on Israel.

(2) East Jerusalem as the capital of a Palestinian State. This is unthinkable and unfeasible. It would be similar to the former West and East Berlin dichotomy which was a disaster, one that came perilously close to war between the United States and the former Soviet Union.

There is only one city in the entire world that is claimed by two countries as their capital. The Republic of Cyprus (southern half) and North Cyprus share Nicosia as their capital; however, Northern Cyprus is not officially recognized internationally as a nation. If ever it did become a member of the United Nations, it’s highly unlikely that (the northern half) of Nicosia would be accepted as its capital.

(3) Right of return for all Palestinian refugees. With an impractical and unreasonable definition of refugees as all generational descendants of the original Palestinian refugees, who willingly left Israel during Israel’s 1948 War of Independence. And did so at the request (actually orders) of Arab military leaders representing the five Muslim nations that attacked Israel the day after she became a sovereign state on May 14, 1948. Many of these displaced refugees were well-to-do Arabs who didn’t want to get in the way of their own armies, and who could afford the exit from Israel. As opposed to the typical and more accurately defined refugees who flee their country because they are being persecuted, attacked, and killed by hostile forces. Such as hundreds of thousands of innocent Syrians disenfranchised by the ongoing six-year civil war in Syria.

Some Equivalent Examples

Let’s stretch our imagination to the theatre of the absurd with comparisons to the United States regarding these three untenable demands that Arabs have persisted in for 70 years … 50 years since they began to call themselves Palestinians. With the overview that these ultimatums are those of a people who participated directly in or were collaborators with surrounding Arab counties defeated by Israel in four wars (1948, 1956, 1967 & 1973) … wars that the Arabs started. Despite victory in these wars, the Israelis gave back Gaza and the Sinai Peninsula to Egypt and what the Arabs call the West Bank to Jordan. Egypt and Jordan then surrendered functional control to the Palestinians.

In a broader scope, Israel relinquished political and administrative regulation over these areas to appease international pressure (including that from the United States) to allocate the West Bank and Gaza as “Palestinian territories.” Which included giving up some rights and privileges that have belonged to the Jews from the historical founding of Israel, then the historic rebirth of that same Jewish nation in 1948, with Jerusalem as the capital. But not just because the United Nations passed a resolution in 1947 granting the Jews retroactive possession of the land of Israel.

Most of all because God gave this land to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob hundreds of years before King David made Jerusalem its capital. Arabs claim Jerusalem (actually all of Israel) as their own largely based on their Muslim religion citing the Al Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock on Temple Mount as their 3^rd holiest site in Islam. When, in fact, Jerusalem is not mentioned even one time in the Koran; whereas Jerusalem or Zion is named over 800 times in the Bible and always has been the holiest site of Judaism. Wouldn’t the holiest site of Judaism supersede the 3^rd holiest site of Islam, especially if that 3^rd holiest site is not even mentioned in the Koran?! (See Eye of Prophecy article, The Myth of Al Aqsa Mosque, posted 4-16-16).

(The Ottoman Turks Surrendered Jerusalem (all of Israel) to British General Edmund Allenby in 1917)

(1) Pre 1967 Six-Day War Lines: With the equivalent of recognizing and siding with Palestinian demands that Israel returns (retreats) to pre-1967 so-called boundaries (cease-fire lines), an appropriate analogy would be for the United States to give back some of the original thirteen colonies to England. Not that the United Nations or European Union or the United Kingdom would make such ridiculous demands of the United States; however, that is equivocally what UN resolutions and many nations of the European Union and ALL Muslim countries have demanded of Israel. Refer to Eye of Prophecy article, United Nations Downsizing of Israel (Resolution 2334). Posted 1-7-17.

Another parallel is that of France insisting the United States return all or part of the states that comprised the Louisiana Purchase, because the purchase price was too low or because many Frenchmen and women in the United States (whether citizens or not) were “unjustly” affected by such a transaction. Or Alaska reverting back to Russia. Or Mexico wanting New Mexico, Arizona, Texas, and California returned to them. Or any nation refusing to recognize the sovereign geographical borders of the United States. But that’s what’s happening in and to Israel: International pressure for the Jews to give back to the Palestinians what Jordan, Egypt, and the Palestinians never legally had in the first place—which makes it even more absurd than the above cited examples.

(2) Demands for East Jerusalem as the Capital of a Palestinian State: No different than the United States conceding the eastern part of Washington D.C. back to the British, with what would be tantamount to an apology for defeating the British in war. And not one war, but two (War of 1812). For the record, I am an admirer of the British. But concerning nationality and national rights, especially those afforded by victory in war that always comes with the highest price that can be paid—the blood of American soldiers and civilians—I am first and foremost an American.

Obviously, such a ludicrous demand (East Washington belongs to the British) is not going to happen.

Why then do so many nations of the world side with Muslim Arabs that the eastern half of Jerusalem (there is still no such thing as East Jerusalem; for example, Nir Barkat is Mayor of all of Jerusalem) should be abandoned by the Israelis to the Palestinians who want it to be the capital of a Palestinian State? When any other city in the West Bank could be made its capital, particularly Ramallah which currently houses the Palestinian Authority governmental agencies. The ONLY reason that the Arabs want part of Jerusalem as their capital is because the Jews claim all of Jerusalem as the God-given historical and eternal capital of Israel.

(3) Right of Return of the Original Palestinian “Refugees” to Israel, Including all Descendants: The Palestinians have arbitrarily twisted the definition of a refugee to include (an infinitum) all descendants of these refugees. Even most of the 1^st generation Arabs who fled Israel should not be considered refugees because they left on their own volition; the Jews asked them to stay and be partners in the United Nations approved State of Israel in 1948.

A similar comparison would be the United States allowing the descendants of English, French, Spanish, and Hispanics who left the United States as a result of armed conflict—Revolutionary War, War of 1812, Spanish/American War, Mexican War—to return, no questions asked. Or descendants of those returning to their country (also voluntarily) because certain territories were purchased by the United States.

Yet that is exactly what the Arabs have demanded since 1948. If the Israelis did allow such a return, it would, for all practical purposes, spell the end of Israel. The sheer number of such returnees would reduce the Jews to a minority in their own country. There is no other nation on earth that would do such a thing. In fact, the Arab nations that permit (actually they purposely keep) these “refugee camps” to remain have done so because they have disallowed their fellow Arabs (Palestinians, who didn’t even assume that name until after the PLO came into existence in 1964) to become citizens of those countries. Rather, they are using the Palestinians (refugees) as a bargaining chip to eliminate the state of Israel, just in case many or all of them are allowed to return to Israel.

(One of the Palestinian Refugee Camps in Jordan)

The Head and Not the Tail

Since the astounding victory against Egypt, Syria, and Jordan in the Six-Day War of 1967, Israel for the first time in over 2,500 years is the primary power in the Middle East. Israel can now negotiate (if she chooses) from a position of strength and not weakness. She is once again the head and not the tail.

“…the Lord will make you the head and not the tail, and you will always be on top and never at the bottom” (Deuteronomy 28:13).

In the four major Arab/Israeli wars, two of Israel’s enemies (Egypt and Jordan) plus Saudi Arabia are beginning to realize that Israel has no intention, whatsoever, to dominate her Arab neighbors. Though not admitting it, they know beyond all doubt that there is no such thing as Israeli apartheid against the Palestinians of Judea/Samaria or the Gaza. They are finally grasping the obvious: Even though Israel regained its rightful God-given supremacy over the Promised Land, she has nonetheless permitted some 4.5 million Palestinians (non-citizens of Israel) to occupy choice parts of Israel … Judea/Samaria and the Gaza.

Israel’s rise to a prominent economic, political, and military player on the world stage means that she no longer must make concessions to international demands that are unfounded, unfair, and unnecessary. And which are downright dangerous to Israeli safety and survival. Not the least of which is Israel’s right to establish her capital in the city of choice—Jerusalem. A privilege that has always existed; one that the United States Congress recognized in 1995 (Jerusalem Embassy Act) followed on December 6, 2017 by the first United States President to reaffirm this right.

Nor is Israel (or any nation) obligated to accept the return of refugees (especially 2^nd, 3^rd, and 4^th generation) whether they fit the international definition and standards of refugees or not. Like any sovereign nation on earth, Israel has the prerogative to determine immigration quotas and citizenship requirements.

The modern-day phenomenon of refugees began during World War I but especially during World War II when millions of people from several counties were displaced by the carnage of that global conflict. The whole idea of refugee status is a humanitarian effort to help those suffering from deprivation, displacement, and despair caused by war and sectarian conflict. Nevertheless, refugee sanctuary is designed to be temporary, to get dispossessed people back on their feet. It is not meant to be an indefinite welfare system or perpetual source of aid that deters people from doing as much as they can for themselves.

Moreover, refugees of World War II, the Korean War, Vietnam, of the Syrian & Iraqi civil wars (and other sectarian conflicts all over the world) were citizens of their respective countries. Not so with the Palestinians, who voluntarily left Israel in 1948 and some in 1967 to give their Arab military time and space to conquer Israel and eliminate the Jews from the State of Israel. Those Arabs (now called Palestinians) were not citizens of Palestine (there was and is no such state). If they had citizenship, it was from mostly Jordan … also Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, and Egypt.

