SYRIA TO COOPERATE WITH OBAMA

PSALMS 20:1-9 PRAY THIS FOR ISRAEL EVERY DAY OF THIS WAR
1 To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. The LORD hear thee in the day of trouble; the name of the God of Jacob defend thee;
2 Send thee help from the sanctuary, and strengthen thee out of Zion;
3 Remember all thy offerings, and accept thy burnt sacrifice; Selah.
4 Grant thee according to thine own heart, and fulfil all thy counsel.
5 We will rejoice in thy salvation, and in the name of our God we will set up our banners: the LORD fulfil all thy petitions.
6 Now know I that the LORD saveth his anointed; he will hear him from his holy heaven with the saving strength of his right hand.
7 Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God.
8 They are brought down and fallen: but we are risen, and stand upright.
9 Save, LORD: let the king hear us when we call.

ISRAELS INHERITED LAND IN THE FUTURE

And here are the bounderies of the land that Israel will inherit either through war or peace or God in the future. God says its Israels land and only Israels land. They will have every inch God promised them of this land in the future.

Egypt east of the Nile River, Saudi Arabia, Israel, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, The southern part of Turkey and the Western Half of Iraq west of the Euphrates. Gen 13:14-15, Psm 105:9,11, Gen 15:18, Exe 23:31, Num 34:1-12, Josh 1:4.

ALL THIS LAND ISRAEL WILL DEFINATELY OWN IN THE FUTURE, ITS ISRAELS NOT ISHMAELS LAND.

HAMAS AT THERE WORST
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UptNr0v1p3E

WAR COVERAGE
http://www.israelnationalnews.com/Special/War/

ONE JERUSALEM - SPAIN STORY
http://www.onejerusalem.org/2009/01/perceptive-defense-of-israel-b.php

THE WAY HAMAS EDUCATES ARAB,MUSLIM CHILDREN
http://www.onejerusalem.org/2009/01/the-way-hamas-educates-the-pal.php

EU pledges navy patrols to prevent Gaza smuggling
LEIGH PHILLIPS Today JAN 19,09 @ 09:24 CET

European Union states have engaged in a flurry of diplomatic activity following the announcement of a ceasefire by Israel and Hamas declaring its own truce over the weekend, with the EU's big three pledging naval support to prevent the delivery of weapons into Gaza.On Saturday (17 January) at midnight, Tel Aviv declared a unilateral ceasefire, saying its objectives of degrading Hamas' ability to fire rockets into Israel had been achieved.Hamas on Sunday followed with an announcement of a truce, giving Israel seven days to leave the occupied territory and open all border crossings to permit the entry of humanitarian aid and basic goods.Six EU leaders - the chiefs of France, Germany and the UK, alongside the Italian, Spanish and Czech prime ministers - then descended upon Sharm al-Sheikh in Egypt for a summit to discuss the crisis, where they committed to work to prevent arms smuggling, a key demand of Israel.Specifically, they offered troops and technological assistance in co-operation with the US and Egypt to execute the task.

Neither Israel nor the governors of Gaza attended the meeting, but the leaders subsequently met with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert in Jerusalem.Ahead of the summit, France, Germany and the UK furthermore offered support of naval patrols to monitor against weapons shipments, according to Reuters.The leaders also called on Israel to lift the blockade.Israel should state immediately and clearly that if rocket fire will stop, the Israeli army will leave Gaza. There is no other solution to achieve peace, said French President Nicolas Sarkozy.Announcing an additional €22m (£20m) in humanitarian aid to Gaza, UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown criticised Israel for the extreme violence of its offensive.We are yet to discover the full scale of the appalling suffering, he said, according to the Guardian. But what is already clear is that too many innocent civilians, including hundreds of children, have been killed.Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi meanwhile offered support to the Jewish state, pointing out that he was proud to have been the one to push for the inclusion of Hamas on the EU's terror list, according to Israeli daily Haaretz, adding that he will work to see Israel welcomed as a member of the European Union.

When I heard about the rocket fire at Israel, I felt that it was a danger to Italy, and to the entire West, the paper reports the Italian leader as saying.German Chancellor Angela Merkel also backed the provision of technical and training assistance to prevent arms deliveries via the Sinai peninsula, saying: The two-state solution is the sole possibility [for peace].The Czech Republic, currently chairing the EU's six-month rotating presidency, also welcomed the ceasefire in a statement.

The priority now is to ensure that no more civilians die as a result of this conflict. It is vital, therefore, that all required humanitarian assistance, including food, fuel and medical aid, is freely and rapidly delivered into, and distributed within Gaza, it read, calling for a renewal of the peace process.The EU stands ready to help establish an independent, democratic, contiguous and viable Palestinian state, living side by side with Israel in peace and security, it continued.The EU's executive body, the commission, expressed relief at the apparent end of the fighting.It was indispensable to have a ceasefire, said external relations commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner. I call on Hamas to refrain from any violence in order to allow for an end to the terrible human suffering. It should also allow the EU and other donors to deliver much needed humanitarian assistance.

Our priority is a durable peace. I hope we will soon see the regular opening of the Gaza crossings and the withdrawal of all Israeli troops from the Gaza strip, she added.The peace nevertheless remains fragile. Some 20 rockets were fired across the border following the Israeli ceasefire had been announced, while Israel responded with additional bombing. It is unclear who perpetrated the rocket barrage. Over 1,300 Palestinians were killed during the three-week war, mostly civilians, including hundreds of children, according to Gaza medical sources. A total of 13 Israelis were killed.

Wild Card: Double Dealing Egypt Won’t Stop Smuggling by Tzvi Ben Gedalyahu JAN 19,09

(IsraelNN.com) Egypt is the key to any plan to end smuggling of arms into Gaza, but two university experts say that Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak is a double dealer who cannot be trusted. They warn that smuggling will continue despite the international community's vow to stop it.Egypt… is playing a dangerous double-game in its ties with its neighbors, Israel and Hamas, according to a FrontPage.com interview with Dr. Michael Widlanski, a research fellow at the Shalem Center in Jerusalem and teacher at Hebrew University.Egyptian officials have actually encouraged attacks on Israel [and] have condemned Israeli retaliation against Hamas, calling it aggression, without ever condemning a single Hamas attack, he added.Dr. Widlanski noted that after the beginning of the IDF's Cast Lead counterterrorist campaign in Gaza, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak criticized Hamas for goading Israel into the kind of military action which would hurt Hamas and all Palestinians, but he justified Hamas attacks, while excoriating Israeli aggression no less than 11 times in a ten-minute speech.Mubarak is basically saying that the attacks themselves are okay and legitimate, but that they bring Israeli reprisals…. Mubarak ended his speech by saying that the Palestinian case will never ever die. This kind of terminology again suggests the Arabic rhetoric of Arafat-Abbas-Hamas that no Israeli withdrawals will ever satisfy the Arab opponents of Israel but that diplomatic agreements or truces are nothing but a transitory stage in the ultimate erasure of the occupation.

Mubarak has been worried that Israeli attacks on Hamas will cause an uprising by the Muslim Brotherhood, the major opposition party in Egypt. Hamas, though currently supported and trained by the Shi'ite regime of Iran, is actually the outgrowth of the Muslim Brotherhood organization inside Egypt, according to the researcher.He called on Israel to attack the terrorist organizations mercilessly and ceaselessly by physically killing or capturing their members, preferably killing them. And no truces or ceasefires ever—not for Ramadan, not for Christmas and not for Rosh HaShanah.Cairo holds several cards up its sleeve against Western efforts to place international forces along its border to try to stop smuggling, although Egypt claimed on Monday that arms enter Gaza by sea and not through tunnels under the border between Gaza and Egypt.

Bedouins and Bribery

Egypt's problems with Bedouin smugglers, a culture of bribery and Cairo's own complex administration are obstacles that will thwart any international attempt to stop arms smuggling to Gaza, according to Dr. Mordechai Kedar, a lecturer at Bar-Ilan University's Department of Arabic Culture.No agreement or decision that includes a component of ending arms smuggling will be implemented, even if the Egyptian regime wants it to happen, he wrote in the Hebrew-language Yediot Acharonot daily newspaper. No agreement or decision that includes a component of ending arms smuggling will be implemented.Dr. Kedar pointed out that the source of smuggling usually is Bedouins, whose culture and language are as separate from that in Egypt as they are from the culture and language of Jews in Israel. They make a living by smuggling women and drugs to Israel, as well as arms, ammunition, and missiles to [Gaza], he explained…. Every time the Egyptian regime attempts to press them, they carry out an attack on a Sinai beach…. This is how they convince the government in Cairo to let them be and continue the smuggling.The likelihood of the Egyptian government overtaking them is similar to the likelihood that the Israeli government will be able to eliminate polygamy among the Bedouins in the Negev. The Bedouins in the Sinai will continue to smuggle regardless of agreements or decisions that bound Egypt, Kedar said.He added that the culture of bribery and the multi-leveled Egyptian bureaucracy are further insurmountable obstacles to well-meaning Western intentions. Mubarak may want it [a halt to smuggling], but his decisions are not carried out. This is not about malice; it's merely Egypt.

Hamas Vows to Rearm: We Know How to Acquire Weapons by Hana Levi Julian JAN 19,09

(IsraelNN.com) Less than 24 hours into a ceasefire it agreed to after a devastating defeat by IDF forces, Hamas vowed Monday to rearm as soon as possible.Manufacturing the holy weapons is our mission, and we know how to acquire weapons, Hamas's military spokesman Abu Ubaida told journalists at a news conference in Gaza.The terrorist group agreed Sunday afternoon to halt its rocket fire against southern Israeli communities about 12 hours after Jerusalem declared a unilateral ceasefire. Israel warned, however, that it would renew military operations if Hamas resumes its attacks or tries to smuggle more arms into Gaza.Abu Ubaida declared that all options would be open if IDF troops were not out of Gaza by the end of the week, a condition demanded by the terrorist organization when it announced its own ceasefire.No one in Jerusalem was surprised by the news. That is to be expected, said Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's spokesman, Mark Regev. We have no deal with Hamas, and we have no illusions about Hamas.Regev said that the IDF had substantially destroyed the Hamas military machine and that the terrorist group would think twice and three times before resuming its rocket fire on Israeli communities, however, because it is against their basic interests at this point.The prime minister's spokesman expressed confidence that the international arms embargo put into place Sunday by European leaders at the summit hosted by Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak in Sharm el-Sheikh would prevent the group from rearming. Iranian weapons have to reach the Gaza Strip, Regev said. We have reason to believe that this is going to work.

Leaders of eight European and Arab countries, as well as the heads of the United Nations and the Arab League met in the Red Sea resort town of Sharm el-Sheikh to discuss arrangements for a durable truce in Gaza. Hamas terrorists had continued to insist they would not be bound by any agreement worked out without their participation. They were not invited to the summit, which included among the participants Palestinian Authority Chairman and rival Fatah leader Mahmoud Abbas.The conference was also attended by French President Nicolas Sarkozy, Jordanian King Abdullah II, Turkey's President Abdullah Gul, and the prime ministers of Britain, Italy, Spain and the Czech Republic, as well as German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Also present were United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the head of the Arab League.Following the summit, the heads of all six European nations traveled to Jerusalem to meet with Israeli leaders and promise their technical and physical support in stopping Hamas from acquiring new arms.

The Gaza War in Numbers
by Hillel Fendel JAN 19,09

(IsraelNN.com) Operation Cast Lead, the just-ended anti-terror military offensive waged by the IDF in Gaza, began on Dec. 27, 2008, and ended three weeks later with a unilateral Israeli ceasefire that went into effect at 2 AM on Jan. 18, 2009.

13 Soldiers and Civilians Killed
Of the 13 Israelis killed during the three weeks of war, four were felled by Hamas rocket and shelling attacks in the first three days: Babar Vaknin, 55, of Netivot; Bedouin construction worker Hani Al-Mahdi, 27, from Aroer; Israeli-Arab soldier St.-Sgt. Lutfi Nasraldin, 38, of the western Galilee; and Irit Sheetrit, 39, mother of 4.

Nine soldiers were killed in offensive activity, all in the first five days of the ground offensive, which began on Jan. 3: St.-Sgt Dvir Emanuelof, 22, of Giv'at Ze'ev; Maj. Dagan Vertman, 31, of Maaleh Michmas; Capt. Yehonatan Netanel, 26, of Kedumim; St.-Sgt. Nitai Stern, 21, of Jerusalem; Corp. Yusuf Muadi, 19, a Druze soldier from Haifa; St.-Sgt. Alexander Meshbitzki, 21, from Be’er Sheva; Maj. Ro'i Rosner, 27, of Holon; St.-Sgt. Amit Robinson, 19, from Kibbutz Magal; and Captain Omer Rabinovitch, 23, from Arad.

Wounded and Homeless
780 soldiers and civilians received hospital treatment over the course of the war, including many who were treated for shock and trauma. As of Sunday, 64 were still hospitalized - 51 soldiers and 13 civilians. Soroka Medical Center in Be’er Sheva admitted the most patients during the war – 518, including nearly 200 soldiers.

Ten of the wounded are still listed in serious condition.

Thirty-five families were left homeless as a result of direct rocket hits, and 15 of them are still being housed in hotels.

Estimated Costs
War costs take into account ammunition, reserves soldiers’ salaries, direct and indirect damage to towns and property, losses to businesses, and more. Total costs of the war are roughly estimated at 5.5 billion shekels ($1.43 billion), including 250 million shekels ($65 million) in damage to agriculture in the south. Payments to reserves soldiers for missed days of work are estimated at 600 million shekels ($155 million).

Over 1,725 damage claims have been filed with the Finance Ministry’s Property Tax department. These include 424 damaged apartments and cars in Ashkelon, 404 in Ashdod, 388 in the Gaza Belt communities, and 324 in Sderot. A total of 268 cars were reported damaged by rocket shrapnel.

Industry in the south suffered direct losses of 88 million shekels ($23 million), largely because of worker absences. In factories within 10 kilometers of Gaza, worker attendance ranged between 40% and 60% during the three weeks of war.

How Many Rockets?
The IDF Spokesman's office said that a total of 640 Grad/Katyusha and Kassam rockets were fired into Israel by Hamas, as well as 180 mortar shells.

1,300 Arabs were killed in Gaza, including hundreds of terrorists, according to the IDF Spokesman's office. Hamas says 200 women and 410 under age 16 were killed, and 5,300 were wounded.

Three Arab leaders call for end of conflict with Israel in 2009
Time is GMT + 8 hours Posted: 18-Jan-2009 22:45 hrs

Egypt President Hosni Mubarak, Jordanian King Abdullah II and Arab League chief Amr Moussa called for an end to the Arab-Israeli conflict in 2009, at the end of a summit in Egypt Sunday. — AFP

European Leaders Fly to Egypt, Israel Reported: 11:15 AM - Jan/18/09

(IsraelNN.com) European Leaders will meet for an Egyptian cease fire conference Sunday before flying to Israel to meet with Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, according to Army Radio. The cease fire conference will take place in Sharm Al Shiekh with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak.In attendance will be UN Chief Ban Ki-Moon, and Prime Ministers of France, England, Italy, Germany, and Spain. In addition, PA Chief Mahmoud Abbas will attend. Afterwards, the leaders will travel to Israel and have dinner with Olmert.

Israel hopes peace will last as Hamas hits dead end
Updated Mon. Jan. 19 2009 8:11 AM ET CTV.ca News Staff

Israel's devastating offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip has laid the groundwork for what could be an unprecedented push for peace in the region, says a top spokesperson. The blitz by air, sea and land killed more than 1,200 Palestinians -- half of them civilians according the the United Nations -- before Israel announced on Saturday its decision to stop the attacks. Twelve hours later, Hamas also ceased shooting. Mark Regev, spokesperson for the Israeli government, told CTV's Canada AM that the militants have lost credibility and there is a new sense of hope that lasting peace can be achieved. Hopefully in the longer term, maybe later this year, we could see a peace process with greater momentum precisely because the radicals, the extremists have been discredited and the moderates are ready to stand at centre stage, Regev said. The path of radicalism followed by Hamas has been exposed as a dead end, Regev said. I think Palestinians are asking themselves today What did Hamas give us? What did this path of extremists bring to us? And I think today the whole extremist theology has been discredited.Regev also said the ceasefire will remain permanent so long as Hamas doesn't resume its barrage of rockets into southern Israel. There was also word on Monday that Israel planned to pull all of its troops out of the Gaza Strip by the time U.S. president-elect Barack Obama is inaugurated on Tuesday -- unless Hamas rocket fire resumed.

