works on securing Middle East peace
by Michael G. Mickey
(5-20-04)
For a long time now, I've been expecting to see the revived Roman empire of Bible prophecy (the European Union) take the lead in pursuing peace in the Middle East between Israel and her enemies. Things, it seems, are coming around - and fast!
IPS News, in an article dated 5-19-04, is reporting Europe could help make the road map to peace a reality! It seems the European Union is quietly working on a peace plan for the Middle East, based on two days of meetings held 5-18-04 and 5-19-04 between EU, Palestinian, and Israeli officials.
Excerpt from
the article:
The Palestinian
and Israeli visitors met with Spain's King Juan Carlos, Prime Minister
Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos,
and the EU's foreign policy chief, Javier Solana, also a Spaniard.
As the EU pushes
for peace, the United States, typically a strong supporter of Israel seems
to be turning its head as the world community gangs up on Israel as a result
of Israeli anti-terror actions currently taking place in Gaza.
As reported in a Fox News article, "President Bush's unflagging support for Israel is in a sudden downward spiral after the White House sharply criticized Israel's military operations in Gaza and the United States allowed the U.N. Security Council to condemn the Jewish state.
What will happen if the United States succumbs to international pressure and begins going along with or abstaining from United Nations' resolutions condemning Israel? If the United States begins taking a hands-off approach, as it did in relation to Israel's current military actions in Gaza, a leader from the European Union, a man who ultimately will be revealed to be the Antichrist, will eventually come forward to confirm a covenant of peace with many in the Middle East in fulfillment of Daniel 9:27.
How will he confirm the covenant of peace? More and more I'm beginning to think (admittedly this is speculation on my part) he will accomplish this through the use of a peacekeeping force. Referring back to the IPS News story linked above, the Palestinian Prime Minister "expressed support for that stance and told IPS that the Palestinian Authority backs the creation of an international force and the European proposal for an urgent meeting of the Quartet to push for peace."
Will the European Union-led Middle East peace talks currently occurring quietly behind the scenes of international diplomacy lead to the rise of the Antichrist in the not-too-distant future? If so, the Rapture of the Church, an event that will precede the Antichrist's rise to global supremacy, is right around the prophetic corner.
Much like the eastern wall of the Temple Mount in Jerusalem is currently in danger of suffering an immediate collapse, as reported by the Jerusalem Post, a world that has forgotten its God likewise stands at the brink of collapse, potentially on the doorstep of the Tribulation Period. Most people don't even have a clue which is why it's so important at this hour in human history for those of us who have accepted Jesus Christ to warn an unrepentant world it has absolutely no hope without Him.
At a moment when the majority of the world will be spiritually asleep, the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God. When He does, the dead in Christ will rise first then those of us who have trusted in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the air and so we shall forever be with the Lord (1st Thessalonians 4:16-18)! Everyone who misses out on that fantastic flight is going to be left behind to endure a seven-year period of hell on the earth the likes of which no man has ever seen nor will ever see again.
Yes, Christians, the United States is turning its head as the European Union works diligently at securing peace in the Middle East. Because this is happening and those of us who have studied Bible prophecy realize it could be the setting of the prophetic stage leading us to the Tribulation Period itself, we need to tell someone, ANYONE, about Jesus Christ that they might be saved from the terror to come.
I would never be so bold as to make a prediction as to the date of the Lord's return as I know even the angels in heaven don't know the hour nor the day (Mark 13:32), but I can't help but believe, based on the prophetic signs present in the world today pointing toward the return of Jesus Christ, the time is near.
Keep looking up! Jesus Christ is coming soon!
(Special thanks
to one of my readers, Jennie, for sending me the IPS News story. I totally
would've missed it otherwise.)
