On September 11, 2001, President Bush declared war on international terrorism. A coalition of nations have since joined him in this major undertaking.

Presently the focus is on Afghanistan and Osama Bin Laden, and rightfully so. The military action against the Afghan terrorist factions has progressed much more rapidly than originally expected. I am persuaded that the prayers of God-fearing Americans have played a major role in the success of our forces thus far. Do not stop praying for our President and the success of our military operation.

We should pray for and expect the capture of Bin Laden and his extremists. However, we must not overlook praying for the salvation of these people. Regardless of their crime, ungodliness or evil character, Jesus went to the cross and paid for their salvation.

Notice the effect the declaration of war on terrorism is having on the world’s leaders, and their relationships with George W. Bush. It is evident that President Bush is having an excellent relationship with Tony Blair, the British Prime Minister. The last genuine relationship between a U.S. President and a British Prime Minister was between Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher.

Vladimir Putin, President of Russia, also has a better relationship with our President than any other Russian leader since Gorbachev’s relationship with Ronald Reagan. It is amazing how God causes people and events to come together when, within His timetable, a PROPHECY MUST BE FULFILLED. International terrorism must be struck a deathblow! Here’s why!

THE MID-EAST AND ISRAEL…

As you know, an intense effort to achieve peace between Israel and the Arabs has been underway for the past 28 years. Following the Yom Kippur War of 1973, our nation, through then Secretary of State Henry Kissinger and President Rich-ard Nixon, began an earnest diplomatic effort. That effort has been carried on by succeeding administrations, until the Clinton administration, when the peace process lost ground.

WHAT PREVENTED PEACE FROM COMING TO THE MIDDLE EAST? The answer is simple: TERRORISM! George W. Bush is the first world leader with sufficient inner fortitude to step up and declare war on terrorism. His leadership has encouraged other national leaders like President Chirac of France to join the war. Terrorism is worldwide, but it can be brought down. Here is a short list of the terrorist organizations in the Middle East:

• Hamas and Islamic Jihad - operating out of Gaza
• Hezbollah - operating from Lebanon
• The Fatah - operating in Israel; chief officer Yasser Arafat

The declared war on terrorism is not only against the organizations themselves but the nations that aid and harbor them. The list of nations includes Iraq, Iran, Syria, Lybia, Saudi Arabia and Yemen. It appears that once the terrorist faction and Bin Laden have been removed from Afghanistan, Iraq may be next on the list.

Notice they are all Arabian, descended from Abraham through his son Ishmael and grandson Esau. Their religion is Islam, based on writings of Mohammed. Mohammed was a caravan operator and poet. He was a self-proclaimed prophet. History records his philosophy and the manner in which he forced his beliefs on others. He was militant and aggressive. Islam is not a religion of peace.

Remember God told Abraham that his son Ishmael and his descendants would be wild and everyone would be against them. (Gen. 16:11-12) God does not hate the Arabs and we should be praying for their spiritual awakening. Their awakening will come, as both Isaiah (19:24-25) and Zechariah (8:23; 14:16) place them here during the Millennial Reign of our Lord Jesus.

In recent days, terrorist bombings in Israel have increased. This action clearly establishes the need for the defeat of the Middle Eastern terrorist organizations, including Arafat and the Fatah. At this writing Israel has broken off all relations with Arafat. The Israeli Defense Forces are at work to disarm Arafat’s followers. He has more than 40,000 armed militants.

The Prophet Ezekiel in Chapter 38 verses 8, 11 and 14 reveals that an acceptable peace will come to Israel and the Arabs. For this prophesied peace to come about, TERRORISM MUST BE STOPPED. Our President, George W. has begun the process.

You must keep in mind several things. Mid-East peace is prophesied and therefore it will become a reality. For such to happen, the Palestinian authority will have to be dissolved. Not an inch of ancient Judea and Samaria belongs to the Palestinians. Found within the Scriptures, the so-called West Bank is the property of Judah and the land of Samaria. The Scriptures are clear that these lands are to be occupied and developed by the people of Israel.
Again I remind you of Psalm 122:6 which instructs us to, “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem…” Our prayers must be for all the various people caught up in this satanic struggle.

THE NUMBER ONE
TERRORIST IS SATAN!

Satan would very much like Israel to be destroyed. Such an event would cause much scripture to fail. Failure of any part of God’s Word would provide Satan a weapon he does not possess. With such a weapon, Satan could and would attack our faith in God’s Word. Satan hopes the Islamic terrorists will succeed because he (Satan) can’t bring Israel down and cause God’s Word to fail by himself.

You and I and many other Believers can handle Satan through our concerted prayers of intercession. Never fear, God watches over His Word and performs it accordingly. (Jeremiah 1:12.)

TERRORISM WILL BE BROUGHT DOWN and PEACE will come to the Middle East. Your prayers and mine are a definite part of God’s method. Don ’t fail Him or Jerusalem. Pray for peace!