Volume 2 Issue
18All articles linked to this newsletter are for reference only.
Volume 2 Issue
18Wars And Rumors Of
Wars
By Randy Loudenslager
Well, he has finally done it. Yassar Arafat has militarized the Palestinian Police Force. Arafat has ordered the police force to join the war against Israel. This well armed and well trained force will not spell Israel's defeat, but it will create another headache for the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF). Rather than mopping up local bandits or small terrorist cells, now the IDF will become engaged in small to medium scale battles, something that Israel has apparently anticipated. Coinciding with Arafat's orders for military mobilization are the rocket attacks against Israeli military posts by the Hezbollah terrorist group originating from Lebanon and the declaration of open war against Israel by the terror group Hamas.
As I wrote in the article, Intifada Builds Head Of Steam For The Last Time? , Arafat is determined to play his last cards. Israel has intensified her isolation of Arafat with the purpose of reducing his authority in order to make his overthrow easier for subordinates. Arafat has played the political game most of his life and understands completely the trap that is closing in on him. He realizes he has only one option left in which to avoid total humiliation, an all-out assault against Israel. He hopes to lure other Arab nations to his rescue, but at this time none will come, the U.S. has removed her backing of Yassar Arafat. With America prowling around for a new target in her anti-terrorism war, no one is going to stick their neck out that far for Arafat. Europe has demanded an explanation of Arafat's actions. The EU basically has picked up the tab for running the Palestinian Authority, funding that will probably be replaced by Arab nations.
What does this all mean to Christians? Well, for those who become fearful that the end is upon us every time something horrible happens, this is a whopper! For those who seek the face of God by searching the Bible and prayer, this is a contraction on the road to birth pains. Don't concern yourself with this conflict , but watch very closely for what happens when this conflict is resolved. I will not stop admonishing all who will listen that the beginning of the end starts with peace and ends with peace (Israel lives in peace and security and then invaded. Daniel 9:27, Ezekiel 38:1-12). One will be false and the other true, most will be deceived during the first one but those that stand firm to the end will enjoy the second one, forever.