Every 4 months Don writes a Milestones article for the BibleMagazine – in the following months we provide the article free of charge. here is the latest….

Bible Magazine Summer 2018 (Downloadable .pdf)

 27-06-18

Bible Magazine Summer 2018

As the night of Gentile domination comes closer to its end with the dawning of the new millennial day which will see the elevation of Israel as God’s righteous people, acknowledging the Lord Jesus as their Messiah, so the world political picture glows with greater clarity.

The times of the Gentiles will end with the greatest of earthquakes. The existing political ‘heavens and earth’ are to be removed to be replaced by God’s Son and a multitude of redeemed ones who will wrest control from the powers that be, to bring about the Kingdom of God on earth, long foretold by the prophets of old.

Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets. Amos 3:7

It is so exciting, yet sobering, to see so many of the prophetic pictures growing clearer as this time rapidly approaches. In a world of apparent time and chance, Bible watchers can discern the amazing power of God, to see into the future, so that the many pictures conveyed through the prophets will turn out all to be correctly foreseen. God’s angels have always worked down through the ages bringing to bear influences which will ensure that a particular leader will act as he does, thereby moving forward God’s purpose.

Sennacherib, King of Assyria was a prime example.

O Assyrian, the rod of mine anger, and the staff in their hand is mine indignation.

I will send him against an hypocritical nation, and against the people of my wrath will I give him a charge, to take the spoil, and to take the prey, and to tread them down like the mire of the streets.

Howbeit he meaneth not so, neither doth his heart think so; but it is in his heart to destroy and cut off nations not a few.

…

Wherefore it shall come to pass, that when the Lord hath performed his whole work upon mount Zion and on Jerusalem, I will punish the fruit of the stout heart of the king of Assyria, and the glory of his high looks.

For he saith, By the strength of my hand I have done it, and by my wisdom; for I am prudent: and I have removed the bounds of the people, and have robbed their treasures, and I have put down the inhabitants like a valiant man:

And my hand hath found as a nest the riches of the people: and as one gathereth eggs that are left, have I gathered all the earth; and there was none that moved the wing, or opened the mouth, or peeped.

Shall the axe boast itself against him that heweth therewith? or shall the saw magnify itself against him that shaketh it? as if the rod should shake itself against them that lift it up, or as if the staff should lift up itself, as if it were no wood. Isa 10:5-7,12-15

What the Prophets have Foretold

When we pull together all the pictures painted through the prophets the details are quite amazing.

• Nebuchadnezzar’s Image stands united in the latter days upon it iron/clay feet. Dan. 2
• Powers from the north with many companions unite to come against Israel, who have returned to their former land. Eze. 38
• The King of the North comes with many ships against Israel and Egypt. Dan. 11
• Israel dwelling securely and prosperously. Eze. 38
• Yet has neighbours who are pricking briers and grievous thorns. Eze. 28
• Israel having a friendly group supporting her – Sheba, Dedan, the Merchants of Tarshish and her young lions. Eze. 38
• A Dagon, Beast and False Prophet Powers Rev. 16
• A latter-day Tyre power reviving after a 70-year hiatus to become a world trading power, who ultimately will be used to serve the God of Israel. Isa. 23
• The reflourishing of the Babylon Tree after 2520 years. Dan. 4

Many more prophecies fill in the details.

So many of these pictures have appeared in deeper clarity in the past months and years, as one-by-one the angels ensure that the ambitions of men are directed to move forward God’s Purpose with Israel. The time of trouble such as never was before (Dan 12) is about to work it transforming power on Israel’s heart as they learn not to trust in their own arm, but God’s.

And it shall come to pass in that day, that the remnant of Israel, and such as are escaped of the house of Jacob, shall no more again stay upon him that smote them; but shall stay upon the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, in truth. Isa .10:20

This amazing prophecy which tells us of Israel putting her trust in the power that eventually smites her is a clear reference to her friendship with Russia! A remarkable fact, for Russia has long been anti-Semitic, but through the Divine outworking, the influence that one of the other three families who shared the same floor in the block of flats where young Mr Putin was brought up, had a permanent effect. A kind, religious, Jewish family in Soviet Russia extended their friendship to the young lad. He has never forgotten their kindness. Yet who was to know that this boy was the future president of Russia? Well, we can be sure the angels knew that! Also ensuring that a school teacher who had a strong influence upon him was also Jewish. Many years later when visiting Israel (she had emigrated there on retirement), he looked her up and bought her a flat as she was in difficult circumstances.

