Once Again … For Such A Time as This

“My friends, for over a year, we’ve been told that no deal is better than a bad deal. Well, this is a bad deal. It’s a very bad deal. We’re better off without it. Now we’re being told that the only alternative to this bad deal is war. That’s just not true. The alternative to this bad deal is a much better deal. A better deal that doesn’t leave Iran with a vast nuclear infrastructure and such a short break-out time. A better deal that keeps the restrictions on Iran’s nuclear program in place until Iran’s aggression ends.”

The above quote is an excerpt from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s stirring historical speech before the United States Congress earlier this week (March 3rd). The bad deal cited by the Prime Minister is currently being negotiated by Secretary of State, John Kerry, under the direction of US President Barack Obama. By and large, the precise details of this “bad deal” are unknown by much of the world; however, the fundamental framework would allow Iran to continue its centrifuges (on a limited, but nevertheless ongoing basis) for a period of ten years in exchange for relaxing economic sanctions against Iran.

Prime Minister Netanyahu proposed a much better deal with concluding remarks such as, “Ladies and gentlemen, history has placed us at a fateful crossroads. We must now choose between two paths. One path leads to a bad deal that will at best curtail Iran’s nuclear ambitions for a while, but it will inexorably lead to a nuclear-armed Iran whose unbridled aggression will inevitably lead to war. The second path, however difficult, could lead to a much better deal that would prevent a nuclear-armed Iran, a nuclearized Middle East and the horrific consequences of both to all of humanity.”

Even before Netanyahu’s riveting message to the United States Congress, the timing of his visit to America didn’t escape the attention of several Bible scholars/teachers (including me), as well as a great many Israelis. No, I’m not referring to the pretentious reason (excuse) why our President and his staff refused to attend this historical session of Congress—ostensibly because they don’t invite political candidates of another country to the U.S. so close to that country’s elections. Even though Benjamin Netanyahu is running for reelection (having himself called for early elections, which he didn’t have to do); the fact remains that he is the Prime Minister of Israel—for such a time as this.

I and several others firmly believe he places Israel’s security and relations with America far above any partisan political agenda, and in that order. How could he or why would he not, considering what’s at stake? Even though Israeli elections are set for March 17^th; a much greater concern is the March 31^st deadline for the United States to complete our (bad) deal with Iran.

Rather, the extraordinary timing of the Prime Minister’s captivating message is that it was given just one day before the annual two-day Feast of Purim begins in Israel. I wrote about this remarkable celebratory event of Israel’s history almost exactly a year ago in an article entitled, For Such a Time as This, published 3-15-14. Beginning with:

It’s that time of the year for Jews to celebrate the festive holiday of Purim, one of the delightful memories in Jewish history which makes the Jewish month of Adar (Feb/March) perhaps the happiest month of the year. They rejoice by reading the book of Esther, and playfully dressing up in disguise themselves, just as Queen Esther (at first) concealed her identity as a Jew from her husband, the Persian King Xerxes.

The article goes on to say:

The festival of Purim will be held tomorrow, just ten days after Israeli commandos intercepted the Klos C cargo ship sailing under the flag of Panama on its way to the Gaza Strip. The Israelis escorted the ship to the southern Israel city port of Eilat, where the Israeli Defense Forces unloaded the cargo, followed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s inspection of the shipment. There for the whole world to see was an imposing arsenal consisting of hundreds of thousands of rounds of AK-47 ammunition, dozens of mortars, and the most imposing of all—forty long-range missiles capable of striking Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and other cities deep into the heart of Israel. And, if these missiles could have or would have (in the future) been tipped with a nuclear warhead—even a tactical one—the tiny state of Israel would be transported to the state of oblivion.

From where did this destructive payload originate! Too easy of a question, right? None other than Iran, formerly known as the Persian Empire.

Missiles from Iran, Intercepted March, 2014, by Israel

Another excerpt from, For Such a Time as This:

At the press conference that followed the viewing of the confiscated weapons in Eilat, Benjamin Netanyahu reminded the world (he had just articulated this during his meeting with US President Obama a few days earlier) of the malicious intentions and ominous threat Iran poses to Israel, but not just Israel … also the United States. Said, Prime Minister Netanyahu about Iran: (this) “…brutal regime has not abandoned its deep involvement in terrorism, its systematic efforts to undermine peace and security throughout the Middle East and its ambition to destroy the state of Israel … Those engaged in self-deception must awaken from their slumber; we cannot allow Iran to continue building nuclear weapons.”

Last year’s article goes on to explain what Purim is all about. That were it not for Mordecai’s counsel and Queen Esther’s courage, the wicked Persian official, Haman, would have accomplished his devilish plan to kill all Jews in Persia. Just as Hitler almost did in Europe … no different from what Iran’s Ayatollah would do tomorrow if he had just one nuclear weapon at his disposal.

“Who knows,” Mordecai said to Esther, “If perhaps you were made queen for just such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14).

Benjamin Netanyahu … A Modern-Day Esther

Once again, for such a time as this, Israel’s chosen (elected) leader must stand up and speak out for his country, for its very survival. But not just for Israel … for the entire freedom-loving world. The passage of time, nearly 2,500 years from ancient Persia to modern-day Iran, has not buried in antiquity Satan’s diabolical goal to, “…wipe out Israel as a nation … to destroy the very memory of its existence” (Psalms 83:4).

Amazingly, these prophetic words written at least 2,500 years ago have been quoted nearly word for word in the 20^th and 21^st centuries by Israel’s enemies, particularly by Iran’s former president and by its current Ayatollah. Then mimicked by Iran sponsored terrorist groups such as Hezbollah and Hamas, but even by leaders of other Muslim nations. When national leaders mouth the very words of Biblical prophecy without knowing or caring anything about the Word of God, then we know (along with dozens of other world events matching up with Bible prophecy) we are in the last days of the end-times.

As chosen representatives of their people and as played out in the extraordinary timing of today’s existential (Israel’s very existence) threat that a nuclear Iran poses to Israel—passionately conveyed in what could be called, the Purim Message to the US Congress—the striking similarity between Esther’s and Benjamin’s destiny is inescapable.

In Esther’s day, the Jews were on the brink of annihilation; as is the entire nation of Israel today. Yet there are additional factors in today’s world that make Iran an equal, if not greater menace than what Esther and the Jews faced in ancient Persia.

Such as:

Although the villainous Haman was a Persian “noble” whom the King had promoted to the “most powerful official in the empire” (Esther 3:1), who hated the Jews and plotted genocide against them, he was not the supreme ruler of the Persian Empire. Still, Haman somehow persuaded Xerxes to issue a decree that the Jews be destroyed. This was accomplished by means of a vicious lie that the Jews had refused to obey the laws of the king … all the while concealing Haman’s true agenda which was extreme hatred of principally just one Jew, Mordecai.

In contrast, modern-day Iran’s loathing of Israel and solemn vow to “wipe Israel from the face of the earth,” without any attempt to hide it, overtly originates from their very top political and military leaders. There is no Mordecai or Esther in modern Iran who (in ancient Persia Mordecai actually saved the king’s life by exposing a plot to assassinate King Xerxes) could influence the wicked leaders of this country to reconsider their plot to eliminate all Jews from the earth. For that matter, there are very few Jews that remain in Iran. Moreover, there’s no way that Iran’s Ayatollah or President would allow Israel’s Prime Minister to meet with them to explain that Iran’s pernicious pursuit of nuclear weapons is not in the best interest of world peace!

Are you kidding! If for some bizarre reason, the Iranians summoned Israel’s PM to meet with them, Benjamin Netanyahu wouldn’t accept the invitation. Why? Because he knows all too well that you simply can’t engage in diplomacy with an enemy who has sworn to destroy you.