If the United Nations seriously wants to repatriate millions of Palestinian Arab “refugees” (most of whom—descendants—have never lived in Israel), then they should be returned to the host country in which their parents and grandparents were citizens. Which very well could be the country in which they currently reside as “refugees.”

UNRWA (United Nations Relief & Works Agency)

In Mahmoud Abbas’s previously mentioned speech, he also railed against President Trump’s decision to cut in half the first of three-four Palestinian aid (through UNRWA) installments scheduled for 2018. No matter that Abbas had previously refused to discontinue or even reduce hundreds of millions of dollars the PA spends on monthly stipends to the families of Palestinians imprisoned because they have murdered or attacked Jews. President Trump followed through by cutting 65 million from the first installment of some 130 million in aid. In all, the United States contributes around 370 million dollars annually to UNRWA, about 30% of UNRWA’s budget.

In addition, the US provides millions of dollars in aid directly to the Palestinian Authority, which President Trump has also threatened to reduce or end if the Palestinians persist in their recent demands that the US cannot be a part of any Middle East peace process.

UNRWA was created in December, 1949 exclusively for Arab refugees—nearly all of whom fled Israel at the request (more like orders) of the Arab armies that attacked Israel on May 15, 1948. At that time there were about 750,000 such refugees. Currently there are an estimated 7 million so-called Palestinian refugees in the Middle East, with approximately 4.5 million residing in the West Bank and Gaza Strip of Israel, and the remaining primarily in Syria, Jordan, and Lebanon. Of the 7 million, around 5.3 million are registered with UNRWA to receive economic assistance. About one-third of these Palestinians live in 59 refugee camps (West Bank, Gaza, Syria, Lebanon, and Jordan) with the remaining two-thirds residing in cities and towns around the camps.

(Many Palestinians Registered with UNRWA Are Also Gainfully Employed!)

There is a second UN refugee agency called: United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) created in December, 1950, a year after UNRWA. This second agency was designed to provide refugee status and aid to millions displaced from their homes during World War II. Although the agency was originally devised to assist European refugees and last just three years, it is still in existence and has expanded to include refugees worldwide.

However, there is a distinction between these two organizations that extends beyond the fact that UNRWA is exclusively for Palestinians.

According to Wikipedia, “The UNRWA has a much broader definition of ‘refugee’ than the UNHCR, including not only refugees, but their descendants in perpetuity, however it (was originally intended to) only covers refugees from the 1948 & 1967 Arab-Israeli wars” (parenthesis mine).

Wikipedia also states: “UNRWA has had to develop a working definition of ‘refugee’ to allow it to provide humanitarian assistance (meaning welfare-like aid). Its definition does not cover final status” (parenthesis mine).

Originally Palestinian refugees were considered: “Persons whose regular place of residence was Palestine during the period 1 June 1946 to 15 May 1948, and who lost both home and means of livelihood as a result of the 1948 conflict.”

One problem with that definition is the way it’s phrased. As stated earlier: the reason the Arabs lost home and livelihood was one of choice. They could have accepted Israel’s offer to remain, but they chose to flee (temporarily) awaiting what they assumed would be a five-nation Arab victory over and obliteration of Israel.

When some of them wanted to return, Israel essentially said: Too late, you had your chance to stay. Israel considered them a “fifth column” who would continue to do whatever they could to eliminate Israel from the face of the map.

One other quote from Wikipedia: “Unlike UNRWA, UNHCR has a specific mandate to aid its refugees to eliminate their refugee status by local integration in (the) current country, resettlement in a third country or repatriation when possible.”

*Note: There’s hardly any country on earth whose government will allow repatriation of former citizens who hated and/or fought against that government, whether the government was democratic or autocratic, good or evil. At least not without severe conditions and restrictions imposed on the returnees. The exception would be 2^nd or 3^rd generation refugees that wanted no part of their parent’s or grandparent’s revolt against or disdain for their government. In that regard, Israel is an exception to the exception. In the case of the Palestinians, their children of today hate Jews (are even taught how to kill Jews) as much or more than their ancestors.

(Alarmingly Sad … I’ve Seen Part of This Video)

A comprehensive study in September, 2016 revealed that UNRWA spent an average of $256.00 for each of the 5.3 million Palestinian it classifies as refugees, while UNHCR spent only $58.00 per non-Palestinian refugee.

Even though UNRWA extended refugee status to Arabs who left Israel in 1948 and 1967 or those who stayed but refused to become citizens of Israel (West Bank and Gaza), there’s no way that the grandchildren and great-grandchildren of those Arabs should be kept on the refugee payroll. It’s glaringly obvious that the “refugee” status of Palestinians has far exceeded the original purpose and mission of UNRWA. It was not meant for descendants of the 1^st generation Arabs that packed up and moved out of Israel in 1948-1949 to maintain their refugee status in perpetuity.

Palestinians claiming (a non-existent) East Jerusalem as the capital of a future Palestinian State and Israel’s territorial retreat to 1967 cease-fire lines are critical threats to Israel’s serenity, security, and sovereignty. But there is no more contentious issue than the insistence of Palestinians and most Muslin countries (a couple of exceptions like Saudi Arabia and perhaps Egypt) that millions of Palestinians living in Lebanon, Iraq, Syria, and Jordan be allowed to migrate to Israel, a country in which most of these 3^rd and 4^th generation outsiders have never resided. If that were to occur, hundreds of thousands of Jewish citizens born in or who immigrated to Israel would themselves be displaced from their homes, or would have no land in Judea/Samaria and the eastern part of Jerusalem in which to build more housing.

Israel … Beacon of Democracy in the Middle East

In some prior Eye of Prophecy articles, I have made references to the clear evidence that Israel has treated its Arab Palestinian population far better than Palestinians (or even Arab citizens) are treated in Muslim countries. But it bears repeating.

Because Israel is the only democratic nation in the entire Middle East, 1.8 million Arabs have chosen to become citizens of Israel. They have the right to vote, start and own businesses, attend Israeli schools, enroll in higher educational institutions, apply for government loans, move about the country with ease, and even serve in the Knesset. Yet, they are not conscripted by the IDF, which is mandatory for all Jewish men and women when they turn eighteen years of age. Even the Palestinians (non-citizens) who live in Judea/Samaria and the Gaza have a standard of living that exceeds hundreds of millions of Arab in surrounding Muslim nations, the exception being wealthy Arabs complements of oil.

Moreover, the Israelis do not hate the Palestinians nor is there anything approaching apartheid as some absurdly claim. It is extremely rare for an Israeli Jew to commit an act of violence against a Palestinian. When that occurred, it was normally personal revenge for a Jewish death at the hands of Palestinians. Conversely, Palestinians for years have viciously and repeatedly killed and injured thousands of Jews.

See Eye of Prophecy article, The Real Reason for Palestinian Terrorism (Posted 9-30-17).

God’s Point of View & Instructions Concerning the Promised Land and Its Inhabitants

Question: Does modern-day Israel’s attitude toward and treatment of Palestinians match up with God’s Biblical standards?

Let’s answer that question by examining the way God originally said it should be.

Beginning with the Lord’s instructions to Moses concerning non-Jews:

(Other Bible Translations for Stranger are: Foreigner or Alien)

And, “Do not take advantage of foreigners who live among you in your land. Treat them like native-born Israelites, and love them as you love yourself. Remember that you were once foreigners living in the land of Egypt. I am the Lord your God” (Leviticus 19:33-34).

*Note: By all international rules and standards Israel is a sovereign state with constitutionally mandated requirements for citizenship and definitions of foreigners that most nations on earth have—at least those not ruled by a dictator. No matter your view of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the fact remains that non-citizen Palestinians are foreigners in Israel. Many nations of the world would have expelled such foreigners—who refused to become citizens or who didn’t qualify for citizenship within a generation’s time—back to their home country, i.e. the country that issued their passports. For the majority of Palestinians in Israel, that would be Jordan.

It’s historically true that the Lord commanded the Israelites to destroy certain tribes/nations of Canaan … the Promised Land that would become Israel. And for a valid reason, one that God originally explained to Abraham.

“…This is the everlasting covenant: I will always be your God and the God of your descendants after you. And I will give the entire land of Canaan, where you now live as a foreigner, to you and your descendants. It will be their possession forever, and I will be their God” (Genesis 17:7-8).

Before that God told Abraham that the Jews would be captives (in Egypt) for 400 years, but, “…After four generations your descendants will return here to this land, for the sins of the Amorites do not yet warrant their destruction” (Genesis 15:16, italics for emphasis). The Amorites also represented all of the wicked, decadent nations of Canaan.

This demonstrates God’s amazing patience … allowing the inhabitants of Canaan considerable time to repent and stop such ugly, depraved practices as sacrificing their own children.

When it came time for the Israelites to enter Canaan, God through Moses told them: “You must destroy all the nations the Lord your God hands over to you. Show them no mercy, and do not worship their gods, or they will trap you” (Deuteronomy 7:16).

Also: “And I will fix your boundaries from the Red Sea to the Mediterranean Sea, and from the eastern wilderness to the Euphrates River. I will hand over to you the people now living in the land … Make no treaties with them or their gods. They must not live in your land, or they will cause you to sin against me. If you serve their gods, you will be caught in the trap of idolatry” (Exodus 23:31-32).

