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:

“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…

“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.

1. Pharaoh’s Suppression of the Jews From Becoming a Nation
2. The Canaanite Tribes Effort to Drive the Jews out of Israel (Joshua to King David)
3. The Assyrian and Babylonian Conquests of Israel/Judah, Resulting in “Ten Lost Tribes of Israel”
4. The Evil Persian Haman’s Planned Genocide of the Jews
5. The Roman Destruction of Jerusalem and the 2^nd Temple & Massive Dispersion of the Jews to Other Nations
6. A Genocide Attempt by Hitler’s Third Reich … Killing Six Million Jews
7. 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).

Renewed Controversy over the Balfour Declaration

During an address to the United Nations last September, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas insisted that Great Britain issue a formal apology for the Balfour Declaration of 1917.

About three weeks ago Palestinian officials made the same demand, this time in the form of an ultimatum. Unless England disavowed Lord Balfour’s famous decree, cancel plans to celebrate the 100^th anniversary of that historic milestone later this year (November 2), and recognize a State of Palestine—with the obvious implication that if Britain unilaterally accepted a Palestinian State, other nations would follow—the Palestinian Authority would file a lawsuit against Great Britain.

Presumably this pathetic petition would be filed with the International Court of Justice, more commonly called The World Court, ICJ or just The Hague, as this judicial branch of the United Nations is headquartered in Hague, Netherlands. The Palestinian Authority is not a nation; it only has “observer” status (along with the Vatican) in the United Nations. Thus, their lawsuit would have no legitimacy, i.e. one nation’s grievance against another nation. But such things have never deterred Mahmoud Abbas or his predecessor, Yasser Arafat, from their twisted short-term agenda to delegitimize the State of Israel and their warped long-term intent of replacing the State of Israel with yet another Middle East Arab state.

Any such spurious litigation would be akin to the eleven southern states in America that succeeded from the Union—which precipitated the American Civil War—now demanding that the United States Government apologize (tantamount to a retraction) for the 13^th Amendment to the Constitution. After the Union won the Civil War, that amendment was finally ratified December 18, 1865 as constitutional recognition and support of President Abraham Lincoln’s now famous Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863.

The 13^th Amendments stipulates: “neither slavery no involuntary servitude … shall exist within the United States or any place subject to their jurisdiction.”

Contrary to Palestinian deceptive distortion of the Balfour Declaration, it was the Emancipation Proclamation of its time. It was a Declaration to officially end Jewish servitude to the Ottoman Empire that ruled Palestine for 400 hundred years. But not only for the Jews; also for the Arabs! However, the Arabs didn’t want freedom and self-governing autonomy if it meant living next to even more Jews who would come to Palestine following the Balfour Declaration.

From its inception the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO founded in 1964)—later named the Palestinian National Authority (since the miserably failed Oslo Accord of 1993)—has sought the destruction of Israel, as found in its Charter, and also contained in the Hamas Charter for the Gaza Strip. Most refer to the Palestinian National Authority as just the Palestinian Authority and rightfully so; there is no such thing as a Palestinian nation or state.

When the Arab nations of Syria, Egypt, Jordan, and Iraq suffered a resounding defeat in Israel’s War of Independence in 1948-49, the Six-Day war of 1967, and the Yom Kippur War of 1973, they came to the stark realization that the Arabs couldn’t conquer the Jews by conventional military warfare. So they turned to unconventional methods, which disgustingly have become all too conventional: BDS, planned terrorist attacks; spontaneous lone-wolf killings of innocent Israelis spawned by incitement from Abbas himself; rockets launched from Lebanon and the Gaza Strip into Israel; elementary and high-school curriculum propagandizing their children to kill Jews and “liberate” Palestine; and rewriting of history with false claims maliciously supported by UNESCO that the Jewish (and even Christian) sacred sites of Israel are Islamic holy sites to include Temple Mount and even the Western Wall.

(See Eye of Prophecy article, United Nations Downsizing of Israel, Resolution 2334, posted 1-7-17).

More Repugnant Rhetoric from the Palestinians

Although criticism of the Balfour Declaration has been going on periodically for some time, P.A. President Abbas in the past couple of years has taken his lie-laced vendetta directly to the United Nations. (See Eye of Prophecy articles, Tell a Big Lie Long Enough and More Palestinians Lies, posted 10-10-15 & 2-20-16, respectively).

This is an offshoot of another disturbing phenomenon that has taken place in the recent past. From slightly less provocative but still harmful false accusations that the Jews are “illegally occupying” land that “rightfully” belongs to Arabs, Mahmoud Abbas has upped the ante by brazenly suggesting the elimination of the State of Israel altogether. Which has been the real agenda of the Palestinian Authority and even more so of their bitter rival Hamas from the beginning. This is glaringly evident when Abbas speaks in Arabic to his own people and to Islamic nations that hate Israel.

Whereas, in his United Nations speeches and when talking to dignitaries of democratic nations, he tempers this offensive oratory under the guise of more diplomatic, but, nevertheless, ridiculous boasts such as made during his recent meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump.

According to Mahmoud Abbas and his Palestinian Authority cronies, “We are raising our youth, our children, our grandchildren on a culture of peace.”

Seriously?

Less than two years ago, Abbas incited dozens of lone-wolf attacks against innocent Israelis by declaring that Palestinians must not allow the “filthy feet of the Jews” to walk on Temple Mount. In September, 2015, Abbas said that he, “welcomed every drop of blood that is spilled in Jerusalem.” Not long afterward the “Knife Intifada” began that also included shooting and car-ramming murder of Israelis.

(Another Example of Mahmoud Abbas’s Duplicity: It’s He Who Issues Threats and Ultimatums)

Regarding a Palestinian State that Abbas really doesn’t want unless Israel capitulates to every single one of his demands, such as East Jerusalem (there is no such thing as east Jerusalem) as the Palestinian capital—when such a capital would more easily and with much less adversarial results be placed in Ramallah—or the return of millions of Arabs currently restricted to so-called refugee camps, here’s what Abbas said not too long ago:

“A Palestinian State like Iraq, Saudi Arabia & other Islam countries, will not have or allow a single Jew to live there.”

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

Put that in the context of Israel allowing 1.8 million Arabs to live in Israel. That’s 21 % of Israel’s population of 8.7 million—which does not include Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza who have refused citizenship in Israel—who have Israeli citizenship with all the rights of Jewish citizens. Privileges such as voting, serving in the Knesset, owning their own businesses, free movement through the land, and many more autonomous liberties.

Do you think that Abbas would tolerate or agree to a reciprocal action by Israel should a Palestinian State be negotiated; that all Arabs citizens of Israel must leave their homes if they are in whatever new boundaries Israel might end up with. I think not. Nor would the Israelis ever do such a thing. Nor would the majority of those 1.8 million Arabs (citizens of Israel) want to be relocated to or live in a Palestinian State.

