It was reported today that Israel's Defense Minister, Ehud Barak, told the Israeli newspaper Haaretz that Israel would consider ceding east Jerusalem to the Palestinians in a peace deal. It is exceedingly rare to hear an Israeli official talk like this, even those on the left.

For Christian supporters of Israel, it is important to keep one thing in mind: it's no cause for panic. In the past several years, since the disastrous and evil Oslo Accords, pro Israel Christians have fretted over several possible scenarios, the scariest being the establishment of a Palestinian state.

 Don't worry! Remember that Zechariah predicts a last-days battle centered in Jerusalem and "half the city" will be taken.

Ezekiel quotes Israel's enemies (36th chapter) as saying, "Aha, even the ancient heights are ours").

The Bible doesn't say of course that the Palestinian Arabs in the last days will not have a state in what is traditionally known as the Holy Land. It does not even say Jerusalem will not be divided, as it were.

 It does tell us that the Jews who settle the biblical heartland will never be expelled again.

 (We should also be cautious about castigating Israeli leaders, like Barak, as if they were thwarting the Lord's plans. They can't, so that is not a worry. In fact, even men like Barak, who might not be aware of the divine plan, have staked their lives on the defense of the state. Barak is a decorated war hero and member of Israel's elite commando unit, Sayarat Matkat. Ariel Sharon, demonized by pro Israel supporters for giving up Gaza, brought about the almost biblical crossing of the Suez Canal during the Yom Kippur War, thus staving off a disastrous defeat for Israel. Let's give these men their due and pray for them.) 

Geopolitics are virtually meaningless for us who support and love Israel and the Jewish people. I say this in the context of Bible prophecy.

I would detest the division of Jerusalem; the very thought is hateful. But if we wake up one day and the "unthinkable" has happened and Mahmoud Abbas is celebrating from east Jerusalem, in "Palestine," we should not worry at all. Far from it.

In fact, the Lord of History and the Bible have never been wrong, never been out-maneuvered, and have never been in danger of being displaced.

The Bible predicts many things for the last days. We must keep our eyes on the prize—the return of the Prince of Peace—and not be distracted by the folly of mere mortals who think of the Jewish state as a negotiating chess piece.

Israel is right where she ought to be. Her God is watching.

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