The Guardian is reporting that Iran is much further along in their nuclear weapons quest than originally thought:
"Iran tested advanced nuclear warhead design". Quotes from this article:
"The UN's nuclear watchdog has asked Iran to explain evidence suggesting that Iranian scientists have experimented with an advanced nuclear warhead design, the Guardian has learned. The very existence of the technology, known as a "two-point implosion" devise, is officially secret in both the US and Britain, but according to previously unpublished documentation in a dossier compiled by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Iranian scientists may have tested high-explosive components of the design. The development was today described by nuclear experts as "breathtaking" and has added urgency to the effort to find a diplomatic solution to the Iranian nuclear crisis."
"The sophisticated technology, once mastered, allows for the production of smaller and simpler warheads than older models. It reduces the diameter of a warhead and makes it easier to put a warhead on a missile."
Then, while we see Iran's rapid and ongoing quest for nuclear weapons, while being led by a president that calls for the destruction of Israel on an ongoing basis - we see the following article:
"Threat of attack on Iran nuclear sites - not a bluff". In this Jerusalem Post article, once again we see the same message from leadership in Israel - and that message simply put by Israel's Deputy Foreign Minister:
"Israel is not bluffing when it warns that all options are still on the table and that it may strike Iranian nuclear facilities."
He is correct in that statement. Israel never plays games with issues such as this - issues that affect their very survival as a nation. It is only a matter of time now. Iran have made their intentions crystal clear, as they continue to reject any international plans to thwart their nuclear weapons ambitions. Israel - at the same time repeats the same message over and over, and that message is that they WILL, if necessary, launch a military mission which will destroy these nuclear facilities.
When Israel strikes, it is virtually guaranteed that Russia will become involved, as most of these nuclear plants include hundreds of Russian workers, and Russian leader Putin has vowed that he will defend Iran in the event of an "attack". Now we see Turkey making similar alliances over the course of last summer and this fall.
I believe when Israel strikes, it will ultimately lead into the biblical battle of "Gog-MaGog" described in Ezekiel 38-39 - that epic battle in which God directly intervenes on Israel's behalf, and makes His intervention, and thus, His presence, known to the entire world.
We seem to be right on the brink of seeing this epic war triggered - with the triggering point being an Israeli "attack" on these nuclear facilities. Things will escalate immediately and dramatically when that happens, but clearly Israel has no choice in this matter. If Iranian leader Ahmadinejad has nuclear weapons at his disposal, he will use them to destroy Israel. He has made no secret of his ambitions to destroy Israel, and as a result he believes he can create the scenario of having the Mahdi return and institute Islamic rule throughout the world.
This recent news will certainly nudge Israel even closer to the obvious conclusion: Iran is closer than ever to having the capability to fulfill Ahmadinejad's dream of destroying Israel. Israel will not allow this.
This situation is rapidly coming to a head. Stay tuned.
Jumat, 06 November 2009
Kamis, 05 November 2009
More on the Lisbon Treaty: Military Implications
The EU Observer has a timely article published today: "EU military chiefs nervous about Lisbon Treaty". First the quotes, which I find fascinating:
"But the hotter topic - dealt with in 'informal talks' - was the impact of the Lisbon Treaty on the current EU military set up, the two generals told journalists after the meeting...The military chiefs will no longer report to the rotating EU presidency, but directly to the new EU foreign minister, who will also be vice-president of the European Commission."
"The EU's future top diplomat - British foreign secretary David Miliband is is still favourite to get the job - will also have the power to propose missions abroad and to 'ensure co-ordination of the civilian and military aspects' of those missions."
"The five-star general traced the 'real revolution' of EU's new approach back to the difficulties faced by member states in Iraq and Afghanistan, which showed that a pure military solution is not enough."
The following statement was also seen in this article: "...European troops needed to be involved in civilian operations as well - such as the stabilisation phase in Bosnia, evacuation measures and protection of humanitarian aid flow like for the naval operation off the coasts of Somalia."
There are several points of interest here, for a prophecy watcher:
1. We see yet another reference pointing to British foreign secretary David Miliband as a favorite to get the head of EU foreign policy ((link to prior commentary regarding Mr Miliband here). Born in 1965, Miliband was promoted to Foreign Secretary at the age of 41, the youngest person to hold that position in 30 years. Previously, he held the Prime Minister's Policy Unit from 1997-2001, under Tony Blair. Interestingly, he is the son of the late Marxist theorist Ralph Miliband. His two children are named Isaac and Jacob.
more information here.
As previously mentioned, these two most powerful positions in Europe, the EU President and the Head of Foreign Policy are the two positions within the EU which will now have the necessary power and clout to "confirm the covenant" of Daniel 9:27 - that covenant which will be brokered by a leader coming from the revived Roman Empire - the same leader who will ultimately become known as the antichrist. Therefore any such positions within the EU are of potential significance prophetically.
2. We see that whoever takes the position over foreign policy will have the ability to make determinations on "missions abroad", "coordination of civilian and military aspects of missions", "stabilization phase" of conflicts, "evacuation measures" and "protection of humanitarian aid flow" in and around these various conflicts. This is interesting because these measures sound very much like the types of actions that will be required once the Israeli- Middle East "covenant" is confirmed. In fact, it seems a perfect fit.
3. It is obvious that various roles and responsibilities for the EU military are just now being defined, leaving much room for a powerful leader to create his (expanded) role. This was the basis of the article - these "EU military chiefs" are "nervous" for that very fact. They will soon be reporting to a head of foreign policy who may have little military experience, and that has them concerned - appropriately.
These are interesting times. The new "United States of Europe" is evolving rapidly. Both of these powerful positions (EU President and Foreign Policy Head) will be able to carve out their roles according to their vision. No one knows what that will mean just yet. The EU military leaders are described as "nervous" over these possibilities. As they should be.
"But the hotter topic - dealt with in 'informal talks' - was the impact of the Lisbon Treaty on the current EU military set up, the two generals told journalists after the meeting...The military chiefs will no longer report to the rotating EU presidency, but directly to the new EU foreign minister, who will also be vice-president of the European Commission."
"The EU's future top diplomat - British foreign secretary David Miliband is is still favourite to get the job - will also have the power to propose missions abroad and to 'ensure co-ordination of the civilian and military aspects' of those missions."
"The five-star general traced the 'real revolution' of EU's new approach back to the difficulties faced by member states in Iraq and Afghanistan, which showed that a pure military solution is not enough."
The following statement was also seen in this article: "...European troops needed to be involved in civilian operations as well - such as the stabilisation phase in Bosnia, evacuation measures and protection of humanitarian aid flow like for the naval operation off the coasts of Somalia."
There are several points of interest here, for a prophecy watcher:
1. We see yet another reference pointing to British foreign secretary David Miliband as a favorite to get the head of EU foreign policy ((link to prior commentary regarding Mr Miliband here). Born in 1965, Miliband was promoted to Foreign Secretary at the age of 41, the youngest person to hold that position in 30 years. Previously, he held the Prime Minister's Policy Unit from 1997-2001, under Tony Blair. Interestingly, he is the son of the late Marxist theorist Ralph Miliband. His two children are named Isaac and Jacob.
more information here.
As previously mentioned, these two most powerful positions in Europe, the EU President and the Head of Foreign Policy are the two positions within the EU which will now have the necessary power and clout to "confirm the covenant" of Daniel 9:27 - that covenant which will be brokered by a leader coming from the revived Roman Empire - the same leader who will ultimately become known as the antichrist. Therefore any such positions within the EU are of potential significance prophetically.
2. We see that whoever takes the position over foreign policy will have the ability to make determinations on "missions abroad", "coordination of civilian and military aspects of missions", "stabilization phase" of conflicts, "evacuation measures" and "protection of humanitarian aid flow" in and around these various conflicts. This is interesting because these measures sound very much like the types of actions that will be required once the Israeli- Middle East "covenant" is confirmed. In fact, it seems a perfect fit.
3. It is obvious that various roles and responsibilities for the EU military are just now being defined, leaving much room for a powerful leader to create his (expanded) role. This was the basis of the article - these "EU military chiefs" are "nervous" for that very fact. They will soon be reporting to a head of foreign policy who may have little military experience, and that has them concerned - appropriately.
These are interesting times. The new "United States of Europe" is evolving rapidly. Both of these powerful positions (EU President and Foreign Policy Head) will be able to carve out their roles according to their vision. No one knows what that will mean just yet. The EU military leaders are described as "nervous" over these possibilities. As they should be.
The Future Has Arrived!
David Reagan has written a nice summary of the "last days" prophetic signs which involve Israel (only). This is a nice supplement to a blog post from several days ago, "The Big Picture". I had several people comment that it is always helpful to see a more overall summary of the "signs" that we are seeing around us; signs that indicate that not only are we living in the last generation (the generation that would witness the final stages leading to Jesus' return [aka the Tribulation], and the actual second coming of Jesus) - but living in the very last days of the last generation.
"The Future Has Arrived", as written by David Reagan is added below in its entirety; these points are just a few of the prophecies which relate to Israel's status in the final days. This is an excellent review, particularly as a supplement to "The Big Picture" linked above:
The Future Has Arrived!
By David Reagan
I am constantly running across articles by Dispensationalists in which the argument is presented that in order to be a "consistent futurist," you cannot contend that prophecies are being fulfilled today. Instead, it is argued that all end time prophecy relates to Israel in the Tribulation and Millennium. Therefore, all we are seeing today is "stage setting," but not the fulfillment of prophecy.1
I strongly disagree with this viewpoint. First of all, there are four end time prophecies concerning Israel that were fulfilled even before the 20th Century began. They are:
The dispersion of the Jews worldwide - Deuteronomy 28:64.
