Israel 2014 Analysis Israel Palestinians face hard

Israel 2014

Analysis: Israel, Palestinians face hard choices Associated Press, January 1, 2014 EVENT 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. COMMENT 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…. BIBLE QUOTE 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. (Micah 3: 12) “Ariel” is a name for Jerusalem. “Sharon” means a plain or a field.

'King of Israel, ' Ariel Sharon, Dead at 85 News. Max, January 11, 2014 EVENT 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 11 th 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. 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 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 was undoubtedly with him in these victories. But in his old age Ariel Sharon trod a different path…. (Ezekiel 11: 17)

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. COMMENT 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 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. . BIBLE QUOTE 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…. (2 Chronicles 13: 5)

Prime minister plans to draw 'the final shape of Israel' Daily Telegraph, November 27, 2005 EVENT 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 18 ft 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. 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 3 pm on January 4 th 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 11 th January 2014. Coincidence? Read on…. BIBLE QUOTE 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. (Ezekiel 13: 10)

Israeli-Palestinian peace talks at crunch time Washington Post, January 2, 2014 EVENT 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 10 th visit to Israel as the United States’ top diplomat. He arrived as news spread that former Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon is near death. 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 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, (Micah 3: 12)

The Rabbi, the Note and the Messiah Israel Today, April 7, 2007 EVENT COMMENT BIBLE QUOTE 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. 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…. Woe 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. (Isaiah 29: 1 -2 -10)

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. COMMENT 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…. BIBLE QUOTE 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 (2 Peter 3: 6 -7) repentance.

Palestinian leader turns to Putin for Palestinian state Debkafile, January 24, 2014 EVENT COMMENT BIBLE QUOTE 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. 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… 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. (Ezekiel 13: 1, 10 -11)

Russia preparing to develop Gaza gas field AFP, January 23, 2014 EVENT 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. COMMENT 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…. BIBLE QUOTE 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; (Ezekiel 38: 10 -12)

Israeli jets suspected of attacking Syrian missile store Daily Telegraph, January 27, 2014 EVENT 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. COMMENT 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. . BIBLE QUOTE 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 (Isaiah 17: 3 -4 NLT)

Is Netanyahu about to make “painful concessions” Joel Rosenberg Blog, January 31, 2014 EVENT 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. COMMENT 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… BIBLE QUOTE 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. (Joel 3: 1 -2)

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. COMMENT 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! BIBLE QUOTE 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. (Ezekiel 38: 11)

‘Kerry has declared a war on God, ’ write rabbis Jerusalem Post, February 5, 2014 EVENT 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 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. ” COMMENT 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… BIBLE QUOTE 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. (Isaiah 9: 16 -17 NLT)

Report: Vatican pushing for control of Zion Mount Israel National News, February 19, 2014 EVENT COMMENT BIBLE QUOTE 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. 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…. 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 mount Moriah (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 (Zechariah 14: 4)

US has coerced Israel into 'terrible peace deal' Daily Telegraph, February 26, 2014 EVENT COMMENT BIBLE QUOTE 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 29 th. 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… 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. (1 Thessalonians 5: 3 RSV)

Obama: Netanyahu must make 'tough decisions' BBConline, March 4, 2014 EVENT COMMENT BIBLE QUOTE 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. " 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 29 th April. Obama is telling the Israeli prime minister that if he doesn’t agree 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. The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof; because they have transgressed the laws, (Isaiah 24: 5) 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 (Genesis 17: 7 -8) thee, and to thy seed after thee, …, all the land of Canaan [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. COMMENT 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). BIBLE QUOTE 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) (Ezekiel 38: 5) We see Iran and Cush (Sudan) working together against 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 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 (Ezekiel 34: 13) of Israel

Senior minister says Israel can’t rely on US Jerusalem Post, March 20, 2014 EVENT 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. ” COMMENT 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 is being persuaded to give up land 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… BIBLE QUOTE 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? (Ezekiel 38: 13)

Palestinians won’t recognize Israel as Jewish State Free Beacon, March 26, 2014 EVENT 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. COMMENT On April 29 th 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 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. (Zechariah 12: 3)

Donetsk leaflet: Jews must register or face deportation Daily Telegraph, April 18, 2014 EVENT COMMENT BIBLE QUOTE 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. 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 “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! (Ezekiel 38: 10 -11 NLT) These are thoughts of Gog (Putin) the anti Semite

Israel police disperse riot at Jerusalem Holy Site USA Today, April 16, 2014 EVENT 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. COMMENT Tension is building in Israel. The peace talks are due to end on the 29 th 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 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. (1 Thess 5: 1 -3)

Israel to miss out on Blood Moon phenomenon Israel Today, April 13, 2014 EVENT 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. COMMENT 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 8 th 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…. BIBLE QUOTE 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. (Acts 2: 19 -21)

Israeli families gather for ritual Passover meal ABC News, April 14, 2014 EVENT 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. COMMENT 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’t be 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 3 rd cup of the Seder (Passover order of service) instituted by the Jews. Jesus was following the Seder at the last supper. The final 4 th cup will not be taken until Christ returns. To listen to a talk on this CLICK HERE BIBLE QUOTE 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 (Luke 22: 11 -15) Christ by taking the THIRD cup. Why? Listen to the talk to find out…

Israel suspends peace talks with Palestinians USA Today, April 25, 2014 EVENT 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. ” 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 29 th 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 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 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 (John 16: 19 -21 NLT) new baby into the world.

John Kerry warns Israel could become apartheid state Daily Telegraph, April 28, 2014 EVENT 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. ” 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 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 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 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: (Jeremiah 23: 5 -6)

Israel celebrates 66 years of Independence Jerusalem Post, May 7, 2014 EVENT The scent of barbecues pervaded the country on Tuesday as Israelis celebrated its 66 th 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. ” COMMENT 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. BIBLE QUOTE 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 (Ezekiel 38: 11 -12) Israel no longer live in “walled villages” but live in a false sense of safety – it will come to an end

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 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. COMMENT 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… BIBLE QUOTE 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, (2 proclaiming himself to be God. Pope = man of sin. He visited the temple site Thessalonians 2: 3 -4)

Israel solves water woes with desalination Associated Press, May 30, 2014 EVENT 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. COMMENT 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 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… BIBLE QUOTE 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. (2 Chronicles 7: 12 -13)

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. COMMENT 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. . BIBLE QUOTE 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 (Psalm 83: 2 -5 NLT) existence. ” The Palestinians (Philistia) are mentioned in verse 7

Peres, Abbas to attend Vatican prayer event Sunday Times of Israel, June 6, 2014 EVENT COMMENT BIBLE QUOTE President Shimon Peres will head to the Vatican on Sunday to participate in an interfaith peace prayer event at the invitation of Pope 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. 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 (Revelation 17: 4 -5) MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.

