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My appointment with the Prime Minister was at noon Monday.
Ambassador Ravid (also formerly Ambassador to Guinea) went along
with us. As you know, I am nearly always accompanied on such visits
with Mr. Stanley R. Rader, our chief legal counsel, and now also
Vice President for Financial Affairs, and Executive Vice President
of the Ambassador International Cultural Foundation (AICF). This
time Mrs. Rader also accompanied us.
Mr. Rabin is not noted for a big wide vote-getting political
smile like Jimmy Carter (usually he is a very solemn man) and
being the chief executive handling all the troubles of a modern
Israel--he has reason to be serious. But he met me and our party
with a warm and cordial smile.
"Mr. Prime Minister," I said, "I'm sorry it's been such a long
time before I've had an opportunity to meet you, but it is indeed
a pleasure and an honor."
"Well, Mr. Armstrong," he smiled in return, "it's just
happened that I've been in your country or Europe or some other
place every time you've been here since I became Prime Minister.
But of course I know a great deal about you, and we all do deeply
appreciate your interest in Israel."
The entire meeting, lasting perhaps 45 minutes, was warm and
friendly. We spoke about the two jet planes that have more or less
"commuted" between Jerusalem and Cairo, and he was candid in telling
us of Secretary Kissinger's peace accomplishments. He was very
appreciative of my efforts toward WORLD PEACE, and especially in
bringing nations like Japan and Israel closer together--also Kenya
and Israel; and my friendships with Arab chiefs-of-state; and efforts
toward a better approach to harmony and understanding between them
and Israel. Actually there has been a slight lessening of tensions
between some of my Arab friends--heads of governments--and Israel.
And through the AICF we are supporting the ICCY (International
Cultural Center for Youth) directed by Minister of Tourism Moshe
Kol--bringing about a new and friendly relationship between Israeli
and Arab youth, especially in Jerusalem.
Somehow, returning to Jerusalem seems like returning home--and
it may be my home for a thousand years, beginning VERY SOON, NOW!
Brethren and co-workers, in every way God's WORK is taking on
more stature--growing in POWER and SCOPE--WORLDWIDE. TIME IS SHORT--
and growing constantly shorter. Have not some of you thought, since
January, 1972 what Christ WARNED US AGAINST, when He said, "But and
if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My Lord delayeth his
coming;...The Lord of that servant shall come in a day when he
looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of, and
shall cut him asunder..." (Matt. 24:48,50-51). And this FOLLOWS and
concludes Jesus' speech about our present END-TIME, when He said,
"This Gospel of the KINGDOM shall be preached in all the world,
for a witness unto all nations. and then shall the END come"
Forty-two years ago God laid on me the GREAT COMMISSION to
get His warning Message of the imminency of the KINGDOM OF GOD to