Written by Jerry Robinson
Originally Posted on 3/30/2007
The recent Iranian capture of 15 British Royal Navy personnel in the Gulf has sparked a war of words between Iran and the UK. Iran, which has been under increasing international pressure due to its belligerent policies and state-sponsored terrorism, captured the British sailors several days ago after claiming that they had strayed into Iranian waters. The British government has denied the claims and has called for an immediate unconditional return of the captured sailors. Britain claims that it has evidence that will prove the British group did not cross into Iranian waters and Blair has stated that efforts to release the 15 Royal Navy captives will enter a “different phase” if diplomatic moves fail. Blair insists that it will not negotiate or bargain with Iran.
On Thursday, the U.N. Security Council expressed "grave concern" over the capture of the 15 British sailors and called for an early resolution of the problem, including their release.
U.S. Show of Force off Iranian Coast
Interestingly, this week the U.S. Navy began its largest demonstration of force in the Persian Gulf since the 2003 invasion of Iraq. Russian military intelligence services are reporting a flurry of activity by U.S. Armed Forces near Iran's borders. However, Iran has denied reports of a large-scale U.S. Navy exercise in the Gulf.
While an imminent conflict between Iran and the West is uncertain, what is certain is a coming war between Iran and Israel. The ancient prophet Ezekiel prophesied that a group of Islamic nations, including Iran, would invade Israel in the last days. (Ezek. 38, 39) Iran’s increasing rhetoric and belligerence towards the nation of Israel, coupled with its strong Islamic eschatological expectations, make this an extremely volatile time in the Middle East. Our generation is witnessing the climactic conclusion of the ancient sibling rivalry between Isaac (Israel) and Ishamel (Arabs). Only now, they are weilding nuclear and chemical weapons, not stones and spears.
A Revived Sanhedrin
More news coming forth this week about the revived Sanhedrin...According to several Biblical passages, a re-establishment of the Jewish sacrificial system in a rebuilt Jewish Temple will precede the Second Coming of Christ. (See Dan. 9:27; Dan 11:31; 2 Thess. 2:4; Rev. 11:1) Such a revival of Jewish sacrifice and offering would logically necessitate a rebuilt Jewish Temple due to the strict codes and requirements as prescribed in the law of Moses (Torah.) It has often been deduced, perhaps correctly, that the Antichrist will make provisions for this Jewish sacrificial system in his 7 year covenant with the land of Israel before breaking it 3 ½ years later.
What makes all of this truly relevant in our day is the recent return of the Sanhedrin in Israel a few years ago. The Sanhedrin, which has been out of commission for nearly 1,600 years, was the ruling religious legal body during the Second Temple period in Jerusalem. The religious authorities in charge of this modern-day Sanhedrin are convinced that they are the only properly ordained body who can identify, verify, and authenticate the Jewish Messiah when he comes. Additionally, the Sanhedrin is aggressively pursuing the idea of rebuilding the Jewish Temple in order to re-commence the offering of sacrifice according to the Mosaic Law. And in a recent story in the Ha’aretz newspaper in Jerusalem, the newly re-established Sanhedrin has decided to “purchase a herd of sheep for ritual sacrifice at the site of the Temple on the eve of Passover” which falls in April 2007. The revival of the Sanhedrin, the rebuilding of the Hebrew Temple, and the re-institution of the Mosaic animal sacrifices are all highly prophetic in nature. Their near fulfillment indicate the nearness of Christ's return.
Jesus the Christ, who came in the flesh to make the Father God known unto the world, is coming again for those who have accepted Him. According to the Bible, His return is right at the door. You can accept Christ right now.
Jerry Robinson is the founder of Jerry Robinson Ministries, a ministry devoted to taking the Gospel of Jesus' First Coming to the unbeliever, and the Good News of Jesus' Second Coming to the Global church. He is an ordained minister, writer, and speaker and holds university degrees in International Economics and Religious Studies. Additionally, Jerry operates jerryrobinson.org, an internationally known website that archives and analyzes global events through the lens of biblical prophecy.