Circle of Peace

24 10 2020

Netanyahu and Sudan peace

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu refers to the snowballing Arab peace agreements as the “circle of peace.” Yesterday Sudan was added to the growing list, soon to be followed by Oman, Morocco, and even Saudi Arabia, as well as others. There are now five Arab nations at peace with Israel. Don’t forget that Serbia and Kosovo also agree to recognize Israel and open embassies in Israel. Kosovo is the first non-Arab Muslim nation to do so. This is truly historic.

Sudan is especially interesting because they are still technically at war with Israel from 1948, which is not true of the UAE and Bahrain. Sudan’s capitol, Khartoum, was the location of the infamous Arab League meeting after the 1967 Six Day War. That is where they adopted “the three No’s”: “No to peace with Israel, no to recognition of Israel and no to negotiations with Israel.” Also, please note that Sudan will end up against Israel in the Ezekiel 38 Gog & Magog War. But first, Israel must enter a period of total peace, such complete peace that they tear down their walls and bars and gates. They would have to have immense confidence in their security, which brings me back to the circle of peace.

“After many days you will be visited. In the latter years you will come into the land of those brought back from the sword and gathered from many people on the mountains of Israel, which had long been desolate; they were brought out of the nations, and now all of them dwell safely. — You will say, ‘I will go up against a land of unwalled villages; I will go to a peaceful people, who dwell safely, all of them dwelling without walls, and having neither bars nor gates’ Ezekiel 38:8 & 11

Notice that the nations that now encircle Israel are not mentioned in Ezekiel 38. Those are the nations that will create the circle of peace, along with others (Gulf states, North African states and a few other Muslim states). We may also see agreements with other African states who want to get in on the economic benefits that are about to explode in this Middle East circle of peace. According to Isaiah 19, even Syria and Lebanon will join! Here is just one example of the economic opportunity.

Israeli firm signs deal to pipe UAE oil to Europe – State-owned Europe-Asia Pipeline Co. says agreement, reached as part of normalization pact, will see much more oil pumped through major link between East Asia and Europe

To be sure, this peace may not last more than a decade or so, but in the meantime it is an earth shaking realignment of loyalties in the Middle East. Shifting sands will see the Arab nations working with Israel in unprecedented ways. This is right in line with our studies of Psalm 83, Isaiah 19 and Isaiah 60. Wow! What a time to be alive.

MY TAKE: What about the Palestinian Arabs? The people will be included, not with a new state, but in an option to become citizens of Israel. The PA (Palestinian Authority) and PLO will certainly reject every offer for peace, so there will come a separation between the people and their terrorist leaders. The land was given by Yehovah God to Israel and He has the final say. Therefore, Israel will ultimately prevail.

“On the same day Yehovah made a covenant with Abram, saying: “To your descendants I have given this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the River Euphrates.” Genesis 15:18

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem, pray for rain, and pray for the U.S. election.

Les Lawrence, Voice of Christian Zionists                     (Read more)





Israel’s New Peace Treaty?

13 08 2020

PRIME MINISTER BENJAMIN NETANYAHU

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu gives a press statement at the PM’s office in Jerusalem, on August 13, 2020. Photo by Yonatan Sindel/FLASH90 

Major breaking news today that Israel and UAE United Arab Emirates have made peace after 72 years of declared war from 1948. What does this mean? Is it good or bad news? For over a year I have maintained that Israel must enter a time of peace before the great Gog and Magog War of Ezekiel 38. Here is why…

“You will say, ‘I will go up against a land of unwalled villages; I will go to a peaceful people, who dwell safely, all of them dwelling without walls, and having neither bars nor gates’— Therefore, son of man, prophesy and say to Gog, ‘Thus says the Lord Yehovah: “On that day when My people Israel dwell safely, will you not know it? “ Ezekiel 38:11 & 14

Notice the underlined words: unwalled, safely, without walls, neither bars nor gates, and safely. Five points of emphasis that require concluding that this war is still future. Israel is not dwelling safely without walls today. They must enter a time of peace before the Gog and Magog war.

Therefore, I believe this new peace agreement is good. The downside is that Israel will suspend extending sovereignty into Judea and Samaria and the Jordan Valley, which the world calls the West Bank. More Arab states will soon follow, even Saudi Arabia. A further look at Ezekiel 38 reveals that these states are not listed among Israel’s enemies at that time.

My prayer is that the suspension of sovereignty will be short-lived. Even so, it will probably not happen before the US election. Pray that our pro-Israel President will still be in office to carry out Israel gaining more of the Promise Land.

Here are the details from the news FYI:

Trump announces ‘Historic Peace Agreement’ between Israel, UAE – United Arab Emirates and Israel agree to ‘full normalization’ of diplomatic relations

Jared Kushner: ‘Israel won’t move forward with sovereignty till time is right’Trump’s senior adviser Jared Kushner responds to Netanyahu’s vow to apply sovereignty, confirms sovereignty plan suspension is ‘temporary’.

Hailing ‘new era with Arab world,’ Netanyahu vows others will follow UAE’s lead –  Touting ‘full and formal peace’ with advanced, innovative Gulf nation, PM says Israelis will soon be flying direct to Abu Dhabi; insists annexation plan is only temporarily halted.

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!

Les Lawrence, Voice of Christian Zionists                     (Read more)

 





Delay Israel Sovereignty: a TEST?

2 07 2020

White House Jan 28,2020The expected and hoped for announcement of extending Israeli sovereignty to some of the West Bank (Judea and Samaria), has been delayed. Prime Minister Netanyahu stated that there would be news “in the coming days.” As disappointing as it was, I believe God is allowing a test of the resolve of President Trump and the Prime Minister. Will they stick to their vows to allow the expansion or not? This will require great courage because the whole world is arrayed against them, and against the free recognition of expanded Israeli sovereignty. We need to pray through these next days and weeks for Yehovah God’s favor on our leaders and for “wisdom from above,” permeating their deliberations.

Israeli sovereignty is now officially on the clockNetanyahu is working with Trump to recognize sovereignty over approx. 30 percent of Judea and Samaria. July 1 was not a deadline.

My position is unchanged. This plan will not lead to a Palestinian state, but instead to more of the land coming into Israel’s possession. When Joshua first won the land it was city by city, not all at once.

My most serious concern is that our leaders could fail the test. For whatever reason (riots, Covid 19, or politics), they must stand together for God’s purpose to restore Israel according to God’s promises (see Ezekiel 36). This is truly in the heart of both men, but external pressures are enormous.

‘Trump would lose Evangelical support if he doesn’t support sovereignty’ – Evangelical leader Mike Evans says Evangelical community expects President Trump to recognize Jewish people’s right to the land of Israel: “Today we have a dream team. The Secretary of State is Mike Pompeo, an Evangelical, and he has changed the direction of the State Department, which has traditionally sought to weaken Israel. Vice President Mike Pence is Israel’s biggest supporter in Washington as [Israeli] Ambassador Ron Dermer has stated. And above all is President Trump, who is the biggest supporter the Evangelical community has ever had and the most pro-Israel president who has ever lived.” – Mike Evans

President Trump has made plenty of mistakes but survives primarily because of his consistent and unprecedented support for Israel. If he ever turned his back on Israel, he would be finished. Pray that he will have courage to stand firm. He is a modern King Cyrus, called to favor and restore Israel, not for his own glory but for God’s.

“And why have I called you for this work? Why did I call you by name when you did not know me? It is for the sake of Jacob my servant, Israel my chosen one. I am Yehovah; there is no other God. I have equipped you for battle, though you don’t even know me,

I will raise up Cyrus to fulfill my righteous purpose, and I will guide his actions. He will restore my city and free my captive people—without seeking a reward! I, Yehovah of Heaven’s Armies, have spoken!” Isaiah 45:4-5, 13 NLT

President Trump has recognized Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and moved our embassy there. He recognized the Golan Heights as part of Israel, and he will recognize more and more of Judea and Samaria as part of Israel. And he does this without seeking a reward, he does not accept a salary as President!

As we pray for Jerusalem, especially at this time, pray COURAGE for President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu.

Les Lawrence, Voice of Christian Zionists








%d bloggers like this: