Prophecy and End Time Series. - Israel

[Shammu]

JNW HEADLINE NEWS
Abbas again insists on right to destroy Israel
By Jerusalem Newswire Editorial Staff
December 10th, 2004

JERUSALEM - PLO chief Mahmoud Abbas has again insisted on the right to flood Israel with millions of Arabs labeled as “Palestinian” refugees, and by doing so demographically destroy the Jewish state.

“All Palestinian refugees must have the right to return to Palestine [sic] in line with UN Resolution 194,” Abbas told the Beirut Daily Star in an interview on Thursday. [Translation of the interview was provided by IMRA.]

This right "is not an issue for debate" and "is a common goal" of all Palestinian Arab factions, said Abbas, who is also known as Abu Mazen.

In its response to the interview, the Zionist Organization of America pointed out UN resolution 194 falls under Chapter VI of the world body’s charter, making it a recommendation rather than a legally binding decree.

Hailed by the West as a “moderate,” the PA presidential election frontrunner first indicated he was unwilling to compromise on the “right of return” during speech to the “Palestinian” parliament on November 23.

“We promise you [Yasser Arafat] that our heart will not rest until we achieve the right of return for our people and end the tragic refugee issue,” Abbas said during a memorial parliamentary session for the deceased arch-terrorist.

During a 1998 seminar at Al-Najah University in Shechem, senior Fatah Central Committee member Sakher Habash admitted the true meaning of the “right of return” for the “Palestinian” cause.

“To us, the refugees issue is the winning card which means the end of the Israeli state,” Habash said.

Habash recognized that for this reason alone Israel had refused to even consider a “Palestinian” right of return.

Abbas is Fatah’s candidate in the upcoming January 9 PA election.

http://www.jnewswire.com/library/article.php?articleid=378

[Shammu]

Dec. 10, 2004 2:11
'Disengagement' out, 'leaving Gaza' in
By HERB KEINON

Say good-bye disengagement; hello to the plan to leave Gaza.

Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, who since last December has referred to his initiative to move out of Gaza and four northern Samarian settlements as the "unilateral disengagement plan," suddenly opted for the more unwieldy "plan to leave Gaza" in Thursday morning radio interviews.

Sharon – who unlike his predecessors Ehud Barak and Binyamin Netanyahu rarely gives phone-in radio interviews – said "the plan to leave Gaza has many benefits." The prime minister, who used the interviews to drum up support for his proposal to widen the coalition, referred to the plan in this new manner a number of times.

Such changes in Sharon's lexicon are not deemed accidental.

One Foreign Ministry official, asked to interpret the slight but obvious shift, suggested it indicates Sharon no longer sees the plan as unilateral, and that with Yasser Arafat's death and a new wind blowing from Egypt, "disengagement" is becoming less one-sided and evolving into a "plan to leave Gaza" coordinated with the Egyptians and a soon-to-be-elected Palestinian leadership.

Sources in the Prime Minister's Office denied the semantic change had any diplomatic overtones, but did admit it had political ones.

One senior official explained that the new name has fewer negative connotations for the Likud rank-and-file than the word "disengagement." This in itself is not without irony, since "disengagement" was a term chosen in order to avoid using the word "withdrawal," which has even worse connotations.

Still, the official said, "disengagement" conjures up images of settlements being removed. The "plan to leave Gaza," by contrast, is designed to drive home an idea that many in the Likud have come to accept – the need to leave Gaza.

The new name also places limits on the scope of the proposal. "Unilateral disengagement" is an open-ended phrase, and doesn't precisely define what is being discussed. It leaves open the idea that Gaza is just the first step of a process that will lead to the ultimate removal of many, perhaps most, West Bank settlements.

The "plan to leave Gaza," on the other hand, is precise and clearly defined.

The official said Sharon will henceforth use the new name when addressing the Likud, but still use the old one in conversations with foreign officials and statesmen.

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull&cid=1102601525385

[Shammu]

Barghouthi Quits Election Race, 4 Israelis Killed
10 minutes ago
Top Stories - Reuters
By Mohammed Assadi

RAMALLAH, West Bank (Reuters) - Jailed uprising leader Marwan Barghouthi on Sunday quit the race to replace late Palestinian President Yasser Arafat (news - web sites), ensuring a smooth election and making the victory of a veteran peacemaker almost certain.

But hopes of Middle East peace, raised since Arafat's death in Paris on Nov. 11, suffered a blow when militants burrowed under an Israeli post on the Gaza-Egypt border to kill four soldiers in the deadliest attack on the army for seven months.

The assault could also complicate Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon (news - web sites)'s plan to abandon occupied Gaza just as it gained momentum with talks on a new coalition to see it through.

Barghouthi's withdrawal from the race for the Jan. 9 election ended a bid that threatened to undermine Mahmoud Abbas, a U.S.-favored veteran leader who is expected to revive talks that foundered before the uprising started in 2000.

Barghouthi, a charismatic grassroots leader serving five life terms in an Israeli prison for orchestrating attacks, had more street appeal than Abbas, the official nominee of their Fatah (news - web sites) movement. The two were neck-and-neck in polls.

In the letter from his cell to announce that he was withdrawing, Barghouti called Abbas "a dear and good friend."

Even if Barghouthi had failed to win, a good enough showing could have discredited Abbas - especially when it came to trying to end violence and bring the militant factions under control.

The militants from Islamic faction Hamas and Abbas's own Fatah movement showed their muscle in the attack on the military post, burrowing underneath for 600 meters (yards) to set off a 1,500 kg bomb, then sending gunmen into the breach.

The blast tore through an army post at the Rafah crossing to Egypt, turning some buildings into a pile of rubble and setting others on fire.

After the blast, Palestinian gunmen charged toward the soldiers while militants pounded the position with mortar bombs.

"This was a very large and well coordinated attack," said army spokesman Captain Jacob Dallal.

Israeli officials said four soldiers died and nine others were wounded. One gunman was killed in the battle and another man was shot dead in the area soon after, Palestinians said.

The Fatah Hawks said it was avenging the "assassination" of Arafat, who is thought by many Palestinians to have been poisoned despite vehement denials from their own leaders and French doctors.

RESURGENT VIOLENCE

Sunday's attack looked certain to fuel a new round of bloodshed after a spell of relative call after Arafat's death.

"The only way to stop this cycle of violence is through a meaningful peace process," said Palestinian cabinet minister Saeb Erekat.

Israel has vowed to respond to violence, but said it could limit military operations if militants stop attacks and the new Palestinian leadership brings fighters under control.

   

"We are willing to display restraint, but I think it also puts a great pressure on the Palestinian leadership to take the necessary steps," said Sharon's spokesman Raanan Gissin.

Israel agreed on Sunday to free up to 200 Palestinian prisoners, partly to show goodwill ahead of the elections, and said more releases could follow if violence stopped.

Gissin said Israel could also coordinate its "disengagement plan" from Gaza if Palestinian leaders get tough on militants.

Palestinians remain deeply uneasy about Sharon's initiative, fearing it will cost them the West Bank. Palestinians want both territories captured in the 1967 Middle East war for a state.

Welcomed by Western countries as a step toward peace, the Gaza plan took a major step at the weekend as the center-left opposition Labour party started talks with Sharon's right-wing Likud on a government to champion withdrawal.

Sharon needs Labour to rebuild his shattered government, avert early elections and overcome rightist rebels opposed to withdrawing from any captured land as a "reward for terror."

Sharon wants to evacuate all the settlements in the Gaza Strip (news - web sites) and four of 120 in the West Bank next year in a bid to "disengage" from fighting with the Palestinians. Polls show most Israelis want to part with impoverished Gaza.

(Additional reporting by Nidal al-Mughrabi in Gaza and Megan Goldin in Jerusalem)

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/nm/20041212/ts_nm/mideast_dc&e=1

[Shammu]

Israel Takes Solana's Deal

This could be it ... the covenant with the many. And, it's being reported Israel has accepted it  Friends, for us at FulfilledProphecy, this is big, big news.

It's called the European Neighborhood Policy (ENP). As for now, it's only between the 25 European Union member states and seven non-member states. These seven states are Israel, Ukraine, Moldova, Morocco, Tunisia, Jordan and the Palestinian Authority.

The goal, however, is to extend this agreement to 10 more nations. These nations are Algeria, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Egypt, Gorgia, Lebanon, Libya, Russia Federation and Syria. Like I've been reporting, this is literally a covenant with many. And, its author is the man I wrote my book about, Javier Solana.

Here's why this is important: You see, many times in my book I say, if these events I'm reporting are the fulfillment of Bible prophecy, then they will lead to a seven-year agreement with Israel. This agreement will be broken three and a half years later. I base this on Daniel 9:27 -- the passage Jesus was referring to in Matthew 24:15 and Paul was referring to in 1 Thessalonians 5:3.

Where do we find a seven-year period to Solana's ENP? Well, on January 1, 2007, the EU's new seven-year budget term will begin. At that time, all participating nations will come under a new funding instrument drawn up by Solana. It includes follow-up revaluation elements. This means, each nation will have an Action Plan they must implement if they want to continue in the agreement. Solana is also tasked with monitoring these nation's compliance. And, he's to report mid-term -- in two years and again in three.

Like I said, this could be it -- the covenant with many. Unfortunately, I suspect, because of the nature of this deal, it could enter into force on January 1, 2007, and no one will even notice.

But, why should that be a surprise? No one noticed when the Western European Union reached that magic number of 10 nations in 1995. No one noticed when the Office of High Representative was filled in 1999 by Solana, or when the 10 nation's implemented their Assembly Recommendation 666 in 2000. And, today, no one seems to be noticing that the EU's so-called "big three" -- Germany, France and Britain -- will have to be subdued for Solana to exercise the full powers of his Office.

So, why should anybody notice the beginning of the EU's next budget term in 2007?

I can't think of any reason.
http://www.fulfilledprophecy.com/israel_takes_deal.html
http://www.euobserver.com/?sid=9&aid=17950

[2nd Timothy]

I agree DW.    Its interesting that Israel is the only virtual member too      

Don't have the link at hand, but also the news about the newly re-formed Sanhedrin acsending the temple mount last Monday for the first time in 1,600 years is striking.   As Jesus spoke to them days before His crucifixion, He said to them....

Mat 23:39  For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.

Would not be possible for them to say this if they weren't around today.   Another piece of the puzzle is now in place!

Grace and Peace!

[nChrist]

Dreamweaver & 2 Timothy,

Great links and material!!

I'm ready!

Love In Christ,
Tom

1 Corinthians 2:9  But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

[2nd Timothy]

I'm ready!

Things are happening at a stunning rate Tom!   Jesus is coming back very soon.  

If anyone reading here does not know the Lord, its time to get on your knee's and ask Him into your life.   Don't wait!   Today is the day of salvation.   Ask Him into your heart and know His Grace and Forgivness.  

Grace and Peace!

[Brother Love]

I'm ready!

Things are happening at a stunning rate Tom!   Jesus is coming back very soon.  

If anyone reading here does not know the Lord, its time to get on your knee's and ask Him into your life.   Don't wait!   Today is the day of salvation.   Ask Him into your heart and know His Grace and Forgivness.  

Grace and Peace!

AMEN!!!!

[Shammu]

Gaza Violence Dents Hopes of Middle East Peace

1 hour, 21 minutes ago
World - Reuters
By Matthew Tostevin

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon (news - web sites) said on Monday that any peace talks with Palestinian leaders depended on whether they could rein in militants, who killed five Israeli soldiers in Gaza in an attack on Sunday.
 

The assault on an Israeli post between the Gaza Strip (news - web sites) and Egypt, the most lethal since Yasser Arafat (news - web sites)'s death a month ago, drew missile strikes in a swift reprisal and dimmed hopes for an end to decades of conflict in the post-Arafat era.

Despite its worst military loss in seven months, Israel said it still planned to pull back troops during Palestinian elections on Jan 9. to help ensure that they went smoothly.

But Sharon said any talks with Palestinian leaders would depend on a halt to attacks. Peace negotiations collapsed in 2000 shortly before Palestinians launched their uprising.

"Any development depends on the Palestinian leadership and its actions," he told visiting members of the U.S. Congress in Jerusalem. "We want to move forward toward peace, but at the moment we do not see any change among the Palestinians."

