Editorials
| "The Significance of the Middle East Crisis" |
By Steven G. Cook, Th.D.
August 2006
One cannot turn on the T.V., read the paper, or listen to radio talk shows
without hearing an array of reasons why fighting has erupted in the Middle
East. While so-called “experts” are quick to give their opinions, it is
apparent that most do so without providing any biblical basis for their
explanations. The Word of God has much to say about what is going on in
the Middle East. With this in mind, let us examine a few of the Bible
prophecies that lend light on the current Mid-East situation.
“Israel: A People That Shall Dwell Alone”
Israel is God’s “time-piece” in regard to End-Time Bible prophecy. One
need only look at the tiny country of Israel (150 miles long, 50 miles wide,
and over 5,765 years deep) to realize that Israel is special, unlike no other
nation in the history of the world. Over the course of Jewish history, nation
after nation, king after king, dictator after dictator has sought to exterminate
the Jews, yet Israel still exists. God’s Word describes Israel as a people that
shall stand-alone among the nations of the world. Numbers 23:9 Balaam
gave prophecy concerning Israel – “For from the top of the rocks I see him,
and from the hills I behold him: lo, the people (Jews) shall dwell alone, and
shall not be reckoned among the nations.”
“Israel: A Burdensome Stone for All People”
Though Balaam’s prophecy was given thousands of years ago, it is relevant
in 2006. Nations of the world find Israel to be a burdensome stone.
Zechariah 12:3 declared, “And in that day will I make Jerusalem a
burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be
cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against
it.”
History bears record that all nations who have put their hand against God’s
chosen people have found more trouble than they care to find. How many
Babylonians, Midianites, Edomites, Hittites, or Philistines do you know? All
people that have laid their hand against Israel have eventually been found it
to be a “burdensome stone”. The world has had difficulty deciding what to
do with the Jews.
“Israel: Common Enemy of Arab Nations”
The current fighting in the Middle East is just a continuation of the anti-
Semitic attempts of Arabs to destroy the Jews. Since the days of Ishmael
and Isaac, the two sons of Abraham, there has been a struggle between Arabs
and Jews. God’s Word gave prophecy of Ishmael’s descendants in Genesis
16:10-12 – “And the angel of the LORD said unto her, I will multiply thy seed
exceedingly, that it shall not be numbered for multitude. And the angel of
the LORD said unto her, Behold, thou art with child, and shall bear a son,
and shalt call his name Ishmael; because the LORD hath heard thy
affliction. And he will be a wild man; his hand will be against every man,
and every man’s hand against him; and he shall dwell in the presence of all
his brethren.”
Today’s Islamic fundamentalist groups claim that Israel has no right to exist.
They declare that the land belongs to Arabs since Ishmael was Abraham’s
first born. They are wrong! Because of their belief, fanatical Muslim
movements have declared “Islamic Jihad” (Holy War) against the nation of
Israel.
One need only do a little research to find that Islam did not exist until the 7th
Century. Israel’s history is nearly 6,000 years old. God made a covenant
with Abraham (Genesis 12) and gave the land to the descendants of Isaac, the
promised seed of Abraham and Sarah, not Abraham and Hagar.
It is interesting to note that God did provide prophecy concerning the
descendents of Ishmael. His descendents make up the Arab nations and are
described in Genesis 16:12 as a “wild man; his hand will be against every
man, and every man’s hand against him…” History bears record that when
Arabs are not fighting Jews, they are fighting one another!
“Israel: Regathering in Progress”
Biblical prophecy given in Ezekiel 37 sheds much light on the current
fighting in the Middle East. The prophet Ezekiel predicted that Israel would
be regathered to their land after being scattered among the nations (Ezekiel
37:1-14). This regathering process began in earnest in 1898 when Theodore
Herzl fathered the Zionist Movement that culminated in the recognition of the
State of Israel by the United Nations on May 14, 1948. Before nightfall, its 5
Arab neighbors attacked the newly formed State of Israel! Since Israel’s
independence, Muslim fanatics have moved against the Jews on several
occasions by war and by terrorism, yet Israel has prevailed.
Ezekiel prophesied that there would be “no breath of life” in them. Of
course, this has to do with the spirituality of Jews. Currently, about 55% of
Jews worldwide are Helloni Jews – “they are not religious”. What will it take
to awaken God’s chosen people? Israel remains a paradox. Like Jacob who
wrestled with God and was not blessed until after his hip was dislocated,
Israel must experience the judgment of God. Israel has been blessed by God’
s divine protection, covenants, and promises, but because of their unbelief,
they have been judicially blinded and persecuted “until the times of the
Gentiles be fulfilled” (Luke 21:24). It is my opinion that they will continue in
unbelief until God moves to open their spiritual eyes. How will He do this?
I believe it will begin with an End-Time Invasion.
End-Time Invasion of Israel: “Preparation or Preview?”
