THE LAST DAYS

by　Anita Clark

"In the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt [Nile] unto the great river, the river Euphrates: The Kenites, Kenizzites, and the Kadmonites, And the Hitties, and the Perizzites, and the Rephaims, And the Amorites, and the Canaanites, and the Girgashites, and the Jebusites" Genesis 15:18-21.

The above Scripture is known as the Palestinian Covenant. The ancient people who lived in the land of Canaan were to be destroyed by the Israelites when they came in to possess the land. According to the edict of the LORD this covenant is an everlasting one. Israel has never possessed all of this territory that is given unto them by the Covenant, but one day they will, when Jesus Christ is recognized by Israel as their Messiah at the end of the tribulation and the one thousand years reign of Christ commences.

For the last six months there has been Peace talks going on, to try to get an accord between Israel and the Palestinians. One of the main Palestinian goals is to divide the land of Israel, so that they will have the majority of the West Bank and all of the Gaza. The situation is very lopsided with Israel being required to make all the concessions. The date set for the treaty to be signed is April 29, 2014.

Recently, there are some threats against Israel which are very disturbing. These threats against Israel pressuring them to sign the treaty by the deadline are multiple and all detrimental to the Israelis. First, the European Union has threatened to bring more trade sanctions against Israel if they don’t sign by the date designated, placing greater embargos against Israeli goods, and even their association with the EU. "Should Israel be blamed for failure to reach a peace agreement with the Palestinians, the EU is considering cancelling its association agreement with Jerusalem, which serves as the legal basis for Israeli-EU ties. Israeli Finance Minister Yair Lapid said recently "This would reduce exports by NIS 3.5 billion, harming the annual GDP by NIS 1.5 billion and causing 1,400 layoffs in Israel." The cancellation of this agreement with EU created in 1995 would be an enormous step backward for Israel because Europe accounts for 33% of Israel’s foreign trade. If Mr. Lapis is right or not, he further states, "if the boycott is a very partial one, the Israeli economy will retreat, the cost of living will rise, budgets for education, health, welfare and security will have to be cut." (Jerusalem Post)

Second, the United States is putting pressure on Israel, stating that Israel could be isolated from other nations of the world if they don’t sign the treaty by April 29th. Since the U.S. is Israel’s main supporter, and are determined to get this peace deal, it looks like they will have their way.

Third, in November, 2012 The United Nations recognized the Palestinian State in the eyes of the world as a non-member observer state, and recognizes Israel as an occupying force. President Mahmood Abbas is threatening to bring charges against Israel in The International World Court claiming war crimes and occupation by Israel of Palestinian rightful land immediately if a peace deal is not signed by Israel. Israel would like to avoid this if possible. All these things makes one wonder if this treaty is the covenant spoken of in the Bible in Daniel 9:27.

ONCE SECRET PALESTINIAN- ISRAELI SECRET PEACE TALKS - LEAKING – This is a headline From the Middle East paper - World. According to Karl Vick /Tel Aviv, "The talks that began 6 months ago in near total secrecy are now producing a stream of leaks so steady, they might as well be public." These talks have been going on for six months, and have not produced much. Israel wants to be recognized by the Palestinians as a Jewish state. There has been no acceptance of this so far by President Abbas. The Palestinians have previously demanded the right of return for all the displaced Arabs who fled Israel in 1948, when Israel declared statehood and the war for Independence began. However, Abbas, Palestinian President recently told a group of young Israeli activist visiting Ramallah that he does not want millions of Palestinians to flood Israel to reclaim lost property. The paper Allvoices quotes him as saying, "I am not looking to drown Israel with millions of refugees to reclaim lost property to change its nature (speaking of Israel)." This is a major concession. If this was allowed it would change the demographics, and create a problem, where there would be so many more Arabs than Jews, that they would be overcome in their own nation.

The Palestinians refuse to acknowledge Israel as a Jewish state, which is a major demand of Israel to bring about this peace. And they want Jerusalem to be split, but yet allow all to travel in one another’s territory. There are many problems, but we are watching and waiting to see what will happen. Jesus will come for His Bride about 30 days after the covenant of Daniel 9:27 is signed. Zechariah 12:2 says, "Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about, when they shall be in the siege against Judah and against Jerusalem."

One day the Scripture will be fulfilled, "Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of His holiness. Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is Mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King...As we have heard, so have we seen in the city of the LORD of Hosts, in the city of our God; God will establish it forever. Selah. [stop and thing about this]" (Psalms 48:1-3,8). God’s Word is true. It will come to pass just as He has declared. How we rejoice in this truth! One day we will be with the Lord in heaven in the new Jerusalem, and our great Lord, King Jesus ruling over the earth during the one thousand year reign upon the earth, where Israel will be "the head nation and not the tail" ( Deut. 28:13).