Thursday, February 23, 2023

Global SITREP A7-23: The Significance of Shechem

Battle in Shechem 22FEB23 (Reuters/Saneen Sawafta)

23 February 2023: The heavy firefight which took place between the IDF and Islamic terrorists in Shechem yesterday, in addition to the hundreds of terrorist attacks in Judea, Samaria, Jerusalem and elsewhere in Israel should be viewed as a significant Indication and Warning (I&W) of what lies ahead. Efforts to calm the situation, even those of foreign origin, are highly unlikely to succeed as the appointed times the prophets pointed to are rapidly approaching their final fulfillment.

To that end we recognize that God controls all things! And so why are the enemies all around Israel on every side and even within the midst of the country rising up against Israel in battle? Do they have no fear of Israel's overwhelming military superiority; that certain death and destruction awaits them in such a conflict? Eschatology Today believes the prophetic text of Joshua 11:20 is instructive as being explanatory for what would ordinarily be a suicidal military endeavor:

"For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts, that they should come against Israel in battle, that He might utterly destroy them, and that they might receive no mercy, but that He might destroy them, as the Lord had commanded Moses."

Shechem has a most ancient history for Israel, it's first mention in Scripture is found in Genesis 12, which is prior to when God would re-name Abram as Abraham. In Genesis 33:18-20 Jacob arrives safely from Padan Aram (Haran in Upper Mesopotamia) standing up his tent before the city and purchases that land from Hamor for 100 pieces of currency of the day. And on that spot Jacob builds an altar which he names "El Elohe Israel," or God, the God of Israel. Then in Joshua 24 you can read about The Covenant at Shechem which Joshua gathered all Israel and spoke to them "Thus says the Lord God of Israel..." And the covenant at Shechem is made there, where also the bones of Joseph brought out of Egypt by Israel, are buried. 

The battle which took place in Shechem yesterday was by no means insignificant. It has become part of the continuing saga in the history of Israel. Perhaps even a turning point when compared to recent Israeli history following the evacuation of Israel's settlements in Gaza 18 years ago (2005). In its aftermath rockets of HAMAS targeted Ashkelon, Sderot and other communities at 4 AM Israel time this morning with at least six rockets, declaring that HAMAS patience is "wearing out." Just as quickly the strike aircraft of the IAF began pummeling HAMAS targets in Gaza. 

Thirty minutes ago PM Netanyahu announced, "We have a clear policy - to hit the enemy with full force." 

Watching...

58 comments:

  1. Let God arise and His enemies be scattered rdcrane

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  2. Reports of explosions and drones over Karaj, Iran. Karaj has a nuclear facility and is located a short distance northwest of Tehran.

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  3. Reminder: The human death toll from approximately 8,000 eastern Mediterranean earthquakes in February 2023 is approaching 50,000.

    How can anyone have a sense of situation normal complacency; that everything will be alright at this time boggles my mind.

    Yet there are millions completely unaware - literally sleepwalking but fully conscious - just as the Lord through His prophets warned there would be.

    This is another prophetic sign we can check off the list as fulfilled.

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  4. More gunfire in Shechem today; two Arabs were shot by Israeli forces.

    The Supreme Court of Israel wears two hats; one of them is the High Court of Justice (a/k/a Bagatz). The High Court today gave the Netanyahu government until 2 April to codify its decision on the evacuation and demolition of the Bedouin village of Khan al-Ahmar (east of Jerusalem).

    The construction of Khan al-Ahmar was funded by the EU; its structure illegal under Israeli law. Some opinion holds that a government demolition decision will sink negotiations to create the Hashemite Kingdom of Palestine.

    This is yet another lit fuse capable of igniting the "Psalm 83 War."

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  5. I am always careful about date setting but this man makes a good case for 2023.
    Sean feel free to remove this.
    Maranatha
    https://youtu.be/aw2p06bgyKg

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    1. JosephTC,

      Not the first time I've seen this presentation, and I have no issue posting it because it does convey the sense of urgency (shortness of time remaining) that is present in this second month of 2023.

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  6. The threat of all-out war between Israel and its Islamist enemies since the Shechem battle has led to an emergency meeting this Sunday in Jordan with the US and Egypt as co-participants.

