Roadmap to Perdition

SEARCHING

FOR THE TRUTH

"Road Map to Perdition"
or part of God's Strategy?

Study on contemporary events in ISRAEL from an alternative point of view,
regarding “DIVIDING THE LAND”.
Offered for your thoughts and prayer by S. Hogan,
using The NIV & Jewish N.T. Scriptures.

INTRODUCTION
"The Road Map to Middle East Peace."
After the beginning of the USA/British led war in Iraq, a proposal from 'the Quartet' of UNO, E.U, USA & Russia, was promoted to try to bring about a stable situation (after much bloodshed and violence), between the Israelis and Palestinians. It is called "The Road Map to M.E. Peace." It has especially been promoted by President George W Bush, partly to placate Muslim (Arab) nations, and partly to genuinely find a way through the years of terrible tensions in that area. The details are well known by any person who reads current publications. The two main parties – Israel & the Palestinians, in the presence of President George W. Bush, agreed to it in a public signing ceremony in June 2003. The final result, if it is put into effect - would be, that after the first parts are fulfilled, there would follow the creation of an autonomous 'Palestinian State' in the area next to the present State of Israel. (However there are many 'parts' to the 'Road Map'.)

THE UNDERSTANDING OF MANY ‘CHRISTIAN ZIONISTS’ REGARDING ISRAEL.
By 'Christian Zionists' is meant: Bible reading Believers in Jesus, who believe that as part of God's End Time Plan, Israel and the Jewish people are now, in a time of fulfillment of God's plans and purposes for them. The Tanakh/ O.T. has very many Scriptures to emphasise these beliefs. The very fact of Israel’s existence as a viable, modern nation on the actual Land Biblically and historically possessed by them, after 1,948 years, is a visible evidence of these fulfilled Scriptures. This has been seen in many other ways, especially since their establishment as a nation from 1948 on, and this inspite of many attacks from their Muslim neighbours. Spiritually speaking, it is clear that the 'battle' between each group is a spiritual battle between the God of Israel and Allah the god of Islam.

Therefore the prayers and concern by evangelical Christians is very real and necessary. We are Christian Zionists ourselves. Many Torah reading Jews have similar beliefs. Being informed and standing on the Word of God is essential! Like Daniel, the discernment of the Word of God, and the actual events that are happening should drive us to be real intercessors, 'standing in the gap' for God's People to see the fulfillment of God's purposes. God’s glory - in the vindication of all His purposes and promises being realised is vital! God’s words to Abraham are still true, “I will bless you & make you a blessing.”
God's purpose is to restore Israel, to the Land & in other ways ~ completely!

Above all, we believe, for their spiritual restoration in a new
Covenant relationship with God.

HOW THIS CONCERN FOR THE LAND OF ISRAEL IS BEING EXPRESSED AT PRESENT.
Many Christian writers have expressed a deep concern about the goal of the ‘Road Map’.
The concern is about "the dividing of the Land" and the consequences, both within Israel, and for the nations who are promoting this 'solution' to the ongoing violence. A verse from Joel is used to emphasise this fear, (ch.3: 2- 2nd half of the verse “…for they scattered My People among the nations and divided My Land.”) It is clear it is God’s Land.

Therefore grave warnings are being given to anyone, especially America, for letting the Land to be divided and especially the handing over of part of it to those who hate Israel & Israel’s God. Prayers and warnings were given widely at the time of the withdrawal from Gaza & other small areas.

HOWEVER, HERE ARE SOME ADDITIONAL ASPECTS TO CONSIDER?

