God declares:
I will gather all the nations and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat. And I will enter into judgment with them there, on behalf of my people and my heritage Israel, because they have scattered them among the nations and have divided up my land. Joel 3:2God will not provide an excuse of force majeure for the division of Israel. His warnings to all mankind have existed for thousands of years. Nonetheless, one of our nation's most outspoken proponents of using U.S. pressure and influence to divide Israel into two countries and to divide Jerusalem is none other than former President Jimmy Carter. He describes some of his personal views in a brief excerpt from "The Daily Show".
For the LORD has chosen Zion. He has desired it for his habitation. This is my resting place forever. Here I will live, for I have desired it. Psalm 132:13-14
For Zion's sake I will not keep silent, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not be quiet, until her righteousness goes forth as brightness, and her salvation as a burning torch. Isaiah 62:1
So what in the world does a peanut farmer President have to do with Zechariah's Vision? I will throw out one view of a possible correlation for Jimmy Carter, a founding member of the Council of Elders. If you do arrive at a similar opinion of Zechariah's vision we must both remember that it is just that, an opinion and only a possibility, at least for now. But the issue of the four beasts, the horses
Tomorrow, February 8, 2010 marks a Biblical calendar anniversary of Zechariah's "quartet" vision of the man and his horse along with three other horses among the myrtle trees.
Coincidentally, this day just so happens to fall in the second year of President Obama. I may be only person to notice that odd fact. Nonetheless, the vision or dream of the four horses was recorded in the second year of Darius by the prophet Zechariah about 2,500 years ago and let's not forget, it also includes four "craftsmen" that oppose them. The are the "Craftsmen of Chaos". The King James calls them the carpenters, other translations... blacksmiths. In Hebrew, the word used in Zechariah is "charash" it means craftsman, artisan, engraver, graver, artificer; skillful to destroy (warriors) (fig.) The word blacksmith fits, especially with the theme of the horses. At the end of the day, a blacksmith manipulates the gait of the horse. As we have seen on many western movies, the blacksmith is a craftsman that uses wrought iron and fire to forge the shape of the metal using tools to hammer, shape and cut. These tools include a melting pot, hammer, anvil, tongs, guillotine, nails and a hoof knife.
In Scripture, the date given in Zechariah's vision dream is known as the 24th day of the Hebrew month of Shevat. In 2011, the date will be January 29th, a Sabbath. The Torah reading will be "Mishpatim" which includes God's prophetic words for Israel that Moses recorded in Exodus 21:
"I will send forth My terror before you, and I will throw into panic all the people among whom you come, and I will make all your enemies turn tail before you"This "four horse" dream is described by Zechariah in chapter one. Notice first, attention is given to the color of "the quartet" of horses.
"On the twenty-fourth day of the eleventh month, near the end of the year which is the month of Shevat, in the second year of Darius, the word of the Lord came to the prophet Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, son of Iddo, saying, “I saw in the night, and behold, a man riding on a red horse! He was standing among the myrtle trees in the glen, and behind him were red, sorrel, and white horses. Then I said, ‘What are these, my lord?’ The angel who talked with me said to me, ‘I will show you what they are.’ So the man who was standing among the myrtle trees answered, ‘These are they whom the Lord has sent to patrol the earth.'"Zechariah then saw four "craftsmen" and Zechariah asked the messenger of The Lord (YHVH) who they were. The answer:
“... these have come to terrify them, to cast down the horns (governments) of the nations who lifted up their horns (government authority) against the land of Judah to scatter it.”What's happening here?
...Thus says the Lord of hosts: I am exceedingly jealous for Jerusalem and for Zion. And I am exceedingly angry with the nations that are at ease; for while I was angry but a little, they furthered the disaster. Zechariah 1:14-15What does this have to do with February 2010?
Folks, things are gonna heat up in man's controversy against Jerusalem as the "disaster" to divide intensifies. What's the old line? You ain't seen nothin' yet!
The disaster will be furthered right before our own eyes by these four as we watch CNN!! But we must pray for the Peace Of Jerusalem. Its the center of the planet, peace there impacts the world.
After all... while many lull in slumber, blind to the reality of today's prophetic headlines that constantly report on the four "horsemen" - "The Quartet" ignores the covenant and seeks to divide the land of Judah to into two separate states and to divide the City Of Jerusalem.
Nearly every member state of the United Nations General Assembly routinely votes against Israel at its world headquarters, which has for some 62 years overwhelmingly focused on Israel and the land of Judah. That focus will intensify and the U.N. will increase its resolutions to divide.
"The Quartet" was officially established at the Madrid Conference in 2002 by then Spanish Prime Minister Aznar. But it really all began before Aznar at the 1991 Madrid Peace Conference followed by the Camp David Accord.
The Quartet on the Middle East, is a foursome of government powers ("horns" in Bible's prophecy terms) consisting of the assemblies of UN member nations, the EU members as well as the two nations of the Cold War: the U.S. and Russia. These horsemen are involved in "mediating the peace process" in the so-called Israeli-Palestinian conflict. If you are not familiar with "The Quartet" and its mission, then you really should read up on some of the recent headlines.
The Quartet and today's current representative's are:
1) United States Secretary of State Hillary ClintonWhen "The Quartet" was formed in Spain on April 10, 2002 the representatives at that time were:
2) Russia Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov
3) European Union High Representative Catherine Ashton
4) United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon
1) United States Secretary of State Colin PowellApril 10th that year was the 28th day of the Biblical month of Nisan. It was the 13th day of the counting of the Omer to Pentecost following Passover. Their joint declaration was made by Kofi Annan. Some of the statements included:
2) Foreign Minister of Russia Igor Ivanov
3) European Union High Representative Javier Solana
4) United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan
"I will now share with you the communiqué that we have agreed on."
"We reiterate that there is no military solution to the conflict and call on the parties to move towards a political resolution of their disputes based on UNSCR 242 and 338, and the principle of land for peace, which formed the basis for the Madrid Conference of 1991. We re-affirm our support to the objective expressed by President Bush and spelled out in UNSCR 1397 of two states, Israel and Palestine, living side-by-side within secure and recognized borders. We warmly welcome Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah's peace initiative, as endorsed in Beirut by the Arab League, as a significant contribution towards a comprehensive peace, including Syria and Lebanon."
"The Quartet stands ready to assist the parties in implementing their agreements, in particular the Tenet security workplan and the Mitchell recommendations, including through a third-party mechanism, as agreed to by the parties. We affirm that the Tenet and Mitchell plans must be fully implemented, including an end to all settlement activity. We affirm that there must be immediate, parallel and accelerated movement towards near-term and tangible political progress, and that there must be a defined series of steps leading to permanent peace - involving recognition, normalization and security between the sides, an end to Israeli occupation, and an end to the conflict. This will allow Israel to enjoy enduring peace and security and the Palestinian people to realize their hopes and aspirations in security and dignity."
"In support of these objectives, we call on the international community, particularly the Arab states, to preserve, strengthen and assist the Palestinian Authority, including through efforts to rebuild its infrastructure, security and governance capacity. We call also on the donor community and the international financial institutions to renew their commitment to provide urgent humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian people, and to assist in economic and institutional reconstruction. We pay tribute to the courageous efforts of the humanitarian agencies and workers."
"We agreed on the need to keep the situation in the Middle East under review by the Quartet at the principal's level through regular consultations. Our Special Envoys will continue their efforts on the ground to assist the parties in reaching an end to confrontation and resumption of political negotiations."
