Sorry, I made a mistake with my calculations on the previous article relating to the timing of the tribulation period in relation to the Jewish calendar. I had said that Rosh Hashanah would occur 1260 days prior to the Passover, but this actually happens roughly 1290 days prior to the Passover. I am not sure whether the extra 30 days has anything to do with the extra month in a leap year or not. I need to do some more thinking about this...

Well I have done some studying into the 1260 days and the 1290 days. It seems I haven't made a mistake in the theory that the seventieth week could begin with Rosh HaShanah and end with Yom Kippur, although I should have taken 1290 days from the date of Passover in order to reach the Feast of Trumpets at the start of the seven year period. I have done some studying into the Jewish calendar system, and it seems that the Jewish leap years vary over a 19 year cycle, and this can affect the length of Daniel's seventieth week depending on when this period begins. At present I am trying to formulate a conclusion to all of this. Thanks.

Quartet Special Envoy to the Middle East, Tony Blair, has said that he believes a peace deal is "definitely possible" by the end of this year, despite the worsening security situation in the Gaza Strip. In an interview published in the Times Newspaper, Blair stated in regard to the Middle East conflict, that "there is nothing more important to world peace than resolving this question". The former British Prime Minister also said that American involvement in the peace process had dramatically improved over the last couple of months, and that it was in Israel's best interest to negotiate a peace agreement with the Palestinian Authority before his term ends in January 2009.

Quote: ""I am unworried by the fact that it is President Bush's last year in office," he said. "Firstly, President Bush is immensely popular in Israel. Secondly, I did the Northern Ireland deal the month before I left." The Quartet envoy also told The Times that a key issue was the creating of circumstances whereby Israelis "get confidence that their security concerns are being met and the Palestinians get confidence that the occupation will eventually be lifted."

Following his resignation as British Prime Minister, Tony Blair had hoped to become directly involved in negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians, after his appointment to the post of Quartet Special Envoy. But Javier Solana, the High Representative for the European Common, Foreign and Security Policy, felt that this role would conflict with European efforts in the Middle East through EuroMed, and that Blair's mandate should be limited to that of building the economy and establishing institutions that will ensure the viability of any future Palestinian state. There are rumours circulating that Blair is unhappy at not being able to play a mediating role in the Middle East, and that he may now be seeking a more prominent position in world politics, possibly as EU President.

Quote: "Some Blair allies also say that he now recognises that as envoy in the Middle East he is not going to be allowed to become the key player in furthering Israeli-Palestinian talks this year, and will be reduced to a role of supporting political development in Palestine and boosting its economy.

But the security situation in Gaza may make a peace agreement with the Palestinians much harder to reach by the end of this year. And so some Israeli ministers are urging the government to go back to Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's convergence plan, whereby Israel would disengage to permanent borders regardless of whether there is a peace agreement with the Palestinians or not. But the Bible seems to indicate that some sort of agreement will be made before Israel disengages from Judea and east Jerusalem.

A number of Christians have emailed me wondering whether we are now living in the last year before the tribulation period could begin. The reasoning behind this is, this year in Israel is a ' shmita' year - the sabbatical year in which the Jews are commanded by God to let the land rest from producing fruit. In the Autumn of 2008, the Feast of Trumpets will mark the beginning of another cycle of seven years for the Jewish people. The covenant between Israel and the surrounding nations is also strengthened by the Antichrist for a period of seven years (Daniel 9:27), so the thought is that this agreement could fall into one of these seven year cycles on the Jewish calendar. The fact that the international community is aiming for a peace agreement by the end of 2008 is therefore quite significant. 

The book of Daniel states that the actual time of Jacob's trouble will begin after the agreement is broken by the Antichrist, and will run for a period of three and a half years (Daniel 12:7), or 42 months (Revelation 11:2), or 1260 days. Daniel also mentions another figure, 1335 days (Daniel 12:12). 

Revelation 11:2
But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.

Daniel 7:25
And he (Antichrist) shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time (3.5 years).

