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PRO-ISRAEL EVANGELICAL CHRISTIAN PRIME MINISTER WINS BIG RE-ELECTION IN CANADA: Contaminated jet fuel halts flights in Israel

• Just posted: new video blog on The Joshua Fund’s website on how to pray for the upcoming Epicenter Conference May 15-16
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(Jerusalem, Israel) — First things first: I want to congratulate Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper — an evangelical Christian and a strong friend of Israel — and his conservative party for winning a big election this week. Harper, in my view, is actually the most pro-Israel national leader on the planet. His minority government recently lost a no confidence vote in parliament, but the opposition’s tactics misfired. Harper and his team are back stronger than ever for the next four years, having won an outright majority of seats. Let’s be praying for Harper to continue being a strong and principled voice for the safety and security of the Jewish State and a strong opponent of the mullahs in Iran, while also showing compassion to the Palestinian people.

That said, Israel is suddenly facing a strange new crisis: the country’s jet fuel supply has been found to be contaminated in a way that could lead to jet engines to clog, stall and planes to crash. Once this was discovered on Thursday, all flights in and out of the country were halted as officials scrambled to figure out where the problem was coming from and how to fix it. As the day progressed, airport officials began allowing new flights to arrive, but all inbound planes are now required to land first in Cyprus and top off their tanks with uncontaminated fuel so that they can then depart the country with a full load of passengers and have enough fuel to get to their intended destinations. At the moment, thousands of tourists are stranded at Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv awaiting flights that cannot take off because their isn’t enough safe jet fuel.

By God’s grace, a Joshua Fund colleague and I flew into Israel at 9:30 Thursday morning without incident — that is, without landing in Cyprus — but apparently we got in just under the wire before the problem was detected and the new orders were issued. We’re preparing for hundreds of Joshua Fund supporters from all over the world to arrive late next week for the 2011 Epicenter Conference and our subsequent “prayer & vision tour” of the Land. Please pray that the fuel problem would be resolved quickly for their sake and the sake of all Israelis and tourists needing to fly in the coming days and weeks.

“Dozens of flights scheduled to depart from the Ben Gurion Airport on Thursday were halted until further notice due to contamination discovered in airport’s jet fuel supply,” Ynet News reported Thursday. “Airport management has ordered to suspend all aircraft fueling. As a result thousands of passengers are stranded at the airport. Within a short while it was realized that Israel’s minor airports were also affected by the contamination – including the airfields in Eilat and Haifa.”

“An airline official, who asked to remain anonymous, said that ‘The chaos that confronts us now is colossal. All flights landing in Israel will have to stop in Larnaca, so they have fuel to take off later. That means that the entire takeoffs and landings’ schedule has to be altered in Cyprus, as well as Israel. This will disrupt the entire system and create massive delays… If this problem isn’t solved immediately, chaos will rule.’”

In other news:

• Hamas leader Ismael Haniyeh condemns killing of Osama bin Laden as an Arab holy warrior: “We condemn the assassination and the killing of an Arab holy warrior. We ask God to offer him mercy with the true believers and the martyrs.”
• German Chancellor Merkel is warning the Palestinians not to unilaterally declare their own state but to engage in negotiations with Israel
• Egypt is reportedly planning to double the price of natural gas it sells to Israel
• Prime Minister Netanyahu has been invited to meet President Obama at the White House on May 20 but says Israel won’t negotiate with a Palestinian government that includes Hamas because Hamas is an al Qaeda-like terrorist organization.
• Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood honors Osama bin Laden

EPICENTER CONFERENCE APP NOW AVAILABLE

As we approach the May 15-16 event in Jerusalem, I’m glad to announce that a new ”Epicenter Conference” App is currently available for your iPod, iPad or Droid. Now you’ll be able to watch all the messages on the Book of Joel — the real, biblical book, not my books – on your favorite device. For more details, please go to www.epicenterconference.com. 

EPICENTER CONFERENCE JUST DAYS AWAY: New video blog gives latest details

The take down of Osama bin Laden has once again drawn the eyes of the nations back to the Middle East, the epicenter of the momentous events that are shaking our world and shaping our future. In just twelve days, the 2011 Epicenter Conference will begin in Jerusalem, Israel to explore the geopolitical, prophetic and spiritual trends in the region and what they mean to individuals, the Church, and the nations.

I’ve just posted a new video blog at www.joshuafund.net on bin Laden and new details about the Epicenter Conference. Please take a moment to watch and share with friends. Also, please be praying:

• for traveling mercies for all those coming to the conference
• for the Lord to open the eyes and hearts of all those attending and those watching by web
• for the Epicenter Conference Radio Special we’ll be doing from Jerusalem (more details on that coming soon)
• for the Lord to be speaking clearly to all who will be addressing the conference
• for physical and spiritual protection
• for fruit as we teach the Word of God
• for reconciliation between Jewish and Arab believers in Jesus in the region
• for The Joshua Fund staff as they attend to every logistical detail of the conference
• for the peace of Jerusalem

Thanks!