The worldwide persecution of the Jews - Deuteronomy 28:65-67.
The desolation of the Jewish homeland - Deuteronomy 29:22-28.
The preservation of the Jewish people - Jeremiah 30:7 and Jeremiah 31:36-37.
Some might respond by saying these are not end time prophecies, but they are. The end times or the "last days" began at the Cross. The writer of the Hebrew letter referred to his day and time (the First Century) as the "last days." The Apostle Peter also called the time in which he was living the "last times" (1 Peter 1:5 & 20). And in the same letter he stated that "the end of all things is at hand" (1 Peter 4:7). The "end times" began 2,000 years ago. We are currently in the end of the end times, and we know this because God's Word gives us signs to watch for that will mark the end of the age.
The fulfillment of the prophecies listed above makes it clear that all future prophecies in the Scriptures regarding Israel do not relate to just the Tribulation and the Millennium. Additionally, there are other futuristic prophecies in the Scriptures regarding Israel that were either fulfilled in part or in whole during the 20th Century, and they are prophecies that point to the soon return of Jesus.
Current Fulfillment of Prophecies Related to Israel
Consider, to begin with, the most prolific futuristic prophecy in the Hebrew Scriptures - namely, that in the end times the Jewish people will be regathered in unbelief from the four corners of the earth.
This regathering began in the late 19th Century when Theodor Herzl wrote his book, The Jewish State, in which he advocated that the time had come for the Jews to return to their homeland. In 1900 there were only 40,000 Jews in Israel. By the end of World War II this number had risen to 800,000. Today, it stands at nearly 6 million. The Jews continue to come, but there is no doubt this is a prophecy that is being fulfilled before our very eyes.
Or, consider the re-establishment of the state of Israel on May 14, 1948. This was a clear and definite fulfillment of Bible prophecy. It is an accomplished fact, and it is a miracle of God. It is not mere "stage-setting," it is a play that has already been performed in full.
Another accomplished fact is the revival of the Hebrew language from the dead. When the Jews were scattered from their homeland in the First and Second Centuries, they stopped speaking Hebrew. The Jews in Europe mixed Hebrew with German and created a new language called Yiddish. The Jews in the Mediterranean Basin mixed Hebrew with Spanish and created a language called Ladino. But the Bible prophesied that the Hebrew language would be revived in the end times (Zephaniah 3:9), and that is exactly what happened in the late 19th and early 20th Centuries through the efforts of one man - Eliezer Ben Yehuda. Today, the people of Israel speak biblical Hebrew.
Equally certifiable is the reclamation of the Jewish homeland. As pointed out earlier, the Bible prophesied that it would become a desolation after the Jewish people were expelled from it. But the Bible also prophesied that when the Jews returned to the land, it would once again become a land of milk and honey:
"The desolate land will be cultivated instead of being a desolation in the sight of everyone who passed by. And they will say, 'This desolate land has become like the garden of Eden; and the waste, desolate, and ruined cities are fortified and inhabited.'" (Ezekiel 36:34-35)
When the Jews started returning to their homeland in the late 19th Century, it was a total wasteland. Nearly all the trees had been cut down and the soil was badly eroded. The land resembled a desert. Most of the valleys had become malaria-infested swamp lands. The Jewish pioneers began planting trees, reclaiming the soil, and draining the swamps. Today, Israel is the bread basket of the Middle East.
Another prophecy that has definitely been fulfilled in our times is the resurgence of the Israeli military. Zechariah 12:6 says that in the end times, God "will make the clans of Judah like a firepot among pieces of wood and a flaming torch among sheaves, so they will consume on the right hand and on the left all the surrounding peoples..."
The fulfillment of this prophecy can be seen today in the incredible military power of Israel. It is one of the world's smallest nations, yet it is ranked by all experts as one of the four top military powers in the world.
Finally, with regard to Israel before the Tribulation begins, the Bible prophesies that Jerusalem will be re-occupied by the Jews (Zechariah 12:2-3 & 6) and that it will become the focal point of world politics (Zechariah 12:3). The Jews returned to the city when it was captured in the Six Day War in 1967, and today, all the nations of the world are coming against Israel over the issue of who will control Jerusalem in the future.
Current Fulfillment of Non-Jewish Prophecies
But end time prophecies regarding Israel are not the only ones we see being fulfilled in whole or in part before our very eyes. Daniel prophesied that in the end times the old Roman Empire would be revived (Daniel 2:31-45), and we can see that being accomplished today in the creation and expansion of the European Union.
The Bible prophesies repeatedly that in the end times there will be a great apostasy in the Church (1 Timothy 4:1, 2 Timothy 3:1 & 5, 2 Timothy 4:3-4). We are up to our ears in that apostasy today as major Christian denominations ordain homosexuals, approve same-sex marriage, deny the deity of Jesus, and mock the inerrancy of the Scriptures.
In like manner, the Bible prophesies that "in the last days" society will disintegrate into a cesspool of immorality and violence (2 Timothy 3:1-5). Can there be any doubt that those days have arrived?
Daniel was told that the end time prophecies would not be completely understood until the end time - that is, until the time comes for their fulfillment (Daniel 12:8-9). That time must be upon us for we are living in the time when ancient prophecies are being understood for the first time ever, due to historical developments and technological advances.
Taking the Signs of the Times Seriously
I could go on and on, but I think I have made my point. The future has arrived! End time prophecies are being fulfilled today. What we are witnessing is much more than "stage-setting." God is clearly fulfilling promises He made thousands of years ago to the Jewish people. And God is orchestrating the fulfillment of end time prophecies that are not related to the Jewish people.
It is exciting to see these prophecies fulfilled, and I am tired of seeing people attempt to depreciate their importance by flipping them off in a cavalier way as nothing more than mere "stage-setting."
Jesus is coming soon. The signs of the times attest to that fact. God expects us to take those signs seriously because He is about to pour out His wrath upon this world in the Great Tribulation, and He does not desire that any should perish. The fulfillment of prophecy all around us today is God's way of waking us up to the fact that we are living on borrowed time, and we need to use the remaining time to commit ourselves to holiness and evangelism.
"The Future Has Arrived", as written by David Reagan is added below in its entirety; these points are just a few of the prophecies which relate to Israel's status in the final days. This is an excellent review, particularly as a supplement to "The Big Picture" linked above:
The Future Has Arrived!
By David Reagan
I am constantly running across articles by Dispensationalists in which the argument is presented that in order to be a "consistent futurist," you cannot contend that prophecies are being fulfilled today. Instead, it is argued that all end time prophecy relates to Israel in the Tribulation and Millennium. Therefore, all we are seeing today is "stage setting," but not the fulfillment of prophecy.1
I strongly disagree with this viewpoint. First of all, there are four end time prophecies concerning Israel that were fulfilled even before the 20th Century began. They are:
The dispersion of the Jews worldwide - Deuteronomy 28:64.
The worldwide persecution of the Jews - Deuteronomy 28:65-67.
The desolation of the Jewish homeland - Deuteronomy 29:22-28.
The preservation of the Jewish people - Jeremiah 30:7 and Jeremiah 31:36-37.
Some might respond by saying these are not end time prophecies, but they are. The end times or the "last days" began at the Cross. The writer of the Hebrew letter referred to his day and time (the First Century) as the "last days." The Apostle Peter also called the time in which he was living the "last times" (1 Peter 1:5 & 20). And in the same letter he stated that "the end of all things is at hand" (1 Peter 4:7). The "end times" began 2,000 years ago. We are currently in the end of the end times, and we know this because God's Word gives us signs to watch for that will mark the end of the age.
The fulfillment of the prophecies listed above makes it clear that all future prophecies in the Scriptures regarding Israel do not relate to just the Tribulation and the Millennium. Additionally, there are other futuristic prophecies in the Scriptures regarding Israel that were either fulfilled in part or in whole during the 20th Century, and they are prophecies that point to the soon return of Jesus.
Current Fulfillment of Prophecies Related to Israel
Consider, to begin with, the most prolific futuristic prophecy in the Hebrew Scriptures - namely, that in the end times the Jewish people will be regathered in unbelief from the four corners of the earth.
This regathering began in the late 19th Century when Theodor Herzl wrote his book, The Jewish State, in which he advocated that the time had come for the Jews to return to their homeland. In 1900 there were only 40,000 Jews in Israel. By the end of World War II this number had risen to 800,000. Today, it stands at nearly 6 million. The Jews continue to come, but there is no doubt this is a prophecy that is being fulfilled before our very eyes.
Or, consider the re-establishment of the state of Israel on May 14, 1948. This was a clear and definite fulfillment of Bible prophecy. It is an accomplished fact, and it is a miracle of God. It is not mere "stage-setting," it is a play that has already been performed in full.
Another accomplished fact is the revival of the Hebrew language from the dead. When the Jews were scattered from their homeland in the First and Second Centuries, they stopped speaking Hebrew. The Jews in Europe mixed Hebrew with German and created a new language called Yiddish. The Jews in the Mediterranean Basin mixed Hebrew with Spanish and created a language called Ladino. But the Bible prophesied that the Hebrew language would be revived in the end times (Zephaniah 3:9), and that is exactly what happened in the late 19th and early 20th Centuries through the efforts of one man - Eliezer Ben Yehuda. Today, the people of Israel speak biblical Hebrew.
Equally certifiable is the reclamation of the Jewish homeland. As pointed out earlier, the Bible prophesied that it would become a desolation after the Jewish people were expelled from it. But the Bible also prophesied that when the Jews returned to the land, it would once again become a land of milk and honey:
"The desolate land will be cultivated instead of being a desolation in the sight of everyone who passed by. And they will say, 'This desolate land has become like the garden of Eden; and the waste, desolate, and ruined cities are fortified and inhabited.'" (Ezekiel 36:34-35)
When the Jews started returning to their homeland in the late 19th Century, it was a total wasteland. Nearly all the trees had been cut down and the soil was badly eroded. The land resembled a desert. Most of the valleys had become malaria-infested swamp lands. The Jewish pioneers began planting trees, reclaiming the soil, and draining the swamps. Today, Israel is the bread basket of the Middle East.
Another prophecy that has definitely been fulfilled in our times is the resurgence of the Israeli military. Zechariah 12:6 says that in the end times, God "will make the clans of Judah like a firepot among pieces of wood and a flaming torch among sheaves, so they will consume on the right hand and on the left all the surrounding peoples..."
The fulfillment of this prophecy can be seen today in the incredible military power of Israel. It is one of the world's smallest nations, yet it is ranked by all experts as one of the four top military powers in the world.
Finally, with regard to Israel before the Tribulation begins, the Bible prophesies that Jerusalem will be re-occupied by the Jews (Zechariah 12:2-3 & 6) and that it will become the focal point of world politics (Zechariah 12:3). The Jews returned to the city when it was captured in the Six Day War in 1967, and today, all the nations of the world are coming against Israel over the issue of who will control Jerusalem in the future.
Current Fulfillment of Non-Jewish Prophecies
But end time prophecies regarding Israel are not the only ones we see being fulfilled in whole or in part before our very eyes. Daniel prophesied that in the end times the old Roman Empire would be revived (Daniel 2:31-45), and we can see that being accomplished today in the creation and expansion of the European Union.
The Bible prophesies repeatedly that in the end times there will be a great apostasy in the Church (1 Timothy 4:1, 2 Timothy 3:1 & 5, 2 Timothy 4:3-4). We are up to our ears in that apostasy today as major Christian denominations ordain homosexuals, approve same-sex marriage, deny the deity of Jesus, and mock the inerrancy of the Scriptures.
In like manner, the Bible prophesies that "in the last days" society will disintegrate into a cesspool of immorality and violence (2 Timothy 3:1-5). Can there be any doubt that those days have arrived?
Daniel was told that the end time prophecies would not be completely understood until the end time - that is, until the time comes for their fulfillment (Daniel 12:8-9). That time must be upon us for we are living in the time when ancient prophecies are being understood for the first time ever, due to historical developments and technological advances.
Taking the Signs of the Times Seriously
I could go on and on, but I think I have made my point. The future has arrived! End time prophecies are being fulfilled today. What we are witnessing is much more than "stage-setting." God is clearly fulfilling promises He made thousands of years ago to the Jewish people. And God is orchestrating the fulfillment of end time prophecies that are not related to the Jewish people.
It is exciting to see these prophecies fulfilled, and I am tired of seeing people attempt to depreciate their importance by flipping them off in a cavalier way as nothing more than mere "stage-setting."
Jesus is coming soon. The signs of the times attest to that fact. God expects us to take those signs seriously because He is about to pour out His wrath upon this world in the Great Tribulation, and He does not desire that any should perish. The fulfillment of prophecy all around us today is God's way of waking us up to the fact that we are living on borrowed time, and we need to use the remaining time to commit ourselves to holiness and evangelism.
Iran Prepares for War: Huge Arms Shipment Intercepted
Once again, Iran has been caught sending "hundreds of tons" of missiles which were intended for Hezbollah in southern Lebanon:
"Israel Commandos seize huge Iranian arms shipment".
In this article we see the following:
"Israel said the huge weapons shipment backed its long-standing contention that Iran is supplying large quantities of arms to Hezbollah and Hamas. The Francop's containers were carefully unloaded on army forklifts to avoid accidental detonation. Some of the containers had the initials 'I.R.I.S.L.' printed on the side and the fuller title, 'I.R. (Islamic Republic of) Iran Shipping Lines Group' on the other."
Of course this isn't really "news". Iran has been supplying Hezbollah with arms for years, with several such incidents having occurred in the past: "Iran's History of Weapons Smuggling".
It will be interesting to see how Iran will use Hezbollah and Hamas in the coming months. With an Israeli-Iranian conflict looming, it is quite probable that Hezbollah/Hamas will be engaged in the imminent conflict, either as a diversion or an active component of war when it starts.
These missile shipments to Gaza and Lebanon have been ongoing now for years. And this recent incident comes just days after Israeli intelligence confirmed that these terrorists groups can now reach Tel Aviv with such missiles.
Iran is making war preparations. Israel is making war preparations. The alliance between Iran-Turkey-Russia is more solid now than it has ever been.
The shadow of Ezekiel 38-39 looms larger than it has since the prophecy was written, over 2,500 years ago. Its just a matter of time now.
"Israel Commandos seize huge Iranian arms shipment".
