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The American administration continues to probe and push for a “compromise” in the Middle East peace process, according to reports covering U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice in her latest trip to the region. The compromise, like all proposed compromises throughout the modern history of Mid-East peace efforts going back to the days of Henry Kissinger’s shuttle diplomacy, has at its heart the idea that Israel give up its land. The latest such effort calls for poking God Almighty in the apple of His eye, a very dangerous matter.
One report sums up the pressure being applied.
“Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, completing a visit to the region today, has been pressing Israel to sign a document by the end of the year that would divide Jerusalem by offering the Palestinians a state in Israel's capital city as well as in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, according to top diplomatic sources involved in the talks…” (Aaron Klein, "Condi pulls a Solomon: Split Jerusalem in 2," 8/28/08, worldnetdaily.com).
The pressure is mounting to divide Jerusalem. And, there is no indication that anyone within the Bush Administration has a clue about God’s Word on those who tinker with this most important real estate on the planet.
“[WorldNetDaily] sources said the Palestinian team has been pushing to conclude a deal by January on all core issues, including Jerusalem, and has been petitioning the U.S. to pressure Israel into signing an agreement on paper that offers the Palestinians eastern Jerusalem. Rice, the sources said, has asked Israeli leaders to bend to what the U.S. refers to as a "compromise position," concluding an Israeli-Palestinian agreement by the end of the year that guarantees sections of Jerusalem to the Palestinians…” (Klein, "Condi pulls," 8/28/08).
God, through His prophets, makes unmistakable His opinion about those who interfere with His dealing with Israel, and Jerusalem in particular. Zechariah is one such prophet: “For thus saith the LORD of hosts; After the glory hath he sent me unto the nations which spoiled you: for he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye” (Zech. 2:8).
God terms Jerusalem and the Temple Mount “Zion.” He has much to say in stern forewarning about that real estate and about His great love for Zion. This is the center of the world, so far as the Creator of all things is concerned. Jerusalem--Mount Moriah--is the one geographical spot He chose to directly reach from heaven to earth, from His throne to humanity. When His Son, Jesus Christ, died on the cross and completed the Father’s redemptive plan, the veil in the Temple ripped from top to bottom, indicating that man would from that moment have access directly to the throne through belief in the only begotten, the lamb slain from the foundation of the world.
Dr. David Reagan offers pointed thought on the matter of Zion and its place in history yet future: “The Bible makes it clear that God himself is a Zionist. Psalm 132:13 proclaims that 'The Lord has chosen Zion' as His everlasting dwelling place. Psalm 87:2 says 'the Lord loves the gates of Zion.' In the Abrahamic Covenant, God promised to bless those who bless Israel and curse those who curse the Jews, and history is littered with the carcasses of nations who mistreated the Jews. We are commanded by the Lord 'to pray for the peace of Jerusalem' (Psalm 122:6)…” (David Reagan, "What is a Christian Zionist?" http://www.lamblion.com/).
The Lord God of Israel need no human governmental agency or agencies to accomplish the peace of Jerusalem. He does not invite intervention in the matter of Israel and Jerusalem, except to deal kindly with His chosen. Again, Dr. Reagan correctly assesses God's directive for dealing with Israel and with Jerusalem, the nation and city in the headlines almost daily in these closing hours of the age.
"We are exhorted to comfort the Jewish people and to speak tenderly to them (Isaiah 4:1-2). We are commanded to speak out for Zion's sake and to be watchmen on the walls for Israel until the Lord "makes Jerusalem a praise in the earth" (Isaiah 62:1, 6-7). We are warned not to be arrogant toward the Jews (Romans 11:18). And we are reminded that due to our spiritual debt to them, we should minister to them in material things (Romans 15:27)" (Reagan).
America has been a comforter to Israel. This nation continues to be Israel’s staunchest ally-- just about her only nation-state friend. However, America is treading dangerously in the ongoing matter of trying to force God’s chosen people to give God’s chosen land to Israel’s blood-vowed enemies for a false peace that will bring on the great tribulation, and Armageddon.
