Vatican signs official recognition of Palestinian state; Revenge for not turning over the ‘Church of God on Jerusalem’s Western Hill’?

Palestinian State Coat of Arms

In a move that was expected, the Vatican singed a document to officially recognize the State of Palestine:

Vatican recognises state of Palestine; Israel irked

June 27, 2015

The Vatican signed a treaty with the “State of Palestine” on Friday, saying it hoped its legal recognition of the state would help stimulate peace with Israel and that the treaty itself would serve as a model for other Mideast countries.

Vatican Foreign Minister Paul Gallagher and his Palestinian counterpart, Riad al-Malki, signed the treaty at a ceremony inside the Vatican.

Israel expressed disappointment when the Vatican announced last month that it had reached final agreement with the “State of Palestine” on the treaty regulating the life of the Catholic Church in the Palestinian territories.

It repeated that regret in a Foreign Ministry statement on Friday, saying the move hurt peace prospects and would discourage the Palestinians from returning to direct negotiations. It warned that it would study the agreement “and its implications for future cooperation between Israel and the Vatican.” http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/vatican-recognises-state-of-palestine-israel-irked/article7360828.ece

June 26, 2015

The Vatican on Friday signed its first ever treaty with what it calls the state of Palestine, further cementing formal ties that have angered Israel.

The accord, which has been negotiated for years, outlines the parameters of the Roman Catholic Church’s activities in the West Bank.

The document also supports the two-state solution to the Palestinians’ decades-old conflict with Israel, based on the 1967 borders.

The Vatican formally recognized a Palestinian state in 2013, joining 135 countries who have also done so. The United States is not among them.

Israel is opposed to such recognition, saying the only way to end the conflict is through negotiations, which have not progressed in years.

With the talks stalled, the Palestinian Authority has sought recognition by international entities as a way to move the process forward. http://www.voanews.com/content/vatican-signs-historic-treaty-with-palestinians/2838101.html

Here is a report from an Israeli news source:

June 26, 2015

The Vatican on Friday signed an historic first accord with “Palestine,” two years after officially recognizing the Palestinian Authority (PA) as a state.

The accord, a treaty covering the life and activity of the Church in Judea and Samaria, was the first since the Vatican made the controversial step of recognition in February 2013. It also recognizes the PA as having authority in eastern Jerusalem, the undivided capital of the Jewish state.

The treaty, which took 15 years of negotiations to complete, was agreed in principle last month and condemned by Israel as a setback for the peace process.

Signing international treaties unilaterally is a breach of the 1993 Oslo Accords which created the PA.

Israel’s Foreign Ministry responded to the move, expressing its “regret regarding the Vatican decision to officially recognize the Palestinian Authority as a state, in the agreement signed today,” spokesman Emmanuel Nahshon said in a statement.

“This hasty step damages the prospects for advancing a peace agreement, and harms the international effort to convince the PA to return to direct negotiations with Israel,” he said. “We also regret the one sided texts in the agreement which ignore the historic rights of the Jewish people in the Land of Israel and to the places holy to Judaism in Jerusalem.”

“Israel cannot accept the unilateral determinations in the agreement which do not take into account Israel’s essential interests and the special historic status of the Jewish people in Jerusalem,” he added. “Israel will study the agreement in detail, and its implications for future cooperation between Israel and the Vatican.”

The Vatican’s recognition of “Palestine” followed a November 12 vote in favor of recognition by the UN General Assembly, although the Vatican is supposed to be an apolitical religious body. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/197322#.VY6o-0bw-s4

The signing is consistent with an implicit threat that the Vatican seemingly made to Israel in 2013/2014. It is my understanding that the Vatican told Israel that if Israel would not transfer sovereignty/complete use of the building known as the Cenacle, and is sometimes called the Church of God on Jerusalem’s Western Hill, for a Vatican property held in Europe, that the Vatican said it would take international steps that Israel would not care for.

Well, whether or not that threat was directly made, the Vatican has followed through to complicate matters for Israel. The documented reality is that the Vatican has been trying to get full control of this building for decades. And the Vatican just signed a formal declaration recognizing the State of Palestine against the wishes of the Israeli government.

Original and Added Bricks (and added dome) Related to the Church of God on Jerusalem’s Western Hill

The Church of God on Jerusalem’s Western Hill is believed to have been the original Christian church building constructed in Jerusalem. It is on what is commonly called Mt. Zion. 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?). It was reportedly built with stones from the ‘second’ Jewish temple in Jerusalem. Only a few of the original stone bricks are visible as many are believed to be in the foundation below the earth and many others were destroyed through various conquests and well as because of age.