In Syria, officials blamed Israel for a Damascus car-bombing that almost killed an unnamed member of Hamas, one of the factions behind Sunday's raid. Israeli officials had no comment.

Sharon did not refer in his remarks directly to Mahmoud Abbas, the moderate and U.S.-favored Palestinian leader whose election as Arafat's successor was virtually assured after jailed uprising leader Marwan Barghouthi withdrew on Sunday.

Israel had ruled out talks with Arafat, accusing him of failing to stop attacks. He denied the accusation and complained that it was impossible to crack down on gunmen because Israel had destroyed Palestinian security forces.

Arafat's death in a Paris hospital on Nov 11. has raised hopes of talks, but optimists have been dealt a blow by the growing violence in Gaza -- an occupied territory that Israel plans to quit next year.

GROWING VIOLENCE

In Sunday's carefully planned attack, militants burrowed underneath an army post on the Egypt-Gaza border then set off a 1,500 kg (3,300 lb) bomb, turning buildings to rubble and killing five soldiers of a Bedouin Arab unit.

Israel struck back with helicopter missiles, cutting off power in Gaza City after they hit a generator. They also hit a metal foundry, which the army said was used to make weapons. In the West Bank, troops killed a Hamas gunman.

Israel Radio said top army officers had agreed to a major military response in Gaza in coming days.

But Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz said that Israel would still try to ease conditions for Palestinians so that next month's presidential vote goes smoothly. He said troops would withdraw from Palestinian cities for 72 hours.

Abbas, 69, was ensured a clear run after firebrand Barghouthi pulled out on Sunday.

Barghouthi is serving five life terms in an Israeli jail for orchestrating attacks, but he has much more appeal on the street than Abbas and the two men had been even in opinion polls.

A good showing for Barghouthi -- even if he had lost -- could have undermined Abbas when it came to negotiating with Israel or cracking down on militant groups.

Abbas will have to deal quickly with Sharon's plan to quit Gaza. Western countries hail it as a step to peace, but Palestinians fear it will cost them the West Bank. Both territories were captured in the 1967 Middle East war.

Sharon wants to evacuate all the settlements in the Gaza Strip and four of 120 in the West Bank next year. Most Israelis want to part with impoverished Gaza, but Sharon faces opposition from rightists who say it would "reward terror."

(Additional reporting by Nidal al-Mughrabi in Gaza and Corinne Heller in Jerusalem)
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story2&u=/nm/20041213/wl_nm/mideast_dc

[Shammu]

Israel to Renovate Crumbling Entrance to Disputed Holy Site in Jerusalem's Old City
Mon Dec 13,11:09 AM ET
Middle East - AP

JERUSALEM - Israel will renovate the crumbling entrance to a disputed holy site in Jerusalem's Old City that is revered by Jews and Muslims, officials said Monday.

The work will repair a stone ramp leading to a mosque compound. The ramp enables tourists and Jewish worshippers to enter the compound, which is known as Haram a Sharif to Muslims and the Temple Mount to Jews.

The mount is at the heart of the Israeli-Arab conflict. It is revered by Jews as the site of the biblical temples, while it is Islam's third-holiest site and home to the Al-Aqsa and Dome of the Rock mosques.

The ramp leads up from a plaza at the Western Wall, the holiest site to Jews, to the Mughrabi Gate of the compound. Last winter heavy rains caused the ramp to partially collapse onto the women's section at the Wall.

In light of the damage, the current ramp will be removed and a new entrance to the gate built, a spokesman for the Jerusalem Municipality said.

The Waqf, or Islamic Trust, which effectively controls the mosque compound at the site, did not immediately comment on the planned work. Palestinians have in the past reacted with angry riots to even minor changes at the mount.

Israel's Antiquities Authority will be involved in a dig at the site to uncover any artifacts before the new ramp is built, the Yediot Ahronot newspaper reported Monday. A spokeswoman for the authority did not immediately comment on the report.

Parts of the mount dating back to the seventh and eighth centuries are in major disrepair.

Israel warned in September that an eastern section of the mosque compound could collapse under the weight of thousands of Muslim worshippers expected during a holiday. The Waqf has since completed engineering work in the area to prevent its toppling.

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=540&ncid=736&e=
10&u=/ap/20041213/ap_on_re_mi_ea/israel_holy_site

Now why does this sound so familiar?

Bob

[Shammu]

I'm wondering how I missed this.........

A Church after God’s Heart Grows in the Heart of Jerusalem
By Chris Mitchell
Middle East Bureau Chief
December 3, 2004

CBN.com – JERUSALEM - What happens in Jerusalem, whether it is political or spiritual, often attracts worldwide attention. That is why people from around the world came to Jerusalem to attend the recent dedication of a new church facility.

While building a new church facility in the U.S. is not unusual, building a new facility in the city of Jerusalem is unique. It is called The Pavilion, a new state-of-the-art facility, located in the heart of Jerusalem.

It is the new home of the King of Kings Assembly. Pastor Wayne Hilsden is the pastor. He said, "It's not just a building, but it actually declares that we believe in: the restoration of Israel. And what we did is take a dilapidated, broken-down ruin and began to restore it."

The physical restoration took place in a city known to Christians around the world for its tremendous spiritual warfare and for its enormous biblical significance, since Jerusalem is the city where the Bible says Jesus will come and establish his kingdom.

The groundbreaking project took 22 months to transform an abandoned movie theater, the largest in Jerusalem, into one of the most technologically advanced facilities in Israel.

The architecture even includes a ceiling meant to look like a prayer shawl. Hilsden calls the project a physical reflection of a spiritual truth. He said, "The restoration will also be a spiritual restoration. It's not only a restoration of the land, but a restoration to the Lord."

Pastor Jack Hayford of Church on the Way came to help dedicate the facility. "This is a place where demon darkness will be shattered,” Hayford said. “This is a place where chains of addiction will be broken. This is a place where bodies will be healed, a place where saved souls will receive the full empowerment of the Spirit, that will become agents of the Living God in this city and elsewhere in the world. This is a revival center. Hallelujah!"

While King of Kings met in a rented facility for years, now The Pavilion will be the spiritual home for hundreds of people living in Jerusalem. It is meant to serve the body of Messiah within Israel and around the world.

The financial commitment posed a huge challenge, but support came from around the world, for what Pastor Hilsden calls a "miracle in the making." He said, "We've had an incredible response from people who have said, ‘How can I help’? They've helped us very significantly. [They’ve] pray[ed] for us, given to us, and we've seen miracle, after miracle -- to see this vision become a reality."

During this season of congregational prayer, the Scripture verse, Psalm 27:5 became a powerful theme: "For in the time of trouble, He shall hide me in His Pavilion, in the secret place of His tabernacle shall He hide me. He shall set me high upon a rock."

Hilsden believes joy and worship make up the heart of The Pavilion. He hopes as a worship center, it will reflect Jerusalem's biblical past, present and future. He said, "The place where David worshipped. The place where Yeshua came and showed us the Father, whom we worship. And the place where He's coming back and we'll gather around the throne and worship."
http://www.cbn.com/CBNNews/News/041203a.asp?option=print

[Shammu]

Mubarak: Palestinian state by 2008
Associated Press,
THE JERUSALEM POST    
Dec. 18, 2004

Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, in an interview published Saturday, urged the US to push forward the stalled Israeli-Palestinian peace process.
We would like the Americans to concentrate on solving this problem," Mubarak told the German Der Spiegel, adding that he remains confident a Palestinian state will be created in the coming years.

"I see the year 2008, when the second term of US President George W. Bush ends, as the probable time frame," he said.

On Thursday, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said his plan to withdraw from the Gaza Strip next year, coupled with the death of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, could turn 2005 into a "year of great opportunity."

"As things stand, Sharon is the only one in Israel who can take the courageous step toward peace," Mubarak told Der Spiegel. "The contacts that we had with Sharon over recent weeks showed that he wants to move."

Mubarak also said that he hopes tensions over Iran's nuclear program will not lead to a US attack on the country - a move that would be "a mistake of catastrophic proportions."

Washington believes Iran has a secret nuclear weapons program and has been pressing the UN atomic agency to refer Iran to the UN Security Council.

