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Finally, there is something that the nations of the world can agree on: Jerusalem is not the “eternal, united capital of Israel.”

Eighty-one of the world’s nations have embassies in Israel.  In 1980, when Israel passed a law proclaiming Jerusalem to be the capital, most of the nations which had their diplomatic missions in Jerusalem moved them to Tel-Aviv or other cities.  Two nations bucked that trend:  Costa Rica and El Salvador.  Costa Rica moved its embassy to Jerusalem in 1982, causing them to lose relations with the member nations of the Arab League.  El Salvador established its embassy in Jerusalem in 1984.

Last month, Costa Rica announced it was moving its embassy, saying the measure was needed to bring the nation in line with international law and to mend relations with Arab nations.  Costa Rican President Oscar Arias said the move would “rectify a historic error.”

Less than two weeks later, El Salvador followed suit, announcing its decision to move its embassy to Tel-Aviv.  El Salvador’s president, Antonio “Tony” Saca is of Palestinian descent, and has, up until now, been evasive on the embassy issue.  The move sparked criticism from Israel, which said it could be interpreted as a “surrender to terror.”

El Salvadoran officials have also hinted that they may soon officially recognize Palestine, joining Nicaragua, which is currently the only Central American country to do so.

In 1995, the U.S. Congress passed the Jerusalem Embassy Act, obligating the U.S. to move its embassy from Tel-Aviv to Jerusalem by May 1999.  While America is arguably Israel’s strongest ally, both former President Bill Clinton and President Bush have signed successive six-month security waivers to avoid the controversial move.

The prophet Zechariah foretold a time when God “will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city” (Zech. 14:2).  The prophetic stage is apparently being set for that event.  But the prophecy does not end there.  “Then shall the Lord go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle” (Zech 14:3).

Keep your eye on prophecy.  We are living in the last days before the return of the Lord, and, just like the rulers of Jesus’ day, today’s “kings” can do nothing to avoid fulfilling their prophetic roles.  As Daniel declared, the Lord rules in the affairs of men!  Hallelujah!

I hope that many of you can join us during the coming Feast of Ingathering which we will be celebrating October 12-15 at our Worship Center in South Hadley, MA.  The Word of the Lord is being fulfilled all around us right before our very eyes.  We must continue to come together to search His Word, that we may understand our role as we approach the coming of Christ!  God bless you all.