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    1. And remember this... the IDF's Shechem operation was the result of acquired actionable intelligence on two key terrorists who were about to launch a mass casualty attack against Israeli civilians. The Shechem operation pre-empted the terrorist attack.

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    2. Israel and the PA will attend the emergency meeting (summit).

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    3. The ink of an ill-advised emergency summit "agreement" had not dried when two 20-something Israeli civilians were shot in Samaria by an islamic terrorist. The two young men were given CPR enroute to hospital this morning. No word on their current status other than "critical condition."

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    4. The application of CPR was futile as both young men were murdered in cold blood by a terrorist who fired into their car at point blank range in Huwara.

      This set off Israelis on a rampage through a half dozen or more towns in Judea and Samaria, Huwara being the worst hit with multiple cars set ablaze.

      Eschatology Today has been warning about how close the situation is to getting out of control, it nearly got to that point today.

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    5. This afternoon in Israel another Islamic terrorist has shot and critically wounded a 25-year old man at the Beit HaArava Junction between the Dead Sea and Jericho. The man was hit multiple times. CPR was administered enroute to hospital.

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    6. The victim of this shooting did not survive his wounds. The terrorists conducted more ambushes on the road to Jericho.

      A bus in Jerusalem was attacked by Arab terrorists hurling molotov cocktails; the bus burned.

      Netanyahu says Israelis must refrain from acting in vengeance against terrorists.

      Ramadan is coming with Resurrection Day roughly in the middle.

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    7. The victim of the Beit HaArava shooting was an American citizen.

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  7. Time to state it with crystal clarity - the latest Islamic intifada against Israel has begun.

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  8. Hillel and Yagel Yaniv, were Jewish brothers who were shot point-blank and killed by an Arab terrorist in their car while driving on Route 60 in Samaria.

    For the geographically challenged, the site of the Route 60 ambush in Samaria is wholly within The Jordan Valley were IDF presence is minimal, until tragedy strikes. According to the brother's uncle, Jehuda, these brothers were sitting ducks.

    Therefore, the fact that the Yaniv brothers were Jewish is not why they were murdered in cold blood. They could have been a pair of Caucasian Christians, or even Muslims, just tourists returning from a visit to the Dead Sea.

    The truth is, in fact, that the religion of the deceased had nothing to do with the double homicide. The fact is they were Caucasian males, i.e. light-skinned non-Arabs, and that makes their murder a racist hate crime. Their Jewish religion was assumed by the Arab attacker.

    In this new intifada racist hatred is the fuel feeding the fire. It is 100% satanic-demonic inspired hatred. The kind preached in mosques throughout Eretz Israel.

    And now, due to a new right-wing Likud-led government bending its knees to American and EU government left-wing pressures, there are Israelis who are taking their frustration out on individual IDF soldiers.

    This untenable situation is a boiler whose cauldron will explode in every direction unless the new Israeli government does what they promised to do; what the majority of Israel citizens elected them to do.

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    1. If my comment above has missed the mark about what is going on in Israel as well as what Bible prophecy says will soon tahe place, then perhaps an Israeli who lives in the area will hit the mark.

      Living Under the Shadow of Terrorism in Judea and Samaria

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  9. Is iran just 12 days from having a critical mass of U-235 for its first indigenous nuclear warhead?

    A US Deputy SECDEF says yes.

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  10. So, the Knesset vote today passed the first reading of the "Terrorism Means Death Penalty" law.

    HAMAS' immediate reaction was to issue rather specific threats:

    "If the occupation implements its decision, it will open the gates of hell, and it will face an intifada that will uproot its existence, and it will realize that it has made the stupidest move in its history when it sees the bags containing the bodies of his soldiers and settlers."

    No issues understanding such plain language.

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    1. Psalm 83, here we come…

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    2. Live and in living color, so to speak.

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    3. Bro Steve from Mada: IMO, they are scared by this development - manifesting as rage. It is quite remarkable just how blinded and irrational humans can become when they allow themselves to be given over to demonic-based hatred. It is clear to an unbiased obserever that HAMAS (or any of these other jihadist groups) stands absolutely zero chance against an unrestrained IDF kinetic response - which is precisely what is coming - & soon it appears. Yet, they continue relentlessly down this path... Even more remarkable is what Jesus can do when he gets a hold of a persons heart - even one of these HAMAS guys. Great time for witnessing. YBIC, Steve G.