Sheba, and Dedan, and the Merchants of Tarshish, with all the Young Lions thereof

As always there is so much material to look at, but we want in this issue to concentrate on the Middle East and see how in so many ways the little verse in Ezekiel 38 is coming to pass.

Sheba, and Dedan, and the merchants of Tarshish, with all the young lions thereof, shall say unto thee, Art thou come to take a spoil? hast thou gathered thy company to take a prey? to carry away silver and gold, to take away cattle and goods, to take a great spoil? Eze 38:13

We dealt with the locations of the Biblical three Shebas and two Dedans (Gen. 10:8,28; 25:3) in the current Milestones 2017. To briefly summarise: The Hamitic Dedan moved to Bahrain and spread southwards along the Persian Gulf. The Hamitic Sheba moved to the area of Yemen today. Shem’s gt, gt, grandson Joktan gave his name to Jectan in Saudi Arabia. His 13 children were powerful, and his son Sheba took over the territory of the Hamitic Sheba in today’s Yemen. A powerful spice kingdom, they became spice traders. Much later we come to Abraham’s son by Keturah, Jokshan, whose sons were Sheba and Dedan. It would appear that this Sheba was drawn to his relatives in the Yemen area! Dedan lived in northern Saudi Arabia. Excavations at Al Ula confirm that this was ancient Dedan. Ezekiel 25:13 also confirms that it was close to Teman.

Sheba and Dedan point us to the Arab nations living in the Gulf region, foremost being Saudi Arabia. Interestingly they are Sunni Moslems as opposed to the Shiites of Iran and Iraq. The picture in Ezekiel 38 clearly points to this group of nations being opposed to Gog’s invasion of Israel. True they are powerless to make more than a protest, yet how remarkable is this picture of Arab nations supporting Israel! It would seem preposterous 20, 30 years ago, yet how the situation has changed, and this is indeed the reality.

Yemen—TIme for Change

As this update was being prepared, there seems to be a move in the situation in Yemen. This is Sheba territory, but it has been partially under the control of the Houthi rebels who are backed by Iran. They have been firing Iranian missiles from their bases in Yemen into the Saudi capital Riyadh. There has been a Saudi backed effort to drive the rebel out, but this battle has been raging for over 3 years, with small success. A change of tactic was signalled when Saudi and Abu Dhabi formed a new Council.

New Saudi-UAE Pact Backed by US Launches Hudaydah Offensive

Two oil-rich Gulf Arab rulers, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed al Nahyan, quietly made history on June 6, when they forged a new pact in Jeddah, cheered on by the Trump administration. The first practical outcome of their new pact, dubbed the Saudi-Emirati Coordination Council, came about on June 13 when they launched a major offensive to wrest the important Yemen port of Hudaydah from Houthi rebels. Their new pact has broad ramifications which transcend the Yemen war. In a trice, it reduced the traditional Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) to insignificance. Debka 15-Jun-18

At the time of writing the Saudi-led forces have seized control of the airport, but driving the Houthi out of the port area is proving very difficult. If they succeed, then this will cut off their main supply route and hopefully bring them to the negotiating table. The humanitarian crisis is extreme, but aid ships are being unloaded even as the battle for the port rages. If the Saudis can gain control, then this will make aid distribution much easier.

Jordan—a Quiet Affair

Israel’s PM, Mr Netanyahu made a secret visit to Jordan to patch up relations following two deaths last year at a shooting at the Israel Embassy in Jordan.

Israel handles its relations with the Arab world in the shadows, like a forbidden romance.

On Monday, King Abdullah of Jordan hosted Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Amman. The meeting included many participants. Abdullah and Netanyahu addressed several issues and even signed a general agreement of some kind.

Nevertheless, the Jordan royal house did not publicize the event. Unusually, the official photographer did not post any pictures on Facebook. Even the Jordanian press release characterized the meeting as a negative thing that had to be completed as quickly as possible, stating: “Prime Minister Netanyahu left Jordan after a short visit.”

“Short” is apparently a relative term. The meeting included discussions of matters existential to Jordan and very important to Israel. Mossad head Yossi Cohen, Netanyahu’s economic adviser Avi Simhon, military attaché Brig. Gen. Eliezer Toledano, and other advisers were part of the prime minister’s team. Cohen’s Jordanian counterpart, Adnan Jundi, was also there, as was Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, and many others of the king’s advisers. When a group like this meets, it is obvious that they are talking business, not merely making conversation.

