Israeli ministers have expressed concern over the current situation in Lebanon, as the conflict between Hizbullah and the Lebanese government enters its fourth day. So far around 40 people have been killed in the clashes, and although the army has restored order in the capital, fighting has now broken out in other parts of the country. A few weeks ago Druze leader Walid Jumblatt claimed that Hizbullah was planning an attack on the airport, after discovering the terrorist organization had installed cameras to monitor the area. The Lebanese government then moved to outlaw the Hizbullah communications network and deposed the Hizbullah chief of security from the airport. Sheik Hassan Nasrallah warned the government not to touch the communications network, and called for acts of civil disobedience from supporters to protest the action. These turned violent and clashes erupted between government forces and the Hizbullah supporters. So far no other country has become involved in the conflict, despite a large European presence in the south of the country. Israeli ministers are concerned that the situation could deteriorate into a full-scale civil war, and the possibility that a second terrorist state may be formed on Israel's borders.

Quote: "Interior Minister Meir Sheetrit said Israel should not yet take any action, but warned that things could change if Hizbullah takes over Lebanon. "I think it's very dangerous, the (possible) situation in which Iran is in fact sitting on our border, and controlling Lebanon," Sheetrit said. "It's really dangerous in the long term because now its plain to everyone that ... Hizbullah is just the long arm of Iran and that's the way we should relate to it."

The last time war broke out between Hizbullah and Israel, the terrorist organization possessed around 12,000 Iranian-made Katyusha rockets. At the height of the conflict around 120 rockets were landing in Israel on a daily basis. The Second Lebanon War did bring Hizbullah to its knees, and Hizbullah fighters have admitted that if Israel had been permitted to continue to war even another few days, they would have been finished. But the UN intervened and brought about a ceasefire, allowing the terrorist organization to regroup and rearm. Today Hizbullah claims to possess over 40,000 missiles and has the capability of striking anywhere within Israel. Should Lebanon fall in a similar manner to that of Gaza, there is no doubt Israel will be the one left to deal with the aftermath.

The Bible states that near the end of the tribulation period, the armies of the world will gather together in the valley of Megiddo, in preparation for the last battle. Megiddo lies south of the Lebanese border, and just north of the territory that has become known as the West Bank. Here is a photograph I took of the valley from our bus during my trip to Israel. As you can see the land is very flat compared to the general topography of Israel, and so is the ideal place for gathering troops and equipment for use in a future Middle East war.

Revelation 16:16
And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.

The nations will be gathered together in this valley to do battle against Jerusalem. But as the Lord and the armies of heaven burst the clouds above Jerusalem, Satan will persuade the kings of the earth to turn against the Lord instead (Revelation 19:19). Just imagine the armies of the world pitted against the hosts of heaven, or more to the point, against God Himself. What wickedness in the heart of man to even contemplate undertaking such a thing. And what a futile endeavour. Praise God that Jesus Christ will return to redeem His people, and to utterly destroy those who come against Jerusalem. But where will you stand on that day? Will you be safe with the Lord? Trust in Jesus Christ for salvation today.

Source Jerusalem Post