For a moment let's say that the tribulation period does begin at the end of this year. There are two or three Jewish feast days that have not yet found their fulfilment in the person of Jesus Christ. They are Rosh Hashanah (the Feast of Trumpets) and Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement), and possibly Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles). The Bible seems to indicate that the Day of Atonement will find its fulfilment upon the return of Christ to this earth. The Day of Atonement is a day of national repentance for Israel, the holiest day of the year, in which Jews are commanded by God to afflict their souls for the sins of the past year (Leviticus 23:27). The prophecy of Zechariah indicates that the Jewish nation will be in mourning for the One they crucified after He returns to defeat the Antichrist and his armies (Zechariah 12:10). So let's say that this is the day on which Christ returns to earth at the end of the tribulation period. From the prophecy of Daniel we know that the Great Tribulation period will last exactly 1260 days, or three and a half years. If we count back 1260 days from the 23rd of September 2015 (Day of Atonement), we reach the 11th of April 2012. This date happens to fall right in the middle of the Feast of Passover, which was fulfilled at Christ's first coming to earth. This date is also in the middle of the seven year tribulation period, and would be the day on which the Antichrist turns his back on the peace agreement, and begins his persecution of the Jewish people. It is interesting to note that many Christians feel that the Antichrist will counterfeit some of the events in the life of Jesus Christ. According to Zechariah 11:17 and Revelation 13:3, the Antichrist will receive a deadly wound, but he will be miraculously healed, and this 'resurrection' will cause the whole world to worship him as God. The fact that this date falls on Passover is most intriguing, considering this was the time of year when Jesus Christ was crucified and was miraculously raised from the dead (John 13:1). If we count back 1290 days from this date, we reach the 29th of September 2008, which happens to be the Feast of Trumpets. It is possible that the Feast of Trumpets could be the date on which the Rapture of the Church occurs. For further study on this, see the Rapture article. We take 1290 days from this date and not 1260, because of the way the Jewish calendar is constructed, with an extra month being inserted in seven years over a nineteen year cycle. Remember that other figure of 1335 days? If we count 1335 days from 11th of April 2012 (the middle of the seven year period), we reach the 7th of December 2015. According to the prophecy of Daniel, all who live to see this date will be blessed (Daniel 12:12). This date happens to fall on Chanukah, the celebration of the Maccabbees victory over Antiochus Epiphanes and the subsequent rededication of the Temple.

As we can see, the prophecy of Daniel is 100% accurate. With current events pointing towards the division of the land of Israel and the city of Jerusalem, which will occur in the middle of the seven year period, there is no doubt we are nearing the time when this prophecy will be fulfilled. The question is not if these events will occur, but when they will occur. We still can't be certain whether this coming seven years will see the fulfilment of these prophecies, or whether the prophecy is for another seven years yet to come. If Christ came today, would you be caught up to meet Him in the air, or would you be caught out, still in your sins, having no hope and without God in the world (Ephesians 2:12)? Come to Christ for salvation today. He will not turn you away (John 6:37).   

Source Haaretz, Guardian, Reuters, YNet News, Jewish Feasts and Holy Days

One woman is dead and dozens more are wounded this morning, after two terrorists belonging to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah party carried out a suicide bombing in southern Israel. One suicide bomber was short dead before he had a chance to detonate his explosives, thanks to an Israeli police officer who happened to be on the scene at the time. His quick thinking prevented a much more devastating attack from taking place. It is the first suicide bombing to be carried out in Israel in over a year, largely thanks to the hated 'West Bank' barrier. Israel feared that the breach of the Rafah border would allow a free flow of weaponry into the Gaza Strip, and would permit terrorists to launch attacks on Israel from the Sinai desert. And today those fears have been confirmed.

Quote: "The two bombers entered Israel from Egypt after Hamas blew up the Gaza-Egypt border wall, a spokesman for the Al Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades said. Abu Fouad, a spokesman for the Fatah-linked organization, said the operation had been planned for a month, but was made possible after Hamas violently opened Gaza's border with Egypt on January 23.

Last week Egyptian security forces arrested over a dozen Hamas members who were carrying weapons and explosives in the Sinai. It is likely that today's suicide bombing was not the first attempt by Palestinian terrorists to carry out an attack in Israel. Abbas has publicly condemned the suicide bombing carried out by members of his own organization, but his condemnation means little when his government continues to propagate anti-Semitism through the media and the PA school curriculum. The Palestinian Liberation Organization does recognize Israel's right to exist, but Abbas' own Fatah party does not, and sees the peace process as just a stepping stone towards the ultimate destruction of the Jewish state. Like his predecessor Yasser Arafat, Mahmoud Abbas also speaks with a forked tongue. To his English audience, Abbas appears as a 'moderate' who seeks peace with Israel, but his speeches to his Arab audience convey a completely different message.

