by Reuven and Mary Lou Doron
email: OneNewManMail@aol.com

The silence over the Galilee is almost eerie after 34 deafening days of thousands of rockets, endless artillery blasts and sonic booms accompanying the air strikes. While residents of both northern Israel and southern Lebanon are breathing a sigh of relief for the relative calm as the fragile ceasefire remains in effect, security analysts warn that it may be short lived.

God is accomplishing His purpose through these ‘contractions,’ the birth-pains of Messiah, as He transforms the region and realigns the nations of the world in preparation for the glorious end of the age. Yet, for change to take effect, it is often activated and empowered by trauma and shock, and such are the days we are witnessing.

U.N. Resolution # 1701 – A Flawed Miscalculation

UN Security Council resolution # 1701 which was meant to solve the conflict, actually introduces more problems than solutions. The ceasefire resolution is contradictive, vague and offers no clear language or action to secure a lasting solution. It is, at best, a naive attempt plagued with “wishful thinking,” and at worst, a deliberate denial of the truth. The deeply divided Lebanese government has already announced that it will not disarm Hezbollah, and the French Defense Minister reiterated that his forces will not take away arms from Hezbollah guerillas.

It is almost certain that the UN will not condemn Hezbollah for its war crimes, but rather allow it to import arms and jihadist fighters to rebuild its shattered capabilities. At the same time, Iran’s unchecked supply of advanced weapons to its proxies in Lebanon and Gaza will soon terrorize the western world more than ever and will generate a great deal of frustration in the camp of the ‘appeasers.’

Given how Hezbollah has intimidated the Lebanese army and the UN peace keeping force in past decades, many expect that after a brief lull in the fighting the conflict will resume. Sadly, the 34 day war was possibly only one painful chapter in the much greater struggle to undo the Iranian/Syrian alignment that is hell bent on igniting the Middle East once again.

Theoretically, the 18-mile swath of land south of the Litani River is to be patrolled by Lebanese troops accompanied by UN forces. Yet, not much can be expected from the Lebanese army who has been absent for two decades from this area where the Hezbollah has firmly entrenched itself. Neither can the already existing UN peace keeping force impose order, since it has shown itself to be utterly ineffective. The UN’s top commander in the region was quoted on BBC last week saying that if his forces detect a ceasefire violation, "I call both parties... and I beg them to cease their fire; I am not strong enough to enforce any cessation of confrontation in the field."

Recipe For Disaster

Soon, the disputed Shebba Farms (a small strategic strip of land at the point where the Israeli, Lebanese and Syrian borders meet) will also be placed on the bargaining table and most probably be presented to Lebanon as a “bonus.” This land giveaway will set a dangerous precedent leading other Arab nations to make territorial demands upon Judea, Samaria and the Golan Heights until Israel is left with indefensible borders and made ready for the slaughter.

Virtually no mention is made in the UN resolution of the fact that Israel took defensive action against Hezbollah’s encroachment into its sovereign territory, kidnapping Israeli soldiers. In fact, Israel’s requests for an arms embargo to prevent Hezbollah from rearming and a meaningful international force along her northern border are already being compromised through procrastination and deception. France as well as other European nations are already ‘back paddling’ on their promises to send troops to the region, and the vacuum is being filled with returning Hezbollah fighters joining the civilian caravans moving back into southern Lebanon.

While the politicians talk, evidence is mounting that Iran and Syria are already re-supplying Hezbollah. Dozens of Syrian trucks are positioned just across the border loaded with fresh arms and hundreds of Iranian “volunteers” (most likely Republican Guard soldiers) even as battle-weary Israeli troops are slowly evacuating the area. Needless to say, the situation doesn’t appear promising. Watch and pray.

Global Ripple Effects

The recent skirmish in the Middle East echoes loudly around the world. Islamic radicals in Iraq are emboldened by this apparent “victory” over Israel and the USA. This will further empower the followers of Sheik Muqtada al-Sadr (who are aligned with Hezbollah) and generate a dramatic escalation of violence in Iraq as is already apparent.

In addition, this treatment of Israel (and the USA) by the UN will further energize Iran’s apocalyptic aspirations, with Ahmadinejad becoming more emboldened to acquire nuclear capabilities. Russia and China, who support Iran's nuclear program for their own economic gain, will have no reason to join American calls for sanctions against Iran, isolating the USA even further in the international arena.

