THE MESSIAH COMES TO ISRAEL

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Patriarch of Faith Award 2010


Israel Today is privileged to present its second Patriarch of Faith Award to Reverend Gerald Rowlands of Queensland Australia.

Rev Rowlands has been a faithful minister of the Gospel for more than fifty years. He has served at various times as pastor, evangelist, missionary, Bible College lecturer and College principal in Zimbabwe. Africa. He has written several books and is the author of the Church Planting Institute series of Studies. He is the founder and president of Church Planting International, a training course for prospective church planters which is being used effectively in numerous nations. In 2006 he was awarded the Order of Australia Medal(OAM) by the Australian government for services rendered in the emerging world.

God’s mandate to Gerald and Elizabeth Rowlands – given over 30 years ago – was loud and clear and altered the direction of their lives forever. The Spirit of the Lord spoke to them during a Derek Prince meeting in Africa “I want you to get your attitude towards Israel straightened out because the effectiveness of your ministry from now on will depend on you having a right attitude to My ancient people and their land.” A Word of knowledge followed describing events that would soon connect them with Israel and Jerusalem.

Currently Reverend Rowlands serves as president of Israel’s Prophetic Future (www.israelspropheticfuture.org) a ministry that seeks to promote Israel’s sovereign role in the end times. He has a weekly radio program entitledShalom Israel which focuses on the nation’s biblical past and prophetic future. Gerald also served for ten years as the director of praise and worship at the annual Feast of Tabernacles Celebration in Jerusalem. In the course of their ministry, he and Elizabeth have travelled to some 70 nations and have lived in Africa and Asia. Gerald’s newest book The Messiah Comes to Israel was released by Destiny Image Europe in July 2010 and is a must read. This intriguing book is available postage free from http://www.bookdepository.co.uk/book/9788889127995/The-Messiah-Comes-to-Israel. It encourages a fresh approach to the scriptures that promised glorious things for Israel – not in the distant future, but in our times. The Lord has truly multiplied and prospered the work of the Kingdom through the hands of his servants the Rowlands. Therefore ISRAEL TODAY is proud and honored to present them with the Patriarch of Faith Award for 2010.

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

A DEVASTATING TIME-BOMB

The whole world is currently sitting on a time bomb that is about to explode. When it does, and this will very soon, it will change the future of the world forever. The event of which I am speaking may seem an innocuous one to many uninformed people, but it will trigger results that will vitally affect the future of every nation on earth. It is an attack that will soon be launched on Israel.

It must be very evident to everyone that the attack that currently threatens Israel is now both inevitable and imminent. Islamic forces have armed at great expense with high tech weapons that have the capability of virtually annihilating Israel. They fanatically believe that Allah will soon rule the whole world and that the conquest of Israel is the first necessary step towards that global conquest.

The Church, which ought to be awake and alert regarding this event that has been foretold in the Bible, (Psalm 83 and Zechariah 12) is virtually silent and inactive regarding this predicted event. It may take the Church completely by surprise. This fact is truly sad because the ultimate result of the amazing victory that God will grant to Israel will be followed by a new outpouring of the Holy Spirit on Israel and ultimately on all flesh (Joel 2:28).

Church, it is time to wake up, become aware of Biblical predictions, and urgently prepare for the greatest harvest of souls that has ever been reaped. Israel will soon arise in glorious splendour out of the darkness that envelops the nations (Isaiah 60:1). In a world that will be in absolute confusion, God will also cause the Church to arise and together with Israel proclaim the reality of the Kingdom of God. This great move of God will be different to any visitation in history. The Church of Jesus Christ will be transformed from an insipid humanistic organisation to a powerful army that will overwhelm the powers of darkness and achieve a mighty and splendid triumph over every enemy of Jehovah. The present form of Christendom that exists will be divided asunder. The institutional Church will wither and die. The true Body of Christ that is born again and completely surrendered to the will and purpose of God will assume the role of a mighty spiritual army led by the Lord of heaven’s armies. It will also become like a bride prepared for her bridegroom without spot, wrinkle or blemish (Ephesians 5:27).

Our vision of the Church of the future must be clarified and freshly identified. The emergence of this Church must be the most important issue on our agendas. The ranks of this Church will be filled with a prophetic people that truly know their God and are strengthened by Him to accomplish GREAT EXPLOITS. Daniel 11:32-33
...but the people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits. NKJV

Daniel 12:8-10
8 Although I heard, I did not understand. Then I said, "My lord, what shall be the end of these things?"
9 And he said, "Go your way, Daniel, for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.
10 Many shall be purified, made white, and refined, but the wicked shall do wickedly; and none of the wicked shall understand, but the wise shall understand. NKJV

Gerald Rowlands

www.israelspropheticfuture.org

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Will Israel Disappear Off The Map?

Israel is currently under a serious threat of annihilation. The threats have been made on numerous occasions and the weapons of destruction feverishly prepared by people who believe the destruction is pre-ordained by their “God”. The major question is, could this possibly happen and when? Our response is surely a definite NO, but how can we be absolutely sure? The fact is that Yaweh, the only true and living God, has actually predicted that this attempt would be made in the last days. He has also foretold what the ultimate result of this attack would be. That result will be achieved by a direct supernatural intervention that will not only save Israel from destruction but will gloriously transform and extend the borders of Israel winning an era of peace and prosperity.

Australian author Gerald Rowlands has written an intriguing and somewhat controversial book about an attack on Israel that may have an astonishing effect on Israel, the Middle East and ultimately the whole world. It presents the possibility that the next major item on God’s prophetic agenda may include a remarkable outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the nation of Israel that will lead to a great spiritual transformation.

A grave situation that initially appears to threaten the future existence of Israel, may be transformed into a miracle that is even greater than what occurred in Egypt when God delivered His people with a strong and mighty arm (Psa 118:15,16). The very real possibility of this apparently inevitable and imminent attack was greatly increased by a recent speech made by the president of Iran.

On a visit to Lebanon Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad recently (Thursday 14th October 2010) told thousands of supporters at a rally along the Lebanon/Israel border that Israel would soon disappear, while they (Lebanon) would thrive. Ahmadinejad was in the Hezbollah stronghold of Bint Jbeil which was once bombed by Israel and rebuilt by Hezbollah.

Speaking to a crowd brandishing Iranian flags and cheering, Ahmadinejad praised Hezbollah and its southern stronghold as "the foremost shield of Lebanon." He further announced that “The entire world should know that the Zionists are destined to soon disappear from the world.” His vehement views have even been aired before the United Nations on several occasions provoking very little protest.

In several of his vitriolic speeches, wittingly or unwittingly Ahmadinejad has actually quoted a Biblical prophecy that a war would be launched against Israel by all her neighbors that would be intended to literally “wipe Israel off the map.” Psalm 83:4-8

What Ahmadinejad did not quote was the conclusion of the psalm in which Israel’s enemies would become ashamed and terrified and learn that Jehovah alone is the “Most High” supreme over all the earth. Psalm 83:16-18

The attack that Ahmadinejad foreshadowed that would make Israel disappear off the map is not only predicted in Psalm 83 it is also described in Zechariah 12. However, the account that is given in Zechariah 12 adds much more detail about the attack and its amazing conclusion.

Zechariah 12:9-10 (AMP)
9 And it shall be in that day that I will make it My aim to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem.
10 And I will pour out upon the house of David and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace or unmerited favor and supplication. And they shall look [earnestly] upon Me Whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for Him as one who is in bitterness for his firstborn.

Faced with a vicious attack that appears to have the potential to annihilate the Jewish State, the prophet describes a direct intervention by Yaweh Sabaoth (The Lord of heaven’s armies) which achieves an astonishing supernatural victory for Israel. Immediately after the miraculous victory, the person who led Israel to that victory is recognized as - “the one who was pierced.” This totally unexpected revelation is the cause of a national time of mourning encompassing a major part of Israel’s population.

The question this book addresses is whether or not this apparently inevitable attack is the one predicted by Zechariah. If it is then according to verse ten the victory will soon be followed by the transformation of Israel through a fresh revelation of the Holy One of Israel and subsequent repentance and prayers. This “appearance” of the Messiah to Israel will not fit the prophetic perceptions of many Christians. However, according to this book, the possibility of its occurrence appears to have considerable Biblical support. Surely it is a possibility that should at least be seriously and urgently considered. If it proves to be true it will drastically change the future particularly for Israel and the Church and ultimately the whole world.

Sunday, November 21, 2010

Outgoing MI Chief: in Next War, TEL AVIV IS FRONT LINE

Major-General Amos Yadlin, the outgoing head of the IDF's Intelligence Branch, told the cabinet Sunday (21st November 2010) that Iran is the major threat against Israel, and not only with regard to its nuclear ambition. “Iran is reaching out with octopus-arms to anyone who acts against Israel,” he said. "In the next confrontation, there is a chance that war will break out on more than one front, and that Tel Aviv will become a front,” Yadlin warned, as he has before. “There is also a struggle against the very legitimacy of Israel's existence,” he added, “and to face it we need intelligence and to mobilize the nation.”

"Israel's deterrent power is very strong,” Yadlin told the ministers in his final briefing as Military Intelligence Head, “but the quiet should not deceive us – to the contrary. Our enemies are getting stronger and arming themselves.”

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu bid Yadlin farewell and said: "I met with him every week, sometimes several times a week. We discussed the difficult problems and new challenges that face us, from the Iranian nuclear threat through the threat of missiles and rockets against the State of Israel, the development of Hizbullah and Hamas, as well as various developments in the countries of the region. I believe that Amos succeeded in giving us the tools with which to assess these dangers and to prepare to meet them."
by Gil Ronen



Israel is currently bracing itself for an expected attack by her near neighbors which will be orchestrated by Iran. Such an attack has been announced numerous times by the Iranian government. I personally believe that it has also been predicted in the Koran and in the Bible. Many Muslims across the world are anticipating it and preparing in various ways. Why is it that the Church for the most part, is not recognizing the inevitability and imminence of this attack?

