The treaty for the normalization of diplomatic relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Bahrain, called the "Abraham Agreement", which was signed in the American capital earlier this week, was a remarkable event that would usher in a new era in the Middle East, according to American President Donald Trump. UAE representatives confirmed that Trump's mediation played a role in the agreement.

"Trump scores points as someone who gets thing done," said Deutsche Welle. And the American Secretary of State Pompeo predicted the establishment of diplomatic relations between Israel and other Middle Eastern countries with an Islamic majority in the near future.

As welcome as human efforts for peace are, it should be remembered that peace efforts in the Middle East could have been expected. This region probably holds the greatest potential for explosive material that could trigger a conflagration with global consequences. Those who study the Bible know that in our time there will be peace in the Middle East. By "our" time the time of mankind is meant, that is, the era until the prophesied return of Jesus Christ.

But this peace will be a sham peace, and of relatively short duration. When it is proclaimed, the world will rejoice and believe that a solution has finally been found for the world's most dangerous trouble spot. "For when they say, Peace and safety! then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape" (1 Thessalonians 5:3).

Is the treaty between Israel and the two Persian Gulf states the prelude to this peace? Time will tell. Therefore we should heed Jesus' exhortation and keep watch so that we are not surprised by the developments (Luke 21:34-36).

Only the return of Jesus as the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:5) will make a lasting, true peace possible. Jesus will not score points by getting things done, He will simply do them. His second earthly work with His own presence here will be announced by the sound of the seventh and last trumpet, which we will be reminded of tomorrow.

Despite the best intentions, people do not know the way of peace (Isaiah 59:8). But Jesus knows it and will teach it to all people who experience his reign in the world tomorrow.

With these thoughts I wish everyone a rewarding Sabbath!