The European Union is considering whether or not to send observers to Jerusalem, as tensions boil over the recent demolition of the Shepherd Hotel in the east of the city. The property was purchased by a Jewish developer who obtained a permit from the Jerusalem municipality for the construction of twenty new housing units. The property formally belonged to the grand mufti of Jerusalem, Haj Husseini, a Nazi sympathizer who helped orchestrate pogroms against the Jews resulting in the deaths of tens of thousands of people. Religious Jews lauded the demolition as a victory over tyranny, while the rest of the world lamented the destruction of the hotel as yet another nail in the coffin for the peace process and the Palestinian state. Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat condemned the demolition of the hotel, accusing Israel of 'ethnically cleansing' east Jerusalem of its Arab populace.

Quote: ""Israel is demolishing Palestinian buildings one after the other in an attempt to ethnically cleanse Jerusalem from its Palestinian inhabitants, culture and history," he said. "Israel is targeting east Jerusalem in general and Sheikh Jarrah in particular through a fierce campaign to expel Palestinian residents from their homes and replace them with Jewish settlers."

While there may be some truth to that claim, as Israel has indeed annexed east Jerusalem and regards the city as its eternal and indivisible capital, the Israeli Palestinian Authority and the Islamic Waqf are guilty of systematically destroying every piece of archaeological evidence they come across that proves there has been a Jewish presence in Jerusalem for the past 3000 years. Thousands of tonnes of rubble containing valuable artefacts from the First and Second Temple eras have been dumped into the Kidron valley, to make room for an underground mosque on one of the most revered sites in Judaism. Many Islamic leaders now teach their followers that there never was a Jewish Temple on Mount Moriah. And despite repeated claims of Israel 'Judaizing east Jerusalem', it was the Jordanian army that burned dozens of synagogues in the east of the city during the War of Independence, which the Palestinians now want for the capital of a state in which no Jewish person will be permitted to live. Nevertheless news of the demolition has brought worldwide condemnation upon Israel, with the EU going as far as suggesting that European officials should be on the ground at future demolitions, and provide assistance to Palestinian protesters arrested by the Israeli government. Previously EU leaders have offered to police an agreement between Israel and the Palestinian Authority, but only if requested by both parties. If this report is approved, this would be the first time the EU would seek to directly intervene between Israel and the Palestinians.

Quote: "The consuls-general – who are the ambassador-level representatives to the Palestinian Authority – suggest that in addition to being present when houses are demolished, they should attend court hearings dealing with demolitions or evictions and "ensure EU intervention when Palestinians are arrested or intimidated by Israeli authorities for peaceful cultural, social or political activities in east Jerusalem". Using markedly stronger language than EU ministers use in public when criticizing Israel, the document states, according to the Independent: "If current trends are not stopped as a matter of urgency, the prospect of east Jerusalem as the future capital of a Palestinian state becomes increasingly unlikely and unworkable. This, in turn, seriously endangers the chances of a sustainable peace on the basis of two states, with Jerusalem as their future capital."

The Old and New Testament prophets foresaw a time when the eastern half of Jerusalem would come under Gentile rule. The prophet Zechariah predicted that this event would precede the return of the Lord Jesus Christ to earth.

Zechariah 14:1-3
Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, and thy spoil shall be divided in the midst of thee. For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city. Then shall the LORD go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle.

Again, the Apostle John foretells in the book of Revelation of a time when the Temple Mount area, which lies in the east of the city, would be occupied by the Gentiles for a period of three and a half years. Again, this would happen just prior to the return of Christ.

Revelation 11:2
But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.

As you can see, the fact that the international community is pressing for the establishment of a Palestinian state this year, and the fact that the EU is debating whether or not to intervene in this conflict, shows us just how close we may be to the coming of the Lord. Sadly only a few individuals recognized the signs of the times in relation to Christ's first coming. The Lord lamented that the nation in general 'knew not the time of their visitation' (Luke 19:44). If only they had studied their Bibles, they would have known. Indeed they should have known, and the Lord upbraided them for their unbelief. "Ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky and of the earth; but how is it that ye do not discern this time?", Luke 12:56. The same question will be asked of you. The Lord Jesus Christ is coming back soon. All the signs are there. How is it that you do not discern this time? The Scripture says, "if ye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts", Hebrews, 3:15. Note, it does not say, 'if ye hear His voice', but, 'if ye will hear His voice'. He is speaking to you, but are you listening? Turn away from your sins, and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation today.

Source YNet News, Jerusalem Post