SIGNS OF THE TIMES/PROPHECY PAGE

April article by David Sanders

“A time to break down and a time to build up”. Ecclesiastes 3 v 3

“The Thing”, as one commentator called it, is in fact part-wall, part-fence. Most of its 700 kilometre (440 miles) length is made up of a concrete base with a 5 metre wire and mesh superstructure. Rolls of razor wire and a 4 metre deep ditch are placed on one side. In addition, the structure is fitted with electronic sensors and has an earth covered “trace road” beside it where footprints of anyone crossing can be seen. Parts of the structure consist of an 8 metre high solid concrete wall, complete with massive watchtowers. The solid section around the Palestinian town of Qalqilya is conceived as a “sniper wall” to prevent gun attacks against Israeli motorists on the nearby Trans-Israel Highway. Work started in June 2002 and contractors have now completed about a quarter of the planned barrier. After initial hesitation, the government adopted the plan saying it was essential to prevent Palestinian would-be suicide bombers from entering Israel and attacking Israeli civilians, as has happened many times during the Palestinian intifada. The UN recently issued a report which condemned the barrier as illegal and tantamount to an “unlawful act of annexation”. Even the International Court of justice in The Hague has started to look into the barrier’s legality but its decision is non binding although some 44 countries have filed objections.

Ariel Sharon is nicknamed “the bulldozer” because of his heavy frame and ability to get things done. It’s a fitting name and even more so because a bulldozer has the unusual characteristics of both building up and breaking down. Sharon, a former military general who spent much of his political career spearheading the settlement movement is now planning to dismantle 17 of 20 Jewish settlements in the Gaza strip. “I am working on the assumption that in the future there will be no Jews in Gaza”, he announced last month. But the Bulldozer is even more determined because later he said “I’ve reached a decision, and I’m going to carry it out”.

We can see from these two items that the Israeli government is greatly concerned about the safety of their civilians. But the Bible tells us, especially the prophet Ezekiel, on many occasions that, “they shall dwell safely in their land” Even Zechariah along with many other prophets tells us, “but Jerusalem SHALL BE safely inhabited”. This is a promise from God; it looks impossible from a human point of view but “with God NOTHING is impossible”.

Israel is slowly alienating itself from the world, America is loosing patience, the UN is not impressed with them neither is the International Court of Justice. Even the BBC had its ties with Israel severed last September.

“I will gather all nations against Jerusalem” says Zechariah. We are living in momentous times which we call Signs of the Times which are about heralding the return of the Lord Jesus Christ to set up God’s Kingdom on this earth. Time is running out. You can be part of God’s divine plan. Just come along to any of our meetings and share the gospel message.