The two leaders discussed Syrian President Bashar Assad’s likely return to the Syrian Golan Heights, a development that could send another wave of refugees into Jordan and the Golan – to Israel’s dismay – into the hands of Iranian militias. Abdullah and Netanyahu coordinated on the “deal of the century,” which advisers to U.S. President Donald Trump are once again here to promote. They agreed that Jordan would retain its position of responsibility for the Temple Mount. If the king is a “mentsch” (a good guy), and people say he is, he would also have thanked Netanyahu for Israel’s special help recently on a matter that is still under a censorship blackout.

Jordan is mired in a deep economic crisis. The two leaders agreed that Israel would lift a few restraints that have made it difficult for Jordan to sell produce in Judea and Samaria. This is not the only recent contribution to Jordan’s economy, either: Two weeks ago, Saudi Arabia announced it would provide $2 billion in aid to the Jordanians. Rumor has it that Israel had a hand in that deal.

It is clear that after a brief attempt to move closer to the Syrian-Iranian axis, Abdullah has come back to the Sunni side these past few weeks. Israel has a common denominator with Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the Gulf states, all staunch opponents of Iran. These are the deep currents flowing underneath the first meeting between the two leaders in four years.

But very little can be said about everything that went on behind the scenes. That’s how it is when lovers meet in secret. israelhayom.com 22-Jun-18

Bahrain Will Be First Gulf State to Form Ties With Israel’

This was an off-the-record statement by a Bahrainian (ancient Dedan) Minister that they would soon be recognising officially the State of Israel!

On the verge of a breakthrough? Israel and Bahrain appear to be getting closer than ever.

Ahead of an extraordinary official visit by an Israeli delegation to Bahrain later this month, an official from the Kingdom told i24NEWS that Bahrain will be the Gulf state to establish diplomatic relations with Israel.

“Bahrain does not view Israel as an Enemy.”

The wealthy Gulf monarchy shares with Israel a deep resentment towards Iran. i24News 20-Jun-18

Reports: Israel-Saudi Strategic Axis Taking Shape

Israel and Saudi Arabia have moved to tighten military and security cooperation in an effort to counter Iran’s expanding presence in the Middle East.

In November, IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot, in an interview with the Saudi news site Elaph, said “I participated in a meeting of chiefs of staff in Washington and when I heard what the Saudi representative said, I found that he fully matched what I think about Iran and the need to deal with it in the region and the need to stop its expansion program.” “There is an opportunity with President Trump to form a new international coalition in the region, a large and comprehensive strategic plan must be implemented to stop the Iranian threat.”

Eisenkot also said Israel “is ready to share information if necessary,” with the Saudis “and there are many common interests we have in common with them.”

Several reports also noted that Israeli and Saudi officials have held face-to-face meetings, though neither side disclosed the topics discussed. Geostrategy Direct 09-Jan-18

As we reported in the last issue, Israeli leaders met with Saudi officials during a March visit to Egypt by Crown Prince bin Salman, who was on his way to the UK.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met with senior Israeli officials during his visit to Egypt this week.

The report said the meeting focused on the normalization of ties between Israel and Saudi Arabia and included Saudi Arabia’s commitment to the “deal of the century,” the Middle East peace plan being devised by U.S. President Donald Trump and his administration.

Within that framework, Israel would take part in the unprecedented real estate venture [NEOM] being sponsored by the Saudis in the Gulf of Aqaba. Israel Hayom 07-Mar-18

Driving Force for Regional Change

Sunday marked the first time women in Saudi Arabia were officially allowed to drive. The decision was taken by Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman, often called MBS, as part of his move to bring parts of Saudi society up to date with the modern world.

The ripples from these changes can be felt far from Riyadh. It is no secret that Israel and the Saudis, faced by the common enemy of the Shi’ite Islamic Republic of Iran, are increasingly seen as being on the same side. Apart from the nuclear specter, Saudi Arabia has suffered from Iranian-sponsored rocket attacks from Yemen. There is obviously more contact between the Jewish state and the Sunni kingdom, albeit not in the open. Although Israelis cannot travel to Saudi Arabia, the inauguration in March of direct Air India flights to Israel through Saudi airspace should not be underestimated in showing improved Israeli-Saudi relations.

The ramifications for the latest Israel-Palestinian peace plans also need to be considered, especially in light of the visit this week by Jason Greenblatt and Jared Kushner on behalf of US President Donald Trump, who is keen to make the “Deal of the Century.” Saudi Arabia can put pressure on the Palestinians and the kingdom is currently more concerned with the Iranian threat and aggrandizement than it is with Palestinian posturing.

MBS’s modernization measures therefore, even if limited, could be a driving force for regional change. Jerusalem Post 25-Jun-18

The Merchants of Tarshish Trading in the Middle East

We have long seen Britain in the role of the latter-day Tarshish power; a trading nation working in the Middle East and with Israel. With Brexit rapidly approaching, Britain is building up her links with this region. It was significant that Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman’s first major trip was to Britain. The ties between the two countries go back a long way and both are monarchies. Britain has many skills that he needs for his ambitious NEOM project. Trade between the two countries is growing and both sides are looking to expand it much further.

With its ambitious “Vision 2030” development plans, the UK government sees Saudi Arabia as an increasingly significant potential consumer of British goods and services. It also sees it as a potential investor, as Britain prepares to leave the EU. In 2016, bilateral trade in goods and services with Saudi Arabia were worth nearly £9bn, and some 30,000 Brits live and work in Saudi Arabia. After the visit of MBS to London in March 2018 a joint communique agreed “public procurement with UK companies in Vision 2030 priority areas, including: education, training and skills; financial and investment services; culture and entertainment; healthcare services and life sciences; technology and renewable energy; and the defence industry.” BICOM (Britain Israel Communication & Research Centre) 15-Jun-18

Gulf Base Assures Britain a Key Naval Presence Following Brexit

Britain has made good on her promise to rebuild her military ties with the Middle East. “East of Suez” re-entered the military vocabulary. With the official opening this April of a new naval base in Bahrain—ancient Dedan—Britain has re-established a naval presence in the region.

Britain’s ability to maintain a global military presence post-Brexit has been greatly enhanced by the opening of the Royal Navy’s permanent base in the Gulf, according to one of the UK’s most senior officers.

At a time when Iran continues to pose a serious threat to the security of the oil-rich Gulf region, the HMS Juffair base at the Bahraini port of Mina Salman will enable Britain to play its part in keeping the region’s vital sea lanes open.

The £40 million base – paid for mainly by the Bahraini government – will allow the Navy to maintain a permanent presence in the region, without having to return warships to Britain every six months for routine maintenance.

The base can also be used by other British forces, such as the Army and Special Forces, to conduct operations throughout the region, including in Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria.

Gen Sir Christopher Deverell, the commander of Britain’s Joint Forces Command, said the official opening of the base yesterday, where the Duke of York was the guest of honour, was an important step towards the development of “a global Britain”.

He said the establishment of Britain’s first permanent military base in the Gulf since the early Seventies would allow the UK to play an increased role in regional security. Daily Telegraph 07-Apr-18

The Merchants of Tarshish co-operating with Israel

As I write, Price William has landed in Israel to mark the first official visit since the State of Israel was established 70 years ago! He had spent the previous day visiting Jordan and is due to visit Ramallah. Why now, after 70 years of not visiting Israel? Britain had strong interests in Arab countries in the past and was loathe to cause upset. With the changed situation in the Middle East’s relationship with Israel, this no longer applies, Israel is no longer seen as the great enemy, but as a friend to cultivate, driven by the Arab saying, ‘mine enemy’s enemy is my friend’! Who would have thought that Iran’s aggression would have brought Jews and Arabs together?

Also, under Conservative governments there has been a much greater friendliness to Israel, Mrs May is particularly liked by Israel.

Over the past several years, the close but often complicated relations between Israel and the United Kingdom have grown much closer. Experts point to rising trade figures, stronger economic ties, increasingly transparent military cooperation and even the hope of a creeping shift in Britain’s voting patterns in international institutions. Among the factors contributing to the new trends, according to experts, are Britain’s planned withdrawal from the European Union, the shift in international focus in the Middle East from the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to the global war on terror, and the return to power of the Conservative Party, considered friendlier to Israel than the Labour Party. Haaretz 03-Jun-18

The visit to Haifa last November of the HMS Ocean was a further step in the UK’s changing attitude. In July 2017 there had been a 3-day joint sea search and rescue exercise between the IAF helicopter squadron and the Royal Navy squadron based in Cyprus.

Prince William Hails Israel-UK Ties “Which Have Never Been Stronger”

Ending a full day in Israel, the Duke of Cambridge, speaking at a reception in the British ambassador’s residence, praised UK-Israel cooperation “in the economy, in science and in security … two open societies that thrive on innovation, diversity, talent and excellence.” Debka 26-Jun-18

In recent years Britain has made Israel a key market—there is a lot of synergy between the two countries. Israel is very good at developing ground breaking ideas, Britain is very good at turning ideas into a marketable product. This used to be America’s exclusive field, but with changed relations under President Obama, many Israelis saw that Britain had advantages. It was a much shorter flight to visit and time-zone-wise only 2 hours difference, instead of California’s Silicon Valley being 10 hours behind. It also gave them easy access to the EU markets.

UK Israel Tech Hub Celebrates 175 Partnerships, 54 Deals

The UK Israel Tech Hub was set up in by the UK government in October 2011 to bring together British and Israeli companies to develop technological innovation and business growth. It is based in the UK Embassy in Tel Aviv. According to its Impact Report, just published, it has led to 175 tech partnerships and 54 deals worth a cumulative £85 million.

The hub enables British companies to access Israel’s world-leading innovations in areas including artificial intelligence, chatbots, blockchain and Internet of Things and in projects such as smart cities and smart industries. At the same time, the hub has helped Israeli companies go global.

The potential UK economic impact of the UK-Israel innovation partnerships established through the hub since 2011 is £800 million, according to the June 2018 report.

The hub focuses on sectors such as retail, insure-tech, cyber, healthcare, mobility, smart cities, ed-tech, and Arab-led technology.

More than 150 UK companies and 490 Israeli companies engaged in hub activities during 2016-2017.

“We are pleased to see more and more UK companies tackling their innovation challenges and creating long term partnerships meant to incorporate Israeli innovation into their businesses and create sustainable value for them,” said Ayelet Mavor, director of the UK Israel Tech Hub. “RBS, HSBC as well as organizations such as the NHS are paving the way for their UK peers to work with innovators and create real win-win partnerships.” Israel21c 25-Jun-18

Brexit Spurs UK to seek Trade Agreement with Israel

Trade has been steadily increasing between the two countries, but Brexit has moved it up a gear.

In a move that Foreign Ministry officials say, “cannot be taken for granted,” the United Kingdom included Israel as one of 10 countries with which it seeks to sign new bilateral free trade agreements. A joint working group has already been established toward that end. Britain must take a strategic view of the region ahead of Brexit, and Israel has been tagged as one of the preferred countries in the first phase, Israeli foreign policy officials told Haaretz last week. “Despite Israel’s small economic size, in global terms, they also looked at the contribution to the European research and development program and the field of innovation,” one official said.

According to the British Embassy in Israel, bilateral trade of goods reached a record $9.1 billion in 2017 (up from $7.2 billion in 2016). For trade in services, the latest figures available are from 2015 – $1.6 billion. Britain is the second largest market for Israeli exports, after the United States.

Since the 2016 Brexit referendum, there have been signs of increased Israeli business interest in Britain: In the 12 months following the referendum (June 2016 to June 2017), 32 Israeli companies set up shop in the United Kingdom, compared with 25 companies between June 2015 and June 2016. Between July 2017 and March 2018, an additional 20 or so Israeli companies established bases in Britain.

In the year after the referendum, Israeli investment in the United Kingdom rose to 154 million pounds sterling ($205.5 million), from 114 million pounds, an increase of 33 percent. By March of this year, Israeli foreign direct investment since the referendum amounted to 400 million pounds. In addition, Israeli investors have injected over 400 million pounds into infrastructure projects in Britain in the past four years.

