Watchman of Zion

You may view the 5 minute update this week via audio:

1) Listen to the audio

In this week’s 5 minute update, we focused on:

1) The current status of the Israel / PLO peace process
2) The prospects for war with Syria and Iran
3) Greek debt and the prospects for the collapse of the Euro

Palestinian President Mahmood Abbas sent a letter to Israel on April 17 blaming Israel for failure in peace negotiations. Abbas demanded that Israel agree to stop building Jewish homes in the West Bank and East Jerusalem in order for the Palestinians to resume direct peace talks with Israel. Abbas gave Israel one month to reply to the demands of his letter. Israel responded to the letter this week. The contents of the Israeli letter to the Palestinians was not made public. However, the Palestinians said that Israel did not make any new proposals as Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu maintained his position of direct negotiations with the Palestinians without preconditions. The PLO have threatened to ask the UN General Assembly this summer to recognize a PLO state if Israel did not agree to stop building Jewish homes in the West Bank and East Jerusalem in their reply letter. The PLO will have to make a decision in the coming weeks if they now want to go to the UN General Assembly.

An agreement to divide Jerusalem and establish a PLO state is a tribulation event.

The link to these articles are as follows:

1) Israel PM replies to Abbas letter on peace process
2) Palestinians: Netanyahu letter on peace a non-starter

The Sunni Muslim opposition against Syrian President Bashar Assad continues to be armed by Persian Gulf nations with cooperation from the United States. The Sunni Muslim Brotherhood is now the dominant opposition group in Syria. Meanwhile, from now until the end of May, one of the largest multinational military exercises will be taking place with 12,000 special operations troops from 17 nations, including the US and other NATO members, Saudi Arabia and Qatar in an operation known as Eager Lion. Russia said that any Western military intervention in Syria or Iran could lead to a nuclear war.

A war with Syria where Damascus is destroyed (Isaiah 17)  is a tribulation event.

The link to these articles is as follows:

1) Muslim Brotherhood in Syria resurrects itself amid revolt in country
2) Syrian rebels get influx of arms with gulf neighbors’ money, U.S. coordination
3) Thousands amass in Jordan for major military exercise
4) Hands off Syria and Iran: Russia

Nuclear talks between Iran and the P5 + 1 powers (US, Britain, France, Russia, China and Germany) will take place on May 23 in Iraq. Israel continues to insist that Iran must stop all uranium enrichment. Iran says that it will maintain its right to continue its nuclear program. In defiance, Iran has expanded 20 pct enrichment at its Fordo nuclear site with new centrifuges. The US and Israel have been practicing joint military exercises in preparation for an attack against Iran. It is believed that if Iran doesn’t not agree to halt its nuclear program that Israel will attack Iran prior to the November US elections. In response, Iran is considering a first strike military action against Israel and practiced its first large-scale paratroop drops.  The IAEA plans to visit Iran this week and visit the Iranian nuclear sites as part of preparing for the May 23 nuclear talks. Hopes are for a framework agreement with Iran which will prevent the need for a military attack. As a result of concessions that Iran has received so far in talks with the US, Iran is trying to isolate Israel and buy time to continue enriching uranium for its nuclear program. Iran is boasting that the US is abandoning Israel.

A US war with Iran is a tribulation event.

The link to these articles is as follows:

1) Israel: Iran must commit to stop all enrichment
2) New US battle strategy against Iran in US movements and Israeli drill
3) Iran attack decision nears, Israeli elite locks down
4) Iran to retain absolute nuclear rights
5) Iran to expand 20-pct uranium enrichment at Fordo with new centrifuges
6) Iran Sees Success in Stalling on Nuclear Issue
7) UN nuclear chief to visit Iran for talks
8) Iran Boasts US Has Abandoned Israel
9) Iran drills first large-scale paratroop drops for offensive action

Greece will run out of money in six weeks without an additional bailout. There are Greek elections planned for June 21. If Greek political parties against austerity and working with EU bankers win the election, there is talk of Greece having to leave the Euro which could trigger financial crisis for the Euro and the world.

Worldwide economic collapse resulting in a one world government with one-world currency is a tribulation event.