One of the Biblical predictions that clearly describes this attack, also predicts a great outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon Israel that will soon be followed by an outpouring upon all flesh. (Joel 2:28) The world scene will dramatically change and the Church will soon be confronted by a new challenge and a glorious opportunity. The events that will surely follow this outrageous attack. We must pray earnestly and passionately that the Church will awake to the predicted attack and the astounding aftermath. The whole world will be affected one way or another but this predicted event will affect the Church more than any other people group on earth. The Church needs to urgently ask itself exactly what is about to happen? How will it affect the nations on earth? What can we do to prepare for these imminent eventualities?

Gerald Rowlands

Monday, November 15, 2010

MESSAGE FROM GERALD

The war predicted in Psalm 83 and Zechariah 12, appears to be more inevitable and imminent with every passing day. The enemies of Israel are sitting like vultures on her borders, waiting for their signal to attack Israel with a fearful onslaught. As certain as this war may be, so certain also is the predicted response of God when He will judge and destroy those armies that attack His chosen ones. (Psalm 83:3)

Immediately after an astounding victory that God will win for Israel, He will then pour out His Holy Spirit on the entire nation of Israel. (Zechariah 12:10) This will not only initiate a dramatic transformation of Israel. It will also transform the present scenario for all the nations on earth. A brand new day will dawn that will take the world by complete surprise. Ironically, it will also take the great majority of Christians by surprise too despite the fact that it has all been foretold in the Bible. The element of surprise within the Church will find many believers totally unprepared. Instead of flowing directly into the rapidly unfolding plan that takes shape, they will be left as spectators on the sideline.

Revelation 3:6
6 Anyone who is willing to hear should listen to the Spirit and understand what the Spirit is saying to the churches. NLT

Ezekiel 3:18
18 If I warn the wicked, saying, 'You are under the penalty of death,' but you fail to deliver the warning, they will die in their sins. NLT

Christian TV and radio ministries, who have a unique opportunity to warn people both sinners and the Christians, and fail to use the facility that God has granted them, will have the blood of those people on their hands. Unfortunately many Churches and Christian media ministries today are focussed on entertaining their congregations instead of warning them. Very few preachers, in pulpits or on the airwaves are plainly warning their audiences that we are now living in the last days of this present era. God is about to visit the earth with both judgment and salvation. We who belong to Him, whose lives are truly surrendered to His plan and purpose, need to blow an alarm in such a manner that no one will be able to say, “I never heard the warning. I had no idea of the urgency of the hour.” Whatever means we have access to as an instrument of warning, let us use it powerfully and immediately. Gerald Rowlands www.israelspropheticfuture.org

8,000 ETHIOPIAN FALASH MURA TO MAKE ALIYAH TO ISRAEL:

Almost 8,000 people from the Falash Mura community in Ethiopia will immigrate to Israel in the next four years, according to a decision that was confirmed in the Knesset on Sunday. “There are approximately 8,000 men, women and children who live under very difficult humanitarian conditions,” PM Netanyahu said during a government meeting. He went on to say that the Government of Israel seeks to resolve this problem and to avoid the creation of additional refugee camps in Ethiopia. "We have a moral commitment as Jews, as the People of Israel, to find a solution," he continued. (J.Post) “We wait in hope for the Lord; He is our help and our shield.” Ps 33:20

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

WARNING - VIOLENT TURBULENCE AHEAD.

Anyone who has flown even a few air miles is usually aware of this warning message. “This is your captain speaking. Please take your seats and fasten your seatbelts we are flying into turbulence ahead.” Usually the passengers are already vaguely aware of the turbulence even before the official announcement is made. Air currents are beginning to buffet the plane and a general awareness of change is growing.

I believe that our captain is presently issuing such a warning. Let him that has ears, hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church. Every Christian should be made aware that we need to take urgent appropriate action in the light of the turbulence that we are currently flying towards. We are rapidly entering the time zone of which it is said that everything that can be shaken will be shaken.

Hebrews 12:26-27
"Once again I will shake not only the earth but the heavens also."
27 This means that the things on earth will be shaken, so that only eternal things will be left. NLT


The world is about to be shaken as never before when God unleashes His judgment on the nations that have chosen to attack His land and His precious ones.

Psalms 83:2-4
2 Don't you hear the tumult of your enemies? Don't you see what your arrogant enemies are doing?
3 They devise crafty schemes against your people, laying plans against your precious ones.
4 "Come," they say, "let us wipe out Israel as a nation. We will destroy the very memory of its existence." NLT


This attack, though aimed specifically on Israel, will have the power to thoroughly shake the whole world. God’s response to the attack will constitute the fulfilment of one of the most dramatic events in Biblical prophecy.

Zechariah 12:8-9
9 For my plan is to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem. NLT


Psalms 83:16-18
16 Utterly disgrace them until they submit to your name, O LORD.
17 Let them be ashamed and terrified forever. Make them failures in everything they do,
18 until they learn that you alone are called the LORD, that you alone are the Most High, supreme over all the earth. NLT


The epicentre of this turbulence will be the Middle East and the catalyst that causes the shaking will be an attack launched on Israel by all her nearest neighbours. Although the attack will be centred directly on Israel, its impact will be felt in various ways around the world. In many ways the whole world will change forever. The ultimate fallout from this vicious attack will cause unprecedented havoc in the nations most closely aligned and participating in the attack. The devastating power of the attack will initially appear to be capable of achieving its desired result which will be the total annihilation of Israel. The nature of the attack will constitute the most formidable of all attacks made on Israel. The whole world will wonder how Israel can possibly survive it. The answer to that question will come in the form of a direct, supernatural intervention that will be launched by Jehovah Sabaoth, the Lord of heaven’s armies. Almighty God will rescue and deliver Israel in a manner that will surprise all humanity.

We certainly do not relish the thought of such an attack, but unfortunately it does appear to be both inevitable and very imminent. The particular philosophy and power behind the attack is initiated by ancient Islamic prophesies that predict the ultimate conquest of Israel by the warriors of Islam.

Another analogy that illustrates the world’s dilemma at this dramatic moment is the sinking of the Titanic which was reputed to be the world’s first unsinkable ship. When the Titanic embarked on her maiden voyage on April 15, 1912, the world was filled with hope and awe. In just a few short days those emotions turned to horror and grief as the ship ploughed into a giant iceberg. One of the most fascinating aspects about the tragic history of the Titanic, is the assorted mix of passengers onboard the ill fated luxury liner. When the ship sank, the lives of both the famous and the unknown were lost as well. As the illustrious ship sailed blissfully into the dark night, many passengers were dancing gracefully in the ballroom. The band was playing, and the air was filled with joyful anticipation of a successful voyage. The last thought on anyone’s mind was of possible danger and destruction. This tragic scenario powerfully illustrates the present world situation. Most of the people in the world seem completely oblivious of the danger that lies immediately ahead as the planned attack on Israel reaches its final stages.

There are at least four beliefs that Muslims will never forsake.
1. That the land on which Israel is currently situated belongs to Islam.
2. That the Al Aksa Mosque in Jerusalem must be under strict Islamic rule.
3. That peace can never be negotiated with Israel.
4. That the Jewish nation of Israel must be totally destroyed.

These are the beliefs that drive Islamic ambition. For them the conquest of Israel is the first step towards ultimate universal rule. The Muslims will never be satisfied with a Palestinian State side by side with a Jewish one. Islam must totally eradicate the Zionist entity.

When the prophecy of Zechariah 12 takes place as it surely will, it will bring massive change to the whole world. This change definitely applies to the Church, and the leaders of the Church must prepare its members now in order to survive and thrive in the new world scenario that will be established. In seeking to prepare for the forthcoming era we must look to God for His prophetic rhema word regarding the shape and nature of the Church. The present status quo is in no way good enough to survive and thrive in the time period that will envelop the world. The Church must awake from its slumber and face the reality of the end time days in which we now live. We are about to be catapulted into truly extraordinary times. We dare not continue as though nothing is different and that no radical changes must be made. We must cry out to God for a new outpouring of His Holy Spirit.

In the aftermath of the battle and subsequent victory, God is going to pour forth His Holy Spirit on the nation of Israel.

Zechariah 12:10-11
10 "And I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication; then they will look on Me whom they pierced. Yes, they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son, and grieve for Him as one grieves for a firstborn.
11 In that day there shall be a great mourning in Jerusalem, like the mourning at Hadad Rimmon in the plain of Megiddo. NKJV


This visitation will eclipse the Day of Pentecost phenomena. It will radically and dramatically transform Israel. But the Church will be transformed too. Israel and the Church will face together a brand new era. The One New Man, who is both Jew and Gentile (Ephesians 2:15) will reap the greatest spiritual harvest of all time.

Revelation 7:9-10
9 After this I saw a vast crowd, too great to count, from every nation and tribe and people and language, standing in front of the throne and before the Lamb. They were clothed in white and held palm branches in their hands.
10 And they were shouting with a mighty shout, "Salvation comes from our God on the throne and from the Lamb!" NLT


These events are not in the dim and distant future, they are in the here and now. The war predicted upon Israel is already engaged in its earliest stages. The stage is set. The participants are making final preparations. The battle is imminently inevitable, but so are the sensational events that will surely follow the victory that God has purposed to grant (Zechariah 12:9).

The world is at the threshold of an amazing prophetic time. God is calling on the Church to “Wake up” and surrender to Him afresh as we prepare for the gigantic harvest that will take place.

Gerald Rowlands

www.israelspropheticfuture.org
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YI7cMhQcBGg



Order your copy of THE MESSIAH COMES TO ISRAEL from

http://www.bookdepository.co.uk/book/9788889127995/The-Messiah-Comes-to-Israel

Thursday, November 4, 2010

COULD THIS ASTOUNDING PREDICTION SOON BE FULFILLED?