See Deuteronomy 18:9-14 for more details of the “detestable customs” of the Canaanite nations.

In contrast to God’s unilateral destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah (for example), the Israelites had to do much of their own fighting to establish their nation in the Promised Land. Even then God supernaturally supported them in several battles, the most famous of which was Jericho.

This continued off and on through the period of the Judges; to and through the reign of King David, who consolidated the twelve tribes of Israel into the most powerful nation on earth at the time. The Lord once again did the same thing when Israel was reborn in 1948. The Jews fought four wars initiated by the Arabs, winning each war against all odds—with divine assistance from God himself.

Time/space does not permit elaboration, but the Lord made exceptions for some of the peoples/nations within Israel (formerly Canaan). Those peoples who chose not to fight against Israel were granted foreigner status, even though some were required to effectively serve Israel. But even those of servanthood were to be treated with respect and dignity.

I visited modern-day Israel in 2006. I’ve read volumes about Israel and the Middle East, watched numerous documentaries, studied the Scriptures intensively, and have written extensively about God’s special possession Israel and his chosen people the Jews. The truth of the matter is that overall Israeli disposition toward and treatment of both Israeli-Arabs and Palestinians matches and has prophetically fulfilled God’s timeless instructions and standards given to Moses and Joshua. Can Israel do better? Of course, so can all of us.

What about the Jews Themselves?

Why are they the chosen people? Just how special are they?

Listen to the answer: “But recognize today that the Lord your God is the one who will cross over ahead of you like a devouring fire to destroy them. He will subdue them so that you will quickly conquer them and drive them out, just as the Lord has promised.

“After the Lord your God has done this for you, don’t say in your hearts, ‘The Lord has given us this land because we are such good people!’ No, it is because of the wickedness of the other nations that he is pushing them out of your way. It is not because you are so good or have such integrity that you are about to occupy their land… to fulfill the oath he swore to your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob” (Deuteronomy 9:3-5).

God isn’t saying that his people had no integrity or that they didn’t have good hearts when it came to other people. Rather, the Lord is making a distinction as to the REASON that he gave them the Promised Land. A reason to preclude all boasting. A reason to give honor and glory to God, not themselves. It was a lesson in humility, a lesson that Israel eventually was forced to learn the hard way.

God did not choose the Jews because they were special. They became special because he chose them. Moses reminded the people what he had said to God, before Joshua led them across the Jordan River into Canaan: “But they are your people and your special possession, whom you brought out of Egypt by your great strength and powerful arm” (Deuteronomy 9:29, italics for emphasis).

*Note: There are several reasons why Anti-Semitism has been irrationally and insidiously prevalent for so long by so many peoples on this earth. But one thing stands out above all the rest: Envy. Of Jewish accomplishments in all walks of life—business, politics, entertainment, medicine, industry, literature, and music.

Ultimately, however, they are the chosen people because God selected them to be a conduit of light to the nations of the earth. And the beautiful brightness of that light shines through Messiah Jesus and the salvation he has brought to both Jew and Gentile through the New Covenant.

The foreigners in ancient Israel would be equivalent to today’s Palestinians, but not as refugees. More like the 1.8 million Israeli Arab citizens of Israel, who at least recognize Israel’s right to exist as a nation, whether they believe this is a divine right and regardless of what they think about Jews as a people.

Conversely, the some 4.5 million Palestinians in Gaza and Judea/Samaria have refused Israeli citizenship because they effectively do not recognize Israel as a nation. In God’s purpose there was only one nation in/of the Promised Land—Israel. And you can be very sure of this: God’s plan for Jews possessing the Promised Land of Israel has never changed. It is as true and real today as it was when God gave this land to Abraham and his descendants and when Joshua led the Israelites into Canaan.

Things to Ponder

God loves all people, individually, and wants everyone to be saved from their sins and the penalty of sin—eternal separation from God. Yet, we also need to fully grasp his two-part plan for the human race. One for salvation—both Jew and Gentile. The other for the sovereign state of Israel and Jerusalem its capital as the seat of God’s kingdom on earth. Thus, God deals harshly with both individuals and nations who seek Israel’s destruction; and also those who in any way, shape, or form aid in this destruction. All the while extending his love through so great a salvation, to all who believe and receive Messiah Jesus as personal Savior—Palestinians included!

What will happen to the Palestinians during the soon-to-come Great Tribulation? I seldom speculate in Eye of Prophecy articles; in favor of commentary based upon Scripture and then correlating God’s word with ancient and modern history and current events. But I offer this (sad) observation:

It’s highly unlikely that Palestinians (nor most Muslims on both an individual or national level) will embrace the Jewish Messiah or the Jews. Even most Jews do not yet recognize Jesus of Nazareth as their (the) Messiah. But when Jesus returns to deliver Israel and Jews across the world from annihilation—first at the hands of God/Magog, then the ten-nation confederation led by Antichrist Nero—Jews by the millions will look upon the one whom they pierced (Zechariah 12).

Then they will say: Baruch haba beshem Adonai … “blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord” (Matthew 23:39).

“And so all Israel will be saved…” (Romans 11:26).

Unfortunately, the Palestinians will most likely be fighting on the side of the Antichrist and his conventional armies by means of insurrection and continuing acts of terrorism within Israel. It will be Ishmael’s final attempt to overcome Isaac and replace his step-brother as the promised child. But Isaac has always been God’s choice to bring the ultimate Child of Promise (Messiah Jesus) to mankind.

To Jewish and Gentile believers in Christ, the Jewish Apostle Paul writes: “And you … are children of the promise, just like Isaac. But you are now being persecuted by those who want you to keep the law, just as Ishmael, the child born by human effort, persecuted Isaac, the child born by the power of the Spirit” (Galatians 4:28-29).

“…Joseph, son of David, the angel said, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:20-21).

There will be no displaced people in Messiah’s government, for those who love and follow him.

“Don’t let foreigners who commit themselves to the Lord say, ‘The Lord will never let me be part of his people…’” (Isaiah 56:3).

“I will also bless the foreigners who commit themselves to the Lord, who serve him and love his name, who worship him…” (Isaiah 56:6).

“For the Sovereign Lord, who brings back the outcasts of Israel, says: ‘I will bring others, too, besides my people Israel’” (Isaiah 56:8).

Global Obsession with Jerusalem … In Biblical Proportions!

06 Saturday Jan 2018

Posted by garybowers in Current Events

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

UN Resolutions

The World’s OCD over Israel

Obsession: “a persistent disturbing preoccupation with an often unreasonable idea or feeling” (Webster’s Dictionary).

The persistent unreasonable idea or feeling harbored by Israel’s enemies and even by her (few and far between) friends is whether Israel and especially Israel’s capital Jerusalem truly belongs to the Jews. Or are the Jews “occupying” Jerusalem and other parts of Israel?

Obsessive: “excessive often to an abnormal degree … need for quick solutions.” The entire planet is demanding urgent resolution to Israel’s problems, even though the core of these issues is at least three thousand years in the making.

Compulsion: “an irresistible impulse to perform an irrational act.” The compulsive agenda of many world leaders is to impulsively (bordering on the irrational) fix Israel. Their faulty premise: If they can fix Israel and solve Jerusalem’s status, then the entire Middle East can be fixed in some fashion or another.

As the first Eye of Prophecy article for a new year, there is no more fitting topic than the world’s fanatical focus on the tiny state of Israel, smaller in population than many cities on earth. It is political, racial, religious, and social OCD (Obsessive/Compulsive Disorder) on steroids and on a truly global scale. Since her rebirth as a sovereign state in 1948, no nation on earth has received more world-wide attention as has Israel. It is mind-boggling. We only need to look at the United Nations—to which virtually every nation on earth belongs— to confirm that this obsession is not an exaggeration.

Question: Is the United Nations really united? Answer: Of course not. How could it be when there’s such dissimilarity in geopolitical ideologies and practices from one country to another? If anything, there are deeper more divisive differences between nations than ever before—surpassing the disparities that spawned World War II, i.e. fascism versus democracy. Even within nations there is a growing polarity between such things as globalism and populism.

(United Nations General Assembly)

However, when it comes to Israel, the vast majority of otherwise disunited nations of the world have set aside their differences in a common cause that is glaringly and transparently anti-Israel. It is a unified agenda against the one and only Jewish state in the world, with only a handful of nations showing overt support for Israel. In both form and substance, it is a global conspiracy that defies all that is logical, reasonable, and moral. It is peer pressure at its worst. It is so very wrong.

Consequently, the Psalmist pleaded with the Lord:

“O God do not be silent! Do not be deaf. Do not be quiet, O God. Don’t you hear the uproar of your enemies? Don’t you see that your arrogant enemies are rising up? They devise crafty schemes against your people; they conspire against your precious ones. ‘Come,’ they say, ‘let us wipe out Israel as a nation. We will destroy the very memory of its existence’” (Psalm 83:1-4).