Ezekiel 38-39 provides details of a “Northern Invasion of Israel” that will take
place during the “latter years” (Ezekiel 38:8). The prophet foretold of a
leader named Gog who will lead an 8-nation coalition (including Russia, Iran,
Sudan, Libya, and allies) in an attack of Israel in the “latter days” (Ezekiel 38:
16). This coalition seemed highly unlikely in Ezekiel’s day, but now in
2006, it has become painfully obvious that these nations have something in
common – ISLAM.
Since the fall of the former Soviet Union, there has been a resurgence of
Islamic fundamentalism around the world. According to the CIA World Fact
Sheet (2006), there is an estimated 1.6 Billion Muslims worldwide, including
an estimated 50 million that live in six of the former Soviet Republics and 1
million in Moscow alone. The increase in Muslim population is growing at
the alarming rate of 2% annually. It is little wonder that President Putin of
Russia is snuggling up with rogue States such as Iran, Syria, and other anti-
Semitic countries. Putin is positioning himself as leader of a coalition that
hates Israel and the USA.
Could this be the “setting of the stage” for a Northern Invasion of Israel?
Maybe; maybe not, we cannot be sure. One thing is certain – God’s Word will
come to pass exactly as He says it will. We can be sure that if this is not the
“preparation” of an End-Time Invasion of Israel, it is at least a “preview” of
things to come.
For the first time in world history, such an invasion of Israel from all points
of the compass is possible. Russia and 6 of her former Republics from the
North; Iran (Persia) and part of Turkey from the East; Sudan from the South;
and Libya from the West are all poised and in position. Anti-Semitism is
growing at an alarming rate. America seems to be Israel’s only true friend.
What will bring an end to the tactics of terrorist groups such as Hezbollah,
Hamas, Islamic Jihad, Al-Qaeda, and others? It seems that neither Israel’s
IDF nor the United States military can defeat this threat to the free world.
I submit that Jehovah Himself will defeat Islamic fundamentalism when He
destroys this “End-Time Army” that attacks Israel. According to Ezekiel 38-
39, God will defeat the coalition by natural means – earthquakes, disease,
confusion, hail, and brimstone. God will allow the invasion and the reason
that He alone will defeat it is revealed in Ezekiel 38:23 - “Thus will I magnify
myself, and sanctify myself; and I will be known in the eyes of many nations,
and they shall know that I am the LORD.”
As we watch events unfold in the coming days, weeks, months, or years, let
us remember to lift our voices in prayer on behalf of Israel. Let us “pray for
the peace of Jerusalem” (Psalm 122:6). Peace will come to the Middle East
and Jerusalem when the Jesus the Messiah, the Prince of Peace returns and
sits upon the throne of His father David in Jerusalem. Until that time, let us
be about the business of taking the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ to the
“Jew first and also to the Greek” (Romans 1:16).
August 2006
One cannot turn on the T.V., read the paper, or listen to radio talk shows
without hearing an array of reasons why fighting has erupted in the Middle
East. While so-called “experts” are quick to give their opinions, it is
apparent that most do so without providing any biblical basis for their
explanations. The Word of God has much to say about what is going on in
the Middle East. With this in mind, let us examine a few of the Bible
prophecies that lend light on the current Mid-East situation.
“Israel: A People That Shall Dwell Alone”
Israel is God’s “time-piece” in regard to End-Time Bible prophecy. One
need only look at the tiny country of Israel (150 miles long, 50 miles wide,
and over 5,765 years deep) to realize that Israel is special, unlike no other
nation in the history of the world. Over the course of Jewish history, nation
after nation, king after king, dictator after dictator has sought to exterminate
the Jews, yet Israel still exists. God’s Word describes Israel as a people that
shall stand-alone among the nations of the world. Numbers 23:9 Balaam
gave prophecy concerning Israel – “For from the top of the rocks I see him,
and from the hills I behold him: lo, the people (Jews) shall dwell alone, and
shall not be reckoned among the nations.”
“Israel: A Burdensome Stone for All People”
Though Balaam’s prophecy was given thousands of years ago, it is relevant
in 2006. Nations of the world find Israel to be a burdensome stone.
Zechariah 12:3 declared, “And in that day will I make Jerusalem a
burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be
cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against
it.”
History bears record that all nations who have put their hand against God’s
chosen people have found more trouble than they care to find. How many
Babylonians, Midianites, Edomites, Hittites, or Philistines do you know? All
people that have laid their hand against Israel have eventually been found it
to be a “burdensome stone”. The world has had difficulty deciding what to
do with the Jews.
“Israel: Common Enemy of Arab Nations”
The current fighting in the Middle East is just a continuation of the anti-
Semitic attempts of Arabs to destroy the Jews. Since the days of Ishmael
and Isaac, the two sons of Abraham, there has been a struggle between Arabs
and Jews. God’s Word gave prophecy of Ishmael’s descendants in Genesis
16:10-12 – “And the angel of the LORD said unto her, I will multiply thy seed
exceedingly, that it shall not be numbered for multitude. And the angel of
the LORD said unto her, Behold, thou art with child, and shall bear a son,
and shalt call his name Ishmael; because the LORD hath heard thy
affliction. And he will be a wild man; his hand will be against every man,
and every man’s hand against him; and he shall dwell in the presence of all
his brethren.”
