The Impossibility of True Peace until the Second Advent – Evidenced by Both Faith and Sight
December 7, 2007
http://www.tribulationperiod.com/
I remember several science teachers who taught me “there are no absolutes”, and I do agree there are very few, even though I hear it constantly stated in reply to certain questions in political debates: “ABSOLUTELY”! There are several absolutes I accept by faith, which is, I realize to a non- believer,
or a student of the meaning of words, a complete contradiction of the word “absolute”. After all, who ever heard of an “absolute” by “faith”? One of my absolutes by faith is the event prophesied in Revelation 16:16.
Revelation 16:16 – And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.
My Absolute – By faith in the Word of God I know there will be a final battle of Armageddon to close a war that began at an earlier time.
However, I must say, even if I was not a believer, it seems to me the two articles from the Jerusalem Post, which follow, and what I’ve observed for the last 40 years in Middle East events, almost makes what I just stated as “My Absolute” by faith, to be a “Non-Faith Absolute” by use of the five senses.
The problem faced by all faith and sight “ABSOLUTES’, has always been the same, which a single word describes precisely, the one syllable word, “WHEN”. This is one of the reasons Jesus told us to “WATCH.” It is the “WATCHING” and patiently “WAITING”, not knowing the “EXACT” time of the event, which requires “ENDURANCE” on the part of the believer. We are clearing advised in Hebrews that we can “see the day approaching”, and that is “the day” we can patiently watch and pray for, while we wait by faith to see it by sight.
Hebrews 10:23-25 – Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) [24] And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: [25] Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, AS YE SEE THE DAY APPROACHING.
Mark 13:33-37 – Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is. [34] For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch. [35] Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: [36] Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping.
[37] And what I say unto you I say unto all, WATCH.
Hebrews 10:35-37 – Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. [36] For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.
[37] For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.
Begin Jerusalem Post Article 1
PLC passes law to make any concessions on J’lem illegal
Khaled Abu Toameh, THE JERUSALEM POST
December 6, 2007
The Hamas-dominated Palestinian Legislative Council Thursday passed a law that makes any concessions on Jerusalem illegal.
The law, which was approved by first reading, also defines such concessions as a crime of high treason.
Presented by Hamas legislator Ahmed Abu Halbiyeh on behalf of two parliamentary committees – the Judicial Committee and the Committee for Jerusalem Affairs, the law is expected to pass in second and third readings in the coming days.
The PLC session was boycotted by many members of the rival Fatah faction in protest against Hamas’s violent takeover of the Gaza Strip last June.
However, many Fatah legislators have made it known that they too support the law, which states that Jerusalem is a Palestinian, Arab and Islamic c
ity and that it is totally forbidden to give up or conduct negotiations about any part of the city.
According to the law, anyone who violates the law would be prosecuted as a traitor.
The new law still requires the approval of Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, said Ahmed Bahar, acting speaker of the PLC.
He said the law would be submitted to Abbas after it passes second and third readings.
The law is intended to embarrass Abbas and ties his hands on the eve of the resumption of Israeli-Palestinian negotiations on core issues, including the future status of Jerusalem. Hamas officials said Abbas would have no other option but to endorse the law.
Tayeb Abdel Rahim, a top aide to Abbas, said in response that, as far as the PA was concerned, Jerusalem was a “red line” that can’ t be crossed.
Abbas told supporters in Ramallah Thursday that he did not go to Annapolis to make concessions.
“There are some people who are trying to distort the truth,” he said. “They are saying that we went to Annapolis to sell our cause, negotiate and sign agreements. But we went there to convey our principle and fixed positions.”
Abbas said the Palestinian team to Annapolis faced many “obstacles.” He said that these obstacles included demands to recognize Israel as a Jewish state and relinquishing the rights of the Palestinian refugees.
Abbas also revealed that he and his team rejected the idea of establishing a Palestinian state with temporary borders for fear that the borders would one day become permanent.
“The Palestinian people want a state in the 1967 borders, including Jerusalem,” he stressed. “We also want a solution to the problem of the refugees in accordance with the Arab peace initiative and United Nations resolution 194.”
Abbas reiterated his readiness to talk to Hamas, but only after the Islamist movement relinquishes control over the Gaza Strip. “What Hamas did [in the Gaza Strip] was a disaster for the Palestinians,” he said. “This was a black coup that was carried out by the prime minister and interior minister in the deposed [Hamas] government. But we are not opposed to dialogue with Hamas.
Hamas is an integral part of the Palestinian people.”
Begin Jerusalem Post Article 2
Mofaz warns: Don’t negotiate with Abbas
Gil Hoffman and JPost.com Staff, THE JERUSALEM POST
December 6, 2007
Transportation Minister Shaul Mofaz warned Prime Minister Ehud Olmert in a speech to Kadima activists in Petah Tikva on Thursday that he should not negotiate with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, because he lacked the power to implement a deal.
“I wouldn’t discuss the core issues unless Abu Mazen had control over all the cities in theWest Bank and the Gaza Strip,” Mofaz said.
Regarding the recent US intelligence report downgrading the Iranian nuclear threat, Mofaz said that “the will of the Iranians has not changed, as far as I know, as the person in charge of the strategic dialogue with the United States on Iran.”
He said Iran was still preparing its nuclear capability and upgrading its ballistic capability.
“We still need sanctions with all the options on the table. I hope this is what is decided in the next meeting of the strategic dialogue in Israel in January,” continued the transportation minister.
Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni praised the Annapolis summit, saying: “On this [the Hanukka] holiday, as we remember the wars of the past, we are trying to prevent the wars of the future. But this time, we will not rely on a miracle.”
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert promised to help end the secondary school teachers strike.
“I will not cease to be involved in this issue.
I promise to use all my efforts and all my strength in order to restore the teachers’ pride. I urge you [teachers] to sit with us and we will reach an agreement.” Olmert told the Kadima activists.
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