NOTES ON THE HISTORIC ‘ABRAHAM ACCORD’: ISRAEL’S FREEDOM OR
AMERICA’S LAST DAYS RUBICON? – PART I

Part 1: THE COVENANT

“Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy
kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee: And I will
make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and
thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that
curseth thee: And in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.”

– GENESIS
12:1-3, KJV

QUOTES

“ABRAHAM’S LIFE, taken literally, is full of instruction, but we shall be wise to take
the spirit of it and endeavor to make it our own. We cannot live just as Abraham
did, but we can carry out the Great Principles which lay at the root of Abraham’s life
and, if the Holy Spirit will work in us a like degree of Faith to that of the holy
Patriarch, we may glorify God by our lives, even as he did.” – CHARLES SPURGEON,

“Abraham, A Pattern to Believers,” A Sermon Delivered on ‘The Lord’s Day
Evening,’ at the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington, January 22, 1893; edited
“God loves Israel, declaring, ‘I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore I
have drawn you with lovingkindness’ (Jeremiah 31:3). God is eternal, and His Love
is eternal. To possess the Love of God is to love that which He loves [and hate what
He hates]. One cannot claim to have God’s Love, and simultaneously hate Israel,
His chosen people. There is no place for anti-Semitism in the heart of any
Christian.” – DR. STEVEN R. COOK, “God Loves Israel,” ‘Thinking on Scripture,’
December 24, 2014

“We live in an Era of Unkept Promises. Nations sign important treaties and then
break them at will. And many couples show little regard for their wedding vows. In
this kind of society, we who are God’s people should be known for Keeping our
promises.” – MATTHEW COOK, “The Certainty of God’s Promises,” ‘Sermon Central,’
May 3, 2005; edited

NEWS FOR AUG 22, 2020. Just One Event is worth noting today for Context: Tropical Storms Laura and Marco, soon to reach Hurricane strength, display probable Impact Cones that stretch from western Florida to west Texas on the Gulf Coast. Both to make Landfall on the same day for the First Time in recorded history. 

Selah.

FIRST THOUGHTS

So do I dare to set out on this Three Part Series on the newly minted ‘Abraham Accord,’ more formally known as the ‘Israel-United Arab Emirates Peace Agreement,’ agreed upon August 13, 2020. This makes the UAE the third Arab nation, after Egypt in 1979, and Jordan in 1994, to formally ‘Normalize’ (a very important term) its relationship with Israel.

THESIS. That said, let me state in unambiguous, commonly understood vernacular: The Abraham Accord is a really, really, really Big Deal. 

Indeed, as the president has recently claimed, it is part of “The Deal of the Century,” in reference to the larger Peace Plan, titled, “Peace to Prosperity: A Vision to Improve the Lives of the Palestinian and Israeli People,” unveiled  at a White House press conference alongside Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, 168 days earlier on January 28, 2020. 

I will deal with that Proposal at a later time.

THE ABRAHAM ACCORD. Before proceeding further, here is the Full Text of the Joint Statement of the United States, the State of Israel, and the United Arab Emirates.

“President Donald J. Trump, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel, and His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, spoke today and agreed to the full Normalisation of relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates.

This historic diplomatic breakthrough will advance Peace in the Middle East region and is a testament to the bold diplomacy and vision of the three leaders and the courage of the United Arab Emirates and Israel to chart a new path that will unlock the great potential in the region. All three countries face many common challenges and will mutually benefit from today’s historic achievement.

Delegations from Israel and the United Arab Emirates will meet in the coming weeks to sign bilateral agreements regarding investment, tourism, direct flights, security, telecoms, technology, energy, healthcare, culture, the environment, the establishment of reciprocal embassies, and other areas of mutual benefit. Opening direct ties between two of the Middle East’s most dynamic societies and advanced economies will transform the region by spurring economic growth, enhancing technological innovation, and forging closer people-to-people relations.

As a result of this diplomatic breakthrough and at the request of President Trump with the support of the United Arab Emirates, Israel will suspend declaring sovereignty over areas outlined in the President’s Vision for Peace and focus its efforts now on expanding ties with other countries in the Arab and Muslim world. The United States, Israel and the United Arab Emirates are confident that additional diplomatic breakthroughs with other nations are possible, and will work together to achieve this goal.

The United Arab Emirates and Israel will immediately expand and accelerate co-operation regarding the treatment of and the development of a vaccine for the Coronavirus. Working together, these efforts will help save Muslim, Jewish, and Christian lives throughout the region.

