Stopping Iran hinges on peace talks with the Palestinians???

Melanie Phillips' article entitled "Obama Prepares to Throw Israel Under the Bus" is disturbing and should make Americans who have long supported Israel sit up and take notice.

When will Obama and the liberal left come to the realization that Iran and other Muslim countries like it will never be satisfied with anything but the total annihilation of the State of Israel. To say that keeping Iran in line is contingent on talks with the thugs in Palestine is likesaying keeping one dog from attacking your cat is contingent on allowing the other neighbor's dog full access to your cat as he stands at the fence growling and salivating at your pet.

In keeping with the theme, Zo has a new video that seems apropos.

The Real Story on the Middle East

For a simple, chronological account of the Middle East situation, go here and watch this video. Then the next time some screaming liberal or Arab says the Jews are occupiers, tell them their ignorance is showing and make them prove it. They can’t. Because it’s not true.

And lest someone say this film is propaganda – all the facts stated in the film can be verified by third party neutral sources. Facts are facts.


"Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee." Psalm 122:6

Moved to Pray

I felt moved to imprecatory prayer tonite. I lift up this prayer against Mahmud Ahmadinejad and those who would follow him.


Keep not thou silence, O God: hold not thy peace, and be not still, O God.

For, lo, thine enemies make a tumult: and they that hate thee have lifted up the head.

They have taken crafty counsel against thy people, and consulted against thy hidden ones.

They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance.

For they have consulted together with one consent: they are confederate against thee:
. . .

Do unto them as unto the Midianites; as to Sisera, as to Jabin, at the brook of Kison:Which perished at Endor: they became as dung for the earth.

Fill their faces with shame; that they may seek thy name, O LORD.

Let them be confounded and troubled for ever; yea, let them be put to shame, and perish:

That men may know that thou, whose name alone is JEHOVAH, art the most high over all the earth.

From Psalm 83

Bethlehem Being Purged of Christianity

The title of this article reads “O Muslim Town of Bethlehem”

It goes on to explain that the town of our Lord’s birth is fast becoming a Muslim town, and the Christians are leaving in droves due to persecution, terrorism, and intimidation by the Muslims.

Some highlights of the article, for those of you who don’t have the inclination to read it all:

About the Church of the Nativity:

“It is one of the most sacred sites in Christendom, but there are no tourists … to see it”

From Joseph Canawati, a Christian hotel owner:

"There is no hope for the future of the Christian community."

“We don't think things are going to get better. For us, it is finished.”

Of the Christian population in Bethlehem:

The town's Christian population has dwindled from more than 85 per cent in 1948 to 12 per cent of its 60,000 inhabitants in 2006.

Of the growing Muslim presence:

The sense of a creeping Islamic fundamentalism is all around in Bethlehem.

A mosque on one side of Manger Square stands directly opposite the Greek Orthodox and Roman Catholic churches, while in the evening the muezzin's call to prayer clashes with the peal of church bells.

About Christian tourism:

Bethlehem's hotel owners estimate that tourist numbers have dropped sharply, from 91,276 each month for the millennium celebrations in 2000 to little more than 1,500 a month now.

About Israel’s Security Wall:

Bethlehem found itself behind Israel's security wall, a 400-mile-long concrete barrier which separates Jewish and Palestinian areas and is designed to stop suicide bombers - in 2004, half the Israeli fatalities caused by such attacks were committed by extremists from Bethlehem.

Last year, tourists trying to get to the town were forced to queue for hours as their papers were checked, while Bethlehem inhabitants going the other way must now apply for an infrequently granted permit to visit Jerusalem, barely ten minutes away by car.

“It is like living in a prison,” says Shadt Abu-Ayash, a 29-year-old Roman Catholic shopkeeper.

Continue to pray for Israel. Pray that Christ returns soon.

“But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting." Micah 5:2

"And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel." Matthew 2:6

"Hath not the scripture said, That Christ cometh of the seed of David, and out of the town of Bethlehem, where David was?" John 7:42

Jewish vs Islamic Ideology

This article is a perfect example of the theological differences between Judaism and Islam. Here Rabbi David Aaron explains some core principles concerning war and praying for the enemy’s defeat. For those of you who will skip reading the entire article, here are a few excerpts:

When your enemy falls, do not take joy.

And if indeed war is unavoidable,… then it must be waged with the deepest sense of love for G-d and not hatred for people.

…whenever we pray that G-d deal with our enemies, we never pray for the destruction of the enemy himself, only his evilness. We do not want to see people die unless there is no other way to stop them from doing evil.