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    4. Steve,

      IMHO there's an invisible straw and a camel's back. Only God knows when (His appointed time) that last straw will drop.

      If there's a hint about the timing I think it's directly related to Isaiah 11 and the coming accord between the two principle tribes: Judah and Ephraim. The current situation may provide the resolution.

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  11. Things seem to be falling into place, Lebanon looks to be on the verge of chaos

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    1. Lebanon is continually circling the drain due to financial crisis; the ever present strife at the Ain al-Hilyeh refugee camp and, of course Hezbollah doing the 12ers bidding. Future Israeli real estate.

      Delete
  12. Word has leaked that Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán will move their Embassy to Jerusalem. The move could become official in April 2023. PM Netanyahu has offered a site adjacent to the U.S. Embassy.

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    1. I didn't know Hungary was an ally to Israel. I always thought they were on the other side
      Jon Hartman

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    2. Jon,
      Viktor Orbán is the enemy of the EU, and the Global Elite in general. Think of him as Hungary's Trump.

      Delete
    3. Jon,
      Viktor Orbán is the enemy of the EU, and the Global Elite in general. Think of him as Hungary's Trump.

      Delete
  13. The European Union has not, is not and never will be a foreign friend to the State of Israel.

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  14. Here's where the rubber meets the road in Judea and Samaria.

    Thus far firefights have been between the IDF and islamic terrorists.

    PA leader Abu Mazen has directed his Security Forces to not hesitate at all in confronting the IDF.

    During the upcoming Ramadan any IDF counter-terror operation could result in a Psalm 83 flash fire between the IDF and all armed terror factions and PA security troops in Judea, Samaria.

    This propect has the U.S. Biden Administration scared stiff, which has prompted ChJCS Milley and SECDEF Austin to drop everything to fly into the region. They seem to believe a regional war is about to erupt and add to their problems with Ukraine, Russia and Red China.

    To top it off, the US fears Israel will strike Iran without notification.

    The dominoes are all neatly lined up.

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    1. To put this another way, Biden's woke Pentagon brass are preparing in detail for a World War.

      The last thing the Pentagon wants is for Israel's Netanyahu and Orthodox allies to upset their preconcieved apple cart.

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  15. REPORTS: Alleged Israeli airstrike against Aleppo (Syria) military airport targeted several Iranian weapons depots holding war materiel for Hezbollah. Runways cratered and out of service. Up to 15 military killed in the Monday night strike.

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  16. Israel's special forces, Shin Bet and regular IDF soldiers conducted a large scale counter-terrorist operation in Jenin today.

    In this operation the Israeli forces, backed by heavy combat vehicles, eliminated the terrorist who murdered Hallel and Yagel Yaniv and three armed others who forcefully resisted.

    There was no interference by PA security forces who in this case wisely declined to engage the superior Israeli forces.

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    1. During this operation a total of six HAMAS terrorist were killed and ten others wounded.

      The IDF fired a handful of anti-tank rockets into the building to flush out the terrorists. This strongly indicates the no nonsense modus operandi the new government of Israel has adopted in combating the terrorist enemy, and validates the "Israel Victory" strategy Eschatology Today first noted last year.

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  17. The judicial reform crisis in Israel appears to be coming to a close through mediation and compromise.

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  18. Don't look now, but Egypt is back to condemning Israel when it hunts down and eliminates islamic terrorists who murder Jews in cold blood.

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  19. IDF investigated rocket fire from Gaza following sirens soundin in Nir Am. The rocket misfired and landed in Gaza.

    The rocket was an attempt to retaliate for IDF, YAMAM and Shin Bet operations in Jenin and Shechem which eliminated four terrorists and captured two sons of the now deceased terrorist who murdered the Yaniv brothers.

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    1. A short time ago terrorists in Gaza attacked an IDF bulldozer conducting routine border maintenance work with a remotely detonated explosive.

