News out of Israel indicates that 3 teenage yeshiva students were kidnapped on Thursday by Islamic terrorists.  One of the youths is a dual American-Israeli citizen.

The IDF (Israeli Defense Forces) and Shin Bet (Israeli Security Agency) are carrying out missions, conducting searches and interrogating some of the 80 Palestinian arrests made over the weekend.  All border crossings into Gaza are closed in attempts to avoid transfer of the youth into Gaza.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed on Saturday evening that terrorists linked to Hamas are indeed responsible for the kidnapping.  Then, on Sunday morning he issued this statement:

“This morning  I can say what I was unable to say yesterday, before the extensive wave of arrests of Hamas members in Judea and Samaria.  Those who perpetrated the abduction of our youths were members of Hamas – the same Hamas that Abu Mazen [Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas] made a unity government with- this has severe repercussions.  We are currently focusing all of our efforts on bringing the abductees back home.”

Hamas denies any involvement and Mahmoud Abbas states that the Palestinian Authority is not responsible for the kidnappings, arguing that they occurred in Area C (Israeli controlled area) of the West Bank.

As we see terrorist activity again ramping up in Israel, Iraq and throughout the Middle East, let’s be mindful that these are truly “birth pangs” that Scripture tells us will occur leading up to the time of Jesus’s return.  As believers, we are exhorted to:

• Prepare our minds for action, keep sober in spirit, and fix our hope completely on the grace of Jesus  (1 Peter 1:13-16)
• Be ready!  (Matthew 24:42-44, Luke 12:35-39)
• Pray for the peace of Jerusalem (Psalm 122)
• Keep looking for the Blessed Hope (Titus 2:11-14)

Thanks for stopping by…and stick around.  I haven’t forgotten our next lesson in this week’s study!  I’ll post “Where does Psalm 83 fit in Bible Prophecy” later this afternoon!

Shalom friends!