So as we can see, as far as the Palestinians are concerned, there will be no peace in the Middle East while the state of Israel continues to exist. And the international community demands that Israel hand over yet more territory to organizations who's stated goal is the destruction of the Jewish state? It's unbelievable. But the Bible prophesied that this would come to pass. Israel has become involved in a political process that must ultimately bring about the division of Jerusalem and the land of Israel (Daniel 11:39, Zechariah 12:2, 14:2, Revelation 11:2). Following the outbreak of the Second Lebanon War, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert stated that Israel desired an "eternal covenant of peace" with their neighbours. That covenant will come, and it seems it will be confirmed by hell itself. For the peace Israel has sought so long will be guaranteed by the Antichrist, the very man who will subsequently turn against Israel, in a final bid to destroy the Jewish people. But the Bible states that Israel's covenant with hell will be broken. For believing Israel is bound by a greater covenant, one made by blood. Jesus Christ will return to set up His kingdom. 

Isaiah 28:14-16
Wherefore hear the word of the LORD, ye scornful men, that rule this people which [is] in Jerusalem. Because ye have said, We have made a covenant with death, and with hell are we at agreement; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, it shall not come unto us: for we have made lies our refuge, and under falsehood have we hid ourselves: Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner [stone], a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.

You too can be made a partaker of this new covenant through faith in Jesus Christ. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved (Acts 16:31). 

Ephesians 2:12-13
That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.

Source Jerusalem Post, Reuters, Jerusalem Post, Arutz 7

Sorry I haven't updated the site. Yesterday I was out at a missionary report meeting, which was very encouraging. But last night I failed to do right and I let the devil get the victory, and today I have struggled with the Sunday School work and I am still feeling low.

Javier Solana, the High Representative for the European Common, Foreign and Security Policy, is expected to arrive in Cairo this evening to discuss the deepening crisis in Gaza. He will be joined by Quartet Special Envoy Tony Blair next week, in a bid to try and resolve the stand-off over the breach of the Rafah border. There have been contradictory reports in the press of Hamas' stance in regard to this issue. Shortly after this present situation developed, the BBC had initially stated that Hamas was in favour of co-operating with Egypt in resealing the border. The BBC are of course portraying Hamas as the victors in all of this, in openly defying Israel's unjust blockade of the poor Palestinian people.

Quote: "What is clear is that, at least for now, Hamas has emerged triumphant, striking a blow against Israeli pressure, but equally thumbing its nose at the Fatah-dominated Palestinian Authority in the West Bank and precipitating a problem into the laps of the Egyptians which they certainly do not want. By opening the way for a surge of Palestinian people-power into Egypt, Hamas has at a stroke made itself a player again in the diplomatic game despite the efforts of virtually all sides to marginalize its influence.

But it's the Palestinian people that are the losers in all of this. For an illegal terrorist organization is literally holding the entire Gaza Strip to ransom, in refusing to recognize Israel's right to exist and continuing its guerrilla war against the Jewish state. The Palestinians of Gaza are just the pawns in Hamas' game. In reality Hamas has been openly opposing the resealing of the Rafah border. Egyptian soldiers came under attack from Hamas terrorists last week, after they attempted to prevent Palestinians from crossing the border into Egypt. The soldiers were forced to withdraw from the area, and Hamas terrorists took their place. Hamas are now calling for a prime role in monitoring the Rafah border, and a senior advisor to Ismael Haniyeh is even calling for the severing of Gaza's economic ties with Israel.

Quote: "The organization has already generated plans, likely presented to the Egyptian government during a Hamas delegation visit to Cairo last week, whereupon Egypt can supply the Gaza Strip with fuel and electricity, as well as opening the Rafah Crossing for commerce with Gaza. "Several Arab countries have already expressed marked willingness to trade with Gaza and to fund energy export projects should Egypt prove willing," said Yousef, noting that Hamas wants to bolster Gaza’s economy by ending its nearly absolute economic reliance on Israel. When asked whether Hamas is also considering abandoning the use of Israeli currency in the Strip, Yousef indicated that this "might be possible in the future. Residents of Gaza can always trade in American Dollars, Jordanian Dinars or Egyptian Pounds at a later point."

