Will peace ever come to the Middle East?

Why has this Palestinian parliamentary election caused such uproar? Many nations fear that the ascendancy of the Hamas party will make Arab-Jewish peace negotiations more difficult – if not impossible – thus increasing the threat of spreading violence and war in the Middle East.

"Israeli leaders said there could be no relations with a group that has killed hundreds of Israelis in terrorist attacks and that seeks the destruction of Israel." (USA Today, January 27, 2006).

President Bush "warned that his administration would not deal with a Hamas-led government unless the group disarmed its militant wing and abandoned its longstanding campaign to destroy the Jewish state." (Kansas City Star, January 27, 2006).

What is Hamas?

Several news and government agencies bring out these facts, including Times Online, January 26, 2006: "Hamas is an acronym for Islamic Resistance Movement and means zeal in Arabic… Its roots were in Egypt in the 1920s and Syria in the 1930s, opposing British rule… It emerged during the first Palestinian uprising in 1987 and is formally committed to destroying Israel to put an Islamic state in its place… Hamas has orchestrated a suicide bombing campaign against Israel… It has gone farther than other Palestinian factions; however, in respecting a truce since early last year…It has won increasing popularity among Palestinians because of a perception that it is free of corruption. It still runs a network of hospitals and school."

The Bible continues to "scoop" the news sources. It reveals that nations have desired the destruction of Israel in the past and will continue to do so now and into the future. However, God also shows that there are consequences for such hatred and violence. Ezekiel 25 gives the example of the Ammonites: "For thus says the Lord God: Because you clapped your hands, stamped your feet, and rejoiced in heart with all your disdain for the land of Israel, indeed, therefore, I will stretch out My hand against you, and give you as plunder to the nations; I will cut you off from the peoples, and I will cause you to perish from the countries; I will destroy you, and you shall know that I am the Lord" (vv. 6-7).

In the same chapter, God condemns Moab (for coveting the land), Edom (for taking vengeance against Judah) and the Philistines (for "taking vengeance with a spiteful heart, to destroy because of the old hatred").

Zechariah 12:2: "Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of drunkenness to all the surrounding peoples, when they lay siege against Judah and Jerusalem. And it shall happen in that day that I will make Jerusalem a very heavy stone for all peoples; all who would heave it away will surely be cut in pieces, though all nations of the earth are gathered against it."

How will this cycle of hatred, violence and war be broken? Read our informative booklet: The Middle East in Prophecy

There must be a spiritual change of heart – with Israel, as well as the other nations. All nations have sinned – not one is guiltless and without fault.

The Scriptures foretell of the time when nations will gather together at Jerusalem – not for war – but to learn the way of peace from the Creator God of all nations. (Isaiah 2:1-4).

At that time, the headlines throughout the world will read much differently than they do now: JESUS CHRIST RETURNS TO JERUSALEM. AFTER CENTURIES OF HATRED AND WAR, PEACE AT LAST!