The Quartet remains committed to peace and safety

by Michael G. Mickey

(9-22-06)

1st Thessalonians 5:3: For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.

In Bible prophecy, particularly Daniel 9:26-27, we're told that a prince (or leader) of Roman descent is going to confirm (or make strong) a covenant of peace in the Middle East seven years in length "with many." The leader in this prophetic passage of Scripture is the prophesied Antichrist and the "sudden destruction" which we're told will come when the celebratory cries of "peace and safety" begin to be lifted, as seen in 1st Thessalonians 5:3, is the prophesied seven-year Tribulation Period.

On many occasions, I've made note of Middle East peacemaking diplomats using the phrase "peace and security" to describe the end goal of the creation of a nation to be called Palestine on lands exclusively given to the children of Israel by Almighty God to be an everlasting possession, as described in Genesis 17:7-8.

One definition of safety (asphaleia {as-fal'-i-ah}in the original Greek), as used in 1st Thessalonians 5:3 is: security from enemies and dangers. As such, we can state with certainty that the phrase "peace and safety" is synonymous with the phrase "peace and security", which brings us to the heart of today's commentary.

On September 20, 2006 the Quartet of Russia, the United States, the European Union and the United Nations issued the following statement (text color change for emphasis mine):

STATEMENT OF THE QUARTET New York, 20 September 2006 Quartet principals – United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Finnish Foreign Minister Erkki Tuomioja, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, High Representative for European Foreign and Security Policy Javier Solana, and European Commissioner for External Relations Benita Ferrero-Waldner – met today in New York to discuss developments in the Middle East since their last meeting May 9. Taking stock of recent developments in the region, the Quartet stressed the urgent need to make progress towards a just, lasting and comprehensive peace in the Middle East. The Quartet expressed its concern at the grave crisis in Gaza and the continued stalemate between Israel and the Palestinians. The Quartet welcomed the efforts of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to form a government of national unity, in the hope that the platform of such a government would reflect Quartet principles and allow for early engagement. The Quartet underlined the urgent need for the parties to implement fully all aspects of the Agreement on Movement and Access. Accordingly, Rafah and all other passages should remain open consistent with relevant agreements. The Quartet encouraged greater donor support to meet the needs of the Palestinian people, with a particular emphasis on security sector reform, reconstruction of damaged infrastructure, and economic development. The Quartet commended the efforts of the World Bank and the European Union to facilitate needs-based assistance directly to the Palestinian people via the Temporary International Mechanism endorsed by the Quartet on June 17. Mindful of the continuing needs of the Palestinian people, the Quartet endorsed the continuation and expansion of the Temporary International Mechanism for a three month period, and agreed to again review the need for such a mechanism at the end of that period. The Quartet noted that the resumption of transfers of tax and customs revenues collected by Israel on behalf of the Palestinian Authority would have a significant impact on the Palestinian economy. The Quartet encouraged Israel and the Palestinian Authority to consider resumption of such transfers via the Temporary International Mechanism to improve the economic and humanitarian conditions in the West Bank and Gaza. The Quartet welcomed the initiative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations to request Mr. James D. Wolfensohn to report on the situation on the ground. The Quartet reaffirmed its commitment to the roadmap as the means to realize the goal of two democratic states – Israel and Palestine – living side by side in peace and security. The Quartet stressed the need for a credible political process in order to make progress towards a two-state solution through dialogue and parallel implementation of obligations. In this context, the Quartet welcomed the prospect of a meeting between Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and President Mahmoud Abbas in the near future. The Quartet agreed to meet on a regular basis in the coming period at both the Principals and Envoys level, including with the parties and other regional partners to monitor developments and actions taken by the parties and to discuss the way ahead.

Israel and Palestine - living side by side in peace and safety.

Brothers and sisters in Christ, I've said it before and I'll say it again. Day by day, we're getting closer and closer to the advent of Antichrist and the Rapture of the Church which will precede it. The return of Jesus Christ for His Church may very well be right around the prophetic corner so keep your lamps all trimmed and burning, saints of God. Our redemption draweth nigh!

It has been brought to my attention that some who hold a different view of the timing of the Rapture than I do thought it arrogant and prideful of me that I would state, as I did in my commentary entitled "Is Javier Solana the Antichrist?", that I have no intention of surrendering my faith in the Pre-Tribulation Rapture today, tomorrow or ever.

In response to that very public allegation, which is quite delusive I might add, I would point out the fact that my statement made wasn't prideful; it was and is an affirmation of my faith in the Pre-Tribulation Rapture which is Scripturally-supported in the Word of God! If one doesn't have enough faith in a doctrinal position they're personally taking to stand firmly in that faith, they had no business taking a position in the first place!

Throughout the Bible, faith (and that is the precise word I used to justify the fact that I wouldn't be altering my position on the timing of the Rapture) is an admired quality. However, in the eyes of some who wish to bring harm to my reputation merely because they're obsessed with Javier Solana's potential to become the prophesied Antichrist - a topic which I knew was going to draw some heat against me from a certain segment of the eschatological community before I ever wrote on the matter - it's a sign of a negative quality for a Christian to have. Is faith, in a Scripturally-supported doctrinal belief no less, no longer a fruit of the Spirit, as seen in Galatians 5:22?

Regardless of one's opinion on the timing of the Rapture, I think the mounting evidence indicative that Christ's return is nearing requires that every Christian put on the armor of the Word of God, one piece of which is the breastplate of faith and love (1st Thessalonians 5:3). Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God! (Romans 10:17)

As apostasy runs rampant in many of our churches today, Christians - ALL Christians - need to get a firm handle on what it is they believe and be prepared to take a stand for the Most High God as there is little to no doubt that every Christian is going to be forced to take a stand, potentially at a very high cost in some instances, if Jesus Christ doesn't come soon for His Church.

Faith. It's not a bad thing, brothers and sisters in Christ; it's a good thing! If there's anything concerning faith I'm openly prideful about, it's that I have quite a bit of it. I hope all of you do as well - faith that's strong enough to be as bold as lions!

Lastly, the shield of faith, we're told in Ephesians 6:16, is what we must use to to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked - and there are a lot of them zooming through the air right now on the battleground of my life, which I know, based on the numerous e-mails I receive from people around the world, is the case in the lives of many of God's children today. The Church is presently in a spiritual battle of epic proportions based on what I'm hearing! The good news, Church, is help is on the way! Jesus Christ is coming soon!