From the radical Islamic perspective, jihadists all over the world see the Middle East example as a victory for their cause. Smelling fresh blood, they will intensify the war of terror against Israel, the USA and the West. For the militant Islamic camp, this latest “cease fire” is an opportunity for reorganizing and rearming. To the naïve “wishful thinkers” of the West, this period will be spent in futile anticipation for a peace that will never be realized in this way.

We Learn from History— or We are Doomed to Repeat It

When American embassy staff were taken hostage in Tehran in November of 1979, the USA (and its allies) was caught ill-prepared to respond to this level of evil. Yet, following months of threatening violence and brutality against the hostages during the remaining year of the Carter presidency, the Iranians suddenly changed their tone and hurried to negotiate a peaceful resolution the moment Ronald Reagan was elected to office. Was that a coincidence, or a lesson for the wise? In fact, the American hostages were released the moment Reagan was sworn in as President!

Twenty-seven years later, the same dynamics still hold true. Since the modern resurgence of militant Islam, its victories and defeats have always been determined by the willingness of Western nations to accommodate its madness and succumb to its bullying. Those who honor and acknowledge the witness and records of history know that Islam’s tactics are ancient and never changing in their brutality, deception and treachery.

The fact is that Israel could have easily deployed a military response sufficient to vanquish Hezbollah in the first days of the conflict. However, in trying to avoid diplomatic repercussions and mass killings, Israel’s leaders opted to use ‘surgical’ aerial and artillery strikes instead. Needless to say, Israel lost her strategic edge, incurred international wrath for “using disproportionate force,” and is now engaging in vain in yet another meaningless “cease fire.”

Modern Middle Eastern history proves that Israeli restraint and submission has never gained anything but an increase in the confidence and aggression of her foes. To expect anything different today is foolish. Yet, not having a living confidence in the power and faithfulness of God, all humans, whether individuals or governments, resort to relying on the frailty of mere flesh and blood.

Since this conflict has not been resolved in a way that can bring it to a true end, it will have to run its course despite the naive wishes of the “appeasement camp.” The only guarantee is that Israel will find herself having to deal with its enemies again, hopefully more “realistically” than she has during this present round. This recent “cease fire” is no more likely to hold than the many others which preceded it.

May God help Israel and her friends to prepare for the next engagement and ensure that the outcome will be decisive. These contractions are inevitable, and in the wake of their sufferings the harvest of many is being prepared.

The Hard Truths

Militant Islam, if left unchecked, will continue to be energized from hell. While this is hard for some to admit, this global conflict will continue to escalate until it reaches its end when Islamic terrorist organizations are defanged, governments who support them are overthrown, and all sympathetic parties recognize that it is in their own best interests to disassociate from them.

Fundamental Islam does not believe that the West possesses sufficient resolve to confront it or to give up its appetite for Arab oil. Those who remain in denial do not understand Islam’s motivation and will inevitably pay the price for this blindness. The only option for those nations that comprise Western civilization today is to confront and defeat this dark force.

Israel, the Lebanese “Christian” government, the USA and the entire Western world are wrestling with the same issue: How can they put down jihad militias like Hezbollah, Hamas, or Al Qaida without sending the entire Islamic world (which is sympathetic and interconnected to these radicals) into a militant frenzy? With Islamic nations enjoying astronomical oil revenues and easy access to advanced weapons, the stakes are rising daily. Without a doubt, this is the one single issue that Israeli and Western leaders are wrestling with today as they anxiously scan the horizon for the next storm. Pray for your national leaders.

What's Next?

When the hostilities resume, security analysts expect Syria to become directly involved in the fighting. The introduction of chemical weapons (Syria boasts of stockpiles of VX nerve gas) into the arena is beyond Israel’s tolerance level and will most likely generate a massive response.

However, one must remember that Syria does not stand alone in the region. It is backed by a new emerging regional superpower, Iran, armed with long-range missiles that can strike any part of all of Israel. In other words, one of the next rounds can turn nuclear if Israel finds her very existence endangered by an all out Islamic assault.

When that happens and the dust settles, the world will have a new Middle East. What Israel’s few friends will do at that time is yet to be determined. All nations are in the balance and will be measured and weighed according to their choices. Pray for your nation to choose what is right.

