December 29, 2016 - A. V. Rauf
Endgame: Jerusalem
Joel 3:1-2—1 For, behold, in those days, and in that time, when I shall bring again the captivity of Judah and Jerusalem, 2 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.
On Friday December 23, 2016, one day removed from the Jewish holiday of Hannakah and just two days removed from Christmas, A UN Resolution was passed.Our current Administration did not use the Veto Right of the United States to protect Israel as it has in years past. The United States did not vote on Bill 181 on Friday and the United Nations officially signed this Bill into affect.
What this Bill specifically calls for us for Israel to ultimately vacate the West Bank, which is the historical heartland of the Jewish people known to Israelis as Judea and Samaria, parts of Jerusalem as well as the Golan Heights.
Historically speaking, in 1967, which will soon be fifty years ago, five different Arab nations (including Syria, Jordan and Egypt) surrounding Israel massed their forces along the edges of Israel’s borders and declared their intention to invade, conquer and overtake Israel.
They also blocked Israel’s access to the Straits of Tiran (see black circle at the bottom of the map below) , which is a narrow passageway at the lower tip of the Gulf of Aqaba through which 90% of Israel’s oil wold be shipped. According to International Law, this move was considered to be an act of war by International Law. Thus, Israel made a decision to attack first in self-defense.
The war was over in 6 days, hence known as the Six-Day War. Considered to be a miraculous feat in itself considering the odds, as a result of this victory, Israel obtaind several large pieces of land including the Sinai Peninsula, the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.
In an effort to make peace with their enemies, over the last 40 years, the nation of Israel used the land which they had conquered to obtain promises of peace from their enemies. In 1980, Israel returned the Sinai Peninsula to Egypt. In another effort to make peace in 2005, Israel They returned Gaza to the Palestinians in 2005.
Genesis 15:18-21—In the same day the Lord made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates: 19 The Kenites, and the Kenizzites, and the Kadmonites, 20 And the Hittites, and the Perizzites, and the Rephaims, 21 And the Amorites, and the Canaanites, and the Girgashites, and the Jebusites. (See below as what this land actually would look like today)
Genesis 15:18 records the words of Almighty God when he made a blood covenant with Abraham. God continues in verses 19-21 to name the inhabitants of the land that were to be given into the hands of Abraham. Nowhere does God mention a separate state for any people within the boundaries of the land which He gave to Abraham and his descendants.
So as a result of the USA not voting vote on Bill 181 and the UN signing the Bill into affect, this means that the West bank, Jerusalem and the Golan Heights , are now unlawfully occupied by Israel. This means the birth city of Jesus in Bethlehem , the grave of Jesus and Golgotha Hill is being handed over to Palestine which is now most likely a precursor to the establishment of a recognized state of Palestine by the international community and ultimately the dividing of Jerusalem. This vote just may have ensured the failure of all potential future negotiations. This vote may also enable the Palestinians to now demand all settlements as their legal land, and this very well may be the starting point for all their negotiations. All future negotiations for peace will now begin with the understanding that the 1967 lines are the starting point, not the end point. Israel will now be expected, by the international community, to retreat back to the 1948 lines, not the 1967 borders.
It is also important to note that Prime Minister Netanyahu said, “We do not accept, nor can we accept, this resolution.” This implies more problems in the future, possibly war. (Psalm 83??….Ezekiel 38-39??)
Furthermore, I strongly perceive that Israel will be ordered to hand the West Bank to Palestine for the approval of building the third Jewish Temple on the Temple Mount next to the Dome of the Rock . Currently, there has been an ever increasing movement to build a Temple. This is the great desire of many Jewish people in Israel and around the world. Perhaps this may be used as bait to dangle before them in return for something else. Could that something else be the control of Jerusalem and of the Holy places there? The question for Bible prophecy students is this: Could this be part of the signing of an agreement, or better yet a 7 year Peace agreement???
Stay tuned…….2017 promises to be an exciting year as Jerusalem may indeed become centerstage in the Middle East with global and prophetic ramifications.
The Bible is true and all events are pointing towards the ultimate fulfillment of Bible prophecy. I have always believed that one barometer of faith in the life of a believer is their understanding of current events in light of the Scriptures. (MORE ON THIS IN MY NEXT POST)
Zechariah 2:1-13: I lifted up mine eyes again, and looked, and behold a man with a measuring line in his hand. 2 Then said I, Whither goest thou? And he said unto me, To measure Jerusalem, to see what is the breadth thereof, and what is the length thereof. 3 And, behold, the angel that talked with me went forth, and another angel went out to meet him, 4 And said unto him, Run, speak to this young man, saying, Jerusalem shall be inhabited as towns without walls for the multitude of men and cattle therein: 5 For I, saith the Lord, will be unto her a wall of fire round about, and will be the glory in the midst of her. 6 Ho, ho, come forth, and flee from the land of the north, saith the Lord: for I have spread you abroad as the four winds of the heaven, saith the Lord. 7 Deliver thyself, O Zion, that dwellest with the daughter of Babylon. 8 For thus saith the Lord of hosts; After the glory hath he sent me unto the nations which spoiled you: for he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye. 9 For, behold, I will shake mine hand upon them, and they shall be a spoil to their servants: and ye shall know that the Lord of hosts hath sent me. 10 Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion: for, lo, I come, and I will dwell in the midst of thee, saith the Lord. 11 And many nations shall be joined to the Lord in that day, and shall be my people: and I will dwell in the midst of thee, and thou shalt know that the Lord of hosts hath sent me unto thee. 12 And the Lord shall inherit Judah his portion in the holy land, and shall choose Jerusalem again. 13 Be silent, O all flesh, before the Lord: for he is raised up out of his holy habitation.
One very important consideration is the statement made by God of the consequences of dividing “HIS land”, and especially the city of Jerusalem:
Joel 3:1-2—For, behold, in those days, and in that time, when I shall bring again the captivity of Judah and Jerusalem, 2 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.
It is now becoming VERY CLEAR that Jerusalem will be a burdensome stone for the world a major sign that the seven year Tribulation period is getting closer, and might I say inconclusive evidence that the Rapture is not far off.