Vatican recognizes Palestinian state

Palestinian State Coat of Arms

The Vatican announced its recognition of the State of Palestine today:

May 13, 2015

The Vatican has officially recognized Palestine in a new treaty that switches the Holy See’s diplomatic relations from the Palestine Liberation Organization to the state of Palestine.

NPR’s Sylvia Poggioli tells our Newscast unit the document still has to be signed.

The Vatican, in a statement, said the agreement had been concluded and will be “submitted to the respective authorities for approval ahead of setting a date in the near future for the signing.”

“Yes, it’s a recognition that the state exists,” said the Rev. Federico Lombardi, the Vatican spokesman.

The Vatican has referred to the state of Palestine since at least 2012. …

Israel said it was “disappointed” by the Vatican’s announcement and was seeking clarification. http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2015/05/13/406476253/vatican-officially-recognizes-state-of-palestine

May 14 (Australia), 2015

THE Vatican has officially recognised the state of Palestine in a new treaty.

THE treaty, which was finalised on Wednesday but still has to be signed, makes clear that the Holy See has switched its diplomatic relations from the Palestinian Liberation Organisation to the state of Palestine.

The Vatican had welcomed the decision by the UN General Assembly in 2012 to recognise a Palestinian state. But the treaty is the first legal document negotiated between the Holy See and the Palestinian state and constitutes an official recognition. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is due to see Pope Francis on Saturday before the canonisation of two new saints from the Holy Land a day later. http://www.news.com.au/world/breaking-news/vatican-recognises-state-of-palestine/story-e6frfkui-1227354166941

This is no surprise.

The Vatican wants more influence in Jerusalem and one way to get it is to be among the early ‘nations’ to recognize the state of Palestine. I believe that the Vatican did this for at least two other reasons as well.

One is to provide support for its interfaith agenda. Last June, Pope Francis had an interfaith prayer meeting with the Presidents of Israel, Shimon Peres, and of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas at the Vatican. Eastern Orthodox and Lutherans leaders were also part of this (see also Will the Interfaith Movement Lead to Peace or Sudden Destruction?).

The second is that the interfaith meeting came shortly after Pope Francis was not given a particular property in Jerusalem that he wanted to trade Israel for. It was my understanding that the Vatican told Israel that if Israel would make the trade that the Vatican would be more supportive of its objectives, implying that opposite if Israel would not acquiesce. Israel did not make the trade and said it would not transfer sovereignty of the building the Vatican.

That building in known as the Cenacle and is sometimes called the Church of God on Jerusalem’s Western Hill. It is believed to have been the original Christian church building constructed in Jerusalem. The Christians who built it held Church of God, not Church of Rome, beliefs and practices (see also Where is the True Christian Church Today?).

Anyway, the Vatican wants the Church of God on Jerusalem’s Western Hill and it wants a more important role in Jerusalem.

But, perhaps it should also be pointed out that some Catholic writers have indicated that an antipope will be established in Jerusalem:

Priest E. Sylvester Berry (published 1920): The two horns denote a twofold authority – spiritual and temporal. As indicated by the resemblance to a lamb, the prophet will probably set himself up in Rome as a sort of anti-pope…Antichrist will establish himself in Jerusalem…with his ‘lying wonders’… (Berry ES. The Apocalypse of St. John, 1920. Quoted in Culleton RG. The Reign of Antichrist. Reprint 1974, TAN Books, Rockford (IL), pp. 199-200).

Much of the above teaching is consistent with certain scriptures.

Now, let me add here that the Vatican wants to wrest control of Jerusalem away for the Jews. And no one should think that it really wants to give that control to the Muslims. Recall it was pope who started the Crusades in the Middle Ages to take control of Jerusalem from the Muslims.

The Vatican basically believes that to show that it represents the universal religion of the world that it needs sovereign territory in Jerusalem to better project that image to the world.

The recognition of the state of Palestine is mainly a step to get the Vatican closer to its real goal.

Perhaps, I should also add that a variety of Catholic writings state that a Catholic leader (sometimes called the ‘Great Monarch’ who seems to be the one the Bible warns against as the final King of the North in Daniel 11) will help make this happen in the future.

The Bible itself shows that a European power will get into Jerusalem. Notice some passages from the Book of Daniel:

26… And the people of the prince who is to come
Shall destroy the city and the sanctuary.
The end of it shall be with a flood,
And till the end of the war desolations are determined.
27 Then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week;
But in the middle of the week
He shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering.
And on the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate,
Even until the consummation, which is determined,
Is poured out on the desolate. (Daniel 9:26-27)

Since General Titus of the old Roman Empire destroyed the city of Jerusalem and the sanctuary in 70 A.D., Daniel 9:27 is talking about someone from the area of the old Roman Empire–a European.

This is further confirmed by the following:

31 And forces shall be mustered by him, and they shall defile the sanctuary fortress; then they shall take away the daily sacrifices, and place there the abomination of desolation. (Daniel 11:31)

The “him” above is identified in the Bible as the final King of the North (Daniel 11:29,40) (see also the video Can You Prove that the Beast to Come is European?)–he is also called the ‘man of sin’ in 2 Thessalonians 2 (see also Who is the Man of Sin of 2 Thessalonians 2?). (This ‘man of sin’ could possibly sit on something that has been called “Satan’s throne” if it is relocated to Jerusalem.)

