"Virtual Declarations"

Different countries around the world are beginning to line up and declare their recognition of a separate "Palestinian State", independent from any official "agreement". This scenario is something that has been pushed by the PA, with the ultimate hope that the UN Security Council would make such policy "final" - something that hasn't happened yet, but could be gaining momentum:

Argentina, Uruguay recognize Palestinian state

Following Brazil's public recognition last week, neighboring state issues similar statement recognizing 'Palestine within borders defined in 1967.' Uruguay followed suit. Foreign Ministry officials describe step as 'virtual declaration' while stepping up efforts to prevent trend from spreading further.

Argentina said Monday it recognized a "free and independent" Palestinian state, days after Brazil drew sharp criticism from US lawmakers for taking the same step."

The Argentine government recognizes Palestine as a free and independent state within the borders defined in 1967," Argentine Foreign Minister Hector Timerman said, reading from the letter.

Also Monday, Uruguay made a similar statement. The step is part of efforts to reignite peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians.

The Palestinians have been working to persuade other countries to acknowledge their right to establish an independent state. Their target date is August 2011 - two years after the plan to establish a Palestinian state was first introduced by prime minister Salam Fayyad.

This may not be a bad idea...In fact, I am considering declaring my home and 5 acres as an independent country. But I digress...

There is more to this story:

Argentina, Uruguay Recognize PA as a State

Argentina announced on Monday that it recognizes a Palestinian state, calling Palestine “a free and independent state within its 1967 borders,” The Associated Press reported. According to the report, Argentina said the announcement reflects its frustration at the slow progress of peace talks with Israel.

Argentina’s announcement comes only several days after Brazil announced that it recognizes the Palestinian Authority as a new independent Arab country. Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva sent a letter to PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas, in which he wrote that Brazil recognizes “Palestine” and hopes that the recognition will help lead to two states, Israel and Palestine, “that will co-exist peacefully and in security.”

One more:

South American countries recognize Palestinian state

The Argentine Foreign Ministry said in an e-mailed statement that the move was designed to help “definitively advance the negotiation process that will lead to the establishment of a just and lasting peace in the Middle East.”

“Recognition of a Palestinian state is a violation of the interim agreement signed by Israel and the Palestinian Authority in 1995, which established that the status of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip will be discussed and solved through negotiations,” the Foreign Ministry said in a statement. The statement said that recognition of a Palestinian state also contradicted the road map.

“All attempts to bypass negotiations and to unilaterally determine issues in dispute will only harm the trust of the sides and their commitment to agreed upon frameworks for negotiations,” the statement read.

The American Jewish Committee called the recognition of an independent Palestinian state by Brazil and Argentina both worrisome and counterproductive.

Such actions would only “encourage the PA to unilaterally declare independence,” which would “undermine the prospect for durable peace,” according to AJC Executive Director David Harris.

There are several points to be made.

- The world-wide pressure for a "peace agreement" including a separate "PA State" is enormous right now and shows no signs of diminishing.

- The fact that so many different countries are getting involved in this process is stunning. Decades ago, the peace effort was primarily a Middle-East - U.S. issue. That became expanded to include the "Quartet" a few years ago, a group including the EU, the U.S., Russia and the UN. Now we are seeing involved countries scanning the globe, with Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil and many others becoming involved. That alone is highly interesting.

- Because of the above - and the noteworthy and increasing international pressure for a peace deal, a prophecy watcher MUST wonder - when will the antichrist see his perfect moment to emerge and "confirm" a peace deal?

The time seems ripe right now, in fact, looking back all the way to 1948 - its hard to imagine a more opportune time for the emergence of a world leader to confirm the covenant.

The antichrist is very much alive at this very moment. He is watching these developments closely and he is most likely working behind the scenes, waiting for the perfect time to implement HIS plan.

The time is close and that means several things. According to biblical prophecy, the antichrist will be known by the fact that he and he alone will confirm the covenant. When that covenant becomes "confirmed", then the Tribulation has officially begun.

It is almost his time - the antichrist will emerge soon and he will begin his reign of terror.

And thats a good thing for a Christian. It means that our time is upon us as well. We won't be here for the antichrist and his reign of terror.

We have a wedding to attend, and just as John 14:1-3 describes, our bridegroom will be coming to take us home.