Sorry I haven't updated the site very much this week. I haven't felt much like commenting on any news recently. But I have been doing well. Many of you may have heard how I lost my job a few months back. I was an IT Technician at Discount Window Systems for 8.5 years, before the company closed down due to financial difficulties. I didn't feel that I wanted to go back into secular employment again. I wanted to use my talents for the Lord. Well I have been keeping busy, and tomorrow I go to start part time in a Christian bookstore. So please pray for me. I have also been helping my grandfather give out Gospel tracts on the streets in our town every week. That was something I never felt I would be able to do, but many people have been taking the tracts and reading them. And I met one particular man who knows he needs to be saved, and I believe desperately wants to be saved, but perhaps doesn't feel worthy of being saved. Please pray for him.

Javier Solana, the High Representative for the European Common, Foreign and Security Policy, has arrived in Damascus on the second leg of his five day tour of the Middle East. His latest tour is expected to include visits to the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Qatar, where he is likely to discuss issues such as the Iranian nuclear crisis, the Middle East peace process, and broadening relations between the European Union and the Arab world. In regards to the Middle East peace process, Solana stated that the European Union has the persistent aim of achieving a comprehensive peace agreement in the Middle East, and that the Europeans are seeking to play an instrumental role in the process.

Quote: "'We have a long-standing position that aims at reaching a comprehensive peace process in the region, the Europeans would like to have vital role in this process,' said Solana, whose last visit to Damascus was in March 2007.  

His remarks follow similar statements made by French President Nicholas Sarkozy during a recent visit to Jordan, in which both Sarkozy and Jordanian Monarch Abdullah II agreed the centrality of the European Union in the Middle East peace process. It is also not the first time Solana has called for Europe to play a "significant role" in resolving the Middle East conflict. His comments come as Israeli President Shimon Peres embarks on a state visit to Egypt. Israeli politicians, including Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni and former Prime Minister Ehud Barak, have been discussing the possibility of abandoning the unfruitful Palestinian track in favour of achieving a broader peace agreement with the Arab world. Peres is expected to discuss the possibility of Israel negotiating with the Arab League on the Saudi Initiative, an plan which promises recognition for Israel in return for all land captured during the Six Day War and a "just solution" for the Palestinian refugees. The Saudi Initiative was originally backed by the European Union when it was first presented, but the Israeli leadership feared the plan could result in the demographic destruction of the Jewish state through the influx of millions of Palestinian refugees. Some Arab ministers have stated that the Saudi Initiative could be modified, with Israel only having to provide compensation for Arab refugees.

Quote: "At the summit in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh, the two leaders will "discuss, inter alia, advancing the peace process between Israel and its neighbors, strengthening ties between Israel and Egypt" and "a variety of other state and security issues," said Peres' office in a statement. In a more explicit manner, local daily Ha'aretz reported Wednesday that Peres is expected to present Mubarak with his proposal for reforming the way Israel and its Arab neighbors negotiate peace agreements.

Could this Saudi Initiative, which is backed by the European Union and the Arab League, be the one which the Antichrist will strengthen for a period of seven years (Daniel 9:27)? Could the division of Jerusalem and the disengagement from Judea and Samaria be the outworking of this plan (Zechariah 12:2, 14:2, Revelation 11:2)? I don't know the answer to that. I feel that the covenant that will be agreed with many must pave the way for the Jewish people to rebuild their Temple and recommence the sacrificial system. Until we have all the pieces in place, its difficult to see how this could all come about. There needs to be a Red Heifer to sanctify the Temple area before the sacrifices can commence. The Temple Institute claim they have cracked the DNA code for genetically producing a Red Heifer. There needs to be agreement in the Arab world to permit Israel to rebuilt the Temple (2nd Thessalonians 2:4). If Israel tried to rebuild now, there would be a third world war. There needs to be a benevolent European dictator in place (Daniel 9:26), who will unite the world under his authority and bring about peace in the Middle East. I personally feel that we are still some way off from all of this happening. But we can see the pieces of the puzzle falling into place. The question is, where do you fit in? When Christ returns for His Church, will you be caught up to meet the Lord in the air, or will you be caught out, without hope and without God in the world? God is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance (2nd Peter 3:9). Why don't you trust in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation today (Acts 16:31). He will not turn you away (John 6:37).

John 12:46
I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.

