the most liberal senator in 2007, even beating out Ted Kennedy.
Most troubling about Barack Obama is his association with people who hate Israel. His circle of friends includes ex-President Jimmy Carter, billionaire George Soros, retired general Wesley Clark, and Congressman Neil Abercrombie. All are severe critics of Israel, and have worked to erode support for Israel in America.
Obama has a lot of lesser-known friends who are radically anti-Semitic.
He has an association with Columbia University professor Rashid Khalidi, who has made repeated statements supportive of Palestinian terrorism.
In his piece, "Palestine: Liberation Deferred," Khalidi suggests Israel
carried out "ethnic cleansing" of Palestinians; writes Western powers backed
Israel's establishment due to guilt of the Holocaust; laments the Palestinian
Authority's stated acceptance of a Palestinian state "only" in the West Bank,
Gaza Strip and eastern sections of Jerusalem; and argues Israel should be
dissolved and instead a bi-national, cantonal system should be set up in
which Jews and Arabs reside. During documented speeches and public events, Khalidi has called Israel an "apartheid system in creation" and a destructive "racist" state.
Ali Abunimah is a Chicago-based activist for Palestinian causes. Abunimah
once told a reporter about an inquiry he made to Barack about why he is not
pressing harder for Palestine issues. "Obama said, 'Hey, I'm sorry I haven't said more about Palestine right now, but we are in a tough primary race. I'm hoping when things calm down I can be more up front.' ...He referred to my activism, including columns I was contributing to the Chicago Tribune critical of Israeli and US policy, 'Keep up the good work!'"
Terry and I firmly believe that George W. Bush has brought God wrath an America by
twisting Israel's arm on several occasions. If Obama should become the 44th president of the United States,
we fear the beginning of a much greater disaster for America, Israel, and the rest of the world.
"I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth
thee" (Gen 12:3).
Events may not start out as diabolic as some people fear. In January 2009, Obama is not going take the oath of office, put on a turban, and then command the American people to submit to the god of Islam. The American presidency does not come with that type of power.
I suspect Barack Obama will seek to be productive by seeking to promote a peace plan between the Arabs and Israel. As far as a negative role, I think he can do the most damage by simply sitting on his hands. Israel has plenty of enemies at the ready to attack it. The only thing holding them back is the fear of a reprisal from Uncle Sam. Having a guy in the White House expressing his disinterest in defending the Jewish state would be the only assistance they need.
This election will be very critical to Bible prophecy. Rapture Ready has traditionally been very cautious about anything that hints of setting a timeline. Because an Obama presidency would be so productive to prophetic progression, I think it would be neglectful on my part to not acknowledge the possibility of him being a man with an end-time destiny.
"So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even
at the doors. Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all
these things be fulfilled" (Mat. 24:33-34).
-- Todd
War Rumors, Cries of Peace
Observers of current issues and events that look to be matters involving Bible prophecy have time and time again presented the portrait of these fleeting days of the Church Age. Rapture Ready, for example, is one such ministry dedicated to the commission Jesus gave: “What I say unto one, I say unto all, watch” (Mark 13:37).
Prophetic issues involving war and peace surrounding Israel are the most starkly presented by Jesus and the prophets for alerting humanity to the time leading up to Christ’s return at Armageddon (Rev. 19: 11). Today these signs of the times are in view as never before.
Rumors of war and the call for peace involving Israel dominate news at the same time that the world–and America in particular—are experiencing levels of turbulence even secular economic and weather experts are calling “unprecedented”.
Middle East petroleum is at the center of most of the world's economic upheaval, many “experts” agree. Those who watch the end-times signals from the perspective of Bible prophecy most generally propose that it is God’s creation–the very elements--rebelling that is causing the geophysical rage.
These, occurring simultaneously with societal/cultural and ecumenical religious tumult at the same time there are rumors of a war that might involve nuclear weapons, and with a call for peace involving Israel, should cause warning lights to flash. The astonishing confluence should cause spiritually attuned senses of God’s children to shout within: “Jesus is coming, perhaps today!”
These signals, gushing as a unified flood at this troubled hour, certainly look to portend a stunning prophecy given for the moments just before the tribulation begins to inflict the most horrendous events of human history upon a world ripe for judgment: “For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape” (1Thess. 5:3).
Among a number of rumors of war, threats by Iran leap to the forefront while thinking on prophecy for the end of the age. The following excerpt provides enlightenment on threats of war involving Israel:
TEHRAN, Iran - The commander of Iran's Revolutionary Guards has warned that Tehran will respond forcefully if Israel or the United States attacks its nuclear facilities.
Gen. Mohammad Ali Jafari is quoted in the conservative Jam-e-Jam newspaper as saying Iran would respond to such an attack with a barrage of missiles against Israel.
Jafari also threatened to choke off the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a narrow outlet for tankers leaving the Persian Gulf through which 60 per cent of the world's oil for export moves.
His remarks Saturday follow the recent disclosure of a large Israeli military exercise over the Mediterranean Sea that was seen as sending a message to Iran to curb its nuclear ambitions… (Canoe-- CNEWS; "World: Iran threatens to rain missiles on Israel if its nuclear facilities attacked," CanoeGlobalnav/canoe_net05, June 28, 2008).
The call for peace rings throughout the Middle East cauldron at the same time Iran threatens Israel, America, and the world’s ability to move petroleum through the region to refineries around the globe.
Top negotiator for Palestinian Authority says solutions at hand for all core issues, now is time for decision-making. Speaking at conference organized by Peres Center for Peace, Erekat says "Israeli and Palestinian leaders who reach an agreement will be more important to region's history than Jesus... If we want a peace agreement – there are only six months left. This is the time to make decisions," Saeb Erekat said on Thursday evening. Speaking at a conference organized by the "Peres Center for Peace" at Tel Aviv University, the top negotiator for the Palestinian Authority was joined for a discussion on the recent renewal of Israeli negotiations with Syria by MK Yossi Beilin (Meretz) and former director-general of the Foreign Affairs Ministry, Dr. Alon Liel. "Our goal is to reach an agreement. Regarding the core issues: Jerusalem, the refugees and the borders – all these have solutions. This is the time for decisiveness…We need to make decisions, and (Prime Minister) Olmert and (Palestinian President) Abbas are capable of making them. The Israeli and Palestinian leaders who reach an agreement will be more important to region's history than Jesus," said Erekat. ("Hot News Out Of Tel Aviv Claims Peace Deal In Six Months Will Be More Important To History Of Israel Than Jesus" http://www.ynetnews.com/Ext/Comp/ArticleLayout/CdaArticlePrintPreview/1,2506,L-3560969,00.html).
The signs of the times couldn’t be clearer. It is time for those who are Christ’s to be aware of the lateness of the hour. --Time to do the work that Jesus gave believers before ascending to His and our Father. The minutes the believer has left to accomplish for God’s work are passing with the swiftness of movement of the end-times events observably taking place in literally every direction one looks.
--Terry