As written by Bassam Tawil in his article, Palestinians: Abbas’s “Culture of Peace” posted in the online Op-Ed news source, Gatestone Institute on May 8: “Apparently, like his predecessor, Yasser Arafat, Abbas is convinced that Palestinians can fool ‘all of the people, all of the time’ about their true goals and intentions. Arafat lied to Presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton when he told them that he and the Palestinian Authority were promoting peace and coexistence with Israel.”

Bassam Tawil concludes his article with, “Under Abbas, anti-Israel incitement and indoctrination is a business that has expanded exponentially. It has grown to the point that a new generation has been raised on the glorification of jihadists, a generation impatient to draw yet more Jewish blood. If this is Abbas’s “culture of peace,” what, one wonders, would he consider a culture of war?”

If nothing else (there is virtually nothing of any redeeming value within his insidious goals and sinister strategies), Abbas is both clever and brash. He now boldly brandishes a double barrel shotgun. He aims and constantly fires one barrel directly at the Jews; with hammer cocked and the other barrel pointed menacingly at democratic counties such as Great Britain, threatening them with justice under his version of international law … in this case demanding an apology for the Balfour Declaration.

Make no mistake; this is much more than a simple apology. He fully understands that an “apology” would be tantamount to British (and world-wide) sanctions that the Jews don’t belong in Israel … they never had a right to be there in the first place. That the very state of Israel is illegitimate and should give way to a “Palestinian State.”

What Exactly was the Balfour Declaration?

What historical significance does it have, then and now?

Lord Balfour and a handful of others who understood world history in general and Middle East heritage in particular, realistically and accurately identified the ancient hostility between Arab and Jew. To some extent or another, they also grasped or at least sensed the longing of and need for the Jews to once again have a homeland of their own. A few realized that this home must be the Promised Land given to the Jews by God, himself. Accordingly, the Balfour Declaration was the first meaningful attempt to resolve those issues. Which is why Palestinians and Muslims everywhere loathe this historical milestone, one that eventually led to Israel’s Statehood in 1948. Followed by the still ongoing Second Exodus of Jews—this time from nations all over the earth, especially countries to the north of Israel—and Aliyah (ingathering of Jews) to Israel.

(See Eye of Prophecy article, The Second Exodus, posted 5-10-14)

Before we examine the Balfour Declaration more closely, on the authority of Scripture and the clear evidence in secular history that God’s plan and purpose for Israel (and the resulting effect it has had and will have on Gentile nations) has been unfolding precisely according to the Bible, I’m going to make this assertive, yet historically accurate statement … in italics for emphasis:

At that time, the Balfour Declaration was the single greatest event in history since the tragic dispersion of the Jews from Israel when the Romans destroyed Jerusalem and the Temple. It was the beginning fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies guaranteeing the final restoration of Israel and salvation of the Jews. Accordingly, it was also the beginning of the final (Omega) generation identified by Jesus that involves the entire world as found in his amazing disclosure of the end times while on the Mount of Olives with his disciples.

Said Jesus: “Now learn a lesson from the fig tree. When its branches bud 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).

Please see Eye of Prophecy articles, Look Up, Redemption is Near Part I & II (published 7-11-15 & 7-18-15) that among other things lists twelve phenomenal indicators which have synchronized with a frequency and magnitude in the 20^th & 21^st centuries like never before.

Yet it was the Balfour Declaration that set the last-days prophetic stage and started the end-times wheel turning. (Italics, also for emphasis).

Scripture is replete with examples of God’s sovereignty in providentially using even tragic events to accomplish his majestic plan for the human race. This plan focuses predominately on Israel and her Messiah (Jesus, who is also the Savior of the Gentiles), beginning with Abraham and continuing until all of Israel acknowledges her Messiah who will return to establish his Kingdom of justice and peace on this earth.

Specifically, I’m talking about World War I (prematurely labeled “The War to End All Wars”) which led directly to the Balfour Declaration of November 2, 1917 issued about one year before the war officially ended on November 11, 1918. God’s sovereign hand was extraordinarily evident in this dramatic declaration, as evidenced by the British forces under Sir Edmund Allenby taking Jerusalem from the Ottoman Turks just a few weeks later on December 11, 1917 (on Hanukkah no less)! The British were victorious in this final “battle” of their campaign in Israel with hardly a shot fired, and with no casualties (military or civilian) or damage to Jerusalem that would have been inevitable if the Turks had defended their stronghold in Jerusalem. Instead, the Turks surrendered without a fight. This marked the end of the Ottoman Empire.

(Sir Edmund Allenby Entering Through the Jaffa Gate in Jerusalem in December, 1917)

(Sir Edmund Allenby)

Despite the horrors of World War I, the Balfour Declaration was the conception point of Israel’s gestation that would take another 30 years to grow within the womb of history.

Then God turned Jewish anguish and ashes from a Second World War (the horrendous Holocaust that resulted in the slaughter of six million Jews) into the miraculous beautiful birth of Israel. In November, 1947 the United Nations passed a resolution granting the Jews a homeland to call their own. Followed by the (re)birth of the Sovereign State of Israel on May 14, 1948. That was also the beginning of another generation (within a generation) both of which correspond to the final generation mentioned by Jesus.

*Note: There are two time-parameters of a generation found in Scripture. (1) One Hundred Years—see Genesis 15:12-16; (2) Seventy Years—see Psalm 90:10.

Amazingly, the Balfour Declaration was a single paragraph written on November 2, 1917 by Britain’s Foreign Secretary Arthur James Balfour, addressed to Baron Walter Rothschild, a leader of the British Jewish community. The letter was to be transmitted to the Zionist Federation of Great Britain and Ireland. Here it is (in italics):

His Majesty’s government view with favor the establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people, and will use their best endeavors to facilitate the achievement of this object, it being clearly understood that nothing shall be done which may prejudice the civil and religious rights of existing non-Jewish communities in Palestine, or the rights and political status enjoyed by Jews in any other country.

Nearly five years passed by before this noble proclamation would be officially endorsed by the victorious World War I Allies (including the U.S., Great Britain, and France). On July 24, 1922, this approval was extended by none other than the newly formed League of Nations. The Balfour Declaration was also adopted as official policy by the British Mandate, which gave the United Kingdom jurisdiction over what was still called Palestine. There were Arab attacks and hostile actions against their Jewish neighbors during that time.

What contemporary Muslims and Palestinians (especially the Palestinian Authority and its President Abbas) will rarely mention is that the Arabs, who lived in and outside of Palestine after the implementation of the Balfour Declaration as international policy, flatly rejected the idea of co-existence with Jews in Palestine. On the other hand, the Jews welcomed their Arab neighbors with open arms, and in no way (then or now) violated the terms of the Balfour Declaration that stipulated no “prejudice (against) the civil or religious rights of non-Jewish communities…” Although Lord Balfour didn’t specifically mention Arabs, that’s precisely who he meant.

Time/space doesn’t permit in this week’s article to elaborate on other pre-existing conditions that led to the Balfour Declaration. Except to say that Zionism (the Biblically driven precept that the Jews had every right to and would return to their God-given Promised Land) had been underway for a few decades under the leadership of such visionaries as Chaim Weizmann and Theodore Herzl.

Consider the following comparison: Just as the Holy Spirit, the Third Person of our Great Triune God, supernaturally conceived the Son (Messiah Jesus as both God and man)—who existed from the beginning with God the Father—through a virgin, so did God through the Balfour Declaration providentially conceive the nation of Israel which essentially had been in existence since Abraham fathered Isaac.

As you’ll see in next week’s Eye of Prophecy Part II article on the Balfour Declaration from a passage in Jeremiah, God calls his chosen people—in the context of their final return to the Promised Land—my virgin Israel. Which makes the Virgin Birth of Messiah, who appeared several times in the Old Testament as the Pre-Incarnate Christ, and the virgin-like (re)birth (supernaturally against impossible odds) of the Jewish nation a very appropriate analogy.

The True Agenda of the Palestinians & Muslim Nations & God’s Warning Against Such Plans

Not often does Mahmoud Abbas or Muslim nations hostile toward Israel (which is the vast majority) challenge the UN Resolution of November, 1947, which called for Israel’s acceptance into the family of nations alongside of an Arab State. To do so would be to bite the United Nations hand that feeds and fuels their hostility. They wouldn’t want to risk their incessant use of the United Nations (especially UNESCO) to pass one anti-Semitic resolution after another against the only free, democratic state in the entire Middle East.

Instead, they rail against the Balfour Declaration, the historical catalyst of Israel’s rebirth. To them it’s a much softer target, one that enables them to tell more lies. Such as Britain didn’t have the authority to partition Palestine in 1917. England certainly did have that right. I could write an entire article or two on the subject of post-World War I (and post-World War II) formations of new nations and territories in Europe and the Middle East. And those articles would pale in comparison to the number of historical volumes already written.

(Lord Arthur Balfour)

As with the Balfour Declaration, the Arabs in Palestine rigidly rejected the UN Resolution of 1947 which afforded them another opportunity to create a state of their own next to the State of Israel, after the British Mandate of Palestine expired in May, 1948. These are absolute historical facts that most heads of state and people all over the world either don’t understand or choose to ignore. Plus the fact that nothing has changed with the Palestinian and Muslim mindset toward Israel.

To wit: They don’t want a state next to Israel. They want a state in place of Israel. It’s as simple as that. Yet, what do we hear frequently from world leaders including U.S. Presidents? We hear practically nothing except a two-state solution. That is absolutely the worst thing that could happen. The repercussions would be devastating. Through Scripture, God is crystal clear on that subject.

Listen to God’s stern warning to those who have harmed the Jews and who seek to take away the land he has given to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob:

“…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 3:2).

The Promised Land MUST NOT BE DIVIDED.

“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).

Britain’s Response to Palestinian Authority Demands to Rescind the Balfour Declaration

During the last part of April, 2017, the British Foreign Office representative reaffirmed the British Government’s official response to the absurd Palestinian demand that England, “…openly apologize to the Palestinian people for issuing the Balfour Declaration.” Based on the preposterous claim that, “the colonial policy of Britain between 1917 and 1948 led to mass displacement of the Palestinian nation.”

Britain refused to apologize, stating: “We are proud of our role in creating the State of Israel.”

Followed by their explanation: “The Declaration was written in a world of competing imperial powers, in the midst of the First World War and in the twilight of the Ottoman Empire. In that context, establishing a homeland for the Jewish people in the land to which they had such strong historical and religious ties was the right and moral thing to do, particularly against the background of centuries of persecution. Of course, a full assessment of the Declaration and what followed from it can only be made by historians.”

My response to that response: “Amen! Way to go Great Britain!”

However, my enthusiasm is tempered, because the U.K. statement went on to say that the Balfour Declaration should have done more not to “prejudice the civil and religious rights of existing non-Jewish communities in Palestine.” This originated first from Lord Warner, member of the House of Lords, who several weeks ago (before the Palestinian Authority regurgitated Mahmoud Abbas’s speech at the United Nations) said that Britain should apologize for the Balfour Declaration. He contended that Britain had failed in that endeavor not to “prejudice … rights of the Palestinians” and should apologize for, “…the suffering that failure has caused and try to make amends … with a clear commitment to recognition of a viable independent Palestinian state.”

This never came to a vote in Britain’s Parliament and obviously Britain’s State Department overruled Lord Warner’s slanted sentiment to side with the Palestinians’ demands.

To reiterate: At no time after the League of Nations ratified and implemented the British Mandate and the Balfour Declaration, did the Jews prejudice (and certainly didn’t violate) the civil and religious rights of “non-Jewish communities of Palestine…” Just the opposite occurred when several pogrom style persecutions were launched by the Arabs against the Jews in the 1920s. And, as previously indicated: all-out war was hurled at the reborn State of Israel in 1948.

Concerning the Palestinian Authority’s outrageous claim that, “the colonial policy of Britain between 1917 and 1948 led to mass displacement of the Palestinian nation,” in addition to what I’ve already said regarding the Balfour Declaration, consider the following:

There was no—I repeat for emphasis—absolutely no “Palestinian nation” in 1917 or 1947-48; nor a “Palestinian” people. There were Arabs and Jews living in Israel, the land that a Roman Emperor in the 2^nd century capriciously changed from Israel to Palestine for no other reason than to mock the Jews who remained in Israel after the Great Diaspora, by a name that sounded like or resembled Israel’s ancient mortal enemy, Philistia … the Philistines. Not until the PLO was formed in 1964 then even more after the Israeli victory in the 1967 Six-Day War, did Arabs began referring to themselves as Palestinians. Prior to that if anyone referred to a Palestinian or lawful resident of Palestine, they were referring almost exclusively to the Jews.

When the United Nations passed Israel’s Statehood Resolution in November, 1947, it also included land for an Arab State. Jews reached out to their Arab neighbors and asked them to stay. Their sincere gesture was met with Arab attacks on Jewish villages throughout Israel. This guerilla fighting (at the provocation of the Arabs) continued off and on until Israel became a state on May 14, 1948. One day later, five Arab nations attacked Israel. Arab government and military leaders told the Arabs to evacuate Israel in great numbers, with rationale that the Arab armies would have more room to maneuver and territory to fight the Israelis.