Source Monsters and Critics, China View

European Union Special Envoy to the Middle East Mark Otte has declared that Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's statement, that Israel needs to withdraw from almost all territory captured during the Six Day War, will certainly be used as a reference point in future negotiations with the Palestinian Authority. Olmert made the comments during a press interview on the eve of Rosh HaShanah, following a last ditch attempt to secure a deal with the Palestinians as his term came to a close. The comments drew praise from the Palestinian Authority, who lamented the fact that Olmert had not made this statement while he was still officially Prime Minister, and protests from Israeli politicians who saw his remarks as further undermining Israel's negotiating position in the talks. Newly elected leader of Kadima, Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, has said that Olmert's statement reflects his own personal views on the process and has no legal binding on the process. But with the European Union favouring the Palestinian view, that Olmert's statement will become a starting point for negotiations under the next government, there is no doubt Israel is now in a much weaker position as a result. 

Quote: ""Everyone who has been engaged in the negotiations is bound to come to that sort of conclusion," Otte said, adding that - as Olmert did in the interview - it is not easy for anyone to say that the positions he held before were wrong. "I am encouraged that the Israeli leadership is willing to face the challenges," Otte said.

It's not the first time Olmert has managed to single-handedly demolish Israel's reputation on the world stage. In December 2006 he became the first Prime Minister to acknowledge Israel's possession of nuclear weapons, shattering the government's ambiguity policy which has helped to prevent a nuclear arms race in the Middle East. Olmert was also the first Israeli Prime Minister to openly call for the division of Jerusalem, which has up until now been declared as the eternal and indivisible capital of the Jewish state, as stipulated in the Basic Law. But as was the case with Northern Ireland and the Republic, Basic Laws are easily amended. With the succeeding government set to continue the policy of withdrawing from land in exchange for peace with their enemies, and coming under increasing pressure from the European Union to divide the land for gain (Daniel 11:39), there is no doubt the days prophesied of in the Old and New Testaments are at hand. For the Bible states that during the tribulation period, Israel's enemies will be in siege both against Judea and Jerusalem (Zechariah 12:2), and east Jerusalem will fall to the Gentiles for a three and a half year period (Zechariah 14:2, Revelation 11:2). It seems that Israel will be coerced into making one final attempt to bring peace to the Middle East. But there will be no peace. Instead a time of unparalleled suffering will commence for the Jewish people (Jeremiah 30:7).

But why are the Palestinians so interested in Jerusalem? Why do they demand the east of the city for their capital? Jerusalem has never once been the capital of an Arab country. Jerusalem is mentioned in the Bible over 700 times, yet it is not mentioned anywhere in the Qur'an. The answer to this question is found in the Bible. Throughout history Satan has always sought to destroy the seed of the woman, through whom would come the One that would bring redemption for fallen mankind (Genesis 3:15). Satan tempted Cain, who typifies the worldly man, to murder his own brother who represented the spiritual man (Genesis 4:8). But the godly line continued through Seth. When the Messiah was born, Satan had Herod murder all the children of Bethlehem, in an effort to destroy the Deliverer (Matthew 2:18). They killed many children, but they couldn't touch Him. Satan personally tried to tempt Christ to forsake the way of the cross in exchange for worldly power and glory (Luke 4). There was nothing in Him that responded to it. On numerous occasions Satan had the Jewish leaders try to kill Jesus (Luke 4:28-30). He passed through their midst. Satan has totally failed in his mission to prevent Christ from being born into this world and going to the cross to redeem us. But he is still working to hinder His return to the Mount of Olives to set up His Millennial Kingdom. Satan will control the Temple Mount for a period of three and a half years. That has been prophesied in the Scriptures. But 'facts on the ground' won't stop Jesus Christ from returning to redeem this rebellious planet. He is coming back, and He will set up His Millennial Kingdom. But is He coming for you? Jesus Christ bore God's punishment for your sins when He died upon the cross, and God has declared that all who believe on His Son for salvation shall have everlasting life (John 3:16). Why don't you turn away from your sins and put your trust in Jesus Christ for salvation today.       

Source Jerusalem Post, YNet News

World leaders have agreed to convene a follow-up meeting to the Annapolis peace conference that was held in the United States in November of last year. This year's meeting will most likely be held in Sharm-el-Sheikh in Egypt on the 27th of November, a year to the day that Israeli and Arab leaders presented their joint-declaration and committed themselves to final status talks. US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice had been pressing for both sides to draft a document of principles, which would detail progress that had been made over the last twelve months of negotiations. But Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni has opposed the idea, fearing the publication of such details could result in pressure from hardliners to limit the concessions being made by both sides. Leaders of Israel and the Palestinian Authority will instead brief members of the Quartet on progress that has been achieved so far. Russia had sought to host the follow-up gathering to the Annapolis peace conference, but it seems that following the conflict in Georgia, Russia has been sidelined in this matter. Instead the summit will be held in Egypt, and a peace gathering will be held in Moscow in the Spring.  

Quote: "Quartet representatives met with their Arab League counterparts in New York last week and approved the proposed Israeli and Palestinian briefing. Also, Quartet members decided to hold a peace summit in Moscow next spring. Meanwhile, the Israeli source said the November summit will probably take place in Sharm el-Sheikh on the anniversary of last year's Annapolis summit. Quartet representatives, including its Middle East envoy, former British prime minister Tony Blair, will participate as well as officials from Jordan and Egypt.

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has not essentially changed his views over the past year. Olmert stated at Annapolis one year ago that "the reality that emerged in our region in 1967 will change significantly". On Tuesday Olmert once again claimed that Israel "should withdraw from almost all of the territories, including in east Jerusalem and in the Golan Heights" if Israel was to obtain peace with the Palestinians. Of course the Palestinians proclaimed this as a major shift in Israeli policy, and lamented the fact that Olmert had not made this clear to them while he was still Prime Minister. In actual fact Israel has gone above and beyond what is required of them to accommodate the Palestinian Authority, making repeated offers of territory which have been rejected again and again. At the Annapolis peace conference we heard how the Palestinian negotiators repeatedly hardened their stance just minutes prior to the announcement of the joint-declaration. And just twenty-four hours after the Annapolis peace conference was concluded, President Abbas' Fatah party was broadcasting propaganda on their television network, calling for the destruction of Israel and displaying a map of the Middle East with with a Palestinian flag covering the entire Jewish state. Israel is not negotiating for land, they are negotiating for their very existence! And anyone who thinks that Israel and the Palestinian Authority can achieve any sort of lasting peace agreement is greatly deluded. The Bible states that during the tribulation period Israel's enemies shall be in siege both against Judea and Jerusalem (Zechariah 12:2), and as the international community continues to press Israel into making peace with those who seek its complete destruction, it's easy to see how this situation will come about. The fact that the international community are pressing for the creation of a Palestinian state in Judea (West Bank) with east Jerusalem as its capital shows us how close we are to the fulfilment of these prophecies. It's time to get ready. Jesus Christ is coming back again. Only those who have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ will escape the wrath of God that is to fall upon this wicked world (Luke 21:36). But there is still time for you to be ready. Confess to God that you are a sinner. Thank Him for sending His Son into the world to bear the punishment for your sins upon the cross. Ask Him to come into your life as Lord and Saviour. And God has promised that whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved (Romans 10:13).

Source Haaretz

Outgoing Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has made his most courageous statement to date on the Middle East peace process, warning that Israel must disengage from "almost all" territories captured during the Six Day War in return for peace with their Arab neighbours. His comments came on the eve of Rosh HaShanah, the Jewish new year. Olmert, who resigned from his post last week, is once again in charge of a caretaker government until his successor can form a coalition. Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, who has been nominated to replace Olmert as leader of Kadima, is expected to head a government until the next elections. At the last meeting before his resignation, Olmert had offered 98.1% of Judea and Samaria to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas for the creation of a Palestinian state. The remainder was to be taken from land within the 1948 armistice lines, which would have seen Israel cede the Jordan valley and land adjacent to the Gaza Strip in exchange for settlements within eastern Jerusalem. According to Army Radio, the deal floundered on the issue of Jerusalem and Palestinian refugees. Olmert's latest statement is likely to further undermine Israel's sovereignty within the ancient capital city as both sides press for an agreement within the coming months.

Quote: ""(I am saying) what no previous Israeli leader has ever said: we should withdraw from almost all of the territories, including in east Jerusalem and in the Golan Heights," Olmert, who resigned over corruption allegations, told Yedioth Ahronoth. The Israeli daily called it a "legacy interview," published on the eve of the Jewish new year, in which Olmert went further in making offers for peace than he ever did publicly when he was in active office, with greater power to see them carried out.

Olmert's statement is significant. For the first time in history an Israeli leader has openly called for the ceding of Judea and the division of Jerusalem, as prophesied in the Scriptures so long ago (Zechariah 12:2, 14:2, Revelation 11:2). And the fact that this is happening now, after six thousand years of Earth's history, is no less significant. For the Scriptures seem to indicate that after six thousand years of history have run their course, Christ will return to set up His Millennial Kingdom, which is to last for a period of one thousand years (Revelation 20:1-6). Peter's epistle mentions the Second Coming of Christ. In an attempt to justify the apparent delay in our Lord's return, Peter quotes from the Psalm of Moses to explain God's timing of this event.

