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What in the World is Happening
- November 2007
A series of articles by Brian Papworth,
our PWMI Representative in New Zealand.
While the world news has been focusing its attention on
things like the Rugby World Cup, the death of Pavarotti and other matters
the situation in the Middle East continues to escalate. The animosity
between Hamas, Fattah and Israel does not lessen, and the threats from
Syria and Iran continue.
causing the Syrian government to adopt a very belligerent
attitude against Israel. In an Al Jazeera TV broadcast a government
statement contained a clear threat to launch a military attack in response
to this air space violation. It seems as though the threat of a possible
Syrian attack on Israel is certainly being taken very seriously by the
Israeli Army Chiefs. Many in Israel were fearful the pending Yom Kippur
weekend would yeald history repeating itself, and Syria would take the
opportunity to attack Israel, however this never eventuated. The Syrians
later accused Israel not only of penetrating Syrian air space but
attacking an unnamed target which rumours stated was a North Korean
supplied nuclear material stores. As both sides denied this as the case it
is difficult to know if it has any truth. If it is, then the threat from
Syria is very real and the Israeli army should be very alert to what could
occur. We must bear in mind the prophecy against Damascus, the capital of
Syria, and headquarters of the Hamas and Hezbollah organizations, that the
city will one day be totally destroyed, [Isa 17: 1] This has never been
fulfilled. A similar prophecy in Jeremiah 49 verse 27 talks of
"flaming walls" which could possibly only happen in a nuclear
attack.
Meanwhile concern by the USA on the progress taking place
in the development of Iran's nuclear capacity has provoked talk of a
possible air strike by the USA to wipe out Iranian bomb making facilities.
If this went ahead, then it could escalate some serious happenings in that
part of the world. Russia has supplied quite an amount of anti-aircraft
missiles, equipment and technical support to Iran to help protect the
nuclear capability, which Russia has helped them build. Although Iran
insists that the nuclear development is for peaceful purposes, local
surrounding nations, particularly Israel, are far from sure they are
telling the truth. On a recent visit by the Iranian President to the USA
he reaffirmed that the Iranian government was not concerned with building
a nuclear bomb, but only using the facility for peaceful purposes, it's a
pity no one believes him.
The creation of a two state solution to the Palestinian
problem was discussed in a recent meeting in the USA between Israeli Prime
Minister Ehud Olmert and Mahmoud Abbas the Chairman of the Palestinian
Authority. Although they reported a "productive parley" had
transpired, no lasting solution seemed to have been proposed. One of the
biggest problems surrounding discussions over Palestine's peaceful future
still lies in the problem that Hamas rules in Gaza with Abbas only holding
a finger hold on the West Bank. This means that not only does the Israeli
Government have no one authority to discuss the matter with, but that
Hamas still seem set on trying to destroy Israel and continue to send
missiles over from Gaza into Israel. Hamas is supported by Syria, who in
turn is supported by Iran, who is seeking "to wipe Israel off the
map". It is very difficult to discuss a peaceful solution with
someone who is set in this fixed frame of mind.
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Syrian President
Bashar Assad recently announced that Iran and Syria have forged a new
military alliance "against the enemies of the region who are on their
way to perdition and defeat"! Iran will fund over $1 billion of
armaments for Syria including Russian tanks, helicopters, fighter jets and
armoured vehicles. It is also reported that the Iranian President said he
would give support to Syria to overthrow the present President of Lebanon
and help restore Syrian influence in that country, a further threat to
Israel. It is no accident for these countries to represent the ancient
nations and land areas specified in Ezekiel 38 as being the component
nations making up the attacking force in the battle therein described.
Many scholars of Biblical prophecy believe the battle of
Ezekiel 38 will herald the manifestation of the Antichrist or Beast,
spoken of in Daniel and Revelation, and the rapture of Christian
believers. It will also reveal the power of God and the spiritual revival
of Israel. The Jews have returned to Israel in part and have assembled a
nation, generally in unbelief, [Ezek 37]. However the advent of the
Ezekiel 38 battle will let Israel know God is on their side, and although
it will not be until Christ the Messiah returns in glory [Zech 12: 10-14],
[Zech 14: 4-11], that Israel will truly believe in Him. The battle will
surely turn Israel in some measure back to a belief in God as a nation. It
may be this week or it may be some years time before this happens.
We are told of all those nations that oppose Israel "Devise
your strategy, but it will be thwarted; propose your plan, but it will not
stand, for God is with us" [Isa 8:10]. "I will make known my
holy name among my people Israel. I will no longer let my holy name be
profaned, and the nations will know that I the Lord am the Holy One in
Israel. It is coming! It will surely take place, declares the Sovereign
Lord. This is the day I have spoken of. [Ezek 39: 7-8].
Yours in His Service
Brian D Papworth
Representative for the Prophetic Witness Movement International for New
Zealand, Australia and South Pacific.
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