Do we really recognize the severity of the times we live in? Are we failing to confront the issues of our times?  It is the biggest challenge of our generation to make the world a better place for our children, but are we neglecting this duty in order to ensure our peace, stability, and comfort? Heaven forbid!

We face the potential for another world war, and as usual,  the current flash point is in the Mideast, mostly surrounding issues regarding Israel. Additionally, there is the specter of another Holocaust forming on the horizon, targeting the people of Israel. Battlefield shaping in the Middle East is so open and plain that a hermit living in a cave could see it, and a growing Iranian-Russian alliance is presenting huge threat to the United States and Israel. Israel is under bitter scrutiny and oppression. America is not regarded and respected as highly as it was in the past, and we are openly challenged by a variety of threats.

I believe this to be prophetic. So do a lot of others. The only thing we do not have is the actual opening phases of the next conflict. The question is, what are we going to do about it? How do we confront it, and do so with the goal of bringing glory to God, not ourselves? Millions of people seem to be waiting for something to happen, and nothing is coming.  Many of them talk, but plan no action except to follow the times and react as necessary.

If we are waiting for our government to do something about it, we may be disappointed. Most of their efforts seem to be involved in the political rhetoric of appeasement. They feel it is necessary to sell out Israel for access to new export markets and cheap oil we can import. Its sad, but true. Moral clarity will never enter into this equation. Israel is doomed if we wait for them. 

Appeasement is the misguided hope that by placating your opponent, you can carry on unmolested. In reality, appeasement is similar to feeding a crocodile with the hope that it will not eat you.  The problem with that philosophy is that when you run out of food, the crocodile will usually see you as the next meal and devour you.

Do we expect the church to help us or Israel? I don’t think this is within their mission. Most are also chartered non profit organizations, and cannot participate in political activity without losing their financial base. In addition, some are hostile to Israel, and could not be expected to offer any assistance. What is needed is a real, tangible, and vital form of leadership. What is offered is merely words and exhortations to pray, send money, or write letters to political leaders who promptly stuff them into the trash can. 

Again, this is prophetic. All nations are foretold to come against Israel. We live in the nations, so it is not unexpected that our leaders will be against Israel while we are distressed by their actions because we know they only portend to cause destruction and wrath to come upon us.

In Israel, problems also abound. Like most besieged people, they have major issues to confront, and little in the way of answers to their problems.  Their government leaders are not trusted  by the people. The religious Orthodoxy rule with an iron fist, and are highly exclusionary and hostile to the different sects of Judaism and Christianity who identify with Israel and wish to help her survive to fulfill her destiny. They have the ability to pass regulations that prevent any cooperation between the forces who desire to help, and believe that no one will come to help them based on the Talmud, so we have an impasse.

The Israeli economy is reeling from divestment campaigns and military expenditures. People are openly weeping over the division of their land.

In short, the landscape around Israel and her destiny is essentially a barren moonscape, devoid of features, vegetation, or anything. All there is a dust and craters.

This, once again, is prophetic. It is clearly foretold. According to prophecy, however, two other events will occur that will be a great movement of the Lord. They are: 

a)      spiritual reconciliation between the house of Judah and the House of Ephraim

and

b)      the coming of the messiah, 

Now we see the beginnings of a unified Israel, united to stand against oppression. Before it can fully happen, however, there is a specific order that must occur, and this appears to be the sequence of events: 

re-conquest of the land by both houses
resettlement by both houses
divine purification of all from spiritual filth and idolatry
elevation to a new level of understanding
spiritual reconciliation of the two houses
coming of the Davidic king or messiah (not mentioned in preceding stages)
assisting him in straightening out the world

If this interpretation is correct, the first step is the return of both houses of the nation of Israel. This means both the Israelites and the house of Judah.

The house of Judah has began the process. They formed the nation of Israel, and they fought for it’s Independence. They also fought many other wars to help it survive. However, they need help now, and it isn’t going to come from any nation on the Earth. It has to come from individual believers, who care enough to make a difference.

The house of Joseph, characterized in the Bible as both Ephraim and Manasseh, will come to the aid of Judah in the end times, and together, they will form an Israel that will triumph over her enemies. The partnership of Joseph and Judah has  yet to begin, however, there is little disagreement that both will be the main players in end times events regarding a reunited Israel.

