Latest Bible Prophecy Commentary
Prophecy Alert: European Union Pushing Hard To Become Middle East Peace Brokers With UN
Britain, France and Germany want the United Nations and the European Union to propose the outlines of a final settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that would lead to the establishment of a Palestinian state, UN diplomats said.
The three European countries, all members of the UN Security Council, are pressing for Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the European Union to propose a settlement text at a meeting in mid-April of the Quartet of Mideast mediators, the diplomats said, speaking on condition of anonymity because talks are taking place in private.
The quartet includes the UN, EU, U.S. and Russia. The aim is to get a basis for direct Israeli-Palestinian talks to resume.
Putting the job in the hands of the EU and the UN would sideline the United States, Israel's closest ally which has tried unsuccessfully for months to get face-to-face negotiations going, as well as Russia, an ally of the Palestinians.
The big question mark is whether the United States would allow the Europeans and UN to take the lead in trying to resolve the standoff, and that is likely to depend on whether the Israelis give a green light, the diplomats said.
The Israelis and Palestinians have agreed to President Barack Obama's target date of September 2011 for an agreement, but negotiations collapsed weeks after they restarted last September.
The U.S. veto on February 18 of a Security Council resolution that would have condemned Israeli settlements as illegal and demanded an immediate halt to all settlement building spurred Britain, France and Germany, who supported the measure, to issue a joint statement expressing serious concern about the stalemate in the Middle East peace process.
Since the U.S. efforts have been unsuccessful, diplomats said the three European powers decided to try a new approach in hopes of breaking the deadlock.
The diplomats said the three European countries have delivered the message in key capitals - including Washington and Jerusalem - that if the parameters of a final settlement are endorsed, the Palestinians will return to the negotiating table (haaretz.com).
This sudden development, if true, is a page right out of Bible prophecy. For years Bible prophecy scholars have interpreted Daniel 9:26 & 27 to state that the Antichrist would rise up out of the European Union and confirm a seven-year peace accord with Israel and many other nations. I believe, before it's all said and done, the European Union will succeed in creating a Palestinian state, bring peace to Israel, and quiet the unrest that has gripped the Middle East.
For decades, the US has been the peace broker in the Middle East with little success. The fact is, they've probably caused more dissension than good in looking after their own interests in the region. Judging from the Libya operation, I believe the US will likely welcome the European Union taking the lead role in Middle East peace talks. US President Barack Obama has been under a tremendous amount of pressure as of late over his handling of Middle East civil unrest. Many see public opinion growing weary of continued US meddling in the affairs of the Middle East. With the US involved in two wars in the region with no immediate end in sight, they may be looking to play more of a supportive role
If the EU were to take the lead role in Middle East peace talks, who would be there lead negotiator? The most obvious choice would be the current Quartet envoy to the Middle East, Tony Blair. He is the former Prime Minister of the UK and has been heavily involved in the peace process for many years. Whether or not he will continue to take a lead role if the EU takes control is yet to be seen, but he would be my first pick.
Of course, many of you may be thinking that would make him the obvious choice to be the future Antichrist. Not necessarily...let me explain!
Following the rapture of the church, Satan will choose his Antichrist and false prophet. It's possible that he may have already made his selections and is merely working behind the scenes to position his future world leaders. Does that mean that Satan knows the day he is living in? I don't believe so! He may unknowingly be in the planning stage of his next attempt of taking over the world, but when the rapture takes place, I believe it will take him completely by surprise. When this happens, he will either continue with his plan (if he has selected his rulers) or immediately select his Antichrist and false prophet. However, this will not be possible until the Holy Spirit is removed and allows him to do so (II Thessalonians 2:3-10).
Here's an interesting question. At this time, does the Antichrist know who he is? I don't believe that he does, and certainly, at this very moment, I would doubt seriously that he sees himself as an evil person. Many have been forecast to be the Antichrist, and I can assure you, every single candidate would laugh at the notion of someone actually believing that they could be the future Antichrist. I'm sure for example, Tony Blair has been made aware that some have predicted that he may be the Antichrist. Some predicted that it would be George W. Bush, but the fact that every so-called expert has been miserably wrong is not my point. When the Antichrist rises, and he will, he will be possessed by Satan. From that point on he will be a completely changed man. However unproductive he may have been before that day will pass away and he will immediately become a political, military, and financial superstar, the likes of which the world has never seen. But he will also personify the very depths of deception and evil. But at this time, I believe he is oblivious to his future.
One other fact that should be pointed out. When the rapture takes place, as a result of the Christian influence and the protecting power of the Holy Spirit being removed, this world will change dramatically. It will quickly fall into a deep apostasy and the hatred toward Israel will grow exponentially. I believe the departure of US Christians will finally allow the president (whoever he may be at the time) to withhold his UN veto power in further resolutions condemning Israeli settlement building. This will be the moment the international community has waited for and it will force Israel to accept a Palestinian state.
In a recent statement by European Union officials, they indicated that a new Middle East peace proposal was on the drawing table and that they expected to resume peace talks as soon as possible. The target date to create and recognize a Palestinian state is still September of this year.
As the year 2011 progresses, we have seen the continuation of major earthquakes increase in strength and frequency, the beginning stages of Middle East unrest, wars and rumors of wars (Mark 13:8), and now the very real possibility of the prophesied new Roman Empire (EU) taking the lead in the quest for Middle East peace (Daniel 9:26, 27). Shockingly, this is all taking place within the same year let alone within one generation.
For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginnings of sorrows.
If you don't know the Lord I certainly would not wait another day to make that decision for Christ. Ask the Lord to save you, repent of your sins, believe that He died and rose again for you, and commit your life to serve Him from this day forward. Today may be your final opportunity.
Are you ready to meet the Lord? If not, your time is running out!
Terry Malone
Calvary Prophecy Report
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