'The Hal Lindsey Report' Crises involving two major players in the end-times prophetic scenario have consumed the news cycles the past week: The shooting down of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH-17 in eastern Ukraine and "Operation Protective Edge" in Israel and Gaza.
In his evangelistic fervor to restore Russia to the former Soviet Union's glory, Vladimir Putin has been orchestrating the unrest in Crimea and eastern Ukraine. His efforts to foment a civil war in Ukraine that will result in the secession of the eastern part of that nation and its incorporation into the Russian sphere, has placed him on a collision course with the West, most notably the European Union and NATO.
He has been pouring weapons and mercenaries (and no doubt plainclothes Russian troops) into the areas the "separatists" control. He has sent advanced weapons systems and advisers to train the rebels in their use. He's sent thugs to train other thugs.
Well, this week, the thugs rewarded him for his efforts. They shot a civilian airliner out of the sky. All 298 passengers and crew of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH-17 were murdered in cold blood.
Of course, blame is flying like a Saharan dust storm. The West is blaming Putin and the rebels. Putin is blaming Ukraine and implying that the West is complicit. He's even advancing bizarre sci-fi theories involving the previous Malaysia Airlines flight gone missing a few months ago.
But it seems quite clear that the Russian "separatists" in eastern Ukraine did it with deadly missiles supplied by Russia. The Ukrainian government caught them on tape discussing it. And the Russians were videoed hauling the SA-11 missile battery back over the border with two missiles missing -- just four hours after the incident.
Already, Vladimir Putin is drawing the condemnation of the world down on himself -- perhaps even more so because he refuses to accept any responsibility and continues to deny any culpability. Some analysts have already proclaimed Russia a pariah to the world.
I don't know how ostracized Putin will actually become, especially considering how crafty he is and how weak the leadership in the West is. There's no doubt, though, that Russia will be held up to ridicule and suspicion and given the cold-shoulder by many in the world except his admirers and clients in the Middle East. Already, Iran is stepping up to assure Russia that it will remain friendly. In fact, speculation has it that a new deal for Iran to supply Russia with vast oil shipments will be fast-tracked.
The prophet Ezekiel wrote in chapter 38 of his book that in the last days Russia would be pressed -- perhaps somewhat unwillingly -- into leading a coalition of nations headed by Persia (modern Iran). We see that ancient prediction developing before our eyes this week!
Of course, the ultimate target of that malevolent coalition will be none other than Israel, which is now embroiled in its own crisis.
The Israelis, once again, reached the limits of their patience and longsuffering and have moved to defend their nation. After thousands of indiscriminate rocket and mortar attacks and growing numbers of terrorist incursions into Israel via "terror tunnels" from Gaza, Israel launched "Operation Protective Edge."
The outrage that finally tipped the scale was the recent kidnapping and subsequent murders of three Israeli high-school students by Hamas operatives. Even then, the state's response has been measured and as "compassionate" as possible in such a dangerous situation.
Israel has made it clear that it intends to track down the leadership of Hamas and incapacitate them. It has also made clear that it will seek out and destroy the dozens of sophisticated "terror tunnels" from Gaza into Israel that Hamas has constructed over the last few years with money donated by western nations. It has also announced its determination to disable and destroy as many Hamas weapons arsenals, caches, and launching facilities as possible. Israel's goal is to prevent Hamas from engaging in further missile warfare on Israeli citizens.
This seems like a logical response by a sovereign nation to constant, indiscriminate aggression by an enemy. But fighting an organization recognized by the world as brutal terrorists is not like fighting another state. To varying degrees, a state can be expected to recognize generally accepted conventions of war and abide by those. Most states do not want to draw the wrath of the world down on them.
Terrorists, however, are just that -- terrorists. They deal in terror. The more the better. They don't play by the rules. They sneer at those who do.
That describes Hamas. Not only have they announced that ALL Israelis are legitimate targets (including children, which explains why they target schools, pre-schools, and nurseries), but they employ a strategy to increase their own civilian casualties as much as possible.
That's why Hamas and their associated groups place their rocket launchers in neighborhoods and backyards. They store their missiles and weapons in houses, hospitals, schools (including U.N schools), and mosques. They know the Israelis will extend every effort to avoid civilian casualties so that means their weapons are safe.
And when, after warning the Palestinian civilians to vacate by dropping leaflets, telephoning them, and sending non-explosive warning shots, the Israelis do strike and civilians are killed, that's even better! Then, Hamas and their allies in the world media have terrific photos and death-tolls to use for propaganda!
It sounds sick to those of us who value life, but those are the facts on the ground in Gaza and the West Bank.
And even though the United Nations labels the practice of using civilians as human shields as a war crime, the world turns a blind eye to the practice when the Palestinian terrorists do it. The media is ablaze with calls for Israel to stop its "aggression" for the sake of the civilians. But very few are calling for Hamas to stop its barrage of missiles or its terror attacks or its sacrifice of its own people for propaganda purposes.
This should be a black and white no-brainer. But not these days. That's why every time the Israelis have to rise up to defend themselves, the blind opposition of the world grows stronger and more focused. The prophets predict that there will come a day when Israel will no longer be able to defend itself by itself and will have to accept the help of an outsider. He will step in to protect Israel and guarantee its security.
They will accept his help and peace will finally reign in Israel -- but only for a short three and a half years.
Don't miss this week's Report on TBN, Daystar, CPM Network, The Word Network, various local stations, www.hallindsey.com or www.hischannel.com. Check your local listings.
