Another 200 new immigrants to Israel have come home from North America, landing on their new/old home turf in Ben Gurion International Airport Tuesday morning. They were greeted by cheering crowds and government officials.

“And he shall set up an ensign for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth.”
—Isa 11:12

The State of Israel will gain military strength as USA increases its military by 25% - from 2.4bln$ to 3bln$. Over the period of 10 years the total sum will reach 30bln$.

US military aid towards Israel has for a long time been extensive. Interestingly it is preserved and even further extended regardless of actual political orientation of the team occupying the White House. Last increase was commanded by Clinton administration in year 2001 - from 1.8bln to 2.4bln. I think it just confirms what world has been sure about for years - Israel has very strong lobbying capabilities in and around the highest American authorities. On the military aspect further military aid will strengthen already powerful Israel warfare which soon may come handy against Muslim nations. Another aspect of that aid, other than just strengthening Israel and sending message to its Muslim neighbors, is tightening the technological ties between the two nations. Few people know that Israel successfully markets electronic warfare parts or even entire systems to American army - considered to be the most advanced in the world. This especially includes electro-optical systems for missile guidance, Rafael's Trophy system (for active vehicle protection against inbound projectiles) or unmanned autonomous vehicles for surveillance and patrolling - flying and floating!  Also, Israel produces range of combat vehicles on it's own: transporters, tanks and others. Famous Merkava Mark 4 tank is often compared as matching the capabilities of American M1A2 Abrams while providing better protection of the crew - Israel's highest asset. Israel has developed unbelievably high level of weaponry technology. This especially concerns electronic warfare. It has come to a point where Israel buys American F16Is and replaces approximately 50% of its avionics (aviation electronics) with her own components e.g. aerial electronic decoy system, helmet optical systems, onboard missiles or conformal fuel tanks.  I guess this is not only due to a fact that Israeli systems are better, but also because supporting her own military industry has always been a priority in Israel - why pay enormous money for advanced systems to Americans if we can replace them by our own ;). This does not change the fact that these products have to be an absolutely cutting edge technologies to be able to replace the originals without suppressing the original performance. The fact that some of these systems are exported to US proves that it is actually the opposite - the performance is better! Most of people will admit that Israel has become a modern and developed country despite her difficult geo-political location. Few of them however will truly understand how advanced and powerful Israel has become. Is this part of God's plan put in place in preparation for final events? This we can't know as only God knows the exact sequence of things to come, but does it not fit into the Biblical prophecy of final conflict between Israel and surrounding powers?

Source BBC

Many thanks to those who contributed news and thoughts while I was on holiday. I really appreciate the help. I had an enjoyable time down at Northfield, Newcastle on Thursday and Friday. I went down with my grandfather to the ministry meetings in the mornings by Peter Brandon, and the gospel at nights by speaker Alan Parkes. To the right is a picture of the view from Northfield of Slieve Donard, Ireland's highest mountain. The little dot at the top of the mountain is the shelter I climbed up to last year. The man sitting in the chair is my uncle Desi. The weather wasn't the best, but I got some drawing done on Thursday. Yesterday I went down to see my friends Cliff and Jean, who are staying down at Portrush in their campervan. 

Israeli Vice Prime Minister Shimon Peres is to be sworn into the office of the Presidency later today. In what looks to be a ceremony "fit for a king", the former Prime Minister will arrive at the Knesset flanked by guards on motorcycles and on horseback. He will then proceed through a new gate, which will be inaugurated for the first time, located between the Finance ministry and the Knesset buildings. After this Peres will inspect an IDF honour guard, will place a wreath at the memorial for fallen Israeli soldiers, and then sign a declaration and be sworn in as President of Israel...

Quote: "Two rabbis from the Military Rabbinate will then sound shofars, and the Knesset speaker will call out: "Long live the president of the State of Israel" and the MK and the crowd will respond: "Long live, long live, long live".

Quartet Special Envoy to the Middle East Tony Blair has already offered Peres his congratulations, along with Pope Ratzinger, who urged the new President to advance peace in the region. Having close links to the Vatican, and having already visited the Supreme Pontiff last year, Ratzinger's message to Peres comes as no surprise...

Quote: ""Many people around the world, as well as Israel's citizens expect you to push the government and other relevant bodies to do everything to advance peace," the Pope added. "Mr. President," the Pope added, "Your reputation and achievements are exceptional, clear and absolute in the field of peace and the pursuit of justice. I am sure you will continue to influence and incite courage in other leaders to deal with the challenges of the future in the clear hope to advance the good a peace." "This will be the best way to defeat the deadly terror and violence that are condemned by the whole world. The terrorists are betraying humanity," he said.

As I commented at the beginning of the article, I am struck at how much honour is being given to Shimon Peres. The honour guard, the inauguration of a new gate, the blasts of the shofar and the proclamation, "long live the President of the State of Israel!". Of course Peres is President of a country and should be given the honour due to him, but all these incidents remind me of the Lord Jesus and His entry into Jerusalem. 

Peres is flanked by soldiers on horseback, while the prophets of Israel foretold of a Messiah who would enter into Jerusalem on the back of a donkey (Zechariah 9:9). Peres is being urged by world leaders to work for the peace of Jerusalem, while my Saviour wept over Jerusalem because they did not know the things that pertained to their peace (Luke 19:42). Peres is praised by the religious Jews of his day, while my Lord was mocked upon His entry into the city (Luke 19:39). Peres will enter the city by a new gate, while the true Messiah entered His Temple by the eastern gate (Ezekiel 44:2), which has now been bricked up awaiting His soon return. The crowd will cry out, "Long live the President", but of the Lord Jesus they said "We will not have this man to reign over us" (Luke 19:14). The Lord Jesus said they would reject Him Who came in His Father's name, but if another came in his own name, him they would accept (Antichrist - John 5:43). 

The Lord said He would not return in glory until Israel says, "Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord" (Luke 13:35). With the election of Shimon Peres - whose name mean's "Hearkening to Division", I believe Israel is now facing a crisis which will bring them into a time of peace, followed by unparalleled suffering. Will you be caught up to be with my Saviour when He comes to the air, or will you be left behind to suffer the "wrath of the Lamb" during that terrible day of judgement? Trust in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation today.

Zechariah 9:9
Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.

Source YNet News, Jerusalem Post, YNet News

North American Aliyah (immigration to Israel) will reach a 25-year record high this year, with immigrants arriving on twelve flights this summer.