The Christ in Prophecy Journal

Israel Alone

PDF

With the May 18, 2009, Netanyahu-Obama meeting behind them, Jews around the world have begun to realize that they are now very much alone.

That’s not to say that Israel doesn’t have sympathy from countries like Germany and the Czech Republic. They even have two-faced “friends” like Egypt, Turkey and Saudi Arabia who say they are looking out for Israel’s peace. But, since Israel became a nation again in 1948, it has had at least one true, a friend with teeth, in the United States. After the presidential meeting, it would appear that friends have parted ways.

Where past U.S. administrations stood by Israel while trying to appease Israel’s hostile Arab neighbors, the Obama administration has made it clear it will stand by Israel’s hostile Arab neighbors while trying to appease Israel.

Not only in words, but in action has the Obama administration stated where the United States now stands. Author Daniel Gordis summarized recent White House actions in his Jerusalem Post article “In Perspective: For the sake of clarity, a thought experiment” (Tuesday, May 19, 2009).

“At AIPAC’s recent Policy Conference, Vice President Joe Biden and Sen. John Kerry made it clear that for the US to support Israel on Iran, Israel must settle the Palestinian problem once and for all. It has been widely reported that Rahm Emanuel, in an off-the-record session, said precisely the same thing. After decades of tacit agreement that the US would remain silent about Israel’s nuclear capability, a State Department official publicly suggested that Israel sign the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, as if, on the eve of Iran’s going nuclear and with Pakistani weapons in danger of falling into the hands of the Taliban, Israel’s nuclear arsenal is the world’s most serious concern.”

The Israel Today Tuesday, May 19, 2009, article titled “Netanyahu holds fast against patronizing Obama” reports on the discordant tone in the meeting between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. President Barack Obama. “The White House talks were expected to be tense, as both leaders came in with divergent views regarding the creation of a Palestinian state, how to deal with the Iran nuclear crisis, and the linkage between the two issues… Political spin doctors in both Washington and Jerusalem immediately went to work painting the meeting as a relaxed and friendly encounter, though the substance of what the two leaders told the press bespoke a far different reality beneath the surface.”

While “Netanyahu maintained his refusal to publicly endorse the establishment of a sovereign Palestinian state,” Obama told “reporters that his government will push hard for the birth of ‘Palestine,’ urging Netanyahu to grasp hold of this ‘historic opportunity.'” The discussion over the Palestinians between the two left Netanyahu, according to Israel Today, “patronized.”

Pres. Obama then went on to strong-arm Israel to create a Palestinian state or get no help from the U.S. on dealing with Iran’s President Ahmadinejad mad desire to build a nuclear weapon to “wipe Israel off the map.” Obama said, “To the extent that we can make peace with the Palestinians — between the Palestinians and the Israelis — then I actually think it strengthens our hand in the international community in dealing with the potential Iranian threat.”

Obama concluded by making his intention known to push more Arab nations to directly join Israeli-Arab peace talks. Those are the same Arabs that wish Israel to pull back into an indefensible pre-1967 position. “The president indicated that he will unveil a new regional peace initiative when he visits Cairo next month.”

Gordis sums up Pres. Obama’s rhetoric like this: “A new message is afloat — Israel is the problem, and the US has had enough.”

And so, Israel stands alone. The United States has now joined sides with Israel’s enemies in their desire to see Israel give up half their land, land no larger than the size of the state of New Jersey.

Are Israel’s Enemies Correct?

Since the whole world, even liberal members of Israel’s own Knesset, see the birth of a Palestinian nation as the answer to peace in the Middle East, maybe Israel is wrong in not ceding half their land. Is Pres. Obama now leading the U.S. under an actually correct view of what should be done?

Gordis sums how the world views Israel. “Israel is the root of evil in the Middle East. It’s the cause of checkpoints, of roadblocks, of a big ugly wall that runs along a border no one has agreed to. The Palestinians are desperate, and in the massive imbalance of power, they have no chance and no hope. Israel is the nuclear bully in a region that, were it not for Israel’s existence, would no longer be on the front page. To achieve peace in the Middle East, Israel just needs to be subdued. Break Israel’s intransigence, and we’ll finally see progress.”

