Israel and Palestinians Face Hard Choices for Peace

1. Israel 2014

2. Is not the LORD among us? none evil can come upon us. Therefore shall Zion [Jerusalem] for your sake be plowed as a field, and Jerusalem shall become heaps, and the mountain of the house as the high places of the forest. “Ariel” is a name for Jerusalem. “Sharon” means a plain or a field. Analysis: Israel, Palestinians face hard choices Associated Press, January 1, 2014 As U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry returns to the region Thursday, the American message to the Israeli and Palestinian leaders is clear: It's time to start making hard decisions. Kerry is bringing his own ideas for the outlines of a peace deal, and early indications are that the plan will include hard-to-swallow choices for both sides. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would likely have to recognize Israel's pre-1967 war frontier as the starting point for border talks with the Palestinians, an ideological reversal that would put him on a collision course with his hardline base. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas fears he'll be pressured to recognize Israel as the homeland of the Jewish people, a step he believes would abrogate the rights of Palestinian refugees and their descendants. A senior State Department official said Kerry would not impose ideas or seek final answers on this trip. EVENT he So with America’s influence and power weakening it is strange to see how they are using all their effort to push the Palestinians and Israelis into a peace agreement. America gave just 9 months to reach an agreement. There are only 4 months left. Any final agreement will hinge on Israel pulling out of the West Bank and giving up half of Jerusalem. These are Palestinian red lines and America (and the rest of the world) agree with this in principle. Israel is fighting a battle that cannot be won on her own. Only the intervention of Jesus will save Israel from total destruction. The last time Israel withdrew from land was under the leadership of Ariel Sharon. He actually agreed to divide the land. Hours later he went into a coma. That was 8 years ago. He is still in a coma but now very near death. There are those who believe his death will signal coming tribulation on Israel. A bit like the death of Methuselah before the flood came…. COMMENT BIBLE QUOTE (Micah 3:12)

3. Therefore say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; I will even gather you from the people, and assemble you out of the countries where ye have been scattered, and I will give you the land of Israel. Ariel Sharon was instrumental in securing the whole land of Israel. His conquests in 1967 and 1973 ensured Israel’s survival in the land given to them by God. God was undoubtedly with him in these victories. But in his old age Ariel Sharon trod a different path…. 'King of Israel,' Ariel Sharon, Dead at 85 NewsMax, January 11, 2014 Ariel Sharon —  the military hero and prime minister who was among the most controversial figures in the history of Israel — has died, eight years after the massive stroke that left him comatose. He was 85. He died Saturday at Sheba Medical Center in Tel Hashomer, outside of Tel Aviv, where he has been cared for since January 2006. Over his long career Sharon served as Israel's 11th prime minister, headed several ministries including Defense, and rose to the rank of general in the Israeli army, seeing action in all four of Israel's major wars. Reviled by Arabs over his hardline policies and viewed with a mixture of respect and suspicion by many Israelis, Sharon had been on life support at the hospital far from the public gaze. EVENT COMMENT In this WWW we are going to look at the possible significance of the death of Ariel Sharon. Ariel Sharon was born in Palestine (as it was then known) in 1928. He was a platoon commander in the Israeli military at the outset of the 1948 War of Independence. He headed Israel's most powerful armoured division as a major general in the 1967 Six-Day War. In the 1973 Yom Kippur war Sharon’s bold manoeuvre in crossing the Suez Canal and encircling the Egyptian army was considered the key to Israel’s victory. It led to the Israeli public giving him the nickname “The king of Israel” and “The Lion of God”. Crowds swarmed the streets in 1973 singing a revised Hebrew song called “David – King of Israel” and changed it to “Ariel – King of Israel.” During the 70’s and 80’s as Secretary for Agriculture he encouraged building on the West Bank. Eventually he became the head of the Likud party. In 2001 he became prime minister of Israel. Two years later he promised to create a Palestinian state…. BIBLE QUOTE (Ezekiel 11:17)

4. Ought ye not to know that the LORD God of Israel gave the kingdom over Israel to David for ever, even to him and to his sons by a covenant of salt? Ariel Sharon should have known this – but it was about to get worse…. Sharon causes religious crisis over Gaza plan Daily Telegraph, August 15, 2005 EVENT The decision by Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon to pull Israeli settlers out of the Gaza Strip and part of the West Bank has shaken Israel's Orthodox Jewish community to its foundations. Never before has an Israeli government relinquished what the religious population universally regards as holy land, promised to the Jews by God. The move challenges core religious beliefs, leaving many Orthodox Jews - soldiers among them - in spiritual turmoil and clamouring for guidance as to how to respond. For the first time since the Jewish state was founded, Israel was voluntarily uprooting its own people and preparing to transfer the land to the Palestinians. It was a turning point for the Zionist project, when Israel admitted defeat in attempting to ensure a Jewish majority across the whole of Eretz Yisrael, the land historically claimed by the People of the Book. And who was the man behind this withdrawal? The Lion of God – Ariel Sharon! What an amazing turn around. Sharon who had led Israel to such amazing victories was now withdrawing from land given to Israel by God. We may ask if Gaza is part of Israel that God had promised his people? Well we are told in Exodus 23 v 31 “I will set thy bounds from the Red sea even unto the sea of the Philistines, and from the desert unto the river: for I will deliver the inhabitants of the land into your hand; and thou shalt drive them out before thee.” The sea of the Philistines = Gaza. The area of the ancient Philistines WAS included in the land. Sharon sent in the soldiers who physically pulled Jews out of the land (and parts of the West Bank). The picture above shows soldiers weeping as they removed their own people. As Exodus 23 says it was was God who drove out the inhabitants of the land. But now here was an Israeli leader - the first in all history – to give away (voluntarily!) land given to the Jews by God.... COMMENT BIBLE QUOTE (2 Chronicles 13:5)

5. Because, even because they have seduced my people, saying, Peace; and there was no peace; and one built up a wall, and, lo, others daubed it with untempered morter: Sharon promised peace. Sharon built a wall. Verse 13 tells us the wall will be destroyed by God. Prime minister plans to draw 'the final shape of Israel' Daily Telegraph, November 27, 2005 Sixty years after the state of Israel was created, Ariel Sharon is effectively drawing its final borders, say his advisers, diplomats, friends … and the cartographers. They believe that Mr Sharon, who as a general played a leading role in the expansion of Israel's borders in successive wars since 1948, is now - as a politician - determined to set the country's hitherto elastic frontiers in stone. What is more, judging by his track record and the way public opinion is shifting, there is a real chance that he may succeed. In 2002, he ordered the construction of the controversial barrier - an 18ft high combination of concrete wall and chain fence that snakes through the West Bank. Over the summer his government successfully oversaw the withdrawal of the thousands of Jewish settlers from Gaza. EVENT COMMENT With the withdrawal of Gaza complete Sharon planned to complete the process by finally dividing the land of Israel in two. And this is where is gets interesting… All this is recorded in the Daily Telegraph…. At about 3pm on January 4th 2006 a man called Otniel Schneller was ushered into Ariel Sharon’s office. He was a senior cartographer – known as the map maker. He had the final detailed plans for the future borders of Israel. It detailed the withdrawal this time not of Gaza but of the vast majority of the West Bank and some parts of Jerusalem. The meeting lasted 1 ½ hours – at the end of it Sharon agreed the map would form the basis of Israel’s disengagement of the West Bank and the creation of a Palestinian State. Two hours later Sharon suffered a massive stroke and went into a coma. Coincidence? The coma lasted almost exactly 8 years. He died on Saturday 11th January 2014. Coincidence? Read on…. BIBLE QUOTE (Ezekiel 13:10)

6. yet will they lean upon the LORD, and say, Is not the LORD among us? none evil can come upon us. Therefore shall Zion for your sake be plowed as a field, and Jerusalem shall become heaps, Israeli-Palestinian peace talks at crunch time Washington Post, January 2, 2014 The United States will help Israel and the Palestinians establish“fixed, defined parameters”for a permanent peace deal, Secretary of State John F. Kerry said Thursday, as troubled negotiations enter a new year and lurch toward a spring deadline for an accord. Five months into the talks that he pushed both sides to begin last summer, Kerry is stepping into a more direct role as mediator. The immediate goal is an “agreed framework” to guide the final and most difficult phase of talks on how to settle the decades-old conflict, he said. “This is not mission impossible,” Kerry said at the outset of his 10th visit to Israel as the United States’ top diplomat. He arrived as news spread that former Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon is near death. EVENT he COMMENT So we are now back up to date. 8 years ago Ariel Sharon with huge public support was pressing ahead to divide the land of Israel. 60% of the people in the land were in favour of what he was doing. He was then struck down by a stroke and remained in a coma for 8 years. Now look at the headline and article again in the Washington Post… Here we are again 8 years later with exactly the same situation. America is pushing Israel to establish “fixed, defined parameters (borders)” for a permanent peace deal. At the very time Kerry arrives in Israel to persuade Israel to do this Sharon’s health takes a turn for the worse. Just days later he is dead. Coincidence? NO. Surely God is warning those who would divide His land of what happens to those who try. Sharon tried – he went into a coma. 8 years later they try again – this time Sharon dies. Ariel Sharon’s name is significant. Ariel is a name for Jerusalem. Sharon means “level” or a “field or plain”. Jerusalem like a field or levelled. That is exactly what is to happen to Jerusalem when the nations try to divide it. It will be levelled and ploughed and made like a field!! BIBLE QUOTE (Micah 3:12)

7. Woe to Ariel, to Ariel, the city where David dwelt!.... Yet I will distress Ariel, and there shall be heaviness and sorrow: and it shall be unto me as Ariel. …For the LORD hath poured out upon you the spirit of deep sleep, and hath closed your eyes: the prophets and your rulers, the seers hath he covered. The Rabbi, the Note and the Messiah Israel Today, April 7, 2007 A few months before he died, one of the nation’s most prominent rabbis, Yitzhak Kaduri, wrote the name of the Messiah on a small note which he requested would remain sealed until now. When the note was unsealed, it revealed what many have known for centuries: Yehoshua, or Yeshua (Jesus), is the Messiah. A few months before Kaduri died at the age of 108, he surprised his followers when he told them that he met the Messiah. Kaduri gave a message in his synagogue on Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, teaching how to recognize the Messiah. He also mentioned that the Messiah would appear to Israel after Ariel Sharon’s death. (The former prime minister is still in a coma after suffering a massive stroke more than a year ago.) Other rabbis predict the same, including Rabbi Haim Cohen, kabbalist Nir Ben Artzi. EVENT In 2005 while Sharon was at the height of his power and busy withdrawing from Gaza, Israel’s most loved and prominent Rabbi pronounced that the Messiah would return AFTER the death of Ariel Sharon. Kaduri died just a few months after Sharon in 2006 at the age of 108. Over 300,000 people attended his funeral. One year before his death Kaduri wrote a note that he requested should only be opened one year after his own death. In the note he revealed that the Messiah was in fact Jesus! All this was reported in Israel Today. By the time the note was opened Ariel Sharon was in a coma. Now at his death 8 years later many in Israel are asking whether the Messiah will come soon. We mentioned on the previous slide about Ariel meaning Jerusalem. Ariel is mentioned in this context in only one chapter in the Bible. Isaiah 29. It speaks of Ariel being the city where David lived. It speaks of Jerusalem being bought down to the ground (Leveled). But amazingly it also speaks of the leaders falling into a deep sleep…. COMMENT BIBLE QUOTE (Isaiah 29:1-2-10)