Gerald Rowlands’ new book THE MESSIAH COMES TO ISRAEL which has been released in July 2010, is certainly thought provoking and even somewhat controversial. He introduces a prophetic possibility that is quite different from any of the usual Christian End Time scenarios. From Zechariah 12 and Psalm 83 he describes an attack launched in the last days upon Israel by all her nearby neighbors supported by Iran. This attack concludes with a supernatural and astounding victory for Israel through a direct intervention of God and the “Angel of the LORD.” This is followed by the astounding revelation of who the Angel of the Lord truly is.

Zechariah 12:10 then describes a time of Israel’s national grief and repentance towards their deliverer who reveals Himself as the Messiah, the One who was previously pierced. An outpouring of the Spirit of grace and supplications on all the descendants of David and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem elicits a spirit of grief and repentance by the entire Jewish nation. This verse also describes the national recognition of the Messiah as the One consistently predicted throughout the Jewish Scriptures.

This amazing revelation would introduce a period of peace, prosperity and exaltation for Israel of the nature described by Isaiah 60, an inspiring prophetic chapter that begins with “Arise and shine Jerusalem for the glory of the Lord has risen upon you…The Lord will arise upon you and His glory shall be seen upon you…Gentiles shall come to your light and kings to the brightness of your rising”.

While gross darkness covers the Gentile world, Israel will be illuminated before all the nations on earth by the Shekinah glory of the Lord. All of this transpires well before the war described in Ezekiel 38 and 39. Indeed it is the peace and prosperity that comes to Israel following this victory, that entices Gog and Magog to finally launch their attack on Israel which is also repulsed and powerfully defeated by the sovereign God.

All of this makes for fascinating, challenging and insightful reading that every Bible lover should closely study. Without an understanding of this amazing chain of events that will happen very soon, an essential aspect of Bible prophecy is missing. These events constitute the next item in God’s prophetic agenda.

Great News: The book is now available from-
www.bookdepository.co.uk/book/9788889127995/The-Messiah-Comes-to-Israel (They deliver overseas postage free)


EMAIL info@israelspropheticfuture.org

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

IMMANENT EVENT

ISRAEL’S “BIG DAY”
Is Coming Soon!

The nations of the world are currently lining up together against tiny Israel. Iran is increasing the volume of her threats against Israel every week. The nations aligned with Iran are sitting like vultures on Israel’s borders waiting for a signal to launch a devastating attack. The aim behind their plans is to totally annihilate the Jewish State. Israel’s enemies believe that they can finally succeed in achieving this objective. What will be the result of this war and when will it be launched? The Bible is the only source with an answer to this solemn question and this is your chance to read what it will be. Read Psalm 83 and Zechariah 12 and you will begin to understand what has been predicted.

An Imminent Event In the Foreseeable Future?

Of all the major issues that currently face our world and its future security, the one most likely to happen next is a massive attack upon Israel launched by all Israel’s nearby neighbors backed and incited by Iran. The clear indications of such an attack have been proclaimed and demonstrated by feverish activities on the part of Iran together with Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Southern Lebanon. The attack, although made directly on Israel, will have devastating worldwide repercussions powerfully affecting every nation on earth. In many ways our world will be changed forever. If this proposed attack were to succeed and the State of Israel was annihilated, the whole plan of redemption as revealed in the Bible would be derailed. Jehovah’s plan to rule the world from David’s throne in Jerusalem would immediately become defunct. How strange that so few people seem to be vitally aware of this impending drama and the apparent proximity of it.
Zechariah is a minor prophet with a major prophetic message, part of which is likely to be fulfilled in the very near future. When this happens Israel will emerge as an extremely prominent nation winning great respect and will be recognized and honored by all the nations on earth. The prophet Zechariah graphically describes this amazing event. In the Message Version of the Bible the prophet frequently refers to “The Big Day” which is usually translated in other versions as “In that day.” In fact it will be a bigger day than almost anyone has ever yet imagined. It will be a truly amazing and astounding time when Israel will arise as though from the dead! (Romans 11:15).
I firmly believe these enemies to be the same ones that Asapah described in Psalms 83:4-8
4 "Come," they say, "let us wipe out Israel as a nation. We will destroy the very memory of its existence."
5 This was their unanimous decision. They signed a treaty as allies against you —
6 these Edomites and Ishmaelites, Moabites and Hagrites,
7 Gebalites, Ammonites, and Amalekites, and people from Philistia and Tyre.
8 Assyria has joined them, too, and is allied with the descendants of Lot. NLT
Each of these ancient and historic foes of Israel have their modern counterparts today surrounding the borders of modern Israel. They have all formed an alliance the chief aim of which is the conquest of Israel and the annihilation of the Jewish State which they intend to replace with an Islamic Shariah based government.
I further believe that this attack and its amazing consequence is about to happen very soon. This war now already seems to be inevitable. It also appears to be very imminent. Such an End time war was predicted in Islamic prophecy and many Muslims believe that it will happen very soon. They are currently and fanatically preparing for it. Their plans are in place. Iran is boldly and arrogantly proclaiming its intentions to the whole world. They and their minions are absolutely determined to launch a massive attack upon Israel. They are totally steadfast to let nothing deter them. However when their efforts fail, there will be tremendous “loss of face” and shock among them. There will be a massive capitulation of Islamic forces.
The question is, what will be the response of God who calls Himself “The Holy One of Israel” and also “The Lord (Commander) of Heaven’s Armies”? It seems obvious that Zechariah 12:9-11 provides a succinct prophetic account of what His response will be.

ONE THING IS ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN. GOD WILL NEVER ALLOW THE DESTRUCTION OF ISRAEL TO HAPPEN.

All His prophetic predictions and plans would become null and void if Israel was destroyed. The very many wonderful positive promises that God has made to Israel would not be worth the paper on which they are written. However, Israel will be defended, delivered and exalted through divine intervention.
Zechariah Chapter 12 (Message Version)
Let’s go through the whole chapter making some brief pertinent comments,

Zechariah 12:1 (Message Version)
1 War Bulletin: GOD's Message concerning Israel, GOD's Decree—the very GOD who threw the skies into space, set earth on a firm foundation, and breathed his own life into men and women:

Zechariah 12 is likened to a News Bulletin for the world. It is called “Israel’s Big Day.” Zechariah predicts that in the last days a devastating attack will be launched on Israel by all her surrounding neighbours. The violent attack will actually be a declaration of war against Jehovah, the God of the Bible (Psalm 83:2). Initially it will be a very grave time indeed for Israel. It will even appear to be the day of Israel’s total annihilation. It is intended to be so devastating that Israel will disappear from the world’s memory bank and history books.
2 "Watch for this: I'm about to turn Jerusalem into a cup of strong drink that will have the people who have set siege to Judah and Jerusalem staggering in a drunken stupor.

