I didn't always know the information I am about to show you. We've all heard the news reports about the West Bank and Israel and the Middle East conflict. Unless you are Jewish or Christian, the Middle East conflict might seem like any other religious or territorial conflict. It is not. I remember reading an article a couple of years ago on the Middle East conflict, and how the region the international community calls the 'West Bank' - the land the Palestinians want for a state, was the same as Judea and Samaria in the Bible. It was like someone had turned a light on in my head. I remembered the Scriptures, how that the Bible spoke of a time when Israel's enemies would be in siege against Judah and Jerusalem (Zechariah 12:2). Could we now be witnessing the beginning of that? We hear reports all the time how the Palestinian Arabs are claiming east Jerusalem as the capital for their future state. Half of Jerusalem? Then I started thinking. Doesn't the Bible say something about that too, that half of the city of Jerusalem would go into captivity during the tribulation period, and that the other half would remain secure? (Zechariah 14:2). Could the half mentioned in this verse be the eastern half, which the Palestinians want for their capital? And as this half also contains the Temple Mount, could it be that this area of the city also falls into Arab hands, as described in Revelation 11:2? I was amazed. Suddenly it all made sense. Why no solution to the conflict has been found despite negotiations going on over the past 61 years. And why the Palestinians want the West Bank and Jerusalem in particular.

Other things are starting to make sense also. In 2005 we had the Gaza disengagement, which it was hoped would bring peace to Israel's southern border. Peace never came. In fact Israel's security situation on its southern border is worse now than ever it was. Why? The international community is talking about establishing a Palestinian state with contiguous territory. That means the Gaza Strip, now run by the Hamas terrorist organization, will be physically joined up to the West Bank in the east of the country. Why are they demanding that? The answer to these questions is simple, yet very profound. The Bible specifically states that during the tribulation period, Israel's enemies will be in siege against Judah and Jerusalem (Zechariah 12:2). I took a map of Israel in Old Testament times, which showed the areas occupied by each of the twelve tribes. I then traced a black outline around each area in an art package, and superimposed it on a modern map of Israel and the West Bank. What is surprising is that the Gaza Strip, Sderot, Ashkelon, Ashdod, areas that were hit and are still being hit by Hamas rockets, all lie within Judah's territory according to the Scriptures (Joshua 15). The whole southern half of the West Bank, from Jerusalem down, is all Judah's territory. It contains cities such as Hebron and Bethlehem. And it is straight through Judah's territory that the international community intends to carve a land corridor, allowing Palestinian terrorists in the Gaza Strip to reach the West Bank and east Jerusalem.

As you can see by this map, the situation we are now witnessing coming to pass in Israel is exactly as described by the Old Testament prophets over 2500 years ago. Judah is already under siege so to speak from Islamic terrorism from the west. It may only be a matter of time before Israel is forced out of the West Bank, and you can bet that east Jerusalem will be next on the list. The international community is already talking about freezing Israel's settlement growth in these areas, as a precursor to a full blown evacuation. It's not a matter of if but when these events come to pass. The Bible states that these events will take place during the tribulation period (Daniel 11:39, Revelation 11:2). I personally don't believe this period can begin until true believers are taken home to heaven. I believe the Scriptures teach that the work of the Holy Spirit through the Church is what is hindering the Antichrist's appearing (2nd Thessalonians 2:7). That is my opinion. But as you can see, whether that turns out to be the case or not, the fulfillment of events spoken of in regards to end time prophecy is close at hand. And the Lord says that once these events begin to take place, they will take place at terrific speed (Matthew 24:34). The question is, are you ready to meet God? If Jesus Christ came tonight for those who have trusted in Him for salvation, would you go to be with Him? Or would you be left behind to face the judgement of a righteous God? Don't leave it until it is too late. Turn away from your sins and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation today!

Matthew 25:13
Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.