Peace not possible in a region that does not want it...

[salvation2011]

Ok, so the Palestinians will not recognize the state of Israel and the US is pushing to have Israel get along with a people that dont want to recognize the area as a legitimate state belonging to Israelis. I kind like what the mayor of Jerusalem said something like this .... you cannot make peace with someone who has other intentions/beliefs.

Why is the US trying so hard to create peace over there? Is it because US is largely Christian (or at least the president claims to be) and they are trying to bring about the end times?

If the land truly is Holy and is protected by God, then why are we people involving ourselves at all?

Any insights welcomed and I would also like to know what "Arab Spring" is. Thanks!

[salvation2011]

How serendipitous that there was a speech given by Obama just after I posted this! Maybe that was my answer:)

[Darias]

Peace will never be possible if no one believes it can be.

Peace will never be possible if the two sides can't stop hating each other or reach some sort of compromise.

If the above two conditions are met, then a lasting peace will be assured.

Unfortunately, not only do people not believe peace is possible, simply because of the "mess" that is the Palestinian-Israeli conflict -- others believe it isn't possible because of popular eschatological assumptions.

For example, I was raised in a Baptist family and almost all of my relatives believe that true peace won't be established until after the return of Jesus. And that a temporary peace will be established by the anti-Christ. Some in my family believe that Obama is the anti-Christ.

I just talked with one of my relatives recently and I mentioned that I would be taking a class at school on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict -- and the first thing they mentioned was Jacob and Esau and how they will always be fighting against each other...

My mom had John Hagee on TV today and he was also talking about the end and the "false peace" and the rest --- utter nonsense.

I don't understand how anyone can take vague Biblical passages which applied to a certain time and place in the past -- de-contextualize them, and place them in the modern world.

The Bible never talks about the State of Israel or the Palestinian State. Neither does it speak of the United States of America or any other modern country.

The fact is, when the state of Israel was established it took a lot of Palestinian land -- owned by native Palestinians.

Israel has the right to exist just as Palestine has a right to exist, beings that both countries have historical claim over the land.

Saying "God gave the land to the Jewish people" is not only racist in that it = "screw the Palestinians and the Muslims" but it's also has nothing at all to do with the State of Israel. This modern country has nothing to do with the ancient kingdom that once existed.

And it really frustrates me how so many people, after watching and reading "Left Behind" are so certain that there will be an anti-Christ in a business suit who deceives the world and makes a peace with Israel and Palestine -- it's absolutely ludicrous. The anti-Christ was a figure spoken of in Revelations which probably referred to Nero or Domitian. The mark of the beast was the coins they used. Greek names used the alphabet as numbers. Nero's was 666 and Domintian's was 616. Both numbers have been translated by Biblical scholars and this is why they believe that one of these two was the "beast" spoken of by the author of Revelation.

Lets leave the past in the past, and abandon the end-times Y2K/2012/da Vinci/Nostradamus paranoia -- and move on to a better future, where lives, freedom, self-determination, and human dignity aren't inhibited due to popular myths and poor Biblical interpretations.

[micatala]

“There will be no peace among the nations without peace among the religions. There will be no peace among the religions without dialogue among the religions.�

Quoted from http://www.isgodachristian.com/

[QuietMan1980]

The desire for peace between Israel and the Palestinians is noble, but I fear that for Israel to relinquish more land to the Palestinians will not create peace. In fact, history has proven that when Israel is willing to acquiesce to the requests (or demands) of the Palestinians, they are repaid with violence.

We must not forget that there are many prominent leaders in the Middle East who have been vocal in their desire to destroy Israel (and the people who live there). I imagine that these anti-Israel leaders and groups will only be encouraged and emboldened by Israel giving back the land acquired in 1967.

Israel has the military strength to defend itself against its immediate neighbors, but it is my belief that the U.S. should not pressure Israel to yield to international demands.

[salvation2011]

Peace will never be possible if no one believes it can be.

Peace will never be possible if the two sides can't stop hating each other or reach some sort of compromise.

If the above two conditions are met, then a lasting peace will be assured.

Unfortunately, not only do people not believe peace is possible, simply because of the "mess" that is the Palestinian-Israeli conflict -- others believe it isn't possible because of popular eschatological assumptions.

For example, I was raised in a Baptist family and almost all of my relatives believe that true peace won't be established until after the return of Jesus. And that a temporary peace will be established by the anti-Christ. Some in my family believe that Obama is the anti-Christ.

I just talked with one of my relatives recently and I mentioned that I would be taking a class at school on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict -- and the first thing they mentioned was Jacob and Esau and how they will always be fighting against each other...

My mom had John Hagee on TV today and he was also talking about the end and the "false peace" and the rest --- utter nonsense.

I don't understand how anyone can take vague Biblical passages which applied to a certain time and place in the past -- de-contextualize them, and place them in the modern world.

The Bible never talks about the State of Israel or the Palestinian State. Neither does it speak of the United States of America or any other modern country.