The amazing nation that God has restored after 2,000 years of exile would be eradicated from human history. However, in response to the ferocious attack God will give an intoxicating drink to Israel’s enemies causing them to stagger and reel like drunken men acting irrationally and irresponsibly. This will be a cup of judgment from the LORD who is the Holy One of Israel.
3 "On the Big Day, I'll turn Jerusalem into a huge stone blocking the way for everyone. All who try to lift it will rupture themselves. All the pagan nations will come together and try to get rid of it.
God will make Jerusalem like a huge immovable rock. All those who strive to change its status will only succeed in rupturing themselves. Their ranks will be torn apart. In their confusion they will begin to destroy each other. The status of Jerusalem will not be altered though all the nations on earth will desire otherwise.
4 "On the Big Day"—this is GOD speaking—"I'll throw all the war horses into a crazed panic, and their riders along with them. But I'll keep my eye on Judah, watching out for her at the same time that I make the enemy horses go blind.
Israel’s enemies and their weapons will lose all sense of reality and direction. They will cease to function rationally and intelligently. All the Hi tech weapons that Israel’s enemies may use will become disoriented and ineffective. They will lose their ability to reach their intended targets.
5 The families of Judah will then realize, 'Why, our leaders are strong and able through GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies, their personal God.'
The Israeli government and leaders and the general population of Israel will become filled with an unusual feeling of assurance. They will transfer their confidence and trust from the Israel Defense Force to Yaweh Sabaoth, the Lord of heaven’s armies. The word leaders is a translation of Alluphim, the modern Hebrew word for Generals. This verse implies that all the top military Generals in charge of Israel’s security will transfer their faith and confidence from the Israel Defense Force to the LORD of heaven’s armies. This will happen because the attack will appear to be too powerful for the defense force to handle and the whole nation will turn directly and desperately to the living God. As a direct result the nation will experience the peace of God despite the massive attack launched against them.
6 "On the Big Day, I'll turn the families of Judah into something like a burning match in a tinder-dry forest, like a fiercely flaming torch in a barn full of hay. They'll burn up everything and everyone in sight—people to the right, people to the left—while Jerusalem fills up with people moving in and making themselves at home—home again in Jerusalem.
Infused by the power of God, Israel’s defense forces will become like a blazing fire destroying everything before it (Psalm 83:14). Israel’s forces will become like a prairie fire in a forest that is tinder dry. They will swoop on their enemies like blazing rockets. The forests will turn to ashes before the devouring flames of God’s fierce anger against Israel’s enemies.
7 "I, GOD, will begin by restoring the common households of Judah so that the glory of David's family and the leaders in Jerusalem won't overshadow the ordinary people in Judah.
8 On the Big Day, I'll look after everyone who lives in Jerusalem so that the lowliest, weakest person will be as glorious as David and the family of David itself will be godlike, like the Angel of GOD leading the people.
Jehovah Himself will personally defend Jerusalem. Even the most feeble members of the nation will become like King David, the warrior king of Israel. (Hebrew for feeble is kashal, which means - likely to stumble and fall due to weakness in the lower legs. This is typical of tiny tots learning to walk or elderly people whose legs have lost their natural strength). The amazing victory will be credited to the whole nation, not simply to the very elite.
9 "On the Big Day, I'll make a clean sweep of all the godless nations that fought against Jerusalem.
The armed alliance of nearby nations that has launched the fierce attack will be totally destroyed. Even the nations that have only given tacit approval to the attack will be severely diminished in confidence. Every nation, including our own, needs to exercise great caution in its attitude and actions in respect of Israel at this critical time in human history.
10 "Next I'll deal with the family of David and those who live in Jerusalem. I'll pour a spirit of grace and prayer over them. They'll then be able to recognize me as the One they so grievously wounded—that piercing spear-thrust! And they'll weep—oh, how they'll weep! Deep mourning as of a parent grieving the loss of the firstborn child.
Let’s Examine Zechariah 12:9 -10, In The Good News Bible:
Zechariah 12:9 At that time I will destroy1 every nation that tries to attack Jerusalem.
Zechariah 12:10 "I will fill the descendants of David2 and the other people of Jerusalem3 with the spirit4 of mercy5 and the spirit of prayer6. They will look7 at the one whom they stabbed to death, and they will mourn8 for him like those who mourn for an only child. They will mourn bitterly9, like those who have lost their first-born son10.
The earlier verses of this profound chapter (vs 1-8) describe an End Time attack on Israel by all her surrounding neighbors.
1. V. 9. God declares that His specific intention is to destroy* Israel’s enemies (Hebrew shamad*, to desolate, overthrow, bring to nought, pluck down, cause to perish) How much clearer could God’s intention be stated?
2. V.10 The house of David. All the descendants of David whose lineage descends from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. (Romans 11:25-27 All Israel will be saved).
3. V. 10. The inhabitants of Jerusalem which today is comprised of Jews, Christians and Muslims will personally witness this staggering event. It will impact powerfully on their psyche diminishing and destroying their self confidence and aspirations.
4. V. 10 . The Spirit (Hebrew, ruach) The definite participle, THE SPIRIT refers to the Holy Spirit who is God. This is not merely a spirit. It is THE HOLY SPIRIT. When God poured out the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost 3,000 people were transformed but when He pours out the Spirit once again as in Zechariah 12:10, a whole nation will be transformed!
5. V.10. The Spirit of Grace and mercy (Hebrew: chen H2603 Graciousness, kindness and unmerited favor). God will not perform these acts because Israel is necessarily worthy of them or deserve such intervention but because of His unfailing grace towards them. (Isaiah 31:35-37) This amazing event will not occur because of anything that Israel has done or not done. It will eventuate purely because of the grace and mercy of God and because He is a covenant keeping God.
6. V.10. They shall look (Hebrew: nabat H5027 to look intently upon, to behold, to carefully consider with deep respect, to regard with pleasure and favor). It will be a gaze of recognition. When they see Him they will immediately recognize Him.
7. V.10. Supplications (Hebrew: tachanun – tachanunah H8469, with much {many} entreaties). Many prayers and entreaties will be in the mouths of Israelis and others too. They will plead for mercy from a merciful God
8. V.11. Mourning (Hebrew: saphad H5594, to tear out one’s hair, to beat the chest, to lament in grief). The national grief of Israel over the Messiah will be deep and genuine. It will not be merely recited religious prayers but genuine mourning and deep grief.
9. V.11. Bitterness (Hebrew: marar H4843, to grieve bitterly). The national mourning will be like the mourning of Israel over the death of King Josiah (2 Chronicles 35:25).
10. V.11. Firstborn son (Hebrew: b’kor H1060, A firstborn, eldest son). The firstborn son that Israel will recognize will be their own Messiah whom they failed to recognize when he first appeared. But then they will embrace and accept Him with great gladness and relief. (All translations from Strong’s Analytical Concordance)
It is very alarming to see what most Christian commentators deduce from these verses. Very few if any, seem to draw the very obvious conclusion. My brief and simple interpretation is as follows. Israel’s nearest neighbors, with both direct and tacit support of several other nations, will launch a powerful attack on Israel with the intention to totally annihilate the Jewish State. It would appear to the natural mind that they have the weapons and determination to accomplish this aim.
Israel will be delivered only by the direct intervention of Jehovah and the “Angel of the Lord” who goes before the Israeli defense force. The Angel of the LORD is a code name for the Messiah. God has determined to completely destroy these enemies and smash their evil intentions.
After this predicted victory Jehovah will pour out His Spirit (Ruach Ha Kodesh) upon the descendants of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem. This outpouring will be accomplished by God’s grace, and appropriate supplications causing deep prayers to pour forth from the people of Israel. They will recognize and identify the deliverer as their long awaited Messiah, the One who was previously pierced. The whole nation will mourn for Him in a manner not seen since the death of King Josiah. (2 Chronicles 35:20-27).
They will mourn as one would for a first born son who has died. Zechariah 13:1"On that day a fountain will be opened for the dynasty of David and for the people of Jerusalem, a fountain to cleanse them from all their sins and defilement. The whole nation of Israel will have a new revelation of their Messiah. They will be sealed with God’s protection and will powerfully proclaim the Messiah to a troubled, utterly confused and distressed world. (Revelation 7:1-8).
It is surely time for all people and particularly Christians to earnestly search the Bible and allow God to speak to them concerning prophetic events that will soon come to pass.

Gerald Rowlands.
Nambour, Queensland
www.israelspropheticfuture.org

Friday, May 28, 2010

DIVINE & DAVIDIC

May 29th 2010

On our month long recent visit to Israel we were alarmed and disturbed to discover that many of the Messianic believers do not believe in the divinity of Jesus. We have since made this a matter of much prayer. Today I received this heartening article from the pen of Asher Intrater the senior leader of a Messianic fellowship in Israel. In addition we received the following Email regarding an exciting incident that happened on Temple Mount while we were in Israel.

Gerald Rowlands

Divine and Davidic
By Asher Intrater


We believe that Yeshua (Jesus) is both man and God. Once I was meditating on Romans 1 where Yeshua is described as Seed of David (verse 3) and Son of God (verse 4). I sensed the Holy Spirit ask me which was more important. I answered: "Being the Son of God." The Holy Spirit said, "No." To which I responded in surprise, "That He is the son of David?!" I sensed the Holy Spirit say again, "No." I was perplexed. The solution came in the still voice within: "That He is both together."

It is by being both God and man that Yeshua becomes the source of our salvation. He is God in the image of man, and man in the image of God (Genesis 1:27). He is the divine judge who punishes our sins and the human substitute who takes away our sins.

Among the Israeli Messianic leadership this past year, both sides of the issue were debated. There was a small group of leaders who denied Yeshua's divinity; there was another small group who denied his humanity. The vast majority of the pastors and elders stood firmly with His dual nature.

In the New Covenant scriptures there is a development in the understanding of who Yeshua is. It starts with the Davidic in the gospel of Matthew and progresses toward the Divine in the book of Revelation. I see three stages:

• Yeshua as king of Israel - synoptic gospels and Acts
• Yeshua as head of Church - Pauline Epistles
• Yeshua as angel of YHVH - Writings of John.

The New Covenant starts in Matthew with the genealogy of Yeshua. This chapter is a bridge which connects the gospel events to the biblical history of Israel's kingdom. The emphasis is that Yeshua is the son of David. [Note: For this reason the genealogy is divided into periods of 14 (verses 17-18). In Hebrew there are no vowels; therefore the equivalent of David is spelled: DVD. Each letter has a numerical value: D is 4; V is 6. David's name equals 4-6-4, totaling 14. The number 14 emphasizes that Yeshua is David's son.]

God gave the government of planet earth to David (II Samuel 7). If we don't understand the Davidic nature of Yeshua, we miss our dominion over this planet, the transformation of the kingdoms of the world (Revelation 11:15), the restoration of the kingdom to Israel (Acts 1:6), and the literal nature of the millennial kingdom. That's why the connection to David is so important.

With each stage of the revelation of Yeshua, there is a corresponding revelation of our destiny in Him. The revelation of Yeshua as king of Israel was given to Shimon (Peter) in Matthew 16. Yeshua tells Shimon that this revelation was not human or natural, but heavenly and supernatural (verse 17). At the same time, Peter receives spiritual authority that whatever he would bind or loose on earth would be done so in heaven (verse 18-19). The same is true for anyone today who comes to faith in the same revelation that Shimon Peter had.

The revelation of Yeshua as head of the Church was given to Shaul (Paul) in Ephesians 1. Yeshua has ascended into heaven over all powers and principalities (verses 20-21). Shaul says that this understanding was given to him by revelation and prays for us to have the same enlightenment (verses 17-18). That enlightenment will impart to us the same power and authority that Yeshua has, both in this world and the world to come. We are seated with Him spiritually in heaven (Ephesians 2:6-7).

The revelation of Yeshua as king of Israel was given to Shimon (Peter) and as head of the church to Shaul (Paul). Yet the full revelation of Yeshua as the angel of YHVH and the manifestation of God in human form was given to John (Yochanan). John's revelation also connects Yeshua to the Law of Moses and the Hebrew Prophets.

• He is the light and word of creation: John 1 and Genesis
• He is the Angel of the Lord whose finger wrote the Ten Commandments: John 8:6 and Exodus 31:18
• He is the God-man who appeared to Abraham: John 8:56 and Genesis 18
• He is the glorified King on the throne who appeared to Isaiah: John 12:41 and Isaiah 6
• He is the Man of fire who appeared to Daniel: Revelation 1:13-15 and 5. Daniel 10:5-6
• He is the Man on the throne over the cherubim who appeared to Ezekiel: Revelation 3:21; 4:2-7; 5:6-8 and Ezekiel 1:4-12, 26
• He is the Commander of the armies of YHVH who appeared to Joshua: Revelation 19:11-14 and Joshua 5:13-15.

The first stage of our destiny is revealed to us through Peter in the gospels; the second stage through Paul in the epistles. The ultimate stage is through John. The book of Revelation is the final revelation (Revelation 1:1).

As we meditate on the vision of Yeshua in the book of Revelation, a change takes place in us. As we grasp who He really is, so do we grasp who we are in Him. His eyes are a flame of fire. He wears many crowns. He is dressed in white, with a gold band on His chest and a sword coming out of His mouth. His hair is like wool and His face is shining like the sun.

