On Wednesday, December 6, 2017, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that the United States would recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and would be moving its embassy to that city. For most of Israel’s recent history, nations have located their embassies in Tel Aviv, which, as Israel’s second largest city after Jerusalem, is the nation’s financial and technological hub. Israel has insisted that Jerusalem is its capital, but many nations choose to use Tel Aviv as a safer place to base their embassies.

On Wednesday, December 6, 2017, United States President Donald Trump made the historic announcement that Jerusalem—the “Holy City” and "City of Peace"—is the unequivocal capital of Israel. He was, of course, referring to the modern-day state of Israel. At the same time, however, Jerusalem—one of the holiest sites to each of the world’s three largest religions—is also one of the oldest and most contested of cities, as well as the most important to Bible prophecy!

Many people love the Christmas holiday, with its decorations, cookies, treats and parties. Some recognize that these trappings have nothing to do with the birth of Jesus Christ. In fact, most of the observance is a lie.

Dozens of Christmas stories and Hollywood movies about Christmas concern magic characters, magic trees, magic ornaments or magic stockings. Frosty the Snowman “comes to life” when a magic hat is placed on his head. The magical Santa Claus character has the supernatural power to know if children have been “naughty or nice.” Both are big, fat, jolly lies!

Iceland boasts some of the lowest rates in the world for teen alcohol and other drug use, and the rates have been dropping for the last 20 years (The Atlantic, January 19, 2017). Nations and municipalities around the globe are now adopting the “Youth in Iceland” model and seeing similar results.        

In an anticipated move, this week President Trump announced that the U.S. will move its embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem—a move that will likely take three to four years (Fox, December 6, 2017). This move, along with Mr. Trump’s open declaration that Jerusalem is Israel’s capital (a reality that other nations do not openly admit), could bring the two-state peace process between Israel and the Palestinians to an end.