Division of the Land is not new! While the above is stating a fact of God's principles, the dividing of the total area of Land, promised to Israel has been enacted many, many times, and therefore the punishments for so doing have also been true. However because it has happened many times in the last 2000 years, and God is Sovereign, it would seem God Himself has allowed the divisions. In actual fact Israel has never owned the whole ‘Promised Land’ even in the time of Solomon! We do not believe God was sleeping! (But ~ God is very patient! ~ It seems He waited maybe 4000 years before the promise of Genesis 3: 15 was fulfilled in the death of Yeshua/ Jesus in AD 33!)
The dimensions of the Land are clearly given in several places in the Tanakh, see Joshua 1: 4 & Numbers 34: 1 –12. - Briefly, since it reaches to the Euphrates river, it should include all of Lebanon and a large part of today’s Syria & Jordan & both sides of the River Jordan. Maps in many Bibles will show this. One day they will be restored to Israel, because God cannot lie and He has written it in places like Ezekiel 36: 10 –15.
Possible incorrect use of one verse. Another problem is that the whole context of this verse in Joel 3, is not usually commented on, because the 1st phrase of the verse quoted, speaks of the tragic act of "scattering My people," which historically has been true by nations like the Romans. Therefore if the present regime, (especially USA) were at fault in this aspect they certainly would deserve God's punishments. Yet the truth is that USA has done more than any nation in recent years, not only to assist aliya, (immigration) of Jewish people back to Israel, (along with some European nations) than almost any nation, but have helped them in many ways, including giving Israel millions of dollars!
Not only ‘Nations’ are involved in the massive support for Israel. Many thousands of Christians & Jews are involved in these projects of assisting the return of Jewish people, and raising both money and awareness of the issues regarding modern Israel. Surely they should not be judged harshly by God for this verifiable support, remembering God said, “those who bless Israel, I will bless.”
Criticism is easy; efforts to find solutions should be recognised. The present motive of the “Quartet”, & other nations, in seeking to relieve the horrific suffering on both sides must surely be recognised? Maybe other Scriptures should also be applied at this time, such as 'blessed are the peacemakers''? Let's be fair if we can, and not take isolated verses to prove a point. God Himself has great Plans for Israel but His ways are not always our ways, as the Prophet Habakkuk and others had to learn! It is possible that God will allow a time of ‘false peace’ as predicted in the prophet Ezekiel’s book, and it could come about by somehow allowing the Palestinians a temporary State!
God has His own timing as well. Another observation is, that the context of most of Joel 3, (verses 1 – 16), which is the Scripture many Christian teachers are using, (i.e. judgement), awaits a specific fulfillment at what would seem to be a later time, that is: at the battle of 'Armageddon', not the present situation. Please study this!

SOME ALTERNATIVE SCRIPTURAL CONCLUSIONS.
Because the spiritual renewal is a priority with God in his restorative programme, as outlined in many Biblical passages, such as Isaiah 40- 44 & 48 -49, 51-55, & 62, Jeremiah 30- 31,32 v.38 -ch33, also Ezekiel 36 -39 surely this should be our guideline in seeking to determine how to pray for Israel at this time? It even seems God has portrayed it as in a 'video' - just what it will take to bring Israel to the point of calling on their God as Paul clearly says they will do. In the Bible they are called 'visions' but no video or vision could be more specific than the 4 visions described in the chapters of Ezekiel 36, 37, (2parts) and finally in chapters 38 & 39! The reason for it all is very clear!

It is written in the climax in the last verse of Ezekiel 39. "I will no longer hide My Face, (Yeshua*) from them, for I will pour out My Spirit on the house of Israel,
declares the Sovereign LORD."

[ * See John 14: 5-11 and other references to God's Face in the Tanakh/ Old Testament, or our article “Who is the Face of God?”]

THEREFORE PERHAPS GOD IS PREPARING FOR THAT TIME OF SPIRITUAL BLESSING?
Actual Scriptural pre-cursors to Israel gaining the whole of the Land promised to them.

a) Israel is to have a short (2 years?) time of (false) peace, as given in Ezekiel 38: 8, 11 & 14. Is this time immanent, and part of the electoral changes in both the Palestinian area, (with Hamas), and Israel, (with Kadima & coalition Parties), existing there now? King Abdullah of Jordan is on record as saying the next 2 years are crucial to any relatively settled future for the Middle East.

b) Israel, must become wealthy enough, (even in silver & gold) for others to want to 'plunder' them. Ezekiel 38: 12. They are in a position to trade amazing technical & other products and skills of all kinds, to those who will buy them. They are even exporting $10 Bn of Water Management! They have some useful investors, and prospects of peace will bring many more tourists to all the M.E. Countries.

c) Another strategy of ADONAI could be even to confine Israel into a small place, so in His time God can protect them in a time of extreme danger, and where they will be unable to help themselves militarily - and so they will have to call on God, at last! Perhaps, unseen, God is arranging for parts of the Land to be relinquished now, ready for when He will finally give them all He promised? God wants to do good things for them, as they trust in Him! Many times He chided them for being ‘stiff-necked and wanting to “do things our way” – without Him!

[Please see the articles, on the ‘Ezekiel War’ parts I & II on this web-site.]

OUTLINING A POSSIBLE SCENARIO OF SOME FUTURE EVENTS IN ISRAEL.
1. Here is a verse that may suggest 'the Road Map' is exactly what God will use!
Isaiah 26:20, "Go, My People enter your rooms and shut the doors behind you; [in your sealed rooms], hide yourselves for a while until His wrath has passed by...” Perhaps this verse not only refers to individual sealed rooms in every home, but maybe God wants to shut Israel up into a small area of Land, for the reasons given above. Did you notice them? To be in desperate need, & to call on GOD! “For whoever calls on the Name of the LORD will be saved.” –in every way!It has been commented on rightly, that Eretz Israel is GOD'S to give as He has promised, but perhaps we need to also remember, He will give it in His own time. Even making a 'covenant with Jerusalem' (as Israel & Jews around the world did), may have given God sorrow, because He wants them to accept HIS NEW COVENANT with HIMSELF! (Jeremiah 31:31-36.)

2. The shocking reality could be that God will even allow the division of Jerusalem!
God knows, and has even foretold some very specific events that WILL happen in the City of Jerusalem. For the first time since the re-unification of Jerusalem, Israel now, in 2006, has a Government in power that has stated the division of the City as a possibility. Therefore He may even allow part of Jerusalem to be given to the Muslims who are demanding part of it to be made a Palestinian Capital! This seems unthinkable by Bible/Tanakh readers, but of course some Scriptures, being in the B’rit Chadashah/ New Testament are not known by most Jewish people. [These Scriptures in Revelation chapter 11, especially, are the subject again, of another study/ article about ‘Jerusalem’s Future’.]

3. Some specific prophecies of Jerusalem’s Future. These prophecies are in the Revelation 11:13. There is NO record of this exact scenario having happened, although, of course there have been many earthquakes affecting Jerusalem even from very ancient times. In this description, the City has been restored and a third Temple rebuilt on the Temple Mount. It says, (the Prophet John writing), “I was given a measuring stick and told, ‘get up & measure the Temple of God & the Altar and count how many people are worshipping there!’ “ Then follows a specific series of events, ensuring that, (we believe) the city will NOT be destroyed, (as many teachers say), but be “trampled over” by hundreds of sight-seers… Part of the world’s fascination, but also animosity, will be directed against two inspired, God-sent powerful Prophets of the True God who serve in Jerusalem, at great risk. Finally, to the great joy of most of the godless, False-messiah worshipping world, they will be killed.

4. World news will then report: “Massive Earthquake Hits Jerusalem. 7,000 dead.”
Revelation, 11: 13 [JNT] describes it. “There was a severe earthquake and a tenth of the City collapsed. Seven thousand people were killed in the earthquake, and the rest were awe-struck & gave glory to the God of Heaven.” We have no way of knowing who the 7,000 will be, yet the implication is that they are under judgement from God, and perhaps they do not serve Him, and they should not be there? Therefore in the light of our present demographics of Jerusalem, and the desire of the Muslim Palestinians to wrongfully claim part of this special, God-chosen City for themselves, this could surely, at some point, invite God’s punishments on them? It calls for our patient, trusting prayers.