Keep in mind the fact that Israel will be redeemed for the sake of God’s Holy name, not for any human glory, recognition, or achievements.

It also seems that Judah will eventually send for Joseph in time of extreme crisis, and Joseph will need to respond so that both can confront a serious threat to the survival of Israel as a nation. This means it won’t be easy or relatively safe to be a part of this foretold event.  .

So, who is Joseph? I personally think it is a hodgepodge of Christians, Jews, Zionists, Karaites, crypto-jews, assimilated Jews, and others who have come to consciousness over the past few years. They are identifiable, but not out in the forefront as of yet. Each seems to have had an inexplicable “waking experience” which brought them to know their identity. Understand the fact that this has happened at a time when a lot of churches out there are preaching against Israel, and their views are not exactly popular or approved. In fact, most are being treated just as badly as their Jewish friends by the opponents. 

So for millions of people who now identify with Israel in one way or another, it appears we have work to do, and this work is going to take place outside of a church pew or website. In short, we need to step onto the stage of world events.

For according to prophecy nothing much is going to happen until both houses are back in the land. Right now, this is nearly impossible. In the future, it may not be. If we don’t begin the process, however, the Lord always has the ability to make it happen by some other method, and not all of them may be agreeable.

So what does this mean? It means that all the different movements of Christianity and Judaism who feel they have a stake in Israel and care deeply about her, should get on with this process without waiting either for the messiah,  or for the conversion of one group to the faith of the other.

What does this mean? A Judeo-Christian Israel? Exactly. There it is. I said it. It didn’t hurt that much to do it, either. 

This would mean that the return of the Israelites will involve the same kind of problems that the return of the tribe of Judah had to contend with. It means it will be carried out on the basis of decisions by human beings on both sides without intervention by the messiah. There will be blood, sweat and tears, as well as mistakes. People will have to make sacrifices, and some may even have to give all.

We must get on with the job anyway, trusting that our mistakes will be corrected when greater spiritual clarity and the messiah comes to rule us.

How would we do it?

The best way, in my opinion, is to form a representative government in exile, state our intentions to stand in support of Israel, and declare ourselves members of the nation of Israel, even though we are prevented from return by current laws and regulations that are in place. After this, we must wait for Judah to send for us, as the Bible says.

For critics of this approach, a government in exile would be the correct legal mechanism, because some of us would not be currently allowed to reside in Israel as citizens by the Israeli government because of the current laws in place. So we are in exile, semi-permanently, and we need a form of governance to represent our position. 

Final Note:

If anyone is interested in pursuing this course, I would like to request that they contact us, either in person or by organization. I think it bears consideration, examination, and further action.

I know that Natsal is ahead of it's time, but it has to be that way. We have to be in place to help these two groups stay alive so this can happen. History can judge us later on how effective we are, but for now, at least our intentions are right. We do care, and we do want to make a difference.  I think our biggest goal ought to be as a spark plug to get the two groups to recognize the fact that they are both in danger, and stand to be annihilated unless they get on the same page.

 We also realize the fact that another non profit isn’t the way to achieve our goals. There has to be something more substantial, more tangible, than just another organization that seeks money and offers advice. We need action, not words.

Persecution will come. You can mark my words. It appears to be just around the corner. How long do we hide from it, and cover our eyes?

Sincerely

The Staff of Natsal

Introduction

The purpose of this study is to show the potential scope of a Middle East conflict, and it’s effects on the nation of Israel and Jewish populations worldwide. Then, we will explain Natsal, and what we wish to accomplish.

The methodology of the study is to use a variety of open source intelligence methods, media reports, and some testimony from human sources to monitor strategic trends and make forecasts based on those strategic trends. As an overview, this study shows that a variety of trends on behalf of Israel’s enemies may be reaching the culmination phase, which would signal the end of a clearly designed and intentionally planned pre-war battlefield shaping strategy. 

The next logical step for Israel is for her enemies to begin the  implementation phase, where it all comes together in combat.

Currently, Israel’s enemies are massing troops according to strategy. This is readily apparent in the level of Syrian troop activity opposite the Golan Heights. Iran is also clearly stating an intention to aid Syria in a future war. Israel also appears to be countering the Syrian buildup with a troop buildup of it’s own.