Vatican hosts historic prayer summit for peace CBN, June 10, 2014 EVENT 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. COMMENT There were three men here praying for peace. None of them have the peace in mind that God has for His land 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 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 (Ezekiel 13: 15 -16 NIV) Sovereign Lord. ”’

Israel offers to help Arab nations over Iraq crisis Associated Press, June 26, 2014 EVENT 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. COMMENT 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…. BIBLE QUOTE 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. (Revelation 16: 14 -16)

Putin meets Abbas, urges renewal of peace talks Israel National News, June 26, 2014 EVENT 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. 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 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. (Ezekiel 38: 8)

Sadness, anger and violence explode in Jerusalem Israel National News, July 4, 2014 EVENT 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. 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 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. (Isaiah 17: 12 -13)

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 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 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 (Psalm 83: 2, 4, 7) inhabitants of Tyre [Hezbollah]

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 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. (Numbers 33: 55)

Hostilities surge as rockets from Lebanon strike Israel Washington Times, July 11, 2014 EVENT 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 COMMENT The conflict between Israel and Hamas has the ability of becoming a far wider BIBLE QUOTE 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 Pt 1 – Israel’s immediate neighbours …War Pt 2 – Russia, Iran … War Pt 3 – Europe 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 (Isaiah 17: 3 -4) the fatness of his flesh shall wax lean. Israel will be greatly weakened

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 £ 25 m 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 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 (1 Samuel 31: 1+3) allowed the Philistines to beat Israel.

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 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; (Psalm 83: 3 -7) Gebalites, Ammonites, and Amalekites; and people from Philistia and Tyre

Oil price remains high on global turmoil Associated Press, July 18, 2014 EVENT 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. . COMMENT 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…. BIBLE QUOTE 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. (Psalm 48: 2 -6)

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 1980 s. 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 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) (Exodus 23: 30)

‘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 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 there a trembling heart, and failing of eyes, and sorrow of mind: And (Psalm 83: 3 -7) thy life shall hang in doubt before thee; and thou shalt fear day and night,

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. 30 am 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 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 (Zechariah 12: 2+6 NLT) neighbours war against Israel. Psalm 83 details those nations…

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 threat of 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 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. (Judges 4: 1 -3) Then the people of Israel cried out to the Lord for help. See also Psalm 83: 9

Be ready for ‘prolonged' Gaza war, Netanyahu says Associated Press, July 29, 2014 EVENT 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. 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… BIBLE QUOTE 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 (Ezekiel 28: 21 -24)

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. COMMENT 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… BIBLE QUOTE 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 (Zechariah 12: 2+6 NLT) neighbours war against Israel. Psalm 83 details those nations…

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. COMMENT 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 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 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… BIBLE QUOTE 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 (Isaiah 30: 1 -2) in the shadow of Egypt!

Iran arming terrorists in Judea and Samaria Israel National News, August 29, 2014 EVENT 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. 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. . BIBLE QUOTE 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 (Zechariah 12: 2 -3, 6 NLT) living in Jerusalem remain secure.

Will the Gaza truce be shorter than the Gaza war? Debkafile, September 8, 2014 EVENT Graph shows number of independent nations since 1902 Day by day, the prospect recedes of the Israel Hamas Cairo negotiations actually taking place on schedule, one month after Aug. 26, the date the last Gaza ceasefire went into force. And even if they do, it will only be a pointless formality achieving nothing. The discussions, actions, disclosures and statements filling the air at present all point to the violence resuming on the Jewish New Year festival later this month. Clearly aware of the dates, Hamas’ Gaza leader Ismail Haniyeh warned in a sermon Friday, Sept. 6, that rocket fire would start up against Israel on Sept. 25, the first day of the festival, unless the blockade of the Gaza Strip was lifted by then. This eventuality would sorely embarrass Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Moshe Ya’alon, to say the least – after their extreme efforts to demonstrate to critics that Hamas would never dare shoot another rocket after the punishment it took in 50 days of relentless Israeli warfare and air strikes. COMMENT We have two extremely fragile truces in place at the moment. One between Russia and Ukraine. The other between the Palestinians and Israel. Both situations have the potential to flare up into conflict at anytime. We are on the brink of major conflict and war. This current Jewish year is drawing to a close. A new one begins on September 25 th. The coming Jewish year may see many prophecies fulfilled. The stage is surely set for Armageddon and the return of Jesus to this earth. Momentous events are happening all around us. We are told to consider a parable. When you see ALL the trees shoot forth you know the kingdom is near. Trees are nations. So when we see new nations developing and nations pushing their borders the return of Jesus is close… BIBLE QUOTE And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees; When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand. So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand. We may even see another new nation created next week. We watch and wait… (Luke 21: 29 -31)

U. N. peacekeepers leave Syrian-controlled Golan Heights CNN, September 15, 2014 EVENT U. N. forces withdrew Monday from the Syrian controlled side of the Golan Heights, the world body confirmed. The U. N. statement cited the "exceptionally challenging environment" posed by armed rebel groups advancing on peacekeeping positions its observer force has held for close to four decades. The confirmation comes hours after a journalist working for CNN saw dozens of peacekeeping vehicles crossing into territory controlled by Israel. The withdrawal comes a little more than two weeks after Islamic militant fighters took some peacekeepers hostage and besieged others. Al Nusra Front freed 45 U. N. peacekeepers from Fiji in good condition last week, while forces from the Philippines escaped after exchanging fire with militant fighters, according to media reports. The incidents occurred after Syrian rebel fighters took control of the only border crossing between Israel and Syria in the Syrian town of Quneitra in late August. COMMENT Not sure if you have noticed this but it is very interesting how many times the word “rebels” is used in news reports. In the report above we have “rebel groups” in Golan. We have on the previous slide Obama signing a bill to arm the “rebels in Syria. ’ The pro Russian forces in Ukraine are called “rebels”. It seems like we have rebels in all the key flashpoints. So why is this significant? Well perhaps because the Bible talks about rebels at the time of the end…In Daniel 8 we read of a little horn that comes out of the Greek empire. It is Antiochus Ephanese. But then we read “In the latter part of their reign, when rebels have become completely wicked, a fierce looking, a master of intrigue, will arise. ” So rebels become completely wicked and then Gog finally arises… BIBLE QUOTE “In the latter part of their reign, when rebels have become completely wicked, a fierce looking, a master of intrigue, will arise. He will become very strong, but not by his own power. He will cause astounding devastation and will succeed in whatever he does. The Ukrainian rebels are accused of shooting down passenger jet MH 17 (Daniel 8: 23 -24 NLT)

Angela Merkel: police will protect every Jewish institution in Germany The Times, September 15, 2014 EVENT COMMENT BIBLE QUOTE Angela Merkel committed Germany to the fight against anti Semitism yesterday after revealing that every Jewish institution in the country was under police protection after an alarming rise in hostility. Anti semitic incidents have soared in Germany since Israel began its military incursion into Gaza, and outrage at the level of civilian casualties has fuelled increasingly hostile demonstrations. Germany’s far right has also been active, with the offices of the campaigning newspaper Lausitzer Rundschau daubed with threatening graffiti last week, including the Nazi salute Sieg Heil. The previous week the walls were daubed with “Jews, kill them” and “We’ll get you all”, leading to condemnation from European civil rights groups. More than half a million Jews lived in Germany when the Nazis took power in 1933. That number was reduced to about 30, 000 by the Holocaust. “Many members of our community are very shaken, worried and absolutely shocked by the worst anti Jewish slogans that some out of control crowds have shouted, calling for Jews to be ‘gassed’, ‘burnt’ and ‘slaughtered’, ” said Dieter Graumann, head of the Central Council of German Jews. Mrs Merkel and her entire cabinet appeared at a rally to support Germany’s 200, 000 strong Jewish population at Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate in a sign of the high level of concern. As we enter the time of the end we are seeing increasing anti Semitism not only in Germany but around the world. A charity set up to protect Britain's Jewish community has recorded its highest ever monthly total of anti Semitic incidents in July. When Christ returns the gentiles will actually see the Jews for who they are – God’s people… Thus saith the LORD of hosts; In those days it shall come to pass, that ten men shall take hold out of all languages of the nations, even shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, We will go with you: for we have heard that God is with you. It’s hard to imagine this in a world full of hatred for the Jew. But it will happen when Christ returns. (Zechariah 8: 23)

