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Six Years Later

| thu, august 25, 2011 |
 

The recent 5.8 earthquake in Virginia, which not only rattled much of the East Coast, but notably Washington, D.C., has understandably gained a lot of attention. On the surface, August 23, 2011, may not seem like a key date, but in reality, it is the painful anniversary of a key event in the US-led Israeli-Palestinian peace talks which has changed the landscape of Israel and the United States of America.

It was 6-years ago to the day, August 23, 2005, that the IDF, upon direct orders, completed the disengagement of Gaza and key settlements in the West Bank. It was on August 23, 2005, that the last settlers and protesters from the West Bank settlement of Homesh were removed, completing the unprecedented, forceful withdrawal of Israeli civilians from 25 settlements in Gaza and the West Bank. This date would join the ranks of so many other dark days in Jewish history.

The evacuation of Gaza and key settlements of West Bank didn't come by happenstance.


Continuing on the groundwork that his predecessors had laid before him, President George W. Bush played an influential role in the evacuation plan Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon had carried out. The Bush administration used influence and pressure to help sell Sharon on the belief peace would ride in upon a major Israeli concession, a measure that would give the Palestinians confidence to negotiate peace. It was based upon this belief that the US-led peace negotiations would experience a breakthrough and peace would in turn become a reality.

Here is the text of President George W. Bush speaking with the White House Press Pool in Donnelly, Idaho, on August 23, 2005, congratulating Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon on the completion of the Gaza / West Bank disengagement.

First of all, I want to congratulate Prime Minister Sharon for having made a very tough decision. As I said in my remarks yesterday in Salt Lake City, the Prime Minister made a courageous decision to withdraw from the Gaza. We have got Jim Wolfensohn, the former head of the World Bank, on the ground, helping President Abbas develop a government that responds to the will of the folks in Gaza. In other words, this is step one in the development of a democracy.

And so to answer your question, what must take place next is the establishment of a working government in Gaza, a government that responds to the people. President Abbas has made a commitment to fight off the violence, because he understands a democracy can't exist with terrorist groups trying to take the law into their own hands.

Along these lines, we've also got Gen. Ward on the ground, helping the Palestinians consolidate their security forces. It turns out that the post-Arafat regime is one of different factions and different security forces that were really in place to kind of maintain his power, but not necessarily to protect the overall security of the Palestinian people. It's in their interest to consolidate the security forces, so that there is a - the government has got a vehicle and a group of folks by which to help enforce order.

You asked about the road map. Of course you want to get back to the road map. But I understand that in order for this process to go forward, there must be confidence - confidence that the Palestinian people will have in their own government to perform, confidence with the Israelis that they'll see a peaceful state emerging. And therefore it's very important for the world to stay focused on Gaza, and helping Gaza - helping the Gaza economy get going, helping rebuild the settlements for Gaza - for the people of Gaza.

This is a very hopeful period. Again, I applaud Prime Minister Sharon for making a decision that has really changed the dynamics on the ground, and has really provided hope for the Palestinian people. My vision, my hope, is that one day we'll see two states - two democratic states - living side-by-side in peace. -GWB

It was on the very same day that President Bush congratulated PM Sharon that the twelfth tropical depression in the Atlantic formed. Tropical depression 12 would intensify days later to Hurricane Katrina --the rest is history.

It is now six years later and the United States of America, at the hand of President Obama, is pressuring the Israelis more than ever for another major concession before the 66th UN General Assembly commences at the end of September, at which time many believe the Palestinians will seek a UN vote for statehood.

Just as it was six years ago, the mainland of the United States of America is looking at a major impact by a hurricane; this time the hurricane is named Irene, named after the Greek goddess of "peace." Just like six years ago, a major hurricane is headed towards densely populated areas, but unlike six years ago, this hurricane isn't heading towards New Orleans, but rather Washington, D.C., the central nervous system for all US domestic and foreign policy. Even more intriguing is the fact that not only is Hurricane Irene planned to impact the US mainland during the same timeframe Katrina did six years prior, the 2011 hurricane season name list is the same one used during the 2005 hurricane season, for the exception of the names Dennis, Katrina, Rita, Stan and Wilma, which were retired and replaced with Don, Katia, Rina, Sean and Whitney.