In this article we see the following:
"Israel said the huge weapons shipment backed its long-standing contention that Iran is supplying large quantities of arms to Hezbollah and Hamas. The Francop's containers were carefully unloaded on army forklifts to avoid accidental detonation. Some of the containers had the initials 'I.R.I.S.L.' printed on the side and the fuller title, 'I.R. (Islamic Republic of) Iran Shipping Lines Group' on the other."
Of course this isn't really "news". Iran has been supplying Hezbollah with arms for years, with several such incidents having occurred in the past: "Iran's History of Weapons Smuggling".
It will be interesting to see how Iran will use Hezbollah and Hamas in the coming months. With an Israeli-Iranian conflict looming, it is quite probable that Hezbollah/Hamas will be engaged in the imminent conflict, either as a diversion or an active component of war when it starts.
These missile shipments to Gaza and Lebanon have been ongoing now for years. And this recent incident comes just days after Israeli intelligence confirmed that these terrorists groups can now reach Tel Aviv with such missiles.
Iran is making war preparations. Israel is making war preparations. The alliance between Iran-Turkey-Russia is more solid now than it has ever been.
The shadow of Ezekiel 38-39 looms larger than it has since the prophecy was written, over 2,500 years ago. Its just a matter of time now.
Rabu, 04 November 2009
Pestilence Signs: New Deadly Respiratory Virus Hits Ukraine
The story coming from the Ukraine regarding this unknown disease is continuing to grow. In a nutshell, there is an "unknown" virus which is highly virulent and deadly. Testing is being done to identify the virus, but early testing has ruled out H1N1 as the causative pathogen. Additionally, this "new" virus (assuming it is a virus) presents a very different clinical scenario as contrasted to H1N1. Apparently this virus directly targets the lungs hard and fast. Depending upon the news source, it appears that between 40-70 deaths have already occurred, and tens of thousands have already contacted this disease, which was just identified in late October.
Perhaps even more ominous, are the autopsy results which have shown lungs congested with blood and/or the finding of "black lungs", findings which have prompted some to begin referring to this disease as "hemorrhagic fever", "hemmorhagic pneumonia" or, more commonly "pneumonic plague". There is also widespread panic in the Ukraine as there have already been "quarantines" with entire towns having been "sealed off" and multiple schools have been closed indefinitely. One town of 10,000 people has already been "sealed off".
According to one article, "the level of panic and rumor begins to sound like the opening scenes of the LPAC "Dark Ages" video, recalling how people fled its desperation from the plague.."
Once again, as Jesus informed us in His Olivet Discourse (Matthew 24, Luke 21, Mark 13) - pestilences would be one of our signs. Indeed.
Links:
"Flu, or Something Else, Panics Ukraine".
"Unidentified flue outbreak in Western Ukraine".
"Poland urges EU meeting on Ukraine flu threat".
"Yushchenko called on to help Ukraine: Unknown virus is killing people".
Perhaps even more ominous, are the autopsy results which have shown lungs congested with blood and/or the finding of "black lungs", findings which have prompted some to begin referring to this disease as "hemorrhagic fever", "hemmorhagic pneumonia" or, more commonly "pneumonic plague". There is also widespread panic in the Ukraine as there have already been "quarantines" with entire towns having been "sealed off" and multiple schools have been closed indefinitely. One town of 10,000 people has already been "sealed off".
According to one article, "the level of panic and rumor begins to sound like the opening scenes of the LPAC "Dark Ages" video, recalling how people fled its desperation from the plague.."
Once again, as Jesus informed us in His Olivet Discourse (Matthew 24, Luke 21, Mark 13) - pestilences would be one of our signs. Indeed.
Links:
"Flu, or Something Else, Panics Ukraine".
"Unidentified flue outbreak in Western Ukraine".
"Poland urges EU meeting on Ukraine flu threat".
"Yushchenko called on to help Ukraine: Unknown virus is killing people".
Selasa, 03 November 2009
More birthpains
There are so many pertinent news articles today, we need to categorize:
1. Revived Roman Empire (Daniel 2,7):
"Klaus signature completes EU treaty ratification". So its signed, sealed and delivered. Its a "done deal" as they say. There is no turning back now; the EU, as predicted 30+ years ago by prophecy scholars such as Dwight Pentecost and Hal Lindsey has finally happened - we formal have a formal "United States of Europe".
Also in this context we see the immediate push to fill the two most important and powerful positions, the EU president and the head of foreign policy:
"EU to call extra summit on top jobs". Here, we read that the EU will call for an "extraordinary summit" in the coming days to discuss and select the top spot, the EU President and presumably the head of foreign policy as well. For some reason, the EU wants to select these positions very quickly.
2. Israel surrounded by her enemies (Zechariah 12), War/Rumors of War (Matthew 24) and potentially Gog-MaGog (Ezekiel 38-39):
"Israel: Gaza rockets can reach metro Tel Aviv".