But, that is exactly what President Obama and his staff are trying to do! Apparently, in order to leave some sort of presidential legacy, to directly and indirectly (as a proxy for Israel) negotiate a deal that would (by the very definition of negotiations) require that the United States and its allies make concessions to Iran BEFORE Iran reduces its centrifuge capacity to manufacture weapon-grade uranium.

And, so, instead of appealing to Iran—which would be an impossible exercise in futility to begin with—Prime Minister Netanyahu’s only recourse was to plead directly with the United States Congress (by invitation) and indirectly to the White House that they awaken from a dream-like sleep (nightmare to the Israelis) in which our President fantasizes that he can rationally negotiate with irrational evil.

Another Eye of Prophecy article, Let’s Make a Deal, published 12-14-13 not long after the initial “interim agreement” with Iran began, contains the following: Would you make a deal with someone whose main purpose in life was to destroy you and members of your family… How do you negotiate with those who would lie to you, cheat you, and ultimately kill you to accomplish their warped objectives? Where do you start? Why are you even there in the first place? But none of these questions seem to bother the G5 + 1, with perhaps the exception of France.

Then this example, from several of Iran’s visceral acts of hostility, presented by Prime Minister Netanyahu that partially correlates with another portion of the cited article, Let’s Make a Deal. Said Netanyahu: “Just last week, near Hormuz, Iran carried out a military exercise blowing up a mock U.S. aircraft carrier. That’s just last week, while they’re having nuclear talks with the United States. But unfortunately, for the last 36 years, Iran’s attacks against the United States have been anything but mock … Iran took dozens of Americans hostage in Tehran, murdered hundreds of American soldiers, Marines, in Beirut … killing and maiming thousands of American service men and women in Iraq and Afghanistan.”

From, Let’s Make a Deal, article: “Suppose, we can reason with them?” (Here, I referred to the White House supposition that terrorist groups or rogue nations might listen to reason). Really? Concerning Iran, if they had done just one positive thing in the last 34 years to suggest the slightest hint of cooperation or concession, then there might be a slim chance (say .01%) of reaching some sort of agreement. *Note: It’s been 34 years since the attack on the US Embassy in Tehran and kidnapping of dozens of US Embassy representatives by the newly formed Islamic government of Iran. If we’re even a fraction wrong about Iran’s true intentions, then there’s a 99.9% chance they will follow through on their threats.

The Real Deal

Rather, the only “deal” that makes any sense is one that fully considers who and what the enemy is all about; a deal that unilaterally demands what is expected of them without making any concessions whatsoever. At the bare minimum, to enforce what’s already in place. But preferably, to strengthen the sanctions. To tighten Iran’s money belt around its neck until it begs for relief and immediately stops then dismantle its centrifuges, including allowance of detailed inspections as often as necessary.

More insightful recommendations from Benjamin Netanyahu:

“This deal won’t be a farewell to arms. It would be a farewell to arms control. And the Middle East would soon be crisscrossed by nuclear trip wires. A region where small skirmishes can trigger big wars, would turn into a nuclear tinderbox. If anyone thinks … this deal kicks the can down the road, think again. When we get down that road, we’ll face a much more dangerous Middle East littered with nuclear bombs and a countdown to a potential nuclear nightmare.”

Netanyahu continued: “Ladies and gentlemen, I’ve come here today to tell you we don’t have to bet the security of the world on the hope that Iran will change for the better. We don’t have to gamble with our future and with our children’s future. We can insist that restrictions on Iran’s nuclear program not be lifted for as long as Iran continues its aggression in the region and in the world.

“Before lifting those restrictions, the world should demand that Iran do three things: First, stop its aggression against its neighbors in the Middle East. Second, stop supporting terrorism around the world. And, third, stop threatening to annihilate my country, Israel, the one and only Jewish state.”

