Mighty Muscles Flex in the Mideast

By Bill Salhus

Matthew 24:6 says there will be rumors of war in the end times and current Mideast matters are definitely supporting this prediction. If you put your ear to the ground and eye to the press you can hear the battle cry shouts and observe the deployment of soldiers, heavy military equipment, and deadly arsenals in the Holy Land. Christ, apparently quoting Isaiah 19:2, further prophesied the coming of end time's regional conflicts; "kingdom against kingdom". (Matt. 24:7)

Mideast muscles flex, sabers rattle, and news reports roll off mainstream presses almost daily suggesting Christ was right and that Jordan’s King Abdullah’s April 17, 2010 warning of a summertime Mideast war may not be farfetched. Echoing Abdullah’s wartime sentiment, Syrian President Bashar Assad recently declared the following in a BBC interview on 6/17/2010:

1. Israel's recent attack on the Gaza aid flotilla has definitely increased the chances of war in the Middle East,
2. There is no chance of a peace deal with the current Israeli administration, which he called a pyromaniac government, and
3. The threat of regional war is more serious now than it has ever been over the past few years.


Recent news headlines trumpet the sound of a coming war in the Middle East. Below are just a few from various media sources over the past few months. Some of these headlines and comments are slightly paraphrased to reflect the author's opinions.

4/22/10 - Iran Begins Military Exercise “Great Prophet 5″ - This was supposedly a large military exercise conducted in the Strait of Hormuz, whereby Iran test launched 5 new land to sea and sea to sea types of missiles (DEFENSETECH)

5/8/10 - Iran practices “Judgment Day” attack plan - Following their Great Prophet 5 military exercises Iran practiced 8 days of war games demonstrating Iran’s ability to control the Persian Gulf and drive out U.S. and Israeli war ships. (Newsmax)

5/24/10 Turning Point 4: Israeli National Exercises Begin to Protect Civilians in Event of Missile; Chemical Attack - Israel conducted a broad reaching national civilian defense drill preparing its military and civilian society for chemical and electronic war attacks. Remember Israel began distributing gas masks to its civilians in February 2010 in preparation for a multifront attack from Iran, Syria, Hezbollah, and / or Hamas. (The Hashmonean)

5/30/10 Israeli Subs with Nukes in Gulf – Israel positions at least one of its nuclear submarines permanently in the Persian Gulf. It is not uncommon for Israel to patrol the Persian Gulf with warships, however, this is a new alarming development with rumors of war written all over it. (Free Republic)

Moving into June

6/10/10 Egypt prepares for Israel to Strike Iran in July (World Net Daily)

6/12/10 Saudi airspace opens for Iran attack.- Saudi Arabia opened up a thin strip of airspace for Israel to attack Iran. Upon the Saudis opening up their airspace to Israel, both Egypt and Saudi Arabia were reportedly practicing, independent from each other, for an Israeli strike upon Iran. (Jerusalem Post)

The two nations were supposedly testing out their missile defense systems to avoid friendly fire upon Israeli bombers on route to a potential attack of Iran. Friendly fire reminds us of the old saying, “the enemy of my enemy has become my friend”. Eschatologists should note that the Saudis and Egyptians are part of the unfulfilled Psalm 83 prophecy and thus this support for Israel will probably be short lived. These recent actions evidence both Egypt's and Saudi Arabia's grave concerns about Iran’s broader nuclear ambitions.

6/17/10 Syrian President Bashar Assad warns of increased chances of war in the Middle East in BBC television interview. (quotes stated above)

6/20/10 U.S., Israel Warships in Suez May Be Prelude to Faceoff with Iran
British-based Arabic language newspaper Al Quds al-Arabi reports that Egypt allowed at least one Israeli and eleven American warships to pass through the Suez Canal as an Iranian flotilla approaches Gaza. Egypt closed the canal to protect the ships with thousands of Egyptian soldiers. (Israel National News)

6/23/10 Iran on war alert over "US and Israeli concentrations" in Azerbaijan
Debka reports in a rare move, Iran has declared a state of war on its northwestern border. Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps men and equipment units are being massed in the Caspian Sea region against what Tehran claims are US and Israeli forces concentrated on army and air bases in Azerbaijan ready to strike Iran's nuclear facilities.

