The Covenant Begins the Tribulation

God promised that Israel would return and prosper in their land. It would be a difficult process because their Arab neighbors want to destroy them. The Middle East peace process leads the world to war. Until the Tribulation ends, God works with Israel and the world to bring redemption and make every person choose sides. Man's rule of earth, ends with a restored Israel, all nations defeated and the righteous King of  Kings ruling the nations. Only the Prince of Peace can give complete and eternal peace with God and man.

Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah and against Jerusalem (Zechariah 12:2).

In 2017, the Jews celebrate the double jubilee of the 1917 Balfour Declaration and jubilee of the 1967 Six Day War. Protestant Christians celebrated the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation. See Reformation. April 18/19 (Jewish) and May 14, 1948 (Roman) is the 70th anniversary of Israeli Independence Day. Watch the Middle East for events that occur in 2017 and 2018.

References: 21st Century Revelation: World Wars, Iraq Wars and End Wars Chapter 13: Minor Feasts, Major Events, Chapter 20 - Players in the Game, Chapter 25 - Iraq War III, Two-State Solution, Israeli-Palestinian Peace Process, Water Supply, Dead Sea Pipeline

Many fulfilled prophecies tell us we are at the end of the End Times. The Four Horses of the Apocalypse are on the run. Five of seven trumpets already sounded. See Seals & Trumpets. The Far East and Middle East are preparing for the next two of three nuclear world wars. See China and Iran. In previous covenant articles, there were issues with Palestine divided between Fatah and Hamas and the continuing civil war in Syria. See Covenant Articles.

He [Antichrist] shall confirm the covenant with many for one seven [years]: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the [Jewish] sacrifice and the offerings to cease (Daniel 9:27).

Daniel's Quartet on the Middle East (European Union, Russia, United Nations, United States) is working on the peace process. See Quartet. The plan is a two-state solution to divide the land between Israel and Palestine according to pre-1967 borders with land swaps for existing Jewish settlements. See Land. Both share the capital of Jerusalem but the people are segregated between Arabic and Jewish neighborhoods and seperate nations. The Temple Mount will also be shared so Palestine controls the southern part with the Al-Aqsa Mosque and Dome of the Rock while Israel controls the northern part and builds the third temple. That still leaves quite a few issues left on the table.

There was given me [John] a reed like a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein. But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty-two months (Revelation 11:1-2).

Security

Israel wants a military presence in the Jordan Valley between Jordan and Palestine but Palestine does not. The plan is for Israel to keep a limited defense there but leave on a set date. There are also Israeli security concerns over borders, violence and terrorism. Palestine would have no army but the UN would deploy an international peace keeping force.

You [Gog (Russia)] shall say, I will go up to the land of unwalled villages; I will go to them that are at rest, that dwell safely, all of them dwelling without walls, and having neither bars nor gates, To take a spoil, and to take a prey; to turn your hand upon the desolate places that are now inhabited (Ezekiel 38:11-12).

Recognition

Israel demands that Palestine recognize the Jewish state. Throughout various negotiations, Palestinian leaders have refused and Fatah and Hamas have called for the destruction of Israel and take back Palestinian lands. In 1993 during the Oslo Accords, Palestine recognized Israel's right to exist and Israel recognized the Palestinian Liberation Organization as the representative of the Palestinian people.
 

[Your enemies] have said, Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance (Psalm 83:4).

Water

About sixty percent of the land is desert and the lack of clean water impacts the region. Access and distribution of clean drinkable water is critical for Palestine. This would impact not only water but agricultural and economic development. In seventy years, Israel transformed the desert wasteland into a modern agricultural marvel. Thirty percent of their water supply comes from recycling wastewater and thirteen percent from desalinized sea water. In 2018, construction begins on a pipeline from the Gulf of Aqaba to the Dead Sea to provide water for Israel, Jordan and Palestine and stabilize the Dead Sea.

For the Lord shall comfort Zion: he will comfort all her waste places; and he will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the Lord; joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving, and the voice of melody (Isaiah 51:3).

Refugees

The Palestinians demand the right of refugees that fled in 1948 and their descendants to return into Israeli territory. There are about five million registered refugees. Israel refuses to allow refugees to return as it would weaken the Jewish state. Previously peace proposals gave monetary reparations.

I [God] will take you [Israel] from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land. A new heart will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you. And you shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and you shall be my people, and I will be your God [Ezekiel 36:24, 26, 28].

Access

Because Gaza is separated from Judah and Samaria (West Bank), the Palestinians need safe passage without Israeli interference. The plan is to give Palestine a small strip of land for road, rail and utilities to connect the two territories. Then Israel will literally be divided. Palestinian workers also need access to Israel.

I will also gather all nations, and will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat [Kidron Valley in Jerusalem, battle of Armageddon], and will plead with them there for my people and for my heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations, and [divided] my land (Joel 3:2).