Graham Bacon

Our most recent article demonstrated the Bible foundation for establishing that a Palestinian state alongside Israel, an international peace making fairytale objective, will not occur. In fact, we pointed out that the Bible outcome of the present confrontation, as presented in Obadiah, seems to be for a five piece Palestinian presence on Israel’s border, just as it is at present, to be finally removed forever. Not only does the Bible present us with the ill-fated destiny of the Palestinians, totally unsuspected by the international community, but the futures of other of Israel’s antagonistic neighbours are disclosed for our learning.

SAUDI ARABIA
Saudi Arabia, known in the Old Testament prophecies as Sheba, is one such. At present, Saudi Arabia occupies an all-things-to-all-men international stance. Saudi Arabia is a prestige Arab nation that controls the Muslim holy places, Mecca, Medina and the Temple mount in Jerusalem, via a strict religious party that is a strident enemy of Israel. Yet the royal rulers maintain friendly relations with the west, enjoying the oil wealth they supply. It has no fundamental capacity to defend itself and relies on western arms to fend off predators. Unlike other Arab countries, it seems not to trust Russia or Russian weapons.

Psalm 68:29 sets the scene when Jesus will rule from Jerusalem, “Because of your temple at Jerusalem, kings will bring presents to you” and Psalm 72:10-11 provides some detail, “The kings of Tarshish and of the isles will bring presents; the kings of Sheba and Seba will offer gifts.” The returned Jesus will make a concerted effort to convert Muslims to true one God Christianity and will remove those who resist. It appears that the Saudi Arabians eventually accept Jesus and bring him presents. Being suspicious of Russia pays off. Most Russian loving Arabs do not eventually survive.

IRAQ
Iraq is a fascinating example of a country being kept in check by events directed by God behind the scenes. Under Saddam Hussain, Iraq had already fired 23 Scud missiles at Israel in the 1990 Gulf War and was eager to advance an invasion of Israel as soon as possible. In Micah 5 Iraq, under the ancient name of Assyria, will set foot inside the borders of Israel at a time when the returned Jesus Christ will send seven “shepherds” and eight warriors [v.5] and they will “waste with the sword the land of Assyria” [Iraq]. This Iraqi attempted invasion of Israel and its sequel cannot take place now. Hence the devastation of Iraq now - she is being drastically weakened to the point that it will be many years before Iraq is in a position to threaten Israel again. By then it will be too late - Jesus will be in Jerusalem to curtail Iraq’s evil intent. The Iraq situation is part of the Middle East Madness but, in this case, it seems to have a divine sound reason behind it - hidden to most people.

The Iraq story has a good ending. Isaiah 19 discloses that the “shepherds” - teaching, caring representatives of Jesus - will succeed in their mission of converting the remaining Iraqis to true Christianity. Again under the ancient name of Assyria, Iraq becomes one of three, along with Egypt and Israel, to form the nucleus of the Kingdom of God on Earth. Again note that Iraq never had Russian support - otherwise the coalition would not have got past “Go”. But Iraq is an eventual survivor. She will be no part of the Gogian confederacy. Russian friendship is eventual doom.
God willing, we will next explain the final outcome of more Middle East nations.