Israeli defence officials believe that Iran may be as little as six months away from perfecting the Uranium enrichment process, which will pave the way for the development of nuclear weapons. According to new intelligence information obtained by Israel, if Iran is allowed to proceed in the development of its nuclear programme, it could have accumulated enough Uranium to build a nuclear device next year. One source quoted in the London Sunday Times reported that the new intelligence on Iran is similar in quality to that which led to the bombing of the Syrian reactor at the close of last year. That information was only recently published by the United States. It is believed that the new Israeli intelligence will prompt the United States to revise its National Intelligence Estimate, which recently reported that Iran had halted its nuclear programme in 2003. Last month Presidential Candidate Hillary Clinton warned that the US could "obliterate" Iran if President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad were to ordr a nuclear attack on Israel.

Quote: "Iran, a senior defense official said on Tuesday, had encountered numerous technical obstacles on its way to enriching uranium but was now on track to master the technology needed to enrich uranium within six months. Israel is also concerned that Teheran is developing a cruise missile that can evade interception by the Arrow, the IDF's anti-ballistic missile defense system. Iran is suspected of having smuggled Ukrainian X-55 cruise missiles and using them as models for an independent, domestic project. A cruise missile, which flies at low altitudes to dodge radar detection and interception, could be used to carry a nuclear warhead.

As we can see, the fulfilment of Ezekiel 38-39 is drawing near. For while the international community talks about a Middle East peace agreement by the end of this year, the former kingdom of Persia is actively preparing itself for war with the Jewish state. The Bible states that the invasion of Israel will come at a time when the Jewish people are at rest. For Gog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, says in his heart, "I will go up to the land of unwalled villages; I will go to them that are at rest, that dwell safely, all of them dwelling without walls, and having neither bars nor gates", Ezekiel 38:11. Today the international community is trying its best to convince Israel to remove some of those bars and gates. Unfortunately Israeli leaders believe the nation's defence lies in the acquisition of strategic territory and the development of its advanced military capability. Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said today that there is nothing in the world that is capable of ending or undermining the existance of the state of Israel. Praise the Lord that Israel's survival does not depend on these things, for if they did, Israel would have been wiped off the map 60 years ago. Israel's survival stands on the promises of a God who cannot lie (Jeremiah 31:35-36, Titus 1:2). And praise God that those who have trusted in Jesus Christ for salvation can enjoy the same security. Have you trusted in Jesus Christ for salvation? Have you had your sins forgiven? Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation today.

John 10:27-29
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.

Source Jerusalem Post, Jerusalem Post, Reuters, Kansas City, YNet News

Former US President Jimmy Carter met with Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal in Syria yesterday, in hope of negotiating a cease fire between Israel and the terrorist organization. And while the Hamas leadership was talking of peace with Carter, they were giving the green light for their operatives to launch the most ambitious attack on Israeli forces since their withdrawal from the Gaza Strip in 2005. The attack came on the eve of one of Israel's holiest days, the Feast of Passover, and was designed to cause maximum carnage. Under the cover of heavy fog, two armoured vehicles approached the Kerem Shalom crossing at the southern end of the Gaza Strip. One was laden with explosives, and detonated close to a group of Israeli soldiers who were manning the crossing. The second vehicle did not detonate. After the initial attack, Hamas terrorists in a third vehicle began to approach the crossing, opening fire on the soldiers while another cell provided cover with rocket and mortar fire. The occupants of this vehicle were subsequently killed in a shootout with Israeli forces. Then a fourth armoured vehicle began to approach the crossing, and this was taken out by an Israeli airstrike before it could reach the border.

Quote: "Defense officials have said the attack was probably the result of months of planning, and its perpetrators probably aimed to kill as many soldiers as possible as well as abduct others. The soldiers' readiness and quick response prevented a much deadlier attack on the eve of Pessah, they said. "This is an escalation that could be dangerous if we do not stop it," a high-ranking official told Channel 10 News after the attack. "In this case, the incident ended with a relatively low number of casualties, compared to what [Hamas] had planned, but it should raise a red flag over our operations in the area." He added that the IDF "must investigate how the gunmen managed to gather so much intelligence [in preparation for the attack] without the IDF knowing about it." 

Ironically, Carter is in Syria trying to negotiate an end to the Israeli 'blockade' of Gaza, while Palestinian terrorists are attacking the very crossings that are keeping their people alive. This incident reminds me of when another US President visited my own country. Bill Clinton was President at the time, and he came to Northern Ireland to try and encourage progress in the peace process. While he was shaking Gerry Adams' hand for the cameras, the IRA was planning the Canary Wharf bombing, which occurred just a short time later and officially ended the Republican ceasefire. It was sickening. Even though we have a measure of peace now, there is still no justice in this country. The Bible states that those who rule over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God (2nd Samuel 23:3). Real peace only comes through righteousness and justice. Righteousness, when the law is upheld by the people. And justice, when those who break the law are held to account. We are law all breakers, for we have all broken God's commandments. The Bible has declared that "all have sinned and come short of the glory of God", Romans 3:23. As a result we must face God's justice. God would not be a righteous God if He let our sins go unpunished. You would not like to see a criminal be set free after being found guilty of committing a terrible crime. Yet you want to be set free after having committed sins against God? Our sins demand that we must die. The Bible says "the wages of sin is death", Romans 6:23. But Jesus Christ, who is righteous and was the only Person that ever lived and kept God's law to perfection, was punished by God for sin. But not for His own, for He had none. He was punished for our sin. And through His sacrifice on the cross, all who believe on Him for the forgiveness of sins can receive His righteousness, and be set free from the penalty of sin. Trust in Jesus Christ for salvation today. He took your place, and died for you.

Matthew 27:21-26
The governor answered and said unto them, Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you? They said, Barabbas. Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? They all say unto him, Let him be crucified. And the governor said, Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out the more, saying, Let him be crucified. When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it. Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children. Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified.     

Source  Jerusalem Post

AFP

Link from my friend Darrell. A new report, co-written by High Representative for the European Common, Foreign and Security Policy Javier Solana and EU External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner, warns that the European Union must prepare for the eventuality of future conflicts with Russia, as the nations compete for control over energy resources. The report, which has been forwarded to the 27 member states of the EU, warns that climate change could trigger conflicts between nations as they stake their claims on previously untapped oil and gas fields. One such area presently under dispute is the Arctic circle, which has up until recently been inaccessible for exploitation. New drilling technologies, along with an increased thaw due to a warming climate, are causing tension between nations that border the continent. Recently Russia staked its claim to the entire Arctic seabed, stating that the territory was just an extension of the continental shelf on which Russia lies. Russia's long running dispute with the Ukraine over gas prices have also erupted again this winter, prompting Russia to cut the supply to the former Soviet state in half. This time Europe's gas supplies have not been affected, but judging from today's report, that cannot be taken for granted in future.  

Quote: "The officials single out the impact of the thawing Arctic and its emergence as a potential flashpoint of rival claims, pointing to the Kremlin's grab for the Arctic last year when President Vladimir Putin hailed as heroes a team of scientists who planted a Russian flag on the Arctic seabed. Developments in the Arctic had "potential consequences for international stability and European security interests". "The rapid melting of the polar ice caps, in particular the Arctic, is opening up new waterways and international trade routes," the report notes. "The increased accessibility of the enormous hydrocarbon resources in the Arctic region is changing the geostrategic dynamics of the region."

As Solana's report states, climate change is not the sole cause of conflict, but it will serve to increase the threat of war in countries that are already experiencing political instability. The Middle East is also mentioned in the document. The problem here is less to do with climate change and more to do with economics, as growing populations and industries put further pressure on the region's limited water supply. There have already been disputes between Turkey, Israel and Syria over how much water is being siphoned off for agricultural use from an already low Euphrates river. The Scriptures indicate that environmental conditions may well play a part in the end time scenario leading up to the final battle. The Bible states that it will be the thought of gaining spoil that will bring Gog against the nation of Israel in the latter days (Ezekiel 38:13). And during the during the tribulation period the Euphrates river is to dry up completely, preparing the way for the kings of the east to march on the Middle East (Revelation 16:12). Mankind really has no long-term answers to the problems this planet faces. Even the unbelievers are saying that now. Mankind has the capability of destroying itself many times over, and the only thing that prevents it from doing so is the grace of God (Matthew 24:22). Piece by piece, the Lord will remove mankind's security from him until finally he realizes that he cannot live by bread alone, but only by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.

Deuteronomy 8:2-3
And thou shalt remember all the way which the LORD thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no. And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live.

Jesus Christ was that bread from Heaven. He is the Bread of Life. Trust in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation today.

John 6:51
I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.

Source Guardian, China View, CNN

The presidency of the European Union has issued a statement today condemning the "disproportionate use of force" by Israel in Gaza in the wake of its recent campaign aimed at halting ongoing rocket attacks on Sderot and Ashkelon. There have been a high number of civilian casualties on both sides since Hamas stepped up its rocket attacks on Israel. Despite the incursion into Gaza, the IDF have not been able to halt the rocket attacks. At least three Grad missiles landed in Ashkelon today, one moderately wounding a young girl. Over thirty Kassam rockets have landed in the Sderot and Negev regions, wounding around a dozen people. Yesterday two Israeli soldiers were killed in gun battles with terrorists in Gaza, and an Arab teenager was killed after Palestinian protests in Judea and Samaria turned violent. The European Union has called for an immediate end to the rocket attacks on Israel, and has urged the Israeli government to exercise maximum restraint.

Quote: ""The (EU) presidency condemns the recent disproportionate use of force by the Israeli Defense Forces against (the) Palestinian population in Gaza and urges Israel to exercise maximum restraint and refrain from all activities that endanger civilians. Such activities are contrary to international law," said the statement issued by the Slovene government on behalf of the EU – Slovenia currently holds the EU's rotating presidency. The tough wording reflects shock at the high number of civilian casualties and frustration that the escalation of violence in the Middle East risks derailing peace efforts yet again.

This news comes as Javier Solana, the High Representative for the European Common, Foreign and Security Policy, arrives in the Middle East today, in an effort to encourage progress in the peace negotiations. On Monday he is to meet with representatives from the Israeli government, and on Tuesday he will meet with the Palestinian Authority leadership. He will stress the need for both sides to keep the Annapolis peace process on track. Meanwhile Arab leaders have continued to condemn Israel over its recent activities in Gaza, comparing them to that of Nazi Germany. Saudi Arabia issued a statement today condemning "the Israeli war crimes against the Palestinian people and the threats of Israeli officials to transform Gaza into an inferno", and that "Israel is simulating through these actions the Nazi war crimes". Hundreds of Hizbullah supporters also gathered at the southern border of Lebanon today to protest Israel's actions in Gaza, chanting "Death to Israel". Israel has also been denounced by the governments of Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt and Turkey. Ironically these self-same leaders that accuse Israel of behaving like the Nazis often themselves hold Hitler in high regard. Hitler's 'Mein Kampf' is still one of the best selling books in the Arab world. As we saw yesterday with Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal, many Arabs are taught to believe that either the Holocaust was a myth invented by Jews to blackmail the world, or they wish that Hitler had actually carried out his plans so they could be rid of this 'Zionist menace'.

It seems this conflict in the south has been brewing for some time. Ever since Operation Summer Rains in 2006, Hamas has been growing in strength and Israel has being doing little to prevent it. And shortly after Operation Summer Rains, the Second Lebanon War began in earnest. It wouldn't take much for this present conflict to grow into a wider conflagration if Hizbullah, aided by Syria and Iran, decided to join in the fray. As Christians, while we should favour Israel because they are God's earthly people, I do not feel we should get involved in these conflicts. Our kingdom is not of this world. Our goal is to reach the lost for Christ, whether they be Jew or Arab. Of course we believe that this is a very spiritual battle, and that Satan is bent on destroying Israel and the Jewish people and thus preventing Christ's return to earth to set up His kingdom. But a spiritual battle necessitates the use of spiritual weapons (2nd Corinthians 10:4). Those weapons are listed in Ephesians 6...

Ephesians 6:11-18
Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

There is only one thing that can overcome radical Islam and that is radical Christianity. We need to get out there and start being salt and light so that people will see Jesus Christ in us. We need to be faithful witnesses for Him so that people will realize Jesus Christ is Lord and will turn to Him for salvation. The days are dark, so let your light shine before men (Matthew 5:16). I would also value your prayers also in regards to the current situation. I've a holiday booked for Israel at the beginning of April. Please pray for safe travelling, that I might be able to enjoy the trip to Holy Land in peace, and that it might give me a new desire to serve the risen Christ. 

Source YNet News, YNet News, Europa, Jerusalem Post