Jesus's disciples asked Him, "...What will be the sign of Your coming and the end of the age?" Matthew 24:3.  This month's newsletter is the second in a series of ten newsletters that will expound on each of the ten signs Jesus said would signal His return in Matthew 24.  Jesus said, "You will hear of wars and rumors of wars; see that you are not troubled, all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet" Matthew 24:6.  He is saying that the end is close, when you hear of "wars and rumors of wars," but the end is not here yet.  The Bible says that the rebirth of Israel (Zion) would precede the return of the Lord, "When the Lord builds up Zion, He will appear in His glory" Psalms 102:16; thus, the prophetic countdown to the Lord's return began once Israel became a nation again in 1948.  "Wars and rumors of wars" have become much more prevalent in the last 50 years.  The Bible is Israel/Middle Eastern-based, so it is important to recognize what is happening in Israel, versus the entire world.  Old and New Testaments, from the ancient prophets to Christ, foretold what has happened and what will happen in Israel, in that God consistently uses His people Israel as an example to the rest of His creation.  Since Israel became a nation in 1948, we can see, as never before, the consistent wars waged against Israel and the current rumors of wars surrounding Israel today.  Israel has been involved in 21 wars and conflicts since 1948.  I don't have space to list all of the wars, but just looking at Israel's victories over the many nations which have come against him during the following three major wars is nothing less than miraculous!  By looking at all of these defeats, you would think that the Arabs and Muslims should know who the real God is by now!
START / FINISH   /   NAME OF CONFLICT   /   VICTORIOUS   /   DEFEATED PARTY
1948       1949           1948 Arab-Israeli War        Israel                  Egypt
                                                                                                  Anglo-Egyptian Sudan
                                                                                           Syria
                                                                                                  Transjordan
                                                                                                  Lebanon
                                                                                                  Iraq
                                                                                                  Saudi Arabia
                                                                                                  Yemen
                                                                                                  Pakistan
                                                                                                  Army of the Holy War
                                                                                                  Arab Liberation Army
                                                                                                  Muslim Brotherhood
                                                                                                  Ex-Nazis
                                                                                                  Yugoslavs
1967       1967                       Six Day War            Israel                 Egypt
                                                                                                  Syria
                                                                                                  Jordan
                                                                                                  Iraq
                                                                                                  Saudi Arabia
                                                                                                  Morocco
                                                                                                  Algeria
                                                                                                  Libya
                                                                                                  Kuwait
                                                                                                  Tunisia
                                                                                                  Sudan
                                                                                                  Mauritania
                                                                                                  PLO
1973       1973                 Yom Kippur War            Israel                Egypt
                                                                                                  Syria
                                                                                                  Jordan
                                                                                                  Iraq
                                                                                                  Saudi Arabia
                                                                                                  Morocco
                                                                                                  Algeria
                                                                                                  Libya
                                                                                                  Kuwait
                                                                                                  Tunisia
                                                                                                  Sudan
                                                                                                  Lebanon
                                                                                                  Pakistan
                                                                                           North Korea
                                                                                           Cuba
                                                                                                  Soviet Union
Present              Rumor: Iran's Nuclear Threat to Israel                 (Jesus will win!)
Source:  en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Wars 

Israel became a nation again in 1948, in fulfillment of Biblical prophecies, one of which says, "I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have driven you, saith the Lord, and I will bring you again to the place from where I caused you to be carried away captive" Jeremiah 29:14.  Between 1948, when Israel became a nation again, and 2010, 3,075,229 Jews have returned to Israel, as prophesied.
Source: en.Wikipedia.org/wiki/Aliyah

Jesus said, "When you see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation is near" Luke 21:20.  In order for this end times prophecy to be fulfilled, Israel had to have control over Jerusalem again.  All of these Muslim-Arab nations (above - right column) came against Israel in 1967.  Not only were they all defeated by the tiny nation of Israel, but Israel gained control of Jerusalem, as prophesied!  Jerusalem is compassed about with US troops right now!

"I will plant them upon their land, and they shall no more be pulled up out of their land which I have given them, saith the Lord thy God" Amos 9:14-15.  It is really hilarious how that all of these massive nations surrounding tiny little Israel keep trying to overtake it, but they are continuously defeated!  The reason they all can't beat Israel is because God said, "they shall no more be pulled up out of their land!"  God's Word is true.  You would think the Muslims and Arabs would know who the real God is by now!