New Hot Spot on Israel's Southern Border: Religious Fervor Increases in Egypt

by Sarah Ann Haves

As the world focuses on Iran’s race towards nuclear capability, Israel is turning its attention to the capabilities of Iran’s proxies in the Middle East Hezbollah in Lebanon; Syria; Hamas in Gaza; and, newly developed Islamic terrorist cells operating in Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula. Reportedly, there are now up to 400 Al Qaeda-linked terrorist groups with full reign in the Sinai. This has developed since former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak’s regime ended and Egyptian authorities loosened their grip on the area. Some terrorist groups are trying to develop an Islamic zone in the Sinai.

In mid-November 2011, Israel’s Chief of General Staff, Lt.-Gen. Benny Gantz briefed the Israeli Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee about the terrorist build-up in the south. He mentioned that, since the August 2011 terrorist attack on Israel’s southern city of Eilat, the IDF has changed its tactics. Israeli defense officials have added a brigade headquarters near Israel’s border with Egypt, and are trying to improve intelligence capabilities in the Sinai, which is proving difficult.

Gantz commented that the Sinai had become an area of global jihad, and a wide terrorist infrastructure is developing there, encouraged by radical groups in Gaza.

The attack on Eilat was considered a cooperative effort between operatives of the Palestinian Popular Resistance committees, and Salafist Islamists in Egypt. The attack bore the trademarks of Al Qaeda. In the meantime, a new terror group has developed in Egypt, this year, called al-Mujahedeen al-Takhfirin. It is responsible for the continued attacks on the gas pipeline that extends from Egypt into Israel and Jordan. This group also played a major role in the August 2011 attack on Eilat. The organization’s terrorist activities indicate that forces hostile to Israel are emerging during the current regional instability.

It is assumed by Israeli officials that the increase in global jihadist activities will continue where governments and leaders are uprooted; where there is a vacuum of central control in various countries in the Middle East. 

Recently, an American official met with the Muslim Brotherhood and claimed the U.S. would be willing to work with the group as it gained power in Egypt. This has concerned pro-Israel supporters who do not want to see the Brotherhood have greater influence in Egypt or in the rest of the region. 

Are We into Newspaper Eschatology?

One of the criticisms leveled against many prophetic ministers, is that we are propagators of "Newspaper Eschatology," meaning we line up certain events from the Scripture based upon current events. This is one of the main criticisms leveled against a well known prophetic minister Jack Van Impe. During his program, his wife will show clippings from news articles while Jack explains how it fits into what has been predicted in the future.

For those who may not be paying attention, there is ample evidence that we are living in the last days prior to the return of Christ. This is not a prophetic assumption, but is based upon hundreds of Old and New Testament Scriptures combined. Hebrew scholars note that Ezekiel 37 describes in detail a vision of Dry Bones that can absolutely apply to the events both during and after the Holocaust. The lineup of nations in the famed battle of Gog and Magog in Ezekiel 38-39, are in our time aligned in an Islamic coalition, making this vision of the prophet more possible in our time than at any other time in history. The restoration of Israel (Jer. 30:17-24; Joel 2:25), the reunification of Jerusalem (Ps. 102:16), the return of the Jews from foreign nations back to Israel (Isa. 43:6-6; Jer. 16:14-16), and the blossoming of the land to produce fruit that is sent around the world (Isa. 27:6) are all a part of the preparation of Israel for the return of the Messiah.

The fact is prophetic critics are often men who have their own agenda or hermeneutical process of interpreting the Scriptures.

There comes a moment in world history in which the events occurring in Israel, gentiles nations, and the church collide with the predictions of the time of the end. When newspapers are reporting events that clearly line up with the prophetic words of the Old Testament prophets, Christ and the Apostles, there should be no argument or criticism when ministers begin pointing out the amazing parallels of current events with Biblical narratives. Certainly a teacher/minister should never carry the parallels beyond the obvious and clear linking between prophetic verses and news article. Also, all prophetic ministers must take care to not advance speculation in a manner which seems to be their own spiritual prediction.