FORBES first reported similarly on this on 6/21/10 in an article by Reza Kahlili entitled “There Will Be War”. Kahlili writes “Iran has dispatched reinforcement troops to the Iraqi and Afghanistan borders.”

6/23/10 Iranian flotilla to set sail on Sunday June 27, 2010 - Ma’an news, the Arabic/English new source widely viewed in Palestinian territories declares. The Iranian Red Crescent sponsored flotilla will set sail for Gaza on Sunday 6/27/10. Iranian spokesman Abdul Rauf Adibzadeh confirmed the new date. The ship, called “The Children of Gaza,” will reportedly bring 1,100 tons of equipment, including 500 tons of medicine and food supplies, Adibzadeh said. Sailing via the Persian Gulf, the Port of Aden and the Red Sea, the ship will enter the Mediterranean Sea via the Suez Canal, aiming to arrive within a fortnight. A Kuwaiti newspaper reported that Egypt refused Israel’s request to stop the vessel in the Suez Canal.

6/23/10 Israel National News (INN): Reports: IAF Landed at Saudi Base, US Troops near Iran Border. - Quoting for the Iranian Fars News Agency, INN declares Israeli military aircraft landed 10 days ago (6/13/10) at the Saudi base near the city of Tabuk, located in northwest Saudi Arabia, one of the closest areas in the oil kingdom to Iran. Fars News reports that the Tabuk base will be the central station for an Israeli attack on Iran. Supposedly the airport in Tabuk was closed to all other traffic during the alleged Israeli landings

The INN article goes on to state, seemingly confirming the Debka and Forbes reports above, that Iran’s government-funded Press TV reported the Revolutionary Guards began closely patrolling the Islamic Republic’s northwestern border after noticing the buildup of American and Israeli troops. Azerbaijan’s independent Trend news site also reported on Wednesday (6/23/10) that American armed forces were in the country.

Revolutionary Guards Brigadier General Mehdi Moini said Tuesday that his forces are mobilized “due to the presence of American and Israeli forces on the western border.” The Guards reportedly have called in tanks and anti-aircraft units to the area in what amounts to a war alert.

6/24/10 - Iran produced 17 kilograms of further enriched uranium – According to Tehran Times, Iran's nuclear chief said Wednesday his country has produced 17 kilograms of uranium enriched to 20 percent, defying U.N. demands to halt the controversial program. (This is extremely troubling because Iran’s apocalyptic minded president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, has publicly declared his intentions to “wipe Israel off of the map”)

The Turkey flotilla aid for Hamas episode seems to have been the manufactured crisis the enemies of Israel didn’t need. It appears to have awoken the sleeping giant of the Middle East, the Israeli Defense Forces. It is difficult to know if the above rumors of war will result in a skirmish or manifest into the Mother of all Mideast Wars. However, according to the Bible the Israeli War prophecies described in Isaiah 17:1, Psalm 83, Ezekiel 38 & 39, and Jeremiah 49:34-39 are coming!

Possible scenario: the prophecy regarding Elam (Iran) in Jeremiah 49:34-39 might find fulfillment in two stages. First - a preemptive Israeli Strike upon the foremost of Iran's might, its nuclear sites. Second - a subsequent divine defeat for their role in Ezekiel 38 & 39 "Gog of Magog" invasion that could send Iranians into a massive dispersion. A strike upon the foremost of Iran's might and a massive dispersion are predicted by Jeremiah.

Interestingly, Jeremiah and his contemporary Ezekiel issue end time's prophecies regarding Iran. However, Jeremiah identifies modern day Iran as Elam, and Ezekiel alludes to them as Persia. (Map showing the area of the Elamite Empire (in red) and the neighboring areas. The approximate Bronze Age extension of the Persian Gulf is shown. Today, Iran's primary nuclear site (Bushehr) exists in the proximity of ancient Elam.)