IN THE LIGHT OF THIS KNOWLEDGE, WE NEED TO ENSURE WE ARE NOT PRAYING AGAINST GOD’S PLANS!
1. Several times in Biblical situations the danger of standing against God was made known.
Some examples are Habakkuk, and by Gamaliel, (Acts 5:38-39) & even Paul had to admonish his loving friends about accepting the higher will of God even if it meant some suffering. (Acts 21:10-13.) It is good that in these times God has raised up such godly Christian people to form worldwide organisations to stand with, pray for and give millions of dollars to Israel. God has already used them and all the individuals involved, but maybe there is a time for listening to a warning voice (such as Huldah the prophetess, 2 Chron. 34), as well as other prophets, (praise God), speaking for Him even in our days. A major reason for concern at this time is partly because in the eyes of the Muslim & non-christian world, it is a Christian President and seemingly 'christian' nations which are aligned to a degree in the present promotion of 'The Road Map', that could be God’s way of winning some Muslim Peoples’ respect, ready for the day when they will be challenged to hear the true Christian message? We may not 'know it all' but one thing we do! We long for the GLORY of ISRAEL'S GOD to be SEEN, inspite of many difficulties!

2. The ‘Road Map’ may even provide a further needed time for the Gospel to be made known. The main end time sign and ‘key’ to the return of Israel’s Messiah to this Earth to reign from Jerusalem, is that “this Gospel of the Kingdom will be made known in all the World, & then the End will come.” So a possible ‘time gap’of a few years of false peace will give time for Romans 10:14-15 to be fulfilled? ”Everyone who calls on the Name of the ADONAI the LORD will be delivered. But how can they call on Someone if they haven’t trusted in Him? And how can they trust in Someone if they haven’t heard about Him? And how can they hear about Someone if no-one is proclaiming Him?” [JNT]
The distribution of the 'Jesus' video and the great work of outreaches in Israel and the work of all the Organisations God has raised up, reaching right across the M.E. could yet need a little more time. Maybe 'the Road Map' will give a few more years of opportunity, before God Himself delivers Israel from the worst threat they will have ever faced!

Then "they will know that He is the Sovereign LORD" as Ezekiel repeats 74 times –
and recognise Yeshua as Saviour & Messiah, too!

We do not offer these thoughts in a dogmatic way, but we remember God’s Words, specifically to Israel in Jeremiah 29: “ ‘I know the plans I have for you’, declares ADONAI, ‘Plans to prosper you, & not to harm you.
Plans to give you hope and a future.
THEN you will call upon Me and pray to Me and I will listen to you.
You will seek Me and find me, when you seek for Me with all your heart’.”

And some other precious promises, never yet, fully fulfilled,
but applicable to this Earthly life, we believe.
Isaiah 29: 14, 24 & 30: 18 & 19.
“Therefore once more I will astound these people,
with wonder upon wonder; the wisdom of the wise will perish,
the intelligence of the wise will vanish.
“Therefore this is what ADONAI,
Who redeemed Abraham says to the House of Yacov:
‘No longer will Yacov be ashamed; no longer will their faces grow pale,
When they see among them their children, the work of My hands,
They will keep My Name holy;

They will acknowledge the holiness of the Holy One of Yacov,
And will stand in awe of the God of Isra’el’.”
“Yet ADONAI longs to be gracious to you;
He rises to show you compassion. For ADONAI is a God of Justice.
Blessed are all who wait for Him!’
“O people of Zion, who live in Jerusalem, you will weep no more.
How gracious He will be when you cry for help!
AS SOON AS HE HEARS, He will answer you.”

These are the thoughts inspiring our prayers for the M.E. at this time,
especially remembering Believers among the Israelis and
the Palestinians and other people there.

May the LORD bless you whatever your stance is.

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