Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has played his hand masterfully! He has managed to sway the entire world, apart from Islamic nations, towards his cause. Israel desperately wants peace, but she does not have a negotiating partner of good faith at the bargaining table.
Sharon's unilateral disengagement is intended to make the Palestinians stop the terror violence. It is having a profound effect on Israel's status with the Road Map to Peace's (no pun intended) authors, the U.S., EU, UN and Russia (The Quartet). All four have extended laurels upon Israel for taking such an important step towards peace. Yes, they have sprinkled it with calls for Israel to stop targeted assassinations, but most negative rhetoric has been aimed at the Palestinians for not doing more to match this historic example set by Sharon.
The Quartet met recently to discuss keeping the Road Map on track. With one voice they sounded their satisfaction with Israel's self-sacrificial plans. Meanwhile Ariel Sharon's political party, the Likud, handed him an embarrassing referendum defeat of his disengagement plan, but this unfortunately will be a largely symbolic defeat. With the support of all four Quartet members Sharon will move ahead with what he perceives to be a world-wide mandate for his plan, this in complete defiance of his cabinet, political party and the Israeli people.
The Palestinians have
been rendered impotent by Sharon's deft moves. Equally paralyzing
is the growing autonomy that the terror organization Hamas exercises
within Palestinian territory. Arafat knows that the majority of
Palestinians support Jihad against Israel. He understands that
the popularity of Jihad among the people is the main reason for
Hamas's increasing power. He has even unsuccessfully courted Hamas
in hopes of luring it into his government. In this way he could
control this new threat to his power. Arafat is attempting to
sit on the fence. In the eyes of the world and using the English
language he portrays himself as a peacemaker who is only fighting
Israel to protect his people. In the eyes of his people and in
their tongue he calls for a million martyrs to march on Jerusalem.
By giving away Gaza Sharon has torn away Arafat's veil of deception
and exposed his unwillingness to make peace. By handing away a
large chunk of territory in exchange for nothing Sharon has reduced
the value of Arafat's life dramatically. If Arafat does not offer
real concessions to match Sharon's efforts soon, then Israel will
make good on her threat to terminate Arafat's leadership.
Arafat and some other Islamists have tried to make an issue out of the West Bank, but their voices have for the most part fallen on deaf ears. President Bush understands Sharon's strategy as do the other Quartet members. They know that Sharon's plan is the best way to get the Palestinians to make good on their empty promises. By insinuating, through ignoring the issue, that Sharon can configure the West Bank as he pleases so long as there is no partner in negotiations, the Quartet hopes to force a cornered Palestinian Authority to suppress Jihad against Israel. Until then Israel will act with impunity against terror leaders. Now, every time Israel makes veiled threats against Arafat there is a noticeable reduction in the reaction from the world's principle powers. When this reaction reaches the level of a murmur then Arafat will have run out of time.
When nearly everyone considered the Road Map dead, Israel's leaders have revived it and made it more viable than ever. Israel will hand over Gaza. Israel will cede major portions of the West Bank to the Palestinians. But these actions by themselves will not constitute a rebellion against God's covenant with Israel. When the Palestinians declare a nation of Palestine on the soil of Israel's inheritance and with Israel's acknowledgement then the last seven years of this age will begin. It will be at that time that you must start looking for the man of lawlessness. Israel will have just 3.5 years of the peace she so desperately seeks. For 3.5 years she will feel that she is viewed as an equal among nations. We will have 3.5 years to prepare for and warn others about the last 3.5 years of this age, the desolation! It will be during the desolation that great tribulation will be visited upon the Jews and the true church of Jesus Christ.
The Road Map to Peace
is the covenant with death spoken of by the prophet Isaiah. When
Israel acknowledges a state of Palestine then she will be in full-blown
rebellion against God's covenant with her. Israel will despise
her inheritance. God will withdraw the Archangel Michael from
protecting Israel and blocking the way of the antichrist. When
Israel is overrun by the forces of the antichrist then Israel's
blessing upon the earth will no longer exist. Desolation will
spread over the entire world as it enters the decay of death.
Only in earth's darkest hour will Jesus Christ come to destroy
what man has not destroyed, He will destroy the destroyers themselves.
On that day of great slaughter and wrath a new age will begin.
A new kingdom will be established and it will have no end.
Brethren, we are so very close . . . stand firm!
He who testifies
to these things says, "Yes, I am coming soon."
Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. Revelation 22:20.