A GREAT ROYAL WEDDING TO COME

What struck me most as Lynn and I got up at 5am and watched the royal wedding as it unfolded at Westminster Abbey in London was that the Word of God went forth – and the name of Jesus Christ was repeatedly proclaimed – to an estimated one billion people around the world watching the live TV coverage. It was a gorgeous ceremony, with all its pomp and circumstance, and it reminded me that there is a Great Royal Wedding to come to which we are all invited. We need only say “yes.”

• The Rev. Richard Chartres, the Bishop of London, began the ceremony noting that, ”In a sense, every wedding is a royal wedding,” then spoke of followers of Jesus Christ being children of the King who will one day have a wedding of His own.
• James Middleton, Kate’s brother, read from the New Testament, Romans chapter 12, beginning with, “Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect” — that is, we must prepare our hearts for the Royal Wedding to come.
• Dr. Rowen Williams, the Archbishop of Canterbury, in his sermon told the newlyweds, “William and Catherine, you have chosen to be married in the sight of a generous God who so loved the world that he gave himself to us in the person of Jesus Christ. And in the Spirit of this generous God, husband and wife are to give themselves to each another….As we move towards our partner in love, following the example of Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit is quickened within us and can increasingly fill our lives with light.”
• The Archbishop concludedhis sermon with this prayer, “God our Father, we thank you for our families; for the love that we share and for the joy of our marriage. In the busyness of each day keep our eyes fixed on what is real and important in life and help us to be generous with our time and love and energy. Strengthened by our union help us to serve and comfort those who suffer. We ask this in the Spirit of Jesus Christ. Amen.”

The Scriptures teach us that we are all invited to the wedding of our Lord Jesus Christ in the world to come. But while all are invited, not all will attend. We must individually accept the Lord’s invitation by personally receiving Jesus as Messiah and our Lord. Sadly, the Bible says that not all will do so.

• In Revelation chapter 19, we read, “Then I heard the sound of massed choirs, the sound of a mighty cataract, the sound of strong thunder: Hallelujah! The Master reigns, our God, the Sovereign-Strong! Let us celebrate, let us rejoice, let us give him the glory! The Marriage of the Lamb has come; his Wife has made herself ready. She was given a bridal gown of bright and shining linen. The linen is the righteousness of the saints.”
• Speaking of the Great Royal Wedding to come, Jesus said in Matthew 22, “The Kingdom of Heaven can be illustrated by the story of a king who prepared a great wedding feast for his son. When the banquet was ready, he sent his servants to notify those who were invited. But they all refused to come!”
• Speaking of His return to Earth to get His bride, Jesus said in Luke 12, ”Be like men who are waiting for their master when he returns from the wedding feast, so that they may immediately open the door to him when he comes and knocks.”

With the signs of the Last Days all around us, may each one of us choose today to say “yes” to the Lord Jesus’ invitation to the Great Royal Wedding to come.

FATAH CHOOSES PEACE WITH HAMAS TERRORISTS, NOT WITH ISRAEL: Please pray for the Palestinian people

The leaders of the beleagured Palestinian people chose to embrace terrorists today, not the road to true peace, justice and reconciliation. What a tragedy. Instead of spending the last 18 months engaging in peace talks with Israel, PLO leader Mahmoud Abbas has spent the last several months engaged in secret peace talks with rival Hamas, the radical Islamic terrorist group that calls for the annihilation of the Jewish State. The talks, brokered by Egyptian intelligence, concluded with an announcement today that Fatah (PLO) and Hamas have sealed a unity agreement that some reporters are describing as “an historic reconciliation deal.” 

In theory, the deal helps pave the way for the Palestinians soon to unilaterally declare a state encompassing the Fatah-controlled territory of Judea and Samaria (the West Bank), the Hamas-controlled territory of Gaza, and assert their capital in East Jerusalem. They will claim that their unity signals they are ready to govern themselves and assume the responsibilities of statehood. In reality, it is a shotgun wedding, at best. Fatah and Hamas leaders have historically not only hated each other but gunned each other down in broad daylight. When Hamas took over Gaza in 2005 and 2006, it set into motion a bloodbath, killing scores of Fatah officials and party members, even throwing some off of high rise buildings.

One this is for certain: the Palestinian leadership is taking yet another stop away from making peace with Israel. “The Palestinian Authority has to choose between peace with Israel and peace with Hamas,” Prime Minister Netanyahu told reporters. “Peace with both of them is impossible, because Hamas aspires to destroy the state of Israel and says so openly.” Netanyahu added: “Hamas fires rockets at our cities and anti-tank missiles at our children. I think the mere idea of reconciliation demonstrates the Palestinian Authority’s weakness, and brings up the question of whether Hamas will take over Judea and Samaria as it did Gaza.”