This Normalisation of relations and peaceful diplomacy will bring together two of America’s most reliable and capable regional partners. Israel and the United Arab Emirates will join with the United States to launch a Strategic Agenda for the Middle East to expand diplomatic, trade, and security co-operation. Along with the United States, Israel and the United Arab Emirates share a similar outlook regarding the threats and opportunities in the region, as well as a shared commitment to promoting stability through diplomatic engagement, increased economic integration, and closer security coordination. Today’s agreement will lead to better lives for the peoples of the United Arab Emirates, Israel, and the region.

The United States and Israel recall with gratitude the appearance of the United Arab Emirates at the White House reception held on January 28, 2020, at which President Trump presented his Vision for Peace, and express their appreciation for United Arab Emirates’ related supportive statements. The parties will continue their efforts in this regard to achieve a just, comprehensive and enduring Resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. As set forth in the Vision for Peace, all Muslims who come in peace may visit and pray at the Al Aqsa Mosque, and Jerusalem’s other holy sites should remain open for peaceful worshippers of all faiths.

Prime Minister Netanyahu and Crown Prince Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan express their deep appreciation to President Trump for his dedication to Peace in the region and to the pragmatic and unique approach he has taken to achieve it.” – EDITORS, ‘Alba Waba News,’ August 14, 2020

• THE FORMAL TREATY. Unfortunately, I have not yet obtained access to the actual Text of the Peace Treaty itself. Thus, for now we will be responding to the more general or summary information that is available online.

• THREE INSTALLMENTS. I will be presenting Commentary about The Accord as it is currently available to us in these Three Sections: I: “The Covenant.” II: “The Concessions.” III: “The Consequences.” 

So now we turn to the Substance of the Accord as we understand it today, with minimal interpretation at this point.

THE ACCORD

The following Review will be adapted from the most detailed summary I could find, published by ‘Iasbaba,’ August 19, 2020. I will go section by section, then subpoint by subpoint, so we are all on the same page, literally. Only slightly edited for language clarity.

CLAUSES OF THE AGREEMENT. This refers to the Major Elements of the Agreement – articles, stipulations or provisos specified in the Treaty as the central proposals upon which Parties must agree.

• The Deal states that UAE would ‘Recognize the State of Israel’ and establish formal diplomatic relations with it, while Israel would Halt its controversial plan to annex swathes of the Palestinian West Bank. [SELAH.]

• In the next few weeks, Israel and the UAE will Finalize Bilateral Ties and cover areas of investment, tourism, security, technology, energy, environmental issues, and the establishment of embassies, in addition to other areas of cooperation. 

• The Joint Statement mentioned that Israel and the UAE would also be “Forging closer people-to-people relations.”

• The Statement also said that Israel will focus its efforts now on ‘Expanding ties with other countries in the Arab and Muslim world,’ and that the US and UAE would be assisting it in achieving that goal. [SELAH.]

POLITICS OF THE AGREEMENT. This involves the Geopolitical Strategies implicit in the Agreement, as agreed upon by the principal Parties.

• Domestic Politics of Israel: PM Netanyahu, who has been facing mishandling of the Coronavirus outbreak and is on trial for corruption, may be banking on this Agreement to revive his image.

• Domestic Politics of USA: This Agreement brokered by US is seen as diplomatic win of President Trump ahead of the November Elections, where he seeks Re-election. His other foreign policy bets — Iran, North Korea or Afghanistan — were either disastrous or inconclusive.

• Politics of UAE: The Agreement further burnishes its international campaign to be seen as a ‘Beacon of Tolerance’ in West Asia despite being governed by autocratic rulers.

• To Alienate Iran: The Agreement could also pave the way for the Region’s Sunni Arab kingdoms and the Jewish-majority Israel enhancing regional cooperation against their common foe, Shia Iran. [SELAH.]

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE AGREEMENT. Here we merely introduce the Potential Impacts the Agreement on the Region.

• The Agreement shows how the Arab countries are gradually ‘Decoupling themselves from the Palestine question.’

• The Deal buys UAE a lot of Goodwill in the US, where its image has been tarnished by its involvement in the Yemen War.

• Other Gulf states in the Region like Bahrain and Oman could follow suit and sign similar agreements with Israel. [SELAH.]

• If the Arab states do fall in line, it would dramatically bring all Sunni Nations in the Region in an anti-Iran Alliance with Israel. [SELAH.]