The word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah the prophet against Elam, [Iran] in the beginning of the reign of Zedekiah king of Judah, saying, “Thus says the LORD of hosts: ‘Behold, I will break the bow of Elam, The foremost of their might [suggests potential nuclear ramifications since prophecy probably remains unfulfilled]. Against Elam I will bring the four winds From the four quarters of heaven, And scatter them toward all those winds; There shall be no nations where the outcasts of Elam will not go. [massive dispersion could occur in the aftermath of Ezekiel 38 & 39] For I will cause Elam to be dismayed before their enemies And before those who seek their life. I will bring disaster upon them, My fierce anger,’ says the LORD; ‘And I will send the sword after them Until I have consumed them. I will set My throne in Elam, And will destroy from there the king and the princes,’ says the LORD. ‘But it shall come to pass in the latter days: [end time's implications] I will bring back the captives of Elam,’ says the LORD.”
(Jeremiah 49:34-39; NKJV, emphasis added)

Is Ezekiel 38 Imminent?

Current Middle East events are definitely stage setting for the final fulfillment of the Israeli War prophecies of Psalm 83 and Ezekiel 38-39. Turkey's recent newsworthy gyrations against Israel has got the “EZEKIEL 38 NOW” advocates rightfully at the edge of their seats. Now, Turkey and Iran, both members of the Ezekiel 38-39 prophecy, share a common enmity toward Israel.

Mainstream media has seized the opportunity to make Turkey’s bid to embarrass Israel and Iran’s nuclear aim to destroy Israel front page news. This media blitz has played an instrumental part in creating a significant amount of recent Ezekiel 38 newspaper exegesis.

Certainly, there is just cause to consider the Ezekiel 38 – 39 prophecy in light of recent events, however, what about Hezbollah, Syria, Hamas, and the Palestinians? They also are at odds with Israel and likewise frequently dominate current Mideast headlines. Curiously, Ezekiel 38 describes nine distinct populations by their ancient names including Russia, Iran, Turkey, and Libya but omits the historic name equivalents of Hezbollah, Syria, Hamas, and the Palestinians

In light of the fact that these omitted populations are presently among Israel’s most observable enemies, some “EZEKIEL 38 NOW” advocates have attempted to identify them in Ezekiel 38:6 among the "many peoples with thee" of the Ezekiel 38 Magog confederacy. However, there are three potential problems with this line of teaching.

1. Hezbollah, Syria, Hamas and the Palestinians along with Egyptians, Saudis, and Jordanians are identified in a distinctly different Israeli War prophecy described in Psalm 83. The Psalm lists ten entirely separate members not included among the Ezekiel 38:1-6 invaders. Thus it is probable they are not the “many peoples with thee” in Ezekiel 38:6, but are “many peoples distinct from thee”, not listed in Ezekiel 38 among the invaders.

2. The hordes of Ezekiel 38 invaders must cross over much of the land possessed by these Psalm 83 nations and / or territories presently occupied by the terrorist populations in order to invade the nation of Israel. This beckons the question; Why aren't these nations, terrorists, or refugees listed among the Ezekiel 38 invaders?

3. Most importantly, Ezekiel 38 identifies nine specific invading populations but oddly doesn’t mention any of the Psalm 83 Arab confederates among them. This conspicuous omission makes no sense when you consider that Ezekiel references all of the Psalm 83 members numerous times elsewhere throughout his prophetic book.

Case in point, Ezekiel lists Tyre 12 times. Tyre is a member of Psalm 83 and likely represents the Hezbollah today. He alludes to Philistia and / or Philistines 4 times. They are probably the Hamas. Edom or the Edomites are referenced 7 times. Asaph, the author of Psalm 83, calls them the tents of Edom and I interpret that as today’s Palestinian refugees.

The other Psalm 83 members like, Moab or Moabites, Ammon or Ammonites, Amalakites, Egyptians, Assyrians, Gebal (Lebanon), and the Saudis under the ancient banners of Dedan or the Ishmaelites, are also referenced elsewhere in the book of Ezekiel. In fact, all together the above Psalm 83 confederates are mentioned 89 times by Ezekiel.

Not one of those 89 references shows up in Ezekiel 38-39, with the exception of a potential Saudi contingent represented by Dedan in Ezekiel 38:13. But in this instance, Dedan appears to abstain from enjoining with the Ezekiel invaders. This suggests they want no further part in an invasion of Israel. Ezekiel 25:13 declares many in Dedan will be killed in a war, which appears to be the result of the Psalm 83 war. If so, this could be the reason they apparently opt out of the Ezekiel invasion.

I believe the glaring omission of the Psalm 83 Arab confederates from the Ezekiel 38 list of invaders suggests they are not part of the Ezekiel 38-39 invasion. It is highly possible that they are defeated either prior to, or in the aftermath of, the Ezekiel 38 – 39 Israeli War prophecy. Listed below are a few of the reason I believe Psalm 83 precedes Ezekiel 38.

Ezekiel 38:8-13 mandates that Israel must be dwelling securely, without walls, bars, or gates, and in the center of the land, probably alluding to the Genesis 15:18 landmass. Additionally, the Jewish State must be in receipt of great spoil. In my estimation, Israel today is not fulfilling these conditions.

Israel is unable to dwell securely as a result of their surrounding Psalm 83 hostile Arab neighbors. Walls, bars, and gates exist in Israel today in order to protect them from being terrorized by certain members of the Psalm 83 confederates, like Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Palestinians in general. Additionally, the goal of the Ezekiel 38 invaders is to destroy Israel and take plunder and great spoil. Israel doesn’t’ presently appear to possess the great spoil that Russia and their coalition will someday covet.

However, in the aftermath of an Israeli Conquest over the Psalm 83 confederates, all of the above requirements could easily be met. A safe dwelling Israel could temporarily emerge. Arab spoils of war could be had, additional territory annexed, and walls, bars, and gates could be swiftly brought down.

Another important distinction between the prophecies of Ezekiel 38 and Psalm 83 is found in their differing motives. Psalm 83:12 declares that the Arab confederates want to destroy Israel to take over the Promised Land. Ezekiel 38:12-13 states the Ezekiel invaders seek to destroy the Jewish State and confiscate plunder and great spoil.

The Exceedingly Great Army of Ezekiel 37:10 Argument

Another important difference between Psalm 83 and Ezekiel 38 may be understood by identifying the purpose of the “exceedingly great army” of Ezekiel 37:10. The Ezekiel 38 invaders are destroyed divinely, but the Psalm 83 Arab confederates appear to be defeated by the Israeli Defense Forces according to Ezekiel 25:14, and Obadiah 1:18.

Interestingly, an exceedingly great army of Israel is mentioned in Ezekiel 37:10. This reference seemingly segues into the Ezekiel 38 – 39 prophecy. Logically, a reader might assume this army plays an instrumental role in the war of Ezekiel 38. However, Ezekiel 38:18- 39:6 teaches that this army plays little to no part in Ezekiel’s invasion.

Upon closer investigation, this army appears to be the tool empowered by God to defeat the Psalm 83 Arab confederacy. If so, the fact that the army of Ezekiel 37:10 is referenced prior to the Ezekiel 38-39 war passages infers that chronologically Psalm 83 precedes Ezekiel 38.

Some of today’s expositors teach that Ezekiel 37:10 alludes to a “multitude” rather than an army. However, there are some important interpretive details to consider when deciphering Ezekiel 37:10. The Hebrew word Ezekiel uses in verse 10 for army is, "chayil" and it is used 12 times elsewhere by Ezekiel and over 225 times throughout the Old Testament.

All of Ezekiel’s usages and many Old Testament renderings clearly depict it as either an army or riches acquired via the spoils obtained in the aftermath of a war. Nowhere else in the book of Ezekiel can it possibly be translated as a multitude. This establishes precedent that an army rather than a multitude is being described by Ezekiel.

