U.S. DEFENSE SECRETARY: IRAN COULD BUILD NUCLEAR BOMB WITHIN ONE YEAR

Also: Tehran says they have arrested an Iranian-born CIA spy.
Joel C. Rosenberg
(Washington, D.C., December 20, 2011) -- As we prepare to celebrate Hanukah beginning Wednesday night, we also find Israel increasingly endangered and isolated internationally. Consider the latest news from the epicenter: "U.S. Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta said Monday that Iran will have a nuclear weapon within one year, if not less," reports Haaretz. Yet despite this rapidly growing threat, Panetta -- and, more importantly, President Obama -- are refusing to take decisive measures to neutralize the Iranian nuclear threat and help the Iranian people overthrow the evil regime in Tehran. What's more, the Obama administration is publicly pressuring Israel not to even consider taking decisive steps of her own, including preemptive military strikes. This is unconscionable.

More than ever, Christians around the world need to show solidarity with Israel and the Jewish people. Here's a great article I'd encourage you to read from the Jerusalem Post: "Tis The Season For The Church To Support Israel." [Link available on the blog] Amen. The Lord was crystal clear in Genesis 12:-13. He promised to bless individuals and nations who bless Israel, and curse those who curse Israel. It's a promise repeated several times in Scripture. Given all the enormous economic, spiritual and geopolitical challenges facing the U.S. right now - and the growing danger that we will not only decline as a nation but implode if we don't change course immediately - we dare not stop blessing Israel. We dare not ignore, abandon or turn on Israel and the Jewish people. The Lord will surely turn against us if we do.

As for me and my house, we are praying for the Lord to change the heart of our President and Defense Secretary and change them into wise, godly, decisive leaders for the next 12 months. At the same time, we are praying the Lord remove them from power our current administration and raise up leaders in Washington who truly understand how dangerous a nuclear-armed Tehran would be, and will have the courage and convictions to stop Iran before it's too late. "When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice," wrote King Solomon (Psalm 29:2, NKJV). We're also praying for peace in the Middle East while we prepare for the possibility of war. And we're praying for a revival of the Church and a Third Great Awakening of spiritual renewal to sweep the United States before it's too late. Would you commit to pray with us for the same things as we close out 2011, especially as we celebrate the Festival of Light, and celebrate the Light of the world - Jesus the Messiah - who came to set us free from the darkness? This are very challenging times. But let us not grow weary in well doing. Not now. For the Lord is in charge, and He shall win the day.


[To see read the rest of this column -- and the story about Netanyahu's decision to start a Bible study at his official residence -- please go to: http://flashtrafficblog.wordpress.com/; or go to www.joshuafund.net