Israel downs Syrian fighter jet over Golan Heights BBC News, September 23, 2014 EVENT COMMENT BIBLE QUOTE A Syrian fighter jet which apparently strayed into Israeli controlled airspace over the occupied Golan Heights has been shot down by Israel. The plane, identified by Israeli sources as a Russian built Sukhoi, plunged to the ground in flames but the pilot reportedly managed to eject. Defence Minister Moshe Yaalon said Israel would respond to threats whether or not "they stemmed from a mistake”. A Syrian activist group said the jet had been bombing an area inside Syria. It is the first time since the 1980 s that the Israeli military is known to have shot down a Syrian plane although Syria's civil war has threatened to spill over the border, and Israel has carried out air strikes inside Syria in response to cross border attacks. Syria said the downing of the plane was an act of aggression, Reuters news agency reported. This incident reflects how the Golan — captured by Israel in the 1967 Arab Israeli war — is increasingly being drawn into the tensions in war torn Syria amid the growing reach of Islamist militants who now control more than 90 percent of the Syria Israel frontier. Ram Shmueli, a brigadier general in the Israeli reserves and a former head of Israel’s air force intelligence, said Israel is facing threats all along its northern borders. “We are very much on alert to all types of drones, jets and airplanes, even civilian airliners like those used during 9/11, ” said Shmueli, a fighter pilot for more than 35 years. “Although we are not part of this war, we have to keep the borders safe. ” There is conflict coming between Syria and Israel. Isaiah 17 says that when Damascus is destroyed Israel is greatly weakened. That war is coming… The fortress also shall cease from Ephraim, 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 shall be made thin, and the fatness of his flesh shall wax lean. Ephraim = northern Israel (Isaiah 17: 3 -4)

US sharply criticizes new Israeli construction Associated Press, October 1, 2014 EVENT The White House says that if Israel were to move forward with a controversial housing development in east Jerusalem, it would distance Israel from, quote, "even its closest allies. ” The sharp criticism came just hours after President Barack Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met at the White House. The two leaders did not mention the new construction project during their remarks to reporters. White House spokesman Josh Earnest says that the 2, 500 unit project would only draw "condemnation" from the international community. He says it would also call into question Israel's commitment to peaceful negotiations with Palestinians. The new project is contentious because it would complete a band of Jewish areas that separate Jerusalem from nearby Bethlehem. COMMENT On Wednesday, Jerusalem city officials said that they had granted final approval for the construction of a new Israeli housing development in east Jerusalem. The White House spokesperson quoted in the article above said “This development will only draw condemnation from the international community, distance Israel from even its closest allies, poison the atmosphere not only with the Palestinians but also with the very Arab governments with which Prime Minister Netanyahu said he wanted to build relations. It would call into question Israel's ultimate commitment to a peaceful negotiated settlement. ’ We know that Jerusalem will become the centre of world attention and eventually bring all nations to battle against it. We can see how this will happen. Jerusalem is the capital city of Israel and yet the world wants to give half of it to the Palestinians. The division of God’s city will bring Armageddon not peace…. BIBLE QUOTE Behold, therefore I will gather all thy lovers, with whom thou hast taken pleasure, and all them that thou hast loved, with all them that thou hast hated; I will even gather them round about against thee, and will discover thy nakedness unto them, that they may see all thy nakedness. All those who Israel relied on in the past (lovers) will reject her and leave her…Israel will have nowhere to turn – but to Christ when he returns (Ezekiel 16: 37)

Israeli Defence Minister: two-state solution impossible Washington Free Beacon, October 2, 2014 EVENT The recent Gaza War has proven the impossibility of a two state solution to the Israeli Palestinian problem, Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon declared this week. Ya’alon, the most powerful minister in the Cabinet after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, was departing from the two state formula Netanyahu endorsed five years ago and which has become a touchstone in the international dialogue on the Middle East, particularly in Washington. Following the 51 day war in Gaza, the notion of an independent Palestinian state existing alongside Israel has become absurd, the minister told a security conference this week at a Tel Aviv think tank, the Institute for National Security Studies. Israeli security forces must remain a permanent presence on the West Bank, he said, if the area is not to be turned into a platform for rockets and mortars fired into Israel, like the Gaza Strip. COMMENT The prime minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu gave a speech at the UN this week. For the first time since he publicly adopted the two state formula, he did not raise it at the United Nations General Assembly as a hoped for eventuality as he has in previous years. Instead, he called for a fresh approach to peace. He spoke of new directions involving moderate Arab states. At a meeting with Obama afterwards he did mention two states but he added that with all the turmoil in the Middle East the Palestinian question is now secondary. The Bible does talk about Israel being “parted” or “divided”. It is possible that at some point following a war with Israel and its immediate neighbours eg Hamas, Hezbollah and Syria that following this, Israel IS forced to divide the land in a peace agreement. Netanyahu is right – the Palestinian question is secondary right now – but in the future it will be the No 1 question… BIBLE QUOTE 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…. “What do you have against me, Tyre and Sidon and you cities of Philistia? (Joel 3: 2 -4 NLT) Are you trying to take revenge on me?

Moscow caught watching Israel from Syrian border The Times, October 11, 2014 EVENT A secret base overrun by Syrian rebel forces this week yielded more than a grandstand view of the Israeli border. After seizing the 3, 280 ft peak at Tal al Hara, the rebels found a military eavesdropping base bristling with equipment. Intriguingly, though, the walls were also covered in maps of Israel annotated in Russian to show the layout of Israeli forces and signal stations. There were lists of Russian soldiers who had apparently served with Syrians at the base, less than 10 miles from the sensitive Golan Heights region of Israel. Wall mounted displays showed Syrian army emblems alongside insignia of the Osnaz GRU, the Russian special forces’ electronic intelligence unit. Video footage shot by the rebels showed a wall mounted list of six past commanders of the base, all Russian with the rank of colonel. One rebel, a former soldier in the Syrian army, said that the site was the most important in a network of Russian operated listening posts in Syria. COMMENT Incredible but with Bible in hand not surprising. Russia is watching Israel from Syria. The American senator John Mc. Cain commenting on this said that the “base reflected enduring Russian support for President Assad’s government”. He described it as a “shocking revelation”. Russia’s true intentions are revealed clearly in God’s Word. We are told that Gog (the Russian ruler) will plan in advance to invade Israel. The reason that Gog wants to invade is because he sees a “spoil”. Wealth to be taken. Israel has this wealth right now. It has not only the largest economy in the Middle East, it also has the strategically valuable east coast of the Mediterranean. And if that wasn’t enough it has, in the past few years, found huge gas fields worth billions. Russia is watching Israel – it will invade… BIBLE QUOTE Thus saith the Lord GOD; It shall also come to pass, that at the same time shall things come into thy mind, and thou 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 (Ezekiel 38: 10 -11) walls, and having neither bars nor gates,

