By Randy Loudenslager
Responding to the Israeli Likud party's central committee vote in reaffirmation of its stand against a Palestinian state, contrary to their own member Ariel Sharon's policy, Colin Powell said, "We will see whether that (vote) reflects the views of all of the Israeli people in due course. It's a democratic nation. It will make its own judgment. This is the view of the Likud party at this time. We cannot stay in this position of enmity forever, with these people living in an occupied territory and having no right to a state of their own." He went on further, "The prime minister and I discussed the decision made by the Likud committee yesterday and of course he reaffirmed to me that he remains committed to moving forward to achieve that vision that I think most people have of a Palestinian state. I don't think it changes Prime Minister Sharon's basic thinking about this subject where he was inclined to move forward to a Palestinian state at some point in the future."
President Bush's spokesman, Ari Fleischer said, "The president continues to believe that the best route to peace is through the creation of the state of Palestine and side-by-side security with Israel. That's what the president wants. That's what the president will continue to push for."
And Ariel Sharon's own son Omri said that he is certain the State of Palestine will be established. This is in agreement with the latest poll of Likud party central committee members which showed 71 percent oppose the formation of a Palestinian state, but 83% believe one will eventually be formed anyway.
Speculations abound in the media and political circles, but what most are missing is the profound statement the Likud has made by their reaffirmation against a Palestinian state. Although their candidates are expected to easily win the elections to important government posts, including the one for prime minister, they are now in the cross-hairs of the Bush administration and that of the rest of the world. Although Powell feigns respect for the political decisions of Israel's people we will now see the gradual isolation of the Likud and her right-wing partners as extremists and against peace. Before Likud's vote the world was against all of Israel by association with her leader Ariel Sharon. Now Sharon will be exonerated by the world for standing against the Likud. Hence the Likud party and anyone allied with her will be scapegoats for any failings in the so-called peace process. The Israeli people will feel the pressure from the world for aligning their support behind Likud and will begin to swing away from an association with what will be increasingly called a far-right extremist hate party. Remember how the U.S. and various European nations applied sanctions against Austria when her people democratically elected Joerg Haider, a nationalist, to a position of power?
So who will garner the favor of the American and European power elite? Like the Likud the left-wing Labor party also held a central committee meeting to choose the path they will take. They have thrown their support clearly behind the U.S. position. Haim Ramon, leading contender against Defense Minister Benjamin Ben-Eliezer for prime minister in the Labor party, clearly was the winner of the party's supporters, although their was no official vote.
With the isolation of the Likud will come the isolation of the Jewish religious minority in Israel. Although a small political block they hold much sway in Israel, much as the Pharisees in Jesus' day. And just as then they are divided along many lines. Interestingly, among them are messianic groups who do not recognize Jesus as messiah and yet are eagerly anticipating his coming. These groups are throwing off the so-called authority of the rabbinical system and adhere to the scriptures and more particularly the Psalms for their marching orders and way of life, much as the religious zealots of Jesus' time. These groups have elements within them that have gone to extreme measures by adopting terrorist ways against the Palestinians. Using these isolated incidents as justification the nation's rabbis are distancing themselves gradually from their teachings although none have successfully argued against them, much as the Sanhedrin in Jesus' lifetime. Many members of these messianic groups, staunchly faithful to the LORD's covenant, will be the core of Jewish believers who will make up the remnant of Israel to be gathered after Jesus comes again. Daniel refers to them in Daniel 11:31-32, "His [antichrist] armed forces will rise up to desecrate the temple fortress and will abolish the daily sacrifice. Then they will set up the abomination that causes desolation. With flattery he will corrupt those who have violated the covenant, but the people who know their God will firmly resist him."
As Satan divides Israel with incitement against the Holy Covenant it will no longer be a question for Christians of whether or not to support Israel as a whole, but to specifically support those within Israel who are faithful to God's covenant against those who aren't. Those days are not approaching, they are already here. These days will be the beginning of deception for believers in Jesus Christ. The seeds of apostasy, turning away from faith in Jesus Christ, are being planted now. Many believers are already deceived and support the Palestinians openly. Others will be deceived soon because they do not understand the scriptures or truly know their God. They will emphatically support Israel, even in her rebellion against God's covenant.
The teachings of the faithful covenant supporters can not be argued with, they come from the Holy Spirit. But the "Christian establishment" will begin its distancing from it nonetheless just as the Jewish rabbis are doing to their zealots. Be strong and courageous! the LORD told Joshua. Paul encouraged us to be zealous for God. Jesus told us to love God above all else because the law and the prophets were summed up in this. The verses in Daniel referenced above continue, "Those who are wise will instruct many, though for a time they will fall by the sword or be burned or captured or plundered. When they fall. they will receive a little help, and many who are not sincere will join them. Some of the wise will stumble, so that they may be refined and made spotless until the time of the end, for it will still come at the appointed time."
Copyright 2002 Randy Loudenslager Ministries
Our web resources site: http://lastday.info
E-mail: randy@lastday.info