It's a crisis that has been largely manufactured by the international community themselves. You may remember several years ago, how that Javier Solana, the former High Representative for the European Common, Foreign and Security Policy, set out a time-frame by which the United Nations would impose a resolution on the Middle East conflict if either party was unwilling or unable to reach an agreement. That time-frame for the establishment of a Palestinian state was set for a two year period. Despite Israel's protests, this policy was subsequently adopted by the EuroMed Parliamentary Assembly, the US administration and Palestinian Authority. Direct negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority had been taking place for a long time, despite the murders and the settlement construction. Enter US President Obama. In his first few days of office, Obama decided that in order to appease the Islamic nations in the wake of the Iraq war, America would no longer show favouritism towards Israel. So Secretary of State Hilary Clinton and President Obama had Israel's settlement construction labelled as a major 'obstacle to peace', and called on Israel to cease all settlement activity forthwith. That call was echoed by several European nations, who thought they were doing a good thing by appearing to be 'even-handed'. But as in the case of so many conflicts, sitting on the fence is not always the righteous thing to do. Israel was singled out for obstructing the peace with its buildings, while Palestinian bombs and bullets - the real objects of peace, were largely ignored. And the supposed 'obstacle to peace' itself became an obstacle to peace as continued settlement construction was used as an excuse by the Palestinians to withdraw from the negotiations.

So now there is a crisis. The Palestinians are expecting the international community to make good on their offer of a state, within the two year time-frame. Abbas is insisting on bringing the vote to the United Nations if talks cannot be restarted. But few are prepared to accept the kind of state that would be created. Jordan is now against a unilateral declaration. My guesses are King Abdullah fears a Palestinian 'Arab spring' in his own country in the wake of a vote. Israel is already preparing for a third intifada if it goes ahead. The EU is desperately trying to conjure up a 'peace plan' to stave off the threat of a vote. And the US fears what happened in Gaza could be repeated in Judea and Samaria and are planning to cut aid to the Palestinians if Hamas enters the government.

I don't know exactly what will happen in September. But I do not believe that a Palestinian state will be declared. I believe that this is something that could happen in the tribulation period, or at least the land will be divided during that time. For the Bible seems to indicate that there will be a peace agreement first between Israel and the nations (Daniel 9:27), and then three and a half years later the city of Jerusalem will be divided and east Jerusalem will come under Gentile rule (Zechariah 14:2, Revelation 11:2). But as you can see, the more the international community gets involved in the division of the land, the worse the situation seems to get. And it will get much worse than this. For the Lord says in Zechariah 12:2 that He will make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all nations, and all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the nation of the world should be gathered together against it. For God has pronounced judgement against all those who would part His land (Joel 3:2).

As you can see, the next few months will be critical. Prophecy has been and will be fulfilled, just like the Bible says. And that can only mean one thing, that the Lord Jesus Christ is coming back. We don't know exactly when that will be, but the signs are there. The events that must precede His return to Earth as King of Kings and Lord of Lords are now coming to pass. The question is, have you trusted in Christ for salvation? Have your sins been forgiven? Will you be ready to meet Him when He comes? Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved.

Luke 12:39-40
And this know, that if the goodman of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through. Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.

Source China View, YNet News, Kuna