"If the United States were really to attack Iran, that would be a mistake of catastrophic proportions," Mubarak was quoted as saying by the German weekly Der Spiegel, responding to a question about Middle Eastern fears of such an attack.

"Terror and violence in the Middle East and, shortly afterward, in the whole world, would then overshadow everything we have seen so far," he added. "I hope it doesn't come to that."

Iran insists that it is only pursuing a peaceful nuclear energy program.

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/JPArticle/Printer&cid=1103356912087&p=1101615860782

Un-huh, I think that God has other plans.
Bob

[Raphu]

Thanks a lot for this thread. I appreciate it. I too follow what is going on in the Middle East with great interest.
I thought to add that the Hebrew calender says something about March 2006 being the eighth week of years after Jubilee. Remember Jerusalem was to be restored in one week of years which is 49years, as per Daniel 9:

24  Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.
25  Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.
26  And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.
27  And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.

Jesus born 62 + 3 1/2 Jesus ministry cut off  + seven to restore Jerusalem + last half of Jesus' 3 1/2 years of minstry, but through the Church that has come through the fire refined and full of the Holy Ghost. Possibly the 144,000, as they represent 12,000 from each tribe including the 10 lost tribes that God has never lost track of as the house of Israel.

 Amos 9:9  "For surely I will command, And will sift the house of Israel among all nations, As grain is sifted in a sieve; Yet not the smallest grain shall fall to the ground.

Hosea 5:3  I know Ephraim, and Israel is not hid from me: for now, O Ephraim, thou committest whoredom, and Israel is defiled.

I notice that it does not say the temple will be rebuilt in verse 25 even though the verse in 2Thess. speaks of the antichrist in the temple. I have heard that nothing prevents the Jewish oblation even without the temple being built ?? Also the Cohanim. There are no records left for these priests to go before God in the Holy of Holies. There are problems to the Jews ever carrying out the sacrifices again..??

http://www.beingjewish.com/unchanged/rebuild.html

Another thing I have heard is that President Bush is symbolically now the king of Babylon by controling the Euphrates river. This war in Iraq is more than likely the beginning of Armageddon and we are just beginning to realize it as Christians. Babylon will be destroyed and all the merchants of the world will morn seeing their economy and best consumer gone up in smoke. Of course this is America after terrorists stategically attack communications and military. This would be the perfect time for Russia to make her move, as I hear more and more of how Putin is putting on the brakes with democracy. America's defences are scattered throughout the world, and chaos in the U/S. would give the perfect window of opportunity for the antichrist to come in with New World Order from the EU, by miraculously defeating Russia in a quick but devastating battle that Israel will join into also, being attacked by the Muslim nations and using their neutron bomb, leaving weapons to burn for seven years. Of course they could make a move on the Dome of the Rock after this victory, but the antichrist will come against them in this.
The comet that comes through the Pleiades this month and comes closest to eath January 5/6 and could be a harbinger of things to come.

Orthodox Jews have long taught that the world would last
for 6,000 years before the Messiah would come and usher in a 1,000-year period of restful human history. Since God created the world in six days, according to Genesis 1:31, and rested on the seventh day, according to Genesis 2:1, they reasoned the world's history would climax the same way. They cite Psalms 90:4, which says: "For a thousand years
in Thy sight are like yesterday when it passes by."  
Likewise, Christians have looked to II Peter 3:8: "But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day."
The early church understood this "six-day theory" of world history. It was widely accepted teaching for the first three centuries of the church. From the time of Adam, we've got genealogical records to show that 4,000 years passed until the time of Christ. From Jesus' time until the present age represents another 2,000 years for a total of 6,000 years or six days.
There's also a three-day theory: Jesus rose on the third day. Would the beginning of the third millennium - or thousand-year period - not be the likely time for His return to Earth? There is even strong scriptural evidence for such a theory provided in Hosea 6:2: "After two days will he revive us: in the third day He will raise us up, and we shall live in His sight." Note that this prophecy is not about the Resurrection of Jesus - it's either about the resurrection of Israel after 2,000 years of dispersal or the physical return of the Lord.
Just thought I'd share some of what I have picked up along the way on other forums and in my studies, reading books on prophecy.
God bless and Maranatha...  
 

[nChrist]

Raphu,

Brother, thanks for your input and addition to this study. This is a fascinating, but extremely difficult study. I give thanks that many brothers and sisters can discuss this topic with peace and interest, even though there are many varying opinions.

I realize there are many brothers and sisters who don't consider Bible prophecy to be literal, rather parables for some other purpose or spiritualized for purposes other than reality that will happen in the future. That's fine, as having Jesus as Lord and Saviour is thousands of times more important than trying to study and understand Bible prophecy.

I fit into the category of people who feel that Bible prophecy is literal reality that will be fulfilled to the letter in the future. My belief is based on many Old Testament prophecies that have already been fulfilled to the letter and in ALL REALITY. I like to study and discuss Bible prophecy, mainly because it is in the Bible for a purpose. I enjoy it when brothers and sisters in Christ can come together in peace and share varying opinions.

I believe the Bible clearly teaches that this current age and dispensation of the Grace of God will end. Further, I believe we may be living in a time where the end of this age is near. Many people disagree about timing, sequence of events, and major events which might or might not happen at the end of this age. Regardless, there are HUGE events that will most certainly take place. Most Christians agree that Jesus Christ will come again, but they may disagree about the purpose and specific event:

1.  Rapture of the Church which is the BODY OF CHRIST is one such major event. Some don't believe this event will take place, and others disagree about the timing of this MOST MAJOR EVENT. I believe the RAPTURE OF THE CHURCH will happen before the TRIBULATION PERIOD. The Holy Spirit (Restrainer) will be removed from this earth during the Rapture of the Church. The powers of darkness and the anti-Christ will be unleashed.

2.  Many people believe that the tribulation period talked about in the Holy Bible has either already happened, a parable, or simply another spiritualized message for another purpose. I believe it is a literal 7 year period of time yet to come. Further, I believe that time may be soon.

3.  Many people believe that the anti-Christ is a condition or groups of people, as opposed to a single personification of evil called the Beast and the anti-Christ. I understand the group or mass thoughts, but I believe the Holy Bible clearly teaches that "THE ANTI-CHRIST" will be revealed at or near the end of this age, and the earth will suffer destruction and misery beyond human imagination.

4.  As I said, most Christians believe in the Second Coming of Christ, but they may disagree with the timing or the list of events associated with this HUGE AND PRECIOUS EVENT. There will be a cleansing of evil, and hosts will see and feel HIS TERRIBLE SWIFT SWORD.

5.  There is confusion about the rule and reign of Christ, rightfully so. Many don't believe the Bible refers to more than one throne. All Christians know and believe that Jesus Christ is LORD OF LORDS, KING OF KINGS, and sits on a Heavenly Throne. The Kingdom of God is already a reality, HE lives in our hearts, and we already belong to HIS Heavenly Kingdom. The confusion and disagreement regards the second throne mentioned in the Holy Bible, the Throne of David. Many people spiritualize the 1,000 year rule and reign of Christ, usually thinking that 1 day is as 1,000 years, so a parable such as this would indicate or imply infinity.

Here's what I believe, but I have no wish to argue or have any contention with other brothers and sisters in Christ:

1.  The Throne of GOD in Heaven is not the Throne of David;  

2.  The Throne of David will be an earthly throne in Jerusalem;  

3.  Jesus Christ will sit on the earthy Throne of David in Jerusalem and rule and reign over the earth for a literal 1,000 years;  

4.  The Kingdom of God and the Millennial Kingdom are two separate and distinct things;  

5.  The Kingdom of God is already reality, but the Millennial Kingdom will not begin until the end of the Tribulation Period.

Please, I don't say any of these things for argument, to hurt  feelings, or to have any contention of any kind with any brother or sister in Christ. I say them simply as a matter of discussion and study. I didn't mention some other MAJOR EVENTS that will most certainly happen at God's appointed time. This is more than enough to think about. I'll give you a couple of hints. (a)  Armageddon is not a parable or spiritualized event. The world's most horrible and destructive battles will happen and be reality. Great portions of the earth's entire population will be killed. (b)  The "mark of the beast" is not a parable or spiritualized message for some other purpose. The "mark of the beast" will become a terrible reality during the Tribulation Period.  (c)  Israel will become the greatest and most feared nations on earth. All of the promises God made to Israel thousands of years ago will be fulfilled to the letter. (d) Resurrection and Judgment involving the number and timing of events.

