Warp speed lately

Prophecy is just lining up so fast!


Iran announced that it wants to work jointly with its Arab neighbors, to help them develop their own nuclear programs. 13 Middle Eastern nations have announced plans to develop or restart their own nuclear programs in the last two years or so. Meanwhile, Iran continues its own program virtually unchallenged by anyone. Outgoing President Bush and Israel's Transportation Minister Shaul Mofaz (an Iranian Jew by birth) have both reiterated the need to stop them, but these calls are not heeded.

The IAEA (International Atomic Energy Association) chief, Mohamed ElBaradei, has called international efforts to stop or sanction Iran "a failure". He believes the UN (of which the IAEA is a part) should concentrate on other things, and use more diplomatic options to persuade Iran. (Sure, that's worked well so far...)

Mr. ElBaradei also expressed his "hope" that President-Elect Obama will eliminate nuclear stockpiles and talk to Iran rather than threaten them. This is so blatant an attempt to steer the onus off of Iran and onto -- guess where?

Israel!

Obama went on the program Meet the Press to discuss this very situation. He gives great lip service to defending Israel, but are we fooled? He fully intends to pursue the "diplomatic" (read: blah blah, talk some more) option with Iran. Israel has been left in the lurch, so it's time for them to rely on God alone. This speeds up the fulfillment of prophecy a great deal! Israel has been preparing to strike Iran on its own, without help from the US or anyone else.


The EU and NATO are involving themselves more and more in Israeli and Middle Eastern affairs. The EU has even met for the first time with the PA (Palestinian Authority). NATO wants to station its troops as a peacekeeping force in Israel's West Bank so that the state of Palestine can be created and monitored by international forces! Israel signed a "programme of cooperation" with NATO in October 2006, which was just updated/reinforced. Israel has not wanted international troops on its soil, but reports are circulating that this reluctance is changing. (Peace and safety!)


The UN "peace" envoy, former British PM Tony Blair is once again pushing for the division of Israel. He urged the US' CFR (Council on Foreign Relations) and Obama (a member of it) to pressure Israel into an agreement with the PA. Obama appointed former NATO commander General James L. Jones as his National Security Advisor. Jones is one of the main proponents of sending NATO into the West Bank! Blair also says that Israeli PM Olmert and PA President Abbas already have a secret agreement, not ready to reveal yet. Bush also chimed in that the two-state solution "will be realized".


India and Pakistan have been brought to the brink of war in the aftermath of the Mumbai terror bombings. The situation conitnues to worsen each day that passes. Pakistan continues to deny any involvement whatsoever in the attacks. But more evidence keeps coming out to tie individuals there to the bombings. Some of these individuals reportedly have ties to Pakistan's intelligence agency, the ISI. This story is breaking out all over; so much is coming to light. There have also been reports that the longstanding conflict between the two nations over the region of Jammu and Kashmir is the real reason behind the attacks. India and Pakistan have gone to war several times over the disputed area, and may be again. But both possess nuclear weapons. This war would be very deadly one.


Even US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice visited both nations to try and stave off such a conflict. She reportedly warned Pakistan to act quickly to root out any terrorists that may be tied to the bombings, “otherwise, the US will act”. WOW! Can you see the US going to war with Pakistan? It's not that hard, given the fact that we are already in neighboring Afghanistan, and all the cross-border raids that have soured US-Pakistani relations.


I've been thinking about how Pakistan and Afghanistan might fit into prophecy. The Persian Empire included both in its territory, as well as Iraq, and of course Persia is modern day Iran. They only changed the name in 1935. So when Persia in Ezekiel 38 & 39 is mentioned, it may include all of these nations!



The nations of the Caucasus held a meeting this week in Helsinki, Finland. Turkey had proposed the Caucasus Stability and Cooperation Platform months ago, and it is now a reality. Russia, Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan joined Turkey in this new entity. On the agenda are the volatile relationships between Russia and Georgia, and between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Turkey is playing mediator. Notice these nations are also Ezekiel 38/39 candidates? Turkey also is mediating between Afghanistan and Pakistan, over those cross-border raids.


NATO is trying to smooth things over with Russia, just like the EU is doing. The subject of Georgia's and Ukraine's potential membership in both organizations is once again the bone of contention, with both the EU and NATO members split on the subject. The EU is wielding considerable power now in relations with Russia, influencing NATO's moves.

Russia is making major headway in Central and South America. Its relations with Cuba, Nicaragua, and Venezuela are warm and fuzzy. A Russian warship even sailed through the Panama Canal! Interesting timing, since all the Central American nations have decided to use a single currency and passport for all their citizens. These nations are Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Panama, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica. The Caribbean nation of the Dominican Republic has observer status. Might this new union spread to the West Indies? US influence in the region is taking a heavy hit.


News in North America is not so great, either. Canada's government has undergone a major shake-up. The three opposition parties attempted to topple the government and set up a new parliament without going to elections. (Boy, I hope I explained that right!) This is unprecedented in Canadian history. PM Stephen Harper was able to fend off the formation of a new government, with the decision of Canada's governor general, Michaëlle Jean, Queen Elizabeth's representative in the government. She suspended Parliament, just weeks after elections, until January 27th. They will resume then. But this story seems far from over.

In the US, the economy is still taking a severe beating. Congress just today sent a bill to the White House to help bail out the auto industry. Unemployment is skyrocketing.

A new report shows that prejudice is rising against American Muslims. Remember the anti-blasphemy bill the UN is trying to make an international law? Imagine a nation, a world, where you can't say you disagree with what Muslims believe? It's coming. The media is already being forced to sanitize anything negative about Islam. No one seems to remember 9/11. The Mumbai attacks should have been a wake-up call.

There is also a new study that says a bioterror or nuclear attack will be likely in the US by 2013. The Pentagon is detailing troops for deployment as domestic security. Obama wants a compulsory civil service act.

I think it's time to stop now. Pray for God's protection for us in these dark days.

Hope to Home soon.

Love,
SEL