Some of today's notable headlines read:
US pledges to push 'hard' on MideastAnd there are other headlines as well. Take these two for example:
AFP - Friday January 29, 2010
PA Rejects Federation Proposal
Five Towns Jewish Times Online Jan 13, 2010
Netanyahu: Israel will never divide Jerusalem
Israel Today - Jan 12, 2010
US, Jordan pressure Israel, PA on peace
Jerusalem Post - Jan 9, 2010
How Obama peace effort has united Arabs and Jews in distrust
Irish Times - January 23, 2010
Obama's Brzezinski Plan
Canada Free Press - Jan 14, 2010
EU Russia suggest reopening Orient House
Ha'aretz - Jan 16, 2010
Day 49 of the Omer count, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas in the Oval Office
May 28, 2009 - Whitehouse.gov
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meets President Barack Obama on Day 33 of the Omer count
May 18, 2009 - Whitehouse.gov
On Holocaust Day King Abdullah of Jordan visit Obama on Day 12 of the Feast of Weeks Omer Count
April 21, 2009 - Whitehouse.gov
U.S.-Israel Divide Emerges On Palestinian Peace Talks
Associated Press - Friday, April 17, 2009
Four-Part Disharmony: The Quartet Maps Peace
Middle East Quarterly - Summer 2003
Israeli settlements are more than legitimateClick HERE to view Important News Updates.
December 11, 2009 - Los Angeles Times
The Illegal-Settlements Myth
CommentaryMagazine - December 2009
Today, The "Quartet" is now operating with direction and motive from former President Bush's "roadmap" plan that came out of three key direct, face-to-face agreements between the government of Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO). These meetings that occurred at seven (7) year intervals (details below), the 1993 Oslo Accords, the 2000 Camp David Accords and the 2007 Annapolis Summit. The The Quartet is the instrument by which a sovereign Palestinian state will take form.
It provides the following seven (7) points:
1. Creation of a Palestinian state that will divide Israel and Jerusalem. This state is to be sovereign and independent. This Palestinian state will receive international recognition and a seat in the United Nations.If Zechariah actually saw the symbolism of this modern day "Quartet" in his dream vision, then perhaps the prophet Joel foretold the outcome of today's dispute in chapter three of his ancient scroll regarding today's Palestinian conflict when he records this for us from the word of God:
2. Initiate an international observer force, which will examine Israeli-Palestinian progress.
3. Guarantee that both sides implement all obligations simultaneously.
4. The Quartet will be directly involved in all negotiations and in all facets of a Palestinian transition, including, financial, administrative, legal, and security issues.
5. The Quartet will uproot settlements and freeze all settlement activity, including any natural growth Israeli communities. Force Israel to reopen all Palestinian offices and institutions dealing with commerce, business and economy, which were closed in East Jerusalem.
6. Concerning security, the United States, Egypt and Jordan will be involved in security guarantees between Israel and the Palestinians.
7. The road map demands an international conference to attain peace on all fronts, including the Israeli-Syria-Lebanese, disputes.
“What are you to me, O Tyre and Sidon, and all the regions of Philistia [Palestinian Gaza] Are you paying me back for something?Here the prophet Joel clearly distinguishes the western Mediterranean Sea coast when he says "all the regions of Philistia". Just look at this map from Colton, Ohman & Co. N.Y. 1899 that shows the Philistine territory.
If you are paying me back, I will return your payment on your own head swiftly and speedily.... You have sold the people of Judah and Jerusalem to the Greeks [The Quartet?] in order to remove them far from their own border... I will return your payment on your own head.
... Proclaim this among the nations:
Consecrate for war; stir up the mighty men.
Let all the men of war draw near; let them come up.
Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruning hooks into spears; Let the weak say, “I am a warrior.
Hasten and come all you surrounding nations, and gather yourselves there. Bring down your warriors, O Lord.
Let the nations stir themselves up and come up to the Valley of Jehoshaphat; for there I will sit to judge all the surrounding nations. But the Lord is a refuge to his people, a stronghold to the people of Israel. Joel 3:4-16
Why did Philistia remain? It is important in a historical and prophetic sense to realize that the Philistine people occupied the region of southwest Canaan before the Israelites came into the area in the time of Joshua in the period of the conquest by Israel. Indeed, the Israelites did not drive them out of the land, so God told Israel that the people would be allowed to stay in that area of Canaan as a thorn (in the side) of Israel (Judges 2:3, 21–23; also 3:1–5).
Many are aware of the thorn of the Apostle Paul, but no one knows what it was, but for Israel, there is Gaza, it seems today that it is by God's ancient decree that has not been withdrawn - the people in the coast land area of Gaza are to be a thorn. They are also a part of the ten nations that will oppose Israel. These ten are named in Psalm 83:1-8 and they are described in both Daniel and Revelation.
The Jewish people (those of the southern kingdom of Judah) and the northern ten tribes of Israel (the lost sheep of Ephraim) never occupied these coastal regions even though part of the area was given to Judah and partly to the tribe of Dan in the time of Joshua. However, because the early Israelites failed to drive out the inhabitants of this area as instructed before Joshua died, God informed them that those regions be inhabited by Philistines. I could be wrong but it does appear that this provides a Biblical basis for today’s Gaza after Israel withdrew from the area two days after Tisha B’Av in August 2005.
Israel allowed the Philistines to stay in the area in days past and any Biblical map you can find will reflect this. Why? Because God reckoned it as an area for the existence of the Philistines (read Judges 2:20–23 below). So far, Philistia is NOT part of the Biblical heritage land of Israel:
“And the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel; and he said, Because that this people hath transgressed my covenant which I commanded their fathers, and have not hearkened unto my voice; I also will not henceforth drive out any from before them of the nations which Joshua left when he died: That through them I may prove Israel, whether they will keep the way of the LORD to walk therein, as their fathers did keep [it], or not. Therefore the LORD left those nations, without driving them out hastily; neither delivered he them into the hand of Joshua.” Judges 2:20-23We see Gaza as separate in Joshua:
Joshua 11:22 There was none of the Anakims left in the land of the children of Israel: only in Gaza, in Gath, and in Ashdod, there remained.And in Samuel:
1Samuel 13:19 Now there was no smith found throughout all the land of Israel: for the Philistines said, Lest the Hebrews make [them] swords or spears:They remained through the days of King David and Solomon but this is temporary, (at least in God's view of time) because in the beginning God said: "And the LORD thy God will put out those nations before thee by little and little: thou mayest not consume them at once..." Deuteronomy 7:22
1Samuel 27:1 And David said in his heart, I shall now perish one day by the hand of Saul: [there is] nothing better for me than that I should speedily escape into the land of the Philistines; and Saul shall despair of me, to seek me any more in any coast of Israel: so shall I escape out of his hand.
1Samuel 29:11 So David and his men rose up early to depart in the morning, to return into the land of the Philistines. And the Philistines went up to Jezreel.
1Samuel 30:16 And when he had brought him down, behold, [they were] spread abroad upon all the earth, eating and drinking, and dancing, because of all the great spoil that they had taken out of the land of the Philistines, and out of the land of Judah.
1Samuel 31:9 And they cut off his head, and stripped off his armour, and sent into the land of the Philistines round about, to publish [it in] the house of their idols, and among the people.
This putting out will occur in "the end" when "The Lord" returns and keeps this promise that is repeated in Revelation: "And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God." Revelation 19:15
Yet, Israel and the West Bank land is now a heritage land without question.
In the Bible, any Palestinian State should not include what we now call the West Bank. Yes, there is "Quartet" talk that the Palestinians ought to be given part of Jerusalem and the West Bank (Judaea and Samaria) as well as the Gaza Strip effectively "dividing" the land against Scripture. This opposes God's word.
