"And in that day I will make Jerusalem a heavy stone for all the peoples; all who lift it shall be slashed; cut to pieces. And all the nations of the earth will be gathered against it." (Zec12:2-3)

"They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation, that the name of Israel may be remembered no more. For they have consulted together with one heart; they covenant an alliance against You." (Ps83:4-5)

As this is being written (8/4/06), last night's news showed top American military generals from Iraq, expressing to our congress that the situation in Iraq is nearing a crisis point in terms of civil war. By the time this gets posted to the website, how close will the world be to the entire region being engulfed in war with the US in Iraq, Iran and Afghanistan; and Israel dealing with Hezb'allah, Syria, and Gaza? Who knows -which- countries will eventually end up in this current conflagration? A read of Psalm 83 likely tells that story.

Last night's ABC news (or was it "20/20" ?) also had a story about "Evangelical Christians" led by John Hagge and their support for Israel. There are words being bandied about that this is "Armageddon", the "end of the world". Jesus Christ is imminently about to return. And if one hears other sources, one hears terms of Kingdom theology; left-liberals are all in a sweat of panic that "christians" want to remove the alleged "separation of church and state" and set up a "theocracy" for America.

Of course, the ruler of Iran (Persia) speaks of obliterating Israel off the map. Making other comments about aliyah (return of Jews to Israel), that aliyah is a good thing, because that will then make the task of wiping out all Jews (from the face of the earth) that much easier.

Last night an e-mail came from a subscriber:

"I have never hated Jews, and I'm wondering why everyone in the world seems to hate them. They're not still the chosen people, are they? Aren't they all anti-Christ?

"I do, however, hate all Arabs and Muslims. They all look like the devil. I think they're the ones that should be totally eliminated from the planet. What do you think?"

Well, first of all, let us understand God's plan. All Arabs will NOT be eliminated from the planet. In fact, when Messiah rules over the world, and Israel is under His rule, as the twelve tribes, there will also be space for Arabs -within- Israel. "And it shall be that in whatever tribe the stranger sojourns, there you shall give him his inheritance, declares the Lord Jehovah" (Ezk47:23)

The Arab world and the media likes to call Israel the "occupiers", when in truth, any Arab that lives in Israel is a "sojourner".

God's grace will also extend to neighbor nations: "And Jehovah shall strike Egypt; He shall strike and heal; and they shall return to Jehovah, and He will be entreated by them and heal them. In that day there shall be a highway out of Egypt to Assyria, and Assyria shall come into Egypt, and Egypt into Assyria, and Egypt shall serve with Assyria. In that day Israel shall be one of three with Egypt and Assyria, a blessing in the midst of the earth; whom Jehovah of Hosts shall bless, saying, Blessed be My people Egypt, and Assyria the work of My hands, and Israel My inheritance." (Is19:22-25)

Just as Israel, in unbelief, needs salvation; so do the Arab nations. God sent His "only begotten Son" because He "so loved the world" (Jn3:16) That includes Arabs of -whatever- nationality.

If an Arab looks "like the devil", it is not because they are Arabs, but because they adhere to Islam, and Islamic hate fills his heart. People who are demon-possessed may often look and act "like the devil"; just like Christians are an "aroma of life" (2Co2:16) If the Christian has "Christ in you" (Col1:27), he is going to be Christ-like. In similar fashion, those who adhere to anything of satan will be Satan-like. Islam promotes death because Satan is the one with the "power of death" (Heb2:14)

But Jesus came "that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly" (Jn10:10)

As for Israel being "anti-christ": last night on one of those ABC shows was also an exchange between a reporter and some official (?) in Israel; perhaps the Israeli ambassador to the US (?), attending one of these "christian" meetings of solidarity with Israel. (I forget exactly 'who'; you know, these days, it's information "overload"; and a TV program goes by, and it's gone; no rewind and play-it-again) But anyway... the Israeli was asked what he thought of the Christian "Jesus" coming back. And his response was something on the order of: When Messiah comes, he would like to ask Him, "Is this Your 'first time', or were You also here 'before'?

Indeed!

"And I will pour on the house of David, and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the Spirit of grace and supplication. And they shall look on Me whom they have pierced; and they shall mourn for Him, as one mourns for an only son, and they shall be bitter over Him, like the bitterness over the firstborn." (Zec12:10)

So, when they continually speak of their "G-dly end time redemption"... for them it is true. They rejected Messiah first time around, as the Church became established. Redemption has already been purchased by Jesus Christ, but they did not receive it; they rejected it. (Ac7:51-53, 28:28). So, their "new covenant" is about to come to them. (Jer31:31-34) And then in their hearts "G-d" will become "God"


But why does the world hate Israel? Where did that hatred begin?

