Journalist Jimmy DeYoung says he is well placed to see all the signs of the second coming of Christ in contemporary Middle Eastern politics.

The American religious broadcaster has the ear of both sides of the Israeli/Palestinian conflict and said the recent crisis with Iraq's weapons of mass destruction shows Russia is the "Gog in the land of Magog'' mentioned in Revelations.

Dr. DeYoung led a series of lectures this week at the Evangelical Church on Mission Road, Paget.

Hundreds of people heard the 58-year-old associate pastor from Jerusalem speak of the confluence of events pointing to a second coming.

Dr. DeYoung has lived in Jerusalem since 1991 and broadcasts live to the world via radio and television with interviews of people like Benjamin Netanyahu and Yassir Arafat.

"I have seen first hand the Camp David accords,'' he said. "I have seen the Oslo agreements, and I have seen peace come to the land of the Bible.'' Dr. DeYoung explained there are four signs that the way is being paved for the return.

"I have been speaking here about Biblical prophecy as it relates to the Middle East, in particular Jewish people and Israel,'' he explained. "Not only is it the centre of the world, but it is the real focus of the world.'' Dr. DeYoung explained there are four trends to take note of; Aliah or the return of Jews from Ethiopia and eastern Europe; The alignment of nations in the region; an anticipation of peace; and arrangements for rebuilding the Temple of Solomon.

"Jeremiah and Zephaniah both talk about the return of Jews from the north and south as preparation for the coming of the Messiah,'' he said.

Dr. DeYoung added: "With realignment, Iraq, Lybia, Syria, Egypt, are connecting themselves with a king in the north -- I say Russia -- just like the Bible said they would 2,500 years ago.'' He explained the much vaunted peace in the Middle East is not working, adding: "The problem is they are not normalising relations.'' But it is the arrangements for the rebuilding of the temple that poses the biggest hurdle.

Dr. DeYoung said: "Since the first time since the destruction of the Temple in 70 A.D., 70,000 priests are prepared to work, every necessary piece to build it is in storage.'' He added: "Everything is in place except a certain building with a gold dome sitting on one corner of the old temple. They even have the 4,000 harps as dictated in the Bible.'' "These four trends that I see are most evident that are in accordance with what's God's Word said would be in place in the end times. I'm not a doomsayer. But he said he would do these things before he would send his son back to set up his utopia.'' From these facts, Christians can gain comfort in the knowledge that "God's Word is true'', he said.

"Christians can now live a pure life, living by all the Biblical truths,'' Dr. DeYoung concluded. "We must let others know that they are preparing for the return and encouraging them to accepting Jesus Christ as their Lord and saviour.'' JIMMY DeYOUNG -- Led a series of lectures this week at the Evangelical Church on Mission Road, Paget.