For all my long-time readers, feel free to skip this paragraph - it's a catch-up. But, if you're a new reader here (and given the numbers over the past few weeks, you very well might be), it would probably be helpful to see some background on where I'm coming from. I'm a big fan of Joel C. Rosenberg, who has written extensively (both fiction and non-fiction) about Israel as the 'epicenter' of the Middle East and the world (see my book recommendations on the right sidebar of this blog). He believes, as do others like Dr. David Jeremiah, that the Bible predicts the next world war will take place between Israel and a coalition of Arab nations led by Russia and Iran, and that it's coming in the near future. In recent years, we've seen a developing relationship between Russia and Iran (which has historically never before existed), and we know that Iran is pursuing nuclear weapons, possibly just months away from succeeding. With the election of a definite right-leaning government in Israel's last election, we see an increased likelihood of Israel deciding that Iran represents an existential threat, and launching a preemptive strike, thus triggering a war. We have also seen, with the incoming Obama administration, a rapidly increasing distance between the U.S. and our long-time ally. His administration is full of avowed Israel haters, and his policies toward Israel have been lukewarm at best, sometimes even hostile, and Israel knows it. The Biblical interpretation of this coming war specifically states that Israel will be on its own, and there are no mentions of a superpower to the West. It is not clear why the U.S. won't be involved, but whether the U.S. gets nuked by terrorists, falls into economic depression, or simply sits out the war, there are any number of scenarios that are easily explainable with current events. I know not everyone believes the Bible, and not all Christians believe this interpretation of the Bible, but regardless of your background I believe it's something we should all keep an eye on if we're to be intellectually honest about the world around us. So, I try to keep tabs on the situation around Israel and pass along what's going on to you. Here's another update.
Back in January, I posted this from Rosenberg:
The prophecy requires that: A) Israel is reborn as a nation (which happened in 1948); B) Jews are returning to the Holy Land after centuries of exile (this has been happening since the end of the 19th century); and C) Israelis are finally "living securely in the land" — meaning Israelis may not have true, lasting formal peace with all of its neighbors, but Israeli citizens feel more safe and more comfortable and relaxed than ever before. Most Israelis actually already feel this way today, except for those along the Gaza border. Despite all the wars and rumors of wars in the region, the vast majority of Israelis are going to the malls, going to the movies, going to the beaches, going about their daily lives feeling that the Jewish State is more stable and secure today than at any time in the past sixty years.And:
The prophecies found in Ezekiel 38-39 further tell us that Russia (Magog), Iran (Persia), Libya (Put), and Turkey (Gomer) will all form alliances together, before eventually trying to attack Israel from the North. To come from the North, they need to come through Syria and Lebanon, which means either Syria and Lebanon are active members of the coalition against Israel, or they have been overrun by military forces of the Russian-Iranian alliance. Again, I describe all this in detail in Epicenter, but it's worth considering the following headlines in recent days:Now, what's one of the most common reasons for going to war? Economic reasons, right? Similarly, one reason that Israel may get that secure and peaceful feeling would be increasing wealth, right? Not only is there a whole lotta' Israel hatred out there, but we now see this on the economic front:
- Russia to complete Iran's Bushehr nuclear power plant in 2009
- Iran president says Israeli leaders face 'doomed end'
- Iran's Ahmadinejad demands trial of Israeli leaders for "war crimes"
- High-level Iranian cleric calls for shooting Israeli Foreign Minister
- Russia plans navy bases in Libya, Syria
- Russian navy eyes Tartous, Syria as base for Black Sea Fleet
- Russia's Gazprom increases oil holdings in Libya
- Recent Attempts to Form Strategic Regional Bloc: Syria, Turkey and Iran
- Turkey wants Israel barred from the U.N.
- Osama Bin Laden urges Jihad against Israel
- Anti-Israel mood prevails at summit
For me, it still remains too early to draw any definitive conclusions about what all this means. But it is worth noting that clearly several of the key countries that Ezekiel says will form alliances together — and against Israel — are, in fact, currently forming closer and closer ties, even as a wave of profound anti-Israel sentiment is rising throughout the region.
It's just been announced that the massive natural gas discovery made earlier this year off the coast of Haifa is actually 16% larger than thought just a month ago. And last month's assessment is 30% higher than the original estimate made in January. According to Nobel Energy, Inc. — a major partner in the exploration and drilling effort — it turns out there are an estimated 207 billion cubic meters of natural gas out there, not 178 billion.
Just connecting the dots here, and this particular dot meets requirements on both sides of the coin.
In other news, Iran is now ratcheting up their war rhetoric even more:
Iran's Supreme Leader, the Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, called on Muslims in neighboring countries this week to intensify preparations for the coming of the Islamic Messiah known as the Mahdi or the "Twelfth Imam." He specifically urged Muslims to mobilize forces to defeat the United States and Israel.
And, in the fulfillment of yet another Biblical prophecy, the ancient city of Babylon is being rebuilt:
Regular readers of this weblog and my books know that Bible prophecy says the ancient city of Babylon, Iraq will be rebuilt and become the greatest center of wealth, commerce and power in the "last days" of history. The books of Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel and Revelation are explicit on this subject. Skeptics and cynics abound, to be sure, but the fact is Babylon is being rebuilt right now, in part with U.S. taxpayer funds. Iraqi leaders hope that eventually millions of tourists will come to visit, and real progress is being made. Consider today's edition of Stars & Stripes, a U.S. military publication. They have a fascinating story this morning headlined: "U.S., Iraqi experts developing plan to preserve Babylon, build local tourism industry."
Barack Obama is continuing to do what he can to push away Israel:
Several sources have informed One Jerusalem that the Obama Administration is planning to significantly step up the pressure on Israel by announcing a comprehensive plan for Israel and the Palestinians at the opening of the United Nations General in September.
Picture this: The anti-Israel nations of the world surrounding President Obama as he demands that Israel give up sovereignty over Jerusalem, abandon settlements, and recognize a terrorist state on the West Bank.If this happens, Israel will be isolated from the rest of world in a very dramatic manner.
If you're skeptical, that's fine. I encourage you to look deeply into this subject and do some reading before reaching your final conclusion. All I'm going to say for certain is that there are a scary high number of these prophetic indicators happening right in front of us, enough that any rational person should think twice about what they mean.
Biblical prophecy notwithstanding, these events will affect America through oil prices, war, and who knows what other ways. This is something I would encourage everyone to keep in mind as they watch current events. In the context of the Bible, though, these events have much greater -- eternal, one might say -- consequences.
Either way, pay attention.
There's my two cents.
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