It began with satan lusting, "I will be like the Most High" (Is14:14)

It progressed to Nimrod starting the whole "Babylon" system (Gen10:8-9), which will be destroyed by God. (Rev18:2-3)

Then God chose Abraham out of Nimrod's system.

Part of the current source of hate came from when Abraham followed his wife's advice, and sired Ishmael. (Gen16:3) And of Ishmael God said: "He shall be a wild ass of a man; his hand shall be against every man, and every man’s hand against him. And he shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren." (vs12)

Then there's Jacob and Esau. God said, "Two nations are in your womb, two peoples shall be separated from your body; one people shall be stronger than the other, and the older shall serve the younger." (Gen25:23) And when Jacob supplanted Esau's blessing, the blessing that remained said, "By your sword you shall live" and from that moment "Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing with which his father had blessed him, and Esau said in his heart, The days of mourning for my father are at hand; then I will kill my brother Jacob." (Gen27:40-41) And the hatred has continued ever since. Furthermore, God's verdict of the matter was: "Jacob I have loved, but Esau I have hated" (Rom9:13, Mal1:2-3)

Those that are at variance with Israel today come from Babylon, Ishmael and Esau.

If it is true that the "Vatican Created Islam" then what we are witnessing is God's elect Abraham/Israel in contradistinction to Satan's Nimrod/Babylon. The conflict we see today is the summation of 6000 years of Satan's rebellion against God through his deceiving of man, beginning with Eve, and Cain's murder of Abel, and on-down through history.

What we see with the current war is possibly one of the final steps just prior to Armageddon. But it is not yet Armageddon. Armageddon Rev16:16 (Gog-Magog Ezk38-39, valley of Jehoshephat Joel3) comes about when Israel has been "at peace" and with "unwalled villages" (Ezk38:11); a condition that has not yet existed for Israel. However, would not Israel be feeling "at peace" after a "covenant" for seven years. (Dan9:27) Also, Armageddon includes Russia, Europe, countries from Africa and the "kings of the east" (Rev16:12) In other words, the farther-reaches of the world. The current conflict involves the middle east, those that line up with Ps83. What could possibly set the stage for a covenant? Perhaps the current conflict coming to a conclusion, after it has run its course according to prophecy? What is happening right now is 'little', compared to what Armageddon will be.


Have we sufficiently answered "why" the world hates Israel? God calls Himself Israel's "husband" (Is54:5, Jer31:32)

What is one of the most torturous ways to afflict a man? By whipping him, cutting or doing other physical things to him? No. By afflicting his wife or children.

God calls Israel His sons and daughters. (Is43:6)

When a man's wife is defiled, what pacification is there against his vengeance? "For jealousy is the rage of a man, and he will not spare in the day of vengeance. He will not regard any bribes, nor will he yield to the giving of many gifts." (Pr6:34-35)

Have you ever wondered what the "wrath of God" was about? The world is going to be wailing to the "mountains and rocks, Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb!" (Rev6:16)

Yes, the "gates of hell" (satan) have been waging war against the Church (Mt16:18); but Israel has been around twice as long. Typically -individuals- persecute Christians. But Israel is a nation; and the hate against Israel is at the level of nation-state...thus, we see warfare.

BECAUSE...
Israel is God's elect, and the world is "of [their] father the devil" (Jn8:44)..."because they do not know the Father" nor Jesus Christ. (Jn16:3) The world's hate is not so much at Israel, but at God (Ps2:1-3); from their father the devil; and satan is presently the ruler of this world. (Jn12:31,14:30,16:11) But since "no one has seen God" (Jn1:18) and cannot physically attack Him, the world does the next-best thing they know to do; they attack that which they can see, that which is precious, God's elect, Israel.

If only they realized... just as a husband/father might take vengeance against somebody molesting his family...

"...thus says Jehovah of Hosts: He has sent Me after glory to the nations who plundered you; for he who touches you touches the pupil of His eye. For, behold, I will shake My hand over them, and they shall be spoils for their servants. And you shall know that Jehovah of Hosts has sent Me...And Jehovah shall go forth and fight against those nations, like the day He fought in the day of battle." (Zec2:8-9, 14:3)