ISRAEL UPDATEJuly 22, 2001 - The amount of disrespect and intolerance shown by the Palestinians since the signing of the Peace Accords continues to escalate:
During this current Intifadah (uprising), Sept. 28, 2000 to the present, Rachel's tomb has been desecrated and Torah Scrolls burned in the quest for Palestinians gaining a homeland.
Ramallah was the scene of a donkey being paraded through the streets with a Tallit (prayer shawl) wrapped around it in mockery of Judaic beliefs.
In fact, the Wailing Wall has even been desecrated by a tourist throwing red paint on it to make a statement about the bloodshed of Palestinian freedom fighters.
One can't help but be confused at the dual standard of the Palestinian/Arab demand for access to Islamic Holy Sites and their boast of Islam being a religion of tolerance; then seeing blatant acts and wonder which religion we are speaking about.
Jews and Christians were denied access to these Holy Sites during the Arab occupation of Jerusalem prior to June 10, 1967; when there was a structured government and the sites were allowed to become run down due to lack of maintenance.
If Arafat can't control his people now and areas such as Gaza do not have clean water or proper sanitation, the outlook for quiet, peaceable Jewish/Christian worship at their Holy Sites is questionable to say the least.
A "Universal Jerusalem" will only bring about the exact opposite, a divided Jerusalem, one of denied access and damage to the Holy Sites we revere.
July 22, 2001 - The term antichrist is usually thought of in the idea of being against Christ, but it actually carries a second meaning, "in substitution of."
As we draw closer to the time of this heinous creature asserting himself in front of the whole world, we cannot help but recall the Holy Spirit speaking through Daniel in 9:27, where he causes the sacrifice and oblation to cease.
While we can be sure of the current trend of blending all religion, after his rise to power, he will break the covenant after three and one half years and demand that everyone worship him.
During this time of unheralded evil and abominable practice, the world's religious system will collapse and be destroyed as they realize their calls for ecumenical embracing of all religion are voided by this evil ruler.
How sad for all of these rulers who have turned their backs on the one true G-d, denied the reality of Jesus' death, burial and resurrection, and hardened their hearts to the Spirit of G-d, realizing the error of their ways, but only too late.
While one can't help but question how this can happen, we also must realize it has been spoken by the Holy Spirit through his authors that people will be deceived because they love not the truth or refused to accept it, (Zech 8:10; Mark 12:32; Rom 8:39; 11 Cor 6:6; Eph 4:15; 11 Thes 2:16; 1 Peter 1: 22; 1 John 2:4, 3:18, 4:6; etc,).
While G-d's Word is crystal clear about our reading to pursue the truth, the Antichrist will deceive the masses and the world system will collapse, but truth and Jesus will reign in an everlasting Kingdom!
To be continued…