Big Trouble In The Middle East ???

Dear friends,

Peace and grace to you all in Jesus name!

I am sitting at my desk Sunday morning "playing hooky" from church so I can rush this article and get it published PRONTO!!! The next article in line regarding Matthew 24:4-7 was scheduled to deal with false christs coming and deceiving many. Actually that article has been ready and waiting to be published tomorrow morning.

HOWEVER, things are heating up in the Middle East at supersonic speed and I awoke this morning to realize that I need to let you know what may well be coming upon the world within the next 7 days. Before proceeding, please know that there are ALWAYS rumors of wars somewhere in the world and most particularly involving Israel and her neighbors. I have learned not to pay much attention to the "doomers and gloomers" forecasting any minute now melt down conditions and end of the world scenarios involving the next nuclear holocaust. On the other hand the SIGNS OF THE TIMES in the past couple of years dictate that we watch very closely, the events unfolding in that region of the world.

Those of you who follow the nightly news will not be surprised that the President of Iran ( Ahmadinejad by name) is ratcheting up his hate filled rhetoric regarding the total destruction of the tiny Nation of Israel. This man believes that he is the chosen one by his god allah to usher in the advent of the 12th imam who is their version of the Messiah. He has publicly stated (many times) that it is his responsibility to bring the entire world to it's knees and force the entire population to forsake all other religions and embrace wholeheartedly the tenants is Islam by any means necessary including extreme violence.

As you may already know, Iran is currently working toward nuclear capabilities while claiming that it is merely intended for the peaceful production of energy to support their nation. This however, flies in the face of both truth and reality when we realize that Iran is sitting on top of one of the most prolific supplies of oil reserves on the planet. So why is it that they need nuclear production plants at this particular time in history? And why such a rush to get it? And why thumb their collective noses at the rest of the world if their intentions are so peaceful?

Who is helping Iran create nuclear technology? None other than another arch enemy of Israel------RUSSIA! Did you know that NEVER in the history of the world have Russia and Persia (Iran) been friends? Nope, never once exchanged valentine cards! On top of that EVERY SINGLE Western Nation AND the United Nations, AND the Nuclear non-proliferation committee of the U.N. (IAEA) has publicly denounced Iran's nuclear ambitions as a shear and utter scam to develop nuclear weapons FOR THE EXPRESS PURPOSE of wiping out Israel. Thus, beginning World War 3 and thereby ushering in the 12th imam.

This is all intended for the express purpose of beginning an era of global jihad (war upon all infidels---every single sole on the planet that is not a muslim) and to do so in the name of their god allah. This god who requires (according to the extremist muslim factions) that people blow themselves up while taking innocent life---and thereby earning a ticket to heaven.

NOTE: It is said that there are many peace loving non violent muslims. While that may well be true, many more people of the world will believe that when muslim leaders step forward publicly and condemn violence and terrorism in the name of their religion. AND when they accept the existence of their Middle East legitimate neighbor, Israel.

The title of this article is "BIG TROUBLE IN THE MIDDLE EAST???" I began with stating that we could well be within 7 days of cataclysmic events that really could shape future history, destroy a major portion of oil production, kick off a war of major consequence and further exacerbate an already disastrous world economy.

Those are big statements that I dislike using and normally try to avoid: I do not consider myself to be alarmist and have a general disdain for those who are. Having said that it should be no secret that I publish this blog because I believe Biblical prophecy is clear and EXTRAORDINARILY precise regarding things that must take place prior to the Second Coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ; Who is the prophesied Messiah of Israel! I believe this so strongly and confidently that I can tell you with every degree of certainty, that there are people alive on this earth this very moment that could well experience that blessed event.

In the meantime, events of the world (particularly in the arena's of political and defense alliances) are setting the stage for rapidly approaching MEGA events such as the future war of Gog, of the land of Magog (Ezekiel 38-39), The future total destruction of the ancient City of Damascus (Isaiah 17), The beginning of the 70th week of the Prophet Daniels time lime for the end of the world (Daniel chapter 9), and the long prophesied 7 years of tribulation culminating in the battle of Armageddon ( Revelation chapter 19).

