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President Obama is currently
engaged in peace talks with the Israeli, Egyptian and
Palestinian heads of state. There seems to be a low key,
almost hopeful atmosphere surrounding these talks. Could
this be the time peace actually comes to the Middle
East? Could these talks result in the laying down of
arms and the opening up of arms across borders? All
those involved in the talks seem to want a new
atmosphere to reign in the Middle East, but it is clear
each participant wants peace on their terms. Varying
agendas came with the participants, and those agendas
are not compatible. But will the participants set their
own agendas aside to attain the desired peace?
What does the Bible say about all this? Does the Bible
say there will be peace in the Middle East?
Surprisingly, the answer is yes, it does. Here is what
it says:
1 Thessalonians 5:2-3
2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord
so cometh as a thief in the night.
3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden
destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman
with child; and they shall not escape. KJV
This scripture is written from the perspective of what
is taking place in the Middle East. It is obvious this
scripture has not been fulfilled because the prophesied
“day of the Lord” has not come yet. But there is a
definite timeframe for this prophesied day to come, and
it is tied to a world pronouncement that peace has come
to the Middle East. It was stated above, however, there
are varying agendas present among those participating in
the current peace talks. The Bible shows these agendas
will quickly abrogate any peace pact and a terrible time
of trouble will come to this volatile region. Thus the
Bible tells us the leaders of this world cannot achieve
a lasting peace, and it also tells us why:
Isaiah 59:8
8 The way of peace they know not; and there is no
judgment in their goings: they have made them crooked
paths: whosoever goeth therein shall not know peace.
KJV
As a result of their following crooked paths in their
attempt to secure peace, God gives us a description of
what lies ahead for Jerusalem and by extension, all of
Israel in the latter days:
Luke 21:20-23
20 And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with
armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh.
21 Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the
mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it
depart out; and let not them that are in the countries
enter thereinto.
22 For these be the days of vengeance, that all things
which are written may be fulfilled.
23 But woe unto them that are with child, and to them
that give suck, in those days! for there shall be great
distress in the land, and wrath upon this people. KJV
Jeremiah 30:4-7
4 And these are the words that the LORD spake concerning
Israel and concerning Judah.
5 For thus saith the LORD; We have heard a voice of
trembling, of fear, and not of peace.
6 Ask ye now, and see whether a man doth travail with
child? wherefore do I see every man with his hands on
his loins, as a woman in travail, and all faces are
turned into paleness?
7 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. KJV
The Bible is clear, there is yet a time of terrible
warfare ahead for the Middle East. But will the Middle
East ever see peace? The Bible is also clear about that.
A time of real, lasting peace is coming. Here’s what the
Bible foretells:
Isaiah 66:10-12
10 Rejoice ye with Jerusalem, and be glad with her, all
ye that love her: rejoice for joy with her, all ye that
mourn for her:
11 That ye may suck, and be satisfied with the breasts
of her consolations; that ye may milk out, and be
delighted with the abundance of her glory.
12 For thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will extend peace
to her like a river, and the glory of the Gentiles like
a flowing stream: then shall ye suck, ye shall be borne
upon her sides, and be dandled upon her knees. KJV
This scripture, using the peaceful metaphor of a nursing
child, reveals there will be peace in Jerusalem, a
wonderful peace that promises to bring blessings to the
inhabitants of the entire earth. Here is a scripture
that gives a sense of the peace that is coming:
Isaiah 11:6-10
6 The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the
leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and
the young lion and the fatling together; and a little
child shall lead them.
7 And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones
shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw
like the ox.
8 And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the
asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the
cockatrice' den.
9 They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy
mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge
of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.
10 And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which
shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the
Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious. KJV
Yes, a time of peace is coming, but it won’t come by the
hand of man. Quite the opposite. Man’s efforts to bring
peace to this troubled region will only cause a
disturbance so great the entire world will suffer from
its effects. But God also promises a time of real peace
is coming. To find out more about how this will happen,
please ask for your complementary copy of our Bible
Study, “The Feast of Trumpets”. You need to know there
is good news ahead. Don’t hesitate, ask for your free
copy now. |
