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May 25, 2003
Divided Israel Cabinet Accepts Peace Plan
JERUSALEM - The Israeli Cabinet on Sunday narrowly approved a U.S.-backed peace plan that envisions a Palestinian state by 2005, a Cabinet minister said.
The Cabinet approved the plan by a 12-7 vote, with four abstentions, Yosef Paritzky, the infrastructure minister, told The Associated Press. It marked the first time an Israeli government formally affirmed the Palestinians' right to statehood.
The vote came two days after Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon (news - web sites) reluctantly embraced the "road map" to Mideast peace under intense U.S. pressure.
The Palestinians accepted the plan last month, immediately after it was presented, but Israel sought major changes.
Comments
We as Christians have the luxury of knowing what the final outcome will be. Whether you believe the rapture is the next big event on the prophecy calendar or not, we can all agree that the Lord will eventually come and we'll reign with Him for 1,000 years.
For many years I along with other prophecy enthusiast's have believed that the coming peace agreement between the Israelis and Arabs would be the plan that would start the seven year tribulation period. I still believe it will in some way be a part, if not completely, connected to the peace plan.
Let me explain. Daniel 9:27 declares that when the antichrist takes power he will make peace with many countries and not just Israel, although, Israel is the focus of this verse. But generally, it is believed that Israel will make peace with the antichrist.
Of course, for the last few decades we have been concentrating on Israel and the Arab world making peace with the antichrist brokering the deal. Many also felt that he would provide military support to prevent homicide bombings and uprisings. Certainly this remains a strong possibility. But recently, another twist has come into play that I don't think too many prophecy scholars saw coming...Israel actually becoming a member of the European Union. No, I don't think that will ever happen, but here's a scenario that is very possible. A reader of mine wrote me the other day and shared his/her (they didn't identify themselves) theory of a possible peace treaty and how it may unfold.
As we all know, Israel and Palestine have just agreed on a U.S. lead roadmap to peace, although not wholeheartedly. Right now the map has a timetable of 3-5 years. I do see further trouble coming in the near future that will slow progress considerably. The reader suggested this, what if in the process of time, progress was not being made up to the liking of both Israel and Palestine. The antichrist could step in and take the plan and change the timetable from 3-5 years to 7 years, which might be more realistic. He also would take an active role to enforce roadmap compliance by both parties. He would be confirming a plan that already exists just as the Bible declares (Daniel 9:27). Midway through the 7 year timetable he will break it.
Certainly, this is just a theory and it's hard to say what will actually happen. I do believe that peace between Israel and the Arabs is crucial in the development of the final peace plan, but not necessarily the whole peace plan. Furthermore, Israel's attempt to join the E.U. maybe shelved in the process of time shifting all eyes back on the roadmap.
Whichever turns out to be the true peace plan, we can still rejoice that the signs all point to our soon returning Lord.
Pastor Malone