Now the powers that be are stating that they believe it is VERY unlikely that a full peace agreement resulting in a Palestinian state can be reached by 2005.  This clouds, but does not eliminate, the possibility of the final 7 years running from fall 2005 to fall 2012.

Clearly the political "Beast" or "8th of the 7" kingdom of the end times is continually coming into better focus, whether you theorize this kingdom as being the EU, Islamic states of the Middle East, or the UN. Personally, I am still looking to Islam of the Middle East as the best candidate to date.  We also have China as a possible candidate for the "Kings of the East" growing into an economic powerhouse with 1.2 billion people feeding it's growth. Their dependence on oil is increasing at an exponential rate and will likely continue for the foreseeable future. It's not hard to see why at some point, due to the upheaval during the tribulation, they would march across Asia to secure/plunder their oil needs from the Middle East. The fact that China is about to forge a free trade agreement with the Middle East strengthens this possibility. see story here

So with the players on the scene, we need to continue to watch the events occurring in regards to Israel for our best indication of where we are on the end times timeline.  It is extremely interesting to me that each agreement which envisions peace by a specific time has ended in failure.  This fact lends additional weight to the opinion that the "Covenant with many for a week" might not be an actual full blown peace agreement, but rather some type of framework agreement resulting in full peace in a 7 year timeframe.  It does not seem logical that any nation would agree to a peace deal that is only scheduled to run for 7 years.  You are either at peace or not at peace.  But who knows...

I think the biggest variable to how events unfold in Israel is what happens with the war on terror & the United States. If there is a huge attack on our soil in the near future, you can be sure that we will move with greater force in the Middle East.  Or the Iraq situation may grow into civil war or worse, with other Islamic states getting involved. Or the Iran nuclear development issue may explode. Or the direction the president has taken us might actually result in a reformed and remade Middle East, enabling the 7 year covenant to be reached.  No matter how you look at it, we appear to be heading for major events to occur in the Middle East.

The next year and a half or so will continue to be a prophetic rollercoaster. Hopefully things will become clearer during this time.  You can bookmark or save this page now, because there is almost 100% certainty that we will still be here for the next few fall and spring feast seasons. Scripture makes it clear that we have a ways to go before we see His glorious return. Keep your in faith in Him strong and keep His word. We will need His strength in the times that are just upon us.

May God bless you and keep you in His arms.

YBIC, Chris aka Prophbuff