You can count on it! The Lord has heard the incessant threats of the nations against Israel. He has seen the dozens of UN Resolutions against Israel that are shamefully unfounded (based on ignorance or deliberate denial of Israel’s true historical right to the Promised Land), far outnumbering those against truly rogue nations like North Korea, Iran, Yemen, and Syria.

United Nations Retaliates Against the United States & Israel

Please refer to Eye of Prophecy article, U.S. President Agrees with God … Jerusalem is Israel’s Capital! Posted 12-9-17. Which includes quotes from Palestinians and Islamic leaders who blasted President’s Trump decision of 12-6-17 to officially recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s Capital. But also from some of our allies who protested Trump’s decision, such as Great Britain, France, and Germany.

Soon after President Trump’s daring declaration on behalf of our Executive Staff to officially support the Jerusalem Embassy Act passed by a wide margin in the U.S. Congress (1995), the United Nations Security Council convened to vote on yet another resolution effectively against Israel, although the United States was directly targeted.

On December 18^th, 2017, less than two weeks after President Trump’s historical announcement, a resolution to declare America’s recognition of Jerusalem as internationally illegal was approved by the UN Security Council. Although it only takes nine of the fifteen council member nations to pass a resolution, fourteen of the fifteen nations voted in favor. As you probably know by now, our United States Ambassador to the UN, Nikki Haley, vetoed the decree.

As a reminder, there are five nations which hold a permanent seat on the Security Council: United States, France, Great Britain, Russia, and China. Each of these five nations possesses veto power for any Security Council resolution. The other ten nations are appointed for two-year terms.

The impetus for this resolution came from the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) consisting of 57 Muslim countries, which conducted an “emergency meeting” soon after President Trump’s announcement. Egypt was selected as the country to draft the resolution.

(The Real Founding Purpose of the OIC Was to Deal With the “Zionist Entity” … Israel)

Not that the OIC needed any incentive to once again denigrate Israel (this time via the United States); however, their resolution was spurred on by comments such as made by Turkey’s President Erdogan—who regurgitated Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas’ previous rhetoric that the United States should be disqualified as a negotiator in Israeli/Palestinian peace process—because the US was no longer an “unbiased” peace broker.

Excuse me: Does that mean that all of the Islamic countries (both Arab and non-Arab) as well as many European nations are NOT biased (toward Israel), or do not favor the Palestinian narrative? That’s like saying the sun rises in the east only for some nations. Whether a good bias or a bad one (in the eye of the beholder) a bias is still a bias. But did President Trump show bias? If simply affirming the historical reality that Jerusalem is and always has been the only capital of Israel is prejudice, then every nation on earth is bigoted because they have exercised their sovereign right as a country to recognize any city of any nation on earth which has declared that city as their capital.

Essentially then, the United Nations Security Council passed a resolution that contradicts and even defies one of the integral features and purposes for its very existence: acceptance and recognition of member states to establish its capital in the city of its choice.

Said US Ambassador Nikki Haley after the United States vetoed the resolution: “Today for the simple act of deciding where to put our embassy, the United States was forced to defend its sovereignty. The record will reflect that we did so proudly. Today for acknowledging a basic truth about the capital city of Israel, we are accused of harming peace. The record will reflect that we reject that outrageous claim. For these reasons and with the best interest of both the Israeli and the Palestinian people firmly in mind, the United States votes no on this resolution.”

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said this about President Trump’s decision to acknowledge Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, then the subsequent U.S. veto of the malicious and misguided Security Council resolution, which took place during Israel’s celebration of Chanukah.

“Thank you, Ambassador Haley. On Chanukah, you spoke like a Maccabi. You lit a candle of truth. You dispel the darkness. One defeated the many. Truth defeated lies. Thank you, President Trump. Thank you, Nikki Haley.”

(Jewish Family Celebrating Hanukkah– See Eye of Prophecy Article: Hanukkah … The Festival Born of a Prophecy! Posted 12-31-16)

Ambassador Haley also referenced the deplorable UN Resolution 2334, supported (some even say instigated) by outgoing President Obama also in the month of December (2016). Among other anti-Israeli accusations, that resolution condemned the construction of Jewish homes in eastern Jerusalem, Judea, and Samaria. Although the U.S. didn’t vote for the resolution, it nevertheless abstained, which was tantamount to supporting it.

Said Nikki Haley: “In December 2016, the US elected to abstain. Now it is a new administration. Given the chance to vote again we would exercise a veto power. The US will not make that mistake again.”

Please see Eye of Prophecy article, United Nations Downsizing of Israel (Resolution 2334) Posted 1-7-17.

The Security Council Resolution against the United States and Israel Was Not Enough

It was no secret to the entire world that the United States would veto the Security Council resolution. Thus, the Muslim nations convinced the United Nations to urgently convene a session in its General Assembly. Although it would be (legally) non-binding, the General Assembly passed its own resolution just three days later (12-21-17) declaring the U.S. action on Jerusalem, “null and void.”

The vote was 128 in favor and 9 against, with 35 countries abstaining and another 21 nations whose representatives didn’t attend the session. The Palestinians considered the vote to be a great victory for them and for the Muslim world, even though the resolution was unenforceable as compared to Security Council measures that are (legally) binding by international law. Said Palestinian Authority spokesman, Nabil Abu Rdainah: “We will continue our efforts in the United Nations and at all international forums to put an end to this occupation, and to establish a Palestinian State with East Jerusalem as its capital.”

Central American countries Guatemala and Honduras were two of the nine nations that voted on the side of the United States and Israel. In fact, after speaking directly with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, Guatemala’s President Jimmy Morales had already stated that he would move his country’s embassy to Jerusalem after the United States had done so. The other five countries (besides the US and Israel) were: Micronesia, Nauru, Tonga, Palau, and the Marshall Islands. How many of these countries have you heard of? None of them? Make no mistake: the true and living God—the God of Israel and of all who have placed their faith and eternal destiny in the Jewish Messiah, Jesus—heard their vote. According to God, he will bless those nations who bless Israel and curse those who curse Israel. (Genesis 12).

The experts were wrong; they had predicted at least 150 nations would vote in favor of the sanction against the US and Israel. Accordingly, Prime Minister Netanyahu stated:

“Israel rejects the decision of the United Nations and, at the same time, we show gratitude to the high number of countries that abstained from this resolution. Israel thanks President Trump on his unequivocal position in favor of Jerusalem and thanks other countries that voted together with Israel, together with the truth.”

However, the political experts were right in forecasting that several nations who have in the past voted against Israel abstained this time because of what President Trump and Ambassador Haley had boldly said before the General Assembly’s vote on 12-21-17.

Tweeted President Trump with the clear message that US aid to some nations might be cut off or reduced if they defied America’s sovereign right to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital: “We’re watching those votes. Let them vote against us, we’ll save a lot. We don’t care.”

Said Nikki Haley: “The United States will remember this day in which it was singled out for attack in this assembly. We will remember it when we are called upon to once again make the world’s largest contribution to the U.N. and when other member nations ask Washington to pay even more and to use our influence for their benefit.”

Echoing President Trump’s pledge, she went on to say: “America will put our embassy in Jerusalem. That is what the American people want us to do, and it is the right thing to do. No vote in the United Nations will make any difference on that. But this vote will make a difference on how Americans look at the U.N. and on how we look at countries who disrespect us in the U.N. And this vote will be remembered.”

(US Ambassador to United Nations … Nikki Haley)

Author and columnist Sarah Stern wrote in an article published by the online new source Israel Hayom on 12-26-17 in which she comments on the UN’s reprehensible vote against the US, considering that America pays 22% of the U.N. budget—billions more than any other nation.

Said Ms. Stern: “Seeing as 20 of the 26 General Assembly votes in 2016 were directed against Israel—a full 77%–with only three on Syria, and one each on Iran, North Korea and Crimea, it came as no surprise that on Thursday, the General Assembly rejected President Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital…

“The reason for this is the presence within the U.N. of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation—the largest body inside the U.N. and a powerful force against Israel. It is beyond ironic that nations with the glorious human rights records of Syria, Yemen, Iran and Saudi Arabia are lecturing the United States on democracy.

“Thank you, Nikki Haley for finally putting an end to the notion that nations can continue to insult the U.S. and its single democratic ally in the Middle East and then expect a free ride at the American taxpayer’s expense.”

Seventy-seven percent of UN resolutions against Israel (in 2016) is certainly nothing new. Since 2012, some 85% of the almost 90 UN Resolutions have been directed at Israel. And before 2012, UN resolutions were disproportionately anti-Israel. In fact, ever since Israel’s statehood in 1948, she has been the favorite target of this global organization that actually should be called, Nations United Against Israel.

Which reinforces the main theme of today’s article: the extraordinary focus of global attention on Israel is absolutely unprecedented in recorded history. Which is what the Bible said would happen in the last days. Our generation is witnessing the culmination of God’s two sweeping plans for the human race that will complete his three enduring covenants with Israel. Which, in turn, have brought and will bring untold blessings to Gentiles as well as to all Jews who recognize and accept the One destined to bring these covenants to final fruition.

That’s why the entire world is mesmerized by what is happening in the Middle East, especially in, to, and through Israel.

God’s Majestic Plans Accomplished Through Covenants

The first plan was set in motion by God’s covenant with Abraham, which itself was in two parts.

(A) The Chosen People: Abraham as the Patriarchal Father of God’s designated people the Jews, through whom Messiah would come. Messiah Jesus would be the ultimate source of blessing for both the Jews and Gentiles (Genesis 12:1-3, which lists seven promises).

(B) The Promised Land of Israel: As a perpetual inheritance and special possession of the Jews.

Said the Lord to Abraham: “I will confirm my covenant with you and your descendants after you, from generation to generation. This is the everlasting covenant: I will always be your God and the God of your descendants after you. And I will give you the entire land of Canaan, where you now live as a foreigner, to you and your descendants. It will be their possession forever, and I will be their God” (Genesis 17:7-8).

Subsequently, there are several passages in the Old Testament that define the comprehensive boundaries of the Promised Land of Israel, such as Ezekiel Chapters 47-48 and Obadiah 1. Trust me (better yet trust the Bible): The original expanse of Israel when first given to the Jews (and will be returned to them during the Millennium) was much larger than modern-day Israel.

In preparation for the ultimate Promised Child (Messiah Jesus) through Isaac and a New Covenant that would provide a once for all substitutionary atonement for Israel and all people, the Lord gave a set of universal laws (Ten Commandments) and principles to Israel, but also hundreds of civil, ceremonial, and celebratory laws unique to God’s chosen people.

Because God’s people failed to keep the covenant of the law given through Moses, they were expelled (not once, but twice) from Israel just as the Lord said would happen if his people disobeyed and abandoned him.

Nonetheless, God’s covenant promise to Abraham was unconditional … though it would take thousands of years to be fully realized. In the interim, there are hundreds of Old Testament prophecies declaring that God himself would unilaterally restore the Jews to the Promised Land of Israel. This ultimate physical and spiritual redemption would come through Messiah.

“In that day the Lord will reach out his hand a second time to bring back the remnant of his people—those who remain in Assyria and northern Egypt; in southern Egypt, Ethiopia, and Elam; in Babylonia, Hamath, and all the distant coastlands. He will raise a flag among the nations and assemble the exiles of Israel. He will gather the scattered people of Judah from the ends of the earth” (Isaiah 11:11-12).

The second plan was for God to replace the Mosaic Covenant with a New Covenant, as prophesied by Jeremiah (Chapter 31).

This superb Covenant of Grace would also be extended to the Gentiles, beginning with the substitutionary sacrifice of God’s Son (the Messiah) as so poignantly pictured in Isaiah Chapter 53 and other passages, to make all people right with God by simple faith in so great a salvation.

This covenant was implemented 2,000 years ago with the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Messiah Jesus. Just hours before he was mercilessly and unjustly crucified on a cross, Jesus ate a final meal with his disciples.

“After supper he took another cup of wine and said, ‘This cup is the new covenant between God and his people—an agreement confirmed with my blood, which is poured out as a sacrifice for you’” (Luke 22:20).

That covenant of once-for-all sacrificial redemption has continued to this day, and will remain until the soon to come Rapture of Gentile Christians and Messianic Jews the world over. Followed by the greatest time of calamity the world has ever known, one that will last seven years.

The third covenant was one God made with King David, also in two parts … one conditional the other unconditional.

(A) Conditional Requirements: For descendants of King David to remain on his throne in Israel, they and the people must continue to follow the Lord their God. They did not. Result: End of the Davidic dynasty of kings.

(B) Unconditional Aspect of Davidic Covenant: At God’s appointed time, a King from the tribe of Judah would reinstate the Davidic dynasty. “…He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity…” (Isaiah 9:7).

Messiah Jesus will rule and reign as King of all kings from Jerusalem.

“And the Lord will be king over all the earth. On that day there will be one Lord—his name alone will be worshipped” (Zechariah 14:9).

God’s Covenants Go Through Isaac, Not Ishmael

This is what infuriates Israel’s sworn enemies, which is virtually all Muslims and Islamic nations. They simply cannot tolerate a tiny Jewish nation whose people (whether religiously observant or not) claim to be descendants of a man chosen directly by a God who asserts that he is the only true and living God. But this hatred goes much further back than Muhammad’s invention of Islam and his selection of the moon-god Allah from among other pagan gods worshipped by the Arabs, to replace the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

It goes back to the Lord’s decision that Isaac, not Ishmael, would be the child of promise—ancestor of the greater Child of Promise to come later—Messiah. Some 1.5 billion Muslims on this planet simply will not tolerate the truth of God’s Covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

They have rewritten the Biblical historical record to, among other things, fraudulently claim that Ishmael was Abraham’s rightful heir to the promises of God’s Covenant with Abraham. All the while asserting that the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (which is how God initially referred to himself) was really Allah. And that Abraham was actually Muslim—some 2,500 years before Muhammad concocted Islam as a religion. Which to anyone with any (historical) objectivity and common sense at all would realize is pathetically absurd.

(*Note: Once again I will say in no uncertain terms: The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob who then revealed his Divine universal name (Yahweh) to Moses is NOT the same as Allah. Or any other man-made god. The differences between the Bible and the Koran and between El Shaddai (God Almighty … another name for the God of the Bible) and Allah are absolutely light years apart.)

But this irrational hatred of the Jews extends far beyond the Arabs and Muslims of the world. The Crusades, the Inquisitions, the European and Russian pogroms, and most (worst) of all the horrendous Holocaust at the hands of the “superior Aryan” Third Reich prove that anti-Semitism has crossed all racial, religious, political, and cultural lines.

No matter the ideology—whether eastern mysticism or western pragmatism, whether religious or non-religious, whether political or apolitical—there is a convergence of world opinion that something must be done about Israel … good, bad, or somewhere in between. Nations are taking sides for or (mostly) against Israel with such a powerful polarity that they will not allow Israel to determine her own destiny.

Even President Trump said that his decision to declare Jerusalem as Israel’s capital would mean that the Israelis would have to “pay” (meaning reciprocate) for “concessions” that would be required of Israel should peace negotiations ever resume. He did not intend that as a threat to Israel. Rather, he was responding to Palestinian Authority President Abbas’ staff which claimed that President Trump was “blackmailing” them with his threat (which it was to the PA) to cut off aid unless the Palestinians included the United States in peace negotiations.

The winds of war are whipping across this planet. As born again believers, we know full well that the ultimate source and force behind the evil ideologies (fascism, communism, state religions, totalitarianism, and New Age globalism) is Satan, himself. He knows the Scriptures and he’s well acquainted with God’s plans so powerfully presented in the Bible. He’s fully aware that God intends to carry out his covenant with Abraham, whereby the Jewish people will forever possess the Promised Land, with Jerusalem as the Holy Capital City of that Holy Land.

Here’s what Jesus said about Satan:

Satan has been preoccupied with eliminating both the Jews and Israel from the face of the earth. He knows that Jerusalem is the heart and soul of Israel. It is to Jerusalem that Messiah will return. And it is from Jerusalem that he will rule and reign victoriously in a Kingdom of righteousness, justice, and peace—all three of which Satan hates. In Satan’s warped mentality: No Jerusalem, no Israel. No Israel, no return of Messiah.

In a two-front war, the devil has also continued his campaign to kill as many Christians as possible. While also devising false religions to strike the Kingdom of Heaven from within—an even more deceitful and dangerous threat, because many more will die in their sins from a false gospel than true believers killed for their faith.

“For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty power in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12).

An Intriguing Paradox

There is a remarkable phenomenon underway whereby some national leaders are developing friendly ties with Israel, even though the majority of their people still harbor anti-Semitic feelings against Jews. Still, when it came time on a global level to support Israel (by accepting at face value America’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital), many nations (such as India) that have recently struck up a liaison with Israel, bowed to international peer pressure and voted in favor of the UN General Assembly resolution.

This ambivalent, puzzling disposition of nations toward Israel is exactly what Scripture said would happen, especially when the Gog/Magog coalition invades Israel. This massive campaign led by Russia, Iran, and Turkey (all three of which have a military presence in Syria right next door to Israel) will occur not long after the Rapture.

Says the Sovereign Lord to Gog/Magog, “…At that time evil thoughts will come to your mind, and you will devise a wicked scheme. You will say, ‘Israel is an unprotected land filled with unwalled villages! I will march against her and destroy these people who live in such confidence!” (Ezekiel 38:10-11).

The clear concept conveyed in this passage is that Israel will be at a level of peace not thought possible by Israelis or the rest of the world. Obviously, it will be a false sense of security.

It’s actually not so much the fact that the vast majority of nations still oppose Israel publicly, as demonstrated by the ridiculous and completely disproportionate (especially against the only democracy in the entire Middle East) UN resolutions. As indicated, this hostility towards Israel has been around for a long time. What’s Biblically important to grasp is the incomprehensible, inordinate obsession with Israel by virtually every nation on earth—not the least of which are the most powerful countries including, of course, the United States.

I’m convinced that the “wicked scheme” prophesied by Ezekiel is currently being devised by those nations who seek Israel’s total destruction. The particulars of their diabolical plan to “wipe Israel from the face of the earth” is already underway. All the pieces are in place like never before. They fully intend to move the “immovable rock of Jerusalem” from Israeli control (Zechariah 12:3). First, politically, through a United Nations (against Israel). When that doesn’t work, then an all-out military attack against Israel. But that won’t happen until after the Rapture. However, the Rapture is as imminent as it ever has been.

Thanks be to our Great God and Savior (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit); he has his own majestic plan. And he has the incomparable power and authority to achieve his purpose for national Israel and for spiritual Israel (Jew and Gentile believers in Messiah Jesus).

Here is God’s warning to those people and nations who defy the Lord and his Son:

“Why are the nations so angry? Why do they waste their time with futile plans? The kings of the earth prepare for battle; the rulers plot together against the Lord and against his anointed one. ‘Let us break their chains,’ they cry, ‘and free ourselves from slavery to God.’

“But the one who rules in heaven laughs. The Lords scoffs at them. Then in anger he rebukes them, terrifying them with his fierce fury. For the Lord declares, ‘I have placed my chosen king on the throne in Jerusalem, on my holy mountain.’

“The king proclaims the Lord’s decree: The Lord said to me, ‘You are my son. Today I have become your Father. Only ask, and I will give you the nations as your inheritance, the whole earth as your possession. You will break them with an iron rod and smash them like clay pots.’

“Now then, you kings act wisely! Be warned, you rulers of the earth! Serve the Lord with reverent fear, and rejoice with trembling. Submit to God’s royal son, or he will become angry, and you will be destroyed in the midst of all your activities—for his anger flares up in an instant. But what joy for all who take refuge in him!” (Psalm 2:1-12).

The Lord knows exactly which nations are devising a wicked plan against Israel and what that plan is. And we who know the Lord as personal Savior (Jew and Gentile alike) fully realize that we are here for such a time as this. Moreover, many Jews in Israel and the world over—who do not yet recognize Jesus as their Messiah nor have accepted him as God’s Son, their Savior— readily realize that their redemption is drawing near.

The nations are in a frenzy over Jerusalem. God said that one day he would grant their wish to try to solve the Jewish problem on a truly global scale.

In fact, the Lord will take the initiative himself as demonstrated in his words to Gog, “I will turn you around and drive you toward the mountains of Israel, bringing you from the distant north” (Ezekiel 39:2).

God himself will crush this arrogant Magog confederation in the early part of the Great Tribulation.

Then during the final battle of Armageddon regarding the ten-nation coalition led by Antichrist Nero, we read:

“Say to the nations far and wide: ‘Get ready for war! Call out your best warriors. Let all your fighting men advance for the attack. Hammer your plowshares into swords and your pruning hooks into spears. Train even your weaklings to be warriors. Come quickly, all you nations everywhere. Gather together in the valley.’

“And now, O Lord, call out your warriors! Let the nations be called to arms. Let them march to the valley of Jehoshaphat. There I, the Lord, will sit to pronounce judgment on them all” (Joel 3:1-2 & 9-12).

Summary

We are in the 3^rd Millennium since the birth of Messiah Jesus and the 7^th overall, as indicated in last week’s Eye of Prophecy article. Both are vitally significant numbers and periods of time in the Bible. Although there are multiple signs of last day’s prophecies being fulfilled in our generation, those millennial reasons (numbers) alone are signaling the soon return of Messiah Jesus. There have been seven major epochs in Jewish history (three since Messiah Jesus’s first advent) in which some nations have attempted to (literally) eliminate Jews and/or Israel from the earth.

Pharaoh’s Suppression of the Jews From Becoming a Nation
The Canaanite Tribes Effort to Drive the Jews out of Israel (Joshua to King David)
The Assyrian and Babylonian Conquests of Israel/Judah, Resulting in “Ten Lost Tribes of Israel”
The Evil Persian Haman’s Planned Genocide of the Jews
The Roman Destruction of Jerusalem and the 2^nd Temple & Massive Dispersion of the Jews to Other Nations
A Genocide Attempt by Hitler’s Third Reich … Killing Six Million Jews
The (Soon to Come) Gog/Magog, Then Antichrist Nero’s Coalition to Eliminate Israel as a Sovereign Nation.

Things to Ponder

The eyes of the world are on Israel. That magnified telescopic focus will only intensify in 2018.

And so is God intently watching over Israel.

“But the land into which you are about to cross to possess it, a land of hills and valleys, drinks water from the rain of heaven, a land for which the Lord your God cares; the eyes of the Lord your God are always on it, from the beginning even to the end of the year” (Deuteronomy 11:11-12, NASB).

Says King David about the Lord’s love for and protection of Israel and of God’s people:

“How great is the goodness you have stored up for those who fear you. You lavish it on those who come to you for protection, blessing them before the watching world. You hide them in the shelter of your presence, safe from those who conspire against them. You shelter them in your presence, far from accusing tongues” (Psalm 31:19-20).

Listen to the song of those in Israel’s antiquity as they ascended to Temple Mount (and even in today’s world with the millions of Jewish and Gentile tourists and Israeli citizens who visit Temple Mount):

Wake up people of the earth. The King is coming!

God has given everyone the freedom and authority to answer the following questions, but they must be answered. Neutrality is not an option with God.

Is Messiah Jesus coming for you or against you? Is he your Savior or your Judge?

“The Father loves his Son and has put everything into his hands. And anyone who believes in God’s Son has eternal life. Anyone who doesn’t obey (the obedience of faith in Messiah Jesus) the Son will never experience life but remains under God’s angry judgement” (John 3:35-36, parenthesis mine).

Does Christmas Really Need Christ?

23 Saturday Dec 2017

Posted by garybowers in Current Events

≈ Leave a comment

The Irony of Christmas in an Increasingly Anti-Christian Culture

Whether Jesus Christ was born on December 25^th or from mid-September through October, perhaps even on the Jewish Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot) as some Bible scholars propose, doesn’t really matter. The Son of God and God the Son came into this world on Christmas Day.

According to God’s prophet, Messiah would be born of a Virgin (Isaiah 7:14). Mary was that virgin, and Jesus was that child.

The prophet Micah pinpointed the exact place of Messiah’s birth—Bethlehem Ephrathah—for there were two towns in Israel named Bethlehem when Jesus was born. Yet Micah’s stunning prophecy encompassed more than just the place of Messiah’s birth and his divine origin from the ancient past. It also foretold of Messiah’s people, the Jews, returning to Israel even before their exile to Babylon and long before their second exile to the four corners of the earth in 70 A.D.

“But you O Bethlehem Ephrathah, are only a small village among all the people of Judah. Yet a ruler of Israel will come from you, one whose origins are from the distant past. The people of Israel will be abandoned to their enemies until the woman in labor gives birth. Then at last his fellow countrymen will return from exile to their own land (which began to take place in great numbers in 1948). And he will stand to lead his flock with the Lord’s strength, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. Then his people will live there undisturbed, for he will be highly honored around the world. And he will be the source of peace…” (Micah 5:2-5a, parenthesis mine).

Micah’s prophecy was sweeping in scope, from the time of Messiah Jesus’s birth to his Millennial Reign on earth, which is soon to come. When that happens, “Then the remnant left in Israel will take their place among the nations” (Verse 7). That remnant is already taking shape in our generation.

Has the name of Jesus, which the Scriptures say is the name of above all names, been “highly honored around the world?” Yes, but not like he will be revered upon his majestic return to the earth.

And, also no, as the name of Jesus Christ has been scorned more and more in our generation, as have believers who bear his name.

According to Messiah Jesus, there would be a time just before the (last days) Day of the Lord—set into motion by the imminent Rapture—when true believers in Christ, “…will be arrested, persecuted, and killed. You will be hated all over the world because you are my followers. And many will turn away from me and betray and hate each other… Sin will be rampant everywhere and the love of many will grow cold” (Matthew 24:9-12).

Reliable statistics tell us that more Christians have been deprived of property and jobs, imprisoned, tortured, murdered, or forced to flee their homes in the 20^th & 21^st centuries than in all preceding centuries combined including the 1^st century. This unparalleled brutality has been noticeable (documented) in at least 50 countries such as North Korea, China, Vietnam, India, Pakistan, Sudan, Somalia, and Nigeria; and in several Middle East Muslim nations like Iran, Iraq, Egypt, Syria, Yemen, and Saudi Arabia.

Although not (yet) in the form of physical cruelty, we’ve seen an alarming surge of anti-Christian legislation and hostility in our halls of government, our schools and universities, the military, and private businesses in the United States of America … supposedly the greatest sanctuary of liberty and individual rights on this planet.

Wrote the Jewish Apostle Paul: “You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be difficult times. For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!” (II Timothy 3:1-5).

Scoffing at God … nothing is sacred … loving pleasure rather than God.

Many unwittingly and some deliberately are preparing the way for a New Age; an utopian era that will nevertheless be established and led by an (the) Anti-Christ who, “…will have no respect … for any other god, for he will boast that he is greater than them all” (Daniel 11:37). He will satisfy their desire to, “…break their chains … and free ourselves from slavery to God” (Psalm 2:3).

They will embrace to the point of worship, “This man (who) will come to do the work of Satan with counterfeit power and signs and miracles. He will use every kind of evil deception to fool those on their way to destruction, because they refuse to love and accept the truth that would save them” (II Thessalonians 2:9-10).

The opposite of truth is untruth (lies).

