Taking a step back

Below are two excellent "review articles" that are both timely and comprehensive and cover recent happenings in the Middle East, with some implications for the future:

Unrest in the Middle East and North Africa - country by country

This one comes from Caroline Glick:

Mixed SIgnals

For better or worse, each passing day the Middle East is becoming more unstable. Regimes that have clung to power for decades are now being overthrown and threatened. Others are preemptively cracking down on their opponents or seeking to appease them.

While no one can say with certainty what the future will bring to the radically altered Middle Eastern landscape, it is becoming increasingly apparent that US influence over events here will be dramatically diminished.

That is the intro - and there is a lot in this article - one that is well worth reading. But lets jump to the end which gives us the "bottom line" regarding Egypt's future:

At the latest, this crisis will occur in September with the scheduled elections. At that point, three scenarios will arise.

1. The ruling military junta may cancel the elections and foment another rebellion.

2. If the military permits free and fair elections, the Muslim Brotherhood will become the most potent force in Egypt due to its unmatched organizational capacity.

After the elections the Muslim Brotherhood may adopt the model of Turkey’s Islamist AKP party and move Egypt into the Iranian camp while pretending it is still a US ally.

3. After the elections, the Muslim Brotherhood may adopt the Khomeinist model and foment an Islamic revolution in Egypt.

IN ALL these scenarios, America’s strategic interests will be placed in jeopardy.

Not to mention Israel, who is already on high alert (even more than usual, if that's possible).

As mentioned before, we're watching the last pieces of the puzzle assembled as we watch.

This is undeniably an exciting time to be a prophecy watcher.

We know what is coming and the idea of being with Jesus gives us indescribable joy - joy that cannot be diminished by scoffers, fear of the present, attacks from the other side, hardships, or too many cats in the house (opps, that one is my personal problem. Sorry to digress with a small attempt at humor).

But to be honest? I'm feeling pretty good these days. I also find it very hard to NOT look up with the anticipation of what I know is coming soon. Even if we have to wait a little longer - it will be worth the wait.

I want to see Jesus. I want to be with Him. I want to fall at His feet. I want to see His face. I want to thank Him for everything that He has done for me and that list is too long to even begin compiling, but it starts with what He did on the cross.

I know that you all feel the same. Its the very thing that I love about prophecy watchers - we share these same ideas. There aren't that many folks around that share these same ideas - even within the Christian community.

And we will be rewarded for our vigilance. That too, is a promise:

"Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day - and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing" (2 Timothy 6:6-8).

While I'm rambling (and I typically try to avoid making this about me - for a long list of reasons) - I just want to take the opportunity to thank so many of you who have taken the time and effort to contact me - either on the board, or through email, or phone - in order to give encouragement. Its really touching and it means a whole lot and I can't tell you how much I appreciate it.

It just shows what kind of community we prophecy watchers are. Thanks so much. I can't wait to see every single one of you - and I really think it will be soon.

Maranatha!