In the last two years, a growing number of high-tech partnerships were established, including a program incorporating Israeli digital health technology into Britain’s National Health Service. Last year a project was launched, with an initial budget of 5 million pounds, for joint research into medical conditions affecting the elderly and technologies and precision medicine for older populations. Haaretz 03-Jun-18

“And all their young lions” NKJV

This is a phrase in Ezekiel 38:13 that is a puzzle to commentators. By rightly understanding who the Merchants of Tarshish are, we see what a wonderful phrase it is and so apt! Britain has a Commonwealth of countries, many of them former possessions, who are now independent, but look to Britain as the “mother country”. Hence the cartoonists picture of Britain as an old lion, surrounded by her young lions. Although Britain is regarded as one country, the United Kingdom is just that, four countries, England Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland united as one. All merchant, trading countries, hence the Merchants of Tarshish. The Young Lions are spread around the globe, the foremost of whom are the United States, Australia, Canada, India and New Zealand. Countries which are friendly to Israel and trade with the Sheba-Dedan countries. A quite remarkable grouping of nations. No other power matches these maritime, trading countries. As we saw in the last update, this year was the occasion of the 4-yearly Commonwealth Games, which were held in April in Australia; in 2022 they are due to be held in Birmingham in the UK.

Every four years the Commonwealth Heads of Government meet to exchange ideas and boost their trade with fellow members. This year it was held in London 16-20^th April and attended by the leaders of the 53 member countries, the biggest such meeting held in the UK. This year’s theme was “Towards a Common Future”.

One of the important decisions was the agreement that Prince Charles would succeed the Queen in due course as Head of the Commonwealth. The Queen has done a wonderful job of holding the Commonwealth together. In preparation, I believe, for Brexit when Britain’s trade will inevitably shift from Europe to a global reach. The Prime Minster May, paid tribute to the Queen’s role in her opening speech.

Finally, on behalf of all of you assembled here in Buckingham Palace, I want to offer my heartfelt thanks to Your Majesty, Head of the Commonwealth.

This week you have opened your homes to us – here in London and in Windsor. Over many years you have been the Commonwealth’s most steadfast and fervent champion.

You have been true to the deepest values of the Commonwealth – that the voice of the smallest member country is worth precisely as much as that of the largest; that the wealthiest and the most vulnerable stand shoulder to shoulder.

You have seen us through some of our most serious challenges.

And we commit to sustaining this Commonwealth, which you have so carefully nurtured.

For your service, for your dedication, for your constancy – we thank you. Gov.uk 19-Mar-18

The Foremost Young Lion’s Links to Britain and Israel

The United States was the first of the Empire nations to gain her independence, in 1776, long before the others gained theirs between 1901 (Australia) to 1984 (Brunei). Although not a member of the Commonwealth, she is the oldest of the young lions. Interestingly there are moves to invite her to join the Commonwealth, and in anticipation of this, the Royal Commonwealth Society opened a branch in Mississippi in September 2017.

Explaining the decision to create a US branch, a spokesman for the Royal Commonwealth Society played up the countries’ shared values.

“The fraternal links between the UK and the USA are strong and well-established, beyond our language, common legal systems and common interests,” the spokesman said.

“In a similar vein the US has natural connections based on language, culture, commerce and security, with a breadth of Commonwealth countries.

“The establishment of a Branch of the RCS in the US will serve to strengthen these links to mutual advantage.” Daily Telegraph 16-Sep-17

Mr. Trump’s mother, Mary Anne MacLeod was born in the Scottish island of Lewis in the Hebrides and emigrated to the US in 1930 aged 18 to seek her fortune. She married Fredrick Trump, a successful property developer and a very eligible New Yorker.

Mr. Trump is due to make a 3-day visit to the UK on July 13^th following his visit to a NATO meeting in Brussels on July 11 and 12. He is due to meet the Queen at Winsor Castle and the Prime Minister at Chequers.

Britain is hoping to be able to sign an advantageous post-Brexit trade deal with the US. At the moment Britain has been hit with the tariffs that Mr Trump has imposed on Europe and China in his ongoing “trade wars”. Outside the EU, Britain would be able to negotiate for an exemption.

Mr Trump has expressed his view that he is “a big fan of the UK”. However, the Labour Party has signalled its opposition to Mr Trump and has promised demonstrations to coincide with his visit, which is being planned to avoid London.

Mr Trump is a strong supporter of Israel in contrast to his predecessor. His UN Ambassador Nikki Haley has consistently supported Israel in the UN meetings and chided the constant seeking to find fault with Israel. Following his declaration last December, that he would move the US Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, this was carried out on 14th May 2018 to mark Israel’s 70^th anniversary celebrations. It is temporarily being housed in the US Consulate, though there are plans to erect a new building nearby. The square outside has been renamed United States Square.

