This could be the dumbest idea yet

I am amazed at what I read in the article linked below. Apparently the U.S. is advocating a peace deal in which Israeli land would be used to create a Palestinian state, but Israel would be allowed to lease the land (land they already posses, land given to them by God) from the Palestinians.

Two things strike me as bad about this. First, that land is Israel's and the U.S. should not be a part of trying to take it from them or force them to give it up. Second, I can't help but think that some of the money Israel would pay could be used to fund terrorists looking to destroy Israel.

http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/report-u-s-proposes-israel-lease-lands-from-palestinians-under-future-deal-1.321794

The growing financial influence of Islam

According to the following article Islamic banking systems are gaining popularity in the world. I think this is an interesting trend to keep an eye on. There are a couple of reasons why.

First, the growing popularity and influence of Islamic banking fits well with the theory that the Antichrist will be a Muslim. Should an Islamic banking system come to world-wide prominence due to oil wealth, major economic meltdown of the other economies of the world, or any other reason it is not unreasonable to believe the leader of such a system could require a "mark" to buy or sell within that system. It is forbidden in Islamic law for one Muslim to charge another Muslim interest. A dominant Islamic banking system could cause numerous people to convert to "one-world-religion" to avoid interest.

Second, the article mentions the Vatican's support of Islamic banking principles. As mentioned in an early post, some scholars believe the false prophet of Revelation will be an apostate pope. Couple that with the possibility of an Islamic Antichrist and any news item involving the Vatican and Islam becomes worth tracking.

http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/banking/2010-10-19-islamicbank19_ST_N.htm

The Vatican speaks out against Israel

The Vatican recently spoke out on behalf of the Palestinians against Israel. I think this has some interesting implications for the future.

Some scholars believe the false prophet of Revelation will be an apostate pope. There are also scholars who believe the Antichrist will be a Muslim. Any story or event linking Islam and the Vatican is worth tracking.

http://www.ynetnews.com/Ext/Comp/ArticleLayout/CdaArticlePrintPreview/1,2506,L-3973590,00.html

This would be a bad idea

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is considering asking the U.S. to recognize a Palestinian state within the pre-1967 borders if the peace process breaks down. Recognition of such a state by the U.S. would be a horrible mistake.

Publicly taking the position that land belonging to Israel should go to someone else would, in my opinion, put the U.S. on the wrong side of this issue. I have to wonder if that in God's eyes would put the U.S. as cursing Israel and not blessing.

Whatever happens, I doubt will happen before the elections in November.

http://www.jpost.com/LandedPages/PrintArticle.aspx?id=190740