Christadelphians since the days of Brother Thomas have expected Britain and the Anglo-Saxon nations to be the main supporters of the return of the Jews to Israel. The early prognostications of Brother Thomas (and others), based on the prophetic word, have proven to be correct in this regard.
The story of Britain’s involvement in the establishment of the modern Jewish state is well known. What is less well known, perhaps, is the support for Israel which exists within the Australian government.
Australia’s Prime Minister (Mr Hawke) has long been a supporter of Israel. He has visted the land on a number of occasions, and has passionately pleaded her cause both here and overseas. Even before his entry into Parliament Mr
Hawke was known for his support for Israel. Since entering Parliament he has continued to support the nation, on one memorable occasion being reduced to tears at the suggestion that his interest in Israel was insincere.
A recent speech delivered by the Prime Minister confirms his contined support for Israel. It was delivered in Melbourne on the 8th November, 1987, at a dinner marking the 100th anniversary of the birth of David Ben-Gurion. In the speech Mr Hawke makes several comments which may be of interest to students of Bible Prophecy. Two issues in particular are worthy of note:
- The question of Israel’s security;
- The possibility of peace with Jordan.
Israel’s Security
Mr Hawke made these interesting observations:
“When I made my first visit to Israel in 1971 — two years before Ben-Gurion’s death — nothing could have been more apparent than that Israel was then a country surrounded by nations committed to its destruction. Israel’s very survival was in question.
Now, as a result of the brilliance and courage the Israeli people exhibited in fighting for their collective survival, the security of their nation is assured.
“… the question facing Israel is no longer the question of whether it has the capacity to survive. Its survival is assured — thanks in part to the risks Israel was forced to take in fighting the wars of 1948, 1956, 1967 and 1973.”
Who could not see in this an echo of Ezekiel 38:8 and 11?
“… it is brought forth out of the nations, and they shall dwell safely all of them …
… them that are at rest, that dwell safely, all of them dwelling without walls, and having neither bars nor gates.”
As well as testifying to the fact of Israel’s confidence the Prime Minister also reiterated Australia’s continued commitment to the integrity of the state of Israel:
“Let me repeat that it is a sine qua non (i.e. an indispensable condition) of Australian involvement in peace efforts in the Middle East that our purpose is to achieve the necessary conditions by which Israel can be totally secure …”
Towards the end of the speech Mr Hawke referred to another aspect of Australia’s support for Israel:
“And we still encounter too frequently the obnoxious equation of Zionism with racism which was asserted by the United Nations itself, through its 1975 Resolution 3379.
It is my very great pleasure however that the Australian Parliament last October passed a motion, unanimously, which seeks to overturn the perverted logic of that UN Resolution.
I took even greater pleasure and pride in the fact that last month on the first anniversary of the Australian Parliament’s decision, the US Senate passed a motion in identical terms to our Australian motion. The motion was referred to in debate in the US Senate as “the Australian Resolution.”
By the terms of the resolutions, Australia and the United States now stand together committed to lending support to efforts to overthrow the UN Resolution.”
In adopting this position Australia and the United States place themselves firmly in the pro-Israel camp — in defiance of the bulk of the nations of the world. The expectation of our pioneers as to the latter-day protectors of Israel is thus vindicated.
Peace With Jordan
In the speech Mr Hawke referred to the fact that the Middle East has the potential to involve the whole world in war (as we know it will in the near future):
“The Arab-Israeli dispute has resulted in four wars between Israel and its neighbours since the Second World War. If it is left unresolved, the dispute still has potential to involve the rest of the world should the region become a stage for conflict between the super powers.”
Having said that, in the very next paragraph the Prime Minister expressed his conviction that Jordan and Egypt could settle their differences with Israel. Egypt already has a peace treaty with Egypt: that just leaves Jordan.
Jordan occupies the area referred to in the prophets as Edom, Moab and Ammon. In Daniel 11:41 these areas are specifically referred to as escaping from the hands of the Gogian host which invades Israel at the time of the end. It would seem that they are to be in alliance with the Tarshish/Sheba/Dedan confederacy (Ezekiel 38:13) which opposes Cog. This confederacy embraces the British Commonwealth (and we would suggest the United States), Saudi Arabia, the Gulf Emirates and Egypt. An alliance with Jordan would make it possible for some Jews to escape from the Gogian forces through Jordan. Brother Thomas makes a very strong case for such an alliance in “Elpis Israel” (14th edition), pages 442 to 445.
In 1967 the likelihood of Jordan opening her doors to fleeing Israelis was unthinkable. Yet the hand of God has been at work and conditions have changed. Mr Hawke noted the changed situation when making these comments:
“Yet it is my judgement, developed before my visit and strongly confirmed by it, that the leaders of Israel and of two of the main Arab States that are party to the dispute — Jordan and Egypt — are committed to the achievement of peace in the region.”
“… there may never again be a situation in which Israel has, in King Hussein and President Mubarak, two leaders who are unequivocally and sincerely committed to an end of the fighting and tensions and to the creation of a constructive peace in the region.”
Mr Hawke’s call for talks between Israel and Jordan coincides with similar pleas from Mr Peres, the Israeli Foreign Minister. Admittedly Mr Peres is opposed by the Israeli Prime Minister, Mr Shamir, but in spite of this he has persisted to call for talks with Jordan. He has even repeated his call in the wake of the recent riots in the Palestinian Refugee Camps in the Occupied Territories.
Of course it is well known that unofficial talks have been held between Israel and Jordan for many years. It appears inevitable that at some stage a peace treaty will be negotiated between Israel and Jordan. This would then set the stage for the events we know will usher in the Kingdom of God.
Even in their ignorance — and Mr Hawke is an avowed agnostic — the politicans of this world can see what we know to be the divine scheme falling into place. Let us strive to ensure that we are alert to these things, and more importantly prepare for the near return of our Lord.
“Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.”
“He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.”
The Solution