As of Jan 20, 2002 Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat had been confined by Israel in the town of Ramallah for approximately six weeks due to his proven complicity with terrorist activity against the Jewish State. On Jan. 3rd fifty tons of munitions destined for the PLO were intercepted by the Israeli navy and the U.S. confirmed the Palestinian leader’s direct involvement.

One day soon Bible prophecy decrees that the king ruling out of Gaza against Israel in these last days will perish. God declares in Zech. 9:7, "I will take away the blood from his mouth, and the abominations from between his teeth…" God does not reveal by what means this king will perish in verse 5, but He is very specific that his demise will take place in Gaza. If Arafat is indeed this king being spoken of then we can expect him to find his way back to his main headquarters in Gaza eventually.

In 1997 we did a R.W. message which dramatically parallels the ongoing situation in Israel in 2002 titled "Arafat embraces death." Quoting this message in its entirety we read:

The Aug. 22 & 24th ’97 headlines of the Denver Post and the Colorado Springs Gazette read, "Israel turns up heat on Arafat," "Lebanon tensions mount" and "Palestinians clash with Israeli troops as tensions mount over blockade." The combined articles form a prophetic collage which is described in the Scriptures for the close of the age. The reports revealed that while the Syrian-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon is increasing its attacks on Israel, Palestinian President Yasser Arafat has been embracing radical leaders of Islamic terrorist organizations. These are the very same groups that Arafat had been expected to crack down on according to Israeli demands for the peace process to move forward and for Israel's lifting of its economic and travel sanctions. Instead, Arafat publicly praised the Hezbollah’s actions against Israel and called for unity among the Palestinian terrorist factions in preparation for an invasion by Israeli troops. This invasion could possibly become a reality since Israel reportedly suspects that Hamas masterminds are being hidden in Palestinian controlled areas. A dire picture of an orchestrated plan of terror against Israel is being seen formed between Lebanon, Syria and the Palestinians using the terrorist organizations of Hamas, Hezbollah, Islamic Jihad and Arafat’s Fatah movement. It was stated that Arafat is seeking "to build support among a broad spectrum of Palestinians."

Syria and Lebanon have repeatedly joined in efforts in the past to destroy Israel. The PLO also launched attacks from Lebanon with Lebanese and Syrian support. The situation continues to ripen for a devastating conflict. Lebanon, Syria and the Palestinians are set to form a prophesied alliance of death in these last days.

No matter what course the present situation takes, we know absolutely by God’s Word that in the not too distant future, Syria and Lebanon along with the Palestinians will be engaged in another major war against Israel and will barely survive the outcome.

One revealing passage of Scripture which foretells the approaching judgment of these two countries along with the Palestinian authority headquartered in Gaza can be found in Zech. 9:1-5. In verses 1-4 we read of Hadrach, Damascus, Hamath, Tyre and Sidon and how God is against these ancient entities which are identifiable with modern-day Syria and Lebanon. Verse 5 gives even greater insight when prophesying of the Philistines (i.e. Palestinians) who will put their hope in these combined nations to lead them to a victory over Israel when the Scripture references Ashkelon, Gaza and Ekron.

We are told that the Palestinians will experience only massive defeat and the death of their king who will be residing in Gaza. Quoting we read, "The burden of the word of the Lord Against the land of Hadrach And Damascus its resting place (For the eyes of men And all the tribes of Israel Are on the LORD); Also against Hamath, which borders it, And against Tyre and Sidon, though they are very wise. For Tyre built herself a tower, Heaped up silver like the dust, And gold like the mire of the streets. Behold, the LORD will cast her out; He will destroy her power in the sea, And she will be devoured by fire. Ashkelon shall see it and fear: Gaza also shall be very sorrowful; And Ekron, for He (that is God) dried up her expectation. The king shall perish from Gaza, And Ashkelon shall not be inhabited."

We will refer to this war as the "final Syrian/Israeli war" since Syria is the principal power broker in opposition to Israel in the region at present and is unquestionably recognized as the covert authority over Lebanon and the Iranian backed Hezbollah. A more detailed look at Syria’s prophesied defeat can be found in Jer. 49:23-27. We quote, "Against Damascus, Hamath and Arpad are shamed, For they have heard bad news. They are fainthearted; There is trouble on the sea; It cannot be quiet. Damascus has grown feeble And turns to flee, And fear has seized her. Anguish and sorrows have taken her like a woman in labor. Why is the city of praise not deserted, the city of My joy? Therefore her young men shall fall in her streets, And all the men of war shall be cut off in that day," says the LORD of hosts. "I will kindle a fire in the wall of Damascus, And it shall consume the palaces of Ben-Hadad."

Reflecting upon Israel’s past military action against Hezbollah in April of 1996, it is interesting to note that prophetically both Lebanon and Syria are to face trouble from the sea. Part of Israel’s strategy was to utilize its powerful navy to set up a blockade which prevented crucial shipping to reach Lebanon’s 3 major ports and to pound the Lebanese coast with naval fire.

It is our understanding from Psalm 83 that Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinians, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Iraq will go to war with Israel before the final prophesied 7 year covenant of Dan. 9:27 is put into effect. Iraq will also launch its prophesied final assault against Kuwait during that time. Saddam Hussein has presently made great strides in realigning with Syria.

None of these nations are listed in Ezekiel Chaps. 38 and 39 as being present with Magog (Russia) when it invades the Middle East, but yet all are clearly to be devastated during warfare with Israel. Since the Russian invasion must take place "after" Israel has obtained a recognizable though pseudo peace while recovering from war (see Ezek. 38:8), it is logical to surmise that the final Syrian/Israeli war will take place before the delusionary 7 year peace covenant is confirmed by the Anti-Christ. Seven years of hell on earth will then follow before the return of Jesus Christ.

It is obvious that no amount of signing of treaties will produce the tangible peace described for Israel in Ezek. 38:8,11 & 14, nor permit the rebuilding of the Jewish Temple as required by Bible prophecy. Only a change in the mindset and arsenals of those negotiating peace will provide Israel with a true feeling of peace and security. This peace must be established prior to the Russian invasion which takes place during the first 3 ½ years of the final 7 year covenant. The peace must be of such great substance that according to Ezek. 38:11 the Israelis will be content to live in unfortified cities. The past treaty signings with hostile, murderous and indifferent participants has produced the exact opposite effect and has generated an unbroken state of turmoil and insecurity. Fortifications and preparedness by Israel for a multiple front conflict are at the optimum. This unavoidable Middle East war will prepare a foundation in the region which will make the Anti-Christ’s 7 year covenant greatly accepted.

This war of Psa. 83 could take place at any time and the king of the Palestinians will perish from Gaza. The Church’s departure to Heaven is imminent (near at hand) since Scripture reveals she is to be caught up to the Lord before the Anti-Christ is revealed at the start of the final 7 year covenant. These are the last days and the time to put your complete faith in Jesus Christ the only Savior is now. All who call on the name of the Lord will be saved from the wrath to come. Be washed clean of your sins by the blood of the Lamb before the days of the bride come to a close.