Israel’s Netanyahu reiterates threats against Iran and calls its President Rouhani a ‘wolf in sheep’s clothing’

Nagasaki Nuclear Bomb (1945)

Israel’s Prime Minister Netanyahu is concerned about Iran and its potential development of nuclear weapons:

August 7, 2013

Israel is ramping up its threat to take unilateral military action against Iran’s nuclear program.On Wednesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Iran has continued to develop its nuclear program, even after the election of Hassan Rouhani, whom he has labeled a “wolf in sheep’s clothing.”

“The president of Iran is trying to present a new image to the West, but advances in the nuclear program continue,” Netanyahu said during a visit to proposed new military bases in the Negev desert. “He tells us no threats will help. But the truth is that the only thing in the last 20 years that has helped stop Iran’s nuclear program were pressures and the explicit threats of military action.”

On Tuesday, Rouhani, in his first news conference since his inauguration Sunday, said Iran would not respond to threats. The new Iranian president said Iran was prepared to enter serious nuclear talks with the West, including with the United States, but would not respond to pressure tactics.

Rouhani, a former chief nuclear negotiator for Tehran, took some pointed shots at Israel’s influence in Washington without mentioning Israel specifically. http://www.latimes.com/news/world/worldnow/la-fg-wn-iran-israeli-threats-20130807,0,5505052.story

Both the USA and Israel have stated that it was unacceptable for Iran to acquire nuclear weapons, yet Israel insists that Iran keeps taking steps consistent with the development of them. Iran’s new President Rouhani took office last weekend (Iran’s former nuclear negotiator now its president–he wants sanctions dropped).

As regular readers of the COGwriter news page are aware, I have been warning for some time that a regional war involving Iran, Israel, the USA, and/or Syria seems likely. And Israel and Iran keep taking steps which may help it get ready for such a war.

Since Iran, however, is NOT really south of Jerusalem (though it may support such a king per certain interpretations of the peoples listed in Ezekiel 30:1-9), it will not be the final King of the South of Bible prophecy (cf. Daniel 11:40-43). Because of that, I have tended to believe that Iran may somehow get “neutralized” before this final king rises up. A serious attack by the USA and/or Israel may neutralize Iran and much of its influence. It also may take a regional war for the seven-year confirmation of the deal in Daniel 9:27 to come about.

My reading and re-reading of Bible prophecy simply does not show that Iran will be a major player in Daniel 11:21-44 nor the deal of Psalm 83:4-8 (Arabs, Turks, and Europeans are); though Ezekiel 30:1-9 possibly implicates Iran as a supporter of an end-time confederation involving Egypt.

“Neutralizing” Iran would allow most of the other Islamic states (like Saudi Arabia and Egypt) to continue to exist (Syria might not do well per Isaiah 17:1) and allow for the rising of the prophesied King of the South to rise up (revolution in Iran, is also another possibility, for its “neutralization”).

Leaders in the USA and Israel have suggested that they may intervene and attack Iran. But if the USA and Israel do hit Iran, Iran would likely not fare well, but that does not mean that the USA and/or the USA would not suffer.

The USA, as is Europe, is vulnerable to being hurt by EMP weapons (which Iran may have), chemical weapons (which at least Syria has), dirty bombs (which Iran already can make), terrorism (which Iran sometimes sponsors), and biological weapons (which both Iran and Syria likely have). Although the USA (nor Europe) will NOT to eliminated by this type of conflict, the USA certainly could be partially or even greatly weakened by these type of attacks. And they could trigger civil unrest in Europe and elsewhere.

If there currently is a “King of the West,” it would currently seem to be the USA, and the Bible does not seem to show it existing much into the Great Tribulation (cf. Daniel 11:39). It likely will be weakened in many ways. Thus, unlike the military interventions in places like Iraq, do not be surprised if the USA itself is not to be unscathed if it engages Iran and/or Syria. This would not be the Great Tribulation per se, but part what Jesus called “the beginning of sorrows” (Matthew 24:4-8) that could help further weaken the USA and make it more vulnerable for being taken over.

Iran keeps taking steps suggesting that it is expecting such conflict.

Of course, if the new Iranian president takes steps that Israel does not like, that could escalate matters there. It is a dangerous time in the Middle East.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

Is the Future King of the South Rising Up? Some no longer believe there needs to be a future King of the South. Might Egypt, Islam, Iran, Arabs, or Ethiopia be involved? Might this King be called the Mahdi or Caliph? What does the Bible say? A YouTube video of related interest may be: The Future King of the South is Rising.
The Arab and Islamic World In the Bible, History, and Prophecy The Bible discusses the origins of the Arab world, discusses Turkey and Iran, and discusses the Middle East in prophecy. What is ahead for the Middle East and those who follow Islam?
Jerusalem To be divided and eliminated Many want Jerusalem. Who does the Bible teach will control Jerusalem? Will the Jews be forced out of Jerusalem and many made captive? What did Jesus teach about this? Are nations even now considering providing the prophesied armies to surround Jerusalem? What is Jerusalem Day? What is Nakba Day? What events should Christians watch in Jerusalem as signs that the Great Tribulation will begin? What is the solution to Jerusalem? This is a video.
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?
Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel Are the Americans, Canadians, English, Scottish, Welsh, Australians, Anglo (non-Dutch) Southern Africans, and New Zealanders descendants of Joseph? Where are the lost ten-tribes of Israel? Who are the lost tribes of Israel? What will happen to Jerusalem and the Jews in Israel? Will God punish the U.S.A., Canada, United Kingdom, and other Anglo nations? Why might God allow them to be punished first?
Who is the King of the West? Why is there no End-Time King of the West in Bible Prophecy? Is the United States the King of the West?
When Will the Great Tribulation Begin? 2013, 2014, or 2015? Can the Great Tribulation begin today? What happens before the Great Tribulation in the “beginning of sorrows”? What is the seven-year deal? What happens in the Great Tribulation and the Day of the Lord? Is this the time of the Gentiles? When is the earliest that the Great Tribulation can begin? What is the Day of the Lord? Who are the 144,000?
Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Second Edition for Second Obama Term This is a 160 page book for people truly interested in prophecies related to Barack Obama and the United States, including learning about many that have already been fulfilled (which the book documents in detail) and those that will be fulfilled in the future. It also has a chapter about a Republican choice. This book is available to order at www.barackobamaprophecy.com. The physical book can also be purchased at Amazon from the following link: Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States: Is Barack Obama Fulfilling Biblical, Islamic Catholic, Kenyan, and other America-Related Prophecies? What About Republican Leaders? Second Edition for Second Obama Term.
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