8. the world at that time was destroyed, being flooded with water. But by His word the present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men…God is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. Ariel Sharon’s death sparks prophecy bombshell WND, January 18, 2014 EVENT The death of former Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon last week has drawn attention to the prophecy of a venerated Jewish spiritual leader. When Sharon was still in office, vibrant and in command of his faculties, a venerated rabbi, who claimed he had met the Messiah, predicted the Messiah would not come until after Sharon’s death. Rabbi Yitzhak Kaduri died shortly after Sharon suffered a stroke that left him comatose in 2006. But before the beloved Kaduri died, he wrote a cryptic note in which he named the Messiah with whom he claimed to have had a mystical encounter. On the 108-year-old rabbi’s instructions, the note was to be released a year after his death. We cannot know for certain what the Rabbi Kaduri saw or heard. We do know he said that the Messiah would return after Sharon’s death. We do know in his note he revealed Jesus to be the Messiah. We also know one scriptural precedent for a significant death before worldwide judgment. There has only ever been one worldwide judgment before. The next one is coming soon. The first one was at the time of the flood. BEFORE the flood came a man died. His name was Methuselah. His name means “his death shall bring judgment.” He definitely died in the year the flood came and before the flood came. His own name spelt out judgment was coming. Ariel Sharon might be a similar person. His own name predicts what is coming. Judgment concerning Jerusalem. The leveling of Jerusalem. Sharon who led Israel to capture the land became the leader who gave some of it away and tried to divide it in two. He dies at the very time the world is pushing for division again. Is all this pure chance? – or is God’s hand behind these things? – you decide…. COMMENT BIBLE QUOTE (2 Peter 3:6-7)

9. After many days thou [Gog / Russian leader / Putin] shalt be VISITED : in the latter years thou shalt come into the land that is brought back from the sword, and is gathered out of many people, against the mountains of Israel, which have been always waste: but it is brought forth out of the nations, and they shall dwell safely all of them. Palestinian leader turns to Putin for Palestinian state Debkafile, January 24, 2014 Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas launched his “diplomatic intifada” against Israel Thursday, January 23, on his visit to Moscow. His meetings with President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev marked his breakaway from the US-led peace process with Israel, four months before it was due to expire, and signaled his bid for Russian backing for a Palestinian state. The Palestinian leader’s defection caught both Secretary of State John Kerry and Prime Minister Binyamin unprepared – and surprised their intelligence agencies. Putin and Abbas almost certainly planned in advance to drop their bombshell on the day both Kerry and Netanyahu were otherwise engaged at two international events in Switzerland, Geneva 2 on Syria and the World Economic Forum. For Putin it was a chance to show the international community that he was several steps ahead of the game on the three hottest Middle East issues – Iran’s nuclear program, the Syrian civil conflict and the Palestinian bid for statehood. EVENT The Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas flew into Moscow this week on a four day visit. During the visit he met the Russian President, Prime minister and Russian religious leaders. He was seeking Russian involvement in the peace process. As the American nine month peace process nears as end, Abbas is seeking help from Russia to advance his cause of a Palestinian State. Russia, with its new Middle East influence is only to happy to oblige. Amazingly the Bible foretold these exact circumstances. In Ezekiel 38 we read that Gog (the Russian leader at the time of the end eg Putin) will be VISITED! The original word “visited” means to be “sought after”. Abbas VISITED Russia this week and sought their help in removing Israel from the land… COMMENT BIBLE QUOTE (Ezekiel 13:1,10-11)

10. thou [Gog / Russian leader] shalt think an evil thought: And thou shalt say, I will go up to the land of unwalled villages; I will go to them that are at rest, that dwell safely, all of them dwelling without walls, and having neither bars nor gates…To take a spoil, and to take a prey; Russia preparing to develop Gaza gas field AFP, January 23, 2014 In a significant political and economic development, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas met Jan. 23 with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The meeting came as a prerequisite to officially sign an investment agreement aiming to develop the Gaza offshore gas field in the Mediterranean Sea. It is only logical to assume that this step will raise the ire of Israel. The latter does not appreciate the role Russia plays in the region, especially since Israel has never come to an agreement with Russia. AFP reported that there were talks of investing $1 billion to develop the Palestinian gas field. Clearly taken aback by the news coming in fast from Moscow, Israeli official sources said Thursday night they could not understand how the Russians and Palestinians came to an agreement on Mediterranean waters off the shores of Gaza, when the rights were already owned by British Gas. EVENT Now this really is amazing…. On the visit to Russia this week Abbas discussed with Russia a deal concerning gas fields that lie off the Gaza Strip! Russian natural gas company Gazprom is planning to produce 30 billion cubic meters of natural gas at the site, according to Russian news agency ITAR-TASS. The Russian engineering firm Technopromexport was also considering an oil development project in Ramallah in the West Bank, according to the same report. There are two massively significant things here. Firstly the Palestinian Authority is not a state so is not empowered to establish Special Economic Zones in the Med. Russia appears to not be concerned with this and is treating the PA as a state. Secondly Russia is considering stepping into the West Bank and developing oil there. Ezekiel 38 speaks of Russia coming down to Israel to take a spoil. The oil and gas finds are pulling Russia down – they cannot resist…. COMMENT he BIBLE QUOTE (Ezekiel 38:10-12)

11. The fortified towns of Israel[a] will also be destroyed and the royal power of Damascus will end. All that remains of Syria[b] will share the fate of Israel’s departed glory,” declares the Lord of Hosts. “In that day Israel’s[c] glory will grow dim; its robust body will waste away.”[a] = Ephraim [b] = Aram [c] = Jacob….in the original Hebrew language Israeli jets suspected of attacking Syrian missile store Daily Telegraph, January 27, 2014 Israel is suspected of being behind an attack on a Syrian military base that targeted a stock of Russian-made missiles. Storerooms holding the missiles near the port city of Latakia were hit by Israeli war planes late on Sunday, according to a Syrian opposition source talking to Israel Radio. No confirmed details of the strike had emerged last night. Official Israeli government and military sources declined to comment on the attack. But former Israeli Defence Forces intelligence chief Amos Yadlin said any such airstrike would be in keeping with Israeli policy to intercept the transfer of advanced weapons to Hezbollah or to Syria. "Israel has declared four weapons system as a red line: advanced air defences, advanced and accurate ballistic missiles, surface-to-sea advanced missiles like Yakhont, and chemical weapons. Residents of Latakia reported hearing loud explosions just around midnight and there were also reports of Israeli planes heard breaking the sound barrier. EVENT If true this would be the fourth Israeli strike on Syria over the past 12 months. Israel is trying to stop the movement of missiles around Syria. They are concerned they will fall into Hezbollah’s hands. On Friday, Jan. 24, an Israeli intelligence officer disclosed that Israel’s government was “rethinking” its neutrality policy in the Syrian war owing to the massing of 30,000 al Qaeda fighters on its Syrian border. The Obama administration announced Tuesday, Jan. 28, that selected Syrian rebel militias would receive American light weapons including anti-tank rockets. As the Syrian “peace” conference drew to a close on Friday it appears that America and Israel are shifting towards more intervention in Syria. The Bible says that there will be conflict between Syria and Israel.. COMMENT BIBLE QUOTE (Isaiah 17:3-4 NLT)

12. 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. Is Netanyahu about to make “painful concessions” Joel Rosenberg Blog, January 31, 2014 The very fact that Israeli leaders on the centre-right of the political spectrum are getting so anxious, even angry, strongly suggests rumours are true: The Obama administration and the Europeans are putting enormous pressure on the Netanyahu government behind the scenes to say “yes” on to an American-crafted peace plan; and Netanyahu is seriously contemplating agreeing to deeply painful and enormously controversial concessions, possibly even dividing Jerusalem and rolling Israel back to her pre-1967 borders. Many analysts have felt for the past year that Secretary Kerry’s frenetic efforts to jump-start the Israeli-Palestinian peace process were going nowhere and doomed to failure. Now there is rapidly growing evidence that Kerry has driven the two parties into the corner, and that he appears to be putting the most pressure on the Israeli side to make the deepest concessions. EVENT Joel Rosenberg is a former adviser to the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Here’s some of the indications that Netanyahu might be about to give away land for peace. In his address to the U.N. General Assembly last October, Netanyahu signalled he was preparing to make “painful concessions” for peace. Two weeks ago, Israeli Defence Minister Moshe Yaalon lashed out at the American plan, describing it as worthless, naïve, “messianic,” and dangerous. This week, Israeli Economic Minister Naftali Bennett lashed out at the American plan and harshly warned Netanyahu not to give away Judea & Samaria and put Jewish settlers under Palestinian sovereignty. Such tensions would not be flaring this intensely if they weren’t so worried Netanyahu was about to agree to far-reaching concessions. We may be reaching a point when there is an agreement to divide the land – then God’s judgment will fall on Israel… COMMENT BIBLE QUOTE (Joel 3:1-2)

13. And thou shalt say, I will go up to the land of unwalled villages; I will go to them that are at rest, that dwell safely, all of them dwelling without walls, and having neither bars nor gates, The phrase “unwalled VILLAGES” has led to confusion. Israel when it was established lived in walled villages – they no longer do. All elements of Ezekiel 38 are in place. Israel wages 'war between wars' as threats simmer Reuters, January 31, 2014 EVENT Watching old Arab enemies reel with sectarian insurgencies and international diplomacy capping the Iranian nuclear drive, Israel's military is confounded by a new challenge: quiet. The relative tranquillity, for Israel at least, poses its own dilemma for commanders tasked with preparing for an array of potentially unpredictable future adversaries while trying to stave off steep cuts to their budget. With no hostile armies massing nearby, Israel's strategic position is "one of the best it has ever been", military chief Lieutenant-General Benny Gantz told the IDC Herzliya college, venue for one of several security conferences held this week. But Islamist guerrillas abound on its borders and the internal strife in neighboring Syria and Lebanon often spills over, raising tinderbox incidents every few days, Gantz said. Israel is a tinderbox that could go up anytime and yet they feel confident. Israel enjoys economic and democratic vigour rare for the region and in past conflicts public opinion has quickly mobilized in favour of big, even outsized retaliation. It’s a paradox – Israel feeling confident and safe in its own abilities to defeat its enemies. And yet at the same time seeing all around them people who want their destruction. It has immense wealth and military prowess compared to other nations nearby. It also counts to some extent on the support of the world’s greatest superpower. This is exactly the situation described in Ezekiel 38. Ezekiel says Israel will be “at rest” and “dwelling safely” and “without bars and gates”. All these things are there NOW. The word rest means “to be quiet”. Exactly what the report says above. “Dwelling safely” means over confidently – a false sense of security. This is exactly what the report above describes. Finally they no longer dwell in walled villages as they once did! COMMENT BIBLE QUOTE (Ezekiel 38:11)