• In South Asia, it will put ‘Pakistan in a bind,’ whether to follow UAE’s steps (will be seen as giving up the Islamic cause of Palestine), or not to follow UAE (since it is already in feud with the Saudis over not taking up the Kashmir case, Pakistan cannot afford another hostile Islamic Country).

THESIS REDUX. This was admittedly taken from Arab News Sites, but it still captures the pragmatic ‘Meat’ of the Agreement for our examination. As such, there is much here to chew on, as it very probably represents, in my view:

The Initial Phase of the Seven Year Peace Agreement with Israel by Antichrist, referenced in the Annals of the Prophet Daniel.

“And he [the Antichrist] shall enter into a strong and firm covenant with the many and offering to cease [for the remaining three and one-half years]; and upon the wing or pinnacle of abominations [shall come] one who makes desolate, until the full determined end is poured out on the desolator.” – DANIEL 9:27, AMPC

DANIEL’S 70^TH WEEK. This explosive passage is possibly the most important one our generation shall need to master for the Days Ahead. For now, I merely Introduce it for your own prayerful research and reflection. I will treat it formally in Parts II and III of this Commentary.

Selah. Selah.

THE TEACHING

“Now the Lord had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee: And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: And in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.” – GENESIS 12:1-3, KJV

BACKGROUND. William MacDonald does an excellent job of providing Further Context for this important study. 

“The Call of the Lord had come to Abram when he was still in Ur (compare v. 1 with Acts 7:12). Abram was called to LEAVE his country, his family, and his father’s house, and to embark on a Life of Pilgrimage (Hebrews 11:9). God made a marvelous COVENANT [‘Berith,’ בְּרִית, or ‘Treaty’] with him which included the following significant Promises: 

• A LAND – That is, the Land of Canaan [or ‘Levant’ – Egypt, Syria, Jordan, Israel]. 

• A GREAT NATION – Namely, the Jewish people. 

• GREAT PROSPERITY – Both material and spiritual, for Abram and his seed. 

• A GREAT NAME – For Abram and his posterity; they would be a ‘Channel of Blessing’ to others. 

• FRIENDS OF ISRAEL – Would be specially ‘Blessed’ but anti-Semites would be singularly ‘Cursed’; Thus, through Israel, all the families of the earth would be Blessed in Abram (or Cursed), pointing forward to the Lord Jesus Christ, who would be a Descendant of Abram. 

• THE COVENANT – Was renewed and enlarged in Genesis 13:14-17; 15:4-6; 17:10-14; and 22:15-18.” – ‘Believer’s Bible Commentary,’ 1995, p. 48; edited

GOD’S TIMELINE. Now we turn to one more Commentary, to fill in the entire picture of the Event that launched the Birth of the Nation of Israel. Presuming that the archeological record is sound, this means that from the Call of Abraham around 2,116 BC, to the Founding of the State of Israel in 1948, it was: 4,114 YEARS. 

The Lord is Longsuffering indeed for His Plans to be fulfilled. Selah.

MATTHEW HENRY COMMENTS. “God made Choice of Abram, and singled him out from among his fellow-idolaters, that he might reserve a People for Himself, among whom His true worship might be maintained till the Coming of Christ. From henceforward Abram and his seed are almost the only subject of the History in the Bible. Abram was tried whether he loved God better than all, and whether he could willingly leave all to go with God … All the true blessedness the world is now, or ever shall be possessed of, is owing to Abram and his Posterity. Through them we have a Bible, a Saviour, and a Gospel. They are the Stock on which the Christian Church is grafted.” – ‘Exposition of the Old and New Testaments,’ 6 vols., 1708-1710; edited

IN SUM. We can now begin to grasp the Epochal Measure of this Covenant struck in God’s Blood and Fire and Smoke, long before He gave the Law to Moses on hand-writ Stone Tablets on Mount Sinai; or long before He gave His only begotten Son to be tortured and slaughtered on that mottled Cross on that Day of days; or before He promised to John on Patmos that He would Return to Rescue the faithful, and Destroy the wicked.

From Genesis through Revelation, and all in between, God’s Covenant with Israel Ramifies through the Centuries of Mankind, as sure as His Mighty Bow aimed and fired that Jewish Arrow straight and true, to finally find its Mark at the ‘End of History as we have known it.’

And I say we are very nearly there, beloved, very nearly there.

