President Bashar Assad has announced that Syria and Israel are close to achieving peace, and that both sides are now preparing to move to direct peace negotiations following the next Israeli elections. The two countries have held several indirect meetings over the last few months, mediated through the Turkish government. Israel has been keen to move to direct negotiations, but up until now the Syrian government has remained more cautious. Earlier in the year it was revealed Olmert had reportedly given President Assad assurances that Israel was willing to hand back the entire Golan Heights to Syria. And just recently Olmert was reported to have offered the Golan in return for just moving to direct talks with the Syrian regime.

Quote: ""Today there is a possibility of peace," Assad said. "But nonetheless, we cannot say that we are close to achieving peace. We are preparing for direct negotiations. When we reach that step, we will be able to say that we are approaching peace. "Today, we can only say that we have opened the door to peace," he said, in remarks in Arabic that were dubbed over in French.

With the Iranian nuclear crisis now heating up, Israel is keen to drive a wedge between Iran and Syria, both of which have signed a mutual defence pact. It seems that it is up to Assad to make the decision as to which side he is on. Should he risk the security of his own regime by siding with Iranian President Ahmadinejad, who has set himself up for conflict with the West? Or should he side with Israel and the United States, and by doing so, guarantee the survivability of his own regime? I think that's probably the main driving force behind this latest push for peace. To be honest I think the actual land matters little to either the Israelis or the Syrians right now. It's all about who is on who's side. In other news today, Arabic newspapers reported that the Israeli government has signalled its readiness to disengage from Ghajar and Shebaa farms. Israel believes that this land was originally part of Syrian territory that was seized during the Six Day War. But Lebanon says the area belongs to them, and Hizbullah has used this as an excuse to claim that the IDF is still in occupation of south Lebanon. Well now Israel is seeking to disengage from these territories, with the aim of removing Hizbullah's reason for existence.

Quote: ""Evacuating Shebaa will pull the rug from under (Hizbullah Secretary-General Hassan) Nasrallah's legs, and will make his excuses to continue the 'resistance' for the sake of Lebanon's interests lose their meaning," an Israeli source was quoted as saying. "If this area is handed over, it will be clear to the Lebanese that Hizbullah's excuses are aimed at disguising its main goals, in the service of global terror and Iranian interests," the source concluded.

As you can see, the issue is not really about land, it's all about who's side you are on. The question is, who's side are you on? I'm not talking about Israel or Iran now. I'm talking about eternity. There is a lot of confusion about religion, and people say there are all sorts of ways to get to God. Really, the Bible makes it very simple. There are only two roads you can take in this life. One leads to heaven through the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the other road leads to a lost eternity. The bad news is, all of us have been born on the wrong road. No matter who you are, whether you are rich or poor, an important person or just a nobody, the Bible says we were all born in sin and are at a distance from God (Psalm 51:5). The good news is, God has provided a Way for all of us to get onto the right road. For while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). Why don't you turn about and start on the road that leads to heaven today.

Matthew 7:13-14
Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

Source YNet News, YNet News

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert is meeting with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas today, in an effort to produce a shelf-agreement that will pave the way for the establishment of a Palestinian state. In just two weeks Olmert intends to step down from his post as Israeli Prime Minister, and it will be up to whoever replaces him to continue on with the negotiations. The meeting follows on the heels of a recent visit by US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, who is pressing the Prime Minister to conclude a deal before President Bush's final term ends in January of next year. She is also seeking to present the document of agreement at the upcoming UN General Assembly next month, to show what progress has been made since the Annapolis peace conference in November of last year. But Olmert is also under pressure from his own government not to conclude a deal with the Palestinians at this time. Israeli Foreign Minister and possible successor to Ehud Olmert, Tzipi Livni, fears that a shelf-agreement with the Palestinians before the elections is likely to reduce her chances of winning the premiership. She also stated that any agreement had to reflect the country's interests, and feared that Israel may reap the consequences of an agreement hastily produced in order to provide results. Olmert is also seeking to agree a framework mechanism with the Palestinian Authority, that will help to bring about an agreement on the division of Jerusalem within five years. For the first time in the Middle East peace process, international parties will be included in these negotiations, although so far on a consultative basis only.

Quote: "Central in Olmert's proposal to the Palestinians is that the talks on sovereignty and control over the holy sites in Jerusalem be held under an international umbrella, where governments and other interested parties will be able to contribute their views. The negotiations will be held directly between Israel and the Palestinians, and international parties will not be able to impose their views on a solution. The role of the international parties would be to bolster the agreement that the two sides will agree upon in direct negotiations. According to Olmert's proposal, a five-year timetable will be set out for completing a settlement on Jerusalem.

