Page 109 - Signs of the End

THE SIGNS OF THE END 73

As the Bible indicates, End Times prophecy revolves around the
nation o f Israel. Thus, when Israel takes front and center on the world
stage, it’ s time for us to sit up and pay attention. In addition, geo­
political changes in the world, as well as advances in science and
technology, contribute to our understanding that God is at work and
the last days are drawing to a close. Let’s examine how Israel’s status
in these early years o f the third millennium AD demonstrates the
Lord’ s soon return.

ISRAEL’S STRUGGLE WITH THE PALESTINIANS

The state o f Israel has undergone significant upheavals in the last
few years both within the leadership o f the Jewish nation and with the
escalation o f terrorism in the form o f the homicide bomber. Because
o f the tremendous strain on national defenses, Jews in Israel and in
the Diaspora are split as to how the country can best deal with
terrorism effectively while maintaining security and their robust
economy. Some have Concluded that the “Land for Peace” option is
the only means to ultimate stability. However, when former Prime
Minister Ehud Barak offered PLO Chairman Yasser Arafat in 2000
more land and autonomy (some 98% o f what was asked) than any
other leader before, Arafat turned it all down and renewed his violent
Intifada, sending waves o f terrorists into Israeli pizza parlors,
restaurants, supermarkets and bar mitzvahs to murder innocent
Israeli men, women and children. A s Arafat’s own map shows, he
doesn’t want land currently under his authority; he wants all o f Israel
with every Jew pushed into the sea.

As these attacks against Israel have increased, many more
Israelis are choosing to put the brakes on giving up additional Israeli
territory. The majority are tired o f living in fear, tired o f giving in to
Arafat’s demands, and tired o f the United States and other nations
pressuring Israel to maintain a restrained response. One evidence o f
this is the Israeli response to the terrorism that occurred on March 28,
2002, the first night o f Passover, when a homicide bomber blew
him self up inside a Netanya hotel just as Israelis were beginning this
all-important religious ceremony and feast. In response, Prime
Minister Ariel Sharon ordered the IDF (Israeli Defense Force) to