You may view the 5 minute update this week via audio:
In this week’s 5 minute update, we focused on:
1) The current status of the Israel / PLO peace process
2) The prospects for war with Syria and Iran
Israel and the PLO had preliminary direct peace talks this week in Jordan. The PLO submitted to Israel their proposal on borders and security for a PLO state. Israel submitted to the PLO a 21 point outline regarding parameters for a final status agreement with the PLO. The PLO will review the Israel paper in the coming week. Israel and the PLO will have another meeting next week in Jordan. The PLO said that they will give until January 26 for Israel to accept the PLO conditions for direct peace talks or else the PLO will once again try to gain support for a PLO state at the UN. The PLO conditions for direct peace talks include Israel quit building in the West Bank and East Jerusalem and accept the 1967 borders as a basis for establishing a PLO state. Israel building and construction in Jerusalem indicates that they are planning for separation from East Jerusalem Palestinians.
An agreement to divide Jerusalem and establish a PLO state is a tribulation event.
The link to these articles are as follows:
1) Future Israeli-Palestinian ties to be decided next January: Negotiator
2) With peace on ice, Palestinians chase UN, unity
3) Israeli, Palestinian Envoys Meet in Jordan on Peace Efforts
4) Israeli, Palestinian envoys agree to meet again in Jordan next week
5) Report: PA reviewing Israeli paper outlining peace proposal
6) Israel gearing for effective separation of East Jerusalem Palestinians
7) PA considering options to advance statehood bid
Economic sanctions upon Syria are hurting its economy. Canada announced the freezing of Syrian assets. Syrian oil production has been cut by 30%. Israel Defense Minister, Ehud Barak, believes that Assad only has a few more weeks left to be in power. Several months ago, Assad did say that he would launch missiles at Israel if it looked like he would be removed from power. As a result, the Israeli army is watching the situation in Syria very closely preparing itself for a possible war with Syria. The opposition to Assad in Syria has declared that it considers for all practical purposes that the government of Assad has already fallen. Israel newspapers have reported that Russia is offering the Syrian VP to replace Assad. The US has agreed to this idea.
A war with Syria where Damascus is destroyed (Isaiah 17) is a tribulation event.
The link to these articles is as follows:
1) Canada freezes Syrian regime’s assets
2) Syrian cuts oil production by 30%
3) Syria’s Assad has only ‘few weeks’ left in control: Israel
4) Source: IDF Keeping Eye on Syria
5) Daher says Assad’s regime considered “toppled”
6) Report: Russia offers Syrian VP to assume powers
The USA has called for an oil embargo of Iran and sanctions upon the Iranian central bank. Iran considers this an act of war. In the last month, the Iranian currency has dropped around 40% against the US dollar. In response, Iran had a 10 day Navy drill in the Strait of Hormuz and threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz. The US and Britain said that they would not allow this to happen. Nearly 40% of the world’s daily oil supply goes through the Strait of Hormuz each day. If Iran does block the Strait of Hormuz, the US plans to tap its strategic oil reserves. The US said that they will continue to deploy their warships in the Persian Gulf despite the Iranian threat. In preparation with a regional war with Syria and / or Iran the US and Israel militaries are closely working with each other. The US has announced that they are sending around 9,000 troops to Israel who will be joined by a US aircraft carrier. The US is calling this a military deployment and not a exercise. Meanwhile, Iran has announced that it has now made its first nuclear fuel rods and are close to starting nuclear work deep inside a mountain.
A US war with Iran is a tribulation event.
The link to these articles is as follows:
1) US sanctions on Iran’s central bank. Tehran has called this an act of war
2) As sanctions bite, Iran threatens US aircraft carrier
3) Iran Makes First Nuclear Fuel Rod
4) Iran close to starting nuclear work in bunker: diplomats
5) Iran’s Navy Begins Drill In Persian Gulf
6) Iran toughens cyber challenge to US, claims superior drones
7) Iran warns of closing strategic Hormuz oil route
8.) West plans to tap oil reserves if Iran blocks Strait of Hormuz
9) UK sends most powerful vessel to Gulf
10) U.S. says will continue to deploy warships in Persian Gulf despite Iranian threats
11) Iran: U.S. in ‘No Position’ to Give Orders on Strait of Hormuz
12) U.S.-Iran Tensions: Mideast Showdown Builds As United States Tightens Military Ties To Israel
13) Thousands of US troops land in Israel. Aircraft carrier coming soon
From a Biblical prophetic perspective, the reason why the God of Israel would allow these events to happen is because it will result in the end of the exile of the house of Jacob and the reunification of the 12 tribes of Israel (Ephraim and Judah).
We will to be “watchmen on the walls of Jerusalem” and we will not rest until the God of Israel makes Jerusalem a praise in the earth (Isaiah 62).
Shalom in Yeshua the Messiah,
Eddie Chumney
Hebraic Heritage Ministries Int’l