Jim opened this edition of Crosstalk with word that Joni Eareckson Tada (who had been re-diagnosed with cancer and has been through radiation treatments) has been challenged in recent weeks with significant pain issues and difficulty breathing. She’s been hospitalized for observation and medical oversight so Joni and her husband Ken would be most grateful for your prayers.

Dr. Jimmy DeYoung is a student of Bible prophecy and expert on the Middle East. He leads a ministry, Prophecy Today, and has spent many years living in Israel as well as having led many trips there. He’s a noted conference speaker. He constantly monitors news regarding Israel and the Middle East and provides a unique blend of political, biblical and prophetic insight that is absent from the media today.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu cut short his visit to the U.S. due to rockets that were fired into Israel from Gaza. The attack took place in spite of attempts by Egypt to negotiate a cease fire between Israel and Hamas.

An attack like this is not surprising as Dr. DeYoung indicated that Hamas has declared in their covenant that they want to wipe Israel off the face of the earth. The goal is to take the land that the Jewish people now control and own and create a Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital.

Dr. DeYoung summarized that within hours, the Israeli Defense Forces could wipe out all of Hamas and all of the Gaza Strip. At the same time, he noted that the Prime Minister has to be a ‘P.R.’ guy as well. In other words, Israel has to be strong enough to threaten their enemies while at the same time let the world know they are willing to co-exist in the area. This is why he has varied in his position regarding the Gaza Strip, Hamas and the political scene taking place as he prepares for the April 9th election.

Dr. DeYoung gave a brief comment on the origin of the Palestinians as well as Hamas (with origins in the Muslim Brotherhood), how the ‘Iron Dome’ works, what he believes is in stake with the upcoming election, can President Trump be compared to Cyrus, what’s happening regarding the restoring of Temple sacrifices, and more including input from Crosstalk listeners.