Judaism has such a forgiving attitude toward our enemies that the greatest thing we can do for them is to pray for their repentance. This is an incredible testimony that we are supposed to want those who kill us to repent form their evil ways rather than die.

Some awesome and profound statements from a people that has been persecuted and hated since their very beginnings.

Now contrast the above statements with these, made by Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of the Hezbollah:

This is an aggressive, illegal, and illegitimate entity, which has no future in our land. Its destiny is manifested in our motto: 'Death to Israel'

...the bitter and distressing historical catastrophe of the establishment of the state of the grandsons of apes and pigs – the Zionist Jews – on the land of Palestine and Jerusalem.

If they (Jews) all gather in Israel, it will save us the trouble of going after them worldwide..

Islam – the religion of peace.

The True Oppressors and Aggressors

While much of the world is condemning Israel's audacity to try to defend herself, the evil of Islam continues to spread and devour.

When the adulterous woman was brought before Jesus (John 8:3-11) He said, “He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.” Consequently they all left and she ended up standing alone before the only One Who truly had the right to condemn her. His message: “…go, and sin no more.”

Contrast that to Islam, and the extremism and hate in this religion that rises up from the very pits of hell.

A 16 year old girl by the name of Atefeh Rajabi was recently hanged by an Islamic judge in Iran. The judge personally put the noose around her neck and she was lifted up by a huge crain in the center of town and hung for 45 minutes until she was dead. As friends and relatives stood and "...sobbed and - under their breath - damned the mullahs.”

Her crime was having sex outside of marriage and for daring to talk back to the judge during her hearing. None of the adult men who participated in her crime were punished...

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad spoke recently of the “oppression and aggression” of Israel. I would say oppression is an Iranian and Muslim trait rather than an Israeli one.

Islam…the religion of peace.

Scripture reference:

“And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst, They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou? This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not. So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground. And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more." John 8:3-11

List of Terrorist Acts Against Israel

As I just mentioned in the post before this one, "If the chronology of violence and hatred toward Israel since her rebirth in 1948 were written it would fill volumes". Well, if you want a lengthy but still only partial list of the atrocities committed toward Israel, take a look at the list at Warren's blog Long Range and read his Friday July 21 2006 post, "A List of Victims You Never See". Good job, Warren.

Koffi Annan's Ridiculous Accusation

After being chased and attacked numerous times, I finally had enough and bought wasp spray and the little red devils were destroyed, hopefully once and for all. Imagine PETA and other animal rights activists campaigning against me, calling me aggressive, repressive and cruel for “slaughtering” these pests. Ridiculous, you say? Exactly my point.

The hatred of Israel by Satan and the influence and the blinding effect he has on the world of the lost never ceases to not only amaze but startle me.

If the chronology of violence and hatred toward Israel since her rebirth in 1948 were written it would fill volumes. And as I pointed out in an earlier post, she is not nor has she ever been in a position to be either an oppressor or aggressor. She has, quite simply, been a survivor.

After almost 60 years, she’s had enough and has purposed to destroy as much of her enemy as possible. And the world disapproves. And now, Koffi Annan has ridiculously accused Israel of purposely killing UN observers.

Annan said recently, “I am shocked and deeply distressed by the apparently deliberate targeting by Israeli Defence Forces of a U.N. Observer post in southern Lebanon… I call on the goverment (sic) of Israel to conduct a full investigation into this very disturbing incident and demand that any further attack on U.N. positions and personnel must stop”

Has Annan forgotten that there has been a UN presence in that region since 1974? Surely if Israel had wanted to kill UN personnel she’s had more than ample opportunity to do so before now. And while we’re on the subject of UN observers and peacekeepers – what good have they been?

Is the War in Israel the Beginning of Armageddon?

There is some fear out there. People are wondering (even non-Christians) if the present escalating war between Israel and the terrorists is the beginning of Armageddon.

The Answer is NO.

Why?

#1 Because the Battle of Armageddon comes at the end of the 7 year tribulation.
#2 The events that occur before the end of the tribulation have not yet occurred.
#3 There is at least one other war which will take place before the Battle of Armageddon and it hasn't happened yet either.

Scripture refers to a great World War which will take place in the last days of Planet Earth. The present war is not the one referred to in Scripture, because the particulars of it do no match with Scripture. However, what IS interesting is how this war and the circumstances around it picture a huge puzzle, with the pieces being divinely put into place piece by piece, preparing for what the Bible has said will take place in this coming World War, who the players will be, which side they will take, and what the result will be.