When that picture gets IN you, it makes you different. There is new power, passion, and purity. Holiness burns out carnality and worldliness. We see a heavenly perspective of the kingdom. We are made ready for His coming. We have a new ability to judge and rule and war. Dominion and authority are imparted.

May we see both the Davidic and Divine aspects of Yeshua! May God grant us the understanding of who Yeshua is as was revealed to Peter, Paul, and John! And may we be changed to be like Him.

You can visit Asher's website at www.revive-israel.org

New Development in Israel: Temple Mount Police Allow Rabbi to Prostrate Himself in Prayer



Teresa Neumann (May 27, 2010)
"In ancient times, Jews who ascended the Mount fully prostrated themselves as part of the prayers there. The regular Jewish prayer services in synagogues include several instances of bowing in the direction of the synagogue's Torah Ark, and partial prostration is carried out on some holidays."

FOUNDING EDITOR'S NOTE: While these Orthodox Rabbi's do not accept Jesus (Yeshua), might it be the beginning of Israel finally realizing they need something more than their rituals? Might it be that G-D is preparing them to receive even the Messiah? We know that day WILL COME. -Steve Shultz, BCN.

(Jerusalem, Israel)—A report from Arutz Sheva states that on May 25 a large group of hareidi-religious Jews ascended the Temple Mount and received friendly service from the police there—unlike the harsh police treatment that Jews typically receive on the Mount in recent years. One of the Jews was even reportedly allowed to fully prostrate himself in prayer, facing in the direction of the location of the ancient Temple—which is now occupied by a Muslim mosque. (Photo: Israel National News)

Not only was the group's ascension not blocked at the Mount, as in previous attempts on Passover, but police on the Mount were even courteous and friendly. Says the report, "They were gripped by excitement when one of the rabbis prostrated himself facing the presumed location of the Temple's Holy of Holies in ancient times. Police allowed this religious act as well."

According to the report, Jews are usually forbidden from openly praying or even mumbling prayers on the Mount, as part of an Israeli policy of complying with Muslim Wakf's demands in this matter.

Noted reporter Gil Ronen, "It is not completely clear whether the friendly police attitude Tuesday was a fluke or a sign of changing attitudes."

Temple Mount activist Yosef Rabin told Arutz Sheva that the event is a significant one. "There has been a long running effort to bring hareidim to the Mount and now it is starting to take root...It seems that everyone has followed the hareidi lead when it comes to Har HaBayit [Temple Mount], and now that hareidim are starting to go, we might start seeing a tremendous wave of all types."

Excitement on Temple Mount as Rabbi Prostrates Himself

by Gil Ronen

A large group of hareidi-religious Jews ascended the Temple Mount Tuesday and received friendly service from the police there – unlike the harsh police treatment that Jews typically receive on the Mount in recent years. One of the Jews was even allowed to fully prostrate himself in prayer, facing in the direction of the location of the ancient Temple – where the Muslim-built Dome of the Rock now stands.
Unlike previous Jewish ascensions to the Mount in the recent past, and in contrast to this group's last ascension on Passover, in which their entry to the Mount was blocked, police on the Mount were courteous and friendly. The group was allowed in promptly upon arrival and without delays. They were gripped by excitement when one of the rabbis prostrated himself facing the presumed location of the Temple's Holy of Holies in ancient times. Police allowed this religious act as well.
Jews are usually forbidden from openly praying or even mumbling prayers on the Mount, as part of an Israeli policy of complying with Muslim Wakf's demands in this matter. It is not completely clear whether the friendly police attitude Tuesday was a fluke or a sign of changing attitudes.
Temple Mount activist Yosef Rabin told Arutz Sheva that the event is a significant one. “There has been a long running effort to bring hareidim to the Mount and now it is starting to take root,” he said.
Rabin noted that ever since the liberation of the Mount in 1967, hareidi-religious Jews have usually preferred to avoid ascending it, and that the ones who went up to the holy site were Jews of the national-religious ilk. However, he said, “the image of the type of people that go to the Mount is starting to crack. It seems that everyone has followed the hareidi lead when it comes to Har HaBayit [Temple Mount], and now that hareidim are starting to go, we might start seeing a tremendous wave of all types.” Most of the renowned hareidi rabbis are against going up on the mountain, as was Rav Avraham Shapira zt"l of the zionist flagship Merkaz Harav Yeshiva, for fear of treading in places that are forbidden.
The group of Jews was led by Rabbi Yitzchak Brand of the city of Emanuel and Rabbi Yisrael Ariel of the Temple Institute in Jerusalem. The rabbis say they intend to bring ever-larger groups of Jews to the Mount with the purpose of eventually holding a Passover sacrifice there.
In ancient times, Jews who ascended the Mount fully prostrated themselves as part of the prayers there. The regular Jewish prayer services in synagogues include several instances of bowing in the direction of the synagogue's Torah Ark, and partial prostration is carried out on some holidays.
Rejoice to see the inspiring photo below of the Rabbi prostrated on Temple Mount.

Photo: Har HaBayit Shelanu (IsraelNationalNews.com)

Sunday, May 23, 2010

Book Release : THE MESSIAH COMES TO ISRAEL

Dear friends,

Elizabeth and I have just returned from an amazing month long visit to Israel. It was amazing firstly because the Lord organized the visit from the very beginning to the end. We did not actually definitely decide to make the trip until a couple of weeks before we were due to leave. Even so Elizabeth was able to organize our flights from our frequent flier points which in itself was quite remarkable. Although we flew economy we were treated like VIPs all the way.
Initially we were due to share the ministry to Russian and Ethiopian Messianic believers with our good friend David Smethurst. However, at the time of departure Dave was in the UK and all flights from there were cancelled because of the volcano problem in Iceland. Liz and I escaped the ramifications of this crisis in several ways as thousands of international flights across the world were cancelled. Through several miraculous interventions we arrived in Israel on schedule and ready to conduct the meetings that Dave and myself were supposed to share.
The first of these meetings were in Tel Aviv and I shared the basic message of my soon to be released book THE MESSIAH COMES TO ISRAEL. It is a message that vitally affects the immediate prophetic future of Israel and it was received very enthusiastically by all who heard it. Initially we spoke to a Messianic group of Russian believers. A few days later we shared the message with several even more excited groups of Ethiopian believers. The theme of the book centres on an inevitable attack that will soon be launched upon Israel by all her bordering neighbours plus Iran. When faced with the prospect of national annihilation Israel will be delivered by a direct supernatural intervention of Jehovah and His Messiah. This amazing victory will be followed immediately by a revelation of the Messianic identity of the deliverer which will provoke national grief, mourning and repentance and bring the whole nation to a recognition and acknowledgement of their Messiah. Although the message presented a very new and different prophetic perspective to all the leaders present, they examined it like the Bereans of old and became thrilled with the prospect of what Zechariah 12 actually presents. Every group to which we ministered begged us to return soon and promised that many other groups would be thrilled to hear this exciting message.
I was also very extremely interested to share the concept in discussions with other individual Messianic leaders in the land to discover what their reaction would be to this somewhat revolutionary prophetic scenario. The Lord organized numerous such occasions with avid discussions and much searching of the scriptures. In every case after much searching of scripture and frank discussions that provoked great interest, every leader we were privileged to meet gave us very positive and excited responses. We actually drove through many parts of Israel to connect with various Messianic leaders. In several cases we met some leaders unexpectedly as God caused our paths to cross in various parts of Israel.
One Messianic leader initially admitted that he did not want to even think about the future and what might transpire in and against Israel. But as I shared the theme of our book with him he became very excited and admitted that it was the most exciting and encouraging possibility he had ever heard or considered.
God has commissioned every Bible believer to “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem” (Psalm 122:6). However this command is even more necessary and imperative now that EVER BEFORE as the often repeated threat of mass destruction through weapons of mass destruction looms over Israel. In order to respond intelligently and passionately to this command it is ESSENTIAL TO UNDERSTAND from the scriptures exactly what is predicted for Israel’s future. We are also commanded to “Blow the trumpet in Zion and sound an alarm in God’s Holy mountain in Jerusalem.
Joel 2:1-2
1 Blow the trumpet in Zion, And sound an alarm in My holy mountain! Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble; For the day of the LORD is coming, For it is at hand:
2 A day of darkness and gloominess, A day of clouds and thick darkness, Like the morning clouds spread over the mountains. A people come, great and strong, The like of whom has never been; Nor will there ever be any such after them, Even for many successive generations. NKJV
We need to sound this alarm in the ears of ALL BELIEVERS but particularly in the ears of every person in Israel. Please join us in prayer that God will supernaturally open up ways and means for this to happen. Our book has recently been printed and is now ready for distribution. Please pray with faith for its distribution TO ALL WHO NEED TO READ IT.

THE MESSIAH COMES TO ISRAEL
Gerald Rowlands’ new book THE MESSIAH COMES TO ISRAEL is certainly thought provoking and somewhat controversial. He introduces a prophetic possibility that is quite different from any of the usual Christian End Time scenarios. From Zechariah 12 and Psalm 83 he describes an attack launched in the last days upon Israel by all her nearby neighbours supported by Iran. This attack concludes with a supernatural and astounding victory for Israel through a direct intervention of God and the “Angel of the LORD”
Zechariah 12:10 then describes a time of Israel’s national grief and repentance towards their deliverer who reveals Himself as the One who was previously pierced. An outpouring of the Spirit of grace and supplications on all the descendants of David and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem elicits a spirit of grief by the entire Jewish nation. This verse also describes the national recognition of the Messiah as the One consistently predicted throughout the Jewish Scriptures.
This amazing revelation would introduce a period of peace, prosperity and exaltation for Israel of the nature described by Isaiah 60, an inspiring prophetic chapter that begins with “Arise and shine Jerusalem for the glory of the Lord has risen upon you…The Lord will arise upon you and His glory shall be seen upon you…Gentiles shall come to your light and kings to the brightness of your rising”.
Whilst gross darkness covers the Gentile world, Israel is illuminated before all the nations on earth by the Shekinah glory of the Lord. All of this transpires well before the war described in Ezekiel 38 and 39. Indeed it is the peace and prosperity that pertains in Israel following this victory that entices Gog and Magog to finally launch their attack on Israel which is also repulsed and defeated by the sovereign God.
All of this makes for fascinating, challenging and insightful reading that every Bible lover should closely study. Without an understanding of this amazing chain of events that will happen very soon, an essential aspect of Bible prophecy is missing. These events constitute the next item in God’s prophetic agenda.