(Original Partition Nearly Equal Between Israel and an Arab State, However, the Judea/Samaria Area–Commonly Called the West Bank–Middle of Map in Yellow, Is Some of the Choicest Land)

Thus, hundreds of thousands of Arabs were “displaced.” Not by the Jews, not by the British, not by the UN Resolution to replace Palestine’s British Mandate with Arab and Jewish States (a two-state solution!); but by direct orders of their leaders who could have accepted a new Arab State rather than immediately attacking the Jews with the express purpose of wiping new-born Israel from the face of the earth.

Other Arabs left to escape the fighting, but mostly because they could not and would not tolerate living alongside Jews … just in case the Jews won the war.

These are the historical facts that so many liberal politicians (and even some conservative) in governments the world over have ignored or simply don’t care to consider as a balance to their tunnel vision effort to eliminate Islamophobia and/or to create a Palestinian State—no matter the cost to Israel’s security and the potential for even more war and bloodshed in the Middle East. As well as Europe and other western nations where Islamic terrorists have transported jihad from the Middle East.

Once again: the Palestinians do not want a state alongside Israel; they want a state instead of Israel. That’s why they rejected the Balfour Declaration, the UN Resolution of 1947, and two generous (but misguided) land offers from former Israeli Prime Ministers Ehud Barak and Ehud Olmert early in the 21^st century.

(See, A Palestinian State … No, Say Many Arabs! Posted 4-11-14. And, Peace or a Palestinian State … Which Will It Be? Posted 2-27-16)

For all practical purposes, the Palestinians already have a territorial state. In fact, they have two states: one in the West Bank, the other in the Gaza Strip. At the very least they are self-governed to the extent of conducting elections, providing their own police force, and other administrative, economic, social, cultural, and political privileges associated with a self-determining people.

Then there are the 1.8 million Arabs who are citizens of Israel. The vast majority of them don’t want to live in a Palestinian State. They don’t want to give up the liberties and exceptional advantages that Israelis provide through such things as sophisticated electric-power grids, advanced agriculture techniques including incredible drip-systems, excellent and balanced education, technologically progressive medical care, state of the art infrastructure, and a thriving society that provides jobs and a higher standard of living than the average Arab has in virtually any Muslim nation in the Middle East.

(Shaare Zedek Hospital Complex in Jerusalem, Considered One of the Best Treatment Centers in the World. Israel Also Provides Medical Care to Palestinians, Syrians Wounded in Their Civil War & Arabs From Surrounding Nations)

Certainly, the Balfour Declaration was the “right and moral thing to do.” But it was more than that. Whether Lord Balfour realized it or not, his courageous initiative to speak for both Britain and the Jews was an acknowledgment and affirmation of God’s divine mandate to nations and peoples the world over concerning his powerful plan for Israel and the nations. One that absolutely will come to pass including the fall of nations who seek to harm Israel, and the success of those who support the Jews in their journey of reaching God’s destiny for Israel and the Jewish people.

Please, don’t miss next week’s Part II article. You’ll see more astounding implications of the Balfour Declaration from a broader prophetic perspective … a vista to show that we are living in the last days of the final (Omega) generation identified by Jesus, himself.

Things to Ponder

The world’s attention on Israel is absolutely amazing. Never in world history have so many nations been so passionately focused (positive or negative, for or against) on one tiny country. Hardly a day goes by without a prominent leader from countries both big and small spouting rhetoric and rendering opinions about Israel and her place on planet Earth.

For example: In just the past few days, Germany’s President Frank Steinmeier echoed the uninformed but, nonetheless, persistent verbiage of many other dignitaries, saying that a two-state solution was “truly urgent.” U.S. President Trump, known world-wide for making deals, declared that peace between Israel and the Palestinians would be the “ultimate deal.”

Read with me three of many Bible prophecies written long ago regarding Israel’s destiny and the fate of nations and peoples opposed to her:

“And give them this message from the Sovereign Lord: 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. One king will rule them all…” (Ezekiel 37:21-22).

Through another prophet, God declared:

“…This message is from the Lord who stretched out the heavens, laid the foundations of the earth, and formed the human spirit. I will make Jerusalem like an intoxicating drink that makes the nearby nations stagger when they send their armies to besiege Jerusalem and Judah. On that day I will make Jerusalem an immovable rock. All the nations will gather against it to try to move it, but they will only hurt themselves” (Zechariah 12:1-3).

“For on that day I will begin to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem” (Zechariah 12:9, italics for emphasis).

I am convinced beyond any doubt that we are living in the Omega (last) Generation. A generation destined for such a time as this … “that day” which is the soon-to-come great and glorious Day of the Lord.

(*Please take a few more minutes to watch this stirring video of our United States Marines singing along to one of the greatest modern Christian songs ever composed.)

More Sanctions On Israel

Earlier this week, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu blasted the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO); labeling it as, “A Theatre of the Absurd.”

As did Israel’s delegate to UNESCO, Carmel Shama Hacohen, but using only the word, “absurd.” Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon called the most recent UNESCO resolution against Israel, “total madness.”

Benjamin Netanyahu went on to say: “The forces of radical Islam are destroying mosques, churches, and antiquities, with Israel being the only country in the region that protects such places and allows freedom of worship for all religions. UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee should be condemned, not Israel.”

The Israeli Prime Minister’s reference to the World Heritage Committee (WHC) was intentional because this was the SECOND resolution endorsed by UNESCO in less than two weeks. With the first resolution passed on October 13^th (ratified on October 18^th) by the entire body of UNESCO composed of 52 nations. Whereas, the WHC consists of only 21 countries.

Oh, but there’s more! It was the third such resolution passed this year, the first taking place in April.

A resolution is a resolution is a resolution. But when all three say and do virtually the same thing, it becomes the height of redundancy, the pinnacle of repetition … the “theatre of the absurd.”

All three resolutions were fabricated through a pathetic perversion of historical facts; from the Islamic religion that came on the scene 2,500 years after Judaism, and 600 years after Christianity. Furthermore, the sheer recurrence has made these resolutions absurdly childish, much like a child on a long trip (or even a short one) saying over and over, “Are we there yet?”

However, the sinister motive is crystal clear: Tell a big lie often enough, and many will believe it. And in the case of UNESCO as a supposed stately and reputable component of the United Nations, pass enough resolutions and maybe the whole world will think the lies about Israel are true.

UNESCO’s First Resolution … What Was It?

I wrote about the first ruling in the Eye of Prophecy article, An Islamic United Nations? Posted 5-7-16. Here is an excerpt from that post:

In light of yet another anti-Israel resolution by the United Nations, this week’s Eye of Prophecy article could have been entitled, Peace or a Palestinian State … Which Will It Be? Or: More Palestinian Lies. Or: The Legacy of Temple Mount. Or: The Myth of Al-Aqsa Mosque. But it can’t because those are titles of articles already written.

Maybe each Saturday’s article should be posted late in the day instead of first thing in the morning. But that wouldn’t work either. Although Eye of Prophecy articles are published weekly and many of them are in the category of Current Events, they cannot keep up with the almost daily barrage of media reports on the Middle East in general and Israel in particular.

Just hours after I posted The Myth of Al-Aqsa Mosque article on April 16^th, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) passed a resolution “officially” (for the UN, not for Israel or anyone who knows the true history of Temple Mount) classifying Temple Mount by its Arabic name, Al-Haram Al Sharif; which in English is translated to Noble Sanctuary. But disregard the English translation. Even though English is recognized as the main international language, only the Arabic name is to be used.

Among non-Muslim nations voting in favor of this contemptible resolution, France was the most conspicuous with (dis)honorable recognition for Sweden and Spain.

What will these Western nations do when Muslims change the identity of revered religious, national, cultural, or political sites in European countries, exclusively to Islamic names, with demands that only the Muslim designations be recognized? And if city or national governments do not comply, then they, too, are guilty of Islamophobia or religious and cultural intolerance or being PI (politically incorrect).

Stop shaking your head! It could come to that, just like Sharia Law could be implemented in some jurisdictions.

I wonder what the Muslim name for the Statue of Liberty will be. Perhaps, Mohammed’s Torch of Freedom?

*Note: Later in this week’s article, we’ll see the irony of France’s vote in favor of this April resolution, in the context of UNESCO’s origin, headquarters, and “The Theatre of the Absurd.”

Let’s return to additional excerpts from the article, An Islamic United Nations?

This latest resolution to denigrate and discredit Israel by renaming Temple Mount and insisting that all nations use the Arabic term for Temple Mount is yet another pitiful attempt to deny any association whatsoever of the Jewish people to their most holy site in their most holy city of Jerusalem. Furthermore, the resolution was on the very day of Passover, which has been an integral part of the Jewish tradition in Israel for nearly 3,500 years. With Jerusalem and the Temple (Temple Mount) established 3,000 years ago by King David and King Solomon.

Yet UNESCO is doing nothing more than the United Nations, as a whole, has done for nearly 70 years: Castigate Israel fanatically and frequently. Whereas most of the anti-Israel sanctions are initiated by Islamic countries, other nations often vote in favor of these reprehensible resolutions which number far more than those against truly rogue and dangerous nations such as Iran and North Korea.

Will this resolution have any real impact on the world at large? Absolutely it will. The idea is really quite simple: If national leaders and government officials begin to use the label of Al-Haram Al Sharif in reference to Temple Mount, they will soon (if they haven’t already) consider Temple Mount as belonging—historically, religiously, and culturally—to Islam and to Arabs.

The Second Such Resolution

As suspected, this resolution was initiated by and for the Palestinians in Israel. Once again, in direct contradiction of historical facts as found in the Bible and also secular history, UNESCO passed its resolution entitled “Occupied Palestine” identifying all of Judaism’s holiest sites as exclusively Islamic, while accusing Israel as the source of violence in the region. Moreover the resolution was passed on October 13^th the day after Yom Kippur; then ratified on October 18^th, during the week-long celebration of Sukkot.

Wouldn’t surprise me at all that UNESCO originally planned to pass this bill on Yom Kippur itself, just to rub it in against Israel. Could be that too many of the nation’s representatives who would obviously vote in favor may have overslept that day!

(Jewish Sukkot Celebration at the Western Wall)

The semantics and intent of this (second) resolution generically regurgitated the one passed in April. Which was to call for international recognition that Temple Mount and Dome of the Rock must be referred to exclusively as, “Al-Aqsa Mosque/Al Haram Al-Sharif.” Only Arabic/Muslim names are to be used for this site (Temple Mount) and other sites in Hebron and Bethlehem because they are, as alleged in the resolution, “a Muslim holy site(s) of worship and an integral part of a world cultural heritage site.”

Integral part of a world cultural heritage site? What in the world could that mean in the context that Temple Mount and the other holy Jewish sites in the Jewish nation of Israel have been around thousands of years longer than any Muslim holy site? Or that Israel has been recognized as a sovereign state in the world’s family of nations since 1947, and through a United Nations resolution at that. Not to mention (but I will anyway) that Al-Aqsa Mosque is only the third holiest site in Islam and this mosque is not even the actual site identified as, “the farthest mosque” in Islamic tradition. (Please see Eye of Prophecy article, The Myth of Al-Aqsa Mosque, posted 4-16-16).

Naturally, the resolution targets Israel and all things Jewish; by default it also eliminates any reference and credibility to the sites holy to Christians.

Some of the pernicious and provocative points listed in this resolution are as follows:

• Condemning Israel for restricting freedom of worship on the Temple Mount. The resolution doesn’t use the term Temple Mount. God forbid that anyone would call it by its name, Temple Mount, even to replace that historical name with another! In fact, the only mention of anything Jewish was to eliminate the, “new Jewish prayer platform south of the Mughrabi Ascent in Al-Buraq Plaza, ‘Western Wall Plaza.’” You read that right: even the Western Wall (Kotel in Hebrew) must now bear an Arabic name! The facts are absolutely irrefutable. It is the Jordanians in principle, as they have been given jurisdiction over Temple Mount, and the Palestinians in practice who have verbally and physically abused non-Muslims; and otherwise have tried to prevent them from so much as whispering a prayer on Temple Mount. Anyone with minimum knowledge about what goes on at Temple Mount knows the Palestinians are the aggressors. There are eye-witness accounts and actual film footage to show who does what to whom.
• Nations that voted in favor of this repulsive resolution agreed with another deceptive point. Which is: Israelis “storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque/Al-Haram Al-Sharif by Israeli right-wing extremists and uniformed forces.” (See first point for the absurdity of this statement). Incidentally, isn’t it much easier to say, “Temple Mount,” than “Al-Aqsa Mosque/Al-Haram Al Sharif?” I would have voted against the resolution for that reason alone!
• Same thing with changing Rachel’s Tomb in Bethlehem to Bilal Ibn Rabah Mosque and the Cave of the Patriarchs in Hebron to Al-Haram Al-Ibrahimi. Actually this otherwise low-key name change (in comparison to the other blatantly false points of the resolution) is equally absurd … theatrically so. Why? The Patriarchs—Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—and Jacob’s wife, Rachel were OBVIOUSLY Jews, whose lives and history are recorded where…? Of course you know. The book of Genesis in the Bible. Written by Moses some 2,000 years before the Johnny-come-lately religion of Islam made its debut, then the error-filled and subsequently often-changed and “corrected” Koran came along.
• In a similar mendacious twisting of facts, the resolution claims that the source of all the violence comes from, “the constant aggressions by the Israeli settlers and other extremist groups against Palestinian residents.” This denies and defies the obvious evidence of the callous “lone-wolf” attacks by Palestinians that number in the hundreds since this intifada began a little over one year ago; with dozens of Israelis murdered and dozens more injured. It is so patently brazen as to even ignore the fact that the actual extremist groups are Hamas in the Gaza and other terrorist cells under the purview of Fatah in the Palestinian Authority of the West Bank. All of whom constantly suppress, oppress, arrest, imprison, torture, and kill each other over power struggles and ideological differences.
• There are other reasons, but this in-fighting among the Palestinians is the main factor why a Palestinian State is simply not feasible. Civil War would follow.

