Terrorists launch attack on Israeli border (Second Coming Watch Update #233)

Terrorists launch attack on Israeli border. According to The Associated Press, a shootout along the Israel-Egypt border on Friday, in which three Islamic militants and an Israeli soldier were killed, highlighted the growing threat posed by al-Qaida-inspired groups that have taken hold in the vast desert of the Sinai Peninsula. The militants were heavily armed and wearing explosive belts when they infiltrated into Israeli territory and opened fire on soldiers protecting a team of workers building a border fence meant to buffer against just such attacks.

Iran unveils a new air defense system. According to The Associated Press, Iran on Friday displayed a new, all-Iranian-made air defense system, saying it was designed to confront American warplanes in case of a U.S. attack on the country. The system was on show during a military parade in Tehran commemorating the start of the Iraq-Iran war 32 years ago. The semi-official Fars news agency said the Raad, or Thunder, is more advanced than its Russian predecessor and is designed to confront fighter jets, cruise missiles, smart bombs, helicopters and drones.

Beijing's Shou-wang Church has 22 members detained during outdoor service. According to China Aid, the Shou-wang Church in Beijing has been meeting outdoors for 38 weeks after the government forced them out of their building. This week, during one of these meetings, the police detained twenty-two members and took them to a police station for questioning. Thankfully, the members were released within a few hours, but the incident shows the difficulty that churches face in a country where religious freedom is virtually non-existent.

The Bible says in Matthew 10:17-18: "But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues; And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles."