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

US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has arrived in the Middle East on a visit aimed at bridging the gaps between the positions of Israel and the Palestinian Authority. The Israeli government freed 198 Palestinian terrorists this morning to coincide with her visit, a gesture of 'goodwill' to President Abbas and the peace process. The US government has been pressuring both sides into formulating an agreement that would minimize damage to the peace process as a result of the upcoming Israeli elections. They were also hoping the document could be presented at the UN General Assembly in September as evidence of progress made since the Annapolis peace conference last year. But Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni has been reluctant to draft such an agreement, fearing talk about a deal could hinder her own prospects of being elected as Prime Minister. 

Quote: "Speaking to reporters as she flew to Tel Aviv, Rice suggested there was little chance of getting some kind of agreement on paper in time for the U.N. General Assembly, which begins in September. "It's extremely important just to keep making forward progress rather than trying prematurely to come to some set of conclusions," she said. "We continue to have the same goal which is to reach agreement by the end of the year. (There is) a lot of work ahead to do that and obviously it's a complicated time, but it's always complicated out here," Rice said.

Rice is also expected to discuss recent developments in Russia with Prime Minister Ehud Olmert. Tensions increased between the two nations this month over Israel's armament of the Georgian army. Jordan and Syria are also presently seeking to boost their economic and military ties with Russia at this time. And now a Russian fleet has been stationed at the Syrian port of Tartus for the first time since the fall of the Soviet Union. The flotilla is led by the aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov, along with the Russian Navy's biggest missile cruiser Moskva, and at least four nuclear missile submarines. Syrian President Bashar Assad has also offered to place advanced Russian missiles on Syrian soil to act as a counterbalance to US missiles in stationed in Poland. Russia is still planning to host a follow-up gathering to the Annapolis peace conference in November, by which time it was hoped a Palestinian state could be established. But these latest developments will have everybody asking the question, is Russia really seeking to further peace between Israel and the Palestinians, or are they simply seeking to increase their own dominance in the Middle East? And if they cannot do this through peaceful means, will they resort to war like in Georgia?

The Bible seems to indicate that Russia will be involved in a future conflict in the Middle East. The prophet Ezekiel states that during a time of peace, the surrounding Arab nations will mount a surprise attack on the nation of Israel. The Russian army will move into the Middle East, at first to act as a protectorate to these Arab armies (Ezekiel 38:7). But the temptation will be too great. Russia will then move in an act of war against Israel, with the goal of taking a spoil for itself (Ezekiel 38:10-12). As you can see the Bible has accurately predicted not only the political and military alliances of dozens of countries several thousand years in advance, but also the wars they would wage, the reasons behind the wars and the outcome of them. I know of no other book that makes such predictions, let alone with such startling accuracy. But then why should we be surprised? The Bible is the written Word of an all-seeing and all-knowing God. It is the Word of a God Who is holy and just, Who is merciful and kind, Who desires to have a relationship with the people He has created. He loves us so much He came to earth to show us what He is like, and to provide a way whereby  we could come into relationship with Him again. Do you know Him? His name is Jesus Christ. He died for you so your sins might be forgiven. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation today.

1st John 4:14
And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.

Source Reuters, Jerusalem Post, Jerusalem Post, China View, Telegraph, News Release Wire

Despite Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's recent announcement that he is to step down in September, Israeli and Syrian leaders have been keen to stress that peace negotiations will continue on regardless. The fourth round of indirect talks, mediated by the Turkish government, ended within the past week. Leaders of both nations say they are close to a deal. It was recently revealed that the Israeli government had apparently agreed to withdraw from the Golan Heights in return for Syria agreeing to hold direct talks with Israel, aimed at severing the nation's ties with Iran and Arab terrorist organizations. Originally Israeli leaders had demanded that Syria end its support of terror in return for handing over the Golan Heights. But even if peace with Israel were achieved, it is extremely doubtful that Syria would sever its ties with Iran. President Assad's recent visit to Iran, and his statement declaring that every signatory of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty has the right to nuclear energy, seemed to confirm that view. Israel's negotiations with Syria were first revealed by Prime Minister Olmert during a time when he was facing increased opposition over his corruption scandals. Now that the Israeli Prime Minister is bowing out of politics, the pressure is on to ensure this latest round of talks survives a change in government. And today the President of the European Parliament stated that Europe stands ready to broker any peace agreement between Israel and Syria. 

Quote: "The European parliament chief said Thursday that the EU is prepared to broker Israel-Syria peace talks. Visiting Lebanon, Hans-Gert Pottering says European officials are ready to be involved as honest brokers whenever it is felt to be appropriate. Pottering held talks Thursday with Lebanese President Michel Suleiman, Prime Minister Fuad Siniora and other Lebanese officials. On Friday he will travel to south Lebanon to meet with United Nations peacekeeping troops on the ground.

As we can see, once again the European Union has shown its eagerness to get involved in the Middle East peace process. And the Bible seems to indicate that it will be a leader of this Revived Roman Empire who will strengthen a future agreement between Israel and the surrounding nations for a seven year period (Daniel 9:27). Israel and the Palestinian Authority have committed themselves to reaching a peace agreement by the end of this year. The indirect talks between Israel and the Syrian government are continuing. And in July we saw the formation of a new Union for the Mediterranean Union, and the foreign ministers of the union are to meet in November to discuss staffing, financing and the location of the new secretariat. 

Quote: "The French president took credit for getting Israeli and Arab leaders to sit together in the same room. "It was an extraordinary gamble to bring together, in the same room, all the countries of Europe and the Mediterranean," he said. "It was an extraordinary concept to imagine the Arab states, represented at the highest level sitting in the same room as the Israeli prime minister."

And of course September 30th sees the beginning of a new sabbatical period for the nation of Israel. It certainly is interesting days we are living in. Why is it interesting? Because the events we are witnessing coming to pass were foretold by the prophets of Israel over two millennia ago. And if we are now seeing the fulfilment of prophecies that were predicted to take place at the time of the end, then the return of Jesus Christ must also be close at hand. The Lord Jesus promised that if He went back to heaven, that He would return some day to take all those who have believed in Him for salvation to heaven (John 14:3). Jesus Christ is coming back. If He came today, would He be coming for you? Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation today.

Source YNet News, Fars, Haaretz, Bloomberg

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert announced this evening that he intends to step down from his post following the election of a new chairman for Kadima in September. The Prime Minister has come under increasing pressure to resign after it was revealed that he received bribes from a New York businessman. He is also under investigation for submitting duplicate claims of travel expenses when he was mayor of Jerusalem. Olmert came to power in January 2006 following the lapse of then Prime Minister Ariel Sharon into a coma. He presided over a caretaker government until the former Prime Minister was officially declared unfit to govern, after his one-hundredth day in the coma. Two and a half years later, Ariel Sharon remains in a stable condition in a Tel Aviv rehabilitation centre, but still in a comatose state. Last January Ehud Olmert paid tribute to his ailing predecessor. It was widely perceived that Sharon's illness was a result of his Gaza disengagement policy, which was effected just a few months before his debilitating stroke. The Gaza disengagement itself was also seen as a judgement upon Israel, for it began on Tisha B'Av, the exact date on which the First and Second Temples were destroyed by the Babylonian and Roman armies. So it was seen as a double tragedy for the Jewish people. During his tenure, Olmert lead Israel into the 33 day war with Hizbullah, which was widely perceived as a strategic failure. Although Israel didn't lose the war, Hizbullah continued to rain down over 120 missiles on Israel on a daily basis, until Western nations allowed the UN to intervene. Israel's free reign against Hizbullah resulted in US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice's famous declaration, that the world was now witnessing the "birth pangs" of the new Middle East. Unfortunately the UN ceasefire has allowed Hizbullah to regroup and rearm, and the organization is now in possession of more rockets than they were at the start of the Second Lebanon War. And of course Olmert official recommenced peace negotiations with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas at the Annapolis peace conference last year. His premiership was unique. He was the first Prime Minister to admit that Israel possessed nuclear weapons, in a dreadful gaffe during an interview with a German reporter about Iran. He was also the first Israeli Prime Minister to consider dividing the city of Jerusalem. Olmert's departure will be seen as a hindrance to peace by the international community. Even the Palestinian Arabs said they would be reluctant to lose him. But the United States government has declared that they will continue to press on for a peace agreement by 2009.

Quote: ""We will continue to work on a deal before the end of the year," White House spokesman Gordon Johndroe said when asked how Olmert's departure would affect the fragile Israeli-Palestinian peace process. US officials had played down the potential fallout from Olmert's departure, saying he is not the only Israeli leader committed to peacemaking. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice launched a round of talks in Washington on Wednesday with former Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qureia and Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, who is considered a possible successor to Olmert. Meanwhile senior Palestinian Authority official Saeb Erekat said the PA "decided today that we are going to continue pursuing to reach an agreement before the end of the year." 

As we have seen, end time prophecy is being fulfilled. The Israeli government is actively pursuing peace with their enemies, something which they were commanded by God never to do (Deuteronomy 23:6). And they are handing God's land (Leviticus 25:23) over to their enemies, land which is being used as a terrorist base from which to destroy them. Whoever wins the upcoming elections, there is no doubt they will be railroaded by the international community into making peace with their Muslim neighbours, who are bent on the annihilation of the Jewish state. The international community thinks, if only Israel can give up enough land, maybe the Arabs will be happy. But this conflict is not about land. It is about the Jewish people. Satan has sought to destroy God's chosen people throughout history. Hitler was responsible for wiping out some 6-8 million of them, even when there was no nation of Israel. Satan is bent on destroying God's people, for He knows God's promises to this world are wrapped up in them. For Yeshua HaMashiach (Jesus Christ) is to return to Jerusalem to rule and reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords (Micah 4:2). And Satan is bent on doing his utmost to prevent that from happening. Peace will only come for Israel when they are willing to recognize Yeshua as their Sar Shalom, the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6). And you will only have true peace in your heart when you invite Jesus Christ into your life. He died so that you might know peace with God (Colossians 1:20). Confess to God that you are a sinner. Turn away from your sins. And turn to Jesus Christ for salvation. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved (Acts 16:31).

Source YNet News, Aish, YNet News