Is Israel finally poised to blow apart the aggressive, anti-West Iranian nuclear program? After months of speculation and counter speculation, and after years of appealing for effective international intervention, there are signs this morning suggesting the Jewish state may well be preparing to go to the wire on its own.
The Jerusalem Post (December 4) said it “has learned” that the Israel Defense Forces “is drawing up options for a strike on Iranian nuclear facilities that do not include coordination with the United States.”
Fox News picked up and aired the story across America.
While “Israeli officials have said it would be difficult, but not impossible, to launch a strike against Iran without receiving codes from the US Air Force, which controls Iraqi airspace,” said the Post.
Israel has not been given access to those codes yet. The US also refused to provide them during the 1991 First Gulf War, when Saddam Hussein threatened to burn half of the Jewish state with chemical weapons.
Although Hussein did not make good on his threat to use non-conventional warheads, he did send 39 SCUD missiles slamming into Israel. But the Jewish state bowed to American pressure to sit tight.
Maybe not this time.
“It is always better to coordinate,” a top Defense Ministry official told the Israeli paper. “But we are also preparing options that do not include coordination.”
The article include a link to a column written by the Post’s deputy managing-editor, Caroline Glick, on November 24.
“US President George W. Bush has six weeks left in power,” she wrote. While much of what Bush will leave behind him has already been determined, there were still a few things he could do “that will impact greatly both the world he leaves behind and how he is judged by history.”
The outgoing American should either order an attack on Iran’s nuclear installations himself or should permit Israel to fly over Iraq to carry out the attack.
By doing so he would “secure the lives of millions of people [and] secure his place in history.”
Meanwhile another report just being circulated is that Iran Wednesday deployed in the Persian Gulf “a 60-ship armada for [a] massive war readiness maneuver.”
DEBKAfile, (which is admittedly not the most reliable of sources) said the exercise included simulated attacks on what are meant to represent the three US aircraft carriers currently stationed in the gulf.
I don’t have access to any insider information about this situation. Here on the ground in Jerusalem there are no visible signs Israel could indeed be counting down to a strike. We would expect some kind of Home Front Command alert to ready us for the possible retaliation Iran has vowed will follow any Israeli attack.
Nonetheless, I feel to circulate the following Bible passages at this time. I am praying them for Israel right now.
Israel:
When you go out to battle against your enemies, and see horses, and chariots, and a people more than you, be not afraid of them: for the LORD your God is with you, which brought you up out of the land of Egypt. And it shall be, when you are come near to the battle, that the priest shall approach and speak to the people, and shall say to them, Hear, O Israel, you approach this day to battle against your enemies: let not your hearts faint, fear not, and do not tremble, neither be you terrified because of them; For the LORD your God is He that goes with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you. (Deuteronomy 20:1-4)
And you shall say:
For who is God, save the LORD? and who is a rock, save our God?
God is my strength and power: and He makes my way perfect.
He makes my feet like hinds’ feet: and sets me on my high places.
He teaches my hands to war; so that a bow of steel is broken by my arms.
You have also given me the shield of your salvation: and Your gentleness has made me great.
You have enlarged my steps under me; so that my feet did not slip.
I have pursued my enemies, and destroyed them; and turned not again until I had consumed them.
And I have consumed them, and wounded them, that they could not arise: yes, they are fallen under my feet.
For You have girded me with strength to battle: them that rose up against me have You subdued under me.
You have also given me the necks of my enemies, that I might destroy them that hate me. (2 Samuel 22:32-41)
To Iranian leaders Ali Khamenei and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad I say, paraphrasing the words proclaimed by a brave shepherd boy as he went out to engage the Philistine’s non-conventional weapon - Goliath - a little over 3000 years ago:
“You are preparing to come against Israel with nuclear-armed and other missiles, unleashing rockets via terrorists in Lebanon and Gaza, telling your Muslim followers that Israel’s demise is upon it. But Israel will come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. The LORD will deliver you into Israel’s hand; and Israel will smite you, and take power from you; and Israel will see to the end of your boasting and your bragging against the people God’s calls His own; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. And all Israel and the other nations in the Middle East will know that the LORD saves not with gun and tank: for the battle is the LORD’s, and He will give you into Israel’s hands.”
And to Jerusalem I say:
Lift up your heads, O you gates; and be you lift up, you everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.
Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle.
Lift up your heads, O you gates; even lift them up, you everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.
Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, He is the King of glory. Selah. (Psalm 24:7-10)
Praise to God Jehovah for your posts and updates. I pray for the Lord’s wisdom & discerment be on you…and on all of us who are observing from far off what you see clsoe at hand. The Lord is moving among His people, His Holy Mountain, and the nation Israel. We pray that God’s plan for the culmination of history be executed perfectly according to His perfect timeing and perfect will.
Blessed be the Name of the Lord.
AMEN AMEN AND AMEN!!! GLORY TO THE LORD OF HOSTS!! HE will not come to take sides. HE will come to take over! Hallelujah! AMEN!!!
Indeed my prayer for Israel is for her victory against the foes that surround her and that the name of the true living G_d be lifted up through it all. My His name be known among all the nations by His loving protection for His chosen Nation Israel.
There is no God like our God. Watch out enemies of Israel!
Your article warmed my heart and was so powerful. Thank you for being the “Watchman on the wall”!! Indeed, it is the Lord’s battle!!! Ipray that all Israel comes to know this and put their trust in God. He is a mighty God and will see His people through these last days!!!!!
What more needs to be said except “AMEN”. Excellent article.
GO ISRAEL!!! We (true believers in Yeshua), love you and are behind you 110%.
Powerful! Powerful! So very powerful, Stan! As with a will of their own, I could not contain the tears that flowed down my face as I read your words - your words to Israel - your words to Iran’s leaders - and your words to Jerusalem - God’s words. Time is short. Surely the King is preparing to come! Come, oh come, Conquering King of Israel! Make your Name known throughout the earth! The Eastern Gate has been annointed for Your return. COME, KING OF GLORY! Halleluyah!
There are many reasons to have some encouragement that Israel may act in her own defense. There has been enough provocation from Iran (others too, but Pres. Ahmadinejad has made a career out of provoking Israel), and a withering barrage of anti Israel sentiments from around the world (from American sources as well) that Israel can make a fairly easy argument for acting on their own, since no one will act sufficiently in their defense.
But there are consequences. Ever since the Second Lebanon war, the incomplete operations of trying to stem the development of weaponizing Lebanon by Hizbollah (under the watchful eyes of Syria) have left Israel in a vulnerable position on the north, something that can be taken for fact in considering the fallout from any pre-emptive activity. Further complicating that northern exposure is the remnant positioning of international ‘observers’ who might take offence in being collateral targets as they were left behind in 2006. This might result in an international response, let alone a Muslim one.
But we read in scripture that the world is being drawn to just such a conclusion, that the Eternal Sovereign of Israel is just about ready to implement His Biblical plan (Ezekiel, Zephaniah, Zechariah, Joel, etc.). Seriously, what remains to be seen, that of just such a thing happening in our time? Only the Holy One of Israel knows; yet our Biblical glimpse is just enough to bring the words of Yeshua to mind, that He will move in quick time. Then as the LORD has said (paraphrased), “all the world will know that HE IS THE LORD.â€
The first announcement of the Anointed one was around this time two thousand years ago; maybe we can expect the second announcement of His appearance soon.
Shalom
I am an American and it is so hard for me to believe that my country is not supporting Israel. I never thought I would see the day. But the Bible says all the world will turn on Israel and it appears that day is here. Oh Israel you are in my prayers! You are my spiritual brothers and sisters and please know that there are many of us here in the USA who are lifting you up in prayer. God is not mocked and I believe that all who turn against His beloved will reap what they sow. God bless Israel and may peace come to jerusalem!!
