Another day, another twist in the situation in Syria. Syrian President Bashar Assad has made two demands in order to proceed with the plan for Syria to turn their weapons over to the international community.
The first is for the U.S. to take military action off of the table as a option in Syria. It's the second, however, that will be of great interest to those interested in Biblical end-time prophecy.
Read the following clip below from the linked article to see what his second demand is.
Assad made one other request that might be difficult to satisfy. He said that all countries in the area must honor anti-chemical weapons agreements, "and the first country to do so is Israel because it possesses nuclear, chemical and biological weapons -- all types of weapons of mass destruction."
Israel signed the Chemical Weapons Convention 20 years ago, but did not end up ratifying it.
Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2013/09/13/playing-with-us-assad-piles-on-demands-amid-chemical-weapons-talks/#ixzz2eoRsx45H
And so it begins. The move to use the Syrian crisis to come after Israel is under way. Let's pray that our leaders will not give into this attempted manipulation of the situation by Assad and Putin. Let's pray that our leaders stand by Israel.
Friday, September 13, 2013
Tuesday, September 10, 2013
Russia: The new leader of the world
In the last couple of days the Syrian crisis has taken a turn that no one saw coming. On the heels of an off the cuff comment by Secretary of State John Kerry, Russia and her president Vladimir Putin have staked their claim to the title of leader of the free world.
I won't rehearse here the details here that have been covered ad nauseam on the nightly news of how Putin and Russia have out-maneuvered President Obama and Secretary Kerry to take the lead on the Syria issue. What I will discuss here though is the potential prophetic ramifications of the leading role Russia is taking in the Syrian crisis.
I believe Russia leading the charge to get Syria to surrender its nuclear weapons is just the beginning of their plans for the region. I believe that eventually the next target in their sites for disarmament will be Israel and her nuclear weapons. This leads to two different and interesting scenarios becoming possibilities.
One is that Israel would capitulate and become a virtual sitting duck in the region for all of her enemies. At this point the nations of Psalm 83 could see their opportunity to strike and "cut them off from being a nation."
A second scenario is that Israel could refuse Russian pressure to disarm. With the success of Syria's disarmament behind them and with the support of the world, Russia could decide to lead a coalition of willing nations against Israel to disarm her. This could be the "hook in the jaw" from Ezekiel 38:4.
A third scenario would be a combination of the first two where Israel is victorious in the war prophesied in Psalm 83 and as a result Russia would lead the Gog-Magog coalition to disarm Israel. In my opinion this would be the most likely of the three.
We are definitely living in interesting times.
I won't rehearse here the details here that have been covered ad nauseam on the nightly news of how Putin and Russia have out-maneuvered President Obama and Secretary Kerry to take the lead on the Syria issue. What I will discuss here though is the potential prophetic ramifications of the leading role Russia is taking in the Syrian crisis.
I believe Russia leading the charge to get Syria to surrender its nuclear weapons is just the beginning of their plans for the region. I believe that eventually the next target in their sites for disarmament will be Israel and her nuclear weapons. This leads to two different and interesting scenarios becoming possibilities.
One is that Israel would capitulate and become a virtual sitting duck in the region for all of her enemies. At this point the nations of Psalm 83 could see their opportunity to strike and "cut them off from being a nation."
A second scenario is that Israel could refuse Russian pressure to disarm. With the success of Syria's disarmament behind them and with the support of the world, Russia could decide to lead a coalition of willing nations against Israel to disarm her. This could be the "hook in the jaw" from Ezekiel 38:4.
A third scenario would be a combination of the first two where Israel is victorious in the war prophesied in Psalm 83 and as a result Russia would lead the Gog-Magog coalition to disarm Israel. In my opinion this would be the most likely of the three.
We are definitely living in interesting times.
Friday, September 6, 2013
Some thoughts on the Syria crisis
As I write this I am sitting here watching the talking heads on the evening news debate whether or not President Obama is going to get congressional approval for a strike on Syria, or if he will strike even without it. Looking at this from a Biblical, prophetic point of view it's not hard to see how events could be quickly coming to a point of rapid prophetic fulfillment in the Middle East.
As informed as the news personalities on television are, I think a big point is being missed when I hear very little discussion of the impact the Syrian crisis could have on Israel. I keep hearing the "experts" discuss what the unintentional consequences of a strike would be, but in that discussion I never hear anyone mention the potential consequences for Israel.
You can't expect secular news media to fully grasp what is happening in the Middle East when they ignore or just don't grasp the Biblical/prophetic element. However, I don't think you have to be a theologian to see how this could all go bad for Israel.
