Indications for the future of Israel aren't good. As Israel's top political leader plays hardball with the Palestinians and international community, Israel's top military officer pops up a gentle floater.

Only days after Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon told the European leaders precisely where they could file away their road map, Lieutenant General Moshe Yaalon, the man charged with implementing Sharon's new hard-line policies against the Palestinians, said the policies only "increased hatred for Israel and strengthened the terror organizations" (Read about it here). 

Once Jesus was accused of casting out a demon by the power of Satan. Jesus responded by saying:

Any kingdom divided against itself is laid waste; and any city or house divided against itself shall not stand (Matthew 12:25) New American Standard Bible).

If ever there was a house divided against itself, it's the house of Israel. If you recall, this isn't the first time we heard about a revolt in the Israeli military over Sharon's policies in the territories. First it was a small group of IDF soldiers who were refusing to carry out their orders on the ground, then more recently a group of F16 fighter pilots refused to carry out their orders from the air. Now the top IDF officer himself has joined in and is protesting Sharon's policies.

However, it's not only the military who is revolting. The Israeli public has also joined in open rebellion against Sharon's hard-line policies. First it was the secret negotiations between the Israeli left and the Palestinians, now we're hearing about another grass-roots negotiations. This time it's between Ami Ayalon, a former Shin Bet leader, and Sari Nusseibeh, president of the Palestinian Al-Quds University (Read about it here). 

As I said before, the indications for the future of Israel aren't good. The house of Israel is deeply divided. And, this opens wide the door to Israel's enemies. And, I believe this is especially true at this moment in history. The Apostle Paul said:

 While they are saying, ‘Peace and safety!’ then destruction will come upon them suddenly like birth pangs upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape” (1 Thessalonians 5:1-3).

It's my opinion Paul was reminding his readers about the coming leader of a revived Roman Empire -- the Antichrist -- who will make a deceptive security agreement with the majority in Israel. In the book of Daniel it says:

 And he (the Antichrist) will make a firm covenant with the many for one week, but in the middle of the week he will put a stop to sacrifice and grain offering; and on the wings of abominations will come one who makes desolate, even until a complete destruction, one that is decreed, is poured out on the one who makes desolate (Daniel 9:27).

No, the indications for Israel aren't good.