Iran arms Palestinians for new war with Israel Washington Free. Beacon, October 16, 2014 EVENT COMMENT BIBLE QUOTE Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei promised increased support for Palestinian terrorists and urged them to stockpile arms in anticipation of a new war on Israel, according to public comments made Thursday following his meeting with members of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) terror group. “Fighting the Zionist regime [Israel] is a war of destiny, ” Khamenei said after a meeting with PIJ’s secretary general, according to Iran’s semi official Fars News Agency. Khamenei instructed Palestinians to “intensify their fight against the Israeli regime” and vowed that Iran would continue to arm Palestinian terrorists in both the Gaza Strip and West Bank, according to Fars. All Palestinian terrorists groups—with Iran’s support— should rearm and prepare for another war with Israel, Khamenei said. The 50 day war between Hamas and Israel is paused but not over. Who can doubt even without reading the Bible that conflict will start again. With Bible in hand the whole picture is clear. There are 3 key stages to the final conflict. Stage 1 is war between Israel and surrounding tribes. The surrounding tribes include Hamas (Palestinians) and Hezbollah (based in Tyre). Syria will almost certainly be involved in this conflict. The main power behind these peoples is Iran. The report above clearly shows this to be the case. Iran is using these peoples like pawns to carry out its main objective – destroying Israel. However stage 1 will fail. Israel will overcome and defeat these people. But then comes stage 2. Into the void that is left will pour the outer ring of nations. This time led by Russia. Iran will join the fray. But this stage will also fail– Christ will return and the northern army will be destroyed. Stage 3 comes after this. Europe v Christ & Saints… I will make Jerusalem like an intoxicating drink that makes the nearby nations stagger when they send their armies to besiege Jerusalem and Judah. 3 On that day I will make Jerusalem an immovable rock. All the nations will gather against it to try to move it, but they will only hurt themselves. Zechariah 12 concerns stage 1 – the “nearby nations” (Zechariah 12: 2 -3 NLT)

British Parliament votes in favour of Palestinian state Jerusalem Post, October 25, 2014 EVENT Britain’s House of Commons voted in favour of recognizing a Palestinian state late Monday in a move that will not alter the government's stance on the issue, but that carries symbolic value for Palestinians in their pursuit of statehood. Lawmakers in Britain's lower house of parliament voted by 274 to 12 to pass a non binding motion stating: "That this House believes that the Government should recognize the state of Palestine alongside the state of Israel as a contribution to securing a negotiated two-state solution. " Britain does not classify "Palestine" as a state, but says it could do so at any time if it believed it would help peace efforts between the Palestinians and Israel. Government ministers were told to abstain and the non binding vote will not force Britain to recognise a Palestinian state. COMMENT Israel was very unimpressed by the vote this week in the UK. According to an Israeli cabinet minister parliament was guilty of “encouraging terrorist attacks” and “giving up” on peace when MPs cast a “miserable” vote in favour of Palestinian statehood. This vote comes just 2 months after Israel was attacked with over 4000 rockets. We edge ever closer to the division of Israel. Almost every nation on earth wants to divide God’s land give half of it to the Palestinians. They think this will bring peace. Britain in the past was a supporter of Israel and actually encouraged the creation of a new nation for the Jews in Palestine. That was back in 1917 the Balfour Declaration. Almost 100 years later Britain is taking a very different stance. It now sides with the Palestinians. Just as ancient Tyre was pro Israel but turned against the Jews so modern day Tyre (London) has done the same. Click here to watch more on this… BIBLE QUOTE A prophecy against Tyre: Wail, you ships of Tarshish! For Tyre is destroyed…. Cross over to Tarshish; wail, you people of the island. Is this your city of revelry, the old, old city, whose feet have taken her to settle in far off lands? (Isaiah 23: 1 -6, 7 NIV) Ancient Tyre came to an end BUT it passed over to Tarshish (Britain)

Netanyahu: Jerusalem is under attack Israel National News, October 23, 2014 EVENT COMMENT BIBLE QUOTE "Jerusalem is under attack, " charged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday, less than 24 hours after a terrorist plowed through a crowd of Israelis at a Light Rail station. The prime minister convened a security consultation at the Jerusalem Police headquarters with the internal security minister, the chief of police, the head of the Shin Bet, the mayor, and the regional commander – as rock throwing incidents continued across the capital. Netanyahu ordered the assembled officials to emphasize Israeli sovereignty over all parts of Jerusalem using massive reinforcements. "Jerusalem is not the only city under attack by terrorists; other cities across the world are, as well. But the offensive in Jerusalem is supported by the chairman of the Palestinian Authority, Abu Mazen, who glorifies the murderers and embraces the group they belong to – Hamas, " said Netanyahu. “We will stand strong for our rights to protect our capital. " A three month old girl was killed and several others wounded Wednesday evening this week when a known Palestinian terrorist rammed his vehicle at full speed into a crowd in Jerusalem. Shortly after the attack, Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat said it is time to “restore peace and security in Jerusalem. ” Jerusalem is seething with anger which has been building since the conflict with the Palestinians a few months ago. It has led Netanyahu to declare that Jerusalem will always be the capital of Israel. We know that one day all nations will be gathered to Jerusalem to battle. For now it is stone throwing youths. In the future it will be armies and weapons. Jerusalem is the centre of the world – both physically and religiously. It is God’s city and one day will be ruled over by the Lord Jesus who will return as king and priest…. This is what the Sovereign Lord says: This is Jerusalem, which I have set in the centre of the nations, with countries all around her. Yet in her wickedness she has rebelled against my laws and decrees more than the nations and countries around her. She has rejected my laws and has not followed my decrees. (Ezekiel 5: 5 -6 NIV)

Jerusalem holy site closure 'declaration of war' BBC, October 30, 2014 EVENT A spokesman for Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas has described the closure of a disputed Jerusalem holy site as a "declaration of war”. The move came amid tension and violence after the shooting of a Jewish activist. Israel's PM urged calm, saying Mr Abbas was stoking unrest. The holy site will reopen on Friday, Israel's economy minister says. Yehuda Glick, a campaigner for greater Jewish prayer rights at the Temple Mount/al Haram al Sharif, was wounded. Israeli police later killed a Palestinian suspected of shooting him. Moataz Hejazi, 32, was shot after reportedly opening fire when police surrounded his home. Rabbi Glick is a well known US born campaigner for the right of Jews to pray at the site, which is currently prohibited. COMMENT The tension is increasing in Jerusalem. It has been doing so since the conflict a few months ago in Gaza. For the first time in 14 years Israel closed the Temple Mount area. This was a declaration of war according to the Palestinian leader. This Temple Mount area (where the Dome of the Rock is situated) is massively important from a Biblical point of view. It is where Abraham sacrificed his son Isaac. It is where Solomon built the first Temple. It is where the second Temple was built. It is where (when Christ returns) the third temple will be built. It is the most holy place in all the world. God said to Solomon when the Temple was finished that his eyes and his heart would be there perpetually. This very site will be the epicentre of the final war over Israel. Back in the year 2000 President Clinton tried to divide the Temple Mount area. He nearly succeeded. But the Palestinians refused to divide it and began an intifada. That intifada led to 9/11 and the time of terrorism. We are possibly close to another intifada…. BIBLE QUOTE the LORD appeared to Solomon the second time, as he had appeared unto him at Gibeon. And the LORD said unto him, I have heard thy prayer and thy supplication, that thou hast made before me: I have hallowed this house, which thou hast built, to put my name there for ever; and mine (1 Kings 9: 2 -3) eyes and mine heart shall be there perpetually.

