"Middle East Conspiracy"

To fight or not to fight. That's the question in Israel these days. Hamas, backed by Iran, is emboldened with new long-range Fajar-5 rockets that pack a 200 kilo warhead. They are able to reach Tel Aviv, something new for them and apparently, it's going to their heads.

There's a truce. Will it last long? Hopefully. But even if it does for a while, Scripture tells us it won't last. This most recent 'dust up' is just one in a never ending cycle of war and pseudo-peace between the Jews and all of their neighbors. Beginning with the War of Independence in 1948 (after the U.N. granted Israel statehood), the surrounding Islamic nations have been relentless in their determination to destroy Israel.

Although most prophecy teachers put the Ezekiel 38 conflict as the next war in Israel's future, some have a differing view. Psalm 83, involving all of Israel's immediate neighbors, describes a conspiracy to 'wipe out Israel as a nation'. With God's help, Israel manages to survive. Could this war precede Ez. 38? This seems to be the most likely scenario because of four often overlooked details in Ezekiel's prophecy.

Ez. 38:8 addresses the attacking armies, saying, "In the distant future you will swoop down on the land of Israel, which will be laying in peace after her recovery from war and after the return of her people from many lands."

Ez. 38:11 says "...Israel is an unprotected land filled with unwalled villages." And the prophecy specifically names Iran, Ethiopia, and Libya along with a "mighty army from the North." How come Syria is missing? And what about Lebanon? Surely they'd jump at the chance to help annihilate the Jews...unless Israel had already taken them out.

So, according to Ez. 38 we have:

1. Israel living in peace
2. after her recovery from war,
3. unprotected and without walls,
4. attacked by "a mighty hoard" that doesn't included her unfriendly neighbors.

Israel hasn't been at peace since her return to the land. They always have their guard up in spite of the pseudo-peace agreement signed by Yasser Arafat in the 1990s. (By the way, Arafat, one of the world's worst terrorist, won the Nobel Peace Prize for this sham). And at this very moment, Israel is protected by a 430 mile long, 25-foot high wall.

These facts seem to indicate Psalm 83 is first and probably sets the stage for the fulfillment of Ezekiel 38. Regardless of how this current flair-up ends, there is no question Israel will be called upon to defend herself again. There won't be peace until the Prince of Peace reigns from Jerusalem.

"These evil prophets deceive My people by saying, 'All is peaceful!' when there is no peace at all! It's as if the people have built a flimsy wall, and these prophets are trying to hold it together by covering it with whitewash! Tell these whitewashers that their wall will soon fall down" Ezekiel 13:10-11.

A wise man once said: "The only certain barrier to truth is the presumption you already have it". 

News:

• Reuters: International leaders failed to reach a deal to release emergency aid for Greece; will try again on Monday
• CNBC: Hostess Brands goes bankrupt after workers go on strike demanding more pay.
• Drudge Report: Medical officials say victims of Hurricane Sandy suffering from wide variety of physical ailments