Somewhere between now and the signing of a peace pact between Israel and her neighbors by the antichrist, ("Then he-- the antichrist-- "will confirm a covenant with many for one week" --7 years, Daniel chapter 9:27)--------WILL BE THE RAPTURE OF THE CHURCH!!!!!!!

Of course prophetically there are a lot of future events that must also still take place prior to the Second Coming of Christ, but those are for future articles. Now, what is the big hullabaloo about the next 7 days for goodness sake? Anyone recognize the name AMBASSADOR John R. Bolton? He was the US Ambassador to the United Nations during the last Bush Administration. He is highly thought of as a very astute analyst, particularly where Middle East politics are concerned. When I know that he is scheduled to be on one of the evening news programs, I watch and listen very closely. This man is neither and alarmist nor an exaggerator of the facts.

I might add here that what I am about to share with you is also echoed by other highly thought of Middle East analysts. For you "news junkies---just like myself" this thing is all over the major news sources and has caused a major stir in literally all the middle East Countries. So why read this article? Because I can tell you HOW it might happen!

In an interview with Newsmax Magazine, John Bolton has just stated that Israel may well attack the bushehr nuclear plant in Iran NO LATER THAN AUGUST 21---just 7 days from now.

This is his rationale: First, Israel has a verifiable track record of first strike at sites threatening immediate nuclear capabilities in Middle East Countries who are proclaimed enemies of Israel. The Israelis took out a plant several years ago in Iraq (prior to the gulf wars) and another most recently in Syria. There are two things in common for these events. In the first case, both plants were destroyed JUST PRIOR TO being loaded with Nuclear fuel rods that can later be used to produce nuclear weapons grade plutonium. In the second place, the Israelis were there, completed their mission of destruction and were back home for lox and bagels before the morning news!

Along this same line, the political world knows that once Iran actually has an operating nuclear plant, IT IS TOO LATE to stop it!!! Why, because any strike on a nuclear plant AFTER it is loaded with nuclear rods, could well produce a cloud of nuclear radiation with absolutely zero control over where it drops it's particles. Also, an explosion of this nature could literally destroy the Persian gulf for the very same reason. So, basically this is a ticking bomb issue that the world (including Uncle Sam) has tried to deal with through diplomatic channels but has failed on every front.

So why August 21 in particular? Because a major Nuclear scientist in the Russian Empire just announced that Russia has already transferred nuclear rods to Iran and WILL load them into the Busheher reactor (precisely) on August 21, 2010. This was also confirmed by Ali Akbar Salehi who is the head of the Iranian Atomic energy organization. This will be a violation of several nuclear treaties, not to mention a verbal commitment by Russian Prime minister Putin to President Obama that this would not take place. So much for diplomacy! On top of all that, no country in the world except for Israel seems willing to take military action against Iran.

So the real question is this? How long can Israel afford to wait? There have been so many false predictions regarding when Iran would actually go nuclear. Can you imagine the reaction in Jerusalem and other surrounding countries to this announcement by a Russian who is a head of their nuclear programs?

Until now, it has also been unclear whether or not the Israelis could pull off a military strike of this magnitude. As it happens, the word is out that the Saudis have granted Israel fly over capabilities for just such an attack. Of course there is no love lost between the Saudis and Israel either but the reality is that Israel has had (lots) of nukes for lots of years and has never threatened anyone with them. Iran IS threatening everyone in the region just like Iraq (under Saddam Hussein) was doing prior to the second gulf war. Suddenly for the Saudi's, Israel is a far better lunch partner than Iran.

This fly over permission by the Saudis is of particular significance. It is doubtful that President Obama would grant fly over (Iraq) rights to the Israelis for an attack on Iran. If he did so he could count his left wing political base good by. However a simple glance at the world map confirms that the Israelis could fly South through the Negev Desert past the Israeli city of Eilat, bypassing both Jordan and Egypt, continue South over the Eastern tip of the Red Sea, hook a sharp left over Saudi Arabia, over the Persian Gulf, leaving untouched both Kuwait and Qatar. Of course a round trip of this nature is also a very great distance in air miles that must be considered by the Israelis in their tactical planning.

