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| Quartet backs continued Middle East peace talks |  |  |  |
| Israel |
| Written by Chris Perver |
| Sunday, 09 November 2008 13:20 |
| Israeli and Palestinian negotiators arrived in Sharm el-Sheik this morning to brief the Quartet (EU, US, UN, Russia) on progress that has been made since the Annapolis peace conference one year ago. At Annapolis, Maryland, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas had pledged to begin final status negotiations that would result in the establishment of a Palestinian state in Judea, Samaria and east Jerusalem. Since that time there have been several international gatherings in support of the creation of a Palestinian state. In December of last year, world leaders gathered in Paris for the Palestinian Donors Conference, at which over $7 billion was pledged to fund the establishment of a Palestinian state. In May of this year, a Palestinian economic investment conference was held in London, in an effort to boost the flagging Palestinian economy. And in June of this year, Germany held a Palestinian security conference, in an effort to bolster the Palestinian institutions, security services and judicial system. It had originally been hoped that a Palestinian state could be created within one year of the first Annapolis summit. When it became clear that the deadline could not be met, the goal was revised to formulating an agreement before the end of US President Bush's last term in office. But not even that goal could be met, and Israeli and Palestinian negotiators have now pledged to continue the negotiations into 2009. The Quartet released a statement of support for the continuance of the Israeli-Palestinian peace process. They stressed that their support for the Palestinian leadership depended on its recognition of Israel's right to exist, relinquishing terrorism and reaffirming previous accords made with the Jewish state. They also urged both sides to abide by the Roadmap to Peace document. Quote: ""The Quartet...underlined its commitment to the irreversibility of the bilateral negotiations," it said. It seems that despite the best intentions of the international community, the Israeli government and the Palestinian leadership, the prospect of the establishment of a Palestinian state is still some way off. In fact we can be sure that a Palestinian state will not be established this year, next year, or even within the next few years. How do I know that? The Bible states that during the tribulation period, it will be the Antichrist who will divide the land for gain (Daniel 11:39). And only for the last three and a half years of Daniel's seventieth week, will Israel's enemies rule over Judea and east Jerusalem (Zechariah 12:2, 14:2, Revelation 11:2). Of course there will be a peace agreement that will be sponsored by the Antichrist - the leader of the revived Roman Empire, and a brief period of peace will come (Daniel 9:27). But the covenant that the Antichrist will make with Israel's enemies will not be irreversible. In fact his covenant will be declared by God to be null and void, because the tenant has no legal right to sell property that is owned by the landlord. The Jewish people have no right to negotiate over something they do not own (Leviticus 25:23). But during the tribulation period, a mighty angel will set his feet upon the land and upon the sea, and read aloud the title deeds that belong to Earth's true Owner - Jesus Christ (Revelation 10). What a wonderful day that will be, when the Lord will come to reclaim His creation from the hands of the evil one (Luke 4:6). What about you? If you are not saved, then the Bible says you are at the mercy of Satan (John 8:34). But his ownership of you through your rebellion to your Creator can be annulled, by putting your faith in the covenant made with the blood of the Lamb (Matthew 26:28). Zechariah 9:11 Jesus Christ came to set the prisoners free (Isaiah 61:1). Turn away from your sins, and trust in Jesus Christ for salvation today. Source Jerusalem Post |
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