Learn what will happen during the tribulation period from beginning to end
Your comments and questions are always welcome. To send comments and questions please click here to go to our main page. Sun Apr 7, 5:14 PM ET By Atef Saad NABLUS, West Bank (Reuters) - The Israeli army pounded the West Bank cities of Nablus and Jenin Sunday, battling gunmen house to house, in defiance of U.S. calls to end an offensive which has killed at least 200 Palestinians. The Israeli government hailed the West Bank sweep, launched after a wave of Palestinian suicide bombings, as a success. But a cabinet statement ignored President Bush's pressure to withdraw the troops from Palestinian cities "without delay." A senior army officer said the goal of crushing what Israel calls a Palestinian "terrorist infrastructure" could not be achieved by the end of the week, when Secretary of State Colin Powell will visit in pursuit of a cease-fire. Israel had been widely expected to continue its 10-day-old offensive until Powell arrived, and Palestinians feared this meant intensified military assaults over the next few days. Palestinians say the offensive, in which their president Yasser Arafat has been surrounded in his West Bank headquarters, is designed to permanently reoccupy their cities and topple his Palestinian Authority. The onslaught has caused uproar abroad. Spanish Foreign Minister Josep Pique, whose country holds the European Union's presidency, said the 15-member group would consider imposing sanctions on Israel if it kept rejecting cease-fire calls. DANGER OF SECOND FRONT Israel faced new violence near its northern border. Hizbollah guerrillas attacked Israeli troops occupying the foothills of the Golan Heights and Israel responded by firing artillery and rockets at positions in south Lebanon. Shortly afterward, an Israeli security source said residents of two nearby border communities, Menara and Avivim, were ordered into bomb shelters after Hizbollah gunmen fired at army guard posts there, wounding seven soldiers. The Israeli government has expressed concern that such clashes could open a new war front. Foreign Minister Shimon Peres's office said he had called Powell to ask for U.S. intervention to prevent a flare-up with Lebanon and Syria. Israeli opinion polls show the campaign has boosted Sharon's support. But Sharon is aware of the dangers of testing the patience of an ally which provides about $3 billion in annual aid, equal to three percent of its gross domestic product. Fighting has intensified since Bush called last Thursday for a withdrawal leading to renewed talks, and the Palestinians were unhappy that Powell was not due to arrive until late this week. "It is regrettable that Secretary of State Colin Powell has delayed his arrival in Palestine until next Friday, which will be used by Sharon to pursue his military plan," the official WAFA news agency quoted an unnamed spokesman as saying. END This week will tell a lot about the direction of this offensive. I don't believe that Israel will pull out until the very last minute and may not even then. I think the Arab world has bitten off much more then they had ever dreamed. Other countries are beginning to protest against Israel, which doesn't surprise me. In fact, I see the day coming very soon that the U.S. will wash their hands of the whole mess if talks fail to show progress. What I see for the next two weeks: I truly believe that these next two weeks will be a make or break period of time. Israel may pull back for the time being but will resume its offensive when Palestian's begin their terrorist ways again. Of course, major progress could be made. It has to some day because the Bible predicted that over 2,000 years ago. If that happens we are closer to the rapture then we think. But it's all in God's timing and he will determine what the future will bring. If you don't know the Lord now would be a good time to make Him Lord of your life. Don't wait, tomorrow maybe to late. If you would like to make that commitment here's what you need to do. First, come to the Father, admitting that you are a sinner. This proclaims your need for a Savior. Second, ask for forgiveness of your sins. Third, ask Jesus, to come into your heart, and save you, and to help you live a life for Him (Romans 10:9-10). Dedicate the rest of your life to serving Him and mean it. Only a truly repentant heart can Christ come in and forgive. Jesus died for you, He ask that you live for Him (Romans 10:13). Email me with your decision today. Pastor Malone