Remember that (at least marginally) Israel enjoys peace agreements with both Jordan and Egypt. Either of these Muslim Nations could interject military air power against the Israelis in an attack of this nature. But, just like the Saudi's, both Jordan and Egypt are far more afraid of a nuclear Iran they they are of Israel who now has a 60 year history of living peacefully with her neighbors when not provoked.

While all this is taking shape, the United States has significant Navel, Marine and air power in the straits of Hormuz and the Gulf of Oman which is just slightly east of the Persian Gulf. Also in the Arabian Sea and some of these massive weapons of modern warfare has been moved there recently .

Who really knows what happens behind closed Government doors when literally everyone in a geographical area has a common enemy who is threatening nuclear genocide? That common enemy would be Iran today. How could tiny Israel pull this off and get her pilots home safely? On the return trip from such an attack, refueling of Israeli aircraft could easily be done by anyone of 4 Countries and who would be the wiser?

Why all this subterfuge? My thinking is that President Obama cannot afford to openly support an Israeli attack on Iran. However if it did occur and he did not help protect Israel from retaliation, he would also loose a major portion of Democratic funding through Jewish Americans. Not to mention any hope of support he might still have from the Christian right wing. For him this entire scenario is fraught with political danger no matter what happens.

Leaders of Muslim countries also have to be very careful that they are not seen to be pro Israel but none of them want anything to do with Iran with the possible exception of Syria---at least publicly!. So, how would The U.S., Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Jordan handle the fallout from an Israeli attack on the nuclear reactor at Bushehr Iran? Well basically they would all rush to the microphones, condemn Israel for being an old meanie and say "bad dog, bad dog,. don't ever do that again"! Then the United Nations would pass a security council referendum condemning Israel and demanding an investigation which would probably never be complete. The Israeli's would simply say, "WHO ME"? And in the meantime the Middle East and the world gain some breathing space.

Now the unknown questions are these? What would be the response to an attack of this nature by the Iranian Republican Guard? Could the Ayatollahs and President Ahmadinejad continue to hold the reigns of political and military power over Iran after a resounding defeat of their declared objective? Remember that Iran is close to armed civilian rebellion as it is right now! What would be the reaction AND action taken by Russia? Would Iran let loose their attack dogs in the form of a very heavily weaponed Hamas in Gaza and even more heavily gunned Hezbollah in Lebanon? Would Syria enter the fray and attack Israel from over the Golan heights? How about the age old ally of Israel, TURKEY? They have now turned against Israel for all intensive purposes so what would they do? If the attack happens and there is retaliation by ANY of the terrorist organizations sponsored by Iran and headquartered in Syria, could it spell the prophesied destruction of the ancient City of Damascus in Isaiah chapter 17? Lots to ponder.

OR, the whole thing passes by and nothing happens. What do you think? Will Russia blink at the last moment the way it did in the 1960's with the Cuban missile crisis? Will President Obama somehow stop the Russians and the Iranians at the last second? Will the United Nations finally find the resolve to act to evert a crisis? Have President Ahmadinejad and the Ayatollahs underestimated the strength of Israel or the determination of her Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu?

Well, before you decide, I recommend that you read the following analysis that I received this morning from another ministry located in Israel. I am printing it with their permission because I could not do a better job of reporting the facts myself. I cannot personally verify the United States military presence in the Gulf region but we have known for some time that it is there and ready for ???

This report was written by Jerry Golden of "The Golden Report"!

JUST ONE TRIGGER FINGER CAN DO IT.

8-14-10

With Hezbollah, Hamas, Lebanon, Syria, and Iran all on the highest alert, and all five literally sitting a few hundred yards apart - staring at each other with loaded guns - it will only take one trigger happy soldier to plunge this whole planet into the Third World War. Not to mention the political unrest in Iran which is about to upset the plans of Ahmadinejad. He believes that he has been called by his "god" to reveal the 12th Imam who will establish Islamic global control after a catastrophic war from which Persia apparently emerges victorious. Ahmadinejad desperately wants this war to begin - and soon.

Then, when we look at the conditions now developing around the Obama administration, Barack may find war an attractive option at this time as well? God only knows what collaborations he has entered into with the Islamic community at large. One thing is obvious though - he has gone out of his way to accommodate them whilst turning his back on the civilized western world.