It is interesting that an Iranian-Syrian conference was held on 7-21-07. This appears to be a pre-war leadership conference. Several press statements released after the conference illustrate a strategic approach. These include:

1)      An affirmation of Syrian and Iranian unity

2)      A declaration of the intent of Syria and Iran to use guerilla warfare and ballistic missiles in the war against Israel; combine this with the promise that any future war would involve Palestinian guerilla warfare operations inside Israel proper, and we can see the potential scope of assymetrical operations.

3)      A declaration of the intent of Syria and Iran their demographic superiority in a war of attrition. The goal of this strategy is to bleed Israel out, resulting in her capitulation.

4)      Iranian President Almadinejad also restated his intentions to destroy Israel and the West.

5) Russian President Vladimer Putin has recently stated his desire to stand in allaince with Iran in the event of a conflict with the United States.

6) China is actively arming the Middle East opponents of Israel and the United States.

7) Venezuela and Cuba are openly allied with the Middle East opponents of the US and Israel.

The only supposition that a logical observer can form is the fact that Israel’s enemies are plotting the complete destruction of Israel, and the annihilation of the Jewish people. 

If we take the enemies of Israel at their word, then we come to a final conclusion: this will be a war of genocidal intentions. 

This is not a foregone conclusion, however. There are a variety of forces that are friendly to Israel, and they can be exploited to help Israel survive. The commentary section of this study will explain this further.

Strategic Alliances Against Israel:

As of the time of this paper, a summary of the Strategic Alliances formed against Israel appear to include:

Hamas

Hizbullah

Syria

Iran

Lebanon

Russia ( arms and political support at this time, but has promised to intervene militarily if needed)

China ( as an economic and military supply asset)

If one watches the battlefield shaping operations going on around Israel, you can clearly see a hint of the strategy and tactics of the next war in the Middle East. Some of the things that are visible include:

First Front- Israel

In Israel, a combination of attack strategies will most probably be used by Hizbullah, Hamas, Iran, Syria. Other Middle East countries may be forced into the conflict as well,  in order to placate their increasingly radicalized population and keep their current leadership in place. Some of the tactics may include:

1)      Ballistic Missile Technology will undoubtedly be used to attack Israel from multiple positions in Lebanon, Syria, and Iran. These missiles will be targeted at virtually every inch of the nation of Israel, and large amounts of the missiles will be used. The possibility of non-conventional use of these missiles in either chemical, biological, or nuclear strikes seems to be high. 

2)      Troop movements indicate a three front war. The Golan Heights, Israeli –Lebanon border, and Gaza strip boundaries seem to be developing as active theaters of operation in this developing military conflict.  The West Bank territories will also probably be used to launch guerilla wafare attacks by Palestinian terror organizations.

3)      Palestinian guerilla warfare strikes will undoubtedly be used deep inside Israel in an assymetrical campaign that will undoubtedly be designed to limit the ability of the Israeli military to mobilize. Arab citizens of Israel may contribute to this campaign of operations.

4)      The war will most likely start with a surprise attack on Israel, and devolve into a campaign of attrition. Attrition will be used to force Israel capitulate. The enemy will also probably use Israel’s sensitivity to loss on the battlefield of it's troops in combat to gain political advantage and military superiority, and foment support from overseas sources through the media. 

5)      Naval operations will gain a new importance, and the battles will be hard fought. Israel will fight to keep sea lanes open, as the enemy fights to keep them closed. The enemy will use swarm tactics to confront the Israeli Navy, and the Israeli will need to adapt to this tactic in order to gain maritime supremacy. 

6) Russia has opened up a naval base in the region, and is in position to interdict any maritime resupply of Israel from the US.

The Second Front- Overseas

Overseas, Jews will suffer in the Diaspora. A few facts support this at this time. In summary, the problems appear to consist of the following:

1)      Venezuela will become increasingly oppressive to Jews, and may expel them from the country if a Middle East War were to start. In the worst case scenario, Venezuela may institute harsh persecution campaigns or even concentration camps for its Jewish population in the case of a Middle East war.