The fact is, when the state of Israel was established it took a lot of Palestinian land -- owned by native Palestinians.

Israel has the right to exist just as Palestine has a right to exist, beings that both countries have historical claim over the land.

Saying "God gave the land to the Jewish people" is not only racist in that it = "screw the Palestinians and the Muslims" but it's also has nothing at all to do with the State of Israel. This modern country has nothing to do with the ancient kingdom that once existed.

And it really frustrates me how so many people, after watching and reading "Left Behind" are so certain that there will be an anti-Christ in a business suit who deceives the world and makes a peace with Israel and Palestine -- it's absolutely ludicrous. The anti-Christ was a figure spoken of in Revelations which probably referred to Nero or Domitian. The mark of the beast was the coins they used. Greek names used the alphabet as numbers. Nero's was 666 and Domintian's was 616. Both numbers have been translated by Biblical scholars and this is why they believe that one of these two was the "beast" spoken of by the author of Revelation.

Lets leave the past in the past, and abandon the end-times Y2K/2012/da Vinci/Nostradamus paranoia -- and move on to a better future, where lives, freedom, self-determination, and human dignity aren't inhibited due to popular myths and poor Biblical interpretations.

You should have your family read (or reread) Jeremiah... as it references Rachel weeping for her lost children... on second thought maybe it would make them feel worse.

So, we both see something different from mainstream Christians written in Revelations, although what we see is different from one another as well. One thing in common is that much of Revelation has passed, whereas Christians believe it to be present and future relevant.

I 100% agree with why cant we just live and enjoy the beauty around us and be kind to one another... all that God has provided for.

So you agree with my hunch that its not possible to make these 2 peoples peaceful since at least one of them doesnt want it. Im hoping to read more responses with someone having another take on it as well. I wish we could just put up a big sign in bold letters... LET IT GO, MOVE ON WITH YOUR LIVES TOGETHER AND STOP CONTINUING HATE AND AGGRESSION. Its kinda like the Native Americans whom we white Americans swindled out of their land. IF that really happened to them, I am ashamed of those Americans who participated in that greedy and meanhearted activity.

Maybe Obama is the anti christ according to the Chrisitan books bc he is certainly trying to bring about a peaceful resolution... which would be a false peace....hmmmm.

[salvation2011]

The desire for peace between Israel and the Palestinians is noble, but I fear that for Israel to relinquish more land to the Palestinians will not create peace. In fact, history has proven that when Israel is willing to acquiesce to the requests (or demands) of the Palestinians, they are repaid with violence.

We must not forget that there are many prominent leaders in the Middle East who have been vocal in their desire to destroy Israel (and the people who live there). I imagine that these anti-Israel leaders and groups will only be encouraged and emboldened by Israel giving back the land acquired in 1967.

Israel has the military strength to defend itself against its immediate neighbors, but it is my belief that the U.S. should not pressure Israel to yield to international demands.

Very interesting worldly comment. From a worldly viewpoint, I totally agree. What has God said on the matter? I am reading that God did make a promise to Jeroboam... from Egypt if he could keep His commands and laws. Jeroboam did not... he sinned when he set up the 2 golden calfs. Then God did promise to judge all people by sending the sword (In Jeremiah, Isaiah, Ezekiel and Im just reading Daniel so Ill find out there) to those of the North and the fire to those South... the fire is a fire of rage that shall never be extinguished and both of these shall be used to cleanse God's chosen people. SO there are those who fall by the sword (Jesus announces himself as the sword and is promoted by Peter, Paul who lead many to worship a symbol of a man they call God... even if he was God, it was sin to worship a symbol and especially one with a dead man on it, not to mention the shedding of the innocent blood and defying the sabbath)... Jeremiah stated that we are all to drink of the cup of wrath, the wine, in his hand to become drunk and then in Revelations... when those grapes are ready, they will be harvested and trampled in God's winepress to be used in pouring out his glory/wrath on people. The ones who are filled with the fire of rage... now is this a positive rage or negative? Positive rage would be like Jesus overturning the tables in the temple when they were defiling the temple... negative rage is killing, terrorizing and torture. Once these are done, then God's remnant, the few that have not strayed from the sabbath and from God's law, will be left with a wonderful kingdom (beautiful land) with God's laws written on their hearts... no more temples.

Maybe instead of focusing on this land or these religions, we should focus on the guidelines of not needing buildings in which we "house" God, bc how can He be housed? Maybe we should focus on the commands which are restated throughout the bible... Remember God the creator, honor His sabbath, be righteous and just with others and to your parents, rescue him who is robbed from the defrauder, do not wrong the stranger, fatherless or widow, commit no lawless act, do not shed the blood of innocent.

Anyway, seems pretty easy to me but its not the way most people think... I think you are right that people wont let down their religion to talk about moving forward. Its not human nature. If the bible is true and are the words from God, then I hope Im left after all the upcoming troubles so that I can enjoy this wonderful new earth He will be creating.... God help us get there. There are still some good people left (even some who dont think they are good are, and some who think they are, are not...)