“And who is a liar? Anyone who says that Jesus is not the Christ. Anyone who denies the Father and the Son is an antichrist” (I John 2:22).

This spirit of antichrist is facilitating the reappearance of The Antichrist (Nero). Among other things, it has begun to suppress and swap the true spirit of Christmas. Our humanistic, relativistic society has redefined Christmas, and relegated the Christ of Christmas to what is considered an irrelevant distant past.

Is the Christ of Christmas Relevant Any Longer?

Beginning some 50 years ago and accelerating in the last decade, nowhere are these prophetic end-times’ characteristics more exemplified than in the decline of the real meaning of and purpose for celebrating Christmas. Individuals, groups, businesses, and entire (so-called) Christian nations all over the globe are trivializing and even removing Christ from Christmas, both passively and actively.

Which, if you think about it, is preposterously perplexing. No different than saying that George Washington’s and Abraham Lincoln’s birthdays have no relevancy to President’s Day in February. Or that the 4^th of July Declaration of Independence has nothing whatsoever to do with the birth of a nation … the United States of America.

(Memorial Day: Should We Not Even Give A Passing Thought to the Brave Men and Women Who Died or Were Disabled While Serving the USA?)

What if your parents and other loved ones ignored the “you” of your birthday?

Here is an excerpt from Eye of Prophecy article, Merry Christmas … What’s It All About? Posted 12-20-14 (in italics, with non-italic words italicized in that article):

Historical figures, nations, and events other than Christ Jesus and Christmas have their own recognized anniversaries. Does anyone demand that observance of these special occasions be religiously generalized and socially or politically expanded to embrace other religious or national figures or events, so as not to be inclusive of just one person? So as not to offend those of other faiths or ideological persuasions?

Even an ordinary birthday or event merits the minimum consideration of that day belonging to an individual or a city or a nation and, therefore, acknowledged as such. What would you think if I refused to wish you a Happy Birthday because I didn’t want to offend someone else who wasn’t born on the same day, and who didn’t share the same enthusiasm for your birthday? Or who believed differently from you, or belonged to another race, or was left-handed? Ridiculous? Of course. It’s your special day. So Happy Birthday already! I mean that sincerely … unless it’s not your birthday!

Might we be more politically correct never to say Happy Thanksgiving? After all, the Muslim holy month of Ramadan is much closer to Thanksgiving than it is to Christmas. Shouldn’t it be: Happy Thanksramadan?!

Perhaps we should no longer wish someone a Happy Valentine’s Day in case they take an exception to anyone who has a Saint in front of their name? It is Saint Valentine isn’t it? Might we say, “Happy Heart Day” or “Merry Chocolate?”

…It isn’t whether we use the word happy or merry. It’s that word, Christmas that causes all the fuss.

More than that: it’s the name Christ that gets so many people all up tight. That’s right … all it takes is a mention of his name. That is, unless it’s used as profanity … no problem then.

Why? Because His name is who he is (Yeshua in Hebrew, Jesus in Greek/English, both mean Savior), and a lot of folks just can’t handle that. They don’t want or need a Savior. Certainly not one who claims that he is the Son of God, that he alone is “The Way, The Truth, and The Life” (John 14:6). How exclusively narrow-minded can anyone be? The fact that he was born of a Virgin, performed amazing miracles, and then arose from the dead to validate his claim as Messiah who alone can redeem, can forgive sin; is an affront to those who maintain that self-enabled good works and innate self-worth is the only way to God.

…No other holiday causes anything close to the angst experienced and consternation expressed by the secular among us or those of another religion who take offense at hearing the very name of Jesus or even a special representation of his name—Christmas. What relevance does the birth of a Savior (no man-made religions have a Savior … did you know that?) any longer have to the last holiday of the year? In fact, the very name of Christ and Christmas is an embarrassment to many. It’s just not politically correct.

A Hallmark Christmas

Hallmark Cards is one of the largest corporations in the world. From this greeting card giant came the Hallmark Television Channel in 2001, having begun as the American Christian Television System in 1984; then changing to the Faith & Values Channel in 1993 and the Odyssey Network in 1996.

According to Wikipedia: “The Hallmark Channel is an American cable and satellite television network that is owned by Crown Media Holdings, which is owned by Hallmark Cards. The channel’s programming is primarily targeted at families, and features a mix of television movies and miniseries, original and acquired television series, and lifestyle programs. As of February, 2015, Hallmark Channel is available to approximately 85,439,000 pay television households (73.4% of households with television) in the United States.”

Subsequently the network created Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, a separate channel dedicated almost exclusively to movies especially Christmas films (shown year around), with the newest sister channel debuting just this year … Hallmark Drama.

For women between the ages of 25-54, the Hallmark Channel was the most watched network during the 4^th quarter of 2016. Included in Hallmark’s archives are 136 Christmas films produced since the movie channel’s inception. With 33 new Christmas movies aired in a marathon that began in October, 2017 and continuing as this week’s Eye of Prophecy article is being posted.

According to Crown Media’s CEO Bill Abbott, summarizing Hallmark’s underlying philosophy and objectives especially through movies: “We are a place you can go and feel good.”

Although Hallmark is becoming progressively secularized (in contrast to its early beginning of Christian-oriented programming), it still purports to convey the virtues of family and faith.

But faith in what? In whom?

Faith in “feeling good.” Or faith in “the spirit of Christmas.” That phrase or something similar is emphasized in the majority of Hallmark’s Christmas movies, and is often the passionate pursuit of one or more of the characters; no matter what that spirit of Christmas means to them, as long as they find it. I say this first-hand, as I have watched about 15 of these movies over the past year. And in the four to five years before that, perhaps 7-8 Hallmark Christmas movies. I would assume they’re a cross-section representation of all their Christmas films.

So, what is the spirit of Christmas?

Is it just to feel good for a few days at the end of every year? Not that there’s anything wrong with feeling good. Unless it becomes an obsessive goal in life at all cost. A relentless quest to feel good, no matter the repercussions, can sometimes result in others feeling bad (hurting them). Particularly when such a pursuit excludes the very source of what is absolutely good and right and true and eternal—God who created us and who has given us so great (good) a salvation through His Son, Jesus.

Don’t get me wrong. The intent of today’s article is not to bash Hallmark Christmas movies; in general terms, they have improved considerably in the last 2-3 years (personal opinion). Especially with their scripts—as a writer, I appreciate and look for a well-written screen-play—with the acting, and with the plot. There is more substance and depth to (some of the) recent Hallmark movies, Christmas or otherwise.

However, Hallmark Christmas films have become so secularized (politically correct) that rarely do they mention the name of Jesus or Christ. And certainly not Jesus Christ in the same breath. Seldom do we hear the hallowed Christmas hymns and carols, excepting an occasional Joy to the World or Silent Night. But they are replete with secular Christmas songs that convey the sights of Frosty the Snowman, smells of Chestnuts Roasting by the Fire, and sounds of Jingle Bells.

What does the true meaning of Christmas—the real significance of the Savior’s birth—have to do with children getting their two front teeth at Christmas, or a reindeer running over grandma, or wanting a hippopotamus for Christmas (for only a hippopotamus will do)? For sure, these images are cute, warm, and fuzzy (except for poor grandma) and probably would make even the Grinch feel good about himself and others.

(If Ebenezer Scrooge Had Only Watched “How the Grinch Stole Christmas”, I’m Sure He Would Have Changed His Ways Long Before Seeing the Ghosts of Christmas Past!)

And, would Christmas be Christmas without Santa Claus? I’ll let you answer that question for yourself. But remember, Santa Claus believes in Christmas! Which begs another question: Could Christmas survive without Santa?

Invariably, the “spirit of Christmas” entails one of the main characters in a Hallmark movie discovering the “meaning of Christmas” that they never knew or had lost somewhere along the way. That true meaning is normally found by someone who has been down on Christmas because of business, or family, or personal setbacks. Or meeting and falling in love with someone who loves Christmas for any number of feel good reasons. Or believing again or for the first time in the “miracles of Christmas.”

With the miracles unfolding in various ways such as: mysteriously arranging or reuniting the paths of star-crossed lovers; resolving otherwise irreconcilable disputes of family members or friends; or getting an impossible career promotion … all worthy of successful conflict-resolution storylines. Yet, omitting the very miracle of Christmas itself—the Virgin Birth of the child Jesus. And never mentioning the miracle of his Resurrection as the triumphant conclusion to why Jesus was born in the first place—to sacrifice his life for the sins of humanity, and to establish the everlasting Kingdom of God on earth in his Second Coming.

Hallmark Movies in a Broader Perspective

As indicated, this week’s article is not about denigrating Hallmark Christmas movies. To do so would be to focus on a symptom, not cause and origin. The problem is much more pervasive than a few secular-stained Christmas movies. In fact, I personally like some of the (more) recent Hallmark productions. Who doesn’t like a good story with a happy ending? It’s just that these stories are wrapped in disguise of the real Christmas spirit, discarding the Christ of Christmas who was gift-wrapped for us in God’s amazing grace.