The war on Israel in this prophesied WW will start with an attack from the north.
The books of Ezekiel and Daniel seem to indicate that the attackers will include Gog/Magog (Russia) Meshech(Moscow)Tubal(Tobolsk), Persia (Iran), Ethiopia, Sudan, Somalia & other black Muslim nations, Libya and other Arab Nations, Gomer (Germany), Togarmah of the North (Turkey) and Egypt.

Those that defend Israel on the side of the antichrist will most likely include Sheba and Dedan (Saudi Arabia) and Yemen and the United Arab Emirates, as well as Tarshish (England) and the Lion Cubs of Tarshish (colonies USA, Australia). Prophecy also indicates that the nation of Jordan will remain neutral.

This war will start during a period of peace. Since the antichrist will usher in the tribulation with a 7-year peace treaty between Israel and her neighboring Arab enemies, Israel will be unprepared for this war due to a false sense of security brought on by the 7 year treaty.

The reason for this war - control of the Middle East oil and a challenge to the antichrist, as well as because of the anti-semitism of radical Islam.

The results of this war: The invaders will be destroyed. There will be a huge earthquake (Ezekiel 38:19-23), a mutiny among the troops (Ezek 38:21), a plague among the Russian troops (Ezek 38:22), Floods, hailstones, fire and brimstone (Ezekiel 38:22, 39:6) Some scholars believe this may actually represent a nuclear attack. Over 80% of the Russian alliance will be killed (Ezekiel 39:2) and it will take 7 months to bury the dead. Shortly after, the antichrist will enter the Jewish Temple and declare himself to be God. The rest can be read in the Book of Revelation.

Considering that these prophecies were given over 2500 years ago, who can possibly doubt that the Bible is literally God-breathed? Only a fool (whom I once was). (Romans 1:22)

"Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools." Romans 1:22

Anyone wanting a copy of this past Sunday's sermons on this subject can email me. I'd be glad to get a copy for you which goes into much more detail than this post.It would be well worth the suggested $4 donation.

Israel - the Neighborhood Bully

My thanks to my Australian friend Graeme for this one.

This was written by Bob Dylan and needs no comment.
Truth doesn't need any allies.

Israel — the Neighborhood Bully

Bob Dylan
BrookesNews.Com
Monday 24 July 2006

Well, the neighborhood bully, he's just one man,
His enemies say he's on their land.
They got him outnumbered about a million to one,
He got no place to escape to, no place to run.
He's the neighborhood bully.

The neighborhood bully just lives to survive,
He's criticized and condemned for being alive.
He's not supposed to fight back, he's supposed to have thick skin,
He's supposed to lay down and die when his door is kicked in.
He's the neighborhood bully.

The neighborhood bully been driven out of every land,
He's wandered the earth an exiled man.
Seen his family scattered, his people hounded and torn,
He's always on trial for just being born.
He's the neighborhood bully.

Well, he knocked out a lynch mob, he was criticized,
Old women condemned him, said he should apologize.
Then he destroyed a bomb factory, nobody was glad.
The bombs were meant for him.
He was supposed to feel bad.
He's the neighborhood bully.

Well, the chances are against it and the odds are slim
That he'll live by the rules that the world makes for him,
'Cause there's a noose at his neck and a gun at his back
And a license to kill him is given out to every maniac.
He's the neighborhood bully.

He got no allies to really speak of.
What he gets he must pay for, he don't get it out of love.
He buys obsolete weapons and he won't be denied
But no one sends flesh and blood to fight by his side.
He's the neighborhood bully.

Well, he's surrounded by pacifists who all want peace,
They pray for it nightly that the bloodshed must cease.
Now, they wouldn't hurt a fly.
To hurt one they would weep.
They lay and they wait for this bully to fall asleep.
He's the neighborhood bully.

Every empire that's enslaved him is gone,
Egypt and Rome, even the great Babylon.
He's made a garden of paradise in the desert sand,
In bed with nobody, under no one's command.
He's the neighborhood bully.

Now his holiest books have been trampled upon,
No contract he signed was worth what it was written on.
He took the crumbs of the world and he turned it into wealth,
Took sickness and disease and he turned it into health.
He's the neighborhood bully.

What's anybody indebted to him for?
Nothin', they say.
He just likes to cause war.
Pride and prejudice and superstition indeed,
They wait for this bully like a dog waits to feed.
He's the neighborhood bully.

What has he done to wear so many scars?
Does he change the course of rivers?
Does he pollute the moon and stars?
Neighborhood bully, standing on the hill,
Running out the clock, time standing still,
Neighborhood bully.

"Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee." Psalm 122:6