For the past several days we've watched on television as the country of Egypt has erupted with violence and protests against the existing dictatorship with Hosni Mubarak at its head.  There should be no illusion that Mubarak is a democracy advocate - he is not.  He is a brutal dictator whose actions have time and again suppressed freedom for the masses in his country.  That being said, the United States and others in the region see him as the lesser of two evils when it comes to our foreign policy in the region.  He is the typical Middle-eastern leader who speaks one thing to our leaders and the west - while making it clear that he will allow the "Arab-street" to voice their vitriolic hatred of Israel and the United States without much opposition.

It is interesting to watch this uprising because in some ways it reminds those of us who know history of the Iranian Revolution.  The people are taking to the streets in larger numbers over the past couple of days.  These crowds are not just gathering in the capitol, but in various places all over Egypt.  This protest also sports a cast of characters that, although not as strident and powerful as the Iranian ayatollahs, are nonetheless fairly radical in their Islamic orientation and philosophy.  So the question arises for us as we watch this situation develop, is this going to be another Iranian Revolution?

There are very clear differences in Egypt that will probably not make this Iranian Revolution, take 2.  First of all, according to several articles written by those watching these things from an Islamic vantage point, the protesters are rising up far more due to economic reasons, than religious ones.  The Mubarak regime is having similar problems with their economy that the rest of the world is experiencing.  Their problem is that many are so poor already that the only step downward is total destitution.  So for them, there is nothing left to do except riot and protest. 

Another difference is that there does not seem to be an overall leadership led by powerful religious figure-heads presently.  Mohammaed ElBaradei, the former head of the UN Atomic Energy Agency seems to be wanting to step us as a possible leader.  He has returned to Egypt to participate in the protests with the hope that he will receive support and be able to possibly head up an attempt to change the government.  We need to remember him as the one who did his dead-level best to tell the world that Iran did not have a nuclear weapons program - while they were establishing one in full sight of every western nation in the world.  He also is not a man we should consider as pro-western.  Another group who has supported the protests it the Muslim Brotherhood, a radical Islamic group who, although they have not struck recently with terrorist activity, is still a very radical Islamic group in Egypt.   The Muslim Brotherhood seeks to transform Egypt into an Islamic regime that they hope will stand at the forefront of the global jihad.  They have grown closer in recent years to Iran, Hamax, and Hizbullah - actually having their attorneys represent their terrorists who were arrested in Egypt in 2009 for plotting to bring down the current regime with a series of spectacular attacks.

What does all this mean though for the prophetic picture painted for us in the Scriptures.  I believe the destabilization of Egypt would move a peace deal forward much more rapidly.  Unlike the terrorist groups that currently surround Israel, Egypt has a very, very powerful military presence that can threaten Israel on a whole different level.  The Mubarak regime who continued the peace deal initiated under Sadat - has  benefited from purchases of U.S. military materials.  They have an air force that boasts 300 F-16's, their army is outfitted with the M1A1 tank similar to ours, the largest navy in the region, an army twice the size of the IDF, and an air defense system that would cause the Israeli air force serious problems that would hamper their effectiveness greatly.  If the government were to fall into the hands of ElBaradai and the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood, there would be a radical Islamic group with this kind of military power at their disposal.  Israel would be far more motivated to sign some kind of regional peace deal than ever before.  This might play directly into the hands of a worldwide leader, who would come on the scene promising peace in a region so plagued with problems.  

As I watch, though, I see some serious problems with this happening without things getting far worse.  The military is still solidly behind Mubarak - and are starting to crack down with increasing severity.  All we can do is continue to look at what is happening - and hope that this nation does not fall into radical Islamic control like Iran did.  If that does happen, the region will be further destabilized (if that is possible).  Although this does not bode well for our current peacefulness and security - it may be another piece of the puzzle falling into place for the coming peace treaty between the Antichrist and Israel.  I would counsel us to watch and pray - as Scripture tells us to do.  Oh, and I would also advise us to take advantage of every opportunity to live for and share Christ with those around us.  Who knows - we may not have as much time as we think to do so.

(This article is taken from this year's Prophecy Update 2011 Message)
For the past couple of decades we have watched as administration after administration has tried to negotiate a peace settlement between Israel and the Palestinian Authority.  This process has been agonizing to watch because no matter what is done – peace has not been the result.  But let’s take a little closer look at what this may be building toward in the future.

No matter who is at the table – the Palestinian contingent seems to never feel like enough is being offered to make a lasting peace.  Of course that may be because their charter has within it the call to destroy the state of Israel.  Kinda hard to make peace when your founding document militates against it. 

The major thing Israel desires if they allow statehood for their avowed neighboring enemy is that it is a secure peace.  What they mean by that is that if a Palestinian state is formed – it needs to be a state that rejects terrorism and that guarantees the safety of their neighbors, the Jews, across their border.  This too may be difficult to discuss and agree to seeing that missiles, both military and human (suicide bombers) seem to keep coming over the border to the detriment (read destruction and death) of their Israeli neighbors.  It is almost as if this call for peace and statehood – is really not the end game for the Palestinian Authority.  Maybe that is where we should start in all this?

The Palestinian Authority may not be winning their statehood outright at the negotiating table, but they are winning it in the court of public opinion.  The worldwide press, with only a very few exceptions, has signed on with the Palestinian Authority.  Their story is gaining ground daily in the world court of opinion.  This is not due to any “right-ness” of their cause – but more due to the one-sided presentation of this conflict – and the terms that are being used to describe it.  Terms like “occupation” and “oppression” do not help the cause of Israel even as missiles are lobbed daily onto their sovereign soil.  The death of one Palestinian protester is trumpeted, while the deaths of dozens of Israel’s citizens in a bus or restaurant bombing are shrugged off – or worse justified by Israel’s detractors. 

The end game here may be coming this spring – as the Palestinian Authority has hinted openly at the probability of declaring themselves a state unilaterally.  They will do this without any kind of agreement from Israel.  With other states saying that they will support such a move and recognize this Palestinian state, this idea is gaining traction by the day.  States such as Brazil, Venezuela, Argentina, Cuba, Chile, Columbia, China, and North Korea have said that they will recognize this state if this happens.  The EU is discussing responding favorably as well.  And although the Congress has voted unanimously to advise our president NOT to do this – there is talk at the White House of recognizing this state as well. 

What we have here is frustrating to those of us who love Israel – and who believe that their security will be threatened by such a move.  If this does happen the state that will be declared will not have boundaries that are agreed to by Israel.  The Palestinian state will most likely claim the West bank (can you say Judah) as their territory, and East Jerusalem as their capitol city (can you say “there is a war coming soon”).  These are things Israel most likely will vehemently reject.  So what is happening here? 

I believe that we are continuing to move to the point where all nations (the United States unfortunately among them) will reject Israel.  If a unilateral Palestinian state is declared – it will have widespread world support.  If a war ensues where Israel is forced to protect itself from a state that claims territory from it that they have not agreed to giving that state, the world will turn against Israel for it.  That war will be a slaughter for the Palestinians – unless they unite with other terrorist factions like Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran (possibly Syria too – who would like to reclaim the Golan Heights in all this mess) come to their aid. 

Whatever happens – you can bet that it will help to solidify worldwide condemnation on Israel before it is over.  So, we are looking at a situation where the prophetic stage will further be set for all nations to be turning on Israel.  The sad biblical fact is though, that such a situation WILL turn out badly for the nations that touch Israel.  God has promised to protect Israel, not because they are godly, but simply because they are His chosen people.  This will not end well for those nations – but then again – when has that ever stopped them before?