2)      Argentina is also a potential problem. Anti-Semetic sentiment is already in place, and may ignite into full scale persecution of Argentinian Jews in the case of a Middle East War.

3)      European Jews will undoubtedly be subjected to full scale persecution, and will be in need of assistance.

The Third Front-  Global Assymetrical Warfare against Jewish Targets

The third front will be terrorism based. The design of this campaign will be to use terror to force a political solution to the Israeli-Arab conflict. Some of the developing tactics may include:

1)      Individual terrorist cells may be used to target Diaspora Jewry in their home countries. Individual Hizbullah and Hamas terrorist cells could also be assigned to attack regional Jewish targets in every place accessible to these cells.

2)      Al Qaeda or other iregular forces may also attack Jewish interests in an attempt to elevate their position as a champion of the Palestinian cause. Jewish Schools, Jewish Community Centers, and Synagogues will be high value targets. IED’s, Vehicle Borne Explosives, and even suicide bombers may be the weapons of choice.

3)      Traditionally anti-semetic groups, individuals, and political movements will capitalize on the Middle East War in order to institute anti-Jewish activities. This may or may not include terrorist incidents.

       Overview

In looking at the order of battle delineated above, it is readily apparent that any future Middle East War will be transnational in scope. State sponsored and non-state sponsored terrorism will stalk the Diaspora communities, and an all out war of attrition will be waged for the survival of Israel, after a surprise attack on Israel proper. The enemy fully believes that a surprise attack will gain them some form of military momentum that they can use to gain advantage while Israel mobilizes her reserves.

As an effect of this war, supplies and personnel will not move rapidly to Israel. Shipping and mail service will be disrupted, and supplies will be sporadic. Personnel fleeing persecution overseas will not be able to readily make Aliyah because of the war. There is a definite need for an outreach on the part of every believing Christian who supports Israel to help Israel and the Jewish people survive.

From a military perspective, this war will have an epic scope. The loss of life portends to be high, and the chances of Israeli national survival may be bleak. It must be stressed that Israel has survived worse, though, and will not fall without a struggle.

Should Israel fall

Should Israel fall, her Arab enemies will undoubtedly institute a program of harsh retributions towards the Jewish population. Slavery, genocide, rape, and murder would be the order of the day. There would be no quarter for the Jewish people. The slaughter would be terrible in scope as old scores were settled in barbaric means.

Commentary

While the study above seems to be bleak in it’s assessment, and some may argue the value and inexact nature of open source intelligence to assess strategic trends, this impending war is not lost. Not by a long shot. It will, however, take some epic changes in the status quo for a decisive change to occur.

Impediments to the survival of Israel at the current time include the following:

1)      Religious division and enmity among the world Jewish population, and between Jewish groups and Zionist organizations.

At the current time, there are a variety of divisions that exist between Jewish religious groups, non-religious Jews, Christian Zionists, Evangelical Christians, and other groups that are a vital part of Israel and her support network. A sense of mutual distrust occurs, and often this is based on past differences of religious, political, or cultural interpretation. These internal divisions will only serve to aid and abet the enemy in a future war, and cost innocent lives.

The enmity between Jewish and Zionist Christian organizations is especially noteworthy. Christian Zionists have been instrumental in the foundation of pre-State Israel, and have distinguished themselves by fighting and dying in most if not all of the wars Israel has been involved in, especially the war of Independence.

Also noteworthy is the political division in Israel, and the resultant policies of appeasement. These do nothing except to embolden the enemy, and contribute nothing to the cause of peace. In the case of this impending war, peace will only be achieved by the unconditional surrender of the enemy

An initiative needs to be formed which will mobilize support for Israel and eliminate harmful division, and it needs to be formed immediately. Historical distrust needs to be eliminated, and all groups must form together to defeat a common enemy.  

2)      Formation of a common strategy of survival

A common strategy of survival is absolutely necessary and vital to the preservation of Israel. It is recommended that a joint campaign plan be made, and qualified persons should make recommendations that should be included in the plan from all interested Christian and Zionist organizations.

Natsal is attempting to help bridge this gap. We offer our help unconditionally, and our only request is to be able to help Israel survive and achieve it's destiny. This is a prophetic time in history, and we "get it."