As we saw on Friday, Arab states are already agreeing that the European Union should have pride of place in the Middle East peace process. European leaders have long stated that they stand ready to aid Israel and the Palestinian Authority in brokering an agreement, but up until now Israel has been reluctant to include any third party in the negotiations. Now the Israeli government is willing to include international parties in the negotiations on the division of Jerusalem to help strengthen the agreement between Israel and the Palestinians. And this is exactly what the Bible states will come to pass. For we are told in the book of Daniel that the Antichrist, the leader of a revived Roman Empire (Daniel 9:26), will be the one who will strengthen a covenant with many for a period of seven years (Daniel 9:27). And within five years of strengthening that agreement, three and a half years later, the city of Jerusalem is divided and the Temple Mount falls under the jurisdiction of the Gentiles (Zechariah 14:2, Revelation 11:2). The Antichrist will then sit in the rebuilt Temple and proclaim himself to be none other than God (1st Thessalonians 2:4). And thus commences the period of time known as Jacob's trouble.

It is very exciting for us to see how Bible prophecy is being fulfilled, because we know that this can mean only one thing. That the return of Christ is at hand. And although we know that this world is to pass through a very troubling time, it has a glorious future ahead. For the reign of Antichrist must give place to the reign of Christ. Satan usurped authority over the earth after Adam sinned (Luke 4:5-6, 2nd Corinthians 4:4). But Jesus Christ has all authority to reign over the earth. 

He has been given authority to reign over the earth from His Father God (Psalm 110:1, 1st Corinthians 15:24-25).
He has the right to reign, for He is the Creator of the earth and mankind (John 1:10).
As the Son of Man, He has redeemed Adam's right to dominion over the earth (Matthew 25:31-32, Psalm 72:8).
He is of the tribe of Judah, which has the right to rule over the children of Israel (Genesis 49:10, Revelation 5:5).
He is of the lineage of King David, and thus is in line to the throne of Israel (Luke 1:32, 2:4).
He was born King of the Jews (Matthew 2:2), and was mocked and crucified because of that (Matthew 27:29,37)
As Messiah He has the right to reign over the people of Israel (Zechariah 9:9, Luke 23:2).

It is no wonder that Revelation 19:12 states, "on His head were many crowns". In summary the prophet Ezekiel describes Christ and His return to earth to set up His Kingdom as the coming of the One "whose right it is"...

Ezekiel 21:25-27
And thou, profane wicked prince of Israel, whose day is come, when iniquity shall have an end, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Remove the diadem, and take off the crown: this shall not be the same: exalt him that is low, and abase him that is high. I will overturn, overturn, overturn, it: and it shall be no more, until he come whose right it is; and I will give it him.

Praise God that He has exalted Him that was low...

Philippians 2:5-11
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

We can bow our knees before Jesus Christ now, through repenting of our sins and believing on Him for salvation. Or we will be forced to bow our knees before Jesus Christ in eternity, not in repentance but in acknowledgement that He is Lord in the day of our judgement. Don't leave it until that time. Turn to Jesus Christ while you still have the opportunity. He took God's punishment for your sins when He died upon the cross. All who believe on Him for salvation shall have everlasting life (John 3:16). Do it today.

Source Haaretz

Jordan's King Abdullah II and French President Nicolas Sarkozy have voiced their support for the establishment of a Palestinian state following talks at the Elysee Palace on Wednesday. Abdullah's visit to France came shortly after his stop in Russia, in which the king pledged to increase economic co-operation between the two countries. It also follows a warming in relations between the Jordanian government and the Hamas terrorist organization that now occupies the Gaza Strip. Abdullah and Sarkozy issued a communiqué stressing the importance of advancing the Middle East peace process towards the establishment of a Palestinian state. They also affirmed the centrality of the European Union's role in peace-making in the Middle East, and reiterated their belief in the importance of co-operation between the countries of the EU and Middle East-North African region in all fields: political, economic, cultural and social. 

Quote: "In a joint communiqué issued after their talks held at the Elysee Palace on Wednesday, the two sides stressed the importance of advancing the Middle East peace process towards the establishment of an independent, democratic and viable Palestinian state living side by side in peace and security with Israel. They also asserted the centrality of the role the European Union in Middle East peace-making, and reiterated their strong belief in the importance of cooperation between the countries of the EU and Middle East-North African region in all fields: political, economic, cultural and social, the communiqué added. France currently hold the EU Presidency.