One of my favorites is, Journey Back to Christmas (2016), starring Candace Cameron Bure, Oliver Hudson, and Tom Skerritt. Yet, even that Christmas miracle is based on a “Christmas comet” which mysteriously strikes Bure; catapulting her into the future where she encounters first, second, and third family generations of those she met during World War I. And then is reunited with her husband thought to be killed in the war, when the comet returns (now 71 years later) and transports her back to the present. The movie was skillfully written, produced, directed, and acted … one that will tug at the strings of your heart.

Obviously the primary purpose of a movie is entertainment. As a Christian, I certainly can and will remember the real reason why I love and honor Christmas, without Hallmark Christmas movies affecting that reverence for the birth of Christ, whether in a positive or negative way. There are two reason why I have watched more Christmas movies in the past few years: (1) For the entertainment, enhanced even more with a narrative that emphasizes morality and Judeo/Christian ethics. (2) To see what’s happening with and in those movies concerning the real meaning of Christmas.

Unfortunately, what I have noticed is that—unintentionally or intentionally (I would hope the former)—the portrayal of Christmas has tainted the message and purpose of Christmas itself. By and large, the movies present a (vague) “spirit of Christmas” as an end unto itself, without any need for the Christ of Christmas. Which is equivalent to redefining, or at the very least minimizing, what the spirit of Christmas is really all about.

The undermining end result is that the media’s “spirit of Christmas” is competing with and even contradicting the Christ of Christmas. Which is, sadly, a representation and repetitive reinforcement of what’s happening in America and all over the world in two ways, and not just at Christmas time: (1) an intense agnostic style attack on Christianity and the authority of the Bible as the Word of God; with increasing antagonism toward “born-again Christians” who have a personal relationship with the One Person who exclusively claims to be the Way, Truth, and Life, thereby, the ONLY way to God. (2) Or, a superficial show of religion—acting religious but denying the real power and authority of God by refusing to consider Christ as the exclusive source of salvation.

I think we would all agree on one thing: the immense influence of the entertainment media and also that of literature and journalism in our daily and seasonal lives. They reflect, but also restructure society’s attitudes, preferences, morality, and belief systems.

On the plus side, there are three things that Christmas movies and Christmas specials contain. All three of which are a bona fide reason to celebrate this joyous time of the year.

They are: (1) Lights/decorations; (2) Giving and receiving of presents; (3) Harmony and togetherness of family.

However, on the minus side: all three in our post-modern society are conspicuously empty of the real reason for the season—Christ Jesus himself.

*Note: Despite the modern-day emphasis of Christmas without Christ, there is still a sense of awe over the entire earth that something very special happened 2000 years ago. As for me, I never get tired of the Good News: from beginning to end—the birth, life, death, burial, resurrection, and soon to be glorious return of the greatest man to ever walk the earth.

“For there is only one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus. He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone. This is the message God gave to the world at just the right time” (I Timothy 2:5-6).

And when was that time? Might it have been Christmas Day!

The Honored Tradition of Christmas Lights

Beginning with an incidental what if: What would we call Christmas trees, or Christmas lights, or Christmas presents, or the holiday (Holy Day) itself if we deleted the name of Christ? Silly question … perhaps. Actually, many have devised an answer to those questions: Holiday trees, lights, and presents. If so, then are we really celebrating Christmas as Christmas?

The problem with that mentality is that we should then call all of our holidays by no other name than holiday. So New Year’s Day, Valentine’s Day, President’s Day, Resurrection Day (Easter), Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, and Thanksgiving should be dropped. Instead, we would number the holidays chronologically on the calendar and designate them as Holiday #1, #2, #3, and so on!

What do Christmas lights represent? I trust that you know the answer to that question; however, there are some who don’t. Or don’t want to know. Or, worse … don’t care.

Jesus the Christ (we just say Jesus Christ, but he is Jesus the Messiah) bears many wonderful names and titles, signifying who he is and what he has done for mankind. Such as:

He is the Good Sheppard and the Gate for the sheep … all of us who have been saved by believing and receiving him, the one who sacrificed his life for the sheep (John 10:7 & 11).

He is the Lord of all lords and King of all kings, who will soon return in power and great glory (Revelation 17:14 & Matthew 24:30).

He is the Living Word of God, who existed from the beginning with God for he is God the Son the second Person of the Trinity. Jesus himself said he is “I AM” … Yahweh, the Holy Name of God (John 1:1 & John 8:58).

And, in keeping with today’s theme: “Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, ‘I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life’” (John 8:12).

Jesus fulfilled all of the prophecies concerning the Messiah. Such as: “…the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light. And for those who lived in the land where death casts its shadow, a light has shined” (Matthew 4:16, quoting Isaiah 42:6: “…And you will be a light to guide the nations”).

When Christ first set foot in the rebuilt Temple, after God’s presence (glory) left Solomon’s Temple that was subsequently destroyed, he accomplished—temporarily, with final fulfillment upon his glorious return—another prophecy of the Messiah:

Why else do we put up lights at Christmas time? The beautiful lights of Christmas illustrate the magnificent light of salvation that illuminates our minds and hearts through Messiah Jesus when we personally trust him for our salvation. Christmas lights brighten our homes and communities.

The Giving and Receiving of Presents

Can you think of anything about Christmas more treasured than the giving of gifts, then the receiving of those gifts by our loved ones? Especially the children. To watch their eyes light up as they brim with excitement, and eagerly unwrap their package. To listen to their squeals of delight or shouts of joy when they see what you have given them. To cherish their gratitude, “It’s what I’ve always wanted. Thank you Mom!” Or, “Thank you, Dad. You remembered.” Or a husband to his wife, “It’s not what I expected. It’s even better. I love you, honey.”

Christmas without lights and also without giving is like the 4^th of July without fireworks. Or like Thanksgiving Day without giving thanks. Even if your only gift is wishing someone a Merry Christmas, it is as they say, “the thought that counts.” If all you can do is to revere the very reason for the season and whisper a prayer of gratitude, then that’s a sacrifice of (thanks) giving to God (Psalm 50:14).

Isn’t that what Christmas is all about? It is cherishing the greatest gift of all time. Born fully human and fully God; Christ freely gave his life to purchase our redemption, a complete pardon for all of our sins.

There are no conditions, except to simply accept that gift by believing and receiving Christ as our personal Savior. Do you know of anyone who receives a Christmas gift and then says, “I’m sorry, but I didn’t earn this gift. I can’t accept it.”

No one can do enough or be enough or even give enough to earn redemption. For it is Christ who willingly paid the price, doing for us what we could not do for ourselves.

“So just as sin ruled over all people and brought them to death, now God’s wonderful grace rules instead, giving us right standing with God and resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 5:21, italics for emphasis).

The Family

The time-honored celebration of Christmas reminds us of the brightest light to ever shine on this dark and dreary planet—Messiah Jesus. His light was snuffed out through the greatest sacrifice ever made by the highest price ever paid. But in three days, his glory shone brighter than ever; the resurrected Christ now seated at the right hand of the Father, awaiting the appointed time to return and make all things right in this wicked world. To brilliantly light up the world with righteousness, justice, and peace.

No matter the size of your immediate family or extended family or even if you are alone this Christmas and limited to calls or emails or Christmas cards; Christmas is for family, including a family of one. If all we do is pray for our loved ones, that is still the best gift of all.

Even if your parents or children have “disowned you” you are still a member of their family. Once born on this earth you can’t be unborn, no matter what you do or what is done to you.

So, too, with the family of God. Once you are born again, you cannot be unborn. You are an adopted child in God’s family with all the rights of God’s magnificent inheritance for his children.

“Jesus replied, ‘I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God’” (John 3:3).

“But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God” (John 1:12).

Writes the Jewish Apostle Paul:

“God’s purpose was that we Jews who were the first to trust in Christ would bring praise and glory to God. And now you Gentiles have also heard the truth, the Good News that God saves you. And when you believed in Christ, he identified you as his own by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom he promised long ago. The Spirit is God’s guarantee that he will give us the inheritance he promised and that he has purchased us to be his own people. He did this so we would praise and glorify him” (Ephesians 1:12-14).

Things to Ponder

Whether you put up Christmas lights or not, whether you give or receive a single present or not, whether you are with immediate or extended family or are all alone. The gift of God’s salvation shines as bright as ever, and gives birth in God’s family for simply believing and receiving God’s gracious gift of His Son. That is what Christmas (or any time of the year) is all about.

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if every true believer on earth and maybe even some unbelievers would open their Bible or at least get online and read one, two, or all of the following Christmas passages … the Greatest Story ever told. A story that began long before Jesus was born, one for cause to pause and ponder the core of Christmas.

To Joseph, the angel said: “…do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:20-21).

To Mary, the angel said: “You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!” (Luke 1:31-33).

To the shepherds guarding their sheep that night an angel suddenly appeared and said: “…Don’t be afraid … I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!” (Luke 2:10-11).

He came to us as the light of the world, the greatest gift ever given … his precious blood and life for our sins. To give us the awesome privilege of birth in the family of God that leads to everlasting life.

Christ Jesus is the just for the unjust, the righteous for the unrighteous.

“For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ” (II Corinthians 5:21).

Joy to the World, the Lord is come!

Let earth receive her King.

Let every heart prepare Him room…

“For God so loved the world…” (Go ahead, finish the verse)

It’s all about JESUS!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

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