2012 Alerts: February 19, 2010
In This Issue:
The Clock Is Ticking . . . Toward a Bomb!
The Problem with Iran
How to Deal with the Iranian Problem?
Will an Attack upon Iran be Launched Soon?
Another Sign the End Is Near?
What Peace Treaty?
U.S. – Israel Relations
Spirituality and End-Times Bible Prophecy
Update on Apocalypse 2012: The Ticking of the End Time Clock
The Clock Is Ticking . . . Toward a Bomb!
This week, Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization announced that its scientists have enriched uranium to 20%. (Also, U.N. inspectors, under the auspices of the International Atomic Energy Agency, released the report showing that Iran has been working on a nuclear warhead.) If this is true, it is a short path toward a nuclear bomb. Thus, the clock is ticking, and, if something does not happen to intervene, “the inevitable will be here before long”.
The Problem with Iran
So how to respond to this rogue nation that Secretary of State called the greatest supporter of terrorism in the world today? To emphasize her point, it was reported this week that Iran is tightening its grip on Iraq as the U.S. draws down its troops there.
In addition, the Washington Post reported this week that Iran sends massive shipments of arms to Hizbullah through Syria. Also, Iran has helped Syria build what the International Atomic Energy Agency indicated this week was a nuclear reactor (which Israel bombed in 2007) and continues to support that terrorist state, as well. Moreover, Iran has also been shipping arms to the terrorist group, Hamas; however, last month the Israeli “CIA,” the Mossad, assassinated the key person responsible for getting the arms to Hamas.
Here’s the point: The problem with Iran is not only that nation’s race toward nuclear weaponry; it is the fact that it is the single greatest purveyor of terrorism in the world. And part of its plan to build a terroristic empire is to surround Israel with its terroristic entities (Hamas resides in the Gaza strip—to the Southwest of Israel, Hizbullah is in Lebanon—to the North of Israel, and Syria is Northeast of Israel) and attack with those terror units. (In fact, in a speech this week, Prime Minister Netanyahu referred to this Iranian problem.)
How to Deal with the Iranian Problem?
This brings us back to the question of how to deal with the Iranian problem. The Obama administration has sought to negotiate with Iran’s leaders, but, since Iran's leaders have shown no interest in the administration’s attempts to reach out, the U.S. is now contemplating sanctions against the country. (In fact, Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, launched into a diatribe on Wednesday proclaiming Iran will not bow to the U.S.) However, this week the Washington Times claimed sanctions will not deter Iran from seeking nuclear capability. In addition, an Israeli publication agreed with that assessment. Moreover, China, which holds a veto in the U.N. general council, has too much at stake to go along with sanctions against Iran.
Will an Attack Upon Iran be Launched Soon?
According to Admiral Mike Mullen, chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, the military option is on the table; however, according to Secretary of State Clinton, the U.S. is not planning military action against Iran, and, as if to drive home the point, she stated the U.S. is not planning on anything other than sanctions in dealing with Iran. (One has to wonder if the right hand knows what the left is doing.)
The Obama administration may also be hoping that the internal growing opposition to the regime in Iran may overthrow the government there, in which case, the Iranian problem may be “solved” for the time being. After all, the New York Post this week reported that the Iranian regime is on the brink of collapse, and Iranian Nobel Peace Prize winner, Shirin Ebadi, claimed this week that the opposition to the Iranian government is strong. What has hurt the Iranian government even more is that the President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's policies have brought economic woes upon the nation; thus, the regime is bracing for more unrest among its people. However, the Washington Post assessment is that the breakdown of the regime, leading to its overthrow, could take years; and based on intelligence, Iran will possibly acquire a nuclear bomb within a year.
This means that Israel will act militarily against this rogue nation for its own survival. But it will need to act before Russia sells its air defense system to Iran; for at the point this system is installed, it will become extremely difficult for Israel air attack to be effective. So Israel has sought to dissuade Russia from delivering this system, but just this week Russia said nyet (no) to Israel. However, Israel was able to get Russia to agree to delay the system—but for how long, no one knows. In fact, this last minute delay by Russia (which apparently only occurred when Israel threatened to provide a major arms deal to Georgia, a small country Russia seeks to conquer and bring back into its fold), was also attended by the Russian response that the delivery of this system to Iran will occur in the near future. Thus, the nuclear clock in Iran continues to tick.
Another Sign the End Is Near?