The link to these articles are as follows:

1) Greece will run out of money soon, warns deputy prime minister
2) Greece headed into ‘out of control bankruptcy’ – govt. salaries and pensions soon to go unpaid
3) Greece Teeters as Talks Fail

From a Biblical prophetic perspective, the reason why the God of Israel would allow these events to happen is because it will result in the end of the exile of the house of Jacob and the reunification of the 12 tribes of Israel (Ephraim and Judah).

We will to be “watchmen on the walls of Jerusalem” and we will not rest until the God of Israel makes Jerusalem a praise in the earth (Isaiah 62).

Shalom in Yeshua the Messiah,

Eddie Chumney
Hebraic Heritage Ministries Int’l

You may view the 5 minute update this week via audio:

1) Listen to the audio

In this week’s 5 minute update, we focused on:

1) The current status of the Israel / PLO peace process
2) The prospects for war with Syria and Iran

Last week, it appeared that Israel was going to have early elections. However, at the last moment, Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made an agreement with the opposition party, Kadima, and its new leader Shaul Mofaz to establish a national unity government.  It will have a large majority of 94 Knesset members with only 61 needed to have a majority. The agreement was based upon the following four principles:

1) Legislation to replace the Tal Law meant to cause Orthodox Jewish men to serve in the Israeli army

2) Approval of a responsible state financial budget

3) Reform of the political electoral system by the end of 2012

4) The promotion of a responsible peace process with the Palestinians as agreed by Netanyahu and Mofaz

Analysts suggest that the agreement between Netanyahu and Mofaz was made for several reasons. Polls suggested that Kadima would have lost around 50% of its current seats and would have made Mofaz a weak leader of a minority party. Kadima no longer would have been the main opposition party. Netanyahu needed a strong government coalition to deal with the Iranian and Palestinian issues. Mofaz has a military background.  Without elections, Ehud Barak can remain as defense minister. It was projected that his party would not have won any seats in new elections.

Israel’s national unity government sent a strong message to the US that Israel is now more than able and would have the political will to attack Iran. Meanwhile, the US now believes that Netanyahu should have political backing to make an agreement on the parameters for a PLO state. The US is also insisting that Israel give a positive response to the Palestinian letter of Mahmood Abbas given to Israel on April 17.

An agreement to divide Jerusalem and establish a PLO state is a tribulation event.

The link to these articles are as follows:

1) No elections: Kadima to join government
2) Netanyahu and Mofaz: Our coalition is broadest in Israel’s history
3) Netanyahu emerges as strongman with unity deal
4) Washington: Netanyahu is here to stay, so is Israel’s military option on Iran
5) Clinton to Netanyahu: Use unity cabinet to advance Mideast peace

12,000 special operations troops from 17 nations, including the US and other NATO members, Saudi Arabia and Qatar are now positioned on the Jordanian side of the Syrian border for possibly military intervention to remove Syrian President Bashar Assad from power. In response, Syria moved some of its heavy missile launchers north toward Turkey and south toward Israel to possibly be used against Turkey and Israel. The UN and Arab League sponsored cease fire negotiated by former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan remains fragile as fighting continues between the Syrian government and opposition forces.

A war with Syria where Damascus is destroyed (Isaiah 17)  is a tribulation event.

The link to these articles is as follows:

1) Syria Moving Scuds to Israel, Turkey Borders
2) Multinational force massed on Jordanian-Syrian border as 55 killed in Damascus bombings

Iran has started to accept the Chinese currency as payment for oil shipments. This continues a trend by countries like China, Russia, Japan and India to no longer use the US dollar in bilateral trade. This weakens the role of the US dollar to be the world’s reserve currency and contributes to conditions for the collapse of the US dollar.

DEBKA reports that Iran is building a new chain of underground facilities deep inside the Dasht e-Kavir (Great Salt Desert) – all linked together by huge tunnels – as a way to continue its nuclear program while being free from outside inspection. Iran continues to have secret talks with the US about its nuclear program. The next meeting by  the P5 + 1 powers (China, Russia, France, Britain, US and Germany) with Iran over its nuclear program is May 23 in Iraq.