Throughout the Prime Minister’s moving message, there were thundering accolades from the Congressional audience with some 40 rounds of applause, 24 standing ovations, including six or seven applause interruptions in just these last few quoted sentences and in the next couple of sentences in which he said:

“If Iran changes its behavior, the restrictions would be lifted. If Iran doesn’t change it behavior, the restrictions would not be lifted. If Iran wants to be treated like a normal country, let it act like a normal county.”

And then, “Iran’s nuclear program can be rolled back well-beyond the current proposal by insisting on a better deal and keeping up the pressure on a very vulnerable regime, especially given the recent collapse in the price of oil.”

Here is what I said in the Eye of Prophecy article recently published on 2-21-15, entitled: God Is in Control.

At least for the moment, I believe that God has sovereignly circumvented the folly of this nation and other nation’s ignorance and dismissal of God’s supreme counsel found in Scripture concerning the nation of Israel. Specifically, how abuse of Israel will rebound like the recoil of a powerful weapon against those who despise God’s chosen people/land.

The Lord has extended his grace to believers and unbelievers alike through divine intervention; with regard to the beneficial result of drastically reduced gas prices to help jump-start our nation’s still sluggish economy; and at the same time making it much more difficult, if not impossible, for Iran to finish their (not-so-secret) malevolent plan of manufacturing nuclear weapons. At the minimum, it provides more time for Israel to convince the United States and the EU to wake up, to come to their senses and realize that the Iranians mean business. They are absolutely serious about destroying Israel and setting up an Islamic Global Caliphate in which Muslim Sharia law will rule the world. First Israel, then the World is their malicious objective, as is the goal of ISIS and other terrorist groups and even entire nations.

And, in the context of Benjamin’s words of betting the security of the world on the hope that Iran will change or gambling with the future of our children, the following except from my recent article:

God’s omnipotent sovereignty will be vividly displayed in Iran’s humiliating defeat during her vain alliance with Russia in the Gog/Magog attack on Israel. However, that doesn’t mean that the United States or any other nation should ignore the profound consequences of endangering or abandoning Israel through reckless negotiations and agreements with countries bent on Israel’s destruction. If we persist in putting Israel in peril, you can bet the farm that this nation will suffer the same fate as ancient Babylon or Persia. That is if you have a house left to bet with even before the great end-times battles begin.

Another quote from God is in Control:

Even milder mistreatment such as disrespect, denigration, or constant disapproval of Israel will have ramifications. But if we deliberately snub Israel to the point of scorn or humiliation and certainly hatred, then it is a Biblical certainty: God will snub the United States of America, primarily by withdrawing his protection from this country that God blessed from its birth. And that won’t be a pretty sight. To the potential extreme that if we allow Iran to develop nuclear weapons, then pray to God that one of those nuclear-tipped missiles doesn’t explode on American soil.

A nuclear-armed Iran is, by far, the greatest threat to Israel; greater even than the terrorist groups that lurk near Israel (Hezbollah in Lebanon) and within Israel (Hamas in the Gaza Strip). A nuclear Iran is also a grave threat to the United States, but it is not the ultimate risk that America faces. No, the paramount peril to this great country of ours is turning our backs on Israel. To ignore Israel’s safety and to put her in harm’s way is to place ourselves outside of God’s omnipotent protection. We may get to that point anyway, via our inexorable slide down an avalanche of immorality that has carried with it executive and judicial decisions designed to eliminate God from the very fabric and foundation of our country. But it’s a foregone conclusion, a sure thing, that we will lose God’s sovereign intervention if we offer Israel on the altar of a sacrificial agreement with her enemies.

Negative Reactions to the Prime Minister’s Message

Sadly, even tragically, here are some of the responses of our leaders to Prime Minister Netanyahu’s passionate plea for this country to wake up to what radical Islam is all about. *Note: Though a topic for another article, radical Islam is actually moderate mainstream because that’s exactly what the Koran calls for, i.e. jihad and ruthless suppression of all infidels—Christians and Jews alike—who refuse to submit to the Muslim god Allah. Islam means submission.

