The Importance of 2006

In the spring of 2002 the Israeli army invaded Palestinian territory and destroyed most of the "Palestinian Authority" government. At the time, I saw their strategy clearly. It was done to weaken the legitimate government in order to empower Hamas. Power and influence is all relative, and if you destroy one type of government, the vacuum is naturally filled by the strongest alternative.

Years ago, Hamas was established and financed by the Israeli government for the purpose of undermining Arafat's PLO. The Israelis are well aware that all power is relative, and that if you empower a rival faction, you automatically weaken the existing power.

The Israeli Likudniks, more than anyone, wanted to see the most radical people come to power in Palestine, in order to demonize them and make life as miserable for the Palestinians as possible--in hopes that they will decide to move to another country. Once moved, they are forbidden by law to return.

Well, the Israelis got their wish last January when Hamas won the Palestinian elections. It took only three and a half years for the weakened Palestinian Authority to fall from power after the Israelis had destroyed them in 2002.

This event was a major milestone in the present war, because the Israelis no longer have to defend themselves against the pressure to hold peace talks. Conversely, they can more easily justify themselves in their never-ending hunger for more territory. When a nation is looking for an excuse to make war, an excuse will always appear.

The capture of two Israeli soldiers occupying Lebanese territory provided the current excuse. If they had simply been killed along with the others in that raid, the retaliation would have been limited to a few air strikes on Hezbollah positions. But their capture made it an ongoing "offense," and has been used to justify a hugely disproportionate response.

Lebanon is now being destroyed, both its infrastructure and its legitimate government, in the same way that the Palestinian Authority was destroyed in 2002. The effect is easily predictable. This war is not designed to destroy Hezbollah, regardless of all the hype. It is designed to destroy the Lebanese government's prestige and power, so that Hezbollah will be the only remaining Lebanese power in the country.

The Israelis know that Hezbollah is being financed by Syria and Iran. Thus, from their point of view, they are deliberately provoking Syria and Iran to do something that can be interpreted as an act of war against the Israelis. That way, they can again have an excuse to declare war on those countries, and the United States will have no choice but to support the Israelis.

We are being drawn steadily into World War III. This is self-evident to anyone familiar with the history of how wars move from local conflicts into world wars that involve many nations.

Last September the sixth bowl of wine was poured out, according to Rev. 16:12-16. The sequence of the seven bowls was established back in October of 2000 with the first of the seven being poured out. One is poured out each year at the feast of Tabernacles. Thus, we saw back in 2000 that the year following the sixth bowl would see the world drawn into this final great battle, called "Armageddon" (vs. 16).

The sixth bowl was to be poured out upon the Euphrates to dry it up and prepare the way for the kings of the east. This terminology is taken from the Old Testament fall of Babylon at the hands of the Medes and Persians--the "kings of the east" in that day. Recall that they diverted the Euphrates and entered the city on the dry river bed.

It is interesting that Iraq is now complaining to Turkey for drying up the Euphrates, because of its dams in the mountains. It is a physical sign of a historical event that is about to take place.

This Euphrates event is not merely the destruction of the Israeli state. It is the destruction of Babylon itself. When the dust settles, it will be discovered that the head of Babylon was the Israeli state. This October the seventh bowl of wine will be poured out upon Babylon, and the word will be spoken, "It is done."

Though I have my view on how this will work out, I will not presume to tell God how to do His job. Whatever "Babylon" means to Him, that is what will fall. Whatever "It is done" means to Him, that is what will happen. Nonetheless, events do not normally happen with no warning. We are even now seeing historical events leading up to the seventh bowl, and it does not take a genius to see that the Middle East is getting hot.

The year 2006 (from Sept. 2005 to Oct. 2006) is the year of preparing the way for the kings of the east. The next year, then, ought to see the collapse of Babylon, the world system in all of its manifestations. God's purpose is to set the nations free, not to destroy the earth.

I was also led to pour out a bowl of water along with a bowl of wine since 2000 to signify the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. This is also now coming to a climax, and so I am watching for signs of great rain that is about to come. The "early and latter rain" is prophesied in Scripture (Joel 2:23) as a symbol of the outpouring of the Spirit.

I have believed since the year 2000 that we will see this outpouring of the Spirit come at approximately the same time as the destruction of Jerusalem. In fact, I have long speculated that the destruction of Jerusalem will be the prime catalyst for the repentance in the Church (for supporting the usurpers of Jesus' throne and birthright). This is the only kind of repentance that will actually change world history and really make a long-term difference.

When Christians repent of stealing Grandma's cookies or for cheating on an exam, it can certainly make a difference in their personal lives. But to effect changes in world history requires much more than that. It requires a complete change in the Church's view of the Kingdom of God. This can only happen when the foundational assumptions are discarded.

In my weblogs this year, I have attempted to show specifically what needs to be changed. One of the most fundamental issues is "Who is Israel in the eyes of God?" Secondly, which Jerusalem is the capital of the Kingdom of God: the New Jerusalem or the Old Jerusalem? Thirdly, from which temple will Jesus Christ rule: a physical temple in Jerusalem or the Body of Christ? Fourth, which priesthood will rule the Kingdom: the Levitical priesthood or the Melchizedek priesthood? Fifth, what type of sacrifice will justify mankind in the Age to come: the Sacrifice of Jesus Christ or animal sacrifices?

In each of these questions, there is only one answer. One cannot have BOTH. I have made my view very clear and have explained it from Scripture and from history. Many Christian teachers have also made their view very clear, and it is the opposite of mine. We cannot both be right. It is up to you, the people, to decide which camp you want to be in, and which spiritual army you will support.

I am recruiting for the Gideon's army, not the Midianite army. I am recruiting for David's army, not Absalom's army. I am advocating faith in Jesus, not faith in the men who hate Him and who have usurped His throne and birthright.

There is, of course, no organization to "join" and no cult to submit yourselves to. It is a matter between you and God. He knows by name the sheep who follow Him. You need not have a relationship with a mere recruiter and trainer. Jesus is King, and Him alone.