Christ First Forum

Israel's defence minister has warned of his country's readiness to act against Iran if it feels threatened.

Ehud Barak, speaking in Tel Aviv, said Israel had "proved in the past that it won't hesitate to act when its vital security interests are at stake".

He spoke as Iran's testing of missiles that could reach Israel stoked tensions between the two, and with the US.

But Mr Barak added that diplomatic solutions should be pursued before other options were taken up.

"Currently the focus is international sanctions and vigorous diplomatic activity, and these avenues should be exhausted," he said.

US warning

Over the past two days, the Iranian military has tested missiles, including one that it says could reach Israel.




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State media said the tests included the first night launch of the Shahab-3 missile, said to have a range of 2,000km (1,240 miles), along with shore-to-sea, surface-to-surface and sea-to-air missiles.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said the US had increased its security in the region and Iran should not be "confused" about US capabilities.

Israel has responded to the missile tests by putting on display one of its aircraft that it says can spy on Iran.

The state-run Israel Aerospace Industries says it has equipped its Eitam aeroplane, unveiled a year ago, with sophisticated intelligence-gathering systems.

Mr Barak spoke of the "potential for accords, particularly with the Palestinians and the Syrians", but stressed that the situation was very complex.

Quoted by Israeli news website Ynet, Mr Barak said: "We must work towards an accord - but if not, then we must strike our enemy when it is required."

He also cautioned that Israel must consider the reactions from other nations in the region that could be provoked by action against Iran.

"The responses of our adversaries must be taken into account. Hamas and Hezbollah and the Syrians and the Iranians - there is activity all around us. And there exists a potential for confrontation."


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Iran test-fires missiles in the Gulf - footage from Iranian state TV

The BBC's Wyre Davies in Jerusalem says that in recent weeks both Israel and Iran have been testing and showing off their military hardware, each saying that in the event of provocation it is more than capable of defending itself.

The Israeli air force recently carried out a large-scale exercise over the Mediterranean - regarded by many observers as a dress rehearsal should the order be given to attack Iran's nuclear facilities, our correspondent says.

Israel believes Iran is building nuclear weapons, although Tehran insists its nuclear programme is purely for civilian energy.

Western leaders have been trying to convince Iran to stop enriching uranium, which it has continued doing despite sanctions from the UN and the European Union.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle ... 500342.stm

Everyday the news sounds like the war in Ezekiel 38 and 39.

This war has not been fulfilled, and I encourage many to study these scriptures.

I WILL TURN YOU AROUND, PUT 'HOOKS' INTO YOUR JAWS, AND LEAD YOU OUT, WITH ALL YOUR ARMY, HORSES, AND HORSEMEN, ALL SPLENDIDLY CLOTHED, A GREAT COMPANY WITH BUCKLERS AND SHIELDS, ALL OF THEM HANDLING SWORDS.

The hooks can be 'oil?'

Ezekiel 38,39 comes to my mind alot also when I watch the happenings on the news. What an exciting day we live in. . .watching Bible prophecy unfolding right before our eyes! A little scarey, too, I admit.

We need to be in prayer for the people of this earth. There are so many
who do not know Christ. I too think times are short, tho, I know I do not know.

Someone said the other day that this earth could have bombs and wars and go back to the dark ages again. While I hope that is not the case, we just don't know the Fathers will in these matters.

But we can pray for the soon return of our Lord and Savior.

All creation cries for the returning of our king. . .come quickly Lord Jesus!

first love, I agree that we need to pray for lost souls to come to know Christ.

I get a newsletter from Dr. Frutchenbaum, a Jew who is saved, and he has an outreach in other parts of the world. I always am glad to hear that many are accepting Christ as their saviour.

Years ago we used to have missionaries all over the world, teaching the gospel, and we would hear of lost souls being saved, but it has been years since I heard a report like that from anyone else!

Misfit wrote:first love, I agree that we need to pray for lost souls to come to know Christ.

I get a newsletter from Dr. Frutchenbaum, a Jew who is saved, and he has an outreach in other parts of the world. I always am glad to hear that many are accepting Christ as their saviour.

Years ago we used to have missionaries all over the world, teaching the gospel, and we would hear of lost souls being saved, but it has been years since I heard a report like that from anyone else!

I get the newsletter from The Center of Ministry to Muslims and it is always filled with wonderful stories of Muslims coming to Christ in all of the Muslim countries. The Lord is working among Muslims in the most awesome of ways. . . . dreams and visions. It is hard to hear the good news happening in other countries because it's squelched. We have to go to individual missionaries and ministries to hear their stories. . . .and they have stories!

That is true Carmela, we do have to get our news in unconventional ways, and I find that a 'loud' statement of the spiritual condition of those of us in the USA.

There are many without Christ, but there are only a handful that will be saved. Im not saying that I dont want people saved, but I realize that many just dont want it.

All creation cries for the returning of our king. . .come quickly Lord Jesus!

Loved this!! Yes, you can sense that!!!

Christy,

I think your statement is sooo true.

Throughout the Bible, God always saved a small remnant.

Why would I believe the Rapture will be any different??

Jeani wrote:Christy,

I think your statement is sooo true.

Throughout the Bible, God always saved a small remnant.

Why would I believe the Rapture will be any different??

I agree!

Thank you ladies!!

I believe missionary work is Gods offering of salvation, that way when people try to come to Him in the end, He can turn them away for not heading to the spirit when He gave them that chance.