The joint launch of Israeli President Shimon Peres' Peace Valley plan was cancelled on Monday at the last minute, after the Jordanian government reportedly cooled to the idea. The Peace Valley project is an Israeli initiative which aims to create a canal reaching from the Gulf of Aqaba to the Dead Sea. Investment would be poured into various industrial and tourism projects along the banks of the canal, encouraging economic co-operation between Israel, Jordan and the Palestinian Authority. Peres believes that Arab terrorist organizations could be persuaded to abandon their war against Israel if the people of the region can be given a better standard of living. The Peace Valley project would also serve as a solution to the shrinkage of the Dead Sea, which if it continues at its present rate, is set to disappear within forty years. The Jordan river is shared by Syria, Israel, Jordan and the Palestinian Authority, and increasing demand for fresh water has reduced its once mighty flow to a mere stream in some places. The Jordanians have said they are no longer interested in the scheme due to the present "situation", presumably a reference to the split between Hamas in Gaza and Fatah in Judea and Samaria. In the event that Hamas overthrew Fatah, Jordan could be faced with a terrorist state sitting on its border and controlling its water supplies. For the initial version of the canal would provide much needed desalinated water to the Jordanian capital. Scientists have also opposed Peres' Peace Valley plan in the past, fearing damage to the canal from an earthquake could flood acres of farmland with sea water, devastating crops. But French President Nicholas Sarkozy is determined to press on with the plan, come what may.

Quote: ""I am personally committed to the Peace Valley project," Sarkozy said at a seminar with French and Israeli business people in Jerusalem. "I want France and Europe to get into the thick of things to save the Dead Sea - if not what will remain of it in 40 years is just a memory of the past, and we can not let this happen."

The shrinkage of the Dead Sea is just one of the evidences that we are now living in the last days, and that the time of Christ's return must be at hand. Many Christians have said before of this Dead Sea canal project that it will never happen, and despite many attempts to realize such a plan, all have failed. Why? The Dead Sea, or the Salt Sea as it is sometimes called, is the area in which the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah were located. Sodom was destroyed because of the wickedness of its inhabitants, and God rained down fire and brimstone (or sulphur) out of heaven upon them (Genesis 19:24). Because of this judgment from God, nothing much grows in this area (Genesis 19:25). I am told that even if a bird flew over the Dead Sea, it would die because of the salt content in the air. Man cannot reverse God's judgements. The land is cursed by God, and man cannot lift the curse. Only when Jesus Christ returns will this curse be lifted. For the Bible proclaims that when He returns, living waters will flow out of Jerusalem towards the Dead Sea, and the waters of the Dead Sea will be healed. 

Ezekiel 47:8-11
Then said he unto me, These waters issue out toward the east country, and go down into the desert, and go into the sea: which being brought forth into the sea, the waters shall be healed. And it shall come to pass, that every thing that liveth, which moveth, whithersoever the rivers shall come, shall live: and there shall be a very great multitude of fish, because these waters shall come thither: for they shall be healed; and every thing shall live whither the river cometh. And it shall come to pass, that the fishers shall stand upon it from Engedi even unto Eneglaim; they shall be a place to spread forth nets; their fish shall be according to their kinds, as the fish of the great sea, exceeding many. But the miry places thereof and the marishes thereof shall not be healed; they shall be given to salt.

At the Second Coming of Christ, when His feet stand upon the Mount of Olives (Zechariah 14:4), a massive earthquake will occur, splitting the mountain in two. The nation of Israel will flee from their enemies into the valley that will be created by this earthquake. There is presently an underground reservoir in Jerusalem. It is possible that when this earthquake occurs, it could open this reservoir and these healing waters would literally flow down the mountain towards the Dead Sea. For Jerusalem is 2500 feet above sea level, and the Dead Sea lies 1400 feet below sea level. So the curse will be lifted, and the waters of the Dead Sea will be healed.

Scientists estimate that the Dead Sea has roughly 40 years of life left in it before it runs dry. But the Bible indicates that the Dead Sea will not run dry before the Lord returns, for Ezekiel states that "the waters shall be healed". We know from Scripture that this canal project will not be completed before Christ's return, because the Dead Sea has to remain cursed until this time. So Jesus Christ's return must be imminent. What about you? Jesus Christ said that whosoever believes on Him, out of his inward parts would flow rivers of living water (John 7:38). He spoke this concerning the Holy Spirit, Who indwells every person that puts their trust in Jesus Christ for salvation (Ephesians 1:13). This world can give us no lasting satisfaction. Whoever drinks of this world's 'water' will thirst again. But Jesus Christ can give you living water, which if a man drink, he will live forever (John 4:13-14). Why not trust in Him for salvation today.

John 4:13-14
Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.

Source Jerusalem Post