In Apocalypse 2012: The Ticking of the End Time Clock—What Does the Bible Say?, I demonstrate that at the time Israel confirms a (seven-year) treaty with ten other nations, the Jewish nation will have returned to its religious heritage with a focus upon the Mosaic law. (This refers to the law given to Israel by God through Moses. If one thinks of a wheel with spokes, the Ten Commandments would be the hub of the wheel while the rest of the 613 commandments of the law would be the spokes coming out from that hub.) From its re-emergence as a nation (beginning with its recognized statehood in 1948) until recently, Israel has been primarily a secular country. Though it has always had its religious elements, the government and nation have not been religious in nature. But this seems to be changing.
In a past “2012 Alerts,” I mentioned the significance of the recent re-establishment of the Sanhedrin (October of 2004). During the time of Jesus and the apostles, the major role of the Sanhedrin was to legislate and judge the observance of the Mosaic law. Could it be that God’s “resurrection” of the Sanhedrin is in preparation for Israel’s return to the law at the initiation of the treaty? (As you are aware, if you have been a reader of “2012 Alerts,” the beginning of the treaty starts the clock ticking on the final seven years before the return of Christ to the earth. But keep in mind that if you have believed in Jesus for eternal life [life with God forever], then the approach of the treaty means you will soon be with Jesus; for, as I demonstrate in Apocalypse 2012, the day the treaty goes into effect, the rapture will occur—the event in which Jesus comes in the air to take the Church, referring to all who have believed Jesus for eternal life, to be with Him.)
I am sure you are aware that the Prime Minister of Israel is Benjamin Netanyahu; and, interestingly, the name “Netanyahu” means “gift of God”. (Since God’s greatest gift to Israel will be its salvation, which will occur in the seven years following the beginning of the treaty, wouldn’t it be just like God to have “Netanyahu” lead Israel into that unique period?) This “gift of God” may be leading Israel toward its religious roots. For example, in his meeting with Russian president Dmitri Medvedev, Prime Minister Netanyahu lobbied for the return of ancient Hebrew manuscripts of Scripture. Think about this: Of all that Israel has going on, and the important part Russia could potentially play with Iran (the country that has threatened the extinction of Israel), the Israeli Prime Minister takes the opportunity to try to convince the Russian president to return ancient Israel Scripture manuscripts.
In addition, Prime Minister Netanyahu also recently proclaimed the fulfillment of the prophecy in Ezekiel, chapter 37, which deals with God bringing Jews into the land to prepare for their salvation in the final years before the return of Christ. Again, this is significant when the leader of Israel demonstrates a focus on the Hebrew Scriptures which indicates a movement of Israel toward the spiritual state presented by the Bible at the time of the signing of the treaty. (As in the past, as the leaders of Israel go, so goes the nation.)
What Peace Treaty?
As we have discussed often in past “Alerts,” the U.S. has been pushing for a peace treaty between Israel and the Palestinians; and as we have also discussed, this is not the treaty with Israel that the Bible predicts as an “end-times” treaty. Instead, the Bible shows us that ten nations (the Palestinians have never constituted a nation) will confirm a seven-year treaty with Israel which will initiate the final seven years before the return of Christ to the earth. The evidence also suggests that there will be no treaty between Israel and the Palestinians.
As I have suggested in past “Alerts,” it is likely Israel will attack Iran which will likely result in a regime change in that country. The regime change will appear to eliminate the greatest support of terrorism, and this will provide an environment that will encourage and motivate five Arab nations (along with five European nations) to seriously negotiate a peace treaty with Israel. As a result of all of this, world leaders (and the media) will begin to proclaim that the world has achieved “peace and security” (cf. 1 Thessalonians 5:3). (By the way—and this is significant—just this week, the Jerusalem Post stated that Iran must be "neutralized" and defeated before a Middle East treaty can be confirmed. Click on this link to read why.)
So what is some evidence that Israel will not confirm a treaty with the Palestinians? I believe there has been significant evidence just this week.
First of all, the White House confirmed this week that the Palestinians are not ready for a peace deal with Israel. (In addition, former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Ohlmert stated that Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas never responded to his offer of peace, even though he offered him land, East Jerusalem, etc., etc.) Second, since the Palestinians have refused to sit down to negotiate with the Israelis, the peace process has taken a step back by attempting indirect negotiations. (That means that instead of the Palestinians talking directly with the Israelis, they talk to the Americans who talk to the Israelis who talk to the Americans who talk to the Palestinians . . . As you can see, the possibilities for a “screw-up” in this scenario are unlimited.) Third, once again, Abbas proved he is no friend of Israel when, after one of his close aides was caught in an illicit sex act on video tape, Abbas blamed Israel for it in the media. (I guess it was worth a try!)