(Even if Hamas and the Palestinian Authority agree on one Palestinian State, they would insist on a corridor of land connecting the two areas. This would cut Israel in half)

Nations Involved in the Vote on October 13, 2016

I’m doing my best to reduce the reader’s confusion over the number of and number for the resolutions. Actually, I’m having a bit of a problem with the numbers myself! Because the latest resolution of October 26^th is referred to by journalists, op-ed writers, and the media in general as the Second Resolution, the first having taken place on October 13^th. To clarify, we need to remember that the first resolution took place earlier this year in April. Which means the next resolution was not the first, it was the second. With the second one being the third.

I guess that wasn’t so hard after all!

Seriously, and as expected, the second resolution that we just covered (October 13^th and 18^th) was drafted and submitted by countries that are entirely or partially Muslim. They are:

Algeria, Egypt, Lebanon, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, and Sudan.

In addition to these seven sponsor nations of the resolution, seventeen other UNESCO nations voted approval. In alphabetical order:

Bangladesh, Brazil, Chad, China, Dominican Republic, Iran, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mexico, Mozambique, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Pakistan, Russia, Senegal, South Africa, and Vietnam.

A total of 26 countries abstained from the vote, which can be interpreted as silently supporting the resolution without overtly doing so. Or, in quiet opposition to the resolution. Either one depending on your point of view. The nations that did not vote were:

Albania, Argentina, Cameroon, El Salvador, France, Ghana, Greece, Guinea, Haiti, India, Italy, Ivory Coast, Japan, Kenya, Nepal, Paraguay, Saint Vincent and Nevis, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Uganda, and Ukraine.

Two countries were completely absent during the vote: Serbia and Turkmenistan.

Now for the drum roll announcing the nations that supported Israel by voting against this repugnant resolution. Let’s make it a really big drum roll, despite the sad fact that there were only six such nations. But six is better than five, and so on. They are:

Estonia, Germany, Lithuania, The Netherlands, United Kingdom, and (hurrah) the United States.

Israeli and International Reaction to This Second Resolution

In addition to the Israeli Prime Minister’s strong reaction to the latest (third) resolution of 10-26-16, cited earlier in today’s article, read with me his response to the second resolution passed on 10-13-16 (ratified on 10-18-16) in which he also cited, “the theatre of the absurd:”

“The theater of the absurd continues with UNESCO, and today the organization has made its most bizarre decision by saying the people of Israel have no connection to the Temple Mount and the Western Wall.”

Although all three resolutions are attempting to dispossess the Jews and their heritage from Israel itself, the language of the second resolution is stronger (than the one in April). It stipulates directly and indirectly that the two Temples (Temple Mount) and other Jewish holy sites either never existed as Jewish or existed at all. That they are Muslim holy sites, exclusively. The resolution in April was geared more to identification of these sites by use of Arabic names only.

Benjamin went on to say:

“Obviously they have never read the Bible, but I would advise UNESCO to visit the Arch of Titus in Rome, where they can see what the Romans brought to Rome after they destroyed and looted the Temple Mount two thousand years ago. One can see engraved on the arch the seven-branched menorah, which is the symbol of the Jewish people as well as the symbol of the Jewish State today.”

(Arch of Titus in Rome)

(Another view of Arch of Titus … Can you see the Menorah carried by victorious Roman soldiers in the lower right portion of the photograph?)

Just a brief pause to comment on Netanyahu’s reference to the Bible, which is ultimately the very heart of the matter. As some Bible scholars and teachers have written, including me in several Eye of Prophecy articles: The real Arab agenda and Muslim (Palestinian) animosity toward the Jews is an ancient one, as found in Scripture. From the very onset of the Islamic religion (all religions … with as I’ve often said … the Christian faith is not a religion, but a relationship with a Person, Messiah Jesus) the crucial question to answer: who is the true and living God? Is it Allah—the moon-god selected by Mohammed from one of several Arabic gods at the time? Or is the Lord, the God of Abraham, Isaac (the promised child instead of Ishmael), and Jacob the one and only God? In this article, time/space permits only one distinction, but it is a monumentally significant one: Only the God of the Bible has made hundreds of prophecies that have come to pass; and more that will surely be fulfilled … and soon.

The Bible is the most historical book ever written because it contains God’s interaction with all of mankind (Jews and Gentiles alike) through the ages. Scripture contains an astounding amount of facts and an astonishing number of people, places, dates, events, genealogies. As well as a vast volume of spiritual truth of the Old Covenant of the Mosaic Law and the New Covenant of salvation through faith in God’s grace—gift of His Son, Messiah Jesus to die for our sins. Then the eternal destiny of every man and woman who has ever lived … based on their relationship or lack thereof with God and His Son.

Actually, the Bible consists of 66 books written over a period of some 1,500 years by 40 authors, all of whom are “on the same page.” How could that be possible? Easy answer: God inspired each author, either by directly speaking to him (such as the prophets); or the spoken words of Jesus and hundreds of other people in Scripture; or eyewitness accounts of events; or through inspiration of the Holy Spirit to write exactly what the Lord wanted to be written, with regard to Biblical truths and precepts.

Speaking of the Roman General Titus, who led the legions that finally conquered Israel and Jerusalem in 70 A.D., the prophet Daniel predicted that event about 600 years before it happened (see Daniel Chapter 9). I’ve also written much about that spectacular prophecy, as it involves the Roman Emperor, Nero; who is and will be the Antichrist beast of the book of Revelation, when he returns from the Abyss. See any number of Eye of Prophecy articles in the category of Antichrist. Better yet, read the book, Out of the Abyss … can the number of the beast be solved?

(Depicts Roman Legions Destruction of 2nd Temple)

Benjamin Netanyahu could also have cited more secular history that indisputably documents the existence of a Jewish Temple (on Temple Mount), not the least of which was Josephus’ account of the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple by the Romans.

Here is a another quote from Prime Minister Netanyahu in response to the October 13^th UNESCO resolution.