Thousands of Israeli troops have already pulled out of Gaza since Saturday, when Israel announced its unilateral ceasefire. Troops were still amassed on the border, however, ready to invade at the first sign of aggression from the militants. Israeli officials told The Associated Press that pulling troops out of Gaza ahead of the inauguration would set the stage for a smooth start to Obama's presidency. With a steady ceasefire in place, Obama would avoid having to wade into the conflict immediately after taking office. The officials spoke to AP under the condition of anonymity, because they are not authorized to speak publicly about the plan. Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert shared the plan on Sunday with leaders from Spain, Britain, Germany, France, Italy and Czech Republic. They were in the region to shore-up the fragile peace deal. Olmert told the leaders he had no desire to maintain a military presence in Gaza. We didn't set out to conquer Gaza. We didn't set out to control Gaza. We don't want to remain in Gaza and we intend on leaving Gaza as fast as possible, he said, according to the officials cited by AP. Regev said the presence of the European leaders proves Israel is serious about achieving lasting peace and moving forward with a process of historical reconciliation.He also said Israel is doing all it can to bring relief to the citizens of Gaza who have been hardest hit by the conflict. We'll be a full partner in all international efforts to give humanitarian support to the people of Gaza, Regev said. The border crossings are open, from our point of view there are no limitations on the number of trucks going in with food stuff, medicine, emergency supplies for the people of Gaza. We want to see that support arrive in a timely fashion, we want to see in the correct volume, we want to see the people that need that human aid receive it immediately.

FORCING ISRAEL TO STOP BOMBING HAMAS WILL HELP TO KILL AMERICAS FUTURE POWER. THE EU IS GETTING TO BE THE WESTERN LEADER NOW LIKE THE BIBLE SAYS WILL HAPPEN.

Poll confirms US image problem ahead of Obama debut
VALENTINA POP Today JAN 19,09 @ 09:29 CET

The United States is viewed favourably by a majority of people in only two of the world's other 21 large economies, an Ipsos/Reuters poll shows, released two days ahead of Barack Obama's inauguration as America's 44th president.India (72%) and Poland (53%), along with the United States itself (74%), were the only countries where the majority gave America a favourable rating. In Britain and South Korea, the number of US supporters were equal to its critics.The nations with the strongest overall negative image of the US were Russia (60%) and Turkey (55%) – historically a strong US ally - followed by Argentina and three EU member states: Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands. The online poll of 22,000 people was conducted for Reuters by Ipsos Global Public Affairs, an international market research and polling company, in late November, weeks after Mr Obama was elected to succeed President George W. Bush.Ipsos polled people in the 22 countries that make up 75 percent of the world's gross domestic product: Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Britain, Canada, China, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Mexico, the Netherlands, Poland, Russia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Turkey and the United States.

The nations surveyed named valuing human rights as the most important factor for a nation to earn respect, followed by respect for its citizens' rights and contributing to international peace and cooperation.Although the United States earned good reviews for having a high standard of living and contributing to the global economy, those surveyed ranked these issues far lower in importance.Obama follows Lincoln and Martin Luther King Jr.Meanwhile, in Washington, president-elect Barack Obama will spend his last day before becoming US leader commemorating the figure of Martin Luther King Jr., after a weekend dedicated to president Abraham Lincoln.Mr Obama is set on Monday (19 January), the day the civil rights leader was born, to take part in a community renovation project in the Washington area commemorating Martin Luther King.On Sunday, he ended an historical two-day trip retracing the steps of Abraham Lincoln in 1861 as he travelled from Philadelphia to Washington to assume the presidency. Mr Lincoln, Obama's fellow Illinoisan, the country's 16th president, led the nation through its Civil War and ended slavery.A pop concert was also staged at the Lincoln memorial on Sunday, with famous singers and bands such as Bruce Springsteen, Beyonce, Mary J. Blige and U2.Between one and two million people are expected to make their way to Washington for the swearing-in ceremony and inaugural parade on Tuesday.

STORMS HURRICANES-TORNADOES

LUKE 21:25-26
25 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity;(MASS CONFUSION) the sea and the waves roaring;(FIERCE WINDS)
26 Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.

Icy conditions in Maritimes after snow storm
Updated Mon. Jan. 19 2009 7:11 AM ET The Canadian Press

HALIFAX, N.S. -- Treacherous road conditions following a storm that dumped a messy mix of snow and rain across the Maritimes has led to school closures across the region. School has been cancelled in most districts across Nova Scotia and southeastern New Brunswick. Police meanwhile, are warning motorists to exercise caution on roads that have become impassable in some places. Roads are so slippery along Nova Scotia's South Shore that a Transportation Department snowplow became stuck on a hill outside Mahone Bay. The driver had to call for a sand truck to give enough traction to keep the plow moving. Environment Canada meteorologist Chris Fogarty says while temperatures will rise through the day it won't be enough to melt most of the ice build-up.

The Nation's Weather By WEATHER UNDERGROUND, For The Associated Press Weather Underground, National Summary: Active weather will remain in the East as a low pressure system will provide cold weather.

Henry's Meteological Madness AccuWeather Another round of cold temperatures and winter snow showers greeted those in the East early Monday, while rain was in store for the Southeast and clear skies dawned over the West.Several areas of low pressure will produce a mix of rain and snow showers across the Great Lakes, Northeast and the mid-Atlantic.Beginning in the North, an area of low pressure located over the Great Lakes will advance eastward into the Northeast by the afternoon. As the system progresses, it will pull cold northern air across the warmer lake waters to produce moderate lake-effect snow bands across areas of northwestern Indiana, Michigan and the lower Great Lakes.To the east of this system, another area of low pressure will produce significant snow shower activity across New England. This winter storm system is expected to produce up to 5 inches of snow as it moves over eastern Maine.

A third low pressure system was expected to produce mixed precipitation across the Ohio Valley and mid-Atlantic. Light rain showers will develop along an associated cold front as it sweeps through the Southeast.The West was expected to remain dry due to a strong high pressure system, producing fair conditions with above normal temperatures across California and the Southwest.Temperatures in the Lower 48 states on Sunday ranged from a low of minus 30 degrees at Caribou, Maine, to a high of 87 degrees at Santee, Calif.On the Net:Weather Underground: http://www.wunderground.com
National Weather Service: http://iwin.nws.noaa.gov Intellicast: http://www.intellicast.com

* * * * FLASH TRAFFIC: WASHINGTON UPDATE * * * * BIBLE PROPHECY, GAZA, AND THE EPICENTER

* Could cease-fire make Israel's southern border secure for the next few years?
* Israel makes enormous, historic discovery of natural gas off coast of Haifa
* Russia to build naval bases in Libya, Syria By Joel C. Rosenberg (Erbil, Iraq, January 19, 2009)

NOTE: I posted Part One of this article on my weblog on Friday. I posted Part Two last night (Sunday).

PART ONE:

Is there a connection between Bible prophecy and the war in Gaza?

I'm getting asked that everywhere I travel here in the epicenter, in Israel and here in Iraq, where I have been for the past several days, working on our INSIDE THE REVOLUTION documentary film, slated for release later this year. It's an intriguing question, and there are two quick answers -- no, and yes.

A.) No, there is no specific passage of Scripture that points to this specific war between Israel and terrorists in Gaza in the last days, though there are certainly some passages that are evocative of the current conflict. The Lord once said through the Hebrew Prophet Amos, for example, I will send fire upon the wall of Gaza and it will consume her citadels….I will even unleash My power upon Ekron, and the remnant of the Philistines will perish. But this was fulfilled between 760 and 750 B.C.

B.) That said, the current war between Israel and the terrorist leaders and fighters of Hamas in Gaza could be preparing the way for the coming War of Gog and Magog described in Ezekiel 38-39. In that prophecy (as well as chapters 36 and 37), Ezekiel says that:

1. The State of Israel will be resurrected in the last days

2. Jews will pour back into the Holy Land after centuries of being scattered in exile all over the world

3. By God's grace, the Jews will rebuild the ancient ruins in the land of Israel

4. By God's grace, the Jews will see the land of Israel blossom and bear fruit like never before

5. Ezekiel also says that prior to the alliance against Israel led by Russia (Magog) and Iran (Persia) to destroy Israel, the people of Israel will be living securely, all of them. (38:8b). The text, however, never uses the word shalom, the Hebrew word for peace. So Ezekiel does not seem to be referring to full and complete peace. Rather, he seems to be suggesting that there will be a sense among Israelis that they are safer than they previously had been.

6. In most respects, Israelis are today living more safely and securely than any time since independence in 1948. Consider that Israel has formal and reasonably effective peace treaties with Egypt and Jordan. Saddam Hussein is gone. Yasser Arafat is gone. Suicide bombers are largely a terror tool of the past. Israel has the most powerful air force in the region. Israel has the most advanced missile defense system in the world. The U.S. is on offense against radical Islamic terrorists in the region. No wonder most Israelis - even today - feel more secure and relaxed than ever before, given the modern history of the Jewish people. They're going to the malls, to the movies, to the beaches. They are getting married and having bar mitzvahs and growing their businesses and sending their kids to college. Normal stuff, like normal people, despite all the wars and rumors of wars that continue to plague the region.

7. In my first novel (written in 2001 before 9/11, but published in November 2002), The Last Jihad, I wrote that in order for Israelis to feel secure enough to set into motion Ezekiel's War of Gog and Magog, Saddam Hussein could no longer be the ruler of Iraq. After all, Iraq is not mentioned as one of the countries that is part of the Russian-Iranian alliance against Israel. Moreover, how could Israelis feel secure with the Butcher of Baghdad in power, a man who fired 39 Scud missiles at Israel and threatened to use chemical weapons to scorch half of Israel back in 1990? They couldn't, which is why I wrote about a kamikaze attack by radical Islamic terrorists against an American city that would lead to a war between the U.S. and Saddam Hussein over fears of a link between Iraqi-sponsored terrorism and weapons of mass destruction. Remarkably, these events have actually come to pass in real life. In my second novel, The Last Days, I wrote about the death of Arafat and a civil war that would ensue afterwards between the secular nationalist forces of the Palestinians (Fatah) and the Islamic Jihadists in the West Bank and Gaza (Hamas), vying for control in Arafat's absence. That was fiction, but in real life Arafat ended up dying 13 months after the novel was published, and the battle between Fatah and Hamas erupted almost immediately.

8. That said, in The Last Days, a moderate Palestinian rises to power and create real (though temporary) peace with Israel. In real life, a moderate by the name of Mahmoud Abbas (aka, Abu Mazen) has emerged in the West Bank, and the West Bank is very quiet. But Hamas gained control of Gaza in 2006, and Israel has remained threatened by rockets, missiles and mortars coming in from Gaza ever since. According to Ezekiel, all Israelis must be living securelybefore the conditions are set for the War of Gog and Magog. If that war is to happen in our lifetime - much less in the next few years - that would have to mean that rockets, missiles and mortars are not being fired from Gaza day after day, week after week, year after year at innocent civilians in southern Israel. Thus, this war - if it is truly effective in stopping the rocket barrage - could, in fact, prove to be a precursor to the coming Russian-Iranian alliance against Israel in that it may help create a secure southern border for Israelis for the next year, or the next several years.

9. It is early yet. It is not clear what the lasting effect of this conflict will be. We must first and foremost pray for peace, and pray for Hamas to be crushed and all Gazans to be liberated from their evil tyranny. We must pray for the physical and emotional recovery for Israelis and Palestinians who have been severely affected by this war and by previous terror attacks. And we must pray that the Lord would comfort those on both sides and draw them close to His heart.

10. At the same time, I do believe it is worth watching closely to see if we are getting closer to the events described by Ezekiel.

11. It is noteworthy to me that Egypt is playing a somewhat helpful role in opposing Hamas and offering to do more to stop arms smuggling into Gaza - not for Israel's sake, really, but to make sure Hamas doesn't become a terror force that could destablize Mubarak's regime in Cairo. Ezekiel does not mention Egypt being part of the Russian-Iranian alliance in the last days, and currently Egypt's actions are consistent with the prophecy.

12. Over the past few weeks, Turkey has moved significantly away from Israel and the West and towards Russia and Iran, even calling for Israel to be banned from U.N. meetings. This is noteworthy because Turkey is Gomer in the prophecy and is a key player with Russia and Iran against Israel.

13. Let me conclude by reminding my readers that I have no idea when the War of Gog and Magog will occur. Many geopolitical events currently look consistent with Ezekiel's writings. But we must be cautious. Let us not overreact or speculate wildly. Let us calmly and prayerfully analyze these present times, and follow our Lord Jesus Christ to do now what we know is right according to the Scriptures.

PART TWO:

It's been a dramatic few days here in the epicenter, especially for those interested in the prophecies of Ezekiel 38-39.

Consider the following:

1. LIVING SECURELY IN THE LAND -- As I wrote about several days ago, there are intriguing implications of Israel's war against Hamas in Gaza for the fulfillment of major Bible prophecies. This war could lead to: A) the toppling of Hamas in favor of a moderate leadership in Gaza (possible, but doubtful at this stage); or B) a cease fire between Israel and a weakened Hamas that truly holds for the next several years, and provides Israeli citizens on the southern border a real measure of safety and security (still too early to say, but increasingly possible given the events of the last 23 days and the last 48 hours). If either of these events happen, then a major precondition of Ezekiel 38-39 could come to pass in the not-too-distant future. The prophecy requires that: A) Israel is reborn as a nation (which happened in 1948); B) Jews are returning to the Holy Land after centuries of exile (this has been happening since the end of the 19th century); and C) Israelis are finally living securely in the land - meaning Israelis may not have true, lasting formal peace with all of its neighbors, but Israeli citizens feel more safe and more comfortable and relaxed than ever before. Most Israelis actually already feel this way today, except for those along the Gaza border. Despite all the wars and rumors of wars in the region, the vast majority of Israelis are going to the malls, going to the movies, going to the beaches, going about their daily lives feeling that the Jewish State is more stable and secure today than at any time in the past sixty years. If Israelis in the south begin to feel this level of security, too, things could get quite interesting from the perspective of Bible prophecy.

2. ISRAEL MAKES ENORMOUS AND HISTORIC DISCOVERY OF NATURAL GAS OFF HAIFA -- Ezekiel 38-39 has another precondition that has to happen before the War of Gog and Magog can begin -- Israel must be notably prosperous. In my first non-fiction book, Epicenter, I noted that Israel is already far more prosperous than her immediate neighbors, the Palestinians, the Egyptians, the Jordanians, the Syrians and the Lebanese. But I speculated that it was possible that the Israel will get far more prosperous to fully satisfy this prophetic precondition. I further noted that based on a series of Bible prophecies, Israel will make major discoveries of petroleum in the last days (something that was a fictional part of The Last Jihad series, as well). Consider, then, this remarkable story on today's Jerusalem Post website: Three massive gas reservoirs have been discovered 80 kilometers off the Haifa coast, at the Tamar prospect, Noble Energy Inc. announced on Sunday….Speaking on Army Radio Sunday morning, an exhilarated Yitzhak Tshuva, owner of the Delek Group Ltd, one of the owners of the well, called the discovery 'one of the biggest in the world,' promising that the find would present a historic land mark in the economic independence of Israel. I have no doubt that this is a holiday for the State of Israel. We will no longer be dependent [on foreign sources] for our gas, and will even export. We are dealing with inconceivably huge quantities; Israel now has a solution for the future generations, Tshuva added. An ecstatic Infrastructures Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer said before the weekly cabinet meeting that the discovery was a historic one and could change the face of Israeli industry.….Following the announcement of the discover, shares of Delek Drilling jumped up 80%, while shares of Isramco Negev 2 skyrocketed by an unprecedented 120 percent. The rest of the Tel Aviv stock market also saw huge gains, with the TA-Index 100 climbing nearly 4 percent. It's too soon to draw any conclusions, but I do think this is a story worth watching closely.

3. RUSSIA IS BUILDING ALLIANCES WITH IRAN, LIBYA, SYRIA AND LEBANON, AS HATRED OF ISRAEL GROWS -- The prophecies found in Ezekiel 38-39 further tell us that Russia (Magog), Iran (Persia), Libya (Put), and Turkey (Gomer) will all form alliances together, before eventually trying to attack Israel from the North. To come from the North, they need to come through Syria and Lebanon, which means either Syria and Lebanon are active members of the coalition against Israel, or they have been overrun by military forces of the Russian-Iranian alliance. Again, I describe all this in detail in Epicenter, but it's worth considering the following headlines in recent days:

* Russia to complete Iran's Bushehr nuclear power plant in 2009
* Iran president says Israeli leaders face doomed end
* Iran's Ahmadinejad demands trial of Israeli leaders for war crimes
* High-level Iranian cleric calls for shooting Israeli Foreign Minister
* Russia plans navy bases in Libya, Syria
* Russian navy eyes Tartous, Syria as base for Black Sea Fleet
* Russia's Gazprom increases oil holdings in Libya
* Recent Attempts to Form Strategic Regional Bloc: Syria, Turkey and Iran
* Turkey wants Israel barred from the U.N.
* Osama Bin Laden urges Jihad against Israel
* Anti-Israel mood prevails at summit

For me, it still remains too early to draw any definitive conclusions about what all this means. But it is worth noting that clearly several of the key countries that Ezekiel says will form alliances together - and against Israel - are, in fact, currently forming closer and closer ties, even as a wave of profound anti-Israel sentiment is rising throughout the region.

Developing....

How Technology May Fulfill Bible Prophecy JAN 19,2009

Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth reports that Israel is using nanotechnology to try to create a robot no bigger than a hornet that would be able to chase, photograph and kill its targets. The flying robot, nicknamed the bionic hornet, would be able to navigate its way down narrow alleyways to target otherwise unreachable enemies. According to the Bible an unprecedented war will occur in the future. It will be fought on land and sea, in the heavens above, and in the earth below, in the physical and spiritual worlds. It will include Michael and his angels [fighting] against the dragon; and the dragon [fighting] and his angels (Rev. 12:7).

Heretics will join the battle, calling upon idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood (Rev. 9:20) to convene their evil powers against the Christian God. They will unite with unclean spirits....to gather them to the battle of that great day....[to] a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon [Mount Megiddo](Rev. 16:13-14;16).

The fowl of the air will eat the flesh of the mighty and hybrid locusts will sting the enemies of God until the omnipotent Christ utterly repels the forces of darkness and destroys the New World Army. At least that's the way fundamentalist Christians believe it will happen. When reading about the war mentioned above I find particular interest in Revelation 9:1-11 where it speaks of synthesized insectoids and arthropods emerging from the bottomless pit to join the End-time battle. Down through time myriad preachers have terrified sinners with tales of demonic locusts bursting upward from out of the abyss and torturing unfortunate earthlings during a future time of great tribulation. Is that really what the prophet saw? Some scholars believe 'John the Revelator' actually beheld future technologies, and that he simply referred to them in terms he understood; i.e. a military helicopter was perceived as a giant locust whose wings sounded like many horses running to battle (Rev. 9:9). A report by Jim Wilson in Popular Mechanics presents evidence supporting this interpretation of the Book of Revelation. It may also shed light on a different, much older Biblical subject, the lord of the flies.Ron Fearing has the future of warfare at the tip of his finger, writes Wilson. It isn't pressing on the trigger of a laser death ray or button of a doomsday device. It's holding a stubby-winged mechanical bug.Flies are one of the most stable and maneuverable of all flying animals, he goes on to quote Fearing as saying. They are the jet fighters of the animal world.Evidently the Pentagon agrees and is working with engineers and biologists to create a lethal arsenal of micro-mechanical fighting bugs that combine insect aerodynamics with GPS navigation and molecular electronics. Micro air vehicles (MAVs) represent one of the most fantastic opportunities for military surveillance and weapons delivery. When perfected, Wilson points out, Fearing's stainless steel and Mylar robot flies will be able to flap their way into the most secret places on Earth--the bunkers where Saddam Hussein plans his genocidal campaigns, and where Chinese spymasters plot their raids on America's nuclear weapons laboratories.

Consider these scenarios from Popular Mechanics:

Alan H. Epstein, of Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), recently described....GPS-guided MAVs landing on structurally critical points along bridges deep in enemy territory. Each MAV would carry a small piece of shaped-charge plastique. Responding to a command transmitted from half a world away, the MAVs would explode in sequence, bringing down the bridge with only one-hundredth of the amount of explosives required by a pinpoint-accurate smart bomb. Some military strategists envision swarms of robot flies fluttering onto battlefields. Scout flies, equipped with miniature cameras, would do the work of reconnaissance teams by eavesdropping on tactical communications and sending back real-time videos of enemy positions. Sniper flies would seek out field commanders, recognizing them by the iris patterns of their eyes....Then, they would become the 21st century incarnation of the tribesman's poison dart as they hurled themselves into the carotid arteries of their targets. Meanwhile, titanium-tipped robot flies too small to register on radar screens would gather in the weeds at the end of enemy runways. Then, rising as a swarm, they would allow themselves to be sucked into jet engine air intakes. The MAVs' titanium bodies would fracture the whirling turbine blades and send a rain of red-hot fragments through thousands of pounds of jet fuel and ammunition. While such stratagems obviously appeal to the highest levels of US military intelligence, theologians will be troubled by glaring similarities between MAV technology and fundamentalists predictions of an end-time spiral by mankind into a cataclysmic war where locust-sized weapons are given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power (Rev. 9:3). When one considers the exponential achievements of modern science and humanity's newfound interest in playing god, the inevitability of soul-free soldier-clones keeping eye on a biometric chip-implanted humanity with the help of GPS controlled micro air vehicles... well, it just kind of takes the fun out of wondering where our once-idyllic world is headed. On the other hand, fundamentalists Christians may have been right all along. Perhaps our pretentious sciences are forcing Armageddon! The Bible - a book repeatedly proven to possess astounding mathematical codex's and incomprehensibly accurate predictions - states that Jesus Christ will return at a future time and will defeat a well-equipped Antichrist army made of soldiers that kill without conscience. Could these be clones? The Bible also depicts flying locust-weapons. Are these micro air vehicles developed by the military? We also note the MAVs of Revelation 9 torment those who receive the Mark of the Beast. Are we looking at GPS enabled biometric chip implants? Either way it's interesting to note that while the locust hoards of Revelation 9 are presided over by Abaddon and may have been created in human laboratories, the flying weapons of the Apocalypse do whatever Jesus commands, as every member of humanity ultimately will.

Intercessors For The Restoration of Israel / Out of Zion Minstries
Mt. Carmel - Israel JAN 19,09

Shalom dear Intercessors,

Deuteronomy 32:2 - Let my teaching fall like the rain, and my words descend like dew, like showers on the new grass, like abundant rain on tender plants for I will proclaim the name of the Lord.After 3 weeks of much deep, and intense prayer and intercession for the Gaza war situation here, we believe that finally, in the next few days there will be some sort of ceasefire, and I think both sides are ready for it. We are as you can imagine, eager to have our son home now from the war, David would love to see him before he leaves for Sweden, however that remains to be seen over the next few days.Thank you all so much for pouring yourselves out in the ministry of intercession for Jordan, Avi and all the IDF (they are not out yet, so we need to keep vigil until they are ) for us, and for the whole situation here - your prayers have been mightily powerful and felt. They have been an incredible source of strength and comfort ...........David will leave on Tuesday 20 January for a series of meetings, and a seminar in Sweden, and will return Monday 26 January

Please would you cover him on this trip. We are all well aware of the anti Israel, anti Jew uprising in the world. Sweden is no exception. Stockholm city in Sweden homes the largest population of Muslims. Two years ago, when things were relatively quiet, David and I were in Stockholm, Sweden, and there was a virulent threat made to one of the pastors where David was speaking one Sunday, by a local Palestinian extremist group. I believe David will need greater prayer coverage to build a strong wall of protection to be around him on this trip and future ones also.

Please pray with me.......................

1) For travelling mercies, air, road, train
2) For perfect health, (from viruses, infections, colds etc)
3) For angelic protection, night and day.............
4) For a strong anointing on the new message that the Lord has give him to deliver
5) For protection for myself, and Jordan as we remain in Israel
6) For protection over his voicebox and vocal cords from infection
7) For a wall of fire to surround him from all demonic forces, spiritual and natural

With a heart of deep gratitude and love to you all
Josie.

PALESTINIAN MEDIA WATCH
http://www.pmw.org.il/

YAHOO NEWS VIDEO
http://news.yahoo.com/video

MIDEAST CONFLICT NEWS
http://news.yahoo.com/video/1874;_ylt=A0wNcxFdg6xIgbkAwD6z174F

ABC NEWS VIDEO
http://news.yahoo.com/video/2461

FOX NEWS VIDEO
http://news.yahoo.com/video/3074

FOX BUSINESS VIDEO
http://news.yahoo.com/video/3045

AP NEWS VIDEO
http://news.yahoo.com/video/2529

BBC NEWS VIDEO
http://news.yahoo.com/video/2918

REUTERS VIDEO NEWS
http://news.yahoo.com/video/2704

AFP NEWS VIDEO
http://news.yahoo.com/video/3091

CNBC NEWS VIDEO
http://news.yahoo.com/video/3245

HOARDING OF GOLD AND SILVER

DOCTOR DOCTORIAN FROM ANGEL OF GOD
then the angel said, Financial crisis will come to Asia. I will shake the world.

JAMES 5:1-3
1 Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you.
2 Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are motheaten.
3 Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days.

REVELATION 18:10,17,19
10 Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is thy judgment come.
17 For in one hour so great riches is come to nought. And every shipmaster, and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar off,
19 And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, alas that great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness! for in one hour is she made desolate.

EZEKIEL 7:19
19 They shall cast their silver in the streets, and their gold shall be removed: their silver and their gold shall not be able to deliver them in the day of the wrath of the LORD: they shall not satisfy their souls, neither fill their bowels: because it is the stumblingblock of their iniquity.

REVELATION 13:16-18
16 And he(FALSE POPE) causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:(CHIP IMPLANT)
17 And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.
18 Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.(6-6-6) A NUMBER SYSTEM

WORLD MARKET RESULTS
http://money.cnn.com/data/world_markets/

THE BIBLE SAYS ISRAEL WILL BE RICH IN THE LAST DAYS.

JPOST STORY ON GAS DISCOVERY
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull&cid=1232265973374

Last update - 18:11 18/01/2009 Israel`s largest-ever reserve of natural gas discovered off Haifa coast By Avi Bar-Eli, TheMarker Correspondent.

Isramco announced Sunday that extremely significant reserves of natural gas have been discovered at its Tamar 1 offshore drill site 90 kilometers west of Haifa. The natural gas reserve is the largest ever discovered in Israel - three times bigger than that of the Yam Thetis consortium and worth $15 billion. Subject to receipt of further data from the drill site, the estimated reserves of natural gas are likely even to increase, the company said in a statement. Tamar is a joint venture between the U.S. company Noble Energy (36%), Isramco (28.9%), Delek Drilling and Avner Oil and Gas Exploration. It is named after the grand-daughter of geologist Yossi Langotsky. Drilling is difficult: the sea floor is 1,700 meters below the surface of the water and under the sand is a 1,400-meter thick stratum of salt. The drill at the Tamar 1 permit site reaches 5,000 meters below sea level. Tel Aviv stocks rose on the back of the announcement. Isramco shares rose 123 percent, the Delek Group was up 57 percent, and Avner was up 45 percent.

Financial markets appear poised for volatile week
Updated Mon. Jan. 19 2009 8:52 AM ET The Canadian Press

TORONTO -- North American stock markets are poised for another volatile week with the combination of low expectations for fourth-quarter earnings but a potential boost from a new man in the oval office. Canadian investors will also be looking for further interest rate relief from the Bank of Canada on Tuesday, the same day president-elect Barack Obama officially takes office. Analysts say the central bank is likely to trim its key rate by half a percentage point, barely a month after slashing it by three-quarters of a point. But investors aren't counting on much more positive economic news as companies, including Suncor Inc., get ready to release their fourth-quarter earnings. Royal Bank of Scotland got things off to a downbeat start on Monday when it reported a full-year loss of US$41.3 billion, the biggest corporate loss in British history. U.S. markets are closed Monday for a national holiday. The Canadian dollar opened at 80.34 cents US on Monday, up 0.21 of a cent from Friday's close. The Toronto' Stock Market finished last week down almost two per cent, while New York's Dow Jones industrials gave back 3.7 per cent as worries increased about the health of the financial sector. Oil prices continued to languish, with light sweet crude for February delivery down 66 cents at $35.85 a barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile exchange. Overseas, Japan's Nikkei 225 index closed up 26.7 points at 8,256.9, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng index gained 84.5 points to close at 13,340. European stock markets rallied Monday as investors digested the details of the British government's second bailout of its banking sector in just over three months as it attempts to kick-start lending in the economy. London's FTSE 100 index rose 28.9 points to 4,175.3. Late-morning trading saw Germany's DAX rise 72.05 points to 4,438.3, while France's CAC-40 was up 48.5 points to 3,065.25.

The Global Economic Crisis - Its Effect on Israeli Real Estate
by Nicole Levin JAN 19,09

(IsraelNN.com) Israel is not an island unto itself although it may seem so at times. In the past few years we have seen a booming real estate market in Israel, with prices in major cities such as Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, and the periphery, such as Modiin and Beit Shemesh, skyrocketing. Jews from North America, England, and the rest of Europe who wanted to have a foothold in Israel invested in real estate, and many did so with the help of Israeli mortgage banks. Real estate investments were buoyed by the high rate of exchange for the dollar. At the beginning of 2006 the exchange rate reached 4.7 NIS to the dollar. The rate of exchange for the British pound and the Euro were also at record highs.The Israeli mortgage banks, unlike their American counterparts, have traditionally behaved cautiously when deciding who they will give loans to and under what conditions. As a result of the high exchange rate, much of the real estate market (whether for second hand or new apartments) was priced in dollars, and simply paid for in shekels at the representative rate of the dollar on the date of payment. This allowed foreigners with strong currencies to purchase real estate in Israel without worrying about currency fluctuations.

Additionally, real estate prices abroad were also high, so that a foreigner could sell his house in New York or London, get an excellent price and have plenty of money to purchase real estate in Israel. Circumstances combined together to make the Israeli real estate market an attractive one.About a year ago the situation began to change. Real estate markets in the U.S. and England began to fall and it became difficult for people to sell their properties before making Aliya.In the summer of 2006, the dollar began to fall, even plummeting to well below 3.4 NIS to the dollar at one time. Other currencies have also devaluated against the shekel in the past two years. While the British pound was just over 8 shekels to the pound in October 2005, recently the exchange rate has been hovering at a little under 6 shekels to the pound. Similarly, the Euro was over 5.5 shekels to the Euro in October 2005, and today it's closer to 5 Shekel to the Euro. The prevailing economic situation has made it increasingly difficult for North Americans and Europeans to purchase apartments in Israel. How will the current global economic crisis affect the Israeli real estate market? Some will argue that foreign investors who may have taken a beating in the stock market will have less money available to invest in real estate. Others will argue that real estate will become a more attractive investment than the potentially volatile stock market.For local real estate buyers and sellers, the situation is also unclear. In the short term there may be a downturn in real estate sales simply because people are erring on the side of caution, worried about possibly losing their jobs or their ability to pay their mortgages.Experience has shown that the real estate market tends to be cyclical. When prices are high, or economic times are difficult, there is a slow down in sales. When this happens, prices may fall to encourage sales, more transactions occur, and the market comes out of hibernation.

A key difference between the Israeli marketplace and that in the US is the behavior of the mortgage banks. The Israeli mortgage banks, unlike their American counterparts, have traditionally behaved cautiously when deciding who they will give loans to and under what conditions. The paperwork requirements have often made life difficult for borrowers and their real estate attorneys but the banks' caution has proven beneficial to the Israeli real estate market. Continuing caution on the part of the Israeli mortgage banks together with a slow and conservative lowering of prices may bring about a rise in real estate transactions. The timing of such a rise is uncertain, but the trend is to be expected.For more interesting articles see our website: http://www.levinlawoffices.co.il/

Brussels predicts 2% EU slowdown in 2009
ANDREW WILLIS Today JAN 19,09 @ 10:02 CET

The European Commission is expected to predict a slowdown in economic growth for the EU in an interim report to be published later today (19 January).In November, the commission forecast 2009 growth for the EU of 0.2 percent but the latest interim report predicts a slowdown of 2 percent in 2009, according to Germany's Die Welt newspaper. The report comes as finance ministers from the 16-nation eurozone meet this evening to discuss measures to deal with the current turmoil in the banking sector and economic slowdown. They will be joined by their colleagues from the rest of the EU for a meeting on Tuesday.All agree on the need for spending programmes to lift the union out of recession. But some member states, such as Germany, believe fiscal restraint in the medium term should not be sacrificed and are concerned that spiralling public debt could threaten the stability of the euro area. Only last week, German Chancellor Angela Merkel announced proposals to change the federal republic's constitution, forcing future governments to pay back its €50 billion stimulus plan once the economy picks up. Deutsche Bank released figures over the weekend predicting that the eurozone's budget deficit would rise to 4.7 per cent of GDP this year, compared to 1.4 per cent in 2008. The bank also predicted that public debt for the area would rise to 75.1 percent of GDP this year, up from 67.5 percent in 2008. The figures do not include Slovakia, which joined the Euro group this month.

EU rules underpinning the euro say that member state budget deficits should not exceed three percent of GDP and public debt should not exceed 60 percent of GDP.

Concerned at what member states' spending programmes mean for the euro rules, the Czech EU presidency is to present eurozone finance ministers with a plan for budget consolidation, reports the Financial Times Deutschland newspaper. While EU leaders in December signed off on a €200bn growth stimulus package, the EU presidency notes it could present a challenge to the sustainability of public finances.After a co-ordinated fiscal stimulus, there should be co-ordinated consolidation, says the Czech plan, according to the German newspaper.New bank bail-out plans in Britain and Demark.Ministers will no doubt be keen to hear further details of Britain and Denmark's newly proposed bail-out schemes, which feature highly in the two countries' domestic press on Monday. After a weekend of intense talks between bank executives and the British finance minister, Alistair Darling, details of a second bank bail-out plan will be announced in the coming days. We know the essential problem is the resumption of lending, Prime Minister Gordon Brown said in Egypt on Sunday, where he was attending meetings related to the Gaza conflict.

Under the plan, the government would offer to guarantee bad debts held by banks worth up to €222 billion (£200bn) in exchange for concrete promises to re-open lending to businesses and homeowners. A €444 billion (£400bn) bank bail-out plan announced in October by the British government has so far failed to kick-start lending. On Sunday, Denmark announced a €13.4 billion (100bn krone) aid package, which would also offer to inject capital into the banking system in a bid to jump-start their corporate and private lending. The minister for economic affairs, Lene Espersen, told reporters that the government would seek an average 10 percent return on loans made to the nation's banks.

EU awaits gas after latest Russia-Ukraine deal
PHILIPPA RUNNER Today JAN 19,09 @ 06:13 CET

EUOBSERVER / BRUSSELS - Russia and Ukraine have promised to start pumping gas to the EU on Monday (19 January) after a breakthrough on prices over the weekend. But EU authorities remain wary as uncertainties cloud the deal.Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and Ukraine Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko emerged after 10-hour long talks in Moscow on Sunday with a new agreement on how much Ukraine will pay for Russian gas in future.A fresh contract is to be signed by state-owned companies Gazprom and Naftogaz in the Russian capital on Monday, ending a bilateral dispute which saw Russia cut off EU supplies via Ukraine 12 days ago.Once all the documents on gas transit and gas purchases have been signed, gas transit to Europe will be fully restored, Ms Tymoshenko said on Russian TV.If things go smoothly, the first volumes of gas should reach eastern European EU states by the middle of the week as Ukraine's vast transit system clunks back into operation.But the Czech EU presidency and the European Commission pointed out that previous deals have swiftly unravelled.

We have seen many false dawns in this dispute and the test in this case is whether or not gas flows to Europe's consumers. Until that point, the wait goes on for Europe, the commission said in a statement.Czech industry minister Martin Riman and energy commissioner Andris Piebalgs also met with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev for separate gas talks in Moscow on Saturday.The Medvedev event produced little of substance, beyond the Russian head of state's call for EU firms such as E.ON and Eni to purchase technical gas - used to power Ukraine's transit network - in future.

The Putin-Tymoshenko agreement is to see Ukraine pay European market rates for gas minus 20 percent in 2009 and full market rates from 2010 onward. Russia is to pay lower transit rates in 2009 and market rates from next year.RosUkrEnergo - a Swiss-based intermediary owned by Gazprom and Ukrainian oligarchs, which skims at least €600 million a year off the gas trade - is to be frozen out.

Questions remain

Ukraine President Viktor Yushchenko did not immediately approve the new arrangements on Sunday, amid potential for further strife. Figures linked to Ms Tymoshenko, who is to run against Mr Yushchenko in upcoming presidential elections, have accused his party of pocketing RosUkrEnergo money. One of the president's aides recently said Ms Tymoshenko has a secret deal with the Kremlin to put her in power.Meanwhile, the actual price that Ukraine will pay for gas is uncertain. European market rates relate to confidential contracts between Gazprom and individual EU firms, with estimates on the prices varying from $300 (€225) to $500 per thousand cubic metres.

The Putin-Tymoshenko accord also failed to clear up the issue of Naftogaz' alleged €450 million debt to RosUkrEnergo for late payment of 2008 gas debts.

Political cost

Ukraine, which broke away from Russian control in the 2004 Orange Revolution, is in danger of paying a higher price for the gas dispute than Russia in terms of EU relations.Industry commissioner Gunther Verheugen in an interview with German radio on Sunday said the crisis, which we are living through, is not a recommendation [for Ukraine's EU accession hopes], while advising Europe to press ahead with a new Baltic Sea gas pipe to Russia.EU energy ministry officials will meet in Brussels on Monday in a Gas Co-ordination Group to assess how much economic damage the crisis has caused.A 2,500-strong rally in Sofia on Sunday called for Bulgaria to restart two defunct nuclear reactors. And the Czech Republic began to pump gas stocks to energy-starved Slovakia in a solidarity measure.

Monday, January 19, 2009 EDITORIAL Rigging the economy

THE World Bank move to blacklist Philippine firms involved in a rigged road project financed by the Washington-based lender is crying for similar action by the government. Last week, the World Bank announced that it would bar from future projects seven companies, including three local contractors, for acting as a cartel that rigged the bidding for the National Road Improvement and Management Project (NRIMP). The four other firms involved are headquartered in China, adding to the growing list of mainland companies that have gained notoriety for their shady dealings. The World Bank blacklist confirms past anecdotal reports about rigged bids involving public projects. Nothing new here except that the multilateral lender had the balls to actually name such entities and do something about it. The three Philippine companies include one whose owner is related to a legislator allied with the Arroyo administration. This alone should merit some official response, if the current administration were serious about putting governance in order at the least.

The lender’s disclosure couldn’t have come at a worse time. The global economy is slipping into recession, and fiscal spending is widely seen as a key step in arresting this slide, if not cushioning the adverse effects of the slowdown. Malacañang had announced it would take its cue from other countries across the world that plan to spend their way out of the current crisis. It earlier postponed a plan to balance its budget last year due to the needed fiscal stimulus. The government is likely to have ended 2008 with a P75-billion financing gap, and is poised to incur another P102-billion deficit this year. It completed its foreign commercial borrowing program early this month, with the sale of Republic of the Philippine bonds or ROPs to the tune of $1.5 billion, or triple last year’s $500 million program. But both government insiders and pundits fear the Arroyo administration may need more to prop up the economy, as the global financial crisis has eroded business and household confidence. This means that governments everywhere would have to lead the way out of the crisis by pump priming their economies, as the private sector is holding onto dear cash like a lifeline. While the country’s debt is down to about 60 percent of the domestic economy, additional borrowings risk reversing recent fiscal gains and postponing further the Philippines’ bid to raise its credit rating—a key step to unlocking cheaper loans. The Department of Finance had been insisting that any additional funds would be sourced from the country’s foreign donors, but the National Economic and Development Authority had warned that official development assistance may slow as developed countries—the traditional source of aid—turn inward to jumpstart their economies, a growing number of which already slipped into recession. The World Bank blacklist effectively suspends millions of dollars in aid to the Philippines meant for the NRIMP. In short, it is cheap money we badly need.

On Friday, the Finance department unveiled fresh tax measures meant to boost the nation’s coffers. This is a turnaround from representations made earlier that the country could do without new tax laws. The message we’re getting here is that the Arroyo administration plans to squeeze the life out of its citizens to keep the economy afloat, and, as many suspect, perhaps its ambitions to prolong its hold on power. To dispel such notions, the government has to send a strong signal that it would punish those that have helped put the squeeze on the Filipino people, and what better way to show this than to sanction the three firms that the World Bank had blacklisted. The lender should be above the partisan fray. So the government should take it from there and pursue the blacklisted contractors in court. In addition, it should ban the same companies from other public works projects.

U.S. military report warns sudden collapse of Mexico is possible JAN 19,09

Mexico is one of two countries that bear consideration for a rapid and sudden collapse, according to a report by the U.S. Joint Forces Command on worldwide security threats.The command's Joint Operating Environment (JOE 2008) report, which contains projections of global threats and potential next wars, puts Pakistan on the same level as Mexico.In terms of worse-case scenarios for the Joint Force and indeed the world, two large and important states bear consideration for a rapid and sudden collapse: Pakistan and Mexico. The Mexican possibility may seem less likely, but the government, its politicians, police and judicial infrastructure are all under sustained assault and press by criminal gangs and drug cartels. How that internal conflict turns out over the next several years will have a major impact on the stability of the Mexican state. Any descent by Mexico into chaos would demand an American response based on the serious implications for homeland security alone.The U.S. Joint Forces Command, based in Norfolk, Va., is one of the Defense Departments combat commands that includes members of the different military service branches, active and reserves, as well as civilian and contract employees. One of its key roles is to help transform the U.S. military's capabilities.In the foreword, Marine Gen. J.N. Mattis, the USJFC commander, said Predictions about the future are always risky ... Regardless, if we do not try to forecast the future, there is no doubt that we will be caught off guard as we strive to protect this experiment in democracy that we call America.The report is one in a series focusing on Mexico's internal security problems, mostly stemming from drug violence and drug corruption. In recent weeks, the Department of Homeland Security and former U.S. drug czar Barry McCaffrey issued similar alerts about Mexico.Despite such reports, El Pasoan Veronica Callaghan, a border business leader, said she keeps running into people in the region who are in denial about what is happening in Mexico.Last week, Mexican President Felipe Calderon instructed his embassy and consular officials to promote a positive image of Mexico.The U.S. military report, which also analyzed economic situations in other countries, also noted that China has increased its influence in places where oil fields are present.

MUSLIM NATIONS

EZEKIEL 38:1-12
1 And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
2 Son of man, set thy face against Gog,(RULER) the land of Magog,(RUSSIA) the chief prince of Meshech(MOSCOW)and Tubal,(TOBOLSK) and prophesy against him,
3 And say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against thee, O Gog, the chief prince of Meshech(MOSCOW) and Tubal:
4 And I will turn thee back, and put hooks into thy jaws,(GOD FORCES THE RUSSIA-MUSLIMS TO MARCH) and I will bring thee forth, and all thine army, horses and horsemen, all of them clothed with all sorts of armour, even a great company with bucklers and shields, all of them handling swords:
5 Persia,(IRAN,IRAQ) Ethiopia, and Libya with them; all of them with shield and helmet:
6 Gomer,(GERMANY) and all his bands; the house of Togarmah (TURKEY)of the north quarters, and all his bands:(SUDAN,AFRICA) and many people with thee.
7 Be thou prepared, and prepare for thyself, thou, and all thy company that are assembled unto thee, and be thou a guard unto them.
8 After many days thou shalt be visited: in the latter years thou shalt come into the land that is brought back from the sword, and is gathered out of many people, against the mountains of Israel, which have been always waste: but it is brought forth out of the nations, and they shall dwell safely all of them.
9 Thou shalt ascend and come like a storm, thou shalt be like a cloud to cover the land, thou, and all thy bands, and many people with thee.(RUSSIA-EGYPT AND MUSLIMS)
10 Thus saith the Lord GOD; It shall also come to pass, that at the same time shall things come into thy mind, and thou shalt think an evil thought:
11 And thou shalt say, I will go up to the land of unwalled villages; I will go to them that are at rest, that dwell safely, all of them dwelling without walls, and having neither bars nor gates,
12 To take a spoil, and to take a prey; to turn thine hand upon the desolate places that are now inhabited, and upon the people that are gathered out of the nations, which have gotten cattle and goods, that dwell in the midst of the land.

ISAIAH 17:1
1 The burden of Damascus. Behold, Damascus is taken away from being a city, and it shall be a ruinous heap.

PSALMS 83:3-7
3 They (ARABS,MUSLIMS) have taken crafty counsel against thy people,(ISRAEL) and consulted against thy hidden ones.
4 They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance.
5 For they have consulted together with one consent: they are confederate against thee:(TREATIES)
6 The tabernacles of Edom,and the Ishmaelites;(ARABS) of Moab, and the Hagarenes;
7 Gebal, and Ammon,(JORDAN) and Amalek;(SYRIA) the Philistines (PALESTINIANS) with the inhabitants of Tyre;(LEBANON)

EZEKIEL 39:1-8
1 Therefore, thou son of man, prophesy against Gog,(LEADER OF RUSSIA) and say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against thee, O Gog, the chief prince of Meshech (MOSCOW) and Tubal: (TUBOLSK)
2 And I will turn thee back, and leave but the sixth part of thee, and will cause thee to come up from the north parts,(RUSSIA) and will bring thee upon the mountains of Israel:
3 And I will smite thy bow out of thy left hand, and will cause thine arrows to fall out of thy right hand.
4 Thou shalt fall upon the mountains of Israel, thou, and all thy bands,( ARABS) and the people that is with thee: I will give thee unto the ravenous birds of every sort, and to the beasts of the field to be devoured.
5 Thou shalt fall upon the open field: for I have spoken it, saith the Lord GOD.
6 And I will send a fire on Magog,(NUCLEAR BOMB) and among them that dwell carelessly in the isles: and they shall know that I am the LORD.
7 So will I make my holy name known in the midst of my people Israel; and I will not let them pollute my holy name any more: and the heathen shall know that I am the LORD, the Holy One in Israel.
8 Behold, it is come, and it is done, saith the Lord GOD; this is the day whereof I have spoken.

JOEL 2:3,20,30-31
3 A fire(NUCLEAR BOMB) devoureth before them;(RUSSIA-ARABS) and behind them a flame burneth: the land is as the garden of Eden before them, and behind them a desolate wilderness; yea, and nothing shall escape them.
20 But I will remove far off from you the northern army,(RUSSIA,MUSLIMS) and will drive him into a land barren and desolate, with his face toward the east sea, and his hinder part toward the utmost sea, and his stink shall come up, and his ill savour shall come up, because he hath done great things.(SIBERIAN DESERT)
30 And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke.(NUCLEAR BOMB)
31 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the LORD come.

Syria's Assad ready to cooperate with Obama-magazine

BERLIN, Jan 17 (Reuters) Syria is ready to cooperate with US President-elect Barack Obama and wants him to get seriously involved in the West Asia peace process, President Bashar al-Assad told a German magazine.In an interview with Der Spiegel released today, Assad also expressed some caution about future relations and said he preferred to talk about hopes rather than expectations.Ties between the West and Syria have been strained by US ccusations that Syria turned a blind eye to Islamist fighters infiltrating Iraq and in 2004 Washington imposed sanctions on Syria for backing anti-American groups in the region.Syria has, however, regained a degree of approval in Europe after supporting a peace pact for Lebanon and forging diplomatic ties with its neighbour after years of dominating it.Asked if he expected cooperation to be easier with Obama, Assad said: I would talk more about hope than expectation. The Bush government has bestowed two wars on us. The world situation has deteriorated in the last eight years in every way, everything has got worse, including economic developments.The new US government must get seriously involved in the peace process. We must help, together with the Europeans. Responding to a comment from Der Spiegel that Obama might ask Syria to stop Iran building a nuclear bomb, Assad said: We would like to contribute to the stabilisation of the region. But we must be included, not isolated, as we have been until now. We are ready for any kind of cooperation. He added, however, that Syria would put its own interests first.Good relations with Washington should not mean bad relations with Tehran, he said.

Assad also said in the interview, which was conducted on Thursday, that he had been active in making suggestions to help end the conflict in Gaza.Arab and Muslim states yesterday called on Arab countries to review their ties with Israel over its offensive in Gaza which has killed more than 1,200 Palestinians and to suspend an Arab peace initiative.Assad also said many European officials had tried to communicate with Hamas. The Europeans have learned. That is why they are talking to the Hamas leadership here in Damascus -- of course not publicly. I won't name names. But some are people who denounce Hamas,said Assad.

Gaza offensive splits Arab world into 2 camps
By Robert F. Worth Published: January 18, 2009

BEIRUT: On Thursday, nearly three weeks into Israel's war on Hamas, reporters gathered here to ask whether the Lebanese president would be attending a proposed Arab summit meeting to address the issue.The answer, delivered by the Lebanese information minister, Tarek Mitri, was that Lebanon would follow Arab consensus in deciding whether to attend.No one laughed, but the comment could have passed for black humor. Arab leaders remain cripplingly divided on how to respond to the crisis, which has left more than 1,100 dead in Gaza. Despite a rush of diplomatic meetings - two simultaneous ones on Friday in Qatar and Kuwait, and two more expected soon - there was still no agreement on convening the Arab League, the body that is meant to bring Arabs together on issues of mutual concern.In the end, the Lebanese president, Michel Suleiman - having struggled to find a balance between the conflicting demands of his country's own factions - attended the meeting in Doha, Qatar, on Friday. But leaders of three of the most important Arab countries - Egypt, Jordan and Saudi Arabia - refused to attend, and so the meeting did not qualify as a league summit and only underscored the region's divisions.The boat is sinking, said Amr Moussa of Egypt, the Arab League's secretary general, in unusually dire comments during a news conference in Kuwait, where foreign ministers met Friday afternoon. I'm very frustrated regarding the stance of Arab countries.

Opponents of Mugabe tell court of torture
The inability of Arab governments to take any collective or decisive action on Gaza is rooted in two basic trends, said Rami Khoury, the director of the Issam Fares public policy institute in Beirut. Most Arab regimes are terrified of Islamist movements like Hamas, which represent the greatest threat to their legitimacy. Many, including Egypt and Jordan, face challenges at home from their own popular versions of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hamas's ideological parent. Most Arab leaders are also reluctant to provoke the United States and Israel (with which Egypt and Jordan have peace treaties).For those reasons, Egypt and Saudi Arabia have refused to endorse a meeting of the Arab League. They do not want to be embarrassed by figures like Syria's president, Bashar al-Assad, who - like his Iranian allies - has won points with an angry Arab public by supporting Hamas and inveighing against the passivity of other Arab leaders.On Friday, Assad took his attacks a step further at the Doha gathering, deriding the Saudi-sponsored proposal for a peace plan with Israel as already dead and calling for all Israeli embassies in Arab countries to be closed. Soon after he made his comments, Qatar and Mauritania announced they were cutting their economic and diplomatic ties with Israel, in another sign that countries like Egypt, Jordan and Saudi Arabia, who support a diplomatic approach with Israel, could become isolated if the violence does not end soon.Assad's broadside was also a reminder that the perennial fractiousness of Arab politics goes deeper than disagreements on politics and religion. Syria's differences with Saudi Arabia, which stem from Syria's ties with Iran and its suspected role in an assassination in Lebanon in 2005, have been exacerbated by a personal feud between the Saudi king and Assad that began with Assad publicly insulting the king two years ago and is likely to be worsened by the bitter accusations of the past few weeks. Even where two countries share the same ideology and politics, personal differences between leaders have sometimes maintained a rift. Syria and Iraq were ruled for decades by the Baathist leaders Hafez al-Assad, Bashar's father, and Saddam Hussein, whose rivalry kept their countries bitterly divided.

One of the problems with Arab politics is that it remains tribal and personal, and that is why Arabs cannot agree about anything, said Hilal Khashan, a professor of political science at the American University in Beirut.Yet today's inter-Arab tensions are not just about Gaza, or relations with the West, or even personal disputes. Many Arab leaders believe that Iran is aiming to become the dominant power in the Middle East and is using the Palestinian issue to batter its rivals through Hamas, its client.What's happening in Gaza is dangerous on its own, but also dangerous in its implications, said a Jordanian official who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss the issue. Iran is interested in prolonging the violence, because that would help it to mobilize the Arab street and turn people here against their governments.That broad political threat to moderate Western-leaning governments may outweigh the sectarian anxieties provoked by Iran's Shiite theology as its national power rises. Iran, after all, has now helped empower a Sunni Islamist movement, Hamas, as well as a Shiite Islamist movement, Hezbollah, and together the movements can claim a popular following across the Arab world.

Vatican Wary Of New Administration
by Sylvia Poggioli

Weekend Edition Sunday, January 18, 2009 · It's been 25 years since the United States and the Vatican established full diplomatic relations. Despite divisions over the U.S.-led war in Iraq, relations have been warmest during the current Bush administration. In a letter from Europe, NPR's Senior European Correspondent Sylvia Poggioli reports that Vatican officials are bracing for a sharp shift in relations under an Obama administration that will be openly pro-choice.

DANIEL CHAPTER 12 VERSE BY VERSE

A MESSAGE OF HOPE FROM DR. JACK VAN IMPE

DANIEL CHAPTER 12:1-13

Final Mysteries Unsealed

What we have referred to as the fourth vision of Daniel that began in chapter ten, now reaches its grand climax in chapter twelve with its prophecies about the Great Tribulation, the resurrection of Old Testament saints, the sealing of prophecy until the time of the end, and the abomination of desolation. Everything we have studied to this point has been prologue to the magnificent conclusion of Daniel's prophecy. We begin chapter twelve with references to Daniel's people-the Jews-and to the archangel Michael, the protector of the nation of Israel-an assignment that has already been a full-time job for him throughout the ages and, in some ways, has only just begun.

DANIEL 12:1-3
And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.

While Michael has been the protective overseer of the Jews throughout their history, his work will become even more critical in the days ahead. The end-time reality for the Jews, according to prophecy, will deteriorate into something worse than anything anyone has ever witnessed in world history. Therefore, when you and I think we have it difficult at any given moment, we must remember that the pain and sorrow we may be suffering will pale into insignificance when compared with the trials and tribulations yet to come to so many. Jeremiah 30:7 says:Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob's trouble; but he shall be saved out of it.

Jesus confirmed Jeremiah's prophecy in Matthew 24:21 when He said,For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.

However, Jesus says that Michael the protector will also be there on the scene, doing battle with Satan in the heavenlies (Revelation 12:7-8). In Daniel 12:1 we see Michael standing for the people of Israel. Why will Michael be there? So that the Jews might be saved physically. That's Michael's job, and the Jews-at the time of the end-will never need his assistance more than during this time of Jacob's trouble-that period during the Tribulation hour when Russia marches down to the Middle East after the Antichrist has broken his peace contract with Israel-forty-two months after the contract has been in effect.

Everything will be relatively smooth sailing up to that time, the epitome of economic and political sweetness and light, and then Bam! Everything is smashed to pieces at the midpoint of the Tribulation period (Daniel 9:27) as Russia goes up against the land of unwalled villages ... to them that are at rest, that dwell safely, all of them dwelling without walls, and having neither bars nor gates (Ezekiel 38:11). This is the beginning of the time of great persecution for the Jews as Satan is cast out of heaven, with his primary assignment to obliterate the Jewish people from the face of the earth (Revelation 12:13). For all these reasons, Michael will be there to stand up for his people, as revealed to Daniel in the first verse of chapter twelve.

Those Who Sleep Will Awake

If you are a Jewish person, I want you to know that your Old Testament teaches the promise of a resurrection, and that there will be life beyond the grave. Unfortunately, many Jews do not know that Daniel 12:2 is in the Bible. This end-time event is something one should look forward to if one has come to recognize that the expected Messiah is the Lord Jesus Christ and has received Him as a personal Savior. If you are a Gentile who loves the Jewish people, it is paramount that you share this text with your Jewish friends and encourage them to understand that there will also be a place for them during these end-time events. Here's the scenario-and it is a critical one for us to understand in some detail. It all begins with the resurrection of the righteous at the time of the Rapture.

We read in John 5:28-29,
Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life.

That is the Rapture. Then they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation,

That is when the lost are raised at the conclusion of the thousand years-to stand before Jesus Christ at the Great White Throne judgment (Revelation 20:11-15).

Revelation 4:1 says,
After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will show thee things which must be hereafter.

At this juncture, we who are believers are gone-caught away to be with Christ. This is confirmed in 1 Thessalonians 4:16 which says,For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first. Then, we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them-the dead-in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.

Not a Pretty Sight

At this point, the horrible Tribulation hour begins to unfold. To those who may disagree with what I'm about to write, I would like to say this: I am only the messenger of what is stated categorically in God's Word. These are not my thoughts, but rather the words of God taken from holy Scripture. So during this time of Tribulation, great numbers of both Jews and Gentiles will be killed for refusing to receive the mark of the beast (Revelation 13:15). Revelation 20:4 adds:And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.

This is the resurrection for those who endured the Great Tribulation hour- those who were saved through the preaching of the 144,000 converted Jews of Revelation 7:4-8. Because of these faithful servants, millions of people-Jews and Gentiles alike-invite Christ into their lives as Savior and Lord. These are the ones who've come out of the Tribulation and who have washed their robes, making them white in the blood of the Lamb. Millions will physically survive the seven-year Tribulation period and will also be saved spiritually.

In Matthew 25:31-46, Christ returns to judge the nations and to begin His thousand-year reign, allowing those who survived the 2,520-day period to enter the millennium in their natural bodies. At this point, the previously raptured saints return with Christ (Jude 14). That's the moment when He returns as King of Kings and Lord of Lords (Revelation 19:16). The armies of heaven follow Him to the descending Holy City-the new Jerusalem which hovers above the earthly Jerusalem-for one thousand years.

This city, containing twelve gates, honors each of the twelve Jewish patriarchs of the Old Testament by inscribing their names on the gates. How do the Jews arrive in this scenario? Simply answered-the resurrection of Jewish believers in this chapter, verse 2. Millions who died during the Tribulation hour, of both Jews and Gentiles, plus all believing Old Testament Jews covering a period of four thousand years, are raised to live with Christ for one thousand years, at this juncture, when our Savior returns as King of Kings and Lord of Lords (Revelation 19:16; 20:4). These Old Testament Jews strongly believed in and looked forward to Messiah's first and second coming and founded their faith in Him as their redeemer-based on Isaiah 53 and Psalm 22.

These resurrected Jews who lived a holy life, such as Daniel, receive rewards just as the Church did at the judgment seat of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:10; Romans 14:10; 2Timothy 4:7-8; Revelation 4:10-11). So whether we are Jews or Gentile believers, there will be rewards for all the faithful. Remember that all these saints assemble at this time for one reason only: to live and reign with Christ for one thousand years. If you do not believe that Jews and Christians rule equally in Christ's kingdom on earth, I urge you to re-study Ephesians 2:14-22 and Revelation chapters twenty-one and twenty-two, the basis for this glorious promise. All this-although not in such detail-is what Daniel is being told in his vision.

Daniel 12:4-13
But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.Then I Daniel looked, and, behold, there stood other two, the one on this side of the bank of the river, and the other on that side of the bank of the river.And one said to the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, How long shall it be to the end of these wonders? And I heard the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven, and sware by him that liveth for ever that it shall be for a time, times, and an half; and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished.And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things? And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days.Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days.But go thou thy way till the end be: for thou shalt rest, and stand in thy lot at the end of the days.

Shut Up the Words ... Seal Up the Book

Daniel is told in no uncertain terms that his vision is not for today-and that his revelation will only be understood at the time of the end. For this reason many of the prophecies dealing with the revived Roman Empire, mentioned in Daniel chapter two in the form of the image, as well as the four beasts so accurately described in Daniel chapter seven, would not be understood until the time of the end when the book would be unsealed and revealed.

Historically, none of Daniel's vision made much sense to Bible scholars until 1890, when Dr. Gabaelein began to teach that a revived Roman Empire would come into play during the time of the end. Therefore, the terminology shut up the words until the time of the end only became operative in an unprecedented way at the beginning of the twentieth century.

This is when we also began to understand clearly that a great nation would march against Israel (Ezekiel 38 and 39) and that this enemy would come from the north. We've already seen in Daniel 11:40 how the king of the South (Egypt) and the king of the North (Russia) would unite to engage in a blitzkrieg, the likes of which the world has never seen previously. No one could make much sense of Daniel's vision until certain world events began to reveal themselves to God's servants.

Today, we understand how it will all happen. But when does it occur? When many run to and fro and knowledge is increased. There is a dual interpretation in this text. First, travel is reaching unparalleled proportions and knowledge is doubling every twenty-two months.

The secondary meaning is that during the time of the end an inordinate fascination for knowledge about latter-day predictions would increase, with people running to and fro to learn everything possible concerning the prophecies about the returning King. This is where we are today in this sequence of end-time events. Soon, the Savior will call His Church away to be with Him, after which He returns seven years later, with His people, to rule and reign. It's all beginning to take shape-just as the Holy Spirit, through Daniel, said it would.

Time, Times, and a Half Time

Again, Daniel is joined by two angels who come to give him further insight into historical matters concerning the time of the end. Daniel remains inquisitive. He wants to know what is going to take place in the long run-and he is especially curious as to what will happen to his people, the Jews, during the latter days before the Messiah appears. The one angel responds by saying that time, times, and a half time will bring all these things to a conclusion. What things, and what is meant by this expression? The angel is referring to the terrible battle that takes place in Daniel chapter eleven when the king of the South (Egypt) ultimately invades Israel, leading an Arab federation and joined by the king of the North (Russia).

This first wave of troops was discussed in chapter eleven. Next, China enters the fray with her two hundred million soldiers, accompanied by the remnants of Russia's previously defeated army, for the second wave of the Armageddon campaign (Daniel 11:44). This is the information Daniel received, but it was not necessarily the message he wanted to hear.

But what about the seemingly cryptic phrase that time, times, and a half time will bring all these things to a conclusion? Remember that Russia begins her move into the area during the middle of the Tribulation hour-just after the Antichrist breaks his peace treaty with Israel. Time=one year; times=two more years; and a half time=half a year, the total of which is three and one-half years-precisely the concluding portion of the Tribulation period. The forty-two months of Revelation 13:5 are translated as 1,260 days in Revelation 11:3 and 12:6. These terrible battles will occur for forty-two months, right up to the exact moment that the beast and his armies battle Jesus Christ as recorded in Revelation 19:11-21.

This is the third and final portion of the Armageddon campaign as thoroughly explained in the previous chapter. Then as Christ appears, the words of Isaiah 2:4 become a reality: He shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. But it is going to take the real Prince-the Lord Jesus Christ-to bring history to this final, tranquil conclusion, the one whose name is the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6).

Tribulation Works Patience

At this time, because of the mayhem and terror that's taking place in the Holy Land, the people will flee and be scattered. Matthew 24:16-21 says,Then let them which be in Judea flee into the mountains: Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house: Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes. And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days! But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter neither on the sabbath day: For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.

Imagine how Daniel must have felt as he once again heard the prophecies of gloom and doom coming from the mouths of two angels who informed him that everything he now heard was for the time of the end.

The angel said one more thing. It was about many being purified, or made white, people who would have understanding and also about those who were wicked, and who, in their wickedness, would not be able to understand the things of God. First Corinthians 2:14 says that the natural man, the one who is unsaved, does not understand the things of God. To such people they are foolishness. They can't understand them because they have no spiritual discernment. On the other hand, God's people-especially those who've gone through the mill- will have divine insight into these things because they, as God's faithful servants, have experienced such trials and have been purified through these times of testing.

The apostle Paul said that tribulation works patience within us. It makes us into something. Therefore, those who have been through pain and suffering-but who, in the process, have remained close to the Lord, and have read His Word, and have prayed in faith, believing, and have understood the things of God through the Holy Spirit's enlightenment-will have all these predictions revealed to them. But those who have hardened their hearts through wickedness will go to the time of the end totally ignorant of and carelessly indifferent to the latter-day predictions.