Ezekiel’s 12 specific usages of the word “chayil” are as follows;
1. Ezek. 17:17 Pharaoh’s army
2. Ezek. 26:12 Babylonian army taking “riches” or spoil from victory over Tyre
3. Ezek. 27:10-11 armies of Tyre
4. Ezek. 28:4-5 riches acquired by the ruler of Tyre
5. Ezek. 29:18-19 Nebuchadnezzar’s army
6. Ezek. 32:31 Pharaoh’s army
7. Ezek. 37:10 Israel’s army
8. Ezek. 38:4, 15 armies of Gog of Magog.

Further supporting the proper interpretation being an army, the following Bible translations interpret chayil to be an “army”: King James Version, New King James Version, American Standard Version, New American Standard Bible, New International Version, New Living Translation, New Century Version, and The Living Bible.

Conversely, the Revised Standard Version translates the word as “host”. The New Revised Standard Version calls it a “multitude”. Obviously the reasons to interpret Ezekiel 37:10 as an army far outweigh the arguments for it alluding to a host or multitude.

In conclusion, the fulfillment of a Bible prophecy mandates that the episode meets the prophetic description of the event entirely and exactly. There can be no overlooking even the slightest detail given. The growing tendency among eschatologists to recognize that current Mideast events are stage setting for the coming Psalm 83 and Ezekiel 38 wars is to be commended. However, newspaper exegesis can often cause us to overlook significant prophetic details and should be avoided.

Perhaps Ezekiel 38 will come soon and precede Psalm 83, but from the numerous points made above it is doubtful. There are ten members listed in Psalm 83 not listed in Ezekiel 38. These ten represent Israel’s most observable modern day enemies since becoming a nation in 1948. They should be considered carefully before elevating the Ezekiel 38 – 39 Gog of Magog invasion to an imminent event.

The Russians Are Coming, the Russians Are Coming - But Not Yet!

By Bill Salus

Russia's ever strengthening alliances with Turkey, Iran, and Libya, coupled with its invasion of Georgia in August of 2008, has many prophecy buffs wondering if the Magog coalition described in Ezekiel 38 is preparing to assemble, invade Israel, and take over the oil rich Middle East?

As a student of prophecy and author of the book, Isralestine, the Ancient Blueprints of the Future Middle East, I believe I can comfortably say the time for the extremely important Ezekiel 38 and 39 invasion is not yet imminent. Indeed the Russians and their cohorts are coming but, in my humble estimation, the stage for their prophetic arrival is not entirely set. There is another, long overlooked prophetic development that appears to occur first.

Rising above the Ezekiel 38 newspaper exegesis for a moment, we must ask ourselves if Israel today, adequately meets the description of prerequisite requirements defined in Ezekiel 38:8-13. In a previous article, Psalm 83 or Ezekiel 38, “Which is the Next Middle East News Headline”, I ask the following: Is Israel:

A people dwelling securely? (Ezek. 38:8)
A people dwelling without walls, bars or gates? (Ezek. 38:11)
A nation at peace in the Middle East? (Ezek. 38:11)
Dwelling in the midst of the Promised Land (Ezek. 38:12)
One of the wealthiest nations in the world? (Ezek. 38:13)
A people who have acquired “great plunder”? (Ezek. 38:13)
Recognized as a sovereign nation internationally? (Ezek. 38:8)

The article goes on to exclaim a resounding NO to all of the above! So then if the stage is not set for the Ezekiel invasion, what makes Israel camera ready for this Gog-liath event?

When are the Russians coming?

Israel has to burst out of its territorial seams and become the next Middle East Super- State. Destined to someday possess land from the Nile to the Euphrates Rivers according to Genesis 15:18, Israel has been cooped up like a canary in a cage for six plus decades too long. While Israel’s Arab enemies seek to blow up the birdcage, the Bible has flipped open to its final pages.

