In the news...

There are a lot of pertinent news stories today, mostly from the Middle East:

Category: Iran "baiting" Israel into an attack:

"Iran moves uranium above ground"

The following quotes from this article reveal Iran's intent to bait Israel into an "attack":

"Iran recently moved almost its entire stockpile of low-enriched uranium to an above-ground facility, The New York Times reported on Saturday."

"Official: Teheran's strange move is akin to painting bull's-eye on stockpile."

"Iran’s inexplicable action, which has confused Western officials, exposes the material to an airstrike or even ground-based sabotage. The Times quoted one official as saying the move was tantamount to painting a bull’s-eye on the stockpile."

"Several hypotheses were raised by the paper: Iran may be taunting Israel to attack, as this would rally Iranians in support of the regime and silence voices of dissent which have plagued the streets since last years disputed election."

This latest move by Iran seems like one more bit of evidence that they would prefer that Israel "attack" first, thus rallying Muslim support for Iran and allowing Iran to play the victim and, in turn, attack Israel in a defensive maneuver.

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"Israel could attack Iran today"

Quotes:


"Sources close to the Israeli government have warned Executive Intelligence Review that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s inner cabinet is close to making a decision to launch a preventive strike against Iran’s nuclear facilities. Such a decision, that would be a further step closer to a devastating regional confrontation, could come as early as Sunday, when the Israeli cabinet convenes."

"...the preferred option, being promoted by factions in the IDF, is to launch attacks from Israeli submarines, equipped with Cruise missiles. The source noted that the accuracy of the Cruise missiles, launched from Israeli submarines is unreliable, and most of the Iranian sites on the Israeli target list are in urban areas."

Predictably, Israel will receive NO support from the U.S.:

"The sources confirmed that the Obama Administration’s national security team has delivered a series of strongly worded messages, warning Israel against any unilateral attacks on Iran."

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Further rumors of war:

"IDF to distribute gas masks today"

"British newspaper: Iran testing 'key component' for nuclear bomb"

"No chance to talk Iran out of nuclear program"
In this article we see the following quote:
"All negotiations with Iran over its nuclear program have failed and the option now is for Israel to launch a preemptive strike against the Islamic Republic, former US Ambassador to the UN John Bolton told RT."

"IAF expands training for rapid refueling"



"Muslim World: The northern tinder box"

This article has a few quotes worth mentioning:

"The war of words is continuing. The latest salvos were fired last week by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, and his Lebanese ally and client, Hizbullah leader Hassan Nasrallah. Ahmadinejad reportedly told Nasrallah that if Israel attacks his organization, Hizbullah’s response should be sufficient enough to lead to the closure, once and for all, of the Israeli “case.” In the same week, Nasrallah promised attendees at a ‘Resistance Martyrs Day’ celebration that his movement would target Israel’s infrastructure in the event of further hostilities – airports, factories and refineries were specifically mentioned."

"Some analysis has suggested that the heightened rhetoric may presage an attempt by Iran to heat up the northern front in response to the hardening international stance to Iran’s nuclear program."

"The results of such a conflict would not doubt be damaging to northern Israel, but to Lebanon and to Hizbullah, they are likely to be devastating. This means that from the Iranian point of view, the Hizbullah card is one of the most valuable that Teheran holds – but it can probably be played only once."

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Earthquake in Chile: Update:


"Rescuers struggle to save lives after Chile Quake"


"Authorities put the official death toll from Saturday's 8.8-magnitude quake at 214, but said they believed the number would grow. They said 1.5 million Chileans were affected and 500,000 homes severely damaged by the mammoth temblor."

"The full extent of damage remained unclear. Ninety aftershocks of magnitude 5 or greater shuddered across the disaster prone Andean nation within 24 hours of the initial quake. One was nearly as powerful as Haiti's devastating Jan. 12 earthquake."

"President Michelle Bachelet, who leaves office March 11, declared a "state of catastrophe" in central Chile. "It was a catastrophe of devastating consequences," she said.

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The signs are abundant. This post today, for instance, had to include a process of selecting the most pertinent articles - as there are so many more prophecy related news articles today that could have been linked. There are several articles that could have been posted relating to persistent calls for a single worldwide currency. There are articles relating to the potential collapse of the dollar and a new financial crisis. There are articles on the EU's top leaders positioning for more power, described as a "power grab" among these leaders - power that we know will be consumed by the antichrist when he arrives on the scene. And on and on it goes. Just in a single day of prophecy watching.

What is really interesting from the "prophecy watching" point of view is this:

What happens next?

Currently, there are two scenarios which seem to be in play - scenarios which could lead to the terminal events which lead into the Tribulation:

1. War between Israel and Syria/Hezbollah/Lebanon. If this conflict occurs first, then I believe Isaiah 17 (destruction of Damascus) occurs, which would precipitate the subsequent coalition of Gog-MaGog (Ezekiel 38-39) attacking Israel. This scenario could take place without Israel ever attacking Iran's nuclear facilities.

2. Israel takes direct action against Iran's nuclear facilities - followed by Iran's proxies invading Israel (Syria/Hezbollah/Lebanon), leading to the destruction of Damascus. These events would then precipitate the final consolidation of the nations who invade Israel as described in Ezekiel 38-39.

More viable scenarios could appear as this evolving situation crystallizes, but for now, one of the above seems likely, if not imminent.


In just one week of prophecy watching we have seen:

Potential scenarios for war in the Middle East.
More rumors of war.
Earthquakes in the daily headlines.
EU leaders engaged in power grabs.
EU becoming immersed in the Middle East peace process.
Famine and disease spreading in Haiti, from the last big earthquake.

As mentioned yesterday - God is seemingly doing everything possible to wake up a sleeping world.

Biblical prophecy has also received vast international attention. The "Left Behind" series has reached millions, as have the array of books, articles and presentations given on the topic. People cannot claim that they had no exposure to biblical prophecy. One can skim a bookstore and see numerous writings about "end times" prophecy. Evidence also comes in the form of scoffers - confirming the fact that prophecy is available - even to those who gleefully deny the possibility of prophetic fulfillment. A person can't scoff at something they haven't been exposed to. One can scan television channels and see one of many programs detailing prophetic developments or more sensational "end of the world" shows. Its everywhere.

The warning bells are ringing - louder and louder. God's plan will come to fulfillment, but God is also patient and His desire is that everyone comes to repentance, and there is STILL time:

"The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." (2 Peter 3:9)

We've been warned - over and over again, throughout an entire generation. The warnings are loud and clear. But that door is rapidly closing. When Jesus does come, it will be too late for the unsaved. In the words of Jesus:

"Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back...If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to everyone: 'WATCH!'" (emphasis mine - Mark 13:35).

"So you must also be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him." (Matthew 24:44).