The book is published by Destiny Image Europe and can be obtained from www.destinyimageeurope.com

Destiny Image Europe, Via Acquacorrente, 6 - 65123 Pescara, ITALY
Tel +39 085 471 6623 Fax +39 085 943 1270
VAT Number: [IT]01950590693

Please Email Destiny Image Europe and tell them that you are eagerly awaiting the release of this book:

Email to: info@eurodestinyimage.com

Or from the author at www.israelspropheticfuture.org or from:

Gerald Rowlands
PO Box 5262 SCMC
Nambour, Queensland 4560. Australia

Saturday, April 17, 2010

ISRAEL'S PROPHETIC FUTURE

God has made many glorious prophetic pledges to Israel promising peace, prosperity, exaltation and great spiritual blessings. Sadly the Church has taken most of them to herself leaving Israel with only predictions of gloom and judgment during the Great Tribulation. The Church has assigned the many positive promises for Israel to fulfilment in the Millennium but I personally believe that many of these will actually be fulfilled before the Millennium. A considerable number of these predictions were made through the writings of Isaiah. I believe the fulfilment of these and others will transpire following Zechariah 12: 9, 10.

Something amazing and glorious beyond description is about to happen soon in Israel. Although this event was predicted long ago, the full implication of it has been largely overlooked and ignored by the majority of Bible students. The astounding impact of this major fulfilment of prophecy will utterly transform the nation and land of Israel. Although the predicted scenario will commence with a massive attack on Israel it will not only conclude with their gaining a surprising victory beyond belief, it will also include a glorious spiritual re-birth for the nation. This fulfilment of a major Bible prophecy appears to be the next item on God’s prophetic agenda and is likely to happen in the very near future. The scene is already set for it with Israel’s enemies sitting like vultures on her borders. The prophecy in Zechariah 12:10, involves a private appearance of the Messiah to the nation of Israel and their subsequent recognition and acceptance of Him with deep mourning and intense grief. He will appear in the role of Commander in Chief of heaven’s armies who has led their nation to victory against overwhelming odds. The Holy Spirit will then be poured out on the descendants of King David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem. Grace and fervent supplications will fill the hearts and mouths of the recipients.

Gerald Rowlands

To read the whole message click on the link below

http://www.israelspropheticfuture.org/IsraelsPropheticFuture.pdf

Friday, April 9, 2010

An Imminent Event ?

Of all the major issues that currently face our world and its future security the one most likely to happen next is a massive attack on Israel by all Israel’s nearby neighbors backed by Iran. The clear indications of such an attack have been proclaimed and demonstrated by feverish activities on the part of Iran together with Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Southern Lebanon. The attack, although made directly on Israel, will have devastating worldwide repercussions powerfully affecting every nation on earth. In many ways our world will be changed forever. If this proposed attack were to succeed and the State of Israel was annihilated, the whole plan of redemption as revealed in the Bible would be derailed. Jehovah’s plan to rule the world from David’s throne in Jerusalem would immediately be made defunct. How strange that so few people seem to be vitally aware of this impending drama and the apparent proximity of it.

Zechariah is a minor prophet with a major prophetic message, part of which is likely to be fulfilled in the very near future. When this happens Israel will emerge as an extremely prominent nation with great respect and will be recognized and honored by all the nations on earth. Zechariah graphically describes this amazing event. In the Message version of the Bible the prophet frequently refers to “On the Big Day” which is usually translated in other versions as “In that day.” In fact it will be a bigger day than almost anyone has ever yet imagined. A truly amazing and astounding time when Israel will arise as though from the dead! (Romans 11:15).

Zechariah Chapter 12 (MessageVersion)

Home Again in Jerusalem

1 War Bulletin: God's Message concerning Israel, God's Decree—the very God who threw the skies into space, set earth on a firm foundation, and breathed his own life into men and women:
2 "Watch for this: I'm about to turn Jerusalem into a cup of strong drink that will have the people who have set siege to Judah and Jerusalem staggering in a drunken stupor.
3 "On the Big Day, I'll turn Jerusalem into a huge stone blocking the way for everyone. All who try to lift it will rupture themselves. All the pagan nations will come together and try to get rid of it.
4 "On the Big Day"—this is God speaking—"I'll throw all the war horses into a crazed panic, and their riders along with them. But I'll keep my eye on Judah, watching out for her at the same time that I make the enemy horses go blind.
5 The families of Judah will then realize, 'Why, our leaders are strong and able through God-of-the-Angel-Armies, their personal God.'
6 "On the Big Day, I'll turn the families of Judah into something like a burning match in a tinder-dry forest, like a fiercely flaming torch in a barn full of hay. They'll burn up everything and everyone in sight—people to the right, people to the left—while Jerusalem fills up with people moving in and making themselves at home—home again in Jerusalem.
7 "I, God, will begin by restoring the common households of Judah so that the glory of David's family and the leaders in Jerusalem won't overshadow the ordinary people in Judah.
8 On the Big Day, I'll look after everyone who lives in Jerusalem so that the lowliest, weakest person will be as glorious as David and the family of David itself will be godlike, like the Angel of God leading the people.
9 "On the Big Day, I'll make a clean sweep of all the godless nations that fought against Jerusalem.
10 "Next I'll deal with the family of David and those who live in Jerusalem. I'll pour a spirit of grace and prayer over them. They'll then be able to recognize me as the One they so grievously wounded—that piercing spear-thrust! And they'll weep—oh, how they'll weep! Deep mourning as of a parent grieving the loss of the firstborn child.
11 The lamentation in Jerusalem that day will be massive, as famous as the lamentation over Hadad-Rimmon on the fields of Megiddo:
12 Everyone will weep and grieve, the land and everyone in it: The family of David off by itself and their women off by themselves; The family of Nathan off by itself and their women off by themselves;
13 The family of Levi off by itself and their women off by themselves; The family of Shimei off by itself and their women off by themselves;
14 And all the rest of the families off by themselves and their women off by themselves.
Zech 12:1-14 (MSG)

Let’s go through the whole chapter making brief comments,

Zechariah 12:1 (Message Version)
1 War Bulletin: God's Message concerning Israel, God's Decree—the very God who threw the skies into space, set earth on a firm foundation, and breathed his own life into men and women:
2 "Watch for this: I'm about to turn Jerusalem into a cup of strong drink that will have the people who have set siege to Judah and Jerusalem staggering in a drunken stupor.
Zechariah predicts that in the last days a devastating attack will be launched on Israel by all her surrounding neighbours. The brazen attack will actually be a declaration of war upon Jehovah, the God of the Bible (Psalm 83:2). In response God will give an intoxicating drink to Israel’s enemies causing them to stagger and reel like drunken men acting irrationally and crazily. This will be a cup of judgment from the LORD who is the Holy One of Israel.
3 "On the Big Day, I'll turn Jerusalem into a huge stone blocking the way for everyone. All who try to lift it will rupture themselves. All the pagan nations will come together and try to get rid of it.
God will make Jerusalem like an immovable rock. Those who strive to change its status will only succeed in rupturing themselves. Their ranks will be torn apart. In their confusion they will begin to destroy each other.
4 "On the Big Day"—this is God speaking—"I'll throw all the war horses into a crazed panic, and their riders along with them. But I'll keep my eye on Judah, watching out for her at the same time that I make the enemy horses go blind.
Israel’s enemies and their weapons will lose all sense of direction. They will cease to function intelligently.
5 The families of Judah will then realize, 'Why, our leaders are strong and able through God-of-the-Angel-Armies, their personal God.'
The Israeli government and leaders and the general population of Israel will transfer their confidence and trust from the IDF to Yaweh Sabaoth, the Lord of heaven’s armies. This will happen because the attack will appear to be too powerful for the defense force to handle and the whole nation will directly to the living God.
6 "On the Big Day, I'll turn the families of Judah into something like a burning match in a tinder-dry forest, like a fiercely flaming torch in a barn full of hay. They'll burn up everything and everyone in sight—people to the right, people to the left—while Jerusalem fills up with people moving in and making themselves at home—home again in Jerusalem.
Infused by the power of God the defense forces will become like a blazing fire destroying everything before it (Psalm 83:14)
7 "I, God, will begin by restoring the common households of Judah so that the glory of David's family and the leaders in Jerusalem won't overshadow the ordinary people in Judah.
8 On the Big Day, I'll look after everyone who lives in Jerusalem so that the lowliest, weakest person will be as glorious as David and the family of David itself will be godlike, like the Angel of God leading the people.
Jehovah Himself will defend Jerusalem. Even the most feeble members of the nation will become like King David, the warrior king of Israel. (Hebrew for feeble, kashal, likely to stumble and fall due to weakness in the legs. Typical of tiny tots or elderly people).
9 "On the Big Day, I'll make a clean sweep of all the godless nations that fought against Jerusalem.
10 "Next I'll deal with the family of David and those who live in Jerusalem. I'll pour a spirit of grace and prayer over them. They'll then be able to recognize me as the One they so grievously wounded—that piercing spear-thrust! And they'll weep—oh, how they'll weep! Deep mourning as of a parent grieving the loss of the firstborn child.
Zechariah 12:9 At that time I will destroy1 every nation that tries to attack Jerusalem.
Zechariah 12:10 "I will fill the descendants of David2 and the other people of Jerusalem3 with the spirit4 of mercy5 and the spirit of prayer6. They will look7 at the one whom they stabbed to death, and they will mourn8 for him like those who mourn for an only child. They will mourn bitterly9, like those who have lost their first-born son10.

The earlier verses of this profound chapter (vs 1-8) describe an End Time attack on Israel by all her surrounding neighbors. I believe these enemies to be the same ones that Asapah describes in Psalms 83:4-8

4 "Come," they say, "let us wipe out Israel as a nation. We will destroy the very memory of its existence."
5 This was their unanimous decision. They signed a treaty as allies against you —
6 these Edomites and Ishmaelites, Moabites and Hagrites,
7 Gebalites, Ammonites, and Amalekites, and people from Philistia and Tyre.
8 Assyria has joined them, too, and is allied with the descendants of Lot. NLT
Each of these ancient and historic foes of Israel have their modern counterparts today surrounding the borders of modern Israel. They have all formed an alliance the chief aim of which is the conquest of Israel and the annihilation of the Jewish state which they intend to replace with an Islamic shariah based government.
I further believe that this attack and its amazing consequence is about to happen very soon.

This war is now inevitable. It also appears to be very imminent. It was predicted in Islamic prophecy and many Muslims believe absolutely that it will happen soon. They are currently and fanatically preparing for it. The plans are in place. Iran is boldly and arrogantly proclaiming its intentions to the whole world. They and their minions are absolutely determined to launch a massive attack on Israel. They are absolutely determined to let nothing deter them. However when their efforts fail there will be tremendous “loss of face” and shock among them.
The question is what will be the response of God, who calls Himself “The Holy One of Israel” and also “The Lord (Commander) of Heaven’s Armies”? It seems obvious that verses 9-11 provide a succinct prophetic account of what His response will be.
One thing is ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN. GOD WILL NEVER ALLOW THIS TO HAPPEN.
All His prophetic predictions and plans would become null and void if Israel was destroyed. The very many wonderful promises that God has made to Israel will not be worth the paper on which they are written. Let’s analyze these verses together.
1. V. 9. God declares that His specific intention is to destroy (Hebrew shamad, to desolate, overthrow, bring to nought, pluck down, cause to perish) How much clearer could God’s intention be stated?
2. V.10 House of David. All the descendants of David whose lineage descends from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. (Romans 11:25-27 All Israel will be saved).
3. V. 10. The inhabitants of Jerusalem which today comprises of Jews, Christians and Muslims.
4. V. 10 . The Spirit (Hebrew, ruach) The definite participle THE SPIRIT refers to the Holy Spirit who is God.
5. V.10. Grace or mercy (Hebrew: chen H2603 Graciousness, kindness and unmerited favor). God will not perform these acts because Israel is necessarily worthy of them but because of His unfailing grace towards them. (Isaiah 31:35-37)
6. V.10. They shall look (Hebrew: nabat H5027 to look intently upon, to behold, to carefully consider with deep respect, to regard with pleasure and favor).
7. V.10. Supplications (Hebrew: tachanun – tachanunah H8469, with much {many} entreaties).
8. V.11. Mourning (Hebrew: saphad H5594, to tear out one’s hair, to beat the chest, to lament in grief).
9. V.11. Bitterness (Hebrew: marar H4843, to grieve bitterly).
10. V.11. Firstborn son (Hebrew: b kor H1060, A firstborn, eldest son).
(All translations from Strong’s Analytical Concordance)
It is very sad to see what most commentators derive from these verses. Very few, if any seem to draw the very obvious conclusion. My brief and simple interpretation is as follows.
Israel’s nearest neighbors, with both direct and tacit support, will launch a powerful attack on Israel with the intention to totally annihilate the Jewish State.
It would appear in the natural that they have the power and ability to accomplish this aim.
Israel will be delivered only by the direct intervention of Jehovah and the “Angel of the Lord” who goes before the Israeli defense force.
God has determined to completely destroy these enemies and smash their evil intentions.
After this predicted victory Jehovah will pour out His Spirit (Ruach Ha Kodesh) on the descendants of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
This outpouring will be accomplished with by God’s grace, causing deep prayers to pour forth from the people of Israel.
They will recognize and identify the deliverer as their long awaited Messiah, the One who was previously pierced.
The whole nation will mourn for Him in a manner not seen since the death of King Josiah. (2 Chronicles 35:20-27).
They will mourn as one would for a first born son who has died.
Zechariah 13:1"On that day a fountain will be opened for the dynasty of David and for the people of Jerusalem, a fountain to cleanse them from all their sins and defilement.
The whole nation of Israel will have a renewed perception of their Messiah.
They will be sealed with God’s protection and will powerfully proclaim the Messiah to a troubled and distressed world. (Revelation 7:1-8).
I would be genuinely interested to hear any (and every) alternative interpretation to these verses.

Please do write me at churchplant@optusnet.com I will be sincerely grateful to receive your comments whether pro or con.
Gerald Rowlands

Monday, March 29, 2010

A message from Gerald Rowlands

Ecclesiastes 11:1 Cast your bread upon the waters, For you will find it after many days. NKJV
Approximately 20 years ago, whilst Elizabeth and I were living in Singapore, we conducted a Church planting training seminar in Surabaya, Indonesia. Amongst the delegates was a young man who was a relatively new believer and was working as a youth evangelist in Java. During the seminar we gave every delegate a set of books containing the basic subjects of our training material in the Bahasa (Indonesian) language. A couple of years later whilst we were preaching in Bali we invited the local pastor there to attend the Christian Celebration of the Feast of Tabernacles in Jerusalem at which I was the director of praise and worship. When the pastor asked if he could invite another two colleagues who were also pastors, we readily and happily agreed. However, when they arrived in Jerusalem they had brought 300 of their church members with them including the young pastor who had attended the Surabaya seminar
Last year (2009) one of our Asian associates organized some ministry appointments for us that included a visit to a particular church in Sumatra. When we arrived in this city we were met by the pastor and his lovely wife. As we greeted each other he looked me in the eye and said, “You are my guru!” I laughed and asked him what he meant. He then explain that he was a delegate at the seminar in Surabaya 20 years ago and together with all the other delegates he had received copies of our training manuals that focus on soul winning, evangelism and church planting. He further informed us that he and his wife diligently studied the material and on the strength of what they learned they left Jakarta and went to Sumatra to plant a church. The only Biblical training they had ever received came from studying our material. They commenced a house meeting and in the first of these some five persons were present. To our surprise and amazement he then told us that in the fifteen years since then, the congregation in this heavily populated Muslim city and surroundings had grown to 15,000 members. Of course we were thrilled and delighted to hear about this tremendous response. What a blessing for us to preach and teach several thousand of these precious members.
Last week (March 2010) we again went back to that same church to assist in helping them to launch a new training centre which would use our training material to prepare hundreds of believers to evangelize their nation and also to prepare to go as missionary to other nations. Imaginer our delight when on arrival we discovered that the church now has 40,000 members! Obviously they cannot all fit into any auditorium in the city. So there is one main congregation that meets in six services every Sunday with approximately 3,500 to 4,000 members in each service. They have also planted many other smaller congregations that are increasing in number at the rate of one every eleven days. The first meeting at which I spoke was a communion service for over 1,000 pastors and workers. The second service was a prayer meeting on the Saturday morning at which more than 3,500 people prayed fervently for more than 3 hours. (This prayer is a weekly event). This congregation has also opened a small private hospital and a number of medical clinics.
The Senior pastor who gained a deep love for Israel when he originally attended the Feast in Jerusalem has instilled this same love into his congregation. He still visits Israel three times every year, each time with a group of his pastors and church members. I observed, during the week that we stayed with them that at least two of the factors what are present in this exciting church that is expanding so rapidly and solidly are strong, fervent, corporate prayer meetings and a deep love and support for Israel.
The church in which we were teaching last week has purchased a defunct hotel/resort with more than 80 guest rooms and sufficient land to build an auditorium to seat 15,000 people, plus enough land for appropriate parking. Whilst we were with them last week I had the joyous privilege of praying a dedicatory prayer on the building site where the foundations are now being laid. The training school will be accommodated on this site too.
(Incidentally even greater growth is present in the churches pastored by the other two ministers we had invited to Jerusalem. One of those churches has a building that seats 25,000 and is filled six or seven times every Sunday)

Gerald Rowlands
Church Planting International
Queensland Australia

churchplant@optusnet.com
info@israelspropheticfuture.org

Jerusalem, Israel's Forever

Jerusalem, Israel's Forever
By Bill Keller

Each day, this nation gets further away from God and closer to seeing His wrath and judgment unleashed on our once great land. On top of legally slaughtering over 4,000 innocent babies each day, making a mockery of God's Holy Institution of Marriage, embracing every type of sexual perversion man has thought up in his depraved mind, worshipping the false gods and idols of the world, and literally living in all-out rebellion to our Creator and His Truth, the United States is now standing with the ENEMIES OF ISRAEL! My friend, if we ever wanted to experience the wrath of God, we are doing everything we possibly can to see that it happens.

Memo to President Obama and Secretary of State Clinton: Jerusalem belongs to Israel, ALL of it! If Israel wants to build settlements in Jerusalem, they can. The enemies of Israel have NO CLAIM to this land. We are on the verge of seeing God's judgment poured out on this wicked nation, and now we are siding with the enemies of Israel? We are out of our mind! This is like going up to the biggest guy you can find on the street and spitting in his face. We are literally putting our middle finger in the air and screaming profanities at the top of our lungs to God!!!

Please, do yourself a favor right now and get your Bible and sit down and spend the next 10 minutes reading the anchor verses for today, Genesis 12:1-7, 13:14-16, 15:18; Deuteronomy 9:4-6; Joshua 1:1-11; 21:43-45. You could spend hours reading all the passages in God's Word that confirm that modern-day Israel is the land God promised to Abraham and gave to His children. You do not have to be a Bible scholar to quickly realize in just the few key passages I have given you today that the land of Israel is indeed the exact land God Himself promised to His children 4,000 years ago, and fulfilled that promise in 1385 B.C. when Joshua took possession of that land.

Having laid the Biblical case to support that the land of Israel belongs to the Jewish people, now you can see why giving away even one inch of that land to anyone else is going against God Himself. No person, no nation, has the right to give away what God promised and gave to the Jewish people. Those who do make themselves an enemy of God! Over and over throughout the Bible and human history, nations have invaded this land, taken it over, only to be defeated in the end. The land of Israel is only 20,330 sq km, slightly smaller than the state of New Jersey. Out of the billions of square miles that exist on this earth, this is the only place on the planet God literally promised and gave to His children. For anyone to go in and try to give a piece of that land away is foolish.

That is why the current "peace plan" the United States has had such a large role in working out will never work and has actually put our nation on the opposite side of God again! Let me be clear. The Gaza Strip belongs to ISRAEL! The West Bank belongs to ISRAEL! Jerusalem, all of it, belongs to ISRAEL! For this nation to be involved in any deals, even under the guise of "peace," that involves giving away the land God gave to the children of Israel is taking on God Himself! Not to mention that this land is being given away to the ENEMIES OF ISRAEL!!!

My friend, one of the problems many have with the Bible is that they can't understand why a God of love would command His children to go to war and "Kill every man, woman, child, and living thing" as He did many times in the Old Testament. The reason was this. God in His omniscience knew that the enemies of Israel, those who came to possess their land, had no desire for peace but the complete destruction and annihilation of the Jewish people. The complete obliteration of the Jewish people was their ONLY goal, not peace. Sadly, there are some people who have no desire for peace, only death and destruction and you either destroy them or they destroy you. That is one of the sad realties of living in this fallen and evil world.

For those who oppose the war in Iraq, they either don't understand or are completely blind to the fact that there are people on this planet whose only goal is the complete destruction of the United States and every person who lives here. That means you and your family too! I am thankful that this current administration understands this fact and that the peace-nuts we see on TV constantly don't have the power to impose their Pollyanna views of life on the defense policies of this nation or we would all be in grave danger. The sad reality is that there are very real people alive this very moment whose very real goal is the complete destruction of the United States. We will either kill them or they will kill us. We are blessed that our forefathers understood the evil that exits in this world or we would not be here today, enjoying the wonderful freedoms and life we do.

Israel also clearly understands the reality that there are people who desire their death and destruction. They don't have the luxury of great oceans on either side as we do and their enemies literally live all around them. That is what makes this current "peace plan" so silly. To actually take some of the small amount of land that belongs to Israel and literally give it to their enemies is absurd and ridiculous. It will only embolden and empower those who seek the destruction of Israel. Again, make no mistake about it. While we and others seek "peace," it takes TWO to make peace. Despite the claims by the Palestinian leadership, their goal is NOT peace but the destruction of Israel.

I have always been amused at why anyone thinks it is necessary to give the little strip of land God gave to Israel away to her enemies, when Israel is surrounded by Arab nations with VAST AMOUNTS of land who could easily assimilate their Arab brothers into their countries. Why do the Palestinians have to live on the land God gave to Israel when there is plenty of land in neighboring Arab countries they could live on? What is wrong with a "peace plan" that gave some of the land in surrounding Arab countries to the Palestinians?

I want to close today with a powerful promise God made to Abraham 4,000 years ago in Genesis 12:3, "I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you." This one verse of Scripture is why what is happening in Israel right now is so critical to THIS NATION! In being part of a plan to give away the land God gave to Israel to anyone, especially her enemies who seek her destruction, puts us on the wrong side of God. We should be seeking the BLESSINGS of God, not His CURSES!

Know that I am praying for you today. Even though most Jewish people have rejected Christ as their Savior, blinded to the reality that He is the Messiah they were promised in the Old Testament, they were, are, and always will be God's chosen people. The promise God gave Abraham in Genesis 12:3 is still in effect today. Our Christian faith is traced back through the children of Israel. The last events of this world will be played out in Israel. That is why we need to pray for and support the Jewish people and God's plan for the land of Israel. Our blessings in life come from following God not being in opposition to God!

Also, be praying for this special group of people God chose to reveal Himself to and carry His message to the world. It was through the Jewish people God brought His Son, the Messiah, the Savior of the world. Wonderful groups like Jews for Jesus have done a great work in bringing the fact the Messiah prophesied throughout the Old Testament, is Jesus! Jesus is the fulfillment of all of those Old Testament prophecies, and despite the fact He was rejected by his own people, today millions of Jewish people have come to know Jesus as their personal Savior by faith. In Heaven there will be no Jew or Gentile, only those who have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

www.raptureready.com

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

A WAR BETWEEN IRAN AND THE WEST IS IMMINENT

Editors of Arab Dailies Assess: A War between Iran and the West Is Imminent - www.memri.org

In recent articles, editors of Arab dailies assessed that a war between Iran and the West is imminent, and did not rule out the possibility that the Arabs would take part in it. The editor of the Al-Quds Al-Arabi daily, 'Abd Al-Bari 'Atwan, wrote that the war would change the face of the region, and the fate of Israel's occupation would be like that of the Nazi regime after World War II; the editor of the Egyptian daily Al-Gumhouriyya, Muhammad 'Ali Ibrahim, stated that Iran has already made the first move towards war; and Al-Sharq Al-Awsat editor Tariq Alhomayed stated that whatever happens – whether Iran acquires nuclear weapons or a war breaks out to prevent it from acquiring them – the Arabs will become victims of the Iranian regime.

Following are excerpts from the editorials:

Al-Quds Al-Arabi Editor: If Israel Attacks Iran, Syria Is Likely to Fire Tens of Thousands of Missiles at Israel, Some with Chemical and Biological Warheads

'Abd Al-Bari editor of the London daily Al-Quds Al-Arabi, wrote in a February 13 editorial that if Israel attacks Iran, Syria is likely to respond with a brutal attack against it: "[Iranian President Mahmoud] Ahmadinejad's declaration that his country is a 'nuclear nation'... and that it can enrich uranium to above 80%, exposes the real aim of Iran's nuclear program – that is, to produce nuclear warheads. In a phone conversation with Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad, he demanded that Syria wage war against Israel and eliminate this country if it launches an attack in the region (on Iran). In my view, this is the most important development, particularly in light of the fact that [Ahmadinejad's] demand comes at a time of stepped-up preparations for war [by Israel]...

"I don't know how President Assad responded to the requests of his Iranian colleague and ally, but according to Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Al-Mu'allem, it appears that he felt that the explosion was imminent...

"There are two views regarding how Syria will respond if Israel attacks Iran, either by itself or together with the U.S. One [view is that] the Syrian government, in all its cleverness, will not lift a finger, preferring to take its time... The second is that Syria will join in the war and fire tens of thousands of missiles – including some with chemical and biological warheads – at Israeli cities and targets, under [its] current binding agreement [with Iran]...

"The second possibility is the more likely of the two. Perhaps the next war, if it breaks out... will change the face of the region from top to bottom, just as World War II did: Regimes will be wiped off the map, and others will take their place. Perhaps Israel will be impacted most of all, and it is not inconceivable that its fate [as an occupier] will be similar to that of the German Nazi regime...

"The current American administration is already preparing for the new war with a strangling blockade on Iran...

"[Most of] the pressure is now on China, so that it will not thwart a U.N. Security Council international resolution on a blockade [against Iran]. These pressures take the form of carrot and stick: The stick is the arming of Taiwan and economic threats; the carrot is demonstrated by U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's visit to Qatar and Saudi Arabia, aimed at persuading them to sell gas and oil to China at low prices in order to compensate it for losses it is likely to incur as a result of sanctions on Iran...

"Some talk of a six-month timetable [for the war], which according to estimates, is the time that Iran needs to produce nuclear weapons."[1]

The U.S. Is Working to Line Up the Gulf States to Back Sanctions and a Military Move against Iran

In a February 15 editorial, Atwan wrote: "...Hillary Clinton visited the Arabian Gulf to focus efforts there prior to [asking] the U.N. Security Council for strangling economic sanctions on Iran... This means that American diplomacy is being implemented along with military preparations [against Iran]...

"Clinton's requests of her Gulf hosts can be boiled down to three points:"

"1) Making tempting offers to China of low[-cost] gas and oil ...

"2) Involving [the Gulf countries] in the blockade or economic sanctions on Iran...

"3) Opening bases, ports, and airports [of the Gulf states] to American, and perhaps [also] Israeli, planes, ships, and forces, in case of a military move against Iran...

"It is too early to estimate to what extent the Gulf States will comply with the American requests, [but I believe] they are likely to acquiesce, perhaps [even] without any argument at all..."[2]

Al-Gumhouriyya Editor: Iran Has Already Made the First Move towards War

Egyptian MP Muhammad 'Ali Ibrahim, editor of the Egyptian government daily Al-Gumhouriyya, wrote in his editorial that Iran has already made the first move towards war, but that only U.S. President Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu know when it will actually break out and what it will entail. "One can envision the region as a chessboard with white and black pieces moving across it... The opening move was made by Iran when it announced that it was beginning to enrich uranium to 20%... As everyone knows, chess is a game played by two opponents, but in the Middle East, Iran is playing against a very formidable rival [consisting of] the U.S. and Israel, and with each passing day it acquires new opponents and loses more of its allies. Syria seems to be hesitating, [although] Ahmadinejad has urged it to join the war should Israel attack the resistance, [i.e.,] Hizbullah and Hamas...

"Iran is interested in this war, because it sees it as an opportunity to suppress its [domestic] opposition and accuse it of cooperating with the West. [It also hopes that] the shared sense of danger will prompt the Iranians to unite around their leadership. The U.S. is also interested in the war, because it will enable it to sell advanced weapons to the countries of the region, to impose its air defense umbrella on the Gulf states, and to determine oil prices independently of OPEC...

"Tehran is forgetting that there will be no ground war against it... Cruise missiles and one-ton bombs will drop [from the sky] and carve [craters] seven stories deep... But will this paralyze Iran? Will not [Iran] attack the Gulf states and kill every American soldier in the region? And when will this scenario materialize? Nobody knows for sure... except Obama and Netanyahu..."[3]