1,260 days... 1,290 days

If you've done the arithmetic found in this text, you may be wondering how the angels come up with 1,260, then 1,290, and then 1,335 days. Again, the Word of God is always meticulously correct and on schedule. With this in mind, an announcement is made that soon the millennial Kingdom will be established, but that a time of consecration is first necessary. To help us understand why this is so necessary, let's take a quick side-trip to 2 Chronicles 30:2-4 where we read,The king had taken counsel, and his princes, and all the congregation in Jerusalem, to keep the passover in the second month. For they could not keep it at that time, because the priests had not sanctified themselves sufficiently, neither had the people gathered themselves together to Jerusalem. And the thing pleased the king and all the congregation.

King Hezekiah said that there could be no Passover because there was a need to consecrate the priests- something that would take thirty days. This is a beautiful picture of why an additional thirty-day period will be necessary for God's people to prepare themselves spiritually to rule and reign with Christ for the greatest event in history.

So, as we look at the additional number, 1,290 days, instead of seeing a discrepancy, we simply need to investigate other portions of Scripture, as we just did, to see the reason. But there's another forty-five-day period mentioned in our text. Here's why: When Christ returns, He judges the nations and their people, and His decree decides whether or not they're qualified to enter His glorious kingdom for a thousand years (Matthew 25:31-46). This judgment undoubtedly takes an additional forty-five days! Thus, we end up with a total of seventy-five days in addition to the 1,260 days. There is no contradiction. Here's why-forty-five days are needed to determine who enters the millennial period, and thirty days are needed to train God's people for Kingdom service for administering the laws of the Kingdom, as described in Matthew chapters five through seven.

Now as we come to the final verse of the Book of Daniel, this great saint and man of God is in his nineties. The angel tells him to go his way till the end be: for he shall rest, and stand in his lot at the end of his days. The angel is simply saying that there will be a soon-approaching moment when Daniel will die and rest from his labors. But the angel adds that a glorious day is coming when Daniel and all believing Jews shall stand up and be raised from the dead to rule and reign with Christ.

One group of saints, who lived through the Tribulation period, are selected in Matthew 25:31-45 and enter the Kingdom in their natural bodies. Then there's the group of believers who died during the Tribulation hour and are resurrected at approximately the time the Jewish Old Testament saints are raised. These resurrected Old Testament saints and Tribulation believers will dwell in the Holy City in glorified bodies and will, together, rule and reign with Jesus Christ for a thousand years along with the raptured believers who return with the Lord.

That's why the names of the twelve Jewish patriarchs and the twelve apostles are mentioned upon the gates and the foundations of the Holy City. They represent all resurrected believers from among both Jews and Christians. May I reiterate what I've just stated so that no one can misinterpret or misunderstand the portion of Scripture just analyzed. There will be four groups sharing Christ's kingdom for one thousand years.

The believers who were raptured and who return with Christ seven years later in their glorified bodies (Jude 14; Revelation 19:14).
The believers who are selected at Christ's return and are invited to enter the kingdom in their physical bodies (Matthew 25:34).
The Old Testament Jewish believers covering a period of four thousand years who are raised from the dead at Christ's return to enter the kingdom in glorified bodies similar to the raptured of group one (Daniel 12:2).
The believers, both Jews and Gentiles, who died for Christ during the Tribulation period and are raised from the dead upon the Savior's second coming (Revelation 20:4).
At this point, the angel is saying to Daniel: Hallelujah! You will be there among them! You've been through tough times, Daniel, and have been faithful to the end. Daniel, you will be greatly rewarded.

Personally, I believe that Daniel will be one of the rulers during that thousand-year reign of Christ on earth. Daniel certainly had great administrative experience serving under six kings.

However, the greatest moment for this man who prayed fearlessly in front of an open window, who slept serenely one night in a den of some two hundred lions, who was lied about and set up to be killed by his palace friends, will be the moment when he serves the King of Kings, the Lord Jesus Christ, for a thousand years-a time when you and I shall also share in God's blessings.

And thus we come to the close of the Book of Daniel, and a look at the final end-time mysteries that have now been unsealed. We have seen how the Book of Daniel clearly demonstrates the sovereign rule of almighty God over the affairs of men. We have seen prophecy after prophecy fulfilled, all verifiable and documented by secular and religious history. We have observed that God remains in control and will until the time of the end, giving the Gentile world dominance until Christ returns.

He Is Coming Soon

If you are a follower of this One who is coming soon, you can be assured that you will not have to endure the pain and suffering of the Great Tribulation hour. Such cannot be said for those who continue to turn their backs on God, and who choose to live out their own agendas. Now is the time of salvation. Our Lord Jesus Christ is coming soon. Will you be caught up to meet Christ-to later return with Him as he establishes His millennial Kingdom? There are simply too many signs pointing to the time of the end not to take this message to heart. The Book of Daniel has finally been unsealed and revealed for those who have eyes to see. The time for Christ's return is near.

It is my prayer that you have not read this book just as so much interesting ancient history. It is much more than that. It is a carefully crafted blueprint for the time of the end. But the key to understanding this book is not in being able to understand every nuance, each beast, the little horn, or any other veiled prophecy contained in this work. Instead, it is in knowing the living Word-the Lord Jesus Christ-the One who is coming soon.

I close this volume with a quote from one of the most respected biblical scholars of our era, Dr. John F. Walvoord, who stated in his book Daniel: The Key to Prophetic Revelation:

For Christians living in the age of grace and searching for understanding of these difficult days which may be bringing to a close God's purpose in His church, the book of Daniel, as never before, casts a broad light upon contemporary events foreshadowing the consummation which may not be far distant. If God is reviving His people Israel politically, allowing the church to drift into indifference and apostasy, and permitting the nations to move toward centralization of political power, it may not be long before the time of the end will overtake the world. Many who look for the coming of the Lord anticipate their removal from the earth's scene before the final days of the time of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

When the plan of God has run its full course, it will be evident then with even more clarity than at present that God has not allowed a word to fall to the ground. As Christ said while on earth, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled (Matthew 5:18).

To which I only add, Come quickly, Lord Jesus. Maranatha!

DANIEL CHAPTER 11 VERSE BY VERSE

A MESSAGE OF HOPE FROM DR. JACK VAN IMPE

DANIEL CHAPTER 11:1-45

History Ends-Prophecy Begins

The great Reformer John Calvin (1509-1564) was so overwhelmed with the historical accuracy of Daniel's prophecy in the first part of chapter eleven that he wrote forty pages of commentary describing in minute detail the future exploits of each world leader, the battles engaged, and the ensuing intrigue. In fact, the meticulous and historically accurate nature of these verses has persuaded many liberal ministers to believe that Daniel could not have written this book, suggesting that no one could have been privy to so many details of forthcoming events.

Therefore, they argue, the Book of Daniel must have been written much later. To that I would simply reply that since God is God, and since He knows all things, it really would not be difficult for the Almighty to fill Daniel with His Holy Spirit and through him make known the events in history yet to come (2 Peter 1:20-21).

Some readers may want me to spend as much time as John Calvin did in delineating past predictions that have already been fulfilled in the first part of chapter eleven, perhaps hoping that I would trace the accomplishments of every king, every skirmish, and every historical circumstance in this four hundred-year period to prove there are no errors in Daniel's prophecy. However, for those who may not have as great a historical bent, this would be too much detail, since the first thirty-five verses of this chapter eleven include 135 prophecies-each completely fulfilled down to the smallest detail.

Undoubtedly, delving into each of the 135 predictions would become exceedingly laborious. With those considerations in mind, I will simply sketch out a few of the completed historical events of this chapter and then spend most of the time exploring the confluence of the many events that suggest so strongly that we are now at the time of the end-a discussion which begins with verse 36.

DANIEL 11:1-4
Also I in the first year of Darius the Mede, even I, stood to confirm and to strengthen him.And now will I show thee the truth. Behold, there shall stand up yet three kings in Persia; and the fourth shall be far richer than they all: and by his strength through his riches he shall stir up all against the realm of C recta.And a mighty king shall stand up, that shall rule with great dominion, and do according to his will.And when he shall stand up, his kingdom shall be broken, and shall be divided toward the four winds of heaven; and not to his posterity, nor according to his dominion which he ruled: for his kingdom shall be plucked up, even for others beside those.

Details that Confound the Skeptics

These first four verses trace the history of four Persian rulers and Alexander the Great of Greece-giving summary details of the Ptolemies of Egypt and the Seleucids of Syria, whom, as you will recall, represented the two major divisions of Alexander's worldwide kingdom. It is this kind of historical detail that confounds the skeptic who says, How could any one-God included-have known with such accuracy the events, people, and interaction of nations four centuries before such events took place? Here, however, we are not concerned with the critics' skepticism, but rather rejoice in the knowledge that we have a God who knows the future, has ordained its activity, and is now allowing us to unseal mysteries so long hidden from view.

Here's a quick summary of some of the enormous amount of prophetic information contained in Daniel's vision-all of which has now been fulfilled. When Daniel received his fourth revelation, Cyrus was king of Medo-Persia. However, Christ- in the vision-told Daniel there would be three more MedoPersian rulers prior to the reign of successor number four. The three kings were Cambyses, Pseudo-Smerdis, and Darius I Hystaspes. The fourth would be Xerxes I, a powerful ruler who later accumulated great armies, power, and wealth over a four-year period which he used to invade Greece in the year 480 B.C. I highlight this here because it was Xerxes' attack of Greece that moved Alexander the Great to attack Medo-Persia some one hundred and fifty years later.

However, not all would go well for Alexander in spite of his great power and dominance of so much of the then-known world. Though the young king grasped worldwide control, he soon died of malaria and syphilis at the age of thirty-two. Previously, we saw a defeated Greece predicted in the form of a leopard (Daniel 7:6), and as the goat in Daniel 8:5-6. Events prophesied; events fulfilled.

DANIEL 11:5-35
And the king of the south shall be strong, and one of his princes; and he shall be strong above him, and have dominion; his dominion shall be a great dominion.And in the end of years they shall join themselves together; for the king's daughter of the south shall come to the king of the north to make an agreement: but she shall not retain the power of the arm; neither shall he stand, nor his arm: but she shall be given up, and they that brought her, and he that begat her, and he that strengthened her in these times.But out of a branch of her roots shall one stand up in his estate, which.shall come with an army, and shall enter into the fortress of the king of the north, and shall deal against them, and shall prevail:And shall also carry captives into Egypt their gods, with their princes, and with their precious vessels of silver and of gold; and he shall continue more years than the king of the north.
So the king of the south shall come into his kingdom, and shall return into his own land.But his sons shall be stirred up, and shall assemble a multitude of great forces: and one shall certainly come, and overflow, and pass through: then shall he return, and be stirred up, even to his fortress.And the king of the south shall be moved with choler, and shall come forth and fight with him, even with the king of the north: and he shall set forth a great multitude; but the multitude shall be given into his hand.And when he hath taken away the multitude, his heart shall be lifted up; and he shall cast down many ten thousands: but he shall not be strengthened by it.For the king of the north shall return, and shall set forth a multitude greater than the former, and shall certainly come after certain years with a great army and with much riches.And in those times there shall many stand up against the king of the south: also the robbers of thy people shall exalt themselves to establish the vision; but they shall fall.So the king of the north shall come, and cast up a mount, and take the most fenced cities: and the arms of the south shall not withstand, neither his chosen people, neither shall there be any strength to withstand.But he that cometh against him shall do according to his own will, and none shall stand before him: and he shall stand in the glorious land, which by his hand shall be consumed.He shall also set his face to enter with the strength of his whole kingdom, and upright ones with him; thus shall he do: and he shall give him the daughter of women, corrupting her: but she shall not stand on his side, neither be for him.After this shall he turn his face unto the isles, and shall take many: but a prince for his own behalf shall cause the reproach offered by him to cease; without his own reproach he shall cause it to turn upon him.Then he shall turn his face toward the fort of his own land: but he shall stumble and fall, and not be found.Then shall stand up in his estate a raiser of taxes in the glory of the kingdom: but within few days he shall be destroyed, neither in anger, nor in battle.
And in his estate shall stand up a vile person, to whom they shall not give the honour of the kingdom: but he shall come in peaceably, and obtain the kingdom by flatteries.And with the arms of a flood shall they be overflown from before him, and shall be broken; yea, also the prince of the covenant.And after the league made with him he shall work deceitfully: for he shall come up, and shall become strong with a small people.He shall enter peaceably even upon the fattest places of the province; and he shall do that which his fathers have not done, nor his fathers' fathers; he shall scatter among them the prey, and spoil, and riches: yea, and he shall forecast his devices against the strong holds, even for a time.And he shall stir up his power and his courage against the king of the south with a great army; and the king of the south shall be stirred up to battle with a very great and mighty army; but he shall not stand: for they shall forecast devices against him.Yea, they that feed of the portion of his meat shall destroy him, and his army shall overflow: and many shall fall down slain.And both these kings' hearts shall be to do mischief, and they shall speak lies at one table; but it shall not prosper: for yet the end shall be at the time appointed.Then shall he return into his land with great riches; and his heart shall be against the holy covenant; and he shall do exploits, and return to his own land.At the time appointed he shall return, and come toward the south; but it shall not be as the former, or as the latter.For the ships of Chittim shall come against him: therefore he shall be grieved, and return, and have indignation against the holy covenant: so shall he do; he shall even return, and have intelligence with them that forsake the holy covenant.And arms shall stand on his part, and they shall pollute the sanctuary of strength, and shall take away the daily sacrifice, and they shall place the abomination that maketh desolate.And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits.And they that understand among the people shall instruct many: yet they shall fall by the sword, and by flame, by captivity, and by spoil, many days.Now when they shall fall, they shall be helped with a little help: but many shall cleave to them with flatteries.And some of them of understanding shall fall, to try them, and to purge, and to make them white, even to the time of the end: because it is yet for a time appointed.

The Wars between the South and the North

From verse 5 we begin to see a powerful struggle taking place between the kings of the South-Egypt-and the kings of the North-Assyria, today's Syria. These nations were constantly at each other's throats, alternating victories. It was a see-saw world of power-grabbing, palace intrigue, and battle fatigue for supreme command of the region. Finally, a scheme was devised to put an end to these constant wars that were taking such a great toll on the people and their respective governments.

This was the plan: Ptolemy II had a daughter Berenice, and it was decided that if she would marry Antiochus II of Syria a union designed to create a long and lasting peace in the area could be forged. However, even the best laid plans of kings and princesses often do not meet all expectations, and since it was a forced marriage, Antiochus II of Syria hated the arrangement. However, for political reasons, he chose to live with what he disliked. But when the king of Egypt, Ptolemy II, died, Antiochus realized he suddenly had a golden opportunity to get rid of his spouse-which he did. He divorced her and took back his original wife, Laodice.

The ancient soap opera continued to play out when Laodice, overcome with jealousy, had Berenice poisoned along with most of her family. In the end, the hoped-for peace between Egypt and Assyria did not hold. In fact, this was only the beginning of the shedding of blood between the powers of the north and south.

Other high profile names to surface during the next four centuries would be men such as Ptolemy Euergetes, Seleucus Callinicus, Antiochus III, and Ptolemy Philopator, along with the wicked Antiochus Epiphanes who, upon returning from Egypt after having amassed great wealth, began to show his unnatural hatred toward the Jews, an attitude best described by the phrase, His heart shall be against the holy covenant (v. 28). This beast of a man would also be a precursor of the persecution an end-time global dictator exercises against Israel during the Great Tribulation hour. We have seen earlier that Antiochus was the designated archetype of the future man of iniquity-the Antichrist yet to come. I believe he will soon be on the scene as the clock of history winds down and brings us to the time of the end.

It is impossible to do justice to the history that takes place between verses 1 and 35 without writing a major compendium on the prophecies and their actual fulfillment. There are already many commentaries available that deal with such issues. For our purpose, however, the most important, underlying message of these first thirty-five verses is this:

They contain 135 Bible prophecies that have been 100 percent fulfilled.

There is no supportive evidence in history to contradict any of the 135 prophecies, i.e., everything prophesied has come true.

They provide a convincing introduction to end-time events-a period of time in world history that is rapidly approaching.

Prophecies still to come in this chapter can be expected to be fulfilled in the same manner as the 135 prophecies were in the first thirty-five verses of Daniel chapter eleven.

Daniel 11:36-45
And the king shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvellous things against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished: for that that is determined shall be done.Neither shall he regard the God of his fathers, nor the desire of women, nor regard any god: for he shall magnify himself above all.But in his estate shall he honour the God of forces: and a god whom his fathers knew not shall he honour with gold, and silver, and with precious stones, and pleasant things.Thus shall he do in the most strong holds with a strange god, whom he shall acknowledge and increase with glory: and he shall cause them to rule over many, and shall divide the land for gain.And at the time of the end shall the king of the south push at him: and the king of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass over.He shall enter also into the glorious land, and many countries shall be overthrown: but these shall escape out of his hand, even Edom, and Moab, and the chief of the children of Ammon.He shall stretch forth his hand also upon the countries: and the land of Egypt shall not escape.But he shall have power over the treasures of gold and of silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt: and the Libyans and the Ethiopians shall be at his steps.
But tidings out of the east and out of the north shall trouble him: therefore he shall go forth with great fury to destroy, and utterly to make away many.And he shall plant the tabernacles of his palace between the seas in the glorious holy mountain; yet he shall come to his end, and none shall help him.

The King of the Time of the End

Up until this point in chapter eleven, the 135 prophecies that deal with the Persian and Grecian empires have been fulfilled with minute precision-every event verified and documented by the rigors of both religious and secular history, and culminating with the end days of the wicked Antiochus Epiphanes (164 B.C.). Now, however-beginning with verse 36-we find ourselves in new territory. Here we suddenly confront prophecies that have not yet been fulfilled. Nothing here can be related to previously predicted and fulfilled historical events, which means we are now stepping into areas that speak of a yet-to-be-fulfilled future-specifically the life and times of the Antichrist who will wield his worldwide influence for seven years as he and his worldwide reign lead up to the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

As this Antichrist of the Great Tribulation is described in Daniel's revelation, we learn again that he does as he pleases, magnifies himself above every god, speaks terrible things against God, and prospers until the indignation is finished (Revelation 14:10). He will be an absolute dictator who, like a child, demands his own way and expects to accomplish all his objectives on his own terms. The Antichrist will blaspheme the one true God and will do monstrous things against the God of gods. You'll recall that the same thing was said of his predecessor-the little horn of Daniel 7:25.

In simple terms, the Antichrist will be a madman who claims he is deity, one who will run the end-time show in an attempt to obliterate Israel. The Scripture also adds that he will not regard the desire of women (v. 37). Some scholars have suggested this to mean that the Antichrist will not engage in the normal physical desires which a man has for a woman. This idea, however, does not fit the context. More in line is the thought that this is a specific urge or craving the women of Israel had to become the mother of the Messiah, fulfilling Micah 5:2 and Isaiah 9:6-7.Therefore, because the Antichrist hates God-and hates Christ-he has no regard for the Savior, the desire of women for centuries to bear and deliver the Messiah. The Antichrist will hate Jesus so much, and become so violently opposed to everything for which He stands, that he not only refuses to bow down and worship the Savior, but also executes those who do (Revelation 13:15; 20:4).

The Great Deceiver

Some have suggested that the Antichrist will be a Jew who has departed from the God of his fathers, Yahweh. However, this cannot be the case because according to prophecy he must emerge from the revived Roman Empire and must therefore be a son born within the European Union. It's my belief that we can expect the Antichrist to be a Gentile who defects from his religious upbringing and becomes an avowed believer in, and promoter of, the philosophy of the New Age movement. I encourage you to pay careful attention to this movement in the days ahead as you see its power manifested around you. Remember that New Age thipking is much more harmful than a few innocent crystals, shamans, incense-burning bookstores, Tarot cards, and some mystical, put-you-to-sleep music.

Pay particular attention to the words that advocates of the New Age movement use, such as you are little gods, or you can be like a god, or you can make your own happiness, or you need to do nothing more than center yourself in your own consciousness, along with a constant repetition of the phrase I am, a not so subtle suggestion that they regard themselves as good as miniature gods. These words and phrases put them on the precipice of blasphemy, and create an apostate atmosphere in which the Antichrist will feel very much at home. We who have ears to hear must remember that God is revealing these final truths to Daniel. Today this book is now open and unsealed. The predicted events are happening and the time of the end has arrived.

Not only is the Antichrist a great opponent of almighty God and His people, but he is also a great deceiver. He comes as a man of peace, making a binding covenant with Israel at the beginning of the seventieth seven of years. This pact will tie Israel so tightly to the Antichrist that Israel will, for all practical purposes, be an arm of this revived Roman ruler in the Middle East. Therefore, any attack on Israel will be regarded as an attack on the Antichrist himself.

But when Israel is later attacked by Egypt and Russia (kings of the South and the North) we will begin to see the pact with Israel for the sham it really is. How deceitful will the Antichrist be? Daniel 11:38 says,He shall honour the God of forces: and a god whom his fathers knew not shall he honour with gold, and silver and with precious stones, and pleasant things.

The Antichrist will get his own way because of his ability to beguile virtually all the nations of earth with his smooth tongue and New Age-like thinking, wresting the entire world under his control. The gods he honors will be New Age gods, people, and personalities, all minor gods of whom he, the Antichrist, is chief. It will be a Robin Hood scenario where he takes from the rich and gives to the poor-an activity for which he will receive uncritical, rave reviews. He will heap masses of money and an abundance of material things upon the have-nots of the world, and they will honor and follow him as so many lemmings over the precipice until he ultimately gets what he wants. But watch out, because at that point this E.U. Pied Piper will rid himself of his most ardent followers.

Revelation 13:1-18 is an important reminder of the global extent of this dictator. For your easy reference, I'm listing the entire passage. It's important that you read this text in its entirety because of its detailed predictions of what this beast, or Antichrist, will resemble:And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy. And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority. And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast. And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him? And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months. And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven. And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. If any man have an ear, let him hear. He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints. And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon. And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live. And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed. And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.

Here is a beast who will be killed and then resurrected as Christ was (Daniel 11:45; Revelation 12:3). To ensure that his power base remains unchallenged, he will insist that the mark 666 be given to all-rich and poor, free or bond. This mark on their foreheads or in their right hands will be mandatory for buying something as simple as a loaf of bread. Unknown to many Christians, these numbers, in various forms, are already being prepared as identification tags on products going in and out of the European Union. Recently, one thousand Greek Orthodox priests and nuns conducted protest marches in Athens against an upcoming I.D. they claim contains the number 666. Things are moving at a quickening pace, but none of what we are presently experiencing could possibly be understood until our time-the latter days. Until then, Daniel would remain a sealed book, closed until the time of the end. Only at that appointed time would the book be unsealed and revealed-its mysteries brought to light. That hour has arrived.

The Seventieth Week Is Rapidly Approaching

And at the time of the end shall the king of the south push at him: and the king of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass over.

This king of the South is Egypt, combined with a federation of Arab nations that will unite with Egypt. These countries are listed in Ezekiel 38:5-6 as Persia (modern-day Iran and Iraq), Ethiopia, Libya, and Togarmah (Turkey). Syria is mentioned in Isaiah 17:1, and the listing continues in Psalm 8 3:4-8 as Edom, Moab, Ammon (Jordan), Gebal and Tyre (Lebanon), and the Philistines (Palestine).

The king of the North, Russia, also appears on the scene, coming from the north as prophesied in Ezekiel 38:15 and 39:2. Similar references to these northern military movements can be found in Jeremiah 1:13, 6:22, 10:22, and Joel 2:20. In fact, if one draws a line from Palestine of old-Israel today-to the North Pole, one must go through Russia, and actually intersect the city of Moscow. Furthermore, Gog, Magog, Meshech, and Tubal are all cities identifiable within Russia today.

Furthermore, if one took the name Meshech back to its origin, it would be Meshech, then Mosach, then Moscoti, then Moscovi, and finally, Moscow. The prophecies of Daniel's fourth revelation are now on the edge of fulfillment. The message of verse 40 is taking shape. Since God kept His promises 135 times in the first thirty-five verses of Daniel chapter eleven, there can be no argument that He will keep the promises He made in verses 40 to 45.

The Campaign of Armageddon Begins

As I mentioned earlier, Rabbi Shvili in his book Reckonings of Redemption, written in 1935, states: We Jews can know everything about our future just from the Book of Daniel. How true! Other Jewish Rabbinical scholars clarify the depth of teaching discovered in verses 40-45 of the eleventh chapter of Daniel. Quoting the Midrash Tehillim they state: There will be three different attacks against Jerusalem at the time of the end. The three military advances mentioned by these Jewish scholars will be observed and explained as we move ahead in our discussion of the forty-two-month Armageddon campaign.

When Russia heads south to do battle, she will be a mighty force as she comes against the Antichrist's army with chariots, horsemen, and many ships. This is the first military wave of the three-pronged Armageddon campaign mentioned in Daniel 11:40 when the king of the South (Egypt and her Arab federation) and the king of the North (Russia) begin their pincer movement. Ezekiel 3 8:16 says,And thou shalt come up against my people of Israel, as a cloud to cover the land; it shall be in the latter days, and I will bring thee against my land, that the heathen may know me, when I shall be sanctified in thee, O Gog, before their eyes.

Once Russia has made her move, the Antichrist will be furious. He will enter the glorious land, Israel.

Here is the upcoming scenario. The Antichrist will sit in Jerusalem-in the Jewish temple at the midpoint of the Tribulation hour-the second three and one-half years, calling himself God. Since he knows that he has only a short time to do his global mischief while incarnated by Satan, he spews forth wrath and hatred. When he hears that Russia and the Arab federation are invading the region, he moves at breakneck speed and puts an end to the militaristic activity of Russia, Egypt, and her hoards. The European Union has taken a position in the conflict and the Antichrist has subdued and driven back the first wave of Russian and Arab invaders. At this point Russia has fled to Siberia (Joel 2:20).

Now the second movement of troops is about to move into the Middle East for another invasion of Israel. Daniel 11:44 states:Tidings out of the east and out of the north shall trouble him: therefore he shall go forth with great fury to destroy.

The Antichrist is now on a bloody rampage. He's heard that great oriental armies are moving down into the region to do battle accompanied by the leftover rag-tag army of Russia that had previously been pushed back to Siberia. This frustrates him as he wonders how he'll be able to fend off two hundred million troops who are out to destroy him (Revelation 9:16). He's now overwhelmed and fears he will be unable to maintain enough of a power base to defend himself. During this juncture, the Antichrist is killed by Gog of Russia (Daniel 11:45). But, as we learned earlier he suddenly comes back to life, duplicating the resurrection of Jesus Christ-something no one in history has ever done (Revelation 13:3). He flaunts this demonic miracle and uses it to again position himself as a god among men, reestablishing himself when he needs it most-when his reputation and strength are on the line. Because of his miraculous resurrection, all the world worships him (Revelation 13:8).

Israel-a Nation Not at Rest

Verse 45 of this chapter says,And he shall plant the tabernacles of his palace between the seas in the glorious holy mountain; yet he shall come to his end, and none shall help him.

The Bible teaches that the Antichrist is going to plant himself between the seas-the Dead Sea and the Mediterranean. The holy mountain, which is Jerusalem, is where he will then live for three and one-half years after his resurrection, usurping the Jewish throne as he sets himself up as god in the Jewish temple. Second Thessalonians 2:4 declares,Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.

This is the midpoint of the Tribulation period. Russia now invades the land of unwalled villages against them that are at rest (Ezekiel 38:11). Israel became a nation in 1948 but has never been at rest since that memorable day. No nation on earth longs more for peace than Israel. Daily newspapers and periodicals constantly portray the restlessness and uneasiness Israel experiences. Soon a western leader out of the European Union will arise and confirm the covenant of peace for seven years (Daniel 9:27). However, even this final contract made between the Antichrist and Israel will be short-lived, lasting only forty-two months, after which Russia strikes, aligned with Egypt and her confederation of Arabs. This, I repeat, is that first wave of military force marching against Israel in the Armageddon campaign.

Then China and the remnants of Russia's fallen army join in the fray for the second wave of the Armageddon campaign, as two hundred million soldiers move against Israel-not a difficult assignment for a nation which, in the next decade, will boast a population of more than 1.4 billion people. They will march out of the Orient downward across the areas of Iraq and Syria. Revelation 16:12 says,The sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared.

This second wave of gigantic military power eliminates one-third of earth's inhabitants (Revelation 9:18). In spite of this colossal power, China and Russia are also defeated.

Finally, in the third and closing scene of the Armageddon campaign, the Antichrist and his armies battle Christ in what becomes the war to end all wars. Armageddon, or HarMegeddo, is the gathering place (Revelation 16:16). From there the armies march to the valley of Jehoshaphat (Joel 3:2). Then Zechariah 14:2 occurs as all nations gather against Jerusalem to battle. The Antichrist has been doing everything in his power during his final forty-two months to pour out venom on his enemies, but now he speaks the ultimate blasphemy by saying, I will stop the King of Kings from coming to power. Egotistically, he believes he will also be victorious against the Lord of hosts. Revelation 19:19 sets the stage for this apocalyptic event:I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against Christ that sat on the horse, and against his army.

In Revelation 19:11, Christ appears on a white horse to rule as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. But stubborn and rebellious to the end, the Antichrist insists he will never be defeated by any enemy, including Christ. But this time he's wrong because Christ destroys him with the brightness of His coming (2 Thessalonians 2:8). Christ then takes this beast-the global dictator-along with the false prophet who headed up the world church-and casts them both into a lake of fire (Revelation 19:20). A thousand years later, when Satan is thrown into that same lake of fire, the beast and the false prophet are still in existence, suffering the torment of hell forever and forever.

Again, this final reminder: If God proved himself 135 times in the earlier portion of Daniel chapter eleven, He will surely fulfill these remaining prophecies-and not just some day, but in our day. When will these events take place? At the time of the end (Daniel 11:4; 12:4). It's later than you think. Here's why. The ancient Jewish writing-Avodah Zara 3 B-states: The war of Gog and Magog [Russia] will be one of the key events to usher in the Messianic Era. The revered Jerusalem Targum adds: At the end of days, Gog and Magog shall march against Jerusalem, but perish by the hand of Messiah. Ezekiel 39:6 verifies this. The stage is now set for the Antichrist to appear. Then seven years after the evil one's dominion of the international scene, Jesus Christ returns to rule on earth in majesty and great glory for one thousand years-the explosive finale to this great Book of Daniel, and our focus in chapter twelve.

DANIEL CHAPTER 10 VERSE BY VERSE

A MESSAGE OF HOPE FROM DR. JACK VAN IMPE

DANIEL CHAPTER 10:1-21

Visions and Beasts No More. . . Daniel Sees Jesus

Chapter ten of the Book of Daniel is the introduction to his last recorded revelation and is the first of three parts of a vision-a vision some scholars say is the greatest of all the revelations of Daniel. This chapter gives us information on something decidedly different from anything we've read as we are introduced to a special group of angels- some who harbor ill-will toward God and attempt to defeat the divine purpose as it relates to God's rule over His people, Israel, both in the present (in Daniel's time) and in the days yet to come (at the time of the end).

Chapter ten is graphic in that it also provides detailed information on how Daniel received his final revelation, including many surprising incidents that accompany God's delivery of this message to Daniel.

Daniel 10:1-3
In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a thing was revealed unto Daniel, whose name was called Belteshazzar; and the thing was true, but the time appointed was long: and he understood the thing, and had understanding of the vision. In those days I Daniel was mourning three full weeks. I ate no pleasant bread, neither came flesh nor wine in my mouth, neither did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.

Daniel's State of Mind

This last revelation received by Daniel came to him just two years after King Cyrus had officially brought the Babylonian captivity to an end by allowing the Jews to return to Israel. However, the Jews returned home without Daniel. We don't know precisely why Daniel remained behind, but we can surmise it was either because of his advancing years-now in his mid- to upper-eighties-or because he still may have had essential work to do for the Persian leadership-perhaps as a senior advisor. Therefore his presence was vital. He also may have felt that to remain behind would permit him to use his enormous influence for good as his people, the Jews, made the difficult transition to return to a land that many had never seen-or that was a fading memory.

Daniel Understands the Vision

The revelation Daniel was about to receive was hard for him to hear and more difficult for him to accept, although he knew in his heart that it was true. Daniel's vision revealed an enormous conflict that would afflict his people at a later time. This would be the greatest war the world's powers had ever encountered, a future conflict that would include something unheard of before: a massive angelic invasion that, while unseen, would be instrumental in shaping the final result of international events.

