The Middle East is coming apart at the seams. Even the casual observer can see there is no end in sight to the bloodshed in this tumultuous part of the world. Iraq, Syria, Libya, and Egypt are in a state of complete chaos. Yemen and parts of the Arabian peninsula are hotbeds for al Qaeda and other extremist groups bent on destabilizing the region and destroying the west. Peace deals are struck only to falter just a short time later. Coalitions quickly formed and dissolved even quicker. Tyrants saber rattle, insight hate among their faithful, and are on the cusp of acquiring weapons to blackmail the civilized world. No President, Prime Minister, or statesman has the solution and even the best efforts won’t bring lasting peace. Daniel, Ezekiel, Jesus, and the Apostle John all vividly picture the trouble approaching. A nuclear weapon in the wrong hands, an attack on Israel, or blockading a vital waterway for oil transit is unthinkable, yet quite likely. Any of these events would most certainly trigger a Middle East meltdown.
Mark 13:7 And when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. This must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.
As I write this article, over a dozen or so conflicts are raging in the middle east and north Africa region. The causes are many, from ethnic strife, religious persecution, border disputes, and autocratic despots bent on consolidating power. The root cause is always the same and it is evil. Evil in the form of hatred, murder, greed, and envy is the primary reason the whole region is a cauldron set to boil over. The so-called “Arab Spring” has diminished into the same old sectarian violence and struggle for supremacy. As soon as one leader is toppled, one equally as ruthless occupies the void left behind. Countries like the US. come in to stabilize a region, bring needed aid, and equip the nationals to defend themselves, only to have the same area implode once we leave.
The United States once projected power and at least provided some stability in the region. The Russians and others are filling the leadership void left by the west. But the “leadership” provided by the Russians is short-sighted and one-sided. They broker deals with the Syrian government and oversee the supposed dismantling of their chemical weapons program. Meanwhile, Israel has to launch airstrikes to destroy some of the same weapons moving along its northern frontier between the Syrians and Hezbollah.
The Russians are proving un-trust worthy and the current US. The administration’s red lines seem faded. Russia is aiding the Iranian nuclear program. Almost weekly, you can read about the Russian government helping Iran build yet another reactor. It has become abundantly clear that Iran’s nuclear program is not for energy as they say, rather it is for the development of nuclear weapons. The leadership has made it known on more than one occasion that they want to wipe Israel off of the map and make no mistake, the United States would be the next target if they have their way. Meanwhile, the US, EU, and UN continue to believe the lies and promote a false sense of peace and safety. The centrifuges in Iran continue to spin, uranium is enriched, and plans are being finalized. When will the dreamers wake up and realize….you cannot negotiate with evil.
Al Qaeda, ISIS, Hezbollah, Hamas, and other groups bring a sad reality to this region. Their unpredictability is only surpassed by their brutality. Nations and leaders can be isolated and be made to pay the consequences for acts of brutality. Not so with these groups because their members are hidden and scattered. They shield themselves in mosques and behind women & children. The recent ISIS offensive in Iraq shows the complete lack of humanity these brutal groups have when opposed by anyone. Beheadings, amputations, firing squads, and other atrocities are all meant to send a message to any government that would oppose them. Their goal is a worldwide caliphate: Total control and an Islamic kingdom that spans the globe. While in Iraq, I witnessed the violence inflicted by extremists and they have one common goal, domination.
The Israeli Defense Forces have made it known that Hezbollah has over 60,000 rockets poised to strike and all of Israel is in range. That is a grave concern for the Israelis because should another war like the one in 2006 break out, there would be mass casualties as citizens and soldiers rally to their nation’s defense. On another potential front, Hamas fires rockets into Israeli towns almost weekly. Terrorists residing in the West Bank and Gaza plot Israel’s destruction and plan terror attacks on its citizens. The tiny nation has to go it alone again and again.
When Israel defends itself, the Jimmy Carter types of the world wag their fingers and scold Israel for its “disproportionate responses.”
It’s a shame that political grandstanding, browbeating, and money is the means used to scold Israel for defending its citizens, something other nations would do if they were attacked in the same manner. The hypocrisy is nauseating and sad because Israel is a beacon of freedom and light surrounded by a sea of evil.
The Bible tells us that in the last days, this region will be awash in bloodshed. A coalition of nations will attack Israel and geo-political conditions point to the fact, this may happen at any moment. The Antichrist will make war and consolidate power worldwide but primarily focus on the middle east. Armies from the east will converge on the area around Israel as the war reaches its climax. At the end of the Great Tribulation, as the world’s armies are gathered for battle at Armageddon, Jesus will return to this planet and win the final war. He will vanquish the unrepentant, hate-filled, violent people gathered for battle. He will do this with a word from his mouth. When Jesus rules this world, there will be a period of 1,000 years of total peace and tranquility like the world has never known. That’s because the Prince of Peace himself will be here. Revelation 19:11
You might ask: Why focus on Jesus, his return, and his millennial reign in light of the constant conflict in the middle east? What does that prophetic event have to do with the crescendo of war and violence forming as we look on? My answer is simple. Jesus’ second coming has everything to do with the way we Christians view what is going on over there and how we are to respond. Do we put our heads in the sand and mentally check out in the meantime? Absolutely not because we are told to be alert, watch, and pray as we look for our Lord.
As this world continues to grow dark we are to be salt and light. People see the events around the world and many grow hopeless. We know the one who brings peace even in this world. He brings peace to individual lives. No matter what happens around us: we know He will never leave us or forsake us. When we find people wringing their hands and feeling hopeless because of this sad old world, we can share about our Lord Jesus and his salvation.
The reality is that this world will continue to grow darker, wars will rage, and the middle east will continue its meltdown until the culmination of history. As believers, we are to remain confident in the one true God and our Lord Jesus who promised:
Matthew 28:20 And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
All for Him,
Howard