What’s not clear is whether the U.S. will continue to provide some $450 million in foreign aid to the Palestinians since it officially considers Hamas a terrorist organization and has long refused to talk to Hamas much less help fund it. Members of Congress will likely be overwhelmingly opposed to any contact with Hamas, and rightly so. The Obama administration, however, will be tempted to act as though the Fatah-Hamas agreement is a positive development and try to paper over the differences. To do so would be a tragic mistake, but not the administration’s first, and not likely its last in the region.

• Please pray for the Palestinian people to be set free from leaders who keep guiding them towards terror, not peace
• Please pray for Palestinians who love the Lord Jesus Christ to emerge as true peacemakers and to seek Biblical reconciliation with Israeli Jews generally, and Jewish believers in Jesus in particular
• Please pray for Israeli believers in Jesus — as well as Christians around the world — to develop a heart of understanding and compassion for the suffering of the Palestinian people and to seek to be true peacemakers and agents of Biblical reconciliation
• As the Lord Jesus said in Matthew, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”

NEW DOCUMENTARY EXAMINES BIBLE PROPHECY AND MIDEAST EVENTS

Tonight on his website, Glenn Beck will premiere his new documentary film, “Rumors of War — Part Two.” As with Part One, I was interviewed for the film and have seen a rough cut of the film. While I don’t agree with all of the points made in it, I found it quite powerful and well made and highly recommend that you watch it. Indeed, I applaud Glenn and his team for making and releasing the film.

The documentary examines current events and trends in the Middle East and the Islamic world from various vantage points — Biblical End Times theology, Jewish End Times theology, and Islamic End Times theology. It discusses the latest threats from the Radical Islamic world to Israel, the West and our allies. It features a wide range of Jewish, Muslim and evangelical Christian authors and commentators in a balanced yet provocative and fascinating way. Among them:

• Dore Gold, former Israeli ambassador to the U.N.
• Reza Kahlili, former CIA agent inside Iran and author of A Time To Betray
• Tim LaHaye, author of the Left Behind novel series
• Brigitte Gabriel, author of They Must Be Stopped: Why We Must Defeat Radical Islam and How We Can Do It
• Joel Richardson, author of The Islamic Antichrist
• Dr. Zudi Jasser, president of American Islamic Forum for Democracy

As far as I can tell, Glenn Beck is leaving the Fox News Channel in part because Fox is opposed to him devoting so much time on his program to End Times issues, Bible prophecy, Iran’s eschatology, and the linkage of these things to left wing efforts to sow seeds of revolution and chaos. It’s too bad, really. Again, while I don’t agree with everything Glenn says or believes, I’ve been amazed and impressed with how curious he’s been about important issues that few others in the media give time and attention to. What’s more, he’s attracted millions of viewers to pay attention to such issues and weigh their validity and importance. I’m grateful that he’s given me time on his program to discuss Bible prophecy and a Biblical perspective on current events. Will others TV hosts do so in the future? Only time will tell.

At 10am eastern this morning, I’m scheduled to be on Glenn’s radio show to discuss the film. I hope you can take some time to listen in.

[Note: You have to be a subscriber to Glenn's website to watch the whole thing tonight. You can watch a trailer by clicking here.]

HEADLINES TO TRACK:

• Turkish Deputy PM Urges Alliance with Iran to Strengthen Global Peace
• At least 400 civilians killed in Syria revolt
• Syria Escalates Crackdown as Tanks Go to Restive City
• Stuxnet Has Completely Paralyzed Iran’s Bushehr Plant
• Blast Hits Egypt-Israel Gas Pipeline, Suspending Supplies, State Media Say

54% OF EGYPTIANS WANT PEACE TREATY WITH ISRAEL SCRAPPED

“More than half of all Egyptians would like to see the 1979 peace treaty with Israel annulled, according to results of a poll conducted by the U.S.-based Pew Research Center released Monday,” reports Haaretz. “According to the poll results, only 36 percent of Egyptians are in favor of maintaining the treaty, compared with 54 percent who would like to see it scrapped….The poll, based on interviews with 1,000 Egyptians around the country, was conducted between March 24 and April 7 as part of the Spring 2011 Pew Global. Attitudes survey that was conducted in 22 countries. The poll has a sampling error of plus or minus 4 percentage points. Opinions varied according to income, with 60 percent of lower income Egyptians supporting the treaty’s cancellation while only 45 percent of the wealthier classes thinking it should be done away with. Only 40 percent of Egyptians with a college education thought the treaty should be scrapped, as well.”

HEADLINES TO TRACK:

• Second computer worm ‘hits Iran’
• Panic in Egypt over Muslim Brotherhood’s call for Islamic rule
• PLO: Serious talks or unilateral declaration
• Abbas: Obama led me on – In unusually blunt remarks to Newsweek, Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas lashes out at US president over his handling of peace process with Israel, attitude to Egypt’s Mubarak
• Bloodshed continues in Syria — At least 39 said killed and dozens wounded by Syria troops in Daraa
• Iran’s Continuing Power Struggles