by John Price
General Houston thought he might jump across the table and slap his Commander in Chief silly until he perceived reality. Recognizing that he couldn’t do that, he tightly gripped both arms of his Situation Room leather chair, leaned forward and said, using a purposely low tone and a slow cadence to his words, “Mister President. There….is….an….equally compelling, uh, explanation. If Russia and Iran, and it now looks like there may be Libyan troops involved, have….decided….to….invade….Israel, then the Russian President’s refusal to speak with you is fully understandable. He would obviously be….”
The President would have none of it. He slammed his palm down hard on the polished table and shouted at the General, “You still don’t get it. I wasn’t brain-washed by serving in the military, so I get it. Why do I have to be the only one who figures out what our friends in the Middle East are doing? They don’t want to invade Israel. They’re only scaring the PM, maybe hoping they can get some more land….like….uh…. under a second treaty, you know, like….”
Admiral Smitherman cut off the President’s rambling, “May I suggest sir that sovereign nations don’t cross other sovereign nations’ borders to scare them. They cross borders to invade, to kill and to conquer.”
The President scowled at the Admiral, snapping back, “Killing? You can’t show me one killing, not one death. These troops are only….well, don’t take it from me….look up at the screen on the right….they’re not even two miles into Israel. Like I said….military exercises only….Just war games.”
“Mister President, sir,” the Colonel said, “The Israeli PM is calling again. Will you take his call, sir?”
“I need a break, gentlemen. I didn’t get any breakfast yet. I’m famished. Colonel, tell the PM that I’ll call him back in a few minutes, alright?”
“I am authorized to tell the PM that you will call him back, sir?”
“What did I just say? Of course I will. I just need some food first.”
72
Situation Room – White House West Wing
Washington, DC
It was now just past 9 AM in DC. It was 3 PM in Israel. The President had taken his usual breakfast of two hard boiled eggs, six strips of extra crispy bacon and two everything bagels, covered in butter and rhubarb jam. His Starbucks coffee brought in by the Secret Service from across the street completed his morning routine. He slowly left the living quarters and walked leisurely down the hall from the elevator to the West Wing Situation Room. As he entered, the NSA Colonel said, “Good morning, Mister President, the Israeli PM is on the red….”
“Oh, really? What a surprise. Who calls me more, huh? I said I would call him, so, just tell hi….”
General Houston stood when the President appeared, along with the others in the room, but he was the only one who remained standing. The General knew that what he was about to do was a career ender, but he also knew that if he didn’t force the President to take the PM’s call that the consequences for both countries could be catastrophic. He looked straight at his Commander in Chief who had just slouched down with his Presidential leg cocked up on the conference room table. The General said with firm resolve in his voice, “Mister President with all due respect, you must talk with the Prime Minister of Israel. Israel is our primary ally in the Middle East. It’s being invaded. We have a military defense agreement with Israel signed by President Carter. History will not understand why you refused to….”
“Fine, General, fine,” the President said showing by his demeaning tone of voice that he was beyond angry. “So much for civilian control of the military, right, General?....You may take your seat, sir. You’ve made your point….Colonel, connect me with the PM.”
Israel’s Prime Minister was pacing his office on Kaplan Street in Jerusalem when his staff told him that the President, after seven hours of attempts, was finally on the secure red line. The PM snatched up the red phone, trying to calm himself at this yet further affront from the leader of Israel’s primary ally on the globe. The PM had finally decided that the President of the United States didn’t like him and also had no regard for the State of Israel.
“Mister President. Thank you, sir, for….finally….taking my call. You know, of course, that Russia and Iran and we know now Libya and others are invading Israel and….”
“Look, Bebe….Spare me the intelligence report. We get your feeds. I’m fully briefed. You folks are way over-reacting to these military exercises. Vladimir wouldn’t leave Moscow if he was actually invad….”
“Mister President. Stop….I have foreign troops. Tens of thousands of them, now….let me look….four point three miles storming into our sovereign land. This is nothing short of war. Are you….seriously….telling me you still believe their ludicrous cover story….that this invasion of my country is just a joint military training exercise? Seriously?”
“Bebe….Calm down, alright?....Let me get this right,” the President said, looking over at General Houston, “I still think you’re wrong, but if you’re right, are you making an official request on me? On the United States?”
“Well, in fact, I am….We are….Mister President. I am officially calling on the United States of America to come to the immediate defense….the military defense….of Israel under the Camp David accords and the agreement between our respective nations signed on March 26, 1979 signed by our then PM, Menachem Begin, and your predecessor, President Carter. We are demanding that…,”
“Enough, Bebe, I am well aware of the agreement. Though President Sadat didn’t sign the side agreement to which you are referring, the Camp David Accords led to the assassination of Sadat, as I recall.”
“Mister President, the military defense agreement between our two countries was no side agreement. It’s a binding treaty between our countries. The agreement provides that the U.S. will ‘consider on an urgent basis…strengthening the United States presence in the area…to put an end to the violation’. Those are the words, Mister President, in the agreement I’m calling on you to keep your word and send us U.S. military assistance, now, to put an end to the violation we are watching every minute, a land invasion of Israel.”
First, Bebe, it wasn’t my word, it was Carter who signed it. Second, I don’t appreciate your tone and your lecturing me. And, lastly, I could drive a truck through that language. ‘Consider on an urgent basis?’ OK, I’m considering….and it’s urgent. Satisfied? Bebe, I’ve told you this before, but you keep forgetting. One hundred and fifty million Muslims, your neighbors, are watching everything the U.S. does. If we jump in your little regional conflict we could elevate it to a serious threat to peace in the Middle East, and we don’t want to….”
“Little regional conflict? Israel is being invaded by at least three countries, including Russia. Doesn’t that bother you in the least? You said once that you had Israel’s back. It looks now like what you really meant was that you would stab us in the back.”
“Really, Bebe? Is that what you’re going to go blast to the media? We haven’t decided what to do, yet, alright? This conversation’s not going anywhere. We’ve got work to do. Once we decide what to do we’ll let you know. Colonel, this call’s over. Disconnect.”
73
Small Group Bible Study, Home of Hannah & Gary
Birmingham, Alabama
Liz and Max weren’t in attendance as the small group convened in Hannah and Gary’s family room. They were now settled in Central America. They were thankful that their home in Alabama sold at a decent price. Their absence and the reason for their non-attendance was a definite damper on the spirit of the group of Christian friends.
Scott, as was his practice, began the small group Bible study with prayer, “Father, we’re coming before you tonight seeking your hand on our study and asking you to guide us as we look into Your Word. We ask that you protect Max and Liz as they seek to be obedient to you and have moved out of the country. For the rest of us, Father, we just ask for wisdom. We don’t want to stay if you want us to go, and we don’t w
ant to go if it’s your will that we stay. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen….Beau, you’re always up on what’s going on in the news. What do you make of these scary stories coming out of Israel yesterday?
Beau had several news articles in his hands. He held them up, saying, “Guys. We’re in deep, deep trouble. We’ve studied Ezekiel before. You all know that the prophet Ezekiel warned that someday Israel would be invaded from the north by the nation we now know as Russia. Also by Iran, which in the Bible was known by its prior name of Persia. And also by Libya, known in the Bible as Put. The news reports are still sketchy. But what is clear is that those exact three nations are several miles into Israel. Russia and Iran apparently lied and said they were just engaged in military exercises, but it’s no exercise to send your troops deep into another nation.”
Scott asked, “Beau, what are you saying? Are we seeing on our television screens what Ezekiel said would happen? If we are, doesn’t that mean that Israel’s treaty partner will betray Israel? What is the media reporting from the White House? Is the U.S. going to send in cruise missiles or armed troops? Are we going to keep our 1979 treaty promise to come to Israel’s defense if it’s attacked? I’m really concerned that we’ll betray Israel just as Jeremiah said. We studied the prophecies. If the U.S. is the Daughter of Babylon….and if we betray Israel….and we don’t come to its defense….and if there is blood shed in Israel….then it looks like we will be destroyed by the same nations that invade Israel….and God removes his hand of protection and lets it happen. Whew! Did I summarize what we studied correctly?”
No one responded to Scott’s rhetorical question. No one wanted to respond. They each knew what scripture prophesied.
Finally, Scott said, “Instead of our normal study tonight, in light of what’s happening in Israel, and may soon happen in the U.S., I suggest that we go straight to prayer.” The balance of the small group’s time was spent on their knees seeking God’s protection of Israel and His mercy on America.
74
Press Briefing Room – White House West Wing
Washington, DC
“We watched and watched,
wore our eyes out looking for help.
And nothing.
We mounted our lookouts and looked
for the help that never showed up.”
(Lamentations 4:17 – The Message)
Normally when a President plans to address the media in the West Wing’s Press Briefing Room a media advisory goes out with at least two hours’ notice. The advance notice allows the most visible talking heads to be in the press room so they can appear on camera. Today the President’s Press Secretary broke the informal rule. Media in the area had ten minutes’ notice that the President would be doing a no question ‘presser’. Some speculated that the President was not anxious to have maximum coverage, but nevertheless felt it necessary to address the media.
The President strode briskly into the press room which is in the west colonnade of the White House. He stepped up behind the podium on which was hung his Presidential seal. Reporters noticed that there were no teleprompters in use, which was unusual for this President. He had what appeared to be a three by five card in his hand. During his brief statement the President’s eyes never looked up, never leaving the prepared text on the card which he held with both hands.
The text was read by the President in what one Fox reporter called a “low mumble”. The President said, “Thanks for coming. I have a brief statement….No questions….We all know that the joint Russian, Iranian and Libyan military training exercises north of Israel have taken a different turn. It appears that these troops are at least seven, maybe eight, miles now into Israel. The United States does not favor this incursion. We call on the nations involved to withdraw their men and equipment before violence commences. I just spoke with the Secretary General of the United Nations. I requested that he convene an emergency meeting of the Security Council to discuss this potential threat to world peace. I have also been in communication with the Prime Minister of Israel. He has demanded that the United States enter this potential armed conflict on the side of Israel. I have thoroughly discussed this request with our nation’s Secretary of Defense, who is in complete agreement with my decision. I have decided that honoring Israel’s request would not be advisable. The United States will not honor Israel’s request. Our entry into any military conflict could be de-stabilizing in this inter-regional disagreement. Again, we urge these nations to work out their differences for the best of all concerned. That’s all I have. Thanks again for coming.”
The Fox reporter turned to the CBS reporter and said, “Good bye, Israel. Your only true friend in the world just kissed you adios, suggesting that you should just get along with your attacking enemies….the Rodney King School of International Diplomacy. Since when did an invasion and war become an inter-regional disagreement? The SecDef hates Israel, so his lack of support for a military response comes as no surprise. What about our treaty to defend Israel if it’s attacked? Julie, CBS better get ready to start airing video of dead bodies, lots of dead bodies. What a betrayal of our ally!”
75
Office of the President, The Kremlin, Moscow, Russia
Office of the President, Sepah Square, Tehran, Iran
Sheba and Dedan (Saudi Arabia today)…will say to you, ‘Have you come to seize spoil? Have you assembled your hosts to carry off plunder… to seize great spoil?’ (Ezekiel 38:3)
“Mahmoud? Vladimir here. Did you just hear the President?”
“Yes, Vladimir, Allah be praised. You were right about him all along. You said you had looked into his soul….you knew he would flinch. There’ll be no American involvement in our, what did he call it….our inter-regional disagreement? We’re on the brink of finally getting rid of the Zionist pigs and apes.”
“Don’t forget Mahmoud, we’re also on the brink of grabbing the Middle East’s largest supply of natural gas just off Israel’s coast. What a coup. The only push back worthy of our attention is the protest by the Saudi King. Can you believe that the King seriously asked us if we’re coming into Israel to take a great spoil? What kind of question is that? Why else would we invade….”
“To push Israel into the sea, of course, and get rid of the Little Satan. Don’t neglect that goal, Vladimir. Are your people in the Great Satan ready for our signal?”
“Yes. More than ready, Mahmoud. As you know, we’ve had our gifts to America in place for some time. My secure lines are ready to transmit, if you are ready to do the same.”
“Let’s do it, Vladimir, Allah be praised. Death to Israel. Death to America.”
Watch For
THE DAY
The Third Book in the SECOND TERM Trilogy
· Will radical Islamists use WMDs on the U.S.? How will they use them? Where?
· Will America survive its betrayal of Israel?
· Will America be destroyed in one day, one hour and one moment?
· How will Americans respond to widespread death and destruction?
· How will Americans who live survive?
· What end times prophecies will be fulfilled in America?
Follow the SECOND TERM series:
www.secondtermbook.com
Sign up for a free END OF AMERICA Newsletter at www.endofamericabook.com and receive notification when the third book of the SECOND TERM series, THE DAY, is released.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
John Price was for forty years an Indianapolis attorney who was active in political and governmental matters. He now devotes his time to his wife, his grandchildren and his writing. He and his wife live in Central America. The author may be contacted at:
[email protected]
Published Books by the Author
AMERICA AT THE CROSSROADS
Repentance or Repression
Christian House Publishing, Inc. 1976
AMERICA AT THE CROSSROADS
Tyndale House, 1979
THE END OF AMERICA
3rd Edition, 2012
(Available in print form on Amazon and e-version on Kindle)
SECOND TERM
A Novel of America in the Last Days
THE WARNING
A Novel of America in the Last Days
For a non-fiction look at America in prophecy:
www.endofamericabook.com
See the next page for a sample from
THE END OF AMERICA
EXCERPT
from
THE END OF AMERICA
© 2012, John R. Price
Chapter One
BEFORE OUR VERY EYES
“The Pharisees and Sadducees came to Jesus and tested him by asking him to show them a sign from heaven. He replied, “When evening comes, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red,’ and in the morning, ‘Today it will be stormy, for the sky is red and overcast.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times.” (Matthew 16:1-3)
“People sense something slipping away, a world receding, not only an economic one but a world of old structures, old ways and assumptions…There is a ‘perverse sense of anxiety, as though everyone feels they are on thin ice…maybe it’s a sense that we’ve had it too easy in the years since 9/11 and that the bad guys are about to appear on the horizon’…Something is happening. Yesterday a friend sent the warning of the Evangelical pastor David Wilkerson, of Times Square Church, that a new catastrophe is imminent…One friend looks for small farms in distressed rural areas. Another logs on late at night looking for a house to buy in a small town out West, or down South, or in the Deep South.” (Peggy Noonan, Columnist – Wall Street Journal, March 14, 2009)