Fourth, the Palestinians are using Israeli money to smear Israel in a worldwide campaign. This means that money Israel collected in taxes from its citizens has been given to the Palestinian leadership by the millions of dollars, and that money has helped to pay for Abbas’ trips around the world to besmirch Israel with other world leaders and with the media in other countries.
Fifth—and we will stop here—the Palestinian Prime Minister, Salam Fayyad, honored a terrorist killed by Israeli soldiers. (The terrorist had attempted to kill an Israeli with a knife.) Does the Palestinian leadership sound like trustworthy peace companions for the Israelis? I believe that for these reasons and more Israel will never actually confirm a treaty with the Palestinians.
U.S. – Israel Relations
The Obama administration is reaching out to Syria by appointing an ambassador to Syria. The U.S. cut off diplomatic relations with Syria five years ago due to Syria’s culpability in such terroristic activities as the assassination of the Lebanon prime minister. Indeed, it is no secret that Syria is a terroristic state and would love to destroy Israel. So I wonder how Israel feels about this most recent overture. This appears to be one more in a long line of rebuffs of our best ally. And as I pointed out on past “Alerts,” we need to be careful how we treat Israel because it has not gone well in the past for those who did not treat Israel well, as per Genesis 12:3. This includes our country when presidents have pushed Israel to give away land, for example.
The good news in all of this
Spirituality and End-Times Bible Prophecy
I present evidence in my book, Apocalypse 2012, that the Church (which consists of all believers in Christ) is in the final stage of the Church Age. This also means the Church is in a “lukewarm” state, which is not a good spiritual state to be in. (See Revelation 3:15-16.) In addition, I believe that one of the main reasons Jesus will take the Church out of the world when He does is because the Church has (by that point) become ineffective at reaching the world for Christ. (This is due to the lukewarmness of the Church as well as the confused and unclear gospel it presents by then. [Listen carefully when you hear someone—even a preacher or evangelist presents the gospel, or look carefully when you read an author sharing what it takes to enter into a relationship with God, and you will see and hear many mixed messages. Some presentations share one step, some two steps, some as many as eleven or twelve steps; some share very clearly that by faith alone in Jesus Christ alone for eternal life, one enters into an eternal relationship with God, while others add various works, etc. to the equation.])
Therefore, I found it interesting this week to see the latest Pew Report that demonstrates Americans are moving away from evangelical Christianity. Less people today believe Jesus is the only way to heaven than ever before. Hmmm. Does that mean we are getting close to checking out of here?
Update on Apocalypse 2012: The Ticking of the End Time Clock—What Does the Bible Say?
It is at the printer’s now! So, after it is finished there, a thousand copies will be shipped to me; and as soon as I receive those, those of you who have ordered copies will receive them.
Today, I spoke on the phone to Bill McCartney, the former head football coach of the University of Colorado (which became national champions during his coaching tenure), the founder and former president of Promise Keepers, the national Christian men’s movement, the current chairman of The Road to Jerusalem ministry, and author of Two Minute Warning. Bill is interested in writing an endorsement for my book. It may be too late to get it on my book cover, but I value his endorsement and will be able to utilize it in a lot of promotional venues.
If you would, continue to forward this e-letter to others you know. That way they can see more clearly how God is working in the world to bring about His kingdom plan; and, the more subscribers there are of the “2012 Alerts,” the more people will hear about Apocalypse 2012.
Also, please pray. Ask God to put a copy of Apocalypse 2012 in the hands of all who are open to His truth so they can be better prepared for the return of Christ.
Also, I am scheduled to appear with some other authors on March 5 and 6 at the Tejas Festival in Rockdale, Texas to promote Apocalypse 2012. So if you would, pray that I have my copies in time to have a book to promote.
By the way, if you have any media contacts, let me know. Or send them to www.2012apocalypsebook.com where they can view the new media page. Hopefully, the media page will convince them that they need to interview me about the book.
Thank you so much for your support. I appreciate you! And don’t forget: Keep looking up!
John