Given the steady escalation in the level of deception, treachery and duplicity of the UN, it won’t be long before Israel “shakes the dust off its sandals” and leaves this antichrist organization which embodies the shrine of humanism in today’s world. Hopefully, other God-loving and honest nations will draw the same conclusion as the days grow dark and form an alliance of sane and courageous nations who will hold the line until the end.

Meanwhile, former Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s health condition is deteriorating. This mighty man has run his race, flawed as it may have been at times, and is reaching the finish line exhausted from the unfathomable pressures of his extraordinary journey and service. He is the last of his generation, a warrior who fought in all the wars of Israel since 1948 and then continued defending his dream in the political arena. Pray for his soul. His passing is expected to bring many world leaders to Jerusalem for a state funeral which, some say, may provide Israel’s enemies with an opportunity to stage yet another round of trouble. Watch and pray.

How to Pray?

The Harvest

Primarily, at this stage of the contractions we should pray to the Lord of the harvest to send forth laborers into the fields! “At night my soul longs for You, indeed, my spirit within me seeks You diligently; for when the earth experiences Your judgments the inhabitants of the world learn righteousness.” Isaiah 26:9.

Your Nation

Pray for your nation to land on God’s side of the equation as the lines are drawn clearer with each passing day. Some nations will forfeit their blessings through bad choices; others will be able to redeem their shameful history by taking a bold stand for the truth. The demonic pressure exerted on national leaders is beyond words, and unless the Lord guides them through the gathering storms, none will be able to uphold the truth and guide their nations a rightly. "And unless those days had been cut short, no life would have been saved; but for the sake of the elect those days shall be cut short. Then if anyone says to you, 'Behold, here is the Christ,' or 'There He is,' do not believe him. For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect.” Mathew 24:22-24. You are the salt of the earth and your prayers possess the power to both preserve and purify. “The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.” James 5:16.

The Salvation of Israel

Remember that Israel’s salvation is the ultimate key to peace in this world. God is the God of deliverance, and it is He who guides and orders the painful contractions that the whole world endures. His purposes are a glorious final harvest; the maturing of the Church; the flushing out of His enemies; and the salvation of Israel. “In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness... Then shall the LORD go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle and the LORD shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one LORD, and his name one.” Zechariah 13&14.

Ask the Lord of hosts to inspire and embolden Israel’s leadership to “gird their loins” in wisdom and realistically prepare for the coming conflicts. Israel has become “battle fatigued” after five regional wars and is economically and psychologically desperate for peace, and thus willing to compromise in yet one more false promise of quiet. The spirit of the intercessors cries out, "Watch man, how far gone is the night? Watchman, how far gone is the night? The watchman says, ‘Morning comes but also night’” Isaiah 21:11&12. Morning will arise with its glorious dawn, but not yet. Watch and pray with us.

New Energy Resources

For the Western world to be able to deal effectively with the mounting Islamic pressure, it must we weaned from Arab oil. This transition will necessitate both economic and personal restraints, as well as new and innovative energy sources. Pray for the stronghold of mammon to be cast down and ask the Lord for scientific and commercial creative breakthroughs throughout the West.

Jerusalem

Even as all hell opens its mouth to devour Jerusalem, pray for her peace! God promised,“Behold, I am going to make Jerusalem a cup that causes reeling to all the peoples around in that day that I will make Jerusalem a heavy stone for all the peoples; all who lift it will be severely injure d. And all the nations of the earth will be gathered against it.” Zechariah 12:2&3. These present and increasing dynamics are inevitable and are meant to test the heart of men and nations. Jerusalem is the “litmus test” for all.

Your Soul and Calling

Finally, don’t neglect your personal calling in the context of your family and church home. Too many have failed to protect, lead and build up their own children, spouses and home churches during these intense days. We must not give the enemy any territory among those closest to us even as the world around us seems to fall apart. Be fervent in prayer and mighty in love.

The Lord has added a promise to His commandment, saying, “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May they prosper who love you.” Psalm 122:6. We thank the Lord for His hand upon our household, and we are grateful for friends and supporters who partner with us in the work of this ministry. One New Man Call is a faith ministry supported by friends and partners. Tax deductible donations can be sent to: P. O. Box 164, Hayfield, MN55940, USA.

May you who love Zion prosper.

REUVEN ANDMARY LOU DORON