When men and nations exhaust their finite powers and resources, when we are brought to our knees, only then will the world begin to get a glimpse of who is really in control of the universe. The age of grace may be coming to a close soon, and the age of judgment and God’s Kingdom on earth may well be on it’s way. Only God knows. But Jesus warned us to “watch”, and that is what we are doing.
Thank God for Isreal and her people. Thank God for the one who will come
and rule from Jeruselem. King of Kings and Lord of Lord’s..
Of one thing we can be sure, the Lord is not biting his fingernails.
He will show HImself mighty. And I suggest that the more Israel is isolated, the more she realizes she can’t trust in America, the more she will see her God move on her behalf!
Amen, keep telling it like it is, Brother. Long live Israel!
Good article Stan. Israel (House of Judah) is truly part of God’s elect, but as long as they do not repent of their ways, and seek the help of men (read USA/Germany), there is a price to pay. That price will come as the eastern half of Jerusalem will be taken by force by the arabs.. As a believer in the one true God of Israel (and not just Judah), I feel as strongly about Jerusalem as all of you does, but God did say His council shall stand! It is time that the peoples of God (House of Israel AND the House of Judah) repent and draw nearer to God… My prayers are none the less for God’s will to be done. Stephen, South Africa
It always requires the guiding Rock and a little David to take out a Goliath -no matter if he’s wearing (Russian defensive) armor!
Dear Stan,
Thank you again for a great article. We know how close we are when Israel will be alone but its enemies do not realize that the God of Abraham, Issac, and Jacob neither sleeps or slumbers. May Our Lord watch over Israel and the Jews living throughout the world.
God Bless
Leonard
GREAT article!
I think it is time that Israel takes a stand and stops listening to the idiots in Washington who only have their own agendas to satisfy.
They could care less about Israel.
The Lord God will soon plan the hooks firmly in the jaws of Russia who will seek to come to the aid of Iran being the declared guardian according to the Prophet Ezekiel. Russia and Iran will rapidly form a vast confederation of Arab/Islamic powers to attempt to destroy Israel yet the outcome has already been determined as provided in the prophecy of the Gog/Magog Battle.
This confederation though mighty, will meet its end being decimated by earthquake, great hail, torrential rain, pestilence, fire, brimstone and mass confusion causing them to slay each other. The Lord God will also send fire from heaven upon the homelands of these invaders and those nations participating in the dividing of the Covenant Land of Israel. The fire will strike the United States for it is the chief propellent of the Road Map for Peace, it is this carelessness that will bring much disaster. I believe the Lord God will strike at the heart of the resource that provides the financing for Terror in the Land of the Living, which is petroleum.
The prophecy declared by the Prophet Ezekiel in chapters 38-39 adds to this belief when we consider the Lord God instructs that Israel is not to cut down any wood out of the forrests, only they will burn the weapons of the mighty confederation that did come against them. It is interesting to note that in this modern era a developed nation would even consider wood as their national fuel source. I believe the reason is clear, refineries, wells, pipelines, and offshore rigs will be on fire as result of the fiery arsenal brought by the Lord God.
The Battle of Gog and Magog will pave the way for the contruction of the Third Jewish Temple and the rise of the Son of Perdition (Anti-Christ). The Dome of the Rock and the Al Aqsa Mosque will be reduced to rubble and dust on the Temple Mount as a result of the initial earthquake provided in the battle plan of the Lord God once the Gog/Magog confederation enters the borders of Israel.
The House of Israel will bury these invaders to cleanse the land and rebuild the House of the Lord that had fallen and the Lord God will bring all the sons and daughters of Jacob back into the land, from all nations and will leave none behind.
The gathering will be to rebuild the cities of Israel and to make preparations for the coming Messiah, our Lord Yeshua. Shalom, Baruch Ha Ba B’Shem Adonai