The Prophecy Letter is a circular letter that we send out relating to the development of latter-day prophecy.

October 2022

Israel’s Maritime Border Deal with Lebanon

TGP Prophecy Letter - October 26, 2022

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A possible deal between Israel and Lebanon has been a hot topic in Israel for the past few weeks. The deal is supposed to settle a maritime border dispute between the two nations (maritime border referring property lines in the sea). The debated waters are potentially home to large gas reserves, thus making it desirable to both countries. Both claim that it belongs to them, and Hezbollah has threatened military action if Israel were to begin retrieving this gas. Israel’s current Prime Minister Yair Lapid has pushed for the deal and “conceded the entire disputed zone” to Lebanon, though Israel will receive a small initial sum (The Jerusalem Post).

Why is this important? Lapid’s decision represents a definitive break from the status quo and has sparked harsh backlash from his political associates, for Israeli leaders have traditionally held onto every square inch of territory they could. The Jews, being in such constant danger from all around and within, understand that ceding territory to the enemy not only weakens Israel, but simultaneously emboldens the enemy. Yair Lapid, however, insists that this deal will bring peace.

Anyone familiar with previous Arab-Israeli “peace efforts” knows that this is simple not possible. The very nature of how this deal has been cultivated shows why. The same article cited above from The Jerusalem Post comments:

“Lebanon does not recognize Israel in the framework of the deal and did not negotiate directly; as such, each country’s delegation will be in a different room.”

Lebanon does not recognize the state of Israel as a legitimate state. Israel is “the enemy” and thus cannot be dealt with, yet this gas deal is supposed to somehow help peace. Much to the contrary, many are calling this a “historic surrender”, for it marks the first time that Israel will cede territory without the support of the Knesset (World Israel News).

We comment on this topic because it reminds us of a similar event that occurred in the early 2000s. In March of 2001, an Israeli veteran named Ariel Sharon took office as Prime Minister. A longtime favorite of the Jews for his ardent courage and valor in Israel’s previous wars, it was expected that he would display those same faithful attributes as a Prime Minister. From the 1970s and onward, he championed the construction of Israeli settlements in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank (Wikipedia). However, he changed his tune in 2004 and 2005, initiating the withdrawal of Israeli settlements from those regions in order to cede the territory to the Palestinians, all in the name of “peace”:

“Between 16 and 30 August 2005, Sharon controversially expelled 9,480 Jewish settlers from 21 settlements in Gaza and four settlements in the northern West Bank.”

Ariel Sharon, Wikipedia

To the average person, this may seem like an insignificant matter. However, this is no ordinary land that was being given away. It is “A land which the LORD thy God careth for: the eyes of the LORD thy God are always upon it, from the beginning of the year even unto the end of the year” (Deuteronomy 11:12). It is the Lord’s land, and He has given it to Israel for them to keep (Genesis 12:7). Just as He gave it to Israel when He brought them out of Egypt (Deuteronomy 26:9), so gave He it to the Jews of today whom He brought them “from all the nations, and from all the places” whither He had driven them (Jeremiah 29:14). The Lord is the true owner, and the Jews have no right to give it away or divide it for any reason. He even gave specific commandment concerning this:

Leviticus 25:23 – The land shall not be sold for ever: for the land is mine; for ye are strangers and sojourners with me.

Ariel Sharon, therefore, made a grave mistake in ceding territory to the Palestinians, and he suffered immediately for it. He initiated the withdrawal in 2004 and 2005 (The New York Times), and January 2006 witnessed him fall into a coma which lasted for eight years, ending in his death (The Independent).

This causes us to wonder as to Yair Lapid’s actions with the Lebanon deal. Do they commit the same violation as Ariel Sharon’s? Maybe, but maybe not. The question is, is maritime property considered part of Israel proper and therefore part of the land they were commanded never to part with? Is ceding sea-territory really giving away land? Perhaps not in the strictest sense, but the concept remains. The Prime Minister is making a deal with the enemy wherein he cedes property in the name of “peace”.

The deal is supposed to be signed tomorrow (Thursday, October 27), but a lot can happen in that time which could dismantle it (Arutz Sheva). If it does go through, we wonder what, if anything, might befall Yair Lapid for pursuing this venture. Perhaps it will be nothing, but it is worthy our attention.

One thing, however, is certain. No deal between Israel and her Arab neighbors will ever result in true peace. The Scriptures speak clearly as to when Jerusalem will finally achieve this:

Ezekiel 34:23-28 – And I will set up one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them, even my servant David; he shall feed them, and he shall be their shepherd.  (24)  And I the LORD will be their God, and my servant David a prince among them; I the LORD have spoken it.  (25)  And I will make with them a covenant of peace, and will cause the evil beasts to cease out of the land: and they shall dwell safely in the wilderness, and sleep in the woods.  (26)  And I will make them and the places round about my hill a blessing; and I will cause the shower to come down in his season; there shall be showers of blessing.  (27)  And the tree of the field shall yield her fruit, and the earth shall yield her increase, and they shall be safe in their land, and shall know that I am the LORD, when I have broken the bands of their yoke, and delivered them out of the hand of those that served themselves of them.  (28)  And they shall no more be a prey to the heathen, neither shall the beast of the land devour them; but they shall dwell safely, and none shall make them afraid.

Jerusalem’s peace is directly related to the literal presence of her King. “In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS” (Jeremiah 23:6). When Christ returns to sit upon the throne of David, then will Jerusalem dwell safely and peacefully, and it will not happen until that time. Thus, we ought to earnestly and joyfully accept the Psalmist’s wisdom-filled exhortation: “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem” (Psalm 122:6), for in doing so, we pray for our Master’s return! 

WATCH: Daniel 11-12:4 - Five Class Series

TGP Prophecy Letter - October 19, 2022

Daniel 10-12 is one of the most comprehensive, detailed prophetical revelations that the Lord has given to us. In this series of classes, we delve into the prophecy with an aim to discern its meaning and relevance for us in these last days. The topic offers great strength to our faith, for it is simply impossible to study this subject without concluding that "the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men (Daniel 4:17). The fact of His supreme control of world affairs is stamped boldly onto every verse and sustained by the records of history. This is particularly consoling for us in these troublous times we live in, for nothing is truly spinning out of control!

The classes below were given for the Richmond Chapel's evening class for the month of September. They are an abridged version of a more extensive class that we gave for our home ecclesia a year or so prior. To save time for the Richmond class, we did not cover some of the middle verses of Daniel 11. In the class, we explain why these particular verses are not discussed. 

Most of the classes are about an hour-long which includes comments and questions at the end. We recommend sticking around for these as our classmates pose some great questions and comments!

Side note: These are not posted to our YouTube channel, but to the Richmond Chapel's. They will, nevertheless. always be accessible on our website.