LAST THOUGHTS

I cannot add much here, save to say that I now believe that America figures centrally, for better or for worse, in this Great Last Days Drama. And if I am correct, our Destiny is being shaped in Dark Contours even as I write these words.

To that crucial point, I stumbled across an eerily prescient book by a Christian author, attorney and political analyst, that portrayed a ‘Last Days America’ as a Fatally Corrupted one, no longer a foreign idea to most of us who painfully observe America’s historic ‘Dégringolade’ – “A rapid decline or deterioration as in strength, position or condition.; Downfall.”

AMERICA IN THE LAST DAYS? Listen to the author’s chilling fictional story of a future American president gone fully rogue, especially in the Context of a ‘Stolen Election.’

“‘My country is being led by a Thief, or at the very least led by a man surrounded by thieves, obviously with his willing consent and direction.’ He had learned in his American history classes that in 1960 John Kennedy’s supporters in Cook County, Illinois had held out voting results until they knew how many votes were needed to put their candidate in the lead in the final state needed to win the White House. That was an historical embarrassment, but nothing like what just happened in States across the country. This was an organized, orchestrated and overt stolen election.” – JOHN PRICE, ‘THE WARNING: A Novel of America in the Last Days,’ 2013; edited

It doesn’t take a Ph.D. in political science to connect the national and geopolitical dots here, but I shan’t do that – yet. I would rather prefer each of you to begin to prayerfully and carefully assess the viability of that Scenario in Preparation for what comes in the next two installments.

CODA. For now, let us all understand the sheer Immensity of our Present Moment in American and Biblical Super-History. We stand, as it were, at what I describe in my own writing at an Unprecedented (there’s that word again) ‘Crossroads’: 

“The one branching to the Left taking us toward that gaping Abyss described again by [Gertrude] Himmelfarb (1994) and so very many others over the years; the other to the Right, however, moving us toward what I’d call ‘A Grand Refreshment,’ a Turning toward the God who Founded us at the very first.” – CLIFFORD W. KELLY, ‘The Sixth Seal: A Pre-Wrath Commentary on the End of History As We Know It,’ 2017, p. 137; edited

THE QUESTION. I leave you with is this: As implied in the Subtitle of this essay, has America ‘Crossed the Rubicon,’ past the Point of No Return, or do we still have time for a massive and hurried Course Correction this November 3^rd? 

I have an opinion, a strong one, but reserve that as well till the last part of this series. But this much I will say, still again, to our American Politicians and Church Leaders, in the perfect sharpness found in the Words of our Jewish Messiah:

“Let your Yes be simply Yes, and your No be simply No; anything more than that comes from the evil one.” – MATTHEW 5:37, AMPC

THE POINT. William MacDonald again takes us nicely home with his remarkable underscore of the Centrality of Truth as Remedy to the Present Crisis.

“For the Christian [and his fellows], an Oath is unnecessary. His ‘Yes’ should mean ‘Yes,’ and his ‘No’ should mean ‘No.’ To use stronger language is to admit that Satan – the Evil One – rules our lives. There are no circumstances under which it is proper for a [true] Christian to Lie. This passage also forbids any ‘Shading of the Truth or deception.’” – ‘Bible Believer’s Commentary,’ 1995, p. 1222; edited 

Therefore, in this ‘Era of Antichrist’ and all its myriad, dark Deceptions, the First Ensign of a true disciple of Jesus Christ is to first Know the Truth, and second, Live and Speak the Truth. 

DIVINE IMPLICATION. Therefore all, all those ostensible ‘Believers’ who cannot meet that First Test, are to be left in the very Dust of Messiah’s Golden Sandals. 

Listen carefully to Him.

“They told you beforehand, ‘In the last days (in the end time) there will be scoffers [false teachers who seek to gratify their own unholy desires], following after their own ungodly passions’ … [Therefore] Whoever does not welcome you, nor listen to your message, as you leave that house or city, shake the dust [of it] off your feet [in contempt, breaking all ties].” – JUDE 1:18; MATTHEW 10:14, AMP, AMPC

“Breaking all ties,” that God’s Sifting shall continue unabated.

TO THE CHURCH. All this, then, that we Christ-followers might Focus our Mission upon the ones who truly ‘hunger and thirst after His righteousness,’ thereby Redeeming the very precious time left to us. For me at least, His Instructions could not be clearer or more sensible. – cf. Matthew 5:6; Ephesians 5:16

Ever your servant, DK

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