Not one, but two powerfully prophetic events are about to unfold in the Middle East, and in the end, an entirely new Atlas of the region will probably need to be redrawn. In Isralestine, I point out that in fulfillment of Ezekiel 25:14, 37:10, and Obadiah 1:18 the Israeli Defense Forces are about to become an “exceedingly great army”. They are formidable presently, but the "exceedingly great" accolade will likely be the result of their decisive conquest over the Psalm 83 Arab forces. (map of Ps. 83 "inner circle" Arab nations)

Freed from further Arab terror and torment, the nation of Israel can tear down its 403 mile long partition wall, close down its gated security checkpoints, and dwell securely resembling the “latter years” nation described in Ezekiel 38:8-13. World Jews, driven by Zionistic inclination, can then safely make massive Aliyah into Israel enabling the nation to expand its borders and exploit the resources of its defeated Arab foes.

This Greater Israel probably causes Russia, Iran, Turkey and their entire coalition to covet a piece of the acquired plunder and great booty specified in Ezekiel 38:13. In the aftermath of the Israeli Conquest over the Psalm 83 Arab confederacy the Magog coalition will probably grow stronger and their hatred of Israel grow deeper. This is because both confederacies, Psalm 83 and Ezekiel 38, predominately contain Muslim populations.

However, the military renown of the exceedingly great I.D.F. will promptly become yester-years news as they will not match up with what commences to march against them through the Magog episode. Fortunately for Israel, their ancient Hebrew prophet predicts the Jewish / Christian God Jehovah divinely saves the day. Ezekiel 38:18-39:6 declares the Russian – Iranian led nuclear equipped consortia will drop dead in their Middle East tracks. The description of events suggest world headlines will read like Old Testament fire and brimstone passages. (map of Magog "outer ring" invaders)

At the end of the bloody rainbow, will sit Israel’s pot of gold. Seven years of fuel (possibly nuclear), probably even more land for the taking, and prominent International stature. Their ancient King Solomon in all of his splendor, riches, and glory will probably pale in comparison.

It appears as though the tiny nation of Israel, that today can’t even call Jerusalem its capitol, appears about to become the centerpiece of current world events. Present "rumors of war" in the volatile Middle East should serve as a call to caution for humanity to set its sights on the ancient predictions about to unfold. Israel of today is set to explode into probably the next Middle East Super-State of tomorrow.

Will November U.S. Elections Spark Mideast War?

By Bill Salus

Recently, in an article entitled Obama's perceived military "softness" weakens Israel, Mossad director Meir Dagan declared "Let's see what steps the Americans take in the future, especially after the midterm congressional elections in November…"

In a recent Prophecy Update Radio interview with White House correspondent Bill Koenig of World Watch Daily News, he informed me “The word around Washington is November could be critical for the Mideast”. I understood his comment, in part; to mean Republican dominated victories could accelerate the plans of Israel's enemies to attack the Jewish State.

Presently, Israel’s Arab and Persian (Iranian) enemies are observably seizing the opportunity to stockpile their arsenals with lethal weapons under Obama's watch. However, they must also be concerned about potential November 2010 Republican victories that could bring about a transition in America’s political disposition toward Israel. Currently the consensus among many Middle East Jews and Arabs is that Obama is militarily soft and inept at brokering peace in the region.

Additionally, there is a noticeable schism developing between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Obama. The Obama administration has recently implemented what some are calling a “Charm Offensive” toward Israel in an attempt to ease the friction.

However, in a display of flip - flopmanship, Obama recently infuriated Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu by deciding to side with the 188 member nations of the Nuclear Non proliferation Treaty in favor of forcing Israel to “come clean” on its nuclear weapons program. This was a severe change in American policy toward Israel. Former president George W. Bush had vehemently opposed similar proposals during his tenure.

Subsequently, Netanyahu abruptly cancelled his pre-planned visit with Obama in Washington scheduled for June 1, 2010. Netanyahu reportedly excused himself due to the flotilla incident occurring concurrently between Israel and Turkey. However, there is just cause to wonder if there was more to his hasty cancellation than meets the eye.

