The World Unites Against Israel

The recent crisis triggered by this "flotilla incident" serves as a useful metaphor for the Middle East situation today. It is absolutely amazing that we have video evidence that the Israeli soldiers who boarded the flotilla ship one by one as they descended down a rope from a helicopter - were brutally assaulted immediately - thrown overboard and/or beaten with pipes and stabbed with knives. It's all right there for anyone to see. This came after hours of pleading with the flotilla ships to turn away or peacefully follow the Israeli ships into a port and allowing for inspection.

Yet, despite the video's which plainly reveal the truth, the truth is completely ignored by the media. And this is exactly how most of the news is "filtered" these days - in a world dominated by lies and half-truths - a world which is turning steadily against Israel by the day.

First - lets look at the truth:

This first article contains several videos of the incident:

"Camera: In Aftermath of Gaza Flotilla Violence, Increase in Media Attention Yields Increase in Media Failures"

In the immediate aftermath of Israel's operation to prevent pro-Palestinian radicals from violating the naval blockade on the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip, during which passengers on the Mavi Marmara violently attacked Israeli soldiers boarding the ship and drew fatal Israeli fire, media organizations across the world are again focusing on Israel in a way reminiscent — both in quantity and quality — of the beginning of the second Palestinian "intifada."

It is now emerging who was really on board the flotilla ship: IHH, who is a radical Islamic group in Turkey:

Israel has outlawed IHH because of its fundraising activity for Hamas and its association with jihadist forces.

And according to the Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center, there is reliable information indicating that in the past IHH had links with global jihad and Islamic terrorist elements in the Middle East. As part of its connections with the global jihad it supported jihadist terrorist networks in Bosnia, Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan and Chechnya. IHH also served in the past as a cover for Al-Qaeda, acquiring forged documents, enlisting operatives and transferring weapons.

"Gaza flotilla participants created war atmosphere before confronting Israel"

On the day before the Gaza flotilla confronted the Israeli navy, Al-Jazeera TV documented the pre-battle atmosphere created by men on board the flotilla, who chanted a well-known Islamic battle cry invoking the killing and defeat of Jews in battle:

"[Remember] Khaibar, Khaibar, oh Jews! The army of Muhammad will return!"

Khaibar is the name of the last Jewish village defeated by Muhammad's army in 628. Many Jews were killed in that battle, which marked the end of Jewish presence in Arabia. There are Muslims who see that as a precursor to future wars against Jews. At gatherings and rallies of extremists, this chant is often heard as a threat to Jews to expect to

Al-Jazeera also reports that before the confrontation, flotilla participants announced that they would use "resistance" against Israel. Mukawama (resistance) is the Arabic term used by Palestinians to refer to all violence against Israel, including suicide terror.

"The flotilla includes hundreds of Arab and foreign solidarity activists from more than 40 countries ... They have announced their determination to use resistance to any attempt at piracy by the Israeli occupation."

"Radical Islam Behind the Flotilla Organizers"

The Turkish organization IHH (a Turkish acronym for “humanitarian relief fund”), the force behind the boats attempting to reach Gaza, has a radical Islamic anti-Western orientation and a history of ties with and fund-raising for Hamas.

A report by the Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center (ITIC) states that in addition to its legitimate philanthropic activities, IHH supports radical Islamic networks, including Hamas, and has supported global jihad elements. In fact, IHH’s “orientation is radical-Islamic and anti-American, and it is close to the Muslim Brotherhood, Hamas’ parent movement. IHH supports Hamas and does not hide the connection between them.”

In practice, ITIC states, “besides its legitimate humanitarian activities, IHH supports radical Islamic terrorist networks. In recent years, it has prominently supported Hamas, [and there is] reliable information that in the past IHH provided logistical support and funding to global jihad networks.”

The ceremony marking the departure of the Mavi Marmaris from Istanbul was organized by IHH. Participating were Ra'ad Salah, head of the northern faction of the Islamic Movement in Israel, as well as Kazem Sawalha, a Hamas activist affiliated with the Muslim Brotherhood who found refuge in Britain. The large crowd held flags of Turkey, the PA, Hamas, and other organizations affiliated with Hamas and radical Islam.