Why? Because (Judaea and Samaria) the so-called "West Bank" as many call it today is the heartland of the ancient area promised Ephraim and it is recorded in the Bible and history that the Philistines have not inhabited these interior lands. The West Bank has always been Israelite territory. If the Israelis ever agree to allow parts Jerusalem and the West Bank to be a part of the State of Palestine from today's global political pressure, the situation would have to be only VERY temporary and it will cause the heavy stone of Jerusalem to be cast from the prophetic future right into our time zone. The "end time" promise for that area is this given by God to Ezekiel:
"For thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I, [even] I, will both search my sheep, and seek them out. As a shepherd seeketh out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep [that are] scattered; so will I seek out my sheep, and will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day. And I will bring them out from the people, and gather them from the countries, and will bring them to their own land, and feed them upon the mountains of Israel by the rivers, and in all the inhabited places of the country. Ezekiel 34:11-13So WE MUST consider those that want to pressure Israel to divide the land and Jerusalem for "peace". It does seem that Zechariah's vision describes "The Quartet" that patrols the earth today which are actually three nations and "the world" represented by these four:
1) United StatesIt does seem VERY plausible when you just think about it. Any Bible scholar will tell you that symbolically: Horns = Government in Bible prophecy. So, you must ask yourself, do the four horns described by Zechariah represent the governmental authority of "The Quartet" and do the four "craftsmen" describe those nations that oppose the "Quartet"?
2) Russia
3) European Union
4) United Nations
When you read about the objective of today's modern patrol: "The Quartet", it seems clear that they all share the same mission - opposing Scripture and dividing God's Promised Land.
So what do horses have to do with all this?
Perhaps the horses are used as a figure because back in Zechariah's day, the Persian king's representatives traveled by fleet horseback from province to province and reported happenings and information back to their king. Isn't that just like the representatives of "The Quartet" as they travel the world today pressing on toward the division of Israel "for peace" and reporting back to the international community that pressures Israel?
You may have read Zechariah 12 many times. The key is God's declaration that HE IS VERY focused on Jerusalem. But did you ever notice His reference to the horsemen given here by Zechariah? The horsemen have a grave problem as they oppose the Jewish people!
Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah [and] against Jerusalem. And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it. In that day, saith the LORD, I will smite every horse with astonishment, and his rider with madness: and I will open mine eyes upon the house of Judah, and will smite every horse of the people with blindness. Zechariah 12:2-4So, what is it about the four craftsmen that Zechariah also saw, who are they?
Just look at his plain words... they terrorize and oppose those that come to divide Israel. Who do we see today that oppose The Quartet? Who else but the "Axis of Evil" namely the four nations that actively have it in their heart to threaten world stability:
1. IraqAs global to divide the land increases, these "craftsmen of chaos" will start making a huge impact on world headlines as their disruptive plan unfolds. And if you think the saga of Iraq is over, think again. Coming up in 2011, Iraq will fall again into an almost daily state of terror and sectarian violence after the withdrawal of the security of U.S. troops and the chaos within will spread to neighboring countries. As the dangerous threat to humanity is increasing from the proponents of Global Islamic Jihad to re-establish the Caliphate - it is the chaos of a nuclear Iran, the Haman nation that worries everyone (perhaps aiding in joint nuclear weapons and long range missile development with North Korea).
2. North Korea
3. Iran
4. Syria
Listen out there, wake up!!!! It has been 70 years since we have seen a dark and evil alliance. Yesterday, it was Germany and Japan. Today it is Iran and North Korea. Seventy years ago it was a concerted evil that began against Judah. Today, it is against Ephraim.
Yet amazingly, this Washington Post article that is almost impossible to comprehend states that a member of "The Quartet" worked to facilitate a nuclear Iran in 1976, during the year of its 200th anniversary. In it, Henry Kissinger is quoted as saying:
"I don't think the issue of proliferation came up," Henry A. Kissinger, who was Ford's secretary of state, said in an interview for this article.The 2005 article goes on to say:
"The U.S. offer, details of which appear in declassified documents reviewed by The Washington Post, did not include the uranium enrichment capabilities Iran is seeking today. But the United States tried to accommodate Iranian demands for plutonium reprocessing, which produces the key ingredient of a bomb.Today, in a bizarre twist in prophecy, four regimes of chaos, the "craftsmen" have opposed "The Quartet" on the world stage.
After balking initially, President Gerald R. Ford signed a directive in 1976 offering Tehran the chance to buy and operate a U.S.-built reprocessing facility for extracting plutonium from nuclear reactor fuel. The deal was for a complete "nuclear fuel cycle" -- reactors powered by and regenerating fissile materials on a self-sustaining basis.
That is precisely the ability the current administration is trying to prevent Iran from acquiring today."
"The U.S.-Iran deal was shelved when the shah was toppled in the 1979 revolution that led to the taking of American hostages and severing of diplomatic relations."
Yet there is another evil that lurks like ancient Amalek. On February 2nd, CBS News reported that U.S. Intelligence officials told the U.S. Congress Al Qaeda can be expected to attempt an attack on the United States in the next three to six months, senior U.S. intelligence officials told Congress on Tuesday. In this video report "current" CIA Director Panetta says an attack is a certainty.
In addition, Arutz Sheva has reported that: "the Supreme Islamic Iranian leader and commander-in-chief Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has said that Iran is set to deliver a "stunning punch" during this week's 31st anniversary of the Islamic revolution. "The Iranian nation, with its unity and the grace of Allah, will punch the arrogance [Western powers] on the 22nd of Bahman [Thursday, February 11th] in a way that will leave them stunned," Khamenei told a gathering of air force personnel. The anniversary marks the date that Iran's air force gave its support to revolutionary leader Ayatollah Khomeini, leading to the toppling of the US-backed shah in 1979."
Wake up, don't get sidetracked and be lulled into a stupor as prophecy unfolds. Be a Watchman!!
At the same time we are being warned, few are paying attention.
Individual foreign organizations, indeed constituent "craftsmen" like Al-Jihad, Mujahadin-e Khalq Organization and Al-Qa’ida terrorize the nations of the world outside the U.S. while Hezbollah and Hamas terrorist groups boldly send terror daily as they mount opposition to the State of Israel by firing missiles across the borders into the Promised Land as they stockpile these arrows to achieve their goal of eliminating Israel, the "little Satan". And Iran, with a much more advanced threat, seems to stand poised and ready for potential mass violence and bloodshed against Israel and the "great Satan" (USA) as they continue their relentless and maniacal pursuit to bring forth of Al-Mahdi, the 12th Imam through chaos with Russia and North Korea by the development of nuclear technologies in abject defiance of the normalized international community.
On February 4, 2010, the Brookings Institute had something to say about the Al-Qa’ida "craftsmen" threat:
"The heads of the American intelligence community warned Congress on Tuesday in their annual threat assessments that an al Qaeda attack on the United States homeland is likely in 2010. This follows a series of incidents and arrests in 2009 that showed al Qaeda and its allies have change their tactics for attacking the homeland. For several years after 2002, al Qaeda seemed fixated on conducting another mass-casualty attack here even more horrifying than 9/11... Now, perhaps because of the pressure we are putting on the al Qaeda core in Pakistan, the bar has apparently been lowered. Al Qaeda’s affiliates and allies like the al Qaeda cells in Yemen have been encouraged to go for smaller, if still lethal, attacks. If they can’t score a home run, go for a bunch of singles... So if al Qaeda is now broadening the scope of its attacks, we must adjust to the change and broaden our counter measures. We need to aggressively disrupt and take down not just the al Qaeda core in Pakistan and Afghanistan, but step up the pressure on al Qaeda cells in Yemen, the Maghreb, Indonesia, Iraq, and on al Qaeda’s allies like Lashkar-e-Taiba and the Pakistani Taliban, who also operate in the West. This means putting more intelligence resources and diplomatic efforts into persuading all of our allies in the war with al Qaeda to preempt terror with take-downs of jihadist cells."And today the country of Jordan which is led by King Abdullah II urged the United States to give its "undivided attention" to fully engage in the Israeli-Palestinian peace process. His statements included:
"We are waiting for the US to give us undivided attention on this issue... If we don't get a clear mandate over the next month or so I'm not convinced we will be able to move forward... "Sooner or later there's an invisible line in the sand that we will cross that will be clear to everyone whether the viability of a two-state solution is there and I hope we haven't crossed that yet. When we cross that line, God forbid, the Middle East will be doomed to many decades of instability... "Our challenge and the international community's challenge is reaching out to the Israeli public and saying - Do you want to continue being 'Fortress Israel'? We want a two-state solution so that you can be accepted into the neighborhood."He also stated that the issue of a nuclear Iran was not the central cause of instability in the region and he went on to say that solving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict would help solve the conflict with Iran as well as al-Qaida.
