Rapture Watch
The Philistines Return - Update 1998
It is undeniably true by God's Holy Word that the most horrible wars in mankind's history will soon be fought in and over the
Middle-East. The biblical focus for these wars can be tightened to center on the tiny nation of Israel, and even further to the very city
of Jerusalem. This is how it is prophesied to be at the close of this age-and is exactly how things are developing without question. In
1995, 1996, and 1997, we updated our message “The Philistines Return” with current news items to show that the direction of
events continues to move on an unwavering course towards complete fulfillment in this generation.
Before we again share this message, we now have updates from May and July in 1998, which are pertinent. First from the May 26,
1998 Denver Post article, which headlined “Arab summit would be blow to Israel”, we share this item due to its relevancy to our
mention of Psalms 83. We quote...”Palestinians are working to convene an Arab summit that would declare relations with Israel
frozen. The summit would pick up where a conference left off two years ago - with a warning that the Arab world would suspend
normalization unless Israel carried out its obligations under the peace accords. Egypt, Jordan, Syria, the United Arab Emirates and
Qatar have agreed to attend the summit, to be convened shortly after the U.S. peace initiative has played itself out.” It should be
noted that numerous news sources have been reporting, as of the second week of July 1998, that U.S. attempts at restarting
negotiations “are almost played out.”
Our second article from the July 8, 1998 edition of the Denver Post, which headlined, “Palestinians win larger U.N. role” is being
shared due to its relevancy to our quoting of God's approaching judgement upon an “undesired nation”. Quoting from this article we
read...”The General Assembly voted overwhelmingly Tuesday to give Palestinians a larger role in the United Nations and a voice in
many of its peripheral activities. The Palestinians, already members of several groups of developing nations, hailed the vote as a first
step toward full United Nations membership. Israel's representative Dore Gold, denounced the resolution's references to the
Palestinian Authority in Gaza and the West Bank as a “transparent effort” to influence talks over the final status of disputed
territories. His comments reflect growing fears in Israel that Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat will declare a Palestinian state next
year, raising the possibility of new bloodshed. The vote 124-4, with 57 countries not voting - overcame the strong opposition of the
United States. There are no vetos in the assembly, and the majority vote carries. The resolution in effect creates a new
“super-observer” status for the Palestinians - or Palestine, as the delegation has been known officially, since 1988. The Palestinians
will now have the right to take part in General assembly debate and reply to other speeches; to co-sponsor resolutions on Middle
East issues; and to take part in a range of United Nations conferences and meetings.”
With the Arab/Israeli War of Psalms 83 looming on the immediate horizon, we will be reviewing our message “The Philistines
Return”, which was first sent out in 1994. We quote - “We have repeatedly stated in the past that it is our belief that Bible prophecy
reveals that the present attempts at peace in the Middle East between Israel and the Arabs will only lead to more violence and
eventually an Arab/Israeli war. It is only after this war that we feel that the 7 year covenant of the Anti-Christ will be signed in that
region. Resistance and defiance to the peace terms is growing on all sides. The hard line Likud Party is sure to regain control of the
Israeli Government in 1996 and current sacrifices being made for a false peace will surely be overturned.”
War can come anytime. On May 4, 1994, Israel made another giant step towards bringing about the prophesied final 7 year
covenant, which will soon be strengthened by the last days European dictator commonly referred to as the Anti-Christ. With Israel's
giving up of land to the Palestinians the level of danger of the prophesied Arab/Israeli war soon taking place has dramatically
increased. All Israeli forces have now been withdrawn from the Gaza Strip and Jericho. Combat trained Palestinians now police
these areas supplied with arms and vehicles from Egypt and Jordan. Prophecies such as those found in Zephaniah 2:8-11 and Isa.
31:1-3 clearly foretell of the treachery waiting in the hearts of the Ammonites of Jordan and the Egyptians.
Turning to Zeph. 2:1-3, God indicates that this event is a warning, that it is time to repent for the day of His fierce anger is about to
be poured out and there still remains a chance that a person may be hidden from it. The key verse here is verse 1, where God tells
the Philistines to gather their “undesired nation” together before the day of God's judgement.
Before we quote this incredible prophecy from Zeph. 2:4-7, we need to share the following facts concerning this passage. First is
that the Gaza Strip, which has been given to the Palestinians, is located on the sea coast and is the location of the still thriving city
of Gaza. Secondly is that the name Ashkelon mentioned here is one of the five chief cities of the ancient Philistines, which remains
in existence and is located twelve miles north of Gaza. Third, the names of modern Ashdod, Ekron and the Cherethites
(Karanthites) are also names for two cities and a tribe of the ancient Philistines. Lastly, and this is a critical point, the Palestinians
of today who are gathering this very day as a nation and who now possess the Gaza Strip, are the modern-day descendants of
these Philistines of endtime prophecy.
Quoting from Zeph. 2 we read, “For Gaza shall be forsaken, and Ashkelon a desolation: they shall drive out Ashdod at the noon day,
and Ekron shall be rooted up. Woe unto the inhabitants of the sea coast, the nation of the Cherethites! the Word of the Lord is
against you; O Canaan, the land of the Philistines, I will even destroy thee, that there shall be no inhabitant. And the sea coast shall
be dwellings and cottages for shepherds, and folds for flock. And the coast shall be for the remnant of the house of Judah; they shall
feed there upon: in the houses of Ashkelon shall they lie down in the evening: for the Lord their God shall visit them, and turn away
their captivity.”
Consider and marvel at the divine knowledge the Lord has demonstrated to us by His loving grace. Some prophecy teachers who
have studied this passage have believed that the “undesirable nation”, which is spoken of in verse 1 of Chapter 2 is Israel, we must
disagree in light of current events and presently being fulfilled Bible prophecy. Although this prophecy would fit Israel to some
degree, we are convinced the better interpretation lies with this pertaining to the Palestinian regathering as an “undesired nation” just
before the day of God's wrath. Two points seem to support this. First, is that Israel becoming a nation in these last days was
desired by God according to prophecy, and secondly, in verse 5 God specifically refers to the ancient Philistine Cherethites as
being a nation again at the time of His judgement. They were to be gathered along the sea coast in the Gaza area just as has taken
place at present. On the other hand, the Jews are to be both punished and blessed during this upcoming conflict; with those Jews
God finds faithful to once more take possession of the modern Philistines newly acquired land. Remember that the Jews were not a
nation in that region until 1948, but now in this day even had the authority over the Gaza Strip to deliver it into the hands of the
Philistines, who now wave the national flag of Palestine over the territories.
We urge that every unbeliever weigh the following portion of this prophecy from verses 2 and 3 on the most sensitive balance scales
of their conscience - “Before the decree bring forth, before the day pass as the chaff, before the fierce anger of the Lord come upon
you, before the day of the Lord's anger come upon you. Seek ye the Lord, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his
judgement; seek righteousness, seek meekness; it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the Lord's anger.”
People who devoutly study Bible prophecy and follow current events realize that the prophetic truth of the Bible is overwhelmingly
being proven and coming to pass. The irrefutable evidence by God's Word is that these are the lasts days and the day to be forgiven
for one's sins is right now. You do not want to be outside of God's only plan for salvation when the final chapter of this story is
played out. Turn to God's only begotten Son Jesus Christ this moment with faith, accepting the sacrifice He made on the cross for
your sins with His own precious blood. It is not always easy to die to self, but it is at that moment of true belief in the Saviour Jesus
Christ that you embark upon the glorious road of eternal life with God.
Jamma M.
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