First, more words from Israel’s Prime Minister: “Iran’s regime is as radical as ever, its cries of ‘Death to America,’ that same America that it calls the ‘Great Satan,’ as loud as ever. Now, this shouldn’t be surprising, because the ideology of Iran’s revolutionary regime is deeply rooted in militant Islam, and that’s why this regime will always be an enemy of America. Don’t be fooled. The battle between Iran and ISIS doesn’t turn Iran into a friend of America. Iran and ISIS are competing for the crown of militant Islam. One calls itself the Islamic Republic. The other calls itself the Islamic State. Both want to impose a militant Islamic empire first on the region and then on the entire world. They just disagree among themselves who will be the ruler of that empire.”

Netanyahu then concludes that portion of his speech with this profound warning: “In this deadly game of thrones, there’s no place for America or for Israel, no peace for Christians, Jews, or Muslims who don’t share the Islamist medieval creed, no rights for women, no freedom for anyone. So when it comes to Iran and ISIS, the enemy of your enemy is (still) your enemy.”

Adverse Responses:

President Barack Obama: Essentially, he concluded that Netanyahu said nothing new, that it was the same kind of speech he delivered when the US, “came to the interim deal … about how dangerous that deal was going to be…” He further said that Netanyahu, “offered no viable alternative.”

Comment: First, the recent speech contained many new and different points, not the least of which was a concrete solution to the problem, which has already been summarized in this article. Second, of course some of the speech was repetitive of past statements made by Israel’s Prime Minister. Because Israel understands her enemies far better than the current administration of the United States when the interim agreement began in 2013, Benjamin Netanyahu at that time said, “The most dangerous regime in the world must not be allowed to have the most dangerous weapon in the world … we will not allow Iran to receive a military nuclear capability.”

When the stakes are so high, such warnings need to be repeated … over and over and over. Referring to the Holocaust, Jews have incessantly echoed, “Never again.” As did Benjamin Netanyahu in his speech when he recognized and honored holocaust survivor and Nobel Prize winner, Elie Wiesel.

We all must be reminded continually how apocalyptically serious Iran is in its misguided messianic pursuit of world supremacy, beginning with Israel’s destruction.

In other words, if the White House thinks that Iran (because of its status as a nation) is different from the terrorist organizations it supports (such as Hezbollah and Hamas) or because Iran doesn’t like ISIS usurping Iran’s Islamic goals of a global Caliphate, that they can reason with Iran … well, it’s the proverbial, “You better think again.”

Vice President Joe Biden: Conveniently travelling abroad.

Comment: No comment needed; his absence said it all.

Secretary of State, John Kerry: Equally convenient, he was in Geneva where negotiations are taking place between the United States and Iran. In fact, the day after Netanyahu’s speech to Congress, Kerry met again with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammed javad Zarif.

Said the Prime Minister in his speech to Congress: “Last year, the same Zarif who charms Western diplomats laid a wreath at the grave of Imad Mughniyeh. Imad Mughniyeh is the terrorist mastermind who spilled more American blood than any other terrorist besides Osama bin Laden”

Comment: Does John Kerry or our President or anyone seriously think that Iran will keep any bargain without debilitating sanctions that will economically cripple the capacity to develop their uranium enrichment program as well as subsidize terrorist groups in the Middle East? The historical image of England’s Neville Chamberlain negotiating with Adolph Hitler for “peace in our time” compels me (and others) to shout on the rooftops: “What in the world are you thinking?”

House of Representatives Minority Leader, Nancy Pelosi: “I was near tears throughout the prime minister’s speech…” She then gave the reason for her sorrow: “…saddened by the insult to the intelligence of the United States as part of the P5 + 1 nations … and saddened by the condescension toward our knowledge of the threat posed by Iran and our broader commitment to preventing nuclear proliferation.”

Comment: Seriously? Does she actually believe that Prime Minister Netanyahu insulted the United States (meaning her and other liberal versions of America which, among other things, includes a gross miscalculation of Islamic objectives) intelligence—perhaps meaning actual intelligence agencies like the CIA but also the US capacity to grasp the issues? Does she truly believe that the Prime Minister is condescending to the White House by underestimating or belittling or trivializing the U.S. recognition of what a nuclear Iran means to the world?

I’ve followed the career of Benjamin Netanyahu for many years now. I can say with utmost certainty: He unconditionally respects the United States and cherishes Israel’s relationship with this great country. He fully appreciates that the United States understands the danger of a nuclear-armed Iran, primarily to Israel but also to America, herself. But he also realizes that a good many in America, including the presidential staff and some in the Congress, simply don’t grasp the doomed strategy of negotiating with one of the three Axis of Evil nations … as former President George W. Bush classified Iran.

Summary

Let’s Make a Deal was a hit television game show years ago, full of fun and prizes. But we must not play such a game with Iran, because it’s a deadly game. To make a deal with what very well could become a nuclear monster is to make a deal with the devil. A deal void of any fun; rather one filled with fatal consequences. A deal where the prize goes to the enemy: the severed head of Israel and (possibly) America perched on an Islamic nuclear mushroom.

Instead, we lay down unqualified conditions that stipulate complete compliance. If our adversary refuses to abide by the terms, then we tighten the economic screws. If that doesn’t convince the enemy, then we resort to a harsher solution. If it means war, so be it. Prime Minister Netanyahu prefers a “better deal” over war and so do I, and so do you. But if Iran doesn’t want (or lies about keeping such an agreement) a better deal, sooner or later war is what we will get by making concessions to an enemy committed to our ruin. The ultimate difference is war on our terms, not theirs. If that means a preemptive strike by Israel, then the United States should support that initiative in whatever form it takes to accomplish the objective.

This was no less true with Napoleon’s France, Hitler’s Germany, Mussolini’s Italy, the Empire of Japan, Stalin’s Russia, Mao tse-Tung’s China, North Korea’s Kim Jong(s) father and son, and any other number of despots and despotic governments throughout history. Had the allies intervened in the 1930s against Hitler’s blatant disregard for and deliberate violation of the armistice conditions of the First World War … well, many blanks could be filled in with that scenario. Including the probability that there would not have been a Second World War.

We must understand beyond all doubt: Satan’s hideous resolve and horrifying reprisals against the Jews and Israel have been ruthlessly relentless. From Pharaoh to Haman, from Haman to Herod, from Herod to Hitler, from Hitler to Hezbollah and Hamas … to venomous Ayatollahs and Imams bent on Israel’s destruction.

Things to Ponder

We are in a battle, a struggle of physical and (even more so) spiritual life and death with the forces of wickedness. We cannot, we must not let down our guard. The only way we can truly comprehend and then confront the insidious, devastating effect of both religious and irreligious lies, hate, evil, and darkness in this world is to first acknowledge the source of absolute truth, love, good, and light … which is God; expressed through his very image, Messiah Jesus … vividly portrayed in God’s Word, the Bible.

God’s love and light reaches out to mankind’s free will to choose and says, “If you will only believe and receive the way, truth, and life through my Son.”

Hate and the darkness of evil says, “You will (do this or that) or else.” That is exactly what Islam teaches through the Koran and which millions of Muslims (not just terrorists) firmly believe … forced conversion through deprivation, torture, and death if you refuse to submit.

“Carefully determine what pleases the Lord. Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, expose them … But their evil intentions will be exposed when the light shines on them, for the light makes everything visible. This is why it is said, ‘Awake, O sleeper, rise up from the dead, and Christ will give you light’” (Ephesians 5:10-14).

“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).

Let believers in the true Messiah, Jesus, continue to pray that our President, and all who are stumbling around in the darkness of bad deals, turn on the light!

May God bless America?! He will, if America blesses Israel!