UN holds emergency meeting on Israel tensions Associated Press, October 29, 2014 EVENT A U. N. official warned in an emergency meeting of the Security Council on Wednesday that Israel's plans for further settlements in east Jerusalem threaten the viability of the future Palestinian state. Close ally the United States also warned against Israel's plans. The council met at the request of member Jordan on behalf of the Palestinians, who are insisting upon a halt to such settlement efforts. Tensions have been revived between Arabs and Jews over Israel's plans to build about 1, 000 housing units in east Jerusalem, the part of the city the Palestinians demand for their future state. Israel's ambassador, Ron Prosor, said his country is doing everything possible to minimize tensions. The Palestinian ambassador, Riyad Mansour, said Israel isn't listening and called the situation "explosive. " COMMENT Jerusalem and the situation in Israel may not be headline news right now but behind the scenes (and if we are watching) a lot is going on. The Prime Minister of Israel has announced the building of 1000 new homes in east Jerusalem. There seems little doubt this is in retaliation to the Palestinians and the recent war. America is livid at this. A top Israeli minister said on Saturday there was a “crisis” in the country’s relations with the United States. The U. S. called Israel's latest settlements plans "deeply concerning, " saying any settlement activity "will already escalate tensions at a time they are already tense enough. " And so we see Jerusalem (and Temple Mount) becoming a massive issue for the world. We know with Bible in hand that one day it will explode onto our screens as a worldwide issue. The world is trying to divide Jerusalem. This will bring all nations against Jerusalem to battle… BIBLE QUOTE For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city. (Zechariah 14: 2)

Sweden recognizes Palestinian State; Israel upset Associated Press, October 30, 2014 EVENT The move by Sweden's new left leaning government reflects growing international impatience with Israel's nearly half century control of the West Bank, east Jerusalem and its blockade of the Gaza Strip. It also comes during increased tensions between Arabs and Jews over Israel's plans to build 1, 000 housing units in east Jerusalem. Foreign Minister Margot Wallstrom said Sweden, fulfilling a promise made when the Social Democratic led government took office earlier this month, believes the Palestinians have met the criteria under international law for such recognition. "There is a territory, a people and government, " she told reporters in Stockholm, adding that Sweden was the 135 th country in the world to recognize a Palestinian state. It is the third Western European nation to do so, after Malta and Cyprus. Some Eastern European countries recognized a Palestinian state during the Cold War. COMMENT We reported last week how the UK government had voted in a non binding motion to recognise a Palestinian state. This week Sweden has gone a step further and the government there has officially recognised Palestine as a state. By doing this Sweden in effect says that Jerusalem is divided in two. That Israel is an occupying enemy force. Israel is God’s land that He gave to the Jews. It is amazing that in the Bible it speaks about the nations of the world dividing the land of Israel. God then explains exactly what he thinks to this. He says in the very next verse “what have you to do with me…. coasts of Palestine!” The coasts of Palestine refer to the Gaza strip area. God says that these people have nothing to do with Him and the land. That’s God answer… BIBLE QUOTE I will also gather all nations, and will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat, and will plead with them there for my people and for my heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations, and parted my land…. Yea, and what have ye to do with me, O Tyre, and Zidon, and all the coasts of Palestine? (Joel 3: 2+4)

Israel 'on brink of third intifada' after new car attack Daily Telegraph, November 5, 2014 EVENT A second car attack in Jerusalem, coupled with further confrontations at the Al Aqsa mosque, have increased fears of a third intifada. Israel was feared to be descending into a third intifada on Wednesday night after a police officer was killed and 14 people injured in a car attack, the second such incident in two weeks coming amid continued rioting in Jerusalem's holiest places. A Palestinian member of the militant group Hamas rammed a truck into a crowded light rail station, backed out and then continued to drive, hitting several cars and injuring passengers and pedestrians on the street. He got out of the car and attacked a group of civilians and police officers on the side of the road with a metal bar before he was shot and killed. A Hamas statement claimed responsibility and praised the "glorious operation" of the attacker, named as Ibrahim al Akri, 38, from the Shuafat refugee camp in east Jerusalem. COMMENT Jerusalem is seething. Everyday this week there has been violence on the streets. The trouble has been brewing for a while – it was trouble in Jerusalem that sparked the recent Gaza conflict. What has happened since is that the Temple Mount area has once again become the front line in competing claims to the city, pitting Jews demanding to pray at the shrine (Temple Mount) against Palestinians who see that demand as an attempt to cement Israel’s grip on a city they want to make their capital. Listening to some residents in Jerusalem this week (Jew and Palestinian) it seems as though the Jerusalem issue ie the who owns it, who controls it is now at the forefront of everyone’s minds. There is a talk of a third intifada (or uprising). We may be very close to Zechariah 12 being fulfilled. Zechariah 12 is about the “nearby nations” who burden themselves with Jerusalem. This is stage 1 of the final conflict. Israel wins this war…. BIBLE QUOTE 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 (Zechariah 12: 2, 3, 6 NLT) living in Jerusalem remain secure. This is a different war to chapter 14

Iran's supreme leader outlines plan to 'eliminate' Israel The Independent, November 10, 2014 EVENT COMMENT BIBLE QUOTE Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has outlined a nine step plan to “eliminate” Israel. The Supreme Leader of Iran’s official Twitter account has posted a set of answers to what are described as the “key questions”, saying that Israel is guilty of a host of “crimes”. The first question asked is: “Why should the Zionist regime be eliminated? ” To this, the response is given: “During its 66 years of life so far, the fake Zionist regime has tried to realise its goals by means of infanticide, homicide, violence and iron fist while boasts [sic] about it blatantly”. The statement proposes a referendum in which “all the original people of Palestine including Muslims, Christians and Jews” could vote, but from which “Jewish immigrants” would be excluded. It says theoretical resultant government would then decide upon whether the latter group could remain in the country. But it goes on to say that if such a referendum cannot be achieved then “powerful confrontation and resolute and armed resistance” is the only solution. So this is the ruler of the nation that Russia wants to help with nuclear know how and America wants to appease by offering them sanction relief! A nation that wants to bring to a complete end another sovereign nation. His idea to eliminate Israel is as follows. He says there should be a referendum only by those people who were originally living in the land before Israel was created. Any Jew who returned to Israel since could not vote. The Palestinian government which is then formed would form a new nation and decide what to do with the Jews living there. He then says this referendum is very unlikely to happen and so until then he says there should be armed confrontation with Israel. To this end he says Palestinians in the West Bank should be armed. “Therefore, tell the exiles, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Although I have scattered you in the countries of the world, I will be a sanctuary to you during your time in exile. I, the Sovereign Lord, will gather you back from the nations where you have been scattered, and I will give you the land of Israel once again. ’ The Iranian leader is in direct opposition to the Lord God. (Ezekiel 11: 16 -17 NLT)