God Bless,
Hal Lindsey
In his evangelistic fervor to restore Russia to the former Soviet Union's glory, Vladimir Putin has been orchestrating the unrest in Crimea and eastern Ukraine. His efforts to foment a civil war in Ukraine that will result in the secession of the eastern part of that nation and its incorporation into the Russian sphere, has placed him on a collision course with the West, most notably the European Union and NATO.
He has been pouring weapons and mercenaries (and no doubt plainclothes Russian troops) into the areas the "separatists" control. He has sent advanced weapons systems and advisers to train the rebels in their use. He's sent thugs to train other thugs.
Well, this week, the thugs rewarded him for his efforts. They shot a civilian airliner out of the sky. All 298 passengers and crew of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH-17 were murdered in cold blood.
Of course, blame is flying like a Saharan dust storm. The West is blaming Putin and the rebels. Putin is blaming Ukraine and implying that the West is complicit. He's even advancing bizarre sci-fi theories involving the previous Malaysia Airlines flight gone missing a few months ago.
But it seems quite clear that the Russian "separatists" in eastern Ukraine did it with deadly missiles supplied by Russia. The Ukrainian government caught them on tape discussing it. And the Russians were videoed hauling the SA-11 missile battery back over the border with two missiles missing -- just four hours after the incident.
Already, Vladimir Putin is drawing the condemnation of the world down on himself -- perhaps even more so because he refuses to accept any responsibility and continues to deny any culpability. Some analysts have already proclaimed Russia a pariah to the world.
I don't know how ostracized Putin will actually become, especially considering how crafty he is and how weak the leadership in the West is. There's no doubt, though, that Russia will be held up to ridicule and suspicion and given the cold-shoulder by many in the world except his admirers and clients in the Middle East. Already, Iran is stepping up to assure Russia that it will remain friendly. In fact, speculation has it that a new deal for Iran to supply Russia with vast oil shipments will be fast-tracked.
The prophet Ezekiel wrote in chapter 38 of his book that in the last days Russia would be pressed -- perhaps somewhat unwillingly -- into leading a coalition of nations headed by Persia (modern Iran). We see that ancient prediction developing before our eyes this week!
Of course, the ultimate target of that malevolent coalition will be none other than Israel, which is now embroiled in its own crisis.
The Israelis, once again, reached the limits of their patience and longsuffering and have moved to defend their nation. After thousands of indiscriminate rocket and mortar attacks and growing numbers of terrorist incursions into Israel via "terror tunnels" from Gaza, Israel launched "Operation Protective Edge."
The outrage that finally tipped the scale was the recent kidnapping and subsequent murders of three Israeli high-school students by Hamas operatives. Even then, the state's response has been measured and as "compassionate" as possible in such a dangerous situation.
Israel has made it clear that it intends to track down the leadership of Hamas and incapacitate them. It has also made clear that it will seek out and destroy the dozens of sophisticated "terror tunnels" from Gaza into Israel that Hamas has constructed over the last few years with money donated by western nations. It has also announced its determination to disable and destroy as many Hamas weapons arsenals, caches, and launching facilities as possible. Israel's goal is to prevent Hamas from engaging in further missile warfare on Israeli citizens.
This seems like a logical response by a sovereign nation to constant, indiscriminate aggression by an enemy. But fighting an organization recognized by the world as brutal terrorists is not like fighting another state. To varying degrees, a state can be expected to recognize generally accepted conventions of war and abide by those. Most states do not want to draw the wrath of the world down on them.
Terrorists, however, are just that -- terrorists. They deal in terror. The more the better. They don't play by the rules. They sneer at those who do.
That describes Hamas. Not only have they announced that ALL Israelis are legitimate targets (including children, which explains why they target schools, pre-schools, and nurseries), but they employ a strategy to increase their own civilian casualties as much as possible.
That's why Hamas and their associated groups place their rocket launchers in neighborhoods and backyards. They store their missiles and weapons in houses, hospitals, schools (including U.N schools), and mosques. They know the Israelis will extend every effort to avoid civilian casualties so that means their weapons are safe.
And when, after warning the Palestinian civilians to vacate by dropping leaflets, telephoning them, and sending non-explosive warning shots, the Israelis do strike and civilians are killed, that's even better! Then, Hamas and their allies in the world media have terrific photos and death-tolls to use for propaganda!
It sounds sick to those of us who value life, but those are the facts on the ground in Gaza and the West Bank.
And even though the United Nations labels the practice of using civilians as human shields as a war crime, the world turns a blind eye to the practice when the Palestinian terrorists do it. The media is ablaze with calls for Israel to stop its "aggression" for the sake of the civilians. But very few are calling for Hamas to stop its barrage of missiles or its terror attacks or its sacrifice of its own people for propaganda purposes.
This should be a black and white no-brainer. But not these days. That's why every time the Israelis have to rise up to defend themselves, the blind opposition of the world grows stronger and more focused. The prophets predict that there will come a day when Israel will no longer be able to defend itself by itself and will have to accept the help of an outsider. He will step in to protect Israel and guarantee its security.
They will accept his help and peace will finally reign in Israel -- but only for a short three and a half years.
Don't miss this week's Report on TBN, Daystar, CPM Network, The Word Network, various local stations, www.hallindsey.com or www.hischannel.com. Check your local listings.
God Bless,
Hal Lindsey
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