Should we strike Syria, I find it very likely that they would launch some sort of strike against Israel for one or both of the following reasons.
Number one, this would be an attack against our closest ally in the region. Since Syria/Assad does not have the capability to hit us they could activate Hezbollah and similar terrorist groups inside Israel and just across the border in Lebanon to hit our ally since they can't get to us. I am sure this would be done in conjunction with attacks on U.S. embassies throughout the region.
Number two, Syria could launch an attack on Israel in order to generate sympathy from the rest of the Arab world. Assad is not exactly the favored son of the region right now, but he is a lot more popular than Israel. A combination of being attacked by the U.S. and engaging Israel could draw more support from the Arab community than Assad would get otherwise.
This leads me to my great concern. I have absolutely zero confidence in President Obama or anyone else in leadership right now to stand beside Israel in an attack on them brought about by our actions. In order to continue to experience God's blessing, we need to continue to bless Israel. Turning our back on them in the hour of their need does not fit the bill of blessing Israel.
We know Damascus will be destroyed (Isaiah 17, Jeremiah 49). We know a war is coming involving Israel and Syria and Lebanon (Psalm 83). What we don't know and remains to be seen is what part this ongoing crisis in Syria will have in the fulfillment of these prophecies. It sure feels like conditions could be ripening for their fulfillment though.
As Christians, we need to continue to pray for the following things:
1. The peace of Jerusalem
2. Wisdom for President Obama and our leaders (approval of them or agreement with them is not a prerequisite for prayer for them)
3. Wisdom for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
As informed as the news personalities on television are, I think a big point is being missed when I hear very little discussion of the impact the Syrian crisis could have on Israel. I keep hearing the "experts" discuss what the unintentional consequences of a strike would be, but in that discussion I never hear anyone mention the potential consequences for Israel.
You can't expect secular news media to fully grasp what is happening in the Middle East when they ignore or just don't grasp the Biblical/prophetic element. However, I don't think you have to be a theologian to see how this could all go bad for Israel.
Should we strike Syria, I find it very likely that they would launch some sort of strike against Israel for one or both of the following reasons.
Number one, this would be an attack against our closest ally in the region. Since Syria/Assad does not have the capability to hit us they could activate Hezbollah and similar terrorist groups inside Israel and just across the border in Lebanon to hit our ally since they can't get to us. I am sure this would be done in conjunction with attacks on U.S. embassies throughout the region.
Number two, Syria could launch an attack on Israel in order to generate sympathy from the rest of the Arab world. Assad is not exactly the favored son of the region right now, but he is a lot more popular than Israel. A combination of being attacked by the U.S. and engaging Israel could draw more support from the Arab community than Assad would get otherwise.
This leads me to my great concern. I have absolutely zero confidence in President Obama or anyone else in leadership right now to stand beside Israel in an attack on them brought about by our actions. In order to continue to experience God's blessing, we need to continue to bless Israel. Turning our back on them in the hour of their need does not fit the bill of blessing Israel.
We know Damascus will be destroyed (Isaiah 17, Jeremiah 49). We know a war is coming involving Israel and Syria and Lebanon (Psalm 83). What we don't know and remains to be seen is what part this ongoing crisis in Syria will have in the fulfillment of these prophecies. It sure feels like conditions could be ripening for their fulfillment though.
As Christians, we need to continue to pray for the following things:
1. The peace of Jerusalem
2. Wisdom for President Obama and our leaders (approval of them or agreement with them is not a prerequisite for prayer for them)
3. Wisdom for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
Netanyahu prepared to retaliate if Syria attacks
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated Israel will respond in a fierce manner if Syria launches any kind of attack on Israel.
Although they are in the middle of a civil war, Syria might be tempted to attack Israel, especially if the United States gets involved, to take pressure and attention off of what is going on in the nation.
Such an attack by Israel would likely draw other Islamic/Arab nations into the fight. The way things are shaping up we could be on the verge of seeing the fulfillment of Isaiah 17 and Jeremiah 49 which detail the destruction of Damascus, and/or the fulfillment of Psalm 83 which prophecies a war between Israel and her near enemies.
http://news.yahoo.com/netanyahu-vows-fierce-retaliation-syria-attacks-180826516.html
Although they are in the middle of a civil war, Syria might be tempted to attack Israel, especially if the United States gets involved, to take pressure and attention off of what is going on in the nation.
