1 September 2010 Washington DC:  As terror attacks against Jewish civilians in the Holy Land belie a spirit of peace, US President Barack Obama hosts the latest round of Middle East peace talks between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. Core issues include Israel’s demand that Palestinians finally recognize Israel’s right to exist as the sovereign nation of the Jewish People, to cease anti-Zionist indoctrination of children and public exaltation of terrorists, and assurance that a future Palestinian state will not possess missiles or warplanes. Along with border security and refugee issues, pressure to continue the present moratorium against building homes in areas of Jerusalem that should remain within Israel’s borders, are seemingly insurmountable points of contest brought to the table by the Palestinian President. With Gaza now in the control of Hamas as the result of a Land-for-Peace concession, Israel faces continual shelling and hostility on his southern border, now porous and infiltrated by terrorists and weapons.

See the article dated September 24, 2010, Middle East News, by Mark Ryabtsev, and one by Stephen Collinson – Thu Sep 23, 2010, 5:30 pm ET (these can be found by entering this information into your search engine)

We are living in a most extraordinary time since the time of Christ, about two thousand years ago.  More prophecies have been fulfilled since 1948 (when Israel became a nation) than ever before.  Since that time, the prophetic clock began ticking towards the Battle of Armageddon and the return of Christ to rule and reign on earth.  The United Nations and Arab states continue to call for the elimination of Israel’s nuclear weapons.  With Iran’s progress towards nuclear armament, relations between Israel and Islamic states, who are dedicated to Israel’s destruction, remain precarious and on the brink of terror.  Prophecies reveal the revival of the Roman Empire (the last kingdom described in Daniel 2).  The United Nations and The Club of Rome (advisors to the UN) are creating an economic and political superpower that is increasing its involvement in world government and the Middle East.  The prophet Daniel wrote that the Antichrist will arise to control the revived Roman Empire and that “He shall confirm a covenant with many for one week (Biblical reference for seven years)…” Daniel 9:27.  He further writes that the treaty will be broken by the Antichrist in the “middle of the week” (three and a-half years into the seven-year peace treaty); “…and in the midst of the week, he shall cause the sacrifice and oblation to cease…” Daniel 9:27.  The signing of this future peace treaty will start the final countdown to Christ’s return to defeat the armies of this world and establish His kingdom on earth; “And I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies gathered together to make war against Him (Christ) who sat on the horse and against His army (the resurrected saints of God).”  Revelation 19:19.  It isn’t just the impending peace treaty that points to Christ’s return, it is rather all of the prophetic events coming to fruition in our generation.  In Matthew 24, Jesus told His disciples what the signs of His return would be: earthquakes, perplexity of nations, wars and rumors of war, pestilence (viruses), famines, false prophets; and “The gospel shall be preached to all nations; then shall the end come.” Matthew 24:14.  As discussed in last month’s newsletter, this ultimate prophecy has been fulfilled in our day via Christian television and the internet by satellite to all nations! 

The Books of Daniel and Revelation require in-depth study and prayer in order to gain understanding of these prophetic scriptures, because the prophecies given to Daniel and John by God were given through night visions and imagery.  God does not reveal His secrets to the world, but only to those who seek after the truth with their whole heart.  Men of God have understood these visions by the power of the Holy Spirit for generations.  As the end of days draws near and prophecies are being fulfilled before our eyes, we are given even greater insight to interpretation of the scriptures, for the Lord told Daniel, “O Daniel, shut up the words and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro and knowledge shall be increased.” Daniel 12:4.  (He was referring to the knowledge of the scriptures; read Jeremiah 29:12-13).