Gordis puts this world view to the test. “Imagine that Israelis decide that by Jerusalem Day, this coming week, they want a deal. So we take down the security fence. We remove the checkpoints. We open all the roads, and Gaza’s sea and air routes. We agree publicly to return to something closely approximating the pre-1967 borders, and we accede to the demands that parts of Jerusalem be internationally governed, or even put under Palestinian control.” He then asks, “Does this end the conflict?”

The answer: “Of course it doesn’t!” And, the reason for this answer: “The Hamas Charter calls not only for the destruction of Israel, but for Islamic war on Jews everywhere. (Why do we consistently refuse to believe that Hamas means what it says?) What would change? The noose would tighten. The rockets would be fired from a shorter distance and the demand for the return of refugees (thus ending the Jewishness of the state) would persist. As was the case when Israel left Lebanon in May 2000 or Gaza in the summer of 2005, Israel’s enemies would smell a weakened, bloodied state and would prepare for the next stage of their war.”

Gordis proposes a different strategy for the world to focus on.

“Imagine that the Palestinians decide that they have tired of the conflict, or their electorate begins its long-overdue rebellion and insists on a settlement. So the Palestinians, Hamas and Fatah, demand everything Israel’s agreed to above — an end to roadblocks and the wall, an opening of Gaza, a bridge or a tunnel between Gaza and the West Bank and a return to the 1967 borders. Let’s say that they even insist on Palestinian control of east Jerusalem.

But they also recognize Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish state. They agree to an immediate and permanent cessation of hostilities and violence… and insist that any other outstanding issues be negotiated and resolved with the U.S. and the Quartet as intermediaries. And they require Israelis to vote within a month, no longer, on whether to accept the deal… In a matter of weeks, three quarters of a century of bloodshed and suffering would come to an end.”

Gordis concludes that the world does not have a solution, because “It’s never been up to us [Israel], and it’s always been up to them [Palestinians].” The hostile Muslim world will never, ever, ever agree to recognize Israel as a state or even their right to exist. No matter how much Israel gave up, nothing short of total national suicide would appease Hamas and the Muslim world. And sadly, that would be the only action that would appease the rest of the world as well.

The world wants Israel as a nation to cease to exist. And, so too regrettably, does the United States, though we many not consciously know our nation desires Israel’s demise.

God’s Take

God through the prophet Zechariah in chapter 12 verse 2-3 prophesies that Israel will stand alone in the world, a prophecy finding fulfillment today. God said, “I am going to make Jerusalem a cup that sends all the surrounding peoples reeling.”

Many nations will try to uproot Israel from their land and will fail. Eventually, all the nations of the world will come against Israel. “Judah will be besieged as well as Jerusalem. On that day, when all the nations of the earth are gathered against her, I will make Jerusalem an immovable rock for all the nations. All who try to move it will injure themselves.” But, as Zechariah 12:9 states, “On that day I will set out to destroy all the nations that attack Jerusalem.”

The United States has now sided with the enemies of God. Prophetically, we have instead sealed our own nation’s demise.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

RELATED ARTICLES

ABOUT AUTHOR View all posts Author Website

Dr. Nathan E. Jones

As the Internet Evangelist at Lamb & Lion Ministries, Nathan reaches out to the over 4.5 billion people accessible over the Internet with the Good News of Jesus Christ. He also co-hosts the ministry's television program Christ in Prophecy and podcast The Truth Will Set You Free.

25 CommentsLeave a Comment

  • All I can say is HALLELUJAH!! Why do I say that? Am I proud of our country turning its back on a long-time friend? No, but I see God powerfully working in this.

    Think about it: it’s when we personally give up on ALL of our resources and come to the end of our options that God is able to finally work in an amazing, miraculous way. When we, with all our self-effort and self-help and self-sufficiency, run out of self, THEN God says, “OK, it’s My turn. You’re incapacitated, you’ve made a total mess of this, and nothing is working out right. So stop–stop striving, stop trying. Instead, watch and see what *I* will do.” For when I am weak, then HE is strong!

    I believe God is doing exactly the same thing with Israel. He’s breaking them of their self-sufficiency and dependence on everything not God.

    Watch out world! God is going to do BIG things in, for, and through Israel now! And that’s something we can all praise God for!

    Laura

  • I pray & hope the Lord Jesus takes us very soon because this nation is in trouble. Now that the U.S has turned its back on Israel, it's all downhill from here folks!

    Maranatha!

