March 20, 2009
It's amazing as to what's taking place in the Middle East right now. -- Is anyone noticing? -- If not, do so because Bible prophecy is unfolding at an unprecedented pace.
Let's start with Israel. The prophet Zechariah spoke of how she will be isolated in these last days. In chapter 12:3 he says, "On that day, when all the nations of the earth are gathered against her...." -- Since the most recent Gaza war, and as she prepares to inaugurate a hawkish right-wing government, Israel is facing her worst crisis in decades.
Examples abound. - Its sport teams have met hostility and violent protests in Sweden, Spain and Turkey. Mauritania has closed the Israeli Embassy. Even relations with Turkey, the only predominantly Muslim nation to exhibit any level of friendship, have suffered severely. As well, the U.S., her most staunch ally, has veered left and appears to be pulling away from its commitment to the Jewish state. In fact, there's even talk that America may cut its military aid to Israel. -- Who would have even considered this just a few short months ago.
Let's break it down a bit further. -- First, let's look at the coming political landscape in Israel. Prime Minister Designate Benjamin Netanyahu's top priorities are stopping Iran from going nuclear and toppling Hamas in Gaza. -- He has tried in recent weeks to form a coalition government that would include moderate and liberal factions, but has not been successful. - That leaves him with only the ultra-conservative, hawkish groups to form a majority rule. -- We can be assured that with this taking place, the days of Ehud Olmert's "land give-away, two state" policies will be out the window. - And forget about splitting Jerusalem, something that America supports and has always been a  key factor in the two-state negotiations. Netanyahu has never supported it -- and I believe God doesn't either.
The conclusion of this political shift can only mean further isolation from the already growing hostile world.
Again, let's look at Turkey for example. This country has by and large been the only Muslim state to show any kind of diplomatic favor to Israel. But with the recent election results, relations between the two has deteriorated dramatically. In fact, Ankara officially warned that "Israel's election results paint a very dark picture for the Middle East." -- Turkey also summoned Israel's ambassador following critical statements from an I.D.F. officer.
To the point, it has long been a problem for Bible prophecy to have Turkey and Israel so chummy. -- Several passages in Ezekiel 38 and 39 strongly imply that Turkey will be part of the invasion force that will attack Israel.  -- And even if Turkey could somehow be excluded from playing a direct role in this attack, you would still have this large roadblock in the way of one of the world's largest military movements.
And what about Syria? -- Although there's never been any friendship between her and Israel, she appears to be stepping up her relationships with both Iran (Persia) and Russia (Magog). In fact, intelligence shows that Iran is setting up missile sites in Syria and they're all aimed at Israel. -- Also, Syria has just revealed that it has built a missile facility over the ruins of what the U.S. says was a nuclear reactor site recently destroyed by Israeli warplanes.
Bible prophecy warns us that a much larger conflict between Israel and her Arab neighbors is soon coming down the road. -- If the folks at the U.N. are having fits over Gaza now, they will need to be hooked up to a heart defibrillator when they read the news of Damascus’ destruction or a similar strike in Iran related to its nuclear program.
Isaiah 17:1 says, "See, Damascus will no longer be a city but will become a heap of ruins." (Also see Jeremiah 49:23-27).
Simply put, it is plain from God's word that Israel must grow in prominence on the world stage, even if it is a prominence that casts an unfavorable light upon God's chosen nation. - Clearly, several things are taking place in the flood of daily news --- Russia once again flexing her muscles -- Iran moments away from nuclear capability -- Turkey withdrawing its fragile support -- Syria gearing up its anti-Semitic rhetoric. --- To compound these problems, America is on the decline -- and with Israel becoming a perceived stumbling block to world peace, her isolation can only increase.
I believe that one of the most immediate prophetic indicators to watch is the coming G-20 meetings. - The advancement of America and other key nations into building a new economic world order is key to how quickly the prophesied conglomerate that will bring power the Beast and his regime of Revelation 13:16-18 is developing.
That global arrangement is prophesied in the following:
"The ten horns you saw are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but who for one hour will receive authority as kings along with the beast. They have one purpose and will give their power and authority to the beast."  Revelation 17:12-13
The G-20 meetings won't immediately create this prophetic arrangement. However, the globalist elite's search for answers that will address the economic distress and perplexity among the nations will likely move mankind dramatically closer to the system described in the Revelation 17:12-13 prophecy.
Once again brothers and sister, this all just means that Jesus' call to His people - the Church - to "Come up here" might indeed be near.
Be strong - do not fear - pray for one another.
Until next time,
Red