Some of the remaining original bricks on the building which are also shown on the front cover of The Bible Hymnal used by the Continuing Church of God

After the pagan Emperor Constantine got influence, his supporters took the building away from the true Christians, but sometime after his death, his supporters lost it again. Yet by the end of the fourth century, the Greco-Romans took control of the building until the Muslims ended up with it. After the 1967 war, Israel ended up with it.

It was then controlled by by a Jewish group in Israel called the Diaspora Yeshiva. They later turned it over to the Israeli government under the condition that it never be turned over to the Church of Rome or the Muslims.

On October 24, 2013, I was able to visit the visible remains of the Church of God on Jerusalem’s Western Hill as well as go inside what the crusaders and Muslims eventually built upon it.

While attempting to take some photos and to video some of the remains of the Church of God on Jerusalem’s Western Hill, I was approached by a Jewish rabbi named Avraham Goldstein of the Diaspora Yeshiva. He asked why I was there, so I explained it. He then asked me if the Continuing Church of God would like to be involved in an archaeological project related to that general area. He mentioned doing excavations related to what some believe is David’s tomb, located below. Many consider that only a legend and not the real location–though the actual location of David’s tomb has not been verified in many centuries. However a Jewish rabbi who claimed to visit it in 1163 A.D. stated it was below this particular Mt. Zion.

Avraham Goldstein also said he believes that the ark of the covenant may be directly below or near it via tunnels. Avraham Goldstein basically stated that his group once controlled the building and allowed Israeli government to have it under the condition that it would not be just given to a group like the Catholics of Rome.

So, I asked him to put that in writing in an email. So he sent me one on November 3, 2013:

1. Concerning the Cenacle (The Last Supper Room). Originally it belonged to the Yeshiva, but the Yeshiva gave it over to the Israel Ministry of Religions to administer.

2. The condition upon which the Cenacle was given over to the Israel Ministry of Religions was that the status quo would be upheld ;- that it is open to all religions and is not the specific property of any one faith. The Catholic Pope would like to have it exclusively at the disposal of the Catholic faith and to hold mass there. As things stand today this is the only building that is open to Jews, Christians and Moslems. We do not want it to be assigned to just one faith which could create problems with the Palestinians – which is certainly unecessary…

With thanks for your kind consideration of all these matters and with best wishes to you and blessings from Mount Zion,

Rabbi Avraham Goldstein
Diaspora Yeshiva
Mount Zion

Anyway, I believe that part of the reason that the Vatican has recognized the State of Palestine is to extract some revenge on the State of Israel for not giving the Vatican the full control that it wants for the Church of God on Jerusalem’s Western Hill.

This does not mean that the Vatican is done with its political pressures. The Vatican wants a more important role in Jerusalem and probably hopes that what it is doing will encourage the Israelis to give them more of what it wants.

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 does want to wrest control of Jerusalem away from the Jews. And no one should think that it really wants to give that control to the Muslims. Recall it was a 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 a step to get the Vatican closer to its real goals, which also include its interfaith and ecumenical plans.

Jesus taught that in the time of the end, there would be issues that would involve Jerusalem. Jesus said that Jerusalem would be surrounded by armies just before it is time for His people to 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)

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.

Notice Matthew and Mark’s account of Jesus’ words:

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)

14 “So when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not” (let the reader understand), “then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 15 Let him who is on the housetop not go down into the house, nor enter to take anything out of his house. 16 And let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes. 17 But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! 18 And pray that your flight may not be in winter. 19 For in those days there will be tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the creation which God created until this time, nor ever shall be. 20 And unless the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake, whom He chose, He shortened the days. (Mark 13:14-20)

Various ones have tied Jesus’ words to prophecies in Daniel 9:27 and 11:31.

Historically, it has been believed by various scholars that the actions by Antiochus Epiphanes IV, over a century before Jesus said this, was an ‘ante-type’ of what would happen in the future. Notice something consistent with that from the Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown Commentary:

Mark 13:14

But when ye shall see – “Jerusalem compassed by armies” [stratopedoon] – ‘by encamped armies;’ in other words, when ye shall see it besieged, and the abomination of desolation, [to bdelugma tees ereemooseoos], Spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not – that is, as explained in Matthew (Matthew 24:15), “standing in the holy place.”