Such an attack by Israel would likely draw other Islamic/Arab nations into the fight. The way things are shaping up we could be on the verge of seeing the fulfillment of Isaiah 17 and Jeremiah 49 which detail the destruction of Damascus, and/or the fulfillment of Psalm 83 which prophecies a war between Israel and her near enemies.
http://news.yahoo.com/netanyahu-vows-fierce-retaliation-syria-attacks-180826516.html
Sunday, August 4, 2013
Who is Israel's ally?
The following article from Israel National News paints a very bleak picture of the true state of Israeli/U.S. relations. According to the report the U.S. has been leaking information to Syria about Israeli strikes on the nation.
Obviously this is very disturbing if true. Here though, is the most interesting piece of information from the article in my mind. President Obama is deeply concerned that the world could be on the brink of a regional war in the Middle East involving Syria and Israel. Such a conflict would surely, eventually involve other nations as well.
An Israeli war involving Syria could potentially set up the conditions that would bring about the destruction of Damascus which Isaiah 17 says will happen.
Also, it could lead to a war involving Israel's near neighbors prophesied by Psalm 83. Both events would be significant milestones on the prophetic timeline.
http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/170547#.Uf7liduF-wx
Obviously this is very disturbing if true. Here though, is the most interesting piece of information from the article in my mind. President Obama is deeply concerned that the world could be on the brink of a regional war in the Middle East involving Syria and Israel. Such a conflict would surely, eventually involve other nations as well.
An Israeli war involving Syria could potentially set up the conditions that would bring about the destruction of Damascus which Isaiah 17 says will happen.
Also, it could lead to a war involving Israel's near neighbors prophesied by Psalm 83. Both events would be significant milestones on the prophetic timeline.
http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/170547#.Uf7liduF-wx
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
Peace deal hoped for in nine months
The result of the meetings between the Israelis and Palestinians in Washington D.C. the last two days is a goal of a peace deal within nine months. The following article goes into greater detail on this.
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2013/07/30/obama-joins-new-israeli-palestinian-peace-talks-push/?test=latestnews
If this time frame is followed and a deal is reached in nine months, the deal would be done in April of 2014. Here is what is particularly interesting about April 2014. Israel is due to experience a blood red moon in April of 2014. I find this interesting for two reasons.
1. Click on the following link to read the research and notes on the history of blood red moons and what they mean for Israel.
Disclaimer: The author gets a little to close to date setting for my taste. However, that does not mean his research and notes are not valuable. I just am not comfortable with some of the timing conclusions he alludes to as a result.
http://www.watch.org/showart.php3?idx=104119
2. Joel 2:31 says that the moon turning to blood, long believed by scholars to be a reference to a blood red moon, will happen before "the great and terrible day of the Lord." Jesus speaks of signs in the sun, moon, and stars as a sign of the last days in Luke 21:24. Scholars have long included blood red moons as one of those signs.
So to summarize:
1. Their is a history of major persecution of the Jews and/or major prophetic milestones being fulfilled during blood red moon cycles that fall during Passover.
2. The next blood red moon cycle is set to occur during Passover is in April of 2014.
3. April of 2014 is nine months from now, the given time frame for a peace deal between the Israelis and the Palestinians.
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2013/07/30/obama-joins-new-israeli-palestinian-peace-talks-push/?test=latestnews
If this time frame is followed and a deal is reached in nine months, the deal would be done in April of 2014. Here is what is particularly interesting about April 2014. Israel is due to experience a blood red moon in April of 2014. I find this interesting for two reasons.
1. Click on the following link to read the research and notes on the history of blood red moons and what they mean for Israel.
Disclaimer: The author gets a little to close to date setting for my taste. However, that does not mean his research and notes are not valuable. I just am not comfortable with some of the timing conclusions he alludes to as a result.
http://www.watch.org/showart.php3?idx=104119
2. Joel 2:31 says that the moon turning to blood, long believed by scholars to be a reference to a blood red moon, will happen before "the great and terrible day of the Lord." Jesus speaks of signs in the sun, moon, and stars as a sign of the last days in Luke 21:24. Scholars have long included blood red moons as one of those signs.
So to summarize:
1. Their is a history of major persecution of the Jews and/or major prophetic milestones being fulfilled during blood red moon cycles that fall during Passover.
2. The next blood red moon cycle is set to occur during Passover is in April of 2014.
3. April of 2014 is nine months from now, the given time frame for a peace deal between the Israelis and the Palestinians.
Sunday, July 28, 2013
Back from an extended paternity leave
It has been far too long since I have had an entry on the blog hear and to the tens of you that follow me I apologize. I have been getting into the groove of being a father. My free time sure isn't what it used to be. Truth be told, my son is setting on my lap as I type this. I'm starting him out young.
Today I read an article that finally prompted me to resume the blog. It seems that in regard to Biblical end time prophecy we go through seasons where it seems there is great activity and seasons of lulls. It appears we may be on the cusp of a season of activity.
http://www.foxnews.com/world/2013/07/28/us-says-israeli-palestinian-to-resume-long-stalled-peace-talks/
According to the above article from Foxnews.com, talks will resume in Washington D.C. tomorrow between the Israelis and the Palestinians. The speculated end game of these talks is the creation of a Palestinian state. The resumption of the talks is due to the work of U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry.
Tomorrow's talks come on the heals of last week's report that Ze'ev Elkin, Israel's Deputy Foreign Minister, claimed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would be willing to give up 86% of the West Bank in a peace deal with the Palestinians.
Joel chapter 3 tells us God will bring his judgment on those nations that divide his land. This will take place at we refer to as the Battle of Armageddon. However we have seen the pattern of the U.S. suffering catastrophic consequences on the heels taking major stands against Israel and pushing for the division of her land.
While the finality of God's judgment on those who divide Israel will take place at Armageddon, I fear we may once again face immediate consequences from pressuring Israel to give up land to make peace.
It's time for those who love God, love Israel, and love the U.S. to stand in prayer for wisdom for our leaders.
Today I read an article that finally prompted me to resume the blog. It seems that in regard to Biblical end time prophecy we go through seasons where it seems there is great activity and seasons of lulls. It appears we may be on the cusp of a season of activity.
http://www.foxnews.com/world/2013/07/28/us-says-israeli-palestinian-to-resume-long-stalled-peace-talks/
According to the above article from Foxnews.com, talks will resume in Washington D.C. tomorrow between the Israelis and the Palestinians. The speculated end game of these talks is the creation of a Palestinian state. The resumption of the talks is due to the work of U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry.
Tomorrow's talks come on the heals of last week's report that Ze'ev Elkin, Israel's Deputy Foreign Minister, claimed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would be willing to give up 86% of the West Bank in a peace deal with the Palestinians.
Joel chapter 3 tells us God will bring his judgment on those nations that divide his land. This will take place at we refer to as the Battle of Armageddon. However we have seen the pattern of the U.S. suffering catastrophic consequences on the heels taking major stands against Israel and pushing for the division of her land.
While the finality of God's judgment on those who divide Israel will take place at Armageddon, I fear we may once again face immediate consequences from pressuring Israel to give up land to make peace.
It's time for those who love God, love Israel, and love the U.S. to stand in prayer for wisdom for our leaders.
Monday, February 11, 2013
Israel, Iran, The United States, and talks
There is some interesting news coming out ahead of President Obama's upcoming visit to Israel in March. The following article details how the U.S. may be willing to place pressure on the Iranian nuclear program in exchange for Israeli concessions to the Palestinians.
In my opinion, our president is treading on very dangerous ground. Using any tactic to pressure the Israelis, including aid against Iran, to give up land promised to them by God which would leave them with essentially indefensible boarders is coming dangerously close to "cursing" Israel and not "blessing" Israel in the context of Genesis 12:3.
As President Obama's trip to Israel draws closer we as Christians need to pray God opens the eyes of his understanding and that he has wisdom in dealing with Israel. Things will not turn out well for country if we do no stand by Israel.
http://www.timesofisrael.com/us-may-up-iran-pressure-in-return-for-progress-with-palestinians/
In my opinion, our president is treading on very dangerous ground. Using any tactic to pressure the Israelis, including aid against Iran, to give up land promised to them by God which would leave them with essentially indefensible boarders is coming dangerously close to "cursing" Israel and not "blessing" Israel in the context of Genesis 12:3.
As President Obama's trip to Israel draws closer we as Christians need to pray God opens the eyes of his understanding and that he has wisdom in dealing with Israel. Things will not turn out well for country if we do no stand by Israel.
http://www.timesofisrael.com/us-may-up-iran-pressure-in-return-for-progress-with-palestinians/
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Israel strikes military convoy in Syria.
Fox News is reporting that Israel has struck a military convoy in Israel. This comes on the heels of a report earlier this week that Israel may launch a military strike on Syria due to their chemical weapons. This is a situation worth keeping an eye on.
If such a strike occurs, how far would a conflict escalate? Could this lead to the fulfillment of Isaiah 17?
If such a strike occurs, how far would a conflict escalate? Could this lead to the fulfillment of Isaiah 17?
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