      IDF tank fire covered the dozers withdrawal from the border. IDF bulldozers such as the D9 are combat dozers, and are fully armored.

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    2. For the last two hours Israel (IDF/IAF) has been striking select terrorist targets throughout Gaza.

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    3. On going armed clash in Hebron.

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  20. Chaim (Haim/Haym) Topol, the most well-known, native-born actor from Israel is on his deathbed surrounded by the subsequent three generations of his family.

    Topol was born in Israel in 1935, 13 years prior to the fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy about Israel being re-born as a nation in a single day.

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    1. Chaim Topol passed last night at age 87.

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    2. Now it hit me - he was the lead actor in Fiddler on the Roof, which I have watched many times over the years and never tired of it. His death is a great loss.
      We watched Defiance (2008) the other night with Daniel Craig about the Bielski brothers, ordinary Jewish farmers in Russia who, outnumbered and outgunned, motivated hundreds of refugee civilians to join their ranks against the Nazi regime. Not sure how close to the true story, but it was inspiring. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem and Come, Lord Jesus! Blessings to the family here at ET and hope to see you all soon - maybe before Pentecost? How about Resurrection Day? It could happen. Thanks Sean, for all you do.

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  21. I am very much looking forward to Pentecost, Sunday, May 28th.

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    1. Time to wave those two loaves! ;)

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    2. I was thinking about Pentecost last night and was going to make a comment about it. Glad to see I am not the only one keeping an eye on it.

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    3. My thoughts are on the "past as prologue." Just as Boaz took Ruth as his gentile bride, as it happened in the middle of the night, so will our Groom come to take His gentile bride.

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  22. A terrorist has shot 3 innocent people in Tel Aviv this evening. The terrorist was neutralized.

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  23. Interesting article...
    It certainly should force Netanyahu to act or it makes him a liar.

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  24. I agree. It's Bibi's 'last hurrah'. If he does not keep his nearly 4-year old political promise on Jordan Valley sovereignty he will be seen as a political opportunist of the worst kind, and that will cost Likud the coalition with religious Orthodoxy.

    Surely if Avigdor Lieberman sees this so does Bibi, so via Danon's sovereignty law he must follow through.

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  25. A new forward-leaning, prophecy-based SITREP coming that will focus on the brief window of time remaining before Israel enters its 70th Week of Years, a/k/a the time of Jacob's Trouble.

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    1. I'm curious as to what Pentecost will bring this year. If you take the 2 day prophecy in Hosea, and subtract 7 years (the 70th week) i think we might getting pretty close to our departure
      Jon Hartman

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    2. Jon,

      As am I, it is on my mind persistently and then some. Most waking moments, in fact, by the Holy Spirit.

      Hosea (Heb: Salvation) 6:2 says, "After two days will he revive us, and in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight."
      (Italics mine for emphasis.)

      [[NOTE: Hosea's prophetic ministry was 40 years long during the reign of King Jeroboam II prior to the Assyrian conquest of the northern kingdom of Israel.]]

      My query had long been: Are those "two days" 360 or 365 day years? And what of the years between the 69th and the 70th?

      My belief is that all things prophetic - such as the fully defined 70th Week of Years, as well as the previous 69 weeks of years - are based on 360 days years.

      God is 100% consistent, that is: the same, yesterday, today and tomorrow.

      This makes the end of the "second day" closer, more imminent than we can know. All we do is remain in constant readiness for His coming.

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  26. The 12 days for Iran to have enriched enough weapons-grade fissile uranium for a nuclear weapon have elapsed.

    Israel's security establishment met secretly a day ago due to "a national security" concern. Today PM Netanyahu returned unexpectedly from his visit to EU countries due to an immediate national security concern.

    The NATSEC issue is clearly highly classified; nothing about its particulars has yet been leaked to media.

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    1. The NATSEC issue stemmed from a Hezbollah infiltration into Israel from Lebanon.

      The Hezbollah terrorist was responsible for a roadside IED attack on Monday.

      When the IDF corralled him in a car on a road he was heavily armed, wearing a bomb belt and apparently prepped for another terror attack.

      He was killed on the spot.

      Unresolved is how he became heavily armed in Israel.

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