Another evidence of the burden mounting between the two world leaders was recently displayed when Lebanon’s Prime Minister Saad Hariri came to Washington in May of 2010. Obama received Hariri with open diplomatic arms and far more pomp and circumstance than he did Netanyahu during their closed door talks this past March. Many news commentators were surprised at Obama’s apparent snubbing of Netanyahu at the time.

Compounding the Netanyahu - Obama fracture is the fact that Lebanon’s Prime Ministerial post is considered by many to be merely a token political position. Further salting the political wound, Prime Minister Hariri apparently came to pressure Obama’s hand against Israel by warning him of pervasive Arab frustration with the present White House Middle East peace efforts.

Although former President George W. Bush, like his predecessor Bill Clinton, pressured Israel to negotiate land for peace with the Arabs, his “War on Terror” enabled Israel to begin construction of its 403 mile long partition wall which is nearly completed. This wall is credited for the subsequent observable drop in suicide bombings and Palestinian terrorism inside of Israel proper.

Additionally, it enabled the Israeli Defense Forces (I.D.F.) to attack Hamas with little to no U.S. resistance between 12/2008 and 1/2009. The provocation came when Hamas lobbed more Katusha rockets into Israel after a six month cease fire between them which Israel ended in December of 2008. Interestingly, Israel attacked Hamas just prior to Obama's 170 million dollar presidential inauguration. In fact, the I.D.F. pulled out the day before the inauguration as if to offer Obama Israel’s extended hand in friendship by refusing to rain rockets down on Gaza during his parade.

During the 6 month cease fire Israel obviously prepared their intelligence for the coming Pre-Obama Hamas attack called “Operation Cast Lead”. It was apparent in the prompt and decisive victory they achieved. The timing of Israel’s immediate invasion was impeccable. It was as if the I.D.F. anticipated an Obama presidential victory in November 2008 knowing that his inauguration wouldn’t be until January 2009. This provided a brief window to clean house in Gaza. Many Israelis feared the future would be grim for Israel - American relations in the event of an Obama victory at the time. Their legitimate concerns are presently manifesting.

This "curious" timing and duration of Operation Cast Lead suggests that Mideast events closely parallel American elections. Netanyahu's quote in January 2009, before he became Israel's present Prime Minister, still echoes in my mind; "Hamas will have to be dismantled, however, that probably won't occur as a result of Operation Cast Lead". At the time Netanyahu was favored in the polls to be Israel’s next Prime Minister.

Should the Republicans clean house in November, Israel's enemies may move with haste before America has time to organize against any Mideast war. They might be concerned that American Mideast foreign policy could take a dramatic pro-Israel shift. Presently there are far more Republicans than Democrats in both the Senate and Congress that have pro-Israel voting records. Correspondingly, the Obama administration is showing clear signs of desperation when it comes to its role in crafting a Mideast peace solution.

Additionally, be reminded that something as seemingly miniscule as the recent flotilla incident may be all it takes to catalyze a major Mideast conflict. Remember that the 34 - day (July 12 to August 14, 2006) Hezbollah - Israel war was sparked by Hezbollah kidnapping two I.D.F. soldiers on July 12, 2006. This conflict resulted in 4000 Hezbollah rockets striking Israeli soil.

Four years later Hassan Nasrallah, claiming that he and his Hezbollah bad boys alone embarrassed the I.D.F., boasted Hezbollah single handedly can destroy one-half of Israel's army! Netanyahu recently declared Hezbollah now has 60,000 more vastly advanced rockets pointed at Israel in direct violation of U.N. Resolution 1701, which calls for the disarming of Hezbollah. Some analysts suggest that Tel Aviv has more rockets per capita targeted at it than any other city in the world.

In my estimation, Israel is waiting for an opportunity to devastate their enemies. It is quite possible that one or more of Israel's enemies is about to shoot themselves in the foot prompting the exceedingly great army of Ezekiel 25:14 and Ez. 37:10 into action against them and their Arab and / or Persian partners. It appears as though the time for Mideast peace has run out.