  • I would say America has definitely turned its back on Israel. I just read where Obama wants to divide Jerusalem, it does look bleak for Israel, but I believe that God is definitely not finished with Israel. Plus, the devil knows his time is short. I think that we are past the point of the birthpangs that Jesus warned about. And still the only cure for mankind is Jesus Christ!Hallelujah that Jesus is the King of Glory, yes the King of Glory! Thanks be to God for His Perfect Justice. The One enthroned with righteousness and honor and everlasting love, Holy is He.

  • Anonymous said…
    All I can say is HALLELUJAH!! Why do I say that? Am I proud of our country turning its back on a long-time friend?

    I think Anon. is missing one point. Obama’s America is now placing our country in the position of being an enemy to Israel and to God. That I can’t say Hallelujah to. Even though God always knew that Israel would be alone against the world, It still doesn’t give me reason to rejoice about it.

    But then the Kingdom to which I belong is not now of this world.

  • Israel may be standing alone from a human standpoint, but God is still standing with them and that is all that matters. He has never left Him even though they have left Him. And now that the US is siding with catering to thugs in masks who hide behind women and children, God is going to do something great because they can no longer look to the west for help.

    Now that the US is officially poking God in the “apple of His eye”, I believe the protective hedge that has been surrounding us is going to be cut down.

  • thunder said “Now that the US is officially poking God in the “apple of His eye”, I believe the protective hedge that has been surrounding us is going to be cut down.”

    I would add NOT until after He removes His church, the forgiven Christians covered by the precious blood of Christ, from this Earth.

  • i am so afraid for the U.S. they have just turned ther back on Israel and now GOD will turn his back on us. now we will be hit with another attack only this one will be more severe and a lot more people will die. i pray that the LORD will take us home soon.

  • Billy, I don’t know that I agree with that. Not that you’re wrong, I just don’t agree.

    My take is that the wrath doesn’t start until the 7 year treaty is signed between AC and Israel.

    We’ve already seen some judgments come down while the church is still here. Things like Katrina, the current economic situation (I hate the word “crisis”), etc, when we’ve nudged Israel into cutting their own throats.

    My point is this: Believers are not immune to hard times. We are immune from the great and terrible day, but will we be saved from God’s judgment on the US?

    There is a scriptural reasoning behind what you say: such as when Daniel and his buddies were taken to Babylon. They and all the Hebrews taken hostage were saved from the struggle of living in Jerusalem.

    Personally, I hope you’re right and I couldn’t be more wrong. But I’m not stock-piling and building a bomb-shelter either.

  • has america turned on isreal or just those empty headed, braindead, mindless, idiotic, wicked, miserable, awful liberals in the government? they are the ones who turned on isreal, many americans still support Isreal.

  • Hartdawg, just like I did not vote for Obama, yet we have to suffer under his decisions for our economy as a group, I do not support turning our backs on Israel… but yet the decision makers have….so again we suffer as a group. I just heard that there is missile testing going on … hang onto your hats maybe the shooting is starting.

    When you are in labor, the pains and signs start slow and gain intensity until at the last, you hardly catch your breath between pains. I think we are at that point! It is amazing how many things change every day and more prophecy is fulfilled. There is not much left is there?

    Claudia

  • hartdawg,

    Ask yourself how many of those that support Israel are going to be raptured out of here. Many, many Christians believe/support Isreal because we understand their eternal significance, even more than the Jewish Nation believes in it.

    The pieces of this endtime puzzle are becoming so clear. It is only the timing of the start of it all that is confusing me.

    The thought of “no one knows the day or hour” has been burned into my like an addiction. It is really hard to recover from that. Maybe, Dr Reagan can start a 12 step recovery program for us.

    JAG

    Spoely

  • Paul, I beg to differ–I haven’t missed the point at all. I can clearly see that America has turned its back on Israel, and I said I wasn’t happy about that. However, God is moving Israel to the point where she MUST trust in her God. He does that with all who belong to Him sooner or later, and that is what I rejoice about.

    As for Americans feeling the effects of turning against Israel, well, we perhaps will learn the same lesson that Israel is–not to trust in government or money or other people, but ONLY trust in the Lord our God.

    Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God. Ps. 20:7

    Laura

  • This is my last post. It has been a lot of fun having discussions with all of you.

    Unfortunately, personally (as in my own perspective) I’ve exhausted all I have to say and I’m getting redundant and most likely boring. I have nothing new to add to any of these discussions.

    So one last redundant hoorah…God bless all of you and I’ll see you in the air with the Lord when the Rapture comes before we have to experience any wrath or tribulations.

    As my Grammy used to say at every parting…see ya mañana.

  • So long, Billy, and thanks for all your great posts! I do encourage you to keep up with what’s going on in the world (either here or elsewhere). Who knows, perhaps we will stir up some creative juices in you and see you posting comments again some day.

    If not, we’ll see you “on the other side” (to quote a Michael W. Smith song).

    Laura

  • Reply to Laura,

    I didn’t say you missed the point. I said you are missing one point.
    I essentially agree with you, I just cannot rejoice in America turning on Israel and thereby rejecting God.

  • claudia snd spoelt, yes we suffer cuz of their decisions but to what xtent? Billy, why quit posting? i love hearing opinions that agree with mine (the right ones). plus i’m sure new people visit this site all the time so it may not be redundant.

  • Sorry to see you’re leaving, Billy. I know we didn’t exactly get off on the right foot, but it’s been a real pleasure sharing ideas and thoughts.

    Gonna miss ya, buddy.

  • To what extent, dawg? I really don’t wanna find out.

    If the protective hedge is cut down and burned, then it could be anything. Seriously, the Obamassiah is closing Guantanamo Bay and will most likely release some of those trained murderers into our neighborhoods! Imagine the carnage several hundred terrorists (YES! I SAID TERRORISTS, MR. OBAMA!!) could cause by walking into shopping malls and grocery stores with some explosives strapped to their chests.

    N. Korea has the bomb and we don’t have a missile defense shield.

    The economy could completely tank.

    If the Rapture doesn’t happen before-hand, we are all going to be tested.

    I don’t want sound like a negative Nelly, but facts is facts, as we say where I’m from. God says he will curse the one who curses Israel, and that’s us.

  • Ronald Reagan said “never say never”…well, I spoke too soon. I made another post under “United States in Bible Prophey” where the rapture is being discussed.

    I guess I just felt like I was posting too much about “Christian aren’t destined for wrath” and it was starting to sound like a broken record of “blah blah blah”.

    So I guess I will check in occassionally and comment on articles that aren’t related to my redundancy. (And plus I’d miss you all).

  • My Dear Brothers:

    Mr Emanuel is a jew and why a jew support a policy against their own people that sounds crazy or what. Can sombody explain me that?

    -Noe Martinez

  • North American non-Messianic Jews – from their writings in various Jewish websites and from the many I’ve known – aren’t interested in Israel. I’ve only known of one that felt the drawing call to return to the land of Israel. He’s a tour guide now (yo, Shia!).

    Rahm Emmanuel seems to be in this American jewery camp that find Israel embarrassing enough to destabalize their comfy positions in the U.S.

    Either North American Jews at some point will be forced to flee the continent due to increased anti-semitism, or they’ll not be part of the believing Jewish remnant that will call upon Yeshua as their Messiah from Jerusalem at the end of the Tribulation.

    For Jews possibly reading this after the Rapture, get yourselves to Jerusalem.

  • Israel, right from its existence has been a miracle. the number of times it has been attacked and how it has survived is indeed a miracle. now the whole world is against Israel and parting in a terrible lie. one doesn't even understand how sinfull it is. i feel that islam is the beast and will unite the world against Israel, and to be honest, it has already happened. its just a matter of time as to when the attack will happen.
    Wether the victory will be of Israel or not, is not mine to be said. Let him decide.
    Also, i dont understand why so many women support anti-Israel, and islam.
    Makes me think that indeed like the very orthodox and old bible, women have indeed parted with the devil.
    It makes me also think that when the bible says that it will be Lamb and the 144,000 who will stand victorious on mount zion, it is true. and when it says that these 144,000 will be virgins, not defiled by women, it is true.
    There are not many who are virgins in todays world, and those who are, are for some reason extremely opressed by the society, reproached, lied onto, heavily depressed, and yet people keep blaming them. much like the case of israel.
    let me tell you again, and do not be mistaken. these virgins are not strong and powerful and in-control type at all. infact they are just the opposite. they are not virgins by choice of theirs, but simply chosen right from the birth.

LEAVE A REPLY

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *