Watching the unfolding events in the Middle-East continues to be an interesting exercise, similar to watching high stakes poker on ESPN....(I'm not quite sure why it is considered a sport...) Each move is fascinating and somewhat frustrating simultaneously, which simply adds to its value in capturing the imagination when it is intertwined with Biblical prophecy.
One thing we must understand; although the current atmosphere, coupled with ongoing movements in the region, seem to be aligning with prophetic utterance, it is never wise to assign dates and labels as if each was an actual fulfillment of prophesied events. With that said, one cannot help but see a correlation between what is written and what is happening. I am thinking particularly of manifestations that have surfaced this weekend in regards to the "farewell tour" in Europe by President Bush.
Understand that our President is attempting to achieve a completeness in his legacy. An absolute must in establishing himself as a historic success is to instigate the proven capture or death of America's arch nemesis, Osama Bin Laden. But he is also bent on becoming the breakthrough President in bringing peace to the Holy Land. He has openly stated that his "Road Map To Peace" must include a recognized, independent state for the Palestinians...including more liberty (if not an actual dividing) for Palestinians to control parts of Jerusalem. As you already know, I believe that premise is an absolute anti-Israeli stance, although the Israeli leadership seems to be succumbing to the pressure. I am also convinced it will be the trigger, from Joel 3, that will eventually lead the world to Armageddon. Not alarmist here, just being realistic according to Biblical utterance.
With that said, an interesting twist has begun to intertwine itself into the fabric of the peace initiative, a twist that may eventually lead to the giving up of the strategic area known as the Golan Heights. During the 1967 war with Syria, the Golan Heights, a large area of land north of the Sea of Galilee bordering Mount Hermon, Syria, and Lebanon, was captured and occupied by the Israelis. It's height and position have made a strategic security buffer for Israel in the event that Syria and its allies make another attempt at invasion. However, in a desperate move to remain in power while under suspicion of corruption, Israeli Prime Minister, Ehud Ohmert, has accepted a proposal to consider giving the most strategic area of the Golan to the administration of the United Nations. This area is known as the Shebaa Farms, a 12 square mile area that would be prime ground for Hezbollah to increase its ability to strike Israeli territory with rockets. The proposal was formed by French President, Nicholas Sarkozy, and sold this weekend to President Bush as he visited Paris. Bush immediately dispatched Sec. of State, Condi Rice, to Jerusalem and Beirut to pitch the proposal. Ohmert took the bait. Today, Bashar Assad, President of Syria, received a Lebonese delegation and accepted the basic premise of the proposal. Below are the tenants offered by Sarkozy, according to the Debka File.
Sarkozy’s plan consists of five steps:
1. In the first week of July, Israel will announce it is ready to cede the enclave. The United States will then join France and Israel in issuing a statement indicating that Israel’s willingness to evacuate the Shebaa Farms is part of an evolving understanding intended to lead to its withdrawal from the Golan.
2. But first, two French emissaries, the president’s diplomatic adviser Jean-David Levit and his chef de bureau Claude Gueant, traveled to Damascus Sunday, June 15. They presented Israel’s offer to the Syrian president Bashar Assad as the first fruit of the indirect Syrian-Israeli peace talks mediated by Turkey.
The link between the Turkish and French initiatives surfaced Monday when Olmert’s two representatives to these talks, Yoram Turbowicz and Shalom Turgeman, flew to Paris from Istanbul to brief the president’s office on the just-ended session and plot the next moves. Sarkozy pays a state visit to Israel before the end of June.
3. Paris is keen on some sort of climax for the opening of the conference to establish a union of Mediterranean States (UPM) in Paris on July 13. Sarkozy views the event as the crowning diplomatic achievement of his first year at the Elysee. He has invited Assad as his guest of honor at the Bastille Day parade the next day.
4. Sarkozy hopes that the signal honor he has conferred on Assad plus the Israeli concession will bring him and Olmert under the same roof for the conference opening. A brief encounter might even develop.
5. But Assad is playing hard ball. The two French officials failed to get him to say whether or not he will attend the Mediterranean conference, much less meet with Olmert. He says Israel’s promise to withdraw from the Shebaa Farms is not enough. He wants a fixed date in July or early August at latest before taking up Sarkozy’s invitation to the conference. As to meeting Olmert, that is not on Assad’s agenda.
(commentary continued) Look for a more public revealing of this proposal to hit the news media in the next couple of weeks. Then, watch for an increasing pressure coming from Washington for Israel to concede this strategic territory. I would also advise that you keep an eye on Nicholas Sarkozy, the French President, and his input. He is half Jewish, pro-Israeli in a modern sense, and seems to be closely alligning himself with Bush's "Road Map to Peace" initiative.
Finally, remember we are ever nearer the day of days, the day of the trumpet call when the dead in Christ shall rise first then we which remain will be caught up together with them in the air; and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
Great Day!
Pastor Jim
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