Unfortunately, the truth just doesn't matter at this point. What does matter, prophetically, is where this whole thing is headed.

But before that commentary, it is worth listing some of the representative articles which show the world aligning against Israel (even more so than before):

"Israel Faces International Fury"

"Israel in the eye of the storm"

"Flotilla Assault Off Gaza Spurs Crisis"

"Turkish PM calls flotilla raid a 'massacre"

"Ahmadinejad calls for strong, anti-Israel UN action"

"Global outcry follows Israel's raid on aid ships"

"China condemns deadly Israeli raid on ships"

"UN council condemns deaths in flotilla incident"

"Turkey threatens action: Israel on alert"


Well, that gives the flavor of the predictable international response.

I have to wonder...Did anyone actually watch these videos? Obviously the truth is completely irrelevant.

It looks like this incident will escalate. Turkey has threatened to send in more ships, and they have threatened to use their navy to do so. If this is indeed the case, then we need to brace for a major increase in tensions in the region. A region that is already JUST on the brink.

At this point, lamenting the fact that Israel is being treated unfairly by the media is simply a waste of time. We already knew that, it is supernaturally inspired. We already knew from prophecy that this would happen. We are now watching the world aligning exactly as prophecy would dictate.

The events described in Isaiah 17 (the complete, overnight destruction of Damascus) and Ezekiel 38-39 are drawing much closer now.

This is significant, because many of us believe that the events of Ezekiel 38-39 are inconsistent with the Church's presence on earth. This consideration is due to the fact that in this "Age of Grace" , we must rely on faith, not belief by "sight". And it is supported by the fact that the Church Age, lasting approximately 2,000 years now, has not included God's revealing of Himself by epic, obvious miracles. And the battle of "Gog-MaGog" as described in Ezekiel 38-39 DOES include a dramatic revealing of God, via His miraculous protection of Israel. It seems highly inconsistent with the Church Age. I believe we will be removed prior to this epic battle.

This current incident could prove to be the "flashpoint" that we have been looking for. Now we have a third option which could serve as this "triggering mechanism", in turn, igniting the powder-keg, otherwise known as the Middle East. The first two options are 1) Iran's quest for nuclear weapons and Israel's threatened "attack" on these facilities, and 2) An imminent invasion of Israel by the Syria-Lebanon-Hezbollah axis. All of these are converging rapidly.

I believe we are drawing extremely close to the Rapture of the Church. So many events are now converging (Iran's nukes, Russian movements south, chemical weapons now in Hezbollah's hands, Gaza uprisings, the EU in crisis, the world economic crisis, the Syria-Lebanon-Hezbollah alliance, Turkey threatening Israel's blockade, etc., etc., etc.).

More than ever, it is time to be prepared, as Jesus urged in His discourse of end times events.

"When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift your heads, because your redemption is drawing near." (Luke 21:28)

"Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near." (Luke 21:31)

Normally, I like to stay on a "factual" level and not include emotions. Sometimes emotions get in the way of a factual analysis. But on the other hand, the Holy Spirit can lend some useful insight. I include this only as something to ponder: Many of us are getting a strong sense, presumably from the Holy Spirit, that the coming of the Lord for His believers is very soon. Very soon.
This sense is undeniable.

What is soon? There is no way to know. But the signs are all around us - we are "swimming" in the signs. Everywhere we turn we see prophetic signs. Signs that Jesus is coming. He gave us these signs for a reason -He expects us to be prepared.

I urge each of you to get prepared as soon as possible. Stay in prayer. Keep reading your Bible. Witness. Inform as many people as possible that He is coming soon.

And perhaps more importantly, ponder what really matters here. We are just on the verge of being in the presence of Jesus Himself. We are on the verge of standing before Jesus. Our Savior. Our Lord. Our friend. The one who willingly took an unthinkable death on the cross - so that He could be with us throughout eternity. He anxiously awaits our arrival - He will take us to the place that He has prepared for each of us - a place called New Jerusalem (Revelation 21-22).

"And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me, so that you also may be where I am"
(John 14:1-3)

Maranatha! He is coming soon!