The situation in the Middle East is becoming more tense by the day. Last weekend two rockets were launched from within the Gaza Strip headed for Tel Aviv, the largest city within Israel. According to reports, Israel's Iron Dome defense system destroyed one of the incoming rockets, while the second landed harmlessly in a field. Residents living in Tel Aviv heard the sirens and headed for the nearest shelters. Having traveled through Tel Aviv on numerous occasions, I can only begin to imagine the confusion and chaos those sirens created.
Within hours of their launching, Israel's IDF retaliated striking over 100 targets associated with Hamas within the Gaza Strip. Later it was revealed that the two rockets launched from within the Gaza Strip had been fired in err. One might have thought that the leadership of Hamas would have been more careful, knowing the retaliatory impact of Israel.
To Israel's north more tunnels created by Hezbollah have been found. Recently the leadership of Hezbollah has stated that they now possess rockets that can strike any city within Israel, including both Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. Where did they get those rockets? you might ask. They are a gift from the people of Iran who have as a stated goal the complete destruction of the nation of Israel. As the Syrian Civil War appears to be in its waning days, it is clear that President Assad will be remaining in power. That means that he will retain his support base from Moscow and Tehran. Of course this will keep Israel on a high state of alert in the Golan Heights.
Meanwhile, the nation of Israel is in the midst of a national campaign to determine which political party will retain power following the April 9 elections. To further complicate the process, it appears that Prime Minister Netanyahu will be indicted for fraud and conspiracy charges. What will such an indictment have upon the Israeli voters on April 9? Could there be a changing of the political guard in Israel? If so, what will that look like?
Following the April 9 elections, it appears that President Trump will introduce his "Deal of the Century" that will bring peace in the Middle East. Much is unknown of this plan although some portions have been leaked to the press. One such leak has to do with the Temple Mount and the change from a Jordanian authority to a Saudi Arabian authority over the Temple Mount. Personally I wonder what impact this would have upon the Jewish access to the Temple Mount site. Would the Saudi's grant Israel the right to build the third temple upon the Temple Mount? Would the Jewish leaders build a temple next to the Dome of the Rock? These are some of the many questions that would be reflected upon. Another leak involved the separation of the Old City into two halves. Again, having walked through the streets and alleys of the Old City many times and discovering how one quarter leads to another, I wonder how such a division would work.
Let me be honest with you all. I do not believe that there will be any peace-accord in the Middle East until the end of the age. I read in Daniel 9:26-27 about a leader who is coming who will sign a peace agreement with the people of Israel. This agreement will be the commencement of that period of time we know as the Tribulation. That leader who will initiate this peace agreement will be the Antichrist. Is President Trump's "Deal of the Century" that peace accord? Probably not, but it might be the forerunner of such an accord.
Anyway, I believe the world is literally rushing toward that one-world government. The clamor among the political candidates in America is toward a progressive-socialistic government where the bureaucracy dictates what people earn. There is no lack to their imagination as to how to spend other people's money: from free college tuition to a guaranteed job to free medical care. Yet none of those things is truly free; someone has to pay for them. There is an increased dialogue about implanting infrared digital chips in humans as a way to manage buying and selling. John describes something very similar in Revelation 13. Could those chips be the mark of the beast? Interesting comparisons you have to admit. I am preaching this Sunday on the discussion Jesus had with His disciples in answer to their question of how the world would end. As I read and studied it was almost as if Jesus was peering into the 21st century. The accuracy is electric. Yes, the end is not far distant.
These are days in which we need to keep our eyes focused upon the truths within the Word of God and also focused upon those things happening within our world. The former will explain the significance of the later for us. And we need to keep our ears attuned to the sounding of the trumpet. In addition, we need to be busy working as the hands and feet of Jesus to help others to know the grace and love Jesus has for them. Yes, the Kingdom is coming.
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