14. For the leaders of the people have misled them. They have led them down the path of destruction. That is why the Lord takes no pleasure in the young men and shows no mercy even to the widows and orphans. For they are all wicked hypocrites, and they all speak foolishness. ‘Kerry has declared a war on God,’ write rabbis Jerusalem Post, February 5, 2014 A group of rabbis wrote in an open to letter to US Secretary of State John Kerry that through his current mediation efforts between Israel and Palestinian negotiators he had declared war against God. The rabbis warned that the secretary must cease such activities, to avoid divine punishment. “Your incessant efforts to expropriate integral parts of our Holy Land and hand them over to Abbas’s terrorist gang, amount to a declaration of war against the Creator and Ruler of the universe! For G-d awarded the entire Land of Israel to our ancestors, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, in order that they bequeath it, as an everlasting inheritance, to their descendants, the Jewish people, until the end of all time. if you continue on this destructive path, you will ensure your everlasting disgrace in Jewish history for bringing calamity upon the Jewish people. By the power of our Holy Torah, we admonish you to cease immediately all efforts to achieve these disastrous agreements.” EVENT According to reports being leaked out we are close to announcements being made about the division of the land of Israel. American sources say the Israeli government is prepared to give up some 90% of the territory of the West Bank. The Israeli government has made no comments about these leaks but each week those who are opposed to any division are making more public statements on the situation. The open letter by the rabbis is another sign we are close. It is worth remembering a key fact. When God pulls Gog down into Israel he does so initially to punish Israel. Every single time a nation has invaded Israel it has been God’s doing and every time it has been because his people had rejected Him. If the Israeli leaders agree to divide the land - God will judge them… COMMENT BIBLE QUOTE (Isaiah 9:16-17 NLT)

15. Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King. (Psalm 48:2) Solomon began to build the house of the Lord at Jerusalem in mountMoriah(2 Chronicles 3:1) his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst Report: Vatican pushing for control of Mount Zion Israel National News, February 19, 2014 Christian leaders reportedly pressured Israel to turn over control of Mount Zion in Jerusalem during a clandestine meeting of senior city officials. The meeting took place Tuesday in the office of Attorney Amnon Merhav, the director-general of the Jerusalem municipality. It was attended by officials from the Prime Minister’s Office, President’s Office, Tourism Ministry, Police, Kotel Rabbi’s Office, and more. During the meeting, representatives of Christian groups in the capital pushed Jerusalem leaders to give the Catholic Church control over the Mount Zion area that includes the “Hall of the Last Supper.” There have been reports that Israel’s government is planning to turn the building in question over to the Vatican prior to the Pope’s expected visit in May. Pope Francis is expected to visit Israel and to lead a service in the Hall of the Last Supper. EVENT Zion is mention over 150 times in the Bible. Mount Zion is mentioned 21 times. So what is Mount Zion? In ancient times Jerusalem was divided by a valley and there were two key mounts. This valley is pretty much filled in with rubble from Jerusalem’s many destructions. But the two key mounts were Mount Moriah and Mount Zion. Both part of Jerusalem. Mount Moriah was where the temple was built. Mount Zion was where David’s palace was built. One mount is for the priest – one mount is for the king. The other significant mount in Jerusalem is the Mount of Olives. Jesus ascended from here and will return to the same spot. This mount represents the work of the mediator. The mount of Olives will be divided in two when Christ returns symbolising that his work of a mediator is finished. The saints will be united with him being made immortal. It is interesting though that the Pope craves the mount of the king…. COMMENT BIBLE QUOTE (Zechariah 14:4)

16. When people say, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as travail comes upon a woman with child, and there will be no escape. US has coerced Israel into 'terrible peace deal' Daily Telegraph, February 26, 2014 EVENT Israeli parliamentarians subjected the US ambassador to a no-holds-barred barrage of criticism in a tense meeting that illustrated the fierce resistance to an American-backed peace initiative with the Palestinians. Daniel Shapiro, Wasington's envoy to Tel Aviv, was told that the Obama administration's conduct was "inappropriate for an ally" and asked when the US ever stood at Israel's side when he met the multi-party group at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament. The confrontation took place as Mr Netanyahu prepared to travel next week to Washington, where he is expected to get a first glimpse of the framework document being prepared by John Kerry, the US secretary of state, which is meant to pave the way towards a final agreement. The nine-month time-line of the negotiations expires on April 29, but Mr Kerry is seeking an extension. As we see events move ever faster towards their long promised conclusion we also note how quickly things could happen in relation to Israel. A nine month timeline was put in place last year to get a final agreement between Israel and the Palestinians. John Kerry is on a mission to make this happen. He believes that the only reason that Israel and the Palestinians have so far not made an agreement is because he has not been involved. He totally believes he can do this. The nine months is up on April 29th. This week the agreement will be shown to Netanyahu. It will certainly involve Israel giving up half the land - the West Bank. It may even divide Jerusalem with some clever wording. It is interesting that 9 months was the time frame for a final agreement. 9 months is how long a woman is pregnant. She then goes through the pain of child birth. The Bible says that when Jesus returns the world will be in pain as a woman giving birth… COMMENT BIBLE QUOTE (1 Thessalonians 5:3 RSV)

17. The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof; because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant. And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee. And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, …, all the land of Canaan [Israel] Obama: Netanyahu must make 'tough decisions' BBConline, March 4, 2014 US President Barack Obama has warned that Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu must make "tough decisions" to advance peace talks with the Palestinians. At the White House, Mr Netanyahu replied Israelis expected him to "stand strong" and that the Palestinians had not done their part to ease tensions. The White House has said it hopes to see a peace deal in place by 29 April. But there has been little sign of progress since July, when direct talks resumed after a three-year hiatus. The two leaders spoke publicly on Monday ahead of a bilateral meeting at the White House. "It is still possible to create two states, a Jewish state of Israel and a state of Palestine, with people living side-by-side in peace and security," Mr Obama said on Monday. "But it's difficult. It requires compromise on all sides." EVENT As the world lurches towards World War 3 we see at the same time the final push on Israel to make peace with the Palestinians. Obama is pushing Netanyahu to divide the land of Israel. The current end date for this to happen is 29th April. Obama is telling the Israeli prime minister that if he doesn’tagree then America cannot be expected to control the fallout. In other words America will stop supporting Israel to its fullest extent. This is a massive threat to Israel. A huge deterrent to Israel’s enemies is knowing that America would defend Israel. If this changes Israel will be exposed. We don’t know for certain if Israel will agree to dividing the land. There is a possibility they will. Joel talks about the land being divided. This is maybe what brings the final judgements on Israel. For God to bring Russia against his people (and for two thirds of them to be killed) the Jews must do something that finally goes over a red line. We read in Isaiah 24 that the world breaks the “everlasting covenant.” This refers to God giving the Jews the land. COMMENT BIBLE QUOTE (Isaiah 24:5) (Genesis 17:7-8)

18. Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya with them; all of them with shield and helmet: (Authorised Version) Persia, Cush, and Put are with them, all of them with shield and helmet; (Revised Standard Version) We see Iran and Cush (Sudan) working together against Israel Israel intercepts 'Iranian weapons shipment' to Gaza AFP, March 5, 2014 EVENT Israel said it intercepted a ship Wednesday carrying an Iranian shipment of advanced rockets bound for Palestinian militants, claiming it proved Tehran could not be trusted in international nuclear talks. The announcement came hours after Israel said it struck two Hezbollah fighters as they tried to plant a bomb near the Syrian-Israeli frontier and just over a week after Israel reportedly bombed the Iran-backed group inside Lebanon for the first time since 2006. Israel has long accused Iran and Syria of providing military aid to Hezbollah and to Palestinian militant groups, and the military spokesman's office tweeted that the ship was carrying weapons "capable of striking anywhere in Israel". "While Iran is conducting these talks, smiling to the international community, it continues to arm terrorist groups, continues to perpetrate terrorism around the world," Netanyahu said in a statement. According to the Jerusalem Post the rockets originated in Syria. Iran reportedly flew the rockets from Syria to an Iranian airfield, trucked them to the seaport of Bander Abbas, and shipped them to Iraq, where they were hidden in cement sacks. The ship then set sail for Port Sudan, near the Sudanese-Eritrean border, on a journey that was expected to last some 10 days. Had the shipment not been intercepted, the rockets could have been unloaded at Port Sudan and taken overland, through Egypt into Sinai, and through smuggling tunnels into the Gaza Strip. What is clear therefore is that Sudan is involved with Iran in getting weapons to Israel’s enemies. Sudan is mentioned in the Bible. Sudan is ancient Cush. The name Cush in the AV is translated as Ethiopia – but in fact Cush is Sudan not Ethiopia. In Ezekiel 38 we read of nations joining Russia in attacking Israel. First on the list is Persia (Iran). Second on the list is Cush (Sudan). COMMENT BIBLE QUOTE (Ezekiel 38:5)

19. And I will bring them out from the people, and gather them from the countries, and will bring them to their own land, and feed them upon the mountains of Israel by the rivers, and in all the inhabited places of the country. I will feed them in a good pasture, and upon the high mountains of Israel UK Prime minister's belief in Israel 'unbreakable' BBConline, March 12, 2014 EVENT David Cameron has said his belief in Israel is "unbreakable" while urging the country's politicians to pursue a deal with Palestinians to bring "an end of all conflict". He told Israelis to imagine "what this land would be like if a two-state solution was actually achieved". "We back the compromises needed - including the halt to settlement activity and an end to Palestinian incitement too. And we recognise the difficult and courageous decisions both sides are taking, not least with Prime Minister Netanyahu's decision to release terrorist prisoners, with all the anguish that can bring for affected families,” he said. He said that peace would not only bring security, but also deliver "extraordinary" economic benefits for the Israeli and Palestinians by enabling them to work together and forge international trade and business links. COMMENT The UK prime minister made his first ever visit to Israel this week. He talks like he supports Israel but his support is dependent on Israel dividing the land in two. He asks Israel to imagine what would be like living with two states. By backing this Cameron is breaking God’s everlasting covenant of giving the land to the Jews. But notice what he focused on – THE MONEY! Think about the extraordinary ECONOMIC BENEFITS says Cameron. The message is…Don’t worry about God and the land he has promised you (has given you) just think how rich you will be. Britain was once driven by belief that the land was the Jews. The British Balfour Declaration declared that Israel would become the homeland for the Jews. There was no mention on economics back then! Britain is Tarshish in the Bible. It says Britain would help Jews return to their land. But it also says that in the last days Britain would “commit fornication with all the kingdoms on earth”. Britain would grow wealthy and then rejecting by God would turn to mammon… BIBLE QUOTE (Ezekiel 34:13)

20. Sheba, and Dedan, and the merchants of Tarshish, with all the young lions thereof, shall say unto thee, Art thou come to take a spoil? hast thou gathered thy company to take a prey? to carry away silver and gold, to take away cattle and goods, to take a great spoil? Senior minister says Israel can’t rely on US Jerusalem Post, March 20, 2014 Another senior minister in Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s cabinet sharply criticized American foreign policy Tuesday, anonymously joining the open attack by Defence Minister Moshe Ya’alon. Speaking to journalists in the Knesset, the minister said the Americans’ handling of the crisis in Ukraine proved that Israel could no longer rely on the United States. He said it was clear to everyone that the US had never intended to take military action against the Russians. “The lesson of this crisis screams to the sky,” the minister said. “US foreign policy is collapsing all over the world. America showing weakness in Russia has implications on the Palestinian front. Israel cannot be Ukraine. It is ridiculous to hear about American guarantees for Israeli security, which would at best last a few weeks. When we’re in danger, they won’t be there to defend us. We must be the sole guarantors of Israeli security.” EVENT There are those in Israel that are seriously concerned about what is happening in Ukraine. Exactly 20 years ago in 1994 America (and Britain) signed an agreement with Russia to protect Ukraine’s borders. This was to persuade Ukraine to give up inuclear weapons. Now think of Israel. Israel is being persuaded to give up land and under a new agreement America would agree to help keep Israel’s new borders secure. But if America cannot keep Ukraine’s border secure and is not willing to defend them why should Israel accept America’s guarantee? So the situation in Ukraine greatly weakens America’s position in the world. It is one reason why America might “push” Russia further in relation to Ukraine. It is already taking a stronger line than Europe. When Russia finally does descend on Israel we will see a very similar situation to the one we see today. America doing nothing militarily and being forced to only question Russia… COMMENT BIBLE QUOTE (Ezekiel 38:13)

21. And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it. Palestinians won’t recognize Israel as Jewish State Free Beacon, March 26, 2014 Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas said Tuesday that Palestinians would not recognize Israel as a Jewish state, Israel Hayom reports. Recognition of Israel as a Jewish state is one of Israel’s conditions for peace. Abbas also said he would like to see a future Palestinian state based on 1967 borders “with some adjustments.” East Jerusalem would be the capital, and there would be some Palestinian control over borders and airspace. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas also said on Tuesday that the Palestinians are immediately applying for admittance to 15 UN agencies and conventions after Israel failed to release a fourth batch of prisoners in March. The Palestinian Authority (PA) leader held an emergency meeting in Ramallah late Tuesday, where he signed a document to join 15 UN agencies and international organizations in a televised ceremony. EVENT he COMMENT On April 29th the peace process comes to an end unless both sides can agree to extend them. John Kerry and his team have spent hundreds of hours on this but to no avail. In 12 months he has made 11 visits to Israel but it appears close to collapse now. As Mr Kerry put it, "you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink." The talks have gone on now for 20 years. As the Economist put it this week “If the nine-month negotiations process reaches the end of April with no significant agreement, it will be strong evidence that negotiations are simply never going to succeed in producing the long-sought two-state solution for Israel and Palestine.” The Palestinians have pressed ahead this week on recognition of a Palestinian State with 15 UN agencies.. We don’t know exactly what will happen reference these current talks but we do know at some point all nations will be gathered to Jerusalem to battle. We are heading towards that… BIBLE QUOTE (Zechariah 12:3)

22. “This is what the Sovereign Lord says: 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! These are the thoughts of Gog (Putin) the anti-Semite Donetsk leaflet: Jews must register or face deportation Daily Telegraph, April 18, 2014 The Chief Rabbi of Donetsk spoke with controlled outrage, holding up a piece of paper bearing an elaborate stamp with two crossed hammers. ”The last time in history that someone wrote a text like that was in 1939 in the Nazi time,” said Pinchas Vishedski. On the second night of Passover, three masked men arrived outside Beyt Menahem Mendal Synagogue, carrying bundles of these notices. The leaflet ordered all “citizens of Jewish nationality” to “register” with the Donetsk regional administration, now controlled by pro-Russian revolutionaries. They were told to bring a $50 fee to a “room 514” in the main government building, which was seized by separatists a fortnight ago. The Jews were also instructed to take a “passport for us to make a note about your religion” and “documents about your family composition”. The leaflet said they should furnish proof of ownership of all “property and vehicles". Any Jews who failed to comply would be deprived of their citizenship and expelled from the “borders of the Republic”, said the flyer. All their property would also be confiscated. EVENT he Donetsk is a city in eastern Ukraine being claimed by ethnic Russians. Putin all along has said the Ukrainian nationalist movement is riddled with neo-Nazi anti-Semites. But the truth is that it is the pro Russians who are anti-Semites. We know that Putin is chief anti-Semite. We know this because Gog (Russia ruler) makes a plan (an evil thought) to invade Israel and take a spoil from the Jews. Is this not the act of an anti-Semite? If the ruler of the Russians is anti-Semite is it any wonder his loyal henchmen are too? This conflict is rapidly evolving.. From Crimea’s self determination. Then bringing ethnic Russians back into the Russian fold. It is now possibly moving towards “racial purity”. All this is alarming but we know what must come to pass – we are at the time of the end COMMENT BIBLE QUOTE (Ezekiel 38:10-11 NLT)

23. Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. People saying = people talking about peace. NOT actual peace. Israel police disperse riot at Jerusalem Holy Site USA Today, April 16, 2014 Israeli police stormed a sensitive holy site in Jerusalem on Wednesday, firing tear gas to disperse a protest by Palestinian Muslim worshippers, officials said. Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said the crowd hurled stones and firecrackers from atop the compound known to Jews as the Temple Mount, the holiest site in Judaism. Rosenfeld said police then entered the site and dispersed the group with tear gas and other non-lethal means. The site is ground zero in the territorial and religious conflict between Israel and its Arab neighbors. Its gold-topped Dome of the Rock enshrines the rock where Muslims believe the Prophet Muhammad ascended to heaven. The status of the site remains perhaps the most sensitive and explosive issue in U.S.-brokered peace talks. Tensions have already been rising due to a breakdown in peace talks and the deadly shooting this week of an Israeli policeman in the West Bank. EVENT he COMMENT Tension is building in Israel. The peace talks are due to end on the 29th April. The Palestinians claim east Jerusalem, including the Old City, as the capital of their future state. The status of the site remains perhaps the most sensitive and explosive issue in U.S.-brokered peace talks. After nearly nine months of fruitless negotiations, U.S. mediators have been trying to win an agreement to extend the talks beyond the current deadline. We know that all nations will be gathered together to Jerusalem to battle. So how do current events in Ukraine and the “peace talks” link together to bring about Armageddon centred on Jerusalem. The Ukraine situation could well lead to financial sanctions against Russia that really do hurt its economy. Europe is saying they are looking for more stable energy suppliers. Russia under financial pressure is forced to look elsewhere. Russia’s eyes turn to Israel – a spoil. Peace talks lead to destruction… BIBLE QUOTE (1 Thess 5:1-3)

24. And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke: The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come: And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved. Israel to miss out on Blood Moon phenomenon Israel Today, April 13, 2014 The scheduled appearance of four total lunar eclipses on major Jewish holidays between this Monday night (the start of Passover 2014) and September 27, 2015 (the start of Sukkot) has the attention of much of the Christian world. But the eclipses are going to go almost totally unseen in Israel. Total lunar eclipses - what are often referred to as “blood moons” - are not uncommon, 13 of them having occurred since 2000. Somewhat less common are tetrads - four consecutive total lunar eclipses with no intervening partial eclipses - which has occurred 62 times since the year 0 AD. Seven times in the past 2000 years, a tetrad has coincided perfectly with Passover and Sukkot. One of those tetrads began just prior to the outbreak of the Six Day War in 1967. Two others (in 1493 and 1949) began more than a year after the expulsion of the Jews from Spain and the State of Israel’s declaration of independence, respectively. EVENT On Monday night there was the first of 4 blood moons. A sequence of 4 lunar eclipses. Lunar eclipses are fairly common. A series of 4 total lunar eclipses is not common. A series of 4 consecutive lunar eclipses is called a Tetrad. What is even less common is when the 4 consecutive lunar eclipses fall on Jewish feast days. Eg Passover or Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles). This set of 4 is only the 8th set since the time of Christ. The last time a Tetrad occurred was in 1967. The first blood moon occurred just months before the outbreak of the 6 Day War. The time before was in 1949 – again during the war that broke out after Israel was declared a nation in 1948. The time before that was in 1493. In 1492 the Jews were expelled from Spain. We know God uses the sun and moon for signs. We also know that blood moons are a sign at the time of the end…. COMMENT BIBLE QUOTE (Acts 2:19-21)

25. Then came the day of unleavened bread, when the Passover must be killed. And he sent Peter and John, saying, Go and prepare us the passover, that we may eat…. and they made ready the passover….And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer: NB there are TWO cups mentioned at this supper. Cups 2 and 3. We are told to remember Christ by taking the THIRD cup. Why? Listen to the talk to find out… Israeli families gather for ritual Passover meal ABC News, April 14, 2014 Families across Israel gathered after sundown Monday for ritual meals signalling the start of Passover, with holiday observances overshadowed by a fatal shooting in the West Bank. The weeklong holiday commemorates the liberation of the ancient Israelites from centuries of slavery in Egypt, as described in the Old Testament. In Judaism, it is dubbed the festival of freedom. This year, Passover comes amid uncertainty over the future of the Israeli-Palestinian peace talks, with the sides facing an end-of-April deadline to reach a preliminary deal or agree to an extension of negotiations. Ahead of the holiday, Israel sealed off the West Bank, barring Palestinians from entering Israel, an annual Passover precaution against possible attacks. EVENT It is amazing that 3500 years after the original Passover (the time the Israelites left Egypt) the Jews still remember the event every year. The Passover was when all Egypt’s firstborn were killed (by God) and the Hebrews who put blood around their doors were saved. The destroying angel “passed over”. The blood around the door came from the sacrificed lamb – it became known as the Passover lamb. Through the blood of the lamb they were saved. We read in the New Testament that Jesus became our Passover lamb.(1 Cor 5:7). We may think (as Christians) that we are not involved in the Passover feast any longer. We couldn’tbe more wrong. Every Sunday when we meet we are still in the Passover meal that Jesus took part in with his disciples. The bread and wine of the last supper was the Passover meal. Every Sunday we take the bread and wine. The wine we take is in fact the 3rd cup of the Seder (Passover order of service) instituted by the Jews. Jesus was following the Seder at the last supper. The final 4th cup will not be taken until Christ returns. To listen to a talk on this CLICK HERE COMMENT BIBLE QUOTE (Luke 22:11-15)

26. I said in a little while you won’t see me, but a little while after that you will see me again. …. You will grieve, but your grief will suddenly turn to wonderful joy. It will be like a woman suffering the pains of labor. When her child is born, her anguish gives way to joy because she has brought a new baby into the world. Israel suspends peace talks with Palestinians USA Today, April 25, 2014 Israel suspended the current round of Israeli-Palestinian talks Thursday in response to a unity deal between the rival Palestinian groups Hamas and Fatah. The two Palestinian rival groups announced on Wednesday plans to unite and try to form a unity government after a seven-year rift. The decision by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas angered Israel, which considers Hamas to be a terrorist organization. The suspension of talks was announced after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a five-hour meeting of Israel's Security Cabinet. "Instead of choosing peace, Abu Mazen [Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas] formed an alliance with a murderous terrorist organization that calls for Israel's destruction," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, "Abu Mazen formed an alliance with an organization whose covenant calls for Muslims to wage Jihad against Jews.” EVENT he COMMENT Incredibly as we see world war 3 on the cards starting in Europe we see the collapse of the peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians. Obama has tried to push Israel into accepting the division of the land. But so far he has failed to get the two sides to agree. The deadline of the 29th April to complete a peace agreement is now completely dead in the water. The 9 month window to get a final status solution ends next Tuesday. 9 months was an interesting time period. The exact time is takes for a woman to give birth. At the end of the period there are the contractions and a final push. We have been seeing the contractions get worse and worse and closer and closer together. We may be very close to the final push. The “time of the end” which starts with the “push” will eventually bring forth our Lord Jesus Christ – who will return from heaven with the trumpet blast and a great shout – and all the world will see him in the clouds of heaven. BIBLE QUOTE (John 16:19-21 NLT)

27. Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth. In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: John Kerry warns Israel could become apartheid state Daily Telegraph, April 28, 2014 John Kerry has warned that Israel risks becoming an “apartheid state” if it fails conclude a historic peace deal with the Palestinians, in a graphic indication of his frustration at the collapse of his peace initiative. His blunt comment, made behind closed doors at a meeting of senior international officials, broke a long-standing American taboo on comparing Israel’s treatment of the Palestinians to apartheid-era South Africa, and is certain to damage his already frayed relations with the Israeli political establishment. Underscoring the urgency of creating an independent Palestine alongside Israel he declared: “A two-state solution will be clearly underscored as the only real alternative - because a unitary state winds up either being an apartheid state with second class citizens, or it ends up being a state that destroys the capacity of Israel to be a Jewish state.” EVENT he COMMENT Apartheid is an Afrikaans word which means apartness.. It was a policy or system of segregation or discrimination on grounds of race. It was the cause of serious political violence over the years. Over 9000 people were killed during the years of apartheid. The main difference of course is that in effect John Kerry and the rest of the world are calling for apartheid in Israel. They are calling for two different races to live in two different countries. To divide the land and keep the races apart! But what does God say about the land of Israel? He says the whole land of Israel from the Jordan river to the Mediterranean is His land and He has given it to the Jews. In Numbers 33:53 we read “I have given you the land to possess it.” God also says in the prophecy of Joel about the land being divided. But he goes on to say “what have you to do with me Palestinians (Philistines). Israel will one day be a united nation under Christ. BIBLE QUOTE (Jeremiah 23:5-6)

28. I will go up to the land of unwalled villages; I will go to them that are at rest, that dwell safely, all of them dwelling without walls, and having neither bars nor gates, to take a spoil, and to take a prey; to turn thine hand upon the desolate places that are now inhabited, and upon the people that are gathered out of the nations, which have gotten cattle and goods Israel no longer live in “walled villages” but live in a false sense of safety – it will come to an end Israel celebrates 66 years of Independence Jerusalem Post, May 7, 2014 The scent of barbecues pervaded the country on Tuesday as Israelis celebrated its 66th Independence Day. In balmy spring weather – it even drizzled intermittently – many of the almost 8.2 million citizens and thousands of visitors filled national parks and beaches to enjoy the national holiday. The central ceremony on Tuesday was held at the President’s Residence in the capital, where President Shimon Peres, who at 90 is the oldest world leader in office, sang a duet with the Iranian-born Israeli singer Rita. In his remarks to the soldiers, Peres praised the IDF as “an army that built a wall of security to deter our enemies, to grant security to its people.”“The bravery of the soldiers of the IDF is worth more than any other resource. Israel is not a passing shadow but a reality as strong as stone,” Peres said. Netanyahu also congratulated the soldiers, saying: “I am always proud to be the prime minister of Israel but especially so today. I know that we have who to rely upon when we send you on operations.” EVENT Israel remembered the day 66 years ago when for the first time in 1878 years their nation was created again. In the same land, using the same language and even the same currency. During the last 66 years the barren land of Palestine (as it was called then) has been transformed. Israel is now a thriving and booming modern economy. It has survived 3 massive wars against it. It has survived numerous terror attacks. Ariel Sharon built a wall though the country which has all but stopped these attacks. A recent survey measuring Israelis’ feelings about security found that the majority of Israelis feel “very secure” in their own towns and cities. 58% said they feel a high sense of personal security in their hometown. This is the exact situation prophesied by Ezekiel. But it is a false sense of security – Russia will invade – the wall will fall. See Isaiah 13:10-11. COMMENT BIBLE QUOTE (Ezekiel 38:11-12)

29. Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of sin is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God. Pope = man of sin. He visited the temple site Pope Francis makes his first official visit to Israel Daily Telegraph, May 25, 2014 EVENT Pope Francis made an unscheduled stop at the Israeli-built barrier that separates the town of Bethlehem from Jerusalem on Sunday, praying against the wall that has come to symbolise Arab-Israeli division. The unexpected gesture in the cradle of Christianity came as the Pope was en route to Manger Square. Ordering his white Pope-mobile to stop, he clambered out and pressed his forehead head against the wall, which Israel began building a decade ago in order to keep suicide bombers from launching attacks on Jerusalem. Palestinians have long regarded it as a symbol of their oppression, and the section that the Pope chose to stop at bore spray-painted graffiti saying “Free Palestine” In another surprise initiative, the Pontiff, who is on a three-day tour of the Middle East, announced efforts to try to revive the Arab-Israeli peace process, which broke down last month. Back in the year 2000 Pope Paul II became the first Pope in history to make an official visit to Israel. He placed a prayer on the Western Wall. Then in 2009 Pope Benedict became the first Pope in history to enter the Dome of the Rock. And now in 2014 another Pope visits Israel and once more places a prayer on the Western Wall and enters Dome of the Rock. These sites are extremely significant. The Western Wall is the last remaining structure of the retaining wall of Temple in Jerusalem. The Dome of the Rock is the actual site not only of the Tabernacle but also where the Most Holy Place was situated. While there Pope Francis called for the 'State of Palestine’ to be created. The Pope invited the president of Israel and president of the Palestinians for a prayer meeting at the Vatican on June 8. He seems determined to intervene in the “peace process”. We know that the “man of sin” will only bring destruction on Israel… COMMENT BIBLE QUOTE (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4)

30. If I shut up heaven that there be no rain, or if I command the locusts to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among my people; If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. Israel solves water woes with desalination Associated Press, May 30, 2014 After experiencing its driest winter on record, Israel is responding as never before — by doing nothing. While previous droughts have been accompanied by impassioned public service advertisements to conserve, this time around it has been greeted with a shrug — thanks in large part to an aggressive desalination program that has transformed this perennially parched land into perhaps the most well-hydrated country in the region. "We have all the water we need, even in the year which was the worst year ever regarding precipitation," said Avraham Tenne, head of the desalination division of Israel's Water Authority. "This is a huge revolution.” By solving its water woes, Israel has created the possibility of transforming the region in ways that were unthinkable just a few years ago. But reliance on this technology also carries some risks, including the danger of leaving a key element of the country's infrastructure vulnerable to attack. EVENT In Deuteronomy 11 we read these words…v 13-17 “If you carefully obey all the commands I am giving you today, and if you love the Lord your God and serve him with all your heart and soul, then he will send the rains in their proper seasons—the early and late rains—so you can bring in your harvests of grain, new wine, and olive oil. He will give you lush pastureland for your livestock, and you yourselves will have all you want to eat. “But be careful. Don’t let your heart be deceived so that you turn away from the Lord and serve and worship other gods. If you do, the Lord’s anger will burn against you. He will shut up the sky and hold back the rain, and the ground will fail to produce its harvests. Then you will quickly die in that good land the Lord is giving you.” So it is God that withholds the rain because of disobedience. Israel has found a way round this but we know that judgement is coming on Israel in the form of an invasion… COMMENT BIBLE QUOTE (2 Chronicles 7:12-13)

31. 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.”The Palestinians (Philistia) are mentioned in verse 7 Palestinian unity government sworn in Daily Telegraph, June 2, 2014 EVENT President Mahmoud Abbas swore in a Palestinian unity government on Monday under a reconciliation deal with Hamas Islamists that led Israel to freeze U.S.-brokered peace talks with the Western-backed leader. Mr Abbas, who heads the mainstream Fatah movement, has said the 17-member cabinet would be comprised of unaffiliated ministers and that it would strive to pursue peace, despite Hamas's refusal to accept co-existence with Israel. Ministers in the new administration took the oath of office in a ceremony in Ramallah, the Palestinian seat of government in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Three ministers from the Hamas-run Gaza Strip were denied entry to the West Bank by Israel. "Today and after announcing the government of national unity we declare the end of division that caused catastrophic harm to our cause," Mr Abbas said. Hamas has run the Gaza Strip since seizing the territory from Fatah in in 2007. For 7 years Hamas has run the Gaza Strip and Fatah have run the West Bank. Hamas was (still is) seen as a terrorist organisation. But suddenly Hamas and Fatah have formed a unity government. Why now? The answer is because the peace process is dead. Fatah have been negotiating peace with Israel via the Americans for years. It has come to nothing. And so with no prospect of peace it was time for the Palestinians to unite. So why would they want to do this? There is only one answer. To prepare for conflict. If peace is dead only conflict remains. The Palestinians will not accept the status quo. Israel has responded to this new government by announcing over 1000 more homes being built in the West Bank. America has condemned this – but is also unable to work closely now with Fatah. We are approaching the time that Psalm 83 details when peoples who live around Israel rise up to try to destroy the Jewish people.. COMMENT BIBLE QUOTE (Psalm 83:2-5 NLT)

32. And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication: and upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. Peres, Abbas to attend Vatican prayer event Sunday Times of Israel, June 6, 2014 EVENT President Shimon Peres will head to the Vatican on Sunday to participate in an interfaith peace prayer event at the invitation of Pope Francis. Francis issued the invitation to Peres and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas during his visit last week to Jordan, Israel, and the Palestinian Authority. According to a statement released by Peres’s spokesperson, Abbas, Peres, and Francis will be joined by Jewish, Christian and Islamic religious leaders. The event will feature readings about peace by the clergy from the Tanach, the New Testament and the Quran. Francis will then read religious verses with Peres and Abbas, which the three will have selected for the ceremony. Israel’s delegation, which the Chief Rabbinate helped to select, will include members of the local Jewish, Druze and Muslim communities. It is because the peace process has failed that the Pope has decided he needs to intervene. It is a desperate attempt to avoid conflict. On his visit to Israel last week Pope Francis invited the heads of Israel and the Palestinians for a prayer meeting at the Vatican. It has become a bigger event with religious leaders from all main faiths attending. The pope said lasting peace would require the "acknowledgement by all of the right of two states to live in peace and security within internationally recognized borders.” This prayer meeting will be an historic event. There cannot have been many times when all faiths have been gathered to the Vatican for prayer about Israel. And who is heading the meeting – the Pope! The word Catholic means “Universal” and this is why Rome sees herself as the “Mother Church”. All other religions are her offspring. The Bible describes the false religion of Rome as a harlot woman with the word “mother” on her head. The prayer meeting may lead to sudden destruction not peace. COMMENT BIBLE QUOTE (Revelation 17:4-5)

33. So I will pour out my wrath against the wall and against those who covered it with whitewash. I will say to you, “The wall is gone and so are those who whitewashed it, those prophets of Israel who prophesied to Jerusalem and saw visions of peace for her when there was no peace, declares the Sovereign Lord.”’ Vatican hosts historic prayer summit for peace CBN, June 10, 2014 Pope Francis welcomed Israeli President Shimon Peres and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas to the Vatican on Sunday in an attempt to broker peace between Israel and the Palestinians. Hosting an evening of prayers for peace in Israel, Peres and Abbas joined the pope over a sunset invocation of Jewish, Christian and Muslim prayers. Francis told both leaders that he hoped the prayer summit would mark “a new journey” toward peace. The Vatican also invited the spiritual leader of the Orthodox Christian church to present a united Christian front in supporting peace in Israel. The pope urged Israel and the Palestinians to open up dialogue and usher in a new era of coexistence. He invoked the memory of children killed by war and conflict between the two sides to instill patience and strength to bring about peace. EVENT he COMMENT There were three men here praying for peace. None of them have the peace in mind that God has for His land and His city Jerusalem. Each of them (for their own personal agenda’s) want Israel and Jerusalem to be divided. That is the peace they are praying for. The Palestinian leader wants Israel divided because he wants his own state. He does not recognise Israel as a Jewish state. The Israeli leader believes that peace with the Palestinians can only be achieved by giving them what they want. Eg half of the land of Israel and half of Jerusalem. The Pope has a slightly different agenda. He too wants Israel and Jerusalem divided but not because he likes the Palestinians. It is because the Vatican has a doctrine that God has cast off Israel. Rome is the new Jerusalem. And for nearly 2000 years it looked to the world as if this were true. The re-establishment of Israel and the uniting of Jerusalem ruined their theory…. BIBLE QUOTE (Ezekiel 13:15-16 NIV)

34. For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty…. And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon. • Israel offers to help Arab nations over Iraq crisis Associated Press, June 26, 2014 Israel offered to help moderate Arab nations threatened by a lightning offensive by Islamic militants in Iraq, as the country's top diplomat met with US Secretary of State John Kerry on Thursday. Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman told Kerry at a meeting in Paris that "the extremists currently operating in Iraq will try to challenge the stability in the entire Gulf region, first of all in Kuwait," a statement from the Israeli minister's office said. "Israel could provide effective and reliable assistance to moderate Arab states who are dealing with extremists," it added, without going into specific details. Just a few days after visiting Iraq, Kerry said it was "important that countries in the region stand together against the threat," according to a senior US official. The conflict also appears to be broadening with Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki confirming Syria's air force struck Sunni militants on the Syrian side of the Iraq-Syria border this week. EVENT We have mentioned before about there being 3 definable conflicts that are coming. The first involves an inner ring of peoples around Israel. It is a conflict involving Hamas, Hezbollah, Syria supported by Iran / Iraq. This conflict does not involve Russia directly. It will be a conflict that Israel will overcome but they will be left greatly weakened. This war will see prophecies fulfilled like Psalm 83 and Isaiah 13, 17 etc. At this point there may well be some peace agreement put in place. But it will be short lived. The vacuum left by the destruction of Syria and Iraq during this war will be immense. Into this void will pour Russia, Iran, Libya, Ethiopia. This is the outer ring of nations war. There may be little time between the two wars. It may all be considered Armageddon. Finally there is a third war – a religious war against Christ and the saints. The woman and beast…. he COMMENT BIBLE QUOTE (Revelation 16:14-16)

35. After many days thou shalt be visited: in the latter years thou shalt come into the land that is brought back from the sword, and is gathered out of many people, against the mountains of Israel, which have been always waste: but it is brought forth out of the nations, and they shall dwell safely all of them. Putin meets Abbas, urges renewal of peace talks Israel National News, June 26, 2014 Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow Wednesday. "We would very much like the peace process to resume. I know there are many difficulties here,” Putin said. Abbas for his part described it as “meeting between two friends," Itar-Tass news agency reported. “Regrettably, the situation in the region is not improving, and I am very happy to have the opportunity to meet with you and talk about how the situation is evolving and outline steps toward normalization,” Russia Today quoted Putin as telling Abbas. Putin told the Palestinian leader Russia was interested in improving relations, saying “This is an addition to the other issues of the regional agenda which is currently a priority for us, and our neighbours, and other countries.”Abbas will seek Russia's help to face the "vicious crackdown" Israel has been waging in the occupied West Bank, the Fatah official added. EVENT COMMENT This event is worth noting. The Palestinian leader went to Moscow this week on a three day visit. According to Russian media, the last time Abbas was in Moscow was at the end of last January. Abbas first visited Russia in an official capacity at the beginning of 2005 and has since then visited Russia eleven times, not including the current trip. So 12 times Abbas has been to Moscow. Every time he has been he has the same message. WE NEED RUSSIA’S HELP. This message has become evermore urgent. America’s attempts at peace have come to nothing. Russia’s influence in the world has become ever greater. We read in Ezekiel 38 of Gog (Putin) being ’visited”. The word literally means to be “sought after” or “called to action”. These “visits” by Abbas are seeking Russia’s support and calling him to action. Russia WILL respond…. BIBLE QUOTE (Ezekiel 38:8)

36. Woe to the multitude of many people, which make a noise like the noise of the seas; and to the rushing of nations, that make a rushing like the rushing of mighty waters! The nations shall rush like the rushing of many waters: but God shall rebuke them, and they shall flee far off, and shall be chased as the chaff of the mountains before the wind, and like a rolling thing before the whirlwind. Sadness, anger and violence explode in Jerusalem Israel National News, July 4, 2014 Anger. This is the feeling pervading Jerusalem at the moment, both East and West. The bodies of Gilad Shaer (16), Naftali Frankel (16), and Eyal Yifrah (19), were found partially buried just outside Hebron last Monday, having been abducted and murdered. The Israeli government are holding Hamas responsible though thus far they have not claimed responsibility. East Jerusalem has exploded in riots and violence following the murder of a 17 year old Arab boy from Beit Hanina in East Jerusalem. It is widely believed that this killing was in retribution for the killing of the three Israeli teenagers, although the possibility of it being a domestic issue or “honour killing” have not been ruled out by police. Meanwhile, southern Israel has been hit by a barrage of rockets in the past week, the majority being intercepted by Israel’s Iron Dome system, but others making direct hits, such as one yesterday which hit a factory, and two hit homes today. EVENT COMMENT Not only have events exploded across the Arab nations in the last few weeks but now we have Israel itself in serious difficulties. Violence has erupted in Jerusalem following the murders of 3 Israeli boys and now the murder of a Palestinian boy. Jerusalem is seething with anger on both sides – Arab and Jew. Last night cars were being stopped and if they were Jewish passengers they were being dragged out and beaten – this is in Jerusalem! The violent attacks also spread Saturday night to Jerusalem’s northern, eastern and southern suburbs. Meanwhile Hamas is busy firing rockets at Israel. Surely with so much out of control in the Middle East we must be nearing some major event. The angels who direct the affairs of men have created a perfect storm - sucking in all nations in the Middle East – Syria, Iraq, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Egypt …and Israel… BIBLE QUOTE (Isaiah 17:12-13)

37. lo, thine enemies make a tumult: and they that hate thee have lifted up the head. They have taken crafty counsel against thy people, They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance. the Philistines [Hamas] with the inhabitants of Tyre [Hezbollah] Hamas fires rockets at Tel Aviv and Jerusalem Daily Telegraph, July 9, 2014 EVENT Militant group Hamas fired rockets at major cities across Israel on Tuesday night in response to an aerial offensive on Gaza, in the group’s deepest ever attack on the country. In what marked the biggest escalation of the conflict between the two since the 2012 war, the military arm of the group claimed to have fired over 140 rockets at targets in the capital Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and Haifa. Residents in the the holy city ran for cover as loud explosions were heard and air-raid sirens sounded, however there were no reports of injuries or damage. Residents, some in just swimwear, were seen running through the city for cover. A tweet from the Israeli military said ‘Confirmed: A rocket fired from Gaza hit Jerusalem.’ Until now, one hit has been identified in an open area near Ramat Raziel, police spokeswoman Luba Samri said. COMMENT This week has seen a dramatic escalation in the conflict between Hamas and Israel. About a month ago the peace process ground to total halt as the 9 month deadline for making peace came to an end with no solution. Following this collapse of the peace process the Palestinian group Fatah that governs Palestinians in the West Bank made a unity deal with Hamas – much to Israel’s dismay. And now, after just a few weeks, hostilities have broken out. Hamas of course calls for the total destruction of Israel. We have been here before. Back in 2012 there was a similar conflict – then before that back in 2007. But this time maybe different. Very different. Egypt on previous occasions has persuaded Hamas to stop the firing of rockets. The trouble is the current leadership in Egypt are busy rounding up and sentencing to death members of the Muslim brotherhood. Hamas is an offshoot of the Muslim brotherhood. So Egypt is not in a position to act as mediator. Psalm 83 might be about to be fulfilled…. BIBLE QUOTE (Psalm 83:2,4,7)

38. But if ye will not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you; then it shall come to pass, that those which ye let remain of them shall be pricks in your eyes, and thorns in your sides, and shall vex you in the land wherein ye dwell. Israel orders preparations for invasion of Gaza Daily Telegraph, July 8, 2014 EVENT Israel is laying preparations for an invasion of Gaza as its latest conflict with Hamas intensifies, it was reported on Tuesday. Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, issued the orders to the Israeli army for a possible ground offensive in a three-hour meeting with defence chiefs, according to Israel's Haaretz newspaper. "The prime minister's instruction by the end of the meeting was to prepare for a thorough, long, continuous and strong campaign in Gaza," a senior Israeli official told Haaretz. "The prime minister instructed the army to be ready to go all in. A ground offensive is on the table.” News of the orders came as Israel escalated its bombardment of Gaza early on Tuesday, hitting 50 targets including several houses in response to a barrage of rocket fire that it blamed on the territory's Hamas rulers. COMMENT Netanyahu is acting cautiously. He does not want to send ground troops into Gaza. It would undoubtedly see Israeli soldier casualties. However, he has said that the ALL rockets being fired at Israel must stop and Israel will continue this war until this occurs. This has set the bar very high and he is now committed to finally removing this thorn in Israel’s side. It seems highly likely that a ground invasion may come at some point. Reporters on Tuesday saw a convoy of 12 vehicles, including tanks and tracked infantry carriers, heading in the direction of Gaza on the route three motorway in Israel. Netanyahu has also said this week that if Israel pulled out of the West Bank this would lead to 30 Gaza’s on Israel eastern border. He is right of course. When Israel pulled out of Gaza in 2005 it bought conflict not peace. Gaza is part of the land that God gave to Israel. We are told this in Exodus 23:31. God makes clear in the verse below the consequences of not holding on to the whole land. Israel should have kept Gaza. BIBLE QUOTE (Numbers 33:55)

39. The fortress also shall cease from Ephraim [Northern Israel], and the kingdom from Damascus, and the remnant of Syria: they shall be as the glory of the children of Israel, saith the LORD of hosts. And in that day it shall come to pass, that the glory of Jacob [Israel] shall be made thin, and the fatness of his flesh shall wax lean. Israel will be greatly weakened • Hostilities surge as rockets from Lebanon strike Israel Washington Times, July 11, 2014 Israel fielded more rocket  fire on Friday ­ but this time, from Lebanon, driving fears that a new set of militants may have jumped aboard the Hamas bandwagon to assault the Jewish nation. A military spokesman from Lebanon said three rockets were fired at Israel in the early morning hours and landed in a northern section of the nation, Fox News reported. Israel, in turn, fired about 25 artillery shells back at Lebanon. Troops with Lebanon’s government then joined with peacekeepers from the United Nations to search the area for signs of who ­ or which group ­ launched the attack, Fox News said. Israeli military spokesman Lt. Col. Peter Lerner said his nation had been half expecting militants from Lebanon to join in the Hamas attack, but that analysts weren’t yet clear if the attack was symbolic or something more substantial, Fox News reported EVENT he COMMENT The conflict between Israel and Hamas has the ability of becoming a far wider confrontation. This week has seen the first rockets launched from Lebanon into Israel. Hezbollah have the same mantra as Hamas – to see the destruction of Israel. Hezbollah are backed by Syria and Iran. It is easy to see how Syria could be dragged into this war as well. Imagine for a moment that things continue to get out of control. On every front Israel could be fighting against incoming rockets – from Lebanon, from Gaza and quite possibly from the Golan border with Syria. Under such a bombardment Israel would lash out with immense ferocity of the like we have not seen yet. Isaiah 17 talks about Israel being greatly weakened in a conflict with Syria that also sees Damascus completely destroyed as a city. This war between Israel and its surrounding neighbours comes BEFORE the Russian invasion. There are 3 stages of war coming. War Pt1 – Israel’s immediate neighbours …War Pt2 – Russia, Iran … War Pt3 – Europe BIBLE QUOTE (Isaiah 17:3-4)

40. Now the Philistines fought against Israel: and the men of Israel fled from before the Philistines, and fell down slain in mount Gilboa…. And the battle went sore against Saul, and the archers hit him; and he was sore wounded of the archers. Saul did not put his trust in God and therefore God allowed the Philistines to beat Israel. Israel orders ground offensive to begin against Hamas Daily Telegraph, July 17, 2014 EVENT Gaza reverberated with explosions tonight and tracer rounds streaked across the shore as Israel launched a long-feared ground invasion of the Palestinian territory. After the deaths of 236 Palestinians and one Israeli, Operation Protective Edge escalated into a ground campaign on its tenth day. Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, said the mission was to destroy underground tunnels from Gaza into Israel. "Operation Protective Edge will continue until it achieves its objective – to restore quiet and safety to Israelis for a long time to come, while significantly harming the infrastructure of Hamas and other terrorist groups in the Gaza Strip," the Israeli government said in a statement. COMMENT After 10 days of conflict Israel finally decided this week to launch a ground invasion of Gaza. The first time in 5 years. But this is a dangerous step for Israel. Already one solider has been killed. The real difficulty Israel has is that Hamas has buried its core infrastructure deep under the crowded city of Gaza itself. Israel expected Hamas to be deterred and seek a peace agreement as it saw the colossal damage on its buildings. But Hamas couldn’t care less about buildings. A cheque for £25m from Iran and they could rebuild them all in a year. Israel is moving very slowly into Gaza hoping that it will give Hamas time to come to their senses. But Hamas are driven by extreme ideology. They want Israel to be destroyed. Their aim is to get world opinion to turn against Israel by provoking a reaction. The Palestinians occupy the very same land as the ancient Palestinians. The Palestinians were a thorn in the side to ancient Israel. In the readings this week we read about the conflict in ancient times between these two peoples. BIBLE QUOTE (1 Samuel 31:1+3)

41. Don’t you see that your arrogant enemies are rising up? Come,” they say, “let us wipe out Israel as a nation. We will destroy the very memory of its existence.” Yes, this was their unanimous decision. They signed a treaty as allies against you—Edomites and Ishmaelites; Moabites and Hagrites; Gebalites, Ammonites, and Amalekites; and people from Philistia and Tyre Gaza deaths top 300 as UN's Ban head to region Daily Telegraph, July 19, 2014 EVENT Fresh Israeli air strikes killed 10 people in Gaza on Saturday, hiking the death toll above 300 as UN chief Ban Ki-moon headed to the region to bolster truce efforts. The new peace push came as Israel's campaign against the besieged Palestinian territory entered day 12 in the bloodiest conflict for several years, and the Jewish state stood poised to intensify a ground operation inside the Strip. US President Barack Obama has supported Israel's right to defend itself against Gaza rocket fire, but urged it to work harder to avoid innocent deaths in an operation with a high civilian toll, including many women and children. In the face of Israel's land, sea and air offensive, Islamist movement Hamas, which is the main power in Gaza, has remained defiant as Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas travelled to Egypt and Turkey for truce talks. COMMENT Ban Ki-moon the UN chief is heading to the Middle East to desperately try and get a ceasefire between Israel and the Palestinians. The trouble with the current situation is that there is no one able to really influence Hamas and no one really willing to push Israel. Egypt in past conflicts has played a key role. But following the revolutions in Egypt over the last few years everything has changed. The Muslim Brotherhood were voted into power following the fall of Hosni Mubarak. The Muslim Brotherhood were affiliated to Hamas. But then there was another revolution and the military removed the Muslim Brotherhood from power. Since then members of the Muslim Brotherhood have been jailed or even sentenced to death. So the current Egyptian government is in effect persecuting the friends of Hamas! So how can Egypt negotiate a ceasefire? Answer is - they can’t. So how will this conflict be brought to a conclusion? There is a possibility it will continue to spiral out of control – sucking in Hezbollah and Syria in the process… BIBLE QUOTE (Psalm 83:3-7)

42. Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King. God is known in her palaces for a refuge. For, lo, the kings were assembled, they passed by together. They saw it, and so they marvelled; they were troubled, and hasted away. Fear took hold upon them there, and pain, as of a woman in travail. • Oil price remains high on global turmoil Associated Press, July 18, 2014 Concern that conflicts and rising tensions in the Ukraine and the Middle East could disrupt supplies sent oil prices higher this week. "Developments during the past couple of days have added to a long list of geopolitical hot spots," wrote energy analyst Jim Ritterbusch in a note to clients, which he says "will force the oil complex to maintain significant amount of risk premium.” The Obama Administration announced increased sanctions on Russia Wednesday, including against Russia's largest oil company, over Russia's support of rebels in Ukraine. Then a Malaysian Airlines passenger plane was shot down over Ukraine Thursday, raising concerns that a wider conflict or further sanctions could disrupt supplies from Russia, the world's biggest crude exporter outside of OPEC. And later Thursday Israel launched a ground offensive into Gaza, intensifying turmoil in the Middle East, the world's most important oil-producing region.. EVENT This article by the Associated Press says it all. What an incredible week of events. Over the last few weeks we have gone from Iraq being headline news with ISIS and the new Islamic State. Then to Israel and the sudden conflict with Hamas. Then to Ukraine sanctions from America. Then a shooting down of a passenger jet. Then to threats of more sanctions against Russia. Then back to Israel with a ground invasion. Then to ISIS taking over parts of northern Syria! We are surely seeing the contractions coming ever thicker and faster. There is crisis now in Europe, Iraq, Syria, Israel. Russia is becoming ever more aggressive and America ever more uncertain as to how to respond. It cannot be long now before all these events reach their long awaited conclusion. The final judgement of the world and the return of Jesus Christ to the earth…. COMMENT BIBLE QUOTE (Psalm 48:2-6)

43. By little and little I will drive them out from before thee, until thou be increased, and inherit the land. And I will set thy bounds from the Red sea even unto the sea of the Philistines, and from the desert unto the river: for I will deliver the inhabitants of the land into your hand; and thou shalt drive them out before thee. Israel’s land included up to the sea of the Philistines (Gaza) Israel-Gaza conflict: Hamas calls for 'third intifada' after violent riots in Jerusalem and West Bank Daily Telegraph, July 25, 2014 EVENT Hamas leaders, both in Gaza and abroad, have called for the start of the third intifada - or Palestinian uprising - after violent riots with live fire erupted throughout Jerusalem and the West Bank last night. Violence flared up as thousands of Palestinians took to the streets, rioting and protesting Israel’s actions in Gaza. Approximately 10,000 people marched from Ramallah to Jerusalem, where they clashed with Israeli police. There have been more or less constant riots in Jerusalem and the West Bank following the kidnapping and murder of the Palestinian teenager Mohammed Abu Khdair by Jewish extremists last month. The circumstances of the current uprisings bear considerable similarity to the riots that pre-empted the start of the first intifada in the late 1980s.In Gaza, over 800 people have been killed, and many thousands have been injured, displaced and rendered homeless since the beginning of the violence over three weeks ago. COMMENT The conflict between Hamas and Israel continues. There was failure on Friday to agree a ceasefire. The best that could be cobbled together was a 12 hour humanitarian truce. Hamas continue to tell people not to leave before Israel strikes. Israel continues to warn people that strikes are coming. The Gaza Strip is definitely part of the land that God has given to Israel. God has warned that if the whole land is not under Israel’s control that “thorns in their side” would develop. See Numbers 33:55! Gaza has become a massive thorn in Israel’s side since it withdrew back in 2005. Proof that the Bible is true. So where does the Palestinian uprising fit in with the gathering of nations to Jerusalem? There are 3 stages to the final judgement. Stage 1 is conflict with Israel’s immediate neighbours. Eg Hamas, Hezbollah, Syria. Stage 2 is Russia & co. Stage 3 EU / Rome. BIBLE QUOTE (Exodus 23:30)

44. And the LORD shall scatter thee among all people, from the one end of the earth even unto the other; …among these nations shalt thou find no ease, neither shall the sole of thy foot have rest: but the LORD shall give thee there a trembling heart, and failing of eyes, and sorrow of mind: And thy life shall hang in doubt before thee; and thou shalt fear day and night, ‘Gas the Jews!’: European anti-Semitism during the Gaza crisis VOX News, July 21, 2014 EVENT Since the outbreak of fighting between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, there's been a wave of street-level demonstrations rallying against the war. These protestors are generally highly critical of Israel and blame it for the current round of violence, but the vast majority want an end to the violence and are demanding it peacefully. But the peaceful demonstrators are not alone in turning out to the streets over the Israel-Gaza conflict. A small-but-disturbing fraction of the international anger over the war has escalated into outright anti-Semitism: shouting "gas the Jews!" during protests in Germany, attacking synagogues in France, and beating a rabbi in Morocco. These attacks are not new: they come at time when anti-Semitic incidents around the world are worryingly on the rise COMMENT This week the Israeli ambassador to Germany, Yakov Hadas-Handelsman, said that it was as if we were back in 1938. In France it is even worse. France has the third-largest Jewish population in the world. Eight synagogues in France have been targeted in the past week. Pro-Palestinian protesters in the French capital clashed with police, targeting Jewish shops, It’s got so bad that French authorities have banned protests in Paris. In Germany some protests have been chanting “Gas the Jews”. It's worth noting that German anti-Semitism isn't confined to a lunatic fringe. A sophisticated analysis of anti-Semitic hate mail sent to the Central Council from 2002 to 2012, much of which was Israel-related, found that 60 percent of the mail originated with "well-educated Germans, including university professors." Only three percent came from the right-wing fringe. The Bible speaks of Israel finding no ease in the nations it was scattered into. God says they will live in fear of their lives. Anti-Semitism is a sign we are near the end. BIBLE QUOTE (Psalm 83:3-7)

