Terrorist activities and border clashes are flaring again between Syria and Israel.
How long can the UN police forces prevent a full-scale war?
Jerusalem, Jordan
THE Middle East is ready to explode at any moment. World leaders fear recent skirmishes between Israel and Syria could rupture the delicate fabric of Middle East peace and security.
The situation is precarious!
On the same day I arrived here in Jerusalem, the local newspaper Jerusalem Star blazed forth the headline, "Explosive Situation."
Since then, the United Nations have intervened to save the peace. Syria suddenly became involved with internal strife within its own government. But at any moment, fresh border clashes could inflame this Middle Eastern tinderbox into a major conflict.
State of Israel is surrounded by Arab nations.
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What the Syrians Plan
Here are the facts. The Syrians are set to make war on Israel. Syrian leaders now plan: (1) respond to every Israeli provocation by striking at targets inside the State of Israel (2) no longer resort to the Security Council of the United Nations and (3) pin their hopes of victory on guerrilla action inside Israel — a "people's liberation war" modeled after the variety used in Vietnam and Algeria.
This new policy is not mere bluff. It represents the concerted efforts of the Ba'ath Party extremists who now run Syria. This party is socialist. It is devoted to Arab Nationalism — a modern Arab version patterned after the National Socialist (Nazi) Party of Hitler's Germany.
The young men in this party are becoming impatient with Egyptian President Nasser's cautious Palestine policy. Their aim is to carry the war into Israel whatever the cost.
As we go to press, tension on the Syrian-Israeli border has reached a new peak. In a broadcast on October 11, the Syrian Prime Minister Dr. Z'Ayyen boasted: "In the event of Israeli aggression against Syria, we shall set the area on fire and turn it into a cemetery for Israel, imperialism and imperialist agents."
The situation is explosive! Few realize the meaning of these events now taking place in the Middle East. Most people have their eyes only on Vietnam. They simply don't grasp Bible prophecy — that the area of prewar Palestine is about to play the BIG role in world affairs.
The Importance of Jerusalem
Jerusalem, Jordan — with its dire poverty and many beggars — and its half-sister Jerusalem, Israel, are soon to become of prime interest to all nations.
Most tourists coming to Jerusalem are only interested in the traditions and relics of the past. They have no idea what role this city will play in the future — the next few years.
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But you can know!
You can know definitely and specifically what is going to take place in this part of the world. You can know how and why Jerusalem will be involved in the political maneuvers of the major nations. You can know what will happen to Jerusalem in World War III that is now looming on the horizon.
It's all prophesied and revealed in the Bible. The course of future events to take place around Jerusalem is laid out step by step in the very Book scoffed at, ridiculed and rejected by the world — the Holy Bible. Almost no one, it seems, understands what the Bible is. It is a revelation of God to man of essential knowledge we could not otherwise find out. It's a book that lays bare the future in plain, understandable terms. But before you can properly understand Bible prophecy, there are certain keys you must know first.
Duality in Prophecy
One key that unlocks Bible prophecy is the identity of such modern nations as Britain and the U.S. Write for our free booklet, The United States and the British Commonwealth in Prophecy which explains it.
Another important key is in understanding that prophecy is dual. The events mentioned in the prophecies may have been already fulfilled as a type sometime in the past. But the major fulfillment will take place in this twentieth century — in the next few years!
This duality is a master KEY which unlocks dozens of prophecies. (For proof of this, write for our free articles, "Why Prophecy?" and "Seven Keys to Understanding the Bible.")
When you know these keys and study the prophecies from this viewpoint, you can see what is about to happen to the Arab world. You can know who will ultimately control it. And you can know which nations will be allied together against the Jews in Palestine.
First, look at the Jewish-Arab situation. Jesus Christ foretold that the Jewish people would be scattered throughout the world, and that the old city of Jerusalem would remain trodden down under the heel of the Gentiles "until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled" (Luke 21:24).
Other prophecies show that the "times of the Gentiles" have not yet ended. Gentile Arabs still possess the old city of Jerusalem.
The prophecy in Zechariah 14:2 reveals that Jerusalem would be a divided city in the time of the end. Half of the city is to be taken into captivity — the other half is not.
The Jews will have growing troubles with the Arabs. The United Nations will undoubtedly be called in from time to time to settle disputes, but without lasting results. Other nations will become involved. Germany and the European nations will become vitally interested. The Communist nations will also enter the picture.
Alliances will be formed. Your Bible reveals a powerful union of Arab nations is developing which ultimately will not cooperate with either the U.S. or Russia, but with the new United Europe.
David's Amazing Prophecy
Turn to the astounding prophecy found in Psalm 83:1-8. David, inspired of God, predicted the coming time when ALL of Israel's enemies would join together in an effort to crush out even the name "Israel" from the face of the earth! (Verse 4)
"For they have consulted together with one consent: they are confederate against thee . . ." (verse 5).
Notice the nations making up this confederation. "Edom [Turkey], and the Ishmaelites [Saudi Arabia]; Moab [Jordan], and the Hagarenes [they anciently dwelt in the land known as Syria today]; Gebal {Lebanon}, and Ammon [Jordan] and Amalek; the Philistines with the inhabitants of Tyre; Assur [whose descendants migrated to Germany] is joined with them; they have helped the children of Lot" {Moab and Ammon in modern Jordan).
Here we see that the Arab nations mentioned are allied with Germany (Assur) which we know from other prophecies will be the military leader — naturally so — of a United States of Europe.
But what of Egypt? She is not directly mentioned in Psalm 83.
Egypt controls the vital Suez. She will provoke the prophesied United Europe (Dan. 11:40). This European power — called the "king of the north" in Daniel 11 — shall invade and occupy the "glorious land" of Palestine (verse 41). "And the land of Egypt shall not escape" (Dan. 11:42).
These events were foretold by Jesus Christ. In His Olivet prophecy, He said: "And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh" (Luke 21:20).
When you see a coming resurrection of the old Holy Roman Empire — a United States of Europe — the coming third power bloc in central Europe — marching into Palestine, then realize that this final desolation of Jerusalem is beginning!
Egypt will be subdued as a satellite nation — her sea gate used by the Europeans. The Libyans and Ethiopians will also be forced to submit (Dan. 11:43). Syria will be punished (Isa. 17:3).
But all will not go well with Europe. The book of Daniel, chapter 11, reveals threatening news from the Soviet Union — east and north of Palestine — will trouble the European dictator (verse 44). This coming dictator over a United Europe will then move his headquarters to Jerusalem — "in the glorious holy mountain" (verse 45). From there, he is forced to launch a blitzkrieg against the Communist offence.
The Bible says that this attack becomes his "Waterloo" — and no one helps him (verse 45). For a more detailed explanation of these prophecies in Daniel 11, write for our free article, "The Middle East in Prophecy."
Other prophecies give more details about this climactic struggle for world power. As we have just seen, this battle will involve the armies of Europe and the Communist nations. These armies will converge in the area of Palestine. So says your Bible!