"MI chief: TA area in Gaza rocket range">"I chief: TA area in Gaza rocket range". To draw a composite picture of these articles, it has been determined that Hamas, operating out of Gaza, has the new capability of reaching Tel Aviv with missiles manufactured in Iran. Also of interest, it appears that Turkey may have a key role in transporting the weapons into Gaza. It is hard to imagine that the terrorists organizations would actually send missiles into the heart of Tel Aviv, but if it does, Israel would respond with massive force.
Additionally, to add more gasoline to the fire, military evidence confirms that Hezbollah (operating from southern Lebanon) is receiving missiles from Iran via Syria and Turkey. read here "Hezbollah receives arms from Iran via Syria, Turkey".
3. Rumors of War (Matthew 24):
"Gas masks for everyone in Israel".
We see these activities right now in Israel:
"The israeli military is preparing to distribute new gas masks to the entire civilian population in readiness in for a potential chemical attack."
"But now, the Israeli military is preparing to distribute 4.5 million new masks from January, starting with residents in the north and centre of the country who are seen as most at risk of a chemical attack."
"It estimates that Israel could face the threat of thousands of rocket warheads, some of which weigh half a ton."
4. The confirmation of the covenant (Daniel 9:27), and Jerusalem as the "burdensome stone" which will "cut into pieces" those who attempt to divide Jerusalem (Zechariah 12):
"Barak: Trip to USA for Drafting Agreement With the PA". Here we see the following:
"Defense minister Minister Ehud Barak and Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu are traveling to the United States this week to meet with senior White House officials in an effort to draft an agreement to be offered to the Fatah-led half of the Palestinian Authority, under Mahmoud Abbas. Such an agreement, Barak said Tuesday, will include a 'viable Palestinian State' and the end of Israeli sovereignty in Judea and Samaria."
"In a Voice of Israel government radio report, Barak was quoted as saying that the negotiations with the PA are intended to reach an agreement that includes 'the end of the conflict and all mutual claims, the establishment of an economically and territorial viable Palestinian State alongside Israel, and the end of the occupation that began in 1967.'"
In other words, with this agreement, they would be going back to the pre-1967 borders, which would involve Israel giving up part of Jerusalem. The warning against this particular action is a strong warning, as issued in Zechariah 12.
What makes this more interesting than the usual movements towards a peace plan?
The fact that we are rapidly moving towards having a European Union leader, whether its the EU President or the head of the foreign policy - who will have the clout and power with the formal capability to "confirm the covenant", between Israel and their surrounding enemies - for the first time in 2,000 years. I have speculated that the "confirming" of the covenant may be fulfilled by the person responsible for sending in peacekeeping forces, which would "confirm" the covenant.
Either way - according to biblical prophecy, when that happens, the world will learn two important warnings: This will mark the beginning of the Tribulation, and the individual responsible for "confirming the covenant" will later be known as the antichrist.
There are a lot of things happening right now, prophetically. Every prophetic sign that has been given biblically - signs that indicate the Tribulation is approaching - and the same signs which indicate that the Second Coming is rapidly approaching - continues to progress towards the final days of this generation.
It is amazing how rapidly things are coming together. Amazing, but not unexpected - after all - we've been warned.
1. Revived Roman Empire (Daniel 2,7):
"Klaus signature completes EU treaty ratification". So its signed, sealed and delivered. Its a "done deal" as they say. There is no turning back now; the EU, as predicted 30+ years ago by prophecy scholars such as Dwight Pentecost and Hal Lindsey has finally happened - we formal have a formal "United States of Europe".
Also in this context we see the immediate push to fill the two most important and powerful positions, the EU president and the head of foreign policy:
"EU to call extra summit on top jobs". Here, we read that the EU will call for an "extraordinary summit" in the coming days to discuss and select the top spot, the EU President and presumably the head of foreign policy as well. For some reason, the EU wants to select these positions very quickly.
2. Israel surrounded by her enemies (Zechariah 12), War/Rumors of War (Matthew 24) and potentially Gog-MaGog (Ezekiel 38-39):
"Israel: Gaza rockets can reach metro Tel Aviv".
"MI chief: TA area in Gaza rocket range">"I chief: TA area in Gaza rocket range". To draw a composite picture of these articles, it has been determined that Hamas, operating out of Gaza, has the new capability of reaching Tel Aviv with missiles manufactured in Iran. Also of interest, it appears that Turkey may have a key role in transporting the weapons into Gaza. It is hard to imagine that the terrorists organizations would actually send missiles into the heart of Tel Aviv, but if it does, Israel would respond with massive force.
Additionally, to add more gasoline to the fire, military evidence confirms that Hezbollah (operating from southern Lebanon) is receiving missiles from Iran via Syria and Turkey. read here "Hezbollah receives arms from Iran via Syria, Turkey".
3. Rumors of War (Matthew 24):
"Gas masks for everyone in Israel".
