Re-Post: Nearing Midnight for January 23rd (Part 2)

Tri-Lateral Tribulation Tremors

Geopolitics again seem to place planet earth in the crosshairs of the coming tribulation –that last seven years of human history before Christ’s second advent. The most recent arrangement of apocalyptic-type signals are three-fold. The first to consider is Israel in transition, so far as leadership is concerned, and the ongoing "Roadmap to Peace" process that continues to influence all that is going on in that land so prominent in end-time Bible prophecy.
Israel’s acting prime minister is determined that the deadly process continues.
Acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert reiterated Israel’s support for the U.S.-backed Road Map initiative for the Arab-Israeli dispute at a meeting Tuesday with President Moshe Katzav.
Olmert said that while he was prime minister, his government would “stick to the Road Map.” “It would be a mistake to release somebody from a responsibility whose framework he is obligated to,” he said.
Olmert said he hoped Israel will start negotiating a permanent status agreement with Palestinian Authority chief Mahmoud Abbas, after elections are held both in Israel and the PA (Arutz Sheva - Israel National News, by Scott Shiloh, Jan. 17, 2006).
You might have noticed I called it a “deadly process.” This is quite accurate, when describing any peace plan for Israel that leaves God out of the equation. The tribulation will produce just such a deadly peace. The covenant of Dan 9: 27, which Antichrist will confirm (because that peace plan will apparently already be in place) is described further by the Lord, through His prophet, Isaiah:
“Because ye have said, We have made a covenant with death, and with hell are we at agreement; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, it shall not come unto us: for we have made lies our refuge, and under falsehood have we hid ourselves…And your covenant with death shall be disannulled, and your agreement with hell shall not stand; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, then ye shall be trodden down by it” (Isa. 28:15,18).
The second of the tri-lateral tribulation tremors currently causing the prophecy meter to quake involves Iran, the nation that presently occupies the ancient Middle Eastern land called Persia. Persia, as most prophecy students are aware, will be one of the nations that God’s Word, through Ezekiel the prophet, foretells will storm southward over the “mountains of Israel” to take “spoil.” An evil leader from the land of “Rosh” (Russia, most scholars say) will lead the charge. This will most likely take place during the tribulation era, though many believe it could happen even before the Rapture occurs. The full account of this attack is found in Ezekiel Chapters 38 and 39.
Events are stirring in Iran that smack of biblically prophesied things to come, with Russia –the nation that provides much of Iran’s nuclear technology and fuel-- not far in the background of the volatile situation.
“Iran's nuclear programme began in 1974 with plans to build a nuclear power station at Bushehr with German assistance.The project was abandoned due to the Islamic revolution five years later, but revived in 1992 when Tehran signed an agreement with Russia to resume work at the site.
There are two Pressurised Water Reactors at the site - one reportedly near completion… According to some estimates, when complete Natanz [another nuclear facility] could house some 50,000 advanced gas centrifuges, which would produce enough weapons-grade uranium for more than 20 weapons per year.
Other estimates suggest the plant will have a total of 5,000 centrifuges when initial stages of the project are completed. With that number, Iran will be able to produce sufficient enriched uranium to make a small number of nuclear weapons each year…” (BBC NEWS, Middle East, Jan 17, 2006).
The third of the geopolitical dynamics seemingly setting up for the tribulation era is the European Union (EU) consistently, and increasingly asserting its influence in the Middle East.
“European powers have begun circulating a draft resolution that asks the UN nuclear watchdog to report Iran to the Security Council, drawing a scornful response from Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
The governing board of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) will hold an emergency meeting on Iran's nuclear work on February 2 at the request of European Union powers, an IAEA spokesman said…” (EU trio's nuclear resolution stepped up, Iran defiant. 19/01/2006. ABC News Online).
As always, we confirm that the EU will be a chief player in endtime things –especially in the Middle East. The nucleus of the EU occupies the very geographical region that was the heart of the old Roman Empire. That empire, according to Bible prophecy, will revive in the end of days, and will serve as the central power base for the world’s last and most terrifying dictator, Antichrist –or, as is put here, “the prince that shall come.”
“And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined” (Dan. 9:26).
Things involving Bible prophecy continue to manifest themselves as we get deeper into 2006. All Christians should be good watchmen, as directed by the Lord Jesus in Mark 13: 37. While watching, we should also be praying, and doing all within our power –individually, and collectively—to carry the Gospel of Jesus Christ into the world, as we go about life on this soon-to-be-judged planet.

--Terry