Jesus taught that this would involve Jerusalem and that Jerusalem would be surrounded by armies just before it is time flee:

20 But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near. 21 Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those who are in the midst of her depart, and let not those who are in the country enter her. 22 For these are the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled. 23 But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! For there will be great distress in the land and wrath upon this people. 24 And they will fall by the edge of the sword, and be led away captive into all nations. And Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled. (Luke 21:20-24)

15 “Therefore when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place” (whoever reads, let him understand), 16 “then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 17 Let him who is on the housetop not go down to take anything out of his house. 18 And let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes. 19 But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! 20 And pray that your flight may not be in winter or on the Sabbath. 21 For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. (Matthew 24:15-21)

Notice that in Luke 21, Jesus referred to armies–plural–suggesting that Jerusalem would have more than one army–perhaps armies from many nations, such as an international army of some sort.

The Vatican’s recognition of the state of Palestine will lead to a European multinational force coming to Jerusalem in the future.

Several items of possibly related interest may include:

Gaza and the Palestinians in Bible Prophecy What does the Bible teach about Gaza and the fate of the Palestinians? Here is a link to a related video: Gaza and Palestine in Prophecy.
Church of God on Jerusalem’s Western Hill Could this building, often referred to as the Cenacle, which is located on a Mount Zion, possibly have been the oldest actual Christian church building? There is also a video titled Might the oldest church building have prophetic ramifications?
Jerusalem: Past, Present, and Future What does the Bible say about Jerusalem and its future? Is Jerusalem going to be divided and eliminated? Is Jesus returning to the area of Jerusalem? There is also a related YouTube video you can watch titled Jerusalem To be divided and eliminated.
Why Should American Catholics Fear Unity with the Orthodox? Are the current ecumenical meetings a good thing or will they result in disaster? Is doctrinal compromise good? Here is a link to a related video Should you be concerned about the ecumenical movement?
Will the Interfaith Movement Lead to Peace or Sudden Destruction? Is the interfaith movement going to lead to lasting peace or is it warned against? A video of related interest could be Do You Know That Babylon is Forming?
Some Similarities and Differences Between the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Continuing Church of God Both groups claim to be the original church, but both groups have differing ways to claim it. Both groups have some amazing similarities and some major differences. Do you know what they are?
Orthodox Must Reject Unity with the Roman Catholics Unity between these groups will put them in position to be part of the final end time Babylon that the Bible warns against as well as require improper compromise.
The Arab and Islamic World In the Bible, History, and Prophecy The Bible discusses the origins of the Arab world and discusses the Middle East in prophecy. What is ahead for the Middle East and those who follow Islam? What about the Imam Mahdi? What lies ahead for Turkey, Iran, and the other non-Arabic Muslims? An item of possibly related interest in the Spanish language would be: Líderes iraníes condenan la hipocresía de Occidente y declaran que ahora es tiempo para prepararse para el Armagedón, la guerra, y el Imán Mahdi.
Which Is Faithful: The Roman Catholic Church or the Continuing Church of God? Do you know that both groups shared a lot of the earliest teachings? Do you know which church changed? Do you know which group is most faithful to the teachings of the apostolic church? Which group best represents true Christianity? This documented article answers those questions.
Who is the King of the North? Is there one? Do biblical and Roman Catholic prophecies for the Great Monarch point to the same leader? Should he be followed? Who will be the King of the North discussed in Daniel 11? Is a nuclear attack prophesied to happen to the English-speaking peoples of the United States, Great Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand? When do the 1335 days, 1290 days, and 1260 days (the time, times, and half a time) of Daniel 12 begin? When does the Bible show that economic collapse will affect the United States? In the Spanish language check out ¿Quién es el Rey del Norte? Here is a link to a video titled: The Future King of the North.
There is a Place of Safety for the Philadelphians. Why it May Be Petra This article discusses a biblical ‘place of safety’ and includes quotes from the Bible and Herbert W. Armstrong on this subject–thus, there is a biblically supported alternative to the rapture theory. There is also a video on the subject: Might Petra be the Place of Safety? Here is something related in the Spanish language: Hay un lugar de seguridad para los Filadelfinos. ¿Puede ser Petra?
Where is the True Christian Church Today? This free online pdf booklet answers that question and includes 18 proofs, clues, and signs to identify the true vs. false Christian church. Plus 7 proofs, clues, and signs to help identify Laodicean churches. A related sermon is also available: Where is the True Christian Church? Here is a link to the booklet in the Spanish language: ¿Dónde está la verdadera Iglesia cristiana de hoy? Here is a link in the German language: WO IST DIE WAHRE CHRISTLICHE KIRCHE HEUTE?
Continuing History of the Church of God This pdf booklet is a historical overview of the true Church of God and some of its main opponents from Acts 2 in the first century to the 21st century. Two related sermon links would include Continuing History of the Church of God: c. 31 to c. 300 A.D. and Continuing History of the Church of God: 4th-16th Centuries. In Spanish: Marque aquí para ver el pdf folleto: Continuación de la Historia de la Iglesia de Dios.