Yesterday we were shocked to hear Venezuela's Hugo Chavez actually call US president George Bush the devil. But, there was something else that Chavez said. He said it was time that the US dominated UN system be changed. Today, we heard Chavez's friend -- Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad -- say the very same thing. Why does the present system need to be changed? According to Ahmadinejad, because the world needs freedom.

As I listened to his words, I could see how some of the ignorant and economically suppressed peoples of the world might respond to Ahmadinejad's logic. After all, by his words his intentions appear so good. Then, suddenly, Ahmadinejad turned on Israel. Once again, we couldn't have had a clearer example of a political/religious leader having horns as a lamb but speaking as a dragon.

Yes, we may laugh at Chavez calling Bush the devil. But, no one is laughing at Ahmadinejad -- especially not Israel. After blaming America and Israel for all that's wrong in the world, Ahmadinejad may have revealed his true intentions. He said the "time for nuclear bombs has ended." In other words, Ahmadinejad wants the remaining free nations to disarm and he wants a new international system that's not under the free world's control. 

Yesterday I quoted Psalms two. Today, as I watched what was happening in the UN, another Psalm came to mind.

How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers! But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, Which yields its fruit in its season And its leaf does not wither; And in whatever he does, he prospers. The wicked are not so, But they are like chaff which the wind drives away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, Nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, But the way of the wicked will perish (Psalm 1:1-6 New American Standard Bible). 

Friends, president Bush is right not accepting Ahmadinjad's invitation to dialogue. According to the above passage of Scripture, the people of God have no business sitting down in the assembly of the wicked. Yet, unfortunately, I suspect that's what Bush is secretly doing. He's not doing it himself, he's doing it through the EU's Javier Solana. 

The problem is, as I said before, no one who knows what's going on is laughing at Ahmadinjad. That explains why many world leaders have begun looking to Solana to resolve the Iranian nuclear dispute Read about it here. And, for us students of prophecy, this is where it gets interesting.

You see, the EU has good reasons for wanting a solution to the Iranian crisis. The main reason is energy. In fact, achieving a secure energy supply was one of the primary reasons for Solana's 1995 Euro-Mediterranean Partnership for Peace (Euromed) to begin with. The Euromed now provides the framework for all following EU/Mediterranean agreements. And, if you think Solana's Euromed covenant with many has gone away, take a look at today's Europa press release See it here. 

Keep in mind, there is something else that provides the framework for all EU agreements -- it's the EU's seven-year budget term See example here. So, whatever EU/Mediterranean agreements we see coming, they will fit into the Euromed and seven-year framework.

Friends, I believe we may be in that time of history of which Jesus spoke -- the time of the fig tree putting forth its leaves. Jesus said:

Now learn the parable from the fig tree: when its branch has already become tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near; so, you too, when you see all these things, recognize that He is near, right at the door (Matthew 24:32-33).

Are you ready?