When a magnitude 5 earthquake hits California, no one hardly notices. When it's in the Holy Land, the world pays attention -- at least it should.

The quake shook the Knesset building a half hour before Israeli ministers were to meet. It's epicenter was near the northern top of the Dead Sea. And, it was strong enough to be felt in the West Bank, Gaza, Jordan and Lebanon Read about it here. 

If you've seen Constance Cumbey's CD, you know how it was a large earthquake in Israel in 1995 that brought her attention to a treaty the EU had signed with Israel. It was the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership for Peace, and the so-called Barcelona Process, all agreements negotiated by a man named Javier Solana.

When I awoke this morning, I had an email waiting. It was from someone who has been a great supporter of this ministry. She told me yesterday she decided to take a break from all the news for a day. She wanted God to speak to her in some way -- to give her a sign of some kind -- that the time was as short as we thought. Then she said:

So this morning what do I see as a headline? An earthquake in Jerusalem, Israel.

A coincidence? If so, we sure live in the time of many coincidences. Was it just a coincidence Israel was reborn as a nation in one day as foretold by the prophets? Was it a coincidence  the old Roman Empire began reviving soon after. How about the 10-nation alliance and the the EU's first High Representative appearing on the scene? And one more thing, is it just a coincidence this first High Representative has been involved with the Middle East peace process from its very beginning?

This brings up an interesting question. Should this earthquake alert our attention to something dangerous to Israel? Let's look at today's news:

This report says Germany has officially joined with Britain and France to create a hard core military group within the EU independent of NATO command. And, other EU members states are welcome to join if they meet certain requirements Read about it here. How much do you want to bet only others from the 10-nation Western European Union alliance will be able to meet those requirements?

At the same time, it's being reported the President of the 22-member Arab League is wanting to form an EU style union of Arab nations Read about it here.

This brings up two questions: Firstly, why will these talks about this Arab union happen in Brussels  -- in Solana country? And secondly, could this be the rise of the King of the South mentioned in Daniel 11:27? And one more thing, will they be sitting at the same table?

Here's the passage I'm thinking about:

As for both kings, their hearts will be intent on evil, and they will speak lies to each other at the same table; but it will not succeed, for the end is still to come at the appointed time (Daniel 9:27 New American Standard Bible). 

So, is this earthquake a sign? Is God trying to alert us to something?

This is what I think. By themselves, earthquakes -- like wars and famines -- aren't signs of the end-times. However, Israel is. In fact, I believe the Bible tells us Israel is our "great sign" (Rev.12:1).

So, could this earthquake in the Holy Land mean something?

It sure got my attention.