Saeb Erekat, a long-time Palestinian negotiator with the Israelis, said the other day that when the Palestinians go to the UN to seek statehood, the international community will be obliged to get rid of the “occupation.” The latter word is the one used to claim that Israel is oppressing the Palestinians.

Besides being a declaration of war, Erekat’s comments also speak to Bible prophecy, although the urbane Jericho-ite would scoff at such.

The apocalyptic war described in the last chapters of the book of Zechariah is clearly stated to be launched by “the” nations. It has been argued by certain Bible scholars that this refers to “all the nations in the Roman empire” in ancient times. This exegesis is sought because it places this prophecy “back there” somewhere in the misty past.

However, for those of us who believe the biblical prophecies are mostly ahead of us, the contention of Hebrew scholars is quite clear, even elementary: the word “all” in Zechariah means “all.”

All.

This is the description of a coalition army that is truly global in scope, and the conditions for this did not exist until modern times. Whatever the UN is as a collective body, it is capable of resolute determination when it comes to the Jewish state.

From the odious “Zionism equals Racism” proclamation of 1975, or the intense pressure being applied to Israel today…it is obvious that the one time the UN is able to muster a collective wll is when it’s time to punish Israel.

This then will be the catalyst for the Zechariah war, and I believe specifically it will be the Palestinian issue that provides the impetus. Something must be the trigger for such an all-out assault, and I believe it will specifically center around the status of Jerusalem.

The Palestinians have stated repeatedly that they want east Jerusalem for a future capitol. The Israelis insist the whole city is their eternal capitol.

Folks, that is a classic geopolitical stalemate, and the Mother of all Stalemates.

It will be the trigger for the Zechariah War, or more specifically, “the Day of the Lord.”

Bible prophecy teachers are mocked for believing the ancient prophecies have anything to do with today.

Well, I would suggest that you study it for yourself (ask us questions at Prophecy Matters), and watch and wait.

Erekat’s statement says it all.