“Surely UNESCO will say that Emperor Titus was a part of Zionist propaganda. To say that Israel has no connections to the Temple Mount and Western Wall is like saying China has no connection to the Great Wall of China or Egypt has no connection to the pyramids. With this absurd decision, UNESCO has lost what little legitimacy it once had. However, I believe the historical truth will prevail.”

Amen to that! The historical and Biblical truth will prevail powerfully. These truths will triumph when Messiah Jesus returns to set all things right in this hypocritical politically correct, upside down, inside out, good is evil and evil is good, morally relative, tolerance obsessed, pluralistically mad, and fanatically inclusive world in which we live. That is: tolerant and pluralistic and inclusive of everyone except Christians and Jews.

Then, one more quote from Prime Minister Netanyahu on October 18^th, following the final UNESCO executive approval of the October 13^th resolution; which, as a reminder, is still pertaining to the second resolution, not the third one passed the following week. Here he unloads with a satirical analogy, one that in my opinion fits the preposterous UNESCO resolution:

“What’s next? A UNESCO decision denying the connection between peanut butter and jelly? Batman and Robin? Rock and roll?”

Here is a quote from Italy’s Prime Minister Matteo Renzi who told Prime Minister Netanyahu in a personal meeting between the two leaders: “To say that the Jewish people have no connection to Jerusalem is like saying the sun creates darkness.”

He also expressed regret that Italy abstained from the vote rather than voting against the resolution, with the not-so-valid reason that it was understood before the actual vote that no European country would vote in favor of the resolution. Instead, EU nations who were members of UNESCO would abstain.

My opinion: The nations that abstained didn’t want to be accused by other member nations of Islamophobia had they voted against the resolution.

Two countries that voted in favor of this revolting resolution later expressed regret, and said they would abstain from similar votes in the future. They were Mexico and Brazil. Unfortunately they were correct. Undoubtedly, there will be “similar votes in the future.”

The Third Resolution—That Began Today’s Article

However, the second resolution (the first of the most recent ones) wasn’t enough, even though it came through the United Nations entire administrative body of UNESCO. The World Heritage Committee within the organization of UNESCO decided to reinforce the October 13^th & 18^th passage by rubbing the proverbial salt into Israel’s wound … to pound more nails into the coffin that they so arrogantly think will bury Israel.

There was as much reaction from high ranking Israelis and Jews the world over, as well as from some leaders of prominent nations, as there has ever been to a United Nations sponsored sanction against Israel. As already indicated, this had much to do with the abjectly “absurd” allegations of UNESCO’s decision. These assertions were truly over the top.

All of things and people, even UNESCO’s Director-General Irina Bokova issued a statement strongly denouncing the resolutions, calling the Temple Mount’s Western Wall, “the holiest site in Judaism.” She also promised to combat anti-Semitism. We’ll see?

One such reaction from Jerusalem’s Mayor Nir Barkat echoed both the serious and justifiably sarcastic imagery comparisons voiced by Benjamin Netanyahu. Said Mayor Barkat:

“I was outraged to hear of UNESCO’s vote today which denies thousands of years of Jewish connection to Jerusalem’s Western Wall. Would UNESCO vote to deny the Christian connection to the Vatican? Or the Muslim connection to Mecca?”

*Note: I don’t support the idea that the true Biblical Christianity has a connection to the Vatican, but that’s beside Mayor Barkat’s point of comparison.

He goes on to say:

“The UNESCO vote claims there is no connection between the Jewish people and the Western Wall. In fact, it is the UNESCO vote that has no connection to reality.”

UNESCO as a whole and this sub-division entity called the World Heritage Committee were apparently oblivious to world reaction, presumptuously thinking they would further influence world opinion against Israel. But it’s also evident that the Palestinians were more than a little concerned how global response might affect the subsequent vote of the WHC.

One main reason for this concern was the part of the prior resolution that also included the Western Wall bearing no connection to Israel or Judaism. This was the first time that the Western Wall had been included with all of the other Jewish holy sites in Israel. That crossed a huge red line with Israelis, with Jews world-wide, and with some leaders from non-Muslim nations.

I’ve been to Jerusalem and the Western Wall, also to Temple Mount. I can guarantee you that there were no Muslims at the Kotel when I was there; because all men (Jew and Gentile) including tourists must wear a kippah or other acceptable head-cover while at the Wall. No Muslim in his right (or wrong) mind would do such a thing. Also, it’s highly unlikely for any Muslim to have been at the Western Wall since June, 1967 when Israel recaptured all of Jerusalem, the West Bank, Golan Heights, and Gaza, and most of all Temple Mount and the Western Wall from the Jordanians, Syrians, Egyptians, and Palestinians. Only to relinquish Temple Mount jurisdiction back to Jordan, West Bank and Gaza to the Palestinians, and later the Sinai back to Egypt in capitulation to pressure from many other nations.

(All men wear a Skullcap, Orthodox Jewish hat, or Tallit–prayer shawl at the Western Wall … Even President Obama who was undoubtedly making a token appearance!)

Well, UNESCO, I’ve got news for you. Go ahead and try to enforce your resolutions. But make sure your enforcers wear a kippah while approaching the Western Wall, if they even make it that far!

“Old City of Jerusalem and its Walls”

That was the title of this third resolution passed on October 26^th. Much of the language was the same as the previous resolution ratified on October 18^th, but even harsher in that it contained not one reference to Jewish or Christian affiliations with Israel’s holy sites.

However, something interesting happened on the way to the World Heritage Committee forum.

This sub-division body of 21 nations (nearly all of them different from the 52 countries that currently comprise UNESCO itself) didn’t do what the Palestinians told them to do. The Palestinian Authority wanted this newest resolution to pass by consent of all 21 nations. Evidently, most WHC decisions are unanimous from the beginning, without the need to vote. If the entire WHC didn’t agree up front to comply with what was tantamount to a rigged election vote, then Jordanians and Palestinians who drafted the resolution would alter it to be even more anti-Israel than the previous resolution passed by UNESCO itself (the main body).

On occasion WHC apparently votes by secret ballot, rather than an open assembly session. The Palestinian Authority (which has observer status at the UN) and the Muslim nations belonging to WHC were certain there would be a consensus; thus, no need for individual votes from each of the 21 countries.

Wrong!

Although the resolution passed (technically) with the harsher measures, the vote tally was much less than unanimous. Nations in favor of the resolution: 10. Nations opposed: 2. Countries that abstained: 8. One country, Jamaica, was absent (didn’t participate). The two nations that voted against the resolution were, Tanzania and Croatia.

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu saw the glass as half full. He considered the abstaining nations as those not supporting this follow-up resolution, one that was totally unnecessary. One, however, that the Muslim nations and Palestinians believed would bolster world opinion against Israel. It backfired on them. Reason: Because there was no consensus, UNESCO’s Secretary-General said the WHC resolution won’t be implemented. I don’t fully understand that or how it would have been “implemented,” but that’s neither here nor there. Fact is: On this rare occasion a United Nations organization (WHC) didn’t even exceed 50% agreement on an anti-Israel resolution!