Two hundred and fifty Americans attended the ceremony. Mr Trump, who dislikes flying, sent his daughter, Ivanka, to unveil the new embassy plaque. Although the legislation to move the embassy was passed by Congress in 1995 and signed by President Bill Clinton, for nearly 23 years the decision has been postponed by the US President signing a 6-month waiver. As Mr Trump acknowledged in a video message, the opening had been “a long time coming.”

“Today, Jerusalem is the seat of Israel’s government, it is the home of the Israeli legislature and the Israeli Supreme Court, and Israel’s prime minister and president”

“Israel is a sovereign nation with the right, like every other sovereign nation, to determine its own capital. Yet for many years we failed to acknowledge the obvious. The plain reality that Jerusalem is Israel’s capital”. Ynet News 14-May-18

Mr Netanyahu thanked Mr Trump for carrying out the move.

“What a glorious day for Israel. Remember this moment. This is history. President Trump, by recognizing history you have made history. All of us are deeply moved, all of us are deeply grateful.”

“This is a great day. A great day for Jerusalem. A great day for the State of Israel. A day that will be engraved in our national memory for generations.” Ynet News 14-May-18

Trump Backs Israel Over Iran in Syria

President Trump is backing Israel’s drive to push Iran out of Syria. Even Russia is beginning to see that Iran’s presence in Syria will make it much harder for Russia to consolidate her gains. Mr. Netanyahu was invited to watch the annual Victory Day Parade in Moscow this year and used the opportunity to urge Mr Putin, not to support Iran’s desire to build an arc of influence stretching to the Mediterranean. Israel has been active in destroying Iran bases and weapons deliveries in Syria, without opposition from Russian forces.

Now President Trump is putting his weight behind Israel. American forces operating in Syria are being used to withstand Iranian advancement.

President Trump is Contemplating Upgrading Israel’s Military Status

Raising Israel from “major non-NATO ally” to member of the Partnership for Interoperability Initiative, as the sixth member of this exclusive club, alongside Australia, Finland, Georgia, Jordan and Sweden. Israel’s clearance for shared intelligence will be comparable to that of Australia, the UK and New Zealand.

The US Mediterranean fleet will establish a permanent presence in the Israeli ports of Haifa and Ashdod, instead of occasional visits. US Navy aircraft carriers and Aegis destroyers will be berthed there. The Lockheed Martin Aegis Combat System is an integrated naval weapons system developed by the Missile and Surface Radar Division. It uses powerful computer and radar technology to track and guide weapons for destroying enemy targets. Aegis is now part of NATO’s European missile defense system.

In 2017, the US established its first official, permanent military base in Israel. Stationed atop Mt. Keren deep in the southern Negev desert, it is administered by the US military’s European Command and includes barracks, offices and support services. Its mission is to monitor Iranian airspace 1,000 miles to the northeast for any sign of a missile launch. The THAAD radar atop Mt. Keren is the most advanced mobile radar array in use today. Debka 08-Jun-18,

In addition to supplying the IDF with more sophisticated weapons, he is strengthening the US presence in Israel.

The US will top up its own war reserve stock of weapons and ammo at the Negev base. This reserve pre-positions supplies of war materiel ready for use if needed for war. It includes a Strategic Petroleum Reserve in case of need.

All in all, the Trump administration is providing Israel and its armed forces with the military resources for preparing for war of a quality and quantity far in excess of those possessed by NATO’s members. ibid

What an incredible picture is unfolding, in line with what the prophets recorded from God, millennia ago. Who can doubt that Israel’s God is the True and only God. How wonderful that through the pages of the Bible we have come to trust in Him and are assured that every tiny detail will be fulfilled. As we see Britain re-aligning herself away from Europe and focusing on the Middle East and the rest of the world, we can be quietly confident that our Master is at the door. Soon he will be back to bring all nations into submission to his rule and establish peace and righteousness from Jerusalem to the end of the earth. In that day God’s name will be praised by all and no longer used in blasphemy by godless tongues.

Tell ye, and bring them near; yea, let them take counsel together: who hath declared this from ancient time? who hath told it from that time? have not I the LORD? and there is no God else beside me; a just God and a Saviour; there is none beside me.

Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.

I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear.

Surely, shall one say, in the LORD have I righteousness and strength: even to him shall men come; and all that are incensed against him shall be ashamed.

In the LORD shall all the seed of Israel be justified, and shall glory. Isa. 45:21-25

Let us hold fast to the certainty of the Truth in these closing days of the Gentiles. The Lord is about to come to his household!

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