When we take a closer look at what is happening in and near Iran (mostly in the Straits of Hormuz and the Gulf of Oman) we see once again the gathering of many American warships. This includes the USS Truman aircraft carrier with over 6,000 Marines aboard. She is accompanied by a fleet which includes the USS Normandy, a missile cruiser, and the USS Oscar Austin, a missile destroyer. We have been told that the USS Truman doesn't go anywhere without being protected by at least two nuclear subs. There are other vessels in the area as well; the USS Churchill and the USS Pelieliu. They are stationed in the Arabian Sea and have many Marines aboard. These are just the ones we know about! The Iranians possess many torpedo and missile boats and they have recently purchased the British "Bladerunner" speedboat which has a top speed in excess of 60 MPH. What worries the USS Truman is that these vessels are armed with the Russian Shkval torpedoes, believed to be the fastest in the world with speeds of 360 MPH. They would be impossible to destroy once fired. To add to this scenario, Iran has now sent out four Ghadir type mini-subs into the area.

As we have reported over the past few weeks, Israel is now believed to have at least two submarines and two warships located somewhere near the Iranian coast. What is not known is how many, if any, Russian subs are in that area also. We do know that they have been seen docking along the Syrian coast with aircraft carriers also unloading military gear for Hezbollah and the Lebanese Army. I believe the "Flotillas" now trying to break the Gaza blockade are nothing but an organized effort to draw attention away from the Persian Gulf and what is happening there at present... The Russians, not surprisingly, have sided with Iran and have now installed the S-300 anti-aircraft missiles to make sure they can defend themselves against any Israeli air attack.

The USA has just struck a deal with the Saudis to deliver 84 more F-15 fighter Jets. Egypt is sitting there quietly and has also been armed by the US with everything needed for the coming war with Israel. Bashar Assad of Syria has made the statement many times over the past few months that war is the only thing Israel understands, and that Syria is now ready with tens of thousands of Missiles tipped with chemical warheads. Hezbollah now boasts that they have over 50,000 missiles, and many of them are long-range which can, and will, hit every part of Israel. It is even known that Syria has sent scuds into Lebanon to Hezbollah.

So you see when we shout, "wolf", "Wolf", it is not that the Wolf isn't showing his ugly teeth. We see him alright! And it seems that as he circles us he is getting bolder every day. I think the big question now for Israel and the US is; have they waited too long?

With all the above I daily awaken with an urgency to prepare to save Jewish lives and know God has given us the way. Still many things need to be done and God willing we will be ready to go into action very soon. The biggest thing on our agenda these days is emergency communications that will be needed when conventional communications fail us. The single largest expense we are facing is the purchase of the larger boat. All the travels and maintenance are very costly. We do everything we can to hold the cost down - but some things simply have to be done in order to gain the cooperation necessary in the future. I am asking each of you who are called to be with us to pray about your part in this ministry and simply ask God what it is He would have you do.

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem, for our son Joel and all the IDF soldiers. Pray for this Ministry and your part in it.

Shalom, Jerry Golden

www.thegoldenreport.com

Pastor Rance here again with a short comment: First, you might be interested in the work of Jerry Golden's ministry so I encourage you to check it out. As far as these circumstances are concerned, all of this, I believe is the run up to the eventual war of Gog of the land of Magog (Ezekiel 38-39). But the circumstances (according to Scripture) are not yet right for that to happen and if there is a war soon it will not be that one.

I do however wonder about Psalm 83 ? I read this as a war. Out there in the world of prophecy there are those that teach that prophecy is not literal, but rather allegorical in nature. If you believe that, then you might as well throw your Bibles away and forget the whole thing. The truth is that God means what He says and He says what He means. Also remember, that while reading many Scriptures in the Bible, a current event (at the time of writing) can be discussed while a future event may also be prophetically spoken of. Psalm 83 is often overlooked as a possible future event but a careful reading, particularly of the leading verses 1 through 5 is just about as perfect a description of the political morass that exists in the Middle East today as I could imagine. Could the next war be that of Psalm 83? YOU DECIDE.

God bless you all,

Pastor Rance.