The WHC membership is composed of the following nations:

Angola, Azerbaijan, Burkina Faso, Croatia, Cuba, Finland, Indonesia, Jamaica, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, South Korea, Tanzania, Tunisia, Turkey, Vietnam, and Zimbabwe.

UNESCO & the Theatre of the Absurd

Whether Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu knew there was a tangible connection between UNESCO and the “Theatre of the Absurd” is unknown. He probably does know. Either way, his characterization of UNESCO’s absurd play on the world stage is right on. Let’s see why.

From one of the UNESCO websites (http://en.unesco.org/) the following excerpt is quoted:

“In 1945 UNESCO was created in order to respond to the firm belief of nations, forged by two world wars in less than a generation, that political and economic agreements are not enough to build a lasting peace. Peace must be established on the basis of humanity’s moral and intellectual solidarity.

Three power points follow; I will quote just one: “Building intercultural understanding: through protection of heritage and support for cultural diversity. UNESCO created the idea of World Heritage to protect sites of outstanding universal value.”

Then from the last paragraph of this website: “UNESCO is known as the ‘intellectual” agency of the United Nations. At a time when the world is looking for new ways to build peace and sustainable development, people must rely on the power of intelligence to innovate, expand their horizons and sustain the hope of a new humanism….”

Much could be said regarding UNESCO’s ultimate goal of creating a “new humanism” (one that has no room for the God of the Bible or for the “the people of the book”, both Jews and Christians). For purpose of today’s article, only the following will be said:

Though a glaring unintellectual grasp of even the basics of Israel’s history (the Jews were in Israel long before the Arabs … the Jews ARE Israel), UNESCO isn’t even close to accomplishing the, “protection of heritage and support for cultural diversity.”

Instead they have made a mockery of their own stated objectives by protecting the site of Temple Mount, the Western Wall, and other Jewish Holy Sites in Israel exclusively for the Palestinians and Muslims … at the total expense of the Jews and in the face of the obvious cultural and historical (both Biblical and secular) evidence. This is the height of hypocrisy. It is not diversity; it is divisiveness. It is not moral; it is amoral. It is not intelligent; it is stupid.

(UNESCO’S Main Assembly Hall)

Question: Where is UNESCO headquartered?

Answer: Paris, France.

Theatre of the Absurd

First, the definition of Absurd: “Ridiculously unreasonable, unsound, or incongruous … meaningless … lacking order or value” (Webster’s Dictionary).

From Wikipedia on the Theatre of the Absurd: “(French: theatre de l’absurde) is a post-World War II designation for particular plays of absurdist fiction written by a number of primarily European playwrights in the late 1950s… Their work focused largely on the idea of existentialism and expressed what happens when human existence has no meaning or purpose and therefore all communication breaks down, in fact alerting their audiences to pursue the opposite. Logical construction and argument gives way to irrational and illogical speech and to its ultimate conclusion, silence.”

My observation: Fits UNESCO to a tee. They and their incessant anti-Israeli resolutions serve no purpose, have no meaning, and are irrational and illogical. Thus, they should be SILENT.

Three of the most notable “absurdist” playwrights were born in France: Jean Genet, Jean Tardieu, and Boris Vian. Many others moved to France during the heyday of the “theatre of the absurd.”

Paris was considered the home of this bizarre literary and stage experience.

Such a coincidence, don’t you think?

I’m certainly not berating or blaming France for this ironic connection between UNESCO and the Theatre of the Absurd. However, France’s (more recent) record regarding their treatment of French Jews (mostly at the hands of Muslims living in France) has been dismal. Which is one reason why more Jews are making Aliyah to Israel from France than any other European country in recent years.

Things to Ponder

There is absolutely no absurdity found in the Bible, other than found in some of the people and nations—their apathetic actions or defiant disregard for God and his magnificent plan for the human race and destiny for his special possession, Israel. On the contrary, the Word of God is replete with life’s value, meaning, purpose, and everlasting promises for those who have believed and received God’s gracious gift of His Son, Messiah Jesus, for redemption.

King David knew this and trusted the Lord God implicitly, when David said:

“Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever” (Psalm 23:6).

Jesus himself promised: “I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly” (John 10:9-10, NASB).

There are several events in Scripture, where it’s quite evident God has a sense of humor. After all, he created us in his image … with a remarkable array of characteristics, including humor. Who doesn’t like to laugh?!

So, let’s close with some Jewish humor as found in the Levitt Letter (Zola Levitt Ministries), October, 2016 edition. As follows in italics:

The rabbi was an avid golfer and played at every opportunity. One Yom Kippur, the rabbi thought to himself, “What’s it going to hurt if I go out during the break and play a few rounds? Nobody will be the wiser, and I’ll be back in time for services.”

Sure enough at the conclusion of the morning service, the rabbi snuck out of the synagogue and headed straight for the golf course.

Looking down on the scene, Moses complained to God, “Look how terrible—a Jew on Yom Kippur—and a rabbi at that!”

God wryly replied, “Watch, I’m going to teach him a lesson.”

Out on the course, the rabbi stepped up to the first tee. When he hit the ball, it careened off a tree, struck a rock, skipped across a pond, and landed in the hole for a hole in one! Seeing this, Moses protested: “God, this is how you’re teaching him a lesson? He got a hole in one!”

“Sure,” agreed God. “But who’s he going to tell?”

To be sure, God has taught his chosen people a lesson down through the centuries. One that required serious discipline for some 2,500 years. But that’s over. He is restoring his people to the Promised Land in great numbers. He is fulfilling his original promise to Abraham.

“I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others. I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed through you” (Genesis 12:2-3).

This blessing began through Isaac, the child promised to Abraham. But ultimately through Isaac’s descendant, Messiah (Jesus). The CHOSEN ONE. (See Isaiah 9:6-7).

Blessing in the fullest sense of the word. Summed up in the Hebrew word: Shalom … Peace.

Not just absence of war. Also wholeness, security, serenity, fullness of joy… Go ahead and fill in some more blessings.

And ultimately, spiritual salvation and physical restoration of all Israel. With untold blessings to the Gentile nations during the glorious reign of Messiah Jesus on earth.

UNESCO, the United Nations, indeed all peoples of the earth would do well to heed the promises but also the warnings issued by the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

“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).

One day (soon), there will be Arabs at the Western Wall. From the Kotel and from Temple Mount, they will be welcomed by Jews who have, themselves, recognized Yeshua as THE MESSIAH. And Jesus, himself, will embrace both Jew and Gentile for choosing Him as their Savior and Lord.

Only Almighty God and his majestic Son, Messiah Jesus, can make the impossible, possible!