The Coalition to Destroy Israel Grows

It is amazing to watch the expanding anti-Israel coalition growing rapidly in these last days. All one has to do is watch the Middle east for a few hours to see this process - a process that is growing daily. Today's news is no exception:

Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood forms own party

Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood announced on Saturday its recently formed party will run for 45% to 50% of the parliament in the next elections scheduled for September.

The announcements came at a press conference after the group ended its two-day Shura Council meeting, the first one in 16 years. The group also confirmed that they do not plan to field a presidential candidate in the upcoming elections.

Egypt draws closer to Iran, Hamas

The first major display of this new tack was the deal Egypt brokered Wednesday to reconcile the secular Palestinian party Fatah with its rival Hamas. "We are opening a new page," said Ambassador Menha Bakhoum, spokeswoman for the Foreign Ministry. "Egypt is resuming its role that was once abdicated."

Egypt's shifts are likely to alter the balance of power in the region, allowing Iran new access to a previously implacable foe and creating distance between itself and Israel, which has been watching the changes with some alarm. "We are troubled by some of the recent actions coming out of Egypt," said one senior Israeli official, citing a "rapprochement between Iran and Egypt" as well as "an upgrading of the relationship between Egypt and Hamas."

"These developments could have strategic implications on Israel's security," the official said, speaking on the condition of anonymity because the issues were still under discussion in diplomatic channels. "In the past Hamas was able to rearm when Egypt was making efforts to prevent that. How much more can they build their terrorist machine in Gaza if Egypt were to stop?"

The amateurs in the White House may have just helped lay the groundwork for another middle east war - and this one might go nuclear.

Hamas-Fatah unity deal should worry all those who care about peace

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told his cabinet Sunday that a recent unity agreement between long-warring Palestinian factions Hamas and Fatah should be a cause for concern for "all those in the world who aspire to see peace between us and our Palestinian neighbors."

A future peace between Israel and the Palestinians will be created "only with those who want to be on our side, and not those who want our annihilation," Netanyahu said.

"Israel extends its hand in peace to all peoples of the region, to all of our neighbors that aspire to live alongside us in peace," Netanyahu said, "and will stand steadfast against whoever tries to attack us and endanger our existence."

Israel has said it will not negotiate with Hamas, which is considered a terrorist organization by the United States and European Union.

Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood to contest half of parliament seats

The Muslim Brotherhood said on Saturday it will contest up to half the parliamentary seats in elections scheduled for September.

The Muslim Brotherhood is regarded as the most organized political force in Egypt after the ouster of Hosni Mubarak in February and the dissolution of his National Democratic Party.

In a statement issued after a meeting of its decision-making shura (consultative) council, the group said it had decided to contest "between 45 and 50 percent of parliament's seats".

Jerry Golden puts things in perspective:

Things That Need To Be Said

With Islam spreading across the US and the world, it has occurred to me that fewer and fewer believers in Yeshua are exercising the courage to stand firm in what they believe. This is submission to fear, and that fear is coming from Islam. The definition of the word "Islam" is "Submission" so in no uncertain terms the lack of courage to stand up for what you believe is actually submitting to that fear that comes out of Islam.

Things are moving very quickly and not only here in the Middle East. Islam is on the move throughout the entire world. But for those who are students of God's Word, the Holy Bible, they know that the center of all things with God is in Jerusalem. Israel is God's land and if you want to know what is happening in God's economy just keep your eyes on Jerusalem.

You see, God cannot lie. Genesis 12:3 is for real, and today thousands are finding that out across the US as their President supports all the Islamic forces building up against Israel and merely pays lip service to her. This undercover Muslim is not only an enemy to Israel but the greatest threat and enemy American has ever known.

Sure, I know many will not like what I am saying and will speak evil of me for stating the truth. The truth is that America is falling very fast now

I want to encourage you to exercise your courage and stand up for righteousness, and put God at the center of your life. For without that firm conviction your courage will fail, and if you don't move with courage you will end up submitting to the evil forces around you.

The next thought is worth bolding:

There is in my spirit a certain feeling that the time is very near when I will not be able to ask for your prayers and assistance. For as your economy, ecology and world collapses around you only what you have invested in God's Kingdom will last forever. Everything else will perish.

Indeed.

Reflecting on the news today and the trends that we have been observing in the Middle East (and the entire world for that matter) - several thoughts are obvious:

- We continue to see more and more earthquakes, volcanoes, tornados, floods, drought, food shortages, rising inflation and many more of the "general signs" that Jesus warned us about.

- We continue to see the growing influence of the revived Roman Empire and their use of military forces to impose their will in the region.

- We see more and more regional wars in and around the Middle East, and with each "uprising" we see radical Islam gaining more and more power.

- We watch as Iran's influence grows and we watch as the biblical coalitions continue to form - coalitions which will invade Israel in efforts to destroy the nation.

- We watch as the world ignores the current financial situation and we see the coming world currency along with a world governance rapidly approaching.

And on and on this list goes.

Just like birth pains, the signs that we observe daily will not abate. Rather, these signs will continue to increase in both frequency and severity until the final "birth" - the Second Coming of Jesus Himself.

For now, we see the Tribulation rapidly approaching, and thus, by definition, the Rapture of the Church is also rapidly approaching.

I am reminded of these words from Jesus Himself, as we prepare for the last days:

"Be dressed and ready for service and keep your lamps burning, like men waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him.

It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes.

It will be good for those servants whose master finds them ready, even if he comes in the second or third watch of the night.

You must also be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him."

(Luke 12:35-40).

Amen. Come quickly Lord. We're ready.