I do agree that nothing needs to happen for the rapture to take place. I've always been torn between America as the mystery Babylon, and the Vatican. But from what I'm gathering that you are saying is after the rapture God calls all the Jews home? So not an end times sign? Some Jews are being persecuted in other countries and out of fear they have packed up and relocated to Israel. I lean towards the rest who are still living in peaceful surrounding will stay until they are threaten and I think that occurs after the rapture. They will be targeted and blamed for the financial collapse, etc. because the Christians are gone. I believe the Vatican will play the part of the Religious side of Babylon. The way its looking from the article below ... I’m leaning towards whoever becomes the False Prophet will probably eventually make resident in Jerusalem vs. staying in Rome. This is an old but interesting article ... Israel-Vatican deal on land use said imminent The Times of Israel Deputy Foreign Minister Ze’ev Elkin was in Rome for high-level negotiations with Vatican officials over several outstanding land and building issues revolving around properties owned by the Holy See in Israel. Elkin visited the Holy See to continue decades-long talks on a comprehensive land deal between Israel and the Vatican, Maariv reported Thursday. Elkin told the Hebrew daily that, after meeting with the Vatican negotiating team and then separately with Pope Francis I, he thought an agreement would be signed by the end of the year, which would pave the way for the new pope’s promised visit to the Holy Land. Elkin’s meetings Wednesday were the first such negotiations in two years. The two main points of discussion revolved around Vatican requests to build two new centers in Israel. The Church has long lobbied to build a new church in a section of the Caesaria National Park where a church dedicated to St. Paul once stood. The area is now an archaeological and tourist site. Israel had previously refused the request, but now it seems Jerusalem will approve the construction of a center in the area, as long as the new complex does not have outward Christian religious symbols or resemble in its design a traditional church. The other main issue is a plot of Vatican-owned land on Mount Zion in Jerusalem, currently used as a parking lot, but desired by the Holy See for a church. Israel won’t allow the land to be used for construction, but has reportedly offered use of an alternative swath of land in the capital. A structure on Mt. Zion known as the Cenacle, where the Last Supper is believed to have taken place, will become open to Catholic worship once again, Italian newspaper La Stampa reported. The site will be administered by the Franciscan order but ownership will remain with Israel. The structure, also known as the “Upper Room,” rests above what’s believed to be King David’s Tomb, although many archaeologists differ on whether the Jewish king was actually buried there. La Stampa reported in late May that under the terms of a possible agreement, commercial activities run on church properties such as restaurants or souvenir shops will become subject to Israeli sales tax. The extensive properties owed by the church will continue to be exempt from paying property tax. Israel and the Vatican signed an agreement in 1993 dealing with property and tax rights for Roman Catholic Church properties in Israel, which paved the way for the opening of full diplomatic relations between the two states in 1994, but several outstanding issues remained, leading to on-again off-again negotiations over the years. “The negotiations took place in a thoughtful and constructive atmosphere… significant progress was made and the parties committed themselves to accelerate negotiations on the remaining issues, and look forward to an expedited conclusion in the near term,” a press release jointly issued by Israel and the Vatican said. During his time in Rome, Elkin is to meet with Italian Prime Minister Enrico Letta and Foreign Minister Emma Bonino to discuss issues of concern to both countries. Elkin is scheduled to continue on to Russia next week. - Fair Use- Indeed with the increase of anti-semitism it will only continue to worsen. Some way some how after the Rapture the anger will be focused against Jews again becoming the scapegoat of the world for all it's problems. Though they deny Christ, you would think they would be the last people to be blamed for the onsuing chaos after the Rapture. The increased hatred of Israel and the Jewish people in general will I believe force Jews around the world back to their homeland! Even with a peace initiative being enforced the world will hate Israel for the compromise of their hatred and scapegoating! Add to this the world-wide suffering and tribulations that shall commonly be experienced and this will marshal the ultimate betrayal of Israel. Then add the judgments of God. God's chosen people will only be saved by divine intervention in her favor, by God himself! Israel shall also be blamed for the sins of the whole world! TR
Deputy FM, in Rome, says agreement could be signed this year; Holy See to receive permission for two new churches
By Gaviel Friske
June 6, 2013
