The Deal of the Century Unveiled
Yesterday, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu present, President Trump presented his plan for peace in the Middle East. It has been called, "the deal of the century." It really is his vision for what a two-state solution should look like between the Israelis and the Palestinians. On Monday, President Trump had met with Benny Gantz, the leader of the rival Blue and White Party, and shared the plan with him. (Benny Gantz and Prime Minister Netanyahu are once again locked in an election battle on March 2). Mr. Gantz affirmed his approval of the plan after his meeting with President Trump.
Here is what is known of the plan. First, the United States recognizes those Israeli settlements presently on the occupied West Bank. There are some 15 such settlements. In return, Israel will give up a small portion of land in the Negev just south of the Gaza Strip. Also, Israel will accept a four-year freeze on new settlement construction as this plan is negotiated with Palestinian leadership. Speaking of the settlements, the Prime Minister said, "This is a historic day. On this day, you became the first world leader to recognize Israel's sovereignty over areas in Judea and Samaria that are vital to our security and central to our heritage" (www.aol.com/article/news/2020/01/28/trump-proposes-palestianian-state-with-capital-in-eastern-jerusalem/23911288.)
What is significant about President Trump's plan is that it comes with a map that gives clarity. As Herb Keinon wrote in the Jerusalem Post, "One of the landmarks of US President Donald Trump's diplomatic plan that was introduced Tuesday night is that it presents an actual map - a map that shows how the US administration envisions Israel's final boundaries. This marks the first time any American Mideast plan has come with a map" (www.jpost.com/Arab-Israeli-Conflict/This-peace-plan-comes-with-a-map-why-is-this-significant-analysis-615692). According to the map, Israel will cede some 70% of Judea and Samaria to the Palestinians. Keinon continues, "As one senior US official said, for the first time in the 52 years since the Six Day War, there is a map that indicates for all to see what Israel believes it can live with in the context of Palestinian state."
The success of this plan is heavily dependent upon the Palestinians. Steve Holland, who wrote the article for AOL, stated, "Palestinian statehood would be dependent on Palestinians taking steps for self-government, such as respect for human rights, freedom of the press and having transparent and credible institutions."
The reaction within the Middle East was diverse, as could be expected. Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates all endorsed the plan, while Iranian leader Ayatollah Khamenei vowed to crush this plan, which he viewed as being satanic. He further argued that Jerusalem must never be in the hands of the Jews (www.jpost.com/Arab-Israeli-Conflict/Iran-vows-to-crush-satanic-Trump-plan-and-Jewishization-of-Jerusalem-615805).
Is there any biblical importance to this plan. I believe the answer is a strongly worded "yes." Here is what I mean. Of all the problems facing the world in the 21st century - homelessness, gun violence, border crisis, climate change, just to name a few - the most pressing and most difficult one concerns the relationship between the Palestinians and the Israelis. This is a problem whose roots are ancient. We also know from Scripture that it will be the solution of this problem that will really usher in those final years, known as the Tribulation, before Christ comes to set up His Kingdom. Daniel 9:27 states, "He will confirm a covenant with many for one 'seven,' but in the middle of that 'seven' he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And one who causes desolation will place abominations on a wing of the temple until the end that is decreed is poured out on him."
Who is this "he" that Daniel refers to? Many scholars believe "he" is the Antichrist. And who are "the many" that a covenant is enacted with? Again, scholars hold that they are the nation of Israel. And what is the "covenant" that will be enacted? It seems that the logical conclusion is that it is the resolving of this problem concerning Israeli-Palestinian relationships. So, what happened yesterday is just another step toward that final proposal. Yes, peace will come to the Middle East, but, at least according to Daniel, it will be short-lived. Then the King of kings and Lord of lords will return.
Friends, it is time to focus upon the Middle East - Israel, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Turkey, Egypt and Lebanon. History, as we know it, will have its climax here in this region of the world. I believe that God is preparing the stage for the arrival of His Son. What an exciting day that will be!
Here is what is known of the plan. First, the United States recognizes those Israeli settlements presently on the occupied West Bank. There are some 15 such settlements. In return, Israel will give up a small portion of land in the Negev just south of the Gaza Strip. Also, Israel will accept a four-year freeze on new settlement construction as this plan is negotiated with Palestinian leadership. Speaking of the settlements, the Prime Minister said, "This is a historic day. On this day, you became the first world leader to recognize Israel's sovereignty over areas in Judea and Samaria that are vital to our security and central to our heritage" (www.aol.com/article/news/2020/01/28/trump-proposes-palestianian-state-with-capital-in-eastern-jerusalem/23911288.)
What is significant about President Trump's plan is that it comes with a map that gives clarity. As Herb Keinon wrote in the Jerusalem Post, "One of the landmarks of US President Donald Trump's diplomatic plan that was introduced Tuesday night is that it presents an actual map - a map that shows how the US administration envisions Israel's final boundaries. This marks the first time any American Mideast plan has come with a map" (www.jpost.com/Arab-Israeli-Conflict/This-peace-plan-comes-with-a-map-why-is-this-significant-analysis-615692). According to the map, Israel will cede some 70% of Judea and Samaria to the Palestinians. Keinon continues, "As one senior US official said, for the first time in the 52 years since the Six Day War, there is a map that indicates for all to see what Israel believes it can live with in the context of Palestinian state."
The success of this plan is heavily dependent upon the Palestinians. Steve Holland, who wrote the article for AOL, stated, "Palestinian statehood would be dependent on Palestinians taking steps for self-government, such as respect for human rights, freedom of the press and having transparent and credible institutions."
The reaction within the Middle East was diverse, as could be expected. Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates all endorsed the plan, while Iranian leader Ayatollah Khamenei vowed to crush this plan, which he viewed as being satanic. He further argued that Jerusalem must never be in the hands of the Jews (www.jpost.com/Arab-Israeli-Conflict/Iran-vows-to-crush-satanic-Trump-plan-and-Jewishization-of-Jerusalem-615805).
Is there any biblical importance to this plan. I believe the answer is a strongly worded "yes." Here is what I mean. Of all the problems facing the world in the 21st century - homelessness, gun violence, border crisis, climate change, just to name a few - the most pressing and most difficult one concerns the relationship between the Palestinians and the Israelis. This is a problem whose roots are ancient. We also know from Scripture that it will be the solution of this problem that will really usher in those final years, known as the Tribulation, before Christ comes to set up His Kingdom. Daniel 9:27 states, "He will confirm a covenant with many for one 'seven,' but in the middle of that 'seven' he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And one who causes desolation will place abominations on a wing of the temple until the end that is decreed is poured out on him."
Who is this "he" that Daniel refers to? Many scholars believe "he" is the Antichrist. And who are "the many" that a covenant is enacted with? Again, scholars hold that they are the nation of Israel. And what is the "covenant" that will be enacted? It seems that the logical conclusion is that it is the resolving of this problem concerning Israeli-Palestinian relationships. So, what happened yesterday is just another step toward that final proposal. Yes, peace will come to the Middle East, but, at least according to Daniel, it will be short-lived. Then the King of kings and Lord of lords will return.
Friends, it is time to focus upon the Middle East - Israel, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Turkey, Egypt and Lebanon. History, as we know it, will have its climax here in this region of the world. I believe that God is preparing the stage for the arrival of His Son. What an exciting day that will be!
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