2nd Peter 3:8-9
But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 

While this verse simply explains that God exists outside of our time frame, many prominent Jewish rabbis and Christian scholars have taught that this measurement can be used to calculate the approximate duration of mankind's rule over this earth. And there are many Scriptures which seem to correlate well with the theory that man would rule over Earth for six thousand years, and that Christ would rule for the seventh period of one thousand years, allowing all of creation to enjoy a Sabbath rest. Sometimes this period of time is alluded to in the Scriptures by sixes and sevens, and in this case we start our count of days from the beginning of creation. Sometimes it is alluded to in just twos and threes, in which case we count from the first coming of the Messiah, two thousand years ago.

In this passage we have one of the first allusions to timing of the Second Coming of Christ. Moses was commanded to sanctify the people for two days, and on the third day God would come down on the mountain in the sight of all the people. Through His atoning death upon the cross, Jesus Christ has sanctified us and washed us from our sins in His own blood (Revelation 1:5). After two thousand years He is to return in the sight of all the people. 

Exodus 19:10-11
And the LORD said unto Moses, Go unto the people, and sanctify them to day and to morrow, and let them wash their clothes, And be ready against the third day: for the third day the LORD will come down in the sight of all the people upon mount Sinai.

The following passage in Hosea speaks of the diaspora, how the nation of Israel would be scattered among the nations, and how God would bring them back to their land after two days or a period of two thousand years. After two days the nation of Israel would be revived. This has happened in our lifetime. On the third day they would be raised up. This 'raising up' speaks of the spiritual renewal amongst the Jewish people, which would occur after they are brought back to the land as prophesied in Ezekiel 37 in the valley of dry bones, and again just prior to the return of Christ (Zechariah 14). And then they would live in the sight of their Messiah. 

Hosea 6:1-2
Come, and let us return unto the LORD: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up. After two days will he revive us: in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight.

The next passage mentions Christ's response to Herod, who sought to put Jesus to death. Christ told the Pharisees to tell Herod that He was casting out demons and healing people today and tomorrow, and the third day He would be finished. Over the last two thousand years people have been saved through the power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. But this work will be finished or complete once Christ returns to set up His Millennial Kingdom.

Luke 13:31-32
The same day there came certain of the Pharisees, saying unto him, Get thee out, and depart hence: for Herod will kill thee. And he said unto them, Go ye, and tell that fox, Behold, I cast out devils, and I do cures to day and to morrow, and the third day I shall be perfected.

This passage in John's Gospel speaks of the wedding that was to take place in Cana on the third day. John the Baptist spent the first two days pointing out the virtues of Christ to those who came to him repenting of their sins (John 1:29, 35). The Church has spent the last two thousand years pointing people to the Lord Jesus Christ, and on the third day Christ is to come to receive His Bride.

John 1:29, 35-36, 2:1
The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples; And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God! And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there:

The following passage comes from the parable of the good Samaritan, who had found a young Jewish lad that had been brutally attacked and left for dead on the Jericho road. The Samaritan takes the injured man to an inn and instructs the innkeeper to look after him. He pays the innkeeper two day's wages, and promises to pay whatever more is required on his return. Jesus Christ had compassion on us when we were dead in trespasses and in sins (Ephesians 2:1). He came down into this world in order to lift mankind up to the heights of heaven. He was wounded for our transgressions and bruised for our iniquities. The punishment to procure our peace was laid upon Him, and by His sacrifice we are spiritually healed. Like the good Samaritan in the story, on the third day Christ will come again.

Luke 10:35
And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.

The final passage comes from the Christ's transfiguration on the mount. Jesus Christ said that there were some disciples standing with him who would not taste of death until they had seen Christ coming in His Kingdom. Six days later Christ takes Peter, James and John up into a mountain to pray, and as He is praying His glory is revealed to them. Six thousand years of man's history will run their course. And on the seventh period of one thousand years, Christ will return in His glory, to reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

Mark 9:2-3
And after six days Jesus taketh with him Peter, and James, and John, and leadeth them up into an high mountain apart by themselves: and he was transfigured before them. And his raiment became shining, exceeding white as snow; so as no fuller on earth can white them.

As you can see, whether the rapture happens this October or not, there are many reasons to believe that Christ's return is near. If we count two thousand years from Christ's birth, then His return is actually overdue. But praise God that we know He does not break His promises! He is coming back, and if these Scriptures are anything to go by, it must happen soon. The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. Jesus Christ loves you so much. He gave His life for yours upon the cross of Calvary two thousand years ago. He promised that if He returned to heaven, He would come back again to take all those who have trusted in Him for salvation to be with Him where He is (John 14:3). We don't know exactly when that will happen, but believe it must be soon. Why don't you turn away from your sins, and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation today!  

Source YNet News, Arutz 7