Some have suggested that comparing events of today with Biblical prophecies is mere "prophetic sensationalism." One of the definitions of "sensational" is "causing or intending to cause intense feelings, especially of curiosity, horror, etc." Over the years when revealing the actual prophecies related to the blossoming of the desert in Israel (Isa 35:1-7), the amazing occurrences at the Dead Sea (Ezek, 4) and the events related to the ravenous birds in northern Israel (Ezek 39), I have been accused of "sensationalism." I have difficulty in considering this intended negative statement, as actually being a negative statement, as everything God does and every fulfillment of His Word is in my opinion SENSATIONAL, as another definition of the word sensational is, IMPRESSIVE! Other definitions given to the word are, "amazing, dramatic, thrilling, revealing, spectacular, breathtaking," etc.

Does sensational describe the amazing pictures we see from the cosmos taken by the Hubble telescope? Does sensational describe the human body which is "wonderfully and fearfully made" (Ps. 139:14)? Can sensational describe how God restored the nation of Israel, bringing back the Jews to rebuild the waste places to make them a great army? Is it overkill to describe these events as sensational? What about the ministry of Christ in healing the sick and raising the dead? My father once preached a message called, "The Sensational Jesus of Nazareth," as every miracle Christ preformed was sensational!

If there were no facts or truth connecting the reports of events now unfolding with the predictions of the Biblical prophets, then modern prophetic teaching would never be sensational by the anti-rapture, anti-prophecy fulfillment groupies. The fact is prophetic critics are often men who have their own agenda or hermeneutical process of interpreting the Scriptures. There is the Kingdom Now group along with the Dominion or replacement Theology crowd. Then add the Preterists and the Amillennialists in the mix and we have a bowl of hodge podge, thick with ideas, all who firmly stand against the Pre-millennial coming of Christ, especially as it relates to the concept of a gathering together of the overcoming remnant prior to the seven year tribulation cycle.

In the time of Christ there were two groups: those who believed in him and those who did not, just as BC there were Biblical Jews or Gentiles. There were those, such as Anna and Rabbi Simeon who were anticipating the arrival of the Jewish Messiah and recognized him at the temple when he was an infant (Luke 2:25-37), and others who considered Christ a heretic. The skeptics were so intent of preventing Christ from influencing the multitudes that they went as far as to accuse him of working miracles through demon spirits (Matt. 12:24). It was also Christ that gave predictions of what would occur in one generation, including the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem (Matt. 24:-1-3; 23:36).

I wonder what the "Jerusalem Post News" would have written the day the Romans surrounded the Temple to overtake the Temple Mount platform. Let me imagine for a moment the headlines reading, the sensational prediction of the sensational Jesus of Nazareth is about to come to pass! Our headlines today could read, the sensational prophecies of the Bible are now coming to pass and prophetic sensationalists are now sensationalizing their predictions! For the skeptical and often critical observers of Biblical prophecy, you may intend to mock ministers such as Hal Lindsey, Jack Van Impel, myself or others through insulting our intelligence and insinuating that we know little or nothing about the Bible and the proper manner in which to interpret it. However, maybe you should read a few papers and compare 

One of the world's largest oil companies may bring down the very unstable war torn national government of Iraq

Exxon Mobil, one of the world's largest oil companies, has challenged Iraq's Prime Minister Maliki as the political leader of war torn Iraq, works to stop the growing regional separatism of his nation as it relates to the central government's control over territory and the oil rights of the different regions of Iraq. Iraqi Kurdistan, the oil rich region of Iraq, has signed an agreement with Exxon Mobil for billions of barrels of oil which could jeopardize Maliki's central government's authority and bring down the fragile power sharing coalition in Baghdad. 

The stability of Iraq's coalition government made up of Sunni Moslems, Shiites, and the Kurds is at risk of breaking up over the control of Iraq's greatest natural resource, oil. 

Jimmy's Prophetic Prospective on the News

The battle over the oil rights of war torn Iraq is setting the stage for a scenario that can be found in Bible prophecy for the last days. 

It has been known for a long time that the rebuilding of war torn Iraq would be paid for by the agreements for the oil rights to the massive oil fields in Iraq. Petroleum experts say that today's greatest source of oil can be found under the ground of this battlefield in the Middle East. Iraq's Prime Minister Maliki is doing a balancing act as he tries to stabilize his national coalition government but at the same time, reap the benefits for the sale of the oil rights across all of Iraq. Some say that Prime Minister Maliki is not up to the task of rebuilding his nation and making Iraq an economic powerhouse in this oil rich region of the world. 

The prophetic scenario found in Bible prophecy foretells of an appearance of a strong man who will bring Iraq to the economic center of the world. John, the writer of the book of Revelation, reveals the appearance of the Antichrist, that strong man, who will in fact head up the economic power base in Babylon which is modern-day Iraq (Revelation 13 and 18). Jeremiah and Isaiah see the rise of Babylon, today's Iraq, as the precursor to the return of Jesus Christ (Isaiah 13,14 and Jeremiah 50, 51.). Revelation 16:17-21 predicts the total destruction of Iraq which is Biblical Babylon, this oil rich nation that will come to power in the last days. Bible prophecy will indeed be fulfilled.

A leading rabbi in Jerusalem believes the temple will be rebuilt in his lifetime

In a documentary produced by my son, Jim Jr., a leading rabbi in Jerusalem says that he believes the next Jewish temple will be rebuilt on the Temple Mount in his lifetime and he says everything is ready to build that temple today. Rabbi Nachman Kahane, the rabbi who has guided many Jewish students of the Scriptures on the subject of the temple has been the main source of serious study and preparations to build the Jewish temple basically because that is what the Bible calls for from the religious Jews. 

In Rabbi Kahane's Yeshiva, which is a place of learning for Jewish young men, the rabbi trained all the leaders of this effort to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem and it was his students that started the Temple Institute who has accumulated all the implements for the next temple and train the men to operate that temple. 

Jimmy's Prophetic Prospective on the News

All the preparations have been made to rebuild the next Jewish temple in Jerusalem which is in essence a page out of Bible prophecy for the end of times. Twenty years ago I sat with Rabbi Nachman Kahane as he was beginning his quest to rebuild the Jewish temple in Jerusalem on the Temple Mount. Now twenty years later the rabbi believes that the temple will indeed be rebuilt in his lifetime. That is a quote from the rabbi on a documentary released on the subject that shows the rabbi plus many others who also agree that the temple could be standing in Jerusalem in the very near future. 

Rabbi Yehuda Glick, the former head of the Temple Institute, says even the priestly garments are ready and the temple will stand in full operation very soon. Rabbi Chaim Richman, who is the leading authority on the red heifer, says the temple will be built at the spot of the original site of the Garden of Eden which he says is the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. Rabbi Yoel Keren says that there will be a Jewish temple in Jerusalem that follows the details in Ezekiel 40-46 but first the Jewish people will build a less extravagant temple as they did when the Second Temple was rebuilt 2500 years ago. The priests have been trained, the implements made to operate the temple, even the Menorah, the seven branched candelabra, and there are ten stringed harps for the Levites to play as called for by King David in I Chronicles 23:5. 

With all preparations made for the next temple, Bible prophecy is about to be fulfilled.

Grace to Keep Going

As believers, we readily attribute our salvation to God’s grace, but what does “this grace in which we stand” mean to us now (Rom. 5:2)? How does it work out in everyday life, especially when we’re going through periods of trial or suffering?

1. The Lord’s grace releases His supernatural power within us so we can endure life’s hardships with a godly attitude. In fact, we’ll even be able to rejoice in what He is doing in us through the adversity.
2. Grace builds our confidence in the sovereign Lord. Nothing looks hopeless when we focus on Him instead of on our problems.
3. We discover the assurance of God’s sustaining presence as He walks with us every step of the way.
4. Because we’ve experienced His care for us, we are able to show empathy and love to others facing hard times.
5. During fiery trials, grace works to transform our character so that others can see Jesus reflected in us.

Difficulties in life are unavoidable. So we need a daily dose of God’s grace if we are to walk through trials with confidence that there is great reward on the other side. If we rely on our own strength, however, obstacles will appear insurmountable, leaving us discouraged and ready to give up.
Too often believers rely on Christ for their salvation but then try to go solo. If God’s grace was needed to save us, then logic says we would also need it for the rest of our days. Only through a continuous infusion of His sustaining power can we live a victorious Christian life.

Egypt's highest ranking Moslem cleric wants all Jews removed from Jerusalem

Ahmed a- Taib, the highest ranking cleric in Egypt and one of the most important clerics in the entire Sunni Arab world, has called on all Moslems who value their religion, to join him in his effort to stop the Judaization of Jerusalem. A- Taib has set up a special committee to prevent the progress of the Zionist plan to Judaize Jeruslaem and the Islamic cleric has called on all Moslem leaders to commit to using whatever sources that they have at their disposal to defend al Aksa Mosque on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. 

Jimmy's Prophetic Prospective on the News

The call by an Egyptian Moslem cleric to liberate the city of Jerusalem is a call to arms in the Islamic world but it is also a page out of Bible prophecy for the last days. 

The highest ranking Moslem cleric in Egypt and perhaps the entire Sunni Arab world has set in motion a plan to remove all Jews from the city of Jerusalem. Underneath the banner of a campaign to stop the Judaization of Jerusalem, Ahmed a- Taib has called on all Moslems everywhere to join his efforts to remove Jews from Jerusalem and to use every source at their disposal to achieve their goal. A meeting between A- Taib and the leaders of the Islamic terror group Hamas brought a strategy together for achieving their goal of a Jew free Jerusalem. This report is tangible evidence of how the prophetic scenario found in Bible prophecy is quickly approaching the fulfillment on each of the prophecies related to the city of Jerusalem. 

Zechariah 12:2 says that in the last days Jerusalem be the center of controversy. The Davidic Covenant found in II Samuel 7 reveals that the Lord will place the Jews in Jerusalem forever and there He will protect them from all of their enemies. Jesus Christ said that He would return to Jerusalem (Zechariah 14:4) and there build a temple where He will rule and reign forever (Zechariah 6:12-13). Jerusalem is the place where the Lord said that He would dwell among His people, the Jewish people, forever (Psalm 132:13-14). 

No Moslem cleric or anyone else for that matter can stop Bible prophecy from being fulfilled

Sufficient Grace

2 Corinthians 12:7-10
I thought the Christian life was going to be easier than this. Have these words ever entered your mind? Sometimes we come into the family of God thinking that our heavenly Father will fix all our problems and devote Himself to our happiness and comfort. However, that is not the reality portrayed in Scripture. Paul was a man whom the Lord used greatly, and yet his life was anything but easy.
In fact, at one point, the apostle thought his pain was too much to bear, and he begged God to remove it. There’s nothing wrong with asking the Lord to relieve our suffering, but what should our response be if He doesn’t? Paul probably had no idea that His experience would find its way into the Bible, to comfort and guide believers throughout the ages. The promise God gave him applies to us as well: “My grace is sufficient for you” (v. 9).
God’s grace could be defined as His provision for us at the point of our need. The problem is that sometimes it doesn’t seem as if the Lord truly is meeting our need. But He frequently sees deficiencies, outcomes, and complications that we don’t. His goals for us involve spiritual growth, the development of Christlike character, and strong faith. And trials play a vital role in achieving these.
The important issue is how we respond. If all you want is relief, you could descend into anger and doubt. But if your desire is to become the person God wants you to be, you’ll see each trial as an opportunity for Christ to display His character and strength in you.

A high ranking Islamic terrorist claims that China and India will replace the United States as the superpowers in this world

According to Mahmoud al-Zahar, the chief of Hamas in the Gaza Strip, the empire of the United States is in decline and will fall because of the country's immorality, promotion of sexuality, and political injustice. Al-Zahar also predicted that China and India will become the new world superpowers because of the large populations of both China and India and these two economies expanding faster than any other nations of the world. Al-Zahar said that he welcomed the revolution of Egypt which brought down the US-backed Mubarak and said that this revolution will sweep the Middle East bringing down other Arab leaders who support the United States and its ally Israel.

Jimmy's Prophetic Prospective on the News

The Islamic terror leader who predicted the fall of the United States and the rise of China and India as superpowers is in lockstep with Bible prophecy for the last days.

The chief of Hamas in the Gaza Strip made a very profound statement recently when he predicted the fall of the United States and the rise of China and India as superpowers in our world. Mahmoud al-Zahar most likely does not realize how right on that he is, but the Bible does reveal in the pages of prophecy that the kings of the east, that would be China and India, the kings of the east mentioned in the book of Revelation 16:12 that these kings of the east will gather at Jerusalem just before Jesus Christ returns to the earth, as will all nations at that time in history (Zechariah 14:2).

As it relates to America's fall because of immorality and the promotion of sexuality, so stated by this Islamic leader, that is very Biblical as well. In fact, the United States is not mentioned in Bible prophecy giving us some evidence that America must be off the scene before the end of times scenario found in Bible prophecy will be fulfilled. Remember, at the Rapture of the Church, all Christians leave this earth and go to heaven which will take the backbone of this nation of America away leaving the United States as a powerless country.

The Hamas leader that said the United States will fall may not know that he actually was quoting Bible prophecy - Bible prophecy that will be fulfilled.

Critical condition

The U.S. Supreme Court has just agreed to review and decide the constitutionality of ObamaCare – the pro-abortion health care law enacted against the clear will of the American people. The Supreme Court will now decide once and for all whether this law, which is an unprecedented expansion of government power and uses our tax dollars for the largest expansion of abortion since Roe v. Wade. The ACLJ is representing more than 100 Members of Congress filing a critical amicus brief to the Supreme Court, challenging this unconstitutional law. This is the decisive moment; we need you to act now. Sign on to our brief to the Supreme Court to reject ObamaCare and declare it unconstitutional. Your voice is critically important in this fight. This truly is a decisive moment in history where every American is going to look back and ask: where did you stand? Did you act on your convictions? Once you have signed on to this brief,please forward this message to anyone you know who wants to see this dangerous law and expansion of abortion defeated; and please use the Facebook “Like” buttons in this email to share this important opportunity to make our voices heard in the highest court of the land. For more than a year and a half the ACLJ has battled ObamaCare in the courts. President Obama has ignored the will of the American people and threatened the liberty of every American citizen by mandating that we buy a particular good or service. The President has chosen to force government-run healthcare upon the American people and now our Constitution is in critical condition. Take action with us to defeat ObamaCare. Not only has the Supreme Court agreed to consider the constitutionality of the individual mandate – the requirement that all Americans purchase health insurances – but as we urged the Court in our amicus brief asking the Court to take the case, it will also consider the issue of severability. In other words, the Court will decide if the individual mandate is unconstitutional, whether the entire law must be struck down. I have already begun working with our team of senior attorneys to urge the Justices to do just that – declare all of ObamaCare unconstitutional. With a decision expected by the high Court in just a matter of months, it is now more important than ever to take a stand against ObamaCare. Join our amicus brief today and voice your opposition to the failed law. Sign on to our brief urging the Supreme Court to reject pro-abortion ObamaCare and declare it unconstitutional. This is one of the most decisive moments in the fight for life and liberty that we have seen in decades. Thank you for taking a stand today. Jay Sekulow ACLJ Chief Counsel P.S. We have been waiting for this opportunity for over a year an a half – the opportunity to defeat ObamaCare once and for all at the Supreme Court. It is critical that we hear from everyone committed to defending life and liberty. Please share this opportunity to sign on to our amicus brief with your friends and neighbors by forwarding this message and using the “Like” buttons to share it on Facebook.

Iran’s nuclear threat to Israel

A new United Nations report released by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirms what we have long believed. Iran – a nation committed to the total annihilation of Israel and the destruction of the United States – is actively developing nuclear weapons. A nuclear-weapons-capable Iran is a direct threat to Israel and every free nation in the world. The U.S. must take action now to stop Iran’s nuclear weapons program before it’s too late. We are working with our allies in Congress to put into law tough, new sanctions on Iran that hit at the heart of Iran’s power: its financial, military, and energy industries. Add your voice to this fight; sign our petition to every Member of Congress today. Sign the Petition to Defend Israel, Sanction Iran for Nuclear Weapons. Iran’s President, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, has already defiantly said that Iran will not retreat “one iota”from its nuclear energy program – and as a result, its determination to build nuclear weapons. Iran’s hatred of Israel, the United States, and freedom is clear. It was just a few weeks ago that U.S. officials uncovered a plot by the Iranian regime to assassinate a foreign diplomat and bomb the Israeli embassy in Washington, D.C. And it is the same Iranian regime that has sentenced Christian Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani to death just for being a Christian. The Iranian regime would not hesitate to launch nuclear weapons on Israeland anyone who gets in their way. We must not allow that to happen. Congress must pass and the United States must immediately implement tough, new sanctions to cripple Iran before it becomes the world’s most dangerous nuclear power. Please sign the ACLJ’s Petition to Defend Israel, Sanction Iran for Nuclear Weapons. By taking action, you are not only standing up for Israel – our greatest ally in the Middle East – but for our own national security. Thank you for taking immediate action today. Jay Sekulow ACLJ Chief Counsel P.S. Congress cannot stand idly by as Iran continues to develop nuclear weapons – weapons it will use to destroy Israel. Please forward this email to anyone you know who values Israel and our national security, and use the “Like” buttons in this email to share this critical petition on Facebook.

ALERT ACTION

As you've no doubt read, France's President Nicholas Sarkozy was overheard telling President Obama that he "cannot stand" Israel's Prime Minister Netanyahu and that he believes the Israeli leader is a "liar."

While national leaders do not always get along, these are unusually strong words.  And they are deeply disturbing.

Furthermore, these words raise the troubling possibility that President Sarkozy's personal animus has influenced French policy.  In September, Prime Minister Netanyahu made a powerful defense of his nation and direct negotiations before the United Nations.  Yet  earlier this month, France ignored Netanyahu's plea and voted to admit "Palestine" as a full member of UNESCO.  Could it be that the French dismissed Israel's powerful argument as lies?    

As Americans, we have no say in French policy.  But France has an Ambassador here in Washington who is tasked with sharing American views with his government in Paris.  Let's help him do his job! 

Click here to tell France's Ambassador that you stand with Prime Minister Netanyahu and Israel!

We stand with Israel.  And we stand with Israel's democratically elected Prime Minister.  As far as we're concerned, Prime Minister Netanyahu is one of the very few people telling the truth about Israel and the Middle East today.

Blessings to you and those you love,

Pastor John Hagee                               David Brog
National Chairman                               Executive Director
Christians United for Israel                   Christians United for Israel

The Palestinian Authority president says there will be no Jews in a Palestinian state

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas announced recently that in an independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital, there will be no Israeli Jews living there which includes the almost 500,000 Jews that now are living in the area of Judea and Samaria with over 200 Jewish settlements in the same area including the Old City of Jerusalem and the Temple Mount.

The Palestinian Authority president accused the United States of not putting enough pressure on the Israeli government to stop construction in the Jewish settlements in Judea and Samaria and the eastern section of the city of Jerusalem.

Jimmy's Prophetic Prospective on the News

A statement by the Palestinian Authority president that there will be no Jews in a Palestinian state contradicts and confirms the Bible which reveals the end of times scenario for the Jewish people.

As the Jewish people and the Palestinians fail to bring about a resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, both sides have been using rhetoric that has not helped the peace process. Recently, Palestinian President Abbas made the announcement that in a Palestinian state there would not be any Jewish people. That's in contradiction to the efforts to bring peace to the area by stating that some Jewish settlements and settlers could choose to live where they are living today which is in an area within the borders of what could be the Palestinian state. It is interesting to note there are hundreds of thousands of Palestinians today who are living in the Jewish state. The Bible has insight into the future as it relates to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, a conflict that has been going on for some 4000 years.

The Israelis and the Palestinians both have ancestors and a history as recorded in the Bible and this record starts in Genesis 25 with the birth of twin boys, Jacob and Esau. A study of Bible history brings us to the facts, Jacob's descendants are the Jewish people of today and Esau's heritage would be the Palestinians of today. The ancient Jewish prophet Ezekiel reveals that in the last days the Israelis will be killed by the Palestinians who will then take the land that God has given the Jewish people, Ezekiel 35.

The Palestinians can say that there will be no Jewish people in a Palestinian state but remember, Bible prophecy will be fulfilled.