Both the Haman nation of Persia we now call Iran and al-Qaida have recently announced their support of a Palestinian state, the state of Esau with the goal of dividing, then wiping Israel off the map. King Abdullah II went on to say:
"it is the injustice felt towards the Palestinians that allows state actors and non-state actors to take the role of the defenders of Palestine."We all need to study the Word of God. Psalm 22:27-28 is a good place to start:
"All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the LORD: and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee. For the kingdom [is] the LORD'S: and he [is] the governor among the nations."I'd encourage you to watch King Abdullah's interview on CNN with Fareed Zakaria. Also, you may want to visit The King's own website.
With the increase of tensions among the nations whose alliance opposes Israel, coupled with the rise of a possible nuclear Assyria - - err I mean Iran and it's rhetoric against Israel as the Iranian leaders grow more brazen in their pursuit of nuclear weapons each day, it now seems very plausible that we are now moving fast forward toward the ten nation conflict of Daniel, Revelation and Psalm 83...
"A psalm of Asaph. O God, do not keep silent; be not quiet, O God, be not still. See how your enemies are astir, how your foes rear their heads. With cunning they conspire against your people; they plot against those you cherish. "Come," they say, "let us destroy them as a nation, that the name of Israel be remembered no more." With one mind they plot together; they form an alliance against you — the tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites, of Moab and the Hagrites, Gebal,a Ammon and Amalek, Philistia, with the people of Tyre. Even Assyria has joined them to lend strength to the descendants of Lot." Psalm 83Watchmen: You Need to Know Prophecy!!
As "watchmen" we must remember:
Zechariah 12 records the burden of the word that God has to say to warn all nations of their destruction if they come against those of Judah who live in Jerusalem...the prophetic message continues on into chapter 13 and conclude in chapter 14 when we are told the horrible details of consequence against the peoples that will fight against Jerusalem:
And this shall be the plague with which the Lord will strike all the peoples that wage war against Jerusalem: their flesh will rot while they are still standing on their feet, their eyes will rot in their sockets, and their tongues will rot in their mouths. Zechariah 14:12Jimmy Carter sought to serve on a nuclear submarine so I pray he would read God's word and understand. Then he could discuss Zechariah's warning with The Quartet instead of the counsel that he has given to them over the past 25 years, because dividing the land and Jerusalem for the Quartet's Peace Plan will not stand. They are afraid if they do not do this they can not have lasting peace, but they need to fear God instead.
"Take counsel together, but it will come to nothing; speak a word, but it will not stand, for God is with us. For the Lord spoke thus to me with his strong hand upon me, and warned me not to walk in the way of this people, saying: "Do not call conspiracy all that this people calls conspiracy, and do not fear what they fear, nor be in dread. But the Lord of hosts, him you shall honor as holy. Let him be your fear, and let him be your dread." Isaiah 8:10-13If only our former President could take a view moments to share a short film: Dry Bones" (1968) by Shira Sorko-Ram with the Quartet's leadership just as it was shared as a witness to Israel's former Prime Minister Golda Meir in 1971.
"Dry Bones" (1968) A film by Shira Sorko-Ram from maozisrael on Vimeo.
That may not happen, so I ask that you stand with me in daily prayer that the nations that seek to divide Israel will seek and fear YHVH, God's name instead.
Update March 3, 2009: Hillary Clinton offers handshake of friendship to Syria
"It was a brief but significant gesture: in the hubbub of the Gaza donor’s conference in Egypt, Hillary Clinton, the US Secretary of State, shook hands and exchanged a few words yesterday with Walid Mouallem, her Syrian counterpart.
In the Middle East, where even the slightest gesture is closely scrutinized, the brief encounter was seen as a sign that Washington was prepared to mend fences with Syria, whose leader, Bashar Assad, was treated as a pariah by the Bush Administration."
Update March 19, 2010: Moscow - Middle East Quartet Statement - "The Quartet—U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, U.S. Special Envoy for Middle East Peace George Mitchell, and High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy of the European Union Catherine Ashton—met in Moscow on March 19, 2010. They were joined by Quartet Representative Tony Blair."
"The Quartet reiterates its call on Israel and the Palestinians to act on the basis of international law and on their previous agreements and obligations — in particular adherence to the Roadmap... "The Quartet urges the government of Israel to freeze all settlement activity..." "Recalling that the annexation of East Jerusalem is not recognized by the international community,the Quartet underscores that the status of Jerusalem is a permanent status issue that must be resolved through negotiations between the parties and condemns the decision by the government of Israel to advance planning for new housing units in East Jerusalem. The Quartet re-affirms its intention to closely monitor developments in Jerusalem and to keep under consideration additional steps that may be required to address the situation on the ground." "Recalling that transformative change on the ground is integral to peace, the Quartet continues to support the Palestinian Authority's plan of August 2009 for building the Palestinian state within 24 months..." "The Quartet further calls on all states in the region and in the wider international community to match the Palestinian commitment to state-building by contributing immediate, concrete, and sustained support for the Palestinian Authority..." "Recognizing the significance of the Arab Peace Initiative, the Quartet looks forward to closer cooperation with the parties and the Arab League..." "The Quartet commits to remain actively involved on all tracks and to encourage and review progress."Update April 7, 2010: Wall Street Journal - King Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein has raised the bar on increasing his negative view and statements against Israel. His interview with the Wall Street Journal this week is VERY alarming. He states:
"Israel´s long-term future in danger if peace cannot be achieved."
"Over the Israeli-Lebanese border; if you spoke (to some Lebanese) today they feel there is going to be a war any second. (It) looks like there is an attempt by certain groups to promote a third intifada, which would be disastrous. Jerusalem as you are well aware is a tinderbox that could go off at any time, and then there is the overriding concern about military action between Israel and Iran."
"Our relationship with Israel is at an all-bottom low. It hasn't been as bad as it is today and as tense as it is today."
"There is no real economic relationship between Jordan and Israel. So economically we were better off in trade and in movement before my father signed the peace treaty."
The challenge now, and the challenge I have in discussions with Arab and Muslim leaders, is the question of U.S. credibility. (The credibility of the whole peace process) is at an all-time low because expectations were so high, maybe unfairly high."
Obama is being tough on the issue of settlements, but again the American public (needs to see that) it's not just Obama; you've got to realize the Europeans, the Russians, the Chinese and the international community are very frustrated with Israel politics."
"There are elements that are actively pushing for a third intifada. There are heightened tensions. Gaza, as you've been seeing, is not all that stable. Jerusalem is a time bomb that I fear is just waiting to go off."
"If there are those that are saying that Iran is playing mischief, then I say it is being allowed to play mischief. The platform they use is the injustice of the Palestinians and Jerusalem. So if you start taking those cards off the table, then Iranian influence on the Mediterranean through Hezbollah and Hamas in Gaza diminishes or becomes non existent. My view is that I am really against any military action in Iran, that is Pandora's box. But by dealing with the core issue, that's when you start taking cards away from the Iranian regime."For some perspective on the views against Israel that are coming from Jordan consider this.
As reported by Israel Today Jordan now claims that the Dead Sea Scrolls belong to them. The Hebrew scrolls are currently on tour in Canada and the Jordanian Ministry of Antiquities has asked Canada to seize the exhibits and return them to Canada stating that the scrolls were found in 1947 when there was no state of Israel and that the scrolls were confiscated by the Israelis during the Six Day War. Jordan claims their return under the 1954 Hague Convention.
So ask yourself... why would the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, a Muslim country that was home to the Canaanites, the Edomites and the Moabites, a country that follows Sunni Islam and the Koran yet is led by a "King" want these treasures, these original Hebrew scrolls of the Scriptures?
Odd isn't it. It is time to keep our eyes on the King of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. My guess is that soon deep trouble is headed to Jordan, perhaps its already there, a danger within.
Update April 14, 2010: Is it just a bizarre coincidence that the next day after The Quartet's declaration that Iceland's Eyjafjallajokull volcano erupted stopping all air travel between the U.N. powers of the U.S., the E.U. and Russia spreading ashes over Europe during Holocaust Remembrance Week? A friend shared the significance of the nightmarish volcano, its ashes and the week which memorializes the grievous loss of six million Jewish lives during the Holocaust of World War II.
Update April 18, 2010: From The Sunday Times - Israel warns Syria over Hezbollah attacks
"Israel has delivered a secret warning to Syrian President Bashar Assad that it will respond to missile attacks from Hezbollah, the militant Lebanese-based Islamist group, by launching immediate retaliation against Syria itself.
In a message, sent earlier this month, Israel made it clear that it now regards Hezbollah as a division of the Syrian army and that reprisals against Syria will be fast and devastating."
"Reports that Syria has supplied Hezbollah with Russian-made Scud ballistic missiles have alarmed Israeli ministers. The missiles have the potential to reach the entire country and could carry chemical warheads. New gas masks are being supplied to Israel’s entire population, with an intensive television advertising campaign underway to stress their importance.
Hezbollah, which was set up in 1982 by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard and fought a 34-day with Israel in 2006, has built-up an arsenal of 40,000 missiles and rockets, according to Ehud Barak, Israel’s defence minister."
Update April 29, 2010: Haaretz reports: "Jordan's King Abdullah II warned Thursday that the situation in the Middle East could "explode" due to Israel's building of settlements in East Jerusalem.
"I am afraid the tension could develop into an explosion with all parties paying the price," the monarch said in a speech to the annual conference of Jordanian ambassadors. His comments came ahead of a meeting this weekend of the Arab League in Cairo, which may herald the resumption of indirect talks between Israel and the Palestinians.
Abdullah accused Israel of "playing with fire" by carrying out unilateral actions in East Jerusalem which the Jewish state captured from Jordan in the 1967 war. "Israel should choose between living in an isolated fortress in the region or reaching peace with all Arab and Islamic states in accordance with the Arab Peace Initiative," he said.
The Arab peace plan, which was launched at the Arab summit conference in Beirut in 2002, offers Israel recognition by all Arab states if it pulled out from all the Arab territories it occupied in the 1967 war, including Jerusalem.
Two weeks ago, Syria's King Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein told the Chicago Tribune that a war could break out in the Middle East this summer if no progress is made in restarting Palestinian-Israeli peace talks.
"If we hit the summer and there's no active [peace] process, there's a very good chance for conflict, and nobody wins when it comes to that," Abdullah said."
Update May 6, 2010:: PJTV BREAKING NEWS Middle East on the Edge 2010 - Major General Paul E. Vallely Ret. Former US General Warns of Chemical Attacks Against Israel. Potential Hezbollah offensive includes chemically armed SCUD missiles with a 450 km range, preemptive strikes on air fields, and a wave of tunnel attacks that cross from Lebanon into Israel (12 min. video).
This is NOT rhetoric folks. It is serious. Did you know that 35 tons of rockets and other war munitions were recently averted from delivery?
Israel says seized North Korean arms were for Hamas, Hezbollah (Reuters) - "The Israeli foreign minister said on Wednesday that North Korean weapons seized in Thailand last year were headed for Islamist groups Hamas and Hezbollah. More than 35 tonnes of arms including rockets and rocket-propelled grenades were seized from a cargo plane after it made an emergency landing at a Bangkok airport in December. Thai authorities said the plane came from North Korea.
In January, the Thai government sent a report to the U.N. Security Council stating the weapons were headed for Iran, which is allied to Syria."
If the Hezbollah attack scenario becomes a reality, how do you think the Quartet that seeks to divide Jerusalem and the land will respond? Cliff May of "Foundation for Defense of Democracies" provides his opinion, insight and advice regarding a U.S. response. Jonathan Schanzer also of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and the Hudson Institute’s Lee Smith provide further insight from PJTV.
Today, Hezbollah links Syria and Lebanon together. Zechariah the Prophet spoke of Northern Lebanon (land of Hadrach - Chapter 9) and Damascus, Syria which is believed to be the world's oldest continuously inhabited city. Isaiah also wrote of the ancient city of Damascus. Will WE SOON witness the fulfillment of the prophecy of Isaiah 17:1? Only The Lord knows, but if this becomes a current event then all who call themselves "Israel" will be involved:
The burden of Damascus. Behold, Damascus is taken away from [being] a city, and it shall be a ruinous heap.Keep not silent and pray for the Peace of Jerusalem. Hear the words of God:
I have set watchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem, [which] shall never hold their peace day nor night: ye that make mention of the LORD, keep not silence, And give him no rest, till he establish, and till he make Jerusalem a praise in the earth. Isaiah 62:6-7Update May 12, 2010: Netanyahu turns to Bible in tussle over Jerusalem. (Reuters) - "Beset by questions about Jerusalem's future in talks with the Palestinians, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reached for the Bible on Wednesday to stake out the Jewish state's contested claim on the city."
Netanyahu's comments on Jerusalem Day are recorded at the Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
If you do not understand the mindset of those wanting to divide Israel and Jerusalem, this may help. It is the The Palestine National Charter posted on the United Nations website. Here's an excerpt form their charter:
The Balfour Declaration, the Mandate for Palestine and everything that has been based upon them, are deemed null and void. Claims of historical or religious ties of Jews with Palestine are incompatible with the facts of history and the true conception of what constitutes statehood. Judaism, being a religion, is not an independent nationality. Nor do Jews constitute a single nation with an identity of its own; they are citizens of the states to which they belong.
The demands of security and peace, as well as the demands of right and justice, require all states to consider Zionism an illegitimate movement, to outlaw its existence, and to ban its operations...Nuclear Iran has joined in the opposition to wipe Israel "off the map". Radio Free Europe reports: "President Ahmadinejad had harsh words for Islamic countries that might recognize Israel. "Anybody who takes a step toward Israel will burn in the fire of the Islamic nation’s fury" he said."
He has also said: "“God willing, in the near future we will witness the destruction of the corrupt occupier regime,” Ahmadinejad was quoted as saying during a speech to foreign guests mostly from African, Arab and neighboring countries who attended ceremonies marking the 18th anniversary of the death of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, who is known as the father of Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution."
Can the prophecy of Psalms 83 be any clearer?
"Come," they say, "let us destroy them as a nation, that the name of Israel be remembered no more." With one mind they plot together; they form an alliance against you — the tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites, of Moab and the Hagrites, Gebal,a Ammon and Amalek, Philistia, with the people of Tyre. Even Assyria has joined them to lend strength to the descendants of Lot." Psalms 83:4-8In Scripture numbers are important. Twelve is the number of Israel. There are 12 tribes named in the Exodus. Did you know that The Strategic Foresight Group reported this time last year that the cost of the Middle East conflict is now 12 trillion?
"So, we have 13 countries and a loss of $12 trillion!
The economic costs accounted for in this study include direct costs incurred due to destruction and damage caused by war, opportunity costs reflecting growth that did not take place due to conflict environment, opportunity costs reflecting trade and investment opportunities missed and indirect costs. The indirect costs could be manifested by for example the sense of despair, social orthodoxy and lack of trust.