Today’s Islamic fundamentalist groups claim that Israel has no right to exist.
They declare that the land belongs to Arabs since Ishmael was Abraham’s
first born. They are wrong! Because of their belief, fanatical Muslim
movements have declared “Islamic Jihad” (Holy War) against the nation of
Israel.
One need only do a little research to find that Islam did not exist until the 7th
Century. Israel’s history is nearly 6,000 years old. God made a covenant
with Abraham (Genesis 12) and gave the land to the descendants of Isaac, the
promised seed of Abraham and Sarah, not Abraham and Hagar.
It is interesting to note that God did provide prophecy concerning the
descendents of Ishmael. His descendents make up the Arab nations and are
described in Genesis 16:12 as a “wild man; his hand will be against every
man, and every man’s hand against him…” History bears record that when
Arabs are not fighting Jews, they are fighting one another!
“Israel: Regathering in Progress”
Biblical prophecy given in Ezekiel 37 sheds much light on the current
fighting in the Middle East. The prophet Ezekiel predicted that Israel would
be regathered to their land after being scattered among the nations (Ezekiel
37:1-14). This regathering process began in earnest in 1898 when Theodore
Herzl fathered the Zionist Movement that culminated in the recognition of the
State of Israel by the United Nations on May 14, 1948. Before nightfall, its 5
Arab neighbors attacked the newly formed State of Israel! Since Israel’s
independence, Muslim fanatics have moved against the Jews on several
occasions by war and by terrorism, yet Israel has prevailed.
Ezekiel prophesied that there would be “no breath of life” in them. Of
course, this has to do with the spirituality of Jews. Currently, about 55% of
Jews worldwide are Helloni Jews – “they are not religious”. What will it take
to awaken God’s chosen people? Israel remains a paradox. Like Jacob who
wrestled with God and was not blessed until after his hip was dislocated,
Israel must experience the judgment of God. Israel has been blessed by God’
s divine protection, covenants, and promises, but because of their unbelief,
they have been judicially blinded and persecuted “until the times of the
Gentiles be fulfilled” (Luke 21:24). It is my opinion that they will continue in
unbelief until God moves to open their spiritual eyes. How will He do this?
I believe it will begin with an End-Time Invasion.
End-Time Invasion of Israel: “Preparation or Preview?”
Ezekiel 38-39 provides details of a “Northern Invasion of Israel” that will take
place during the “latter years” (Ezekiel 38:8). The prophet foretold of a
leader named Gog who will lead an 8-nation coalition (including Russia, Iran,
Sudan, Libya, and allies) in an attack of Israel in the “latter days” (Ezekiel 38:
16). This coalition seemed highly unlikely in Ezekiel’s day, but now in
2006, it has become painfully obvious that these nations have something in
common – ISLAM.
Since the fall of the former Soviet Union, there has been a resurgence of
Islamic fundamentalism around the world. According to the CIA World Fact
Sheet (2006), there is an estimated 1.6 Billion Muslims worldwide, including
an estimated 50 million that live in six of the former Soviet Republics and 1
million in Moscow alone. The increase in Muslim population is growing at
the alarming rate of 2% annually. It is little wonder that President Putin of
Russia is snuggling up with rogue States such as Iran, Syria, and other anti-
Semitic countries. Putin is positioning himself as leader of a coalition that
hates Israel and the USA.
Could this be the “setting of the stage” for a Northern Invasion of Israel?
Maybe; maybe not, we cannot be sure. One thing is certain – God’s Word will
come to pass exactly as He says it will. We can be sure that if this is not the
“preparation” of an End-Time Invasion of Israel, it is at least a “preview” of
things to come.
For the first time in world history, such an invasion of Israel from all points
of the compass is possible. Russia and 6 of her former Republics from the
North; Iran (Persia) and part of Turkey from the East; Sudan from the South;
and Libya from the West are all poised and in position. Anti-Semitism is
growing at an alarming rate. America seems to be Israel’s only true friend.
What will bring an end to the tactics of terrorist groups such as Hezbollah,
Hamas, Islamic Jihad, Al-Qaeda, and others? It seems that neither Israel’s
IDF nor the United States military can defeat this threat to the free world.
I submit that Jehovah Himself will defeat Islamic fundamentalism when He
destroys this “End-Time Army” that attacks Israel. According to Ezekiel 38-
39, God will defeat the coalition by natural means – earthquakes, disease,
confusion, hail, and brimstone. God will allow the invasion and the reason
that He alone will defeat it is revealed in Ezekiel 38:23 - “Thus will I magnify
myself, and sanctify myself; and I will be known in the eyes of many nations,
and they shall know that I am the LORD.”
As we watch events unfold in the coming days, weeks, months, or years, let
us remember to lift our voices in prayer on behalf of Israel. Let us “pray for
the peace of Jerusalem” (Psalm 122:6). Peace will come to the Middle East
and Jerusalem when the Jesus the Messiah, the Prince of Peace returns and
sits upon the throne of His father David in Jerusalem. Until that time, let us
be about the business of taking the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ to the
“Jew first and also to the Greek” (Romans 1:16).
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