But that is extremely unlikely to happen, even if Israel wanted it. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas opposes it, for it would undermine his authority over Gaza. And the international community is not going to accept it, for giving Hamas access to Egypt would only strengthen the terrorist organization and help further its goal in the destruction of Israel. And so Hamas is opposing the visit of Javier Solana and Tony Blair to the region next week, believing they will shut the door on their demonic agenda.

Quote: ""This is a new plot to keep the blockade on Gaza Strip," said Hamas' spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri. He explained that the visit aims at "cutting the road before Hamas' attempts to reopen Rafah crossing with new arrangements bypassing the Israeli occupation's intervention in monitoring the crossing."

The situation on the Rafah border seems to have completely overshadowed peace talks between Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Mahmoud Abbas. But as we can see, the European Union is becoming actively involved in the region, just as the Bible prophesied. And soon the Lord Jesus Christ will come, and take those who have trusted in Him for salvation, to be with Him where He is. Have you trusted in Him for salvation? He died for you. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved (Acts 16:31). 

Revelation 22:6-7
And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly be done. Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.

Source BBC, YNet News, China View

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has said that negotiations on the status of Jerusalem are to be postponed until a later stage in the peace process, over fears that the divisive issue could derail the talks. The Prime Minister has said that negotiations should begin with issues in which there is a greater chance of agreement. This is quite a change in tact for Olmert compared just a few weeks ago. Around the time of the international peace conference in Annapolis, he had publicly questioned why Arab-majority communities were ever considered part of Jerusalem. Most recently Olmert asserted that the division of Jerusalem was inevitable, stating that "the world that really supports Israel, when it speaks of the future, it speaks of Israel in terms of the '67 borders. It speaks of division of Jerusalem. We must remember this". And following the commencement of final status talks and the Har Homa dispute he ordered the freezing of all construction work in the east of the city, even in areas which Israel presently intends to keep as part of a peace agreement, signalling that the Israeli government ultimately intends to divide the city to pave the way for the establishment of a Palestinian state.

Quote: "Several days ago, the prime minister met with Ma'aleh Adumim Mayor Benny Kashriel, who asked Olmert to approve several construction plans -including in the controversial E1 corridor linking Ma'aleh Adumim to Jerusalem. Olmert refused, saying the issue was sensitive in terms of relations with the United States and the Palestinian Authority. Kashriel also asked Olmert to approve tenders for the completion of the settlement's 07 neighborhood. Barak approved the construction during his term as prime minister, and the new neighborhood was to have a total of 3,500 housing units - 2,000 of which have been built and sold, and another 1,100 of which are currently under construction. Most of the units that are under construction have also been sold. The Housing Ministry was to issue tenders for the remaining 400 homes, but Kashriel says Olmert refused to approve the request. Kashriel also asked Olmert to authorize the construction of schools and kindergartens in the 07 neighborhood, but said this request was also denied. "I told the prime minister that I need another school and more kindergartens, by September, otherwise I'll bring the children to his office and they can study there," said Kashriel.

It seems that what Prime Minister Olmert says and what Prime Minister Olmert does are two different things. Officials in the Israeli government believe the real reason why Olmert is being so cautious over his plan for the division of Jerusalem is because other parties in his coalition government would not support it. The ultra-Orthodox Shas party has already threatened to walk out of the government the minute the two sides begin negotiations on Jerusalem. And the fall of Olmert's government could derail the whole peace process.

So it seems that once again the division of Jerusalem has been put on the back burner. And this is exactly what the Bible predicts. For according to Daniel's prophecy, a peace agreement between Israel and the surrounding nations will be confirmed for a period of seven years. I don't know what this agreement will be, but somehow Israel will be permitted to keep east Jerusalem and rebuild their Temple. But following the collapse of the agreement, the land of Israel will be divided by the Antichrist (Daniel 11:39), and the Arab nations will be in siege against Judea and Jerusalem (Zechariah 12:2, Revelation 11:2). And the Antichrist, who at one time appeared as the harbinger of peace, will turn his back on the Jewish people. Following Jesus Christ's three and a half year ministry on this earth, the Jewish nation publicly rejected their King, calling on Him to be crucified and saying, "His blood be on us, and on our children", Matthew 27:25. God took them at their word. Following the nation's three and a half year period of great tribulation, they will turn to the One that they rejected. Only this time they will accept Him as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Have you accepted Jesus Christ as Lord of your life? Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved (Acts 16:31).

Proverbs 22:11
He that loveth pureness of heart, for the grace of his lips the king shall be his friend.

Source Haaretz, Haaretz