Who Will Decide the Fate of Israel and the Palestinians?

Seventy nations just completed a day-long summit in France with the aim of “kick-starting peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians” and  maintaining the two state solution (BBC, January 15, 2017). The irony of the meeting is that Israel and the Palestinians did not take part in the meeting! Also sobering was the fact that Britain refused to sign the joint statement at the end of the summit. “The summit ended with delegates warning that neither side should take unilateral steps that could jeopardise future negotiations” (ibid.).

The Bible refers to Jerusalem as a “cup of drunkenness” to the surrounding nations (Zechariah 12:2). It has historically been difficult for many other nations to control or invade Jerusalem. International actions discussing the future of Jerusalem without involving the resident peoples may foreshadow future events. Christ warned that, in the time of the end, Jerusalem will be “surrounded by armies” and “trampled by Gentiles” (non-Israelites) for a season (Luke 21:20-24). It appears that nations or a nation from outside will forcibly take control of Jerusalem and usher in the “abomination of desolation” that Christ foretold (Matthew 24:15).

World events are speeding up, and we are beginning to see more clearly how God may fulfill some of His end-time prophecies. One of the most exciting prophecies regarding Jerusalem is that Christ will one day make it His world headquarters! For more, view our telecast “Jerusalem: City of Peace.”