French assembly votes to recognise Palestine Independent, December 2, 2014 EVENT The lower house of the French parliament has voted overwhelmingly to “invite” Paris to recognise Palestine as an independent state. Like a similar resolution by the House of Commons in October, the vote is advisory rather than binding. It is, however, part of a pattern of growing European support for recognition of a Palestinian state in the face of public opposition to Israel’s policies in Gaza, East Jerusalem and the West Bank. The national assembly voted by 339 to 151 to ask the French government to recognise Palestine. Most Socialists, greens and other left wing supporters of the French government voted in favour. The right and centre right divided between voting against and boycotting the resolution as an intrusion into presidential powers over foreign policy. The Spanish parliament has also voted to recognise Palestine. Sweden has gone even further, announcing that the government planned to move towards official recognition. COMMENT Another week has gone by and another week where we report on nations (especially in Europe) wanting to divide God’s land by granting the Palestinians their own state. Even though these are non binding resolutions we can see the direction of travel. The French foreign minister, Laurent Fabius, has hinted that France might take a unilateral decision if peace talks fail or are indefinitely postponed. “From the moment that negotiation become impossible or reaches no conclusion France will obviously have to face up to its responsibilities, ” he said earlier this year. The Bible does indicate Israel will be divided. It also indicates that the division is with the Palestinians. God denounces the division and says “what have the Palestinians to do with me? ” Obviously all people can be saved but not all can claim the land of Israel. BIBLE QUOTE I will also gather all nations, and will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat, and will plead with them there for my people and for my heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations, and parted my land. And they have cast lots for my people; and have given a boy for an harlot, and sold a girl for wine, that they might drink. Yea, and what have ye to do with me, O Tyre, (Joel 3: 2 -4) and Zidon, and all the coasts of Palestine?

Israeli jets 'strike near Damascus' - Syrian army BBC, December 7, 2014 EVENT The Syrian military has accused Israel of carrying out two air strikes on Syria, near the capital Damascus. Israeli planes bombed the area near Damascus international airport and the town of Dimas, the Syrian army said in a statement carried on state television. No casualties were reported. There has been no confirmation of the air strikes from Israel has conducted several air strikes on Syria since 2011. "This afternoon, the Israeli enemy targeted two safe areas in Damascus province, namely the Dimas area and the Damascus International Airport, " the military statement said. It described the air strikes as "direct aggression" carried out to help the Syrian government's opponents. Some installations had been damaged, it added, without elaborating on what had been hit. COMMENT Israel has attacked Syria once again. But why now? Well some reports say that Israel’s air strikes near Damascus wiped out newly arrived Russian hardware including missiles that were dispatched post haste to help Syria and Hezbollah frustrate a US plan for a no fly zone over northern Syria. The advanced weapons were sent over after Russian President Vladimir Putin learned that the Obama administration and the Turkish government were close to a final draft on a joint effort to activate a no fly zone that would bar Syrian air force traffic over northern Syria. The Syrian regime in the past has not commented on Israeli airstrikes but this time spokesmen in Damascus warned that their government’s response would be clandestine and cause Israel "unimaginable harm. ” We know from Isaiah 17 that there is conflict between Israel and Damascus at the time of the end. The Bible says that when Damascus is finally destroyed Ephraim (Northern Israel) will be greatly weakened. Events this week move us closer to this… BIBLE QUOTE “Look, the city of Damascus will disappear! It will become a heap of ruins. The towns of Aroer will be deserted. Flocks will graze in the streets and lie down undisturbed, with no one to chase them away. The fortified towns of Ephraim will also be destroyed, and the royal power of Damascus will end. All that remains of Syria will share the fate of Israel’s departed glory, ” (Isaiah 17: 1 -3 NLT)

EU Parliament considers recognition of Palestine Independent, November 26, 2014 EVENT The European Parliament has considered formally recognising a Palestinian state; a wave of support for independent statehood has swept across Europe as the peace process remains deadlocked. In an impassioned debate lasting nearly three hours, many MEPs urged the assembly to follow the lead of Sweden, whose government passed a resolution in October recognising the existence of a Palestinian state, despite protests from the Israeli government. The British, Irish and Spanish parliaments have passed symbolic motions urging their governments to consider a similar move, and France will debate the question this week. “This parliamentary initiative can provide extra impetus which can finally bring talks to success and peace to the Middle East, ” said Richard Howitt, Labour MEP for the East of England. COMMENT More talk this week of dividing the land of Israel. There is hardly a nation on earth that doesn’t think this is a good idea. A vote was due in Europe on Thursday, but has been postponed until December – partly because of intense lobbying by Israeli diplomats. Even if the vote does pass in December, it will be a symbolic rather than a binding gesture, as formal recognition is up to the 28 governments of the EU. But it is another step in the direction of recognising a Palestinian State on 50% of the land given to the Jews by God. We may well see the dividing of the land according to Joel 3. As an aside – the EU Parliament building in Strasbourg is modelled consciously on the Tower of Babel! Europe is a Babel project. The Pope who visited this Babel building this week has symbolically the word BABEL (Babylon) written on his head! See next slide. . . BIBLE QUOTE I will also gather all nations, and will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat, and will plead with them there for my people and for my heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations, and parted my land. And they have cast lots for my people; and have given a boy for an harlot, and sold a girl for wine, that they might drink. Yea, and what have ye to do with me, O (Joel 3: 2 -4) Tyre, and Zidon, and all the coasts of Palestine?

Israel pitches ‘massive’ natural gas pipeline plan to Europe Times of Israel, November 20, 2014 EVENT Israel has proposed that EU countries invest in a multi billion euro pipeline to carry its natural gas to the continent, noting that the supply from Israel would reduce Europe’s current dependence on natural gas from Russia. A proposal for the “massive” project was introduced by Israel’s Energy Minister Silvan Shalom to energy ministers from Euro Mediterranean countries who met in Rome earlier this week, Israel’s Channel 2 reported on Thursday. It said the project would require a multi billion euro investment from Europe to build a pipeline from Israel’s Mediterranean cost to Cyprus, from where the gas would be carried on to Greece and Italy. The TV report said Cyprus, Greece and Italy were all supportive of the idea, and that Israel would make a formal presentation of the project to European representatives in Brussels in three weeks. COMMENT This report in the Israeli press could be massive from a Biblical point of view. Israel discovered two huge gas fields off its coastline back in 2009. The first gas field began pumping natural gas in March 2013. In 2016 the second larger gas field will start exporting. Israel has decided to export 40% of the gas. In September Israel signed a deal with Jordan to to supply $15 bn worth of gas. And now Israel is looking to take advantage of Europe’s dependence for gas on Russia. Europe is desperate to find other supplies because of Russia’s moves into Ukraine and its willingness to shut off gas supplies without warning. But what will Russia make of Israel’s foray into the world of supplying gas? Will Putin look on unconcerned or will he see this as a direct threat to his control and power over Europe’s energy? The Bible says Russia will invade Israel to take a spoil. Putin understands the power of gas and energy. We read that God puts hooks in the jaws of Gog to bring him down. The hook is the spoil. The spoil is gas… BIBLE QUOTE Thus saith the Lord GOD; It shall also come to pass, that at the same time shall things come into thy mind, and thou 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; (Ezekiel 38: 10 -12)