We see these activities right now in Israel:
"The israeli military is preparing to distribute new gas masks to the entire civilian population in readiness in for a potential chemical attack."
"But now, the Israeli military is preparing to distribute 4.5 million new masks from January, starting with residents in the north and centre of the country who are seen as most at risk of a chemical attack."
"It estimates that Israel could face the threat of thousands of rocket warheads, some of which weigh half a ton."
4. The confirmation of the covenant (Daniel 9:27), and Jerusalem as the "burdensome stone" which will "cut into pieces" those who attempt to divide Jerusalem (Zechariah 12):
"Barak: Trip to USA for Drafting Agreement With the PA". Here we see the following:
"Defense minister Minister Ehud Barak and Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu are traveling to the United States this week to meet with senior White House officials in an effort to draft an agreement to be offered to the Fatah-led half of the Palestinian Authority, under Mahmoud Abbas. Such an agreement, Barak said Tuesday, will include a 'viable Palestinian State' and the end of Israeli sovereignty in Judea and Samaria."
"In a Voice of Israel government radio report, Barak was quoted as saying that the negotiations with the PA are intended to reach an agreement that includes 'the end of the conflict and all mutual claims, the establishment of an economically and territorial viable Palestinian State alongside Israel, and the end of the occupation that began in 1967.'"
In other words, with this agreement, they would be going back to the pre-1967 borders, which would involve Israel giving up part of Jerusalem. The warning against this particular action is a strong warning, as issued in Zechariah 12.
What makes this more interesting than the usual movements towards a peace plan?
The fact that we are rapidly moving towards having a European Union leader, whether its the EU President or the head of the foreign policy - who will have the clout and power with the formal capability to "confirm the covenant", between Israel and their surrounding enemies - for the first time in 2,000 years. I have speculated that the "confirming" of the covenant may be fulfilled by the person responsible for sending in peacekeeping forces, which would "confirm" the covenant.
Either way - according to biblical prophecy, when that happens, the world will learn two important warnings: This will mark the beginning of the Tribulation, and the individual responsible for "confirming the covenant" will later be known as the antichrist.
There are a lot of things happening right now, prophetically. Every prophetic sign that has been given biblically - signs that indicate the Tribulation is approaching - and the same signs which indicate that the Second Coming is rapidly approaching - continues to progress towards the final days of this generation.
It is amazing how rapidly things are coming together. Amazing, but not unexpected - after all - we've been warned.
Czech court gives green light to EU treaty
The Czech Republic's Constitutional Court rules in favor of the Lisbon Treaty". Now, the Czech president Vaclav Klaus must formally sign-off, and he has indicated that he will do so. Therefore, the Lisbon Treaty is a done deal.
According to this article from the EU Observer: "Last week, French President Nicolas Sarcozy said he believed the treaty could go into force on 1 December - with EU rules saying that the treaty comes into effect on the first day of the month after all the instruments of ratification have been handed in."
Importantly, we need to see the gravity of this situation. Recall, only a few years ago, the EU attempted to have a formal constitution passed through every member nation. The problem was, the constitution required votes by the citizens of each nation, and it didn't pass. As a very "clever" alternative, it was determined that the Lisbon Treaty, effectively a substitute for for the constitution, just repackaged, would be implemented - only the Lisbon Treaty, rather than receive the votes of each nation's citizens - would only have to"pass" via their governmental bodies - bypassing the direct votes of their citizens.
Now we watch closely to see what happens regarding the two most powerful positions in the EU - the EU President and the head of Foreign Policy. That should be fascinating.
So now we have it. The revived Roman Empire is now a formal entity. Additionally, it is important to recognize that the newly formed Mediterranean Union is functionally an outgrowth of the EU. This growth, according to biblical prophecy will continue. This is only the beginning.
According to this article from the EU Observer: "Last week, French President Nicolas Sarcozy said he believed the treaty could go into force on 1 December - with EU rules saying that the treaty comes into effect on the first day of the month after all the instruments of ratification have been handed in."
Importantly, we need to see the gravity of this situation. Recall, only a few years ago, the EU attempted to have a formal constitution passed through every member nation. The problem was, the constitution required votes by the citizens of each nation, and it didn't pass. As a very "clever" alternative, it was determined that the Lisbon Treaty, effectively a substitute for for the constitution, just repackaged, would be implemented - only the Lisbon Treaty, rather than receive the votes of each nation's citizens - would only have to"pass" via their governmental bodies - bypassing the direct votes of their citizens.
Now we watch closely to see what happens regarding the two most powerful positions in the EU - the EU President and the head of Foreign Policy. That should be fascinating.
So now we have it. The revived Roman Empire is now a formal entity. Additionally, it is important to recognize that the newly formed Mediterranean Union is functionally an outgrowth of the EU. This growth, according to biblical prophecy will continue. This is only the beginning.
Langganan:
Postingan (Atom)