(Let him that readeth (readeth that prophecy), understand.) That “the abomination of desolation” here alluded to was intended to point to the Roman ensigns, as the symbols of an idolatrous, and so unclean pagan power, may be gathered by comparing what Luke says in the corresponding verse (Luke 21:20); and commentators are agreed on it. It is worthy of notice, as confirming this interpretation, that in 1 Maccabees 1:54-which, though Apocryphal Scripture, is authentic history-the expression of Daniel is applied to the idolatrous profanation of the Jewish altar by Antiochus Epiphanes.
(from Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown Commentary, Electronic Database. Copyright © 1997, 2003, 2005, 2006 by Biblesoft, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Antiochus Epiphanes IV was a Greek king who had idols and was a persecutor of the Jews.

The Book of Daniel tells of a someone coming from the line of Greco-Roman rulers who will implement persecution against God’s saints in the end times (and will also insist on idols per Revelation 13:14-18):

23 “Thus he said:

‘The fourth beast shall be
A fourth kingdom on earth,
Which shall be different from all other kingdoms,
And shall devour the whole earth,
Trample it and break it in pieces.
24 The ten horns are ten kings
Who shall arise from this kingdom.
And another shall rise after them;
He shall be different from the first ones,
And shall subdue three kings.
25 He shall speak pompous words against the Most High,
Shall persecute the saints of the Most High,
And shall intend to change times and law.
Then the saints shall be given into his hand
For a time and times and half a time. (Daniel 7:23-25)

Could it be that the final Beast, the final King of the North, in biblical prophecy, will fulfill Jesus’ words in Matthew 24:15 and Mark 13:14 by setting something up in the Church of God on Jerusalem’s Western Hill or elsewhere in Jerusalem? This could be.

In Matthew and Mark, Jesus said that knowing about this holy place is important. Many in the Church of Rome believes that this is a reference to a Catholic building. Many Protestants tend to believe that this has to be a Jewish temple (see also Why is a Jewish Temple in Jerusalem Not Required?), but since in the New Testament, Christians are the ‘temple of God’ (1 Corinthians 3:16-17), I do not believe it has to be a rebuilt Jewish temple.

The Church of God on Jerusalem’s Western Hill certainly seems to fit the potential place Jesus was referring to. In several places in the Hebrew scriptures, Mt. Zion is referred to as holy (Psalm 2:6; Isaiah 64:10; Joel 2:1; 3:17; Zechariah 8:3).

Notice also the following:

3… the son of perdition, 4 who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4)

Since the Church of God on Jerusalem’s Western Hill, known as Mt. Zion, was originally a Christian building, and is built on the foundation of the bricks of the last Jewish temple (cf. Ephesians 2:20), is it possible that this will be the place that the ‘son of perdition’ sits?

The sinful leader in 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 is the same one as the final King of the North in Daniel 11 (see also Who is the Man of Sin of 2 Thessalonians 2?). Thus, 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 seems to occur the same time that the passages in Daniel 11:31-39 take place.

The recognition of the State of Palestine by the Vatican is a step that is leading to the fulfillment of end time prophecies. The government of Israel would prefer to have the Vatican on its side and may well decide to not risk much more ‘revenge’ from the Vatican.

Israel maintains Jerusalem is its eternal, undivided capital. However, the time will come when Israel will no longer have control over an ‘undivided Jerusalem’ as its capital. The Vatican wants to make sure of that.

Several items of possibly related interest may include:

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?
Europa, the Beast, and the Book of Revelation discusses the largest church since the second/third century, which in a real sense is the eighth church mentioned in the Book of Revelation (it also endorses “eighth day” worship). What church would support the Beast? Here is a link to a video titled: Can You Prove that the Beast to Come is European?
Who is the Man of Sin of 2 Thessalonians 2? Is this the King of the North, the ten-horned beast of Revelation 13:1-11, or the two-horned Beast of Revelation 13:12-16? Some rely on traditions, but what does the Bible teach? Here is a related link in Spanish/español: ¿Quién es el Hombre de Pecado de 2 Tesalonicenses 2? Here is a version in Mandarin: 主编：谁是’大罪人’？Here is a link to a related YouTube video, in English, titled Who is the Man of Sin?
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.
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? Here is a link to a related video sermon: Will the Interfaith Movement lead to World War III?A shorter 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.