Calvary Prophecy Report

A partial peace deal between Israel and the Palestinian Authority, even if achieved within a year, will not satisfy Washington, a US official said Tuesday.

The American official told reporters in Jerusalem that the upcoming  peace summit in Washington aims to strike a full peace agreement between the parties. The official rejected the possibility of "only" a partial or interim peace deal within the timeframe set for the peace talks (Ynetnews.com).

US officials are sending the message that both Israel and the Palestinian Authority better come prepared to strike a full peace agreement within 12 months of the September 2nd start of direct peace talks. 

Quartet Special envoy to the Middle East Tony Blair is calling on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian Leader Mahmoud Abbas to bring some serious ideas, including ideas on solving final statue issues. "There will be no successful negotiations unless all the final status issues are on the table," he said. "Proposals on these issues will be a litmus test of seriousness (AP)."  Those final status issues include borders of the new Palestinian state, fate of Palestinian refugees, and Jerusalem.

Both sides have complained that the others' pre-conditions have doomed talks from going forward. With that side, the upcoming direct talks will begin with no pre-conditions. However, issues such as Israeli security, the continuation of the settlement freeze, and Palestinian recognition of Israel as the Jewish homeland will be discussed. At this time, the US and Israel are in secret talks in an attempt to work out a compromise on continuing the building freeze with some limited settlement construction.

"We are very mindful of the moratorium and the fact that it comes up for reconsideration during September," State Department Spokesman PJ Crowley said Monday.

"The direct negotiation begins on September 2nd. And you can rest assured that this will be among the topics discussed early on (Ynetnews.com)."

Don't expect the status of Jerusalem to be worked out quickly. My guess is Jerusalem will be an eleventh hour decision. I look for Israel to reluctantly agree to turn over East Jerusalem but the transition will be toward the end of the seven-year phase. Yes, it's likely that the seven-year peace accord will serve as a transition period in which Israel will turn over the West Bank in stages and finally East Jerusalem. Of course, the peace accord timeframe (seven years) may only serve as a framework for the tribulation period. Many things could change the actual direction of the tribulation period, including the Russian-Islamic attack on Israel (Ezekiel 38 & 39), the world war that will claim one-quarter of the world's population (Revelation 6:7-8), the Antichrist declaring himself to be God (Revelation 13:11-17), and the subsequent wrath of God (Revelation 6:12-17).

Whether or not this round of talks will finally prove to be fruitful is anyone's guest, but the Bible says one day that day will come (Daniel 9:27). But before it does arrive, the rapture will take place. The timing of the rapture is another unknown factor in the end time's scenario. Meaning, how much time will transpire between the rapture of the church and the signing of the peace accord the Antichrist will bring?