The Iranian leaders believe that war against them and Syria and the destruction of the US and Israel will usher in the 12th Imam, known as the Mahdi, the Islamic Messiah within six months of the beginning of a war against Syria and Iran. Because of these beliefs, it is unlikely that Iran will agree to stop its nuclear weapons program. Based upon the newly formed Israeli national unity government and the likelihood that Iran will not give up its nuclear program this spring or summer, it seems that war with Iran is likely to happen sometime this fall.

A US war with Iran is a tribulation event.

The link to these articles is as follows:

1) Petrodollar Warfare: Iran Accepts Renminbi for Crude Oil
2) Iran readies secret salt desert bunkers for clandestine nuclear facilities
3) US officials said to be fearful of looming Israeli strike on Iran
4) Is Netanyahu’s New Government Set for an Iranian Surprise?
5) Tehran Bargains for Regional Partnership through Secret Track with US
6) Iran Preparing For ‘The Last Six Months’

From a Biblical prophetic perspective, the reason why the God of Israel would allow these events to happen is because it will result in the end of the exile of the house of Jacob and the reunification of the 12 tribes of Israel (Ephraim and Judah).

We will to be “watchmen on the walls of Jerusalem” and we will not rest until the God of Israel makes Jerusalem a praise in the earth (Isaiah 62).

Shalom in Yeshua the Messiah,

Eddie Chumney
Hebraic Heritage Ministries Int’l

You may view the 5 minute update this week via audio:

1) Listen to the audio

In this week’s 5 minute update, we focused on:

1) The current status of the Israel / PLO peace process
2) The prospects for war with Syria and Iran

The Palestinians continue to say that depending upon the response to the letter given to Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on April 17, the Palestinians will continue  their efforts to seek  recognition of a PLO state at the United Nations. The Palestinians have said that they will give Israel one month to respond to their demands. Meanwhile, Israel have decided to have early government elections. They are expected to be on September 4. The Israeli elections were scheduled for October, 2013. The scheduling of early elections will make it unlikely that Israel will attack Iran prior to the early elections in September.

An agreement to divide Jerusalem and establish a PLO state is a tribulation event.

The link to these articles are as follows:

1) Palestinians Say Statehood Efforts to Continue even as US Releases Funds
2) Israeli Parliamentarians Agree to Dissolve Parliament Bringing Early Elections

The United Nations / Arab League peace plan proposed by Kofi Annan to stop the fighting between the Syrian government and the opposition is not working. Russia blames the government opposition for the continued violence. The United States is now saying that if the peace plan does not work that a new approach is needed to try to remove Bashar Assad from power.

A war with Syria where Damascus is destroyed (Isaiah 17)  is a tribulation event.

The link to these articles is as follows:

1) U.N. notes cease-fire violations from both sides in Syria
2) Russia says Syria rebels intent on ruining peace bid
3) White House: New approach may be needed in Syria

The Obama administration say that they may support dropping a demand that Iran halt uranium enrichment if Iran agrees to other restrictions. U.S. officials say they may agree to allow Iran to continue enriching uranium up to 5 percent purity, the outside limit for most civilian uses, if Iran agrees to unrestricted inspections, rigorous oversight and other measures the United Nations has demanded to reduce the nation’s ability to develop a nuclear bomb. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said it will resume discussions with Iran on May 14-15.  Iran is saying that they are hopeful that a framework can be agreed upon where they can continue to enrich uranium. However, Iran is not yet ready to allow the IAEA to inspect and shut down its nuclear facilities. The United States say that they can attack and destroy the Iranian nuclear program in 3 weeks.

A US war with Iran is a tribulation event.

The link to these articles is as follows:

1) U.S. may support Iran uranium enrichment
2) Iran ‘hopeful’ over upcoming IAEA nuke talks
3) Iran official: No justification to close underground nuclear site
4) Pentagon Encircles Iran: Claims Victory Would Take 3 Weeks

From a Biblical prophetic perspective, the reason why the God of Israel would allow these events to happen is because it will result in the end of the exile of the house of Jacob and the reunification of the 12 tribes of Israel (Ephraim and Judah).

We will to be “watchmen on the walls of Jerusalem” and we will not rest until the God of Israel makes Jerusalem a praise in the earth (Isaiah 62).

Shalom in Yeshua the Messiah,

Eddie Chumney
Hebraic Heritage Ministries Int’l