The UN Vote on Palestinian Status and Australia
On 29 November 1947 Australia, given the alphabetical nature of its name, was the first nation to vote for the establishment of an Israeli State. Australia has maintained strong support for Israel throughout the years, and God’s hand of blessing has been (richly) on this nation. Consequently, it is of concern that Australia has decided to abstain from the vote on the status of Palestine 65 years later on 29 November 2012. Prime Minister Gillard would have preferred to vote against the motion, but changed her position from a No vote to abstaining to avoid being “rolled” by Ministers and backbenchers.
It is interesting that one of the arguments put forward for this stance is the fear of being on the wrong side of history! Yet there is little concern for being on the wrong side of God’s blessing and judgment, and almost no consideration of what God’s Word says, especially His eternal (land) covenants with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
It is of interest that the United Kingdom abstained from the vote for Israel on 29 November 1947. While the United Kingdom remains an important nation, its sphere of influence has declined in the decades since 1947. For those Doves who may be interested in the 1947 vote by nation, Wikipedia provides this information (link below - scroll down to Final vote).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Nations_Partition_Plan_for_Palestine
It is a miracle of international political history that the 1947 Israel resolution achieved the two-thirds majority of the valid votes, not counting abstaining and absent members, of the UN's then 56 member states. The partition plan was never fully implemented. On 11 December 1947 Britain announced the Mandate would end at midnight 14 May 1948 and its sole task would be to complete withdrawal by 1 August 1948.
· 66 prophetic (360 day) years since 29 November 1947: by my calculations, 66 prophetic years from 29 November 1947 lands on 17 December 2012 (just after Chanukah). The number 66 is rich in meaning, and is also clearly the number of books in the Bible and the number of chapters in Iasaiah.
A New Accountability of Nations - for their (past and future) Treatment of Israel!
Joel 3: 1-3 (Amplified) For behold, in those days and at that time when I shall reverse the captivity and restore the fortunes of Judah and Jerusalem,
2 I will gather all nations and will bring them down into the Valley of Jehoshaphat, and there will I execute judgment upon them for [their treatment of] My people and of My heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations and [because] they HAVE divided My land.
And they have cast lots for My people, and have given a boy for a harlot and have sold a girl for juice [of the grape] and have drunk it.
The impending UN vote on the status of PALEstine is a marker (fork) in the road for the nations of the Earth. We know from Joel 3:2 that the land of Israel will be divided, as the term HAVE DIVIDED is in the past tense. The current UN vote on status gives nations an opportunity to formalise their treatment of Israel in the preeminent international forum of the United Nations. It is certainly worth watching how nations vote, although it should be borne in mind that some nations who vote no or abstain still support a two State solution (Israel and Palestine) in the Middle East.
Decisions taken by nations in the near future will make them accountable to the Living God for: their treatment of Israeli people and God’s heritage Israel, the scattering of Israel across the nations, dividing the land of Israel and casting lots for Israel! God’s judgments will fall on nations as they move down the road to dividing Israel!
Postscript on Australia
Australia has recently been elected to serve as a non-permanent member on the United Nations Security Council for 2013 and 2014. For the next two years, Australia will have greater responsibility in shaping solutions to the world’s security challenges, including the Middle East. Australia faces an election before the end of 2013, so this election is especially important - the most important election in the history of the nation! The latest shift to abstaining on Palestinian status, as well as government (Labor Party) support for a two State solution in the Middle East is of deep concern. Australia may face God’s judgments if it keeps heading in this direction.
Denis Maranatha!