Jerusalem synagogue axe attack kills four Daily Telegraph, November 18, 2014 EVENT Two Palestinian men armed with axes, knives and a gun killed five people in a Jerusalem synagogue on Tuesday before being shot dead by police, Israeli police and emergency services said. The attack, the deadliest in Jerusalem in six years, will increase fears of sustained violence in the city, already on edge amid soaring tensions over a contested holy site. Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed that Israel will "respond harshly" to the attack, describing it as a "cruel murder of Jews who came to pray and were killed by despicable murderers. " Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas issued a statement condemning the attack. US Secretary of State John Kerry said he spoke to Mr Netanyahu after the assault and denounced it as an "act of pure terror and senseless brutality and violence. " COMMENT Islamist group Hamas, which dominates Gaza, praised the killings, describing them as a fitting "response" to Israeli actions in annexed east Jerusalem. Violence in Jerusalem has surged in the past month. It is being fuelled by a dispute over Temple Mount. Manny are saying this could be the start of a third intifada and the start of a religious conflict over this holy site. Temple Mount is as one reporter put it the “spiritual core” and “potential tinder box” of a contest of beliefs. It is where Abraham sacrificed Isaac. It is where Solomon built the first temple. It is where the second temple was built. Muslims believe Muhammed ascended to heaven from that place. We read in Joel 3 of gentiles preparing war. The word “prepare” literally means to “sanctify” or “make holy”. In other words this is a religious war… BIBLE QUOTE Proclaim ye this among the Gentiles; Prepare war, wake up the mighty men, let all the men of war draw near; let them come up: Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruninghooks into spears: let the weak say, I am strong Assemble yourselves, and come, all ye heathen, and gather yourselves together round about: thither cause thy mighty ones to come down, O LORD. (Joel 3: 9 -11)

Russia demands 'explanations' from Israel I 24 News, December 8, 2014 EVENT The Russian Foreign Ministry demanded "explanations" from Israel, following reports that the Israeli Air Force allegedly bombed several targets on Syrian territory, including some in the vicinity of the Damascus international airport. Moscow sent an official letter of complaint to the UN Secretary General Ban ki Moon, citing "Israeli aggression" and calling not to permit such actions in the future. According to a statement published on the Russian Foreign Ministry's website, "Moscow is gravely concerned about this dangerous turn of events, the circumstances of which require explanations. In any case, there is no doubt that the use of force in international affairs is unacceptable and deserves to be condemned. ” Israel said Monday it will not allow "sophisticated weapons" to fall into the hands of its enemies. COMMENT Debkafile reported as follows “Israel’s air strikes near Damascus international air port and the Syrian-Lebanese border Sunday, Dec. 7, are depicted by Middle East military and intelligence sources as Israel’s first overt military clash with Russia in the course of the more than three-year Syrian war. Those sources assert that the strikes demolished components of Russian SA-25 or other types of top-line anti air missile systems that Moscow had destined for Syria and the Lebanese Hezbollah terrorist group. Russian transport planes are said to have shipped these consignments in the last few days to the military section of Damascus international airport. It was pointed out that the Israeli air strikes occurred less than 24 hours after Deputy Russian Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov, the Kremlin’s point man for the Syrian war, met with Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah Saturday in Beirut. ” The Bible says Gog will eventually invade Israel. We can see the true colours of Gog in events this week. He will invade Israel… BIBLE QUOTE thou shalt come from thy place out of the north parts, thou, and many people with thee, all of them riding upon horses, a great company, and a mighty army: And thou shalt come up against my people of Israel, as a cloud to cover the land; it shall be in the latter days, and I will bring thee (Ezekiel 38: 15 -16) against my land, that the heathen may know me…

Israel slams Irish decision recognizing Palestine AP, December 11, 2014 EVENT Israel has slammed the decision of the Irish parliament to adopt a non binding resolution supporting an independent Palestinian state. Foreign Ministry spokesman Emmanuel Nahshon expressed disappointment Thursday at the decision, accusing the Irish parliament of giving voice to "statements of hatred anti Semitism directed at Israel in a way which we have not heard before. ” Some Irish lawmakers accused Israel of genocide during the parliamentary debate on Palestinian recognition. Foreign Minister Charlie Flanagan said Wednesday that Ireland is considering early recognition of Palestinian statehood as a possible tactic for kick starting Middle East peace talks. Lawmakers in Britain, France and Spain already have passed similar motions calling on their governments to follow Sweden, which on Oct. 30 ignited debate by recognizing Palestinian statehood. COMMENT Ireland's parliament is the fourth European assembly to call for the recognition of Palestinian statehood since October. France, Britain and Spain also endorsed similar motions, reflecting growing frustration with the deadlocked Middle East peace process. Sweden has gone even further, officially recognising Palestine as a state in a move that prompted Israel to recall its ambassador. The actual words of the non binding motion in Ireland this week called on the Irish government to "officially recognise the State of Palestine, on the basis of the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as the capital. ” Jerusalem is God’s city. It is Israel’s capital. It is the future united capital of the entire world. And yet the world wants to divide it. God says that anyone who tries to move Jerusalem will be cut to pieces. Jerusalem will become the centre of WW 3… BIBLE QUOTE For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city. Then shall the LORD go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle. (Zechariah 14: 2 -3)

Israeli PM slams EU taking Hamas off terror list Associated Press, December 17, 2014 EVENT Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu slammed the European Union Wednesday for removing Hamas from its terrorist list, calling it a staggering example of European hypocrisy and an indication that many on the continent have learned nothing from the Holocaust. The European Union court order to remove Hamas from the EU terrorist list came the same day as a United Nations body in Europe delivered a stinging rebuke to Israel's settlement construction in the West Bank and called for Israel to be investigated for war crimes. The EU court in Luxembourg said it ordered Hamas removed from the list for procedural reasons, while in Geneva Israel was called out for potential war crimes. The pair of developments follows a recent surge in European legislatures making moves to unilaterally recognize a state of Palestine. COMMENT Europe has recognised Hamas by taking it off the terrorist list. This surely shows the true colours of Europe. Hamas refuses to recognise the State of Israel’s right to exist as an independent, sovereign nation, and is totally opposed to any agreement or arrangement that would recognize its right to exist. At the beginning of its charter there is a quotation. . “Israel will arise and continue to exist until Islam wipes it out, as it wiped out what went before. ” Hamas boasted recently that it has killed 1365 Zionist soldiers. Hamas deliberately targets Israeli civilians while hiding among its own civilians. There is a Hebrew word “Hamas” in the Bible. It is Strong’s number 2555. Chamas. It means violence, malicious, cruel and unrighteous. Everything that Hamas is. It really is astounding that Europe would recognise this terror organisation but with Bible in hand we know what is coming. Europe itself despises the Jews and will actually stand against Christ and the saints when he returns. A truly anti Semite organisation… BIBLE QUOTE And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast. These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast. These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome (Revelation 17: 12 -14) them:

Israel launches air strikes against targets in Gaza Daily Telegraph, December 20, 2014 EVENT Israeli war planes struck targets in Gaza late on Friday night, in the first air strikes since the August truce that ended a 50 day conflict. The planes were in action after a rocket was fired from Palestinian territory, landing in a field in southern Israeli causing no casualties or damage. The Israeli army confirmed the strikes, which it said "targeted a Hamas terror infrastructure site”. Palestinian residents reported hearing two explosions in the Khan Yunis region of Gaza, in an area that contains training sites for Palestinian militants. A spokesman for Gaza's health ministry said there were no casualties in the attack More than 2000 people died during seven weeks of Israeli bombardments and Palestinian rocket attacks during the summer. COMMENT Just one day after Europe recognises Hamas what does Hamas do? Fires a rocket at Israel then responded with air strikes on Gaza. A Hamas delegation visited Iran last week and met with senior Iranian officials where they discussed widening cooperation. According to Debkafile, Iran then gave Hamas the order to resume attacks on Israel. Hours after the first rocket was launched Friday, Hamas staged its first ever parade on Temple Mount, Jerusalem, marching around the golden Dome of the Rock, and shouting calls to revive the Palestinian rocket offensive against Israeli locations. They were clad uniformly in green with jihadi headbands and hoisted Hamas banners aloft. Psalm 83 speaks of peoples who come together with the aim of destroying Israel. One of the peoples mentioned are the Philistines. The Philistines are the equivalent of the Palestinians which are the equivalent of Hamas… BIBLE QUOTE They have taken crafty counsel against thy people, and consulted against thy hidden ones. 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. For they have consulted together with one consent: they are confederate against thee; the Philistines with the inhabitants of Tyre; (Psalm 83: 3 -7)

Israel announces discovery of offshore gas field Free Beacon, December 15, 2014 EVENT Israel announced on Sunday the discovery of a major offshore gas field, the third to be located in its waters in the past five years, augmenting its newly acquired status as an energy power. The new field, some 90 miles off Israel’s coast in the eastern Mediterranean, holds at least 3. 2 trillion cubic feet (TCF) of gas, according to a 3 D seismic survey. Two larger fields, discovered in 2009 and 2010, have combined reserves of at least 33 trillion cubic feet. These fields are expected to serve the bulk of Israel’s gas needs for the coming century. Experts say that further exploration will likely uncover other sizeable fields in Israel’s deep offshore waters. The gas discoveries will have a major impact on Israel’s economy and perhaps even on its relations with Arab neighbours. Jordan, the Palestinian Authority, and Egypt are all in urgent need of energy supplies and Israel would be the natural supplier. COMMENT Israel continues to find gas fields. Another major find was announced this week by the Israeli government. These Israeli gas finds and the deals that are being brokered by Israel are beginning to cause issues. Yesterday (Friday) angry Jordanian protesters poured out into the streets to condemn the government’s plan to sign a multi billion dollar gas deal with Israel. Members of various political groups as well as ordinary citizens took part in the Friday protest rallies. The protesters called the plan a deal of shame, saying the government is contributing to Israeli crimes against Palestinians. They also accused Prime Minister Abdullah al Nassour of “stealing the reserves of Palestinians. ” We know Russia comes down to take a spoil. Israel has now found the spoil and the tensions over it are mounting… BIBLE QUOTE thou [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; , (Ezekiel 38: 10 -12)

Russia ‘planning’ war in Israel says official International Business Times, December 22, 2014 EVENT Russia is planning to ignite a war in Israel in an alleged contingency plan to trigger a direct military conflict between Hezbollah and Syrian President Bashar al Assad's regime. A French official has revealed the plan as Russia's weapon against the U. S. and the European Union amid increasing sanctions on Moscow. According to WND, the official, who has requested his identity to remain unknown, said Russia's plan to start a war in Israel was borne out of Russia's increasing isolation due to Western sanctions. In the past week, the U. S. and European Union issued tighter sanctions to target the Russian economy and pressure Moscow to pull out its troops in Crimea. The anonymous official further revealed that Russia has been successful in sending Hezbollah a large shipment of Iskandar ballistic missiles and surface to air missiles. The convoy of missiles was received despite the alleged efforts of Israeli airstrikes targeting weapons shipped by Russia earlier in December. COMMENT So could this “unnamed source” be right? Could Russia ignite a conflict between Israel and its neighbours in retaliation to American and European sanctions? Apparently Russia has not made any final decision about pushing Hezbollah to attack Israel. However, according to the report the French official believes Russia is indeed planning a possible conflict in the Middle East to play out the country's confrontation with the West. We do know that the Syrian Foreign minister visited Putin earlier this month in Sochi. We do know that Russia has sent high tech military equipment to Syria which was bound for Hezbollah. With Bible in hand we know there is an immediate conflict with Israel’s surrounding neighbours that PRECEDES Gog invading. It makes sense that Russia is behind the first war (Israel’s neighbours) and the second war (Ezekiel 38) BIBLE QUOTE After many days thou [Gog / 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 (Ezekiel 38: 8) safely all of them. Visited = sought after, needed, mustered.

Iron Dome deployed in wake of rising Gaza tensions Jerusalem Post, December 26, 2014 EVENT COMMENT BIBLE QUOTE The IDF has rolled out Iron Dome anti rocket batteries near the Negev towns of Netivot and Beersheba as a precaution in the event that tensions in Gaza escalate to a full blown conflict. Defence officials told Israel Radio that though they do not foresee a renewal of hostilities between Palestinians in Gaza and the IDF, the Iron Dome batteries are meant to guard against the eventuality of a resumption of rocket fire. Local municipalities have not been updated on the deployment, and have no intention of changing safety policies within their cities. Last month, an Iron Dome anti rocket battery was deployed to the Haifa area. The deployment comes amid heightened tensions in the region. There is growing concern in Israel that a new conflict could soon start again with the Palestinians. On Wednesday, a Palestinian sniper opened fire on an IDF unit guarding workers carrying out maintenance work near the Gaza border, seriously wounding a soldier from the Beduin Reconnaissance Battalion. The roll out of the iron dome batteries shows that Israel believes conflict could be reignited at anytime. The Bible is very clear. There is an initial conflict that occurs between Israel and its immediate neighbours BEFORE Russia invades. The key to unlocking this is understanding that Zechariah 12 and 14 are NOT describing the same event. Zechariah 12 is the first war. Zechariah 14 is the second war. Zechariah 2 v 2 talks of “nearby nations sending their armies”. v 6 says the Jews “will burn up THE NEIGHBOURING NATIONS right and left”. Jerusalem is victorious in the war. Israel is weakened in this war but overcomes. Into the vacuum left comes Russia – like a storm. 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 neighbouring nations right and left, while the people living in Jerusalem remain secure. CLICK HERE to read an article on this (Zechariah 12: 2+6 NLT)