The countries researched in this report are Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Palestinian Territory, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria and UAE. Calculations are made on the basis of GDP figures for 2006, as provided in UN stats.
The opportunity loss of $12 trillion for 1991-2010 means every citizen has lost. An Average Saudi, Lebanese, Palestinian, Israeli could have enjoyed double the income level whereas an average Iraqi would have been four times richer."
Update May 14, 2010: Russian President Reaches Out to Hamas despite Links between Chechen and Palestinian Terror Groups "As indirect peace talks take off between Israel and the Palestinian Authority, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said this week that Iran-backed Hamas should play a role in the peace process. Medvedev made the announcement May 12, a day after meeting in Damascus with Hamas political leader Khaled Meshal.
Russia’s overtures to Hamas come despite Israel’s support for Russian counter terrorism operations against Chechen separatist groups. Expressing disappointment over Russia’s behavior, Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman said, “Just as Israel unconditionally supported Russia in her struggle against Chechen terror, we expect equal treatment in our struggle against Hamas.”"
Update May 20, 2010: The Palestinian Lie - A commentary by Emanuel A. Winston"
"It wasn't until 1964 (before the 1967 Six Days War, when Israel liberated and united Judea, Samaria, the Golan Heights and Jerusalem) that Egypt (having lost two major wars to the small in number, lightly armed Jews of Israel) created the PLO (Palestine Liberation Organization). Shortly afterwards, Yasir Arafat became the Terror Leader of the Century, taking over as head of the PLO."Today, the U.S Congress approved a $205 million dollar funding of Israel's Iron Dome short-range rocket defense system by a vote of 410-4. According to Haaretz:
"What nation would willingly divide their Capital because others demanded it? Granted, conquerors don't ask, they just take. Nations, however, have their own interests and bias which is why the Christian nations of Europe, themselves persecuting Jews, found no difficulty in joining the Arabs against the Jews in the Land of Israel. Keep in mind that the European nations considered Muslims as lowly pagans, not worth of occupying Jerusalem and thus mounted several Christian Crusades from 1095 to 1291 ce to 'rescue' Jerusalem from the Muslims — killing many Jews along their journeys to Jerusalem.
The European nations managed to overcome their aversion to Arab Muslims when it came to pursuing oil and persecuting the Jews of Israel whose capital of Jerusalem was 3,000 years old and eternal.
So, if it means sacrificing little Israel to a pagan people for whatever it brings in profits, oil or whatever, these nations will lie, cheat, steal, betray — all without conscience or feelings of guilt.
The lie is the rule — not the exception."
"House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Howard Berman said following the vote that "with nearly every square inch of Israel at risk from rocket and missile attacks, we must ensure that our most important ally in the region has the tools to defend itself."
"The looming threat of a nuclear-armed Iran, and the persistent threat posed by Iran's allies Hamas and Hezbollah, only serve to reinforce our longstanding commitment to Israel's security," Berman added.
Israel completed tests in January on its Iron Dome system, designed to intercept short-range rockets and artillery shells fired at Israel by Hamas and Hezbollah.
Florida congressman Ted Deutch commended the "Obama Administration for supporting the critical Iron Dome system, which could help save the lives of innocent Israelis who every day live in fear of rocket attacks on their homes, schools, and marketplaces.""
This is good news on the surface of it, but $200 million does not sound like much when you consider that a 6.2 mile toll road that will be built here off Highway 290 in East Austin will cost the same amount. So, could this a part of a "deal" to divide? I pray not.
Update June 7, 2010: Israel Today reports Iranian navy threatens to break Israeli blockade
"The Iranian Red Crescent on Monday announced that it had two aid ships ready to set sail for Gaza to break Israel's maritime blockade, and Iran's Revolutionary Guard offered to send its forces to thwart any Israeli attempt to intercept the vessels.
The Revolutionary Guard later extended its offer of protection to any ships trying to break the Gaza maritime blockade, but had yet to receive authorization from Iran's religious authorities to take such action.
If Iranian warships were to accompany future blockade-busting "aid" flotillas, it would likely spark a very dangerous showdown with the Israeli navy, and possibly lead to regional war."
"Craftsman" report from RT TV Moscow:
Update June 12, 2010: Texas Senator Cornyn in Washington Supports Israel. U.S. Sen. John Cornyn Introduces Resolution Supporting Israel after Flotilla Attack
"Every country has a right to defend itself, and Israel is no different," Cornyn said in a written statement. "The flotilla was a disgraceful and premeditated attempt to provoke a violent confrontation with Israel, hidden under the cloak of a humanitarian relief effort. This type of despicable conduct must be condemned and I hope my colleagues will join me in cosponsoring this important resolution to help remind the world that the United States stands with Israel."Update June 20, 2010: Yahoo News reports: Saudi king to visit Obama: White House "WASHINGTON (AFP) – President Barack Obama will host Saudi King Abdullah in Washington on June 29, the White House announced Sunday. Obama "looks forward to discussing with King Abdullah the strengthening of bilateral ties between the United States and Saudi Arabia as well as a range of common concerns related to Gulf Security, peace in the Middle East, and other regional and global matters," White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said."
Folks, you need to know that June 29, 2010 is the 17th of Tammuz. Philologos reports on this day in history that:
1. Moses broke the first set of tablets of the law.So as watchmen, shouldn't we ask ourselves: is there any significance to the King's meeting with Obama on Tammuz 17 (June 19th) and the rumor that Saudi Arabia has now given Israel a flight path to attack Iranian nuclear sites? Is there any correlation to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's scheduled visit to the Whitehouse on July 6th?
2. The daily offering in the first Temple was discontinued for lack of sheep.
3. Right before the destruction of the second Temple, the walls of Jerusalem were breached.
4. A wicked Roman ruler named Apostumus burned the Torah.
5. An idol was erected in the Holy Temple.
6. First Crusade declared, 1095.
7. King Edward I expels all Jews from England, 1290.
8. Expulsion of the Jews from Spain, 1492.
9. Pope Paul IV moves all the Jews into the ghetto, 1555.
10. Start of WWI.
11. July 16, 1994 (Tisha B'Av) Shoemaker-Levy 9 started to hit Jupiter.
12. Tammuz-17 was the name of the Iraqi nuclear reactor destroyed by Israel in 1981.
Noting Saudi Arabia, we should remember President Ahmadinejad of Iran had harsh words for Islamic countries that might recognize Israel. "Anybody who takes a step toward Israel will burn in the fire of the Islamic nation’s fury".
Update June 24, 2010: Regarding the horrific gulf oil disaster, I am not saying that there is any direct relationship to the timing of the Deepwater Horizon gulf explosion, the oil spill and the U.S. - U.N. security policy shift toward Israel as reported by Fox News on April 19th but some people are saying there is a relationship and the warning seems significant.
The other major disasters that are related to events of the U.S. intervention in dividing the land includes Hurricane Katrina. It should be noted by the keen watchman that Katrina struck the coast of the United States mainland precisely seven days after the forced withdrawal of nearly 10,000 Jewish people from Gaza. With pressure and backing from the U.S. Israeli troops forced the withdrawal of all Israeli residents.
In addition, the events leading up to the collapse of the U.S. and sections of the EU economies peaked on September 29, 2008 when the Dow fell by 777 points the day before Rosh Hashana, the day of Judgment. This occurred 7 years after the stock market lost 7% of its value in 2001 and one month after United States Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice visited Jerusalem and criticized Israel's settlement construction in the West. Interestingly, this was exactly 60 days after the August 1, 2008 total solar eclipse that darkened the Sun and cast a shadow on Earth from Canada to China.
Some may say linking these events is ridiculous and unrelated. Again, I am not saying that there is any direct relationship, but history and the events speak for themselves.
The oil spill and the words of Revelation 8 are indeed a wake up call to a future event that before now, was beyond our understanding. When we consider the damage being done each day by the massive red sheen of crude oil that is been pouring up from the sea bed killing ocean life right before our eyes, perhaps we can better understand Revelation from the massive platform's explosion and fire:
And the second angel sounded, and as it were a great mountain burning with fire was cast into the sea: and the third part of the sea became blood; And the third part of the creatures which were in the sea, and had life, died; and the third part of the ships were destroyed. Revelation 8:8-9If at first you say, nonsense this does not fit, where are the destroyed ships? Well perhaps we all need to read an opinion posted at Petroleum World...
"geologists believe there are another 4-5 cracks or fissions in the well. Upon using a GPS and Depth finder system, experts have discovered a large gas bubble, 15-20 miles across and tens of feet high, under the ocean floor.Please take a minute to scroll down on this page link and look at NOAA's interactive map at MSN.com that shows the progress of the day to day spread of the poisoning of the sea from the oil spill since its explosive fire on April 20th until June 24th. When you see this it does seem likely that there could in fact be other leaks along the Gulf seabed. Like you, I have seen the video of the wellhead and I can't understand how that much oil is coming out of that one location.
These bubbles are common. Many believe they have caused the sinking of ships and planes in the Bermuda Triangle. That said, a bubble this large — if able to escape from under the ocean floor through a crack — would cause a gas explosion that Mr. Hoagland likens to Mt. St. Helens... only under water.
The BP well is 50 miles from Louisiana. Its release would send a toxic cloud over populated areas. The explosion would also sink any ships and oil structures in the vicinity and create a tsunami which would head toward Florida at 600 mph."
One more update for June 24th... Just what is it about the G8 Summit and earthquakes? Did you know that the G8 is comprised of members of "The Quartet" including the U.S. and Russia? In addition, representatives of the EU are extended a special invitation. Last year, just before the 2009 conference a 4.1 earthquake hit the Italian town of L'Aquila, as the G8 summit was due to open. Now, this year, another earthquake, this year a extremely rare quake hit eastern Canada near Toronto and it registered 5.0 struck just before the G8 Summit began nearby.
Update July 2, 2010 For those watching, I believe that the June 29th meeting between President Barack Huessein Obama and Saudi King Abdullah is key to this post's warning regarding the mission of the "Quartet" to divide Jerusalem. If valid, which I believe it is, this report from the Unity Coalition for Israel is really important. On July 2, 2010 UCI reported:
"Diplomatic sources said Obama relayed a pledge to Saudi King Abdullah that he would take any measure to ensure an Israeli withdrawal from the West Bank and Jerusalem over the next 18 months. They said Obama relayed the pledge to Abdullah during the president's trip to Riyad in June 2009, about four months after he assumed office, in exchange for Abdullah's help to arrange for the end of the Taliban war in Afghanistan."
"The sources said Abdullah has demanded U.S. guarantees that Israel would withdraw from the West Bank and most of Jerusalem by 2012. They said the Saudi king also expressed opposition to U.S. arms sales to Israel and Washington's boycott of the Hamas regime in the Gaza Strip."
"During his latest meeting, Obama had been expected to urge the 86-year-old Saudi king to reconcile rival Fatah and Hamas movements to facilitate an Israeli withdrawal from the West Bank and eastern Jerusalem."Update July 24, 2010: In my original post I noted my concern that the "craftsmen" of North Korea opposes "The Quartet". Today, North Korea has made a threat of nuclear war due to joint U.S. and South Korean military exercises to be conducted over the next few days. This danger will intensify. Norht Korea is a nuclear threat.
North Korea warns of nuclear response to naval exercises
SEOUL, South Korea July 24, 2010 Bloomberg reports in the Korea Herald: "North Korea said it would counter U.S. and South Korean joint naval exercises with “nuclear deterrence” after the Obama administration said the government in Pyongyang shouldn’t take any provocative steps. North Korea will “legitimately counter with their powerful nuclear deterrence the largest-ever nuclear war exercises to be staged by the U.S. and the South Korean puppet forces,” the National Defense Commission said, according to the Korean Central News Agency."
An Associated Press report stated: "North Korea vowed Saturday to respond with "powerful nuclear deterrence" to joint U.S. and South Korean military exercises poised to begin this weekend, saying the drills amount to a provocation that would prompt "retaliatory sacred war.""
Update July 27, 2010: Reuters reports from Tehran, Iran that Ahmadinejad says expects U.S. to attack MidEast soon ""They have decided to attack at least two countries in the region in the next three months," Ahmadinejad said in excerpts broadcast on the rolling news channel on Tuesday."
Tensions are very high in and around Israel. Only our Creator knows whether war will break out in the Middle East this year but all Watchmen need to be in daily prayer for the Peace of Jerusalem.
Meanwhile, Arutz Sheva reports just 30 days after his visit with President Obama in Washington D.C., that King Abdullah bin Abdul- Aziz of Saudi Arabia is making a trip to visit with the leaders of all nations that surround Israel. He begins his journey in Egypt, then travels on to Jordan, Syria and Lebanon.
Update August 5, 2010: Inside the Quartet...Fox News reports "Will Israel Bomb Iran This Month?"
"A group calling themselves Veteran Intelligence Professionals for Sanity or VIPS sent a memo to President Obama warning him that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is ready to go unilateral on Iran. They told Obama to be careful for Netanyahu might "blindside" the White House.There is certainly no "thus saith The Lord" intended here but it may be possible that we could soon see a modern precursor to the future great battle of the ram (Iran ?) with the goat that flew over the earth from the west (U.S. ?) and the subsequent emergence of the little horn that rebels against God described in Daniel 8. We must remember Gabriel's words: "Son of man, understand that the vision pertains to the time of the end.”
The group claims that Israel's sole purpose is to bring a regime change in Iran and that it is using Iran nuclear threat as an excuse for an attack. "Worked well for Iraq, no?" – the veterans say.
In harsh words the document blames Israel and especially the Prime Minister for manipulating the U.S. thinking he holds the "high cards" through the strong pro Israeli Lobby in the U.S."
Perhaps not, instead we could see an attack on nuclear Iran by Israel and a repeat by Obama of our President's position taken during the 1967 Six Day War.
Russia Today provides a video report of today's news of the VIPS memo:
What else have we seen in this summer from the nations that surround Israel? YNet News commentary tells us:
For the 111,000 residents of Ashkelon, located 21 kilometers (13 miles) away from the Gaza Strip, this past Friday, July 30 was a terrifying day. An Iranian Grad missile launched from Gaza exploded in the heart of a residential neighborhood, damaging buildings and vehicles and sending two civilian Israelis hospitalized for shock. A rocket alert that had residents racing to shelters prevented more serious casualties.The Guardian reported on August 2nd:
The following Saturday night, July 31, an upgraded Qassam rocket fired at Sderot directly struck a children’s hydrotherapy rehabilitation center in Sapir College, setting off the Color Red alarm. The center, which provides therapy and workshops for hundreds of special-needs kids from across Israel until 10 at night on weekdays, was closed because of the Jewish Sabbath.
One person was killed and four injured when a rocket hit the Jordanian coastal city of Aqaba today.Update August 12, 2010: MSNBC reports Top Iraq general: U.S. army 'must stay' until 2020 "LONDON — The commander of Iraq's military is calling for U.S. forces to stay in the country for another decade, reinforcing his stance that his country's military won't be able to secure the nation on their own after U.S. troops leave.
It happened when a salvo of rockets was fired from the Sinai peninsula towards the resort city of Eilat, in southern Israel.
Five rockets were fired shortly before 8am, reports said. One reached open ground on the outskirts of Eilat, but there were no casualties or damage. Three landed in the Red Sea, while the other hit Aqaba.