As you can see, whether they realize it or not, world leaders are bent in fulfilling prophecies that the Scriptures foretold would come to pass in the latter days. For the three statements that I have quoted from in this communiqué represent the fulfilment of three distinct prophecies mentioned in the Old and New Testament. The realization of the first statement, calling for the establishment of a Palestinian state, will fulfill the prophecies concerning the division of God's land when Israel's enemies will be in siege against Judea and Jerusalem, or what is now termed the West Bank and east Jerusalem (Daniel 11:39, Zechariah 12:2, 14:2 and Revelation 11:2). The realization of the second statement, placing the European Union at the centre of the Middle East peace process, will fulfill the prophecies concerning the coming of the Antichrist, his peace covenant with Israel and the surrounding nations, his desecration of the Temple, his persecution of the Jewish people and his eventual destruction at the return of Christ (Daniel 9:26, 9:27, 2nd Thessalonians 2:4, Mark 13:14, Revelation 13:7, Revelation 19:20). And the realization of the third statement, calling for co-operation between the EU, Middle East and North Africa - now called the Union for the Mediterranean, will fulfill the prophecies concerning the rise of the empire of the beast out of the sea, this empire's control over the whole world and its eventual destruction at the return of Christ (Revelation 13:1, Daniel 7:24, Revelation 17:12, Daniel 7:22). The stage is being set for the last days. The actors are all in place. The question is, what role do you play? Have you trusted in Jesus Christ for salvation? When He comes for His saints, will you be caught up to be with Him in the air? Or will you be left behind to face the wrath of God? There is no middle ground. The Lord Jesus warned that when it comes to the issue of salvation, if we are not for Christ then we are against Him (Luke 11:23). It is God's will that none should perish but that all should come to repentance (2nd Peter 3:9). Trust in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation today.

Source China View, Arutz 7

US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has concluded her latest trip to the Middle East, aimed at building a consensus between the Israeli and Palestinian negotiating teams. Rice has been pushing for the drafting of an agreement that would consolidate progress made since the Annapolis peace conference last November, and pave the way for the establishment of a Palestinian state under the next Israeli government. The race is now on to conclude some sort of agreement before Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert steps down in September, and before the end of term for US President George Bush in January. According to one Palestinian negotiator, meetings are now being held on a daily basis and both sides are closer than ever to a final agreement. But the issue of the status of Jerusalem is still the main sticking point. The Israeli government is seeking to have negotiation on the division of Jerusalem postponed until a later date, but Palestinians are wanting all issues resolved by the end of the year. As a compromise, the US Secretary of State has suggested formulating an agreement that gives the Palestinians a state in Judea and Samaria, and forces the Israelis to divide the capital within a timeframe of one to five years.

Quote: "The Israeli team, led by Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, has been negotiating the division of Jerusalem – despite claims to the contrary – but would rather conclude an agreement on paper by the end of the year that would give the Palestinians a state in the West Bank, Gaza and some Israeli territory, leaving conclusions on Jerusalem for a later date, the informed diplomatic sources told WND. The sources said the Palestinian team has been pushing to conclude a deal by January on all core issues, including Jerusalem, and has been petitioning the U.S. to pressure Israel into signing an agreement on paper that offers the Palestinians eastern Jerusalem. Rice, the sources said, has asked Israeli leaders to bend to what the U.S. refers to as a "compromise position," concluding an Israeli-Palestinian agreement by the end of the year that guarantees sections of Jerusalem to the Palestinians. But Israel would not be required to withdraw from Jerusalem for a period of one to five years.

And this is the exact situation that Bible predicted would occur during the time of the end. Zechariah 12:2-3 states that in the last days, that God would make the city of Jerusalem "a burdensome stone for all people", and "all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it". Today there is no other city that is more hotly contested than the city of Jerusalem. And the Temple Mount, which is revered by both Jews and Arabs, lies at the very heart of this conflict. It seems that the Antichrist, the leader of the revived Roman Empire, will broker some sort of agreement between Israel and her enemies (Daniel 9:26-27). He will divide the land between Jew and Arab (Daniel 11:39). But it seems that Judea and east Jerusalem will not ceded to the Gentiles at this time. Half way through the seven year period the agreement is broken, and the Gentile armies take Judea and east Jerusalem by force (Zechariah 14:2). Thus begins the three and a half year period that is known as the time of Jacob's trouble (Jeremiah 30:7). The book of Daniel states that there has never been a time of trouble like it, even since there was a nation (Daniel 12:1). And the Lord Jesus Christ adds that there has never been a time of trouble like it since the world was created, nor shall there ever be again (Matthew 24:21). But those Jewish people who have believed on Yeshua for salvation will be saved out of it.

Although these prophecies pertain to the nation of Israel in particular, the Bible states that a time of trouble is coming upon the whole world (Isaiah 24:17, Luke 21:35). The Bible warns that this coming day of judgement will come like a "thief in the night", and that when people say "peace and safety!", sudden destruction shall come upon them as upon a women with child, and they shall not escape (1st Thessalonians 5:2-3). But there is a Way of escape for all those who have put their trust in Jesus Christ for salvation. Jesus Christ is coming back (John 14:3). He is coming back for those who have believed on Him for salvation (1st Thessalonians 4:13-18). Is He coming for you? Turn away from your sins. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved (Acts 16:31)

Isaiah 26:19-21
Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust: for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead. Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast. For, behold, the LORD cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain.

Source WorldNetDaily