Middle East, God’s Timepiece

Tonight's Scripture Reading: Isaiah 19:2-4

The Middle East, God’s timepiece. The prophesies of scripture revolve around the Middle East. We need to focus our attention on what is happening over there. We have been given God’s written word to teach us how we should live our lives, how to treat one another, how to love, and what is to come. Jerusalem is considered the center of the world according to scripture. Tonight we look into scripture to see if it has anything to say about what is going on in the Middle East.

Egypt in Turmoil:

Isaiah 19:2-4 "I will stir up Egyptian against Egyptian— brother will fight against brother, neighbor against neighbor, city against city, kingdom against kingdom. The Egyptians will lose heart, and I will bring their plans to nothing; they will consult the idols and the spirits of the dead, the mediums and the spiritists. I will hand the Egyptians over to the power of a cruel master, and a fierce king will rule over them," declares the Lord, the LORD Almighty.

Their were over two million Egyptians in Tahrir Square. Millions of angry people demanding change. Our news media paints a pretty picture of democracy. What were the people chanting? “We go to Jerusalem, martyrs in the millions.”

Luke 21:20 “When you see Jerusalem being surrounded by armies, you will know that its desolation is near.”

The turmoil in Egypt has sparked more countries in the Middle East to push for “reform”. Libya, Iran, Yemen, and Bahrain. What is the reform that they are seeking? Media will lead you to believe democracy. We need to understand that these countries religious beliefs revolve around Islam. Reform and democracy have a different meaning.

Libya In Turmoil:

Hundreds of people calling for the overthrow of Muammar Gaddafi took to the streets of Benghazi, the country's second largest city. Protesters were chanting "no God but Allah, Muammar is the enemy of Allah" and "Down, down to corruption and to the corrupt". Gaddafi’s response is one of murder, he has brought in mercenaries from Africa to “eliminate” the protesters. What is the goal of the protesters? Free and fair elections of their leaders but with an Islamic ideology.

Iran In Turmoil:

Battles erupted in Tehran during the funeral of a student killed in anti-government protests. Rival groups of pro and anti-government protesters both claim the dead man as one of their supporters. Saneh Jaleh, 26, was one of two people killed during protests. Thousands rallied for the first time in more than a year. An opposition leader who became a target of death threats said on his website he would pay any price for trying to bring democratic change to the country. Politicians chanted in parliament for Mahdi Karroubi and two other pro-reform figures to be brought to trial and put to death in response to the demonstrations. Their plea? Free and fair elections of their leaders with an Islamic ideology.

Yemen In Turmoil:

More than 2,000 policemen were sent on to the streets of the capital Sana'a to try to end six days of protests against the president of 32 years. The police, including plainclothes officers, fired in the air and blocked thousands of students at Sana'a University from joining thousands of other protesters. Again the protesters want free and fair elections of their officials with an Islamic ideology.

Bahrain In Turmoil:

Thousands of protesters demanding sweeping political reforms occupied the main square in the capital Manama. Security forces pulled back, apparently on orders to ease tensions. Clashes left at least two dead and dozens injured. Police helicopters flew over a funeral procession for one of the victims. Mourners called him a "martyr". The protests started as a demand for the country's Sunni monarchy to loosen its grip, and open more opportunities for the majority Shias, who complained of being blocked from decision-making roles. See the pattern? Free and fair elections all with an Islamic ideology.

What Does This All Mean?:

In the media, relations between these parts of the world are between the Western and Arab ‘worlds’. There is a strong feeling with many in the ‘Western world’ that those in the ‘Arab world’, hold fundamentally different values, particularly in their politics. We also share completely different conceptions of human freedom. The political systems, religious practices and cultural connections of the majority of countries in these two parts of the world are different. I look at this in a scriptural stand point and not in the political realm. Our media focuses on the political ramifications. Our focus needs to be on God and what He has planned for us. Muslims believe that the last Imam is alive and well in the Middle East. What does that mean?

The fall of these countries will bring about change. Political and economic change on the outside. Religious rule on the inside. Egypt promises to keep peace with Israel, the others promise religious tolerance. Is this the beginning of “False Peace” spoken of ?

Revelation 12:17 “Then the dragon was enraged at the woman and went off to make war against the rest of her offspring—those who obey God's commandments and hold to the testimony of Jesus.”

Is this turmoil heading toward the ushering in of the Anti-Christ? What does scripture say?

Daniel 12:7 “The man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, lifted his right hand and his left hand toward heaven, and I heard him swear by him who lives forever, saying, "It will be for a time, times and half a time. When the power of the holy people has been finally broken, all these things will be completed.”

Revelation 12:14 “The woman was given the two wings of a great eagle, so that she might fly to the place prepared for her in the desert, where she would be taken care of for a time, times and half a time, out of the serpent's reach.” Three and a half years of peace with Israel before the beast is revealed.

End Time prophesy, a reality we are witnessing today. Do you have a relationship with Christ? Are your eyes focused on what scripture say’s? Keep an eye on God’s Timepiece.