2012 Alerts: December 4, 2009
In this issue:
Jewish Immigration: A Sign of the End?
Peace Treaty
The Absence of the U.S. in the Bible’s Picture of the Future Treaty
Might Iran Signal the End?
Possible Deal with Outreach, Inc.
Jewish Immigration: A Sign of the End?
In the book Apocalypse 2012: The Ticking of the End Time Clock (published by VMI Publishers and set for release May 1, 2010), I mention:
At the end of the nineteenth century, God began to fulfill Ezekiel 37, which predicts that God would bring Jews into the land of Israel in order to prepare for the salvation of Israel. Israel’s spiritual salvation will take place within the seven-year tribulation period prior to the return of Christ, while Israel’s physical salvation will occur at the return of Jesus to the earth. Thus, the fulfillment of Jews immigrating into the land of Israel would indicate the nearness of the day of the Lord. So, how close is that fulfillment?
Prior to Israel becoming a state in 1948, the Jewish population grew to 600,000 in five great waves of immigration. More than 3 million more have followed, and Israel’s Jewish population now stands at 5.5 million.
In connection with this fulfillment by Jewish immigration, Sergio DellaPergola, a prominent demographer at the Jewish People Policy Planning Institute, a Jerusalem think tank, revealed that in 2008 and in early 2009, “Israel is nearing zero growth from immigration." Since I am unaware of Israel arriving at “zero growth from immigration” at any time since the nation achieved statehood, it may indicate that Israel is nearing the number of Jews God has appointed to be in the land when the future seven-year tribulation period (the final seven years prior to the return of Christ to establish God’s kingdom on the earth) begins. If so, that seven-year era may be right around the corner.
However, recently, there has been an increase of Jewish immigrants to Israel. By the end of this month about 4,000 North American Jews will have immigrated to Israel this year, an increase of 33% over 2008 and the most in one year since 1973, according to Nefesh B'Nefesh, an organization that oversees and assists with immigration to Israel from North America. Could it be that God used the “zero growth” to signal He is near His appointed number of Jews in the land of Israel for the tribulation period (the time of Israel’s salvation), but is using the financial crisis to bring in the last Jews He has predetermined for salvation?
Peace Treaty
In an extensive interview with Ehud Olmert, former Prime Minister of Israel, interviewer Greg Sheridan points out that Olmert met with the President of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas, thirty-five times in an attempt to work out a peace deal! This is more than any Israeli leader has ever met with an Arab leader. Yet, regardless of the extensive number of meetings—and the generous offer by the former Prime Minister (offering 94% of the West Bank and East Jerusalem)—no peace deal was ever achieved.
This demonstrates, as current Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu declared this week, while Israel desires peace, the Palestinians are not ready for it. Thus, no matter how much Israel (and the U.S.) tries to effect peace with the Palestinians, God is not allowing it to occur. This is because the big Middle East peace treaty will not be confirmed between Israel and the Palestinians; instead, as the Bible indicates, it will be accomplished between Israel and ten other nations (all of which reside within the boundaries of the ancient Roman Empire—five from the West [European countries] and five from the East [likely, Arab countries]).
The Absence of the U.S. in the Bible’s Picture of the Future Treaty
I have shared in past “2012 Alerts” that the United States is absent from the Biblical prophetic picture, which has Israel at its center. This includes the Bible’s presentation of a future seven-year treaty between Israel and ten other nations; for the Bible indicates that these participants will be from areas within the boundaries of the old Roman Empire (which boundaries extended from Western Europe to the western boundary of present-day Iran, including parts of North African countries such as Libya and Egypt).
The two possible reasons I surfaced in past “Alerts” for the absence of the U.S. from sharing the center stage with Israel in regard to the peace treaty concern political and financial issues. However, there may be a third possibility, which came to light in articles this week. That reason may be security in regard to terrorism. The U.S. could be so engrossed in its own security issues that it may step back from center stage to address them. Just this week, our homeland security director, Janet Napolitano, warned of al-Qaeda sympathizers in the U.S. A second article described the threat of Somali training camps preparing for attacks upon the U.S. If significant attacks occur, the U.S. could find itself completely self-absorbed in its occupation of national security.
In connection with those thoughts, a survey released yesterday shows that there has been a sharp increase in the U.S. of isolationist sentiment, meaning that for the first time in forty years of polling, half of the U.S. population believes we should focus solely on U.S. concerns and not get involved in international issues (such as the Middle East peace initiative). This same survey reveals that a growing number of people view the U.S. as playing a less important global role.
I predict that this growing isolationist sentiment will grow exponentially if there is an attack on U.S. soil. But even without an attack, as this sentiment grows, it will put more pressure on the administration to pull back some of its resources from dealing with the Middle East issue. This will then play right into the fulfillment of Biblical prophecy.
Might Iran Signal the End?
This week, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad announced that Iran will expand its nuclear program. As the UK Telegraph reported this week, time is running out to stop Iran from nuclear capability. Meanwhile, White House spokesman, Robert Gibbs, proclaimed that the Obama administration will only give Iran until the end of the year before turning toward the use of sanctions. (This is the third such deadline the Obama administration has announced with Iran. Might the Iranians be confused about what we mean by what we say?) However, a good case was made this week that sanctions against Iran will not work. In fact, the Jerusalem Post quoted David Albright, an ex-IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) inspector as claiming that the current path in dealing with Iran will go nowhere. In addition, it was argued this week by the Weekly Standard that there is only one way to stop Iran's nuclear program, and that is the shutting down or destruction of its nuclear facilities.
A German publication reminded us this week that Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu will not put up with a nuclear Iran. In addition, the same publication announced that a majority of Israelis favor attacking Iran. Moreover, the same article claimed that 90% of the discussions among Arab countries focus on the subject of Iran, meaning they are fearful of Iran attaining nuclear weaponry and would love for Israel to attack.
To get a clearer picture of how God may use Iran toward the achievement of His plan for Israel (and for His coming kingdom), we need to realize a couple of other things about Iran. First, Iran is the biggest sponsor of terrorism in the world today. The rogue country’s terror-building efforts go well beyond the Middle East, as the Jerusalem Post revealed this week that Iran is building a terror network in South America. However, Iran has not given up on continuing to build its empire in the Middle East by doing such things as smuggling arms to terrorist organizations, such as Hamas and Hezbollah.
So how might this God use this for His plan? The Bible clearly shows us that God is in complete control of all things. This means that everything that occurs is allowed by Him—for His good and perfect plan (for our lives and for His kingdom). Why, then, would God allow Iran to become the dominant topic of conversation—and fear—in the Middle East? Why would the fear of Iran pull Arab countries toward Israel? What might this have to do with a (near?) future peace treaty? How might this scenario prepare for the world proclaiming “peace and security” (see 1 Thessalonians 5:3) just before Jesus pulls Christians out of the world and begins the final seven years before His return to the earth?
As I have stated in the past, it is very possible (and likely) that Israel will attack Iran. If so, it is also possible that the Iranian regime will be overthrown. If that occurs, it could very well lead to the obligation of the Arab countries (and European ones, as well) seriously working with Israel (due to their obligation of Israel for taking out Iran and for their respect of Israel’s demonstration of military strength) on a seven-year treaty. When that begins in earnest, I could see the world proclaiming “peace and security” because it believes terrorism has been dealt a final blow and peace is near. We may not have long to wait to see if that is how God will work it out.
Possible Deal with Outreach, Inc.
Last time I mentioned that I had submitted to Outreach, Inc. a proposal to do a nine-lesson outreach study on “2012”—from a Biblical perspective. I received an email this week from their vice-president who likes the proposal and would like to visit with me further about it, so I will call him by the end of next week. This could be big, as it could reach thousands of people, so I would really appreciate your prayer on this. Thank you!
Don’t forget that I’m taking orders for February (which is when I expect to get a thousand copies of the book). Also, don’t forget that Christ’s return is looming ever nearer, so keep looking up!
John