"At this point, the withdrawal is going well, because they are still here, but the problem will start after 2011," Gen. Babaker Shawkat Zebari said at a defense conference in Baghdad, according to the BBC.
"The politicians must find other ways to fill the void after 2011... If I were asked about the withdrawal, I would say to politicians: the U.S. army must stay until the Iraqi army is fully ready in 2020," the BBC reported."
Three key Arab-Israeli peace accords signed at 7 year intervals:
The notes below are from information posted at www.wikipedia.org
1. 1993 - The Oslo Accord is was the first direct, face-to-face agreement between the government of Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO). The Accords were subsequently officially signed at a public ceremony in Washington, DC on 13 September 1993, in the presence of PLO chairman Yasser Arafat, Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and US President Bill Clinton. The documents themselves were signed by Mahmoud Abbas for the PLO, foreign Minister Shimon Peres for Israel, Secretary of State Warren Christopher for the United States and foreign minister Andrei Kozyrev for Russia.
Agreed minutes of These Accords:
Minute A: General understandings2. 2000 - The Middle East Peace Summit at Camp David of July 2000 took place between United States President Bill Clinton, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak, and Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat. Ultimately, it was an unsuccessful attempt to negotiate a "final status settlement" to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Any powers and responsibilities transferred to the Palestinians through the Declaration of Principles prior to the inauguration of the Council will be subject to the same principles pertaining to Article IV, as set out in the agreed minutes below.
Minute B: Specific understandings
Article IV: Council's jurisdiction
It was to be understood that: Jurisdiction of the Council would cover West Bank and Gaza Strip territory, except for issues that would be negotiated in the permanent status negotiations.
Article VI (2): Transferring authority
It was agreed that the transfer of authority would be as follows: The Palestinians would inform the Israelis of the names of the authorized Palestinians who would assume the powers, authorities and responsibilities that would be transferred to the Palestinians according to the Declaration of Principles in the following fields: education and culture, health, social welfare, direct taxation, tourism, and any other authorities agreed upon.
Article VII (2): Cooperation
The Interim Agreement would also include arrangements for coordination and cooperation.
Article VII (5): Israel's powers
The withdrawal of the military government would not prevent Israel from exercising the powers and responsibilities not transferred to the Council.
Article VIII: Police
It was understood that the Interim Agreement would include arrangements for cooperation and coordination. It was also agreed that the transfer of powers and responsibilities to the Palestinian police would be accomplished in a phased manner. The accord stipulated that Israeli and Palestinian police would do joint patrols.
Article X: Designating officials
It was agreed that the Israeli and Palestinian delegations would exchange the names of the individuals designated by them as members of the Joint Israeli-Palestinian Liaison Committee which would reach decisions by agreement.
Annex XI: Israel's continuing responsibilities
It was understood that, subsequent to the Israeli withdrawal, Israel would continue to be responsible for external security, and for internal security and public order of settlements and Israelis. Israeli military forces and civilians would be allowed to continue using roads freely within the Gaza Strip and the Jericho area.
The Camp David Summit:
President Clinton announced his invitation to Barak and Arafat on July 5, 2000, to come to Camp David to continue their negotiations on the Middle East peace process. There was a hopeful precedent in the 1978 Camp David Accords where President Jimmy Carter was able to broker a peace agreement between Egypt, represented by President Anwar Sadat, and Israel represented by Prime Minister Menachem Begin. The Oslo Accords of 1993 between the later assassinated Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and Palestine Liberation Organization Chairman Yasser Arafat had provided that agreement should be reached on all outstanding issues between the Palestinians and Israeli sides - the so-called final status settlement - within five years of the implementation of Palestinian autonomy. However, the interim process put in place under Oslo had fulfilled neither Israeli nor Palestinian expectations, and Arafat argued that the summit was premature[citation needed].
On July 11, the Camp David 2000 Summit convened. The summit ended on July 25, without an agreement being reached. At its conclusion, a Trilateral Statement was issued defining the agreed principles to guide future negotiations.[5]
Trilateral statement:
President William J. Clinton — Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak — Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasir Arafat Between July 11 and 24, under the auspices of President Clinton, Prime Minister Barak and Chairman Arafat met at Camp David in an effort to reach an agreement on permanent status. While they were not able to bridge the gaps and reach an agreement, their negotiations were unprecedented in both scope and detail. Building on the progress achieved at Camp David, the two leaders agreed on the following principles to guide their negotiations:
1.The two sides agreed that the aim of their negotiations is to put an end to decades of conflict and achieve a just and lasting peace.3. 2007 - The Annapolis Conference was a Middle East peace conference held on November 27, 2007, at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, United States. The conference marked the first time a two-state solution was articulated as the mutually agreed-upon outline for addressing the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The conference ended with the issuing of a joint statement from all parties.
2.The two sides commit themselves to continue their efforts to conclude an agreement on all permanent status issues as soon as possible.
3.Both sides agree that negotiations based on UN Security Council Resolutions 242 and 338 are the only way to achieve such an agreement and they undertake to create an environment for negotiations free from pressure, intimidation and threats of violence.
4.The two sides understand the importance of avoiding unilateral actions that prejudge the outcome of negotiations and that their differences will be resolved only by good faith negotiations.
5.Both sides agree that the United States remains a vital partner in the search for peace and will continue to consult closely with President Clinton and Secretary Albright in the period ahead.
U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice organized and hosted the conference. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, and U.S. President George W. Bush attended the meeting.[1] A partial list of over 40 invitees was released on November 20, 2007, including China, the Arab League, Russia, the European Union and the United Nations;[2] most of whom accepted the invitation.
Joint Understanding Read by President Bush at Annapolis Conference
US, Israeli and Palestinian Governments
November 27, 2007
PRESIDENT BUSH: The representatives of the government of the state of Israel and the Palestinian Liberation Organization, represented respective by Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, and President Mahmoud Abbas in his capacity as Chairman of the PLO Executive Committee and President of the Palestinian Authority, have convened in Annapolis, Maryland, under the auspices of President George W. Bush of the United States of America, and with the support of the participants of this international conference, having concluded the following joint understanding.Click HERE to view Important News Updates.
We express our determination to bring an end to bloodshed, suffering and decades of conflict between our peoples; to usher in a new era of peace, based on freedom, security, justice, dignity, respect and mutual recognition; to propagate a culture of peace and nonviolence; to confront terrorism and incitement, whether committed by Palestinians or Israelis. In furtherance of the goal of two states, Israel and Palestine, living side by side in peace and security, we agree to immediately launch good-faith bilateral negotiations in order to conclude a peace treaty, resolving all outstanding issues, including all core issues without exception, as specified in previous agreements.
We agree to engage in vigorous, ongoing and continuous negotiations, and shall make every effort to conclude an agreement before the end of 2008. For this purpose, a steering committee, led jointly by the head of the delegation of each party, will meet continuously, as agreed. The steering committee will develop a joint work plan and establish and oversee the work of negotiations teams to address all issues, to be headed by one lead representative from each party. The first session of the steering committee will be held on 12 December 2007.
President Abbas and Prime Minister Olmert will continue to meet on a bi-weekly basis to follow up the negotiations in order to offer all necessary assistance for their advancement.
The parties also commit to immediately implement their respective obligations under the performance-based road map to a permanent two-state solution to the Israel-Palestinian conflict, issued by the Quartet on 30 April 2003 -- this is called the road map -- and agree to form an American, Palestinian and Israeli mechanism, led by the United States, to follow up on the implementation of the road map.
The parties further commit to continue the implementation of the ongoing obligations of the road map until they reach a peace treaty. The United States will monitor and judge the fulfillment of the commitment of both sides of the road map. Unless otherwise agreed by the parties, implementation of the future peace treaty will be subject to the implementation of the road map, as judged by the United States.