Love In Christ,
Tom

[Shammu]

Trouble is a brewing again.

Jerusalem Tops Agenda in Palestinian Poll Campaign

Fri Jan 7, 5:03 PM ET
World - Reuters
By Mohammed Assadi

BIR NABALA, West Bank (Reuters) - Palestinian presidential frontrunner Mahmoud Abbas canceled an election rally in Jerusalem on Friday, objecting to Israeli security, and his main rival was detained at a holy site in the city.

"Today we did not go to Jerusalem, but tomorrow we will be in Jerusalem because Jerusalem is the eternal capital of the Palestinian people," Abbas told thousands of Palestinians in the nearby West Bank village of Bir Nabala to roars of approval.

"We want our Jerusalem. Let us go to Jerusalem as free people in our millions," he said, while keeping alive the prospect of peace talks with Israel on the final day of campaigning for Sunday's election to succeed Yasser Arafat.

Israel calls Jerusalem its "eternal indivisible capital" and its future status lies at the heart of the Middle East conflict. Palestinians say the eastern half of the city, captured by Israel in 1967, is the capital of their future state.

Abbas, who has revived international hopes for Middle East peace by promising to try to end militant violence and pursue talks with Israel, decided he did not want to be pictured being shadowed by Israeli security units in Jerusalem, aides said.

This could have undercut his efforts to win over militants who in the past have branded him a lackey of Israel, they said, adding Israel had told Abbas it would impose heavy security because ultra-nationalist Jews might attack him.

His main challenger, Mustafa Barghouthi, went to Arab East Jerusalem but was detained briefly by Israeli police when he tried to enter a site holy to both Muslims and Jews.

HOLY SITE DISPUTE

"I am coming here to pray in the mosque and now you are arresting me. You are arresting a presidential candidate with a permit to be in Jerusalem," Barghouthi said as he was detained at an entrance to Jerusalem's walled Old City.

Israeli police spokesman Gil Kleiman said Barghouthi had a permit for an election debate in an East Jerusalem hotel but not to appear in the holy site known to Jews as Temple Mount and Muslims as al-Haram al-Sharif.

"Barghouthi tried to enter Temple Mount for electioneering purposes," said Kleiman, adding this could have caused violence.

Israel said Palestinian residents of Jerusalem could vote in the election and candidates could campaign in private buildings.

Abbas, who took over the Palestine Liberation Organization when Arafat died in November, signaled a wish for stability to foster peacemaking, saying he would keep Ahmed Qurie as prime minister. They are moderates who were long-time Arafat deputies.

Arafat often called for "millions of martyrs to march to Jerusalem," a slogan Israel regarded as incitement to violence. Arafat denied fomenting bloodshed.

Israel annexed East Jerusalem after the 1967 Middle East war in a move not recognized internationally.

Opinion polls have forecast a landslide victory for Abbas. A poll released on Friday showed him with 52 percent of the vote to 25 percent for Barghouthi, a human rights activist.

A senior Israeli source said Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon would meet the election winner and was expected to offer a chance to coordinate a planned Israeli pullout from Gaza.

The Israeli leader was also expected to offer to pull troops out of some West Bank towns if the Palestinians "demonstrate capabilities to assume security responsibility" and "take the necessary steps to fight terrorism," said the source.

Abbas said Israeli soldiers should pull back to where they were before the start of a Palestinian uprising in 2000. He said he would demand Israel stop construction of settlements and a West Bank barrier that cuts into Palestinian territory.

"I do not have confidence that there will be a breakthrough or that we will reach a solution, but I have no other choice ... I will try to convince him of my ideas, but if I fail, then we'll see what happens," Abbas told reporters in Ramallah.

Sharon's plan to "disengage" from conflict with the Palestinians, involving evacuation of all 21 Jewish settlements in Gaza and four of 120 in the West Bank, was initially designed as a unilateral measure while Arafat was alive. (Additional reporting by Ori Lewis in Jerusalem)

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&ncid=721&e=1&u=/nm/20050107/wl_nm/mideast_dc