45. I will make Jerusalem like an intoxicating drink that makes the nearby nations stagger when they send their armies to besiege Jerusalem and Judah out before thee…..They [Israel] will burn up all the neighboring nations right and left This chapter is about the first stage – Israel’s immediate neighbours war against Israel. Psalm 83 details those nations… Israel poised to escalate Gaza offensive after kidnap Daily Telegraph, August 1, 2014 EVENT Israel was poised to dramatically escalate its military offensive in Gaza on Friday night after one of its soldiers was kidnapped in a shoot-out with militants, shattering a fragile ceasefire and once again dashing hopes of an imminent end to the bloody conflict. Second Lieutenant Hadar Goldin, 23, who spent part of his childhood in Britain, was reportedly seized after being attacked by militants – one of whom wore a suicide belt – who emerged from a tunnel in the southern Gazan town of Rafah. Two other soldiers were killed in the incident, which Israel said happened before 9.30am local time, less than an hour-and-half after the start of a 72-hour ceasefire, brokered by the US and the UN in the hope of paving the way towards a lasting truce. Overnight Hamas claimed it had no clear indication on the whereabouts of the abducted Israeli soldier, adding he may have been killed during an ambush. A statement by the group said it had no contact with militants who were in the area. COMMENT It took the combined efforts of America and the UN to persuade Israel and Hamas to put in place a 3 day humanitarian cease-fire. The 3 day cease fire came to an end within 3 hours. Hamas launched an attack on Israel killing two soldiers and abducting another. President Obama has called on Hamas to return the captured soldier, Lt Goldin, without delay and without conditions. Both Lt Goldin’s grandfathers were Holocaust survivors who participated in Israel's War of Independence in 1948. Israel will not stop until he is rescued. The Bible speaks about conflict with Israel’s immediate neighbours which must include the Palestinians. In Zechariah 12 we read of “nearby nations” sending their armies to besiege Jerusalem. We also read in v 6 that the “neighbouring nations” will be burned up. Zechariah 12 is stage 1 of the final battle. BIBLE QUOTE (Zechariah 12:2+6 NLT)

46. the Israelites again did evil in the Lord’s sight. So the Lord turned them over to King Jabin of Hazor, a Canaanite king. The commander of his army was Sisera, who lived in Harosheth-haggoyim. Sisera, who had 900 iron chariots, ruthlessly oppressed the Israelites for twenty years. Then the people of Israel cried out to the Lord for help. See also Psalm 83:9 Gaza conflict: Israel calls up 16,000 more reservists Daily Telegraph, July 31, 2014 EVENT Israel mobilised 16,000 additional reservists on Thursday to bolster its forces waging military operations in the Gaza Strip that left more than 100 Palestinians dead in a day. The call-up came after Washington announced it had agreed to restock Israel's dwindling supplies of ammunition despite its sharp condemnation of an attack on a United Nations school in Gaza blamed on Israel's army. "The army has issued 16,000 additional mobilisation orders to allow troops on the ground to rest, which takes the total number of reservists to 86,000," an army spokeswoman said. Israel's security cabinet, which met for five hours Wednesday, unanimously decided to pursue attacks against Hamas "terrorist targets" and other operations to destroy a network of tunnels used by the Islamist movement between Gaza and Israel, public radio said. COMMENT Israel appears determined this time to remove the threat of Hamas. Hamas came into being in 1987. It was not until 1994 that Hamas carried out its first suicide bombing against Israeli civilians in Israel. 20 years later the same group is still a thorn in the side of Israel. But the Bible makes clear that the thorn will be removed. But only after Israel suffers at their hand. Psalm 83 speaks of the Palestinians making a tumult and creating a confederacy to destroy Israel. Asaph who writes this prophecy asks for God to destroy these enemies of Israel like SISERA and JABIN. Jabin was king of the Canaanites and Sisera was his military commander. They are mentioned in Judges 4. Because of Israel’s godlessness God handed Israel over to the Canaanites. They oppressed them ruthlessly for 20 years. But at the end of that time Israel cried to the Lord. God heard their cry. Sisera was killed with a tent peg through his head. Jabin was destroyed. After 20 years we may be nearing the time when Hamas is destroyed…. BIBLE QUOTE (Judges 4:1-3)

47. Behold, I am against thee, O Zidon; ..For I will send into her pestilence, and blood into her streets; …; and they shall know that I am the LORD. And there shall be no more a pricking brier unto the house of Israel, nor any grieving thorn of all that are round about them, that despised them; and they shall know that I am the Lord GOD. Zidon is stronghold of Hezbollah • Be ready for ‘prolonged' Gaza war, Netanyahu says Associated Press, July 29, 2014 Signaling an escalation of Israel's Gaza operation, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told Israelis Monday to be ready for a "prolonged" war, and the military warned Palestinians in three large neighborhoods to leave their homes and head immediately for Gaza City. In central Gaza City early Tuesday, at least two major explosions hit a media complex housing the offices of Hamas-run Al Aqsa television and radio. The blasts shook surrounding buildings and started a fire on the roof of the office block, one of Gaza's tallest. Israel says its troops will not leave Gaza until they have demolished scores of Hamas military tunnels under the Gaza-Israel border that militants use to infiltrate Israel and smuggle weapons. Hamas says it will not cease fire until it receives international guarantees Gaza's 7-year-old border blockade by Egypt and Israel will be lifted. EVENT COMMENT This is already the longest war that Israel has fought since the opening war when Israel was established in 1948. But the prime minister of Israel has said this week to be ready for a prolonged war. So even this long war is not going to be over anytime soon. Whether it is this war or not one thing is certain. For Psalm 83 and Zechariah 12 to be fulfilled it requires far more nations and people to be involved. At the moment it purely involves Palestinians in Gaza. But Zechariah 12 speaks of neighbouring nations / heathen people. In Psalm 83 we have areas of Lebanon involved, parts of Syria, people living in Jordan and even people of Amalek who once lived within the actual borders of the current borders of Israel. So could this conflict escalate to involve many other people? Yes... The Bible says it will happen. However Israel WINS this war. It is greatly weakened in the process but victorious. But it is just part 1 of the final conflict… he BIBLE QUOTE (Ezekiel 28:21-24)

48. I will make Jerusalem like an intoxicating drink that makes the nearby nations stagger when they send their armies to besiege Jerusalem and Judah out before thee…..They [Israel] will burn up all the neighboring nations right and left This chapter is about the first stage – Israel’s immediate neighbours war against Israel. Psalm 83 details those nations… Israel, Hamas resume fire after 3-day Gaza truce Associated Press, August 8, 2014 EVENT Gaza militants resumed rocket attacks on Israel on Friday, refusing to extend a three-day truce after Egyptian-brokered talks between Israel and Hamas on a new border deal for blockaded Gaza hit a deadlock. Israel responded with a series of airstrikes that killed at least five Palestinians, including three children, Palestinian officials said. Two Israelis were wounded by rocket fire, police said. The renewed violence threw the Cairo talks on a broader deal into doubt. Hamas officials said they are ready to continue talks, but Israel's government spokesman said Israel will not negotiate under fire. Egypt's Foreign Ministry expressed "extreme regret" over the failure to extend the truce, urged restraint by both sides and called for a new cease-fire to resume negotiations. The ministry said progress had been made in the talks, but did not explain. There was just 72 hours of quiet this week during the cease-fire. But Hamas is pushing for some major changes before it gives in to a permanent solution. Hamas wants Israel to open Gaza's borders, following a seven-year closure also enforced by Egypt, but Israel says it will only do so if the Islamic militants disarm or are prevented from re-arming. Hamas has insisted it will never give up its weapons. So we have stalemate. More rockets, more missiles, more death. Where will it end? Well the Bible makes clear there is a war between Israel and some of the people that live round about it. These people mentioned in Psalm 83 include Philistines (Palestinians), people living in Tyre (Hezbollah), people living in tents in Edom (Palestinian refugees living in Jordan), Assyria (the new Islamic State), the Amalekites (people anti Israel living in Israel itself) and so on. The first war against Jerusalem is detailed in Zechariah 12. The second stage is detailed in Zechariah 14. To read more about this please CLICK HERE… COMMENT BIBLE QUOTE (Zechariah 12:2+6 NLT)

49. Woe to the rebellious children, saith the LORD, that take counsel, but not of me; and that cover with a covering, but not of my spirit, that they may add sin to sin: That walk to go down into Egypt, and have not asked at my mouth; to strengthen themselves in the strength of Pharaoh, and to trust in the shadow of Egypt! Gaza truce holding - 10,000 Israelis protest in Tel Aviv Daily Telegraph, August 15, 2014 EVENT A fragile ceasefire extension between Hamas and Israel entered its second day Friday as the two sides in the Gaza conflict ponder Egyptian-mediated efforts to secure a lasting peace. Egyptian mediators brokered the five-day extension to an existing truce to allow for further negotiations on a long-term ceasefire to fighting that has killed 1,962 Palestinians and 67 people on the Israeli side since July 8. The calm held throughout Thursday, after a flurry of Hamas rocket attacks and Israeli air strikes the previous night, even if great uncertainty persists on both sides about the future. Around 10,000 Israelis poured into Rabin Square in Tel Aviv late Thursday, police said, calling on the government and the army to end Palestinian rocket attacks from Gaza once and for all. The fighting may have paused but no one seriously believes it is over. As if to show they were undimmed and still ready to fight, Hamas launched several rockets just as the one truce deadline finished. Many in Israel are confused and angry over Israel’s governments handling of this. The protestors in Tel Aviv want Israel to once and for all stop Hamas’s capability of firing rockets at them. It is remarkable that these truce’s are being brokered in Egypt. Egypt was of course where Israel originally was taken out of - to be taken by God to the promised land – Israel. Thousands of years later they are back in Egypt trying to negotiate with Palestinians who are the exact equivalent of the ancient Philistines who were once also a massive thorn in Israel’s side. But Israel should NOT be going back to Egypt to try and sort this out. As Isaiah says below… seeking Egypt’s counsel will fail. It is seen as rebellion by God – Israel should be trusting and turning to Him… COMMENT BIBLE QUOTE (Isaiah 30:1-2)

50. 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….They will burn up all the neighboring nations right and left, while the people living in Jerusalem remain secure. Iran arming terrorists in Judea and Samaria Israel National News, August 29, 2014 Iranian military leaders have openly boasted that they have begun to send weapons to Palestinian Arab terrorists in Judea and Samaria and elsewhere in the region, the Washington Free Beacon reported Thursday. The report quoted a top Iranian military commander who confirmed that weapon shipments to Judea and Samaria have already begun and that more will be sent to other “Palestinian resistance groups.” “Arming the West Bank has started and weapons will be supplied to the people of this region,” Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Naqdi, the commander of Iran’s volunteer Basij force, told the state-run Fars news agency on Wednesday. The announcement was made after weeks of inflammatory statements from Iranian leaders threatening war on Israel and promising to rearm groups such as Hamas so that they can continue their war on the Jewish state. EVENT COMMENT There is a temporary truce between Hamas and Israel. The fighting lasted 50 days but despite Israel announcing a victory it is clear Hamas is intact and ready to continue the war. We know for certain that the war will continue. Possibly very soon. As in a boxing match both sides want time to recover and rethink strategy. But will they reengage the fight? – of course. There are more talks set and Hamas has a list of demands. Meanwhile Iran is busy restocking Hamas’s depleted rockets as well as arming factions in the West Bank. Up to the last minute, Hamas kept up heavy rocket and mortar fire, causing two Israeli deaths and injuring seven people, three seriously, in an Eshkol District kibbutz. We know with Bible in hand that there will be conflict between Israel and Hamas, Hezbollah etc. We know that Israel will suffer greatly in this conflict but will utterly defeat their immediate neighbours. Into the vacuum left will pour Russia and co.. he BIBLE QUOTE (Zechariah 12:2-3,6 NLT)