The most difficult part of the message for Daniel to accept was that this future trauma would threaten the very existence of Israel-a nation and people who had already suffered so much, been so long in captivity, and seemed to be on a perpetual losing streak that would play out to the time of the end. Unlike Daniel's earlier visions and dreams, he declared that he understood this one, and that he also comprehended how the events predicted would not occur during his own lifetime. Daniel, however, took little comfort in this knowledge, because his heart was so tender toward the ultimate destiny of his people.

Daniel understood that during the seventy weeks to come the Jews would suffer great persecution (Daniel 12:1) as the forces of Egypt, leading an Arab federation (Daniel 11:40), and a king from the North, Russia, plus kings from the East, China, and other Oriental nations (Daniel 11:44), would move in upon Israel for the bloodiest confrontation in history. Daniel knew this would take place during the seventieth week-a time period of seven years known as the latter days (Daniel 10:14), and referred to as the time of the end (Daniel 11:40; 12:4).

While Daniel could not know the specifics of this terrible era of suffering yet to come, he had enough understanding to know that it would be a horrible period of history for the people of Israel. That's why this saintly prophet-loved by God-is so moved that he mourns at the thought of what is going to happen to his people. He knew the time of the end would be a period of unprecedented judgment on the Jews as the nations of the world would move against his people, and particularly against Jerusalem (Zechariah 14:2).

When Daniel received the first part of this final revelation, he had been fasting for twenty-one days. Daniel was so focused on remaining humble before God that he kept himself in a constant state of alert so he would be ready to hear the word of the Lord. It's quite possible that Daniel was still grieving-and therefore fasting-because of the inner turmoil he felt after the unsettling vision in chapter eight, wondering why his people would continue to suffer after the close of the seventy years of captivity. Had the Jews not suffered enough?

And had God not made a promise to relieve them of their pain at the close of the seventy years of captivity? What we now see in Daniel is a progressive understanding of what was to happen in the days to come. We also see a kind, gentle old man whose sensitivity to the things of God-and to the plight of his people-remained acute: Daniel remained God's man to the very end.

Daniel 10:4 - 9
And in the four and twentieth day of the first month, as I was by the side of the great river, which is Hiddekel; Then I lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a certain man clothed in linen, whose loins were girded with fine gold of Uphaz:
His body also was like the beryl, and his face as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as lamps of fire, and his arms and his feet like in colour to polished brass, and the voice of his words like the voice of a multitude. And I Daniel alone saw the vision: for the men that were with me saw not the vision; but a great quaking fell upon them, so that they fled to hide themselves. Therefore I was left alone, and saw this great vision, and there remained no strength in me: for my comeliness was turned in me into corruption, and I retained no strength. Yet heard I the voice of his words: and when I heard the voice of his words, then was I in a deep sleep on my face, and my face toward the ground.

Daniel Sees the Pre-Incarnate Christ

One day Daniel, either on a leisurely stroll or on business for the government, was standing by the Hiddekel (or Tigris) River. There he was confronted by a likeness he had never observed before. The Bible describes this figure as dressed in linen with a waist girded with a belt of pure gold, a body like beryl, a face with the appearance like that of lightning, eyes like flaming torches, arms and feet of polished brass, and the sound of his voice like the sound of a tumult. Is there any doubt in our minds that such a being would capture Daniel's attention! The question, however, must be asked: Who was this heavenly being? Why was he there?

We don't need to search long for our answer because the description of this being bears a direct correspondence to the glorified Christ we read about in Revelation 1:13-15:And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters.

An almost exact description of what Daniel saw that day by the shores of the great Tigris River. Like the appearance of a fourth person in the fiery furnace, this was a Christophany-a physical appearance of the person of Jesus Christ.

Christ-the Same Yesterday, Today, and Forever

If, for some reason, Christ's eternal existence sounds farfetched, what does one do with John 1:3:All things were made by him.

Or John 1:10,He was in the world, the world was made by him.

Or Colossians 1:16, which says,For by Christ were all things created that are in heaven and in earth.

This may not be easy for us to understand, but whether we comprehend it or not, this is God's Holy Word. In Proverbs 30:4 we read:Who hath ascended up into heaven, or descended? Who hath gathered the wind in his fists? Who hath bound the waters in a garment? Who hath established all the ends of the earth? What is his name, and what is his son's name, if thou canst tell?

Isn't it amazing-this text states that God had a son hundreds of years before Christ's birth at Bethlehem. We must conclude, then, that the heavenly being standing before Daniel is none other than the Lord Jesus Christ.

Daniel was not alone when he was confronted by the person of Jesus Christ. There were companions with him-but not for long. While they apparently sensed that something momentous was taking place, they were unable to withstand the dread of the moment, similar to Saul's experience on the Damascus turnpike (Acts 9:7). They, too, could do nothing but hide their faces from the glory of Christ and flee, leaving Daniel alone in his encounter with Christ.

Suddenly Daniel-man among men, strong, lion-tamer, and counselor to the kings of Babylon, fell to the ground when he heard the words of the Lord. Immediately His strength was sapped, His knees buckled, and he fell into a deep sleep when the sound of thunderous, divine words-like the sound of many rushing waters-assaulted his human ears.

Daniel 10:10-17
And, behold, an hand touched me, which set me upon my knees and upon the palms of my hands.And he said unto me, O Daniel, a man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak unto thee, and stand upright: for unto thee am I now sent. And when he had spoken this word unto me, I stood trembling.Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words.But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia.Now I am come to make thee understand what shall befall thy people in the latter days: for yet the vision is for many days.And when he had spoken such words unto me, I set my face toward the ground, and I became dumb.And, behold, one like the similitude of the sons of men touched my lips: then I opened my mouth, and spake, and said unto him that stood before me, O my lord, by the vision my sorrows are turned upon me, and I have retained no strength.For how can the servant of this my lord talk with this my lord? for as for me, straightway there remained no strength in me, neither is there breath left in me.

Daniel Regains His Strength and Understands the Reason for Christ's Appearing

Now the scene suddenly changes. It is no longer Christ who stands before Daniel, but an angel. There is a specific reason for us to interpret this section of the passage in this way. If this were still Christ speaking to Daniel, we would be forced to conclude that Christ had little or no power, because the prince of Persia (v. 13) who withstood the messenger would be able to stand firmly against Christ and, therefore, demonstrate more power than the Son of God possessed. This, of course, would be impossible. It is therefore safe to conclude that the one now standing before Daniel is an angel-probably Gabriel-who again has made his incredible journey to Daniel's side from the third heaven-an astronomical distance, described in chapter eight. This holy messenger speaks words of comfort to this choice servant of God.

But imagine Daniel's confusion: One moment he sees the pre-incarnate Christ, and the next moment the angel Gabriel, who lifted him up, and delivered a message from the Lord. The words uttered by this heavenly being are words you and I certainly would want Jesus to say to us when that great day arrives as we stand before Him: words of comfort, love, and appreciation for our faithfulness to the cause of Christ during our witness on earth.

But the angel had even more to say to Daniel. We begin to see this revelation take on a new dimension, as Gabriel speaks of the kingdom of Persia's power, and how a demonic spirit that controlled the ruler of Persia had withstood God's angel, probably Michael, for twenty-one days. Throughout the Bible we read of many rulers of the world who are controlled by these evil, demonic spirits. In Isaiah 14:12-14, we find that Satan fell because he wanted to be like God. In Luke 10:18, Jesus said, I saw Satan as lightning fall from heaven-a reference to the third heaven (2 Corinthians 12:2).

Today, Satan is still in control of heaven number one, and heaven number two. That's why he can approach the end of heaven number two and keep up his incessant verbal abuse of God's people- the brethren (Revelation 12:10). The Bible says that Satan is still the god of this world system.. . that he is the prince of this world (John 12:31). That's why you and I do not wrestle against flesh and blood-against other human beings-but instead against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, and against spiritual (literally, spirit) wickedness in high places (Ephesians 6:12).

Peace... Not Fear

Fallen angels are everywhere, and Satan is the head of them, holding the designated title of prince of the power of the air (Ephesians 2:2). This prince of the first and second heaven, along with millions of his demonic spirits, has the ability to control political leaders.

It was the prince (or ruler) of ancient Persia who was controlled by one of these demonic agents. This enemy of mankind is powerful, but not all-powerful. Ultimate power and control belong to Yahweh. The message here is clear: Daniel, I know that what you've heard in your visions is emotionally devastating to you. You feel sorry for your people and are saddened to realize what will happen to them in the latter days. But don't be afraid. Your God is strong- omnipotent, or all-powerful. He is in control of the affairs of men. His angels surround you, and they represent the power of your almighty God.

This sounds much like the comforting words spoken by Jesus in John 14:27:Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

That was the angel's message to Daniel. He wanted to remove all sense of dread from Daniel's heart. He wanted him to know that it was exclusively the enemy, Satan, who put timidity into his spirit. If he relied on the mercy and faithfulness of God, that fear would vanish (2 Timothy 1:7).

Gabriel was putting this angelic warfare into perspective: There are good angels, and there are bad angels. The angels of God stand with the Lord's people to comfort them, and hold them up when times get tough. Such angelic beings were also available to our Savior. Jesus said in Matthew 26:53,Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?

What power-to literally snap His fingers and be able to command the arrival of twelve legions of angels, a legion in a Roman army being seven thousand men! (See also Matthew 4:11.) Hebrews 1:14 says,Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?

Our guardian angels are there to protect us. They are the elect or holy angels, numbering into the millions (1 Timothy 5:21; Hebrews 12:22). On the other hand, millions of evil angels also fill the heavenlies. These are the devils (literally, demons or fallen angels) mentioned often in God's Word, and Satan is the prince of these demons (Matthew 9:34). Together he and his minions control the minds of leaders who are the personification of evil-the holocaust-producing Josef Stalins, Adolph Hitlers, and Idi Amins of our world. I have spoken of these heavenly beings in some depth because they are integral to our understanding of this introduction to the last revelation received by Daniel.

Message of the Latter Days

The message was again difficult for Daniel to hear and accept-but this time he understood it. He did not need further clarification. He knew there would be a horrendous persecution of Israel (Jeremiah 30:7; Daniel 12:1; Matthew 24:22; Revelation 12:13), and that it would occur during the latter days, a term equivalent to the time of the end.

Today, with an existing European Union, a nation called Israel, and Jews in control of Jerusalem, we find ourselves with an increasing number of signs pointing to the time of the end. As you'll recall, Daniel's end-time prediction began when the prophet stated under Nebuchadnezzar's reign: There is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, that has sent me to tell thee, Nebuchadnezzar, what shall be in the latter days. For us moderns, the handwriting is on the wall. The seventieth week of Daniel is rapidly approaching. But the good news for believers is that prior to the beginning of the seventieth week, we will be raptured (Revelation 4:1).

At this point, Daniel fell to the ground, speechless. When he recovered, he became aware that the lord was standing in front of him. If you'll notice in the text the word lord has a small l. If this were deity, the word would have a capital L as its first letter. This means that a different angelic being has come to comfort him. Daniel's response is one of humility. He feels lowly and unworthy, not fit to stand in the presence of this holy being sent by his heavenly Father with a message of comfort, which is to fear not.

Daniel 10:18 - 21
Then there came again and touched me one like the appearance of a man, and he strengthened me,And said, O man greatly beloved, fear not: peace be unto thee, be strong, yea, be strong. And when he had spoken unto me, I was strengthened, and said, Let my lord speak; for thou hast strengthened me.Then said he, Knowest thou wherefore I come unto thee? and now will I return to fight with the prince of Persia: and when I am gone forth, lo, the prince of Grecia shall come.But I will shew thee that which is noted in the scripture of truth: and there is none that holdeth with me in these things, but Michael your prince.

Daniel Regains His Strength

The angel does not give up on Daniel. He touches him again, giving him more strength as he encourages this prophet to be strong. This is as important a message for us today as it was for Daniel ages ago: Our strength comes from the Lord, and it comes by degrees. The Bible says that we should partake of His strength on a daily basis. We don't receive a month's, or a year's worth of strength instantaneously. Instead, God gives us grace for each day. That's why we are to pray without ceasing, because it is when we become lackadaisical that the prince of the power of the air attempts to devour us (1 Peter 5:8).

Daniel knew he needed help, and he did not decline assistance when God sent it to him. By now, the angel had completed his mission to Daniel and asked Daniel if he understood why a heavenly being had been sent by the Father to encourage him. What kindness, patience, and compassion. I wonder if we are that loving and kind when we try to communicate Christ's gospel of love to those who are confused and doubtful about the veracity of God's Word. Perhaps we could take a lesson from this heavenly being.

At that point the angel announced his departure because he, Gabriel, needed to get back to the battle zone-but not until he was sure Daniel fully understood what God had shown him about the future of his people, the Jews. Gabriel was going to join Michael in battle against the fallen spirits controlling the ruler of Persia. Later, when the battle in the heavens would cease after defeating the demons controlling the ruler of Persia, there would be yet another skirmish with the leader of Greece. Simply stated, Medo-Persia would ultimately fall to Greece and another satanic spirit would control the ruler of this conquering nation. Isn't the Word of God amazing? This is precisely what happened, just as the angel told Daniel it would-two hundred years in advance.

There's a double meaning in the text when the angel states: There will come a time when the nations will fight again. So when will Persia again war against the Jews? This will happen when the Russian army marches against Israel, as mentioned in Ezekiel 38:1-2 and 5. Ancient Persia is known today as Iran and Iraq. Then when Russia invades Israel, the European Union leaders will say, This simply cannot happen (Daniel 11:40-41). Then the western forces march to try to put an end to the northern army of Russia and her allies: Egypt, the Arabs, and others. This is when we find the prince of Greece involved.

How can we be sure of this? Because Greece became the tenth nation to join the European Union on January 1, 1981. The powerful revived Roman Empire, including Greece, is already beginning to form its own army-an army that will one day move with great strength into the Middle East. It will happen in our generation The time is coming. The seals that kept the lid on the mysteries of Daniel are now coming off, and with their unsealing we see how close we have come to the time of the end.

Michael, the Warrior

Gabriel is the one who, while able to do battle, and battle well, is usually cast in the role of announcer of the message. But the archangel who leads the military hosts of heaven is Michael, and he is the one mentioned here in the Book of Daniel as well as in the Book of Revelation. One of the most significant predictions Daniel received is in 12:1 where Michael stands for (protects) the people of Israel. And when will Michael arise to do battle for the Jews? When the greatest anti-Semitic purge in history takes place, when Satan is cast Out of heaven (Revelation 12:7-13).

Michael will be there to fight for-and defend-God's people. Michael is that warrior angel, and Satan, once god of the heavens, loses, and is cast out. He adds woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea, but he knows he has limited time to do his work-only forty-two months. Half of the Tribulation period is over by then, the first half having been ruled and energized by Satan empowering the Antichrist. But now as Satan comes down to earth, he incarnates the body of Antichrist, and this world leader-once applauded by the world's nations and people-goes berserk. What does he try to do? He attempts to obliterate every Jew on the earth. Revelation 12:13states:He persecutes the woman who brought forth the man child.

This woman is Mary, the Jewish virgin who depicts the greatest anti-Semitic onslaught in history. Nevertheless, the good news is that there will be a time of victory, and the archangel Michael will be in the middle of the fray. Michael is going to win the final battle, because the Lord intervenes. He stops the terrorism being inflicted on the Jewish people and saves them from their distress. Jeremiah 30:7 and Daniel 12:1 talk about their glorious day of deliverance, a great day that is yet to come. Even now, we pray for the peace of Israel, because they who do shall prosper (Psalm 122:6).

Following this time, Christ descends to begin His thousand-year reign upon earth, and Michael rids the world of its vilest enemy. Revelation 20:1-2 says,I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years.

Amazing mysteries have been revealed in chapter ten, but the vision is only partially unsealed to our eyes. As we now move on to the final two chapters of Daniel, angelic beings persevere in providing us with information about the time of the end and how the role of our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ-and legions of angels-will continue to intervene in the affairs of men and women everywhere. Behind the headlines of CNN, the believer can be assured that God remains in control of our world as international events unfold-circumstances we will grasp more fully as we peel back more mysteries hidden for centuries.