Lost in the coverage of health care reform, soaring unemployment, job bills and political gamesmanship was a visit to Israel by Vice President Joe Biden last week. During the visit Biden called out Israel for continuing to pursue building projects in Jerusalem. Biden, and later Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's condemnation of these building projects have drawn a line in the sand deeper than at any other time in US-Israeli relations.
Now I want you think of how the United States would react if a foreign power were to object to us building on land that is rightfully ours. Think of how the United States would react if Mexico and Canada were our mortal enemies who have sworn to wipe us off the map. Simple logic tells us we would not react as we are expecting Israel too, yet with Israel, as has been the case throughout history, their is a different standard than for any other nation.
The middle east peace fiasco for nearly 40 years has consisted of this premise: Israel is to make concessions while the Palestinians make demands. It's that simple. Their has never been a sense of fairness regarding the peace process between Israel and her enemies. One side is expected to give, the other to take. Their has never been a guarantee that Israel would remain free from attack, when negotiations reached the closest point of agreement in 2000, Yassir Arafat backed away in spite of deep concessions offered by Israel. Why? Israel's enemies do not want peace. Israel's enemies want Israel to cease to exist.
Since the re-establishment of the nation of Israel in 1948 the United States has been Israel's most staunch ally. Sadly, that is no longer the case. The position of the Obama administration is clear, in spite of talk that the US is still standing with Israel. The official position now is, the reason their is no peace is because of Israel.
It's not because Israel is under constant threat of attack. It's not because the Palestinians have never been able to negotiate in good faith. It's not because of the factions that exist with the Palestinian people that prevent agreement on anything. It's Israel's fault. And this showdown this week has made that abundantly clear.
How will Israel react? If Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu capitulates to US demands, his government is done. Netanyahu has been here before. He's already lost power once by moving to the center, I cannot see him doing this again. And this means that Israel will stand virtually alone. A showdown is imminent not only with the US but also within the Israeli government, and the results could be truly biblical. Israel has sworn another Holocaust will not occur. A preemptive strike on Iran seems the only hope of stopping Iran from going nuclear, as the United States policy seems only based in words, not action.
The Psalm 83 war seems poised to break out at any time. Iran's march toward nuclear power status sets the stage for Ezekiel 38-39. The chaos that would surely ensue if their is a major middle east conflict would be the perfect staging ground for the emergence of Antichrist. Zechariah 12:2 tells us, "Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of drunkenness to all the surrounding peoples, when they lay siege against Judah and Jerusalem." If the US truly backs away from Israel, as seems more possible than ever today, this prophecy will literally be fulfilled. Israel's enemies will see their chance. But God is in control. Israel will stand and survive. They will eventually turn to Messiah, Jesus Christ. They will be restored to a right relationship with God. No matter how the world sees this latest crisis regarding Israel turning out, Gods will, will be done. His will, is for His people, to return to Him.
No comments:
Post a Comment