Latest Bible Prophecy Commentary
Report: Ireland on Tuesday decided to upgrade the status of the Palestinian Authority diplomatic delegation; EU To Follow Suit?
Ireland on Tuesday decided to upgrade the status of the Palestinian Authority diplomatic delegation in Dublin, starting what many in Israel fear will be a domino effect leading to the unilateral recognition of a Palestinian Arab state.
Irish officials stressed that the PA delegation was not being upgraded to a full embassy, but rather a diplomatic mission, and that Dublin was not recognizing “Palestine” as an independent state.
Still, the move does mean that the head of the PA delegation will now be referred to as “ambassador” and will present credentials to the Irish president just like a real ambassador. So while Ireland is playing a game of semantics, the reality “on the ground” is that the Palestinian Authority will be represented as an independent national entity in Europe.
Israeli officials were furious (Israel Today).
Just a suspected, the European Union is positioning itself to eventually recognize a Palestinian state as a unified block of nations. Israel may complain that this domino effect of Palestinian recognition only serves to hamper peace negotiations, but the truth is, it serves to hasten Israel's realization that a forced Palestinian state on international terms is coming sooner than later unless they return to direct talks soon.
You would think that with the disclosures of the Palestinian papers the world would concentrate on pressuring the Palestinian government to immediately return to direct negotiations absent the requirement of a settlement freeze. However, true to form, the leaked papers seem to be of little interest to the international community.
I have to believe a Palestinian state is forthcoming and could possibly be as early as 2011.
Does that mean the rapture is near? As I have stated many times, the rapture could happen at any moment. The Bible is clear that we as Christians should be living in a state of the Lord's imminent return (Revelation 1:3; 22:10; Luke 12:40; Philippians 3:20; Hebrews 9:28; Titus 2:13; 1 Thessalonians 5:6).
It should also be noted that the Israeli-Palestinian peace talks may or may not turn out to be the talks that ultimately lead to a covenant with the Antichrist. Personally, I lean toward that being the case but it's not a certainty.
Here is alternate speculation on this subject:
It's certainly plausible that peace could come and a Palestinian state created, but if it is to be the peace that the Antichrist will bring, two of God's supernatural witnesses will have to arise on the streets of Jerusalem shortly after this covenant is confirmed (Revelation 11:3). The peace accord will likely have a stated seven-year time limit or stage completion date. You can also expect (if not accomplished before) that the building of the Jerusalem Temple will be completed with the resumption of sacrifices within 3 1/2 years from that date (Daniel 9:27). If you don't see at least God's two witnesses performing great miracles on the streets of Jerusalem (they will be world famous; Revelation 11:3-13), and the beginning stages of construction on the Jerusalem Temple (at the latest within a few years), it's very likely this peace accord is not the covenant of the Antichrist.
If this is the case, it is more likely this is the time spoken of in Ezekiel 38:8, 11 & 14 which states that Israel will be living in a time of peace and safety within their own borders. The Bible says, during this time, Russia will lead an Islamic alliance against Israel. Although the world will protest there is no evidence that indicates they will intervene on Israel's behalf. When all looks to be lost, the Bible says God will miraculously intervene and destroy 83% of the invading armies.
Here are a few possibilities that I have raised in the past:
Theory #1: Even though this agreement may have a seven-year (?) timeline attached to it, it will be cut short by the invading armies of the North. And as Iranian President Ahmadinejad unknowingly prophesied they will come upon Israel as a great storm (Ezekiel 38: 9), but will be miraculously defeated by God Almighty.
Following this great war and defeat, a leader out of the European Union will come on the scene and bring peace to the Middle East confirming the peace plan the Israelis and the Islamic nations started (Daniel 9:27). Included in this agreement will likely be a guarantee of Israel's security and may even allow for them to become full members of the EU. But halfway through the seven-year plan he (Antichrist) to will betray Israel.
Theory #2: Israel and the Palestinian Authority agree to a Middle East peace plan. A leader out of the European Union will be given credit for making peace a reality.
The plan will call for Israel and the Palestinian Authority to accomplish all written articles within the seven-year timeframe of the agreement.
Within one year (speculation), Russia and a host of Islamic nations will break the peace and attack Israel. But as the Bible predicted over 2000 years ago ( Ezekiel 38 & 39) these invading armies would be soundly and miraculously defeated.
Following this great defeat, the Antichrist will restore calm to the Middle East and reassure Israel of his future protection. World peace will prevail for another 2-3 years, but at the halfway point of the peace agreement, the Antichrist will betray Israel and declare himself to be God.
Both Theories Sound Identical
You may say, both theories seem to sound the same. They do seem to
be the same but with these differences. In theory #1, the original
agreement will be signed without the involvement of the Antichrist. He
will not get involved until after the Russian-Islamic alliance attacks Israel.
But following the war, he will restore calm to the Middle East and guarantee
Israel's safety from that point on. He will confirm the peace treaty that
the Islamic nations made with Israel and from that time on will begin the
seven-year tribulation period. Most Bible prophecy experts believe this
scenario will take place after the rapture of the church and likely during a gap
of time before the tribulation period begins.
In theory #2 the Antichrist is involved throughout the Middle East peace process and will be given credit for making it a reality. But, shortly into the agreement, the Russian-Islamic alliance will attack Israel. Following the defeat of the Russian-Islamic alliance, the Antichrist will restore calm but no new agreement will be made. He will, however, take measures that will assure the world that the Middle East peace agreement is still in tact and unaffected. Miraculously, Middle East peace will go forward for another 2-3 years until the Antichrist breaks it himself (Article# 707).
In other news, continued unrest has spread from Tunisia, to Egypt, and now to Yemen. It should be noted that Foreign Policy magazine also included Yemen in their latest list of potential countries ripe for a revolt. What effect could this have on Bible prophecy? I certainly can't see anything good coming out of it especially for Israel. In Egypt, the Muslim brotherhood could conceivably take over power while Yemen, already a haven for terrorism, could make it official joining Lebanon in Iran's puppet regime. In the end, it's just one more reason why the world will be clamoring for "peace and safety" during these last days.
Are you ready to meet the Lord? If not, your time is running out!
Terry Malone
Calvary Prophecy Report
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