Israel Gives Syria 72 Hour Ultimatum To Stop Violence

Report: Israel gives Syria ultimatum: 72 hours to stop Hizbullah activity
London-based Arabic language newspaper Al-Hayat says Israel gave Syria 72 hours to stop Hizbullah’s activity, bring about release of kidnapped IDF troops. ‘Israel will not end military activity until new situation created that will prevent Syria, Iran from using terror organizations to threaten its security,’ newspaper quotes Pentagon official as saying

Israel targets Hezbollah in south Beirut
BEIRUT, Lebanon - Israeli warplanes pounded Hezbollah's south Beirut stronghold and roads around the country, killing at least 15 Lebanese as they fled the onslaught. Hezbollah expanded its rocket fire, hitting another of Israel's main cities, and Israel warned that the guerrillas could strike Tel Aviv. A senior Israeli intelligence official said Iranian troops helped Hezbollah fire a missile that damaged an Israeli warship off the Lebanese coast Friday night.

Arabs convene emergency meeting
CAIRO (Reuters) - Arab governments convened an emergency meeting of their foreign ministers in Cairo on Saturday to discuss ways to bring an end to Israeli attacks on Lebanon and the Palestinian territories.

Bush demands Syria stop Hizbollah attacks
ST PETERSBURG, Russia (Reuters) - President Bush demanded on Saturday that Syria rein in Hizbollah attacks on Israel but Russia's Vladimir Putin said Israel's military response should be "balanced."

Missile, Not Drone, Hit Israeli Warship...
A missile fired by Hezbollah, not an unmanned drone laden with explosives, damaged an Israeli warship off Lebanon, the army said Saturday.

The attack late Friday alarmed Israel because initial information indicated the guerrillas had used a drone for the first time to attack Israeli forces.

Palestinians' goal was not peace
Southern Illinoisan Sat, 15 Jul 2006 4:18 AM PDT
Israel is currently fighting a two-front war after both Hamas in Gaza and Hizbollah in Lebanon attacked across international frontiers. We await denunciations of these acts of aggression from the United Nations Security Council, the European Union or human rights organizations.

Timeline: how Middle East crisis has unfolded
Here are the key events of the last 19 days that have pushed the Middle East to the brink of a regional crisis:

Comments
In a turn of events, a news report from a London-based Arabic language newspaper Al-Hayat reported that Israel has given Syria 72 hours to halt all Hezbollah action and turn over the two kidnapped Israeli soldiers.  The report said that if these demands were not met Israel may attack targets in Syria.

"Al-Hayat quoted the source as saying that “the US cannot rule out the possibility of an Israeli strike in Syria,” this despite the fact that the Bush administration has asked Israel to “refrain from any military activity that may result in civilian casualties.” http://www.ynetnews.com/Ext/Comp/ArticleLayout/CdaArticlePrintPreview/1,2506,L-3275886,00.html

The source stated that Israel would not end its military action until Syria and Iran stop using terrorist organizations to threaten their security.

Meanwhile, Arab leaders are gathering in a closed session in Cairo, Egypt to determine what steps should be taken.  Egyptian media sources say that the Arab League will likely condemn the Israeli military operation and recommend a "diplomatic solution to the crisis, as well as an exchange of prisoners."

"It is an extremely serious situation and going from bad to worse," an Arab League official said before the meeting began, asking not to be named. "I hope it can be stopped." http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20060715/wl_mideast_afp/mideastunrestarab_060715144615

If the Israeli ultimatum to Syria is true this would likely bring Iran into the mix since they have a military pact, and quite frankly, they're probably next on the list anyway.

It's hard to say what direction this situation will go next. I don't think anyone could have predicted that it would have gone this far.  But the truth is, I don't see it escalating into a regional war...at least not yet.  Yes, the Bible does prophesy that that day is coming, but the circumstances of that battle will be quite different.  

If we look at Ezekiel 38 & 39 we find that a few key elements are absent.  1) Where's Russia!  The Bible says that when Israel is attacked Russia will lead this war from the beginning.  Take a look at Ezekiel 38:1-9:

"And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Son of man, set thy face against Gog, the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him, And say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold I am against thee, O Gog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal: And I will turn thee back, and put hooks into thy jaws, and I will bring thee forth, and all thine army, horses and horsemen, all of them clothed with all sorts of armour, even a great company with bucklers and shields, all of them handling swords:  Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya with them; all of them with shield and helmet: Gomer, and all his bands; the house of Togarmah of the north quarters, and all his bands: and many people with thee. Be thou prepared, and prepare for thyself, thou, and all thy company that are assembled unto thee, and be thou a guard unto them.  After many days thou shalt be visited: in the latter years thou shalt come into the land that is brought back from the sword, and is gathered out of many people, against the mountains of Israel, which have been always waste: but it is brought forth out of the nations, and they shall dwell safely all of them. Thou shalt ascend and come like a storm, thou shalt be like a cloud to cover the land, thou, and all thy bands, and many people with thee."

At this time, Russia is on the outside looking in, but one day that will all change.  Which brings me to 2) When Russia does lead the Arab Alliance its purpose in the war will be to take a spoil (Ezekiel 38:12).  Russia has no real interest in conquering Israel at this time, but one day Israel will possess something so valuable that Russia will not be able to resist.  Many prophecy experts believe that soon Israel will discover a major oil reserve that will be so mammoth it will change the face of the world oil market.  But until that day comes, I don't anticipate much interest from any nation to attack Israel for the purpose of taking a spoil.

And finally, 3) When the Russian-Arab Alliance attacks Israel will be at peace.  Take a look at Ezekiel 38:10 &11.  When this attack occurs, it speaks of Israel living in a time of peace:

"Thus saith the Lord GOD; It shall also come to pass, that at the same time shall things come into thy mind, and thou shalt think an evil thought: And thou shalt say, I will go up to the land of unwalled villages; I will go to them that are at rest, that dwell safely, all of them dwelling without walls, and having neither bars nor gates"

This certainly doesn't sound like what's going on at the present time. 

Even though this conflict looks to be spiraling out of control, I don't look for it to elevate into the war of Ezekiel 38 &39, but certainly, that day is coming.

Where do I see this war taking us?  That's hard to say!  Cooler heads could prevail and a temporary solution could be worked out.  The terrorist groups could give into international pressure and release the soldiers.  A prisoner swap could also be included in the deal.  The military operation could continue but at a lower level.  If Syria, Iran or both are brought into the mix that opens up a whole new set of possible scenarios.  But I don't see it evolving into a regional war that will bring down Russia and a host of other Arab nations...at least not until (temporary) peace comes to Israel.

Of course, there is one more very important scenario that's always possible...the rapture of the church and the revealing of the antichrist could be the result when the dust settles.  

Could God be preparing the world to accept a false Messiah or is it just another step toward that eventual day?

Certainly the future seems very scary at the moment, but if you don't know the Lord you have a greater problem than what may happen in the next seven years.  My question to you is if you were to die today where would you spend eternity?  You maybe unsure.  But today, you can have that assurance!

Please pray with me right now and today you can know for sure you are heaven bound:

Father, I know that I am a sinner and cannot obtain salvation in and of myself. I come to you in the name of Jesus asking that you forgive me of my sins, and to cleanse me from all unrighteousness and guilt. I trust and believe that Jesus died and rose again to pay my sin penalty. I accept this free gift of salvation, and from this day forward, turn my life completely over to the Lord. I thank you and praise you God for giving me a new life in Christ. Amen.

If you have made this commitment to the Lord please send me an email.  I would like to hear from you.

If you haven't received the Lord your time is running out!

Pastor Malone