As I indicated in Prophecy Update Number 1, our first issued in 2001, “The beginnings of a pattern of military unity between Syria, Iran, and Iraq are now emerging in the Middle East.” In the year that has followed numerous meetings have occurred between the foreign ministers of all three.  Syria has illegally allowed Iraq to use her as a transporter of oil above the limits placed on Iraq by U.N. sanctions.  This is allowing Iraq, through this hidden source of oil revenue, to build back military might lost in Operation Desert Storm.  Iran and Iraq have conducted a series of meetings to reconcile the gulf that was created between them in their recent great war, a horror that produced death between them in the millions.  Prisoners have been exchanged for the first time, and they have both pledged to forget the past for the sake of Islamic union and purpose.  The Syrian and Iranian ministers at many levels have been meeting frequently in the last several months, and there seems to be a wave of ideas exchanged over many topics. 

Also, in the same update, I advised that some form of peace was likely to come by the year 2003 because of numerous closed door meetings which would occur between Arab nations.  These meetings have been, and are continuing to be, conducted on a wide spectrum, but especially between Lebanon, Syria, Iran, and Iraq.

And again, in the same update, I indicated that unless the Palestinians and Islamic nations called off the terrorist groups for a short period of time, the peace might not be a negotiated peace, but rather a “forced” peace imposed by Ariel Sharon. I have elaborated on this “forced” peace process in many of our updates for the past year.  The Palestinians and Islamic nations do not want a “forced” peace, so I believe this year or, at the latest, early next year, you will see them call off their terrorist units.  The terrorist groups will go along because of a promised Jihad at such time as the Islamic leaders are satisfied Israel has been lulled into a false sense of security.  At this time you will see a negotiated peace settlement by Israel with the Palestinians and Syria.  But, whether it is a “forced” or negotiated peace, I believe a false security will come with “peace and safety” before an Islamic Jihad occurs.

[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. [4] But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.

I believe a vicious blitzkrieg type of attack will be launched not to long after Israel feels secure in her new found peace.  I am persuaded it will happen before 2006, and will culminate with the final battle of Armageddon.

We closed Prophecy Update Number 52 with the antichrist on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, having just returned from his tour in Egypt.  He has returned to issue a call to all nations to come and assist him in a final attack against Israel in the Negev to forever end the Jewish “problem.”

[45] And he shall plant the tabernacles of his palace between the seas in the glorious holy mountain; yet he shall come to his end, and none shall help him.

The reason that “none shall help him” is very simple, it is because none CAN help him, as the first verse following in the 12^th Chapter validates.  He, and the mighty army he calls together, to come and destroy Israel (which has been militarily trapped in the Negev for three and one-half years), are both on the verge of being zapped by God.  When God’s wrath is poured out on them there is no power that can help antichrist, or his army.  The verse following Daniel 11:45, which is the last verse in Chapter 11, and, remembering the chapter divisions were supplied by the KJV translators, the next verse in a continuous narrative would be 12:1.

[1] And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. 

According to Ezekiel 38:19 to 39:2, five-sixths of the antichrist’s army will be destroyed by natural phenomena God unleashes on them.

[19] For in my jealousy and in the fire of my wrath have I spoken, Surely in that day there shall be a great shaking in the land of Israel; [20] So that the fishes of the sea, and the fowls of the heaven, and the beasts of the field, and all creeping things that creep upon the earth, and all the men that are upon the face of the earth, shall shake at my presence, and the mountains shall be thrown down, and the steep places shall fall, and every wall shall fall to the ground. [21] And I will call for a sword against him throughout all my mountains, saith the Lord God: every man's sword shall be against his brother. [22] And I will plead against him with pestilence and with blood; and I will rain upon him, and upon his bands, and upon the many people that are with him, an overflowing rain, and great hailstones, fire, and brimstone. [23] Thus will I magnify myself, and sanctify myself; and I will be known in the eyes of many nations, and they shall know that I am the Lord. [1] Therefore, thou son of man, prophesy against Gog, and say, Thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I am against thee, O Gog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal: [2] And I will turn thee back, and leave but the sixth part of thee, and will cause thee to come up from the north parts, and will bring thee upon the mountains of Israel:

This unleashing of God’s power is also mirrored by most of the Old Testament prophets in many places, and most emphatically by John when God’s wrath is poured out at Armageddon.

[16] And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon. [17] And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, It is done. [18] And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great. [19] And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath. [20] And every island fled away, and the mountains were not found. [21] And there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven, every stone about the weight of a talent: and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail; for the plague thereof was exceeding great.

And, as the battle of Armageddon is ended by the 2^nd Advent of Christ, the doom of the false prophet, antichrist, and his armies, is graphically described by John in Revelation.