As I look at August 23, and the events surrounding it, it seems fitting to have Washington, D.C., rocked by the effects of a rare 5.8 earthquake on the 6-year anniversary the Gaza / West Bank expulsion was completed.

Could the 5.8 earthquake that shook Washington, D.C., be a reminder of the events that transpired in August and September of 2005? I am fully confident to say that the events that transpired on all levels in the wake of Hurricane Katrina were the result of YAHWEH's divine judgment in response to this nation's unabated rebellion, immorality, homosexuality, slaughter of the unborn, apostasy, and yes, the attempted division of Israel, or better worded, the attempt to thwart YHVH's plan for the inheritance of YESHUA Ha'Mashiach and ultimate fulfillment of the Holy Scriptures.

Under the Obama administration, homosexuality has been elevated and sanctioned as good and acceptable for the Armed Forces, embryonic stem-cell research has reached further into the depths of darkness with the stroke of a pen, more tax-payer money has been funneled into the slaughter of the unborn, and for the first time ever, a US administration has called for pre-1967 borders (which is really the 1948 armistice lines) to be the basis for Israeli-Palestinian negotiations. The items on this condensed and by no means extensive list all have one thing in common, rebellion against the MOST HIGH GOD.

I find it also interesting that August 23, 2011, the day of the 5.8 earthquake, which damaged historical sites like the Washington Monument in D.C., is 805 days from the linden tree being hewn down on the White House lawn on June 9, 2009.

Could 5.8 = 05, August?
Could 805 days = August 05?

I can't help but feel that the 5.8 earthquake was significant on more levels than just the minor damage visible on the temporary surface.

It would seem that 5 years of grace have come and gone since Hurricane Katrina changed so many things; sadly it would seem the one thing Katrina didn't reshape is US policy towards all things given as unquestionable truths in the WORD of GOD regarding sin and the plan YHVH has for the land of Israel.

I know many have become weary of warnings, but it is during this time that we must be reminded the most. While the masses are at ease, crying peace and safety, judgment comes.

As viewed through the lens of Scripture, I have become fully persuaded that the United States of America appears to have reached a point of no return and the judgment that will be ultimately rendered per direct order of the HIGHEST JUDGE will carry with it the most awful sentence -fiery indignation.

Let us reflect upon the words given by the prophet Isaiah in chapter 59:1-7.

1 Behold, the LORD'S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: 2 But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear. 3 For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, your tongue hath muttered perverseness. 4 None calleth for justice, nor any pleadeth for truth: they trust in vanity, and speak lies; they conceive mischief, and bring forth iniquity. 5 They hatch cockatrice' eggs, and weave the spider's web: he that eateth of their eggs dieth, and that which is crushed breaketh out into a viper. 6 Their webs shall not become garments, neither shall they cover themselves with their works: their works are works of iniquity, and the act of violence is in their hands. 7 Their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed innocent blood: their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity; wasting and destruction are in their paths. 8 The way of peace they know not; and there is no judgment in their goings: they have made them crooked paths: whosoever goeth therein shall not know peace.

As a witness of the LORD JESUS CHRIST and the salvation that HE alone holds, I share these insights for the purpose of joy and not fear. Terrible days lie ahead for an unrepentant world, of which we, as the believers of CHRIST are no longer a part. We being a remnant must separate ourselves spiritually, seeking the direction that comes only by the loving guidance of the HOLY SPIRIT, obtainable only through a relationship with JESUS CHRIST Himself; therein lies our peace and comfort.

In the flesh, the days ahead are terrifying, as they should be, but such days, though they must come, are not for the children of the MOST HIGH to fear, but to rejoice in. We serve the KING of kings and the LORD of lords; it is by and through HIS will that all things come to pass. I do not find joy in the destruction of an unrepentant world, but I have found peace and motivation to live as a light, as an example, unto those who still reside in this realm, whether they be sinner or saint, of the joy and security that resides within those who follow and fellowship with JESUS CHRIST the LORD.

We all have different circumstances, we all have vulnerabilities the enemy exploits which bring discouragement, but we who are true believers in JESUS CHRIST must never forget that even in the midst of the darkest night we possess the LIGHT.

Take courage, HE is forever in control.

God Bless, daniel