Attack on Iran delayed.

During an interview in London last week, Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak conceded that an attack on Iran may have been delayed for eight to ten months. He “predicted that sanctions and diplomacy would still fail to resolve the stand-off.  If so, he said that Israel and its allies would probably face the decision over whether to strike Iran’s nuclear facilities in 2013” (The Telegraph, October 30, 2012).  In August, Iran chose to take 38 percent of its enriched uranium and turn it into fuel rods for a domestic research reactor.  This move reduced its stockpile of high-grade uranium and thus delayed its ability to make a bomb—an issue that will be overcome within months by the ongoing enrichment process.

As Iran continues to strengthen its nuclear enrichment facilities deep within a mountain, Israel is concerned that it will become unreachable by Israeli weaponry… and soon after that, invulnerable to U.S. attack as well (ibid.).  For that reason, Mr. Barak believes it will be necessary to strike Iranian facilities in 2013—or they are certain to become a nuclear power, likely leading to a nuclear arms race in the Middle East. According to Mr. Barak, “Saudi Arabia will turn nuclear within weeks…. Turkey will turn nuclear in several years. The new Egypt will have to follow.”  “The world would start the ‘countdown’ to the ‘nightmare’ of ‘nuclear material ending up in the hands of terrorist groups’” (ibid.).

As tensions continue to rise in the Middle East, so do the stakes.  But at the same time, we see the EU more deeply involved and even in a relationship with Israel.  Germany has pledged support for and protection of Israel.  Jesus Christ foretold a time when “gentiles” (non-Israelites) will surround and control Jerusalem (Luke 21:24). Ultimately, this “gentile” force will be provided by the German-led Beast power. Regional events in the Middle East are now moving in a direction that could lead to the fulfillment of these ancient prophecies.

For more on this fascinating story, be sure to review our booklet, The Middle East in Prophecy!