After four years, the Israel-Palestinian peace talks resume. How does this fit in prophecy?

Here is some news just out-

Kerry: Direct Israeli-Palestinian peace talks to resume next week in Washington
"U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry announced Friday in a press conference in Amman that direct Israeli-Palestinian talks are due to begin next week in Washington. The announcement comes after Kerry had traveled to the region six times within four months and spent countless hours in talks with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. "We have reached an agreement that establishes a basis for resuming direct final status negotiations between the Palestinians and the Israelis," he told reporters in Jordan. "The agreement is still in the process of being formalized."

According to Wikipedia, there are numerous issues to resolve before a lasting peace can be reached, including the following:
  • Borders and division of the land;
  • Strong emotions relating to the conflict on both sides;
  • Palestinian concerns over Israeli settlements in the West Bank;
  • Status of Jerusalem;
  • Israeli security concerns over terrorism, safe borders, incitements, violence;
  • Right of return of Palestinian refugees living in the Palestinian diaspora.
Prophetically we know several things. Overall, we know that there will be no lasting peace until Messiah comes. (Isaiah 2:3-5).
  • The world will be against Israel in the final days. (Zechariah 12:2-3)
  • The LORD will allow the nations to invade and (mostly) defeat Israel (Zechariah 14:2, Rev 11:2)
  • They have divided His land, angering the LORD (Joel 3:2)
  • He will save a remnant, all Israel will be saved (Romans 11:25-26)
  • While they are saying peace and safety sudden destruction will come upon them (1 Thessalonians 5:3)
Here is the biggie:

A covenant will be confirmed. A pact. A treaty.

"And he shall make a strong covenant with many for one week, and for half of the week he shall put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall come one who makes desolate, until the decreed end is poured out on the desolator.” (Daniel 9:27)

Othe translations say-

"And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week" (KJV)
"He will make a firm covenant with many for one week" (Holman Standard)
"He will confirm a covenant with many for one 'seven.'" (NIV)

This indicates that some kind of treaty or pact is already in existence and will be confirmed among the many, rather than a new one being created or formulated at the time.

This covenant satisfies Israel. We know this because firstly, they participate in its confirming, and secondly, they are allowed to begin sacrificing at the temple again. All seems well for three and a half years, until the antichrist reveals himself by stepping into the temple. He declares himself God and commands all worship must focus on him. Until then, we do not know who the antichrist is, although he does participate in the original confirming of the covenant three and a half years earlier. (2 Thessalonians 3:6).

It is this moment which Jesus spoke of in Matthew 24:15-17, "So when you see standing in the holy place 'the abomination that causes desolation,' spoken of through the prophet Daniel--let the reader understand-Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains: Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house: …"

Any time many nations are involved in forming a treaty or pact with Israel, it is time to heighten attention to the prophetic words of His prophets. It is time to pray for Israel even more fervently. It is time to pray for the pagans and Gentiles who live in that region with vigor. It is time to pray for the Christians witnessing to Messiah in the Land that they would be the Light so many will be saved and thus escape the horrors to soon come. It is time to strengthen our own faith and straighten our own walk, so that we may be ready for the trumpet call to stand unashamed before Him in glory.

Seeing the scaffolding having been erected for the Tribulation we know that soon the rapture call will occur, because the Bride will be called home before the judgments begin. So look to the Middle East with the political doings, and look up. Is our Redemption drawing nigh? I believe so, every day brings us closer. With the resumption of peace talks, the inching forward just took a giant leap.
____________________

Further reading:

All about the Tribulation: explained

The Times of Israel reviews “Damascus Countdown” & hopes it doesn’t come true.

Comments

  1. I agree, well articulated. Look up, and lift up your eyes, for your redemption draweth nigh!

    ReplyDelete
  2. A reminder: the 1993 Oslo Accord is a treaty signed by both the Israel representatives and the Palestinian representatives. Remember Pres. Bill Clinton's public ceremony with Arafat and Shimon Peres? Many things were hammered out and others were left in the framework to be hammered out later. Technically, the Accord is still live. The Oslo Accord could be the covenant that the many confirms. Keep your eye on the news for "Oslo Accord"
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oslo_Accord

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment