Many thanks to those who contributed news and thoughts while I was on holiday. I really appreciate the help. I had an enjoyable time down at Northfield, Newcastle on Thursday and Friday. I went down with my grandfather to the ministry meetings in the mornings by Peter Brandon, and the gospel at nights by speaker Alan Parkes. To the right is a picture of the view from Northfield of Slieve Donard, Ireland's highest mountain. The little dot at the top of the mountain is the shelter I climbed up to last year. The man sitting in the chair is my uncle Desi. The weather wasn't the best, but I got some drawing done on Thursday. Yesterday I went down to see my friends Cliff and Jean, who are staying down at Portrush in their campervan. 

Israeli Vice Prime Minister Shimon Peres is to be sworn into the office of the Presidency later today. In what looks to be a ceremony "fit for a king", the former Prime Minister will arrive at the Knesset flanked by guards on motorcycles and on horseback. He will then proceed through a new gate, which will be inaugurated for the first time, located between the Finance ministry and the Knesset buildings. After this Peres will inspect an IDF honour guard, will place a wreath at the memorial for fallen Israeli soldiers, and then sign a declaration and be sworn in as President of Israel...

Quote: "Two rabbis from the Military Rabbinate will then sound shofars, and the Knesset speaker will call out: "Long live the president of the State of Israel" and the MK and the crowd will respond: "Long live, long live, long live".

Quartet Special Envoy to the Middle East Tony Blair has already offered Peres his congratulations, along with Pope Ratzinger, who urged the new President to advance peace in the region. Having close links to the Vatican, and having already visited the Supreme Pontiff last year, Ratzinger's message to Peres comes as no surprise...

Quote: ""Many people around the world, as well as Israel's citizens expect you to push the government and other relevant bodies to do everything to advance peace," the Pope added. "Mr. President," the Pope added, "Your reputation and achievements are exceptional, clear and absolute in the field of peace and the pursuit of justice. I am sure you will continue to influence and incite courage in other leaders to deal with the challenges of the future in the clear hope to advance the good a peace." "This will be the best way to defeat the deadly terror and violence that are condemned by the whole world. The terrorists are betraying humanity," he said.

As I commented at the beginning of the article, I am struck at how much honour is being given to Shimon Peres. The honour guard, the inauguration of a new gate, the blasts of the shofar and the proclamation, "long live the President of the State of Israel!". Of course Peres is President of a country and should be given the honour due to him, but all these incidents remind me of the Lord Jesus and His entry into Jerusalem. 

Peres is flanked by soldiers on horseback, while the prophets of Israel foretold of a Messiah who would enter into Jerusalem on the back of a donkey (Zechariah 9:9). Peres is being urged by world leaders to work for the peace of Jerusalem, while my Saviour wept over Jerusalem because they did not know the things that pertained to their peace (Luke 19:42). Peres is praised by the religious Jews of his day, while my Lord was mocked upon His entry into the city (Luke 19:39). Peres will enter the city by a new gate, while the true Messiah entered His Temple by the eastern gate (Ezekiel 44:2), which has now been bricked up awaiting His soon return. The crowd will cry out, "Long live the President", but of the Lord Jesus they said "We will not have this man to reign over us" (Luke 19:14). The Lord Jesus said they would reject Him Who came in His Father's name, but if another came in his own name, him they would accept (Antichrist - John 5:43). 

The Lord said He would not return in glory until Israel says, "Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord" (Luke 13:35). With the election of Shimon Peres - whose name mean's "Hearkening to Division", I believe Israel is now facing a crisis which will bring them into a time of peace, followed by unparalleled suffering. Will you be caught up to be with my Saviour when He comes to the air, or will you be left behind to suffer the "wrath of the Lamb" during that terrible day of judgement? Trust in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation today.

Zechariah 9:9
Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.

Source YNet News, Jerusalem Post, YNet News